Lazarenko resigns as prime minister (07/06/97)

Lazarenko resigns as prime minister

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - Ukraine's ailing prime minister, physically suffering from a circulatory ailment and politically from accusations of corruption and moral bankruptcy, resigned on July 1.

President Leonid Kuchma accepted the resignation of Ukraine's head of government the following morning. At a press conference with visiting Czech President Vaclav Havel on July 2, the president would only remark that, "The resignation is accepted, and the decree will be signed today."

Mr. Lazarenko conferred with his closest aides on July 1, according to Interfax-Ukraine, before drawing up a letter to President Kuchma in which he requested leave from government because of the need to undergo two-and-a-half to three months of medical treatment, which would leave him unable to continue his duties.

Mr. Lazarenko has been diagnosed with thrombophlebitis, at times a life-threatening ailment, and inflamed varicose veins. He is undergoing treatment at Republican Clinical Hospital in Kyiv. Doctors have not yet ruled out the possibility that surgery may be necessary.

For two months a movement to oust the controversial prime minister had been building, led by the National Democratic Party but also including the Reform and Constitutional factions in Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada.

Appointed for his perceived organizational abilities and his influence in monied circles in both Ukraine and Russia, which President Kuchma hoped could be used to complete economic reforms and get the economy moving, Mr. Lazarenko had been at odds with President Kuchma almost since day one. But lately he had been severely criticized by the president for not moving forcefully in the battle with corruption, and for failing to put together a passable and workable budget.

Many have also questioned his personal financial dealings and his involvement in the often shady world of gas and oil trading. He has been the focus of several articles on corruption in the international press.

Six days before President Kuchma removed Mr. Lazarenko he refused to rebuff charges made by the National Democratic Party that hinted at the prime minister's moral turpitude. "Mr. Lazarenko must himself answer charges against his honor and morality," said the president.

On July 19, after spending several days on an official visit to Canada, Mr. Lazarenko flew home and became ill. At first, the diagnosis was exhaustion. President Kuchma immediately announced that Vasyl Durdynets, the first vice prime minister who is credited with finalizing the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Russia, would become acting prime minister "for as long as Mr. Lazarenko is sick."

How long Mr. Durdynets will remain acting prime minister is not known. Some political observers believe that the president may keep Mr. Durdynets, who is known as a good administrator but not one that wields sufficient political influence, in his post until after the Parliament recesses on July 18. An appointment after that date would shield the new person in the job from the criticism of the heavily anti-Kuchma Verkhovna Rada and allow time for the individual to establish himself before the legislature acted on approval.

Names that have popped up as possible candidates include Volodymyr Horbulin, currently President Kuchma's secretary of the National Security and Defense Council; Vice Prime Minister for Economic Reform Serhii Tyhypko, who was appointed to that post in April and also chairs the board of directors of Privatbank; Acting Prime Minister Durdynets, former deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and co-author of the treaty with Russia; and former Vice Prime Minister Anatolii Kinakh.

According to Ukrainian law, the Cabinet of Ministers must step down when the prime minister resigns. President Kuchma has the option of asking all or some of the ministers to remain in their positions for up to 60 days, by which time he must appoint a new prime minister.

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