12/12/2006 | Мірко

BUILDING A DEMOCRACY
The Orange Revolution Lives On in Ukraine

OP-ED: By Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Wed, Nov 29, 2006; Page A23

Two years ago an authoritarian regime's attempt to hijack the presidential
election in Ukraine failed. As official results were announced, disbelief
provoked millions of citizens to pour into the streets in protest.

They took a stand against those discredited officials who hid behind law
enforcement bodies in an attempt to prolong their corrupt hold on power.
Those days and weeks are known as Ukraine's Orange Revolution.

In the time since, my main goal as president has been to institutionalize
democracy and guarantee that it is irreversible. Many of the wrongs in my
country have been corrected. We are maintaining our unwavering commitment
to the principles of freedom.

We agreed to shift constitutional powers from an authoritarian presidency to
a coalition government formed by parliament to end the country's political
impasse. And we abolished state censorship of the media, while also
forbidding interference in news reporting.

This year free and fair elections were held at national, regional and local
levels. Overseeing the peaceful and democratic transition of power was my
unique test, as it brought back to office my former political opponents.

But along with our national successes and economic achievements under two
"orange" prime ministers, there have been disappointments and
miscalculations. Infighting among my political allies has been the biggest
disappointment. Some "orange" politicians have ignored their fundamental
duty to deliver results for the public good.

Instead, gaining political power and seeking the limelight have become their
goal. As our country's democracy continues to mature, I am convinced that a
young cadre of leaders will rise through the ranks of Ukraine's democratic
parties to create a political renewal.

On my watch, the corruption that has historically emanated from the
president's office ceased. Thousands of election officials, tax collectors,
foot patrols, road police and customs agents were brought to justice for
petty corruption. Yet the biggest abusers of public office remain at large
because of unreformed prosecutors and corruption in the courts.

I have recently initiated a number of anti-corruption bills to reform the
criminal justice system and the courts, and I will continue to press
parliament for speedy action.

Because we were preoccupied with domestic political reforms this year, we
failed to communicate effectively with our international partners. I want to
explain where Ukraine stands and where we are heading. Democracy and
stability -- two interdependent principles -- form the basis of my agenda.

[1] To this end, I will continue constitutional reforms that facilitate the
effective work of government and prevent a return to authoritarianism or the
usurpation of power.

Today there is a balance of political power between two directly elected
democratic bodies: the president and parliament. The prime minister,
although not directly elected, represents a majority of the
parliamentarians. Bills specifying the role of the governing coalition and
the opposition have yet to be passed.

But let there be no mistake: Together we share responsibility for shaping,
executing and controlling laws and state policies.

[2] Second, constitutional reforms are incomplete, and as a result there is
a political asymmetry. We will continue refining a reliable system of checks
and balances between the presidency, parliament and coalition government to
expedite policy decision making.

To meet these objectives, I have commissioned a group of constitutional
experts to recommend amendments to strengthen our nascent democratic
institutions.

[3] Third, our law on national security promotes participation and
membership in pan-European and regional systems of collective security.
Membership in the European Union and NATO, as well as good relations and
strategic partnerships with Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth
of Independent States, are not romantic ideas of the Orange Revolution --
they are founded in Ukrainian law. The president, coalition government and
parliament determine the speed with which these goals are reached.

Most important, the democratic debates in Kiev's halls of power are now
centered on ideas about competing economic theories, values and worldviews.
Our current system of checks and balances requires policy coordination,
party coexistence and political compromise for us to move forward.

Not everyone likes the new rules of the game, and some are having trouble
playing in this new reality -- but Ukraine's democracy is here to stay.

As president, my historic mission is to guarantee that Ukraine's national
goals are reached not through political dictates but through an
institutionalized democratic process that brings together governing bodies
and citizen groups. I am convinced an inclusive democracy is one of the
most significant and lasting achievements of the Orange Revolution. -30-
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Слідує короткий коментар про статтю від Тараса Кузя, редактора Action Ukraine Report. Він каже що заява нагадує уявну Україну, і що Ющенко ізольований і відтятий від реалії.
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NOTE FROM TARAS KUZIO: I have just returned from Ukraine and
the NATO conference in Riga. This op-ed has little to do with reality in
Ukraine. Its claims resemble a virtual Ukraine. Yushchenko is isolated
and cut off from reality. Taras Kuzio (Nov 30, 2006) AUR EDITOR