By Viktor Voroniuk,
Vitaly Kuksa,
and Hleb Pleskach, The Day
A fist-fight at Gala Radio’s Kyiv Office is becoming an international scandal. Joseph Charles Lemire, the radio station’s American manager, was reported to have been physically assaulted by an officer of the so-called Ukrainian Tax Militia when checking the station’s books and records.
The incident, drawing several dozen “reinforcements” to the office, along with US Embassy officials, may strain Ukrainian-US relations.
About 2 p.m. last Tuesday Mr. Lemire testified in Congress to what was described as “Ukrainian tax inspectors’ unlawful actions,” showing photos of an “armed squad” driving up to Gala Radio (actually, a patrol summoned to the scene as backup).
Congressman Callihan, chair of the House subcommittee responsible for US aid to Ukraine, declared that Congress will no longer tolerate the tax inspectors’ unlawful pressure. In addition, Congress might consider a special resolution warning investors against Ukraine.
General Viktor Zhvaliuk, Head of the Tax Militia Chief Directorate, shared with journalists the official version of what had taken place at the station’s office on March 26.
“On January 15, a group of Verkhovna Rada Deputies filed an official inquiry concerning tax violations by television and radio companies with foreign investment.
“Acting on the Procurator General’s instructions, the Shevchenkivsky District Administration began to check books and records at the Gala Radio Company on March 11. On March 23, Tax Inspector Halyna Antonenko was barred access to the company office where she intended to verify documents. On March 26, she arrived there accompanied by Tax Militia Inspector Oleh Bodnia. GALA’s Business Manager Tetiana Dubina refused to produce the documents and called the Station Manager Joseph Lemire who appeared with a Moscow watchdog (a local breed akin to Newfoundland). The manager forced the controlling officials out of the office, inflicting body injury on Oleh Bodnia and causing Halyna Antonenko a heart attack.”
PLAYING A POLITICAL CARD?
“We want to build civilized relationships between businessmen and the tax authorities,” State Tax Administration head Mykola Azarov told The Day when asked to comment on the incident. He went on to inform that a special Taxpayers Directorate was set up to handle complaints and combat corruption.
Mr. Azarov was of opined that Mr. Lemire should have turned to either of the directorates if he believed his rights had been violated, but apparently he wanted to cause an unpleasant international incident. “Mr. Lemire, having relatives in the US Congress, is trying to play a political card. He acted disregarding the laws of Ukraine. We hope that the US official circles will respond adequately to this incident,” he concluded.
First Lieutenant Oleh Bodnia informed The Day that he had arrived at Gala Radio for a routine checkup. When refused the required accounting documents he demanded a statement attesting to the fact and explaining the reasons. It was then that Mr. Lemir materialized. He pushed the inspector out of the office, hitting him, tearing his clothes, and sicking his dog on him. When asked by The Day if he had assaulted Mr. Lemir physically, Mr. Bodnia replied, “How could I? I am 170 cm tall, weighing 65 kg. The man is about 190 cm tall, weighing some 90 kilos...”
What about the dog? Business Manager Tetiana Dubina claims the dog is used in radio commercials and is a “perfectly decent” animal.
N.B.: The US Administration was about to send another installment of $215 million in financial aid to Ukraine. However, recent conflicts between US companies and Ukrainian authorities make its receipt questionable. The above incident, now akin to an international scandal, could cost Ukraine dear. One is amazed that Ukrainian top echelons remain silent. Their intervention would seem only logical and might even help clarify the situation.
The capital's tax police photo:
Oleh Bodnia displays to colleagues his torn coat (material damages)
