Yeltsin plans `anti-crisis programme'

Moscow - President Boris Yeltsin is to present his government's "anti-crisis programme" to senators and deputies on June 30th…

Moscow - President Boris Yeltsin is to present his government's "anti-crisis programme" to senators and deputies on June 30th, the presidential spokesman, Mr Sergei Yastrzhembsky, said yesterday.

Mr Yeltsin envisages the programme will work as a "stabilising base" to tackle Russia's economic crisis, Mr Yastrzhembsky said.

Russian television meanwhile showed Mr Yeltsin castigating the tax service for failing to increase tax revenue and warning of a new crackdown on major defaulters.

Russia's financial markets have plunged in recent weeks as investors pull out funds, sceptical about the government's ability to plug the hole in the budget.