Ukrainian News -- 18 April, 1994
"UKRAINIAN NEWS"
tel/fax (044) 417 6471
No 15 (140)
18 April, 1994
Published by
Ukrainian Press Agency
(Hlybochytska street, apart. 53, Kyiv 252023, Ukraine)
* * * * * * UPRESSA * * * * * * *
EDITORIAL STAFF:
Serhiy Skrypnyk - editor-in-chief, Victor Tkachuk, Kostyantyn Yerofeev,
Vyacheslav Pikhovshek and Dmytro Polukhovych as free lance.
The UKRAINIAN PRESS AGENCY was established in 1987 to provide accurate and
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CONTENTS
ANALYSIS
CURRENT INTERVIEW
DOCUMENTS
OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PRESS DIGEST
ANALYSIS
338 OUT OF 450 - PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTION RESULTS.
by Victor Tkachuk
The central electoral commission informed that after the two rounds 338 MPs
out of 450 (the full composition) had been elected to the Ukrainian
Parliament. This is quite enough since at least 300 votes are required to
amend the Constitution of Ukraine and to pass laws.
It is obvious that the new Parliament will not be a smooth law-making
mechanism even with some minor internal disorders.
This is proved by the party-based structure of the Parliament. Communists
have 96 seats, socialists 15. They are opposed by Rukh (28 seats) and
other national-democratic parliamentarians (27 seats). These figures also
involve the candidates supported by this or that party. Between them are
left-oriented representatives of Peasants' party (27 seats) and centrists
from the Interregional bloc of reforms (9 seats). Nonparty
parliamentarians won 109 seats. They mainly represent Soviet and
presidential structures, but also teachers, workers, engineers etc. Small
political associations won 25 seats. In the West they are represented by
the Ukrainian National Assembly and market supporters from the association
"New wave", in the East by Labor party. The elections did not take place
in 120 constituencies.
Members of Peasants' party and the candidates supported by it won in 17
Ukrainian regions out of 24 and in the Crimea. Communists won in 16
regions, the Crimea included. In Lugansk region 17 communists were
elected, in Donetsk - 21, while in Dnipropetrovsk just 2. Not a single
communist was elected in the capital, Kyiv and Khmelnitsk regions, in
Galicia (Rivno, Volyn and Transcarpathia).
Most Rukh candidates were elected in the West: 5 in Lviv, 5 in Rivno, 8 in
Kyiv and its region. Not a single Rukh activist was elected in Lugansk,
Mykolayiv, Odessa, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kherson, Cherkasy, Zaporizhya,
Chernigiv regions, even in Volyn, Zhitomir and Transcarpathia. This that
Rukh was defeated by communists at the elections. Probably the
parliamentary balance will be established by representatives of Republican
party, Democratic party and the Congress of Ukrainian nationalists that won
27 seats. However, this may happen if they side with Rukh faction which is
not very probable.
Well advertised Interregional bloc of reforms headed by L.Kuchma and
V.Hrynyov was also an outsider (9 seats) despite the fact that both of them
were elected to the Parliament.
Restoration of the communist party prevented socialists to win many seats
since many socialists became communists again. Probably this is also a
result of the stand of socialist party leader Moroz who is for moderate
privatization and market reforms. Besides many electors in the East call
him a nationalist because speaks Ukrainian and advocates the idea of
socialist but independent Ukraine with close ties with Russia. The
peasants' party also grabbed some seats from socialists who are against
privatization of land. Rukh leader V.Chornovil stated that cooperation
with "constructive socialists" was possible while Mr Moroz also does not
exclude the possibility of cooperation with "intellectual part of Rukh".
At present, the Peasants' party is quite popular in rural areas since it is
for transfer of land to private ownership of the people who cultivate it.
During the preelection campaign, quite a few directors of state and
collective farms advocated just this in their TV and radio interviews.
Such a stand makes it impossible for communists to side with Peasants'
party. As far as socialists are concerned, such possibility is quite real.
This party may become a buffer between Kuchma's bloc, Rukh and
left-wingers. It is improbable that the first three will form sort of
coalition because of Rukh's negative attitude to what it calls "peasants'
nomenklatura".
