NEWSBRIEFS

Pustovoitenko punishes tax inspectors

KYIV - Prime Minister Valerii Pustovoitenko on April 9 ordered a cut in the salaries of tax inspectors after he was told they had failed to meet their tax collection target this year, the Associated Press reported. Finance Minister Ihor Mitiukov reported that the state collected 3.4 billion hryvni ($865 million) in revenues in the first three months of 1999, or 82 percent of the target. The overall tax debt to the government has risen to 13.9 billion hrv. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Rada to investigate Chornovil's death

KYIV - The Verkhovna Rada on April 9 set up a commission to investigate the death of Vyacheslav Chornovil, leader of Rukh and a former Soviet political prisoner and dissident. Both parliamentary caucuses of the internally divided Rukh have demanded that Mr. Chornovil's death in a car crash be investigated, even though Internal Affairs Minister Yurii Kravchenko has said the crash was accidental. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Kuchma recognizes diaspora activists

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma awarded three U.S. citizens of Ukrainian origin third-degree medals for service to Ukraine on April 9. They are: professor, linguist and renowned Ukraine specialist George Y. Shevelov, Ukrainian Fraternal Association President John Oleksyn and Coordinating Committee to Aid Ukraine President Wolodymyr Wolowodiuk. In accordance with a presidential directive, Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Anton Buteiko presented the medals during a ceremony held in New York at the Consulate General of Ukraine. (Eastern Economist)

Tatars protest alleged discrimination

SYMFEROPOL - Some 3,000 Tatars held a rally in front of the Crimean Supreme Council building on April 8 to protest discrimination. The protesters demanded a representative quota in Crimea's Parliament, official status for their language, and changes in the Ukrainian and Crimean constitutions, which the Crimean Tatars view as discriminatory. They burned documents symbolizing Crimea's Constitution and a 1783 manifesto in which Catherine the Great declared Crimea to be part of Russia. Protest actions will continue until May 18, the date of the deportation of Tatars from Crimea by the Stalin regime. Of the 260,000 Tatars who returned to Crimea in the past decade, some 100,000 are still unable to acquire Ukrainian citizenship. (RFE/RL Newsline)

PACE chairman gets mixed reception

KYIV - "It is simply fantastic what you have done," Ukrainian Television quoted Lord Russell-Johnston, chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), as saying at a Verkhovna Rada session on April 8, where he praised Ukraine's efforts to meet its obligations to the Council of Europe. But when Mr. Johnston criticized the Parliament for denouncing NATO strikes in Yugoslavia without mentioning Serb repression against Kosovo Albanians, left-wing deputies reacted with indignant shouts, ITAR-TASS reported. When he called the rule of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic a fascist regime, leftist deputies left the session hall in protest. (RFE/RL Newsline)

A memo on Kuchma's re-election

KYIV - A memo listing 12 reasons why President Leonid Kuchma should be re-elected was sent to regional centers on April 6, UNIAN reported, citing representatives of the parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security. The memo says that Mr. Kuchma's relatively good health and the experience he's acquired are highly favorable assets. It also argues that Mr. Kuchma is the cheapest option for taxpayers, while his opponents in the presidential elections - particularly leftist candidates - would likely increase public spending and taxation. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Kuchma reacts to ceasefire

WASHINGTON - In reaction to the announcement by the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of a unilateral ceasefire, President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine made the following comments on April 6: "Ukraine welcomes the announcement by the FRY leadership of its peaceful initiative - a unilateral ceasefire. I would like to believe that it has been induced to a certain extent by the mediation efforts of our nation. I urge Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to follow up with next steps, that is to start withdrawing his troops and security forces from the territory of Kosovo, permit the return of all refugees to the province, and allow the deployment of a group of international observers. Ukraine stands ready to send its representatives to participate in such a group. At the same time, the bombing should be stopped, too. We are sure that the peoples of Yugoslavia, the Europeans and the international community as a whole are waiting for that kind of action. I have reasons to believe that this will bring about the cessation of hostilities and return the conflicting sides to the negotiation table. On its part, Ukraine will continue to exert all efforts to this end." (Embassy of Ukraine)

