The Kiev Times /December 2012/

BUCKWHEAT AGAINST THE IDEOLOGY

WHY THERE WON’T BE MONEY IN UKRAINE?

SPITEFUL JOKE OR LIVING

BY A «BASKET OF GOODS» IN UKRAINE

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International information and analytical edition | Ukraine | The Kiev Times | December 2012

DMITRY VYDRIN HONEY TRAPS – 2015

MR PRESIDENT, LET ME CONGRATULATE YOU...

It seems that the subject of the elections-2012 has been closed. But suddenly inescapably, steadily and inexorably the huge subject of the elections-2015 has begun to pull very hard. At least this prestigious and impressive phrase «Presidential elections» like a starting pistol has sounded from the speeches of many leading politicians.

In November this year a famous American religious philosopher, writer, television anchorman and the author of «Spiritual Diplomacy» conception Michael Morgulis arrived in Kiev with an official visit. Exclusively for The Kiev Times he has told about his vision concerning his mission in Ukraine, what mistakes USA made in relation to our people, why all Presidents aren’t angels and what is worth to pray even in KGB for.

I’d like to become one of the first political scientists who will emphasize the main traps, risks and temptations that wait the main pretenders, although for the present only schematically, in the first draft.

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DMITRY SUKHOVIENKO: I HAVE A DREAM TO PLAY IN NEW KIEV CONCERT HALL

Dmitry Sukhovienko, a famous pianist and the follower of great Vladimir Horowitz, represents both Belgium and his native Ukraine on today’s international scene. This year he’s become an artistic director of several concerts in the European parliament.

On the 3d of December the First Deputy Attorney General of Ukraine Renat Kuzmin sent the Open letter to US President Barack Obama. The letter to US President has appeared as

a consequence of the Department of Justice unwillingness to collaborate with the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine on case of Eugene Shcherban’s murder, absence of the US Senate

reaction to the open letter and a number of provocations against Renat Kuzmin from the side of the US State Department and the American lobby of Julia Timoshenko. The Kiev Times

THE PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE AND EURASIAN INTEGRATION

It was said many times that Ukraine appeared in the «gray» zone staying out of the EU’s borders and not taking place in the integration processes of its nearest Eastern neighbors’ Eurasian area (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan). It was noted many times that such a position wouldn’t be good for Ukrainian economics. At best such Status Quo is effective for the narrow stratum of business elite, which pursues its own enrichment but not the state’s one. The question appears: what should we do next? Do we need to creep to the place where we are not welcomed (the EU) or capriciously sulking not to go where we are welcomed (the EAU)?

THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE CAN SHOW UKRAINE THE DOOR

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VLADIMIR YADLOVSKY: TASTE PREFERENCES ARE BORN IN CHILDHOOD

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UKRAINIANS: WHO ARE WE AND WHERE ARE WE FROM?

The fashionable restaurateur and talented master-chef Vladimir Yadlovsky has told ТКТ about haute cuisine trends, politicians’ taste preferences, peculiarities of restaurant business in Ukraine and revealed some secrets of a molecular food.

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THE ELECTIONS THAT PUZZLED THE WEST? The parliamentary elections were impatiently and excitingly awaited in Brussels (the European Union and NATO headquarter), Vienna (OSCE headquarter), Strasburg (the European Council) and in Washington. These centers of European and world military and political and financial influence did everything possible to let Julia Timoshenko and Yuri Lutsenko take part in the parliamentary elections. These influential authors of international

MICHAEL MORGULIS: AMERICA – UKRAINE. WE’LL BE USEFUL FOR EACH OTHER!

Discussion of the first state formations on the territory of modern Ukraine forces us to think about such fundamental notions like «state» and «civilization», which reflect different sides of the same process: conversion from primitive societies to early-class societies (or socially stratified, as is accepted to say recently).

publishes the comments of Renat Kuzmin, Ukrainian and American experts concerning this letter.

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What now? Kiev has nothing to do but to wait for the January session of PACE with shudder. During their autumn session the European deputies almost didn’t remember about Ukraine, waiting for termination of the parliamentary elections to receive one more hard evidence that Kiev breaks fundamental principles of the European Council member country. By this moment Strasburg has the decision of the European human rights court that recognizes the case against Yuri Lutsenko to be politically motivated; there is a fresh resolution of PACE containing clear definition of the term «political prisoner» and unflattering summary of PACE supervisors concerning parliamentary elections conduct. Probably for the beginning the Parliamentary Assembly can deprive the new Ukrainian parliamentary delegation their authorities. After that it is not ruled out that Ukraine will repeat the way of Belarus – our CE membership can be suspended.

Of course, this is the scenario of extreme measures. Nobody wishes to believe that yellow and blue flag, which was so happy event for Ukraine in 1995, will be dropped on the lawn in front of the European Palace in Strasburg.

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relationships remain to be convinced that the opposition politicians were judged exclusively on the assumption of political reasonability, but not for the Ukrainian legislation gross violation.

Geostrategy group simply states the existent position of the Western states and institutions about this matter, but doesn’t give the assessment of what was going on in the Ukrainian courts during examination of Julia Timoshenko and Yuri Lutsenko’s cases.

The group experts are also convinced in uselessness of substantive disputes with Europe concerning legality of these two Ukrainian opposition politicians’ imprisonment.

ANATOLY TOLSTOUKHOV: LET’S PRAY FOR UKRAINE The parliamentary elections have passed. The Central election committee has announced their results. So it’s time for lessons, conclusions and forecasts.

These were the elections in the country where political forces fought for the power, and not competed for Ukraine.

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www.thekievtimes.org

Sanctions against Ukraine don’t consider the interests and arguments of both conflicting parties. Democracy is polyphony but not a single voice. But today the West listens and hears only one voice, the voice of opposition. And on the ground of this voice the West is seemed to make fair conclusions. It is only an emotional fairness. The facts indicate that the position of the West is one-sided. Unfortunately America is the leader of this tendency.

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VALERY EVDOKIMOV: PASSING THE LAWS ISN’T SUPPING FROM TROUGH

The present parliament shall have many businessmen. On the one hand, this is not bad. There is financial experience, economic experience. On the other hand, this is not good. I saw the list of the majoritarian candidates who have passed. I’m worry that there are not enough lawyers and economists among them. Not because they are people of my profession. I mean passing the laws is not like baking pies.

And not supping from trough. The nominees have given many promises to everybody. But soon we shall see their true faces.

When passing the laws one has to know much. The theory of state and law teaches us that the law acts in space and time. In space means on the territory of Ukraine. And in time means today, tomorrow, but not yesterday. If to understand this, the people’s deputy has to think and be well oriented in the law-making. Many newly elected deputies don’t have such experience. In order to act effectively, the law has to correspond with many other standard acts and find reflection in changes of the legal norms within the current legal network.

Any law has its price in the full sense of this word. To let the law begin to act it’s necessary to receive the government financing. I’m not talking about illicit «rates» for the laws. We have a lot of laws; many of them have been recently passed…

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POLITICS

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

HONEY TRAPS – 2015 (afterword to past elections and preface to future elections)

It seems that the subject of the elections-2012 has been closed. But suddenly inescapably, steadily and inexorably the huge subject of the elections-2015 has begun to pull very hard. At least this prestigious and impressive phrase «Presidential elections» like a starting pistol has sounded from the speeches of many leading politicians Dmitry Vydrin

I

’d like to become one of the first political scientists who will emphasize the main traps, risks and temptations that wait the main pretenders, although for the present only schematically, in the first draft. Maybe this will help them or at least be of use. Let’s begin from «honey traps» i.e. including temptations of simple solutions, movements and actions.

So, the main pretender. I’d call his possible political technology with all the ensuing risks: «Macedonian shooting» Once, like any dipsomaniacal reader of my generation, I devoured the amazing novel of Vladimir Bogomolov only for one night – «August 44th». And I was charmed with the methodology of Macedonian shooting. This is when a shot on the run and very accurately shoots from two guns simultaneously.

After that I always thought for some reason that Macedonian shooting is accurate shooting.

Recently I have visited an opera house on Macedonian culture days and for the first time saw Macedonian dancing. Their main point that the dancer raises his leg and very slowly counting «one, two, three» makes a step. Now I know that person who shoots in Macedonian doesn’t shoot accurately and fast, but makes it slowly and confidently.

That’s why our president who usual-

Conclusions These were the elections in the country where political forces fought for the power, and not competed for Ukraine.

For the first time in the Ukrainian history the party of power hasn’t lost, the opposition has become more united and stronger, and Ukraine in general has become weaker and more disrupted.

The international community doesn’t talk about our successes, and is concerned about the situation in Ukraine.

There is no question «who’s guilty».

Nobody knows what is to be done next.

A consequence of legislative gaps has become the possibility to fix re-elections in five single member constituencies.

After a struggle for parliamentary mandates the real war for presidency has broken out.

It is no coincidence that life reminds us of the past. Without past lessons you can’t see the future. And if you don’t see the future you would stumble and fall down in present.

For twenty-one summers we’ve been looking for ourselves and our path…

For foundation from the world empires and non European roof.

The essence isn’t Ukrainian yet, like our sky and land, and spirit isn’t heroic unfortunately, although infant is beautiful…

It’s impossible to call an «infant» the state with the history going deep into old and dramatic times. But the newest history of Ukraine is twenty-one years old and we are at the very beginning of our pats according to all yardsticks of the humanity development. We start continuing; we continue starting. Do we go? Where? What for?

Once in August the road took me to one urban village called Chernomorskoe in Crimea. At the entrance of the centre I was welcomed by the monument to the leader of the world proletariat Vladimir Lenin... He died in 1924.

The Communist party for twenty-one years has been departing its life... But in reality it turns out that «Lenin is now as large as life» and «the cause of Lenin lives and triumphs»… True, in the western regions of Ukraine the cause of Bandera, Konovalets, Shuhevitch now «lives and triumphs». And this «cause» is dated 1941-45... Ideology enemies are uniting by a mortal struggle for power and money. For some reason the German money... And the past that is tried to be set up for the presence.

Is it worth to wonder that today Ukraine is inhomogeneous in its assessment of the war 1941-1945… Was there the Second World War, the Great Patriotic war or the Soviet-German war? The reply could be the following: the Second World War has become the Great Patriotic war for us and in that war the Soviet Union together with its allies defeated fascist Germany. But this reply also doesn’t unite the community and other replies disrupt it. To 70-years’ anniversary of the Victory, when there

ly makes big pauses not only between words, but between steps, in principle, curiously enough, has chosen very correct strategy.

The Ukrainian political community is fussy like an anthill. Everybody always runs somewhere, shifts somewhere, runs away somewhere (somebody drives away). Everybody is in some permanent negotiations, talks, alliances, coalitions and various positions. And against the background of this hassle-bustle the president of course looks like a cliff of stability. The main is that his environment wouldn’t push him (probably it isn’t simple to think slowly and step slowly in absolute dissonance: dismiss – imprison, pass a law – repeal a law, go – not to go, deprive – appoint).

That’s why I won’t agree with those who say that the president’s problem is in his inability «to hear everybody». The real problem is that he hasn’t tempted to «listen to everybody». Not to yield to the temptation to become like everybody – everybody who runs but not walks.

Absolute opponent of the current president at elections as usual will be the leader of communists with their eternal problem: «Sickle without hammer» The communists, like the left in general, are lucky because now they are in European rising trend of left and industrially inclined political forces, popularity growth (however, I wrote about this at greater length on my website vydrin. com).

I predicted that they would collect unusually much at these elections.

But this is rather not their merit, but afterburning of engine of that steam locomotive, which wants to make a stop «in a commune». This locomotive has already gone for a ride along narrow-gauge railways of France, Greece, Czech and even neighboring full-gauge Lithuania. And now it patrols somewhere in our circular railway area.

That’s why we can assume that popularity of the left shall grow further; – more by token, that their mottos are attractive and catchy. They again wish either to take something away or to give something back. Electors usually

are few live winners, we won`t be able to make a low bow with the entire country for life and peace. To bow for Ukrainian independence!

Not so long ago the entire ideology has been dictated by one party. Everybody knows what the end was… Now there are 202 parties, and five of them are parliamentary parties. And although there is only one power party, in this whole story we can see rather delineations of the bottom than signs of the truth. As the history of independent Ukraine shows, it’s more difficult to agree in two languages. The Tower of Babel has collapsed because of multilingualism; the tower of our statehood is cracked because of bilingualism. It will take us much time to overcome the internal split, a rupture that has become a consequence of the Ukrainian civilization development, heroic and tragic events of ХХ century history, breakdown of the Soviet Union and current politics.

If it isn’t possible to «agree» about the past and for a while «block» the political memory about it, to carry on a dialogue about the future is equivalent to the ultimate fighting. There is one more and very important reason.

like when one takes away from foes and gives it to friends.

But the left also have a problem.

Recent years they «mowed so much greenery» (voting in the parliament for these or those laws, coalition creation, speakeriada etc.) that actually they still have a «sickle» but they obviously forgot about a «hammer». And sickle without hammer is dangerous: you can miss and stab your… In addition, I have a feeling that it’s seductively for the «left» to also scribble themselves with a sickle: this won’t hamper them to dance their modern political dance quicker.

In short, they have to be extremely careful, especially in behind-the-scenes sharp negotiations and financial relationships with those oligarchies, which they so zealously fight with in public.

Now Vitaliy Klichko with his eternal dilemma: «To beat or not to beat» Many of my friends are voluptuously anticipating how Vitaliy with the help of his heavy fists shall block or unblock the parliamentary platform. But this is not so simple. If he doesn’t hit, the Ukrainian electors shall be extremely disappointed – why should he gabble all the year about «UDAR» rending the air with his shouts, if there won’t be any knockout in the parliament?

And if for all that he hits, it is doubtful that somebody will shake his arm in blessed Europe. Mollycoddled and law-abiding Europeans extremely don’t like when somebody demonstrates his obvious physical advantage and scoffs at small. And since there are no two-meter deputies in the parliament besides Vitaliy, his possible opponents automatically get into a «small» category. Only if we receive the delegation of Russian parliamentarians with Valuev at the head we shall have a good time.

But this is geopolitics and not the presidential election – pure politics (well, you understand what «pure» means).

In addition, Vitaliy and his followers have probably forgotten or maybe simply don’t know that actually the word «parliament» originates from the word «to speak». And although many our politicians concern to the category of so to say originals who with great pleasure

There is a wonderful girl who by the way first of the pretenders has told «I’m going for president». And this is correct because formerly, according to her stories she made some money on field painting, so she still remembers that: «Small suspended object is covered only with big suspended object» Really, many years ago during the first cadenza of the parliament I surprisingly found out that about a third of the deputies had building education. For a long time I was thinking and even trying to invent some explanations. For example: to build the new beautiful country you need to have a good building education.

But I came down to earth owing to one sophisticated deputy who had been a sophisticated manager of the works before. He explained me: «Only we, the builders, know the great secret: small suspended object can be covered only with big suspended object. A for example, you took money for public lavatory building. You fooled away the money and didn’t build the lavatory. Never mind! You give an announcement that building, of for example, new neighborhood is immediately begun around the

«Know-all» But there is only one problem. Today’s generation almost doesn’t remember Nikolay Nosov with his immortal «Adventures of Know-nothing», and if it does, for some reason it sympathizes with Know-nothing more than his positive antipode – Know-all.

I don’t know what the matter is. Probably the matter is in the Ukrainian mentality: people don’t really like those who know absolutely everything and at that behave themselves «somewhat insolently».

But the matter is different. The matter is in the Internet. After every Arseniy’s speech I go to the Internet and in surprise find out that everything he says is inexact, or incorrect, or amoral or puts on weight.

But, on the other hand, he always carries his iPhone and sooner or later will learn to use it more dexterously.

Of course, chances will increase. That’s why the main thing for him is to overcome temptation to use his head but not more reliable gadget.

Curiously enough, one more non-presidential but small project comes into scene: «Orange monster» Once our famous and genius compatriot Sergey Bulgakov, teaching philosophy in Kiev polytechnic institute, complained to his student that the Ukrainians in their bulk were apocalyptic. They always believe in some forthcoming miracles of the negative character indeed — in global troubles and shocks. And naturally wait for Messiah who will save them.

One day Victor Yushenko played the role of bright «orange» Messiah. But for some reason he still thinks: that wasn’t

It isn’t simple to think slowly and step slowly in absolute dissonance: dismiss – imprison, pass a law – repeal a law, go – not to go, deprive – appoint lavatory. And this new neighborhood covers the problem of the unfinished lavatory…»

Genius! That’s why Natalia is a good girl. Thanks God, we still have what to build in our country, whom to build and whom to adjust to. Therefore her immediate beginning of the presidential project building is very clever and modern step. The main thing is that inspectors wouldn’t come concerning the first unfinished object. And the second and more global, although more remote problem is: when will the money be distributed on the second global suspended object as successfully as for the first time, and what suspended object will cover them? Then author of presidential project’s might be «covered» at full scale.

There is, of course, Arseniy Petrovich who is built into the project under the code name:

his finished play but only a part of the endless soap opera. He went to the parliamentary elections being absolutely sure that everybody was waiting only for him, the rescuer from forthcoming global financial crisis, global warming, bandit power and Black Sea fleet. Now he certainly thinks that votes haven’t been counted correctly and probably is preparing for the coming presidential campaign. And although he has lost the electors’ beliefs, he managed to preserve this gift with respect to some sponsors.

The politician’s temptation to save the humanity or at least the nation isn’t surmountable, especially if the matter is money.

These projects, plans and communication maps are being drawn in the depth of the main pretenders’ cabinets.

What should we say more? The elections have finished, the elections begin… So don’t relax!

LET’S PRAY FOR UKRAINE… The parliamentary elections have passed. The Central election committee has announced their results. So it’s time for lessons, conclusions and forecasts Anatoly Tolstoukhov

We didn’t fight for freedom, it came as the God-given gift, the Soviet Union collapsed and new nightmare began...

«Nightmare» isn’t my assessment of what is going on. On the way from the «military and revolutionary» past to the «national and global» future we haven’t reached mutual understanding. In other words, independence wasn’t conceived by us. Independence isn’t our child yet.

We simply found it and haven’t enough time to refuse that child.

Shocks creators of ХХ century wanted the world revolution. Their great grandsons most of all wish their human happiness and least of all the global shocks. To raise the beauty and delicacy of Earth the humanity have climbed to the universe and reached the bottom of the ocean. But the past doesn’t let us go for free.

Today there are 7 billion people on Earth, and every fifth of them lives on $1,25 per day. Half a billion people don’t have an access to electricity, two and a half billion don’t have a toilet.

925 million people are starving. By 2050 there will be 9 billion of us and problems will be bigger.

For about a quarter of the new century we have been catching up the period of the past termination. Life of the whole generation... Probably, such moments cast the words of Confucius: living at the age of changes is the most undesirable thing. But these are not simple changes. This is an embodiment and birth of dream, this is the creation of new: without violence and war, without gulags, holodomors and repressions… Probably, this is our happiness for the present in comparison with those who lived before us. Our history

would write «don’t offer classics» in the notice, but sooner or later they should take classic parliamentary road. And then the word will be valued more than a hit. But for now this is a great risk for the famous boxer. Past elections have shown: when during the last two weeks he came to the wide screen with his speech, being tempted either by his inner voice or persuasions of sweet-voiced environment, his political force’s rating has dropped twice. That’s why besides the dilemma «to beat or not to beat» there may appear another more complex temptation – «to beat or to talk».

has rarely been developing stably. There were many events in our history… Not having been dropped out of the «history crisis» we immediately got into the «crisis of perspective», which carries the imprint of two world wars, humanist tragedies of the past, scientific and technical progress, demographic split that is more and more aggravated with challenges and risks of the global world.

That’s why between the «history crisis» and the «crisis of perspective» Ukraine was waited and isn’t released by the «crisis of politics». The world is not like it was in Bible days. And if Motherland doesn’t have a prophet who would lead people and people haven’t nominated him from the million of living, than the ordeals from the past, present and future should be overcome not in a search of the Promised Land but in development of the God-given one. And one has to plough it not by a plow but by politics. What should it be to let this land feeding people and being one of granaries for the humanity?

First of all by politics that overcomes the internal split, heals society and elite by its implicit service to Ukraine.

Politics has to turn to a process of accelerated modernization of all society life spheres. Running after the past it’s impossible to confidently feel yourself even a middling politician in present.

All the more it’s naively to make plans for competitive future. On post-Soviet area this was better realized by two states and their leaders: Russia and Kazakhstan. One more quality of politics, which is its modern cornerstone,

is the status of Ukraine as a full-fledged member and partner that won’t be torn between the West and the East but be given a chance to go together with the high and mighty to the new world order, resting upon its traditions, the best world experience and international standards.

