Primakov is Russia's third prime minister in 12 months and is credited with restoring some stability. Because his cabinet includes a number of communists, ''Primakov's government is the first in post-communist Russia that can claim to be a government of national unity,'' argues Leonid Fedun, a founder of the Lukoil Oil company. Maslyukov's colleagues in the Duma, the Russian lower legislative chamber, rebelled against the IMF this month by enacting a reduction in the value-added tax paid by consumers. The idea is to ease a consumer spending crunch amid expectations of deeper recession in the year ahead. From the IMF's point of view, that move will reduce income from Russia's most easily-collected tax.
Russian negotiators appear reconciled to putting off the tax cut until the beginning of next year.
For their part, IMF officials insist politics will play no role in their decision on whether to resume lending. An agency delegation returned from Moscow Sunday and briefed Camdessus in advance of his meeting with Primakov, scheduled for Wednesday. Agency spokesmen say the sides have made progress in their negotiations over budget targets, monetary policy and tax collection. While the Russians say Primakov's talks with Camdessus are aimed at reaching final agreement, Fund officials suggest the discussions will continue in Moscow after the premier returns home. But it will only work if the money does not turn around and leave the country as soon as it is put in.