Among Russian deputies, it was more an attitude of brutal-politics-as-usual.

Russian deputies on Friday overwhelmingly approved a bill for Russia to unilaterally lift sanctions against the rump Yugoslavia despite an international embargo.

Mr. Chernomyrdin argued that such funds, which come at low interest rates, should be accepted by Russian deputies despite any "ideological" reservations.

In the debate today, an ethnic Russian deputy argued against the resolution.

For many of the Russian deputies, the main goal was to hold on to the seat and the minor perks it brought.

It also ordered the Russian deputies in the Council of the Union to cease their work, leaving that body without a quorum.

Russian deputies to the Soviet of the Union had boycotted the debate on Nov. 28, leaving the house inquorate.

The Russian deputies were also recalled from the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Gennady Burbulis, the Russian first deputy prime minister, declared today that "the reforms are irreversible."

The new parliament, which was seated in January 1996, included sixty-eight Kazak and thirty-one Russian deputies; only ten deputies were women.