Former Russian general hesitant to rally forces for rivals
June 17, 1996
Web posted at: 9:05 p.m. EDT (0105 GMT)
MOSCOW (CNN) -- Alexander Lebed, the former general who finished third in the first round of Russia's presidential election, hinted Monday that he would not align himself with the Communists for the upcoming runoff.
Lebed's strong showing in Sunday's election has made him an attractive ally for both President Boris Yeltsin and Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, who will face each other in the runoff because neither received at least 50 percent of the vote.
Zyuganov is reportedly ready to make Lebed prime minister should he win the presidency. But Lebed appeared to rule out an alliance with the Communists.
'Through with communism'
"He (Zyuganov) can offer me whatever he wants. We're through with communism," he told reporters outside his Moscow home.
Yeltsin, who would also like to woo Lebed's 10 million voters into his camp, is said to be considering creating a new post for the tough-talking general-- deputy prime minister in charge of security.
Lebed was not as forthcoming about his intentions regarding an alliance with Yeltsin, saying the possibility of the defense minister position does not appeal to him now.
In any case, he said he would not be telling his supporters to vote for Yeltsin. "They have their own brains," he said.
Third place finish put nationalism high on agenda
Final results in Sunday's election had Yeltsin leading Zyuganov by about 35 percent to 32 percent. Lebed's 15 percent makes him a possible tsar-maker in the race.
"Lebed's major thrust is law and order and nationalism so he is going to drive Yeltsin in his foreign policy in a more nationalistic direction if Yeltsin's wants Lebed's support which I think he will probably get by promising him a cabinet position," former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger told CNN Monday.
Even if Lebed did tell his supporters to vote for Yeltsin, there's no guarantee they would follow his advice.
"The Lebed vote is a collection of nationalists, law and order people, military people, and they could go with the communists. It depends what status Yeltsin can promise Lebed." said Kissinger.
The liberal economist Grigory Yavlinksy is also in a position to tilt the race, with about 7 percent he received Sunday. He and Yeltsin toyed with an alliance before the race but talks fell through after Yavlinsky told Yeltsin he would have to dismiss several cabinet members.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Pivotal Elections: Russia
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