Premier Kasyanov Divides Responsibilities Between His Deputies

On Monday evening, Russian Premier Mikhail Kasyanov signed a decree dividing responsibilities between his deputies.

Addressing the government on Tuesday, Kasyanov introduced his deputies assigned by a presidential decree, Galina Karelova and Boris Alyoshin.

"We all know them, we have worked in different offices for years," the premier said.

He stated that he was convinced Karelova and Alyoshin's appointments would "give a new incentive and second wind" to the directions they would be working in.

Kasyanov wished his new deputies success and said they would surely help the government realise its goals.

He also remarked that the government was going to complete its effort to outline the financial and economic policy for a medium-term outlook on Tuesday. In May, according to his words, the government would begin working on a draft federal budget for 2004 "with due regard for the limitations and demands we have defined for ourselves."