The Kiev Times /July 2013/

PUNISHMENT BY GLOBALIZATION

SAUDI ARABIA AND THE LARGE MIDDLE EAST

SUMMER EVENTS: HOT!

page 8

page 8

page 3

International information and analytical edition | Ukraine | The Kiev Times | July 2013

KERRY MUST CORRECT CLINTON’S MISTAKES

KIEV PRE-ELECTION CANCAN

PRINCESS: I DISCOVERED UKRAINE FOR MYSELF!

Read page 4-5

2013 forced the previous 2012 out of calendars, spring changed into summer, the New Year holidays are about to come, but nobody still doesn’t know an answer to the question when the capital is going to hold mayoral and new Kiev Council’s composition elections.

According to the decision of the Constitutional Court, the following elections for Ukraine local authorities should take place in 2015.

Hawaiian Princess Kauilani Kahalekai, the direct descendant of King Kamehameha I the Great, in her interview to The Kiev Times shared her impressions about her visit to Ukraine, told about her meeting with Viktor Yanukovych and her visit to a children’s home, as well as about everyday life of the Indian people in Hawaii American state.

Read page 10

Read page 6

THE CHIEF WHO BRINGS PLENTY

A 40-years-old handsome man with an imperial bearing and a charming smile, dressed in an Indian warrior’s headwear – a war bonnet – befitting the Chief. That’s how we saw the Chief of the American Indian Lakota (Sioux) tribe Joseph Brings Plenty at the airport «Borispol».

Read page 7

UKRAINE IN WASHINGTON

WATCHING EUROPE’S SUNSET No matter how cynically it sounds, but it is good that Europe is experiencing a protracted financial and economic crisis.

One feels sorry about Greece that was mercilessly drawn out of the list of developed countries.

But only a sight of the burning neighbor’s house is able to soften a hardheaded stubbornness of those people who devoutly hope for the saving embrace of the EU. And this stubbornness is often an ideological one. Many people are still ready for everything in order to «escape from Moscow».

VIGENIN: «SVOBODA» IS A THREAT FOR EUROPE

Read page 9

CLINTON – TYMOSHENKO: ONE FIRE, ONE FATE

The name of the European deputy from Bulgaria Kristian Vigenin has become widely known in Ukraine after the end of last year, because during the discussion of the resolution for the results of parliamentary elections for the Verkhovna Rada in the European Parliament he entered an amendment, which was supported by the majority of the deputies. The amendment was expressing anxiety by the fact that the «Svoboda» party entered the new parliament, and offering other political forces of Ukraine not to collaborate and not to unite with it.

Anatoly Tolstoukhov, one of the founders of the project «Ukraine: history of a great nation», has presented it at the American Congress’s library in Washington. This happened on the Constitution Day of Ukraine, on the eve of the Independence Day in the USA… Read page 2

DMITRY VYDRIN: SOS! SOS!

Read page 12

UKRAINIAN CHOICE OF RUSSIAN BEAR

The French have a saying they use at all their political goingson: Go out and look for the woman! Shifting my focus today from America to Ukraine, I can announce to the entire world: The women we have been looking for have been found: Hilary Clinton and Yulia Tymoshenko!

Read page 2

Ukrainian big politics is full of infernal personalities. With time, bright characters disappear and then, after considerably losing their demonic charm off-line, excluded from the world of big money and drug power, they try to come back.

Strange, how Ukrainian politicum receives these shabby people deprived of their bygone authority.

I offer to accept this tendency as one of constant variables in the equation we will try to establish.

TURKEY. LET’S BET Read page 14-15

Bookmaker offices might as well accept bets for the results of the Turkish events. Will this country turn into a new victim of the «color» revolution?

Read page 11

www.thekievtimes.ua

One day, many years ago, in my very childhood, I instinctively understood that things have got souls. The flash came to me in a small worn gym of a depressive school in the remote outskirts.

Read page 16

2

POLITICS/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

CLINTON – TYMOSHENKO: ONE FIRE, ONE FATE The French have a saying they use at all their political goings-on: Go out and look for the woman! Shifting my focus today from America to Ukraine, I can announce to the entire world: The women we have been looking for have been found: Hilary Clinton and Yulia Tymoshenko!

Frank Abernathy

O

ne may reasonably hold Tymoshenko to blame for at least some of Ukraine’s protracted economic failure. Likewise, there is no doubt that Clinton is at fault for the deliberate, prolonged collapse of American society.

What’s your explanation for why the ever pragmatic and toughminded Hilary is expressing a special degree of compassion towards the Ukrainian «Mother Theresa»? Is compassion the sole

money that Tymoshenko received for Russian gas will determine who America’s next president will be. Bravo, Hilary! Bill would have never even dreamt of such an idea!

But now there is an urgent need to invest in the «prisoner of conscience». And Hilary has brought the topic front and center, fighting for Tymoshenko’s freedom and letting the daughter of «the regime’s servant» cry

reason? Not likely, and here’s why: Hilary has left her position as the U.S. SECSTATE, or for those unfamiliar with insider lingo, Secretary of State. She was tired, we are led to understand. And almost immediately afterwards, rumors originating on Capitol Hill were sweeping over senior political circles that she will be organizing her campaign for a run at the presidency in 2016.

Let me remind readers that the recent Obama-Romney election campaign had a price tag of US $6 billion! And in 2016 each candidate can expect to shell out no less than that. The Clinton family is not so well off as to be able to come up with sums that size on its own. Sponsors will be needed, and we mean billionaires, not millionaires. And in this context Hilary readily recalls that Ukrainian authorities are accusing the imprisoned Tymoshenko of having embezzled US $11.5 billion. Here we have someone who can be a future sponsor of the American elections! The

on her shoulder. She angrily announces to the entire world that the poor woman faced criminal charges for what, in fact, was only a political issue.

A Digression: There was a time I assumed that Hilary would not forget the filthy betrayal that her cunning ladies’ man Bill committed against her with heavyset Monica. Do not be misled by how they hold hands, while posing for the media. Bill’s hands are full of indifference, while Hilary’s are full of fury. She has already dealt him a stinging slap in the face. For his betrayal she already went off to serve

Photo UNIAN

Recent Obama-Romney election campaign had a price tag of US $6 billion! And in 2016 each candidate can expect to shell out no less than that

idea of equal pay. Yes, indeed, if she becomes president, a scenario from the past will repeat itself; only the actors will be different. A student intern comes into Hilary’s

Hilary is in for a battle, one in which money from the Countess of Monte Cristo from Kharkov Central will definitely be a factor Kenya’s native son. That’s for you, Bill, you traitor. You did not appreciate my love; now swallow that! She dreams of becoming the U.S. president. And, perhaps, her thoughts are absorbed with the

office; a moment of vengeance arrives, but with a different twist. I believe that she dreams about this but will not allow it to happen. But who can really tell what might occur in this

world of ours? One thing is clear: temptation overpowers even the strongest among us.

And so, as Guy de Maupassant used to say, looking ahead to our cynical times: «The greatest battles of our time are those waged with money». Hilary is in for a battle, one in which money from the Countess of Monte Cristo from Kharkov Central will definitely be a factor. Everything is simple, without any slobbering sympathy for the public.

But one should note that these two women have something in common: a deep hatred and

contempt towards men! In Hilary’s case this stems from personal motives; in Yulia’s, from political ones. One of these women was betrayed by a person of whom she was fond and whom she trusted. The other was betrayed by her mostliked associates, whom she trusted. These were members of the Yushchenko, Turchynov, Lazarenko and other groups.

It is true that one of them, Parliamentarian Shcherban, wound up getting his nine grams of lead. He got involved, dug into her affairs and ferreted out

what had happened. He had to be stopped with automatic weapons.

The two women understand each other perfectly. Both are brutal and pragmatic. Neither of them now trusts anyone. Both hate men. You may recall the look in their eyes in photos, when they did not have enough time to put their masks on: iciness, hatred and disdain.

Perhaps I am incorrect. But a dog-like intuition – and the facts – compel me to believe what I have written here. And I sense that this is not fantasy, but bitter realism.

an image of ours that does not convey positive emotions.

How are you going to celebrate Shevchenko’s anniversary?

Masters from Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan are embroidering a memorable towel.

We’re preparing the photo album «Taras Shevchenko in the world» and a series of interesting editions. We’re also preparing a surprise, about which we are going to talk later. It will be interesting.

UKRAIN IN WASHINGTON Anatoly Tolstoukhov, one of the founders of the project «Ukraine: history of a great nation», has presented it at the American Congress’s library in Washington. This happened on the Constitution Day of Ukraine, on the eve of the Independence Day in the USA…

By Alexandra Pogorelaya

A

natoly Volodymyrovych, it was a pleasure to listen to you, talking about Ukraine with the «Voice of America»…

It was a pleasure for me to represent Ukraine in Washington with the project «Ukraine: history of a great nation». It was my first time that I celebrated the Constitution Day across the ocean: in

the morning, in the embassy; at dinnertime, at the US Congress’s library; in the evening, with my friends. True: whatever is done, it is done for the best. In December, the books of the project during the «Ukraine–USA» forum were delayed to the American customs, and, because of that, I’ve appeared in the American capi-

tal again. It was preparing for the holiday – the Independence Day. Thus I got to the «Voice of America», but speaking my voice and the Ukrainian project’s voice.

Did the Congress’s library impress you?

After the presentation, we were invited to an excursion. Everything was fantastic: the library, the architectural monuments, the museum, the scientific center and the spiritual temple. 150 million books! A huge country, a whole world, a whole universe. I was impressed by Americans’ attitude towards their history and by its creators.

In the context of the project, «Historical clubs» are going to be opened in Ukraine. Maybe they will appear in the USA too?

I hope they will. We have a preliminary agreement about this.

And we met understanding in the «Ukraine–USA» foundation, the Washington University and the Ukrainian Diaspora. We’re going to do this everywhere there is some support, power and Ukrainian spirit. In autumn, on the eve of the EU summit, we will present the project at the Vilnius University.

Currently we’re trying to open an historical club there, as well. This is one of the ways to teach love to our native land, respect for partners and tolerance in relations.

What meeting did you remember most of all in Washington?

One, which was neither in thoughts nor in the visit’s program. In the evening we appeared at the club of republicans, where I

informally met the Speaker of the American Congress. We set at his usual table, and I took his place…

He appeared suddenly, as he was out of town. Pleasantly stern, Hollywood-like smiling, and democratically tuned. All started with handshakes, exchange of niceties and finished with photographing at the restaurant’s exit. The next day, on our way to the airport, we visited some friends for dinner.

Their house, so to speak, adjoins the CIA. So, I’ve managed to visit Langley as well…

Since I know you, I suppose that you also talked about future plans.

More than about anything else. The project «40 under 40» of the «Ukraine–USA» foundation and the Center of leadership development, which was started last year, is currently on the run. We’re preparing for the 200 anniversary of Taras Shevchenko. The project «Ukraine: history of a great nation» is acquiring international resonance. We can talk about this… But we want to do this.

Is there something that prevents this?

We prevent the accomplishment of this, most of all. Last year at the Forum, Kiev authorities pledged to put in order the monument to Taras Shevchenko in Washington. They made loud promises, but now they quietly say: we don’t have that right...

American authorities are ready, Diaspora representatives are ready, the Ukrainian capital – is not. And Washington doesn’t accept chestnuts... Thus, we create

What does the project «40 under 40» represent?

It is about young people who proved themselves at civil service, business and public activity: 40 leaders under the age of 40 years.

Last year four people were invited to Washington; the rest we awarded in the club of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. This year, I’m sure we’ll make the project better, just because we have more time. Youth has to be trusted and given a chance – and it will go further and outdo us. The Student’s Olympics are the best illustration of this.

Do you write poetry in English?

I can only rhyme some verses, for the present.

From the south to the north, From the east to the west, Ukraine in the world Is for us the best.

www.thekievtimes.ua

UKRAINE\EVENTS

3

SUMMER EVENTS: HOT! Olga Medvedeva

Photo UNIAN, Ukrainian News

Holidays

The Verkhovna Rada deputies left for holidays, till September the 3rd. On Friday, June 5, Verkhovna Rada held its last meeting of the second session, of its seventh convocation. The third session is to be started in two months – September the 3rd. Closing the session, the parliament speaker Volodymyr Rybak rated it satisfactory.

According to his words, they passed 82 laws and 28 bills at their first reading; 215 were returned to committees for revision or declined. On the last meeting of the second session there was the traditional «hour of questions to the government». Besides, Rada approved a resolution «About the 95th Sukhomlynsky’s birthday celebration» and announced more than 300 deputy requests.

By the way, Verkhovna Rada has been widened with another deputy. Businessman-billionaire Vadym Novynsky won his place by elections to Verkhovna Rada from Sevastopol. He was voted by 53.41% of electors. The newly elected deputy will be the richest person in the parliament.

The capital is in trouble

Kiev slopes cracked because of the snowy winter, heavy rains and chaotic building. According to a KCSA press-service, the landslides that occurred to 11 objects, acquired the status of a regional level emergency situation. Ground slide threats the Mariinsky palace, the integrity of Podol and other districts and objects of our city. To fight with the ground movement, the KCSA needs 100-150 million hryvnas; for the present, Kiev budget has assigned about 10 million hryvnas in order to prevent landslides.

According to the director of «Institute «Kievizhproekt» public enterprise, Mykola Marchenko, the top-priority objects in the capital that require investments are on Vozdvizhenska str., Batiy hill, Shchekavitsa and Kaschenko str. But the budget doesn’t have enough money, even to start design any project to resist landslides.

New Akhmetov’s company

The SKM and EPIC Groups signed the sales contract for 100% of stocks of UA Тelecominvest Limited Company (Cyprus), which possesses 100% of «ESU» Ltd. (Ukraine) that, in its turn, possesses 92.79% of stocks of the «Ukrtelecom» Company – the largest Ukrainian player of the fixed-line market and operator of 3G mobile communication.

Akhmetov will be the owner of «Ukrtelecom», when he receives all the necessary permissions, including those from the antimonopoly authorities.

«Ukrtelecom»’s purchase cost to the SKM 7-9 billion hryvnas – that’s what the analytic of the investment company Concorde Capital, Olexander Paraschiy, considers. The Company’s Privatization in 2011 cost to the Austrian EPIC 10.575 billion hryvnas. «Ukrtelecom»’s capitalization reduced four times from the EPIC purchase. From this point of view, EPIC has hardly

Viktor Yanukovych Jr., and by the president of the Auto-sport Federation of Ukraine, Evgeniy Chervonenko. «It’s a pity, and is not clear who is going to take part in «Dakar» competition, from Ukraine, this year. It is even worse that many people don’t understand that Nesterchuk – with his will and wish to defeat himself and his fear – driving his jeep in «Dakar» for the first time, made for Ukraine more than the majority of Ukrainian politicians in their lives», emphasized Chervonenko in his commentaries to the mass-media.

Deadly rest

managed to return the money that was paid two years ago. We appraise the assets of the SKM in the sum of 7-9 billion hryvnas», said the analytic, and added that the exchange price of 93% of «Ukrtelecom» share holdings today makes 2.6 billion hryvnas.

Corruption contest

In Ukraine a special research was started, that will help to reveal the main corruptionists in the country. The corruption championship started on June 3, and the same day they opened a web-site where every Ukrainian can leave his complaint against corruption, offer his nominees and vote. The initiative of such unusual anti-corruption project was launched by public organizations – the «European choice» and «Anti-corruption council of Ukraine». According to the information given by the organizers, during the first stage of this «championship», a commission examined more than 50 journalist and public anti-corruption investigations, which were published this year.

As the result of this monitoring, seven most resonant figures were determined, who became the leaders of this stage of the project.

