ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190045
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MOSCOW
SOURCE: Associated Press
Boris Yeltsin won a powerful new ally Tuesday, appointing Alexander Lebed as Russia's security chief. The gruff, retired general immediately attacked the president's Communist foes - then said he had prevented a military coup.
Yeltsin named Lebed, who finished a strong third in Russia's presidential vote Sunday, as secretary of his secretive Security Council and as national security adviser, giving him new, wide-ranging powers. Yeltsin also dismissed Defense Minister Pavel Grachev, a longtime foe of Lebed's.
Within hours, Lebed announced that he had prevented a coup attempt by top generals. He also warned of political violence and promised a crackdown on crime and corruption and said he would bring the chaotic military under control.
``The situation in the country is very complex and explosive,'' he said at a news conference. ``Whoever wants to defuse it must meet the danger face to face, even with a sword.''
The appointment of Lebed is intended to boost Yeltsin's chances in a runoff a few weeks away against Communist candidate Gennady Zyuganov. Yeltsin and Zyuganov each took about a third of the vote in the first round.
Lebed's support didn't come cheap - as head of the Security Council, he will oversee military and police forces and advise the president on major national security issues. Lebed said he also received additional powers, including the right to endorse personnel and structural changes in security organs.
Following a brief meeting with Yeltsin, Lebed, dressed in a dark suit and crisp white shirt, stood ramrod straight next to the president in a gilded Kremlin reception room.
In his booming voice, Lebed said the deal ``would serve not only as the unification of politicians, but of the forces serving them.'' Yeltsin made a clear pitch to Lebed's voters, saying the appointment unified ``two political programs.''
At a news conference later, Lebed spoke grimly of an ``approaching calamity'' of political violence and accused top generals of plotting a coup against Yeltsin. He later toned down the charges, saying five generals were trying to persuade Grachev, the defense minister, to oppose his dismissal by force.
Lebed said he visited the headquarters of several military units early Tuesday, assuring himself of their ``complete loyalty.''
Analysts say the military brass is loyal to Grachev, while most of their troops admire Lebed, known for his unflinching calls for a strong army and a crackdown on endemic crime and corruption.
That attitude won Lebed a surprising 14.7 percent of the vote on Sunday, but it is unclear whether those voters will now switch to Yeltsin.
The Communists claimed they would not. Zyuganov, who also tried to enlist Lebed, warned that Lebed would suffer if he backed Yeltsin.
Zyuganov looked grim Tuesday after he learned of Lebed's appointment, and Communist leaders scrambled to dismiss the importance of the move.
``Lebed has no party behind him, no mass organization. Just a name,'' said Gennady Seleznyov, the Communist speaker of parliament.
Lebed said he was sure his voters would back Yeltsin.
``I am choosing the new idea. I'm deeply convinced that the majority of voters who understand me will make their choice,'' he said. ``You can't go very far with old ideas.''
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB