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Yeltsin nominates prime minister, urges swift action

Yeltsin congratulates Kiriyenko

MOSCOW (CNN) -- President Boris Yeltsin swung into action Friday to rebuild his government, by nominating a new prime minister and serving notice that now is the time to act decisively to revive the economy.

Yeltsin, who fired his government on Monday, nominated Sergei Kiriyenko to be prime minister on Friday and said in a radio address he would give the young reformer all his support and that he would need it. Ending wage arrears must be his priority.

"I have already warned Kiriyenko -- there is no time to warm up. Social questions which have not been solved must be tackled immediately. We must not allow wage arrears to pile up," the 67-year-old president said.

"This year must be a year of economic decisions, a year of growth in Russian industry. We have set out such a task and it must be fulfilled."

Kiriyenko

Yeltsin dismissed concerns that Kiriyenko, until Monday the fuel and energy minister, is only 35. He said having the right qualities, energy and professionalism was more important than age or experience.

He said Kiriyenko would need help and support from the government, the Kremlin and the parliament whose approval is needed for him to become prime minister. He added: "But I do not doubt that he will get that help and support."

Yeltsin warned Friday he would disband parliament if they failed to approve his choice, Russian news agencies reported.

The Russian president, in a letter to parliament's lower house, the State Duma, urged lawmakers to give swift approval to Kiriyenko to head the new government.

"I'm not trying to scare you. I simply tell you as the president -- save time. Make a fast approval," the president said.

The Duma must vote on Kiriyenko's appointment within a week. If the Duma rejects Yeltsin's candidates for prime minister three times, then the president must disband the Duma and call new parliamentary elections.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Chernomyrdin: 'no need to panic' - March 23, 1998
• Kremlin says Russian international policy unchanged - March 23, 1998
• Yeltsin fires premier, majority of Russian Cabinet - March 23, 1998

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• ITAR-TASS Russian News Agency

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