YELTSIN TRANSFERS SOME POWERS TO CHERNOMYRDIN.

Russian president Boris Yeltsin has transferred some of his presidential powers to Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin while he is away from Moscow preparing to undergo heart surgery. Yeltsin stopped short of transferring all his powers, but instructed the "power ministries" (defense, security, interior and foreign affairs) to "consult" with the prime minister during his absence.(Itar-Tass quoted by BBC World Service, September 10) This formulation appears to observe the constitutional niceties and to underline Chernomyrdin’s preeminence over Security Adviser Aleksandr Lebed, while leaving open Yeltsin’s communication channel to the rest of the government through Chief-of-Staff Anatoly Chubais. Control of the nuclear football appears to remain with Yeltsin.

Lebed Grabs Black Sea Fleet Issue.