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Ukraine

Anything in admin? I have wonky knees due to a prepatellar bursitis problem a while back so fitness isn't great BUT I have a proper passion for ensuring talent management and planning strategies are developed and executed.
iam sure they will be interested in the "executed" bit.
 
From Channel 4 piece. Are facebook polls worth anything?

A Facebook poll tweeted from the @EuroMaidanPR account, the "official international public relations secretariat for the headquarters of the national resistance of the EuroMaidan", suggest that Mr Yatsenyuk and Mr Klitschko do not have widespread support in the crowds of Independence Square.

The figure who recieved the most votes (more than 11,000) by people naming the EuroMaidan leader was Dmitro Yarosh, the far-right leader of the RPravy Sektor (Right Sector). It has been reported that he has spoken in violent terms about resisting the regime, and about how his men have amassed an arsenal of weapons.

Last month Channel 4 News reported how far-right elements were at the core of Ukraine's protests, and were gaining support.

Other popular Maidan leaders were EuroMaidan commandant and Fatherland politician Andriy Parubiy (7,100 votes), another Fatherland politician, Lesya Orobets, who has spoken out against Vladimir Putin's influence on Ukrainian affairs (4,600 votes), Arseniy Hrytsenko, a politician who fell out with Mr Yatsenyuk and resigned from Fatherland last month (4,200 votes) and Petro Poroshenko - a prominent Ukrainian businessman and politician (2,700 votes).

Vitali Klitschko is 12th on the list with just over 1,000 votes and Mr Yatsenyuk is at 59th on the list with just 114 votes.
 
Well, the klitsch and others have been whistled down whilst he tried to sell the deal from the stage and normal protesters have said from same that immediate resignation is all they will accept.
 

At last, a round up of left/anarchist views, even if it is from 29 January.

This made me shudder: “The nationalist revival, independently of the uprising, quickly turn into a total disappointment in the right-wing ideology. And then it will be our time." Doesn't this echo the disastrous German CP line in the early 30s?

Someone I know a little bit is in the thick of things and I asked him whether the far-right had taken over the protests. As of yesterday, he says that although they have united large numbers, these numbers are not interested in the racism or anti-semitism, but just want to bring down the government that is introducing very dictatorial measures. He claims that the sniper fire comes from people acting for Russian interests. Why it suits Russia to inflame the situation to the point that the pro-Russian government might be toppled doesn't make sense to me - unless we are to suppose Russian strategists foolish enough to believe such shootings will intimidate and weaken the protests - but it's significant that this is the idea circulating in the square.

A lot of people on these boards and the left more widely are taking a 'no support for either side'. Which is consistent with some credible voices in the above link. But it seems to me that after the shootings, the left/anarchist slogans now have to agree that the government must go but also offer something like the Kharkiv Anarcho-Syndicalists: "As a minimum program the syndicalists advocate the overthrow of the ruling coalition “regionalists” and the Communist Party of Ukraine, the transition to an open arrangement of the budget, the withdrawal of pension law and the introduction of free public transport."
 
On the battle within the euromaidan:





The eyewitness report also has some interesting things about the non-appearance of nazi self-defence groups and who was actually doing the fighting (hipsters apparently)

On the latter see also:

Collective statement by experts on Ukrainian nationalism on the role of far right groups in Ukraine’s protest movement, and a warning about the Russian imperialism-serving effects of some supposedly anti-fascist media reports from Kyiv



It goes on to firmly take sides with the protesters and against Russia and says the concentration on the far-right/ethnonationalists is largely being pushed from that direction for obvious reasons. So whilst the signatories try to make a point about their expertise and implied objectivity, this is a political intervention. Which leaves them open to counter-attack.

But this sort of thing has appeared a lot since the real violence kicked off. I don't know whether it's because the far-right has lost influence (i can't see that), whether its those who were on the fence but were pushed by the recent events into open support seeking to play down the nastier side now that that they're involved, whether more info has come out or whether the euromaidan intellectuals have just lately come to realise what damage was being done by images of hard core nazis in mass numbers.

I hate to go back to this stuff again, but, well, it's there. It's relevant.