Ukraine sends aid to Kosovo refugees

WASHINGTON - The Ukrainian government has decided to deliver humanitarian aid to Kosovo refugees. The first five trucks with tents, blankets and medicines from the reserves of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry left Kyiv on April 7 for Macedonia. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasyuk stressed that the delivery of the first tranche of humanitarian aid to the Kosovars testifies to Ukraine's readiness to come to the aid of all those who need it. (Embassy of Ukraine)

Transdniester summit canceled

CHISINAU - Moldovan presidential spokesman Anatol Golea announced on April 7 that the summit on the Transdniester conflict planned for the next day in Kyiv has been canceled due to the illness of Russian Prime Minister Yevgenii Primakov. Mr. Golea said he believed the meeting will nonetheless be held soon, "maybe even in April." On April 10 President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine announced that the summit will be held on April 29-30. The previous day Grigorii Marakutsa, chairman of the separatist region's Supreme Soviet, had met in Chisinau with Moldovan Parliament Chairman Dumitru Diacov, discussing the settlement of the conflict and energy deliveries from the Transdniester to Moldova. Mr. Marakutsa said after the talks that the proposals advanced by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the mediators are "unacceptable" to the Transdniester side and "other alternatives will probably be examined in Kyiv and Odesa." (RFE/RL Newsline)

Energy deliveries to Moldova are cut

KYIV - Ukraine and Romania suspended the supply of electricity to Moldova because of Chisinau's mounting debt. The move places the country on the verge of what Anatol Saracuta, chief of the Moldovan state energy company, called an "energy disaster." Chisinau owes Romania about $9 million and Ukraine some $24 million. Several days later Romania renewed electricity supplies after receiving assurances from Moldovan Premier Ion Sturza that Chisinau's debt will be paid "within the shortest possible time." (RFE/RL Newsline)

Kuchma voices support for Palestinians

KYIV - "Ukraine supports Palestinian independence," said President Leonid Kuchma on April 6 following talks with Yasir Arafat. Mr. Kuchma stated that in order to achieve the goal of independence, "All sides involved in the process need to implement the numerous agreements reached over the last five years." The five-year peace term agreed upon between Israel and Palestine will expire May 4. (Eastern Economist)

PM reacts to possible NDP split

KYIV - Prime Minister Valerii Pustovoitenko reacted April 7 to recent comments by National Democratic Party leader Anatolii Matvienko on a possible split in the NDP, saying, "I am going to do everything within my power to ensure that the NDP remains united and doesn't split into factions that may unite with other parties." He added that he regards the NDP as the strongest party in the Verkhovna Rada after the Communists. Mr. Pustovoitenko said, "I view Matvienko, Oleksander Yemets and Volodymyr Filenko as initiators of the potential split within the NDP." He argued that they do not know the situation in the regions and do not do enough work within the party. (Eastern Economist)

New head for organized crime committee

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma on April 7 issued a decree removing Vasyl Durdynets from the position of chairman of the Committee against Corruption and Organized Crime. He subsequently appointed Prosecutor General Mykhailo Potebenko to the post. (Eastern Economist)

Presidential elections date approved

WASHINGTON - The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on April 7 approved the date set for the next presidential elections. The third elections of the president of independent Ukraine will be held on October 31. In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, the president is elected for a five-year term. Under Ukraine's Law on Elections of the President, approved by the Parliament last March, the election campaign starts 180 days prior to the date set for the elections. Candidates must be nominated 90 days before the voting takes place. (Embassy of Ukraine)

SDP(U) supports Kuchma bid

KYIV - Social Democratic Party (United) Leader and Rada Vice-Chairman Viktor Medvedchuk announced on April 7 that SDP(U) heads had decided to support President Leonid Kuchma in forthcoming presidential elections. Mr. Medvedchuk said he was sure that at the forthcoming SDP(U) party conference the party would officially announce its support of the incumbent in the elections. (Eastern Economist)

Ukrainian cargo plane detained

CHISINAU - Moldovan customs authorities on April 9 detained a Ukrainian Air Alliance AN-26 cargo plane secretly transporting 5,000 Hungarian-made pistols bound for Yemen, via Sofia, Infotag and Reuters reported the same day. The plane, which originated in Budapest, landed in Chisinau due to technical problems. The crew provided documentation claiming the plane was transporting oil exploration equipment. On March 12, a Ukrainian plane belonging to the Air City company had been detained in Chisinau on route to Yemen, upon suspicion that it was transporting cartridge-cases. That plane was allowed to take off following the intervention of the Embassy of Ukraine. Air City said it will sue for damages. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Ukraine receives World Bank credit

