A commentary on independence in 10 years of Weekly editorials (08/19/01)

THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

A commentary on independence in 10 years of Weekly editorials

Below are excerpts of editorials on Ukraine's independence proclamation and subsequent anniversaries of that historic day, which were published by The Ukrainian Weekly in the years 1991 through 2000.

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.

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 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. ...

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 Khreshchatyk, the Ukrainian capital's main boulevard, and October Revolution Square in the center of Kyiv was officially renamed Independence 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 22, 1993

On the threshold of the third year

Today the people of Ukraine realize that their country, and they along with it, entered a new era with the declaration on August 24, 1991, of an independent Ukrainian state. They have come to realize also that the re-establishment of independence not only owes much to the sacrifices of the past, but now requires new sacrifices if Ukraine is to emerge from its multiple crises.

Foremost among these crises, of course, is the economic crisis: inflation run amok, skyrocketing prices, useless economic structures of the old Soviet order, a decline in production and a deficit of hard currency for the purchase of essential supplies. To add to the difficulties, Russia has repeatedly applied economic leverage - such as an oil and gas embargo - to try to force Ukraine to toe the line. As well, the possible establishment of an economic union among several former Soviet republics, which many see as a pretense for renewal of subordination to Moscow, looms as a threat to Ukraine.

And then there are the more direct threats emanating from Russia. The historic "elder brother" has claimed some sort of special regional role as a superpower, overseer, peacekeeper, policeman. It has made outright territorial claims on Russian-populated regions of Ukraine such as the Donbas and Crimea, and, most recently, laid claim to the home port of the Black Sea Fleet, Sevastopol. Certain circles in Russia have engaged in subversive activities such as attempting to instigate inter-ethnic conflicts within Ukraine and participating in military actions on Ukraine's borders. Nor should the Russian weapon of disinformation be forgotten - particularly as it has been used in regard to Ukraine's nukes and the nuclear status that Ukraine did not seek, but inherited from the USSR. ...

Ukraine has maintained its fragile independence in the face of great odds. It has made definite progress, albeit not as speedy as hoped, on the road to building a democratic society and creating a free market economy. Ukraine has not found itself mired in internal ethnic discord, or, for that matter, in any external military conflicts. Diplomatic relations have continually moved ahead, and even the United States has now adopted a new approach in dealing with the second most populous republic of the former Soviet Union, no longer treating Ukraine as an afterthought, or an appendage to Russia. ...

Thus, the second anniversary of Ukraine's independence should be time for sober reflection as Ukraine's real leaders try to rechart its course toward the goal of building a democratic state that will take its rightful place in the world community.

August 21, 1994

The fourth year begins

... as Ukraine approached the end of its third year of independence, the public went to the polls to elect a new Parliament in March, and April, and July, and August (with more to come in November.) But, by the time of the third anniversary date, Ukraine had a new Supreme Council with 392 seats out of 450 filled.

As regards the presidential elections, ... on July 10, after the presidential runoff, much of Ukraine was shocked by the news that the other Leonid - Kuchma - had been elected president.

Still an unknown quantity, Mr. Kuchma's first pronouncements could be described as a mixed bag, some reassuring, others sorely needing clarification. He pledged to build a "united, sovereign, democratic state of Ukraine." He cautioned that Ukraine would have to suffer through yet another "difficult testing period," and he emphasized that Ukraine must take immediate decisive steps in its economic policies, including monetary reform, liberalization of tax policy and foreign trade control. He spoke of Ukraine in the Eurasian economic and cultural space and noted that Ukraine must actively defend its interests with the Commonwealth of Independent States. He noted also the need for "normalization" of relations with Russia and, pointing out that Ukraine is a multinational state, he proposed "giving the Russian language official status, while preserving state status for the Ukrainian language."

Still, by mid-July power had passed peacefully and democratically from the first president of independent Ukraine to the second. ...

So, what awaits Ukraine in its fourth year of independence? More conflicts between the executive and legislative branches of government? More stalemate? Or a new beginning? We'll soon find out. ...

The time for power plays has passed; pragmatism and action should be the watchwords for Ukraine's fourth year of freedom.

August 20, 1995

The fourth anniversary

Perhaps it's reassuring that as we mark the fourth anniversary of Ukraine's independence our commemorations have become well-established and low-key, dare we say, almost a matter of routine. Ukraine, it is clear, is making further progress, slow but steady, in buttressing its independence - something that four years ago was so fragile, so tenuous, that one barely dared to breathe. Today we can dare to actually celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day; in Ukraine and elsewhere, there are now "traditional" observances of the day, as August 24 is our national holiday. ...

Four years ago, Ukraine's Supreme Council boldly declared the Soviet republic's independence in the face of "the mortal danger surrounding Ukraine in connection with the state coup in the USSR on August 19, 1991." ...

With one bold stroke, Ukraine had assumed both its place among the free states of the world and the formidable twin tasks of state- and nation-building. Defying great odds, newly reborn Ukraine survived a most critical period of threats from without and from within. Ukraine succeeded during the first years of its independence in establishing its identity as a democratic, nuclear-free and market-oriented state; today it is a country recognized as a major player on the world scene. ...

August 18, 1996

Independence: the fifth anniversary

Five years ago on August 19-21, hard-liners in Moscow attempted a coup d'état to depose Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. In Ukraine, the situation was tense. The chairman of the Ukrainian SSR Supreme Soviet (Council), Leonid Kravchuk, was straddling the fence: he did not condemn the coup plotters, nor did he support President Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian Federation, who stood firm in the name of democracy. Meanwhile, democratic organizations - united in an ad hoc coalition called Independent Democratic Ukraine - called on the Ukrainian Supreme Council to condemn the coup and to distance itself from the so-called Emergency Committee in Moscow.

