Leading Russian reformers have jobs cut back

The Russian Prime Minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, has cut back the duties of two leading reformers in his government.

The First Deputy Prime Minister, Boris Nemtsov, is to lose overall control of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy -- a duty now taken on by Mr Chernomyrdin himself.

The other first deputy, Anatoly Chubais, is to lose responsibility for media policy while remaining in charge of economic reforms.

A government spokesman said the changes had been approved by President Yeltsin.The announcement comes a day after speculation arose in Russia about the prime minister's health.

Talking to the media today, Mr Chernomyrdin dismissed the rumours, saying he'd been to hospital for a general check-up.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service