The press center said the decree takes effect immediately. But it did not say how the new body would cooperate with the Foreign Ministry. Its creation comes amid growing expectation that foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev may step down after winning a place in the new parliament.
Russian law forbids a minister from also being a deputy.
Kozyrev has been under pressure to quit his government post. He said a week ago that he wanted to consult Yeltsin before deciding his future. Inc. All Rights Reserved.