| In the course of a recent cabinet meeting Mikhail Fradkov
lashed out at German Gref. The head of the Economic Development and Trade
Ministry has until now been considered one of the most-favoured presidential
men. Was it a prophylactic "dressing-down" by the PM, who is not over-fond
of Gref? Or did Fradkov launch, by agreement with the president, a real
campaign to dislodge Gref from his post? Well-known politicians answering
this question put to them by Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
Lyubov SLISKA, First Deputy Speaker of the State Duma: "Regarding speculation
about a campaign launched to remove Gref, I find it improbable. German
Gref is a fairly authoritative minister and a good negotiator, which I
myself can confirm. So no special attention should be paid to such things.
These are exclusively working details."
Valentina PETRENKO, Chairperson of the Social Policy Committee of the
Federation Council: "I am in principle against such public wrangles. Scenes
like this only go to show Fradkov's inability normally to lead the government.
Any omissions should be credited to him as number one. I am sure a strong
leader never squabbles. This outburst was provoked by purely emotional
factors."
Sergei Mitrokhin,
Deputy Chairman of the YABLOKO Party: "I think it is a personal conflict
and the parties cannot refrain from mutual recriminations. Gref's future
will not be decided by Fradkov. That is beyond doubt. The government has
a system of checks and balances, with Cabinet members also acting as its
elements. I see no reshuffles involving Gref in the near future. This
is a routine happening: such things occurred immediately after the formation
of the government and won-t stop. There is little love lost between Gref
and Fradkov. This is the result of old, unresolved scandals. Gref is the
President's man, and Fradkov can have no influence on his political career."
Alexei MITROFANOV, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Constitutional
Legislation and State Building: "Perhaps Fradkov has decided to become
a real PM. That is, to indicate to the young members Kudrin, Gref and
Zurabov that he is Chairman of the government in the Soviet sense of the
word. Because they visualised the model of a government as follows: the
PM will be responsible for everything, while they steer the economy. Fradkov
remembered that he is PM and got sick of talk that he is a technical and
inconspicuous administrator .
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