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Viktor Yanukovych: Today the main goal should be finding a way out of the crisis existing in the country
20.10.2008, 12:04
The Party of Regions Leader Viktor Yanukovych answered the correspondent's questions at Inter TV Channel.
- The president would have had no grounds to announce the pre-term parliamentary elections, if agreements between the PoR and BYuT, and with communists had been formalized. Tell us please, why such majority was not established, and why these agreements were not crowned with success?
- Firstly, it would be unnatural because we are the political forces that hold opposite positions on many issues of ensuring our country's functioning. Secondly, we did not set ourselves such an objective – to merge into a coalition. We are not the party which has put itself another tasks than improvement of the people's lives or development of the economy. We are indeed bad opposition actors, frankly speaking, because we did not learn it. And when I am told why you are inefficient, I say: who learnt to do what. If we look at BYuT or Yulia Tymoshenko, she has been indeed outstanding, effective opposition player. And when she worked in one government, then in another... I do not mean that she did not want to make good for the people or for the state. More likely that she has failed and this team is incapable at all.
- I would still like to recur to the agreements which did not become a has-been. Regarding the fact of negotiations – it was not concealed in the Party of Regions – regarding coming to an agreement with BYuT. Please tell, who initiated creation of a new majority on the basis of the PoR and BYuT?
- We did not hold any official negotiations for one reason: it was a political game, but not our game. We considered – and now I am sure of that – that the more this power and this government work, the more the situation in the country will worsen.
- By different estimates it can be said today that precisely the Party of Regions will get a majority of votes after the pre-term elections, and then you will form a coalition in the future government. What is your view on this coalition, and whom do you see as the prime minister?
- You know, I would like to change the line of our conversation a little bit. Firstly, why are the elections conducted? And why is another format of the coalition to be created? The elections should be held because today the situation is not just worsening in this country. Before our very eyes the situation is getting even catastrophic. We have been watching this show for a year, and some day an end should be put to it. That is why the Ukrainian people should decide on and vote for those whom they trust.
If the Ukrainian people believe us, I will definitely come out to the people and honestly say what has happened after this orange fog lifted, what we saw in our country. We saw ruins, and they should be, as it is said, restored and normal life should be renewed.
- In what position would you like to help the country after the pre-term elections? You do not rule out reoccupying a position of the prime minister, do you?
- Definitely, as professionals we set ourselves the aim to participate as vastly as possible in the development of our country.
- Does it mean that you do not exclude reverting to the government as its head?
- We expect it will happen so, and we will convince the people to go to the elections, and only owing to our voters we can establish normal life in our country.
- Is the Party of Regions negotiating with other political forces concerning the probable consolidation in new parliament at the moment?
- We have never conducted such work, and will not do it this time.
- Under certain conditions, provided some compromises are reached, can the Party of Regions negotiate on uniting with BYuT or with "Our Ukraine"?
- We will always look ahead. Always. We will never place the party's interests above the national interests. Never. If we have to make some concessions, we will concede. We do not want any political games or shows. We want effective persistent work, we want to gain the leverage of influence on the country's life, which we are able to take in our hands and govern.
- Today you as the Party of Regions Leader promise to repay the deposits to the USSR Savings Bank depositors. At one time it was also pledged by Yulia Tymoshenko, and for the time being this promise has not been fulfilled. Are you sure that you will manage with these promises?
- Certainly, this issue should be solved, but in a well-weighed manner. In order to avoid the situation which occurred this year. Firstly, an unfair approach, secondly, it was paid off as much as it was, and much more was seized through a rise in prices, tariffs. It is called social populism, which results in what we have now. I mean, in the country's economy...
As soon as we come to power, we will immediately address this issue, resume a register of all depositors of the USSR Savings Bank, quickly conduct a revision, pass a special law so that nobody should beat their breast that it has been paid by Yanukovych or by Tymoshenko or by Yushchenko. This is the money collected by all taxpayers, and the authorities should distribute it fairly.
- Do you consider a victory on these pre-term parliamentary elections as a groundwork for a victory on the presidential elections?
- Definitely, it cannot but be discussed now. But I would like to say that we have never raised this point. Nowadays the main goal should be a way out of the situation existing in the country. It is a crisis of power, it is a political crisis, and above all it is an economic crisis. And presently I do not understand, for example, the government, I do not understand the prime minister, when I hear them speaking on television that there is no crisis in Ukraine. It is unfair.
I never get ahead of myself. I would like to say that I have been never afraid of taking responsibility in my life. And when the time comes and I have to decide on, and responsibly look at this issue, I will certainly approach it with all responsibility. But this time has not come yet. | |
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