EDITORIAL: Ukraine needs answers now (06/02/96)

EDITORIAL

Ukraine needs answers now

When the founding fathers of the United States of America voted to ratify the Constitution, they believed in certain principles as outlined in the preamble of this document. These were leaders who had foresight and who wrote these words not just for themselves, but for this great country's future. And that fundamental law has been the guiding force for more than 200 years.

Today, one of Europe's oldest nations - and one of its youngest democracies - is attempting to adopt its own constitution, a law of the land that will transform Ukraine into a civil society based on rule of law.

But the past few weeks have pointed out so many problems that they have brought about a crisis in the Parliament, emphasizing the fact that Ukraine is a European nation in name only and that its democratic transition is still in its embryonic stage. They have demonstrated that the leaders of this potentially great European nation have not matured in their development to the point of understanding how important a constitution is for Ukraine.

One of the most glaring examples of this symptom is the fact that the left-wing forces in the Supreme Council have presented their own version of the draft constitution, a polished copy of the Constitution of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Are they ready for a sovereign, independent, democratic Ukrainian state? It appears the left-wingers are blocking the process of adopting a new constitution, refusing to reach any kind of compromise that would permit the establishment of a democratic society for this nation of 52 million.

Some political observers argue that perhaps a constitution is not necessary for Ukraine, citing as an example the United Kingdom, which flourishes as a democracy without a single document called a constitution. But Ukraine does not have a Magna Carta, or any other documents that would safeguard the rights of citizens. It relies on a mixed bag of legal documents, including the Constitutional Accord of June 1995, remnants of the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, presidential decrees, parliamentary resolutions, ministerial guidelines and international documents.

How long can this impasse last? And how long can Ukraine be without a fundamental law if it wants to join the European community of nations? And, to whose advantage is it to continue to ignore the needs of today's society? Is this truly a political crisis, or is this just another strategy for the left-wing forces, led by the Communist faction, to stall Ukraine's development?

Who are the victims in this stalemated debate? They are Ukraine's citizens, who continue to live in a lawless society, whose rights and privileges are not protected, and whose country is put to shame by the antics of a chaotic Parliament that resembles a circus more than a legislative branch of government. The leftists' latest actions have not helped them garner votes. In fact, citizens groups in favor of adopting a new constitution are being formed throughout Ukraine.

Ukraine's citizens have been subjected to watching late night television, where they see something that resembles a Soviet-era soap opera: a motley bunch of Communists storming the podium in Parliament, walking out of sessions, engaging in fisticuffs, screaming Russian-language obscenities at their parliamentary colleagues. Do these deputies really represent their constituents?

Something has to happen. And it has to happen soon, because the Ukrainians - a patient people - are losing their patience.

But the question is: Who will make the first move? Will the Parliament realize that it has to move on the issue? Does the Parliament realize it has to move in order to save face among the voters? Or will President Kuchma have the political will to take responsibility for his people? Will he have the courage to call a referendum on the issue and work to gather the support he needs to be a strong leader? Or will there be a third choice: perhaps a Constitutional Assembly that will guide Ukraine on the path to becoming a lawful democracy?

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