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Opening address of the Opposition government Head, the Party of Regions faction in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Head V.F.Yanukovych at the Opposition government meeting
13.11.2008, 18:01
Dear colleagues!
I would like to literally say that presently the situation is not just threatening, it is dangerous. When in July we submitted a proposal on the current government's dismissal, we warned that the situation in the country would be deteriorating dramatically.
This year the harvest was good, and we understood that owing to it the economy would get slightly better. It has happened so. But how did the master, i.e. the government, handle this harvest? What did the agricultural producers, Ukrainian citizens and state as a whole gain? We know well that the situation in the agricultural sector has considerably worsened, though it should have improved. The food security issue is utterly critical for our country.
As of the end of October the industrial production has dropped by approximately 20%. It means that the fifth part of the enterprises is almost at a standstill. Tell me please, when has this happened in our country before? Only at the beginning of our independent state's rise. It has never recurred. When the output in the metallurgical industry has slumped by 35%, in the coke and oil-processing industry – by 45%? I will not talk much because these numbers are not clear to people. They say: "You should better go down to the shops and look at what is occurring!"
The prices for almost all foods are soaring. The arrears of wages are increasing practically in all industries of the economy. Today in the housing and communal sector nearly 12 thousand apartment buildings are not heated. About 400 boiler installations are not working. Virtually the entire industry has become bankrupt nowadays. It has never happened before. And the government does not allot subventions. And meantime Naftogaz director Dubyna savors his words that until you pay we will not provide gas. They have put the housing and communal sector and hence all Ukrainians to the splits. They want to see "Olympic athletes".
Wherever you look, the situation is only getting worse. Today we are accused of allegedly longing to get the power. I would like to say that we are not afraid of responsibility. And currently the main problem is a lack of responsible authorities in the country. Are we supposed to observe this outrage and keep quiet? Certainly, we are not. We will act. And the further, the tougher.
We receive complaints from the people: workers return from abroad, but find in Ukraine a lack of jobs, there are layoffs, work shorter weeks, actually frozen wages, diminishing budgetary expenses, whilst the government advertises that they raise immense customs.
If import rushes into the country, it means that the domestic enterprises will be stopped, trade balance deficit will increase and the National Bank's gold-currency reserves will be dug into. This is a story of today.
Why does the government which has been destroying the economy since the beginning of the year, which in fact has driven the state to an economic crisis, which is presently not supported in parliament, is now sitting and holding on to the seats in violation of the Constitution? No coalition – no government.
What democrats are those who do not observe the Constitution? You know that in all civilized countries of the world the government quits following the coalition's collapse. Unless a new coalition is formed – new elections are held.
What should be done today unless Ukraine has a united team in power to be responsible for this state of affairs?
Yesterday we made a decision regarding the Head of Verkhovna Rada because he declined all responsibility when he wrote a letter of resignation. Therefore, parliament did not work as well. This is the only answer we have. All other steps may cause negative feedback within the Ukrainian society and beyond, but what we should do if they have held at their seats and consider them to be paramount in their life, rather than the country.
Where is patriotism they have been talking about all the time?
Today I want us to propose to the authorities the government anti-crisis drafts focused on minimization of the negative economic and financial trends existent in the state, on avoiding of a drop in citizens' living standard and on revival of the economic growth.
These are 12 drafts developed by our experts. Next week we will introduce to the parliament to consider them and make a decision.
But the only question is: who will implement them.
Next week we will make an ultimate attempt in Verkhovna Rada to elect the Head of Verkhovna Rada and this issue may help us rally the majority which would be able to pass at least a package of much-needed drafts. Let us hope it will be so. | |
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