Freedom from what? Or should it be from whom?

Seven years has passed, and I'm still trying to figure out what Ukraine has achieved in that relatively short time, though still more than a third as many years that the nation has been independent. This commentary may very well be disjointed in many ways, just as the people of Ukraine have been for so many years. Regardless, I and many Ukrainians will state that the Orange (R)evolution, and that short period of the nation's short history, was one of the nation's greatest and positive moments. Clearly the benefactor of the Orange (R)evolution, Viktor Yushchenko, enacted one of those symbolic decrees on the Day of Freedom on November 19, 2005 just short of a year of the first anniversary of an event that caught the eye of the world, that clearly could never be guaranteed in the future.

For many who have a relationship to the events of seven years ago, it is difficult to comprehend, that on November 22, 2011, that all that many could see around the downtown core of Kyiv was special divisions of militia units on what is dubbed the day of Freedom? Clearly there are many people who are just as disenchanted with the current regime, a regime and a direction which many opposed seven years ago – not for who they were as a political group backing then presidential candidate Yanukovych, but for the methods which they were using to try to come to power. I'm certain, that those who were on the central square, known as Maydan, in Kyiv on November 22, 2011, are many of those same people who were there seven years ago, and they are clearly not those who voted the current regime in. Though one must also remember the old adage, governments don't get elected in, they get voted out.

On the morning of November 22, 2004, after a very short night sleep and dealing with many international observers as well as journalists, and prompted by a phone call I headed down to meet a good friend and to be introduced to Judge Bohdan Futey by my friend, my Kum, the father of my godchildren. We stood in front of the Post Office on Maydan. We had a short conversation of what could happen in the next day as well as the days to follow, but none of us could have with any certainty predicted of what stood before us.

As a Canadian of Ukrainian extraction, who had already spent some time in Ukraine and working on Ukrainian issues for most of my life, I felt that somehow I would play my part. Be it lesser or greater, I did not know, though I think that all of those who I knew and encountered during the course of what peacefully transpired over the next two months, and who were more involved than I, can only be the judges of my contribution.

Like many of those individuals I had befriended long before and during what came to became known as the Orange (R)evolution became disenchanted with the inactivity of the President who came to power, Viktor Yushchenko, and the squabbles which he was having with his now incarcerated, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. However, the methods employed through the court to forbid the assembly on Maydan on November 22 of this year are as absurd as those taken in the winter of 2000 after the “cassette scandal” of 2000, while Maydan was beginning its transformation into the Globus Shopping complex; back then it didn't surprise me that such a post-soviet mentality and a total lack of understanding of the principle of the right to peaceful assembly took place. This year the court order had to do with the city's New Year Tree, which is do to be officially opened on December 17. Somehow, I fail to realize how the assembly of such a structure requires nearly a complete month to be assembled. Clearly, just an additional incompetency of the municipal administration.

As I viewed posted pictures on the Internet of the number of Berkut special forces on Kyiv's main thoroughfare, Khreshchatyk on November 22, I could only think of one thing. Ukraine, under the current administration has taken at least a dozen steps back from where it was seven years ago. However, even before this, in reviewing the situation and statements of individuals who truly have done their time for the Ukrainian cause, I am even more impelled to state that the only way things will change for the better in Ukraine is through a “New Revolution”, and if necessary it will be a revolution and not an evolution as has happened in the past.

Seven years ago I was there, on Khreshchatyk. I spent many hours and days there! It seemed like an eternity at times! Would there be an onslaught of troops against those peacefully protesting. Now, seven years later, the possibility of protest is becoming less realistic than it was, even under Kuchma.

Above I mentioned the term, “New Revolution”. It is not by chance, but more due to the historical events which have transpired. Ukraine to this day has not had a revolution, but rather an evolution. One which has unfortunately done little for the people of Ukraine with the exception of providing a segment of that population to believe it can change things; while at the same time it has allowed for those with capital to become wealthier and to conduct a variety of anti-national policies which diminish the rights as well as aspirations of the nation's citizens.

Political capture in Ukraine is a reality. It has become an obsession of those in power, not only to ingratiate themselves as much as possible, but also to ensure that they become the “untouchables” without any accountability. This is clear with the new election law which has no mechanism for the accountability of deputies to their constituents.

What will transpire when the populace realizes that once again their votes have been stolen in the upcoming elections? How will they react? Will they even have an opportunity to do so as the current regime steps up its physical authority as it has shown by its absurd use of the court system, and show of physical might?

On the Day of Freedom, there was one image that stood out a great deal regarding among so many others. It was a young girl on the shoulders of her father holding a sign which read, “The Government is Shit”. As an American friend of mine commented and I must paraphrase this. So what would they, the Berkut, who could see this do? I guess we will have to wait and see.

Maybe, a real Revolution awaits?

