NEWSBRIEFS

PM-designate on new government

KYIV - Yulia Tymoshenko, whom President Viktor Yushchenko designated as acting prime minister last week, told the Ukrainska Pravda website on February 1 that she has already prepared a list of candidates for the posts of all Cabinet ministers and regional governors for Mr. Yushchenko's approval. Ms. Tymoshenko revealed that the list does not include any of the ministers or governors from former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's government. Ms. Tymoshenko has been meeting with different parliamentary groups for the past few days for consultations ahead of the expected parliamentary vote on her approval as prime minister on February 3. (RFE/RL Newsline)

New reform plan set with EU

KYIV - President Viktor Yushchenko has told journalists from The Times of London that he is going to implement a three-year reform plan that was coordinated with the European Union, Interfax reported on February 2, citing the presidential press service. Mr. Yushchenko said he wants to launch talks with Brussels on Ukraine's EU membership as soon as the reform plan is implemented. "[It is very important] that the three-year action plan, worked out jointly by the EU and Ukraine, could lead to the inauguration of talks in 2007 on [Ukraine's EU] entry," Mr. Yushchenko reportedly told British journalists. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Deputies inquire about Kuchma's perks

KYIV - The Verkhovna Rada on February 2 voted to ask acting Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko about the circumstances surrounding the adoption of a Cabinet resolution that gave former President Leonid Kuchma some special benefits after his departure from office, Interfax reported. Some Ukrainian media have reported that the Cabinet led by Ms. Tymoshenko's predecessor, acting Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, decided to give Mr. Kuchma the right to continue drawing his presidential salary, use a state dacha and two cars, and have three assistants paid from the state budget for the rest of his life. The Parliament also supported a query to Procurator General Sviatoslav Piskun on whether he is going to investigate Mr. Kuchma's alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Internet journalist Heorhii Gongadze in 2000. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Socialists propose deal with Tymoshenko

KYIV - Socialist Party of Ukraine (SPU) leader Oleksander Moroz told journalists on January 31 that his party will vote in the Verkhovna Rada for Yulia Tymoshenko as Ukraine's new prime minister if President Viktor Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko guarantee that SPU representatives or nominees obtain one-sixth of the positions in the executive branch, Interfax reported. According to Mr. Moroz, such a quota of government posts for the SPU was promised in an accord he signed with Mr. Yushchenko in November, when the SPU pledged to support his presidential bid. Mr. Moroz added that the accord did not specify the number of ministerial portfolios for the SPU. Mr. Yushchenko's Our Ukraine bloc, Mr. Moroz's SPU and the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc control 140 votes in the 450-seat legislature. Ms. Tymoshenko needs at least 226 votes to be approved as the head of a new Cabinet. Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn predicted on January 31 that the Parliament will confirm Ms. Tymoshenko as prime minister with a safety margin of 25 votes. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Ukraine lukewarm on EU plan

KYIV - Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Markian Lubkivskyi told journalists on February 1 that Kyiv's preliminary assessment of the recently upgraded EU-Ukraine Action Plan, which was approved by the European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on January 31, is "far from being euphoric," UNIAN reported. The upgraded plan offers Ukraine closer cooperation on trade, immigration and security. Under the plan the EU will also support Ukraine as it seeks membership in the World Trade Organization and make it easier for Kyiv to obtain loans from the European Investment Bank. The plan does not, however, mention any prospect of EU membership for Ukraine. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Yushchenko sets deadline for WTO

DAVOS, Switzerland - In Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum, Viktor Yushchenko said at a meeting with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi on January 28 that Ukraine "hopes to meet all requirements necessary for joining the WTO by November," Interfax reported. Mr. Yushchenko also announced the creation of a new post of vice prime minister for European integration in the new government, which will be filled by Our Ukraine legislator Oleh Rybachuk. According to a report on the Ukrainska Pravda website on January 30, Mr. Rybachuk attended a lunch hosted by Interpipe owner and former President Leonid Kuchma's son-in-law, Viktor Pinchuk, at which he answered questions from businessmen and Western journalists about European integration. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Fighting corruption a priority

DAVOS, Switzerland - At a meeting with representatives of major multinational corporations in Davos, Switzerland, on January 30, President Viktor Yushchenko said that if any businessmen enter the government they will have to declare not only their own income and expenditures but also that of their close relatives, UNIAN and the presidential press service reported. They will also have to refrain from any entrepreneurial activities during their government service. President Yushchenko assured world business leaders that his administration's top priorities will be the battle with corruption and separating business from politics. He also announced that he will create an investment council that will begin a fresh dialogue between businesses and the new government. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Pora declares new campaign

KYIV - The youth organization Pora held a ceremony in Kyiv on January 30 to mark its transition from a civic campaign to a public organization and analytical center, Ukrainska Pravda and Ukrainski Novyny reported. At the ceremony, State Secretary Oleksander Zinchenko read a letter of thanks and congratulations from President Viktor Yushchenko. According to a January 27 press release, Pora's next stage of activities will be devoted to the "de-Kuchma-ization of Ukraine," the goal of which will be a "cardinal renewal of the authorities," the lustration of cadres and the increase of the authorities' transparency. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Television reported on January 28 that Pora activists threw eggs at the Uzhorod mayor, who ambulance doctors said sustained a facial injury. (RFE/RL Newsline)

