Ministry for Far East development not to be abolished

The Ministry for Development of the Far East headed by Viktor Ishayev will not be abolished. There are proposals on a candidacy to head the ministry, Russian presidential aide Yuri Trutnev told reporters on Saturday. He will be appointed soon as vice-premier and presidential envoy to the Far East. When asked whether the ministry would be abolished, Trutnev answered "No for the present." In reply to the question who would become the new minister, he answered "a minister". A candidacy will be nominated by the prime minister, in accordance with the law, for the Russian president's consideration, Trutnev noted. He added that he had a candidacy for the post. He expressed the hope he would participate in the candidacy nomination.