Zhirinovsky Beat

Russia's top ultranationalist, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, had a busy week presiding over a party conference and avoiding coming to terms with a sensitive personal issue ...

Saturday: Was unanimously elected to a 10-year term as dictator of the Liberal Democratic Party during a Moscow party conference; guests included a German neofascist and a delegation from Iraq.

Monday: Raged against news reports revealing that his last name was Eidelshtein until age 18, when he dropped the Jewish surname in favor of Zhirinovsky. "It's crazy. It's not true," said the statesman, whose speeches have often featured anti-Semitic themes.

Tuesday: Took part in a seminar in Helsinki on the possible admission of Russia into the Council of Europe, then stopped by King's Kakadu Club, where he and his entourage unwound with several drinks and a strip show.

Wednesday: Faced turmoil within his ranks when two members of parliament quit its Liberal Democratic faction, criticizing Zhirinovsky's populist stances as too extreme.

Friday: Got in a fistfight with a departing colleague in a parliament hallway, vowing to another, "I'll tear your beard out hair by hair!"