YAVLINSKY HOSPITALIZED.

Liberal economist Grigory Yavlinsky–46, who leads the Yabloko movement and has already declared his intention of running for president in 2000–is in a Moscow hospital recovering from a heart attack. His condition is reported to be “satisfactory” but he is expected to remain in the hospital for several days. His press service said that he had been “very much concerned” over the current situation in Russia. Last week, Yavlinsky refused the post of first deputy premier for social issues in the new government. The portfolio, downgraded to deputy premier, is now tipped to go to Valentina Matvienko, 49, presently Russia’s ambassador to Greece and reportedly a close associate of Premier Primakov.

LEBED MOVES AHEAD IN PRESIDENTIAL STAKES.