Ukraine is Not Headed Toward Europe - a letter by Nemyria in WSJ

[IreneLviv]

Ukraine Is Not Headed Toward Europe
In a Sept. 23 interview, "Kiev leader seeks to join EU," Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych again illustrated that the policy goals he presents abroad bear little relation to what is actually going on inside his country.

For example, he talks about "moving steadfastly along the road of European integration." Yet integration cannot be achieved when democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are being threatened as a consequence of authoritarian actions sanctioned by his administration. Just this month the EU issued a statement on the freedom of Ukraine's press, expressing its "deep concern over the disappearance of the Ukrainian journalist Vasil Klymentyev in August." The statement said, "the EU also expresses its concerns at recent reports of violence and harassment against media professionals in Ukraine."

That statement followed a strongly worded resolution from Europe's largest political party, the European People's Party (EPP), which said it was "deeply concerned by the current situation with the democratic development in Ukraine." The EPP cited Kiev's curtailment of media freedoms; selective use of the criminal justice system that appears to persecute allies of the political opposition; and the use of the Security Service that it said "appears to go beyond the normal functions exercised by such agencies in democratic states governed by the rule of law." It also condemned state interference in the main opposition party's internal affairs. As regards a new law governing nationwide local elections due on Oct. 31, the EPP said that it "falls short of democratic standards."

It is time for Mr. Yanukovych to match his public rhetoric with action. To borrow a quote from EPP President Wilfried Martens: "Democratic freedoms are not safeguarded by public relations visits to European capitals by government leaders; they are safeguarded by sincere and tangible commitments to Ukrainian society." Without this, Ukraine's aspiration to join the European Union will remain a pipe dream.

Hryhoriy Nemyria

Foreign Policy Advisor
to Yulia Tymoshenko,
Ukrainian opposition leader

[stepanstas]

Ukraine: Court Gives President Some of Parliament’s Power

President Viktor F. Yanukovich’s control over the government grew on Friday when the constitutional court handed him some of Parliament’s powers. The court overturned changes in the government’s structure, adopted in 2004, that had split authority between the president and Parliament. Mr. Yanukovich, above, who took office this year, praised the decision, saying that he hoped to go even further by holding a referendum on a new Constitution. But his opponents said he had rigged the court and was trying to create an authoritarian system. Mr. Yanukovich’s allies control Parliament, and he has a loyal prime minister. But if opposition parties make gains in new elections, it will be harder for them to block his agenda.

US lawmaker McCain 'saddened' by Ukraine

WASHINGTON — US Senator John McCain Friday said he was "saddened and concerned" over the strengthening of presidential powers in Ukraine, saying the move by the constitutional court had reversed years of progress in the country.

The former 2008 Republican presidential candidate said in a statement that he spoke about the situation by telephone with Ukraine's former pro-western prime minister and now opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

"I am saddened and concerned that today's ruling by Ukraine's Constitutional Court could lead to a harmful centralization of power and a weakening of democracy in Ukraine," said McCain.

"Though Ukraine's steps toward democracy over the past six years have been a work in progress, the court's action today has undone much of that progress and betrayed the promise of the Orange Revolution," he added.

McCain said Tymoshenko "told me of the increasing pressures that Ukraine's peaceful political opposition is facing, especially in the run up to local elections this month.

"I encouraged her to continue working for greater democracy in Ukraine and to convey my support to all of her fellow reformers and civil society advocates."

McCain called on the United States' "transatlantic allies" to support democratic rule in Ukraine.

Ukraine's constitutional court Friday strengthened the powers of President Viktor Yanukovych by annulling 2004 amendments that boosted parliament, sparking opposition claims of creeping authoritarianism.

For those who may not know, John McCain was a supporter of Ukrainian democracy in the 2008 presidential election, and remains one today.

[sjoyce]

Canada is also a suppporter of democracy in Ukraine. Our government continues to observe what is happening in the country.