UKRAINIAN LEADERS MULL YELTSIN’S SECOND TERM.

President Leonid Kuchma told representatives of Ukraine’s the parliamentary parties that defeat of Communists in Russia should persuade all the Ukrainian political forces to promote reforms in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Hennady Udovenko said that Ukraine seeks a speedy resumption of the negotiations with Russia which were interrupted by Russia’s electoral campaign. Udovenko urged that talks resume even before Yeltsin’s official inauguration on August 9, and well ahead of the formation of a new Russian government. Deputy Prime Minister for political and legal affairs, Oleksandr Yemets told the media that Yeltsin’s victory represents "an essential step toward the final end of the Communist era in Europe, and the collapse of Communist hopes to restore the USSR." Yeltsin’s victory, he hoped, may prompt Russia to treat Ukraine as an independent country.

Pro-reform political leaders outside the government were more reserved. Rukh leader Vyacheslav Chornovyl said that Zyuganov’s victory would have been worse for Ukraine, but that Yeltsin’s alliance with Aleksandr Lebed and the latter’s unprecedented powers "may presage a turn toward imperial positions" in Russia’s policy. Former president and current parliamentary deputy Leonid Kravchuk suggested that Russia’s policy toward Ukraine will not change significantly after Yeltsin’s victory, and that Kiev ought to brace for Russian pressures on Black Sea issues. (Interfax-Ukraine, July 4 and 5)

Belarus President Interested in Access to Russian Market.