For most civic organizations in Ukraine it is an uphill job to generate ideas and know how to convey them to society and the government. One exception is the Ukrainian Forum whose founder and president, Volodymyr Semynozhenko, has managed to gather the most authoritative and experienced people from different walks of life, most of whom are political veterans and heavy hitters.
The Ukrainian Forum celebrated its first anniversary last Thursday at the posh Hyatt Hotel. Among those who graced the celebration with their presence were Verkhovna Rada Speaker Oleksandr Moroz, former president Leonid Kravchuk, the chairman of the Auditing Chamber, Valentyn Symonenko, Vitalii Haiduk, Anatolii Zlenko, Ihor Mitiukov, and other VIPs. Leonid Kuchma was expected, but he was a no- show.
The official part of the evening began with an introductory speech by Semynozhenko. “I would like to remind you that the Ukrainian Forum has been addressing the most difficult problems of the constitutional crisis and has developed a project called ‘National Security of Ukraine-2010.’ Even Ivan Franko’s jubilee celebrations were completely organized in Kyiv by the Ukrainian Forum, and this is by no means the end of the list of our accomplishments,” Semynozhenko said.
Then the forum heard greetings from Volodymyr Horbulin on behalf of President Yushchenko, Zlenko on behalf of Prime Minister Yanukovych, and Moroz on his own behalf.
Leonid Kravchuk delivered by far the most brilliant speech. The former president had prepared for it in earnest: he even cited the dictionary definition of the word “government” and concluded that there is not even a trace of this in today’s Ukraine. What we have is chaos because no decisions and decrees, including those issued by the president, are being implemented. “I suggest the forum not wait for the elections but appeal directly to the Ukrainian people. I would not like to make dire predictions, but the impression is we are heading for a state of emergency,” Kravchuk said alarmingly.
When Kravchuk was mingling with journalists after his speech, he expanded on this thought: “What should the president do if there has been no government for six months? He should impose a state of emergency.”
The Day’s correspondent also spoke with Horbulin, another patriarch of Ukrainian politics.
Do you think we are heading for a state of emergency?
“I do not think we are prepared to resort to extreme measures. There is nothing worse than a civil war because there are no borders in a civil war. Today so much negativity is spilling out from all sources, but I still hope that the election results will clear some brains and lay at least a very small foundation for consensus. Ukraine is simply destined for this.”
What do you think about this election campaign? The impression is that all the parties are simply competing to see which one will give more money per child.
“This is populism, not programs. But what is a program? In my view, everyone has forgotten about this. A program should rest on precise financial calculations or at least extrapolate today’s budget for three to four years ahead. Only then can we talk about something. I am not so sure that our financial capabilities are being extrapolated seriously.”
The Party of Regions recently adopted the referendum as its new battle cry. But for a long time this party refrained from raising the language and NATO issues. Why did it finally start?
“This was a surprise for me, too. They really held out for so long, and I remember the prime minister saying that the language and NATO issues should not be used in the election campaign. Every Ukrainian citizen is more interested in such things as local government.
“I think the Party of Regions hopes that the NATO question will be resolved in some way as a result of the elections. But to be honest, I don’t believe in this very much.”
What do you think will happen after the elections? More fighting and another coalition race?
“The elections will not bring anything good. Frankly speaking, Ukraine is fed up with this never- ending election campaign. A very large percentage of our population is already living off the elections. It is difficult to imagine a more unproductive waste of time.”
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When the speeches ended, the Ukrainian Forum began handing out its Knightly Pen prizes. This is probably the only journalistic prize that honors skill, professionalism, and probity. It is a rarity in our superficial times. The first prize was awarded to the well-known TV host Hanna Bezulyk.
The Day’s REFERENCE
The Ukrainian Forum, a civic and political association founded in the summer of 2006 by a group of well-known Ukrainian politicians, economists, public figures, statesmen, scholars, and artists who share the same statist positions, is marking its first anniversary. The association’s aim is to promote models of effective public involvement in establishing the foundations of sociopolitical development, strengthening the civil society, and improving Ukraine’s prospects in today’s world.
On Aug. 7, 2006, the Ukrainian Forum publicized its first declaration, which caused quite a ripple in society. “Society must finally become an active subject in shaping the destiny of the state.”
The Ukrainian Forum has civic councils that deal with various aspects of political development. Their members include executives and associates of research institutes and universities, diplomats, and independent experts. The forum has offices in Lviv, Odesa, and Cherkasy oblasts, as well as in Austria and the US.
