But there is concern that abolishing price controls while production is still in the hands of a few powerful monopolies could lead to uncontrolled inflation and a powerful backlash from the public.

But Zimbabwe's rulers have come under growing pressure to change their governing style in the wake of a disastrous April harvest, which will mean widespread hunger in a few months, and amid uncontrolled inflation.

And it was compounded by an American embargo on trade with Nicaragua, poor Government management and uncontrolled inflation caused by high military expenditures.

This year that hope was snuffed when economic change was set back by uncontrolled inflation.

The economic data pieced together here by foreign experts in recent weeks read like those of a country emerging from a devastating war: unemployment of more than 40 percent, uncontrolled inflation and a poverty line cutting off 70 percent or more of the population.

The nation suffered from uncontrolled inflation, a large debt, and massive currency devaluations.

After years of uncontrolled inflation, gyrating political changes and dozens of failed economic plans, Argentines are not quick to express optimism on prospects for serious improvement in the economy.

But neither did it confirm the Keynesian view that wide-open deficit spending would lead to uncontrolled inflation.

But other members of the leadership have decided that uncontrolled inflation and the potential for urban discontent are problems too severe to continue with price reform at the moment.

Industrial growth is at 1 percent so far this year and buying power has been undermined by uncontrolled inflation that has sent some food prices soaring by as much as 4,000 percent since March.