Raisa Bogatyreva is the Minister of Health; Yuri Boyko is the ex-Minister of Oil and Energy of Ukraine; Olexander Lavrynovych is the Minister of Justice of Ukraine; Peter Lebed is the superior of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra;

Grigory Nemyrya is a people’s deputy of Ukraine; Olexander Popov is the chairman of the Kiev City State Administration; Olexander Tabalov is a people’s deputy of Ukraine; Andrey Tabalov a people’s deputy of Ukraine.

The idea of the «Ukrainian corruption championship» appeared in Ukraine according to the results of the public projects: «I gave a bribe for my kid», «Hook to corruption», and «Аnti-corruption inspector».

The purpose of the contest is to increase pressure on corruptionists, first of all psychologically.

Meeting on Bankovaya

On June 19, President Viktor Yanukovych held a meeting with the leaders of the parliamentary factions in the President’s Administration. The topics of this half-an-hour dialogue on Bankova were the issues of Tymoshenko’s release, the elections in Kiev and in 5 problem districts, and the Ukrainian gas-distribution system. The UDAR leader Vitaly Klitschko and the «Svoboda» chairman Oleg Tyagnibok refused to take part in the meeting with Yanukovych. Arseniy Yatsenuk, who represented the opposition at the meeting, in his talk with the President stated that the conversation of the President with the heads of parliamentary factions was positive for the country. «We are political opponents, but this meeting is right, first of all for the country.

This happens in every democratic country, where opposition and authorities hold a fair, frank and transparent dialogue», he said. At this meeting with the Verkhovna Rada management and the parliamentary factions’ chairmen, Viktor Yanukovych told that he always was initiator of meetings with representatives of all parliamentary factions, including the opposition. «I never had any objections – moreover, I always initiated such meetings. And, if there are no objections, we’ll make them systemic and this will be right», said Yanukovych.

Auto-sport losses

Famous Ukrainian racedriver and businessman Vadym Nesterchuk died in the United Arab Emirates. During a training in the largest desert of the world – Rub al-Khali – the sportsman’s car stuck in the sand. He and his assistant Ali didn’t manage to dig up the car. Vadym went for help, but failed to come all the way. The driver died because of dehydration and high environmental temperature.

Nesterchuk participated in all «Dakar» rally-marathons, which took place in South America, as well as the «Silk road» and «AbuDabi Desert Challenge» rallyroads. He was the founder and pilot of the first Ukrainian team SIXT UKRAINE performing at rally-roads. He had a wife and two kids. The official memorial was attended by the regional deputy and first vice-president of the Automobile federation of Ukraine,

The tragedy in «Yunost» (Youth) sanatorium (Simeiz, Crimea), where a child died due to break of a balcony, provoked a storm of inspections of the technical and safety conditions of all children’s vacation and health establishments. According to the results of the inspection of 88 vacation establishments in Crimea and Sevastopol, the specialists found 723 violations.

In connection with violations representing some risk for people’s life and health, they adopted 22 decrees of prohibition (restriction) of works, operation of plots, production facilities, buildings and structures. In total 142 objects stopped their activity; 42 people were called to administrative responsibility; 22 of them were first managers of establishments. It is worth to note that two establishments refused any inspections, particularly the Center of Alupka Ministry of Defense and Kazakevych’s fortification in Eupatoria. In Simeiz, all its «Yunost» sanatorium management was suspended – the head physician, the head of medical department, the head of educational department, the labor protection engineer, the head physician’s deputy for economy. The dormitory, whose balcony fell down, was built in 1906. The establishment is under the authority of Ukraine Ministry of Health. Later, it was found out that the sanatorium had been included into the «black list» of the Crimean Ministry of Tourism, and children were housed to the unserviceable building despite the Ministry of Health requests.

Fighting with the elements

This summer Odessa suffered twice from big storms. The first natural disaster stroked the city during the night between the 31st of May–1st of June. A hurricane completely paralyzed the road traffic and threw down from 1 to 3 thousand trees.

472 power lines were damaged, 181 accidents happened in the gas supply system. Resting places on Odessa coast were totally ravaged: the hurricane damaged the majority of couches, umbrellas and other beach equipment. It also damaged the roof of Odessa Opera House.

From 23 to 37 million hryvnas – this is an approximate amount of the damage caused to Odessa during the night of 1st of June.

One person died, 38 more were injured. On June 14, Odessa residents were attacked by the «second series» of the elements – the city was flooded by a strong gush with hail that forced trees and electricity transmission supports to fall down. 4 people were hospitalized. The nature had no mercy on other cities of Ukraine as well. On June 26, the majority of Kharkov districts suffered from the heavy rain, which partially flooded streets and pavements of the city. The downpour also «damped» the streets of Ternopol. According to the Emergency Situations Service, during the night between the 25th and 26th of June the heavy rain and strong gusts of wind caused the response of many power line protection systems and 88 places in three regions – Lvov, Volynsk and Ivano-Frankovsk – were deenergized.

Chief editor Alexandra Pogorila Acting Director Yuri Rakovsky Issuing Editor Dmitrii Zahoruiko Designer Alexander Liubeznov Photo editor Roman Grabezhov Staff Olga Medvedeva Dmytro Zaborin Zinoviy Kurdov Alexander Lobanov Viktoria Vlasenko Advertising Anna Kovalchuk Natalia Kot The newspaper is registered in the State Registration Service of Ukraine Registration certificate KB №19426-9226P Publisher Intercontinental – Ukraine Co Ltd Circulation – 30 000 Editorial office Phone: +38 044 223 14 23 office@thekievtimes.ua Translation agency Translit Representative offices Moscow moscow@thekievtimes.ua Berlin berlin@thekievtimes.ua Warsaw warszawa@thekievtimes.ua Paris paris@thekievtimes.ua Milan milan@thekievtimes.ua Shanghai shanghai@thekievtimes.ua New York newyork@thekievtimes.ua London london@thekievtimes.ua Distribution • Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine • Regional, city and district administrations, KCSA • Representatives of international NGOs • Embassies of foreign countries in Ukraine • VIP-lounges and lounges of official delegations of Ukrainian airports • AIR FRANCE, KLM, Czech Airlines • «Yadlovsky Group» restaurants, «Carte Blanche» restaurant chain • Other restaurants in Kiev: Under Wonder, SAN TORI, TITANIC, Dejavu, Prague, D’Lux, Pervak, Corona • Restaurants in Donetsk: Chateau, Corsair, Gulyaj Hata, Boulevard, Banana • Hyatt Regency Hotel Kiev • Kiev City Hotel • Riviera on Podol Hotel, Kyiv • «Shakhtar Plaza» Hotel, Donetsk • Hotel Residence «Crimea Breeze», Yalta • Business Centers in Kyiv: «Parus», «Horizont», «Botanic towers» • National Cultural-Art and Museum Complex «Mystetskyi Arsenal» • Regional and municipal public libraries www.thekievtimes.ua Р - advertising

4

PERSON

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

KERRY MUST CORRECT CLINTON’S MISTAKES Smiling, Mikhail Morgulis, American public figure, philosopher and writer, speaks in quite severe and significant words that force even the most experienced politicians to think. The graduate of Kiev National University Mr. Morgulis emigrated from the USSR in 1976, and in 1991 under the auspices of Mikhail Gorbachev created the Spiritual Diplomacy Foundation, which over the years has transformed itself into a peacekeeping organization known around the world.

Politicians, businessmen, religious leaders, sport cult figures, presidents, movie actors and scholars have befriended him. Mikhail Morgulis is currently a guest of The Kiev Times

Photographer Roman Grabezhov

By Alexandra Pogorelaya

D

o you believe in friendship between Ukraine and the USA? Of course. Our countries should be partners and friends. Nobody and nothing should be able to to prevent this. Neither people nor events.

What must happen for the attitude of the USA toward Ukraine to become a partnership?

As far as I understand, a certain working relationship between the USA and Ukraine already exists.

But, owing to some politicians, these relations are on very «thin ice». Ukraine must become a strategic partner of the United States in the Middle East. US State Secretary Kerry must correct Mrs. Clinton’s gross miscalculations.

Many people have called Hilary Clinton a «Teflon politician», whose political carrier hasn’t

been affected by the murders of ambassadors, by sex-scandals in her previous department, and by serious failures in the US foreign policy, when she was Secretary of State. This chain of mistakes has to be broken by Kerry.

Barak Obama must rise above political disputes. The Tymoshenko affair, the main reason for the worsening of our relations, must be settled, because it generates an

adversarial atmosphere between our countries.

President Yanukovych has to determine precisely new strategies for the country’s development. In my youth I worked with two outstanding senators. Jesse Helms – chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, and Mark Hatfield – chairman of the Finance Committee. I learned mych from both of them. Jesse Helms once said: «Do you know who’s

Europe. The civilized world must help Ukraine to restore unity and peace in the country.

Why did you choose Ukraine?

The Geography of the Foundation’s work is extensive: China, South Korea, Vietnam, Poland, Cambodia, Hungary, and the Bermudas etc. The Foundation’s programs are also active in the USA and Russia.

But Ukraine is the land where I was born. Boris Oleinyk once

The Foundation is also planning the visit of representatives of the US Congress to Ukraine as well as organizing a Round table in Washington – «America-Ukraine: steps forward» responsible for our countries not being friends? We are the guilty ones, because as politicians we are doing whatever we can, in order not to allow our countries to be friends» – And he added: – «When you are in politics, try not to be a guilty person in history. Live your life so that your actions don’t cause any conflict.

Try to build bridges of love, of which there are far too few in this world».

The leaders of our countries must build such bridges.

What brings the Spiritual Diplomacy Foundation to Ukraine?

The Spiritual Diplomacy Foundation was created in the USA in 1991, on Mikhail Gorbachev’s initiative (and I should mention that it was not an easy time for him).

The Spiritual Diplomacy Foundation is an organization that promotes communication and peacekeeping. We seek to stop conflicts in the world by appealing to the spiritual values of the conflicting sides. Spiritual diplomacy, in our case, means

joked: «When you were little I used to carry you in my arms». So, if this land is hurting, it hurts me too. My life’s purpose is to help Ukraine become a happy country.

I’m convinced that it is very important for Ukraine to have reliable and strong partners.

Currently Ukraine is a little known and obscure country for the Americans. But we are doing our best to let America know and understand Ukraine, not through narrow contacts among politicians and diplomats, but through mass communication among various social groups.

In April 2013, under your initiative, Kiev was visited by the NBA legendary veterans.

Their visit was marked by a meeting with the Head of State.

What are the consequences of this visit?

Sport is a kind of religion, able to unite people. Football, hockey and basketball are well known and loved all around the planet.

The NBA veterans met inmates from Kiev childcare facilities and sport schools, journalists and public figures.

President took place on the eve of the Victory Day – a great holiday for many peoples of the World!

It was a sincere and friendly conversation about different ways of life in our countries, about friendship, World War II, about the meeting of our soldiers on Elba, and about how sport helps people to become close friends.

The veterans thanked the Ukraine’s President because Ukraine is a very sport’s loving country and in 2015 is going to host the European basketball championship.

In the USA this visit provoked a positive resonance. Many authoritative newspapers and Internet-sites reported on it!

For the first time Ukraine was positively mentioned, without any political accusations and stereotypes from the past.

In the photos the Ukraine’s President stood surrounded by sport heroes loved by whole America. The Ukraine President was smiling and his broad smile was noted by many of the journalists. This visit opened Ukraine and its President to America in a new light.

The visit of the American Indian tribes’ representative to Ukraine, initiated by you, was of no lesser resonance...

I have to restore justice. The idea of such visit was suggested to us by a very respectable governor of the American Louisiana State, Bobby Jindal, who is originally of Indian heritage. He believes that establishing a dialogue with people in America who have been defending their freedom for many years could be useful for Ukraine.

Kiev was visited by the Lakota tribal Chief Joseph Brings Plenty, with his son and the Hawaiian Princess Kauilani Kahalekai.

In the USA the Indians are

Ukraine is experiencing a serious inner conflict among its political groups that impacts negatively upon the ordinary people of Ukraine as well as of many other countries in Europe that our diplomacy is based on culture, ethics, morality and spirituality of the conflicting parties. We try to bring an end to conflicts not only between countries, but also within them.

In my opinion, Ukraine is experiencing a serious inner conflict among its political groups that impacts negatively upon the ordinary people of Ukraine as well as of many other countries in

The veterans also visited Chernobyl, feeling sorrow and pain for Ukraine. These kindhearted giants affected Ukrainian children more than all teachers and psychologists ever did. The veterans familiarized themselves with the sights of one of the most beautiful European capitals, and I think they managed to get a feel for the real life of Ukraine.

Their meeting with the

respected people, from an important ethnic branch. We should admit that modern America feels secretly guilty for the historical injustice perpetrated against Indians.

During their meetings, TV and radio airs, the Indians tried to tell the Ukrainians about their interpretation of Freedom.

It was a lively and sincere communication, which cannot

PERSON

Photographer Alexander Lobanov

www.thekievtimes.ua

be replaced by any diplomatic efforts.

The Indians’ path to freedom was drenched in blood and tears.

The Ukrainian people, as well as the Indian tribes, survived different foreign yokes for centuries. The Zaporizhian Sich – which we told the Indians about – became the national symbol of freedom.

Sadly I discovered that a certain part of the Ukrainian press mocked at the Indians’ visit... Copywriters invented some details that seemed funny to them. More often than not these look sad, but not funny.

I’m not speaking of professional ethics. They probably have other motives. Perhaps these copywriters don’t know English well or don’t know how to use the Internet? Or maybe they are unable to read the truth in the Internet about the Indians who came to Ukraine?

When I told the Princess about these trash publications, she was mildly upset. After some thought and a call to her office, she invited several Ukrainian journalists to a small press-tour to Hawaii.

She commented: «I hope your publication will choose those journalists, whose professional and moral criteria are worthy, of the noble calling of «Journalist».

Not all princesses are like Diana. Representatives of the Royal Branch in Hawaii, although removed from political power, actively take part in their people’s social life. The Princess

for investigation of crimes connected with drugs followed this Russian citizen on the Ukraine territory. As a result, Yaroshenko was charged with various crimes. But the matter

are returning to the Central Asia Republics. In Russia screws were turned so tightly that another turn will force the image of Stalin to appear from non-existence!

The same is true for Belarus.

In the photos the Ukraine’s President stood surrounded by sport heroes loved by whole America. The Ukraine President was smiling and his broad smile was noted by many of the journalists preaches a healthy life-style, calls for the strengthening of the family values. By virtue of her responsibilities, the Princess actively participates in the organization of major national holidays. This is her actual royal mission.

The Chief of the Lakota (Sioux) tribe is only 40. He orients himself perfectly in the modern world and doesn’t avoid social life. He is curious and open. He is a very decent person. The Chief’s 16-year-old son flew to with him Ukraine…

I remember him dancing with the Ukrainian children in the childcare facility! It was true Spiritual Diplomacy. The faces of both the Indians and the children were happy. Their eyes were equally shining. It was joy that made them similar to each other.

Does the «BRIDGE» project presuppose an Ukraine approach to the USA in any particular directions?

In June, with our assistance, a small group of legal experts from the USA visited Ukraine. It included the General Consul of the State of Florida, Ita Neymotin, one of Americ’s most recognized attorneys; counselor to many senators and governmental establishments Frank Abernathy; the senior investigator Daniel Short, and the investigator of cases of particular importance and criminal psychologist Valerie Michel.

The State of Florida is a national barometer and occupies a special place in the USA. This group of experts did not come without any purpose.

As specialists of various backgrounds, the experts were supposed to investigate several subjects suggested to them by a group of Senators and Congressmen. The experts

is that the shadowing on the Ukrainian territory was conducted without a correspondent permission. And this is a direct violation of international agreements. Moreover, it was found out that Ukrainian laws consider such action to be a criminal offence.

The results of the group’s work will be thoroughly examined in the USA and this will help to make one more step towards each other.

Do you work at the political level as well?

At the political level, work has to be done by politicians. I think they succeeded in this (smiles). In Ukraine political struggle reminds me of the extreme project «Ultimate fighting».

