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Party of Regions Leader Viktor Yanukovych's address to Ukrainian people
18.12.2007, 13:39
Dear fellow citizens!
An event occurred today which will unfortunately aggravate political instability, abet confrontation processes in our society and will have an extremely negative impact on the social and economic growth rate in Ukraine.
The orange team has come to rule the country again.
This already took place in 2005, we both remember well what befell Ukraine.
At that time the orange pursued their political opponents, ruined the economy, undertook the property redistribution – launched the reprivatization campaign, undermined investors' confidence, stained themselves with corruption and nepotism.
In less than a year Tymoshenko Government reduced the economy growth by almost 10% and heaved prices for everything possible.
Therefore from now the Ukrainian people should, and I say this with regret, be ready for new trials – crises, political plots and quarrels within the orange team that proceed a race for power between the ruling cliques of coalition groups.
The Ukrainian people should know that, unfortunately, citizens could not expect the improvement of living standard. The generous promises which were so richly endowed by the present "coalition 227" will be never carried out. Because Tymoshenko gave these promises not to reduce taxes, disburse the lost savings, increase wages and pensions or abolish the army conscription. Lavish promises were needed only to come to power.
These elections have not in fact changed the alignment of power in Ukraine and in Parliament because the advantage in two voices is absolutely insufficient for effective work of the parliamentary majority.
The elections only destabilized work of the Verkhovna Rada and Government, put political expedience above the law, opened the locks for reckless populism and demagogy.
And as we can see today the elections did the worst – they caused trouble. This trouble is reflected in price increase on food and energy carriers, in worsening of Ukraine's image on the global arena.
The pre-term elections demonstrated once again: Ukraine further remains a playground for geopolitical experiments rather than an independent actor on the international scene.
Under the circumstances of the present-day challenges the political elites of other nations unite, but the orange forces showed their egoism and irresponsibility again.
Having no wish to consider the realities, the orange are trying to convince the Ukrainian people that ignoring the will practically of a half of Ukraine is allegedly a care for political and economic stability in the state. But indeed the orange, and I emphasize it, bear the responsibility for destructing stability in the country. The stability which Ukraine obtained after the creation of Anticrisis coalition and formation of the Government in 2006.
We received the economy in ruins from the orange team. For the following year we managed to stabilize the economy and the social and political situation, restore the best rate of the economic growth in Europe, raise wages and pensions.
At that moment the orange got frightened of our success, they were scared that they might be pushed from political life forever.
Therefore for the sake of returning to power they artificially created a political crisis and at the expense of the welfare of Ukrainian people began to impose the pre-term elections.
The Party of Regions, its allies agreed to take part in the election campaign only when they understood that nothing would stop the orange in their gamble, their desire to come to power at any cost. They can even perpetrate bloodshed and a civil conflict. All of us remember well that the troops were brought up to Kyiv...
We concurred with the pre-term elections for the only purpose – to avoid a civil war.
At the elections the Party of Regions strongly objected cases of radicalism, social populism and intolerance. Our position received the largest support among the citizens of Ukraine.
But despite the gained victory we faced political separatism and revanchism. Blunt offenses and political boor were an answer for our appeal to unite.
We completely realize that the goal of expelling the Party of Regions from the coalition process was to establish unlimited domination of the orange leaders.
A war among them for positions and privileges, for a right to dictate their will to all citizens of Ukraine is already proceeding. I am sure it is a road which leads to nowhere. But unfortunately the Ukrainian people are to pass this path as well.
From today the Party of Regions goes into opposition.
We are doing this because we can not let this authority mock at our fellow citizens, our voters.
We will not let the orange repeat a legal sabbath which they are used to.
We will not let the power violate the principles of people's freedom, democracy and supremacy of law not a whit.
We will do everything so that Ukrainians could see a real face of the present power – the face of demagogy, lies, corruption and populism.
We will protect the interests of Ukrainian people every minute and we appeal to all political forces to join us.
We are convinced that existence of the "coalition-227" will not last for a long time. The Ukrainian people will throw away populists as unnecessary garbage is thrown away in spring after winter.
Dear fellow citizens!
Today I want to assure you that we, the Party of Regions, in no circumstances will leave people without support in the tough time of ordeal.
We will always walk along with the Ukrainian people. And together we will revive justice, civil peace, stability and people's confidence in the next day.
I believe in our victory! | |
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