President Kuchma's meeting with the Moscow Mayor in the Crimea is, without a doubt, further evidence that people have appeared among Mr. Kuchma's entourage who are capable of thinking ahead. It should be pointed out, however, that the priorities of Leonid Kuchma as President and presidential candidate differ essentially, particularly insofar as Yuri Luzhkov is concerned. The latter is generally recognized as the most serious contender in the Russian presidential race. One could also agree with Moscow analysts who named three likely successors to Boris Yeltsin's seat at the recent Russia after Yeltsin conference: Luzhkov, Primakov, and whoever will be Prime Minister on the election date (Sergei Stepashin for the time being, of course). Establishing normal contacts with a presidential hopeful, trying to guess what there is behind Mr. Luzhkov's populist rhetoric is important. There is no denying the fact, although it would perhaps be better accomplished by one of the President's men standing closest to him, for Yuri Luzhkov looks too serious with his Sevastopol actions against the generally unperturbed background of the Russian-Ukrainian dialogue. Besides, the Moscow Mayor is currently at the head of a clan which is rather representative but not the most influential one in the ongoing power play. Befriending him would automatically cause irritation at the Kremlin where Mr. Luzhkov is considered perhaps the worst of Boris Yeltsin's probable successors. This would mean falling out with Boris Berezovsky, a traditional friend of Leonid Kuchma and his entourage, for the man is doing his utmost to put a quick end to Yuri Luzhkov's political career. This would further mean creating powerful enemies in the Russian business circles working against the mayor. And these enemies can bring a lot of harm to bear — as Mr. Kuchma may see with his own eyes visiting any of Ukraine's filling stations these days.
Yuri Luzhkov is in the center of a pitched domestic political struggle in Russia. No one would undertake to predict his victory under the circumstances, the more so that his opponents have shown that they are prepared to play real tough (e.g., criminal proceedings against the firm headed by Mrs. Luzhkov; tax check-ups levied on Vladimir Gusinsky's business structures, in view of his attempts to campaign for Luzhkov using his media). The Sevastopol meeting between the Ukrainian President and Moscow Mayor is not just an episode but another attempt to add to one's patriotic-populist image (causing concern in the West and among Russia's liberal circles) a bit of a considerate approach: look, the Ukrainian President bears no grudge, so why should you? The same scenario was played out during Leonid Kuchma's official visit to Moscow when the mayor personally showed the ranking guest round the trade complex under Manezhnaya Square and several days later came up with further provocative statements. Luzhkov belongs to a category of politicians who act exclusively in their own interests, thinking nothing of changing guidelines and priorities. Assisting him in this game does not look expedient, even in view of the presidential campaign.
President Kuchma's meeting with the Moscow Mayor in the Crimea is, without a doubt, further evidence that people have appeared among Mr. Kuchma's entourage who are capable of thinking ahead. It should be pointed out, however, that the priorities of Leonid Kuchma as President and presidential candidate differ essentially, particularly insofar as Yuri Luzhkov is concerned. The latter is generally recognized as the most serious contender in the Russian presidential race. One could also agree with Moscow analysts who named three likely successors to Boris Yeltsin's seat at the recent Russia after Yeltsin conference: Luzhkov, Primakov, and whoever will be Prime Minister on the election date (Sergei Stepashin for the time being, of course). Establishing normal contacts with a presidential hopeful, trying to guess what there is behind Mr. Luzhkov's populist rhetoric is important. There is no denying the fact, although it would perhaps be better accomplished by one of the President's men standing closest to him, for Yuri Luzhkov looks too serious with his Sevastopol actions against the generally unperturbed background of the Russian-Ukrainian dialogue. Besides, the Moscow Mayor is currently at the head of a clan which is rather representative but not the most influential one in the ongoing power play. Befriending him would automatically cause irritation at the Kremlin where Mr. Luzhkov is considered perhaps the worst of Boris Yeltsin's probable successors. This would mean falling out with Boris Berezovsky, a traditional friend of Leonid Kuchma and his entourage, for the man is doing his utmost to put a quick end to Yuri Luzhkov's political career. This would further mean creating powerful enemies in the Russian business circles working against the mayor. And these enemies can bring a lot of harm to bear — as Mr. Kuchma may see with his own eyes visiting any of Ukraine's filling stations these days.
Yuri Luzhkov is in the center of a pitched domestic political struggle in Russia. No one would undertake to predict his victory under the circumstances, the more so that his opponents have shown that they are prepared to play real tough (e.g., criminal proceedings against the firm headed by Mrs. Luzhkov; tax check-ups levied on Vladimir Gusinsky's business structures, in view of his attempts to campaign for Luzhkov using his media). The Sevastopol meeting between the Ukrainian President and Moscow Mayor is not just an episode but another attempt to add to one's patriotic-populist image (causing concern in the West and among Russia's liberal circles) a bit of a considerate approach: look, the Ukrainian President bears no grudge, so why should you? The same scenario was played out during Leonid Kuchma's official visit to Moscow when the mayor personally showed the ranking guest round the trade complex under Manezhnaya Square and several days later came up with further provocative statements. Luzhkov belongs to a category of politicians who act exclusively in their own interests, thinking nothing of changing guidelines and priorities. Assisting him in this game does not look expedient, even in view of the presidential campaign.







