DESPITE "CORRECTION," UKRAINIAN REFORM STILL ON COURSE, SAYS MARCHUK.

Ukrainian prime minister Yevhen Marchuk said on September 25 that he would tell US officials on his visit this week that his country remains committed to market reforms despite a recently announced "correction" which boosts state control of the economy. But in an interview with Western journalists, he coupled this with a warning that if the West failed to come up with vital aid, Ukraine would have little choice but to seek new alliances, including with Russia. In his planned visit with Vice President Al Gore and other administration officials, Marchuk will also discuss proposed IMF credits and a $1.5-2 million stabilization fund for Ukraine’s delayed new currency, the hryvna. Ukraine is presently Washington’s fourth largest aid recipient after Israel, Egypt, and Russia. (11)

Georgian National Currency Introduced.