Monitor

All the News of the World Reaction to Boris Yeltsin's sacking of Yevgeny Primakov as his Prime Minister

THE FIRST signs of an open rift between Yeltsin and Primakov appeared when Primakov offered a vague "political peace pact" to the Communist- dominated Duma. One part of the pact laid out what a Russian president should expect upon retirement. It stated specifically that former presidents could ride for free on all types of public transport - but said nothing about presidents enjoying the sort of immunity from all prosecution that is held by, for example, members of the Russian parliament. The Kremlin attacked Primakov's plan. It was withdrawn, redrafted and resubmitted - complete with, among other things, iron-clad immunity guarantees.

St Petersburg Times, Russia

PRIMAKOV, WHO always affirmed loyalty to Yeltsin, has been sacked, while a close associate of Yeltsin is at the helm. Though it might be too early to judge Russia's future diplomacy, Moscow and the West can be expected to cherish the same views and stances toward regional and global issues. This should prompt our foreign policy-makers to devise plans - such as minimising the dependence of Iran's policies on those of Russia - with a view to changes that might be effected in Moscow's foreign policy.

Iran News

RUSSIA HAS survived so much upheaval during the past decade that another dose of political turbulence might seem inconsequential. After all, Primakov, the outgoing prime minister, managed to restore calm to Russia essentially by doing as little as possible during his eight-month tenure. He brought the country out of economic crisis by boasting that he had no economic policy.

Washington Post, US

PRIMAKOV'S SACKING does not make political sense for the country. The Prime Minister was able to bring about a measure of political stability after assuming office at a very difficult time. The reason President Yeltsin has given for appointing a loyalist in Mr Primakov's place is the same he gave in his previous dismissals and appointments, a new broom to get the economy going.

Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates