Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, accused by the United States of approving the sale of early warning radar to Iraq, fired his country's prime minister and government Saturday.
Kuchma nominated Viktor Yanukovich, the tough governor of Donetsk, to replace Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh, a move seen by analysts as an effort to stave off his current political problems and regain political control.
Kuchma told Interfax that Kinakh and his government were incapable of solving the country's social problems.
Analysts speculated that Yanukovich, 52, was now well-placed to succeed Kuchma as president in elections due in 2004. Kuchma is not eligible to run.
The government's removal was widely expected after parliamentary factions last week put forward Yanukovich's name for the job along with those of several other candidates.
Critics characterized the Kinakh government as weak and indecisive, while Kuchma attacked it last week for inadequate funding of Ukrainian culture.
In a speech in August, Kuchma called on the government to increase wages, pensions and medical assistance.
"Time has gone by but practically nothing has been done," Kuchma told Interfax on Saturday.
Yanukovich, a close Kuchma ally, is regarded as a tough and ruthless leader who will boost Kuchma's ailing position.
Donetsk, a heavily industrialized eastern region, is the site of huge coal mines, steel smelters and chemical plants.
Kuchma was severely damaged when U.S. officials accused him of approving the sale of the Kolchuga radar system to Iraq for $100 million in breach of UN sanctions, an accusation he denies.
The accusation was based on tapes allegedly made by a former Kuchma bodyguard in the president's office.
Opposition lawmaker Yulia Timoshenko said Saturday that Kuchma had dismissed the government in order to deflect attention from his problems.
"Kuchma is trying to create a decoy to distract the public's attention from the scandal connected with the illegal arms trade and the fact that world leaders shun him," Timoshenko said in a statement. "If there is a resignation that could improve the situation in Ukraine for the better today, it is only the immediate, voluntary and unconditional resignation of Kuchma himself."
Political analyst Yulya Mostovaya, who is based in Kiev, maintained that Kuchma, under severe political pressure, is trying to consolidate power by forging an alliance between two powerful political clans -- one headed by Yanukovich, the other by a popular opposition politician and former prime minister, Viktor Yushchenko.
"It is quite possible that Yanukovich may succeed in splitting the opposition ranks and winning Yushchenko and his faction over to his side, a political and economic tandem that could become virtually invincible in Ukraine," she said.
Kuchma nominated Viktor Yanukovich, the tough governor of Donetsk, to replace Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh, a move seen by analysts as an effort to stave off his current political problems and regain political control.
Kuchma told Interfax that Kinakh and his government were incapable of solving the country's social problems.
Analysts speculated that Yanukovich, 52, was now well-placed to succeed Kuchma as president in elections due in 2004. Kuchma is not eligible to run.
The government's removal was widely expected after parliamentary factions last week put forward Yanukovich's name for the job along with those of several other candidates.
Critics characterized the Kinakh government as weak and indecisive, while Kuchma attacked it last week for inadequate funding of Ukrainian culture.
In a speech in August, Kuchma called on the government to increase wages, pensions and medical assistance.
"Time has gone by but practically nothing has been done," Kuchma told Interfax on Saturday.
Yanukovich, a close Kuchma ally, is regarded as a tough and ruthless leader who will boost Kuchma's ailing position.
Donetsk, a heavily industrialized eastern region, is the site of huge coal mines, steel smelters and chemical plants.
Kuchma was severely damaged when U.S. officials accused him of approving the sale of the Kolchuga radar system to Iraq for $100 million in breach of UN sanctions, an accusation he denies.
The accusation was based on tapes allegedly made by a former Kuchma bodyguard in the president's office.
Opposition lawmaker Yulia Timoshenko said Saturday that Kuchma had dismissed the government in order to deflect attention from his problems.
"Kuchma is trying to create a decoy to distract the public's attention from the scandal connected with the illegal arms trade and the fact that world leaders shun him," Timoshenko said in a statement. "If there is a resignation that could improve the situation in Ukraine for the better today, it is only the immediate, voluntary and unconditional resignation of Kuchma himself."
Political analyst Yulya Mostovaya, who is based in Kiev, maintained that Kuchma, under severe political pressure, is trying to consolidate power by forging an alliance between two powerful political clans -- one headed by Yanukovich, the other by a popular opposition politician and former prime minister, Viktor Yushchenko.
"It is quite possible that Yanukovich may succeed in splitting the opposition ranks and winning Yushchenko and his faction over to his side, a political and economic tandem that could become virtually invincible in Ukraine," she said.