What’s the roundtable’s topic now?

The Communist Petro Symonenko’s cherished dream has finally come true. Today the Ukrainian president is actually a figurehead, so one does not have to bother about impeachment. Yulia Tymoshenko says that a “long-lasting confrontation between the branches of power has finally ended” in Ukraine. Viktor Yanukovych has become head of state both de facto and de jure. Ukraine has turned from a parliamentary-presidential to a truly parliamentary republic.

Incidentally, no one has bothered to cancel a national unity declaration roundtable scheduled for Feb. 14. It is quite possible that on Valentine Day the president will summon politicians to give the advisory document another try. Another thing is that no one is sure about what this roundtable will be all about. However, such trifles have never bothered Viktor Yushchenko. Most likely he will use this opportunity to deliver another sermon — and one must admit that he is very good at it.

The impression is that our president masochistically enjoys being duped time and again, while every indication shows that it is high time he started actually fighting for power instead of staging roundtables, what with the imminent possibility of the prime minister dragging Ukraine into that Single Economic Space or disbanding the National Security and Defense Council.

Judging by current events, we may soon have a foreign minister appointed from among the anticrisis coalition, in which case no roundtables will be of any help.

The Day asked its regional experts whether another roundtable is necessary. If so, what should its agenda be like.

Yurii AHEIEV, first secretary, Dnipropetrovsk regional committee of the Socialist Party:

I was frankly amazed by President Viktor Yushchenko’s latest initiative. Do we need that “roadmap” — or any “guidelines” — in implementing the Declaration of National Unity that was signed by the main political forces and which details their accords concerning the key domestic and foreign political issues? Why should we dance round another roundtable? After signing that declaration all we need is to carry it out properly; if this document is not being implemented, the reason must be its ambiguity; that it was an attempt to put together incompatible concepts — in which case no “roadmap” will be of help. I believe that the crux of the matter is the incompleteness of political reform, differences between the branches of power. Confrontation between the ruling coalition and opposition will continue until the transfer to a parliamentary-presidential republic is accomplished. It is obviously not worth returning to the political system that existed prior to the Orange revolution. Therefore, this roundtable, if and when, should focus on the delimitation of powers.

Volodymyr HAZIN, associate professor, Kamianets-Podilsky State University:

We should certainly welcome any initiatives of our president aimed at overcoming the confrontation between the branches of power. Obviously, this roundtable idea is an attempt to reach understanding, yet the whole thing is most likely an illusion. Illusions tend to beget vain hopes resulting in pessimistic public moods and social distrust.

I don’t think that the scheduled roundtable will take place, considering what has happened at the Verkhovna Rada. We are witness to another round of confrontation and resolute efforts to show who is the boss. Apparently, it is more important now to carry out the provisos of the first Declaration of National Unity rather than sign the second, third or fourth one.

Even disregarding what has taken place in the parliament after Viktor Yushchenko announced his roadmap project, the head of state, prime minister, and speaker ought to figure out some most important principles among themselves; they have to find answers to the most pressing questions. First, what are the national interests of Ukraine? Second, how can these interests be secured? Third, how can all branches of power be made to act in keeping with the law, how can their respective jurisdictions be clearly defined? Finally, all participants in the future talks should consider Ukraine’s international image and the way they are affecting it with their actions. And they should consider their own image, as well.