Tell us about the US-Ukraine Observer magazine.

This is a large illustrated journal intended for the American audience, referring about today’s Ukraine, with all its achievements and defects.

The US-Ukraine Observer’s first issue was published in 2013, and immediately became a bestseller among certain political audience.

The Diaspora press in America, I think, often reflects Ukraine as it was 20 years ago. The press of the Ukrainian Diaspora is extremely engaged and it is difficult for them to give an unprejudiced assessment of the reality.

The US-Ukraine Observer’s authors are serious American and Ukrainian experts, who extremely value their reputation.

But it is better to read it and get a personal opinion about it.

«Ukraine has an ineffective economy, bad roads, corruption and poverty...». People mostly fairly criticize the government!

But it is at least funny to complain that there is no freedom in the country, if radical parties come to the Parliament...

We are talking a lot about Ukraine in America. Ukraine is a wonderful country. We say that Ukraine can be a strategic partner of America.

We say that not only Ukraine needs America, but America needs Ukraine as well. America has lost many of its friends, due to its aspiration to bring «American freedom». These losses are mostly explained by Mrs. Clinton’s half-Marxist liberal policy.

The USA must not support only the political side in other countries. We must support the countries and simultaneously listen to all the parts of their internal conflicts. A democratic attitude towards a country, I guess, is like the ability to listen to polyphony.

How do you evaluate the situation around Tymoshenko?

On apersonal level and as a Christian I feel sorry for Yulia Tymoshenko. But the court’s verdict – in the opinion of an increasing number of experts –

demonstrates the court’s attempt to act in accordance with the Law, without reference to politics.

Tymoshenko’s lawyers have to direct their efforts to exculpatory evidence in her other cases, rather than engage in a battle with the country, the court and individuals.

You have repeatedly said that Tymoshenko should be pardoned…

To be proven guilty presupposes a punishment. But along with the punishment there exist mercy and forgiveness.

And I’m asking for such mercy.

However, according to all spiritual parameters, forgiveness requires repentance...

What role does religion play in the Foundation’s activity?

We think that religion is a tool in order to establish peace.

Ukraine is an Orthodox country, peacefully accompanied by Catholicism and Protestantism.

But Christianity does not mean simply visiting the church on Sunday; it is a way of living.

If a Christian is awakened by a request for help, he will not hesitate to give assistance without asking about skin color, nationality and religion.

Religion is a personal business.

For some people the way to God goes through the Orthodox Church; for others it goes through the Catholic or Protestant church.

The Buddhists also follow their way. The Islamists, entering the peaceful field of Islam and supposing that the only God is

The Ukrainian opposition often refers to a comprehensive support of the USA in press.

Does it really exist?

Ukrainian opposition in

America is only criticizing its own country. Ukrainian politicians, when they tell bad things about Ukraine in America, cause irretrievable damages not only to the current authority but to the whole nation! They humble their country! «We don’t keep what we have but, having lost it, we cry».

Many people understand that Ukraine is the only one among the post-Soviet countries where true freedom lives, even if with serious problems!

What happened after the USSR collapse? The Middle Ages and dictatorship in their modern form

Some words about future plans.

The Foundation’s activity regarding Ukraine will increase.

The Foundation is planning to organize visits of many famous people to Ukraine: writers, scientists, philosophers, outstanding figures from movies, representatives of American youth culture.

The Foundation is also planning the visit of representatives of the US Congress to Ukraine as well

From time to time, authorities address to us, to get advice and recommendations. We write about our opinion to the US Senate and the Congress, meet senators and congressmen. We wish to show them the real values and defects of those countries where the Foundation’s programs work.

Mikhail, what are you dreaming about?

The world will die not because of weapon oversupply, but the very moment the last person, in which love lived, dies. Until Love lives, the world will live.

I’m dreaming that the world could have more love. You know, if love of a man to a woman is love sent from above, this love grows

The experts examined the Ukrainian legal system in general, studied the new Code of Criminal Procedure, and investigated some prominent cases. The group met with the General Prosecutor of Ukraine Viktor Pshonka

Tymoshenko’s lawyers have to direct their efforts to exculpatory evidence in her other cases, rather than engage in a battle with the country, the court and individuals examined the Ukrainian legal system in general, studied the new Code of Criminal Procedure, and investigated some prominent cases.

The group visited the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, met with the General Prosecutor of Ukraine Viktor Pshonka and participated in round table discussions with its Ukrainian colleagues.

A separate subject matter of the group has become the case of Russian pilot Yaroshenko, which recently stirred throughout the USA. The American department

Allah, find their way to God as well. I was told in Jerusalem that the Talmud (Judaic sacred book) says that heaven will accept righteous people of all religions. I believe that religion is one of the ways for approaching countries.

5

Your business legal support Vorovskogo, 29-E, office 13, Kyiv, 01054 044 486 3360 www.lg-d.com

as organizing a Round table in Washington – «America-Ukraine: steps forward».

The Foundation is preparing several projects in the sport area.

History and geography also don’t stay aside from the Foundation’s attention. We wish Ukrainians and Americans to dialogue not only on an official level but on a human one.

Does the Spiritual Diplomacy Foundation collaborate with the US governmental structures?

In the USA there is a rather different comprehension of interaction of funds and public organizations with the government. Authorities don’t interfere in the work of serious organizations, holding their activity in the international field.

stronger. I’d like a true love flood to happen.

I’m dreaming that all people would be happy, but this is, perhaps, Utopia…

What would you say in conclusion?

Once the advisors to Ronald Reagan asked me for some expressions from the Russian classics to be used by them in a Presidential speech devoted to the USSR. I recalled the words of Herzen: «If we are not on the side of the oppressed, then we are on the side of the oppressors». I’d like to close off our conversation with these words.

And one thing more… I’m old.

But I’m sure that I will live to see Ukraine become a happy country.

And then I can quietly go to Heaven.

6

SPECIAL TKT PROJECT/INTWERVIEW

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

PRINCESS: I DISCOVERED UKRAINE FOR MYSELF! Hawaiian Princess Kauilani Kahalekai, the direct descendant of King Kamehameha I the Great, in her interview to The Kiev Times shared her impressions about her visit to Ukraine, told about her meeting with Viktor Yanukovych and her visit to a children’s home, as well as about everyday life of the Indian people in Hawaii American state Interviewed by Alexandra Pogorelaya

Y

our Highness, what impressions of your visit to Ukraine are you going to take with you?

Ukraine produced an indelible impression on me! You have a very beautiful country, and it is on the way that leads it to the future. Your people very much resemble to my people. They are also sincere and kind. I’m very glad that family values for you are important as much as in my native land.

Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect to see such a beautiful nature!

Kiev is a modern megalopolis but at the same time the city is buried in verdure! This enraptures!

Emerald green city parks won my heart!

towards orphans in Ukraine is personally controlled by the President.

I wish to keep in contact with the Ukrainian children of the children’s home. I would like to come and visit them, again.

Possibly, we can create a mutual program. Hawaiian Islands have similar programs with Japan, India and other states. This produces huge impression upon children and leaves an indelible mark in their hearts.

How does the matter of education for children, who are deprived of any parental care, stand in Hawaii?

There isn’t such an institution like a children’s home in Hawaii. A

If the world knew more about Ukraine, more people would be happy to come and visit you!

This would have important social consequences for your country: cultural, economic and political ones.

Hawaii is a young state that joined the USA only in 1959. But it is a state with rich national history and culture. I’d like to let the Hawaiian Islands’ residents know more about Ukraine. It sounds quite romantic but I’m dreaming that Ukrainians would also discover Hawaii for themselves. And I discovered Ukraine for myself and I’m very happy about this!

What was the brightest event of your visit?

I am a very sensitive person. I remember my visit to a children’s home. It was incredibly moving; it touched my heart. I’ll never forget how they met us with a beautiful round loaf after the Ukrainian custom!

I admit that I was amazed at what a fine condition the children’s home is in: it has everything they need for a good life. I came to the following conclusion: children in this home know what is humanity and care.

It is great that family values in Ukraine are taken in high priority.

I understood this during the meeting with the social workers.

Communication with the children’s home inmates was amazing! Children led us through their rooms, which they are so proud of. One girl has even asked me to lie down on her bed. A small boy took the Chief by his hand and led him to see his toys.

Children sang songs for us, danced and even… cooked vareniks. We saw that people working there try to make the children feel that they have real family, that they are loved. I’m very glad that the state supports this. At the meeting we were told that the state policy

child without family is impossible for us. We don’t have orphans like you consider them. If a child loses his parents, another family takes care of him. We don’t have those cases when a woman bears a child and then leaves him on the street!

It’s too bad that such things can happen in Ukraine. There can’t be such things in Hawaii.

If a child grows in an adverse family, the social service finds him a foster family. It is called Foster care. This is the case when a family doesn’t adopt a child but takes care of the child rising him or her. Such a system is very efficient.

What did you talk with Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych about?

Our meeting with the President made a huge meaning and sense for me.

I told him where we came from.

I told him about Indians, about their history and culture, their traditions and actual problems. I wanted to exchange information about our countries and people. It seemed to me that Mr. President felt himself free and comfortable.

Conversation was warm and friendly.

Photographer Andrey Gorb

It sounds quite romantic but I’m dreaming that Ukrainians would also discover Hawaii for themselves. And I discovered Ukraine for myself and I’m very happy about this!

things in his country. I understand that this is not a simple task for any authority. America moves forward. I hope that Ukraine will do the same.

Did you tell the President that he looks like a Hollywood star?

Our entire delegation agreed that this is true (she smiles). I was very surprised at how young the President looks. Actually, he is much brighter and more interesting than in the pictures I saw in the American newspapers.

The last one, I guess, was in The Washington Times.

You visited the ethnographic museum «Mamaeva Sloboda» during the celebration of the Whitsun. What did surprise you and what do you remember, most of all?

You know, I was very astonished by absolutely everything I saw.

Many of your traditions reminded

reminded me of our warriors from the Hawaiian Islands. The Cossacks cut branches with a knout so dashingly! Our warriors didn’t reach such a skill; you’re obviously ahead here.

I remember your delicious Ukrainian cuisine and ... strong liquors (she laughs). We have our national alcoholic beverage as well, but in comparison to your «varenuha» (liquor made of dried fruits with honey and spice) this is simple lemonade.

Hawaii became an American state only in 1959. What changed in people’s life? What happened to the Hawaiian language?

Since the moment we became the state, the Islands have been administrated by the federal government. The King’s Palace has become a museum. Monarchy has become history. But the royal genealogy remains. We continue

I am very different from the fairy tale princesses and the princesses of states with stable monarchy. I am a modern Princess of the most beautiful place on the Earth. The most beautiful and most distinctive one I was interested in knowing the President’s thoughts about the future of your country. Especially, about your country’s entry into the big world. I was pleasantly shocked that the President in his welcome speech said that he is neither a pro-Russian nor a pro-European but a proUkrainian politician. He is very concerned about his country and its development, with his whole heart.

Like our President Barak Obama, he has to change a lot of

me of our traditions and rites.

For example, your tradition to welcome guests with bread and salt, wreathes on the girls’ heads, garments…

I remember a parable about a small cunning fox, which had to get married…

My daughter is a very fastidious bride and I’m going to tell her about the Ukrainian custom to hand over a «garbuz» (a pumpkin) (she laughs).

The Ukrainian Cossacks have really enraptured me! They

US-UKRAINE OBSERVER – МОСТ МЕЖДУ СТРАНАМИ Ежемесячное издание, посвященное развитию отношений между США и Украиной, освещает важные для обеих стран темы и обеспечивает англоязычную аудиторию США уникальными материалами об Украине – одном из самых прогрессивных партнеров США, которые вышли из СССР.

www.usukraineobserver.com

speaking our native Hawaiian language; children learn the Hawaiian language at schools.

Mainly, the Hawaiians send their children to the so called Charter schools.

Let me explain what a «Charter school» is. Every pupil conditionally costs the state about 12 thousand dollars per year. If a child’s parents don’t want send

products, don’t go fishing, and in these days we plant only in some places specially assigned for that.

It really resembles your Lent.

There are festivals devoted to our spiritual and cultural traditions.

By the way, all our spiritual ceremonies are connected with the Moon phases. .

Often people invite me to perform Hawaiian rites and ceremonies, for which it is necessary to have special possibilities and a definite status.

There are rituals that can’t be performed by ordinary people.

For example, the whole world knows that there are very beautiful wedding ceremonies in Hawaii. But not everybody knows that our wedding ceremony has a thousand-year history and a deep spiritual foundation. I, as a spiritual leader of my people, have to faultlessly know and protect such a beautiful and such an important rite for us.

But the main mission of my life as Princess is to preserve all spiritual and cultural traditions of my people for the future generations, and for this mission’s realization I’m ready to work as long as my heart beats.

How does a wedding ceremony unfold?

I often perform wedding ceremonies. This is a solemn rite. I, as a spiritual leader, bless families for happiness. The entire rite is performed in Hawaiian. The ceremony itself is called «Ha» that means «breathing».

There isn’t such an institution like a children’s home in Hawaii. A child without family is impossible for us him or her to a usual school, they send the child to a Charter one, where the obligatory program of a state schools is added with disciplines, in which the school is specialized. Parents bring a state voucher for 12 thousand dollars to the Charter schools and the difference is paid in addition. The level of education in my country is very high.

Is tourism still the most important area of your state economy?

Tourism is the basis of the Hawaiian economy. Of three millions of our state’s population, the overwhelming majority works in the tourism field.

Some words about the preservation of their traditions by the Hawaiians.

This is very important for us. There are periods in a year, when we are gathered for special Hawaiian ceremonies. There is a period, when we don’t eat certain

A youth and a girl meet, exchange breath with each other, their breathing mixes and unites into one.

Divorce instances are very rare. The tradition of a divorce process is called «Ho’oponopono».

Sometimes I try to smooth away the conflict between husband and wife. «Ho’oponopono» means «to do right» (this is an ancient Hawaiian art of problem-solving).

Please, describe an ordinary Hawaiian day.

As we are Americans (she laughs), like all Americans we work, pay taxes and follow our state’s laws.

Hawaii doesn’t have such big cities like your Kiev, Donetsk or Kharkov. We live in small cities and settlements. I, for example, live in the northern island Kauai.

This island’s population makes only 66 thousand people. The island has only one central city and several small settlements. I think that an ordinary Hawaiian

day differs very little from the day of an ordinary American continental resident.

And how does the Princess live in Hawaii?

I am... quite an ordinary Princess (she laughs).

I am very different from the fairy tale princesses and the princesses of states with stable monarchy. I am a modern Princess of the most beautiful place on the Earth. The most beautiful and most distinctive one.

I live in an ordinary but very beautiful house upon the ocean.

I do the entire home work by my own. Once a month, technical workers perform difficult works of the house servicing.

I have a daughter and two sons. The title is inherited. My children are my direct heirs.

They are in a certain raw of the title inheritance, which has been developed for hundreds of years.

I travel a lot. As Princess and spiritual leader, I represent the Hawaiian Islands to the whole world.

How did you inherit the title?

I am the eldest in our family after my mother. I bear a name of my grandmother, who was the Queen. If the Hawaiians were independent and people voted for monarchy, I would be the Queen.

When the Americans conquered our land, the democratic governors replaced our traditional kings. But at the same time, people respect history and deeply honor our royal family.

The last Queen in our family’s history was my grandmother. She passed to me her deep knowledge and spiritual power. In our family I was the only who received this spiritual power.

What role does music play in your life?

For almost my whole life, I was keen on music: I sing and play. I have releases of albums with ritual and secular music, like the USA President Bill Clinton (she laughs). It’s a pity that my creative work was not the purpose of this visit. But I’m going to return to Ukraine next year with a big Hawaiian ethnic festival.