To let such international community’s confidence accompanying our choice and path, politics has to provide the state, community, and a person’s balanced development in all spheres, directions and levels of life. It has to be universally «bimanous» in relation both to corruption that kills the power and people, and threatening historical characterlessness and civilization backwardness.

If we don’t know the Ukrainian society’s strengths and weaknesses, if it is an integral part of the international community, we can’t live and develop without estimating our real perspective for 5, 10, 25 years ahead. Otherwise others will estimate and realize it. Therefore the politics strategic planning is its another important characteristic.

Modern politics is passing from social and economic rates to a policy of value scales including such notions like ecology, education and culture. Without deep, careful and responsible «cultivation» of ecological and humanitarian field there won’t be possible to protect future from new cataclysms growing from the old «-isms», the deadly enemies of humanity: nationalism, bolshevism, fascism, terrorism etc, their clones – monsters and new «globalism viruses». The «consumption society» can further give birth to beautiful or ugly kilograms and centimeters of height and weight, a model and zombie, but… Only a person is a keeper of the key to a world of the integral future.

Forecasts The Ukrainian elections carried marks of different epochs, centuries and states. On the 24th of August we had our Independence Day. Then there were anniversaries of UIA and October revolution. These dates, like the elections, don’t unite but split society. Only on the 1st of September like one united family we go to the country of knowledge – the future.

Like a scale this future hesitates between a chance and crisis. And if after the presidential elections of 2010 chances were completely on the powers’ side, after the parliamentary elections of 2012 opposition demonstrates its readiness to fight for 2015 to the death.

Economy is now at the «crisis of growth»; politics is at the «crisis of stability». International relations are at the «crisis of trust». Therefore, there is every reason to talk about crisis of management effectiveness. Protest mood of the Ukrainian society and the international community’s anxiety about the Ukrainian situation are growing. We need changes that allow building politics that provides the integral, balanced and effective development of the state, society and person. People and time are waiting these solutions from the President, new parliament and the government. Otherwise, all that is in store for us, after the elections can turn out to be a «political mix» of non-chilled historical events: actions «Ukraine without Kuchma», «orange revolution», presidential elections of 2010 and struggle for their result, boycott and sanctions looming ahead… All these by hot stream would again spill over to streets and squares, if we don’t find a compromise between monopolism and radicalism, legitimacy and democracy, national and global, past and future.

One wouldn’t like that somewhere in Mariinsky palace we sign the Act of national agreement not to the screams «Glory to Ukraine» but in presence and under control of international representatives and supervisors. Ukraine needs a civilized but not a political mission. And while we’re waiting and the world is getting ready for the «end of the world» and New Years’ Eve party, let’s pray for Ukraine…

Lord, help us to reveal strengths you built into your creature to let our wings to rise and let me not to know other fate.

I didn’t look for other way than to serve people and you, to overcome all thresholds of life and become stronger in struggle.

In everything – memories and dreams, like Kobzar entrusted us, free Ukraine shall rise and be blessed by God. We are millions and your creation, but we have only one Ukraine, let’s bring her spring of escape and let’s spring stay with us!

From under the earth and from the sky we’re begged, from future and old times the ancestors and grandsons persuade with their immortal choir of voices: – God, help us to reveal strengths you build into your creature to get happy life and make the world better!

Chief editor Alexandra Pogorila Director Serhiy Hayday Issuing Editor Dmitrii Zahoruiko Designer Alexander Liubeznov Photo editor Roman Grabezhov Staff Olga Medvedeva Dmytro Zaborin Zinoviy Kurdov Alexander Lobanov Viktoria Vlasenko Proofreading Nadia Strieltsova Advertising Anna Kovalchuk The newspaper is registered in the State Registration Service of Ukraine Registration certificate KB №19426-9226P Publisher Intercontinental - Ukraine Co Ltd Circulation - 30 000 copies Editorial office Phone: +38 044 223 14 23 office@thekievtimes.org Translation agency «Translit» Representative offices Moscow moscow@thekievtimes.org Berlin berlin@thekievtimes.org Warsaw warszawa@thekievtimes.org Paris paris@thekievtimes.org Milan milan@thekievtimes.org Shanghai shanghai@thekievtimes.org New York newyork@thekievtimes.org London london@thekievtimes.org Distribution • Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine • Regional, city and district councils • Regional, city and district administrations • Representatives of international NGOs • Embassies of foreign countries in Ukraine • Embassies of Ukraine abroad • VIP-lounges of Ukrainian airports • Lounges of official delegations of Ukrainian airports • Yadlovsky Group restaurants • «Carte Blanche» restaurant chain • Hyatt Regency Hotel Kiev • Business Center «Parus», Kyiv • Riviera on Podol Hotel, Kyiv • National Cultural-Art and Museum Complex «Mystetskyi Arsenal» www.thekievtimes.org Р - advertising

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POLITICS/OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

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MR PRESIDENT, LET ME CONGRATULATE YOU...

On the 3d of December the First Deputy Attorney General of Ukraine Renat Kuzmin sent the Open letter to US President Barak Obama. The letter to US President has appeared as a consequence of the Department of Justice unwillingness to collaborate with the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine on case of Eugene Shcherban’s murder, absence of the US Senate reaction to the open letter and a number of provocations against Renat Kuzmin from the side of the US State Department and the American lobby of Julia Timoshenko. The Kiev Times publishes the comments of Renat Kuzmin, Ukrainian and American experts concerning this letter.

December 3, 2012 Mr. Barack Obama The President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C. 20500 USA Dear Mr. President: Please accept my congratulations on your victory. I wish you and your family health, happiness and prosperity.

The United States of America undoubtedly hold leadership as the standard-bearer of human rights and the stronghold of democracy. We highly appreciate the efforts of the USA that are directed to developing bilateral dialogue between our countries. We also value your aid in the formation of Ukraine as a constitutional state. We are certain that the United States is a strategic partner for Ukraine in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

By way of this letter, I would like to direct your attention to one of the burning issues that has complicated relations between Ukraine and the USA. This issue concerns the continuous interference of American lobby group in the taking of depositions of witnesses in the murder case of Eugene Scherban, the slain Ukrainian Member of Parliament. The matter is about Pavel Lazarenko, Peter Kirichenko and Nikolai Melnichenko, who now live in the USA and publicly claim their consent to give evidence in the case. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine has requested about 30 times that the U.S. Department of Justice assist us in organizing the interrogations of the aforementioned witnesses. Nonetheless, the U.S. Department of Justice continues to ignore these requests for depositions from Ukrainian.

By way of background, I should remind you that the Member of Ukrainian Parliament, Eugene Scherban, together with his wife and two colleagues, were shot in Donetsk airport in November 1996. After the shootings, only Mr. Scherban’s son survived. The actual perpetrators of the crime were found and they sustained punishment. The Prosecutor’s Office is vigorously pursuing those who ordered this murder.

The witnesses in this case, that reside in Ukraine, have given evidence to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, that in 2005 they, in accordance with the U.S. established procedure, provided documents upon the matter of Eugene Scherban’s murder and other related crimes to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office requested copies of this documentary evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as from the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine, John Tefft. Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office received no response to these requests for copies of this documentation from the U.S. Department of Justice. We had to resort to direct public appeals to American authorities with the request to receive assistance in investigating relevant cases.

In response, American Ambassador to Ukraine, John Tefft, claimed, that he had no information concerning availability of the aforementioned documentation requested by Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office. The U.S. Department of Justice has remained silent. Consequently, there is an impression, forming in Ukraine, that some American officials are concealing information, which could aid in the search for those, who ordered Eugene Scherban’s murder.

In addition, there is another very hazardous situation that has caused me to address this letter to you, dear Mr. President. There is an elaborated plan by the U.S. Department of Justice, initiated by some American and Ukrainian politicians, to counteract and eliminate the case of Eugene Scherban’s murder. One of the objec-

tives of this plan is contravene the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office indictment of Julia Tymoshenko and Pavel Lazarenko within the confines of the case. A former employee of President Leonid Kuchma’s security staff, Nikolai Melnichenko, who has recently returned to Ukraine from the USA, gave evidence about this plan to Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office investigators. One of the goals of this plan is not only to discredit the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office investigative group, but to discredit me personally as well. Initiators of the plan presumed to provoke my arrest in the territory of the USA, based upon specially fabricated indictments. Nikolai Melnichenko was to become a participant in this international provocation. The goal of my arrest was the discredit of my person before American authorities and thus corroborate that my actions’ were illegal in the USA. I was to be incriminated by alleging that I coerced a witness, Nikolai Melnichenko, in a murder case to give evidence to Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office investigators. Thus, the initiators of the plan intended to force termination not only of this murder investigation by Ukrainian authorities, but also other crimes, of which Mrs. Tymoshenko is accused.

During the interrogation process in Ukraine, Nikolai Melnichenko named all of the Ukrainian and American citizens involved in this unlawful plan. According to him, they were the representatives of lobbying firm Wiley Rein, LLP, Joe Williamson and Ralph Caccia, who were hired by Tymoshenko’s husband, Alexander, for creating her positive image in the USA and to discredit Ukrainian investigators. Also among those mentioned was former U.S. Congressman Jim Slattery, who lobbied Tymoshenko’s interests in the U.S. Congress and before the State Department, using personal relationships with the head of the U.S. State Department, Mrs. Hillary Clinton. There was also the lawyer Steve Bunnell, who assisted present Assistant Attorney General of the USA. Nikolai Melnichenko warned me beforehand about the provocation being prepared, was the only reason my illegal arrest in the USA was prevented.

I would like to emphasize, dear Mr. President, that the aforementioned persons, using their contacts, lobbied for the adoption of Resolution № 466 by the U.S. Senate in 2012, with the aim of intimidating Ukrainian authorities and forcing Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office to terminate its investigation of the murder case, in which Julia Tymoshenko is involved.

The Kiev Times editorial stuff has addressed with its questions to the First Deputy of Attorney General of Ukraine Renat Kuzmin In September 2012 your open letter to the U.S. Senate was published.

In Ukraine this letter first has been published by the Kyiv Post. What was the reaction of the U.S. Senate to your open letter?

The Open letter to the U.S. Senate is a necessary action. Its necessity was dictated by deterioration of relations between the USA and Ukraine and appearance of the U.S. Senate resolution №466. The reasons of the resolution, which is a discriminatory in relation to Ukraine, lie in one-sided presentation of the real Ukrainian situation made by some Ukrainian and American politicians. Technologists and politologists made me and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine the key heroes in this problem. It’s impossible to keep silence further. I’ve expounded my own position in the letter and nothing more.

Unfortunately, some Ukrainian mass-media have responded to the letter extremely amateurishly. The bright example of such amateurishness is the Kyiv Post publication. My letter has been prepared in three languages: Russian, Ukrainian and English. The Kyiv Post used only Russian text. The Russian-English translation was made extremely ungrammatically. Then with the help of automatic (most likely) translator the magazine’s specialists have made the Ukrainian translation of the letter and that variant the Kyiv Post has published on its web-site. Do you believe that English-speaking magazine couldn’t translate Russian text into English correctly? And what was the necessity of translation if the letter has been sent in

English too. I’m sure there is something behind such strange manipulation. The English and Ukrainian texts on the Kyiv Post web-site abounded in huge amount of mistakes, which supposedly were mine. Then this provocative publication aroused a tide of comments. You know – having read these comments, any attentive person would recognize their authors and objects they are pursuing.

As a consequence, several Ukrainian and American journalists have called me and asked whether I understood whom such primitive provocation is profitable for. I’ve abstained making comments and gave them the letter in three languages with suggestion to examine the situation. Soon the chief editor of the Kiyv Post has called me and asked for meeting. At the meeting he adduced official excuses on behalf of the magazine and offered to publish these official excuses on their website main page. He also said that would personally sort out who took the lead of such rude provocation and what was his motivation. I must admit that mister chief editor has kept his promises.

Immediately after the letter there was the reaction of the American Ambassy to Ukraine, which on October 19, 2012, sent me an official letter with information that my five-year visa to USA is cancelled. It may seem that the U.S. government machine really works like this, but I consider my visa deprivation to be a private initiative of some public officers who abuse office in the benefit of the Ukrainian customers – those who don’t need truth about Eugene Shcherban’s murder contractors.

What is the actual reason of appearance of a new letter to the U.S. President?

Relationships between the USA and Ukraine are strained to the limit. The reason is merely emotional. The Head of the U.S. State Department Hillary Clinton persistently impedes investigation in the criminal case of the Ukrainian member of parliament, Eugene Shcherban’s murder. The reason is simple: investigation has come into the straightway and claims about its readiness to indict Julia Timoshenko with involvement into this cruel murder. About 30 requests of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine to the U.S. Department of Justice to receive assistance in interrogating of witnesses, residing in the USA, remain unanswered. I’m sure that such attitude to our country isn’t the USA public policy, but realization of somebody’s private interests.

As Julia Timoshenko is the main reason of strained relationships between the USA and Ukraine, it would be reasonable to sort out, whom does the American supporters of Julia Timoshenko defend – the political prisoner or cruel murderer. Termination of Eugene Shcherban’s case will dot all i’s and cross all t’s. But there are forces that don’t need the truth. And, unfortunately, Ms Clinton has turned out to be on their side. Her all-round support of Ms Timoshenko probably has its reasons. But even Ms Clinton’s desire for the U.S. President status, for achievement of which she’ll need somebody’s sponsoring money, isn’t an argument

response is given, it becomes a scandal if no action is taken. I remind you that this is how the Watergate scandal eventually toppled the presidency of Richard Nixon. It was the failure of the FBI to investigate that made the press

investigate the matter and start asking the hard questions. Also, because of the potential impact on Mrs. Clinton, the issue is sensitive and could cause problems for the current administration. If somebody is trying to bury this issue then it becomes a political issue, and the Republicans can use it to taint the Democrats in the interim elections that take place in 2014 and impact the presidential elections in 2016.

There were precedents in the history of America when a letter of this kind has influenced the issues raised in it.

There are many examples of investigations following from letters just like this. The most recent example that is similar to this one is the way the U.S. House of Representatives included a stipulation in the repeal of the Jackson Vanik amendment legislation but included in the legislation a clause that requires that the President Mr. Obama publish the names of those believed to have been involved in the abuse and death of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian anti- corruption lawyer, who died in a Russian jail in 2009. It is believed that opposition leaders in Russia, such as

for the criminal case extinction where one of the main persons involved is Julia Timoshenko.

The last argument in favor of addressing the letter to the U.S. President has become another very hazardous situation. The U.S. Department of Justice on some American and Ukrainian politicians’ initiative has developed the elaborated plan to counteract the investigation and eliminate the case of Eugene Scherban’s murder. One of the objectives of this plan is contravene the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office indictment of Julia Tymoshenko and Pavel Lazarenko within the confines of the case. A former employee of President Leonid Kuchma’s security staff, Nikolai Melnichenko, gave evidence about this plan to Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office investigators. Initiators of the plan presumed to provoke my arrest in the territory of the USA, based upon specially fabricated indictments. I have informed of this provocation and its organizers to the U.S. President in the open letter.

I asked the U.S. President for assistance in establishing the truth. I also asked to encourage the U.S. Senate to reconsider its Resolution № 466 in order to make an informed decision concerning Ukraine that is based upon facts.

What to you think, will a letter to the U.S. President change the situation?

I hope that the open letter will become a precondition for changes in relations between Ukraine and the USA. My letter should help the President Barack Obama to sort out in existing situation and assume all possible measures to restore justice. Rapprochement of our countries is the matter of politicians and time. I’m confident that

At the end of September of this year, I addressed to the U.S. Congress as well as to the Vice President of the USA, Joseph Biden, an open letter. Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Viktor Pshonka, conveyed this letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, John Tefft. In the open letter I expounded my position and offered to organize my speech upon the case of Eugene Scherban’s murder in front of the U.S. Congress and American media representatives. I received no response to this letter, but on October 19, 2012, Mr. Tefft informed me about the cancellation of my 5 - year multiple entry visitor’s visa to the USA without providing any further explanations.

From my point of view, these actions contravene the international cooperation regulations between our two countries and undermine the authority of the United States. The officials from the State Department and the Department of Justice of the USA do not recognize international legal regulations and, in fact, show the example of the office abuse. They delude the President of the USA, Congress and American nation concerning Eugene Scherban’s murder and Julia Tymoshenko’s actual role in different crimes.

Ukraine cherishes great hopes for establishing the truth in this case of Eugene Scherban’s murder and instituting criminal proceedings against those who ordered this serious crime.

Dear Mr. President, I ask for your assistance in establishing the truth. I ask for your assistance in helping us obtain the sworn testimony of Peter Kirichenko and Pavel Lazarenko, residing in the USA, the witnesses in the case of Eugene Scherban’s murder. I ask for your unbiased appraisal of American officials’ actions, involved in organizing provocation against my person. I ask you to use the powers of your office to encourage the U.S. Senate to reconsider its recently adopted Resolution № 466 in order to make an informed decision concerning Ukraine that is based upon facts.

I would like to express my gratitude to you for your attention, as well as hope for continuing both working and human relations between our countries.

Respectfully yours, Renat Kuzmin First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine

any corrupt group even with huge money won’t prevent this.

Why don’t your legal opponents Sergey Vlasenko, Eugenia Timoshenko and their political ally Grigory Nemyrya deny the facts that prove Julia Timoshenko’s guilt, but assault personally you, manipulating information that don’t refer to the Timoshenko’s case?

There is a proven principle of a political rhetoric that is far from jurisprudence: «If you can’t deny the facts, compromise the source». How does it happen? State accuser, the prosecutor, presents the evidence of a defendant’s quilt to the court. The defendant and his lawyers having no arguments against these charges, having no facts proving the innocence of the accused, assault the prosecutor and allege him

with the most ridiculous offences. Instead of Timoshenko’s exculpatory evidence the defense alleges the prosecutor with the most ridiculous crimes.

That’s how Mr Vlasenko and Co act against me, understanding absolute weakness of the defense position.

Do you want to say that Timoshenko’s lawyers hadn’t been protecting her but charging Kuzmin?

Absolutely. If Timoshenko’s lawyers have been defending the client, possibly she wouldn’t be imprisoned now.

If the judges received exculpatory evidence of Timoshenko but not charges against the prosecutors, the case would take quite different turn. Unprofessional and amateur performance of the Timoshenko’s lawyers has brought to nothing all chances of ex-prime-minster Timoshenko to remain free.

COMMENTS Frank Abernathy, the legal advisor to the U.S. government, the member of the Bar of Tennessee and Connecticut, the member the university Board of Directors, the member of the Board of Directors of Florida fund Spiritual Diplomacy, the member of the Elections Supervisory Board of America There is a possibility that the President won’t receive the letter. Most likely it will be sent to the FBI or the Department of Justice.

It would be more appropriate for Mr. Kuzmin to direct his letter to the U.S. Attorney General, Mr. Eric H. Holder, for review and consideration. In fact this is a request to assist and aid in the investigation of crimes where some witnesses stay or reside in the USA. Yes, the letter of Mr. Kuzmin could have an effect and influence the problems introduced. The allegations in the letter are serious and involve investigations into a very public and sensation assassination of a sitting politician even though it happened many years ago. Once the letter is sent to any USA official and no

Boris Nemtsov and others, started this campaign by giving a letter to Hillary Clinton.

Victor Nebozhenko, a political scientist, the director of «Ukrainian barometer» Sociological service The letter of the First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Renat Kuzmin to the U.S. President Barack Obama has a sensational character and certainly will become the subject of both Ukrainian and international press close attention. It’s hard to say what is more in this letter: despair, hope for help and for justice or interest? In any case Renat Kuzmin has no lack of courage.

Only that person who is absolutely confident in his rightness can openly tell about a plot against him and call the names of the plot’s organizers. Hopefully, the letter of Renat Kuzmin will allow overcoming obstacles that appear on the way of the USA and Ukrainian law-enforcement authorities’ coordination. Anyway the American side would have to make an official investigation concerning all American citizens mentioned in the letter.

I’d like to believe that the letter to the U.S. President Mr Obama will also allow to sorting out the situation concerning Kuzmin’s planned arrest in the USA and this is informed in the letter.

If the arrest of Renat Kuzmin has been really planned in the USA, he did it right to sent this letter to the President of the USA himself. In case of Kuzmin’s arrest in the USA nobody would believe in plot as a tool of opposition to investigation of case about murder of the Ukrainian parliament member Eugene Scherban.

It is also not known what would be the behavior of the constant witness of resonance crimes Nikolay Melnichenko in such situation.

One can suppose that on the example of aggressive attitude to Mr Kuzmin a certain group of the US state officials demonstrates Ukraine a model of pressure on any disliked representative of superpower or business. Now any Ukrainian official will think: if they treated Mr Kuzmin like this, what will they do with me?