Ultimately, the coup, which was aimed at perpetuating the USSR, brought about the exact opposite. ...

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.

So, as Ukraine marks the fifth anniversary of an event that many of us thought would never come to pass, it is worth recalling where the reborn independent state called Ukaine has been ...

August 24,1997

The sixth anniversary

... In what he calls "a letter to friends" written before the convocation of the second World Forum of Ukrainians, Dr. James E. Mace writes of "a land and a people deeply deformed by an experience that those who underwent it are still groping to understand." He describes the remnants of Soviet-style thinking that still permeate society and government, and continue to stymie reform. ...

And yet, the young still find reason for hope: they believe in themselves and their own abilities. Given the chance, they firmly believe they will succeed. These are the thoughts of a group of students from Ukraine, ranging in age between 18 and 26, who attended the Ukrainian Summer Institute at Harvard University. ...

... Here in the diaspora, we have to adjust to the changing reality - a Ukraine with warts, if you will - now that the euphoria over independence has subsided - an understandable euphoria that was an appropriate response to the achievement of an ages-old dream that many thought would never come in their lifetimes. That is why our information media see the need to cover developments in Ukraine, and that is why our community members are asking themselves just how we should be involved in helping Ukraine forge a better tomorrow.

And so, dear readers, as we mark this sixth anniversary of Ukraine's proclamation of independence on August 24, 1991, besides having much to celebrate, we have much to ponder.

August 23, 1998

Seven years after

This year as we mark the anniversary of Ukraine's independence, we find ourselves asking: What can we say about independent Ukraine as it turns seven? ...

Perhaps the most significant reality is the one cited by Vice-President Al Gore before he left on his recent trip to Kyiv for a meeting of the Kuchma-Gore Commission: Ukraine's independence is no longer an issue; there is no going back to the Soviet Union. Today, it's Ukraine's economic and political vitality that is the central issue, he observed at a meeting with Ukrainian American community leaders.

Indeed. Ukraine, at age 7, faces myriad problems - tough problems for which there are no quick fixes. The economy is in need of serious corrective measures, corruption looms large and the Verkhovna Rada still has not done its job to provide a legislative basis for a better tomorrow. Journalists find themselves to be targets of those who do not like what they report, miners and teachers are not getting paid, senior citizens - the forgotten stratum of society - barely survive on their measly pensions, and parents wonder whether there will be enough money to provide for their kids. ...

Still, a glimmer of hope remains. Maybe, just maybe, the Parliament will come back from its summer recess and get down to brass tacks. Perhaps the national deputies will hear the voices of the people and realize that they, as the elected representatives of the people, must take the lead in securing the future of Ukraine and Ukrainians of all backgrounds.

To be sure, the promise of the independence proclaimed and affirmed in 1991 remains to be fulfilled. And yet, as we observe this seventh anniversary of the Parliament's declaration of Ukraine's independence, we must look back to see where Ukraine has been in order to appreciate where it is today and where it is headed.

August 22, 1999

Mixed emotions

... [As we mark the eighth anniversary of Ukraine's independence], there's a bit of sadness, a bit of anger, some disgust, lots of exasperation and frustration, and a sense of pragmatic reality: eight years really isn't very much time to have turned this ship formerly called Soviet Ukraine around.

There remains much reason for hope and optimism, not the least of which is that the anniversary of independence has assumed almost a conventional character, both in the diaspora and in Ukraine. ...

Ukraine still gets high ratings for its foreign policy positions and responsible approach to national and international military and security issues. However, it is very distressing that an elected and appointed leadership in Ukraine seems either unwilling or unable to get a grip on the corruption that pervades almost all aspects of civic and economic life - corruption that prevents successful economic development, eats away at public morale and stymies individual freedom.

At its core, corruption is the inappropriate and abusive use of power for personal gain - mostly money and more power. And instead of power being used to guide, lead, develop, elevate, establish, respond, give, create - power in Ukraine is being used to control, take, intimidate, scare, abuse, disrespect. ...

Among the few tools which the public can use to fight against this stagnation is the upcoming election. ... Honest elections force change, and we can only hope that the Ukrainian electorate will once again understand that through the power of the vote, they give power to elected officials. And just as they give, they can also take away.

August 20, 2000

A glimmer of hope

An informal and unscientific survey of Kyivans conducted by our Kyiv Press Bureau to determine the mood in the capital city on the eve of the ninth anniversary of Ukraine's independence shows that few people are happy with most facets of life in the country today and that most do not believe that a prosperous future is possible in the near term. They see little reason to celebrate independence this year and cannot fathom that next year's 10th anniversary jubilee will give them any more reason.

People are fed up with insincere political promises that have led to false expectations. They believe that nothing can change in the country until the economy begins to move. They want jobs and are impatient for a better life. And they don't see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

Whether visible or not, however, a tiny incandescent stream of light has begun to emit from the black hole that has been the Ukrainian economy for nearly a decade now. It may only be a microscopic pinhole to most economists, but no one can deny that a breakthrough has occurred this year in the Ukrainian economy. ...

To be sure, Ukraine will not climb out of the decade-long muck into which its economy has sunk overnight, or even before next year's 10th anniversary of independence. Too much of the political and economic infrastructure continues to require either reconstruction or fine-tuning. Foreign investors still are leery of the Ukrainian market, even as they laud its potential. More administrative housecleaning needs to take place, and the tax system still needs an overhaul. ...

But things are slowly beginning to change.

The recent improvement in the economy shows that perhaps the country is beginning to bounce back. Now a steady, if not spectacular, economic expansion may begin. We think that Ukrainians really do have reason to believe that tangible evidence of an invigorated economy will soon follow and that by this time next year, as the nation prepares for its 10th anniversary jubilee, there truly will be something to celebrate. ...

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