Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Ukraine needs a strong opposition if it is to hold the new Government to account. The offer by Yulia Timoshenko for Our Ukraine to join the opposition was a good tactical move as it shows up Our Ukraine for what they are. Meanwhile Our Ukraine continues to hold out hope that it might join the governing coalition. Negotiations are proceeding as Our Ukraine's 10 day deadline approaches. "It is better to be a dog inside and well feed then a dog stuck out in the cold. Pavlov's dog continues to bark at the door hoping to be let inside." Our Ukraine bloc has no intention to team up with Timoshenko Source: ITAR-TASS September 22, 2006 KIEV, September 22 (Itar-Tass) -- The just-created inter-factional opposition association in the Ukrainian parliament has incorporated only part of the Yulia Timoshenko faction and two Socialists. "There is not a single deputy from the Our Ukraine faction," a member of Our Ukraine faction, Boris Bespaly, said after Yulia Timoshenko c

In what is shaping up to be another hot spot. The residents of Moldova's Transdnestr region Sunday votes overwhelming for succession and independence from Moldova. Whilst the World Government's refuse to recognise the ballot the fact still remains that a large section of Moldova's population does not wish to remain under Moldovan rule. The President of Ukraine also has rejected the referendum as being valid. There is no quick solution to this problem. Ukraine also faces the potential of separatist movements building momentum if divisions are not resolved. The election of Party of Region's Viktor Yanakovich as Prime Minister has dampened for the time being calls for Ukraine to divide into a lose federation of autonomous republics. Crimea is already an autonomous republic and there and those that recommend the creation of additional autonomous regions. The Hungarian community on Western Ukraine, carved off from Hungary as party of the divisions following the collapse of t

Office of the President under review. Ukraine's Communist Party propose to abolition of the post of President. Whilst the communist party, which represent less then 5% of Ukraine, proposal is unlikely to receive the necessary support and the statutory majority required to abolish the President's position the issue surrounding the role and function of the office of president will continue to be under review. Ukraine is now a parliamentary democracy. Government is no longer by presidential decree but the responsibility of the elected parliamentary representatives. This is a positive step in Ukraine's democratic evolution. Whilst supporters of the currently president would like to see the president have absolute power. I am sure supporters of the president would be the first to call for reform if someone else other then their nominee held the post of president. Presidents come and presidents go. Constitutional reform should be based on particular outcomes. Any changes to the

Viktor Yushchenko, having lost public support and the parliamentary election, under pressure from his masters now finds the need to speak out and criticize the newly formed government for not agreeing his policies. (For-ua.com September 16, 2006) copy below. In making his comments Victor Yushchenko also insisted that "the formation of a parliamentary coalition should be faster". Where was the Viktor Yushchenko during the negotiations for the formation of an Orange coalition. Instead of constantly travelling abroad he should have been in Ukraine providing assistance and direction to his own party and their team of negotiators. The delays caused by Our Ukraine not supporting Yulia Tymoshenko and the Socialist Party, their persistent undermining of the formation of an "Orange" governing coalition did not go unnoticed. Yulia Tymoshenko and Olexander Moroz both had cause to publicly call on the President as leader of Our Ukraine to bring them to the table and honour the

The BBC continues to display an inherent bias in its reporting on Ukraine. Prior to the "Orange revolution I recall reports from the Kyiv office that the then Ukrainian Government were scrambling broadcast of the BBC in order to prevent access to news. What was strange about this report is that I was watching the BBC at the time of these allegations and had been watching the BBC for the preceding three days as I worked from home. I was in Ukraine at the time. Ukraine's President, Viktor Yushchenko, statement that Ukraine's Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych's belief that public opinion opposed the move was "wrong" certainly must be questioned. Public polling has shown consistently that a majority of Ukrainians do not support or are opposed to Ukraine joining NATO. Ukraine's membership of NATO featured prominently during the march 2006 election campaign with most parties and candidates opposed to Ukraine joining NATO. Even amongst supporters of Our Ukraine

As Our Ukraine deliberate over the next 10 days many commentators and interested parties will be making their voice heard. The anti-crisis coalition is fragile and the numbers tight (Although every day more and more oranges are falling off the tree, some sour, some sweet) Our Ukraine has three choices facing them. They can join the governing coalition and drive from within. They could join the opposition and without compromises criticize from outside and hope they will stumble and fall over. Or they can divide and become a squabbling mess and face political oblivion. They are at the cross roads standing on a pinnacle over looking the ravine. Do they cross the Rope Bridge, turn back or jump? If they join the coalition they have obligations and a duty to play ball, they will lose public support for their actions and as second fiddle in the orchestra will find it hard to get recognition unless they perform loud and clear. They could play the role of poison pen pal from within and when the

