Turning the pages back... September 1, 1991 (08/25/96)

Turning the pages back...

September 1, 1991

In its first editorial after the declaration of Ukraine's independence on August 24, 1991, The Ukrainian Weekly commented on the achievement of a long-sought goal and expressed an appreciation for what was to come. Following are excerpts of that editorial.

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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 Independence of Ukraine. Democrats, Communists and those in between 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.

Suddenly the news media were replete with reports on "the vital Ukraine," "the agricultural and industrial powerhouse" and "the breadbasket of the USSR." Commentators pointed out that the second most populous republic of what was the Soviet Union - and, according to Deutsche Bank, the republic ranked highest in terms of economic criteria on its chances of succeeding on its own - would now play the decisive role in defining what type of union or federation, if any, would be formed in place of the USSR.

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 was 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. Yuri Shcherbak, people's deputy from Ukraine, told the USSR Supreme Soviet.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin was perhaps the first to realize this as he seized power, issuing decrees, subordinating all-union matters and institutions to the RSFSR and shamelessly dictating to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

But the actions of Tsar Boris soon aroused the suspicions of republics which saw the resurrection of "Big Brother" Russia, a republic "more equal" than others. Mr. Yeltsin's spokesman warned republics sharing borders with Russia that it would not let them secede taking heavily populated Russian areas with them (i.e., the Crimea and the Donbas in Ukraine, and northern Kazakhstan).

Finally, 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.

Surely, there is no one in Ukraine who doubts that it will be completely independent. Observers worldwide have commented that Ukraine's independence declaration is irreversible. Mr. Gorbachev, now more clearly than ever a transitional figure in the USSR, still hopes to save the union, but is slowly becoming aware that his vast country and the people have changed. Meanwhile, governments around the world have begun reacting to the reality that exists on the territory of what once was the monolithic USSR.

Here in the U.S., we are somewhat buoyed by President George Bush's statement earlier this week that the U.S. "will respect the freely expressed wishes of the people of Ukraine" in the upcoming referendum and his pledge to "continue to move in a way to encourage independence and self-determination" - words he dared not utter in Kyiv so recently. However, we also point to Mr. Bush's inaction this week on the issue of recognition of the independent Baltic states. Ever prudent, Mr. Bush said he did not want to contribute to anarchy in the USSR and would prefer to wait until the USSR Supreme Soviet grants the Baltic states their independence, thus implying U.S. recognition of Soviet authority over Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

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?

Source: The Ukrainian Weekly, September 1, 1991; Vol. LIX, No. 35.