Is Chernomyrdin the man to resolve Russias economic woes?
JIM LEHRER: This has all the potential for a disaster. LEON ARON: I think at best that it will prove a waste of time. At worst, I think it will be a slide toward a free fall. JIM LEHRER: Professor Legvold, how do you read it? ROBERT LEGVOLD, Political Scientist: Well, first, I think there are three reasons why he did it. Evidently he was convinced. If so, I think he misunderstood that the Kiriyenko government was finished, that it had committed suicide with the measures taken last week, the devaluation of the ruble and the decision to restructure the short-term domestic debt in Russia. Secondly, it does appear that he is now trying to build a broader-based government, which is necessary in these circumstances or makes sense. But, third, I have a hunch that he’s in these difficult times simply more comfortable with a person like Chernomyrdin and to some extent, I think it represents his insecurity. But, like Leon Aron, I think this is a step backwards. And I don’t think that it bodes we
