Two Rukhs Divide Rivne Oblast

After the elections, political life in the Rivne oblast seemed listless for a few weeks. However, this apparent lull was deceptive. It was literally blown up by the Popular Movement (Rukh) led by Hennady Udovenko.

This party did not have, until recently, a viable organization in the Rivne oblast. The rather strong regional Rukh organization headed by People’s Deputy Vasyl Chervony was oriented toward Yuri Kostenko, allowing the latter to reap a decent percentage of votes, as far as the isolated oblast is concerned. This kind of situation in very national democratic minded Rivne oblast clearly disturbed the leadership of Udovenko’s Rukh, so the oblast conference held the Saturday before last announced the formation of a full- fledged oblast organization. The importance of the action is testified to by the personal presence of Rukh leader Udovenko and People’s Deputies Les Taniuk and Vyacheslav Koval.

They said they had offered Mr. Chervony a compromise solution. But it became necessary in the end to opt for a separate organization. Although the Udovenko-led Rukh does not have yet any strong organizations in the Rivne region, the conference was attended by thirty-seven delegates from eleven oblast districts and towns. It is noteworthy that the conference was also attended by quite influential businessmen, in addition to old Rukh members, many of whom had been disappointed with the party and even quit its ranks in the past few years. Mr. Udovenko stressed that the Popular Movement supports domestic business and looks positively at the fact the admission of some entrepreneurs to Rukh.

The trend toward attracting energetic leaders to Rukh was also visible during the election of the Rukh oblast organization leadership. Editor of the quite popular regional newspaper OHO and director of the Rivne-1 Television Company Viktor Danylov was elected head of the Rivne oblast organization.

It will be clear in the immediate future whether there will be two Rukh organizations in Rivne oblast or they will merge. The followers of Mr. Kostenko plan to hold soon a conference of their own at which they are most likely to air their attitude toward the Danylov-led oblast Rukh.