Clinton to Ukrainians: "Boritesia - poborete!" (06/11/00)

Clinton to Ukrainians: "Boritesia - poborete!"

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - More than 50,000 Ukrainians stood for hours on the magnificent St. Michael's Square in Kyiv on June 5 to hear U.S. President Bill Clinton give a straightforward and uplifting speech on the need to proceed with political and economic reforms and to assure the nation that the United States would remain a close and reliable strategic friend.

After the presidential motorcade arrived at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral from Mariinsky Palace, where he had bid farewell to Mr. Kuchma after several hours of meetings, Mr. Clinton first placed a wreath at the Great Famine Monument, which lies at the foot of the cathedral's vast bell tower. He then stood in silence for an unexpectedly lengthy moment before moving to a stage cloaked in blue and yellow bunting to begin his speech.

In sunny weather approaching 90 degrees, Ukrainians - mostly in their 20s and 30s - waited for the U.S. president much as fans await the arrival of Hollywood stars at the Oscars. They listened to performances by leading Ukrainian pop stars and hid their heads from the scorching afternoon sun with umbrellas and paper hats provided by a local radio station, while consuming gallons of water and soft drinks.

For most of those on hand it was less an opportunity to hear what the United States thought about Ukraine than to see the controversial and charismatic leader of the strongest nation on the globe.

For Mr. Clinton, however, it was a chance to be a cheerleader for economic reform in Ukraine and to use his oft-lauded speaking abilities to convince the Ukrainian people that they are at the beginning of a new epoch in their sometimes sad history.

While his discussions with President Leonid Kuchma and meetings with other members of the Ukrainian political leadership during his short six-hour stay in Ukraine's capital were filled with diplomatic language, nuance and protocol, his message to the Ukrainian people was strikingly simple.

"Boritesia - poborete (Fight and you shall overcome)," said Mr. Clinton in remarkably well-spoken Ukrainian at four key moments in a speech that otherwise was in English. The words are from a poem by Taras Shevchenko, a 19th century Ukrainian poet considered the country's national bard, who exhorted Ukrainians to free themselves of the shackles of imperial domination.

During his 15-minute presentation Mr. Clinton reflected on Ukraine's 1,000 year history, its tragic Communist past, its current economic realities and its alluring future. Like a coach giving a half-time speech, the president attempted to imbue the Ukrainian people with a sense of optimism and opportunity. In a stridently optimistic tone, he told them that the worst was behind them and that the United States would walk with them into the future.

"There is so much we can do together. We can explore the frontiers of science and space; increase our efforts to protect the environment, fight disease, defeat terrorism; and promote democracy, prosperity and peace," said Mr. Clinton as huge U.S. and Ukrainian flags draped across the facades of buildings on the square gently swayed in a light breeze.

At another point he exhorted the crowd to remain on the road of political and economic reform.

"Ukraine has so much of what it takes to succeed in the global information age - strong universities, an educated society and partners willing to stand with you. All you need now is to stay on course and pick up speed. Open the economy; strengthen the rule of law; promote civil society; protect the free press; break the grip of corruption."

The president's appearance, for the most part marked by an air of celebration, pomp and frivolity, was not without its serious moments.

In the first portion of his remarks, Mr. Clinton mentioned the architecture that surrounds the square - including St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, under whose shadow he stood, St. Sophia Sobor, off which his remarks echoed in the great square, and the monuments to St. Olha and Ss. Cyril and Methodius at his side - and the great Ukrainian history that it represents.

He spoke of "the forced Famine of the 1930s" and of the "oppressors who carved up your lands, banned your books, starved your children, purged your writers, enslaved your workers, plundered your art, stole your rich soil and forbade you even to talk about the tragedy of the famine."

"Today, the oppressors are gone," Mr. Clinton continued. "Stalin is gone. The Nazis are gone. The Soviet Union is gone. Russia is working to build a new society. But you, the people of Ukraine, you are still here, stronger than ever. You are reclaiming your land, uniting your people, restoring your culture and raising your children in freedom and democracy. You are fulfilling the longing of your ancestors. You are building a free, sovereign and independent Ukraine."

While exclaiming that "Communism has lost in Ukraine," Mr. Clinton underscored that "a commitment to free market democracy has not yet won."

Finally, he called on Ukraine's youth to take advantage of opportunities now being created to assure prosperity and peace.

His speech completed, the president descended from his platform and spent another 15 minutes shaking hands with youngsters who pressed the barricades that separated them from the U.S. president while the Odesa Philharmonic performed its rendering of "America the Beautiful" and then "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

| Home Page |