I’d like to invite all Ukrainians to this festival, which takes place every four years. This will be the festival of our traditions. You’ll discover Hawaii for yourself!

I’m extremely sorry that my visit to Ukraine was so short. But I received a very strong spiritual charge. Today in the morning I wrote a song about Ukraine. The main message in this song is: I’ll be missing your country!

www.thekievtimes.ua

SPECIAL TKT PROJECT/INTWERVIEW

7

THE CHIEF WHO BRINGS PLENTY A 40-years-old handsome man with an imperial bearing and a charming smile, dressed in an Indian warrior’s headwear – a war bonnet – befitting the chief.

That’s how we saw the chief of the American Indian Lakota (Sioux) tribe Joseph Brings Plenty at the airport «Borispol». His visit to Ukraine, on The Kiev Times’ invitation was really eventful: both formal and not-so-formal conversations with journalists and politicians, meeting with inmates and teachers of the Rakitnyansk district children’s home, TV and radio broadcasts, meeting with the Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych, and acquaintance with cultural and historical monuments of Ukraine. We took advantage of this unique opportunity to know about the Indians from the mouth of the chief Interviewed by Alexandra Pogorelaya

Photographer Andrey Gorb

T

he Lakota includes seven tribes. Please, some words about your tribes. How do they communicate with each other?

The Lakota is made of seven family bands. I come from the band, which is called Miniconjou that means «covering from the rain». Itazipcho is a second band, the royal tribe consisting of noble Indians, the «noblemen». There are also the Black Feet and Two Kettles tribes; there is the Oglala tribe that means «scattering soil».

Indians consider that after death a human being goes back to the Earth. The Hunkpapha tribe’s name means «firmly standing rock». The beautiful title of the Sichangu band means «burned thighs». Two bands lived in a single territory – the Black Feet and the Two Kettles. When they fell back under the American cavalry’s attack, the native Americans burnt the prairies to drive them out. And when the Indians were passing through the burning prairies, their thighs were burnt by the fire. So those who survived received the title «Sichangu» and separated into a special band.

Indians who stick to the traditional views, like me, carry on a systemic unification process.

The bands’ Chiefs meet with each other, to mutually revive the Indian laws and traditions. Many years ago, when we were fighting with the American army, we were more communicating with each other, and together we gathered our bands for the war. But today, in peacetime, we are uniting again to preserve our culture and identity, and not to let them dissolve into the American culture.

How are the bands practically administrated?

We have a tribal administration, which is in contact with the state administration and the state authority. However, the Indians who live in the Lakota Republic always strive for a larger independence.

The Lakota tribe’s Indians settle South Dakota State.

Do the state laws and living conditions suit you?

Just over 80 thousand Indians live in South Dakota. This makes 11% of the entire population of South Dakota. During the 7080s’ of last century the Indians and the American government concluded a series of agreements.

The Indians were handed over the administration of a huge territory.

Later, the Congress revised these agreements and approved a law about redistribution of land resources for the state’s benefit.

Indians were told: «Look, what you need these millions square kilometers for? We wish to take some of them». We couldn’t object. Now we have enough land (he smiles). But we are working over to restore our initial fair agreements and have all our lands returned.

Tell us, please, how did life in Reservations begin?

When Reservations had been created, they were places of exiles, where Indians were sent «out of sight». Now everything is different, but this cannot be forgotten.

In the USA nine main Reservations were formed, where authorities directed aboriginals.

The authorities’ idea was to divide the bands by the «divide and rule» principle. Our people lost the possibility to maintain relations and close contacts among bands and tribes.

In the USA the states are subdivided into counties. The Reservation where my tribe lives is called the «Shining River». It

consists of two counties: Zibak, where I live, and Dui. Tell us, please, about the economic structure of Indian counties and Reservations.

I must admit that Zibak isn’t the richest county in the USA; more precisely it is one of the poorest ones. The level of unemployment is high. South Dakota State is poorly settled, it is difficult to develop business there. The situation is rather sad for all the Americans living in our state as well, not only for the Indians. Nevertheless, we, the Indians, try to face these problems on our own.

In America there is a special bureau for Indians’ cases, receiving funds from the state budget. The bureau specialists distribute these funds but, like it often happens with state money, they not always get where they are needed. We should take into account that Indians are living in almost every state. And every state assigns its funds for Indians’ cases, on the basis of many factors. Many Indians receive government grants and assistance. But this doesn’t exclude unemployment and poverty.

Do the Indians have preferences in America when they get a job or enter educational organizations?

Undoubtedly they have. For instance, a questionnaire for getting a grant of education contains the field «hostility veteran» or «native Indian».

You put a check in this field and entrance becomes simpler.

The same field is under any acceptance for employment and address to social services.

But at the same time the Indian youth has a rough passage.

Modern Indian society knows such new problems like suicides, drug and alcohol addiction. My state shows a very high level of expulsions from schools for poor progress.

distant from each other. For instance, there is a Reservation of the Havasupai Indians, at the Great Canyon bottom. They are completely torn away from the real American life; they have neither Internet nor telephony.

There is a 200 miles journey across the desert to the nearest city. You can go down into the Canyon only by helicopter. The tribe doesn’t have any car, just

I met the President of your country and felt his power. He is not only powerful, but clearly aware of his plans But the situation is sad not only for the Indians. State infrastructures are poorly developed. Indian families often have up to 5 children, but they have no car, and the nearest store is often located at a 40 minutes journey from their house...

If you live in New York, where infrastructure is more developed, and stores are closer – this is another pair of shoes. But in our counties even the simplest and everyday things become rather problematic.

So, rich Indian tribes are a myth?

This is not a myth. There are very rich Indian tribes in America. For example, the Seminoles in Florida or the Foxwoods Reservation in Connecticut. Foxwoods Indians possess luxurious casinos. Just imagine: in one of them, during the last years of his life, sang the great Frank Sinatra. Only a very rich casino can afford to invite a star of such a level for the entire season. Successful territorial location determines a lot.

Do the rich Indian tribes somehow support their poor blood brothers?

Each Indian tribe lives on its own agreed «island» – the Reservation. The American government’s initial idea was to break all the ties among them.

Now there are no restrictions, but this solution historically established that we are now

horses. The only policeman, the sheriff of this territory, has a quadrocycle. The rest of people go walking on foot or riding horses. Their life today is very similar to the one you see in the movies. They are people who didn’t let their national identity to dissolve into the American society.

What does your name mean?

It means «Bringing Plenty». My mission in this life is not to let the Indian national foundation to get lost and provide plenty for my people. There is an expression in America – a «melting-out tank».

This is when representatives of all peoples become Americans, much alike. I have to save my people from such tank.

What impressions did you receive from your visit to Ukraine?

Kiev is a large and modern city!

For me this trip has become a real cultural positive shock! I’m very delighted with the fact that so many people can peacefully get on in one place (he laughs)!

And when you come to visit my people in our Reservation, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Everything we encounter in Ukraine is provoking incredible emotions! We like this country, its open and positive people, its national food, your traditions and values, and the order on the streets. We’re glad to have possibility to discover Ukraine and create a spiritual bridge with

Ukraine. It seems to me that the Ukrainian people have plenty to be proud of and to appreciate in their lives! Ukraine is plentiful and rich, you have so many possibilities!

Please, confess what did you know about Ukraine before your visit?

America knows Russia. I knew little about Ukraine. Americans remember such notions like «iron curtain», the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev. But Ukraine is a huge and independent country, which brought home to me an absolutely incredible light! Americans always had the idea that Russia or the Soviet Union was terrible. Sending me to Kiev, my people’s elders were very concerned and considered that was a courageous step by my part! Only arriving to Kiev I realized that we are so much mistaken about your wonderful country, and that it is very important to let as many Americans as possible know the truth about modern Ukraine!

What are you going to tell your people about Ukraine in the first place?

About many things! I’m sure that, thanks to this trip, many positive changes can happen.

And I’m excited about this. I’m going to back home on June 28, and immediately I’m getting to an Elders’ quorum. Everything I’ve learnt about your people, everything I’ve seen, I’m taking away with me, in my heart. At the Elders’ quorum I’m going to talk about your country and its wealthiest culture. I’m going to talk about the way Ukraine goes towards its future. I know that you have many difficult problems, as any people have, though. And it depends on you to determine in which way to face these problems. But I saw much wisdom and strength to do that. I met the President of your country and felt his power. He is not only powerful, but clearly aware of his plans. This is very important for the President of a young country.

At the meeting, the President asked me many different

questions and our conversation was very constructive. I thought that it would be great to establish such an effective dialogue between our peoples.

I’m going to tell the elders that during my visit to Kiev it has occurred to me to create a special school, where young people will learn to be real Indians: studying Indian rites, collecting herbs, learning how to ride a horse. I’m going to tell them how wonderful your country is and how large your cities are – like Kiev. I’m going to tell them about my new friends.

In spite of the fact that the American Indians current situation could be better, we always remember that a new day is coming. We always look for it in hope. The Indians’ renaissance started in 1975: we achieved the realization of our demands and restored many of our rights. A New day always brings better things. Ukraine is much younger and it will have a difficult but interesting path to its true Freedom.

8

GEOPOLITICS

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

SAUDI ARABIA AND THE LARGE MIDDLE EAST Geopolitical conception of the so called «Large Middle East», whose authors are American geopoliticians, is aimed at «democratization» of Eurasia, where – after the Soviet Union collapse – has been observed a relative authority vacuum Vladislav Gulevich

T

he basis of this conception is an aspiration for the reformatting of the boarders of the most outstanding NearEastern states (Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon etc.) in order to provide the USA military and political presence in the region for long time. The perspective of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia and Transcaucasia joining to the orbit of American influence, as well as the resistance to the Chinese expansion, are also included into the plans of the authors of this conception.

In the Islamic world this conception provoked a storm of indignation, since the victims of the Large Middle East plan will become some Washington timetested allies – Turkey, Jordan etc.

But there are no eternal friends and eternal enemies in politics; there are only geopolitical companions. That’s why, in spite of the long-term allied relations between Turkey and the United States, the last would like to see Turkish Kurdistan as a separate independent state under the USA protectorate.

After Saddam Hussein’s overthrow, the Iraqi part of Kurdistan received a wide autonomy. Ankara, which has been fighting with Kurdish separatism for many years, is trying not to allow Iraqi Kurdistan

merge with its Turkish part into a single political and economic organism, as the Kurds settle a territory that is rich with oil deposits and possesses an important strategic position. The Americans would like to use this strategic position of Kurdistan by their own hands.

But there is a state in the East that may like the realization of the Large Middle East plan very much. It is Saudi Arabia, an extremely conservative state, where the official religion is a Wahabi version of Islam – one of the strictest and the most extremist.

The Saudi community is unique in its conservatism. Women here gained the right to drive motorcycles and bicycles only two years ago and only followed by men. The question about whether

temptress who plies among men.

Since 1932 Saudi Arabia has been governed by the family of crown princes Saudits, transferring power from brother to brother. To bring to power an outside person is absolutely impossible.

In spite of living foundations that are far from democratic, and the financing of Wahabi terrorism all around the world – from the Balkan Mountains to the Caucasus – Riyadh remains the main ally of the United States in the region, and there are no sanctions for human rights abuse.

The Islamic world has three centers of political and cultural attraction – Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. These three candidates are different from each other. Iran is a Persian state, where official religion is Shiite Islam. Turkey is a secular state,

Currently Washington’s main opponent in the Islamic world is Iran – center of cultural and political attraction for the entire Shiite community it is worth to allow women acquiring driving licenses was discussed by the most famous Saudi theologians at the highest level. As a result they decided to deprive them of this right, in order not to connive with the degeneration of morality in Saudi society, as a woman in a car is a

but the majority of its population consists of Muslims-Sunnites.

The Saudis are Sunnites as well, but with extreme views. Teheran, Ankara and Riyadh are fighting for the hearts and souls of all Muslims of the planet. Each of these capitals would like to be the indisputable leader in the Islamic

world, and demonstrates its own version of Islam. At the same time, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, though rivals, are both USA allies.

The Large Middle East plan, which will considerably weaken Turkey, if it is realized to its maximum extent, and will create additional problems for the intractable Iran, is convenient for the Saudis. Simultaneously two of their rivals will find themselves in less advantageous conditions than they are today.

Currently Washington’s main opponent in the Islamic world is Iran – center of cultural and political attraction for the entire Shiite community. In some madrasah they teach Shiites from Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain and other Arab states, who are oppressed in their homelands.

There are Shiite sacred places on the territory of Iran – the cities of Meshed and Kum. In Meshed there is the Imam Reza’s mausoleum, and in Kum many Shiite educational institutions.

Iran serves as a patron of all NearEastern Shiites who are oppressed by the Sunnite majority in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and some other states.

The war in Syria is also beneficial for the Saudis. Syrian President Bashar Assad conducted a convergence policy with Shiite Iran and became friends with

Russia. If the Syrian confrontation hadn’t started, perhaps we would witness the formation of a new anti-American and anti-Saudi geopolitical block DamaskTeheran. To strike Syria means to strike Iran, weakening its presence in the Mediterranean area. To strike Syria also means to strike Russia, competing with Riyadh in the oil markets. Besides, the Iranian community, against the

background of inhibited Saudi Arabia, looks more relaxed and free, and Riyadh would not like to see such model of state structure, that is enviously considered by Saudi Arabia citizens. The same view is concerning Turkey, as well. And that’s why the project of «Large Middle East», if it doesn’t affect the boarders of the Saudi kingdom, will be brought to completion.

PUNISHMENT BY GLOBALIZATION The French philosopher-theologian Pierre de Chardin used to complain that each year the world spent on Science less than on a new cruiser’s building. This demonstrates what mankind most of all is worrying about. Mayhem, among others, is more important for mankind than its own education. And Science is interesting for the mighty of this world only as a tool for achievement of technical and other innovations, which allow their power strengthening Vladislav Gulevich

T

he main characteristic of our epoch is globalization.

The West and the East already don’t exist in their original way.

Boarders are obliterated and a colored palette of nations and cultures is turning into a grey daub. The very basis of globalization is its belief in human mind as the last instance

of wisdom. In capitalistic countries even belief in God more likely turns into a tribute to tradition, than into a live experience of metaphysical principles. Locked within the boarders of his rationality, a human being remains on Earth but tears off the sky. One of globalization victims is culture.

Its decline in our epoch is not accidental, as in an epoch of idolization of materialistic amenities, culture doesn’t get much attention as a spiritual phenomenon.

Civilization becomes stronger, culture becomes weaker. These two notions cannot be mixed.

Civilization is a technical membrane of society. Civilization is technical devices and products created by humans in order to provide them with a safer their existence, protect them from enemies, adverse weather conditions etc. Culture carries a spirit. It’s mankind’s wealth; it is what men managed to convert their creative energy into. Their ancestry traditions and customs are in the sphere of culture, and that’s why culture and globalization not always go hand in hand. They can go hand in hand in the United States – a country without deep historical roots, but with a high level of economy. There, history created culture from scratch, without resting upon the previous experience. To an American neon-asphalt civilization is equal to neon-asphalt culture, and that does not provoke any dissociation.

Very different is the situation in other countries and nations that non-critically took the liberal ideology both in politics and in economy, when they found themselves under the AngloSaxon civilization’s influence.

They had to adjust their unique culture to civilization and sacrifice the first as a victim to the second one. Sometimes American liberal philosophers

call to destroy culture, because it prevents globalization and blocks the technological process development.

But does the progress, this key category of the liberal ideology, really exist? Liberals say it does.

And we don’t have any reason to believe them.

Is a contemporary human being better than his distant ancestors?

Definitely not. Yes, we don’t kill each other the slightest thing with impunity, like it happened in antiquity. But we invented mass killing weapons, using them as soon as we find any occasion. In ХХ century the USA alone held more than 225 military operations all around the world. Taking other countries into account, the figure is enormous. We’re improving technologically, but not morally and spiritually. And how can we improve spiritually, if – in the very epoch of belief in progress

– rationality became an idol, if everything divine is forced out to the edge of our life and a human being exceptionally looks for answers to the time challenges in his curtailed mind? Every man is his own judge, and doesn’t judge himself too harshly.

