considers Yevhen Marchuk, and students take him up on it

“The youth problem is becoming dynamite that will go off five to seven years from now. This problem must be solved as soon as possible. The state, by failing to provide the proper conditions, is actually driving youth across the ocean in search of a better life. I think that one of most relevant mottoes today should be Ukrainians of all countries, return to Ukraine! They should, because there will be heaps of work to do and their hands and heads will be badly needed,” presidential candidate Yevhen Marchuk declared, addressing Kiev- Mohyla Academy students on October 4. Commenting on student problems, he stressed that he would make every effort to provide instruction free of charge and bribes. In his opinion, the state budget would not suffer overmuch if young graduates in employ would be exempted from taxation for two or three years after completing their higher education.

Mr. Marchuk also dwelt on what was described as the main vehicles of getting Ukraine out of its crisis. He is convinced that the number one priority is paying back wages, salaries, stipends, and pensions, and “this problem can be solved within a year and forgotten all about the way one forgets a nightmare.” There are ways, he assured the audience. First, “all channels of theft and sources of illicit capital must be blocked.” At the same time, he promised to return to Ukraine some of the loot of various corrupt groupings, an amount currently estimated at $30-40 billion. “Some ten billion could be recovered,” Mr. Marchuk believes, adding that his experience as Premier will help.

To heal the Ukrainian economy, he suggests “clearing the path for foreign investment” in the first place, stressing that “over the eight years of independence three billion dollars in terms of investment is humiliating for Ukraine, compared to Poland's $21 billion.”

As President, he promised he would conduct an open dialogue with society, Parliament, the opposition, and media. “The President will monthly report to his fellow citizens on what has been done, what problems are facing the state, and what kind of support the state expects from the people.” Also, the chief executive would have a news conference once a month, transmitted live and with a hot-line every citizen would be able to use. “The President will be personally interested in creating a mechanism of oversight embracing the vertical of power,” Mr. Marchuk added, emphasizing an open dialogue with the opposition. He believes that “a strong opposition means a strong President” Dialogue with Parliament would be aimed at establishing effective cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, so both can work fruitfully side by side. In conclusion, he stressed: “It is necessary to do everything possible to make every Ukrainian citizen aware that not only his home but also his state is his fortress.”

When asked by students what had made him side with Oleksandr Tkachenko and Oleksandr Moroz, Mr. Marchuk explained, “The Kaniv Four is a strong tactical move. Unfortunately, a number of voters, even without reading our statement, believe that it is something horrible and very bad. We demand that the current President deliver a progress report covering his five years in office. In this manner we are trying to prevent falsification. We further support fair elections. There is absolutely nothing in this statement — and I stress statement , not agreement — in terms of ideology. Nor does it have any mutual ideological commitments, so after making it Marchuk did not become Tkachenko and vice versa. We were and remain separate candidates.”

His answers apparently satisfied the students; at least all of them interviewed by this author said they would vote for Yevhen Marchuk.

For example, sophomore Oleh Semyk said he likes Marchuk best and hopes that he will lead the other candidates. Freshman Liudmyla Rechych said she would have gladly voted for Marchuk, but she is not yet 18. Many students said good-humoredly, “It would be good if everything he says would become reality. In short, we take him at his word.”