Nevertheless, I’d like to believe that even the arrest of the First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Renat Kuzmin won’t lead to automatic closing of Eugene Scherban’s murder. For a long time the Ukrainian society has been waiting for honest investigation and fair court’s assessment of this crime.

4

POLITICS/PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

THE ELECTIONS THAT PUZZLED THE WEST? The elections to the Ukrainian Verkhovnaya Rada conducted at the end of October this year were very important not only from the point of view of further country’s domestic economic and political development. They also have critical meaning for determination of the main vectors of Kiev’s foreign policy, for its further balancing between the East and the West Geostrategy – the Group of Global reconnaissance, specially for The Kiev Times

Photo UNIAN

be able to ignore Victor Yanukovich and his regime. Elections have been conducted more freely than in many other post-Soviet republics, even if we can’t call them honest. And this means that to ignore Victor Yanukovich and his «regime» won’t be possible – Europe shall have to interact with him. Thus the first camp considers to necessarily begin preparations for the next summit of Ukraine-EU, where the long-suffering Agreement of association has to be signed.

«European doves» think that it will be better for Europe to offer their counter positive project: not only in the form of a short-term benefit and economic summits, but in the long-term perspective of participation in intra-European dialogue, cultural ties, freedom of movement and mutually beneficial exchanges. This would become that very offer, expected firstly by the opposition and the Ukrainians who gave their votes for it.

The second camp takes more radical position. EU has to take measures directed against reduction of democracy in Ukraine, but this has to be made not to harm the Ukrainian people. For example, the European Council should forbid the entry to EU countries for those who took part in demonstrative legal processes. But first of all the European politicians, especially Polish ones, have to stop communicating with Victor Yanukovich, thus aggravating his personal international isolation.

E

xactly the strategy of geopolitical balancing was chosen two years ago by the President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich. By the way, his choice in 2010 consolidated the current Ukrainian parliament, which will become the part of our history in several weeks. We talk about the adopted Law about domestic and foreign policy foundations, which has completely struck the Euro-Atlantic vector from the priorities, technically minimizing the development of a dialogue between Ukraine and NATO.

and his team. It was so sharp that by the end of 2012 the Ukrainian government found out to be in almost complete isolation. Visits of the President and the Prime-Minister of Ukraine to Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London acquired a tint of «political exotics». Frequent meetings of the Ukrainian government with the governments of Russia, CIS countries and rarely Poland have become well predictable result of such state of affairs, as well as exotic journeys of the head of the Ukrainian government to

tion of the Western states and institutions about this matter, but doesn’t give the assessment of what was going on in the Ukrainian courts during examination of Julia Timoshenko and Yuri Lutsenko’s cases. The group experts are also convinced in uselessness of substantive disputes with Europe concerning legality of these two Ukrainian opposition politicians’ imprisonment.

But the fact remains: until those two are imprisoned, Ukraine doesn’t worth to expect complete leveling of for-

The East and the West shall think about the same: shall Kiev trigger the mechanism of complete integration with the European Union or wish to come back to the former USSR, which is now resuscitated by the Russian government in the form of the Eurasian Union, in the same 2015 At that the law has kept two other important priorities – the development of strategic partnership with Russia and further integration with European Union including creation of free trade zone with the European Union. Thus, the principle of foreign-policy balance has been politically preserved and legally allocated on the legislative level.

The important example that demonstrates the practical Kiev’s realization of foreign-policy balance conception is two factors. On the one hand, the Ukrainian part agreed to sign so-called Kharkov agreements with Russia, which had prolonged the presence of Russian navy in Crimea to 2047. On the other hand, to keep its international balance Kiev has made all its efforts to terminate the preparation of the project of large-scale agreement of association with the European Union that opens possibilities for political and economic integration of Ukraine to EU. Making these steps that were ambiguous from the Ukrainian electors’ point of view, President Yanukovich probably understood that only with such compromise actions he would manage to develop large European state, which continues to look for its place on the European geopolitical map.

However, internal events of the last year in Ukraine have strongly undermined Kiev’s foreign-policy balance, cutting the ground from under it and depriving the political tools for supporting the international balance. The

the countries of Latin America and Middle East. Kiev also intensively developed its relationships with Turkey. One can joke that Ukraine and Turkey, which aren’t indulged with special integration attention of the European Union, have started to practical stage of Ottoman Empire rebirth. Time will show is that really the case. And now watching this «Eastern slant» of Kiev the European Union has made the political decision to look for the way out of this situation.

Parliamentary elections had to give a chance to begin long-lasting process of reloading of relationships between Ukraine and the West. What do we have today?

The West has made a big stake on the parliamentary election The parliamentary elections were impatiently and excitingly awaited

will provoke neighboring countries, for example Poland, to review their postwar boarders (the current government in Bucharest is constantly trying to return control over Ukrainian territories, such as Southern Bukovina and Northern Bessarabia). Thus the European Council can get a tense situation on its Eastern boarders and this situation may develop into the military conflict with participation of Ukraine and Romania – the member country of NATO and EU. The third one. Binding of opposition politicians’ deeds to the signature of Agreement of association with Ukraine has already become a tragic geopolitical mistake. Agreements had to be signed with Ukraine in any circumstances in December 2011 during Ukraine-EU summit. Then Vladimir Putin was the

Prime-Minister and not the President of Russia. And Ukraine hadn’t received this urgent offer to enter the Customs Union instead of the European one.

Today it is hopefully that after analyzing these important factors the West shall apply the results of the parliamentary elections for beginning the process of relationships defrosting.

What shall be further relationships between the West and Ukraine?

The Central Electoral Committee hasn’t announced the official results of the elections to the Parliament yet.

However, today the West that reached a certain political deadlock has been divided into two camps.

The first camp consider that the election results have shown: Europe won’t

In this case Ukraine may become the country of constant political conflicts, and this will lead to the appearance of instability zone at the heart of Europe in Brussels (the European Union and NATO headquarter), Vienna (OSCE headquarter), Strasburg (the European Council) and in Washington. These centers of European and world military and political and financial influence did everything possible to let Julia Timoshenko and Yuri Lutsenko take part in the parliamentary elections. These

By the end of 2012 the Ukrainian government found out to be in almost complete isolation matter is about the former Ukrainian government officials – prime-minister Julia Timoshenko and minister of home affairs Yuri Lutsenko. Their pre-trial arrest and then the arrest have led to the Western country’s reaction that was unexpectedly sharp for Victor Yanukovich

eign-policy balance at the expense of improvement of relationships with the West.

But partial leveling of geopolitical balance may still happen after the elections to the Ukrainian parliament. Comprehending this, the West has made a big stake on the current elections.

During the last six months Brussels and Washington have diligently repeated that honest and transparent elections to Verkhovnaya Rada would trigger the process of the Ukrainian government rehabilitation in the western democracies’ eyes.

And then the elections went through.

Many discrepant assessments of their conduct and counting of votes continue to be heard from all political process’s participants without exception. Supervisors of OSCE, the European parliament, the European Council, NATO

Everybody affirmed that the conditions where the opposition leaders continue to be in prison can’t a priori be recognized to be completely democratic

Presidential elections of 2015 are the main goal Soon the Ukrainian community will see, which of the abovementioned western viewpoints had won. Just in a couple of months during regular summit of Ukraine-EU, the counties of Western Europe will show whether they are ready to keep on working with the current Ukrainian government or on the contrary they will unbury the hatchet and shoot the words until current Ukrainian regime will be overthrown.

Of course, everybody will wait for 2015, because that year the presidential elections will take place (if nothing changes in the country by that moment), and they will allow to reboot both domestic policy system in Ukraine and its foreign policy priorities. At that the East and the West will think about the same: will Kiev, trigger the mechanism of complete integration with the European Union or wish to come back to the former USSR, which is now resuscitated by the Russian government in the form of the Eurasian Union, in the same 2015.

But, in any event, the choice will be up to the Ukrainian citizens who according to the last parliamentary elections results have their own opinion concerning their own country’s perspectives.

influential authors of international relationships are still convinced that the opposition politicians were judged exclusively on the assumption of political reasonability, but not for the Ukrainian legislation gross violation. Geostrategy group simply states the existent posi-

Parliamentary Assembly and USA have given a lot of critical comments, pointing to the absence of equal conditions for the elections’ participants. Everybody affirmed that the conditions where the opposition leaders continue to be in prison can’t a priori be recognized to be completely democratic.

However it’s interesting that all western supervisors, according to the assessments of Geostrategy group, expected far worse conduct of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine. Nobody thought that among five political parties that have passed to the Rada three of them would be really opposition: United opposition, UDAR and «Svoboda» (and not conditionally opposition like, for example, «Ukraine – vpered!» («Ukraine – forward!»). And the general percentage result of these parties shall be higher than the results of the Party of regions and Communist party.

The West hadn’t expected such rapid situation development During last year the Western states have raised the political and informational pressure on Kiev to the maximum, thus creating several dangerous precedents.

The first one. In case if the representatives of today’s opposition shall win the presidential elections in 2015, the Party of regions may keep to the beaten track of technology of Europe and USA involvement into the Ukrainian internal political struggle. In this case Ukraine may become the country of constant political conflicts, and this will lead to the appearance of instability zone at the heart of Europe.

The second one. As a consequence, unstable internal situation in Ukraine

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POLITICS/PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

5

THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE AND EURASIAN INTEGRATION After having stayed out of the EU and refusing from close integration with The Customs Union Ukraine is in the «gray» zone, which is not good for Ukrainian economics Vladislav Gulevich

t was said many times that Ukraine appeared in the «gray» zone staying out of the EU’s borders and not taking place in the integration processes of its nearest Eastern neighbors’ Eurasian area (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan).

It was noted many times that such position wouldn’t be good for Ukrainian economics. At best such Status Quo

ical development rates due to the inability to faster the export distribution ramp up in the sectors and sections important for the country. After the beginning of the financial crisis Europe has been limiting its markets from non-grata players, hereupon the Ukraine’s commercial fractions declined against the raise of the CIS fraction.

What should we do next? Do we need to creep to the place where we are not welcomed (the EU) or capriciously sulking not to go where we are welcomed (the EAU)? is effective for the narrow stratum of business elite, which pursues its own enrichment but not the state’s one. The question appears: what should we do next? Do we need to creep to the place where we`re not welcomed (the EU) or capriciously sulking not to go where we are welcomed (the EAU)? Kiev incorporation with the EU would be quite feasible if one takes into account difficult economical situation in Europe and takes on advantage the grate commercial and industrial relations potential within the former USSR borders, which were rashly broken on the wave of independence euphoria.

Second, according to the forecasts of the American City Group any European country won’t be represented among the leading world’s economics by 2050. The Ukrainian government should take this into account. The centre of economic life consistently moves to the East, to the Asia Pacific Region (the APR). The possibility to tune remunerable commercial and economical relations with the APR countries will be vital for its neighbors, Russia and Kazakhstan, within the Customs Union.

No wonder that the CU is interested by New Zeeland and Vietnam. Nowadays Ukraine falls behind Russia, Kazakh-

is impossible without Ukraine. That’s why Brussels follows ultimate tactics to threaten Kiev with financial troubles if it wants to join the economic initiatives of its Eastern neighbors («if you are with the CFMZ – you’re not with the EU»). From the other side Moscow shows extremely flexible approach, underlying that the CFMZ-integration for Kiev doesn’t mean the termination of relationships with the EU. Third, not all members among European politicians consider the Eurasian Union project to be Russophobia’s thing. There are also people who forecast the perspective of the EAU transformation into the economical centre alternative to Europe as an acceptable solution of certain problems standing

According to the forecasts of American City Group any European country won’t be represented among the leading world’s economics by 2050 against Europe, for example, an emigrational burden lightening (superfluous labor force from Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine moves not to the West, but to the East), possibility to set mutual profitable relations between European and

According to the data of Eurasian Development bank, Ukraine’s participation in the Customs Union will allow its economics to get 6% of additional growth in the estimated development period (up to 2030) First, it’d give a possibility to enliven Ukrainian economics. According to the data of the Eurasian Development bank, Ukraine’s participation in the Customs Union will allow its economics to get 6% of additional growth in the estimated development period (up to 2030). Ukraine’s absence in integration processes development on former Soviet area tends to its economic sectoral structure conservation and as the result to the eventual deceleration of econom-

stan and Belarus in general economical indexes, but it continues to behave like stubborn donkey standing on a road not willing to go and not letting others to pass. Kiev’s passive concern in the integration processes of forming Common Free Market Zone (the CFMZ) of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan automatically doesn’t allow this integration project to get full economical, political and social power because the self-contained industrial and economical CFMZ cycle

history. Leave for the EU is a shift of the vision on psychological level. There is a feeling that Kiev is ashamed of its history, covertly confirming its defectiveness like «I want to be in Europe where I haven’t been before and I want to be a part of the Western political and economical space».

An idea of Eastern Europe is not only geographical point, but also political, ideological point. American scientist Larry Wolf pointed on the original political and cultural inferiority of Eastern Europe concept with respect to Western Europe. Eastern Europe is necessary for Western Europe as the psychological tool for its political and cultural model extrapolation against the background of Eastern European state formations

Eurasian economics. A few European companies have already taken an action on Kazakhstan market, coming from Russia due to the border-crossing regime liberation within the CU. Fourth, long-standings position of Ukraine in the EU waiting room doesn’t seem to be good reputation for the state. As Kiev, being the capital of Eastern Europe, is persistently asking to join other neighboring civilization, refusing from the succession of its own

and their political mechanisms. European East hes got a role of the halfclone of the West, its problem appendage. This is not accident that there is a term «Central-Eastern Europe» to mark the states, which traditionally refer to the West (Germany), and also passed to the Western camp of Warsaw Treaty Organization. The pass to the Western camp means the breakdown of «Eastern Europe» status. It seems that Kiev wants to choose the same way not considering its historical heritage by

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apprehension of Anglo-Saxon liberal economic theories. This way was shared

by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. These countries` elite tried to escape from «Eastern European state» as from civilization brand. But they have never fallen out the European civilization area and nowadays they show more contumacy in relations with Brussels not wishing to be absorbed by European «dissolution boiler». First of all it regards to Hungary, which causes angry censures from the EU due to its extremely freedom-loving politics, and to Poland where the lowest strata support the disgraced Hungarian prime-minister Viktor Orban, and in the same time

manifestations in support of V. Orban).

The last parliament elections again put a question about what way Ukraine will select. In general the positive results of the opposition parties on these elections give a possibility to consider that the Ukrainian politics beceme more radicalized. We’ll witness the expressive demands to denounce the Kharkov agreements with the Russian Federation, strengthening of the Western influence on the Ukrainian political field, frank undermining informational actions directed against Eurasian integration ideas. That’s why the Western supervisors are concerned not with the growth of ultra-right Ukrainian society

Long-standing position of Ukraine in the EU waiting room doesn’t seem to be good reputation for the state. As Kiev, being the capital of Eastern Europe, is persistently asking to join other neighboring civilization, refusing from the succession of its own history getting rid of it with the help of psychological withdrawals of population strata with the most traditional way of thinking, not damaged with uncritical

the highest strata offer this support as an action of marginal persons clusters (in March 2012 thousands of ordinary Poles moved to Budapest to take part in

moods (the election results of «Svoboda»), but with the perspectives of the Party of Regions to form the parliamentary majority.

THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE CAN SHOW UKRAINE THE DOOR – Would you mind to meet to discuss the Ukrainian parliamentary elections results? – I called the leader of CE communications directorate Daniel Heltgen.

– We have the official statement of international supervisors’ group concerning this on our website and I don’t consider necessary to add anything to the stated.

If such necessity appears I’ll connect with you, – answered mister Heltgen and hung-up the phone Victoria Vlasenko, specially for «The KievTimes»

There is no miracle I didn’t expect another reply. Recently the European Council’s officials reluctantly discuss the Ukrainian subject and mention little Ukraine during semi-formal meetings with journalists.

Because any said word that doesn’t fit in the limits of thoroughly checked phrases expressing the official position of the Council of Europe towards Ukraine of Julia Timoshenko’s period can fast tighten the tangled knot of our relationships with this authoritative European organization. And the statement of international supervisors mentioned by

programs in mass-media. And the main thing, as the supervisors say, that the participants of the political pre-election process hadn’t equal possibilities.

The Head of supervisors’ delegation of the European Council Parliamentary Assembly on our parliamentary elections, Swiss Andreas Gross stated that the election process in the country was totally oligarchied. «Nationals lost the possibility to control the elections and lost their belief in them» – this is the opinion of PACE. Andreas Gross also expressed his regrets concerning the fact that during the elections «the huge

openly Kiev that in case of Julia Timoshenko’s and Yuri Lutsenko’s nonparticipation the elections won’t be recognized democratic. And although our Ministry of Home Affairs took offence against western criticism that overfilled news pages of post-election days, one can hardly call this differently than diplomatic coquetry. Andreas Gross when visiting Kiev about a month ago in the network of pre-election mission of PACE, had givenen unprecedented tough interview to one of the Ukrainian magazines where he openly stated that doubted in the Ukrainian power’s abil-

It is difficult to believe in honesty of Ukrainian judges and prosecutors who come to Strasburg to seminars and consultations from head to toe wearing super-expensive brands and breathtaking watches on their wrists Daniel Heltgen can be referred to these checked phrases. It says that parliamentary elections in Ukraine were held in conditions of political prejudice, abuse of administrative resource at the lack of election campaigns transparent financing and balanced coverage of all party’s

democratic potential of the Ukrainian society» hasn’t been realized.

This statement hasn’t become sensational as the European Council’s position towards our elections was clear long before the 29th of October. More than once Strasburg dropped hints and

ity to carry out honest and transparent elections. To his opinion, Ukraine has great problems with freedom of speech and human rights, and here our country’s situation is worse that even in Russia where they indeed have civil protest actions against authorities’ ac-

tions, while Ukrainian people lost their faith in the possibility of democratic changes. One should say that during the autumn session of PACE Andreas Gross was reproved for that frank interview and even threatened to be deprived of PACE supervisors’ delegation head for expressing his personal opinion instead of the opinion of the delegation members. But those who are familiar with the world of international politics conventions and rules of play, understand that the PACE representative’s statements weren’t a simple emotional splash. And Strasburg’s annoyance wasn’t driven by that interview content but by the fact that Andreas Gross a month in advance has given his formula prepared to the Ukrainian elections – the assessment of their results (this is like you say happy birthday in advance – it seems that the words are right, but they acquire their meaning only when the cherished day comes).

Enfant terrible of the European family What now? Kiev has nothing to do but to wait for the January session of PACE

with shudder. During their autumn session the European deputies almost didn’t remember about Ukraine, waiting for termination of the parliamentary elections to receive one more hard evidence that Kiev breaks fundamental principles of the European Council member country. By this moment Strasburg has the decision of the European human rights court that recognizes the case against Yuri Lutsenko to be politically motivated; there is a fresh resolution of PACE containing clear definition of the term «political prisoner» and unflattering summary of PACE supervisors concerning parliamentary elections conduct. Probably for the beginning the Parliamentary Assembly can deprive the new Ukrainian parliamentary delegation their authorities. After that it is not ruled out that Ukraine will repeat the way of Belarus – our EC membership can be suspended.

Of course, this is the scenario of extreme measures. Nobody wishes to believe that yellow and blue flag, which was so happy event for Ukraine in 1995, will be dropped on the lawn in front of the European Palace in Strasburg. One

wishes to believe that the European Council will give Ukraine a chance and try to jointly find optimal way out of international political and legal deadlock that has become Julia Timoshenko’s case and which Strasburg seems to be happy to quickly extricate itself from.

But Kiev has to finally learn: if we have signed up to the European club and imagine ourselves to be the part of civilized Europe, obey the rules of the game considering one very important condition, which for some reason is often ignored by the Ukrainian politicians. All these rules can’t be broken without exception. That’s why in Strasburg they don’t believe into sincerity of Bankovaya’s statements about adherence to Euro-integration against the background of Julia Timoshenko’s case or about freedom of speech prosperity and parallel campaign of opposition TV-channel closing. Exactly as sometimes is difficult to believe in honesty of Ukrainian judges and prosecutors who come to Strasburg to seminars and consultations from head to toe wearing super-expensive brands and breathtaking watches on their wrists.

Kiev has nothing to do but to wait for the January session of PACE with shudder Such things are not and won’t be understood here. And no matter how we try to hide remains of our dignity behind the statements that we shall not tolerate intervention into our domestic politics from the direction of the European Council, they sound rather unconvincing. Because Ukraine has made an application for the entry to the Council of Europe and it received detailed conditions of membership in this organization. From the other hand, Euro-isolation of Ukraine is a doubtful educational measure, which shall not only throw our country back for ten years, but also change alignment of forces on geopolitical map of Europe not in a very good sense. And if considering that other 46 member countries of EC also fall short of this organization Charter high principles, Strasburg nevertheless has to shift its relationships with Kiev from the point of progressive freezing to the new reference point.

