Medvedchuk and Kuchma Have Different Plans

Taras STETSKIV:
It is possible that someone in the Presidential Administration did promise Medvedchuk nomination as the official successor in 2004. I think they could promise that to a great many. But it would be neither realistic nor serious for this year. Still, one can expect anything from this holding team - appetite usually comes with eating, but with them it comes before, during and after eating. And yet, my personal observations indicate that Kuchma would not accept the possibility of withdrawing his candidacy. I think Medvedchuk is now more concerned with the problem of how to clear his way for the 2004 elections - to put away Yushchenko. Because he knows only too well that Yushchenko will be his competitor in four years.

Yuri KARAMZIN:
I know some people say that Leonid Kuchma would be better off to step down before it is too late and hand over power with dignity. This would by a wonderful way out of the situation for both Kuchma and the Ukrainian people. I think in the current situation counting on Medvedchuk would be not the worst possible decision, based on the following considerations: whom can the President can rely on as his man, and who will guarantee the security of Leonid Kuchma and his men when they are not in power? By deductive reasoning, having doubts about Pustovoitenko and Tkachenko, they have decided on Medvedchuk, who would be able to safeguard the interests of the President and his clan. But all this is romantic fiction.

Serhiy TERIOKHIN
Absurd! Go out into the street and ask anybody if he knows who Medvedchuk is. Maybe you will manage to find someone who does. And, second, Kuchma is also not simple. For two years he has been obstinate, ruined his competitors, built various systems, sought support abroad, and will he now give it all to someone voluntarily? No, he is genetically incapable of believing in his failure in the election.

Roman ZVARYCH
I think, such idea may be haunting Viktor Medvedchuk and his entourage. But knowing our President's character, if I wanted to start quarrel Medvedchuk and Surkis with Leonid Kuchma, I would try hard to persuade them to approach the President with such a proposal. Medvedchuk expects to become President in 2004. And all the actions taken now are careful preparation by a party which, having financial resources, is eager to reinforce them with political levers in order to be able to take control over the processes taking place in both the political and financial sectors.