Yevhen MARCHUK: “The pain has gone and now I can work”

After four weeks of medical treatment, doctors have allowed Yevhen Marchuk, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, to greatly increase his movement. It is planned that the patient will undergo x-ray examination and begin a rehabilitation course next week, hospital chief Mykhailo Zakharash told The Day. He reminded us that Mr. Marchuk had been admitted to the hospital in the state of an almost complete collapse, with blood pressure 70/30. Now he is sure of his patient’s full recovery. Mr. Marchuk is in the picture on all events in this country and in the NSDC.

Every day he is visited by NSDC officials who bring him materials to work on, he is in touch with the minister concerned with national security issues, and has had several telephone conversations with the head of state. As is known, Leonid Kuchma visited Mr. Marchuk last Tuesday. As Mr. Zakharash told our correspondent, it was a warm meeting. The President and the NSDC secretary talked for about an hour in a normal businesslike atmosphere. Naturally, the details are not being disclosed, the more so that the two politicians had a real tete-a-tete.

Mr. Marchuk himself told The Day that, seeing in his ward’s three swollen folders with documents on this country’s energy market, Mr. Kuchma expressed satisfaction with his subordinate’s state of his health and spirit. Mr. Marchuk said he was preparing a new NSDC session devoted to the problems of rail transport. He said very briefly about his health: “Everything is going to schedule,” adding that he is actively doing various physical exercises for legs and arms, staying, of course, confined to bed. In Mr. Marchuk’s words, the medical staff are helping him very much in speeding his recovery, displaying not only professional attention but an almost a friendly attitude. “Thanks to the nurses and doctors,” Mr. Marchuk said, “I am not only in the picture on everything going on in the country but I also know the reactions of people to various events, I know what they talk about in the subway and buses... For example, the Kyivans’ attitude to the latest raise in transport fares...” I want to express again, via the newspaper, my gratitude to all those who have supported me and sent warm letters and telegrams. I hope I will be back shipshape as in a few weeks.”

(See page CLOSEUP for interview witn Yevhen MARCHUK)