Psychoanalyst Erich Fromm considered the progress to be the reverse side of necrophilia and, with the help of rich fact material, convincingly proved that in the old times violence and aggression were not of such a massive scale and didn’t go beyond reasonable limits. For the triumph of «free market», liberal «hawks» are ready to destroy hundreds of thousands lives. Remember Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Erich Fromm listed the amount of battles waged by European empires in the Modern Age: 1480-1499 – 9 battles; 15001599 – 87 battles; 1600-1699 –

239 battles, already; 1700-1799 – 781 battles; 1900-1940 – 892 battles! The amount of battles and those who were killed is growing proportionally to the humanity progress! Is it not a paradox?

Erich Fromm indicated that the modern society’s level of violence is much higher than in those previous societies we call primitive. Irrational destructivity and aggression are creations of our modern society.

Human being is a creature in between biological and spiritual worlds. The lesser it has spiritual components, the more it has the biological ones. Belief in progress is the belief in biological man, in his stomach but not in his soul.

Belief in spirituality is unbelief in progress. As much as the spiritual is higher than the biological, the divine is higher and cleaner than the progressive.

www.thekievtimes.ua

POLITICS/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

9

WATCHING EUROPE’S SUNSET No matter how cynically it sounds, but it is good that Europe is experiencing a protracted financial and economic crisis. One feels sorry about Greece that was mercilessly drawn out of the list of developed countries. But only a sight of the burning neighbor’s house is able to soften a hardheaded stubbornness of those people who devoutly hope for the saving embrace of the EU. And this stubbornness is often an ideological one. Many people are still ready for everything in order to «escape from Moscow» Dmitry Zaborin

Y

es, on May 18, we traditionally celebrated the Day of Europe with its necessary march of young female drummers. Yes, politicians still lead us with mindovercoming zeal to the EU – at least declaratively – as to the lands where soils bleed with milk and honey. Even the government of Mykola Azarov, with non-

regarding agriculture (right up to the prohibition of its homemade vodka production), is now experiencing real depopulation.

The only advantage of Eurointegration comes with the possibility to leave the country. As a matter of fact, this is considered as the main advantage in our country as well, like if visa-free

The situation requires being al least a step more far-seeing, as neither the EU nor Russia will rule the world, but the Great China will obvious purposes, is forcing the procedure of the signing of the association agreement with the European Union and hopes to do this by November. However, it is an evident fact even for housewives: European shocks will sooner or later end with a system’s paralysis and collapse and its transformation into some other quality.

Big problems are already showing up, not only on the «outskirts» of Europe; they are experienced by the most powerful states that in due time created the European house. But for some reason we don’t seriously talk about Europe. And current situational winning – a space for maneuver – Ukraine has got rather foolishly, without being able to fulfill all obligatory conditions for Euro-integration. But a sunset of Europe was foretold by Mister Oscar Schpengler even before the World War I finished.

A big social project «With the help of money, democracy is killing itself – after that money have been destroying its spirit. Capitalistic economy has grown too disgustingly loathsome for everybody. There is a hope for escaping that will come from somewhere, a hope connected with a tone of honor and a knight spirit, internal aristocratism, selflessness and duty», says the book of a German philosopher that didn’t leave indifferent any of the contemporaries who read it.

And amazingly his exact words are saying that under some conditions of a general reconciliation «nobody moves any finger, while the trouble affects just his neighbor».

This «nobody» is the Germany born for Schpengler, as well as its current ally, France. They can count on some growth. Portugal, Spain, Italy, Ireland will follow Greece. There is no need to talk about what’s happening in countries-neophytes, which got their «Ukrainian dream» come true. As for example Bulgaria, which has lost its heavy industry and atomic energetic and was suppressed by the EU restrictions

travels were a main national priority. No improvements in Europe are expected in the upcoming years; social budgets are declining and taxes are increasing everywhere. This, in turn, became the reason of some mad street protests against the dismantling of the usual system of a general welfare.

White Europe that first suffered from the habit of living beyond its means now is getting a fullweight slap for its habit of looking down on everybody as well.

Color migrants from the former colonies and simple counties where life doesn’t please with a big unemployment compensation, found new houses – in exchange for the possibility to do a dirty job and rob the former house.

Euro-economy, in due time, was growing on visitors’ cheap work.

And now it tries to save on them.

In Husby – the immigrant district of Stockholm, where massacres by the burning of cars came from, half of young people couldn’t graduate from school.

About 40% of them don’t study and don’t work. And it is clear that nobody hurry to repair their houses, built during the times of the socialist Olof Palme. Yes, they are citizens of their country.

manage to develop an anti-crisis strategy. However, the promotion of the rights of buggers and other untraditional audience continues with rapid strides. In May, France became the ninth European country where homosexual relationships are legalized, and where homosexual couples can unite in matrimony and adopt children. By the way, this banal

The only thing our country is competitive in is the intellectual resource But they have problems with acquirement of disability, medical service, payment to the poor and families with many children. They are second quality citizens.

The same second-quality people burnt a thousand cars per night in Paris in 2005. And tens of thousands of residents in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff in 2011 came out to the streets not because they didn’t have what to do. People didn’t like the idea of Prime Minister David Cameron to increase the pension due, to raise the pension age to 67 years, and generally give less and take more.

European manufacturers lose, compared to the Chinese ones.

The European Union didn’t

decision of President Olland has drawn to the streets of 75 cities about a million of white Catholics, who had to be dispersed by teargas.

For the old Europe, this year, especially autumn, will be obviously the peak, concerning public protests. And in view of their radicalism, aged people can easily and more often remember the 60s’, when similar reasons provoked similar events, right up to terrorism.

Ukraine without the EU It was noticed many times: when you, more or less earnestly, try to explain the irrelevance of the entrance to the Euro-Union, your interlocutor makes a face: so

«To forbid is forbidden» Europe has been through a social rebellion. Far 60s’, that, seen from today, seem to be a clot of bright gladness, weren’t really so cheerful. In 1968 in France a social crisis caused demonstrations, mass riots and general strike. Civilian nationals made what the terrorists couldn’t: President Charles de Gaulle retired together with the government, after starting huge changes in French community.

Mottos like «Be realists, demand impossible things!» and «To forbid is forbidden» have born then, together with the «New Left Wings» movement.

Young and radically tuned people, first of all the students of Nanterre and Sorbonne, were asking for justice. And they were supported by mastodons such as Michel Fuko. This justice had a quite concrete social orientation, particularly the introduction of the 40-hour’s week (and this was the main question everywhere, including the tsarist Russia), pensions at 60 years old and minimal wages of 1000 francs. Trade unions joined the termless strike. Since there were half a million jobless people in France, and two millions of workers were receiving minimal wages that didn’t allow them to enjoy their life even among the beautiful European decorations.

War in Vietnam, American military bases in Europe, monopolies’ growth (that also included the state mass media monopoly) – there were many reasons to protest. The «New left» expressed their protest against the soullessness of the consumer society, the lack of character of the mass culture, and the abrasion of any individuality. And, having started from non-violent protests, by the end of a decade, many «New Left» turned to extremism.

Today this can be considered strange, but the ideological reference point for many people was the USSR, where there weren’t problems of capitalistic community. And often these fighters for justice connected themselves with the country of the victorious socialism. One of the major terrorists, Ulrike Meinhof, conveniently headed the «Red Army faction». The movement – that was active before the beginning of the 90s’, and tried to unite French, Austrian and even Swiss terroristic groups – attempted to «split the NATO» and «shatter the imperialistic system» by means of their lives. But here they prefer to keep silent about such a Europe.

what? are things better in Russia?

We were taught to grievously make a «civilized choice». And the non-committal memorandum with the Customs Union comes from the same area. Yes, Ukraine exports about a third of its products to their markets. The EU market accepts more than a third.

But according to the economist, Professor Olexander Kendukhov, we have a negative trade balance everywhere. This means that we purchase more than we sell. And making a «civilized choice», we will grow rich neither in the first nor in the second case. This is basically conditioned by a noncompetitive production plan.

The equipment wear by the main budget-making branches is at the level of 70%; the initiatives of «Interpipe», IUD and SCM for a deep modernization of their steel

fundamental sciences; there are people who remember how to build rockets. But technologically our lagging is almost fatal.

And merging with the EU (CU) won’t become overwhelming abundance, affecting each cell of a state organism, because of the same reason, which has been learnt by Bulgaria. The situation requires being at least a step more far-seeing, as neither the EU nor Russia will rule the world, but the Great China will. It also requires the real holding of a new industrialization, making something useful for the native, but not the European land.

First of all – creating highly technological enterprises, that will be able to compete on foreign markets. Immediately introducing a new system of the highest tax favor and conditions

For the old Europe, this year, especially autumn, will be obviously the peak, concerning public protests companies don’t considerably affect this rate. And if the EU should engage in ecological standards, mining enterprises, chemical production and TPP would be closed the next day.

We have nuclear technologies, aircraft and ship building,

for investing money. After the story with the Cyprus banks, this is hyper-relevant for the European businessmen. If money rules the world, it’s necessary to think about how to merge with Europe at this level. As to be honest about the limit, it’s worth to admit:

the Eurounion’s citizens don’t have any common «European values». They are peculiar only to a business and bureaucratic elite that is interested to further support a high level of life in the «main» countries of the EU at the expense of all the rest.

We have the possibility to offer something to the world in our own name, to take part in a global dialogue about future, and some variants of a radical reconstruction of Europe. And at the same time, to quickly start creating new production capacities, that will allow examining different variants of integration from a position of confident strength. New industrialization – that’s what more is needed for the EU. And this is more likely impossible inside it: innovations are often accepted by Europe from the position of «presumption of guilt». First you need to prove harmlessness in all your manifestations, and then introduce yourself. And the only thing our country is competitive in is the intellectual resource.

We’ll repeat once more: the fate itself gave us the possibility to use it to the maximum, simultaneously watching Europe’s sunset from a personal chair.

10

CAPITAL

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

KIEV PRE-ELECTION CANCAN Photo UNIAN

2013 forced the previous 2012 out of calendars, spring changed into summer, the New Year holidays are about to come, but nobody still doesn’t know an answer to the question when the capital is going to hold mayoral and new Kiev Council’s composition elections. According to the decision of the Constitutional Court, the following elections for Ukraine local authorities should take place in 2015 Olga Medvedeva

T

he Opposition insists that these elections are special, and have to be held in October 2013. The Party of Regions, according to Inna Bogoslovska, is going to offer to hold them in September 2013. Theoretically the Verkhovna Rada can set special elections for the Kiev Council in 2013, but the deputies have twice messed up voting about this question. In short, things are still where they started.

Kiev authority itself even doesn’t think to move – it was found out that the elections of Kiev mayor and Kiev Council’s deputies are not on the agenda at all, and are not worth to be discussed. That’s what the chairman of the Kiev City State Administration, Olexander Popov, said during the pressconference devoted to three

the new deputies of the Kiev Council are elected and until they have sworn.

Nevertheless, it’s too early to put an end to the elections in Kiev in 2013. On one hand, the Constitutional Court clearly states that the main elections have to be held in 2015, but on the other hand, it is reserving the right to the Verkhovna Rada of taking decisions about the pre-term elections, this year. «The deputies requested an explanation of the norms connected with the holding of the following local councils’ and mayors’ elections , but not of the current Kiev’s situation, – the chairman of board of the Center of political and legal reforms Igor Koliushko said to the mass-media.

– So, it cannot be considered that the Constitutional Court forbade

autumn, this means 2014 but not 2013.

On the other hand, all necessary regulations concerning Kiev elections are going to be accepted before the EU summit in Vilnius, since, under different circumstances, the signing of the association agreement-which Ukraine needs so much – cannot to take place», said the political scientist Konstantin Matvienko, during the roundtable devoted to the elections in the capital.

And while the government tries to examine the «gauche question of election» on a legislative level, Kiev’s residents have already turned into the electorate, and some future candidates for a sweet position started to intently feed their «flock» by agitation products.

Kiev is flooded with leaflets and

Experts of the civil network «Opora» (Support ) have counted that – without taking into consideration any payment for the political strategists’ services a candidate to Mayor of Kiev can spend about 12 million dollars for his election campaign (about 100 million hryvnas) years of his activity in the KCSA. «I don’t want to go into politics and I won’t comment the matter deeply, because there is no electoral process today and there is nothing to talk about», he stated. The majority of the Kiev Council decided that their authorities won’t dismiss until

holding elections in Kiev right now. There is no word about elections in Kiev at all».

The process can be hastened by the EU officials as well. «In the current session of the Verkhovna Rada the provision about elections in Kiev is not going to be voted; and if the voting is in

posters of Mykola Katerynchuk: the politician presents himself as an oppositionist and promises to deliver the city from «Donetsk people». Nevertheless, there are rumors circulating inside the capital that he’s doing that for money from those whom he promises to exterminate as

cockroaches. The main reason of these suspicions is that the «candidate» doesn’t inform who is financing his election campaign. In «Batkivschina» the activity of Mykola Katerynchuk is extremely critically assessed. His colleague of faction, Volodymyr Bondarenko, is also sure that the goal of Katerynchuk is to draw votes off a single opposition’s candidate. He affirms that opposition forces don’t have any relation to the financing of his advertising campaign.

Petro Poroshenko has «woken up» as well. He resuscitated his «Solidarnost» (Solidarity) party and now can run for Kiev’s mayor as a member of a party entering the United opposition. By the way, nobody heard anything about «Solidarnost» party’s existence from the moment of its registration 12 years ago.

Currently Poroshenko doesn’t conduct any agitation work, but some mass-media already informed about the creation, by the businessman-politician, of agitation headquarters.

Of course, his activity hasn’t remained unattended by the main «competitor». Mykola Katerynchuk’s PR-managers issued leaflets about Poroshenko, collecting together all the events of his intricate biography. Kiev’s residents remembered his

millions’ income and noted that a good businessman is always a bad politician. Besides, Poroshenko attempted to be «dirtied» by ties with the «regionals»: «It was Petro Poroshenko whom we are obliged to, by the appearance of the Party of regions. He was one of the «founding fathers» of the Party of regional development, which, with time, turned into the present PR». After that, they incidentally mentioned about a Petro Poroshenko’s change of hispolitical color, compared with Chernovetsky and thus we get a quite odious opponent, who must provoke quite reasonable rejections from Kiev’s residents.

Of course, Katerynchuk’s team has already stated to the mass media that this leaflet is a brainwave of his opponents and that they are preparing an official disproof.

Oleh Lyashko has also hung out his posters in the hope to get the electors’ benevolence. He shakes a pitchfork from the billboards, and promises: «We’ll protect people from the Mafia». However, the politician repeatedly complained about lack of money, so it is doubtful that Kiev’s residents are going to see his agitation products very often.

By the way, elections today are expensive! Experts of the civil network «Opora» (Support) have

counted that – without taking into consideration any payment for the political strategists’ services – a candidate to Mayor of Kiev can spend about 12 million dollars for his election campaign (about 100 million hryvnas). The «service pack» includes advertisement, public events, street agitation, payment for the work of the main «office» staff, and the media support of the campaign. The costs of each one of these points will shock an ordinary Kiev’s resident and could not be dreamed in the sweetest dreams. Meanwhile, the KCSA is urgently looking for those 100 million hryvnas to save the capital’s history. The Dnieper slopes can slide down to the Dnieper, and to liquidate dangerous landslide areas in Kiev one needs as much money as it will be thrown away for the election campaign of each real candidate. But who thinks about such follies, when the Mayor’s chair is at stake! What Kiev’s residents think about this? Who asks them? They have just to vote.

