Recognizance Flight
US Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky’s visit to Kyiv was yet more evidence in support of what has been repeatedly stressed by observers: Washington is closely following the election campaign in Ukraine. Depending on its outcome, the United States will build its approach to the bilateral relationship and will or will not support Kyiv in the international arena.
At a round table with media and non-governmental organizations, Dr. Dobriansky mentioned the following reasons for her visit: (a) both countries are constantly developing bilateral relations, and (b) Ukraine will soon have parliamentary elections. She said next to nothing on (a) but dwelled on (b).
While in Kyiv, Dr. Dobriansky met with President Kuchma, Premier Kinakh, CEC Chairman Riabets, leaders of political parties, media people (television included), non-governmental organizations. This list is proof that Dr. Dobriansky’s was a recognizance mission and that she sought varied and first- hand information.
On several occasions she said that both sides have a common interest in the elections and are trying to get a positive result. The obvious implication is that the United States is not pressuring Ukraine or interfering in its domestic affairs but giving friendly advice. Ukraine also wants its aspirations (European integration, WTO membership, cooperation with NATO, political support, foreign investment, etc.) to be received with understanding. Why not start by showing open, transparent, democratic, and fair elections? Priorities include the media’s role in the electoral process, equal opportunities for politicians in access to the media, primarily television, the overall construction of a civil society, rule of law, independent judiciary, and freedom of the media. And please remember that you will be assessed proceeding not from what happens on Election Day but from the whole election campaign and the situation between the elections. A lot was said that the non-governmental organizations operating in Ukraine were not subjected to any pressure but being assisted in every way. The same applied to the Central Election Committee.
Paula Dobriansky heard that the new election law is better than the previous one. She admitted that she was also aware of the first transgressions in the election campaign (Interfax Ukraine reports that a detailed list of the transgressions was supplied her by Oleksandr Moroz) and urged no one make rash estimates of the election ahead of time.
Yes, she was familiar with the Melnychenko case, but there was nothing she could add by way of commenting on the Justice Department’s resolve to get hold of the recordings (which, by the way, could contain state secrets), and this was at a time when Ukraine, in her own words, is at the crossroads. Ms. Dobriansky merely said that the Melnychenko case is being investigated, but that he was not forbidden to leave the United States. A decision in his case must be made by Ukraine, in accordance with the Ukrainian laws and rules, she pointed out.
Whatever the result of the Undersecretary of State’s visit, the overall impression is that Washington is not only keeping a sensitive finger on Ukraine’s pulse, but is possibly carefully studying the options, trying to figure out who it will have to deal with after the elections. That was perhaps why Dr. Paula Dobriansky practically never said the dread words, administrative resource.
A year and a half ago, Washington greeted Ukraine’s choice, Leonid Kuchma, and assured him of support. Later, as the cassette scandal progressed, the United States and other Western countries (which had also greeted the people’s choice) synchronously entered the diplomatic isolation mode. This time, judging by the manner in which the US is studying the Ukrainian situation, the purpose might well be different.
