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| Publication | Ukrainian Weekly | |
| Title | Kravchuk's defeat shows U.S. error | |
| Author | Bohdan Skrobach | |
| Published | August 14, 1994 |
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The defeat of Leoind Kravchuk shows that the American administration, which
desired his re-election, is still on the wrong side when it comes to Ukraine.
Mr. Kravchuk rightfully did not deserve another term because of the economic
situation. The Clinton administration supported him,however,because
of his commitment to a non-nuclear Ukraine.
The administration's losing streak when it comes to Ukraine started in 1991. Just months before independence, an American president came to Kyiv and urged Ukrainians to remain part of the Soviet Union. This bad advice was followed by two years of what has proven a shortsighted and dangerous "Russia only" aid policy. Recently the administration has begun using the right words, when describes the importance of a strong independent Ukraine. It needs to match the right words with the right policy. The implementation of the G-7 aid package will show if the losing streak is over. In regard to the defeat of Mr. Kravchuk: the game of chess can be used to describe the legacy his presidency will leave. When Mr. Kravchuk became president in 1991 a new chess game was started in the region of the former Soviet Union. Ukraine had the potential of being a strategic piece on the new board. Today it has been reduced to a pawn. |