Russian Opposition Hints at Compromise

hembsky, told Itar-Tass news agency the Kremlin leader was "satisfied" with a meeting with leaders of party groupings in the State Duma lower chamber. The opposition leaders also praised the talks. Zyuganov said Yeltsin promised to put in writing the compromise agreed during his meeting with the Duma leadership. The opposition demands presented to Yeltsin are so modest that many analysts suspect a behind-the-scene deal between the Duma majority and the government. The Duma wants changes in planned housing reforms and currency redenomination plans that will remove three zeros from rouble prices on January 1. It also wants regular round-table consultations with the Kremlin and airtime on state broadcast networks. The first round table is scheduled for November 22. Their demands did not touch upon areas really sensistive to the Kremlin -- the removal of top reformers from the government and amendments to the constitution, which gives the president huge powers at the expense of the legislature. The only remaining sticking point seems to whether the no-confidence vote should be formally removed from the agenda or just put off.