NEWSBRIEFS (07/19/98)

NEWSBRIEFS

Kuchma chats with Tkachenko

KYIV - According to Presidential Press Secretary Oleksander Maidannyk, President Leonid Kuchma spoke by phone with newly elected Rada Chairman Oleksander Tkachenko and told him that he is looking forward to "constructive cooperation with the, legislature." The two discussed ways of strengthening relations between the legislature, the president and the Cabinet of Ministers. President Kuchma said it is necessary to form a majority in the Verkhovna Rada "that would assume responsibility for the situation in the country, for the urgent reform of the budgetary and tax systems, and for approval of the civil, tax, criminal and land codes, the economic draft laws which were submitted to the Verkhovna Rada by the Cabinet, and the state budget for 1999." (Eastern Economist)

Tkachenko optimistic about prospects

KYIV - Oleksander Tkachenko, newly elected chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, told journalists on July 8 that he is optimistic about the legislature's potential and prospects, Ukrainian Television reported. "The current Parliament is able to function and it will prove this in practical work," he commented. In his opinion, the Parliament's main task is to pass legislation to overcome the economic crisis. He expressed his belief that Ukraine's three branches of government will find "deep state understanding." He added that he believes a parliamentary majority will be formed by September. He also announced that he does not intend to run in the 1999 presidential elections. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Rukh to stay in opposition

KYIV - Vyacheslav Chornovil, leader of Rukh, has said the Verkhovna Rada is controlled by a "nomenklatura-leftist majority," Ukrainian Television reported on July 13. Mr. Chornovil expressed his opinion that Peasant Party representative Oleksander Tkachenko became chairman because of "betrayal" among right-centrist deputies. "Thus, hopes for a coalition government have been buried," Ukrainian Television quoted him as saying. Mr. Chornovil announced that Rukh will remain "in opposition to all branches of power." A Communist deputy told Ukrainian Television that Rukh "is trying to play [being in] opposition" because it has been "excluded ... by those whom it brought to power." (RFE/RL Newsline)

Cargo plane goes down in Persian Gulf

KYIV - A Ukrainian IL-76 cargo plane bound for Kharkiv exploded soon after take-off from Saudi Arabia's Ros El Heim airport late on July 13. The plane fell into the Persian Gulf, killing all eight persons on board. The plane was leased by the Kyiv company ATI. As of July 14, six bodies had been found. An investigation is under way. (Eastern Economist)

Kuchma urges approval of revised budget

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma appealed to the Parliament on July 10 to approve a revised 1998 budget draft, submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers earlier this month. The draft reduces the budget deficit to 2.3 percent of GDP. The government has faced difficulties in raising funds to finance the 3.3 percent deficit for which the original budget provided. The revised budget must be passed "to alleviate tension in view of the acute economic crisis in the country," Ukrainian Television quoted Mr. Kuchma as saying. The president also asked the Verkhovna Rada to refrain from passing bills that "require additional budget assignations or reduce budget revenues." (RFE/RL Newsline)

Concert tours must be registered

KYIV - The president signed a decree on July 7 stipulating that as of December 1, 1998, organization of concert tours in Ukraine will require a registration certificate issued by the state. Organizers of concert tours are to submit their state concert tour certificate and tickets for the concert/show to the local state tax service at least 10 days before the event is to be held. If these requirements are not fulfilled all proceeds from the concert/show will go to the state budget. In addition, fines will be levied. (Eastern Economist)

Foreign investment may be in hryvni

KYIV - Foreign investments can now be made in the national currency, the hryvnia, purchased at the interbank currency market or received as profit as a result of investments made in Ukraine, according to a presidential decree of July 7. Regular representatives of non-residents and Ukrainian residents, and financial agents servicing the operations of non-residents without regular representatives in Ukraine must submit statistical reports on foreign investments. The procedure for foreign investments through purchase of state promissory notes and their volumes are to be determined by Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Ukraine. (Eastern Economist)