Primakov consolidates position as Yeltsin recuperates

The meeting focused on the political stability in Russia in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, scheduled to be held later this year and presidential election in mid-2000. In his opening remarks, Primakov made a scathing attack on 8220;economic criminals8221; who what he said taking advantage of the economic crisis were provoking 8220;political, religious and national extremism8221; in the country, ahead of the parliamentary and presidential elections.

He vowed to fight 8220;political speculators,8221; saying his Government would take 8220;tough measures8221; to clamp down on these elements, openly making fascistcalls.

Earlier, addressing the lawmakers at the State Duma, Parliament8217;s Lower House, Primakov promised to 8220;step up struggle8221; against crime and corruption.

8220;Maybe someone doesn8217;t like it,8221; he said, referring to his recent drive against corruption. 8220;But we will go ahead on this way and nobody can deflect us from this way,8221; he added to applause from lawmakers.This week, Prosecutor General8217;s Office and Federal Security Service carried out several raids on the business premises of media mogul and influential financier Boris Berezovsky.

Meanwhile, making a rare gift to Primakov, the Duma approved the 1999 budget on a fourth and final reading.

The budget will no go to the Federation Council, the Upper House, where it8217;s expected to be passed in a single reading for signature by Yeltsin.The approval of the budget was considered necessary for the much-needed credits from the International Monetary Fund, which has withheld the installments, worth billions of dollars, in the absence of a 8220;realisticbudget.8221;