New Russian Cabinet Continues Taking Shape
President Boris N. Yeltsin named another batch of ministers to Russia’s new Cabinet on Tuesday, including Mikhail Zadornov as first deputy prime minister in charge of the economy.
Yeltsin also named Mikhail Kasyanov, chief foreign debt negotiator, as finance minister to replace Zadornov.
A slew of other officials were confirmed in positions they occupied in the previous government.
Zadornov’s appointment as first deputy premier in charge of economic affairs will give him wide powers and the task of making sure that Russia wins $4.5 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund to ease its crushing debt.
The appointment of Zadornov also means that Alexander Zhukov, initially tipped for the first deputy’s post, will stay in the Duma, or lower house of parliament, as head of the influential budget committee.
New Prime Minister Sergei V. Stepashin said his Cabinet is now 80% complete.
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