TIGHT JACKET INSTEAD OF LOOSE-TIE DIPLOMACY?

Those who watched the February 20 news must have realized that the message was a bitter disappointment to all expecting Ukraine to return in a renewed Soviet Union. Russia definitely wants no Union, and returning to Russia would mean restoring Ukraine’s 300-year-old dependent status. In other words, Ukraine would be allocated a place very different from that occupied by, say, Tatarstan with its charismatic President all out to defend his people’s interests and having a little something up his sleeve. Oil.

The way the dignitaries looked on the TV screens, with Valery Pustovoitenko clad in an overcoat (was the heating down at the Mariyinsky Palace, the ever-confident Viktor Chernomyrdin, and President Kuchma with his eyes downcast, one had the impression that Ukraine felt guilty about something, and that here was a powerful neighbor just come to lend a friendly hand, saying «Well, let’s see how I can get you out of all this mess.» Further in the news release one could watch and hear the «Oriental Fox» Islam Karimov, sitting at the table with the Ukrainian President, remark, «I can see your economic problems, I even know where they come from.»

This was the last finishing touch to the picture. Even people who know and care nothing about politics, but with an instinct for self-preservation, must have been ashamed and aware of the terrible threat concealed in what was happening before their eyes. The Left option, back to the USSR, has been discussed at sufficient length and depth. The Right, «extraordinary presidential government,» is actually the way President Yeltsin does things in Russia. Of course, no one has said anything about lifting borders. Not now. Instead, we are fed another tall tale about a steer made of straw and how, because of inept management, a hole was bitten in its side, all the raw materials taken away, and the carcass left propped up by some protocol supports.

Speaking of protocol, there was a little snag when, after Yevgeny Primakov’s blunt statement that Ukraine would be in Russia’s sphere of interests, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was silent.

This and the fact that the foreign department is headed by a noted member of an extremely patriotic organization, Rukh, and that both Mr. Udovenko, the minister, and his second in command very happened to be off on "pre-election" vacations, leaving the ministry "headless," made the situation truly unique. A coincidence? Maybe. And maybe a maneuver to delegate power to "them that know best."

The top-level meeting was also a serious test of the Ukrainian Premier's eloquence as he stated the national foreign political doctrine. ORT channel reported that Ukraine had "finaly determined" its attitude to the Iraqi crisis. In particular, Valery Pustovoitenko tried to sound very sincere, saying that, of course, Ukraine approved Moscow's stand... So much for Ukraine's much advertised "multivector" foreign political course. If it continues in this vein, Ukrainians may well end up collecting garbage cans on Moscow or Brussels streets.

As for the domestic policy, I do believe that their election wheelings and dealings will be exposed, that there are sound political forces left in Ukrainian society, that people will cast their votes for candidates who will stand at the helm of an independent country, not a puppet on someone else's strings. Fortunately, we have enough talent and determination...

People without a choice, forced to live unfree, should be pitied. People choosing to live unfree should be despised.

Photo Reuters