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BRAMA, March 1, 2001, 1:00am EST
Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Moroz in New York
NEW YORK - At a breakfast meeting hosted by Eurasia Group on Wednesday, 28 February, Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Moroz (Socialist Party) fielded questions about prospects for Ukraine's economic future and the current political crisis. Softspoken and composed, Mr. Moroz offered a moderately positive picture for potential investors. He brushed aside concerns about Russia's control over many of Ukraine's strategic industries such as the energy sector, as well as uncertainties about Ukraine maintaining its sovereignty. He cited the revival of foreign investment in Ukraine as a critical area of interest, and hinted that potential gains for early investors will be highly lucrative. The high level of corruption in Ukraine was a key concern to those present. Although clearly troubled about this issue, Mr. Moroz did not offer any conclusive solutions for its elimination. Discussions surrounding the current political crisis in Ukraine generated a great deal of interest as well. Mr. Moroz spoke at length about the recent demonstrations that took place in the capital and in other regions of Ukraine. He stressed that the relatively low numbers of protesters turning out for the latest demonstrations did not accurately reflect the views of the majority of Ukrainian citizens. Rather, Mr. Moroz believes that more than 50% of the population is committed to the "Ukraine Without Kuchma" action. He predicts that the political crisis will culminate in a dissolution of the current government by summer, possibly as early as June. Mr. Moroz is convinced that the crisis will not escalate beyond orderly protests, and that President Kuchma will ultimately be ousted by popular referendum, forced to resign voluntarily, or he will undergo an impeachment process.
Mr. Moroz expressed his gratitude to international mass media companies for keeping the channels of communication open between Ukraine and the rest of the world. Radio Liberty (Radio Svoboda) which broadcasts in Ukraine was commended by Mr. Moroz for its objectivity in covering the news. Mr. Moroz, accompanied by a translator, spoke primarily in Ukrainian, but alternated with Russian when responding to questions posed in that language.
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Eurasia Group Ukraine has captured international headlines in the last several weeks sparked by tapes released by Mr. Moroz which point to President Kuchma’s involvement in the murder of the journalist and outspoken critic, Georgy Gongadze. Mr. Moroz has asked that Kuchma step down in the country’s national interest and should this happen, Mr. Moroz’s current popularity levels indicate that he is a potential successor. Mr. Moroz will be discussing these issues and the future of political stability in Ukraine. Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Moroz is currently Chairman of the Ukrainian Socialist Party (SPU) and Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Policy and Land, Ukrainian Parliament (Rada). Mr. Moroz was first elected to the Parliament in 1990 and served as the Parliamentary Majority Leader until 1991. From 1991 until 1994 Mr. Moroz was Deputy Head for the Parliamentary Agro-Industrial Commission and was Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament from 1994 until 1998. Mr. Moroz took third place as a candidate in the 1999 Ukrainian presidential elections.
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