Russian co-chairman faces corruption charge
The fourth session of the Indo-Russian Joint Commission, scheduled to begin in New Delhi next week, may be postponed because of the highly surcharged political situation here.
Sources in the Russian foreign ministry said first deputy prime minister Anatoly Chubais visit to New Delhi to attend the commission that is to begin on November 25 is likely to be put off as he faces worst crisis of his political career, which could lead to his dismissal from the government.
Chubais has been accused of making huge fortunes as a result of Russias disastrous privatisation process which he was looking after along with four of his colleagues.
Privatisation minister Maxim Boika, chairman of the Bankruptcy Committee (committee which declares an enterprise bankrupt opening the way for its sell-off) Mostovoi, deputy chief of President Yeltsins administration Kazakov and former privatisation minister Alfred Kokh have been accused, along with Chubais, of receiving $450,000 as royalty for a book which is not yet published.
A few months ago Kokh, Chubais closest friend and cabinet colleague, was dismissed from the government on charges of receiving $100,000 for a book on the history of Russian privatisation. Kokh failed to produce the manuscript or a copy of the book when the charges were levelled, leading to his ouster.
Kazakov, Boika, Mostovoi, too, have been sacked, fuelling rumours that Chubais ouster is just a matter of time.
Though President Yeltsin has turned down Chubais resignation, saying his presence was necessary for the continuation of economic reforms and approval of the budget and the crucial tax code, the Duma (lower house of Russian parliament) is baying for the tainted ministers blood. serving an ultimatum that discussion on the budget and the tax code would not start unless Yeltsin sacks Chubais.
In fact, the Duma has already postponed the budget discussion, scheduled to start on November 19, and has pushed Chubais resignation to the top of its agenda for the first day of the session.
In a volatile political situation like this, Chubais visit to India to attend the fourth session of the Indo-Russian Joint Commission is most unlikely and would be cancelled shortly, said a source in the Russian foreign ministry.
Though Indian Embassy officials here say they do not have any official information about the cancellation or postponement of Chubais visit to New Delhi, they appear to have received signals to that effect. The meeting would now most likely be held in January next year, the source said.
Chubais, who became co-chairman of the commission in May, would be the sixth Russian head to leave his job in the three years of the commissions existence - changes that have been hampering its smooth functioning.
