Thursday, May 14, 2009

Lutsenko to survive?

Last week's fracas at Frankfurt airport involving Minister of the Interior Yuriy Lutsenko has been picked up by some the world's press.

Naturally, the opposition is taking full advantage of the situation to destablise an already-wobbly government, but Lutsenko would probably survive any motion in the Verkhovna Rada to sack him - a cynic would say this was reason he offered his resignation in the first place...

German authorities have furnished the Ukrainian consulate in Frankfurt with a report of the incident. According to a German spokesman, "We are talking not only of resistance to law enforcement officials, but of dangerous bodily harm and offence to dignity." [The German police involved will no doubt claim compensation for damages, like this British police mechanic, who received £500,000 for a cut finger.. ]

Apparently Lutsenko's 19-year old son, around whom the incident was centred, has recently endured medical procedures to treat thyroid cancer, and undertook a chemotherapy programme in Austria, allegedly [and curiously] paid for by PoR deputy Andriy Klyuev.

It is quite possible, and understandable, that having seen his son being roughly treated by German officials, Lutsenko overreacted. There may be some sympathy for him amongst his Ukrainian colleagues - a PoR deputy recently complained of prejudicial and coarse treatment by German airport officials in Berlin. And Vitaliy Klychko was involved in a spot of bother at Frankfurt airport in March - he has now commenced legal proceedings in this matter. Ukrainians have suffered bad experiences at the hands of Germans in uniforms in the past...maybe one of those at Frankfurt was called Adolf...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Its not just the opposition that has taken advantage of the situation to seek to destablise the government. Yushchenko has also and continues to destabilise Ukraine's Government.

Instead of clinging on to power for an additional three months, forcing Ukraine to hold Presidential elections in the midst of Ukraine's bitter cold Winter, extending his term of office beyond three years he should resign in order to facilitate a October/Autumn election.

The Last Presidential election was held in October 2004. Under Ukraine's constitution t6he President retains office until the newly elected President takes an oath and is sworn into office.

The half ruling of the CCU has extended Yushchenko's term of office beyond five years and introduced election creep.

A mid winter where the termperature is below minus 20 will not help Yushchenko who has less then 3% support chances of being re-elected. It will however prevent participation and lower respect for the democratic process.

Ukraine should adopt a fixed date for elections and if need be shorten the term of office so that no president can remain in office greater then five years and that the date for the election is fixed to be held on the last day, week of the year.

If Yushchenko cared about Ukraine and democracy he would, like Baloha, resign without condition.