M A I N   N E W S

Putin sworn in President

MOSCOW, May 7 (DPA) — Calling for a free and proud Russia, Mr Vladimir Putin took the presidential oath of office at the grand Kremlin Palace today, six weeks after he succeeded Mr Boris Yeltsin in the general election.

His right hand resting on a copy of the Russian Constitution, a solemn-faced Putin swore to defend the Constitution and serve the nation.

Some 1,500 dignitaries were on hand as an honour guard marched in, carrying the Russian Constitution and the oath of office. Mr Putin then strode up the same podium where Mr Yeltsin took the oath of office in 1996.

No foreign Heads of State were invited to attend, including from the former Soviet republics that make up the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). But Mr Yeltsin was there, and delivered a moving speech to his successor, admonishing Mr Putin with the words, “guard our Russia.”

Mr Yeltsin, looking pale but animated, said he was unexpectedly moved by the ceremony.

“This day is solemn and moving for me,” Mr Yeltsin told the dignitaries, “though honestly I had not expected it to be so.”

PTI adds: Mr Putin today named Mr Mikhail Kasyanove as acting Premier, the Presidential Press Officer said. Mr Kasyanove, 43, was the first Vice-Premier and Finance Minister in the outgoing Cabinet.