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a distinctive
development of yeltsin抯 second term in office was the growing
influence of russia抯 financial and industrial magnates in kremlin
politics. beginning in 1996 the so-called oligarchs had actively
looked for people in yeltsin抯 inner circle who could provide more
effective channels for lobbying their interests. they finally found
in tatiana diachenko, yeltsin抯 younger daughter,
the key that gave them access to the president.
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previously,
diachenko had kept out of politics and the public limelight, but in
1996 she was persuaded to take an official position as the
president抯 image manager. soon diachenko became the chief conduit
of the oligarchs?influence on yeltsin. it is doubtful that she
possessed the necessary experience or expertise to understand the
complex problems facing the nation. it was also rumored that her
financial and commercial interests, entangled with those of the
oligarchs, could have influenced several important political
decisions.
in the final
two years of yeltsin抯 presidency the effective control over most
important decisions and appointments passed into the hands of
yeltsin抯 inner circle, which the media dubbed the 揊amily.?this
preeminent clan was composed of a small circle of yeltsin抯 aides
and top officials, a few of the oligarchs, and the president抯 blood
relations. the growth of its influence was a direct result of the
president抯 ill health and his inability to fulfill routine
presidential duties.
alongside
tatiana diachenko, the family was rumored to include valentin
yumashev, a journalist who had entered yeltsin抯 circle in 1990 by
helping him to write his first book of memoirs; alexander
voloshin, an economist who was put in charge of the presidential
administration; roman abramovich, a talented young businessman and a
protégé of boris berezovsky; and the ubiquitous berezovsky himself.
