THE 15th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE
A look back: The Ukrainian Weekly's editorials on Independence Day
To mark the 15th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, we publish excerpts of editorials printed in The Ukrainian Weekly after the declaration of independence in 1991, as well as on the occasions of the first, fifth and 10th anniversaries of that fateful August 24, 1991.
September 1, 1991,
Independence: bye-bye, USSR
The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic is no more. In its place, on August 24, arose an independent democratic state called, simply, Ukraine.
Events unfolded quickly. Almost without warning and, literally, overnight Ukraine's long-sought independence became reality. Impelled by the failed coup in Moscow, the obvious disintegration of the union and the hopeless demise of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian Parliament overwhelmingly adopted the Act of Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine. Democrats, Communists and those in between all saw that Ukraine simply must seize the moment, that Ukraine must take its future into its own hands and not wait for outside forces to determine the destiny of this nation of 52 million.
All around, day by day, the USSR was withering away. The coup's principal achievement was to prove that central power in the Soviet empire is dead, and power was fast devolving to the republics. "What has happened is the collapse of the central empire, the full destruction of the structures of imperial power. There can be no illusions: the Soviet Union no longer exists," Dr. Yuriy Shcherbak, people's deputy from Ukraine told the USSR Supreme Soviet.
Russia's emissaries had to travel to Ukraine to persuade that newly independent state to sign a temporary bilateral agreement on military and economic matters in an attempt to halt the "uncontrolled disintegration" of the union seen by many around the globe as an extremely dangerous situation - especially in view of the fact that nuclear weapons are found in various republics. Ukraine acted responsibly, signing an agreement with Russia on these crucial matters but at the same time emphasizing that this is a bilateral, horizontal agreement between two equals - not a precursor to any new form of union. (It should be noted that the pact goes so far as to refer to the "former USSR.") And, a pledge to respect each other's territorial integrity was reconfirmed as part of the deal.
Thus, Ukraine appears to have passed its first big hurdle as an independent state. But what lies ahead? Many more hurdles, we are certain. As we've seen lately, so much can happen in so little time. And there are three months between now and December 1 when the people of Ukraine of all nationalities will be asked to affirm Ukraine's independence declaration in a plebiscite.
So, what lies ahead? Much work in preparation for the December 1 referendum in Ukraine. Much work in preparing world leaders to accept an independent Ukraine as a participant and partner in international affairs. Will the leaders and people of Ukraine, and Ukrainians in the diaspora, be equal to the task?
August 23, 1992
The first anniversary
Last year, on August 24, 1991, as a direct consequence of the failed coup d'état in Moscow, members of the Ukrainian SSR Supreme Council voted overwhelmingly to adopt the Act of Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine. The vote came at an extraordinary session of the republic's Parliament convened on the initiative of the democratic opposition - a minority in the 450- member body. It came as a great surprise to the Ukrainian population that the Communist Party-dominated Parliament voted 321-2 with six abstentions (out of 360 members present) for "the creation of an independent Ukrainian state - Ukraine." A companion resolution provided for immediate implementation of the proclamation of independence and for a public referendum on December 1, 1991, to affirm the declaration. And thus, the balance of power in Ukraine had shifted in favor of fledgling democratic forces and Ukraine had crossed the Rubicon, choosing the path toward independence.
In short order, structures of the Communist Party of Ukraine were dismantled, Lenin's towering likeness was removed from the most prominent spot on the Khreschatyk, the Ukrainian capital's main boulevard, and Independence Square in the center of Kiev was officially renamed October Revolution Square. Similar repudiations of the repugnant Communist past occurred throughout Ukraine.
Much more significant, however, was that Ukraine's declaration of independence - the realization of a centuries-old dream borne by Ukrainians around the globe - put an end, once and for all, to any hopes for the conclusion of a new union treaty and guaranteed the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
After December 1, when over 90 percent voted "yes" for Ukraine's independence in a nationwide plebiscite, the first deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ivan Pliushch, said: "A new European state has emerged on the map of the world. Its name: Ukraine." Four days later the newly elected president, Leonid Kravchuk, took the oath of office while placing his hand on two documents: the Constitution and the declaration of independence of Ukraine.
