Michael Finucane
Question:40 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Russia following the dismissal of the Government. [8242/98]
Vol. 489 No. 4
40 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Russia following the dismissal of the Government. [8242/98]
As the Deputy is aware, on 23 March the President of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, announced the dismissal of the Russian Prime Minister and Cabinet. The grounds given by the President related to the desire for a stronger performance by the Government in the economic area especially, in the social sphere. President Yeltsin subsequently appointed Mr. Sergei Kiriyenko, former Minister for Fuel and Energy, as acting Prime Minister and on 27 March, formally nominated him for the position of Prime Minister. The nomination of Mr. Kiriyenko is now before the Duma.