WILL KREMLIN VETERANS BE RECALLED?

The Kremlin–according to one theory–is seriously considering appointing Viktor Chernomyrdin as a deputy prime minister. In this scenario, Yeltsin would bring Chernomyrdin, who met with Yeltsin yesterday, into the cabinet and then use a legal loophole which allows the president, after firing a prime minister, to name a deputy prime minister as acting prime minister for two months without getting the parliament’s approval. Anatoly Chubais, a key “young reformer” who currently heads United Energy Systems (Russia’s electricity grid), has reportedly visited the Kremlin a number of times in recent days. Some observers believe that Chubais may be under consideration, either as a potential prime minister or as a member of a Chernomyrdin cabinet (NTV, Kommersant daily, April 9). Yeltsin, however, was quoted today as denying that he was contemplating a cabinet post for Chernomyrdin, saying that the former premier planned to run for a Duma seat in the next elections (Russian agencies, April 9).

CRIMINAL CHARGES LEVELED AGAINST LEBED FOE ANATOLY BYKOV.