With Russia in the grips of an economic crisis and the nation still reeling from yet another Government shake-up, Mr. Yeltsin's new strategy for extricating Russia from its problems remained a blur.

In a major Government shake-up this January, the man touted in Libreville as a friend of Gabon returned from exile to become Sao Tome's Foreign Minister.

Poland's leadership sought to tighten control over planned economic changes today with a Government shake-up that included the appointment of a powerful Minister of Industry.

But given the swirl of rumors surrounding Mr. Yeltsin's Government shake-up on March 23, it is getting harder to tell the parodies from the real thing.

Speculation of a Shake-Up There was widespread speculation a Government shake-up might be impending, after it was announced that the Polish parliament would convene at the end of the month.

It was the most serious Government shake-up since the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991, and it represents something of a gamble for Mr. Yeltsin.

The Communist opposition has portrayed the Government shake-up as a grave political crisis.

Mr. Berezovksy recently began a media campaign against Mr. Yeltsin's Government shake-up and is backing the ousted Mr. Chernomyrdin, who has declared himself a candidate for the 2000 presidential election.

This year, the necessary export licenses have not been issued because of the Government shake-up by President Boris Yeltsin and opposition to his candidate for Prime Minister.

In 1984, the Government of Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski scaled back proposed price increases and initiated a Government shake-up after public reaction was mostly critical.