President Boris Yeltsin and Russia's new prime minister sought Tuesday to reassure Russians and the world that free-market reforms will remain on track despite a government shakeup.
Yeltsin jettisoned acting Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar on Monday and chose Viktor Chernomyrdin to placate the Communist-dominated Congress of People's Deputies. Chernomyrdin had said he would soften reforms, prop up ailing state industries and crack down on the black market.But, speaking to reporters, he said: "There should be no fits and starts."
"I am for deepening reforms. We don't have a way back," Chernomyrdin said.
There was no immediate reaction from the Congress of People's Deputies, which approved Chernomyrdin's appointment on Monday.
Chernomyrdin said he might make changes in Russia's reformist Cabinet but sought to play down predictions of a major Cabinet reshuffling.
"The government that exists today must work," said the 54-year-old technocrat who has spent his career in the oil and gas industry. "There might be changes, but everything in life is changing. But there should be no fits and starts."
Yeltsin spokesman Vyacheslav Kostikov said Monday a Cabinet reshuffling was expected, and Tuesday evening's Izvestia newspaper quoted unidentified government sources as saying at least four key reformist ministers from Gaidar's team would resign.
Chernomyrdin has said he would ask "everyone" in the Cabinet to stay. Gaidar has already announced he will not remain in any capacity.
Yeltsin also sought to allay fears that Chernomyrdin would alter Russia's course.
"We have been working with him for a long time, and I'm sure there will be no departure from reforms under his premiership," Yeltsin told visiting German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. Chernomyrdin was seated at his side.