Yulia Tymoshenko comments on her noteworthy wardrobe (09/11/05)

Yulia Tymoshenko comments on her noteworthy wardrobe

by Yana Sedova
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - The private lives of Ukrainian political figures are still among the top news in Ukraine. Yulia Tymoshenko, who until September 8 was prime minister, has recently had several rhetorical duels with muckraking journalists who kept trying to find out how she is able to afford her legendary wardrobe.

Ms. Tymoshenko, in turn, remains remarkably calm and faces the music with impressive tact.

"I have been working for many years," Ms. Tymoshenko said. "I can assure you that my life is well-to-do on an absolutely legal basis."

In addition to her prime minister's salary, she said she has savings that allow her to buy fashionable clothes, including expensive designer goods by Louis Vuitton.

"Until 1997 I was in charge of one of the most powerful private enterprises in Ukraine," Ms. Tymoshenko said at an August 18 press conference. "Certainly, my family has savings. I can afford a dress at least."

Ms. Tymoshenko stressed that she has published her 2004 personal income statement, but refused to explain why the savings were not included in a column marked "bank account."

However, Ms. Tymoshenko supported Ukrainian journalists in their investigations. "If the only thing you can criticize the prime minister for is dresses, it means that our new authority isn't so bad," Ms. Tymoshenko quipped.

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