6

ECONOMICS

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

WHY THERE WON’T BE MONEY IN UKRAINE? Two main events stories that are taking place in the world today and determining the development of states and nations for the nearest historical perspective are: the world war for resources and process of the world financial system’s (WFS) transformation. Both scenarios are tightly interwoven and have common roots and tasks

Photo Ukrainian News

Alexander Dudchak, the candidate of economic science

A

nd redivision of resources and its derivatives in the form of pseudo-democratic coups with the help of traditional scenarios of «colored» revolutions with removal of legitimate powers; direct armed aggression or combination of armed intervention with non-violent influence technologies.

WFS transformation is made with the purpose of its reduction to today’s requirements. However, WFS in this

of State statistics service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian foreign-trade imbalance in 2011 made $6,7475 billion (although according to the data of CIA official website – www.cia.gov – the Ukrainian foreign-trade imbalance in 2011 made $13,8 billion).

No export – no money. No money – no import. And if there won’t be import – the population’s standard of living will considerably suffer. This is inadmissi-

No export - no money. No money - no import. And if there won't be import - the populations' standard of living will considerably suffer process is both the subject and the object – it not and not so much adapts to changing conditions as is the direct designer forming the global management systems and conditions of the majority of the world economic functioning according to the requirements of the world’s financial and industrial elite.

The world financial system’s transformation Traditional problem that can’t be solved by our government is the lack of money. It isn’t enough almost in all respects – from milk production to aircraft industry. Why? Beginning from 2004 the Ukrainian foreign-trade balance has been traditionally negative. According to the data

ble in our country because the period between elections is limited, they are regularly conducted – parliamentary elections, then presidential elections and then again parliamentary ones etc.

To agree to decline the standard of life at the expense of import reduction and as a consequence decline the electors’ standard of life will mean to lose a significant part of the electorate and grant of weighty trump cards to one’s opponents in another pre-election campaign.

And it isn’t important what political force exactly holds the power.

It is correct to view the political forces’ state of affairs in Ukraine according to a simple formula: there is the political force «Х» and political force «У». «Х» – is the «current force», «У» – is the

«current opposition». And changing the order of these summands doesn’t increase the sum in the wallet of an average Ukrainian.

As we are in the permanent state of pre-election campaign, the «current» government will do everything to make the populations’ standard of living at least not to fall down. As a consequence, the government will look for financing resources to cover the foreign-trade imbalance. As the Ukrainian capital can’t boast its presence abroad, there is not to wait for financial assets inflow from its functioning in other countries. However, the capital that realizes its activity abroad isn’t in a hurry to return the dividends to the origin country. The imbalance shall be covered by credits, and the part of new credits will immediately go for servicing of the earlier raised credits.

Import and GDP of Ukraine GDP of Ukraine in 2011 made $165 billion, import – $83,22 billion i.e. approximately half of GDP. It’s impossible to refuse import because we already don’t have industry that could substitute the main part of the imported articles, even at the expense of quality reduction. One could refuse Italian boots and wear kersey boots but they were sold by a warrant officer long ago.

We also have the ability to manufacture some kinds of high-technology production on the level of the best

world standards. In 2003 the Minister of Defense of Germany was dismissed from his post for calling our plane An-70 the best in its class. True, this production, which has been developed during Soviet period (what an amazing supply of intellectual durability of the Soviet inventions!) for the years of «independence» didn’t create anything principally new.

We even have orders for such production. The only thing we miss is circulating assets! How is it possible that there are no circulating assets for the state enterprise, if launch of production can guarantee a considerable profit, provision of specialists, technicians and employees of research institute and construction bureaus with job, as well as offer the taxes receipt into the state budget?

Independent National bank?

For incredible economic wisdom we’re issued the provision that Ukraine as a member of the International Monetary Fund (from 1992) is forced to implement and in accordance with which the Ukrainian government (like the governments of other states) interacts with a central bank – in our case this is the National bank of Ukraine. According to this provision the National bank of Ukraine is independent from the Government of the country. The Government may command such volume of finances for crediting its projects that corresponds with the volume of dollars (or other reserve currencies) having entered the economy. It is assumed that discrepancy between money supply vol-

low spending IMF credits for rebirth of the competitors for Boeing and Airbus.

Credits from IMF are always accompanied by political requirements and requirements to change domestic and foreign legislation. Even the traditional requirement to all countries that receive the credits from IMF are total privat-

«Х» – is the «current power», «У» – is the «current opposition».

And changing the order of these summands doesn't increase the sum in the wallets of an average Ukrainian ization, foreign trade liberalization, increase of municipal tariffs, freezing of income in a state sector, advance of the cost of energy resources for population etc. All these measures intensively hit the living standard of people who settle the territories controlled by IMF. To force a person to fight for physical survival means to deprive him the possibility to think about higher matters, the ability to discuss the means of egress from existing situation. And if our government doesn’t incur debts this means that the elections are coming. Increase of debts is an unpopular measure, but as soon as elections pass, one of the first visits of official delegation is invariably made to IMF headquarter for new assistance «at very low percents».

There will never be money in the country by other reasons According to the same CIA (www.cia. gov), export of Ukraine in 2011 made $69,42 billion. A part of the received

In 2003 the Minister of Defence of Germany was dismissed from his post for calling our plane An-70 the best in its class ume and volume of dollars, which have entered the country, leads to inflation.

However the inflation is caused rather by thousands of Julia and Vitya, but not investments of the Government into the aircraft industry, space industry, road building and others.

Formerly USA came out of the Great depression by providing its citizens with job on building of arterial highways. As is known, one dollar invested into the building attracts additional 6-7 dollars from related branches. But if you ask our wise western consultants whether it is worth to use their experience of withdrawal from crisis, you’ll receive the certain answer: «you don’t need to follow the way we used to withdraw from crisis, but the way we’re now talking you about».

IMF political requirements in addition In such situation the country will always be short of money. Nobody al-

rities». Their profitability makes about 1,5%. As the matter of fact this is the financing of USA economy. These «capital securities» are purchased for dollars received from export. Being crediting abroad i.e. exchanging dollars earned by other countries for treasury bonds, USA at the same time solve one more import-

funds is spent for the creation of gold and currency reserves (GCR). As of the 1st of January 2012 their main part is kept in so called «capital securities». $18,675 billion or 58,7% of all reserves are invested into these «capital securities» (currency in GCR in Ukraine was kept in the sum of $11,717 billion or 36,8%, and the gold reserve makes $1,385 billion or 4,4% from all these reserves, and even these figures are on correspondent «gold» accounts).

In this case the «capital securities» are usually not the stock of enterprises, but treasury bonds of USA. The rule is to keep a considerable part of the currency reserves because these are «reliable» although not very profitable «capital secu-

ant task – liquidate the threat of collapse of their own (that means the world’s one too) currency system that could happen if any of the countries group shall present available dollar mass for payment (in principle this could be made even by a single country – China: from $3,3 trillion of Chinese GCR 70% are nominated in dollars). We’re financing USA. At 1,5%. And who’s financing us? The International Monetary Fund. And value of this credit in dollars reaches 9-10%!

Strange system – isn’t it? The system, which doesn’t allow us to finance our economy directly, and we have to resort to such «effective» mediation. We don’t have right to finance our government but must finance the foreign one. Will money for us appear in such system?

One more reason why there will never be money.

In conditions of the current system at which both the current power and so called «opposition» preach ideas of the capitalistic society, there is no chance for Ukrainian transnational corporation to appear.

Even if we have our kulibins, teslas and jobses, to rise to the level of TNK or at least the level of a large capital we again need the credit resources. Cost of credits for business in Ukraine is known and it considerably exceeds the cost of similar credits in the «developed» and «civilized» countries. If a local capital for some reason has managed to rise to the level at which it’s necessary to start competition with foreign competitors, the question of further development is accompanied with the problem of additional financial resources attraction.

And one of the survival conditions is a crediting rate, comparable with those rendered by foreign competitors. To receive equal conditions one can simply turn into his relative. This means export of the capital from the country, registration of enterprises abroad including off shores. That’s why among all countries

We're financing USA. At 1,5%. And who's financing us?

The International Monetary Fund. And value of this credit in dollars reaches 9-10%!

ECONOMICS

7

Photo Ukrainian News

www.thekievtimes.org

where the Ukrainian oligarchs direct their funds, Cyprus keeps 92% of the entire investment sum! That’s why Cyprus stably takes the leading place among countries-investors of Ukraine – about 24% of all foreign investments come from this Mediterranean country. That’s why Cyprus being the offshore territory traditionally doesn’t get to the list of

indifference to the population, which is faced with survival on this land and this population’s destiny is to become a rough adjunct in the form of a cheap labor force for international financial capital.

The Ukrainian economy is the economy of wasting. We waste everything that our ancestors have left for us almost not

Nobody allow spending IMF credits for rebirth of the competitors for Boeing and Airbus offshores that is regularly created by the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine supposedly with the purpose of struggle with illegal financial activity and money laundering. In reality the domestic oligarchs, withdrawing the capitals from Ukraine, return a part of them under the mask of «foreign investments» using protection of the Ukrainian law about foreign investment regime. This again confirms the fact that the «capital hasn’t a homeland». There can’t be large Ukrainian capital by definition. In addition this means the reduction of resources of the state budget taxes completion.

Privatization against the economic science Contrary to a certain truth in the economic science according to which unprofitable state enterprises are subject to privatization, we privatize only profitable enterprises. Ukrtelecom and Oblenergo can’t be unprofitable! Their privatization isn’t a simple sale of valuable state property but a threat for national safety. Turn has come to the list of enterprises that aren’t subject to privatization. Only 296 will remain of such 1492 enterprises. We can call this the government’s compulsory measure – «stopping the holes» in a budget. This measure follows from the abovementioned, it is burdened with the power’s

creating anything new. Even the land is ready to be sold. Substituting the political forces from «Х» to «У», Ukraine makes even not circles around but a spiral that is curled inside, constantly narrowing the radius. In such conditions the struggle for enrichment sources reducing becomes sharper. Those who manage to survive in this struggle will try to insure themselves from the next «summand change». However, search of the way-out of this circle-spiral that is doomed to catastrophe doesn’t enter the list of the main «Х’s» and «У’s» tasks: the victories in constant intestine strife and earthing up of electorate for the following elections are more important.

Privatized enterprises had always successfully been reducing their tax

elections without delay hurries to get new IMF credits.

Is there a way out of this exclusive circle?

Like the majority of countries Ukraine in the nearest future will stay in an overtaking role, as usual be in crisis state and act in the parameters of preliminarily imposed and dictated scenario of activity.

Only a state or union able to live in autarchy can survive in modern conditions and conduct independent politics.

This doesn’t mean that it’s necessary to live in such conditions – it is necessary to be able to do this.

Autarchy is a system of exclusive reproduction of society with minimal dependence from exchange with external environment; economic regime of the country’s self-sufficiency that minimizes foreign trade turnover. In the modern economic vocabulary the autarchy means the inside-oriented economy, oriented to itself and to development without connections with other countries. In this relation the autarchy is the closed economy, the economy offering absolute sovereignty. («Innovational activity» thesaurus, 2008) Such absolute sovereignty when there is no need to listen to advices of IMF, WB, WTO and others can be allowed only by few states.

territory of this or these states, whose presence doesn’t admit even a simple thought about the possibility to attack at the potential aggressor; – a self-sufficient market able to create and consume any high-technology serial product – this is the market with 250 million people.

The combination of these components fully presents only in the Eurasian economic union. As it develops and with new countries’ entrance to EurAsEC, this union’s power and ability for independent development will become stronger. Resistance from the side of the «developed democracy countries» to the creation of the powerful union – EurAsEC – will also become stronger.

But today association of Russia, Bela­ rus and Kazakhstan makes almost 40% of the world natural resources supplies, the second world nuclear potential, qualified labor force and sufficient agricultural resources. And in addition unique diversity of climate zones – from arctic to subtropical.

Unfortunately the interests of the current Ukrainian leaders are the interests of large capital already integrated into the world financial system and being in severe dependence from the interests of the world financial and industrial capital. These interests first of all lie in non-admission of formation or more precisely the rebirth of geopolitical pole

Among all countries where the Ukrainian oligarchs direct their funds, Cyprus keeps 92% of the entire investment sum! That's why Cyprus stably takes the leading place among countries-investors of Ukraine – about 24% payments. But filling of the budget wasn’t cancelled by anybody. That’s why small and medium businesses will again be undergone squeezing, regardless of possible alternate power change between «Х» and «У». And that’s why every new-old power after the regular

For this the state or union needs: – a huge supply of natural resources; – a powerful scientific and technical potential able to create and realize the foremost achievements of science and technology in batch production; – armed forces able to protect the

on post-Soviet territories of Eurasia and strengthening of any integration processes among former USSR republics (such problem is set in Resolution 120 of USA Congress in support of the Ukrainian independence, passed by the House of Representatives on 04.09.1996,

and by USA Senate on 20.09.1996). That is why the Ukrainian power, the current one or the «united opposition», will work off the instructions of «respected» global financial organizations (however,

stand up, they would immediately turn to Iran. Like Z. Brzezinski said: «Syria and Iran will become the last nail on Russia and China’s coffin cover». Besides, establishment of control over Iran

It is curiously enough, but integration of Ukraine into the Customs Union (CU) and Eurasian structures is more beneficial for Ukraine itself than for other CU participants the current «opposition» is not so much representatives of large Ukrainian capital as the representatives of «democratic community» from their youth sitting on the western grants: such «fifth column» costs the West much cheaper).

Eurasian vector It is curiously enough, but integration of Ukraine into the Customs Union (CU) and Eurasian structures is more beneficial for Ukraine itself than for other CU participants. Even without Ukraine the union will be powerful, will offer resistance to IMF and other global financial structures. However, it will be problem to become completely independent geopolitical pole. Accession of Ukraine to CU will create the market with the population of approximately 220 million people. This is not 250 million but the effect from this increase will be evident for all participants.

Without Eurasian resources and fullfledged participation in division of labor with EurAsEC countries Ukraine will remain degenerative rough adjunct of the West where the main purpose of youth, which was born here, will become search of better fate outside the country.

In case of integration with CU and EurAsEC Ukraine will get the possibility to reborn its scientific and technical potential and restore its military-industrial establishment.

The war we’re talking about at the very beginning is coming. If Syria won’t

will mean the possibility of Western influence on formation of the world prices for gas and on the Russian Federation’s budget (almost like it was at the beginning of 80s with the world prices for petroleum). Possibly, many current shortsighted politicos would happily welcome this. But in case if Ukraine joins CU and EurAsEC, growth of the Russian budget would positively affect the Ukrainian economy too. Today Byelorussian and Kazakh enterprises take part in tenders for the Russian government orders and receive access to the enhanced credit resources.

It is very important for Ukraine to restore military and political ties in the network of EurAsEC. Military-industrial establishment of Ukraine still receives to 70% of components from Russia.

Creation of the united defense establishment, united anti-aircraft defense and anti-missile defense systems would help to prevent forthcoming threat of Eurasian resources re-division – in 2006 NATO made a statement about the possibility of military solution of «energetic war threat», which to this organization’s opinion is carried on by Russia, establishing prices for carbohydrates that don’t suit west-European countries.

By a joint effort Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan in this composition can create an unconquerable group that possesses all necessary for independent development in the interests of nations populating these countries.

The City of Your Dream 044-593-44-44 www.chayka.org.ua

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8

SOCIETY

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

SPITEFUL JOKE OR LIVING BY A «BASKET OF GOODS» IN UKRAINE In the world news there is often information that the power of this or that country is going to widen the national «basket of goods». In this article we’ll tell what is the «basket of goods», what is the purpose of its composing and compare the Ukrainian basket of goods with those in EU member-countries Roman Grabezhov

«B

asket of goods» is a minimal set of foodstuffs, nonfoods and services that are objectively necessary for preservation of health and vital activity provision. It reflects the level and structure of the populations’ consumption. Using

posed even to salt. Things are slightly better with vegetables and fruits. 175g of fruits and berries, 300g of vegetables.

However, if one recounts the amount in actual prices, it would hardly be possible to keep within not only the minimal

According to the statistics, about 53,5% of the Ukrainian average citizen's income is due on a foodstuff, and 11,2% is due on payment for accommodation and public services

A basket of goods or starvation rations?

The Ukrainian basket of goods counts about 300 goods and services. To compare: the English basket of goods consists of 350 descriptions of goods and services, the French one consists of 250, the German one – of 475, and Spanish one – of 489 descriptions.

According to the statistics, about 53,5% of the Ukrainian average citizen’s income is due on foodstuffs, and 11,2% is due on payment for accommodation and public services. There is another 35,3% that we will later talk about. To compare: Europeans spend less than 20% on foodstuffs (France – 12,2%, Germany – 9,8%, Spain – 13,1%). It’s worth to notice that in addition to cost estimating of foodstuffs in the consumers expenditure, European accounts more frequently include a column «catering» that is by share comparable with costs for foodstuffs and sometimes even exceeds them – for example, in Spain it makes 14,8%.

It is absolutely logical to assume that every year the needs and minimal requirements for a normal life are changed. So the basket of goods filling should be corrected. What do we have in Ukraine?

There is a normative document – the decision № 656 of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers of 14th of April 2000 «About approval of foodstuffs sets, nonfoods sets and sets of services for general social and demographic groups of population», signed by the Prime-Min-

wages but the average wages in Ukraine in general. Reviewing a food set you can easily confuse it with a ration in a military unit’s dining room. Let’s proceed.

A minimal set of cloths On the assumption of the same document, one suit might be enough for a man for five years, but duffel one will be able to buy in three years. Things with footwear are a little bit better. You can have two pairs of shoes for five years.

There is a definite logic in the structure.

For example, swimming trunks are intended for 10 years. With such set and minimal wages it’s rather problematically to swim. And vacation would rather be taken at a rate of one vacation per five years.

Women are more economical, and therefore can have one pad for five years, several dresses and the same duffel for three years; six pairs of tights for two years, one bra per year; every four years woman can allow herself a swimsuit, a hat and a scarf.

Also there is a clear definition of child cloths purchase «to allow for growth». A topcoat has to be changed every three years. It’s interesting to look at a child in three years in a topcoat that has been bought when he was 6, or imagine how the child is trying to get into last year’s boots that are several sizes smaller than its foot… On the assumption of this «clever» document, hardware have an

extremely high quality because a TV set can easily gladden a family during 10 years, laundry washer will serve for 14 years (at such amount of cloths maybe even longer)…

Furniture is bought approximately every 20-25 years. Only a sofa is permitted to be changed every 6-7 years of maintenance. To visit a theatre, a cinema and a zoo is allowed once a month and you need to choose one of these variants.

Maybe someone will choose a book instead of watching a new film in cinema.

It's very hard to explain an ordinary Spanish worker that in Ukraine average wages won't be enough to singly rent a flat and eat somehow ister of Ukraine V. Yushenko. Simple calculations demonstrate that the last (and the only) changes were made 12 years ago. But let’s examine first, what a half of the Ukrainian’s wages is spent for.

7g of rice per day, 5,5g of buckwheat and 11g of macaroni are able to quench everyday needs of a Ukrainian in carbohydrates. Such «overindulgences» like tea or coffee can be permitted only for children. An adult Ukrainian is not sup-

Photo Roman Grabezhov

the data of the basket of goods they calculate a living-wage in the country. I.e. the basket of goods has to reflect the list of goods and services that are of extreme necessity for people. We should note that a standard of living in the majority of countries is calculated exactly according to this principle. In Ukraine such practice began to work in 1991.

of goods includes champagne and mp3 player.

Let’s examine the Spanish basket of goods in details. Why Spain? Spain is experiencing a protracted crisis and therefore it seems appropriate to compare the countries with similar problems.

Every five years the specialists of the National statistics institute (INE) on the

Some statistics of a basket of goods structure in 2012 (Spain):

When you view the list of products and services you’re getting funny first and then become very sad.

Cafes and restaurants or Spanish living In European countries they take care of the population much better. For example, in Germany fitness-clubs and solarium have been included into the basket long ago. In Great Britain the basket

basis of data incoming from 140 Spanish municipalities calculate prices for 489 goods that comprise the model of Spanish basket of goods. With the help of these data they prepare a Consumer price index (IPC), which measures changes of prices for goods and services in the country: for example, how much the bread or an average telephone bill will cost. IPC is used only as the basis for wages, rental and pensions indexation.

In 2012 the changes both in structure and in the quality of goods built into the basket happened. Such positions like pad and hard disk have appeared.

Following France, services of laser depilating and logopedist have been added. The whole Spanish basket of goods considerably differs from the Ukrainian one, as the way of life and mentality leave their marks on the consumers’ preferences.