But the question remains opened: will they cope with this task if the elections are set for the period of dachas and vegetable gardens’ cleaning? Mayors come and go, but Kiev lives its life, that is often too far from the promises in preelection leaflets.

RUDIMENTS OF PUBLIC TELEVISION APPEARED IN UKRAINE Public television exists in many countries: Germany, Great Britain, the USA, India, Poland, France, Czech Republic and others. But not in Ukraine, although this have been discussed over the last decade, for sure. However, the process hasn’t moved any further yet Marina Frolova

E

ven in Russia, in May this year, public television began broadcasting. According to the governmental instructions, it was created the «OTP» (OTR) channel.

It is the Russian federal channel of public direction, created as an alternative to the state channels.

Soon after its launching, it began to be criticized for its non-relevance, because people who went to work there, were formerly working for federal channels. Russian oppositionists and journalists now massively refuse to participate in the «OTP» telecasts.

Many decades ago, when both Ukraine and Russia were still parts of the USSR Empire, there was a belief in our country: that if, for example, in Moscow began to rain, there you could be 100% sure that in two days the weather in Kiev would spoil and it would start raining as well.

Or – applying it to the political life – immediately after the State Duma passed a not too adequate law, Ukrainian colleagues would try to repeat the same in their Verkhovna Rada. It seems that the tendency has repeated with public television. But perhaps it is simply a coincidence that a month after public television started in

Russia it suddenly appeared in Ukraine we well. And this starter has become a scandal about the Ukrainian opposition channel «TBi» (TVi).

This spring, thirty journalists – because of their disagreement with the editorial policy – left this not so rating but quite scandalous channel. The team, composed by the journalists Roman Skrypina, Yulia Bankova, Dmitry Hnap, Mustafa Nayem, Sergey Andrushko, Danyla Yanevski, Bogdan Kutepov, Zurab Alasaniya, Evgeny Glybovitski, Anastasiya Stanko and others, enthusiastically decided to do something by their own.

However, nothing forebodes the success to their project, entitled Hromadske.tv, which is going to start broadcasting in the Internet next autumn. Being presented

expense of citizens and grants.

For the start, only 300 thousand dollars per year are necessary: to purchase the equipment, rent an office, pay for servers and staff.

«First of all, we count on the assistance of some donors – authoritative international structures. We’ve already started negotiations with many of them.

Somebody calls this grant-eating, but we think that it is better to receive grant assistance then to work for the funds of Ukrainian businessmen and politicians, telling us what to do», said journalist Dmitry Hnap at the presentation.

The project will be broadcasted in the official Ukrainian language, in spite that there are territories in Ukraine, where many people almost don’t know Ukrainian.

If they will find money for the

In spite of the fact that the whole sense of a public television lies in its non-involvement and social direction of its programs; investigations are going to be conducted here. Still the organizers of the project are opposition journalists, who lately exposed and continue to expose the authority and the government.

In general, there is only a social title in the project. If to remember

project, of course, the report about income and expenses is planned to be published each year. Because this is a rule in all countries, where there is a public television.

handling such a difficult and problematic business.

And another interesting detail.

The journalists of Hromadske. tv project have scarcely left the «TBi» channel, when there was appointed new general producer, Vadym Garnaev, former executive director of Russian channel «Dozhd» (Rain). The notice about this appointment appeared on the web-site of the «TBi» channel on

Nothing forebodes the success to their project, entitled Hromadske.tv, which is going to start broadcasting in the Internet next autumn. Being presented on June 11 in Kiev, it rather reminds of utopia, as there are no funds and no TV rate the principles on which a thing, called «public television», is built.

Public television is distinguished from state or commercial television by the fact that is has supervisory boards controlling that the broadcasting of socially oriented themes of the programs (about children, pensioners, sport, culture), don’t stir up international dissention and war. The conception of public

According to the report of UN commission for broadband connection, prepared last year under the auspices of UNESCO and International telecommunication union – in Ukraine slightly more than 30% of the population use the Internet on June 11 in Kiev, it rather reminds of utopia, as there are no funds and no TV rate. Just rush and enthusiasm. It is registered as a public organization and is planned to be financed at the

connection, prepared last year under the auspices of UNESCO and International telecommunication union – in Ukraine slightly more than 30% of the population use the Internet.

That’s why the «Internet-signal» entitled Hromadske.tv won’t reach so many people... This means that the most socially active part of the population that consists of pensioners won’t

television also implies a complete absence of advertising.

One has to take into consideration the fact that – according to the report of UN commission for broadband

be embraced. Their view of life, as before, will be programmed by nationwide channels with a dominant broadcasting of criminal news and series in the evening.

However, weak attempts to create a public television in Ukraine are dated by the far post-revolutionary orange years, when appeals to democracy were everywhere in society, and journalists were leaving the official channels under the pressure of freedom of speech.

As President, Viktor Yuschenko talked a lot about this subject, but nothing was done. And the organizers of the current project entitled Hromadske.tv can’t do without state assistance. It’s unlikely that somebody among the owners of commercial channels in Ukraine will risk

the same day of the Hromadske. tv presentation. According to the channel’s press-service that day, the freshly appointed general producer promised that the «TBi» would become a «true Ukrainian public television». Competition is a motive force of progress.

Who knows, maybe one the conflicting parties will be able to do something.

And if the project entitled Hromadske.tv should die away without any sponsors, and should not gain the real scopes (the «TBi» channel that criticize authorities won’t be able to become the public one), and if the state would not think about a true public television and radio appearance, like it is done all over the world, the question about its appearance would remain open. Obviously, not in this decade.

www.thekievtimes.ua

POLITICS\UKRAINE

11

UKRAINIAN CHOICE OF RUSSIAN BEAR Ukrainian big politics is full of infernal personalities. With time, bright characters disappear and then, after considerably losing their demonic charm off-line, excluded from the world of big money and drug power, they try to come back. Strange, how Ukrainian politicum receives these shabby people deprived of their bygone authority. I offer to accept this tendency as one of constant variables in the equation we will try to establish Matvey Levin

Photo UNIAN

Return Let’s take famous Viktor Medvedchuk – one of the adherents to the abovementioned tendency – as a variable in this equation. He came back, though we didn’t expect him at all! Medvedchuk left quietly, by himself, as if he was disappointed by local politicians’ shallowness and electors’ stupidity. We were about to forget about Viktor Medvedchuk, but before we could, he came back, and one should note that his return doesn’t fit in any usual scheme, by a series of parameters.

First of all, Medvedchuk became much thinner. And one must admit that this is the best thing he had done for the country. It was found out that he had a reason to come back – the great mission to radically change the while Ukrainian authority system. Here we need to add and specify that those who come back are usually doing it with the help of some mighty ones, begging a post in their gear, or a place in a list. But Medvedchuk is another kind of person. He decided to follow a different way, and crawl upon his dream from behind.

In other words, exemplary oppositionist Viktor Medvedchuk wants to return to his authority with the people’s help, and now is trying to methodically do all those things that American political strategists taught us. He became a prophet, forcing every elector to love Russia and Viktor Medvedchuk with his whole heart.

Life among medvedchuks It all started when Viktor Medvedchuk in his simple black jacket appeared in the Customs Union’s advertisement campaign.

Slender and photoshoped, he was looking at us from plenty of light boxes and billboards on all the roads of the country – from Lugansk to Zhitomir and from Sevastopol to Sumy. This is the area, which Viktor Medvedchuk hopes to spread his ideas over.

everybody lacked «Vesti». People on the subway read «Vesti», advertising spaces are pasted with «Vesti» advertisement, all newsfeeds dazzle with plenty of links to this newspaper, as if all

to stake on the «long electorate» and forgot that the main quality of our elector is his short memory.

Today the «Ukrainsky Vybor» (Ukrainian choice), headed by

For Moscow Viktor Medvedchuk would be an ideal candidate. Whom may Putin trust so much, if not him (almost a relative!)? There is only one problem: people steadily don’t like Viktor Vladimirovich And this is clear: the local electorate is checked and stricken by everybody – from Yanukovych to the strangest party formations – which has the word «Russian» in their titles.

The next step of Medvedchuk was the one from the billboards to the people, or – more precisely – to the profiles. He acquired accounts in every social networks, accumulated a huge amount of bots (it seems that all his friends and subscribers are bots, because nobody never comments and reposts him), and even got his very own funny and sweet fan-site with materials that are called to «humanize» Viktor Medvedchuk. Fanaticism is still within the limits of the Internetpage. However, there are some successes. The whole group of political scientists and mediamanagers, a part of which is based in Odessa, meanwhile very actively supported and popularized the Russian World, the Customs Union and Medvedchuk, by the way. Not long ago, many of them have become extras of a media-scandal: somebody opened social networks files where they were expressing their hopes for the annexation of Ukraine by Moscow, and were referring to some Viktor Vladimirovich, who has to help with money. But they all are largely marginal. And lately Viktor Vladimirovich entered the large market, and they say that he is directly connected with the loudest media-startup of today – newspaper «Vesti» (News).

The media-market shuddered.

There is a feeling that everybody were waiting for this newspaper,

other inform-agencies ceased to exist. Where did such sudden trust to the newspaper of a two-week age come from? It’s a mystery that can be explained only with the help of bad money.

The same people, besides «Vesti», purchased a businesschannel and affirm that their purchases are not finished. This means that we are witnessing a new media-holding appearance and formation, which apparently is going to stuck to the market and take root in the heads of readers, listeners and the whole audience just before 2015.

All this is happening against the background of Medvedchuk’s

Viktor Vladimirovich, went to a tour through the country’s southeast. For the present, it acquired the form of round tables and expert discussions, during which some visiting Kiev moderators tell the local intellectuals, in journalists’ presence, how difficult the situation in the country is, and how this all will considerably worsen if we don’t immediately enter the Customs Union, and not as some observers but as full members.

There, usually, come out calls to country’s federalization, Russian language governmentalisation, and criticism of the «decaying Europe».

Vladimirovich; besides, later, Yanukovych raised his rating, and any Medvedchuk’s presidential perspectives began again to seem comic and fantastic. Everybody even forgot that such a possibility did exist. But Medvedchuk didn’t forget.

Russian factor Russia, as the main geopolitical player in the region, is trying to lobby convenient candidates not only at the Ukrainian elections.

Everything that was part of the USSR or was classed to the Socialistic Empire’s satellites is nowadays comprised in the sphere of Russian interests. And, of course, Ukraine invariably keeps the palm of supremacy in what concerns the Russian interests. Meanwhile – strange enough – Russia has never had «its own» president in Ukraine, and even those who offered unconditional support to the Russian President, after founding themselves in power, quickly changed their rhetoric to a pro-European one, and rather

The whole group of political scientists and media-managers, a part of which is based in Odessa, meanwhile very actively supported and popularized the Russian World, the Customs Union and Medvedchuk, by the way total dominance in the media.

He comments everything, gives his opinions everywhere; but, surprisingly enough, no matter what was being discussed at the beginning, everything comes to the necessity of joining the Customs Union or attempts to persuade the Ukrainians about the necessity of hold the referendum and the federalization of the country.

One could expect that Medvedchuk and company will dwell on this, according to the best Ukrainian tradition, since in Ukraine, in order to hold a campaign, one needs only a media-storm and a «Committee of good deeds», which, on behalf of a candidate, place benches, repair roofs or support with food.

But Viktor Medvedchuk decided

In general, the entire activity of Viktor Medvedchuk today most resembles an election campaign.

With the exceptions that he doesn’t walk «from door to door», and hasn’t placed his tents in micro districts, yet. But it is too early for this – closer to 2015.

Viktor Medvedchuk – for President in Ukraine? This idea doesn’t seem too absurd. Anyway, it would be announced not for the first time. Since in 2006 the majority’s parliamentary representatives actively discussed this idea for 2010 presidential elections. Then, it was considered that Viktor Yanukovych was a «shot down pilot» and that there was no sense in nominating him a second time. But the Ukrainian opposition didn’t find sufficient amount of followers of Viktor

regularly made friendly gestures towards the Western-Ukrainian electorate. This is completely logic and clear, from the point of view of Ukraine’s strategic development, but it is absolutely not clear for the Russian elites, which take such behavior as anything but treachery and betrayal.

course is conceivable, but hardly possible.

This means that the Russian authority must stay in search of its new protégé, a new proMoscow candidate who can be reliable and will fulfill all Moscow’s main requirements to Kiev. Namely: the country’s federalization, double citizenship, Russian language as the official one, transfer of gas pipeline to the ownership of «Gazprom», and Ukraine joining to the Customs Union.

For Moscow Viktor Medvedchuk would be an ideal candidate.

Whom may Putin trust so much, if not him (almost a relative!)?

There is only one problem: people steadily don’t like Viktor Vladimirovich and, actually, they can be understood. However, political strategists consider that for a large sum of money one can bring absolutely any candidate to power. Putin has this large amount of money; and considering how much it was spent for the «Ukrainian Choice», advertisement, he is ready to share it with Medvedchuk.

Viktor Medvedchuk for President?

And what the leading character of our article tells about his possible presidency? He is modest, and never answered this question directly. When he is asked whether he wishes to be the President, he answers that he wishes, actually, much more and so on – about the Customs Union, the unstoppable referendum and the other clauses of the program.

Such answer, however, doesn’t

punished for the right to run under the brand of «UО» (United Opposition), but it is already clear that, if Viktor Medvedchuk joins the race, he will be the person, not Klitschko, not Yatsenuk or Tyagnibok, who will be the main competitor of Yanukovych, at least within the first round.

As was mentioned above, both Yanukovych and Medvedchuk count on the same electorate – the electors of the country’s south-east. But, to all appearances, Medvedchuk will feel free and simpler – to criticize Yanukovych for unfulfilled promises, economic collapse, closed enterprises and not very close relations with Russia. And the fact that Medvedchuk is not a too nice person doesn’t matter at all. Today, young and energetic guys travel throughout the country, cutting in almost any pres-conference of any speaker, and even asking questions that manage to put both Medvedchuk and Putin into it, and the whole Russian World in addition.

Such agility costs much, and this means that stakes in this game are higher than simple advertisements of collaboration with Russia among the population, especially because the population cannot take any decisions here, and people from the President’s Administration see only what they want to see.

Whom it is intended to?

Today it seems rather ridiculous to seriously think that Viktor Medvedchuk can become the President. With every respect for Putin’s money, most likely not; however, he can play into the opposition’s hands, by strongly tearing the acting President’s rating in basic regions. Since today advertisement of the Customs Union is given against the background of stories about the unskillful and untalented policy of the authority, the indistinct geopolitical position of the President and an economic collapse, which is becoming more and more obvious, especially for the residents of industrial regions.

This means that the President has three variants for his future campaign’s development.

The first one presupposes the activation of a pro-Russian vector, to the extent that even Medvedchuk’s polemics faded against the background of the President’s love to Russia and its authorities. But such turn of events is hardly possible in the current situation, when it is necessary and beneficial to collaborate with Europe; besides, nobody has determined a country right to Zhitomir yet.

The second variant presupposes the suspending of any rhetoric and stake not only on the SouthEast but on the Center and the West of the country. After all, it was Kuchma who obtained his second president’s term in such way. This variant of the developments seems to be logic, except for Viktor Fedorovych’s miserable ratings in the western regions.

The third one seems simple and presupposes a maximal emphasis on «administrative resource», but one should consider that, in such situation, any post-election problems can appear, if voting results would not be accepted neither by Europe nor by Russia.

In any case, no matter how Medvedchuk plays his cards, his return to big politics will bring

Exemplary oppositionist Viktor Medvedchuk wants to return to his authority with the people’s help. He became a prophet, forcing every elector to love Russia and Viktor Medvedchuk with his whole heart Generally speaking, a similar story has happened between Russians and Viktor Yanukovych.

So, on the elections of 2015 the President could count on Putin’s support only if the last suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, that of

presuppose that he refuses the struggle for the main post in the country.

