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[UPDATE]:  For Ukrainian bloggers’ reaction see here; for voter reaction on the streets of Kyiv, see the Guardian’s video report (h/t foreign notes).

Yushchenko’s full speech announcing the dissolution of the Ukrainian parliament is posted below. It ran as part of the latest edition in The Ukraine List or UKL #430 (PDF), which also includes other details on Ukraine related matters, such as commentary on the political crisis, on the impact of the Georgian-Russian war on Ukraine, and upcoming conferences at U of Ottawa (Danyliw), Harvard (HURI), and Columbia (ASN).

A translation note: I tried to create a literal translation of the speech, but when this was not possible, the spirit of the message was conveyed rather than a direct translation; the original in the Ukrainian is available here.

For a free subscription to UKL, write to darel@uottawa.ca, indicating your occupation and postal address.

#4
Yushchenko Dissolves Parliament, Announces Pre-Term Elections
Ukrains’ka pravda, 8 October 2008
[translated by Vitaliy Voznyak for UKL]

Dear Ukrainian people,
Dear compatriots,

I will speak in a simple and open way.

On September 2, 2008, a new coalition was formed, de facto, in the Ukrainian parliament (Rada) comprising the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (BYuT), the Party of Regions, and the Communist Party.

This coalition worked tirelessly for thirty days. It formed parliamentary leadership, created the daily agenda of the Ukrainian parliament, and adopted quite a few pieces of legislation, a significant portion of which were unconstitutional, and in my opinion not Ukrainian and not democratic, which in turn forced me to veto some of these laws.

The events of September 2 and those decisions which were adopted by the parliament, undeniably, have made the existence of a democratic coalition impossible. And, on September 3, the de jure break-up of the coalition was announced.

This is a fact. Of course, the facts on the ground are more complicated.
We need to return many-many times to September 2, 2008 and give a comprehensive answer of what happened. We need to do this so that ever person understands what was taking place in the parliament at the time and behind the backs of the true coalition.

On September 2, in effect, began the dismantling of Ukraine and our values.

The balance of power, national security, the political direction, language, all of this became the target of special interests.

The democratic coalition - I am convinced, deeply convinced - was destroyed with only one thing – personal ambition. The personal ambition of one individual which was propelled by the thirst for power, and by a preference for personal interests over those of the country.

The coalition’s understanding and the coalition’s agreements are destroyed; the economic reform is not implemented; the fulfillment of electoral promises has grown into a total social populism, which has caused the largest inflation in Europe and the lowering of social standards of living, as reflected in the salary, pension, and many other social programs.

At the time of potential external threats, what we saw was a resort to anti-Ukrainian scenarios – without a backbone and in essence hostile [to Ukrainian interests –UKL].

We see also another dangerous and brought to us from the outside tendency: an attack to break up the national-democratic forces. This is – a nail, consciously driven into our body.

The Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc itself became hostage to its leadership, because they are ready to sacrifice everything – language, national security, and our European perspective.

I really want to be understood rightly.

The problem is not with the configuration of the political powers.

The problem lies in the decisions which threaten Ukraine.

Herein lies the essence of truth.

The constitution provides thirty days for the coalition formation. Exercising my constitutional prerogative, I extended this period for another five days.

I am ready to accept any lawful coalition and the decisions of its government.

Yet, the picture is obvious. Some who have undermined the democratic coalition are now pretending to be “holy.”

Others claim to be middlemen awaiting some unclear signals. The third group is looking for their own political or personal benefit in the murky waters that have resulted.

As of October 8, 2008, I did not receive not one proposition from any political power regarding the formation of a majority coalition, an agreement which was signed by more than 225 deputies of Ukraine.

Therefore, in a situation when the political parties have ended up at a dead end, the final word must be left for the Ukrainian people.

In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, I announce the cessation of the functioning of the Verkhovna Rada of the sixth assembly, and consequently announce pre-term parliamentary elections.

The election will take place democratically and under the rule of law.

They tried to revert us to the past.

Just as a year ago, I stand here now in defense of our future. I call for active engagement of the entire Ukrainian electorate, of all thinking people, of all Ukrainian citizens and of all Ukrainian patriots.

The decision, undeniably is up-to-you. It is up-to-you, this highest in the country responsibility, since after all it is you who elects to power Ukrainian politicians. Consider your decision.

Behind this decision stands the future of Ukraine.

[Note from UKL: Yushchenko’s repeated reference to “language” may seem puzzling to UKL readers. On September 22, the Rada adopted, in its first reading, a draft law on civil servants, making mandatory the knowledge of both Ukrainian and Russian. The Party of Regions and the Communists nearly unanimously supported the draft, while virtually no one from Our Ukraine did. Surprisingly, the vast majority of the Tymoshenko Bloc were in favor. Ukraina moloda (September 23) wrote, with irony, that the Tymoshenko Bloc “had not noticed” this disposition of the law, i.e. de facto providing an official status to Russian, which contradicted its platform—DA]