KYIV - The World Bank announced on March 30 that it has granted Ukraine loans worth $110 million, the Associated Press reported. The move had been expected after the International Monetary Fund agreed to renew a $2.2 billion loan to Kyiv. Presidential adviser Valerii Lytvytskyi said the World Bank loan will lead to greater financial stability in Ukraine. Kyiv had warned it might default on its $2 billion or so foreign debt unless it received new loans. Finance Minister Ihor Mitiukov said that even with the IMF and World Bank loans, Ukraine is some $100 million short of the money needed to service its debts this year. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Turkmenistan opts out of visa pact

KYIV - Turkmenistan has decided to drop out of the agreement on non-visa travel for CIS citizens through CIS territory that was signed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on October 9, 1992. According to Elvira Babakhanova, aide to Turkmenistan's ambassador to Ukraine, beginning on June 9, all CIS citizens, including Ukrainians, will require a visa to visit Turkmenistan. (Eastern Economist)

Transport crime statistics released

KYIV - The Transport Ministry announced March 17 that within the national transport system 1,618 economic crimes, including thefts and muggings, were recorded in 1998; 1,301 people were arrested, 10 percent less than in 1997. Losses for the year due to crime on the nation's transport network were estimated at 57.8 million hrv. (Eastern Economist)

Parties may unify in time for elections

KYIV - The Reform and Order Party and the Democratic Party of Ukraine signed a March 24 document on their readiness to form a single political party with a single name, statutes, program and management structure. ROP leader Viktor Pynzenyk stated that the social, economic and political situation in the country necessitated creation of a joint party. Mr. Pynzenyk emphasized that "such a party will never be bought and will never fight for private interests." DPU leader Volodymyr Yavorivskyi called the idea of setting up the new party, "a direct challenge to the party splits occurring in Ukraine." A final decision over party unification is expected in May. Mr. Pynzenyk added, "ROP will continue to cooperate with Rukh and the Republican Christian Party." (Eastern Economist)

Rada ratifies fleet agreements

KYIV - The Verkhovna Rada on March 24 voted 250-63 with five abstentions to ratify the three agreements on the Black Sea Fleet, which were signed by Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Boris Yeltsin in May 1997. While approving the Russia-Ukraine 1997 friendship treaty last month, Russia's Federation Council conditioned its implementation on the Ukraine's ratification of the Black Sea Fleet agreements. Under those accords, Russia will keep 460 naval vessels belonging to the fleet, while Ukraine will have 162 ships as well as $526 million compensation from Russia. The Russian part of the fleet will be based in Sevastopol until 2017. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Greece sends aid to Zakarpattia

KYIV - Greece has provided Ukraine with 590,000 hrv worth of humanitarian aid for victims of the flooding in Zakarpattia. The aid consists mainly of medical supplies. A representative of the Greek government is helping Ukrainians distribute the aid among the region's needy. Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, France, the U.S. and Russia also provided aid for Zakarpattia following the last year's flooding. (Eastern Economist)

Lysychansk recognizes Russian language

LUHANSK - The City Council of Lysychansk, a city near the Russian border, voted on April 5 to recognize Russian as the business language of the city. City deputies took a recently conducted public poll into account, in which 120,000 Lysychansk inhabitants - 81.5 percent of the city's population - identified Russian as their native language. (Eastern Economist)

Rabinovych to head Jewish coalition

KYIV - A United Jewish Coalition was founded at an inaugural meeting on April 5. The association will include over 300 Jewish organizations, 12 of which are already national. The association will be headed by Studio 1+1's Vadym Rabinovych. (Eastern Economist)

Utility costs, minimum wage laws vetoed

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma vetoed a law on utility price hikes passed by the Parliament on March 17 that obliges the Cabinet to ask the Verkhovna Rada for permission to raise utility prices and bans the Cabinet from such initiatives until it fully pays its wage and pension arrears. Mr. Kuchma has also vetoed a law passed by the Parliament last month that raises the minimum monthly pension from 16.6 hryvni ($4.20) to 55 hryvni. The Associated Press reported on April 5 that the president argued Ukraine cannot afford the hike, adding that the law would only increase the current pension arrears of 2.3 billion ($585 million U.S.). (RFE/RL Newsline)

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 18, 1999, No. 16, Vol. LXVII

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