THE PRESIDENT MAKES AN APPEARANCE, LAYS DOWN THE LAW.

Along with revealing his presidential ambitions, Seleznev supported the idea of holding a referendum on whether Yeltsin should step down prior to the end of his term. Seleznev’s comments followed Wednesday’s national protest, which called on Yeltsin to resign. Kremlin spokesman said that while Yeltsin had reacted “calmly” to such calls, a referendum on the subject could lead to an “unnecessary strengthening of politicization in society” (Russian agencies, October 8).

Yeltsin himself minced fewer words on the subject. During a Kremlin ceremony Thursday, in which the top officers of the armed forces and other “power” ministries were presented to the head of state, Yeltsin was apparently less calm about the calls for his resignation. A severe Yeltsin declared that Russia’s power structures “are traditionally subordinated–and will always be subordinated–to the president.” This is how it will be,” the president then said, “at least while I am here, until the year 2000” (Russian agencies, October 8). Yeltsin’s speech and gait during the ceremony were sluggish.

NEWSPAPER GOES AFTER LUZHKOV.