DUMA CALLS ON YELTSIN TO RECONSIDER KIRIENKO’S CANDIDACY.

The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, decided this morning to vote on a motion calling on President Boris Yeltsin not to appoint Sergei Kirienko as his prime minister. Instead, the Duma wants Yeltsin to hold roundtable talks with the Duma on the formation of a new government. The Communist faction has already said it will not support Kirienko’s candidacy. They say he lacks the necessary experience and that Yeltsin acted irresponsibly by failing to consult parliament before dismissing the government. Yeltsin has threatened to dissolve parliament if it refuses to approve Kirienko as prime minister. (BBC, March 31)

Yeltsin (Again) Denies Interest in Another Term as President.