Yeltsin rules out army: 'Democratic' solution to crisis

BORIS YELTSIN has offered assurances that he will resolve his power struggle with parliament by democratic means, and a senior official discounted the possibility of 'a military solution'.

Yesterday's remarks followed frenzied speculation over what Mr Yeltsin might do to block a strong conservative challenge during last week's Congress of People's Deputies, which assaulted his right to appoint ministers, issue decrees and control economic policy.

Mr Yeltsin promised to comply with 'democratic standards and practice' in talks with New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, according to the Interfax news agency. Interfax also said that the President had prepared an address to the nation, which he is expected to deliver this evening, after canvassing the views of various political groups.

In a telephone conversation with Douglas Hurd, the British Foreign Secretary, the Russian Foreign Minister, Andrei Kozyrev, said Mr Yeltsin's response would be peaceful and conform with the democratic process. The same assurances were made for Russia's domestic audience by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Vladimir Shumeiko.

Russia has been awaiting Mr Yeltsin's response to a tumultuous session of the Soviet-era Congress since he stormed out of the Great Kremlin Palace last Friday. Radical trade unions have urged him to bypass, even suspend, Congress and the smaller standing legislature, the Supreme Soviet. Several members of the Presidential Council, which includes the former prime minister, Yegor Gaidar, and the St Petersburg Mayor, Anatoli Sobchak, have recommended 'extremely tough measures', including presidential rule.

Such appeals have raised the spectre of military intervention, though the Defence Minister, Pavel Grachev, and other senior generals have said the army would play no role in political squabbles. Military support would be essential to any plans by to declare emergency rule or suspend the legislature.