In his Internet press conference at From-UA on March 25, PORA-PRP bloc leader Vladyslav Kaskiv spoke about, among other things, why the orange coalition stalled, Klychko’s progress in learning Ukrainian, and  the chances of a color revolution in Belarus.

Semen Stukov: - Why have you failed to recreate an orange coalition before the elections? To my mind, it was an initiative which had been doomed to fail. Am I mistaken? Who’s to blame?

V.Kaskiv: - Before I get to the nitty-gritty I’d like to say hallo to Ukrainians and congratulate them on the end of the election campaign and the return to, I hope  normal life.

As regards the coalition. My answer is short: there was a time when we were about half a day away from creating the coalition. I know that because I took part in the coalition talks. The collation was absolutely possible. The text of the agreement was prepared jointly by all parties, BYT included. The signing came off due to the unexpected twist in BYT’s stand when it publicized its own version of the agreement the following day and demanded that other parties sign on to it. Now make your own guess who’s to blame. 

Sojka: - Sir, will your bloc and, specifically, Vitaly Klychko tackle the issues of culture [in the legislature]. Is this work on his agenda?

V. Kaskiv: - With regard to culture, it’s my belief that the process cannot be organized. Culture should be created by individuals, men of culture, not by ministers. The government must merely create proper conditions for the growth of culture, especially regarding the development of national culture. I think, there are enough candidates on PORA-PRP list, like Vitaly Klychko, Ivan Malkovych and others, who are well aware of cultural priorities.    

Valeriya (Kyiv): - Will Ukraine really benefit from joining the Bologna process?

Educational institutions in various countries use different curriculums and the reduction to a single curriculum can be detrimental. Perhaps, we’d better backtrack from the agreement?

V. Kaskiv: - Sure, Ukraine will benefit, because standards of education must be high and uniform. It is an effective road to European integration. I also believe that the Bologna agreement does not exclude creation of specific educational programs. Still, it’s a question for experts. But I believe we must not backtrack from the agreement.

Nemtsov: - Do you believe your education is sufficient for you to work in parliament and make laws? Haven’t you graduated just in 2006? In 1991 you spent a year at a small university in Western Ukraine and then dropped out. Why such a break in your studies? What were you busy with? Gearing up for the revolution?

V. Kaskiv: - First and foremost, revolutions occur in the minds of the people, not on the streets and squares. My studies were continuous and uninterrupted. I’m sure when PORA is in the legislature, you will see the proof of it. 

Marina: - Mr. Kaskiv, who’s going to clean our houses which have been pasted all over with campaign leaflets? How can a candidate for mayor [Klychko] claim the post when he does not respect Kievans, their houses and cleanliness in backyards? By pasting your campaign materials everywhere you discredited Klychko who may be a nice man. That the police pose a threat to the people is common knowledge. 

V. Kaskiv: - Unlike many populist politicians, I’m not going to promise that I’ll wash the walls clean of leaflets with my own hands. However, I know it well that, when Klychko is mayor, campaigning will be done in a civilized way with the houses staying clean. I also promise you that Klychko will not sic the police on students who campaign for political parties. 

Maxim: - Apart from you, are there any veterans in PORA who were active in the so-called granite revolution?

V. Kaskiv: - Many of the best are still with PORA: Markian Ivashchyshyn who led students hunger strikes on the Maidan in the 90s is now head of Lviv PORA branch, Andry Rozhnyatovsky is now head of the oblast organization. There is Vahtang Kipiani, Taras Stetskiv, Yevhen Dykyj and tens of other PORA veterans.   

Aleksandr (Odesa): - What languages do you speak? Do you speak Russian? Do you use it since a considerable segment of voters are Russian-speaking? If you insist on speaking only Ukrainian, what do you think about Klychko, who does not know Ukrainian?

V. Kaskiv: - Whenever I go to Russia, I always speak Russian, including my interviews on TV. But it beats me why I should speak Russian in Ukraine to people who live in Ukraine and understand Ukrainian. Still, I have many friends who speak Russian in their families. It’s never irked me. Incidentally, Klychko speaks perfect Ukrainian – you’ll know it when he takes the floor in parliament.

