Presidential candidate Udovenko addresses New York community (09/26/99)

Presidential candidate Udovenko addresses New York community

by Tamara Gallo
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

NEW YORK - The Ukrainian American community had the opportunity to meet one of Ukraine's 15 presidential candidates at a community event held at the Ukrainian National Home on September 21.

Speaking on behalf of the United Ukrainian American Organizations of New York, the local branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ihor Dlaboha introduced the guest speaker, Hennadii Udovenko. Mr. Dlaboha highlighted the diplomatic and political career of Mr. Udovenko that included such posts as ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Poland, president of the United Nations General Assembly and foreign affairs minister of Ukraine. Currently Mr. Udovenko is a member of the Verkhovna Rada, chairman of its Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations, and chairman of Rukh.

Mr. Udovenko opened his remarks by explaining why he is in the United States, rather than campaigning for president in Ukraine. He stated that he was asked by Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasyuk to be a member of Ukraine's delegation to the opening of the United Nation's General Assembly to address the issue of Ukraine's membership in the U.N. Security Council via a non-permanent seat. According to Mr. Udovenko, the delegation will not be asking for U.N. Security Council membership for prestige purposes, as Slovakia is doing, but to help strengthen Ukraine's statehood - an issue that Mr. Udovenko felt strongly enough about to take a break from his campaigning.

"The theme of my presidential platform is 'Strengthening Ukrainian Statehood,' stated Mr. Udovenko. As the candidate put forth by the Rukh Party, Mr. Udovenko explained that his party collected 2 million signatures, exceeding the 1 million needed to officially become a presidential candidate. He stated that the faction that had broken away from Rukh, which is headed by Yurii Kostenko, also collected 2 million signatures. He noted that had Rukh not split, the party would have collectively had 4 million signatures - a strength to be reckoned with during the election period.

Providing a short overview of the presidential climate and the recent bloc formations among candidates, Mr. Udovenko stated that he would not join any political blocs, but would run independently for president. According to Mr. Udovenko, several political parties, including the Rukh faction that remained loyal to Vyacheslav Chornovil after the split initiated by Mr. Kostenko, the Reform and Order Party, headed by Viktor Pynzenyk, and several Christian Democratic parties support his candidacy. In addition, several well-known personalities have joined Rukh, including Volodymyr Lanovii, a presidential candidate in 1994.

Casting aside the issue of his age, Mr. Udovenko stated that his 68 years have taught him several important lessons. In addition, if he is elected, his administration would include many young politicians, including Messrs. Lanovii and Pynzenyk, as well as older specialists like Yaroslav Kenzior and Les Taniuk.

Addressing the issue of why reforms have not taken hold in Ukraine even after eight years of independence, Mr. Udovenko explained that changing both the political system from totalitarianism to a democracy and a planned economy to a market economy is hard when the Soviet mentality remains among a large percentage of the population. Mr. Udovenko stated that people with a strong Soviet mentality are the ones who have remained in the government. He voiced optimism that within three to four years the political positions will change and new people who are not burdened with a Soviet mentality will fill these posts.

Illustrating his point with a personal note, Mr. Udovenko shared a story about a recent trip to western Ukraine where he spoke to a group of young children. When Mr. Udovenko asked if they had ever heard of Lenin, all the children bowed their heads, uncomfortable that they did not know the answer. Mr. Udovenko explained that they should be happy that they do not know who he is and cannot respond to his question. Then one girl, taking a stab at an answer, responded "Lenin was a poet."

Outlining his political platform for the elections, Mr. Udovenko reiterated that Rukh not only supports Ukraine's statehood and national symbols, but also has a detailed proposal for economic reform, which he believes could produce changes within two to three years. A few of the details include, eliminating onerous taxes and other restrictions that feed the black market - which makes up 50 percent of the GDP; a program for returning capital that was taken out of Ukraine; pension reform; and tax reform.

In addition, his platform includes a youth program to help graduates find employment, as well as a program for the unemployed. The entire program, he said, is based on a national idea: Ukrainian economics, Ukrainian capital and spiritual rebirth. He said he wants to rid Ukraine "menshevartist" (inferiority) and that citizens should be proud to be Ukrainian.

Mr. Udovenko continued his remarks by briefly touching upon the split in Rukh. He stated that several Rukh elders feel Mr. Kostenko's faction should apologize and initiate a return. Mr. Udovenko stated that he wrote a letter to Mr. Kostenko asking that the two factions be reunited.

Responding to a question about a rumor that he would withdraw his candidacy in favor of incumbent Leonid Kuchma, Mr. Udovenko responded with a resounding "no." He explained that he would not withdraw his name from the ballot for anyone at any cost. However, if he does not gather enough votes and there is a run-off, Rukh will hold a meeting to decide whom it will support in the second round.

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