On the eve of a parliamentary debate on his role in Chechnya, Defense Minister Pavel Grachev stood firm against widespread criticism but reluctantly apologized for rude remarks about anti-war activists.


"I am sorry, I could not restrain myself and spoke rudely. But I think I expressed the right attitude to them at the moment," Grachev said.


In an outburst last week, Grachev called human rights commissioner Sergei Kovalyov an "enemy of Russia" and said liberal lawmaker Sergei Yushenkov, head of the State Duma Defense Committee, was a "vile little toad."


The defense minister also lashed out at several generals who for various reasons have refused to serve in Chechnya, and singled out the deputy head of ground forces, Colonel General Eduard Vorobyov. Vorobyov reportedly refused to take command over the Chechen operation once it was under way.


Grachev said "six to seven" such generals "are unworthy of serving in the armed forces" and might face court proceedings.


Grachev also denied reports that his three dissident ministers, who have criticized the army's performance in Chechnya, have been dismissed.


But he indicated that the three, including Afghan war hero Boris Gromov, might be given some unimportant posts "at the Defense Ministry or other departments" of the military.


The Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, plans to debate Grachev's performance on Wednesday.


But Grachev said he counted on the support of President Boris Yeltsin. "I believe the president supports me. Of course, it's up to the deputies to decide whether I'm fit for my post, but there is nothing criminal in my activities."


Grachev's remarks drew fire at home and abroad.


In Germany, Chancellor Helmut Kohl scolded Grachev and Defense Minister Volker R--he told a newspaper that his Russian counterpart's presence at an annual international military conference in Munich was not welcome.


"The fears that the Russian defense minister will come to Germany are ungrounded. I was not going to go there. Now is not the time," retorted Grachev.