Dan: - Mr Kaskiv, judging by your name you hail from Western Ukraine. Tell us something about yourself, your background, your motives for taking up politics.

As a freshman and head of Bukovyna Student Brotherhood,  I took part in the “granite” revolution [massive student strikes in Kyiv]. Then I moved to Kyiv to work as deputy director of the Central Union of Ukrainian Students. I was also coordinator of civic society programs in the Renaissance Foundation. I was also coordinator of the largest campaign run by Ukraine NGOs, The Freedom of Choice. I was also an advisor to a number of ministries.   

There’s a growing awareness that Ukrainians must not entrust their future to the old guards, the mistake we made in the 90’s. I am convinced that, had we not made the mistake, there would have been need to take to the streets in 2004.

P.S. You can read more on my background on PORA’s website.  

Andryj: - Don’t you think that by awarding the Hero of Ukraine medal right, left and center, Pres. Kuchma belittled its importance? Why, of all sportsmen, Klychko has been awarded the medal?

V. Kaskiv: - Sorry, I’ll not comment. Anyone can have his opinion on whether or not Klychko deserves the medal.

Anton (Kyiv): - You are still toying with the idea to reconcile Yushchenko and Tymoshenko. They hate each other, in fact. It’s common knowledge for all, save for PORA. Even if they are together, they will use the chance to start kicking each other. Beyond doubt, the orange idea is dead. PORA has been merely trying to cash in on the idea, having no strategy of its own. It’s time to make conclusions. 

V. Kaskiv: - I’m no longer toying with the idea. Now our mission is to make Yushchenko and Tymoshenko join in the orange coalition, because there on the Maidan they were jointly handing out promises, incidentally, without PORA. Now they must both face the responsibility. As to the orange idea, I think it does not exist, it is merely a symbol. Generally, I’m strongly for leaving this orange-blue confrontation in the past. This will rid Ukrainian politics of the enemies of Ukraine. 

Andry Petrovych: - I’ve two questions for you, Vladyslav. 1) Why hasn’t anyone on your black list of criminals and corrupt officials been brought to account? 2) Whom of the representatives of the new regime has PORA failed to put on its black list and will the blacklisting continue?

V. Kaskiv: - 1) We have foreseen it [that some persons would try to get off the hook].  That is why we began making the black list. No matter how long the punishment will take, our black list will be always here to confirm that we do not forget and forgive. The list will be a reminder of undelivered promises.

Let me assure you that when we have the power to put bandits in prisons, we’ll make good on this Maidan pledge. I hope, you do not doubt my words.

2) Yes, blacklisting will go on. It’s an effective tool of government cleansing. New regime representatives figure prominently on the PORA list. You will be able to read their list on the PORA website after March 27. We have temporarily put the list on hold because of the election law on campaigning. 

“Outrageously na?ve”: - Mr Kaskiv, do you think that, by getting deputy immunity as a lawmaker, you can dodge criminal liability for your crimes? What will you do when you meet face to face the parents of the student whom you exposed to police bullets?

V. Kaskiv: - It’s a silly question. Could you tell me in which party’s campaign headquarters you were taught such primitive mud-slinging tricks? I’m ready to answer your question if you meet with me face to face.

In fact, I’m going to see the parents of the student today. He had been shot in the back only for campaigning against our mayoral candidate’s major rival, the incumbent Mayor Omelchenko.  

Svitlana: The revolution in Belarus has finally lost its steam. Belarus riot police dispersed some 400 protesters. How do you explain the defeat of the revolution in Belarus?

V. Kaskiv: - In my opinion, the revolution in Belarus has just started! Because heroic individuals always stand at the beginning of great deeds. It always happens like this. But the heroes will eventually win the day because the truth always wins.

P.S. Lukashenka has purposefully set the election one week before Ukraine’s. But it will not help him. PORA has sided with Belarus patriots. Where there is PORA, there is always victory. 

