Few if any doubted that the opposition G-4 would be short-lived, for no alliance with polarized interests can count on longevity. In the case of G-4 the polarized components were Our Ukraine and the Communist Party. However, no one could have expected G-4 to produce such a variety of combinations and situational alliances. First it was G-4, then G-3 (CPU + SPU + BYuT), and finally G-2 (SPU + CPU) emerging on the wave-crest of the political reform. At present, Our Ukraine (OU) people are again discussing G-3, albeit in a new format. At a press conference in Lviv, the Sunday before last, Yury Kostenko, leader of OU-affiliated UNR, announced that it had been agreed in principle to join a coalition of democratic forces to vie in the presidential race with a single program and a single candidate. The coalition would include the Bloc of Yuliya Tymoshenko (BYuT) and Oleksandr Moroz’s Socialist Party of Ukraine (SPU). Viktor Yushchenko spoke in the same vein to journalists last Tuesday, noting that the trilateral (OU-SPU-BYuT) talks were held in an “optimistic” atmosphere and that there was “general understanding.” He added that there were now no obstacles that could block further discussions. Previously, OU and BYuT came out with statements lashing out at Petro Symonenko and especially Oleksandr Moroz consulting with the Presidential Administration. The Day ’s question is, What chance does G-3 stand of reaching the final agreement? Below people’s deputies offer their views.
Heorhy KRIUCHKOV (CPU):
It’s too early to tell. Let them come to terms first. Yushchenko might reach an agreement with Tymoshenko. As for the Socialists, it’s hard to say at this stage.
We disagree with Our Ukraine on a number of issues relating to privatization, foreign policy, and attitude toward the Communists. Yushchenko’s coming to power would mean banning the Communist Party the very next day, so discussing a united opposition and a single candidate makes little sense. We could consult only with regard to the political reform; proposing a single candidate is like trying to combine fire and ice. Personally, I don’t want a worse president than Leonid Kuchma, yet all the signs point that way.
Oleh BESPALOV (Regions of Ukraine):
I don’t believe in this alliance. I know about lots of divergences between Our Ukraine and those two factions, concerning foreign policy and the national question. Yushchenko would never accept another candidate, and the BYuT and SPU wouldn’t want him as the next president for a number of reasons.
The best option would be having a single candidate from the powers that be and one from CPU, SPU, and BYuT. The three factions won’t agree to have Yushchenko as a presidential candidate, and Our Ukraine, of course, will never support a Communist candidate. Still, this group has rather good prospects.
Viktor PYNZENYK (Our Ukraine):
All I can say is that discussions are underway and consultations are held almost every day, both within G-4 and outside, with every political force, including G-3. Similar stands have been revealed with regard to a number of issues, yet I believe it would be premature to discuss any specific agreements.
Cooperation in the G-3 format, between Our Ukraine, SPU, and BYuT, is a possibility, yet principles and ideologies must be agreed upon in the first place. Once you agree on the principles, it’s easy to agree on other problems. I don’t rule out the possibility of having a single presidential candidate with the BYuT and SPU.
We’ve also had consultations with the Communists, but mostly in relation to the constitutional reform. They will, of course, have their own candidate run for president; that goes without saying.
Borys ANDRESIUK (SDPU{O}):
That statement implies that they would like to portray the opposition as a monolithic entity. The Communists certainly have their own stand in the matter. As for BYuT-SPU cooperation, it’s nothing new. We have long known that both political forces are waging a single coordinated policy.
Our Ukraine makes no secret of the fact that they are banking on Viktor Yushchenko, so working out a single SPU-BYuT-OU candidate appears quite problematic. Considering that no names were mentioned in the statement, it would be premature to discuss any degree of unity. I think that the three political forces are in the bargaining phase.
Stepan KHMARA (BYuT):
No final decisions have been made, as there have been no talks as such. It’s what they want, and I think they are right to do so.
Cooperation with the Communists is out of the question. They will come out with their own candidate anyway. They could cooperate with BYuT and SPU only under certain circumstances with regard to certain problems. Our faction is aware of who’ll have the best chance in the 2004 presidential campaign, but winning it will take a broad coalition of political forces and further joining of efforts to address the main issues of principle.
Stanislav NIKOLAYENKO (SPU):
I can’t add anything to what has been set down in the party documents already. The SPU Political Council resolved half a year ago that we would take part in the presidential elections. We didn’t name our candidate, but made it perfectly clear that we would vie in the 2004 presidential race, and for this reason it’s premature to discuss any coordinating arrangements between BYuT, SPU, and Our Ukraine.
Indeed, such talks are constantly held, but it is too early to discuss a single candidate representing the three groups. Everything will depend on the timeframe: when such a candidate will be agreed upon, before the first or second round. I am sure that an agreement will be reached after the first round. We are now discussing the possibility of a single candidate before the first round.
