Quotable notes (12/25/05)

Quotable notes

"When certain politicians seek to gain Russia's support, they bring the Russian language issue to the forefront. In the meantime, it would be more appropriate to consider giving Russian the status of an official language, and not of a second state one. It is a historically accomplished fact that Russians in Ukraine cannot be called a minority."

"It is a historically accomplished fact that both languages are our mother tongues. And this fact of history has to be recognized, without attempts to dictate decisions. Either in terms of Ukrainianization or in terms of Russification. Nor should any one try to capitalize on this sensitive issue."

"I am a firm opponent of Ukrainianization. True, certain legal acts can be adopted. But this will not change anything, because the Ukrainian Constitution and the law on languages should be complied with first. These documents clearly state the preferential status of the Russian language."

"One more remark. If our countries are politically close to each other, and if we cooperate closely in the economy, then there will be no need for making any special decisions regarding the Russian language. The realities of life will force each Ukrainian to know Russian."

- Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn, speaking in Moscow on December 8, as quoted by the ITAR-TASS news service.

"... One year later, the Orange Revolution and its promise continue to inspire Ukrainians and others. Much progress has been made. The Orange Revolution brought together Ukrainians with diverse political views, but who were united by the understanding that without a truly free democracy, their voices would not be heard. Their unity was decisive. The tremendous diversity among the Orange Revolutionaries also meant that as the political process developed, differences would have to be addressed.

"There has been much discussion about the break-up of the Orange Coalition since the government was dismissed in September. Some question the stability and future of Ukraine's democratic trajectory. Others see a chance to rekindle the excitement and dynamism associated with the Orange Revolution.

"Events of the past year remind us that we need to have realistic expectations. No country has made the transition from communism to democracy and a market economy without some turmoil. This is normal, as the emerging democracies in new Europe showed in the 1990s. Coalitions, parties, alliances and individual players rise and fall - this is part of the very nature of the evolution of democracy.

"Ukraine has encountered difficulties in turning from the exhilaration of the Orange Revolution to the hard work of transforming Ukraine into a modern, European state. But it is important to acknowledge the progress Ukraine has made over the past year. Today, the Ukrainian people have a sense of ownership in their country that did not exist before the Orange Revolution. They understand the power of democracy and freedom, and they are exercising that power every day. ..."

- Remarks by Paula J. Dobriansky, undersecretary of state for democracy and global affairs, U.S. Department of State, at the roundtable on "The Orange Revolution: A Year After" held at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington on December 5.

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