The coalition of Rukh faction with other national-democratic factions is
more real but their cooperation often is not feasible as a result of
different attitude to the President. Mr Kravchuk proposed that the new
Parliament should immediately define if the President is head of executive
branch of power or not. The Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists and
Republicans are for strong presidential power but will Rukh support the
idea? Quite unexpectedly, the party of power (ruling nomenklatura) found
itself in parliamentary minority. The president's candidates suffered the
most crushing defeat. Only 1/4th of them were elected. Representatives of
the Soviets did slightly better. If the new Parliament deprives the
President of executive functions, all his representatives and huge
apparatus will become unemployed. This is quite real since the communist
majority will never forgive the President prohibition of their party after
the August 1991 putsch in Moscow. Even during the elections to local
Soviets, the president's representatives will face serious competition on
the part of Soviet candidates who are often called supporters of Speaker
Plushch on the one hand and "consistent" communists on the other hand.
It seems that there is a little possibility of alliance between communists
and the party of power because the former took all property of the latter.
On the other hand, President's representatives may side with
national-democrats who are for Ukraine's independence. Given this, the new
Parliament will not be a good place for reaching compromises. The third
round of elections will be held in summer and left-wingers have bad chances
to win it. Only a few of them are running for the parliament in Kyiv where
18 MPs will be elected. Their best chances are in Dnipropetrovsk region
(14 vacancies) and the Crimea (12 vacancies) - a stronghold of communists.
NOT FIRED SHOTS, 10 MILLION DOLLARS
AND NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
by Mykola Nehreba
The public attention is again focused on the Black Sea Fleet, analysts
again remember when and where the relevant Russian-Ukrainian agreements
were signed, the Ukrainian and Russian ministries again exchange angry
notes of protest.
This is a result of incident in Odessa port on April 9-10 when survey
vessel "Chekelen", belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, without any permission
of Chief sea commander of Odessa, Captain 1st rank Orlov and contrary to
the orders of Ukrainian frontier guards and customs officials, shipped the
radiolocation equipment to the tune of 10 mln. $ from Odessa to
Sevastopol.
Inasmuch as Ukraine did not want to part with the equipment that could
provide navigation services to Odessa sea area, commander of the local
Fleet unit No 318 D.Starikov ordered his men "to commence firing without
warning against any person appearing in the territory of Russia" meaning
the deck of "Chekelen". Bloodshed was prevented only by interference of
Ukrainian Navy Captain Orlov after which "Chekelen", ignoring the
navigation rules, sailed to Sevastopol.
It is strange that "Chekelen" is considered by Mr Starikov as "territory of
Russia" contrary to the agreements specifying that all Black Sea Fleet
ships are in joint possession of Ukraine and Russia. Besides, he used his
men, 80% of whom expressed the wish to serve in the Ukrainian Navy, for the
actions directed against the national interests of Ukraine.
In order to prevent further provocations on the part of unit officers (for
instance, during the summons to procurator's office, unit commander
Starikov was drunk) and armed personnel, the unit was blocked by the troops
of Odessa military district and (as most unit sailors wished) placed under
subordination of the Ukraine's Defense Ministry. Today 60% of the unit
personnel have already taken the oath of allegiance to Ukraine. Their
example is followed by the crews of several Fleet survey ships in Odessa
sea area.
The Russian news media covered the incident mostly in a distorted manner.
What was this - a biased approach or lack of authentic information? My
telephone talk (see the interview section in this issue) with S.Smirnov,
chief instructor of the Fleet press-center, is a good illustration of such
approach. When asked about the number of wounded, Mr Smirnov first
answered that there had been the wounded among civilians, including
children and women, but then he stated that the weapons had not been
applied, so there are no grounds to believe that the incident involved any
victims.
It is worth noting that the provocation took place during celebration of
the 50th anniversary of Odessa liberation from the Hitlerites, right before
the second round of elections to the Ukrainian Parliament and several days
before another round of the Ukrainian-Russian talks on division of the
Black Sea Fleet.
Responding to "Ukraine's pressure on the Fleet and the Crimea", Crimean
Minister Meshkov dismissed the Crimean interior and security service
ministers and instead appointed the persons having nothing to do with the
fight against crime and counterintelligence but sharing Mr Meshkov's views.
Even the Crimean Parliament stated that such actions were
anticonstitutional but Mr Meshkov keeps sticking to the policy of
confrontation with official Kyiv. Some local jokers say that in case of
drought the Crimean president will accuse Kyiv of it and dismiss director
of the Crimean weather forecast center.