Andrej (Kyiv): - The press gave much ink to your close associate, Rudyk, who spurned the election law and abused to the full his position as head of the state committee for ethnic minorities, pushing them to vote for PORA. He held campaign sessions on the committee’s premises. Is that what you call PORA’s integrity?

V. Kaskiv: - I didn’t take part in any such sessions. I think, you’re lying. If you have any evidence of such actions, make it public. In general, I’m so sick of such primitive smearing tricks.    

Oleksandr: - Don’t you think that you’d been banned entry in Belarus because of a criminal investigation against you in Ukraine?

V. Kaskiv: - Ha-ha-ha!

Alena: - Vladyslav, who is your escort we see next to you in the web-camera? Could you introduce her? Tell us more about your private life, please.

V. Kaskiv: - There’s no private life per se. All Ukrainian politicians have no private lives – it’s our tragedy. It’s good that I picked up politics only recently.

From Kharkiv: - Why do you answer in Ukrainian the questions put to you in Russian? You have no translator with you?

V. Kaskiv: - I can easily speak Russian. At school, I got Grade A in Russian. I hope, you know my answer to your question.

Oleksandr Melnyk: - Aren’t you ashamed of capitalizing on the tragic shooting by police of your campaigner to score political points?

V. Kaskiv: - I shouldn’t be ashamed. Those who shot and gave orders to shoot should be really ashamed. I don’t think that protesting a shot in the back can be viewed as a campaign stunt.

“Outrageously na?ve”: - What kind of a private jail and remand prison was organized by you in Dec. 2004?

V. Kaskiv: - My answer will be the same as your question. We leased them out to earn some cash for the revolution. I’m kidding, of course. Regrettably, you’ll be out of work tomorrow as the elections wind up tomorrow.

Alex: - Why are you and Mr. Zolotaryov not on PORA’s black list? As we know, charges against you and Zolotaryov of abduction and torture were pressed under criminal case ?1-337/05.

V. Kaskiv: - Unfortunately, I’m not in the habit of evading answers to questions. I’m sorry that I can’t see you face-to-face. You seem to be a good candidate for our black list.

Vladimir: - Good afternoon. Please, tell me about PORA’s foreign policy agenda, specifically, about prospects for EU integration. How do you view the future of relations with Belarus, Russia and Moldova, our immediate neighbors? What do you think about Ukraine’s entry in NATO? 

V. Kaskiv: - I see Ukraine as a regional geopolitical center, even today. Sadly, we haven’t become aware of our historic mission. We must work toward introducing new standards the freedom of expression, free economy, open competition, human rights and liberties in the post-soviet space. 

Whether we want it or not, it is our responsibility toward many countries in the post-soviet space. They all look toward Ukraine, expecting social and economic results to follow the democratic revolution. Unfortunately, democratic changes in Belarus depend to a larger extent on Ukraine’s economic and social progress.

With regard to Belarus, our reaction must be urgent and harsh. Ukraine must not recognize the election results, refrain from sending delegations and conducting official talks, ban entry in Ukraine of high-ranking Belarus officials. We must take a common stand with the EU, support civic projects in Belarus. This is our attitude to the Lukashenka regime, not to the friendly Belarus people. 

As to Russia, our position must be based exclusively on international standards and bilateral agreements. I believe the creation of regional and sub-regional organizations with Russia will damage Ukraine’s interests.

Our major concern, Ukraine’s energy security, must be solved within the context of common European interests. Consequently, PORA has proposed to set up a European-Ukrainian gas-pumping consortium without Russia. This will allow us to take a major integration step as well as ensure a European umbrella for our political interests.

As to Moldova, I believe the present policy of Ukraine is consistent, well-balanced and correct.

As to NATO, I believe it to be a political organization. I’m against NATO air strikes on Serbia. I am convinced that if Ukraine had been a NATO member, this would have never happened.

V. Kaskiv: - Friends and not only friends! Thanks for your attention. I have to stop this conference due to other urgent campaign commitments. We must work for a convincing victory. See you more next time.

Best,

Vladyslav Kaskiv.

P.S.  Go and cast your ballot tomorrow! Don’t let crooks steal your vote!.

Mind, where there is PORA there is always victory and the orange coalition!