CHERNOMYRDIN MAY RUN FOR STATE DUMA.

Russia’s former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin may run in a by-election for the State Duma, an associate said last week. (Russian agencies, May 14) Chernomyrdin may run for the seat from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug vacated by Vladimir Goman when he entered the new government as head of State Committee on the Development of the North. Chernomyrdin has already declared his intention of running for president in 2000. His chances, however, are not rated highly. Leading members of Russia is Our Home, the movement he leads, have been quitting the movement in increasing numbers ever since Chernomyrdin lost his job as prime minister.

COMMUNIST ELECTED SPEAKER OF CRIMEAN PARLIAMENT.