In my opinion, the current regime only understands force and strength and they seem to rely on that dangerous card much more frequently and much more assertively than any of the previous Ukrainian governments have done. This in turn makes it much more likely that the very same card could soon bounce back to them, and when in does, no one can really tell how the rest of it all could play out. One can only hope that, come a critical point, that those young men who at this time simply obey orders, will be governed by at least some sort of common sense or by some level of attachment to their own nation - a nation that is slowly but surely reaching the limits of what it can tolerate. The people of Ukraine have a government that is has been captured by the controlling interests of a few, they will have to call the shots on how to deal with them and it will have to be their choice. Lets hope that in whatever the path they choose that they have will find alliances from the young men who have been sworn in to protect the nation and its people, and who have some semblance of morality and believe in serving their country and not just the figureheads who are are now in control.



Vasyl Pawlowsky Independent Consultant

Capable of leadership or just another political project?

As the current regime has clearly decided that they will not only pass judgment but will determine what the former Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko's, sentence will be in the nearest future, there has been a great deal of speculation of who will be the opposition.

At this point the spin doctors of the project that has been an ongoing on for the entire period of Ukraine’s “independence” seem to be ready to capture the hearts and mind of the readers of the Ukrainska Pravda website. From an authoritative source, I can state without a doubt that “nothing else matters!” If it comes out on Ukrainska Pravda that is the only exit point that is really important. From there in gets redistributed in various formats, be it electronic, print or other means of broadcasting, very often without reference to the source.

Right now those same spin doctors are trying to position Arseniy Yatsenyuk as a possible oppositional candidate to the current regime of Viktor Yanukovych, the current President of Ukraine, and those who live by his rules of conduct.

They state that there is a campaign called for the “Front of Change” which appears to be headed by Party of Regions, financier, Rinat Akmetov and is in fact is a project of David Zhvania, who former President Yushchenko even implicated in his dioxin poisoning, even though Zhvnaia is the godfather of one of Yushchenko's children.

Now who in their normal minds could consider this to be anything more than a political front -- same money and same people?

All this aside, besides where the money could be coming from? Why would Akmetov try to shoot himself and those he is clearly sleeping with, in the foot? Clearly, once again it is the divide and conquer strategy.

Regardless, who is Arseniy Yatsenyuk? I my mind, he is simply another political project. Much along the ilk of Kravchuk, Kuchma and Yushchenko by those who want to make Ukraine their economic haven and zone of plunder.

He is not a leader, but someone who is accountable to his financiers. While, Yulia may have ghosts in her closet, everyone knows this. Yatsenyuk is far from Yulia's stature in charisma, knowledge or independence and values. While his spin doctors have tried to position him in the past as pro-Ukrainian, he does not measure up to the stature of Yulia Tymoshenko on many different levels.

The choice of his career, in my opinion had very little to do with his interest in legal matters, but rather, as a method of being a part of the old Soviet nomenclature. Hailing from Chernivtsi where there was quite an active pro-Ukrainian student movement when he was studying; he chose not to be involved, hence I have every reason to question his pro-Ukrainian sentiment, as should everyone else.

Like many of the Komsomol ilk, he chose a career that was planned for him, planned and laid out in a manner of which those of the communist ilk could all return to power and subdivide the country.

Yatsenyuk is clearly not leadership material for the Ukrainian nation. Maybe as part of the politico-economic project called Ukraine, however, not for the good of the common Ukrainian people.

Vasyl Pawlowsky
Independent Consultant

Time for new blood!

Many people who follow the politics of Eastern Europe, and particularly Ukraine, are aware of the recent arrest of the former Premier of Ukraine Yulia Tymyshenko. The “Gas Princess” as she has been referred to by some may have played a game in the court room in order to upgrade her personal popularity. But really, I know the Pechersk District court where she was tried. I offered testimony there, in what seems like a century ago, in a matter of someone fleeing Ukraine during the Kuchma regime. When I arrived there, as a Westerner, I could not understand that this little shit-hole of a place was actually a court of law. Little has changed!

This in itself showed me how important the law of the land was to individuals of nation that at that time was but fifteen years old. The law of the land didn't exist and it to this day doesn't exist.

Is it a ploy? This is not the firs time Tymoshenko has been behind bars!

While many have called for the release of Tymoshenko,I began wondering why? This woman as well as the former President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko did squat in terms of what they together announced, and what seemed like honest declarations. True, once again the “rule of law” is being abused by those in power.

While Ms Tymoshenko and Mr. Yushchenko may not have gotten along, neither of them delivered on promises. Anyone who followed the speeches on the Maydan in 2004 will know that for certain.

As a good friend and journalist Vakhtang Kipiani recently noted, and while this is a loose translation the points should be considered:

“On a personal level I feel bad for Tymoshenko. And if my voice had any weight I would sign on behalf of her release... She, and before her Yushchenko, became victims of their own (future) in that they were able to live through the worlds of Putin, Lukashenko and Yanukovych but it was necessary to break the model of the oligarchs and carry out harsh and quick liberal reforms – which Shakashvili did. No one felt a bettering of life under “Yulia” or saw the possibility – therefore there is no reason to fight for her. Because she only fought for her own interests.”

