DATE=1/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA POL (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257731
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia's acting President Vladimir Putin has
dismissed two of former President Boris Yeltsin's top
aides. Moscow correspondent Peter Heinlein reports
the changes had been expected.
TEXT: Acting President Putin's first administrative
move was to fire former President Yeltsin's daughter,
Tatyana Dyachenko, from her post as presidential
image-maker. The dismissal, just three-days after Mr.
Putin took over the top Kremlin job, is seen as an
effort to distance himself from the scandals of the
Yeltsin administration.
Ms. Dyachenko is under investigation by Swiss and
Russian authorities in connection with allegations of
massive kickbacks to senior Kremlin officials. With
elections less than three-months away, Mr. Putin says
he intends to clear up corruption in government,
although he generated controversy on his first day in
office by granting his predecessor immunity from
prosecution.
In another move (Monday), Mr. Putin dismissed Chief
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Yakushkin, although Mr.
Yakushkin was immediately appointed to another
position as deputy chief of staff.
Mr. Yakushkin told a Moscow radio station he expects
former President Yeltsin to keep an office in the
Kremlin, and to play a role in Russian politics.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, in an
interview published in an Italian newspaper, said
President Yeltsin wanted to stay on until the end of
his term, but was persuaded to step down by his
daughter, his doctors, and other trusted aides. Mr.
Gorbachev was quoted as saying President Yeltsin --
resisted (resigning) with all the strength he had
left, but they effectively threw him out.
The former Soviet leader told the "La Stampa"
newspaper doctors had been the decisive factor in Mr.
Yeltsin's decision, telling the 68-year old president
any further effort would have been fatal.
Mr. Gorbachev also said that with elections due in
March, Acting President Putin would do anything for
victory in Chechnya, whatever the cost in human lives,
because he understands that in the event of defeat, or
simply no victory, his position could rapidly
deteriorate.
Mr. Gorbachev predicted there would be no fight
against corruption under the new Russian leader,
because in his words -- above all, the interests and
privileges of the ruling class will be protected.
(SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/GE/RAE
03-Jan-2000 11:17 AM EDT (03-Jan-2000 1617 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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