RUSSIA: ACTING PRIME MINISTER STEPASHIN: FISCAL REFORMS

(18 May 1999) Russian/Nat

Russia's acting prime minister is wooing lawmakers with promises to clamp down on financial crime.

Sergei Stepashin's efforts come on the eve of his confirmation vote by the lower house of parliament.

However Stepashin also got tough with lawmakers, threatening renewed confrontation with the Duma if it doesn't pass fiscal reforms required by the International Monetary Fund for a new loan.

Overshadowing the entire day's discussions though, was Boris Yeltsin's health.

Acting Russian Prime Minister, Sergei Stepashin is continuing to woo parliamentary deputies, prior to a vote of confidence by the Duma on Wednesday.

However Stepashin could not escape the media's interests in reports of further health problems plaguing President Yeltsin.

Yeltsin cancelled a meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on Tuesday.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Everything is okay with Yeltsin, I discussed all the problems with Aznar on Monday."
SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Stepashin, Acting Russian Prime Minister

In the Duma, Stepashin met with representatives of the four main parliamentary factions, beginning with the left-wing opposition, led by communist leader Gennady Zyuganov.

On the agenda, the need for the Duma to pass legislation in order to satisfy International Monetary Fund loan requirements.

The economic reforms required for the I-M-F loan were part of a deal reached by former premier Yevgeny Primakov, but hard-liners in the Duma are still less than enthusiastic about the package.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"The Duma needs to pass legislation in order to satisfy the International Monetary Fund's requirements"
SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Stepashin, Acting Russian Prime Minister

Later Stepashin met with the traditionally pro-government 'Our Home is Russia' party and the 'Yabloko' party led by liberal economist Grigory Yavlinsky.

If a majority of the Duma vote for Stepashin, then his appointment by Yeltsin will be confirmed.

Overshadowing the Duma negotiations though, is the ever present question of Boris Yeltsin's health.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I spoke to the President yesterday." Question: How do you assess his health?
"Well, what do you make of it? Thank you for your smile."
SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Stepashin, Acting Russian Prime Minister

'Our Home is Russia' leader Vladimir Ryzhkov, believes the problem is not that complicated.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"We haven't heard anything about Yeltsin's health. We're dealing with the questions assigned to us. If he is ill, he should go and get treatment from the doctors."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Ryzhkov, 'Our Home is Russia' Leader

Stepashin says he plans to make few changes to the makeup of the Cabinet and he's promised that two deputy prime ministers, Valentina Matviyenko and Vladimir Bulgak, will retain their posts.

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