Vakhtang makes a very valid point, and not as a Western observer, but as a Ukrainian.

So where does Ukraine stand right now? Those that are considered the opposition, never really gave a shit about the people. And that is clearer than a blue sky on Sunday. Had they, things would be very different in Ukraine right now.

So, what is needed. It won't be anything we are expecting. And it should not involve anyone who can be compromised. Compromise, is the modus operandi of the county, unfortunately. If someone, whoever he or she is, is going to do good for Ukraine, they have to be a “free” and independent individual without any possibility of compromise.

Some analysts have mentioned that Ms. Tymoshenko may have used the courts and her arrest to her political advantage. This may be so, however, I feel that that Ukraine needs something new, fresh and unhindered by the Soviet mentality, and ” nouveau leadership” of a country that will be turning twenty in a few weeks.

While I may not agree with the way the Yanukovych regime is using the court system to eliminate its opponents, we have to think outside of a box. A box that has been created both by democratically minded Ukrainians and their supporters beyond the borders of Ukraine.

An Orange Present During a Blue (R)evolution

A few days ago after a very long wait I receive a book from an Australian photographer friend of mine that is to be delivered to Victor Yushchenko.

The book is entitled A Portrait of a Revolution and its author Bohdan Warchomij has done an excellent job in capture that moments of history that has come to be known as the Orange Revolution. As I leafed through the pages of the non-standard format of the book, I could almost smell the fires that were burning on Khreschatyk over two years ago.

Many of the photographs from what I gather, and due to the format of the book, and knowing the author personally, were shot using a Hasellblad panoramic camera. The images are crisp and clear and full of contrasts - contrasts between the people and their environment, prior to and during the Orange Revolution.

If you were in Ukraine during that historic moment, you will surely want to pick this wonderful coffee table book up. It will surely bring back memories, and has captured in time the spirit of the Ukrainian people.

Some more thoughts on the problems of contemporary Ukrainian culture

Earlier on I posted two different posts dealing with the problems both abroad and internally within Ukrainian contemporary culture. Most recently with the selection of Verka Serduchka to represent Ukraine in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest is another example of what ails the system.

One of the elements which has created problems in the formation of contemporary Ukrainian culture was the awarding of people with titles such as Merited Artist of Ukraine and other such titles. This carry over from Soviet times has created a group of haves and have nots in the Ukrainian cultural scene, and as a result has ghettoized Ukrainian culture, while promoting the tastes of those who are truly dinosaurs and who should have long ago become extinct. Another problem which this has promoted is the favourtism and benefits that these artists receive. This contributes to a disbalanced playing field for those who are truly talented and deserve government support and those who either purchased their titles, or simply were able to lobby to obtain it.

Shortly after Yushchenko's ascent to power as President of Ukraine there were a few healthy signs that were witnessed in the Ukrainian music industry, with the most mentionable was the refusal of Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, lead man of Okean Elzy, of receiving the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine. At that time there was still a glimmer of hope in the industry. But that glimmer of hope in the industry also faded as President Yushchenko failed to carry out the sweeping changes he had promised on Maydan. The process of cleaning out all that was rotten in the system not only did not take place politically, it didn't take place culturally. Nor was a strategy developed to develop Ukraine's cultural industry. Well a strategy was developed, but unfortunately there has no political will to push the strategy forth. It was developed by a friend of mine and the grandson of composer Kyrylo Stetsenko who carries his grandfather's name, and even though Kyrylo sits on the Advisory Council on Culture to the President, little has been done, in my opinion to carry this strategy forward. I have seen the document, nearly 200 pages, which outlines the steps for developing a cultural strategy for Ukraine. It is based on international experience, but as the old saying goes in Ukrainian:”Who are you to tell me what to do and how to do it!”

As a result we have a situation which is beginning to put Ukrainian contemporary culture in a ghetto. Music TV station M1 and event channels like 1+1 seem to be headed by individuals who have no, or little understanding of the promotion of national interests of an industry continue to minimize and mock Ukrainian culture in the following ways, but those who are being used as pawns seem to have little understanding of what is going on. For example, M1 will play some Ukrainian music as a token gesture, while 1+1 has been running one of the most retrograde shows called Dancing with Stars, where it has even invited individuals like Oleh Skrypka to participate. What to hell was Oleh thinking about by participating in such a piece of trash.

So needless to say, there is a long battle to be fought in the cultural arena in Ukraine. I hope that the diaspora understands that Ukraine has to not only undergo mass reforms politically but also culturally – Ukraine has to understand how to protect its interests in this sphere and start to doing so based on international experience and by putting forth its best foot. How it will do so will seriously involved a revolution, and the death of the dinosaurs who have been growing their pocketbooks while ignoring developments on the world stage.