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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

Beginning of the End?

15 December, 1998 - 00:00

The detention of Ukraine's former Premier, now Daddy Warbucks
for the Ukrainian Left, while crossing into Switzerland with a Panamanian
passport is not just diverting. It could just be the beginning of a little
transparency into how things really work here. Few doubt that, while Mr.
Lazarenko might have been a bit more energetic than most, the technology
he used to become wealthy is about the same that today's post-Soviet oligarchs
all used throughout the CIS. This is why the ruling elite, which only yesterday
had a hard time coming up with enough expletives to adequately convey just
how nasty Mr. Lazarenko is, has become so very circumspect: should he spill
the beans and what he knows becomes public knowledge here, it could be
the beginning of the end of the whole oligarchic system, which has looted
and impoverished this whole part of the world.

In his recent statements here, the Hromada leader strongly hinted that
he would make public quite a bit about how this country's rich and famous
got to be that way. Since the case is being investigated by the authorities
in Switzerland, a country famous for its probity, we can expect quite a
few surprises in store once the results of the official investigation becomes
known.

Of course, should the facts that will surface discredit the powers that
be, one can only guess who and what would replace them. And what will those
in power do to keep it should their power be threatened by a public fully
aware of just how corrupt their rulers are? Maybe someone competent and
honest will actually come to the fore. Such people have surfaced from time
to time only to be marginalized and driven from public service (recall
Serhiy Holovaty or Viktor Pynzenyk). Is it too much to hope for that their
turn will finally come and that they actually start doing what everyone
knows should be done? In any case, it looks like we are in for some interesting
times and perhaps even a ray of hope. That would make the best imaginable
Christmas present for the long-suffering people of Ukraine.

 

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