Larysa Skoryk is a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics. She is one of those who stood at the cradle of Ukrainian independence and defended democratic values in the first Ukrainian parliament. A well- known architect, Ms. Skoryk is an outspoken critic of the numerous construction projects that have marred Kyiv’s architectural ambience. She was recently appointed to chair the Kyiv branch of the Civic Forum “Let’s Unite Ukraine.” We may disagree all we want with her categorical opinions on the Ukrainian political reality, but there’s no denying that she has earned the right to make her own judgments known. The Day is always open to discussions and ideas about the way this country should develop.
“You were among those who warned us before last year’s presidential elections about the risks associated with the transfer of power to Viktor Yushchenko and his team. Do you believe that your predictions have come true?”
“The reality has proven to be worse than I imagined back then, although not by much. Still, far more horrible things have happened. I warned that a team consisting not only of nonprofessionals but anti- professionals would come to power. I also said that it would be a team of extremely cynical individuals from the Komsomol and perestroika years. They represent the most cynical generation of all Komsomol generations, because during the perestroika Komsomol activists occupied administrative positions merely to gain access to the Komsomol coffers, from which funds could be easily channeled into dirty business and eventually into dirty politics. This happened all across the former Soviet Union. In addition, there were and still are people on Yushchenko’s team, whom I know perfectly well, along with all their sins. They used to call themselves National Democrats, but then they jointly crossed the aisle to lead the Orange Revolution.”
“Can’t people change? Do you see any signs that the new leadership is changing? Many people are saying that a sign of such changes is the Memorandum of Understanding, which Yushchenko signed with the opposition. How do you evaluate this document?”
“I have nothing to say about it. It is merely another distraction and stratagem, because after signing the memorandum, which was meant to put an end to all kinds of political reprisals, the new leadership is continuing them. How could political reprisals have been permitted for nine months? This is unthinkable. By signing this memorandum, those in power have acknowledged the existence of such reprisals. What improvements in the sphere of freedom can we speak of in this case? The memorandum was signed on a Thursday, and the following Saturday five people who had participated in Yanukovych’s election campaign in Vinnytsia oblast were sentenced to five years. Yanukovych has already indicated his readiness to rescind his signature. Who signed this memorandum on the other end? Not once have these people — individually, jointly, or in various combinations — honored a serious agreement. What they have signed today will be torn to shreds before the day is over. They don’t even consider it necessary to look back or face the people with whom they made the agreement, or even explain themselves. This team’s unscrupulousness always scared me even more than its lack of professionalism. After all, if a team is unprofessional but at least has some semblance of decency, it will hire some professionals after realizing its inadequacy. In an amorphous situation, where there is no dignity or responsibility for one’s actions, agreements, and words, there is no one to sign agreements with or take serious steps to implement such agreements.
“Yushchenko was undoubtedly spurred to sign this memorandum by Leonid Kravchuk’s initiative to create the Forum “Let Us Unite Ukraine.” He realized that political forces that do not support his policies or the former government’s policies are uniting.”
“Your opinion of today’s leadership is clear. What about the opposition? Political analysts divide the Ukrainian opposition into three camps: leftist opposition forces, representatives of the old government, and new Orange-colored opposition personified by Yuliya Tymoshenko and her followers.”
“All these games involving Tymoshenko’s dismissal are one big scam designed to fool naive voters. Over the past nine months the popularity ratings of the Orange forces plummeted. Something had to be done. Those who orchestrated this whole Orange game, which cost us so dearly, realized thanks to their skilled spin doctors that it would be best to create an Orange opposition pitched against an Orange government. Eventually, those who are disillusioned with the president and his team will vote for the so-called Orange opposition led by Tymoshenko. They will do so out of boundless naivete and lack of political awareness. In this way they hope to garner enough votes during the parliamentary elections. This scenario will then develop as follows. Already in parliament these two Orange halves, which ran for parliament as a pro-government political force and an opposition force, will conveniently unite their efforts. They will make peace. Tymoshenko will again provide a shoulder to lean on and say, ‘Viktor Andriyovych has fulfilled all of our demands and changed his team.’ This is all a cynical game designed to help the Orange forces garner as many seats in parliament as possible.”
“Who represents the real opposition?”
“I don’t agree that there is an opposition made up of the old power figures. The old power is Kuchma. Does he head a political force that is running for parliament? Is there even a force that he supports? I, for one, would never join the Forum “Let’s Unite Ukraine” if I had the slightest suspicion that this forum is somehow connected to Kuchma. Speaking of the Party of Regions, this is a party of business people. Meanwhile, business people always seek the protection afforded by power. I feel sorry for Yanukovych because I don’t know how far these forces will go in making arrangements with the current leadership at his expense.
“The Ukrainian opposition forces can be in fact divided into three levels, but according to a different principle. Political functionaries form the upper level. The middle level is formed by the administrative component — people who understand politics and all the problems of state building. The bottom level is formed by voters who have chosen Yanukovych and wish to be in opposition to the current government.”
“You mentioned that you were in opposition to Leonid Kuchma from day one until the very last day. Whom do you oppose now?”
“President Kuchma’s epoch is not over. The ‘father’ has been replaced by the ‘son,’ who is actively pursuing the negative trends of that period.”
“Do the actions of the Ukrainian leadership offer any hope for improvement?”
“Not their actions. But their words offer a glimmer of hope. But, as they say, judge not by words, but by deeds. I will wait and see if their deeds are as good as their words.”
