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Leonid Kravchuk approached reelection differently than other post-Soviet leaders. His opponents defeated him in a fair election. Explanations for this deviation from the post-Soviet norm can be based on many factors, but those based on personal factors, as opposed to cultural factors, seem to offer the strongest interpretation. This conclusion underscores the importance of leaders in the democratization process. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

They said in a statement issued today: \"A profound political crisis is unfolding in Ukraine and it could have grave consequences for the whole of Ukrainian, its territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.\" The former presidents emphasized: \"It is for the first time that the people of Ukraine took to the streets with a non-political demand which enjoys the unprecedented support of the masses. Their sincere commitment to the European choice, democratic values and patriotism evoke profound respect.\" \"In all their actions, the authorities should focus on preserving the integrity of the Ukrainian nation and the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine, on enhancing the democratic principles and restoring Ukraine's international reputation as a reliable and predictable partner,\" they concluded.

This is the first work to set one of the great bloodless revolutions of the twentieth century in its proper historical context. John Dunlop pays particular attention to Yeltsin's role in opposing the covert resurgence of Communist interests in post-coup Russia, and faces the possibility that new institutions may not survive long enough to sink roots in a traditionally undemocratic culture.

[On 4 December, three former Ukrainian presidents, [Leonid Kravchuk], Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko, issued a joint statement supporting Ukraine's EU integration and condemning excessive use of force against protesters.]

[Mikhail Gorbachev]'s response was read by an announcer on the evening television news. Gorbachev quickly won support from Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of the Central Asian republic of Kazakhstan, the second largest Soviet republic and one of the four that has nuclear weapons based on its territory. The other three nuclear republics - Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia - were initiators of the commonwealth and have invited all former Soviet republics to join. Ukraine: The second-most populous Slavic state, with 52 million people and about a quarter of the country's industrial and agricultural might. Ukraine voted for independence Dec. 1. Newly elected President [Leonid Kravchuk Kravchuk] said last week he would consider forming an economic and military union with the other Slavic republics. [Byelorussia]: Once a staunch ally of the Kremlin, Byelorussia has been increasingly defiant since April, when 200,000 workers went on strike to protest nationwide price increases. The heavily industrialized republic absorbed much of the radiation from the 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine and many ordinary Byelorussians blame the central government for the accident. AP Photos- 1) Commonwealth leaders are, from left, Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk; Stanislav Shushkevich of Byelorussia, and Russian President [Boris Yeltsin]. 2) Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev now proposes a popular referendum on the shape of the nation (P 7 C). 3) AP Color Cover Photo- The Kremlin, where officials met to discuss Soviet Union's future. Color Photos- 4) Boris Yeltsin. 5) Leonid Kravchuk. 6) Stanislav Shushkevich. Newsday Color chart/map - A New `Commonwealth' {Russia} (See end of text). (for map see microfilm.); Soviet Standoff. Gorbachev Tells 3 Republics They Can't Dissolve the Union. AP Color Cover Photo- The Kremlin, where officials met to discuss Soviet Union's future

[Leonid Kravchuk] also said that he does accept the possibility of the president's election in the Supreme Council [parliament]. The head of state should be elected by the citizens, and it is inappropriate to change this process, Kravchuk added.

Ukraine's first president, now in the opposition, [Leonid Kravchuk], does not believe either in Gazprom or the Ukrainian government, and has proposed that the hairsplitting on the gas issue be settled with the help of a third party. Nor does he believe Ukraine's current negotiators can reach any sort of agreement with Gazprom. So, he says, Ukraine's parliamentarians should give up their Christmas holidays.

[Correspondent] Although the public forum held its first congress today, it failed to give an answer to the main question, which is of interest to journalists and to the majority of the population - whether or not the forum is being created ahead of the [2006 parliamentary] election campaign. Many experts draw a parallel with [propresidential] Our Ukraine [NGO], as there existed no formal Our Ukraine party. Initially, there was a public organization which took people to Maydan [Kiev's central Independence Square, the focal point of the Orange Revolution], backed all Orange Revolution developments and helped the authorities in their first steps. Many also say that [Leonid Kravchuk], the founder of the Let's Unite Ukraine public forum, has probably decided to copy it as revenge by the now- opposition forces. However, everyone said in their speeches that their main aim is not to oppose the authorities but, on the contrary, to help them not to split Ukraine.

Donetsk regional administration head Serhiy Taruta and Donetsk city mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko said they would ensure security, but need support from uniformed agencies,\" [Leonid Kravchuk] said. During the discussion, which was broadcast live by the parliament's Rada TV, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said that the authorities were ready for dialogue with the regions, but would not allow anyone \"to terrorize and blackmail\" Ukraine. Sources: Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian 1624 gmt 14 May 14; Rada TV channel, Kiev, in Ukrainian, 1340 gmt 14 May

Angered by criticism from visiting Ukrainian emigres, President Leonid M.