Hromada Congress Condemns Trojan Horse in Its Ranks

The absence of Yuliya Tymoshenko and Oleksandr Turchynov immediately attracted attention, although they had "resigned" from the party's management, but remained members of its political council.

According to our correspondent, a boisterous meeting of the political council took place the day before, and Mykhailo Brodsky and Viktor Chaika, quite enough for Pavlo Lazarenko, gave a sharp blow to those who broke away. Lazarenko himself did not mention any names in his report, but he made his point clear about those "who beat their breasts and then go to drink tea... Hromada needs no Trojan horses. If someone carries on a double game, fulfilling orders from the Presidential Administration, let him leave our ranks." Lazarenko told the authorities, who have done everything to weaken and destroy Hromada, "You will never see it happen!"

He dedicated much time to his criminal charges, but he did not say anything new. As usually he promised that "the authorities' activity will be exposed," when the Prosecutor General is heard in Parliament.

Naturally, the upcoming presidential election was the main issue. The Hromada leader suggested considering two options: to nominate their own candidate or to support a common candidate representing all opposition forces. He did not specify which forces he meant, except the Left. But Conservative Republican Stepan Khmara, Socialist Shybko, independent Serhiy Holovaty, and Social Democrat Yuri Buzduhan were easily recognized among the guests invited to the presidium. Lazarenko's brave declarations about Hromada being a "centrist force, which consistently defends the ideals of social democracy" and about party's intention to join the Socialist International sound good in this connection.

In sum, Pavlo Lazarenko again appealed to the congress to express its opinion regarding the cardinal problem of the moment: deciding on how it will take part in the presidential elections: "A party, which will not take part in the upcoming elections and does not have a candidate is doomed to political death." In fact, the Hromada leader would not personally mind another line of defense in the form of presidential candidate status.

The Hromada Congress was practically unanimous in its support of Lazarenko for president.

PS: Our corespondent Volodymyr ZOLOTARIOV asked Mr. Turchynov to comment on the situation:

"The conflict in Hromada has long been discussed. What was the main reason why you offered your resignation: the methods of leadership or ideological motives connected with performance of the parliamentary faction, including voting, etc.?"

"The main reason is the absence of any discernible stand by the party and its faction. The party's activity was extremely unsystematic; it would resolve concrete local issues that had nothing to do with party strategy or tactics. As to the voting results of the faction, I cannot say to what part of the spectrum this segment of Verkhovna Rada belongs. As to the party, it by no means made the electorate feel confidence, while party work should be its very cornerstone."

"The Hromada conflict has never reached so high a pitch before. What motivated Mr. Lazarenko's 'attack' on the opposition? There are two versions. The first is that Mr. Lazarenko wants to make peace with those in power, in which case he does not need an opposition in his party. The second holds the opposite: the opposition thwarts his efforts to rally forces to combat those in power."

"Both versions are fair. In both cases internal party opposition is not necessary. It seems to me the party leader merely wants to concentrate in his hands all power to have a free hand to carry out any maneuver."

"There also is a third assumption, namely that the Hromada internal opposition is repudiating the tainted Lazarenko and makes it clear to Leonid Kuchma that it is ready to cooperate. Such suspicions are being fueled by things like the widespread official-media coverage of the budget committee's role in the budget-making process."

"The point is not any repudiation. We did not take an oath of allegiance to anybody, including Mr. Lazarenko. As to the budget process, it has clearly shown we are not going to get adjusted either to the government or the opposition. We see our goal in doing our best to enable this country to ride out the crises."

"You must agree: now that you have offered your resignation, you will have less opportunity to do this."

"Yes. So we will make a final decision about party membership after the party congress, taking into account its resolutions, and after it becomes clear whether the party leader will be able to put his ideas into practice."

"What kind of ideas?"

"As far as I know the future scenario, dissolution of the opposition cabinet of ministers will be announced, although it is impossible to dissolve what does not belong to the party. The congress of a certain party might as well announce Parliament dissolved. Moreover, the party leader is going to be nominated for the presidency, which we think inappropriate in the current situation."

"If you leave the party, will you form a parliamentary faction of your own or join something already existing?"

"I will be able to answer this question in early February."