It should be noted that many candidates will appear and disappear up to 2015. In today’s opposition many a man will be

to Viktor Yanukovych only great losses. And even today, without joining the president’s race, Viktor Vladimirovich has already drove a couple a nails to the coffin of Yanukovych’s second term.

12

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/EU

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

VIGENIN: «SVOBODA» IS A THREAT FOR EUROPE The name of the European deputy from Bulgaria Kristian Vigenin has become widely known in Ukraine after the end of last year, because during the discussion of the resolution for the results of parliamentary elections for the Verkhovna Rada in the European Parliament he entered an amendment, which was supported by the majority of the deputies. The amendment was expressing anxiety by the fact that the «Svoboda» party entered the new parliament, and offering other political forces of Ukraine not to collaborate and not to unite with it Viktoria Vlasenko, Strasburg

r. Vigenin, as far as I remember, the application of the amendment concerning «Svoboda» party to the resolution’s text appeared rather unexpectedly. Can you tell us who the initiator of this amendment was – personally you or the «Progressive alliance of socialists and democrats» you’re a member of?

I’m not going to hide behind my political group and I won’t make a secret of the fact that it was me, who initiated this amendment. But it was supported by the colleagues of my political group, and later by the European Parliament. Probably, our meeting is a great opportunity to dot my i’s once more.

In any case that was not a step directed against the Ukrainian opposition. The matter is that both I and the «Progressive alliance of socialists and democrats» attentively watch the radical nationalistic parties’ activity not only in the European Union countries, but in other states as well: their statements, their leaders’ public speeches and commentaries. I can say that the «Svoboda» political mottos are a little different from the mottos of similar parties in other European countries. I know that after that amendment’s adoption, the party’s activists picketed Bulgarian embassy in Kiev. But I wish to recall that the Euro-parliament represents the common position of all EU countries, not only Bulgaria. I’m personally convinced that a united force, which wants to oppose the ruling Party of Regions in Ukraine, doesn’t have to be created at any cost. And democratic principles and values that are defended by the Ukrainian opposition don’t have to be compromised by the

still includes three important questions, which the Ukrainian authority has to pay more attention to: this is a legal reform, a reform of electoral legislation, the problems of the so called selective justice and the related case of Yulia Tymoshenko.

But the name of Yuri Lutsenko is already mentioned thereupon...

This is true, that’s why I’ve told that Kiev’s chances of its Euro-integration have recently increased. But these three problems I’ve mentioned, are under an intent monitoring by the European Commission and your European partners. I hope that the new tonality, which has appeared in relation of Ukraine and the EU, will be further strengthened, and these three problematic moments will be solved. I personally expect that the Association agreement will be signed in Vilnius.

initiate such amendments after the elections to the French parliament, where the «National Front» party received two positions, or to the Hungarian one, where the «Jobbik» party got about forty positions?

Yes, of course. Recently the European Parliament approved a resolution, in which they

moment for both the parties.

And the pardon granted to Yuri Lutsenko is the evidence that the mission’s work was fruitful. I believe that, owing to its activity, Kiev and Brussels managed to achieve mutual understanding and trust. There were moments, when some members of the Europarliament started to lose their patience, and that’s what the last report about the mission’s activity indicated. The report offered to cancel it because it supposedly didn’t bring the expected results.

However, I take the view that the mission has to act further, at least to the Vilnius summit of «Eastern partnership». I consider that it will be a great additional tool to our mutual efforts directed to finally sign the Association agreement between Ukraine and the EU.

I’m especially pleased that, owing to the «Euronest», the parliamentarians of «Eastern partnership» member-countries established a more intensive dialogue among each other, they are exchanging information and experience in reforms, acquainted themselves with the functioning mechanism of the European Parliament in details. This makes them more effective in their work on the level of the national legislative authorities.

Recently the Euro-parliament took the decision to prolong the mandate to the CoxKvasnevsky’s mission. Do you personally consider its activity to be efficient?

In my opinion the mission of

Are you a co-chairman of the «Euronest»? To what extent this parliamentary measure of «Eastern partnership» collaboration is effective?

Of course, any collaboration on the level of parliaments and in the context of «Eastern partnership» contributes in a special way to the common process. And this partnership between elected

Do you consider the «Euronest» work to be effective even without the Belarus’ participation ?

As for Belarus, this is one of the unfinished initiatives of our assembly. Currently we keep ten positions of Belarus free.

But immediately after free and democratic elections would take place in this country, Belarusian parliamentarians will get their positions. We’ve created a special working group for Belarus issues, which in this context is trying to keep the connection with the Belarusian community, the nongovernmental organizations, and the parties in order to find any possible ways and methods to

Cox-Kvasnevsky was definitely successful. Because, thanks to it, the Euro-parliament managed to build a bridge between European institutions and Ukrainian government in a very important

– I’d note, democratically elected – representatives of legislative authorities of five states entering the composition of «Eastern partnership» (except Belarus) is extremely important.

communicate with the Belarusian government. And the ultimate goal of this working group is to work out such a solution, which will allow the Belarus to return to the European way.

so – believe me – I know this subject very well and I have been monitoring the situation in the European Union and the countries around it for years. I understand that, probably, we’ve made such a sharp statement for the first time about Ukraine. But this is only because the Euro-parliament cares about what happens in your country, in its political life. The

Recently the European Parliament approved a resolution, in which they express anxiety about the fact that nationalism and xenophobia on the territory of the EU have acquired large popularity fact that it includes an extreme right’s party. As I’ve noticed in my speech at the Euro-parliament, if we talk about democratic standards, which protect justice, human rights and high universal values, we cannot miss the point that any nationalism propagandizes hatred to every minority’s representatives.

But you can’t deny that nationalistic parties in Europe recently acquired an extreme popularity. Did you

express anxiety about the fact that nationalism and xenophobia on the territory of the EU have acquired large popularity. In Bulgaria we have the «Ataka» (Attack) party, which actually is similar to your «Svoboda».

But I and the colleagues of my political group consider that radical parties of both left and right sides are fraught with threats for Europe. During my last mandate in the Euro-parliament I headed a working group for the struggle against any extremism,

EU also doesn’t hide from its own similar problems. That’s why I wish to be correctly understood.

How do you evaluate the chances of Ukraine to sign the Association agreement with the EU during the summit of the «Eastern partnership» in November?

I think that these chances have considerably improved. It seems that both the President and the Ukrainian government have finally listened to their European partners. However the agenda

Photo UNIAN

M

www.thekievtimes.ua

EU/ENERGETICS

13

KOLARSKA-BOBINSKA: DECADES WILL PASS TO SHALE GAS PRODUCTION Polish experience in non-volatility achievement can become useful for Ukraine. And although Warsaw is a member of the EU club for nine years, the two countries’ geopolitical conditions of the energy market are very alike. The Euro-deputy (of the European National Party) and member of the EP Committee for industry, researches and energy, Lena Kolarska-Bobinska, is sure about that Viktoria Vlasenko, Strasburg

in my district, in Lublin with the participation of experts from the National Institute of Geology, local officials, who are responsible for the ecological environment of our region. In general I invited to those meetings as many representatives of local authorities and community as possible. As the community trust them more than the representatives of gas companies.

In my district every year I conduct a public-opinion poll concerning people’s attitude to the various types of energy. By the way, I was surprised when one of the polls showed than people take wind power plants more guardedly than shale gas.

M

s. Kolarska, is shale gas today the real alternative to Russian gas in Europe?

It can’t be called the complete and the only alternative. As, in order to completely replace Russian gas, huge volumes of shale gas one would be needed.

However, I think that shale gas is a great opportunity to diversify energy resources of those countries that possess reserves of this gas. For today, one of the main purposes of the EU is to become more non-volatile and use their own energetic resources to the maximum.

One of such resources is renewable energy, another one is liquefied natural gas or shale gas.

We have to work out a common European strategy directed to the reduction of our dependence from external energy resources, their diversification and, simultaneously, to the decrease of the amount of consumed energy that can be achieved thanks to the introduction of modern technologies in factories and in household use.

How dangerous are the ecological consequences of shale gas production?

Of course, we have to very attentively treat apprehensions, expressed by the community, concerning any possible influence of shale gas production on the

For today, one of the main purposes of the EU is to become more non-volatile and use its own energetic resources to the maximum

Interesting…, why?

Maybe because currently there is much more information about shale gas, circulating in Poland. There is a very positive approach concerning this issue.

There is a positive message from politicians, scientists, nongovernmental organizations speaking of shale gas as of a big chance for Poland. Besides, since shale gas production provoked such discrepant discussions, people started to read more, find information and discuss it.

Against this background, some deputies, especially from the right parties, incite people saying that wind power plants bear some threat. Why? Maybe they don’t want this kind of investments and are afraid of innovations…

planned. Poland already has a negative experience, when gas companies started working without consulting the local community. This provoked a wave of anger and indignation.

People were frightened because everything they knew about shale gas was simply unofficial rumors, indirectly heard. There were mass protest actions, which forced those gas companies to stop working and go off the

Can we speak about some concrete results, at least, in the sphere of shale gas deposits’ exploration in Poland?

We have already bored 44 wells. There are two-three among them, where – as it became known – these reserves are rather substantial. However, there are many others, whose volumes of shale gas we don’t know yet.

Besides, a question can arise concerning the extent of the

environment. Because, without citizens’ consent the state simply won’t be able to develop such relatively new and perspective sphere of energy as shale gas production. To secure itself from any possible risks, Poland has applied very strict internal rules

and norms of the energy control.

Some investors even complained that these norms are too strict.

However they are necessary to let people feel sure: by that way, the State is defending their interests.

Besides, I hope that in autumn the CE ecological norms will be approved and adopted. That’s why, I think, – if Ukraine is guided by high standards of ecological control and at the same time is taking into account the European demands, informing their citizens that it is following these rules and that didn’t simply adopt them – this will be quite enough to let shale gas production successfully develop in your state.

And how did the Polish community accept the decision of the country’s administration to start developing shale gas deposits?

Ukraine mustn’t repeat the

same mistakes that Poland made in the development of several deposits. Sincere communication is very important here – a dialogue with the community living in those places, where the boring of wells for shale gas deposits’ exploration is

would take about ten years. For instance, in England this process has begun earlier and they already have shale gas. And we are at the very start of this way.

Does the Polish government financially support information campaigns concerning shale gas?

Yes, there is such support.

But, for example, I’ve received the grant from the European Commission to conduct such a campaign that will start in autumn. A tender will take place and it will determine what organization is going to receive this money.

Your experience can be interesting for Ukraine...

I can help undoubtedly. My office in Lublin is ready to share everything that we’ve done, step by step. As to my opinion, such informational campaigns result in an exceptional benefit.

You’ve probably heard talks that «Gazprom» is financing anti-shale campaign in Europe?

Of course, I heard rumors about this sponsorship. However, there are no direct evidences for what they say. But there are facts indicating that such attitude against this energy sphere’s development has been taken by «Gazprom» as a direct competition. Some time ago, I was in a group of European Parliament deputies, who have been invited to the headquarters of «Gazprom» (all members of the EP Committee for industry, researches and energy were invited there, but only several parliamentarians decided to accept the invitation).

We discussed the subject of shale gas, and «Gazprom» representatives stated that they didn’t consider production of shale gas, which is ecologically dangerous, to be a profitable business and in general shale gas, in their opinion, is simply a

Now in the EU we’ve adopted the Third energetic pack, and «Gazprom» categorically reject its rules, although this pack refocused the rules of building and functioning of gas pipelines in Europe Polish market. However, Poland has many other places, where companies – having considered their predecessors’ mistakes – successfully conducted the boring process. I personally held several informational meetings

benefits from gas production in this or that well, since it can be difficult to do this. Two-three years ago, when talks about shale gas have just started, we perfectly understood that the way from its prospecting to its production

phantom. First I was surprised that «Gazprom» representatives turned out to be so devoted to the environment protection, as they can hardly be enlisted to the ranks of ecology lovers. But then I caught some connection

and resemblance between some arguments supported by some non-governmental organizations concerning shale gas, and those used by «Gazprom» in public discussions. It’s difficult to say what unites them, and how.

However the fact that a further development of shale gas production in Europe will lead to a reduction of gas prices is undoubtful. And this is a direct threat to the financial interests of «Gazprom».

To what extent Poland depends on Russian gas?

I can’t call you precise figures right now, but this dependence is about one hundred percent.

Besides, Poland and Lithuania are the two EU countries, which pay the highest price for Russian gas. The matter is that we haven’t built our own terminal of liquefied natural gas acceptance in Swinoujscie yet. We hope that this terminal will start functioning at the end of 2014, with liquefied gas delivered to the coasts of Poland from Kuwait and other Arab countries.

Would you be so kind to give us any indication concerning the official Poland position about «Gazprom» initiative to build the gas pipeline JamalEurope-2?

Warsaw is still working over any official position. And probably there is a necessity in such gas pipeline – as the more diversified are the transport possibilities, the better. And we need more and more gas pipelines. Another question is who has to build this gas pipeline and how to interpret this. «Gazprom» calls it «Jamal-2». Maybe it’s already necessary to call it in a different way? From the time of «Jamal-1» construction many things have changed. At that time «Gazprom» worked in absolutely different legal conditions. Now in the EU we’ve adopted the Third energetic pack, and «Gazprom» categorically reject its rules, although this pack refocused the rules of building and functioning of gas pipelines in Europe.

«Gazprom» states: «We are special, and we wish exceptional conditions for us». But Poland answers: «It is not right. You have to behave in the same way as the companies from other states».

And this is the main problem of «Jamal-2».

14

POLITICS/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

TURKEY. LET’S BET Bookmaker offices might as well accept bets for the results of the Turkish events. Will this country turn into a new victim of the «color» revolution? Will authorities overcome the protesters’ pressure?

T

echnological effectiveness of the Turkish events, their «artificial heating» is hard to hide. They are prepared and coordinated mainly from the outside, with application of traditional schemes and mechanisms: preliminary financing of the target nongovernmental organizations (NGO), application of posed photos of the media under events’ coverage, coordination of actions with involvement of social networks, unconcealed forgery and falsifications in the media, and even snipers, shooting from the roof of the «Intercontinental».

Grants «for democracy» Probably is not accidentally that a famous organization that took part in all the «color» revolutions and attempts of upheavals in various places of the world, including Ukraine, has also made happy some NGOs with its generosity. The matter is about the American National Endowment for Democracy (NED) – the National Fund in support of democracy. Last year this organization assigned $700 thousands to the Turkish offices of each of two other American NGO with whom the NED works together in all those countries where there is a necessity to put pressure upon local authorities: International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).

The IRI Turkish office received money for the «improvement of the democratic competition between political parties at national and local levels after 2011 parliamentary elections, during the preparation period to the 2014 presidential elections and to the local administrative elections. The IRI is going to use public opinion as a tool for the strengthening of democratic parties’ organizations at national and local levels as well as for taking part in political education and youth’s consultations».

As for the NDI, it is going to use assigned funds for «favoring of governmental responsibility» and in order to do that it «will

collaborate with the Istanbul strategic center to call the Committee for Constitution control and it will control the new Constitution’s development. The NDI will provide the possibility for the target civil groups to control political processes, create coalitions for the involvement of new votes into political discussions and to work with decision-making persons in order to favor a wider participation of the population in the political processes».

And a couple of small grants more – 58.2 thousand dollars – are going to the organization Free Press Unlimited (FPU) to «provide long-lasting and expending publication of independent and precise news in Turkey. The FPU is going to work with the main independent newspaper in Turkey (Taraf) to develop a viable business-model. The FPU will help the Taraf to increase its availability and presence (in the informational space), refreshing daily online-version of the newspaper, (…) as an addition to its printed version».

