71.   Three Nationalist legislators abstained, and two voted for the confirmation vote.

72.   Under Duma regulations, confirmation votes for prime minister are conducted by secret ballot.

73.   Yeltsin has refused to bend to opposition demands ahead of the second confirmation vote, scheduled for Friday.

74.   Yeltsin said Friday he expected no real problems during the confirmation vote.

75.   Yeltsin has said he expected no real problems during the confirmation vote.

76.   Though the hearings move the process forward, only an actual vote could clear the way for the nomination to reach the full Senate for a confirmation vote.