Foreign policy gone awry
02/05/2001 | Broker
http://www.kpnews.com/displaypr.php?arid=7239
Kyiv Post
Foreign policy gone awry
Editorial
New U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has inherited what can only be described as a mess in Ukraine. He would be best to start figuring out ways to clean up that mess as swiftly as possible.
The Clinton administration, through the so-called Gore-Kuchma Commission, established a system under which Ukraine was able to talk its way around – or just plain ignore – many of the obligations it undertook in return for both IMF and World Bank loans and massive packages of U.S. aid.
Based on the word coming out of Washington so far, U.S.-Ukraine relations under Bush will be handled on a much more business-like basis, with little of the backslapping camaraderie of Gore-Kuchma days. Reports from recent meetings of U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pasqual with regional leaders suggest that a considerably tougher line is being verbalized. However, it will take some time before it will be clear if the new administration's actions match its rhetoric.
If the new administration backs up its bark with bite, there would seem to be little way to avoid serious foreign-policy clashes with Ukraine. Alas, it is time to risk having such clashes before Ukraine is lost. Ukraine's reformist government has been under pressure of late from President Leonid Kuchma, a Soviet relic with more interest in protecting his political and business cronies than making his country prosperous through reforms. The time has come for the United States to finally get tough with Kuchma.
The new administration may show off its tougher line by firming its stance on free speech and democracy, especially in lieu of the scandal currently enveloping Ukraine. It would be unrealistic to ask the United States to carry out independent investigations of the corpse and the tapes at the center of the scandal. But the United States' timid reaction to the Ukrainian authorities' blatant mishandling of all aspects of the scandal investigation – including a clear crackdown on independent media and abuse of power by the highest organs of governmental power – epitomizes everything wrong with the United States' policy in Ukraine over the last six years.
The United States should stop coming out with weak statements about its concerns for press freedom in Ukraine and its desire to see a transparent investigation; rather, it should withhold all funding to the country until Ukraine shapes up. Has no lesson been learned in six years? The United States apparently has avoided taking a tough line on Ukraine because it is worried about the country drifting back into Russia's orbit. Well, so much for that theory, because that is exactly what Ukraine is doing anyway.
In the last several months, Russian and Ukraine have stepped up their cooperation markedly. A pro-Russian foreign minister, Anatoly Zlenko, has been appointed and a close defense pact signed. Soon, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kuchma plan to tour the missile plant that Kuchma formerly managed. There are rumors flying that the two sides plan to launch joint production of intercontinental ballistic missiles for the Russian military. In an interview with Zerkalo Nedeli on Jan. 27, Zlenko was asked about that possibility and the possibility of nuclear weapons returning to Ukrainian territory. He dismissed the latter question as a "provocation," but clearly dodged the question about joint weapons production.
Ironically, the recent warming of Ukraine's relations with Russia has more than a little to do with the West's years-long paranoia that exactly that might happen. Instead of taking advantage of public preference for a pro-Western policy and making Ukraine's leaders stick to the ideals of that policy, the United States and its allies let Kuchma pursue a regime built on and funded by corruption and crony privatization. It is only natural that both business and political ties strengthened with Russia, which virtually perfected those very same evils. No wonder Western businesses are so petrified of the country.
Ukraine now stands a chance of paying a big price for the United States' soft policies. After six years of poverty under Kuchma, the electorate is no longer so keen on West-mandated reforms. Little do the people know they've never had them. With Western investment paralyzed, Russia is quietly buying up anything worth anything in the country. Kuchma and Putin hold summits monthly. The Gongadze scandal provides a chance for salvation – the scandal has exposed the dark underbelly of Kuchma's corrupt regime. But the backlash has been minimal as the authorities have been able to effectively control public opinion through controls on the press.
Ukraine is drifting away from the West as a result the latter's failed, U.S.-driven policy. Can the country be saved? It could be too late, as a tougher line on Ukraine taken today could draw a swift rebuff and hasten Ukraine's retreat into the Russian bubble. Still, the Bush administration has a moral obligation to try something new with Ukraine – and fast. Backing up its tough talk is the only way to go.
