Last week Radio Svoboda (radiosvoboda.org) interviewed Yevhen Marchuk, who was the first head of the post-independence Security Service of Ukraine, Prime Minister in 1995–96, Secretary of National Security and Defense Council in 1999–2003, Minister of Defense, and member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Below are several excerpts from the interview.
CURRENT SITUATION IN UKRAINE
From the point of view of national security, I am not dramatizing, despite of all the acuteness of the situation, and I proceed from the fact that Ukraine has already survived hard periods in its development. I mean, in independent Ukraine, especially 1991 and 1995 — those were much more difficult, much more dangerous times, not to mention 2004 and the revolution. And Ukraine has survived everything.
I am convinced that this time we will also make it without tragedies. But it does not mean that there are no problems. We have very serious problems and problems that invite [danger]...
You know, there is the science of victimology. It’s when a victim invites an attack. This does not directly pertain to Ukraine. However, when the power of the country is weak, and today, as a result of all the things that are happening here, the power as a single phenomenon is indeed weak, this invites [threats] today. Now we can see that Romania’s president may speak quite sharply on the borders or Vladimir Putin may make statements regarding Ukraine that would be impossible if there were solid power in Ukraine. I mean solid in the figurative sense.
Thus, the situation inside the country should be addressed very earnestly. In addition to the persons responsible for security, i.e., the president, prime minister, parliament, and the ministers, I attach great importance to civic entities — and not even organizations, but authoritative personalities who are not directly engaged in politics. There are not so many of them, but they do exist.
THE MOST SERIOUS THREAT
The most serious threat for Ukraine is corruption. It undermines the authority of the fundamental governmental institutions — above of all, the judicial system. There is also corruption in administrative and law-enforcement agencies and agencies that issue various permits and licenses. All of this undermines trust in the government so much that there is no foreign army today that would pose, even potentially, the kind of threat that has been accumulated and concentrated in this phenomenon.
PUBLIC EXAM
In general, I support the idea that everyone who will run for president... I already said this in 1999: one should learn to be president! Presidency demands a great amount of knowledge, because on the first day in office the winner of the presidential race begins to fulfill the most complicated functions that are there in the country. Apart from knowledge of law, international law, economics, and domestic structures, the President is also the Supreme Commander in Chief and should also know legislation on the Armed Forces and many other things.
I made this proposal back then, and I believe now that each candidate should carefully identify and tell us what he has done in his life that falls into the category of the president’s duties and powers. Declarations, demagogy, and, let us be frank, lies flourished during the previous elections. I believe we will see this again now.
I wish at least one of the presidential candidates would pass such a public exam... We have suggested once and I said in Ostroh Academy at a meeting with students that every presidential hopeful should come to the students and take an exam. What exam? History of Ukraine. Not before teachers, but for himself. All cases of losing statehood: why, what, how, and so on.
