In private, strictly off-the-record conversations, even some of the most fervent supporters of President Viktor Yushchenko have told me and other editors and reporters of their extreme disappointment with the president's performance thus far. I would suggest that there is a method by which Yushchenko could possibly regain the initiative and perhaps even save his foundering administration - and ultimately provide an opportunity for a serious re-election run, something that currently seems extremely unlikely.
The relationship between Yushchenko and his predecessor, Leonid Kuchma, is an interesting one. Clearly the two men are poles apart so far as many aspects of their character and methods of political operation. Yet, in spite of these apparent incongruities, Yushchenko has frequently voiced feelings of respect and affection for Kuchma, regarding him as an almost father-like figure.
Perhaps then, it is time for Yushchenko to pick up a particularly effective Kuchma cudgel and make frequent and passionate use of it.
Kuchma was an absolute master of the use of the presidential veto to achieve his ends. In fact, he not only used it frequently, he used it over and over again, even though the constitution states specifically that a second presidential veto is not allowed on a single piece of legislation.
The legality or illegality of multiple presidential vetoes on a single piece of legislation is a matter for the courts to decide. However, looking back on Kuchma's success with this tool, perhaps Yushchenko should take a page out of the Kuchma playbook.
By effective and frequent use of the veto, Yushchenko might be able to leverage his obviously waning strength and have a real impact on legislation coming out of the parliament. And if he were to be as successful as was Kuchma, then the impact could level what seems to have become a very uneven playing field.
The questions in this area appear to be two. The first and hardest to answer is whether Yushchenko could manage to use this tool as effectively as Kuchma did, in spite of the strictures against multiple uses on the same bill.
However, the even more obscure issue is whether or not Viktor Yushchenko possesses the fortitude to fight the battles that would certainly come, should he attempt to bring the multiple veto weapon into play. Given the fact that it might be the most effective tool of presidential power remaining, he should perhaps give it very serious thought.
On the lighter side...
I would not be bold enough to claim that our two articles in recent months had any serious impact on the quality of marshrutka (mini-bus) equipment and service, but it is clear that many marshrutka firms are upgrading their fleets with large numbers of brand new, mostly Ukrainian-made buses.
Marshrutka drivers doing their impression of Michael Schumaker have certainly been a major part of the problem, but equally to blame was the condition of the vehicles, many with lengthy service in Europe with most of their value wrung out of them long before they crossed the Ukrainian border.
The new marshrutki are quite nice but large numbers suffer from a major design flaw. Most of them have large panoramic windows that make viewing the world much easier, but these windows do not open! Ventilation is provided only through the driver's window and a top ventilation panel. Ukraine is not the Sahara, but in the middle of summer 15 to 30 people crammed into
a metal box with little ventilation becomes very much like an over-populated sauna on wheels. When you add to that the problem that daily - or even weekly - baths are not a universally observed convention here, the experience is enough to make auto purchase an attractive option.
Limiting government interference in business is a commendable goal, but this is one time that a state regulation requiring that at least some windows be under passenger control might be in order.
The more things change...
The last 12 years - my tenure here - have seen massive changes in Ukraine but hardly a day goes by without some incident that reminds me of the eternal Ukraine.
On a recent morning, after alighting from one of the aforementioned marshrutki, I was going through an underground street passageway when
I noticed a scene that would have been an everyday occurrence a few years ago, but seemed a bit odd now.
A group of women were in what was almost a shark-like feeding frenzy around a seller on a low stool with two plastic bags on the ground at her feet. And what was the cause of this commotion?
When I got close enough to see the cause of the ruckus, I was rather amazed to see that the bags contained a large selection of bras! Just why this rather mundane merchandise promoted this buying frenzy eluded me, but I thought it best not to inquire further.
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