3350 M Street, NW · Washington DC 20007 · 202/333-0606 · 202/333-0817 (fax)
April 1, 1998
For immediate release
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PRESIDENT KUCHMA ON PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OUTCOME
President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine called the outcome of the March 29 parliamentary elections "a rude awakening for many politicians who pushed Ukraine to the mixed system of voting." At the press conference in Kiev on March 31, President Kuchma stressed that he is in general "satisfied with the results of the elections" which took place during this extremely difficult transition period. Leonid Kuchma expressed his firm belief that the Communists would not enjoy a majority in the parliament.
The Ukrainian leader underlined that the government will not change its political or economic course. Moreover, it will become more consecutive. In his words, the leader of the nation and the government are ready to cooperate with the new parliament. The president expressed his hope that the Verkhovna Rada of the new convocation will be more cooperative with the government. Ukraine’s experience has proven that confrontation is not beneficial, he said.
Making comments as to the possible changes in the government, the president emphasized that some ministers would be replaced but the Cabinet of Ministers at large will remain the same. "We do not need any changes, we need stability in the work of the government."
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