So, a considerable part of their income (10–15% that is higher than for cloths and footwear) even in crisis conditions Spaniards spend for everyday visits to bars, cafes and restaurants where they meet with friends and communicate, because to invite guests home is not done here.

Mobile communication and Internet take 4-5% in costs structure of an average Spaniard. This is explained by the fact that cost of mobile operators and telephone companies’ services is one of the highest in Europe: a dedicated line of home unlimited Internet and home phone cost here €45–60 per month on average.

Accommodation, water, electricity are 12% of costs. In summer the bills for electricity increase due to air-conditioners use and in winter due to heaters use, because the majority of flats don’t have a central heating. In crisis conditions the Spanish government is

14,7% Transport

13,1%

3%

8,7%

Foodstuffs and nonalcoholic beverages

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco

Cloths and footwear

7,6%

1,4%

14,8%

Entertainment, culture

Education

Hotels, cafes and restaurants

forced to increase taxes and reduce social support. At the end of the last year the country’s prime-minister Mariano Rahoy declared about his intention to freeze the minimal wages in 2012 on the level of €641 per month. In summer this year the decision was made about increase of an income tax (IVA) from current 18% to 21% that causes increase of prices for all goods and services and reduction of the populations’ buying power. Many products of the basket of goods will rise in price; nevertheless cost increase won’t affect fresh foodstuffs (fruits, vegetables) and medicines.

What is the middle class?

First that is striking in Spain is an absolute majority of so called middle class representatives. Here you can rarely see Ferrari or Lamborghini, as well as Ukrainian or Russian cars.

his average wages. In Ukraine the same jacket costs €150 and makes a third of Kiev resident’s wages. Hence it appears that price in Ukraine is not 50%, but 5 times higher.

The same analogy can be drawn with foodstuffs. At more detailed examination the approximately similar figures become several times lower than Ukrainian ones. But employees of the National statistics institute every year review a basket of goods structure, control prices for foodstuffs and make corrections into a minimal living-wage.

They include not only non-essential goods but such «luxury» elements like bars and restaurants…

Food isn’t the main item of expenses. It’s very hard to explain an ordinary Spanish worker that in Ukraine average wages won’t be enough to singly rent a flat and eat somehow. It’s almost impossible to make to believe that the

In Germany fitness-clubs and solarium have been included into the basket long ago. In Great Britain the basket of goods includes champagne and mp3 player To compare prices let’s remember about «purchasing power parity». Its essence lies in comparison of prices for goods and services not with the help of a simple currency conversion but in binding to wages and amount of goods one can buy for it.

Average wages in Kiev makes about 5000 hryvnas (about €500). Average wages in Barcelona makes €1500.

Let’s take cloths for example. First crosing the mind is INDOTEX group, which includes the world-known brand ZARA. Average men’s jacket costs about €100. Correspondingly, an average Spaniard can buy 15 such jackets for

government builds only one woman’s coat for 8 years into the basket!

And again turning back to the old good proverb «The grass is always greener on the other side», you begin to believe in it. Walking along the streets, coming in to the entrances or simply looking around, you perfectly understand where do they spend the municipal budget that is formed by Spaniards’ taxes. Clean streets, cleaned entrances and sports grounds in every house block – this what you see every day on your way to work.

And you understand that there is a huge difference between the two «baskets».

The structure of the consumption basket Ukraine and Spain %

Ukraine Spain

1.Foodstuff and nonalcoholic beverages 2.Alcohol and tobacco 3.Cloths and footwear 4.Transport 5.Entertainment and culture 6.Education 7.Cafes and restaurants 8.Other Goods and service’s category

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POLITICS/PARLIAMENT

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BUCKWHEAT AGAINST THE IDEOLOGY National socialists in the parliament shall determine the choice of 2015 and become the beginning of customary Ukraine’s destruction Dmitry Zaborin, the political scientist and coordinator of «Electronic Memory book of Ukraine» project

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enerally in the program of AllUkrainian association «Svoboda» there is a lot of reasonable and correct things, which aren’t talked over when discussing its unexpected victory.

Energy audit of the country, diversification of energy resources deliveries, state program of oil and gas production, reasonable offerings concerning prohibition of agricultural land sale and change of its status, contributions from foreign films distribution in favor of the Ukrainian cinema development.

In large-scale section «National economy» the developers of the program, which has been corrected four times from 1995, have separated even such deep things like state programs of breeding development, production of sowing material and pedigree stock-breeding, as well as substitution of import by in-house production.

subsequent burning) of harmful and undermining literature. In 1933 on Bebel place in Berlin this was called the action «against non-German spirit» and confirmation of traditional German values.

How did it happen?

Today the subject «why «Svoboda» has come to power» is one of the most popular. But the reasons of the political force rate sharp growth that traditionally remained on the level of sociological inaccuracy are extremely evident: the lack of a distinct ideological alternative to the power. I always thought that the laws of the political science in Ukraine were poorly applied but I was mistaken in wording: they act inversely.

It’s simpler to explain on the example of a certain person: my friend

For the National Socialism the Jewish matter isn’t dogma at all The following section that is devoted to the nation’s health is also absolutely reasonable and offers even such sedition like returning of sanatoria and health resorts to the state ownership and prohibition for resort lands privatization.

That’s because «Svoboda» is a social party. Let it not to be surprise, as in due time comrade Hitler said the following: «Socialism is a doctrine about how everybody should care about common well-being. Communism isn’t socialism. Marxism isn’t socialism. Marxists have stolen this notion and perverted its meaning. I’ll snatch socialism out of the «socialists’» hands».

However the reasonable and undoubtedly necessary offers for modern Ukraine literally get lost against the background of more powerful ideological sections and separate issues.

They are devoted to purge of the power and society from KGB and CPSU agents, compulsory «knowledge of the Ukrainian history» examinations, proportional representation of Ukrainians and «national minorities representatives» in the power, requirements to withdraw the «Soviet agitational literature» from funds of child-youth and public libraries. And even criminal responsibility for «any manifestations of Ukrainophobia».

The most interesting section is devoted to «historical justice», overcoming of «occupation consequences», as well as to Crimea and Sevastopol,

Vova, the Russian-speaking resident of Kiev and the former officer, has given his vote for «Svoboda». He’s far from ideas of radical nationalism, is moderate in his historical views and isn’t even a «stupid infantry captain» but the technical elite – the graduating student of Pokryshkin Kiev Radio Engineering Higher Military Academy of Air Defense Troops (KVIRTU). Being rather successful entrepreneur, he has motivated his choice that «he’s sick of everybody». And social portrait of the capital followers of Western-Ukrainian nationalism indicates that native residents of Kiev with higher education and managers of average age and income about the average agree with Vova.

Look at the conflict districts of Kiev,

In the country that stands on the edge of the cruelest crisis and final sell-out of the state property and the land inhabited with poor and illiterate people who don’t have any perspective, they received 10% of support and became parliamentarians where the representatives of «Svoboda» contend for victory against «strong business managers»: a priori majoritarian deputy has to concern himself with the district’s business and solve people’s everyday problems. But in spite of the common sense the residents of Kiev have decided to massively give their votes to ultra-radicals who won’t devote themselves to the arrangement of playgrounds and asphalting of the quarter roads.

It’s found out that «buckwheat» (as a general symbol of the material values) easily loses to the ideology

Photo Ukrainian News

which have to be deprived of any special statuses and become «Ukrainian».

Perfectly logical are the provisions about creation of special investigating structure «for investigation of criminals who destroyed the Ukrainian nation» or «requiring transfer of part of the Diamond fund from Russia».

Besides the party is going to concentrate on destruction of the Soviet period monuments and forcing of UN, the European Parliament and the parliaments of separate countries to recognize genocide of Ukrainians in XX century. This slightly contradicts the number of 78% of the general country’s population mentioned in the same document.

That is why «Svoboda» is a national party. And comparison of its socialism with social justice of N.S.D.A.P. isn’t accidental because today the parliamentary party of Galicia origin exactly repeats the way of German Nazi.

Including withdrawal (with possible

Business managers, especially those who spent his years like Victor Pilipishin for working in his district, are absolutely shocked. It’s found out that «buckwheat» (as a general symbol of the material values) easily loses to the ideology. And it’s found out that it was necessary to include slogans saying that browns want to take over the hero city Kiev. Maybe the residents of Kiev, who didn’t vote for the playgrounds, would vote «against fascists». But by now they have voted for them.

«I can’t explain this by anything except the absence of «against all» field, protest against businessmen-candidates and flatness of the current parliament», says the political scientist Vitaliy Kulik. People whose dissatisfaction has expressive economical character, disturbed by the power’s monopolization on all levels by one force and unscrupulous impudence of its separate representatives, were unambiguously against the Party of regions. But

at that «United Opposition», UDAR or, Heaven forbid, «Ukraine – forward!» naturally aren’t perceived to be the power’s substitution.

According to classical laws of the political science the internal protest standing on economical requirements has to cause the rise of left political forces, labor unions, as well as organizations representing the interests of separate social groups. For example, the entrepreneurs who was trying to defend their economical interest on the street.

However there are no modern social and democratic parties in Ukraine. And not least because they are intentionally destroying. Powerful movement for economical justice for everybody, independently of nationality and different profits distribution system isn’t beneficial neither for the communists, who have the monopoly of the «left» niche, nor for large business that has merged with the power. Remember «the only left person in the government» Vasiliy Volga whose «partnership» with the Communist party has led him to Lukyanovka pre-trial prison.

Thus any economical questions inevitably appear to be natural power’s monopoly or connected with radical nationalistic ideology and the necessity to show their worth in historical and cultural sense. And after it is done, any quite discussion falls down under tons of clichés like «shooting in the back» and «cannibalistic Stalin past». This connective «left» = «Stalinist» hasn’t appeared on itself.

From 2005, which was covered by Yushenko’s movement towards his

presidency the society has been imposed on the «progressive trend»: the nationalist can’t be bad person and those who criticize him are the enemy, the Moscow agents and «sovoks». But while the open-minded people try to love the Ukrainian nation in all its diversity, the nationalist loves only that part of it that corresponds with his credo. The rest have to be cruelly squeezed there or be destroyed by one or another method.

Earlier Ukrainians had been only successfully told about this. And now they will see this.

What now?

Igor Kolomoyskiy promised that Jews wouldn’t be beaten. For the National Socialism the Jewish matter isn’t dogma at all. There has to be any foreign enemy and the struggle with him, as

the solution of the traditional majority, which contains of the Party of regions, communists and majoritarian candidates who joined them.

Of course the party of Tyagnibok won’t accept this. Like people who sincerely believe in their mission they will persistently strike the same spot.

But this spot hangs on the wall built of historical, language, ethnocultural and foreign-policy bricks. By force of the objective reasons the Western-Ukrainian nationalism hadn’t received its development and remained laid-up on the level of 30-40s of XX century. And today the natural task of «Svoboda» shall become an attempt to «win» post factum.

In speeches from the parliament tribune the everlasting Ukrainian State in the person of the Rebel Army (ein Reich) shall destroy Wehrmacht and the Red Army, Ukrainians shall become the great nation (ein Volk) that governs the world, and moderate people, including those who speak Ukrainian, will be terrified by anti-human and anti-legal nonsense stated by Irina Farion. «Svo-

real decisions. This concentration on ethno-cultural matters but not on actual problems of social justice has led Ukraine to social and economical catastrophes: earnest nationalists were ready to struggle with capitalists and scoundrels only under their mottos, but for people who were ready to struggle against poverty, employers’ lawlessness and enterprises’ destruction those Bandera’s hysterics were extremely unacceptable.

For «some» two decades the nationalists have carried their point. In the country that stands on the edge of the cruelest crisis and final sell-out of the state property and the land inhabited with poor and illiterate people who don’t have any perspective, they received 10% of support and became parliamentarians. And under this cover they lose remains of behavior limiting factors: «recounting of votes» has shown this maximally brightly.

However this goal coincides with the other one: by 2015 to use people deprived on any notion about social standards and common wealth to swing the

«Svoboda» is a national party. And comparison of its socialism with social justice of N.S.D.A.P. isn’t accidental because today the parliamentary party of Galicia origin exactly repeats the way of German Nazi well as all amenities it leads to, refers only to «friends». In addition to Hitler and N.S.D.A.P. the history knows Patrice Lumumba, Irish Republican Army and modern Syrian social nationalistic party.

The unique Ukrainian distinction is in the fact that «Svoboda» shall never have the real power. All correct and urgent economical components of its program can’t be realized without complete and undivided possession of the country. And there are only 35 people’s deputies who aren’t able to influence

boda» has nothing to do under conditions of the lack of access to real decision-making. But in a strategic sense of the movement to the president’s post that according to the program combines the functions of the Commander in Chief and the Prime-Minister, this is absolutely acceptable.

At the end of the day, during the entire 20-years independence the country has been drifting the course set by nationalistic minority. The reason is the same: this direction had been voluntarily given to him by those who make

county to the level when the problem of the head of government election doesn’t exist at all. We’ve found out that «buckwheat» easily loses to the ideology. At these elections people have chosen the less of two evils. But they still have chosen the evil. And it will inevitably destroy the Ukrainian state that we got used to see. It won’t be able to become united without external intervention or terrible internal shocks. I say as a historian: «There is nothing unusual». But as a citizen I say: «I’m sorry».

Photo and video equipment specialty store in the centre of Kiev Mikhaylovskaya str. 11, phone: (044) 205-40-30 www.abcphoto.com.ua

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THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

VALERY EVDOKIMOV: PASSING THE LAWS ISN’T SUPPING FROM TROUGH The Head of the Ukrainian Lawyers Union, the President of the International Lawyers Organization and World congress of the Ukrainian lawyers Valery Evdokimov has given his answers to The Kiev Times concerning parliamentary elections of 2012, oppositionists and necessary reforms, elective justice and the Ukrainian presidents

Photo Alexander Lobanov

Interviewed by Alexandra Pogorelaya

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alery Alexandrovich, do you consider the parliamentary elections-2012 to be democratic?

In general the elections to Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine in 2012 may be evaluated as democratic elections.

Their democracy was already evident during the preparatory period. All polling stations were equipped with video surveillance, transparent ballot boxes; information about the elections was available; publicity and free expression of will have stopped to be hollow phrases.

I’d like to note well coordinated work of home affairs authorities and as a result the lack of system mass riots.

I’ll also separately note accurate and coordinated work of a judicial system.

Especially it concerns administrative jurisdiction courts. Of course, court decisions can’t satisfy everybody, as the parties argue against each other.

But the positive assessments of the elections-2012 given by the majority of independent supervisors are the consequence of democratic processes, which are taking place in Ukraine.

view that the power and opposition influenced their results. I won’t go into details of the elections in Kiev, Nikolayev or Dnepropetrovsk. It’s quite evident that they received their votes where the Party of regions made a good job. And where the opposition did some work – the votes aren’t in its favor. The electorate has given its assessment.

Low level of the electors’ attendance speaks for itself. People don’t trust politicians, don’t believe in their future.

For 20 years the politicians gave a lot of promises, but the majority of these promises have never been realized.

The Ukrainians have lost their hearts and don’t believe anybody. Somebody has voted formally, somebody did it on principle. Our politicians didn’t show themselves adequately to make people believe in them.

Many people were surprised (though I consider this natural) that the opposition forces won both by party lists and by majority lists. For example, the passing of «Svoboda» is absolutely clear for me.

Could the fixed violations seriously influence the election results?

Actually there were some technical violations of the elective process. And they provoked protest actions. All this undoubtedly shall find its reflection in the decisions of electoral committee and courts. I was outraged by late delivery of the ballot papers from divisional electoral committees to the district electoral committees. I can’t refer this to the reasons of solely technical character. The work of many district electoral committees wasn’t ideal. I don’t except that besides huge load and insufficient professionalism there were also some special delays. There are fixed cases when election electronic results don’t correspond with stamped protocols. Certainly recounting of votes by the Electoral Committee shall clear up the situation... The reasons could be different.

«Svoboda», the radical party, has passed to the parliament with such a high rate. What do you think, why this became possible?

High rate of «Svoboda» is the peoples’ desire for changes. Korolevskaya was also new but people didn’t believe her. As for «Svoboda», it is familiar to everybody; we talked about it long ago.

The map of the Electoral Committee shows that «Svoboda» has collected equally in all Ukrainian regions. Tyagnibok’s team has made a good job. And the matter isn’t in the party’s pre-election program at all. The most important is whether they believed or not. And they believed «Svoboda».

I ran for the elections to Verkhovnaya Rada twice and won them twice as a majoritarian candidate. When you go to elections it is important for people to see you, to feel you and to know you aren’t liar and don’t speak at random.

Our people are not stupid. After you give your promises you have to give replies: how will you do this? And when?

The important question: who stands behind you? Who will guarantee for you?

Did the election results coincide with your expectations in general?

Yes. It made me glad that the results of exit-polls had coincided with the official results, despite the widespread

This is the first time in many years that Ukraine selected majoritarian are deputies. Are the majoritarian deputies – step forwards or step backwards?

In Odessa they say: «In depends on what does one think of it!». In respect to our people’s culture and responsibilities for their actions it is a step backwards.

Nominees have forgotten about culture, about morality. Look what was happening in majoritarian districts where the candidates have become the real mortal enemies. We haven’t anything like this before. In 1994 I was a candidate in the majoritarian district in Odessa, in 2002 in Crimea. This wasn’t simple but in Odessa I won the secretary of the communist party regional committee. In Crimea I won Korneychuk – the representative of the President, the former agriculture vice-premier. There was no money but people believed in a candidate. And what now? How can one persuade Ukrainians not to select the deputy only because he laid the road somewhere, installed locks in entrances, fixed the roof and tapped gas… I’m not talking about food and money distribution! It can hardly be the indicator of how the future deputy should defend the electors’ interests in the parliament...

The present parliament will include many businessmen. On the one hand, this is not bad. There is financial experience, economic experience. On the other hand, this is not good. I saw the list of the majoritarian candidates who have passed. I’m worry that there are not enough lawyers and economists among them. Not because they are people of my profession. I mean passing the laws is not like baking pies. And not supping from trough. The nominees have given many promises to everybody. But soon we shall see their true faces.

What laws have to be to allow «baking pies» for Ukrainians?

When passing the laws one has to know much. The theory of state and law teaches us that the law acts in space and time. In space means on the territory of Ukraine. And in time means today, tomorrow, but not yesterday. If to understand this, the people’s depu-

ty has to think and be well oriented in the law-making. Many newly elected deputies don’t have such experience. In order to act effectively, the law has to correspond with many other standard acts and find reflection in changes of the legal norms within the current legal network.

Any law has its price in the full sense of this word. To let the law begin to act it’s necessary to receive the government financing. I’m not talking about illicit «rates» for the laws. We have a lot of laws; many of them have been recently passed… But to remain not only on paper, they have to be effective and written without double interpretation, in case of necessity having the state financial support.

What kind of the Ukrainian parliaments do you consider to be the most effective?

I’m proud to have being the people’s deputy in the parliament of the second and the fourth convocations. I consider the second convocation to be the most efficient and democratic, the most fundamental in its essence. We’ve adopted

Passing the laws is not like baking pies. And not supping from troughs like animals the Constitution. And after that created the series of constitutional bodies: the Constitutional court, the Superior court of justice, the Court of Accounts and the institute of Ukrainian authorized Supreme council of human rights.

And this is the value of that parliament.

1996 Constitution is one the best in the world. It is mostly clear. I disagree with some decisions of the Constitutional court. Like many other experts do. I’m convinced that the Constitution has to be interpreted by the body, which adopts it – the Parliament. And the Constitutional court has to interpret the rest of legislation and legal acts for the conformity with the constitution. And currently they are trying to interpret how the standards of the Constitution have to act. But this isn’t the main thing. We have neglected the Constitution, and haven’t performed

it in many ways. That’s why we‘ve received those negative consequences for the country in general. In my opinion, today we can’t say that Ukrainians’ constitutional rights are observed. Today the court system unfortunately doesn’t completely protect the rights of our citizens, because its structure and activity are under the press of power and various clans.

How can one break this situation?

I answer as the member of the Constitutional Assembly: together with the existent standards we have to make changes in the Constitution in relation to formation and activity of law enforcement and the court system.

The person who has addressed to the court must in the shortest possible time receive the court decision and it has to come into legal force. We don’t have to have cassation and appellation on the lowest level. This is the professional matter. The person who receives the first instance decision, goes to the appellation, regional courts, then goes to the highest specialized courts, cassation, and then to the Supreme Court.

Then the question appears: and what is the Ukrainian Supreme Court?

Today’s Supreme Court with the authorities it has isn’t actually the Supreme Court. We have to return its authorities and the right of legislative initiative. Reforming of the Ukrainian court system is the first-priority task for the Parliament.

