The party of power is trying to neutralize all possible contenders
in the next presidential campaign. The Chief Executive and the government
must rally people round themselves, People's Deputies included, not by
bribery or force, but by way of open dialogue. This statement belongs not
to some radical leftists, but to Messrs. Chornovil and Matviyenko.
The Rukh leader was outraged by the attempt to topple NBU Governor Viktor
Yushchenko: "Most likely, without pressure from the Presidential Administration
there would have been no pressure brought to bear by the National Bank,"
Mr. Chornovil declared in Sumy. Moreover, he stated that Rukh would not
support the current President for reelection (although quite recently he
had said the opposite, specifying, however, that such support come only
after bargaining). The candidates most often being considered in the national
democratic camp are Kostenko, Udovenko, and Yushchenko, he added. Mr. Chornovil
was too modest to mention himself, but the Rukh Press Agency did, stating
that he was the strongest contender according to the ratings of local Rukh
conferences.
NDP leader Anatoly Matviyenko says there are three points of view prevalent
in his party: some are for Leonid Kuchma, believing that there is simply
no alternative; others claim that he should be supported only if there
are certain arrangements with him and certain adjustments made in the present
course; still others feel sure that a new President must be elected.
Vyacheslav Chornovil, talking to The Day's reporter, complained
that there are too many different views in the NDP. He believes that such
differentiation of the People's Democrats shows that the chances of putting
forward a single candidate are very slim here. Some party members are firmly
in support or the current President, and Rukh will never support him. Others
are against Leonid Kuchma and these people are being approached, although
on a very tentative basis. But negotiating something with a part rather
than the whole is not likely to bring any tangible results. Finally, there
are those not sure what they really want. The only reason they joined the
party or its faction was because the Premier was there, meaning they could
solve some of their personal problems, yet they do not know what to do
next. How can one hold serious talks with such a party?
While in Kharkiv, Anatoly Matviyenko voiced his doubts about the expediency
of gathering people from different parties within the same Cabinet at this
stage. Incidentally, Rukh has already refused to nominate its people for
Cabinet posts, although probably no one has offered them any.






