Letter to the editor by a concerned American

YUSHCHENKO MUST PREVAIL
A fight for the future: Yushchenko vs. the Communists
LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR
FROM: Cliff Downen, Arlington, Virginia

Published by The Action Ukraine Report (AUR), No. 522 Washington, D.C., Wed, July 13, 2005

Morgan,

Its time for there to be a "sea of orange" outside the Verkhovna Rada (VR) building.

The issue has gone far beyond the package of laws necessary for WTO ascension. Yushchenko's reputation and ability to govern is on the line.

He must prevail and force through the draft laws in order to clearly demonstrate that he is in charge and leading the country - not the "old guard" obstructing Ukraine's westward march. Here and in the Western Europe he needs to be spinning this to the press as a fight for the future Yushchenko vs. the Communists.

Left to draw their own conclusions, I am afraid the American and Western press are going to spin it to say that Yushchenko is not strong enough to govern or, worse still, his government is incompetent.
The Rules of the VR provide for (or used to) removing deputies from the Hall when they are disrupting the work of the chairman and the VR. If necessary, police should remove the Communists from the Hall if they attempt to further interrupt the proceedings. Enforce the rules!

Cliff Downen
Arlington, Virginia
FOOTNOTE: Cliff Downen worked in Ukraine for several years as
an advisor to the Verkhovna Rada. In 2004 he worked closely with the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) and help organize and lead several delegations of former U.S. Congressmen and Senators to Ukraine who served as international election observers during the presidential election campaign. EDITOR