DISMISSED IN A PURELY FAMILY WAY

Yesterday Pr esident of Russia Boris Y eltsin dismissed the Cabinet of Surgey Stepashin. This decision only looks illogical fr om the angle of formal political logic, but it is quite explainable fr om the angle of family logic: the family is seriously concerned for the pr eservation of Y eltsin' s r egime — with or without Mr . Y eltsin himself. Mr. Stepashin was r eplaced by Vladimir Putin, former Secr etar y of the Security Council and Dir ector of the Federal Security Service, who was hastily appointed First V ice Pr emier and at the same time, acting prime minister . It is yet to be seen what have come acr oss: the crisis of a debilitated Mr .Y eltsin, still clinging to power , or the disintegration of Russia statehood itself.