Lazarenko Now Asked To Run from San Francisco

Oleksandr Yemets, however is convinced that this is "the competent work of Mr. Lazarenko's team aimed at reminding people that, despite all the insinuations of the authorities against him, he is safe, sound and, beloved by the public." People's Deputy Yemets does not think the regime has begun to rehabilitate the Hromada leader, although such a conjecture is not unfounded: the hyping of Mr. Lazarenko could discredit Oleksandr Moroz as an ally of Hromada and its corrupt leader.

However, Borys Bezpaly thinks drawing this kind of attention to Lazarenko could backfire: "When in power, Mr. Lazarenko did not cooperate at all with Moroz. So I fear this situation could boomerang." Mr. Bezpaly also stressed: "I would not regard Lazarenko as a serious presidential campaigner." Incidentally, the Hromada leader's trusted lieutenants also think so or nearly so. Mr. Omelych believes Mr. Lazarenko could only get the nod from the Hromada congress, the date of which has been put off indefinitely due to the court proceedings in San Francisco. Mr. Omelych told The Day that "Lazarenko's personal participation is doubtful, and as to an indirect involvement, the party is not aware of any personal wishes of the leader about supporting (including financially) any specific candidate."

Indeed, if Hromada knows something about Lazarenko's personal predilection for a certain candidate, it would be better to keep quiet about it. The Hromada deputy leader confirmed: "We have not yet raised the question of a particular individual: all the blows Hromada is taking today will automatically affect this presidential candidate." Hromada is now likely to stick to a very cautious and vague position: to support all anti-presidential forces, without specifically singling anyone out.