11.   President Boris Yeltsin spent the day at his country retreat Monday planning his strategy to persuade reluctant lawmakers to endorse his candidate for prime minister.

12.   President Boris Yeltsin and top officials in his government pressed their attack on reluctant lawmakers Monday, pushing for speedy ratification of the START II nuclear arms reduction treaty.

13.   He urged reluctant lawmakers to pass the legislation, arguing that they could not leave poor families in a lurch during the holidays.

14.   Opposition daily Ajker Kagoj said the reluctant lawmakers could even prevent Ali from entering the House.