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DATE=8/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / PRIMAKOV (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252872
BYLINE=CHARLES MAYNES
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  Former Russian Prime Minister Evgeny Primakov 
has agreed to join a powerful new political alliance.  
As Charles Maynes reports from Moscow, the move 
significantly alters the country's political landscape 
in advance of Russia's parliamentary and presidential 
elections. 
TEXT:  Evgeny Primakov ended weeks of speculation 
about his political future, saying he has agreed to 
ally with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov's "Fatherland" 
movement and a group of powerful regional governors. 
Last May, President Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly 
dismissed Mr. Primakov as Russia's Prime Minister.
Mr. Primakov's decision to join the so-called-- Party 
of Power -- creates what may be a leading union in 
parliamentary elections set for December 19th. 
More importantly, it likely creates a powerbase for 
whomever the alliance presents as its candidate in 
presidential elections next year.  At the moment, both 
Mr. Primakov and Moscow Mayor Luzkhov are rumored 
front-runners for the position.
But if any rivalries are in the offing, the two men 
are playing them down. 
            ///  LUZHKOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER  
///
Mr. Luzhkov was clearly pleased to be the first to 
announce Mr. Primakov had agreed to head the bloc's 
coordinating committee and its electoral list.
            ///  PRIMAKOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE 
UNDER  ///
In a press conference with reporters, Mr. Primakov 
also was coy about his presidential plans, saying he 
has yet to make up his mind and his decision will 
depend upon the will of the Russian people. 
President Boris Yeltisn and his inner circle of 
advisors have tried to stop any opposition political 
alliance from succeeding.  Mr. Luzhkov acknowledged 
that pressure from Kremlin forces, but said neither he 
nor his strong alliance is afraid.
If Mr. Yeltsin fears the prospects of his political 
enemies joining forces and gathering strength just 
months ahead of elections, he was not showing it.  The 
Russian President ignored the issue and instead 
welcomed his new Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, to 
his first day on the job.   (SIGNED)
NEB/CM/JWH/RAE
17-Aug-1999 12:51 PM LOC (17-Aug-1999 1651 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.