The sensational resignation of Naftohaz Ukrayiny chairman of the board Ihor Bakai was presented in a manner that will long keep it in the press’s attention. The more so that Mr. Bakai called on journalists and lawyers to set up a commission to investigate the causes and consequences of what he called political blackmail, which may befall Ukrainian leaders because of him.
The main question for many is who ordered Ihor Bakai’s removal. Was it Yuliya Tymoshenko or Washington? Oleksandr Riabchenko, chairman of the parliamentary ad hoc privatization oversight committee, believes that Mr. Bakai simply could not stand the confrontation with the Vice Premier any longer. “America refuses a visa not only to Ihor Bakai,” he said, “but also to other Ukrainian functionaries, yet they do not leave their posts.” All this was known even half a year ago, he added, so why resign now? Mr. Riabchenko considers that Ihor Bakai is not the type to be blown off his feet by any gust of wind from the West or East. “Even if he goes he will stay in business. His status is not likely to have worsened outside Ukraine, yet previously he was omnipotent on the Ukrainian oil and gas market. Now the situation has changed drastically; all Cabinet resolutions are passed as drafted by Yuliya Tymoshenko, with Bakai left in close defense. This played its role. And the wind blowing from the West is not the decisive factor. Another thing is that the government plans if not the privatization then corporatization of the oil and gas transport systems. Now these facilities worth billions of dollars could have caused his ouster, assuming he refused to accept somebody else’s game plan.” Ihor Bakai was quoted as saying that those currently pulling Naftohaz apart will be the ones to buy it later.
Yuri Zbytniev, president of Eurogas, is convinced that privatization was the reason for Mr. Bakai’s leaving. He says that “the struggle on this market will never end.” The more so that Ukraine is heavily dependent on other countries’ resources. Mr. Zbytniev notes that if all think like politicians in the process (actually, he believes that the latter think of only themselves, while the derzhavnyky state- builders think of Ukraine), the whole affair will make no sense. When asked about Naftohaz’s ex-leader, he replied diplomatically, “We will find out about how Mr. Bakai thought in due course.”
Oleksiy Kucherenko, cochairman of the Rebirth of the Regions group in Parliament, believes the government is not yet certain whether to sell the oil-and-gas sector by parts or as a whole. “My information says it [Naftohaz —Author] will be split and restructured. Certain steps have already been made in that direction.” He further believes the Russians were relieved to learn about Bakai’s resignation, for he was a thorn in the side of many. “They are eyeing this pipe[line] hungrily,” says Mr. Kucherenko, especially now that Putin has won. The wind will be blowing from the East, not West.” He is also sure, however, that people like Ihor Bakai will always find a place in the sun. He assumes the man will soon appear in Parliament (special parliamentary elections are scheduled in ten free constituencies soon) as part of the Regional Rebirth faction.
