Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma (center left), Poland President Alexander
Kwasniewski (center right) greet the crowd in the western Ukraine city of Lviv.
Ukraine
A young state in the center of Europe. What would be its destiny?
By John Rosenberg
Even today, nearly ten years after having emerged as a fully independent nation, many people in Washington reflexively include “the” when referring to the fully independent European nation of Ukraine- although one would not similarly refer to “the Spain” or “the France.” For most of the twentieth century “the Ukraine” was, to most Western observers, a generalized region within the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics- sandwiched between Russia and Poland in the geographical heart of Europe. The primary question facing Ukraine today is whether or not it will evolve into a Western style, liberal- democratic nation, joining the family of European states, or will it remain locked into the character traits associated with the former Soviet Union- forever at risk of being viewed in a negative light by Western observers.Since achieving independence in 1991 Ukraine has made significant social and economic progress. Last year the nation began to show real economic strength. Within Ukraine the level of both foreign and domestic investment has been steadily rising and there is a hopeful feeling in the air that a gradual and steady recovery are underway. Major strides have also been made in the development of civil, criminal, tax and budgetary legislation, important for strengthening civil society and the creation of a market economy. Against this very encouraging background there are, however, various political difficulties and divisions within the capital city of Kiev which cast a dark cloud over this hard-earned progress.
Three important steps are now being taken by the Ukrainian government to assure
that the nation continues moving down the path of economic and political liberalization:
* First: Ukraine is implementing measures to ensure that the resolution
of differences inside the country are done in a constitutional and lawful manner.
The rights of individuals to freely express their political opposition and to
hold public demonstrations, so long as they are peaceful and non-violent, continues
to be strictly observed. Ukraine, having lived through the terrible experience
of Soviet Bolshevism, is especially sensitive to upholding these rights.
* Second: The Government continues to carry out, to the fullest extent
possible, the investigation into the murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze.
FBI assistance in determining the fate of Mr. Gongadze has been very instrumental
in helping us to move forward with this inquiry.
* Third: Ukraine continues to carry out its foreign policy in a way that
strengthens our independence and defines our sovereign interests in a strategically
vital region of Central and Eastern Europe.
As Anatoly Zlenko, Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, made clear in
his meetings with Secretary of State Powell – Ukrainian stability must
not be achieved through totalitarianistic means, but rather anchored by democracy.
While America has had over 200 years to unify, shape and define its national
priorities, Ukraine’s democratic history has not yet been written. And
while Ukraine is married to a future of free markets and democratic consolidation,
it cannot divorce itself entirely from its past. For this reason more than any
other, Ukrainians seek continued US engagement - looking to the United States
as a democratic role model.
Today, Ukraine is a country of great ethnic, economic and political diversity.
A few of President Kuchma’s opponents, laying claim to being the only true
voices of Ukrainian integration, have sought to assassinate the character of
the country using incomplete facts and wild allegations. They have attempted
to de-link the close ties Ukraine has created with Western governments by focusing
their attacks on a handful of domestic problems. However, in Ukraine’s
search for unity, we continue to seek the same type of inclusive domestic policies
that have long formed the backbone of great political movements in the West.
Ukraine will face parliamentary elections in 2002 and elect a new president
in 2004. President Leonid Kuchma is currently in his second, and last, term
as president as mandated by the Ukrainian constitution. The current political
situation in Ukraine is driven by two key issues:
The perceived destiny of Ukraine’s economic reforms and Parliamentary elections
in 2002.
On April 26 the Parliament of Ukraine dismissed Mr. Yuschenko’s government
and on May 29 it confirmed the appointment of Mr. Kinakh as the new Prime Minister
of Ukraine. Since its independence Ukraine has seen its seventh government come
into office. But this has not hurt the overall development of the country’s
economic reforms. Ukraine continually accelerates its pace toward democracy
and a free market society despite the fact that it has taken these steps at
a pace that has been a little slower than those of its Eastern European neighbors.
Major Theme of New Ukrainian Politicians- the Future
Recent sociological surveys attest to the fact that many Ukrainian citizens
are unclear about their future and the future of their children. This has lead
to a decrease in social involvement by Ukrainian citizens. Many people cannot
understand why they must suffer all these hardships. Non-governmental organizations
are at the epicenter of finding solutions to these problems.
