DATE=5/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA POLITICS (L-OVERNIGHTER)
NUMBER=2-262424
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma,
votes Wednesday on the nomination of Mikhail Kasyanov
as prime minister. V-O-A Moscow Correspondent Peter
Heinlein reports the nomination is expected to win
easy approval.
TEXT: On the eve of the Duma's confirmation vote, Mr.
Kasyanov appeared confident of winning widespread
support from lawmakers.
Only the liberal Yabloko faction expressed
reservations about supporting the nomination. Even
Communists, who often opposed prime ministerial
nominations during the era of former president Boris
Yeltsin, seemed ready to give their consent.
Mr. Kasyanov, a 42-year old economist who also serves
as finance minister, held meetings with Communist
lawmakers Monday and Tuesday to explain his economic
strategy. Afterward, he told reporters the meeting
had produced broad agreement on the direction of the
economy.
/// KASYANOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER
///
He says, "We have the same views on several things,
such as the need for investment to stimulate economic
growth."
Mr. Kasyanov said some differences of opinion had also
come up. But Deputy Communist leader Valentin Kuptsov
expressed satisfaction with the discussions.
/// KUPTSOV ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER
///
He says, "Our faction will talk it over, but I'm sure
Mr. Kasyanov's nomination will be approved."
The leader of one pro-Kasyanov faction predicts the
nomination will receive 300 or so votes among the 450
Duma members, far more than the simple majority needed
for confirmation.
Once the prime minister is in place, he is likely to
move quickly to fill out the rest of his cabinet.
That could happen as early as Thursday.
No radical changes are anticipated. Mr. Kasyanov is
expected to work closely with President Vladimir
Putin, who appointed him hours after being sworn into
office May seventh. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/JP
16-May-2000 13:10 PM EDT (16-May-2000 1710 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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