Political problems of the Crimea and Black Sea Fleet have the same roots.
Officially, the status of both is specified by the Ukrainian-Russian
agreement but factually the scenario is often written by the stronger
country - Russia. Quite a few Russian and pro- Russian politicians openly
demonstrate their readiness to follow one of Napoleon's recommendations:
"If you have a couple of combat-ready battalions, use them to occupy a
disputed territory and then let historians prove it has always belonged to
you. Nothing is simpler than this".
CURRENT INTERVIEW
Interview with Serhiy Smirnov, chief instructor of
press-center of the Black Sea Fleet.
UPressA - Were there any wounded people during the incidence in Odessa port
and resubordination of the 318th unit?
S.S. - Yes, there were.
UPressA - From the Russian side?
S.S. - Right you are.
UPressA - Were the wounded from the 318th unit?
S.S. - No, they were civilians, among them women and children.
UPressA - What was their number?
S.S. - I can't tell definitely. Well, (after a pause) here they say that
the arms were not applied, so let us believe there were no wounded.
UPressA - What was the reaction of Fleet sailors to the incident?
S.S. - For instance, we received the statement from Fleet river boat unit
in Izmail (Odessa region). It says, in particular: "We officers and
sailors express our indignation over illegal actions of the Ukrainian Armed
Forces. We fully support the actions of officers Zelenko, Starikov and
Feoktistov and request the Ukrainian Navy command to take into account the
fact that provided such actions are taken against our unit, we will act
according to the laws and military rules, including the use of arms.
UPressA - To whom does the military equipment, taken out by "Cheleken" to
Sevastopol, belong?
S.S. - It belongs to the Black Sea Fleet. The Ukrainian marines tried to
prevent the vessel's sailing without any arguments, they even tried to say
that the cargo was radioactive.
UPressA - Which side controls the 318th unit now?
S.S. - It was captured by 120 Ukrainian commandos, now there are 60 of them. The
unit is controlled by the Ukrainian side.
UPressA - Thank you.
Interview with Oleg Chubuk, deputy head of press-
center of the Ukrainian Navy.
UPressA - To whom did the hydrographic navigation equipment, taken out by
"Chekelen", belong?
O.C. - Obviously, It belonged to Ukraine.
UPressA - Tell a few words about the incident in the 318th unit.
O.C. There were no wounded people, no arrests, no handcuffs. Three unit
officers did not fulfil the order of the Chief military officer of Odessa,
they ordered their men to get ready for commencing fire, so they were
summoned to explain their conduct. During the summons, unit commander
Feokristov was drunk, so he was detained a little bit longer than his
comrades.
UPressA - Who controls the unit now?
O.C. - More than 50% of the unit sailors have taken the oath of allegiance to
Ukraine.
The new Ukrainian battalion will be formed on the unit basis. Sailors on
other Black Sea Fleet survey vessels also take the oath of loyalty to
Ukraine.
UPressA - Is the incident over?
O.C. - I am afraid that it is not
UPressA - Thank you.
DOCUMENTS
STATEMENT BY THE CONGRESS OF
NATIONAL-DEMOCRATIC FORCES OF
UKRAINE CONCERNING THE INCIDENT IN
ODESSA PORT
Anti-Ukrainian propaganda by the Russian news media has reached its climax.
Provocative information often acquires a social character. Most Russian
politicians openly demonstrate their imperial ambitions towards Ukraine.
The Black Sea naval bases are often used to whip up tension. On April 9,
at night, hydrographic equipment was stolen from the naval base near
Odessa. The Black Sea Fleet sailors received the order to open fire
against Ukrainian Navy sailors if the latter tried to prevent smuggling of
said equipment.
Such actions coincided with the Russian President's decree on establishment
of Russian military bases in the CIS.
The Ukrainian public is deeply concerned with these actions. It seems that
the Russian imperialists want to turn Ukraine into another "hot spot" like
Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. Russian chauvinists
are backed by Russian authorities. The Russian Foreign Ministry and Duma
(Parliament) work out the plans on the so-called protection of
Russian-speaking population. Such plans lead to confrontation.
