Maidan

Bishop Paul Peter Jesep

Chancellor of the Archeparchy and Synellus of Public Affairs and Government Relations Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of North and South America and the Diaspora

1-888-521-6705 -- ext. 140
Thursday, 12 January 2006

UAOC CAUTIONS UKRAINIAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of North and South America and the Diaspora (UAOC) cautioned members of parliament from further destabilizing the country and giving Moscow more satisfaction and political opportunities to exploit.

"A patriot always puts the national good above self interest. This is especially important in a fledgling democracy," said Bishop Paul Peter Jesep, Chancellor of the Archeparchy and Synellus of Public Affairs and Government Relations for the UAOC-Diaspora. "Parliament's no-confidence vote that ousted President Viktor Yushchenko's Prime Minister was ill-advised. It reflected those wanting political advantage, not persons looking out for Ukraine's best interests."

"This speaks to a much larger issue. The current parliamentary system needs reform," said Bishop Paul Peter, who in addition to seminary education is a trained lawyer and political scientist. "Parliament may be incapable of exercising the political maturity and restraint sometimes needed in a democracy. The Ukrainian presidency needs to be strengthened."

Bishop Paul Peter added, "the gas agreements signed between Kyiv and Moscow that some members of parliament are complaining about positioned Ukraine toward the economic freedom and stability needed to sustain democratic reform. Parliament's actions have given enormous leverage to negotiators in Moscow seeking a long-term deal that financially benefits Russia while diminishing Ukrainian democracy."

"President Yushchenko stood up to Moscow's bullying tactics for which he had the political rug pulled from beneath his feet. No doubt Moscow is still grinning and salivating for the opportunity to reassert some level of political control in Kyiv."

"There is a valuable lesson to be learned here," Bishop Paul Peter said. "Democracy should never be taken for granted. There will be parliamentary elections held in March and voters should carefully assess which candidates have harmed Ukrainian liberty."