Quotable notes

"As a citizen, I am convinced that democracy in Ukraine suffered a serious defeat [today]. We were unable to make our choice. The political elite, represented by a majority of those who voted against the Ukrainian government today, proved to be unready to recognize that a legal economy and public politics are the only possible path to social development. I thank all who supported the government and me during the [past] 16 months, I am convinced that our efforts in this regard were not in vain. I will continue the policy I have proposed with all available instruments and methods that are allowed by democracy and principles of public politics. I'm not going away from politics, I'm going to return."

- Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko addressing the Parliament on April 26 after it passed a no-confidence vote on his Cabinet, as quoted by the Ukrainska Pravda Internet newspaper.

* * *

"As far as I understand, Mr. Yuschenko was following the president's course. The president is remaining, and he has not said anything about his intention to change the course. Therefore I think that a new prime minister will follow this course, too - that is, the course followed by Yuschenko."

- Ukrainian political scientist Mykhailo Pohrebynskyi in an interview with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on April 26.

* * *

"There is a silly opinion that the prime minister [Yuschenko] was following the president's course. Let us say openly - our president [Kuchma] has no course. We simply look like clowns on the world's arena while following, so to say, the president's direction. It was Yuschenko who had a course. After his dismissal, we have lost this course and are facing an incomprehensible situation."

- Former Vice Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in an interview with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on April 26.

(All quotes provided by RFE/RL Poland, Belarus and Ukraine Report.)

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 6, 2001, No. 18, Vol. LXIX

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