A colleague who works on the area posted that statement (in German) on facebook. When I challenged her about it, she said this-

"Yes. They are referring to local language sources in general - the thing is: unless you read Russian and Ukrainian it's very difficult to get a picture of what's going on. And even then you have to read between the lines when it comes to e.g. Russian news in and for Russia - there, the Ukrainian gov is fighting "terrorists" and "fascists" and "trouble-makers" - there is little to no information on the average citizen - teachers, cleaners, clerks who - together with their children - fight for their country. The list of Boell-scholars is cautioning everyone who succumbs to a simple version of what's going on. And they themselves admit that things are changing so rapidly that been for them it's difficult to keep up..."

Boell-scholars refers to the Heinrich Boell foundation, who posted the German version of that statement on their site. I replied to her this way -

"That´s reassuring - somewhat. I´d find it more reassuring if they cited these local language sources directly. Instead, what I mainly see are ad hominem attacks that anyone disturbed by the presence of an organised fascist group are dupes of Putin. I remain to be convinced."
 
If recent updates are anything to go by, the western media now have a chance to drone on about one of their favourite Ukrainian subjects, Yulia Tymoshenko.

eg: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/21/ukraine-opposition-leader-yulia-tymoshenko

Just happened on Radio 4 news.

Her release was given as a good sign. She was touted as possible new prime minister or president. Someone who is "pro western" and also to deal with Russia.

The "Gas Princess" is an Oligarch. She is part of the problem. Her terms in power post the "Orange Revolution" achieved nothing for ordinary people in Ukraine.

Could be that both Western governments and Russia want some kind of compromise. The situation in Ukraine is becoming to chaotic for both sides. With someone like her back in power things will change but stay the same for the average hard up Ukrainian.

Could be that the end result of the protests will be like the Orange Revolution. A change in which group of Oligarchs run the country.
 
On what's involved in carrying out today's agreement:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/cae/servlet/contentblob/671350/publicationFile/190027/140221-UKR_Erklaerung.pdf (in English - just German Foreign Ministry)

1) "Within 48 hours of the signing of this agreement, a special law will be adopted, signed and promulgated, which will restore the Constitution of 2004 including amendments passed until now."
That's up to the parliament - but the Prez's party is the biggest, & most of the oppo is in on this, so probably np there.

2) That's the intention, & the Constit'n (see Chapter XIII, i.e. articles 154-9) describes how it can be changed. In the single parliamentary chamber a motion needs the support of 300 or more People's Deputies (2/3rds of MPs). A referendum is needed for 3 particular chapters but these are extraneous to the agreement: General Principles; Elections & Referendum; & Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine.
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Ukraine

3) "Signatories declare their intention to create a coalition and form a national unity government within 10 days thereafter [after the new law]"
So a GNU by Wed. morn, 5 March.

4) It means, doesn't it, that Svoboda will have a ministry, if not two? Maybe guardian of the nation's culture? After all, Fini ran the Italian Culture Ministry. Or maybe a xenophobic nationalist imposing policy at the Ministry of Youth & Sport, or of Education & Science? Unlikely is Defence, Internal Affairs, or Justice - but you never know.

At the moment, besides the PM, there are 22 jobs: 4 Deputy PMs (!), & 18 Ministers. Expect that no. to increase, even though 10 of the incumbents are in no party.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_Ministers_of_Ukraine

5) It's unclear what #2 of the statement means, "Constitutional reform, balancing the powers of the President, the government and parliament, will start immediately and be completed in September 2014", as #1 describes the Constit'n changing within 48hrs.

6) The Communist Party seems to have been written out of the opposition, even though it is the 4th largest party, almost as many votes in 2012 as the boxer's party (#4).

7) Blonde-babe-in-jail party, boxer party, & Svoboda have agreed to "undertake serious efforts for the normalisation of life in the cities and villages by withdrawing from administrative and public buildings and unblocking streets, city parks and squares. Illegal weapons should be handed over to the Ministry of Interior bodies within 24 hours of the special law" (#5). We'll see how all that goes.

8) Please note, nothing in the agreement on blonde-babe-in-jail, Yulia.

ADDED: #3 of the statement says, "Presidential elections will be held as soon as the new Constitution is adopted but no later than December 2014". The phrase "as soon as" is surprising in that #1 speaks of instituting by Sunday morning the 2004 Constitution (i.e. as amended by the 8 Dec 2004 law).
 