We believe that the most important problems to be solved by the Ukrainian
administration are economic reforms and national security. Ukraine has
found itself in the situation which is hard to understand. The Black Sea
Fleet vessels, subordinated to the President of Ukraine, carry foreign
flags. The Act on Ukraine's independence, pursuant to which all property
in Ukraine is its own property, is fully ignored. The same holds for
foreign political concept and military doctrine of our country.
The wait-and-see approach of the Ukrainian President and Government,
polarization of social sentiments, confrontation approach of the Russian
news media threaten Ukraine's independence.
All centrist and national-democratic forces should get consolidated to
prevent such threat.
STATEMENT BY PRESS-SERVICE OF THE
DEFENSE MINISTRY OF UKRAINE
RUMORS ON SEIZURE OF BLACK SEA
FLEET UNIT IN ODESSA ARE PROVOCATION
AND BLATANT LIE.
The Russian news media distributed the report of press-center of the Black
Sea Fleet which distorts the events that took place in Odessa, on April 10
in the evening. The Ukrainian side was accused of the armed seizure of the
318th unit of the Black Sea Fleet vessels that are in mothballs in Odessa
port. According to the press-center, this was done in the best traditions
of "SS-Galicia division".
We are authorized to state that said report is a blatant lie. There was no
armed seizure at all. In fact, a group of officers from said unit was
detained as a result of illegal actions of unit commander, Captain 1st rank
Feoktistov, commander of coastal base, Captain 2nd rank Starikov and head
of the unit staff, Captain 2nd rank Zelenko during the incident involving
the smuggling of expensive hydrographic equipment (on April 9) by means of
the Black Sea Fleet survey vessel "Cheleken".
Said officers not only disobeyed the orders of Chief naval officer of
Odessa but ordered their subordinates who came on board of "Chekelen" to
prepare to shoot the Ukrainian marines without warning. Such actions could
result in grave consequences and helped smuggle valuable equipment from
Odessa port.
The 318th unit was blocked by the Ukrainian Navy sailors to prevent further
provocations. There was no armed capture of the unit.
The press-center's false report is no surprise since it is in line with the
provocations on the part of Fleet command.
The unit actions were aimed at creation of armed conflict between the Black
Sea Fleet and Ukrainian Navy sailors.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry investigates the incident pursuant to
Ukrainian law.
No violence was applied against the unit servicemen and members of their
families, no handcuffs were put on them.
We express our indignation over the fact that the Fleet officers made the
sailors, who took the oath of loyalty to Ukraine, act against their own
people. Such actions are well-prepared provocation aimed at both smuggling
the valuable equipment and gross violation of Ukrainian law.
We refute the lies disseminated by the Russian news media since they fan
hostility between our friendly nations.
Ukraine proposed that the Russian Foreign and Defense Ministries send their
experts to take part in investigation of the incident.
April 11, 1994.
STATEMENT BY PRESS-SERVICE OF THE
PRESIDENT AND GOVERNMENT OF
UKRAINE.
Recently, Speaking on the Crimean TV and press-conference, Crimean
President Meshkov cast doubt on expediency and validity of establishment of
Ukraine's President representative institution in the peninsula.
In this connection, we remind that said institution was set up pursuant of
the Ukrainian Parliament's resolution of February 24, 1994 "On status of
the Republic of the Crimea in line with the Ukrainian Constitution and
law", and the Ukrainian Parliament's resolution of December 17, 1992 "On
enactment of the law of Ukraine 'On the Ukraine's President representative
institution in the Crimea'".
Establishment of this institution is not a political action but a normal
process of creation of power structures to coordinate the activity of state
bodies pursuant to Ukrainian law, Constitutions of Ukraine and the Crimea.
Said institution will function in strict accordance with the law of Ukraine
"On division of powers between the state bodies of Ukraine and the Crimea".
The Crimea has its mission in Kyiv, so Ukraine also has the right to have
its representative in the peninsula. If Mr Meshkov really wanted to solve
social and economic problems jointly with Ukraine, he would welcome
establishment of such an institution.
Contrary to Meshkov's statements, the President of Ukraine never promised
not to establish this institution in the peninsula, he just stressed that
this problem would be solved depending on specific situation. Today, the
President of Ukraine decided to fulfill the parliament's decisions to this
end.
