YAVLINSKY INSISTS HE WON’T JOIN YELTSIN COALITION.

Yabloko leader and presidential candidate Grigory Yavlinsky says he will not withdraw from the presidential campaign in favor of President Boris Yeltsin and will never accept a post in a Yeltsin government. Earlier, Yavlinsky had indicated that he would consider a coalition if Yeltsin sacked leading members of his government by May 25. Addressing a press conference that day, Yavlinsky defended himself against accusations that he had damaged his electoral chances by bargaining with Yeltsin over government posts. He said his recent meetings with Yeltsin had convinced him that Yeltsin was not going to change his policy. "The decisions Yeltsin is now making are nothing but electioneering moves which he will forget immediately after the elections," he said.

Yavlinsky repeated his call for Viktor Chernomyrdin’s dismissal, saying the premier’s dovish image is a sham and that he and Yeltsin are playing a game of "good cop, bad cop." Yavlinsky said he retained the support of leading democrats such as Sergei Kovalev and Yelena Bonner. (Interfax, May 25; Monitor correspondent report) In reality, Yavlinsky’s image of moral purity has been seriously tarnished by his apparent willingness to consider a deal with Yeltsin.

Party Formed to Support Lebed’s Presidential Bid.