Leonid Kravchuk (1934- ), Ukrainian President from 1991 to 1999
Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of the independent Ukraine, urged the current president, Viktor Yushchenko, to step down as head of the country on Ukrainian television. On Tuesday, in a live address to Yushchenko on the TV channel Ukraina, Mr Kravchuk said, “The true patriotism of a president… also means understanding a situation from within and making a responsible decision to step down. Such a step could stop an avalanche of problems, calm society, and give hope for a real way out of the crisis”. Kravchuk was elected the first president of the Ukraine in 1991 with 61.6 percent of the votes cast.
“Until recently, I thought the presidential elections should be held according to law. But, today, I have a different opinion. I have seen clearly that you are not giving most of your attention to the Ukraine’s problems, instead, you are thinking of how to stay in power”, Mr Kravchuk said. He also accused President Yushchenko of betraying the nation’s confidence and support, and destroying both the government and the parliamentary coalition. “The government has been almost destroyed. It is impossible to overcome the crisis without the government’s effective participation”, Mr Kravchuk said, adding that the only way out would be to hold early elections.
Vladimir Litvin, the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, told another TV channel on Tuesday that he did not think that early parliamentary elections would be held in Ukraine and said Mr Kravchuk’s comments could “provoke another spiral of political confrontation in Ukraine”. President Yushchenko has been at loggerheads with Prime Minister Yuliya Timoshenko for several months as the former allies in the “Orange Revolution” jostled for position ahead of presidential elections due next year. The Ukraine is struggling with the global economic crisis and had gas supplies from Russia cut off for much of January after failing to agree a new gas contract. Although a 10-year supply agreement was signed barely a month ago, the state-run Ukrainian energy corporation Naftogaz has already warned Gazprom that there may be problems paying for deliveries due to non-payment by local utility companies.
25 February 2009
RIA-Novosti
http://en.rian.ru/world/20090225/120290298.html (in English)
Editor’s Note:
Yushchenko is in the deep kimchi but good. Wanna take bets on how long he is for this world (politically-speaking, of course)? Everyone smells the obvious… with the neocons out of power in Washington, Yushchenko’s Foggy Bottom sugar daddies (and his sweet sugar mama, Rice) are not in the picture anymore. Look for the Orangies to be tossed out by the locals. Yuliya Vladimirovna shall take the top spot, and watch her make a sensible accommodation with the Kremlin. The hardcore nationalists shall be given le sabot, and Yuliya shall save the Ukraine’s bacon by making a closer alliance with Russia. Give her credit… she is not only the foremost female politician in the world today; she is one of the best politicians full stop. Don’t sit down to play poker with her unless you have your wits completely about you… or you’ll end by wearing only your raggedy old socks and a smile. It’s not nice to fool Mama Yulienka….
Dear Editor,
I know and respect your opinion on Bishop Hillarion, and I was wondering what your opinion of Archbishop Avgustin of Lvov as a rising leader in the Russian church is. Do you think he can be a key figure in the future, or is his connection to Lvov too much of a hindrance for mainstream Russia? I’m curious at your thoughts. You have made me reevaluate my opinion of Bishop Hillarion, and so I’m wondering who are the rising Hierarchs for the next generation in your opinion. I know you are a big supporter of Archbishop Vikenty and hope he will play a big role in the years to come. What is your opinion on Archbishop Pavel of Kasimov and Ryazan?
Chrissy
Comment by Chrissy V. — Tuesday, 3 March 2009 @ 20:07
Archbishop Avgustin is a stand-up guy of the first rank. People such as Kirill Frolov (he is a biggie in the SPG) and Deacon Andrei Kuraev of the MDA give him the highest marks and great praise (Fr Vsevolod at the DECR is in his corner too). Vladyki Avgustin is a fighter, and he stands up against the schismatics and Uniates, and he does so in Lvov of all places! Our God is the God who works wonders! He jumps out of airplanes with the paratroops and likes driving fast “muscle cars”. In short, a great hierarch and a great human being. Did I mention that he is an adamant supporter of Church Unity? Whew!
I don’t know Vladyki Pavel, I’ll have to ask my Russian friends about him. I have heard good things of Vladyki Ioann, the head of the MP Missionary Department. Also, keep your eye on Bishop Mark Golovkov, who was named by His Holiness to head the DECR. He is almost the same age as Hilarion (he was born in 1964, and HA was born in 1966). He is a quiet fellow, but, he has great respect from everyone and doesn’t appear to have any enemies. He is of patriarchal timber. Never be fooled by flash and glitz (yes, Virginia, it exists in the Church… sigh…). “All that is gold does not glitter, not all that glitters is gold”. A solid and workmanlike man in the mould of the late Patriarch Aleksei.
Here’s to you and yours as we go through the Fast (boiled potatoes and stewed prunes… oh, those Russians!). God keep you all.
s bogom,
Vara
Comment by 01varvara — Tuesday, 3 March 2009 @ 20:39