Ukrainian president appoints new chief of staff

Viktor Baloga, who had been Yushchenko's chief of staff since September 2006, resigned earlier in day in protest at the president's plans to run for reelection. Ulyanchenko, 51, has been an ally of Yushchenko since 2000 and was elected head of the political council of the president's Our Ukraine party on Saturday. She was appointed as the Kiev Region governor in July 2006. Baloga, who is believed to have founded the United Center party to replace Our Ukraine, which is reportedly on the verge of dissolution, said Yushchenko had "no moral right to stand in the presidential elections." "In any case, I will not be your associate in this," Baloga was quoted by the party's press service as saying. Yushchenko said however he saw no "tragedy" in the move, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.