EDITORIAL

Sovereignty Day

Ten years ago, the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic overwhelmingly, by a vote of 355-4, adopted the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Ukraine. "UKRAINE PROCLAIMS SOVEREIGNTY," reported The Weekly in huge capital letters across its front page.

The historic declaration proclaimed the primacy of Ukrainian laws over those of the Soviet Union and underlined that the people of Ukraine were the sole source of power and authority in the republic. Indeed, it is worth noting that the first reference in the preamble is to this act by the Supreme Soviet "expressing the will of the people of Ukraine." The document stated that henceforth Ukraine would control its own affairs in all spheres of activity, the economy, the environment, international relations, the military and culture. It stated also that the Ukrainian SSR exercises authority on all of its territory and proclaimed the inviolability of Ukraine's borders.

In its first section, titled "Self-Determination of the Ukrainian Nation," the declaration noted: "The Ukrainian SSR, as a sovereign national state, develops within existing boundaries on the basis of the realization of the Ukrainian nation's inalienable right to self-determination." Of paramount importance also was the declaration's pronouncement that Ukraine would adhere to three non-nuclear principles: that it would not accept, produce or procure nuclear weapons. No less important was the provision stating that all the people of Ukraine, citizens of the republic of all nationalities, have the right to free national-cultural development.

Finally, the document stipulated that the Declaration on State Sovereignty "is the basis for a new constitution and laws of Ukraine and delineates the positions of the republic in concluding international agreements," underscoring that relations with other states - including other republics of the USSR - are to be conducted on the basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in one another's internal affairs. The document also contained the proviso that the principles embodied in the declaration are to be "utilized in the preparation of a new union agreement." Here the document's intent was quite clear: there might be a union treaty in Ukraine's future (a vote on just that issue was forthcoming), but it would be a union treaty of a new character, one that would be defined by the national and state interests of Ukraine.

The citizens of Ukraine were swept up with emotion on July 16, organizing a spontaneous meeting in October Revolution Square; the Parliament proclaimed the day a national holiday. This was the beginning of Ukraine's latest drive toward independence - an independence that came a scant one year, one month, one week and one day later.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 16, 2000, No. 29, Vol. LXVIII

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