In Lviv it is always difficult to switch from a discussion of politics to economics. No doubt if President Yushchenko had not chosen to go to Lviv for the 5th International Economic Forum, it would have been more of a low- key affair. When it was learned that the president was coming, forum participants, who rushed to print materials during the night, which they would have never issued otherwise) and Pora party militants set energetic preparations in motion. The day before word came that Pora planned to give the head of state what they called a “warm welcome” near the airport, at the intersection of Liudbynska and Vyhovsky Streets. Markiyan Ivashchyshyn, chairman of the Pora municipal organization, announced that they only wanted to speak with the president and quietly give him some advice, for example, about starting negotiations with Yuliya Tymoshenko. However, Yushchenko, who was at the wheel of his car, did not stop but merely smiled and waved his hand to the young people. His behavior is easy to understand: they looked rather aggressive and held posters showing Kuchma, Piskun, Shufrych, Kivalov and others, as well as a symbolic seal with the words “Indulgence granted” and the date the memorandum of understanding was signed with Viktor Yanukovych. All the officials shown on the posters welcomed Yushchenko with bread and salt.
A little later the president addressed the economic forum’s plenary meeting, during which he named Ukraine’s main challenges. The Ukrainian leader called the Lviv forum a very important event and then told the audience what he would like to say to Pora’s members in Lviv. “Any crisis situation is a test for the elite. It is perhaps the time when you have to separate the wheat from the chaff. Let us work out a constructive attitude that stays clear of politics and banners. The situation reminds me of what the Germans did in 1948.
“At that time a group of people said that nobody would save Germany because this was a national problem, and then they drew up the Pact on Stability. A year later reforms gained momentum and five years later Germany was called an economic miracle.”
The president also said that the political crisis that began in early September is over. “I want to emphasize that the crisis that erupted in early September has now exhausted itself. Yesterday we put the final touches on forming the cabinet,” the head of state noted. Yushchenko again slammed the Tymoshenko government for its customs, taxation, and investment policies, as well as for closing the free economic zones. In the president’s view, an effective social policy can only be carried out in a sound economy, “where there are social balances, on the one hand, and concern for business development, on the other.”
Commenting on the memorandum between the government and the opposition, Yushchenko said he was prepared to assume personal control over the problem of reprisals. “But if there are proven facts of lawbreaking, this person will be held responsible under the law no matter what party card he holds,” the president added.
Yushchenko also said he would be consulting with parliamentary factions next week about WTO draft laws. “We still have to pass 14 amendments to five laws. I will do my utmost so that we can take this second step and join the WTO in December,” the head of state promised. After this, “it will be logical to begin negotiations with the European Union about establishing a free trade area.” According to Yushchenko, this goal can be achieved within 12 months. He is also sure that the No. 1 problem — granting Ukraine market economy status — will be resolved, which will pave the way for formal talks on Ukraine’s associated EU membership.
The president also noted that the list of facilities to be privatized will be an integral part of the 2006 budget. Auctions will be transparent, “with TV cameras on,” Yushchenko said. From this year’s fourth quarter onwards, all the regions of Ukraine will be holding transparent land auctions patterned after the one to be held on Friday as part of the forum’s investment fair.
“What has happened over the past seven months is not a tragedy, not a drama. It is a test of political forces. I cannot predict what will happen during the 2006 elections. All I know is that democracy will triumph. I am convinced of this because it is a matter of national trust and great challenges,” Yushchenko said in conclusion.
Yushchenko managed to do a lot in Lviv. He visited the Palace of Arts, the venue of the Ukraine-EU International Investment and Real Estate Fair. Accompanying the president were Naftohaz Ukrayiny chairman Oleksiy Ivchenko, Lviv oblast governor Petro Oliynyk, and the governors of most of Ukraine’s other oblasts. A memorandum on building an oil refinery in Brody was signed in Yushchenko’s presence. Later in the day there was a huge public rally in downtown Lviv, where the president of Ukraine delivered a speech.