The courts have to be relieved from examining the small delinquencies: violations of traffic rules and safety. 1/3 of cases have to be withdrawn from the courts. There are lower courts in other countries, for example, in Britain there are city courts and others or there is administrative or other responsibility.

The courts have to examine criminal cases in the updated criminal and other correspondent codes.

The main question for Ukrainians: who are the judges?

I agree, our candidates to judges are trainid prepared, and although the process has started in Ukraine, it is still too weak. The judiciary has to be formed by judges. The constitutional body that is the Supreme Council of

the Judiciary of Ukraine has to consist of the retired judges. I led its establishment and was its first chairman. It consists of 20 members of the supreme council. I shall offer 15 representatives from the judges congress, 1 representative from the Prosecutor General’s Office (according to the article 131 of the Constitution and not because I want to) and 4 persons from the legal community of Ukraine. When we were adopting the Ukrainian Constitution and the Law about the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, I wasn’t going to lead the Council and didn’t consider some details of the law (smiling). For the voting deputies that wasn’t principle. When we started working we have realized that there were several essential defects. For example: insufficient amount of judges in the Council, election only of the lawyers from the community. And today the jurists compose a very small part in relation to all lawyers of the country.

That’s why the quota system and general convention are important. Then nobody will remain offended and this will be democratically.

This requires the political will of 300+1. Is there a chance to bring up such questions in this parliament?

There is always a chance (smiling).

It’s hard to persuade the political forces to refuse the management of the court system. This is the cherry of the cake. But I’d like our politicians to understand that they come and go. Some of them come and go very fast. And people stay. Supremacy of law and the law remain. The authority of Ukraine also remains. Do you remember Mayakovsky: «Who are temporary here? Get down! Your time has gone».

We must understand the laws for a long time but not only for today. And this much depends on the court system. It is important to understand: the court system protects the rights of all citizens. Businessmen, politicians, ordinary Ukrainians, prisoners - everybody. Everybody is interested in the independent court system, but not in non-under control power, including the power itself. Good power may influence the court system only under its authority and ideology. But this is difficult. Is much to command or to play...

LAW

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11

Photo Alexander Lobanov

Сегодня мы не можем говорить, что конституционные права граждан Украины соблюдаются. Сегодня судебная система не может защитить эти права

You happened to work with the country’s presidents…

Ukraine had different presidents. For example, in large civilized countries people prepare for power. This is long educational process, acquiring the experience of the state work; from the very childhood the youth learns to be politicians. That’s why the membership in the West was much more qualitative.

Leonid Makarovich Kravchuk was our first President. In the first convocation parliament there were many people of the party elite. And there wasn’t any experience of the state and legislative activity. The main merit of that parliament was the Ukrainian independence declaration, desire for the new and unknown things.

Leonid Danilovich Kuchma is a wonderful person, but he has come from the system of the «red directors» like people called them. And during first years he didn’t have any experience to govern the state. First four years of Kuchma’s government were the process of his establishment. He did much for the improvement of relationships with the Russian Federation, istablishid connections with Europe. And during his second cadenza he has become the experienced head of the state. But life goes on. And the President isn’t fully responsible what laws are adopted by the parliament for. We could adopt the laws by constitutional majority passing by the president’s veto – such things also happened.

In respect to Yushenko I’d like to say: he is a great person. Nobody doubts in his patriotism. But to love Ukraine and to make Ukraine strong and independent state aren’t the same things. And here one has to have great professionalism. He had certain skills; he came from the position of NBU director. But life has shown, and he himself says: «Everybody lied and set me up». Here the question appears: «And where were you!?» Much depends on the team surrounding you. And the President’s team isn’t a simple group of like-minded persons. They have to be the like-minded persons thinking not about themselves but about people, the state and their Motherland.

It’s important to remember that Holodomor occurred. But one can’t only mount the monuments. Yushenko was trying to make the history of Ukraine, but you can’t rewrite the history. His team didn’t understand this at all. The team hadn’t made the history – they had to make their business. The interests of the team and Yushenko haven’t coincided. That’s why having such powerful initial support of the nation and the electors, they have completely lost.

How do you evaluate the person of President Yanukovich?

Let’s be frank – our President is too young for now. And his government term is very short.

Yanukovich has come to the power in hard times, in the period of economic crisis. He has his advantages and lacks.

Victor Fedorovich is a human first of all. And let’s be honest – our President today is very active. Like nobody else.

He has become recognized, Ukraine has become recognized.

There are a lot of critics: someone said something wrong or smiled badly… The President has such a huge scope of information and very serious power authorities and he has to use them! It is the titanic work. The President would like to make friends with

sibility to prove his status. But mister President in his turn has to attentively look whom he is surrounded at. To check who works for people, and who works for his private interests. There is business and money around. But if you are the President, so to speak, chose between life and death. Today’s tasks of Yanukovich are very hard…

Then let’s talk about Julia Timo­ shenko. Although she hasn’t been the President yet, she is a very distinguished person in the Ukrainian politics.

Timoshenko is a special figure: both as a woman and as a person. But she got lost in her game. I know her for a long time. Formerly she was the people’s deputy with me. Timoshenko is politically power-loving and acts like a tsar or an emperor. There are no other opinions except her opinion. And she strictly declares it. She tried to collect the same team and of course failed.

Generally Timoshenko has heavily lost because was too conceited and trusted amateurs.

She was always lack of culture…

That circus that she acted in courts was real shame for our country. Any charge has not to be unfounded and to have evidence. In any civilized country Julia Vladimirovna would be immedi-

wrong – this is another question. But she acted within the limits of the legal framework. If Russia has delivered an ultimatum concerning price and the documents had to be signed, as a prime minister she could give the command to do this. And she didn’t need the consent of the Cabinet Council. Of course, she had to respond in case if she acted not in the interests of Ukraine: she could lose the chair of a prime minister and be stripped of the government service. If she caused damage and it was proved, she had to compensate it in the civil order. I think imprisonment is very excessive punishment. But the court is the court. We have to respect any decision of it – only then we can live under the law.

What about the case of Eugene Shcherban?

I don’t assume to comment this.

It’s necessary to examine the case. As the chairman of the Lawyers Union I reacted in many respects to Timo­ shenko’s case. We accepted application concerning direct transmission from a courtroom and the next day it was stopped. As that was the blatant violation of a criminal code. After several ambassadors and state governors have set up statements with threats directed against our President, where

How can one persuade the Ukrainians not to select the deputy only because he laid the road somewhere, installed locks in entrances, fixed the roof and tapped gas… I’m not talking about food and money distribution! Except this is his direct duty. Dear fellows! The deputy is something quite different Russia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and USA… But what should they do if their interests are opposite? I believe that our President shall cope with all the given tasks.

The team plays very important role.

The team of Yanukovich contains of different people with different interests and they represent different forces. And the President has to represent the interests of a single power – his own nation.

2,5 years aren’t enough to become strong and competent President. It’s necessary to give Yanukovich the pos-

ately charged for three-four years for the court contempt. And this is regardless of the sentence, which could be or couldn’t be on the basis of the criminal case.

What about Timoshenko’s evidence of guilt?

In relation to what she is imprisoned for I’d say they are doubtful. As for the first sentence, in the Ukrainian legal framework the activity of the Head of the Cabinet Council includes mana­ ger authorities. She used them concerning gas supply. Was that right or

the matter was that if the President wouldn’t release Timoshenko from a prison, there is no place for us in Europe, I directed the return statement to all ambassadors and representatives of the European Union. Let’s respect the court decision no matter what it is.

Is the Ukrainian judicial system rather an electoral system?

In the whole history of Ukraine I don’t remember any sound case against corrupt officials. Do you remember the case of Eliseevsky store in the former Soviet Union, where every-

thing was sold by backstairs influence?

The Central Committee’s officials bought things there. So, regardless of any connections in the top leadership many hucksters were arrested. Several people were shot. Including the store director that was a very notable person and friend of Galina Brezhneva. But we don’t have such demonstrative cases.

We often hear that «prisons are for racketeers». And what is racketeering?

According to the law, it is united, organized and armed group of people. And where did we convict at least one united group of people for such crimes?

And raiders. Are they bandits? If they are not armed they aren’t bandits but the criminals. The power calls oppositionists the bandits and the oppositionists don’t leave this unanswered...

It’s necessary to be careful with this.

Let’s get back to our deputies. We know what shall be the Parliament’s membership. Does it have a chance to be efficient?

Our people are educated; everybody has at least high education. They saw whom they elected. A person promises but probably won’t do. And the examples of this we see from the beginning of 90s’. But we still elect. The parliament has to compose of conscious people. Poor or rich – that is the question... I went to the deputy’s service not having been rich person. Having been the head of the legal department I won the election without money at all.

People believed in the candidacy, but didn’t buy his money.

Nevertheless the parliament will work. The parliamentary majority will be formed for sure. The constitutional majority is undecided yet. And if there were not for our «hetmans» and «tsars» in the political parties, it would be rather possible.

Today’s opposition has sufficient number of votes in the parliament. The Regions don’t have chances to collect 225 votes yet. Simonenko has made a statement (I wish it would be honest) that communists would never enter any coalition. But they will vote. As for the most important questions, they will support the laws. Why should we

separate the parliament to friends and aliens and make the Ukrainians enemies in the parliament?

Various factions and party’s deputies are not enemies, believe me. I attended in the Parliament and everybody here was normal and lively person: they meet, have dinner, and drink a jigger after hot parliament disputes and debates. But there animosity is more dangerous then anywhere else – consequences for the entire Ukraine, wound can’t be slurred over. And the professionalism itself is rather moot case.

Klichko has got from sport directly to the big politics. How do you evaluate the power of UDAR? Life will show. Let’s not make preliminary resume. Klichko has brilliantly conducted his pre-election campaign.

People’s trust is also of no small importance: it adds to Klichko’s authority. He didn’t have time to become an experienced politician and this is the fact. He had an experience in Kiev council, but we know that he rarely attended it. He defended our country’s dignity on the global sports scene. Klichko has won and he did it well. But we’ll see how his political force in the parliament shall protect the interests of ordinary Ukrainians. Especially when the voting for the Law about Constitution changes will take place – we’ll immediately see who is who.

What wishes should you make the newly-elected deputies?

The laws are written for ordinary people. That’s why they have to be based on common sense rules. If the deputies remember this, it will help them in their work.

I’d like to wish the people’s deputies to strive for doing their duties and then people shall justify them even when they fail. People’s deputies have to think about future and be more attentive to their thoughts. Thoughts are the beginning of the actions. Actions directed to the achievement of a certain goal and strengthened by the inner power, always provide positive result.

Your business legal support Vorovskogo, 29-E, office 13, Kyiv, 01054 044 486 3360 www.lg-d.com

12

SPIRITUAL DIPLOMACY

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

MICHAEL MORGULIS: AMERICA – UKRAINE. WE’LL BE USEFUL FOR EACH OTHER! In November this year a famous American religious philosopher, writer, television anchorman and the author of «Spiritual Diplomacy» conception Michael Morgulis arrived in Kiev for an official visit. Exclusively for The Kiev Times he has told about his vision concerning his mission in Ukraine, what mistakes USA made in relation to our people, why all Presidents aren’t angels and what is worth to pray even in KGB for Written by Alexandra Pogorelaya

M

I have an article «Degradation of American diplomatic system». American diplomacy lacks flexibility and comprehension that any country requires a special approach. Unwarranted self-confidence of America is based on certain diplomatic successes. But this doesn’t mean that American diplomacy completely understands the Ukrainian situation. I convince everybody that one can’t think of Ukraine as, for example, of Elephant Ivory Coast country. Ukraine is a modern country with huge spiritual and historical heritage. Ukraine deserves a special attitude. America has passed its huge way to freedom through delusions and shed blood. And we are now required not to make mistakes from the state, which is about twenty years old? It’s necessary to understand; it’s impossible to act only by a strick policy in relation to Ukraine…

y television life is my professional boast. On the air I’ve met hundreds of famous and not too famous people but all of them were extremely interesting. We have talked about different things. I’ve always tried to expose all my interlocutor’s sides to the audience.

But have never done it under his protest.

Probably this is a secret of my television projects success...

One Polynesian tribe’s chief has told me that western civilizations have forgotten that Earth is the reflection of God and Sun is the reflection of God. These are different things but the essence is the same, a single grace of God. Talking about his philosophy my interlocutor was courteous and vivid.

He graduated Harvard University with honors preparing for governance of his small peaceful country. But life has turned everything in its own way. Fighting in Vietnam, this man with an iron temper, has lost his eye and became an invalid...

Sanctions against Ukraine don’t consider the interests and arguments of both conflicting parties. Democracy is polyphony but not a single voice. But today the West listens and hears only one voice, the voice of opposition. And on the ground of this voice the West is deemed to make fair conclusions. It is only an emotional fairness. The facts indicate that the position of the West is one-sided.

When I with a survey squad was in Vietnam I asked the local communistic government to open churches and release arrested priests. They did it for the period of my visit, but later the regime evened the score...

I’m the first person in history who has prayed in KGB. Philip Yancey who was a member of our delegation has written a book about this – «Prayer with KGB».

Later I prayed in the Kremlin. At first Mikhail Gorbachov didn’t understand why it was necessary. But the Word has reached the soul of the first and the last President of USSR. We still have friendly relations with Michael Gorbachov. It’s extremely sad that his wife Raisa Maksimovna has departed this life so early...

Arizona Indians receive double subsidy from the USA government. They stopped working and looking after themselves. They spend all their subsidized money on drink in a single bar and the rest of the money they lose in the casinos. Our delegation has brought orchard seedlings to their villages and tried to revive a millennial farming culture. One can reach their part of the world only by helicopters. Those Indians’ children look after the trees today.

Maybe they will grow up different people...

Our prayer Center in Florida is spacious and hospitable. There is a handmade piano, wonderful organ, and portraits of four evangelists. I like working, resting and meeting people there...

«Spiritual Diplomacy» is a new spiritual and political conception, which was created in 1991. Then I led an American delegation of the American

Freedom exists or doesn’t exist. There can’t be partial freedom, it has to be everywhere or nowhere. If mass media are free, both politics and business have to be free… A country has the right to be called democratic only when freedom is absolute. America today is the freest country… But also with a huge amount of mistakes and restrictions. Supposedly we don’t have a censorship. But there is an internal control that is followed by writers and journalists...

Those times prayers in public places seemed to be something unearthly, cosmic and impossible. People were surprised, even shocked. They realized that something extraordinary happened. I asked permission and prayed aloud, in public. I prayed for Russia, for Soviet Union, for America, for Ukraine, for ordinary people and mothers… That was a simple eternal prayer.

only between countries but inside them too, appealing to spiritual values of conflicting parties. Let’s take Muslim and Christian, for example. It’s necessary to find identical and understand-

In the Kremlin I asked the President Gorbachov for permission to pray.

He answered: «Mikhail, the Kremlin doesn’t seem to be a church…». I told him for that: «Mikhail Sergeevich, the Kremlin isn’t a simple official institution. And it is connected with many

able things in the Bible or the Koran.

Any sacred writing includes them. And at the expense of these spiritual values that are important and common for both parties to settle peace and withdraw a conflict...

People who proclaim themselves Christians have to show a certain love. This also concerns government and opposition spiritual leaders: there were 17 of us.

First in history we were at USSR Supreme Council, the Academy of Science and USSR Council of Ministers. We were the first spiritual leaders to have visited KGB. We were first Americans who have come there on our own initiative (smiling). At the conclusion of the visit we were received by Mikhail Gorbachov in the Kremlin. I prayed everywhere.

I gave a vow to God that if He realized my dream to pray in the Kremlin and in all Soviet Union’s main organizations I would openly sing Him praises everywhere. I kept my promise given to God.

spiritual things in the history of Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia as well as all USSR nations. Moreover your mother, as far as I know, always prays for you…». Then Mikhail Sergeevich agreed.

Later we repeatedly met and talked a lot. Once he told me: «The way you’re following can help to achieve much more than all diplomatic methods can do… Maybe now it seems to be utopia but time will pass and this will become real». So it happened...

Spiritual diplomacy has and is able to stop conflicts in the world not

lia Timoshenko. As Spiritual Diplomacy representatives we would like to find a compromise between power and opposition although in this very situation it’s objectively difficult. This is a fierce

Neither on a party conference, nor on political meetings there won’t be a spiritual internal reconciliation

This is era of Spiritual Diplomacy. We traveled over more than 30 countries of the world to stop conflicts. We were in Cyprus, met the Greek and Turkish communities. We took part in a peacemaking work in the Middle East. We helped to build a hospital in Haifa where Israeli and Arab women bear children together… We were in Beslan to meet former captives in destroyed school. We prayed in Georgia, Ossetia, Cambodia, Thailand, Japan and even Alaska. We’re called «New way to peace»...

In any conflict, be it a country or a family, both parties are always guilty.

There is a conflict in Ukraine between democratically elected power and opposition alliance that is based on «Batkivshina» party headed by Ju-

political fight. People who proclaim themselves Christians have to show a certain love. This also concerns government and opposition. Conciliation can be reached only in that case if both parties make their steps. The situation of Ms Julia Timoshenko is tragic. When a person is imprisoned this always grieves you. Nevertheless, according to the Word, the Holy Scripture, apostle Paul and apostle Peter even in empire prisons revealed love. If God allows we’ll try to make a step to establishing of a dialogue for peace in Ukraine.

Because having received freedom this historically long-suffering land doesn’t have right to be torn by internal conflicts and party ambitions, discords and delusion. This country deserves its right to be happy...

I always wonder why, though having everything, Ukrainians don’t manage to be happy. I think they need God’s blessing for this. And it is possible only through repentance. Christianity is not only an attendance of church once a week; it is a standard of living. And if one doesn’t follow it, Love disappears.

In America there are many real Christians besides nominal believers. Not declaratively but true believers. They attend church, administer charity and lead a life of piety. I worked with many such people including several senators.

And asked them a question – are there things inadmissible for a Christian that they have to agree in politics? And famous senator Jessie Helms replied: «If it isn’t me but other person he’ll go much further and make more anti-Christian deeds». Believers have their deterrent motivations. I’m convinced that such people are able to make politics a little

Photo Alexander Lobanov

This country deserves its right to be happy bit purer...

Prayer breakfasts with the President in America are a national tradition.

Once a year we gather in Washington before the country’s President and the whole government.

I don’t like the politics of President Barack Obama, that’s why last year I principally refused my visit to Prayer breakfast. I don’t believe in his declaration of Christianity. His deeds are at variance with the Bible. For example, he supports same-sex relationships and has even legalized homosexuality in our army. But this year I received a courteous invitation and most probably shall accept it. About three thousand people come to this forum and they are delegates from all over the world: countries’

leaders, parliamentarians, theologians, priests, senators and congressmen. In a solemn atmosphere they exchange their opinions and life experience.

Recently I’ve met organizers of Prayer breakfast with the President.

They are very influential and respectable people in America. I told them about political conflicts in Ukraine. My interlocutors interested why similar events weren’t conducted in Ukraine and Russia.

I think in Ukraine and Russia this would be a formal event where nobody believes anybody. In America everything is different; people love and trust each other.

BUT! Neither on a party conference, nor on political meetings there won’t be a spiritual internal reconciliation. And during Prayer breakfast there is a possibility to make such sincere step towards each other.

It would be very appropriate to conduct such Prayer breakfast with the President, opposition leaders and different parties in Ukraine… if some-

There isn’t any country in the world where the President is angel. I’ve met with many Presidents including four USA Presidents. And none of them had wings behind his back. Neither did Gorbachov, nor Eltcin, nor Kravchuk. The more so the newly elected president, Obama, doesn’t have wings. But the defeated Romney hasn’t them either…

All presidents are people with their mistakes and delusions.

We used to be friends with Mrs. Clinton many years. Once I helped her in a very hard situation. But now I disapprove her activities. I have a feeling that she has made too large compromises...

The President Yanukovich isn’t an angel either. But the Bible says: «Pray for your governors». It’s necessary to pray for people elected to rule the country to make them better and purer, to let them feel the nation’s support.

When I feel myself beloved by my family I become better. And when I feel myself unloved I’ll become worse. We are people, we’re from flash and we’re not saint.

If Yanukovich feels that people wish him well and not only talk about how much he has stolen in this country, if he feels prayer protection of his people he will become better. And his historical and social role is extremely hard.

Ukraine pays for this freedom with terrible corruption, nation’s impoverishment and criminal situation body took the initiative to organize such meeting where nobody would talk about politics but only about life, love, children and Christ. If one leaves his ambitions and selfish interests behind the thresholds of Prayer breakfast, after such meeting its participants will go out spiritually cleansed...

When I see a believing person filled with true Love, after a conversation with him I feel as if I stood in front of some special icon...