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saw footage there on the news of the protestors furious with Klitchsko, completely drowning him out when he tried to speak . Wasnt too long back when they were dousing him with fire extinguishers. Apparently shouting traitor at him . Doesnt look like theyve any intention of leaving at this stage.
The leadership of the Right Sector have announced they dont accept the deal and wont be giving up their arms. Theyve set an ultimatum for further riots if Yanukovich hasnt resigned by Saturday morning.
But things could well be different for the fascists when their funding is withdrawn for any further uprising malarkey . All that food, clothing , petrol etc costs money . Plainly people who havent been working for 3 months arent paying for all that out of their personal savings. I doubt very much their backers will continue any further with the largesse if theyve now got what they wanted .

Reading between the lines it looks like the EU forced this deal on both parties. Telling the opposition theyd have to either accept this or martial law.

Also RT reporting Yanukovich has left Kiev and headed eastwards for a summit with regions in Kharkov.

http://rt.com/news/president-impeachment-bill-parliament-174/
 
8) Please note, nothing in the agreement on blonde-babe-in-jail, Yulia.

It doesnt need to specifically mention her. What theyve done is to have a vote that decriminalised the nature of the charges she was convicted on . One of her relatives has been quoted by a Ukranian news agency as saying they expect to see her released on March 1st.
Id imagine Yanukovich will be happy enough with that. Because if he loses the elections in December he wont have her doing to him what he did to her.
 
At last, a round up of left/anarchist views, even if it is from 29 January.

This made me shudder: “The nationalist revival, independently of the uprising, quickly turn into a total disappointment in the right-wing ideology. And then it will be our time." Doesn't this echo the disastrous German CP line in the early 30s?

Someone I know a little bit is in the thick of things and I asked him whether the far-right had taken over the protests. As of yesterday, he says that although they have united large numbers, these numbers are not interested in the racism or anti-semitism, but just want to bring down the government that is introducing very dictatorial measures. He claims that the sniper fire comes from people acting for Russian interests. Why it suits Russia to inflame the situation to the point that the pro-Russian government might be toppled doesn't make sense to me - unless we are to suppose Russian strategists foolish enough to believe such shootings will intimidate and weaken the protests - but it's significant that this is the idea circulating in the square.

A lot of people on these boards and the left more widely are taking a 'no support for either side'. Which is consistent with some credible voices in the above link. But it seems to me that after the shootings, the left/anarchist slogans now have to agree that the government must go but also offer something like the Kharkiv Anarcho-Syndicalists: "As a minimum program the syndicalists advocate the overthrow of the ruling coalition “regionalists” and the Communist Party of Ukraine, the transition to an open arrangement of the budget, the withdrawal of pension law and the introduction of free public transport."

And then it will be our time. Exactly the kind of shite that allows the Right Sector to flourish unchallenged. The CP and the anarchists have between them utterly failed in engaging with all of this.
 
Now the euro backed opposition parties have their agreement, how long before the western media suddenly discover the fascist nature of the intransigents?
On the today program this morning there was a reference that some of the 'hardline protesters' (those that don't support the agreement I guess) are members of far right groups.
 
An interview in Der Siegel (sorry, in German) with Marina Weisband of the German Pirate Party on her visit to Maiden.
She was invited by the Ukrainian Open University to give a talk on "Liquid Democracy".
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/marina-weisband-ueber-maidan-und-protest-in-kiew-a-954479.html
She says there are two main factions to the demonstrators: The official opposition parties and the Independent Peoples Movement. The Independent Peoples Movement believe that the leaders of the opposition would be just as corrupt as the current government.
Also, she's very clear in stating that Klitschko's support from the Ukrainian people is overestimated by the west and that on the street, nobody takes him seriously. She didn't meet one person that supports him. Their main grievences: he cant speak Ukrainian & never say's much in his talks anyway.

eta: Weisband is ukrainian by birth and speaks the language fluently.
 
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Live pictures from a Ukrainian parliament on sky right now, centre of Kiev occupied by 'opposition troops' (bbc5live description) parliament looking pretty sparse. Is the Right faction making its bid for power?
Letting the Nazi genie out of the bottle looking a lot easier than getting them to go back in again.
 
Footage of shootings from the other day. White power symbol on the concrete thing at the 35 min mark.


ukraine white power filth.jpg
 
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