Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 12, 2007

Russian President Dissolves Government
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19726B1:A6F02AD83191E160456EF8792BCA106B9574F7DCC14957C0 Officials say
Vladimir Putin made decision after prime minister offered his
resignation





Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with his Cabinet as Russian Prime
Minister Mikhail Fradkov, left, looks on (File)Russian President
Vladimir Putin has dissolved the government.

Russian officials and news reports say Mr. Putin dismissed the
government Wednesday after Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov offered his
resignation.

The reports say Mr. Fradkov decided to urge Mr. Putin to dissolve the
government because of upcoming major political events, and a desire to
give the president the full freedom to make decisions about staff.

Russia is set to hold parliamentary elections in December.
Presidential elections are to be held three months after that.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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