Zyuganov's refusal leaves new cabinet applying old policy

The Communist leader, Mr Gennady Zyuganov, has refused a place in the cabinet of President-elect Vladimir Putin, informed political sources have told The Irish Times. For this reason, according to the sources, no Communists will now be included in the new cabinet. There will be some changes in ministerial personnel but no major change in political direction.

It is understood that Mr Zyuganov was the only member of the Communist Party to have been offered a place on Mr Putin's team and that, following his refusal, it was decided that no other Communist would be invited. In a statement after his election, Mr Putin had suggested he might offer cabinet posts to some of his political opponents.

Mr Zyuganov has chosen to remain in opposition despite a deal done in the Duma by Mr Putin's main supporters in the Unity group which gave the Communists control of a number of parliamentary committees. Yesterday, the Communists signalled their opposition in parliament by tabling a motion to overturn the granting of immunity by Mr Putin to his predecessor, Mr Boris Yeltsin.

After Mr Yeltsin announced his resignation on New Year's Eve, Mr Putin, in his first decree as acting President, granted Mr Yeltsin life-long immunity. This followed an increasing number of allegations of corruption against Mr Yeltsin, members of his family and political associates.

The Communist move in the Duma failed to get off the ground yesterday. It appears designed mainly to let the public know that the party is not engaged in consensus politics and will continue in its attempts to become Russia's main political force.

Having gained almost 30 per cent of the vote in the presidential elections with Mr Zyuganov, who is far from being a charismatic candidate, the Communists now plan a change in tactics in order to target a new constituency of voters. Up to now they have depended on older voters and pensioners but the election results show that large numbers of these typical Communist voters switched allegiance to Mr Putin last Sunday.

The Communists will now attempt to gain further support in Russia's large industrial cities and among young people with radical views. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Sergei Shoigu, also suggested yesterday that there would be no major changes in the government. He told ITAR-TASS that there was "no stir inside the government" and that the cabinet was working normally and "without fuss".

Russian troops suffered heavy casualties yesterday in a mountain ambush by Chechen fighters, Russian news reports said. The new blow came as Moscow and the rebels ruled out direct peace talks to end the six-month ground war.

A column of 49 troops was surrounded by Chechen guerrillas in the south-eastern mountains and SOBR interior ministry troops despatched to rescue them were beaten back by guerrillas, RTR television reported.

The ambush took place near the village of Zhani-Vedeno where the column was surrounded for several hours by Chechen fighters.