August 18, 1996
Independence: the fifth anniversary
On the heels of the [August 19-21 attempted] coup [to depose Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev] came the Ukrainian Supreme Council's unexpected declaration of Ukraine's independence on August 24, 1991, and that clinched the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union.
On December 1, the Parliament's act was overwhelmingly affirmed by the people of Ukraine, as over 90 percent voted "yes" for independence. Four days after the plebiscite, Ukraine's first president, Leonid Kravchuk, took the oath of office.
And thus, Ukraine embarked on the road to accomplishing the twin tasks of state-building and nation-building - tasks that continue to this day. Athough it was apparent that modern-day independence owed much to the sacrifices of the past, it soon became clear that there were new sacrifices that had to be made by the current generations.
Adding to the growing pains experienced by the newly independent state was the pressure exerted by the ever-present "elder brother," as Russia began asserting itself as a great power with a special regional role to play. Internationally, Ukraine was nearly made out to be a pariah as the major powers sought its denuclearization and disarmament, and the closing of the stricken Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Domestically, the president (who did much to make the world understand that, yes indeed, Ukraine is independent), the Parliament and the government were involved in a power struggle, resulting in a deleterious stalemate.
Pre-term parliamentary and presidential elections were scheduled, respectively, for March and June of 1994, and a second Leonid - Leonid Kuchma - then an unknown quantity, was elected president in the July 10 runoffs. He came into office speaking of a Eurasian space, working within the CIS, normalizing relations with Russia and making Russian an official language of Ukraine. But his on-the-job training, so to speak, has apparently been successful, as he has grown into the role of president of independent Ukraine.
Ukraine's orientation now is definitely Westward - toward Europe and beyond; Russia knows where it stands in relation to Ukraine; and Ukrainian remains the only state language (though language rights are guaranteed to all of Ukraine's minorities). Ukraine today is successfully being integrated into international and European structures, and it finally has a new Constitution to boot.
August 19, 2001
Ukraine lives!
Ten years ago we witnessed an event that many of us had dreamed about for decades: the rebirth of an independent Ukrainian state. When we think back to August 24, 1991, and the period immediately after this historic day, we recall the great joy within our community in this country and throughout the entire Ukrainian diaspora. The seemingly impossible had come to pass. Ukraine was free! And, caught up in the emotion of the moment, many naively thought it would all be smooth sailing ahead.
Now it is 10 years later - a decade has passed in a flash. During that time Ukraine has made great strides in nation- and state-building. We need only recall several free elections, the peaceful transfer of power from independent Ukraine's first president to its second, the adoption of a new Constitution of Ukraine, Ukraine's peaceful and good relations with all its neighbors, its growing presence in the international community of nations, Team Ukraine's participation in the Olympic Games and, of course, Pope John Paul II's momentous visit to Ukraine. There is no longer any doubt, as there was at several points during the fledgling state's first few years, that Ukraine will retain its independence.
But there are problem areas: corruption, abuse of power, a cynical and apathetic public that doesn't realize the power it wields, economic reform that hasn't progressed as quickly as had been hoped, and the replacement of Ukraine's once thoroughly pro-Western stance with a so-called multi-vectored foreign policy. Are these the growing pains of a young state, or something more deleterious and sinister? Time will tell, but so will the actions of both the leaders and the people of Ukraine. It is our fervent hope that these problems will be overcome - not simply be overlooked - for that will guarantee Ukraine's further development as a democratic state.
We should celebrate on this August 24 because we have been blessed with the chance to witness the proclamation and development of Ukraine's independence. We should celebrate Ukraine's independence because, though it seemed to happen overnight, this independence was the fruit of decades of dreams and work - in countless cases, of extreme sacrifice. As well, we should celebrate the fact that many of us, like our forebears, have been able to contribute to Ukraine's rebirth, albeit in different ways.
Thus, as we mark the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day, we should recall the decades of hope and struggle from which it was born. And we should ponder how fortunate we are to be able to declare two very simple, yet eloquent, words: Ukraine lives!
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, August 20, 2006, No. 34, Vol. LXXIV
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