MOSCOW, March 1, 2004. (RIA Novosti) -- Acting Vice Prime Minister Vladimir Yakovlev told journalists at the House of Government that candidate for the post of the Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov is "an experienced man." "It is tactless, when subordinates give assessments, but when I was the governor of St. Petersburg I met with Fradkov many times and can say that he is an experienced man, who occupied many high-ranking posts," Yakovlev said.
He also pointed to Fradkov's experience in the economic, trade and insurance spheres and that his "latest work confirms he was nominated to this post not in vain." At the same time, the acting Vice Prime Minister pointed out that the appointment of Fradkov was unexpected. "Mikhail Fradkov is an absolutely neutral figure, therefore he will remove tension which could arise," Yakovlev said.
