UKRAINE LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION PROGRAM.

Justice Minister Serhy Holovaty has made public a decree just signed by President Leonid Kuchma on combating official corruption. Described by Holovaty as a "rapid-response measure," the presidential decree attempts to address rampant corruption taking into account recent recommendations from the Council of Europe and international financial institutions. Over the near-term the decree provides for screening officials and civil servants until October 1; requiring and verifying income statements; developing civil service legislation; and strengthening crime reporting procedures. It also aims to develop a long-term anti-corruption program. (Interfax-Ukraine, April 14)

Kuchma Considers Strategy to Reinstate Incentives for Foreign Investors.