10/02/2003 | peter byrne

Kuchma' soft side


A presidential profile aired on channel 1+1 [UT-2] gave Ukrainians their first warm and fuzzy look at Leonid Kuchma, who just recently celebrated the first anniversary of his second term in office.


The portrait, titled "A Few Days with the President," featured an informal exchange between Kuchma and well-known television personality Olha Herasimyuk, the host of Versii, a weekly news program examining social problems in depth.


Whether strolling in Kyiv's Konche-Zaspe forest, relaxing in the presidential jet, or getting ready for a workout at the gym, Kuchma appeared comfortable with himself throughout the extensively edited series of chitchats.


Ukrainian viewers also learned that the president has his blood pressure monitored daily, prefers to wear a jacket when kissing friends, and was not wild about the idea of running for presidency in the first place.


"The directors of profitable enterprises talked me into it," said Kuchma, who said ordinary citizens had profited from his vast experience atop Ukraine's power bubble.


Kuchma said that his first priority this term is to implement the results of national referendum that would greatly expand presidential powers and allow him to reign in the uncontrollable lust for power and wealth displayed by out-of-control bureaucrats and lawmakers.


"They play at politics and tear the country apart. They could ruin us all," he warned, saying he knows most of the culprits inside and out.


"When I look at the their cars and mobile phones, I realize they are rich. They even have bodyguards!" he said.


The interview, which was aired on Nov. 15, broke new ground for 1+1's special projects bureau, which is still ridiculed for pulling a scheduled series of debates between presidential candidates last fall after the moderator suffered an anxiety attack.


The piece seemed like such a puff job that it was hard to imagine the president had not ordered it personally.


According to Herasimyuk, he had. She told Segodnya on Nov. 21 that "people" from presidential administration called 1+1 Director Oleksandr Rodnyansky to expressly ask for the segment.


Still, not all reviews were critical. Ukraine's most popular daily Fakty, also known for being supportive of the president, was positive.


"It seems official life can be interesting without pomp, " Fakty said on Nov. 17, calling Herasimyuk's interview the first-ever attempt in Ukraine at informal communication between a journalist and the president.