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Viktor Yanukovych: Today it is already clear that the coalition does not exist any more and the authorities are unable to work efficiently
19.06.2008, 17:22
The Party of Regions Leader Viktor Yanukovych held an Opposition government meeting concerning the negative impact of the adaptation of the economy to the WTO membership terms, the Opposition government's requirements concerning elimination of negative price tendencies, as well as threatening social and economic consequences of slowdown in the building industry.
In his introductory speech Viktor Yanukovych, in particular, said:
- A decision to insist on the current government's report on the present state of affairs in Ukraine was approved at a faction meeting yesterday. The government's hollow talks and promises concerning the budget, protection of the domestic producer under the WTO conditions, etc. should be stopped.
Nowadays the Ukrainians are worried about the government price policy and implementation of anti-inflationary measures, which have been talked about by this government since the beginning of the year. We wish this report was made in the presence of the President of Ukraine. The correspondence between the President and the government does not show the outcome which the society can expect, how the economy will grow in this situation. We see that now there is no scheme for collaboration within the coalition because the coalition itself does not exist. There is also no mechanism for approving necessary drafts.
We are ready to support any decision aimed at improving the state of affairs in the country under such terms, with public examination of the issues. The Opposition government more than once offered suggestions to the present government but none of them was replied to. At the same time, the government pretends as if everything in the country was all right and it is not interested in the opinion of the half of Ukraine, which is represented by the Party of Regions. The government's report is urgently needed for all Ukrainians. Citizens should see and hear what they will face in the nearest future, what will their life be like.
We do not want to get ahead of ourselves and tell in advance what will come eventually. But for the time being it is already clear that the coalition does not exist any more and that the authorities are unable to work efficiently. It means that the government considers itself as temporary. We understand it well.
Under such conditions the state cannot exist further. We should gather in Verkhovna Rada and analyze the state of affairs which occurs in the country. This meeting should be extraordinary. The half-year is coming to an end. But for this time no arrangement regarding the executive's report has been made. And in fact, we see an unsystematic approach in decision-making. As a result the government programs are retarded, the programs of supporting agro-industrial complex and the program of housing and communal services modernization are not funded. The recent program was not even considered in the government. Therefore, we are to expect that the housing and communal sector will not be prepared for winter. The government was engaged in various political squabbles, including elections in Kyiv. It has no time to do its business.
Instead of passing the laws necessary to enable the country's functioning, the coalition has blockaded parliament. Such situation when the authorities blockaded themselves in parliament has never happened in any country. Just one week has left until the end of this session. It seems that the coalition intends to wait till it is over. That is, to keep on humbling the country and 47 million citizens.
I saw today that there is a plot between the coalition and the Speaker of Verkhovna Rada, who in fact blocked the Verkhovna Rada's work today. I think that we should accomplish the agreed decision and hear the government's report in the presence of the President and all branches of power. An honest talk should take place regarding what is to be done further, how the country can live without authorities, in such chaos.
Today at the session at 4 p.m. we will demand that this government's report was presented next week at the extraordinary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada. The Party of Regions, in accordance with the Verkhovna Rada Regulations, will submit a proposal on conducting such extraordinary meeting.
Eventually, there are three weeks left till summer vacations in parliament. This period of time should be made use of. That is why, along with the extraordinary plenary meeting it is necessary to address the issue of continuing the Verkhovna Rada's work and to define the first-priority laws which should be examined, as well as to agree among all parliamentary factions to pass the necessary acts. Primarily, it concerns measures regarding the price situation, the State Budget of the country and arrangements on protection of domestic producer under the WTO adaptation conditions. These are pressing problems for the country.
Definitely, if it is necessary to extend the parliament's work until July 20, this question has to be raised as well. The range of decisions which are to be adopted by parliament should be determined. And until they are considered, there should be no vacations.
We ought to tell the truth to all the people. Today life is uneasy for many people who got into a difficult situation of such price growth. Mainly, they are poor people whom we are obliged to protect.
The Speaker of Verkhovna Rada should organize the consideration of these points. And we are ready to support him in this work. If he is unable to do this, then it is necessary to consider the election of a temporal presidium of the Verkhovna Rada which will organize this work. The government's report should come first and be proceeded with approval of the necessary drafts. We have everything to carry it out under the Law and Regulations.
I am sure there will be pragmatic and structural majority in parliament which will support the Party of Regions faction on this path.
We will definitely devote the Opposition government's next meeting to a matter of overcoming corruption in the country. All those who break laws should be in charge regardless of their position. But the presumption of unguiltiness and irreversibility of punishment should be in force. Only a court has the right to proclaim guilty. We have already experienced political orders in 2005. When we hear how people are accused without a judgement, it is just populism and irresponsibility of the people who do not respect anybody. | |
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