Yuschenko says naysayers are blind to his government's achievements (04/29/01)

Yuschenko says naysayers are blind to his government's achievements

Eastern Economist

KYIV - "I will find a way to serve Ukraine," said Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko at a press conference on April 23. He added that his government is not going to give up, noting that he and members of his government have "professional honor and dignity" to uphold.

Mr. Yuschenko said he and his government have been blamed for all that is bad in the short history of independent Ukraine, while the good they have accomplished has gone unseen. He emphasized that the negative assessment of the government's work is based not on the results of the economy, but on the interests of certain groups.

The prime minister said his opponents are going out of their way to diminish the results of his Cabinet's work. "So it turns out that everything good [in Ukraine's recovery] happened on its own and the government is blamed for all the bad," he commented.

Mr. Yuschenko also said he does not understand why national deputies refused to see the successes of his government and added that one had to be both "blind and deaf" not to see them. He said the government is a small, little island of calm and is functioning well. He added that there is no crisis in the government and that, in fact, his government is the first government in the past 10 years that has managed to present a logical report of its work. "I'm not ashamed of our work," he stressed.

Mr. Yuschenko's opponents have accused him of doctoring figures in the report, to which the prime minister replied that the Cabinet of Ministers had no reasons or motives for altering facts and data.

Mr. Yuschenko also stressed that the government is ready for a dialogue with the Verkhovna Rada and could consider deputies' proposals, but "will not stand on its knees." At the same time he said the government has put forth all its arguments and now those involved in decision-making must make open and honest choices.

Should the government remain in place, Mr. Yuschenko said it will remain functioning and strong. He added that neither he nor his family is afraid of his being dismissed. "Woe to the prime minister who does not ponder the fact that he will one day have to leave his post," said Mr. Yuschenko.

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