And 50.5 thousand dollars are going to the Association for Monitoring Equal Rights (AMER) to «enhance the ability of the National monitoring network, the network of legal organizations, which will trace and inform about discriminating actions all over Turkey, to intensify public selfconsciousness and respect for the majority’s opinion. The AMER will develop tools of control over discriminatory acts, will

Photo Ukrainian News

Alexander Dudchak, Candidate of Economic Sciences

the events of these last days in Turkey: «Prosecutors and courts continue applying terrorist laws to prosecute and prolong freedom deprivation for thousands of Kurdish political activists, human rights defenders, students, journalists, lawyers, and labor unions’ members. Freedom of speech and the mass media remain restricted, and there are continuous violations of rights for fair justice...»

Amnesty International: «Amnesty addressed Turkish authorities with the request to stop savage repressions against civilian protesters and to start investigating about reasoned statements of cruelty by the police».

political party, justice and the Party of justness will face a growing political opposition».

Erdogan couldn’t be liked by everybody in the Turkish society. Opponents can be found in many political forces of the country. In both the ultranationalistic environment (that cannot forget his attempts to normalize the relations with the Kurds) and among the left (for an insufficiently socially oriented course and support to the Syrian militants).

Prehistory But with every evidence of a participation of foreign producers in the Turkish performance, it’s impossible to sympathize with

With every evidence of a participation of foreign producers in the Turkish performance, it’s impossible to sympathize with Erdogan. The intervention of his country in the war with Syria is a shameful page of the Turkish history inform about them and serve as a method of law protection against state officials, national and local mass media, and international organizations of promoting rights».

And this is only in relation to one of the organizations – the «democracy guides».

But other messengers of freedom are already in: the Human Rights Watch about

The Heritage Foundation: «Anti-governmental protests that started last Friday on Taksimsquare against the more and more authoritarian leadership of Erdogan could give start to a «Turkish Spring». At least, if Erdogan doesn’t implement serious reforms and doesn’t pay attention to the legal claims of secular and liberal groups in Turkey, he himself and his

Erdogan. The intervention of his country in the war with Syria is a shameful page of the Turkish history. In February this year the Turkish Premier called Bashar Assad the «silent devil» for «destruction of native people and non-resistance to the occupation of the Syrian territories by Israel».

Turkey provides the militants with weapons and with territory for their bases. Though in June

Children’s quad bikes from USA Great deal of motoequipment and accessories Store «Motoshop.UA» Kiev, Moskovsky avenue, 34-В, EC «Blockbaster» Tel.: (044) 221-21-21 www.motoshop.ua

2010 Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey took the decision to create a free trade zone and introduce a visa-free system.

In November 2010 the Turkish Prime-minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the Libyan International award for human rights from Muammar Kaddafi for «conspicuous merits in favor of humanity». And in May 2011, playing into the West’s hands, Erdogan claimed to the journalists that colonel Muammar Kaddafi had chosen «blood, tears and oppression» and that he had to «immediately retire». He also supplied weapon to antigovernmental forces and gave them political support.

According to the opinion of the Turkish political scientist Orhan Bursali, Erdogan strives to be obedient to Washington and concentrated the whole power in his hands after he had drawn patriots from the Turkish army and put it for service to the USA. The USA ambassador in Ankara Fransis Ricciardone played a big role in the arrest of some Turkish officers, deputies and scientists in June-August 2011. At the same time Ricciardone wanted to create the impression that the USA supposedly were not implicated in those arrests, and that they supported democracy, justice and legality. Erdogan completely agrees with the American ambassador in all his issues, particularly those about the breaking of Iraq and his position about Syria.

This interaction between the USA and Turkey can be called a strategy of «nesting dolls» – when the local (regional) strategy and interests of one country completely blends with the global strategy and interests of a larger state.

Nothing personal – just business There is «nothing personal - just business» in Turkey’s participation in the Syrian war.

Destroying the government of Assad, Turkey finally liquidates Assad’s plans to turn Syria into a large carrier of hydrocarbons from Iran and Iraq to Europe (at the end of 2010 Syria and Iraq signed a protocol about building a gas pipeline and two oil pipelines, and even after the beginning of the revolt in Syria an agreement was signed for the sum of $10 billion about building an IranianIraqi-Syrian pipeline). And if at the beginning of 2011 Turkey and Syria planned to work together and started to integrate their gas-distributing system, later the Turkish management decided that there wasn’t any need to

share with Syria. The death of Syria brings the USA to the most important boarder – Iran. Like Kissinger said: «The United States weaken China and Russia, and the last nail in the coffin’s cover will be Iran…»

How could this happen with a person who is so devoted to the interests of the USA in the region? And a person who has made so much for his people: Turkey relatively successfully goes through the «global» crisis, its economy is at the 17th place in the world by GDP volume (by purchasing power parity), GDP growth rates that considerably exceed the European and North American ones: 2010 – 9.2%, 2011 – 8.5, 2012 – 3% (indeed war in the neighboring country couldn’t not to have any impact), its army is the 6th in the world by quantity (700 thousand people) and the second one in the NATO after the USA, minimal pensions make $450, minimal wages – $700, the average salary of a teacher is $1500, of a doctor in a state hospital – $1500. Maybe, Erdogan believed in his floodability?

Hot summer The events at the beginning of June in Turkey confirm the rule: there are no such merits to the West that allow to easily retiring, if this doesn’t meet the interests of the West. That’s what happened with Hosni Mubarak – the President of Egypt who in 1981 came (with the help of America) to the post of the President of Egypt, who (also with the American assistance) removed his predecessor Anwar Sadat (killed at the military parade), who in turn removed his predecessor Gamal Abdel Nasser from his post of President in October 1970 with the same American assistance. And finally, Mubarak was also deposed by a «color» revolution organized by the States in 2011.

The same happened with the President of Tunisia, Ben Ali, who came into power with the help of the «jasmine revolution» in 1987 with the support of the USA and was deposed, not without the USA’s efforts, in January 2011 (at the last elections in October 25, 2009 he collected 90% of votes).

The same happened in the post-Soviet territories as well: big devoted betrayer (devoted to the USA who betrayed the USSR) Eduard Shevardnadze who gave up the USSR territories to the Americans together with Gorbachev and who (with the help of the USA) was brought into power in 1992 and replaced in January 2004 by the bigger «friend» – Mikhail Saakashvili,

Photo Ukrainian News

www.thekievtimes.ua

POLITICS/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

15

who awaits for the same fate.

Evidently the services of Turkish «Moor» Erdogan are of lesser need already. The USA can be unsatisfied with his too charismatic character, high rates of Turkey’s growth, some appearance of neo-Ottoman dreams and the strengthening of impact in post-Soviet Middle Asia, where Turkey is already a worthy competitor of Russia and China and negatively influences the integration processes in the context of the EurAsEC (that suits the USA as well). Supporting the USA’s policy in relation to Syria, Turkey nevertheless doesn’t conduct any direct military actions and this currently is so necessary for the West, considering the evident victories of Assad government troops. The Turks don’t want to be cannon fodder nor even intercept the chemical weapon, which the Americans tried to deliver to Syria, and pose as an Assad’s one.

Choice without choice Through a soft Islamization, Erdogan tried his way to oppose the creeping western creature of the so called «family planning», i.e. the policy of destruction of traditional family values and decrease of birth rate, wrapped up in the attractive wrappers of the western civilization.

Before Erdogan, Turkey had an economy that could be developed, but by virtue of a liberal orientation was subject to a periodical «zeroing» at the order of Soros and the wish of similar «financiers». With Erdogan Turkey has become a state able to defend its interests on the foreign markets and inside its community. But this is tried to be

become more «domesticated» or even an outlaw. If he shouldn’t show resistance (that is practically impossible), he would have to hold the following «democratic», controlled, and regulated elections with all the consequences that this entails.

In June 2006, the retired lieutenant Ralph Peters published a book called «Never stop struggle». This book also included map of «New Middle East», where many countries were showed with changed boarders. In this map, Turkey was deprived of a part

degree. Kaddafi had longperspective plans to create a common golden dinar in the Middle East countries exporting oil. This dinar, provided by gold, would give them the possibility to move from under the yoke of the US dollar and to independently develop, according to their own plans, and not to pay any contribution to the USA every second. Does Libya think about such global issues? However, there is nobody to think about – there is no centralized state, since state exists very formally. This

According to the opinion of the Turkish political scientist Orhan Bursali, Erdogan strives to be obedient to Washington and concentrated the whole power in his hands after he had drawn patriots from the Turkish army and put it for service to the USA presented as a deviation from the Ataturk’s values.

Currently the organizers of disturbances applied a strategy against Erdogan, the one of, like Lefebrve wrote in «Algebra of conflicts», «the principle of guaranteed result: no matter what decision was made by our opponent, we must be guaranteed of some winning». If Erdogan should hardly suppresse any protests, he would be exposed to the massive pressure of the global mass media and would forcedly

of its territories, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were split, and an independent Kurdistan appeared.

What was that – a predictive programming or a programming prediction? Judging by the development of the events in the Great Asia, everything is possible.

Total global domination is at stake. And nobody will count the costs to achieve such a goal.

«Zeroing» of countries is necessary. Libya, Iraq, Syria, Turkey are all-sufficient countries, though in varying

situation is analogous to the one when Iraq tried to refuse the US dollar before the 2003 war… Syria is also pushed down to abyss.

Today Iraq and Libya are territories conditionally market by external boarders; in reality they are ruins of former states, consisting of autonomous administrative units. Libya has in fact returned to the territorial division (of the times before Idris I) into Tripolitanus-CyrenaicaFessan.

Iraq also can’t be called a

unitary state: in the north, Kurdistan sells oil by its own.

Kurdish autonomy from Iraq increases the oil and condensate deliveries via the northern boarder of Iraq and Turkey, passing over Iraq federal pipeline system up to 70 thousand of barrels per day.

All these states were stably developing before the wars begun. Now the main task of their population is to survive in the hardest conditions.

According to one of the most widespread theories about revolution, revolutions occur (are easier to be realized) not in the period of economic recession but at the stage of growth of the economy and the population income. However, such an inconsistent but charismatic person like Premier Recep Erdogan will hardly leave his position because of small «people’s» disturbances, even is they are organized with «noble» purposes. Considerable political forces in modern Turkey dream about a different map (see below) – the map of the «Great Turkey».

Whose card will be covered?

The only that is obvious – the organizers of the Turkish events cheat, as ever.

16

VIEW

THE KIEV TIMES | JULY 2013

SOS! SOS! One day, many years ago, in my very childhood, I instinctively understood that things have got souls. The flash came to me in a small worn gym of a depressive school in the remote outskirts Dmitry Vydrin

O

ur Physical Education teacher – a sadistic person – each lesson threw me with my chest on a high vaulting horse as to an embrasure. I can’t jump over or even rather jump on this horse.

Once, my father, back from one of his business trip, brought me a pair of wonderful, dazzling white Chinese sneakers. At the next lesson I appeared wearing those sneakers, provoking surprise, envy and misunderstanding in my friends, who, like me before, wore

only socks, sometimes even with holes.

I took a run… And immediately I found myself quietly soaring above the insurmountable horse and then dexterously, precisely and elegantly landing on the floor-mat lying ahead. That moment I understood that neither flexible sole nor tight lacing but the soul of those wonderful shoes threw me up, raised and levitated my awkwardly clumsy teenage body.

Much later I found out that the name of those sneakers (kedy, Keds) originates from the word «noiseless, sly». In short, something close to ninja. And then, when I started to earn my first, but not very fair, money, unlawfully teaching martial arts in the underground of Kiev clubs, I mentally thanked my first sneakers that shared a part of their soul with me…

Much later, I met an English commando who fought in the Falkland Islands. I was always interested in the details of various battles, combat techniques, special tricks in the holding of actions and special operations.

This commando, under torture

(I was torturing him by a fortyfive-degree drink, named after the restaurant, «Pervak») revealed to me a secret of this, perhaps, last British military victory. He told me: «The whole secret was that the Argentines fought in combat boots, and we fought in running shoes».

I immediately imagined what kind of soul the combat boots can have: dull, soldier’s and footbinding one, sodden with sweat and the wish of quickly finishing that hateful service and going back home, at least as an invalid.

of mountain shooters from both the sides – I was just grinning.

They were not the rockets which were fighting (they don’t have souls, like all other objects, I guess, aimed at self-destruction).

That was a fight of the souls of heavy, obliquely worn soldierpeasant’s boots against the souls of weightless, glaringly elegant and unmilitary creative sport shoes of extra-class.

By the way, my guess was later implicitly confirmed, when a Russian multi-millionaire started wearing sneakers or running shoes even with his tuxedo at the Kremlin receptions. Many people considered that cheap swaggers, but I was sure that he simply required some emotional support in his struggle with lacquered parquet-official lace-up boots.

Once, I directly asked him about this. He mysteriously looked at his sneakers, negligently arranged his bow tie and silently smiled.

We understood each other...

Or here is another memory.

I remember when I entered a pompous building of the former

I, as a political scientist, often laugh at my colleagues’ debates: what type of parliament is better or what courts should be built And what kind of soul do the running shoes have? Light, ironic, merry and venturesome, sodden with the desire for an impetuous and triumphal end.

That’s why – when, after the Falkland war, the military theorists tried to compare the advantages of «air-water» rocket complexes, the thickness of the destroyers’ side planting, the training and the sniper complexes

Communist Party Central Committee, that suddenly – by the quaint will of the historical fate – has hourly turned into the President’s administration.

Strange and scary phantoms swirled in its endless corridors: some former writhed church spirit; some former communist mutilated sense was locked in it, like a medieval ghost in a castle that stood right up to the

present day. Then I came to the President and asked him, «Leonid Danylovych, it’s necessary to run to another residence, where we can cultivate a new spirit, settle an actual sense. A church spirit, even deprived of its fat commissioner’s flash, will frighten and tremble down any future presidents»...

And also I remember how I, as a recruit, entered the Verkhovna Rada, that was pierced not with a soul but with the racy spirit of the bygone deputy block of workers, peasants and joined «intellectuals» (although nothing could be further from intellectual, and this concerns that time and this time as well).

Why did I recall these memories? Because, for some reason, we are not able to do many things. Like, for instance, to build a road according to European standards; their roads serve for 15-20 years without repair, and our roads turn into a complete huge field for a pit repair, after a winter.

A road-construction specialist, again, revealed to me a secret.

I don’t know if it is true or not, but he said that there was some distinction in the compliance of the European standards. In Europe all heavy materials – ballast, bitumen, etc – are first laid on a specially stretched fabric, like a large gauze, and in our country it is done right on the sand. That’s why at almost identical price all our heavy matters later fall through the sand, and theirs firmly lie on a seemingly ephemeral, but thick cloth.

That story seemed to me deeply symbolic. As this ephemeral

cloth for me is a great image of the soul or – to speak in a more philosophical language – the sense of the road itself. For one people, the sense of this road is to steal as much money as possible on next following repair of pits.

That’s why the road is wittingly created with a crumpled soul and a distorted sense.

For other people, the «road soul» is to create a rapid and safe way to the farthest reaches, possibilities, wonderful meetings and the opening of new worlds.

And a soul that opens is always more durable, stronger and stable that a soul that simply steals.

That’s why I, as a political scientist, often laugh at my colleagues’ debates: what type of parliament is better or what courts should be built. The matter is that externally, formally, in a technological sense, absolutely equal parliaments and courts can have absolutely different souls and – correspondingly – senses.

I have an iPad of the last generation. And it has one fantastic function: when you push one of the buttons, it starts transmitting SOS signals with its lamp flashing (Save Our Souls).

However, it seems to me that simultaneously it transmits some other SOS. signals: Save Our Senses.

So, I have a feeling that now piles of objects in our state are trying to transmit similar signals, but they don’t have such function like the iPad has. Or we simply can’t decrypt their alarming, anxious and dramatic messages.

In short, the soul factor matters, the case of the senses that are hidden in every objects must be understood and considered.

Czech Airlines presents

A 330

coming soon...

www.czechairlines.com