The signing of the NRU-UNR (Udovenko-Kostenko) unity declaration, at the Rukh convention on June 9, caused no public reverberations. Those who marched past Verkhovna Rada under both Rukh faction banners in April, demanding that they leave then Premier Yushchenko alone, this time proved amazingly passive. The explanation is simple. There was no one to get the masses organized, as almost all the activists were in the conference hall of Kyiv Polytechnic National University, witnessing the signing of what the signatories called a historic document. To demonstrate popular enthusiasm for their own actions, they will have to return to the regions and explain to adherents precisely what happened. No one seems willing to explain Viktor Yushchenko’s motivation who attended the proclamation of Rukh unity, together with his high popularity, since the former premier’s much verbal ado talk about nothing is now taken for what it actually is. Analysts are tired of digging into this promising politician’s soliloquies, hoping to come up with some deep- reaching understatements. It is much easier and pays off better to analyze politicians who take a clear stand.
Unlike the masses with their unexpectedly passive response to NRU-UNR unity idea, the chief executive was quick on the uptake. While onboard his jet, the president called the whole idea a game. What is behind Leonid Kuchma’s rather sharp reaction? Certainly, the guarantor of the constitution will not forget how both Rukh factions declared their opposition to him, about Kostenko’s people with their Ukraine Without Kuchma campaign, Udovenko’s followers voting for the bill on impeachment, and much else.
Undoubtedly, the architects of Rukh unity are counting on the electorate, although their creative process appears to be extremely drawn out; three years ago their supporters registered over 8% of all those with the right to vote. In addition to a single political brand name, Rukh loyalists in both factions need a leader without which this brand name will be of little use. Here lies the main problem of the national democrats uniting yet again. Remembering their score in the 1999 elections, both Rukh leaders have no illusions about their own charismatic influence. Now flirting with a promising Yushchenko is strongly reminiscent of torturous unrequited love.
He might well be wooed but never won: Ihor Yukhnovsky, speaking for both Rukhs, declared ruthless opposition to what he called the Communo-oligarchic regime, and Yushchenko would never take this stand. Moreover, the regime turned out not all that Red-oligarchic, as the new premier was elected without the Communists. In other words, both Rukh factions have to show more vision. The process appears to have already begun, but the unity declaration leaves one wondering about when and how this unity will be attained
As for Mr. Kuchma calling the NRU-UNR unity initiative a game, there is nothing really insulting about the word. Games are played by all politicians and political forces everywhere. The point is how serious they will play it and how much they will have to pay for the chips. In the political realm, the chips are power and its varying degrees, depending on the player. So the unity idea is the beginning of a new political game. Now one can only wait for new players to appear.