Love and money are never too much.

Ukraine especially lacks this. We can’t help the whole world with money (smiling) but we always can present a piece of love. This is our mission here, in Ukraine. If I’ve helped at least one person this means that I began to help the whole world. If I’ve changed at least one person for better this means that I began to change the world. This is my vital philosophy...

Today the West takes an aggressive position in relation to Ukraine. Unfortunately America isn’t an exception but the leader of this tendency.

In America they don’t take account that Ukraine is a young state, which is trying to follow the way of democratic development. Among all former USSR countries Ukraine has more freedom than the rest countries combined. But Ukraine pays for this freedom with terrible corruption, nation’s impoverishment and criminal situation. I call this «payment for freedom».

The West also forgets that Ukraine is rising after horrible historical dependence on different countries. Having lived for 74 years at the Soviet regime and lost the meaning of its predestination in the world’s life, Ukraine has only stood on the way of its rebirth...

I always see God’s creation in a person first. This is the basis of Spiritual Diplomacy. It’s important to understand that he has his spiritual urges in his heart, his love, and his offences. As chance would have it, Mr. Yanukovich has been elected to be President. People elect, and God chooses. This isn’t always the best person in a country according to our simple judgment. But if God has chosen him like Israeli kings in the Bible, it’s necessary to help him.

For Ukraine hard times have coincided with President Yanukovich’s ascent to power. The country lives despite being torn with political ambitions. If Yanukovich were a dictator, the country would forget what opposition is. But one has to pay bitter tears for the possibility to be free. This is a democracy way...

Freedom is a vegetable garden. Both vegetable harvest and weeds grow under the rain. In the country it is the same. Different things grow: nationalism and fascism, kind and good, love and hatred. This is now happening in Ukraine. The West makes a political mistake. In punishing President Yanukovich, the West punishes the entire nation that doesn’t deserve this. We don’t have right to permit such «fairness»....

Greek mythology has the following image: a human gathers strength when he touches the Earth. When I touch Ukrainian earth, like Greek mythology’s heroes, I receive additional energy and strength. Official occasion of Spiritual Diplomacy visit to your country is an assessment of our and your possibilities to overcome this hard period. I believe that we will be useful for Ukraine and its people! I believe that America and Ukraine will be useful for each other!

www.thekievtimes.org

HISTORY

13

UKRAINIANS: WHO ARE WE AND WHERE ARE WE FROM? (part one)

Discussion of the first state formations on the territory of modern Ukraine forces us to think about such fundamental notions like «state» and «civilization», which reflect different sides of the same process: conversion from primitive societies to early-class ones (or socially stratified, as is accepted to say recently). For this stage of historical development appearance of the cities, written language and laws is characteristic. Cases, which don’t meet these criteria, won’t be considered in this article Alexander Motsya

Khazars are not so «foolish» State forming processes on the south of Eastern Europe has stopped for several centuries and continued in its eastern part only in the late centuries of the І millennium A.D. It was connected with Khazarian Empire that also included lands on the east of modern Ukraine in VІІ-Х centuries A.D. That state formation influence on the neighbors was such that on Rus the grand dukes sometimes called themselves khagans in order to be up to standard of those powerful masters even in their titles.

In particular, in the beginning of ХІ century metropolitan Ilarion called the prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovitch the «grate khagan» in his «Song of law and grace». During Yaroslav Mudry’s (the son of Vladimir) government Ilarion was heading the Old Russian church.

This title was already used by Rus-

campaign to Volga routed the troops of Khazarian khagan and took its capital Itil located in lower reach. The fate of this state was prejudged – later it has disappeared from the historical map of Europe and its population hasn’t left any outstanding track on the European ethnographic map.

It is worth to notice that probably Kiev rating concerned to VІІІ century. This is confirmed by the findings of typical Khazar ceramics and Arabic coins. It’s clear that Kiev was visited not only by Khazarian tribute collectors but merchants who had their trade colony there. In the middle of Х century one of Kiev districts was called «Kozare».

Judaic superstructure Being on the crossroads of Asia and Europe, the Khazarian Empire was subjected to different neighbors’ influence and that was reflected in the «gov-

In famous «Tale of Bygone Years» there is information about how Dnieper Poles who lived in Kiev region paid tribute to the Khazars

Khazarian warrior (reconstruction of M.Gorelik)

sians in ІХ century and this is fixed in west-European sources. Of course, in the beginning of the second millennium those were only recalls about bygone power of Khazarian sovereigns, but according to some written sources earlier their power was also extended to the part of Eastern Slavonic tribes. So, in famous «Tale of Bygone Years» there is information about how Dnieper Poles who lived in Kiev region paid tribute to Khazars. After conferring they decided to pay the tribute by weapon – swords.

That was interpreted by Khazarian elders as the bad omen because their main weapon was saber with one-sided cutoff blade, and new subjects had their weapon pointed on both sides.

That’s why the elders prophesied that later the Slavs would take tribute not only from them but from other nations. According to the statement of the Old Russian chronicler monk, they proclaimed that not on their own free will but at command of God. Of course, this is a legend but as one says, «there’s something about it».

If to talk about Khazarian Empire in general, this is one of the most important medieval political formations of Eastern Europe that has been playing the dominating role from Volga to Dnieper for a rather long time.

Nevertheless during ІХ – the first part of Х century it gradually lost its leading grounds to the young Old Russian state. In the period of its highest growth Khazarian empire was confronting even the Arabic caliphate, which in VІІ-ІХ centuries was the most powerful state of Eastern Eurasia. At the same time Khazaria was dominating on the great part of the Eastern European territory where it conquered not only the Slavs but the other nations’ representatives too. State level of this multi-ethnic formation functioning allows referring it to civilized structure (remember «litmus papers» – presence of written language, cities and laws), and the legendary massage in the beginning of the Old Russian chronicle concerning the fact that the Slavs would «repay» the Khazars, had found its confirmation in the real historical fact: in 965 the great duke of Kiev Svyatoslav Igorevitch during his

Ancient civilization Ancient civilization can be fundamental principle for us. It was characterized by the famous researcher Y. Andreev like this: «Among the Ancient world civilizations Grecian civilization was the first and the only, which in all its vital activity was mainly oriented to a human, to self-sufficient person, actually placing it in the centre of the universe. In this meaning we can talk about Grecian humanism or anthropocentrism, though Greeks were familiar with bloody devastating wars, and basic human rights violation, and exploitation of human by human in one of its most brutal forms – in the form of slavery. Nevertheless, exactly in Greece for the first time human realized himself to be free and unique person who sharply differed from the mass of similar individuals. The level of personal freedom, which was enjoyed by the citizens of Greek policies, has found out to be inconceivable for all other ancient peoples… The state didn’t meddle in the citizens’ private life with that unceremoniousness and absolute indifference to the particular person’s life that were characteristic features of all Ancient East political regimes from Egyptian despotism to Judaic theocracy. There also weren’t a «spiritual censorship» that means the priests’ pervasive control of mood and behavior of any separate person».

It’s necessary to give an explanation of the term «police» that means combination of two interdependent structures – the city itself and its country neighborhood (chora), which together

composed the separate state organism.

One can be proud that the south of modern Ukraine was also the part of the ancient civilization circle (both during the ancient Greece and later Rome). Those lands were mastered by the settlers from Mediterranean Sea, and the states themselves have existed for about a thousand years – from VІ century B.C. to ІV century A.D. But the first settlement appeared somewhat earlier – in the second part of VІІ century B.C. near modern city Ochakov, on Berezan island (that period it was a peninsula). That first resettlement point has received its name from Dnieper’s old name – Borisfen. And after that there were numerous country settlements on the banks of Dnieper and Bug estuaries. Further there was a turn of the cities and the most important of them were Olvia (near modern Nikolayev), Pantikapey (city on the territory of modern Kerch), Tira (in the suburb of Belgorod-Dnestrovsky) and Chersonese (Sevastopol).

The peculiarity of Grecian colonies was the fact that in economic and political relation they as a rule didn’t depend on metropolitan countries (from which the part of population moved).

Their relationships have been realized on the equal right contract basis. In this respect ancient Greek colonies principally differed from the colonies in this term’s modern comprehension. In ethnic respect the population of the ancient states at the beginning – during the cities’ formation – mainly consisted of Greeks. Of course, there could be representatives of local «barbarian»

tribes – as educated Greeks neglectfully called them – among the people.

And groups of loyal local population could also be members of the new states. «Father of history» Herodotus, who visited Olvia in V century B.C. has told about them, called Greek-Scythians. But in general the entire complex of material and spiritual culture indicates small number of «barbarians» in settlers’ societies and this is confirmed

Sea coast. As the result this led to entrance of Tira, Olvia and Chersonese into the Roman province Lower Mezia. As for the sovereigns of Bosporus kingdom (from ancient Greek name of Kerch-channel the «Cimmerian Bosporus» with the capital in Pantikapey), they have taken some kind of independent position with respect to Rome.

But there is nothing eternal in the history. This has happened with the

One can be proud that the south of modern Ukraine was also the part of the ancient civilization circle (both during the ancient Greece and later Rome) by numerous archaeological findings.

Ancient world preferred to live in its environment and contacts with «local contingent» were limited by mutually beneficial trade. In social respect the population structure was rather mixed: besides citizens and slaves there were many categories both of free and dependent or half-dependent population.

These data refer to the first period of ancient history on Black Sea coasts, which than was called «Póntos Éuxenos» that means «hospitable sea».

Roman expansion. Ancient epoch decline The second important period in the history of Northern Black Sea ancient states, so called Roman period (the second half of І century B.C. – 70 years of ІV century A.D.) is connected with progressive penetration of the Roman influence and troops into Northern Black

ancient civilization in general and Black Sea cities in particular. In the third quarter of ІІІ century A.D. in the result of «barbarians’» attacks Tira and Olvia have finished their life as the ancient states. Chersonese has remained the main outpost of the Eastern Roman empire in Tavrika (those times that was the name of Crimea). On Bosporus after the destruction of country settlements system the majority of people continued to live in cities, and in ІV-V centuries have found themselves under military and political influence of Huns nomads (who came to Europe through Kerch channel). That period Bosporus was an amorphous state formation including independent territory and state regions. Later the lands near Kerch channel and Chersonese on the south-west of a peninsula were included into young Byzantine Empire.

But this is another story.

ernmental ideology». First under the influence of Arabs the ruling top has adopted Islam, then Christianity (under the influence of Byzantines), and later Judaism (under the influence of European merchants who then took the leading positions in international trade and brought considerable profit to the Khazar governors). Wide mass mostly remained the followers of old heathen beliefs.

Talking about Judaism, according to the legend passed by Yehuda Halevi in «Khazarian book», converting of khagan Bulan to the new faith took place in a mountain area near Khurasan, not far from sea. This could happen in the settlement Kharasan – the tract with such name is located near Gurzuf on the south coast of Crimea peninsula. And it’s quite possible that this could have happenned. But the main archaeological objects of so called Saltov culture (material reflections of Khazar presence on the northeast of their settling) are located on the territory of Kharkov and neighboring regions within the limits of modern Ukraine (and further to the east from those lands).

After Svyatoslav’s campaign the Khazarian Empire as a social organ probably existed for some time and was completely liquidated only in 50-60 years of ХІ century. Memory of Khazars remained in Crimea but only as the geographical notion. The name Khazaria instead of Crimea was certified exactly in ХІ century. Crimea was named Khazaria or Gazaria only in Italian documents of that period when there were Genoese colonies on its coasts.

Nevertheless, like one the of most famous researchers of this historical problem M. Artamonov stated: «Three centuries of Khazarian state existence couldn’t completely pass, and to belittle the Khazars’ historical meaning isn’t as correct as to exaggerate their role».

Both versions of the state structures on the territory of modern Ukraine don’t have direct relation to the eastern Slavs in general and to the modern Ukrainians in particular. But this is the part of our history and we have to be familiar with it... (to be continued)

14

CAPITAL/PERSON

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

VLADIMIR YADLOVSKY: TASTE PREFERENCES ARE BORN IN CHILDHOOD The fashionable restaurateur and talented master-chef Vladimir Yadlovsky has told ТКТ about haute cuisine trends, politicians’ taste preferences, peculiarities of restaurant business in Ukraine and revealed some secrets of a molecular food

Photo Alexander Lobanov

Interviewed by Alexandra Pogorelaya

D

o you consider yourself a cook or a restaurateur?

I’m a cook. For ten years I’ve been working in «Egoist» restaurant. I began as a master-chef and later have become the managing partner but didn’t lose sight of the kitchen. Building restaurants, I cook less but the hobby remained.

I was studying at art of cookery schools: Alain Ducasse, ENSP, Lenotre, Blue Elephant schools, school at Four Seasons hotel, and school of molecular food Ferran Adria at «El Bulli» restaurant. Also I underwent the training at such great cooks like Pierre Gagnaire, Paul Bocuse, Patrick Casula, Arnaud Gautier, and Bruno Couret.

I’ll always feel myself first of all a cook. Probably, that’s why my restaurants have success: they are oriented to delicious food and good service.

In 2010 you’ve entered the top-25 of the Ukrainian master-chefs according to version of «Focus» magazine, and in 2011 – the top-10 of the best managers of restaurant business according to «InvestGazeta» version.

What was the start of your master-chef’s career?

I have passed the cook’s way from «A» to «Z». I began to work when I was 14 years old in youth cafes. When I was 16, I knew exactly what I wanted. I’ve made market analysis and selected the best restaurant in Kiev – «Zapo­ rozhye» at Sagaydachniy Street. The criteria were simple: master-chef was a Frenchman, there was no end of visitors and prices were really mad.

My chef was a Frenchman Erve Burdon. He gave me realization of what was the kitchen and who was the master-chef at the restaurant.

He passed me his knowledge. Then the Frenchman left and I went to «Surprise» restaurant. In 19 years old my ambitions exceeded the limits and I understood that I could manage people.

As a master-chef I wanted to create my team in a new house. In 1999 I won competition for the chef’s position in new and unknown «Egoist» restaurant. Thus, in 19 years old I became the youngest master-chef in Ukraine. From the first day I was applying all advices of my teacher Erve: came out to a hall, considered our guests’ wishes and corrected the menu. In 2003 the restaurant received «Choice of the year» award in nomination «the best restaurant of

only few restaurants that offer these dishes.

Do you use affordable food products?

Are there many complaints concerning the quality of food in Ukrainian supermarkets?

As the matter of fact our stores are rich with food. I’m not talking about some gastronomic things that are necessary for restaurants. We are not Italians and French, we have grown on buckwheat, borsch and dumplings. But our traditional favorite dishes can be cooked differently. «Olivier» salad or, how French call it, «Russian salad» in 1904 has been cooked of hazel-hens or

There is one secret: our culinary preferences were born in childhood.

We can’t eat white truffles every day independently of how much money we have on our accounts French food». In 2004 I was already feeding the presidents of Russia and Ukraine Vladimir Putin and Leonid Kuchma. I was astonished by a confidence – there weren’t any controlling person from the side of the politicians on the kitchen. Thus «Egoist» has become one of the most elite restaurants in Kiev.

TV-project «Cook!» with your participation is very popular. Why did you decide to work with it?

First of all it is the possibility to tell and show people how one can cook the real haute cuisine dishes on one’s house kitchen.

I had been invited to this project many times, but I build restaurants and don’t have time at all. They asked me what I should like to see on TV-air.

And then I realized that would like to raise the level of food culture comprehension and change the attitude of our people to restaurants. Far from every Ukrainian can allow himself to go to restaurant. But even at home and using customary and affordable food products you can cook like at the restaurant!

Thus the project was born and today it is in a great demand of our audience.

We take standard basket of goods and I cook restaurant dishes of it. At the restaurant such dinner will cost about 50 dollars and at home – to 50 hryvnas.

We specially cook affordable and useful dishes, for example, onion and pumpkin soups: for some reasons there are

quails. Changing several ingredients of the same price category, you can receive the dish of higher level. Many people don’t know that quails and hazel-hens are sold in Ukrainian super-

to the heart of the restaurant – the kitchen – they begin to save and take cooks who cook «by pictures». I don’t understand how master-chef of the restaurant with the European cuisine could never been to Europe. He doesn’t understand what France or Italy lives by. The time has gone where Ukrainians visited the interior. Today guests come to a cuisine. The interior is one of the constituent parts of the restaurant gradation.

Restaurants receive three Michelin stars for correspondence with many parameters: expansive dishes, silver covers, cloakroom of definite size and level, live flowers etc. Today restaurateurs of the world leave this all behind.

The conception shifts to the side of a cuisine. And Michelin is now revising its traditional views.

Ukraine is famous for its «cosmic» prices in the premium restaurants. Is this justified?

Crisis has made many things to fall into their places. It’s impossible to throw money away like it was before.

Only our «gourmet» can pour shish

dish, lost all their customers. When the dish costs 200 hryvnas and suddenly becomes more expensive, even the most solvent customer will think: what is the real prime cost?

When a glass of berry fresh in Kiev during a season costs 450 hryvnas, this is a silly anecdote.

How important is the internal climate for a restaurant success?

It’s very important! I build a restaurant from within. Every employee has to enjoy his work. Guests can come to a cuisine or interior but if there is a misbalance inside the staff this shall be noticeable. The hall, waiters and the kitchen must have a strong contact.

Many Ukrainian restaurants don’t have culture of the internal climate.

Imagine a waiter who is hungry. How can he serve the guest? I know one funny incident when in one of the very expensive Japanese restaurants the waiter, taking away the plate with sushi remains, has asked «may I eat?» instead of «may I clear this away?». This is a typical problem of many Ukrainian restaurants. The guest always suffers.

In European restaurant rise in price can be two times or maximum three times higher. But our restaurants make it 10 times higher! Such ungrounded price policy will always cut the visitor to the quick regardless of his status markets and cost less than a traditional tongue. Alain Ducasse has taught me to make breakfast that costs 375 Euro for two. With the help of temperature you can prepare chicken eggs in a special way. There is no need to boil egg for ten minutes – boil it for 5 minutes and 30 seconds and then immediately cool it. You will easily scrape it. Then warm the egg up again and sauce it. This is incredible thing and is a dirt cheap.

Every Ukrainian housewife can afford such breakfast «for 375 euro»! (smiling) Today restaurants are opened and closed extremely fast. How do you account for such chaos?

Many people mistakenly suppose that it’s enough to have money to open a restaurant. Your friends will come to such restaurant a couple of times but then all the same will prefer another delicious house to your friendship. But mainly the Ukrainian restaurants are opened by amateurs. They invest funds into interior design, and when it comes

The minimal cost of the molecular dinner in Ukraine makes 4000 hryvnas. This price is formed by a long-term cooking process

kebab with «Château Pétrus» saying «good wine is for good meat». Frenchman shall interpret this like a pointback fire. There is a typical tendency of the Ukrainian restaurant business.

After beautiful and pathos opening the restaurants begin to die in two or three years. Mainly the reason is the same – they begin to consider our people to be gulls and groundlessly increase prices.

And the matter isn’t in money.

Well-to-do people are able to pay any sum for their dinner. But they are offended by such attitude. One thing is a food that costs much. This is the work of a cook, his talent and labor, his hands… The other thing is that a bottle of wine that really costs 100 hryvnas is sold for 1000 hryvnas at the restaurant (this can also be dollars). A person buys this wine every day and perfectly knows the price. In European restaurant rise in price can be two times or maximum three times higher. But our restaurants make it 10 times higher! Such ungrounded price policy will always cut the visitor to the quick regardless of his status.

I know a lot of restaurants that have reached the top but then, increasing their prices at 50-100 hryvnas for a

No matter in what European restaurant I studied, this ritual is observed everywhere! The restaurant isn’t opened until the staff wouldn’t eat.

Let me make an example. Michelin restaurant near Geneva, in a small town Bosi works only four hours a day. At 13.00 the restaurant is closed for lunch.

All the staff sits down to the common table at 12.00 to have dinner and clean the restaurant before guests will come.

Worked – closed. Went about their business or to have rest. At 18.00 the entire staff gatheres for supper and at 19.00 the restaurant is opened for visitors.

Queue to this restaurant is scheduled for half a month ahead. Profitability is ideal. And servicing will always be high, beautiful and without haste.

To the professional opinion, does the quality of food and service in the Ukrainian restaurants meet the world standards?

Today Ukrainians travel a lot and begin to know about wines and food.

They build themselves wine cellars and purchase at wine-makers. A restaurant policy can’t be out-of-dated; it’s time to pass to the conventional standard.

CAPITAL/PERSON

15

Photo Alexander Lobanov

www.thekievtimes.org

Before 2004 all restaurants had been using frozen fish. And then our people began to have vacations at Mediterranean resorts, in Turkey and Egypt, and started to refuse such dishes. They have already realized what the taste, structure and color of fresh fish should be!

