YELTSIN SACKS GOVERNMENT

May 12, 1999
		For the third time in 14 months, Russian President Boris Yeltsin sacked his government. The following report has been compiled from wire reports and NewsHour sources. --- Posted 3:25 PM

May 12, 1999: President Yeltsin explains his decision to fire his government. Sept. 14, 1998: Enter Primakov Sept. 2, 1998: Clinton and Yeltsin meet in Moscow Aug. 31, 1998: How do Russians view the economic crisis? Aug. 26, 1998: The Russian economic crisis Aug. 24, 1998: Yeltsin sacks his government April 24, 1998: Sergei Kiriyenko is confirmed as PM March 23, 1998: Yeltsin dismisses his government Complete NewsHour coverage of Europe   Russian Government Russian Embassy in Washington, DC

Citing his failure to revive the Russian economy, President Boris Yeltsin sacked Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and dismissed his entire cabinet today. President Yeltsin, in a statement explaining the decision, said the "government has fully carried out its tactical task. But the situation in the economy still isn't improving. The question of the economic strategy, today, nine months later, still remains open." The move, which is likely to trigger a political crisis, comes as the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, prepares to debate possible impeachment proceedings against President Yeltsin. Upon hearing the news, the Duma adopted a non-binding motion demanding President Yeltsin to resign. The news also hit the economy hard with the Moscow stock exchange halting trades after its index fell 10 percent. According to the Russian constitution, the Duma must approve any candidate nominated for prime minister. If the Duma fails to approve a nomination after three attempts, the president is forced to dissolve the chamber and call for parliamentary elections. But if impeachment proceedings are underway, the president cannot dissolve the Duma, setting in motion a possible constitutional crisis. Mr. Primakov came to power last September in the wake of Russia's devaluation of the ruble and subsequent economic collapse. He was not Mr. Yeltsin's first choice for the post. But after the Communist-led Duma twice rejected the nomination of Victor Chernomyrdin, the two sides agreed on Mr. Primakov. Although he has been credited with restoring political stability in Russia, Mr. Primakov and Mr. Yeltsin have not always seen eye-to-eye. It is the third time in little over a year that President Yeltsin has sacked his entire government. In March 1998, Mr. Yeltsin dismissed Victor Chernomyrdin, saying the government "lacked dynamism, initiative, new viewpoints, fresh approaches and ideas." Mr. Chernomyrdin was then replaced by Sergei Kiriyenko, a former energy minister, who lasted four months before he too was sacked by President Yeltsin. Interior Minister Sergei Stepashin, a longtime Yeltsin ally, was named acting prime minister and nominated to replace Mr. Primakov. As Interior Minister, Mr. Stepashin commanded Russia's paramilitary and security forces. Prior to holding this position, Mr. Stepashin served as head of the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB, and helped oversee Russia's war in Chechnya. Last week, President Yeltsin named Mr. Stepashin first deputy prime minister.

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