President taps lawmaker as aide

KYIV - President Viktor Yushchenko has appointed Oleksander Tretiakov, a lawmaker from the Our Ukraine faction, as his first aide, UNIAN reported on January 28. Mr. Tretiakov, 35, is member of the Fuel and Energy Committee of the Verkhovna Rada. He also served as a treasurer for Mr. Yushchenko's election campaign. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Berezovskii plans move to Ukraine

LONDON - Former oligarch Boris Berezovskii, who has been living in exile in London since 2000, told gazeta.ru on January 28 that he plans to move to Ukraine within a few months. Mr. Berezovskii explained that he wants "to be closer to Moscow and to the culture in which I grew up." He added that although he hasn't spoken with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko or acting Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, he is confident that the new Ukrainian authorities will not hand him over to Russian law-enforcement agencies. Asked about Mr. Berezovskii at a press conference in Davos, Switzerland, President Yushchenko said it was too early to comment but that he is sure Ukraine will "act in strict accordance with domestic and international laws" if Mr. Berezovskii's plans are realized, korrespondent.net and Ukrainska Pravda reported on January 30. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Belarusian seeks political asylum

MIENSK - Alyaksandr Vauchanin, an activist in Zhodzina, east of Miensk, for the opposition United Civic Party, has applied for political asylum in Ukraine, Belapan reported on January 27. Mr. Vauchanin charged that an unnamed secret-service officer told him that the authorities may orchestrate his killing in retaliation for his political and human rights activities. He added that he has faced increased pressure since taking part in protests supporting Viktor Yushchenko in Kyiv in 2004. Mr. Vauchanin said that he supported President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in 1994 and 2001, and helped collect signatures to get him "on the ballot as an opposition candidate," despite government harassment. "Years have passed since then and now Mr. Lukashenka treats his opponents in the same manner," Mr. Vauchanin said. "Has he forgotten everything?" (RFE/RL Newsline)

Court stops Kryvorizhstal privatization

KYIV - A district court in Kyiv has blocked the final transfer of a 93.02 percent stake in Kryvorizhstal steelmaker to the Investment-Metallurgical Union (IMU), Interfax and the Ukrainska Pravda website reported. Investment-Metallurgical Union represents the interests of Interpipe corporation, which is owned by former President Leonid Kuchma's son-in-law, Viktor Pinchuk, and the System Capital Management company, which is controlled by Rynat Akhmetov, a longtime associate of former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. In August, then presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko said that his Our Ukraine bloc considered the Kryvorizhstal privatization illegal. He said that the company was worth $4 billion to $5 billion but was bought by IMU for only $800 million, despite other bids of up to $1.2 billion. IMU has 15 days to appeal the court decision. Kryvorizhstal employs some 52,000 people and produces roughly one-third of Ukraine's steel, according to the dpa news service. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Yushchenko meets world leaders

KRAKOW - During a visit to Krakow, Poland, on January 27, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko met with the leaders of Poland, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and the Czech Republic, as well as U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney, Ukrainian Television and Interfax reported. President Yushchenko was in Poland to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. The newly inaugurated Ukrainian president recalled that his father, Andriy, was a camp inmate, and he vowed to fight anti-Semitism and xenophobia in Ukraine. Following his meeting with Mr. Cheney, Mr. Yushchenko said that he assured the U.S. vice-president that Ukraine "has changed a lot over the past few months" and is "capable of pursuing an effective, responsible policy." According to the Associated Press, Mr. Cheney, wearing a bright orange tie, declared that "the world has been inspired by the remarkable images from Ukraine in recent months." The meeting between the two men lasted twice as long as scheduled, according to the agency. (RFE/RL Newsline)

President dismisses three oblast chairs

KYIV - President Viktor Yushchenko has accepted the resignations of three oblast chairmen: Oleksander Yefremov of Luhansk, Oleksander Udovichenko of Poltava and Vasyl Kompaniets of Kirovohrad, Interfax-Ukraine reported on January 27, citing the presidential press service. Mr. Udovichenko, 47, had been governor since June 2003, while Mr. Kompaniets, 50, spent less than a year in office, according to Ukrayinski Novyny. Mr. Yefremov, 60, has served in his post since April 1998. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Kirpa's death ruled a suicide

KYIV - Law-enforcement officials have decided that the December 27, 2004, death of Ukrainian Transport Minister Heorhii Kirpa, 58, was a suicide, UNIAN reported on January 27, citing the Kyiv-based daily Segodnya. Mr. Kirpa fired one shot that killed him instantly. (RFE/RL Newsline)