Recent actions of Mr Meshkov prove that he violates the laws and
Constitutions of both the Crimea and Ukraine. As a result of this, the
President of Ukraine canceled several decrees of the Crimean President.
The attempts to distort the relations between the Ukrainian and Crimean
state bodies hinder the process of economic reforms in the peninsula. The
actions of President Meshkov and his entourage are also not conducive to
good neighborly relations between Ukraine and Russia. The President of
Ukraine, being guarantor of the Constitution of Ukraine and the rights of
its citizens, acts and will act pursuant to Ukrainian law, in the interests
of the people of Ukraine, including the residents of the Crimea.
APPEAL OF MILITARY COUNCIL OF THE
BLACK SEA FLEET TO THE PRESIDENTS OF
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry again carries out gross provocations against
the Black Sea Fleet. Neglecting the international law, the Ukrainian
commandos tried to arrest the Black Sea survey vessel "Cheleken" in Odessa
port and prevent its sailing to Sevastopol. They also seized the Black Sea
Fleet unit of mothballed vessels which was an open challenge to the public
opinion.
Those were the attempts to torpedo the Masandra protocol on the Black Sea
Fleet, to subordinate the Fleet to the Defense Ministry of Ukraine. Quite
a few officers of the Ukrainian Navy, including its Commander
V.Beskorovayni took an active part in the provocations. Such actions
undermine and prolong the Russian-Ukrainian talks on the Black Sea Fleet,
lead to confrontation and armed conflicts. We appeal to the Presidents of
Russia and Ukraine to help release the arrested Black Sea Fleet officers
and to stop the provocations against the Fleet on the part of the Ukrainian
Defense Ministry. Nobody can frighten us. The Black Sea Fleet personnel
will always be faithful to its oath, to the peoples of Russia and Ukraine.
April 14, 1994
STATEMENT BY PRESS-CENTER OF THE
UKRAINIAN NAVY
On April 9, 1994, at night, survey vessel "Cheleken smuggled valuable
hydrographic navigation equipment from Odessa. This was dome with gross
violation of the international law. The crew did not present any shipment
documents to the Ukrainian customs officials. When the latter tried to
stop taking the equipment from Odessa, 30 armed sailors from the 318th
Black Sea Fleet unit came to the vessel. Captain 2nd rank M.Zhibarev,
second in command of the Ukrainian Navy brigade, was arrested during the
incident.
Then the Ukrainian marines, that came to Odessa to take part in celebration
of the 50th anniversary of Odessa liberation from the Nazis, were ordered
to stop the incident. After that, the unit commander ordered his men to
prepare for shooting. Bloodshed was prevented and M.Zhibarev was released
only after interference of the Chief sea commander of Odessa, Captain 1st
rank Orlov.
Despite the latter's order, "Cheleken" sailed to Sevastopol.
As a result of such piracy, the entire Odessa sea region was left without
hydrographic support which presents threat to navigation in the region.
The state suffered big material losses.
The Black Sea Fleet command again demonstrated its neglect of Ukrainian law
and disrespect for Odessa residents.
OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PRESS
DIGEST
(11.04.94 - 18.04.94)
In making this Digest, the following acronyms were used - with paren
thetic explanations "HU" ("Holos Ukraini" - "Voice of Ukraine"), "VK"
("Vechirnij Kyiv" - "Evening Kiev") ; "KV" ("Kyivskiy Visnyk" - "Kiev
Herald"); "DU" ("Democratichna Ukraine" - "Democratic Ukraine"); "PU"
("Pravda Ukraine" - "Truth of Ukraine"); "MU" ("Molod Ukrainy" - "Youth of
Ukraine"); "MH" ("Moloda Hvardiya" - "Young Guard"); "Nezavisimost"
("Independence"); "RG" ("Robitnicha Gazeta" - "The Workers' Gazette"); "SV"
("Silski Visti" - "The Countryside News"); "NA" ("Narodna Armiya" - "The
National Army"); "KP" ("Kyivska Pravda" - "Kiev Truth"); "UK" ("Uriadovyi
Kurier" - "The Government Courier"). _
The STATE
HU, April 12, 1994. In central electoral commission.
"The central electoral commission informed that in the second round the
elections had been held in 350 constituencies and 330 MPs (out of 450) had
been elected after the first and second rounds. This means that Ukraine
received a new Parliament. The third round will be held in the
constituencies where not a single candidate received the majority of
votes".
