FOR THE RECORD: Yushchenko at Toronto press conference (06/15/03)

FOR THE RECORD: Yushchenko at Toronto press conference

Following is a partial transcript of Viktor Yushchenko's press conference with the Ukrainian media in Toronto on May 13. (The transcript and translation were prepared by Oksana Zakydalsky.)

Q: Could you comment on the political dialogue of Our Ukraine with the Communist Party.

A: The political situation in Ukraine is very complex. At the present time we assess other political entities according to their stance vis-à-vis the current regime. Our Ukraine, as well as the Communist Party, the Moroz Socialists and the Yulia Tymoshenko bloc all regard the change of the current regime as the most important question to be tackled. Together we are working towards our immediate goal: a change in the political system. As far as our vision of the future of Ukraine, especially regarding economic change and economic development, our visions differ.

Q: Are there differences between the political reforms proposed by Our Ukraine and those proposed by the president?

A: In May of this year Our Ukraine proposed a set of political reforms which include the following: fully proportional party electoral system, a unicameral Parliament, a law on the presidency, the government and the procurator-general, etc. To make these reforms effective, we believe some steps are necessary: first of all, the regime must bear responsibility for its actions and guarantee the rule of law; secondly, the Verkhovna Rada should start working on developing laws necessary for the reforms; and thirdly, the parliamentary majority, together with the government should take on responsibility for the implementation of the government program. Finally, the necessary changes should be made to the Constitution - but this should be the last step, not the first. These are our proposals.

The president, however, wants to postpone elections to 2006 in order to have elections at all levels held at the same time; he wants a referendum to change the system of government; he wants Parliament to become a bicameral body, etc. Many of the proposed presidential reforms are against the Constitution of Ukraine. But, above all, the reforms proposed by the president attest to the fact that he seeks to keep power in the hands of the current regime.

Q: Is it possible that there will be a compromise between the regime and the opposition, and that a regime change similar to the one that happened in Russia with President Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin will take place in Ukraine?

A: No such compromise can work in Ukraine today. We must make the regime understand that only transparent and democratic elections can change the political, economic and social situation in Ukraine. We will never retreat from ensuring a democratic and legal transition of power.

Q: Will the opposition be able to propose a single presidential candidate in the next elections?

A: It was because of the lack of consolidation on a national level that the democratic forces were not totally successful in previous elections. The regime is working to make sure no such consolidation takes place by bringing up various divisive issues such as the language question, religious differences, the status of UPA Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the integration of Ukraine into either the East or the West, etc. This is all done to ensure that no consolidated vision of Ukraine's development emerges among the democratic forces and so increases the chances for another victory for the present regime. One guarantee of success in the next presidential elections will be for us to have a united political platform and a single candidate and secondly, to have a select, professional and experienced team, dedicated to a vision of a democratic Ukraine.

Q: The recent parliamentary elections showed that the regime is not interested in transparent democratic elections. For the presidential elections, the regime will have at its disposal an arsenal of "dirty tricks" - harassment of public workers, bribery, falsifications, administrative pressure, denial of access to the mass media. What is Our Ukraine doing to foretell and neutralize such tactics?

A: We have already begun to prepare for the elections. We do not doubt that the regime will use all the weapons at its disposal - it can't win otherwise. In order to neutralize their thrust, we need to counterattack and, most importantly, assure our access to the media. We need to bring onside dozens of regional papers willing to put our message out. We are even considering having our own TV channel.

Important as well will be control over the local electoral committees that are already being formed by representatives of the presidential administrations. We are working with various political partners and diplomatic institutions of many countries, to organize the training of thousands of electoral observers who will be able to deal decisively and professionally with any violations during the elections. We also hope to provide training for observers from other countries. This is a huge and expensive program and is being supported by several institutions.

Today in Ukraine, a lot of honest journalists and democratically minded political activists have lost their lives. It is time to ensure the reign of order and democracy in Ukraine.

Q: Do you expect court cases to be launched against the organizers of falsified letters and flyers recently disseminated against you as the leader of Our Ukraine?

A: Two criminal cases have already been initiated. But I am sure nothing will come out of it because the whole issue is being orchestrated by members of the regime and "a crow does not gouge out the eyes of another crow."

Q: We have access, on the Internet, to a lot of publications from Ukraine. Which ones can be trusted to give reliable information about the political situation in Ukraine?

A: The best informed publication is the Internet site Ukrainska Pravda (www.pravda.com.ua) - founded by Heorhii Gongadze. Some reliable newspapers are: Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, Ukraina Moloda and Vysokyi Zamok. I would also recommend the Internet site of Our Ukraine (www.razom.org.ua).

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