Splitter Semigin predicts change of Communist leaders

Executive Committee Chairman of the Russian People's Patriotic Union (NPSR), State Duma deputy Gennady Semigin (the Communist faction) does not rule out the possible change of Communist leaders at the forthcoming party congress in June 2004.

"The Communist Party needs modernization, new staff and program," Mr. Semigin told a press conference in Moscow on Saturday. He criticized serious errors of the Communist leadership, which led to defeats in the parliamentary and presidential elections on December 7, 2003 and March 14, 2004.

Gennady Semigin believes that Communist leaders will not be changed if they alter their political and human style.

Semigin rejected Communist chief Gennady Zyuganov's accusations of splitting activities. "Zyuganov often acts as a liar and intriguer," he noted.

According to Mr. Semigin, attempts to dismiss him from the post of the NPSR executive committee chairman and to exclude him from the Communist Party are futile.

"There were many attempts to dismiss, remove and exclude me. Only a NPSR congress can do it," he said.

Gennady Semigin who seldom condescends to journalists gave a press conference before the opening of the Congress of Russian Patriots on Saturday.