Ukrainian Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych, shafts Ukraine President's NATO ambitions. "NATO Membership is not Ukraine's main stategic priority". Opinion polls show that most Ukrainian's oppose NATO membership with support hovering between 12% to 25%. Viktor Yanukovych told senior officials that his coalition government would continue reforms meant to bring it closer to the rest of Europe. Ukraine Says NATO Membership on Hold By CONSTANT BRAND, Associated Press Writer 9:51 AM PDT, September 14, 2006 Source: LATimes.com BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych told NATO on Thursday that he was putting moves toward membership in the alliance on hold, but he said the former Soviet republic still wanted to join the European Union. "Joining NATO is a matter of time. Currently, there is still no support for this issue in the Ukrainian society," Yanukovych said after talks at NATO headquarters. "The support has decreased over the pa

Hours after Our Ukraine lays down its ultimatum and sets a 10 day deadline for the formation of a broad coalition the working group on the formation of the new coalition takes time out. This looks like a repeat of events surrounding the failed negotiations of the formation of an Orange coalition. At first our Ukriane tried to torpedo Yulia Tymosheko's reapppiontment as prime minister. When public opinion and internal forces backed Yulia Tymoshenko. Our Ukraine then attacked Olexander Moroz, Socialist Party of Ukraine, and challenged him for the job of Parliaments speaker. Our Ukraine already held the position of President which it only won with the support of its Orange coalition partners. Instead of agreeing to share responsibilities in partnership and accepting responsibility for major economic portfolios Our Ukraine continued to chart a course of pending disaster. Ukraine was facing a major political and constitutional crisis as a result of Our Ukraine's refusal to compromis

Comment: Our Ukraine makes ultimatum as ten day count down commences: Anatoly Matvienko Our Ukraine spokesperson declares "Ten days is enough time to if no agreement reached ... It will prove that there is no word in the politics but only absolutely opportunistic approach and profit-making policy" This looks more like an escape clause and more hypocrisy.. Our Ukraine could not form, or to be more precise would not agree to form an Orange coalition after three 3 months of negotiations. As a result of Our Ukraine's actions the anti-crisis coalition was formed with Olexander Moroz, Socialist Party of Ukraine, taking direct action to avoid a major political and constitutional crisis. Our Ukraine do not deserve trust or respect. Forget them if they want to join they will if not get on with the role of governing and repairing the divisions and damage generated by Our Ukraine. Let the dog sleep outside, Their betrayal and lust for power will after time for reflection help them i

Wednesday, September 13 2006 Ukraine's opposition took a blow Wednesday when it was announced that three members of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc were leaving its parliamentary faction for the ruling coalition. The number of seats now held by the grouping led by ex-premier Tymoshenko, who promised in August to form a radical opposition to arch rival Viktor Yanukovych's government, has now fallen to 126. At the opening of Wednesday's parliamentary session, Oleksandr Moroz read the statements submitted by Maxim Lutskoy, Inessa Vershinina and Dmytro Kryuchkov announcing their decision to join the anti-crisis coalition, which comprises the Yanukovych's Party of Regions, the Socialists, the Communists and some members of the pro-presidential Our Ukraine bloc. Tymoshenko, a charismatic leader of the 2004 "orange revolution" that swept Viktor Yushchenko to the presidency and saw her installed as his first prime minister, has repeatedly claimed that her political opponent

Our Ukraine are facing a crisis of their own and face a very bleak future amidst concerns that division within its ranks. Reports that half of Our Ukraine members support the the formation of an alliance with party of Regions and the formation of a grand governing coalition. If Our Ukraine do not re-invent themselves Viktor Yushchenko's future is looking more and more like a one term wonder. Already his moral authority has been reduced to the barest minimal. Our Ukraine had its opportunity but with all its game play it has squandered much of the good will that once was afforded them. The Party is over and its members know it. They are accused of being traitors and continue to be the focus blame for the loss of public faith. (For-Ua.com) - September 4, 2006 Zaporizhzhya Governor Chervonenko on the Our Ukraine Party's prospects Yevhen Chervonenko Zaporizhzhya Governor and the Our Ukraine Political Council member has subjected to criticism the future of his party. “I remain a memb