YELTSIN'S PROMISES

Major election promises made by President Yeltsin in the course of his campaign include:

. An end to the war in Chechnya and a massive cash injection to restore the devastated region. A peace accord is currently in place, but cash from previous restoration grants has been siphoned off in a series of scandals.

. An end to conscription by the year 2000 and the establishment of a professional army.

. A special mortgage scheme to allow Russians to buy their own homes over extended periods. Mortgage terms at present are three years on average.

. A doubling of assistance to the elderly to $30 per month on top of their $14 per month in state pensions.

. Compensation to people whose savings were wiped out by hyperinflation in 1992 and 1993.

. A payment of $2 billion to mining companies to help pay back wages. Unpaid miners threatened to strike in January. Money from a loan from the IMF to be used to pay back wages in other sectors of the economy.

. The halving of electricity prices to farmers and writing off of farm debts running to $4 billion. Tax breaks for new farms. A quota system to protect domestic producers which would run contrary to Russia's ambition to join the World Trade Organisation.

. Raising of student grants. Extra scholarships for students. Index linked pensions for teachers and university professors allowing them 80 per cent of salary on retirement.

. Subsidised holidays for children and state grants to build holiday and retirement homes in southern Russia for the inhabitants of colder northern regions.

. A $700 million boost for research and development in the defence sector.

. A $200 payment to each person who fell victim to fraudulent investment schemes.

. A special programme for the economic and social development of the Siberian region.

. An underground railway system for the city of Ufa in Bashkiria.