Posted on 02/09/2005 4:22:51 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
According to the British newspaper “Independent,” one of the first actions of Ukraine’s newly elected Premier Julia Tymoshenko may be motivated by her personal animosity toward Leonid Kuchma.
This appeared in an article titled “The Orange Princess targets the ‘Kuchma clan,’” [original title: “Ukraine’s new PM targets ‘Kuchma clan’”], as reported by the BBC.
The “Independent” states that Ukraine’s new leaders have been looking into the country’s largest privatization scheme, referring to it as outright larceny. Concurrently, they are taking strides towards stripping former president Leonid Kuchma of his official privileges.
The “Independent” indicates that members of the so-called “Kuchma clan”, i.e. businessmen who amassed their fortunes during the term of the former president, are also being investigated. The British newspaper notes that this probe has been sanctioned by newly elected President Victor Yushchenko.
One of Ms. Tymoshenko’s priorities as Prime Minister is to investigate the questionable terms of privatization of the “Kryvorizhstal” steel plant. Culpability points directly to the Kuchma clan. Sale of the plant took place last year amid allegations of corruption and nepotism,” continues the “Independent.”
The British newspaper also states that next to be investigated will be the official privileges allotted to Leonid Kuchma. Ms. Tymoshenko has ordered a thorough examination of the legality of these entitlements, which include a state-supported summer house, two automobiles, four drivers, an undisclosed monthly salary, two assistants, a legal adviser, and bodyguards.
In addition, the “Independent” writes that court action will be initiated against Mr. Kuchma, who no longer has legal immunity. Mr. Kuchma is being charged with treason, corruption and ordering the assassination of an investigative journalist.
The “Independent” contends that Mr. Kuchma has refuted all allegations while his son-in-law, Victor Pinchuk, has said that Mr. Kuchma is unruffled by these events.
The move, announced at the administration's first cabinet meeting last Saturday, strikes right at the heart of the Kuchma clan. The company is co-owned by Viktor Pinchuk, an MP who is also Mr Kuchma's son-in-law, and by Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine's richest man, who bankrolled the election campaign of Mr Yushchenko's defeated presidential opponent, Viktor Yanukovych.
Mr Kuchma's son-in-law and others snapped up Krivorozhtal for what was regarded as a ludicrously low price of around $800m; a US-UK consortium had offered $1.5bn. - LINK
Pinchuk and Akhmetov are going to face audit - Feb 8, 2005
She's the Premier? WOW!!!!
Ping!
C;mon let's see more pix of the hottest female politico in the world
Here you go boys....
Somehow, I think this one will be your favorite.....
translated by Galyna Danylenko , 10.02.2005, 18:58
The two ex-presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma and Leonid Kravchuk went to Albania on a football game of Ukraine national team.
That is what the president of Ukrainian Football Federation Grygoriy Surkis reported.
“Today our team was supported by two presidents – there are no “ex” – Leonid Kravchuk and Leonid Kuchma – may be that’s why we scored two goals!”, - site Champion quotes his words.
According to “Ukrayinska Pravda’s” sources, Kuchma’s son-in-law Victor Pinchuk provided him a plane “Falcon” to fly to Albania.
In the beginning of the game commentator anounced that ex-president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma was present on the match.
Kuchma occupied a VIP-box for honourable guests. He wore Ukrainian team’s jacket and a knitted cap.
After leaving his presidential post, Kuchma is engaged to the fund “Ukraine”. Its press-service informed “Ukrainski novyny”, that ex-presinents visited Albania on Albanian president Alfred Moisiu’s invitation.
They had a friendly meeting and lunch in Tirana, where they discussed game of Ukrainian and Albanian national teames.
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