The editorial on Aug. 10, ”Helping Russia through the detours,” is disguised as a critique of the International Monetary Fund and a call for support of Yeltsin, yet it was surprising that Bush was not credited for the fall of communism (again).
You suggest that funds must be made available to Russia immediately, without heed to agreements on how best to use this money. You claim that without additional cash now (above and beyond the $1.6 billion already provided by lending agencies), Yeltsin will have no choice but to bow to the powerful state industry leaders.
You have the argument backwards: Without the promise of additional funding, Yeltsin has no leverage whatsoever in his fight to continue accelerated reforms to the Russian economy. You`re suggesting that the carrot be handed over freely, and then sit hoping that the money is used wisely.
With the Tribune`s advice, I`m afraid we`d be waiting until the end of time for Russia to achieve a free market economy. Perhaps you failed to think this through because your real purpose was to bash Congress. Nice try!
