Tonight's update will have to be quick, but I'll give you a fuller run-down tomorrow.
- Bad news for Yanukovych -- The "Congress of Invalids" is going to testify against Yanukovych's case before the Supreme Court. Remember, his primary complaint is mass disenfranchisement of the handicapped. The Congress of Invalids will present data that the number of invalids who were unable to vote was less than 1% of the total vote count.
- Katerinchuk, from Yushchenko's HQ, spoke today about the unprofessional nature of Yanukovych's Supreme Court complaint. Remember, that this is coming from a partisan source. Here's what he had to say:
1. The majority of the complaints are identical, regardless of their ostensible city of origin. They're also mostly photocopies.
2. The "Tomes" of the complaint aren't as Tome-ish as one might think -- Tome #10 consists of 1 page, #3 - 9 pages, #6- 8 pages. . .
3. Most of the complaints center on alleged election-day "agitations." One example -- a Mercedes played the Ukrainian anthem with its window down on Election Day. Another from Tome #87 -- an urn used for voting had orange plasticine on it.
- There seems to be tension among the Oranges. Tymoshenko made some pointed comments on the Square against Yushchenko's call that the tent city disband. She also keeps publicly mentioning Yushchenko's obligation to nominate her for Prime Minister.
- Protests in Russia over social benefits continued today, the first unrest against Putin in a long time. Unlike in Ukrainian protest movements, the Communists are taking a leading role in this one. I'll be doing a full post on this tomorrow.
- The Supreme Court has refused to hear three of Yanuovych's complaints. Again, more tomorrow on this.
- Kushnarev, the Separatist ex-governor of the Kharkiv region, has formed his own political party -- "New Democracy". Few details are available so far, but it's a safe bet that it'll be anti-Yushchenko and focused on federalism.
Posted by Discoshaman at janvier 16, 2005 06:25 AM | TrackBack
Tymoshenko is totally hot! Is this urging insistance seen as an embarrassment? Do the 2001 allegations of corruption come into play here or were those found to be false?
Seriously though she adds a lust factor to this ticket...
Posted by: RapidTransit at janvier 16, 2005 05:24 PMThere is apparently some concern on the wannabe Lady Prime Minister's part and it is clearly evident based on the comments that there will be surprises when the new President assumes control on appointments.
The comment that those in business with business interests will be outside of government is rather telling.
Maybe Yulia can take her ill gotten gains and assume the post of Ambassador to Russia. She can have some nice chats with Putin.
But coming to the game after her and her family made not millions, but billions is noteworthy only that she turned on the system. That she did so after she plowed the system for all it was worth is not exactly an endorsement worth a senior role at the top of the government.
She sounds like she's whinning publicly because the handwriting is on the wall. Show some class and if it turns out that way, go back to your peasant hairstyles with your loot.
She served her purpose. The nation comes first not an individual who worked the system to advantage who becomes a populist after the fact.
Posted by: RW Brice at janvier 16, 2005 07:56 PMHey, it's me, the crazy Ukrainian-American (and slightly Republican bashing) girl that met you and Dan outside the press HQ. Thanks for the update on Ukraine - I've been going nuts trying to figure out what has been going on there since I left...
Posted by: MK at janvier 16, 2005 11:11 PMRapid-
"Is this urging insistance seen as an embarrassment?"
Not at all, from what I've seen. Moroz, Kinakh and Poroshenko are doing the same thing. Yulia's reminders are mainly in the form of mentioning the Coalition agreements that Yushchenko agreed to.
The Ukrainian parliament is nothing like the US Congress -- it's a hodgepodge of various, shifting blocs and parties. She has her own political bloc, which united with Yushchenko's for the election, and worked very hard for him. The agreement was that they would help him become president, and he would help her become PM.
"Do the 2001 allegations of corruption come into play here or were those found to be false?"
They weren't found to be true or false. I'm inclined to believe that she did wire money to Lazarenko, but neither her guilt nor innocence have ever been proven. That's not the issue here, however.
If someone is chosen over her, it won't be because she's seen as too close to the corrupt oligarchs -- quite the opposite. It'll be because she's seen as the radical reform candidate, and a less polarizing person is needed. People are passionate about her, both positively and negatively, in a way that they aren't about Poroshenko (who, incidentally, would also make a good PM.)
RW Brice-
"The comment that those in business with business interests will be outside of government is rather telling."
Um, not really. That was much more directed towards Ukrainian concerns about Poroshenko and his numerous businesses, than about Tymoshenko. Both of them will turn their stocks over to an independent auditor and will step away from running any businesses they have if tapped for PM.
"But coming to the game after her and her family made not millions, but billions is noteworthy only that she turned on the system."
Billions? The richest man in Ukraine, Akhmetov, only has 3 billion. Source for this?
"She sounds like she's whinning publicly because the handwriting is on the wall."
Then the handwriting must be on the wall for everyone involved, as Kinakh has had his allies publicly endorse him, Poroshenko has been giving lobbying interviews, and Moroz is making pointed statements about being Yushchenko's margin of victory and the possibility that he'll go into the Opposition if denied enough Cabinet posts. . .
"She served her purpose. The nation comes first not an individual who worked the system to advantage who becomes a populist after the fact."
After the fact? Yulia was in the Opposition before Yushchenko ever was. And could you please list for me the other reformers or populists of any stature in the Kuchma era that were on the national scene before Yulia?
I was actually quite cynical about Ukrainian politics in general, and Tymoshenko in particular in the past. She did some dodgy things during the Wild West days after Independence.
Two things brought me around over the past three years or so. . .
First of all, studying Ukrainian politics more deeply. Reviewing Yushchenko and Tymoshenko's records as PM and Vice PM convinced me that they were for real. Yulia did a GOOD job as Vice PM in charge of energy policy. She put an end to bartering deals, corruption, and brought in 500 million dollars in extra tax revenues. Given that the national budget is only 10 billion, this was real money.
In the end, Kuchma's cronies brought her down. They did so because she was genuinely working for reform. That may not fit your simplistic paradigm, but it's the way it is.
Since then, she has been brave and resolute when so many others were not. She has had everything to lose by fighting the oligarchs, but she's kept fighting. Making peace with them would have saved her harrassment, the threat of imprisonment, and given her an entry back into the centers of power.
Her actions speak for themselves.
Secondly, I became convinced by talking to people who actually live and breath Ukrainian politics -- the democracy activists. You seem to think you know a great deal, if your dismissive tone is any indication.
Well, these people actually do know a great deal. And they universally love and believe in Tymoshenko. I'm not talking about the people on the Square, but rather Poli Sci grad students, Opposition journalists and PORA organizers.
They've sacrificed a lot and risked everything for an open society. They were the laborers in the fields during the hard years leading up to the Revolution. They've watched her and worked with her. And they believe in her.
I say this with no particular axe to grind. I think she'd be an amazing PM, if the votes are there in Parliament to approve her. If not, I think Poroshenko will be quite good, and Kinakh wouldn't be bad either.
I just think that your critique is a very shallow one that elides over a lot of relevant facts and history.
Posted by: Discoshaman at janvier 17, 2005 02:40 AMMK!
Hey you! I'm so sorry we didn't have you over for dinner while you were still in Kiev. The time after the press conference was so crazy and we totally forgot to call. Please forgive?
How's your babushka, btw?
It's great to see you here. Hope you stop by often. . . :-)
Posted by: Discoshaman at janvier 17, 2005 02:41 AMDisco,
RW Brice means she made billions of kuponiy.
;)
Posted by: Joe St at janvier 17, 2005 08:40 AM