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Yeltsin Approves Lebed's Plan on Security Council Reform


Moscow, Juky 8 (RFE/RL) -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin today approved a draft document on the reform of Russia's Security Council drawn up by the Council's new Secretary, Aleksandr Lebed.

Itar-Tass quotes Yeltsin's press-service as saying Yeltsin today met Lebed in the Kremlin and instructed him to prepare the document for signing. Yeltsin chairs the Security Council.

There were no details on what shape the advisory body will take.

Lebed, who is also Yeltsin's National Security Advisor, has said in the past that he wants the Security Council to have wider decision-making powers.

Yeltsin also decided to meet weekly on Mondays with Lebed. The president usually also meets on Mondays with Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.

Lebed was named Security Council Secretary after placing third in the first round of Russian presidential elections last month.

The Security Council currently oversees the defense, secret services, interior and other key security ministries.
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