Kyiv: Self-Government or Presidential Rule?

Last week, the deputies returned a number of articles of the bill, On the Ukrainian Capital, the Hero-City of Kyiv, for elaboration pending its submission for the third reading.

According to the President's press-service, Mr. Kuchma proposes to withdraw from the bill, in particular, the provision that the city and district councils in Kyiv shall form executive committees, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

The head of state does not agree with the bill's provisions that district state administrations in Kyiv should be eliminated. Rather, he thinks it makes sense to assign them the executive functions of the district councils.

Thus, the President is making no concessions on the issue of principle - who will actually control the capital: self-governing bodies elected by the citizens or administrations appointed by Leonid Kuchma?