Moscow, 29 September 1997 (RFE/RL) - Russian President Boris Yeltsin today criticized the governor of Russia's Far Eastern province, Yevgeny Nazdratenko, and said the governor was responsible for the region's growing economic problems.
Interfax news agency says that Yeltsin has accused the governor of failing in his duties. The Far Eastern region is suffering from an energy crisis, miners' strikes and demands for back wages.
Last week, the governor was involved in temporarily ousting the mayor of Vladivostock, Viktor Cherepkov. The mayor today returned to his office and called his suspension unlawful.
Nazdratenko defended his actions and said Vladivostock, the region's biggest city, is on the verge of catastrophe. He said the move to suspend the mayor should have been done a long time ago.
Interfax news agency says that Yeltsin has accused the governor of failing in his duties. The Far Eastern region is suffering from an energy crisis, miners' strikes and demands for back wages.
Last week, the governor was involved in temporarily ousting the mayor of Vladivostock, Viktor Cherepkov. The mayor today returned to his office and called his suspension unlawful.
Nazdratenko defended his actions and said Vladivostock, the region's biggest city, is on the verge of catastrophe. He said the move to suspend the mayor should have been done a long time ago.