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Ukraine's traditional immunity to political extremism is under strain as the changes of independence and economic reform divide groups and regions. The Western Ukraine has long had ultranationalist elements, most notably the Ukrainian National Assembly and its paramilitary arm, the Ukrainian People's Self-Defense. Friction with Russia, which supplies the Ukraine's energy, has fueled the growth of both pro- and anti-Russian extremist groups. Religious conflict and unattributed political assassinations have caused further alarm both locally and internationally.

The Western media reported that the Ukraine had agreed to give up its nuclear weapons and its portion of the Black Sea fleet to Russia as a means of paying its outstanding debt to Moscow. The agreement was supposedly reached during the Sep 3, 1993 Russian-Ukrainian summit in Massandra. However, such reports have not been substantiated. The summit has served to expose the growing political and economic crisis within the Ukraine, where Pres Leonid Kravchuk has sought profound independence at the expense of economic and political stability. He may now be forced to economically subordinate the Ukraine to Russia.

Ukraine's renewal of its policy concerning nuclear weapons deployed in its territory during the Soviet era is traced to the pragmatic approach taken by its leaders in tackling the issue. While the republic professed to become a non-nuclear state during the initial stages of its independence, political and economic developments have altered the thinking of its leaders. The huge costs entailed in eliminating these weapons and its insecurity with regard to its larger and more peaceful neighbors have prompted Ukraine to consider retaining the nuclear weapons.

The difficult process of restoring democracy in Ukraine is hindering the development of the free press in the former Soviet republic. During the glasnost era, the Ukrainian press lagged behind the Russian press in the pace of reforms meant to democratize the media. The introduction of new market forces brought about by the economic reforms being implemented in the republic is another factor in the slow process of freeing the press from government control. Recent developments point to a return of censorship in Ukraine.

The conflict in Moldova between the secessionist Dneister republic and the Moldovan government threatens to drag Ukraine into the territorial dispute. Ukraine, along with Romania and Moldova, has long standing claims over areas in Bukovina and Bessarabia. The Russian minority in the area, supported by ultranationalist Soviet forces, have also announced the creation of an independent territory on Ukranian land. Ukraine already has strained relations with Russia and this situation threatens to widen with the possibility of Russian intervention.

Ukraine's concern in the political upheaval in Moldova is justified by its desire to protect the interest of roughly 600,000 Ukrainians residing in Moldova against other ethnic groups including 560,000 Russians. Through the centuries, Moldova has been occupied by various states and has been the center of continuing territorial, political and interethnic disputes. At present, the heavily Russified Ukrainians have exerted efforts to develop their cultural life and have actively supported Moldova's independence but not its reunification with Romania.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has appointed Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi as the new ambassador to London, despite his lack of diplomatic experience. This decision has raised concerns and speculation that Zelensky may be trying to remove a popular rival from the political scene. Zaluzhnyi, who was previously the military commander in chief, has been well-liked by the public and has even surpassed Zelensky in popularity. This move is seen as part of a larger trend of Zelensky consolidating decision-making power in his own hands. [Extracted from the article]

What does 'democratisation' mean for non-Russians? A leading specialist charts Gorbachev's approach to the 'nationalities question'

The press in Asia'Newspapers in Asia: Contemporary Trends and Problems ed John A. Lent, Heinemann Asia, 595ppSoviet psychiatryPolitical Psychiatry in the USSR by Robert Van Voren, Bukovsky Foundation, Amsterdam

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues, including "Don't Ban the Bomb," in the January 4, 1997 issue, "Nations and Their Past," in the December 21, 1997 issue and "Cats and Mouse in Singapore," in the January 11, 1997 issue.