HU, April 13, 1994. Reshuffles in the Crimea.
"Prior to the last session of the Crimean Parliament on April 12, presided
by Speaker Bagrov, Crimean president's press-secretary V.Lebedev informed
on local TV that President Meshkov had appointed General V.Kuznetsov to the
post of Crimean interior minister instead of O.Plyut while V.Lepikhov had
replaced I.Kolmiytsev at the post of local security service director.
Speaker Bagrov stressed that said reshuffles were illegal since they had
been made without consent of the Ukrainian authorities".
HU, April 13, 1994. Kravchuk and Chornomyrdyn speak on the phone.
"On April 11, President Kravchuk and Russian Premier Chornomyrdyn spoke on
the phone and discussed the incident in Odessa. They decided to urgently
hold the Ukrainian- Russian talks on the Black Sea Fleet problem". UK,
April 14, 1994. In the Parliament's presidium.
"On April 12, Speaker Plushch presided at the meeting of the Ukrainian
Parliament's presidium devoted to election results. The report to this
effect was made by electoral commission head I.Yemets. Final session of
the present Parliament will be held on April 22".
UK, April 14, 1994. Composition of new parliament.
"338 deputies (out of 450) have been elected to the Parliament. Communist
party won 86 seats, Rukh - 20, Peasant's party - 18, Socialist party - 14,
Republican party - 9, Congress of Ukrainian nationalists - 7, Labor party
and interregional bloc of reforms - 4 each, Ukrainian national assembly and
Democratic party - 3 each, Ukrainian conservative party - 2. The remaining
170 were independent candidates. 56 MPs were reelected. There are 12
women among the elected candidates".
SV, April 15, 1994. News.
"The Ukrainian delegation, headed by President Kravchuk and acting Premier
Zvyagilsky, came to Moscow to take part in the CIS summit on April 15.
Several Ukrainian delegates will participate in a meeting of
coordination-consultative commission which will define the summit agenda".
SV, April 15, 1994. Information.
"Vice-Premier of Ukraine M.Zhulinsky met with newly elected MPs of the
Crimean Parliament, members of the Republican commission for the matters of
deported people. They discussed the problems on financing the process of
return of Tatars and other peoples (deported by Stalin from the peninsula
half a century ago) to the Crimea. The Cabinet instructed the Ministry of
Finance and Economics of Ukraine to solve the problem in the near future".
ACTIVITY OF SOCIOPOLITICAL PARTIES
AND ASSOCIATIONS
HU, April 12, 1994. Wrong tactics.
"Rukh, Republican and other democratic parties did not win a single seat in
the Parliament in Chernigiv region since they proved to be unable to
coordinate their election campaigns. In Chernigiv constituency, first
secretary of local communist party committee G.Dolzhenok easily defeated 2
candidates of Rukh and one of the Republican party. The region will have 4
centrists in the Parliament, 4 "Kuchma's" people, 3 communists and 1
representative of the Peasant's party".
HU, April 12, 1994. "Attack" of armaments industry.
"Trade unions of machine-building and armaments industries of Ukraine held
a joint meeting demanding to improve economic situation in their sectors.
It was decided to picket the President's residence and Government house on
April 14".
HU, April 13, 1994. Democratic front.
"V.Chornovil stated that Rukh had not lost the elections like communists
had not won them though the left-wing faction (1/3 of parliamentary seats)
can block any important constitutional act. He believes that the struggle
in new Parliament will be focused around the centrists who include
independent MPs and representatives of 'party of power'".
VK, April 14, 1994. Red Cross aid.
"Humanitarian aid to the tune of 1.6 mln. shillings was sent from Austria
to Lviv. The aid, provided by the Austrian Red Cross, includes medical
equipment and drugs for local hospitals, toys for children".
MU, April 15, 1994.
"Regional council of the Congress of national-democratic forces of Ukraine
requested L. Lukyanenko to advance his candidature to the Parliament in
Galicia constituency No 356 where not a single candidate had received the
required majority of votes. Mr Lukyanenko will consider the request".
MU, April 15, 1994. The road to privatization.
"Liberal-democratic party of Ukraine requested President Kravchuk to make
the state bodies strictly observe the law on privatization since this
process is essential for economic stabilization and national security of
Ukraine".
