Brest Regional Union of Reserve Army Officers joins local authorities in campaign against high-ranking government official running in parliamentary by-elections

2001-03-26 13:40:00

Minsk, 26 March. The Brest Regional Union of Reserve Army Officers has called on local residents not to vote for Vladimir Stepanov, deputy chairman of the regional government, in the April 1 runoff round of parliamentary by-elections. "Many of us used to serve together with Major Stepanov. In 1990, the chief of the finance service of the 38th Detached Guards Air Assault Brigade, Major Stepanov, was dismissed from the army for inaptitude under Article 69 as he overstated accounts of parachute jumps," the union's chairman, Igor Ivanov, told BelaPAN. "We know that Stepanov owns several apartments in Brest. In addition, he has not assisted our union since he began his service with the regional government.... Vladimir Stepanov is not the person whom the union of reserve officers wants to support in the elections." Mr. Stepanov has been in disfavor with the local authorities since former Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Dolgolyov was appointed to head the regional government. The new governor began to assign him difficult missions. For instance, Mr. Stepanov was charged with the task of ensuring prompt wage payment. Realizing that he would hardly make a successful career in such conditions, Mr. Stepanov decided to contend for a parliamentary seat in a Brest electoral district. Before the March 18 first round, the local authorities had openly called on the voters to cast their ballots for his rival, Valentina Kachan, the region's chief health officer. Nonetheless, despite the authorities' support, Ms. Kachan failed to gain enough votes to carry the election in the first round.