Kyiv Post
Foreign policy gone awry
Editorial
New U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has inherited what can only be described as a mess in Ukraine. He would be best to start figuring out ways to clean up that mess as swiftly as possible.
The Clinton administration, through the so-called Gore-Kuchma Commission, established a system under which Ukraine was able to talk its way around – or just plain ignore – many of the obligations it undertook in return for both IMF and World Bank loans and massive packages of U.S. aid.
Based on the word coming out of Washington so far, U.S.-Ukraine relations under Bush will be handled on a much more business-like basis, with little of the backslapping camaraderie of Gore-Kuchma days. Reports from recent meetings of U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pasqual with regional leaders suggest that a considerably tougher line is being verbalized. However, it will take some time before it will be clear if the new administration's actions match its rhetoric.
If the new administration backs up its bark with bite, there would seem to be little way to avoid serious foreign-policy clashes with Ukraine. Alas, it is time to risk having such clashes before Ukraine is lost. Ukraine's reformist government has been under pressure of late from President Leonid Kuchma, a Soviet relic with more interest in protecting his political and business cronies than making his country prosperous through reforms. The time has come for the United States to finally get tough with Kuchma.
The new administration may show off its tougher line by firming its stance on free speech and democracy, especially in lieu of the scandal currently enveloping Ukraine. It would be unrealistic to ask the United States to carry out independent investigations of the corpse and the tapes at the center of the scandal. But the United States' timid reaction to the Ukrainian authorities' blatant mishandling of all aspects of the scandal investigation – including a clear crackdown on independent media and abuse of power by the highest organs of governmental power – epitomizes everything wrong with the United States' policy in Ukraine over the last six years.
The United States should stop coming out with weak statements about its concerns for press freedom in Ukraine and its desire to see a transparent investigation; rather, it should withhold all funding to the country until Ukraine shapes up. Has no lesson been learned in six years? The United States apparently has avoided taking a tough line on Ukraine because it is worried about the country drifting back into Russia's orbit. Well, so much for that theory, because that is exactly what Ukraine is doing anyway.
In the last several months, Russian and Ukraine have stepped up their cooperation markedly. A pro-Russian foreign minister, Anatoly Zlenko, has been appointed and a close defense pact signed. Soon, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kuchma plan to tour the missile plant that Kuchma formerly managed. There are rumors flying that the two sides plan to launch joint production of intercontinental ballistic missiles for the Russian military. In an interview with Zerkalo Nedeli on Jan. 27, Zlenko was asked about that possibility and the possibility of nuclear weapons returning to Ukrainian territory. He dismissed the latter question as a "provocation," but clearly dodged the question about joint weapons production.
Ironically, the recent warming of Ukraine's relations with Russia has more than a little to do with the West's years-long paranoia that exactly that might happen. Instead of taking advantage of public preference for a pro-Western policy and making Ukraine's leaders stick to the ideals of that policy, the United States and its allies let Kuchma pursue a regime built on and funded by corruption and crony privatization. It is only natural that both business and political ties strengthened with Russia, which virtually perfected those very same evils. No wonder Western businesses are so petrified of the country.
Ukraine now stands a chance of paying a big price for the United States' soft policies. After six years of poverty under Kuchma, the electorate is no longer so keen on West-mandated reforms. Little do the people know they've never had them. With Western investment paralyzed, Russia is quietly buying up anything worth anything in the country. Kuchma and Putin hold summits monthly. The Gongadze scandal provides a chance for salvation – the scandal has exposed the dark underbelly of Kuchma's corrupt regime. But the backlash has been minimal as the authorities have been able to effectively control public opinion through controls on the press.
Ukraine is drifting away from the West as a result the latter's failed, U.S.-driven policy. Can the country be saved? It could be too late, as a tougher line on Ukraine taken today could draw a swift rebuff and hasten Ukraine's retreat into the Russian bubble. Still, the Bush administration has a moral obligation to try something new with Ukraine – and fast. Backing up its tough talk is the only way to go.