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Viktor Yanukovych: Political compromise is possible
13.04.2007, 10:51
- Viktor Fedorovych, the day before yesterday you met with President Yushchenko. Is there a prospect to find the way out of the political crisis?
- Since the President's Decree we have regularly conducted consultations, practically every day. From the very beginning I came with a suggestion to the President to suspend the action of the document, questionable to my mind, till the decision of Constitutional Court is pronounced.
Any of the three reasons of dissolving, envisaged by the Constitution, is absent. Conclusions of Justice Ministry, national legal institutes, world legal companies point out that the Order doesn't meet legislative norms. The President and opposition are constantly in search of opportunity to organize elections which will be to their good. If the results of elections do not satisfy the President he can presume to sign orders passing over decisions of Ukrainian people. If we choose this way we are to have elections permanently.
- What is the way out you see?
- First of all, the return to the legal field and abolition of the President's Decree. To reach the compromise we should sit for talks.
- On Tuesday Constitutional Court's judges complained on pressure from your camp's side.
- All judges who arranged this press-conference were either appointed by the President or elected by Our Ukraine party (President's party – Le Figaro's note). President resorted to such actions with the aim to postpone making the decision as he realizes that the judges will declare his order unconstitutional.
- In your opinion, will there be pre-term elections?
- Elections within the framework of the Constitution are impossible. Nevertheless, political compromise is not excluded. I consider possible to simultaneously hold parliamentary and presidential elections.
- Do you intend to run for the pre-term president elections?
- Without any hesitations.
- Which will be the topics of your campaign if the elections are held?
- The Government which I headed in 2003-2004 (during Kuchma's presidency, before Orange revolution – Le Figaro's note) ensured very high level of economic development. Economic growth constituted more than 13% annually. In 2005-2006 it abruptly fell, reaching 3,5-4%. In second half of 2006 and beginning of 2007 my Government has managed to increase average monthly growth to 8,5%. In 2007 we planned to raise salaries and pensions threefold. People feel the improvement of standards of living. We are well aware of how to handle economic development and what to do. We are ready to start reforms, we have Development Strategy through 2011.
- International media calls you pro-Russian as compared to pro-western camp of the President. Do you agree with this definition?
- If conformity with western principles envisages activities behind the framework of law then the President can be named pro-western. If to be pro-Russian means to respect Constitution and order of law, then Yanukovych is pro-Russian.
- Why are you against accedence of Ukraine to NATO?
- Public polls demonstrate that accedence to NATO is supported by only 15-20% of Ukraine's population. Having such a weak support of the nation it would be incorrect to raise this issue, as according to the law this question must be solved at referendum.
- However you are adherent to joining the European Union.
- in this issue we are also supported by Ukrainian people. It was one of priority principles of my party's program during the elections of March, 2006. We should further cooperation with the EU with the aim to gain the opportunity to enter this union afterwards.
Fabrice Node-Langlois, French newspaper "Le Figaro" | |
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