UK, April 16, 1994. Congress of industrialists and businessmen.
"The Congress of Ukrainian union of industrialists and businessmen was held
in Kyiv on April 14. The report was made by union head L.Kuchma. The
congress considered the ways to overcome political and economic crisis in
this country".
VK, April 16, 1994. Trade unions get united.
"Free trade union of railroad workers held its conference in Kyiv to unite
all trade unions of the Ukrainian railroads".
DU, April 16, 1994. Party news.
"Second stage of Rukh's congress, plenary meeting of communists and
conference of socialists will be opened on 16 April in the capital of
Ukraine. All these parties will discuss the results of parliamentary
elections and define the strategy for their parliamentary factions.
Probably they will also nominate their candidates for presidential
elections".
FOREIGN CONTACTS
HU, April 13, 1994. "Eurocom" expands activity.
"Representatives of international organization 'Eurocom' have held
press-conference in Kyiv. After meetings with Ukrainian nongovernmental
organizations, it was decided to realize joint programs in the fields of
nature conservation and social adaptation of young people. 'Eurocom' will
set up its offices in Kyiv and Ternopil, create its division
'Eurocom-Ukraine'".
KV, April 14, 1994. Information.
"Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland R.Morozovych received Ambassador of
Ukraine to Poland G.Udovenko. The ambassador explained Ukraine's position
concerning the UN General Assembly decision to provide the CIS with the
status of observer in the UN. The CIS will be represented in the UN
General Assembly only by the countries that ratified the CIS statute on
January 22, 1993. Ukraine did not sign that document. The ambassador also
requested to support Ukraine's candidature in the human rights commission".
VK, April 15, 1994. The life of national minorities.
"The Ukrainian-Hungarian commission for the rights of national minorities
worked in the town of Uzhgorod. It summed up the results of work of expert
groups, elaborated the measures on expansion of the rights of national
minorities both in Ukraine and Hungary".
PU, April 16, 1994. Visit to Sevastopol.
"On April 13, SAR Ambassador to Ukraine D.Skuer paid a visit to Sevastopol.
Head of local administration M.Hlushko informed the guest about the life
in the Black Sea naval base. The ambassador expressed his hope that
Sevastopol and SAR towns would soon establish friendly ties".
HU, April 16, 1994. German businessmen are ready to risk.
"On April 14, President Kravchuk met with Vice-President of German concern
'SKET' Frank Wende. The sides discussed some aspects of Ukrainian-German
economic cooperation. Mr Kravchuk stressed that the machine-building
concern that had been present at the Ukrainian market for over 49 years had
good prospects for cooperation with Ukrainian partners in agricultural and
metallurgical sectors. Mr Wende informed that despite risks the concern
was ready to sell its technology and equipment to Ukraine".
UK, April 16, 1994. Disarmament program.
"At the turn of March, the Ukrainian and Japanese Governments signed the
agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear disarmament. Recently, in
the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the joint cooperation committee discussed
the ways to realize the agreement. The Japanese Government allotted over
16 mln. $ to this effect".
ECONOMY
HU, April 12, 1994. Bug's gold.
"Donetsk miners started to drill the first well (out of 100) in Savransk
district (Odesa region) on the right bank of the South Bug. Geologists say
that local gold deposits are the richest in Ukraine".
HU, April 13, 1994. NPPs in March.
"In March, all Ukrainian NPPs fulfilled their state plans. They generated
7247.4 mln. kWh (109% of the plan figure) or 39.26% of the total power
generated in Ukraine. There were 15 minor disorders (7 in Zaporizhya NPP).
As a result, 5 units stopped their
work, other 5 reduced generation of electric power".
KV, April 14, 1994. News.
"Starting from July 14, each export product in Ukraine will be certified
pursuant to international standards. The certificate will contain the data
on product's quality and ecological safety".
KV, April 14, 1994. Aid to village.
"This year, the state will buy 14 mln. t of grain from Ukrainian farmers,
1.56 mln. t of oil-producing crops, 25 mln. t of sugarbeet, 703 thou. t
of meet, 4.1 mln. t of milk, 635 thou. t of potato. Unfortunately, the
farmers' requirements in petrol and diesel fuel were met only by 25% and 37
%, respectively".
