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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Army Being Asked to do More Than it Can,

18 May, 1999 - 00:00

By Serhiy ZGURETS, The Day
Vote for Leonid Kuchma in this fall's presidential elections - this was
Prime Minister Valery Pustovoitenko's appeal to veterans and students of
National Defense Academy at the meeting on the occasion of 54th anniversary
of victory in World War II.

This is the first time since the presidential race officially began
that the executive power was openly tells the army who it should vote for.
"I understand that the army to a certain extent does not have the right
(!? - Ed.) to take part in political events," the Premier vaguely
explained his appeal to de facto scuttle the principle of keeping
the army out of politics. But "I would rather you supported my and many
people's suggestion to vote for Leonid Kuchma," the head of government
said. He did not also neglect to also mention the Zlahoda [Harmony] Association:
"There is a task, or a dream, that Zlahoda in the immediate future gathers
one million people." The Prime Minister also added, "to increase Ukraine's
power the financing of the state's Armed Forces should be increased," and
"this year's budget as never before provides funds for research projects
and the purchase of already developed samples of technology and weaponry."

Of course, the Premier was not altogether truthful in this, for with
old debts and inflation this year's defense budget is no better than last
year's, when the army could not purchase any new weapons except a hundred
rockets. Although the top executives of the Defense Ministry raised the
Premier to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the reserve, it became known
on Victory Day.

But can one expect the generals to become Zlahoda's spokesmen in the
army? This would certainly violate the principle mentioned of keeping the
army out of politics. And should that be the case, following the Prime
Minister's example, the lower ranks could hardly be expected to make their
choice based on the authorities' splendid campaign promises. Empty pockets
and unpaid salaries do not augment either regular officers' or army pensioners'
optimism.

 

Or What Lt. Col. (Reserve) Valery Pustovoitenko Dreams of
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