In view of this, Speaker Tkachenko told leading media people,
the authors of the Kaniv statement (e.g., Yevhen Marchuk, Oleksandr Moroz,
Volodymyr Oliynyk, and Oleksandr Tkachenko) must determine which of the
four will run for the presidency no later than October, so he can win in
the first round. When asked whether he was concerned about the presence
among the Kaniv Four of a politician being supported by parties holding
views different than those of the Speaker, Mr. Tkachenko replied that he
understood who they meant: Yevhen Marchuk. He further said that he was
convinced that Mr. Marchuk is an expert on events in Western Ukraine of
half a century ago, considering his archival access, and that one and all
should listen to his thoughtful observations on the subject. One must not
allow Ukraine to be divided into East and West during the elections, he
added.
Commenting on the achievements registered during the years
of independence, Mr. Tkachenko noted that there was so much Kuchma on television
on August 24 it made one wonder what one was watching, Independence Day
festivities or a presentation of his campaign program. There was just 1.5
million tons of grain supplied to the state, but were bumper crops of army
generals, as Leonid Kuchma signed an edict on 148 such promotions commemorating
Independence Day.
Mr. Tkachenko also announced that the coming legislative
session will consider a bill envisioning Parliament's approval on appointing
the General Prosecutor, Prime Minister, heads of military and security
ministries and agencies, and that of the tax administration.