Ukrainian research institutions have a considerable impact in the popularization
of liberal ideas. They work in a close cooperation with Ukrainian politicians
in providing analytical and consultative support for bringing about new ideas
and providing governmental oversight. Today in Ukraine, non-governmental organizations
strive to improve the image of Ukraine’s future. In should be pointed out
that Ukraine hosts several non-governmental organizations which are operating
independent of support from American and European donors.
There is a new generation of Ukrainian politicians. They come from an era of
great economic difficulty and a time when politicians had limited ability to
bring about improvements. Polls have indicated that Ukrainian citizens place
high expectations on these new leaders. Today, 29% of Ukrainians are conwd that
this younger generation of politicians will achieve great results in moving
the country towards democracy and a socially oriented economy. This new generation
emerges not only from the political sector, but also in areas of business, culture,
education, etc. Their influence is already appreciable.
These younger politicians and liberal oriented non-governmental organizations
have introduced the concept of a socially oriented economy- something new in
the language of Ukrainian politics and old style Soviet economic history. They
claim that it is critical for Ukraine to develop an economy that minimizes the
number of citizens needing state assistance.
No longer with Russia – not yet with Europe
Regardless of the numerous difficulties, Ukrainians never parted with the idea
of possessing their own independent state. The concept that Ukraine has a common
destiny with Russia in no longer fashionable. Only 28% of the population of
Ukraine considers a return to a political union with Russia a viable option.
At the same time, the number adherents believing in a European oriented Ukraine
is steadily growing- today measuring more than 35% support.
However, it’s not necessarily easy for Ukraine to proceed in this direction.
Russia has exercised enormous economic pressure on Ukraine, mainly through various
trade wars which violate the free trade agreement signed between the two countries.
"Of course we want good relations with Russia, but there is a clear consensus
in Ukraine today that our development must be linked to European structures,”
said Vladimir Litvin, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, in
an interview with the Washington Times. “No other alternative is even being
considered.”
The meetings between President Kuchma and Polish President Kwasniewsky were
especially valuable for Ukraine in opening a primary channel of a dialogue between
Ukraine and the West.
The last month and a half has been marked by many signs of disappearing tension
in relations between Ukraine and the West. Kuchma’s visits to Italy and
Slovakia and his subsequent statements eased the anxiety of the West. The best
evidence of this was President Bush’s statements at Göteborg and the
Warsaw Summit stating that Europe should not forget about Ukraine and that he
didn’t see the future of a Ukraine outside of Europe. In the final document
of the EU Summit in Göteborg, Ukraine was listed in the "Future of
Europe" section, unlike that of Russia, which was relegated to "External
relations." The statements made by the President of Sweden, the Prime Minister
of Great Britain and the latest visit of the Head of the Presidential Administration
of Ukraine Mr. Lytvyn to the United States proved that the West is seriously
concerned about Ukraine’s destiny. Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine
is further evidence of this European tug- notwithstanding the historical religious
split between Ukrainians and the Catholic church.
Ukraine
A
Team Game Across the Atlantic
By John Rosenberg
During his address to the faculty and students of Warsaw University President Bush made clear his administration’s position on Ukraine’s role in a new Europe.“The Europe we are building must include Ukraine,” said Bush. It is a nation “struggling with the trauma of transition [and] we must extend our hand to Ukraine - as Poland has already done with such determination."
It took some six months for the new administration to submit the blueprints
of its policy towards the future of Ukraine- perhaps the most important nation
in Central Europe for the United States and for the interests of, according
to Bush, a Europe that is “whole, free and secure.”
Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma (center left), Poland President Alexander Kwasniewski (center right) greet the crowd in the western Ukraine city of Lviv. |
Indeed, President Bush seemed to use every opportunity he could, during his
visit to Poland, not only to praise Poland’s importance in the Ukrainian
issue, but also to demonstrate that the US and its European allies should help
Ukraine by making “the right decisions and right choices for the future."