Restaurateurs have considered and passed to more expensive fresh fish.

There is a boarder of the quality standards and it can’t be overstepped.

The culture of visiting restaurants is intensively developing in Ukraine.

There is a fixed term like «restaurateur» already. Who would you single out?

Odessa. Savva Libkin. He’s one of those people who promote the conceptions «food can’t be expensive» and «there are no discounts at the restaurant». Because no matter what discounts you have, it must be built into the price. I have encountered this matter when was opening two restaurants in the center of Kiev. In one of them we have intentionally abandoned the discount system. In the second one we couldn’t do this (smiling).

This is our mentality and consequences of unsuccessful projects: they were distributing discounts right and left, initially building those percents into prices. When restaurants distribute 50% of discounts it looks strange…

I’m impressed that Savva keeps correct vector. Guest must go to the restaurant, and motivated emphasis has to be made on qualitative and delicious food.

Here in Kiev the most interesting projects are the projects of Gusovsky. I consider him to be 100% Italian. I like that in his houses he never overprices a cuisine, even when it is possible.

He has kept the right Italian conception. He is the only restaurateur in Ukraine who strategically thinks about purchase of wine, buying it for future use.

While we’re at the subject, let’s discuss the network discounts. Is this good or bad for a consumer?

We have «Mirovaya Karta», «Nasha Karta», «Kozyrnaya Karta», the restaurants of Dima Borisov. I’d separate «Carte Blanche» – they are #1. We can talk much about advantages or disadvantages of «Carte Blanche» network, but the most important issue of the Ukrainian market is the creation of «Puzata Hata» – the Ukrainian fastfood where you can invite any foreigner without a shame. People go high to receive something for moderate price.

What was the most ridiculous incident in your cook practice?

I worked at «Surprise» restaurant when it has been on top of the popularity among our politicians and celebrities. I was cooking a salad using unattractive plastic mould, which besides was cracked and glued with adhesive tape. After decoration of a salad you need only take it away and serve it to a visitor. I didn’t notice how the waiter carried out the salad with my mould.

He thought that it had to be so. That was a catastrophe. But the most funny was that the visitor has taken this for granted.

You served the dinner for the presidents Vladimir Putin and Leonid Kuchma. Would you tell about common tendencies and taste preferences of the famous politicians and businessmen?

I served many public persons. All of them have different tastes. But there is one secret: our cookery preferences are always born in childhood. We can’t eat white truffles every day independently of how much money we have on our accounts. All the same we’ll return to the traditional cuisine. I remember, once I was telling about the qualities of Chile seabass to one high-ranking official, and then he told me: «Vova. We’re in Crimea. What seabass? Look what a red mullet». When I fried it I understood what he was talking about. I have never tried better fish than the red mullet: sweet and crispy.

All that we ate with pleasure in our childhood would be tasteful forever. Of course, experiments are great and you always wish to try something new…

By the way, I have met with Savva Libkin like this. During filming of one program he asked me what was my favorite dish, «Mashed potatoes», I replied. He: «And mine are naval macaroni – let’s make friends». He expected me to reply him as a capital master-chef like «goose liver with black truffles». Real cooks have very simple preferences. Yes, mashed potatoes can be cooked differently: with Parmesan or Roquefort… but the recipe from my childhood with great amount of butter, sour cream and egg yolk is the most tasteful for me.

How will restaurant business in Ukraine develop in the nearest future?

Segment of democratic restaurants will grow. During the nearest five years there will be clear gradation: high, middle and low segment. Low segment is far from being a fast-food. Kiev has a network of such «simple» cozy Italian

restaurants, but their prices could be much lower. Before 2008 everybody was building only expansive restaurants.

Even if a restaurant has been opened with middle prices, as soon as it picked up its speed, it anyway tried to increase them! And soon a restaurant turns to something like premium – three penny’s interior, and for the dinner’s price you can pleasantly eat in Paris Michelin restaurant cheaper!!!

feel its bright taste. Your mouth if filled with aroma of scallop with black caviar and salad leafs. Or fried meat in truffle sauce and vegetables. Amazing. But you can’t be full with it. And you make 16-18 such gustatory tests at a time.

Today many master-chefs use molecular cuisine elements. For example, espums. We receive soups in unusual form.

Such symbiosis works well with classic cuisine.

It was you who brought a molecular cuisine to Ukraine. Tell us about this and will the molecular cuisine be popular in future?

In any country of the world the molecular cuisine restaurants are visited only by tourists. I have never seen reg-

You’re the only master-chef in Ukraine who represents a molecular cuisine. How much will such dinner cost?

The minimal cost of the molecular dinner in Ukraine makes 4 000 hryvnas.

This price is formed by a long-term

Every Ukrainian housewife can afford such breakfast – «for 375 euro»! ular customers there. That’s why Ferran Adria has closed his «El Bulli» restaurant and now is going to build the new one in the center of Barcelona. It’s rather costly to work six months a year.

A molecular cuisine is rather a show.

One can’t eat it every day. At worst once a month or even once a year. I visitid «Fat Duck» and don’t stay want to do it again. Maybe, if I shall in London for a long time and have dinner in all restaurants I wish to visit – then yes.

First, such dinner has to be ordered in advance and it lasts for three hours.

Second, this is not food but gustatory emotions. When you eat a sandwich you feel it. But here... you eat a spoon of foam. A spoon of foam, in your mouth turning to a sip of water, which envelops all receptors – you swallow it and

cooking process. There were always people who wished to try it. But it will never become a separate area. Today the molecular extravagances are ordered only for banquets.

Is there a cook school in Ukraine?

There isn’t such school in Ukraine at all. There are culinary colleges that work according to Soviet textbooks. I have graduated from the culinary college and entered the Trade and Economic University. But when at one lecture I heard that oyster squeaked when taken out of fridge, I went to the dean’s office and began to teach myself. They call carambola the shaped cutout kiwi. We have very strong mathematicians, physicists, philologists, anybody – but alas there is no school of cooks and confectioners in Ukraine. It’s

much simpler for me to employ a person with zero experience and teach him everything. My cooks travel, watch, learn; they are imbued with real cuisine atmosphere.

You successfully develop a restaurant business. Is it difficult in our economic conditions?

In short this is difficult. Sanitary-and-epidemiologic service requirements meet the standards that were approved in 1986. And they are far from reality. There are levels of taxes nobody heard in Europe about.

We don’t live in oligarchs’ country. A restaurateur can’t endlessly increase prices; he is oriented to the customer.

Before elections everybody promises benefits for restaurants and hotels, small and medium businesses… And then everybody forgets about this.

When will the first Michelin restaurant appear in Ukraine?

Neither Ukraine nor Russia is not interesting for Michelin at all. There are several restaurants both in Kiev and in Moscow that could receive two stars…

But principle position in relation to our countries doesn’t give them chances for the present.

What is your culinary dream?

There is huge amount of people in Ukraine who would happily learn the art of cookery. But our schools teach only borsches and dumplings but not gastronomic extravagances. I’d like to see how high culture of food shall become the standard for Ukraine. I’m dreaming to create the art of cookery school of the world’s level that should be available for the ordinary Ukrainian.

16

CULTURE

THE KIEV TIMES | DECEMBER, 2012

DMITRY SUKHOVIENKO: I HAVE A DREAM TO PLAY IN NEW KIEV CONCERT HALL Dmitry Sukhovienko, a famous pianist and the follower of great Vladimir Horowitz, represents both Belgium and his native Ukraine on today’s international scene.

This year he’s become an artistic director of several concerts in the European parliament. We’ve met with Dmitry in Kiev to talk about music beyond politics Interviewed by Alexandra Pogorelaya

D

mitry, your visit to Ukraine is marked by two events: Lysenko ІV International competition of academic music young performers and Charity concert for Kiev sponsors in support of «Scholar» program of «Children’s friends» Charitable FoundationWould you tell about this?

For me these events are going off in a single key, they are interconnected.

Lysenko competition and charity concert organized by Kiev cigar club are intended to support young talents, the future of Ukraine. They are different by scales but have the same mission.

Children, who as the fates decree have remained without parents’ care, are extremely in need of support. And I have happily agreed for mister Milan Paevich’s offer to organize such evening. This is my first charity concert of such level in Ukraine. I’m very excited with meeting people who haven’t lost their ability to do good things.

Unfortunately, Lysenko competition organizers asked me to invite interesting people to Ukraine in the last minute. Hopefully next time we will correct this. But it’s important to say that for the first time the Ukrainian state supports young musicians on such serious level. The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine is the main organizer. Prizes are huge – $20 000, $14 000 and $8 000 correspondingly for every nomination: piano, violin, vocal and violoncello. Plus incentive bonuses in different nominations. The competition’s budget made 6 million dollars. This is wonderful! I wish prosperity to the competition.

Did you note some new trends in piano rendition working in the Competitions’ jury?

I’m upset that there isn’t any contestant girl in the second tour. I’d like to give the possibility to show woman’s music as it is always interesting.

In general the competitors’ level is rather high. This isn’t a surprise. Europe is in a peaceful state now. Wars always bring to stop the development of creation. For the last 10 years with the help of the Internet youth has been learning with great aspiration! There is a unique possibility to learn playing by video or by ear. Today’s common European trend is not to be tied to one school and one manner.

Attitude to the culture of piano music has changed too. Everything changes and it’s impossible to play like it was played even 30 years ago.

I’d like musicians to pay more attention to foundations, philosophy and depth of a thought. But due to their age the competitors haven’t come to this.

The youth strives to improve playing technique – this is good and necessary.

I was the same… But finally you understand that only deep feelings can touch the listeners’ souls.

What program are you going to play on a charity concert for Kiev sponsors?

The concert won’t be chamber but the hall is rather large – about 200 places, high ceilings. A Brodmann piano.

I’ll play a classic program to 280 years of Joseph Haydn and 75 years of Valentin Silvestrov: Haydn’s sonata, symphonic etudes of Shuman and two musical compositions of the famous Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov. First time this program was presented in October 2012 on a concert in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Today’s morning I called Valentin Silvestrov, a great composer and person. Few know that he lives and works in Kiev, in a modest flat in one of Kiev micro-districts. Unfortunately, Master almost doesn’t go out anywhere, especially to visit society events.

The Charity concert program has made him so glad that we had been talking for about 20 minutes! (smiling) But he answers phone calls very seldom. I’m so lucky!

He considered order of his compositions on the concert very felicitous.

I open the first and the second part by his music. Logically, it would be worth to begin from a classic composition and finish with modern creations of Silvestrov. But according to Master’s philosophy his music is created supposedly before Haydn, before Shuman… precedes it, but is simply written nowadays. Genius people have different view to this world.

Tell us about Valentin Silvestrov’s music He writes very quiet and intimate music. I have a project to play a concert consisting only of his compositions. Everything he’s creating now is

so quite that this will be difficult: to create sensitive contact with audience and hold its ears. You need to be very prominent musician to do this.

Silvestrov confessed me that was busy with a great work and that’s why restricted connections with outer space not to lose this creation energy. A couple of years ago in Kiev he presented me his compositions’ note manuscripts and I’ll play these compositions at the concert – they are of extreme value for me.

Why it is Haydn who is at the basis of the program?

This year the world celebrates 280 years of Haydn who is the founder of а classic Vienna school. He wrote about one hundred symphonies. He was a teacher of Beethoven. It is logic that the concert is finished with Beethoven’s sonata devoted to Haydn. In general he devoted three sonatas to Haydn but I’ll play the first one only.

You know, when Haydn listened to this Beethoven’s sonata he said: «Hum, well... but it needs to be worked at» (smiling). Listening to this sonata you undoubtedly understand that it was created by genius… But Haydn couldn’t say his pupil that he was genius. And this is correct. Probably, that’s why Beethoven has written 31 sonatas more! And his last sonatas are consummate masterpieces…

By the way, Heinrich Neuhaus, a great pianist and teacher, professor of Moscow conservatoire, wrote in one of his books: «what a happiness for musicians that Beethoven has lost his ear»…

Maybe this sounds bad… but Beethoven ideally could reproduce his inner music, created unbelievable texture…

A person with ideal ear creates at the average: accompaniment, melody. But Beethoven who has lost his ear allowed really mad things to himself…

What composers do you like to play?

All of them who speak sincerely, who had an interesting idea left behind. The Kiev school was found on romantic tradition… and the piano itself is from the romantic epoch: ХІХ century is the period of its flowering. Chopin, Shuman, List, and Brahms are congenial for me. The representatives of this epoch, which is interesting and pleasant for me to play as a pianist.

Baroque too: Bach is the foundation of everything that was afterwards.

And 20 century, of course: Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Silvestrov.

I like to play mono-programs. In 2003 I issued a disk with Schubert’s compositions. Last year I recorded List’s sonata from the concert in Lausanne and all his 12 transcendental etudes: one composer for the whole evening played by one musician is al-

For the first time Ukrainian state supports young musicians on such serious level.

The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine is the main organizer. Prizes are huge – $20 000, $14 000 and $8 000 capital – it is a part of our and European culture. As the country’s economy develops many great musician will come here.

Whom do you consider your teacher?

In 1979 I entered Lysenko school.

Sofia Dobrzhanskaya began to teach me piano when I was 7 years old. Then I went to Vsevolod Vorobyev, professor of the Kiev conservatoire.

11 years of music school plus 5 years of conservatoire: I was very honest pupil (smiling). Then I’ve entered a post graduate course and simultaneously

Menuhin dreamt to create the Parliament of Culture where musicians, theatre directors and writers would gather to solve cultural issues ways risky, but! Last year in Kiev I conducted an evening devoted to 200 years of List. I’d like to thank again the Kiev audience for its faithfulness and sincerity. Philharmonic hall was full and the concert was an immediate success.

got a great chance: I received a grant of Yehudi Menuhin Academy in Switzerland. That was 1995. My visa was opened only for 10 days and I came back to Kiev for holidays only after six months…

How do you evaluate the level of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine?

You know, I wouldn’t like to talk about politics. I make concerts in the European parliament to introduce music into politics but not politics into music. But a word dropped from a song makes it all wrong, everything is interconnected. Country has to reach international level and then the National Philharmonic of Ukraine will be able to do this. Talented musicians can do this anyway – to leave for Europe or any other place of the world, for example.

And the country can’t leave for anywhere! Like the National Philharmonic too.

I wish Ukraine to develop, to continue carrying this light that we’ve got at the Soviet Union’s collapse… To carry our national dignity high.

This should be developed in ourselves. In any country of the world any nation, even the smallest one, is proud of its achievements in the sphere of culture. I’ve been living in Switzerland for a long time. Ethnic Italians, Frenchmen and Germans are equally proud of being Swiss. Such tiny states like Luxemburg and Monaco are proud, and what can we say about Ukraine? For the whole independence years we were lack of this.

Ukraine can’t forget about its national idea. Philharmonic isn’t simply a beautiful building in the center of our

Do you consider yourself rather European than Ukrainian?

Not rather but a European. My children were born in Belgium; my wife is Belgian. I have long since made my roots in Europe. But I’ve always felt myself a European. My first steps on the ground I’ve made in Budapest.

I with my parents appeared in Kiev when I was 6 years old. I was constantly asking: «where are we going home?».

And I spoke Hungarian much better than Russian.

Being Ukrainian, it’s very important to remember that we are Europeans.

And our mentality is European.

You’re called the follower of great Vladimir Horowitz. Do you suppose why?

We’re all unique and play absolutely differently. There can’t be second copy of any of us. I’m sure that I play absolutely differently that Horowitz did. We have connection in school but not in our playing manner. But school of Felix Blumenfeld who taught in the Kiev conservatoire is recognizable, has its traditions and characteristics. This is a special philosophy of piano music.

One of Blumenfeld’s pupils – Steshen-

ko-Kuftina – taught my teacher, Master Vorobyev. She didn’t leave for abroad in contrast to Horowitz. He was saved by emigration that had given him a chance to develop his talent and possibilities.

She has absolutely different fortune: she married an academician who had been repressed in Stalin times and they were exiled to Tbilisi. Horowitz’s carrier was absolutely impossible for her at her entire talent. But even Richter himself studied at her in Tbilisi.

Women’s names in piano classic music?

They rarely sound but they are beautiful. There is great Martha Argerich who taught in Switzerland. Latin temperament in combination with virtuosic skill – she is an amazing pianist.

There is young but very talented pianist Helene Grimaud. In the Soviet Union there were great Tatyana Nikolaeva and Maria Yudina.

Why there are few women’s names?

We play old classic music. The tradition is that woman from a good family in Europe couldn’t work. And that wasn’t discrimination but rather natural intention – to take care of her family.

Men-composers created men’s music for men’s performance. Sometimes it’s difficult for woman to play some composition by force of her physiology. It is technically possible but doesn’t always look naturally. For example, Rachmaninoff (especially the third concert!) or Brahms are traditionally men’s composers. Apollos have to play.

Today this statement can be disputed only by Martha Argerich.

What does a dialogue with an audience mean to you?

This is first of all a transformation, which happens via music. The most important aspect of my philosophy lies in a question: «Why do we play?».

A musician is both profession and not profession… it’s rather a Mission. This is like pastor in a church. We are also preachers of a kindness, beauty, mysticism and miracle. If a musician has realized this, people would reach for him even if he isn’t a great player. We all need light, kindness and positive.

Even sad music may inspire us for wonderful deeds or mood. Sadness isn’t always the end. This is the beginning of something good. A musician’s mis-

Few know that he lives and works in Kiev, in a modest flat in one of Kiev micro-districts

sion is to preserve cultural treasures of the world civilization. A musician is a mediator between a composer and audience. But transferring information, massage and call from a composer he has to let it through him. Some part of your personality has to be reflected in music. One and the same composition will sound absolutely differently at the same artist: in a sunny or rainy day. He plays composition like he feels it depending on his state and his mood. And an audience will feel it too. And this is a special charm.

There is something mystic in this…

If a person doesn’t believe in kindness and miracle it is hard to prove him, even with the help of music.

That’s why it’s always simple to play in Ukraine – local audience believes. And you feel yourself much better on your native scene.

Do you believe in signs and predestinations?

Mysticism is in every person’s destiny. As an artist and musician I don’t simply believe in signs, I accept them

would gather to solve cultural issues.

His son Jeremy, a great pianist, has told me about this.

And here in the European parliament in Menuhin’s hall one of his scholars is conducting a concert to draw the world community’s attention to our culture.

How would you introduce yourself?

I don’t like to talk about myself.

I’m talked over by my audience after a concert. The only thing I’d like to say: hopefully I’m a good father and husband.

Do your kids listen to your music?

Oh, sure! My daughter Zoe will be 4 in January and it’s early for her to go out. That’s why I play personal concerts for her at home (smiling).

My son Rafaelo is 7 years old. He sings melodies from «Star wars» and this isn’t a simple thing.

But although I was taken to a music school by my parents, he is free – he has his own future. I give him everything I can. But choice is up to him.

Are you grateful today to your parents that they sent you to a music school?

Yes. My mom always told me: «Once you will be grateful». And I am. But it is mostly my luck: I wouldn’t succeed

Philharmonic isn’t simply a beautiful building in the center of our capital – it is a part of our and European culture and notice them. Yahudi Menuhin’s family and he himself played very important role in my life. And today he invisibly exists in my life – this is a God gift.

Menuhin’s parents are from Ukraine.

Thanks to Yahudi I received my grant and moved to Switzerland for studying.

Life has suddenly changed. In 2009 I was invited to Brussels to play concert in the European parliament. I went to the parliament and saw that the concert hall was named after Yahudi Menuhin! And that hall was called by his name many years ago. Then I understood that I had to do something in that hall. The first concert took place in October. Now we’re examining the European parliament rules. For example, we don’t have right to have sponsors and sell tickets …

But everything is solvable. This will be unprecedented and very beautiful.

European deputies understand that this will be much bigger than a simple concert.

And what is the most important! His last months Menuhin dreamt to create the Parliament of Culture where musicians, theatre directors and writers

to do this. But how can you settle your destiny and understand what you want, when you are seven years old?

My relationships with piano are complex – that wasn’t love from the first sight! First five years were totally tragic! When I was five, they took me to my first piano lesson at the Soviet embassy in Budapest. I can see this right now: I’m crying at the hall strongly refusing to go but they drag me to class…

One Moscow professor has told my mother a secret phrase: «If you don’t give your son to music it would be the biggest mistake in your life». This phrase has spoiled me my whole life (laughing).

What concert halls are you dreaming to play in?

I’m dreaming to play in new concert hall in Kiev. Any world capital, be it Moscow, Paris or London, has several concert halls: for symphonic orchestra, for chamber music, small, middle and large – various.

Kiev today has only a philharmonic. I’ve heard that there were plans to build large concert hall in the capital.

I’m all for it!