NEWSBRIEFS (09/19/99)

NEWSBRIEFS

Ukraine tightens security measures

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma on September 13 signed a directive providing for measures to strengthen "public security and guard technically sensitive facilities" in connection with the growing number of terrorist attacks in Russia." Mr. Kuchma appealed to citizens to take in their stride any inconveniences they may experience in crossing the state border or participating in public events. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Cabinet approves 2000 draft budget

KYIV - The government has approved a draft state budget for 2000 that provides for revenues totaling 37.4 billion hrv (some $8 billion U.S.). The government expects to gain 2.5 billion hrv from the privatization of state property. A list of enterprises designated for sale in 2000 was submitted earlier to the Verkhovna Rada. (RFE/RL Newsline)

NBU calm over recent hryvnia fall

KYIV - The hryvnia left the previously established exchange corridor of 3.4 to 4.6 to $1 and was traded at 4.65-4.7 to $1, Ukrainian Television reported on September 12. Commercial bank and currency dealers explain the hryvnia's fall by speculative demand for hard currency in expectation of the hryvnia's devaluation. They claim that the hryvnia will continue to fall unless the National Bank of Ukraine intervenes on the currency market. However, NBU press secretary Dmytro Rikberg said last week that "there will be no interference" on the part of the bank and that the situation will stabilize in the next few days once Ukraine has received foreign credits. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Both Rukhs protest Soviet-era symbols

KYIV - Some 40 deputies from the two rival factions of Rukh walked out of a parliamentary session on September 9 to protest the rejection of their proposal to remove Soviet-era symbols from the Verkhovna Rada building. The walkout appeared to be the first demonstration of unity between Rukh legislators after the organization split into two factions earlier this year and nominated two presidential candidates. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Kuchma without real estate abroad

KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma said on September 8 that he does not possess or own real estate abroad. He added that in order to purchase real estate abroad a person would have to steal. (Eastern Economist)

Kazakstan wants economic cooperation

ASTANA, Kazakstan - Meeting on September 9 in Astana with a visiting delegation from Dniprodzerzhinsk, President Nursultan Nazarbaev advocated reviving traditional economic cooperation between the two countries, Interfax reported. Mr. Nazarbaev said that cooperation is currently hindered by the high railroad tariffs Russia imposes on foreign goods. Mr. Nazarbaev is scheduled to visit Kyiv for talks on the export of Kazak crude to Ukraine for refining at the Lysychansk refinery. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Kuchma details election platform

KYIV - Unveiling his election platform on September 6, President Leonid Kuchma said that if he had not sought re-election, "I would not have been able to respect myself," Interfax reported. The economic part of that platform, which Mr. Kuchma said was developed by the "cream of the production sector and academic circles," foresees a growth of 2 percent next year in the gross domestic product. Under his leadership, Mr. Kuchma said, Ukraine would continue economic reforms to become a "socially oriented" state. He added that the country's foreign policy would be based on integration with the European Union and at the same time close cooperation with the CIS. He stressed, however, that Ukraine would not join CIS supranational bodies. (RFE/RL Newsline)

IMF approves next tranche for Ukraine

KYIV - The IMF on September 7 approved the release of an $184 million tranche to Ukraine after the fund completed its third review of the country's economic policy under a three-year $2.6 billion loan program, the DPA news agency reported. IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer commented that the IMF board of directors noted that so far in 1999 macroeconomic developments have exceeded expectations and that fiscal adjustment has been encouraging. Meanwhile, National Bank of Ukraine Chairman Viktor Yuschenko said Ukraine will be able to pay off its mounting foreign debts in 2000, provided the Verkhovna Rada approves a deficit-free budget and the IMF continues its aid. (RFE/RL Newsline)

World Bank grants third tranche

KYIV - The World Bank has decided to grant Ukraine the third and final $100 million (U.S.) tranche intended for the restructuring of Ukraine's financial sector. According to the Ministry of Finance, the money has not yet reached Ukraine. The government plans to use the last tranche to finance the budget deficit. However, late in August Vice Prime Minister Serhii Tyhypko said the credit would be directed to pay arrears in salaries, pensions and other social payments in a gradual manner so that not to disturb "macroeconomic indicators and national currency stability." (Eastern Economist)

Belarus-Russia union less likely

MIENSK - After meeting with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Miensk on September 8, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin intimated that reaching agreement on a Belarus-Russia union treaty could take more time than initially thought. "I hope the signing of the treaty on creating a union state of Belarus and Russia will take place before Russia's presidential elections," Mr. Putin said. Those elections are expected in June 2000. Last December, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and President Lukashenka pledged to finalize a Russian-Belarusian union state this year. Mr. Putin also said that some legal issues concerning the union state require more work. He added that a draft treaty will soon be submitted to public discussion, but that such a discussion will not involve a referendum. "If Russia is not ready for radical steps..., let us sign a moderate variant of the treaty," Belarusian Television quoted Mr. Lukashenka as saying. (RFE/RL Newsline)

More money for Kyiv in the offing?

KYIV - Vice Prime Minister Serhii Tyhypko announced after his meeting with Japan's new ambassador to Kyiv on September 8 that Tokyo may lend Ukraine $80 million in two credits. The second credit, worth $35 million, is to be spent on patching up budget gaps. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Case may be filed against top adviser

KYIV - The Verkhovna Rada's temporary investigating commission has asked the Procurator General's Office to open a criminal case against National Deputy and non-staff presidential advisor Oleksander Volkov. The commission's chair, Hryhorii Omelchenko, said he "has asked the Verkhovna Rada to grant permission to file criminal charges against Volkov." According to Mr. Omelchenko, Mr. Volkov illegally opened bank accounts in Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Latvia. (Eastern Economist)

Ukrainian pilots arrested in Zambia

KYIV - Authorities in Zambia have charged nine Ukrainian citizens, members of a transport plane crew, with spying. They were arrested on August 15 and initially charged with the delivery of arms to UNITA rebels in Angola, though the plane actually carried election materials from the Republic of South Africa to the Central African Republic. These charges were later dropped and the crew was accused of spying allegedly because the plane flew over a secret base of the Zambian Air Force. Now Ukrainian pilots are in prison and await a trial. If convicted, they face up to 30 years in prison. (Eastern Economist)

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