In the final analysis, the reasons as to why it took so long for the new administration
to outline its policy towards Ukraine have become irrelevant. What is important
is that the US has now pledged to take active steps to support the Ukrainian
leadership’s efforts to stay on the European track.
The Polish capital was an excellent setting for President Bush to have made
a formal statement regarding US policy towards Ukraine. The President of Poland
has been unflinching in his efforts to support Ukrainian momentum in moving
towards the European model. The Polish nation also serves as a prime example
of what is possible when democratic and market reforms are implemented with
the utmost resolve.
Poland has been a special partner of the United States for more than a decade.
In its turn, America has given staunch support to Poland concerning its integration
into major European and Transatlantic institutions. It was only logical that
Poland would be named one of three Central European countries asked to join
NATO during the first wave of its enlargement, as well as become a leading candidate
for the first wave of EU expansion.
It would be hard to imagine the nation of Poland having achieved such a remarkable
transformation into a market economy if the United States had not encouraged
Poland’s creditors to write off its multibillion dollar external debt over
ten years ago.
About the same time Poland was enjoying significant, results- oriented, support
from the West, Ukrainians were facing profound structural economic and social
challenges all the while struggling to resolve issues concerning its national
identity.
Ukraine, robbed of its statehood for more than three hundred years, then subjected
to Communist repression for another seventy, was more or less disregarded by
the outside world during the early years after its independence in 1991. The
nation was essentially forced to deal with a multitude of problems all on its
own. Although the obstacles to be overcome were enormous and there were no quick
solutions or easy recipes in place, Ukraine is today in much better shape than
was Poland in 1989.
The strong economic growth that Ukraine has shown since the reelection of President
Kuchma nearly two years ago is evidence of this country’s potential. Despite
recent turmoil caused by the disappearance of Internet journalist Heorhiy Gongadze
and the controversy surrounding the tapes of a former Presidential bodyguard,
Ukraine continues to be a stable country marching down a path of political and
economic reform.
It is important that the Bush Administration has come to recognize Ukraine’s
significance, not only as an instrumental player in maintaining regional stability,
but for its potential impact upon the further advancement of democracy and free
market economics throughout Eurasia.
 Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma (right) aspires to achieve the same relationship Poland President Alexander Kwasniewski (left) enjoys with the U.S. government |
Throughout US history the American people have been willing spirits when it
comes to encouraging other nations to strive for democracy. It is crucial that
they take the same interest in Ukraine, because it will help to expand the boundaries
of our shared Western values. Putting forth an action plan to help Ukraine achieve
political, economic, and social mobility would serve not only as a buttress
to regional democracy, but could be amongst the Bush Administration’s greatest
achievements in Europe.
This is a historic opportunity that America and Europe must not let pass. Ukraine
is convinced that it has an interested and willing partner in the United States.
It is crucial that the United States and Ukraine act now, while the lessons
and experiences of Poland are still fresh in memory, in order to further our
shared global vision whereby Western democracy and free market economics move
Ukraine into the realm of Europe.
This trilateral endeavor would serve both strategic and practical purposes by
making the region more secure and by making Ukraine more prosperous and self
sufficient. It is also in the best interest of both Poland and the United States
to help Ukraine build its civil society. Poland’s achievements in this
area would help it to serve as a role model for Ukraine.
The experience of a Ukrainian-Polish battalion serving in the American sector
in Kosovo is just one vivid example of where trilateral cooperation has paid
off. There are other opportunities awaiting us where this shared strategic vision
could be realized. Making Ukraine the country of choice for the transit of Caspian
Sea oil to Europe is one such area. The decision by the Bush Administration
to support the Odessa-Brody-Gdansk oil pipeline is of exceptional importance.
Besides the test of time, it is often thought that the best vantage points for
gauging the importance of something is to view it either from a distance or
from close up. From this perspective the United States and Poland are exceptionally
well placed in regards to Ukraine’s quest to join the family of Western
democracies.
The American and Polish presidents have established excellent relations. The
Presidents of Ukraine and Poland have had such a relationship for a long time.
Now it is time to bring all three players together to act as a team.
If Poland is Ukraine’s locomotive to European integration, then the United
States must become its engine.