SV, April 15, 1994. News.
"The state delegation of Ukraine and Russian joint-stock company 'Gasprom'
signed the protocol on repayment of gas debt by Ukraine. According to
Vice-Premier V.Landyk, said debt amounts to 600 mln. $. From now on, the
enterprises not paying for gas will not receive it. Half of the debt will
be paid in the form of goods and houses for 'Gasprom' workers".
SV, April 15, 1994. Nuclear fuel supplies.
"The Europe's biggest Zaporizhya NPP received the first supplies of nuclear
fuel as the compensation for dismantled nuclear warheads. The amount of
fuel is sufficient for one NPP unit to function during one year and
generate 5.5-6 bln. kW".
MU, April 15, 1994. In Transcarpathia.
"The length of pipelines and power transmission lines coming through
Transcarpathia exceeds 3000 km. They occupy over 13,000 ha. Local
authorities requested President Kravchuk to impose local duty on the use of
pipelines and power transmission lines".
ARMY, MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR,
SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE
HU, April 12, 1994. Diplomat meets with servicemen.
"Ukraine's Ambassador to the FRG I.Piskovy met with Commander of the former
Soviet troops in Germany N.Burlakov. They discussed such important
problems as troops withdrawal from Germany, employment of the Ukrainian
servicemen, construction of houses for Afghan vets".
UK, April 12, 1994. Visit to Germany.
"On April 11, Ukraine's Defense Minister V.Radetsky started his visit to
Germany. There he will meet with German Defense Minister V.Rhue and
Chairman of the Defense committee F.Bittman. The will also have talks in
the German Foreign Ministry and bundeschancellery, pay visit to a German
air force unit and tank battalion, observe military exercises of
Bundeswehr".
KV, April 12, 1994. Information. April 14, 1994
"Last week, Ukrainian customs officials and frontier guards confiscated the
smuggled goods to the tune of 128.4 mln. krb, among them 5600 kg of sugar,
3181 kg of copper, three icons, drugs, weapons etc. 128 trespassers were
arrested".
NA, April 13, 1994. Incident in Odessa.
"Chief of General staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces A.Lopata and Deputy
Defense Minister of Ukraine I.Bizhan held the briefing for diplomats in
Kiev concerning the incident that took place in Odessa on April 8-10. The
generals presented numerous facts and documents proving that the Ukrainian
Defense Ministry had done its best to prevent the incident. Ukrainian
Defense Minister V.Radetsky sent a telegram to Russian Defense Minister
P.Gravhov explaining the incident causes and position of the Ukrainian
Defense Ministry to this end".
UK, April 14, 1994. Frontier guards reach agreement.
"Expert group, headed by Commanders of Ukrainian, Belarus and Russian
frontier troops V.Gubenko, Y.Bocharov and A. Nikolayev, held its regular
meeting in the capital of Ukraine. The group prepared the draft memorandum
on cooperation between the frontier troops of three countries and official
statement to this effect. The documents will be signed at the CIS summit
in Moscow on April 15".
SV, April 15, 1994. Highway accidents.
"During the first week of April, there occurred 886 road accidents. 125
people were killed, 936 wounded. These indicators are by 27.6% and 30%
higher versus the same period of 1993. Individual car owners were guilty
of the most accidents. Highway police detained 155,911 car and tractor
drivers that violated traffic rules. 5556 of them were drunk."
KV, April 16, 1994. Disinformation.
"Head of Ukrainian Navy press-center, Captain 3d rank M.Savchenko called as
disinformation the report of ITAR agency saying that 18 officers were
thrown out into the street from their houses in Odessa after they did not
take the oath of loyalty to Ukraine".
All the material for this issue of UKRAINSKI NOVINI - "Ukrainian News" was
prepared by the staff of UPressA-Kiev, based on our own source information,
as well as on information obtained from URP-Inform, RUKH-Press,
UKRSTUDIOINFORM, UNA Press Center, UNS-Inform, Evro-Iks Agency, Ukrinform,
as well as data received from officially affiliated and independent media
sources.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Information-press Service of the Ukrainian Republican Party.
Head Rostyslav Onyshchak.
Ukraine, Kyyiv,
27, Prorizna str.,
tel.\fax (044)228-04-09
E-mail: rst@urp.kiev.ua