OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Adrian Severin is confident of a need for a strong opposition in Ukraine, for only on condition that there is one will truly democratic government evolve, Adrian Severin concluded at his March 12 meeting in Kyiv with Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ivan Pliushch, reports Interfax-Ukraine. Mr. Severin also accentuated the necessity to unite society and political forces in the state’s political life. In a subsequent interview Mr. Severin expressed hope that the elections in Ukraine will make it possible “to establish parity between those in power and the opposition, ensure an effective democratic majority, and a strong dynamic opposition.” The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly president underscored that it is essential for him to better understand the unfolding situation in Ukraine, which will make it possible “to gauge our input into fostering democracy.” He also stated that OSCE representatives will work with all political forces so that “the Ukrainian political elite would improve and be able to better show its political strength.” To support words with deeds Adrian Severin met with Ukrainian deputies on March 12 who informed him of violations during the election campaign.
Ukraine is approaching the organization of the March 31 elections with utmost responsibility, said President Leonid Kuchma. During his March 13 meeting with Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly President Adrian Severin in Kyiv the Ukrainian head of state pointed to democratic legislation, transparency of the election process, openness and Ukraine’s close cooperation with international observers as the key elements in organizing the elections. According to the Presidential Administration department for information and public relations, Mr. Kuchma thanked Mr. Severin for the OSCE PA’s attention to the democratic processes in Ukraine and the election campaign in part. For his part Adrian Severin stressed that the 2002 elections in Ukraine have assumed paramount importance, reports Interfax-Ukraine. For all that, he believes, the upcoming elections are not a kind of test of democratic development of Ukrainian society. “Ukraine is neither a schoolchild nor a college student facing an exam. The election is only one step on the way to a modern, independent, affluent, and prosperous state,” stressed the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly president. Both sides also touched on other current issues of Ukraine’s cooperation with the OSCE.
