PRIMAKOV SIDELINED BY ILLNESS. Prime Minister Primakov's visit to Ukraine scheduled for 7-9 April was postponed to 22- 23 April because of back pain, ITAR-TASS reported on 7 April. According to AFP, the ailment has been diagnosed as sciatica. Primakov is 69. JAC

KUCHMA'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ON THE MOVE. A memo listing 12 reasons why President Leonid Kuchma should be re-elected was sent to regional centers on 6 April, UNIAN reported, citing representatives of the parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security. The memo says that Kuchma's relatively good health and the experience he's acquired are highly favorable assets. It also argues that Kuchma is the cheapest option for taxpayers, while his opponents in the presidential elections--particularly leftist candidates--would likely increase public spending and taxation. The Supreme Council on 7 April set the date of presidential elections for 31 October. JM

UKRAINIAN JEWS UNITE, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. Following a split in February (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 24 February 1999), a total of 242 organizations representing some 240,000 of Ukraine's 500,000 Jews have sent their delegates to Kyiv and formed a United Jewish Community of Ukraine headed by Vadym Rabinovych, AP reported on 6 April. However, three influential breakaway organizations of Ukrainian Jews are planning to hold a congress in mid-April to inaugurate their own union, the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine. JM

KUCHMA'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ON THE MOVE. A memo listing 12 reasons why President Leonid Kuchma should be re-elected was sent to regional centers on 6 April, UNIAN reported, citing representatives of the parliamentary Committee for Defense and Security. The memo says that Kuchma's relatively good health and the experience he's acquired are highly favorable assets. It also argues that Kuchma is the cheapest option for taxpayers, while his opponents in the presidential elections--particularly leftist candidates--would likely increase public spending and taxation. The Supreme Council on 7 April set the date of presidential elections for 31 October. JM

UKRAINIAN JEWS UNITE, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. Following a split in February (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 24 February 1999), a total of 242 organizations representing some 240,000 of Ukraine's 500,000 Jews have sent their delegates to Kyiv and formed a United Jewish Community of Ukraine headed by Vadym Rabinovych, AP reported on 6 April. However, three influential breakaway organizations of Ukrainian Jews are planning to hold a congress in mid-April to inaugurate their own union, the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine. JM