EU membership a priority

KYIV - Viktor Yushchenko said in a BBC interview on January 26 that Ukraine may submit an official application for membership in the EU in just a few weeks. He said that "as soon as the government" and the department dealing with European integration policy is established, "We will have a separate vice prime minister premier dealing with European affairs. As soon as [this] is done...we will raise the question at once." On the same day, he told reporters in Strasbourg that he hopes Ukraine will start negotiations with the EU on its associative membership in 2007, according to Interfax-Ukraine. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Ukraine's shares EU stand on Belarus

KYIV - President Viktor Yushchenko noted in Strasbourg on January 26 that his country shares the European Union's views on the situation in Belarus under the government of Alyaksandr Lukashenka, UNIAN reported. He added that he was happy to see Belarusian flags during the Orange Revolution in Kyiv. He said that he spoke with some "interesting and courageous young Belarusians" who had their own pro-Yushchenko tent. Mr. Yushchenko stressed that despite the different ideological platforms of the Ukrainian and Belarusian governments, relations must remain "neighborly." (RFE/RL Newsline)

Medvedchuk explains SDPU's plans...

KYIV - Former presidential administration head and leader of the Social Democratic Party-United (SPDU) Viktor Medvedchuk told reporters in Kyiv on January 26 that his party is now in opposition to the new government and will not accept any posts in the government or the Verkhovna Rada, Interfax reported. In connection with the party's new policy, two ministers, acting Labor Minister Mykhailo Papiyev and acting Education Minister Vasyl Kremen, have left the party, according to the Ukrainska Pravda website. Mr. Medvedchuk said that his party's key priority in terms of foreign policy is to pursue Ukraine's entry in the Single Economic Space with Russia, Belarus and Kazakstan, Donetsk Ukraina Television reported. He added that his party opposes attempts to hasten Ukraine's integration into the European Union and the World Trade Organization. (RFE/RL Newsline)

...comments on reports of his wealth

KYIV - Viktor Medvedchuk also told reporters that he "regretfully" is not a dollar billionaire as some foreign media press reports have maintained, Interfax reported. "I am a law-abiding citizen. I have been and will remain one," he declared, adding that if any criminal investigations are launched against him he will consider them "political repression against the opposition," the Ukrainska Pravda website reported. He said that he has no plans to leave Ukraine, nor does former President Leonid Kuchma. He declined to answer reporters' questions about whether defeated presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych was in Egypt. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Chornobyl children's treatment ineffective

MIENSK - Uladzimir Tsalko, head of the Belarusian government's Chornobyl Committee, said that the medical treatment and recuperation of children residing in the country's areas affected by the fallout from the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear accident has been inefficient, Belapan reported on January 25. According to Mr. Tsalko, only 40 percent of children in affected areas are treated at children's health establishments, while the rest are sent to poorly equipped facilities. He revealed that since 2001 the incidence of thyroid cancer among children residing in contaminated areas has increased by 250 percent. Mr. Tsalko also said that, as of early 2004, the incidence of malignant tumors was 13.9 cases per 100,000 children, while the incidence of endocrine system diseases in radioactively contaminated areas is 20 percent higher than the country's average. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Statues of Stalin are planned

MOSCOW - The Federation Council representative for the city of Moscow, Oleg Tolkachev, told Ekho Moskvy on January 19 that a monument to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin will be unveiled at the city's Poklonnaya Gora park by May 9 in connection with the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to Mr. Tolkachev, the monument is not a monument to tyranny but to the wartime leaders who defeated Hitlerism. He added that sculptor Zurab Tsereteli will create a monument to Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt at the Livadia Palace in Yalta by the 60th anniversary of the Yalta conference next month. The station's website noted that in a later interview with Russian news agencies, Mr. Tolkachev disassociated himself from his earlier remarks. However, tsereteli.ru reported on December 6, 2004, that Zurab Tsereteli planned to create a composition devoted to Yalta for the palace in Crimea - as well as a column dedicated to the Leningrad, Belarus and Ukraine fronts that would be located in Poklonnaya Gora park. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Russians', Ukrainians' attitudes surveyed

MOSCOW - Most Russians favor the restoration of the Soviet Union and relate to Ukrainians worse than Ukrainians do to Russians, according to a poll conducted in December in both countries by the Levada Analytical Center, gazeta.ru reported on December 24, 2004. The poll was conducted among 1,600 respondents in Russia and 2,000 in Ukraine. Replying to a question about the fate of the Soviet Union, 67 percent of Russians responded that they regret its collapse, while 50 percent of Ukrainians felt the same. On the other hand, 26 percent of Russians and 39 percent of Ukrainians said they do not regret its demise. Asked about their perception of Ukraine, 13 percent of Russians replied "very good," 66 percent "rather good," 14 percent "rather bad," and 3 percent "very bad." Ukrainians were more positive toward Russians, with 37 percent saying their perception of Russia is "very good" and 46 percent "rather good," while 8 percent replied "rather bad," and 4 percent "very bad." (RFE/RL Newsline)

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 6, 2005, No. 6, Vol. LXXIII

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