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Naming of Officials in Ukraine Reflects Homage to Power of the Street Naming of Officials in Ukraine Reflects Homage to Power of the Street
(6 months later)
KIEV, Ukraine — Oleh Musiy, a prominent doctor who last week coordinated the improvised field hospitals that treated wounded and dying protesters during clashes with the police, is now the health minister of Ukraine, a nation of 46 million people. KIEV, Ukraine — Oleh Musiy, a prominent doctor who last week coordinated the improvised field hospitals that treated wounded and dying protesters during clashes with the police, is now the health minister of Ukraine, a nation of 46 million people.
Dmytro Bulatov, the leader of a group that organized caravans of cars to carry out protests outside government buildings and the homes of some senior officials, is now minister of youth and sports. Yevhen Nyschuk, an actor who became more famous as the M.C. on stage in Independence Square, a sort of Ryan Seacrest of the Ukrainian civic uprising, is culture minister.Dmytro Bulatov, the leader of a group that organized caravans of cars to carry out protests outside government buildings and the homes of some senior officials, is now minister of youth and sports. Yevhen Nyschuk, an actor who became more famous as the M.C. on stage in Independence Square, a sort of Ryan Seacrest of the Ukrainian civic uprising, is culture minister.
And Tetyana Chornovol, a journalist, activist and crusader against public graft, who first won renown in 2012 when she scaled the walls of President Viktor F. Yanukovych’s residential compound and spent several hours peeking at the trappings of luxury before being arrested, will be the head of a new federal anticorruption bureau, which does not even exist yet.And Tetyana Chornovol, a journalist, activist and crusader against public graft, who first won renown in 2012 when she scaled the walls of President Viktor F. Yanukovych’s residential compound and spent several hours peeking at the trappings of luxury before being arrested, will be the head of a new federal anticorruption bureau, which does not even exist yet.
As the Ukrainian Parliament approved an interim government on Thursday, the inclusion of these popular figures from the protest movement reflected a concerted effort to pay tribute to the role of the street in dislodging Mr. Yanukovych from power and to bolster the legitimacy of more established officials in the cabinet who are the object of deep public suspicion and mistrust.As the Ukrainian Parliament approved an interim government on Thursday, the inclusion of these popular figures from the protest movement reflected a concerted effort to pay tribute to the role of the street in dislodging Mr. Yanukovych from power and to bolster the legitimacy of more established officials in the cabinet who are the object of deep public suspicion and mistrust.
More seasoned public officials acknowledged that some of the choices were unorthodox, but said that the protest leaders had earned the right to a strong voice in the new government.More seasoned public officials acknowledged that some of the choices were unorthodox, but said that the protest leaders had earned the right to a strong voice in the new government.
“First of all, we should give the benefit of the doubt,” said Hryhoriy Nemyria, a Parliament member and former deputy prime minister. “Also, we’re in extraordinary circumstances,” he said. “Business as usual is not something we can expect.”“First of all, we should give the benefit of the doubt,” said Hryhoriy Nemyria, a Parliament member and former deputy prime minister. “Also, we’re in extraordinary circumstances,” he said. “Business as usual is not something we can expect.”
For many participants in the three-month uprising, however, the provisional leadership in Parliament and the interim government named on Thursday include far too much business as usual: veteran politicians like the acting prime minister, Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk, who have served in government for many years.For many participants in the three-month uprising, however, the provisional leadership in Parliament and the interim government named on Thursday include far too much business as usual: veteran politicians like the acting prime minister, Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk, who have served in government for many years.
A crowd of several hundred demonstrators gathered outside Parliament on Thursday to make that point, many carrying flags of the nationalist party Svoboda. Someone even parked an armored car on the plaza, where it remained for much of the day.A crowd of several hundred demonstrators gathered outside Parliament on Thursday to make that point, many carrying flags of the nationalist party Svoboda. Someone even parked an armored car on the plaza, where it remained for much of the day.
While an early presidential election has been set for May 25, the demonstrators said they also wanted early parliamentary elections, giving them an opportunity to sweep the legislative branch clean as well.While an early presidential election has been set for May 25, the demonstrators said they also wanted early parliamentary elections, giving them an opportunity to sweep the legislative branch clean as well.
In a gesture of deference and respect to the street protesters, officials announced the choices for the new cabinet on stage in Independence Square on Wednesday night before a crowd of tens of thousands. The reaction was mixed, with cheers for the people most closely associated with the protest movement, and jeers for others.In a gesture of deference and respect to the street protesters, officials announced the choices for the new cabinet on stage in Independence Square on Wednesday night before a crowd of tens of thousands. The reaction was mixed, with cheers for the people most closely associated with the protest movement, and jeers for others.
Oleh Matyushenko, 22, a medical student from western Ukraine, said he was disappointed that Mr. Yatsenyuk had not stayed to answer the crowd’s questions, but had vanished as the Ukrainian anthem was played. “You can’t make people shut up with an anthem,” Mr. Matyushenko said outside Parliament on Thursday.Oleh Matyushenko, 22, a medical student from western Ukraine, said he was disappointed that Mr. Yatsenyuk had not stayed to answer the crowd’s questions, but had vanished as the Ukrainian anthem was played. “You can’t make people shut up with an anthem,” Mr. Matyushenko said outside Parliament on Thursday.
“We have to teach politicians to work, to make sure they know that they are under surveillance of the people,” he said.“We have to teach politicians to work, to make sure they know that they are under surveillance of the people,” he said.
While Mr. Yatsenyuk is viewed warily by people on the street, especially because he is a top official in Fatherland, the party of a former prime minister, Yulia V. Tymoshenko, his appointment has been greeted enthusiastically by Western officials, who regard him as experienced, technically competent and someone they can work with as a partner.While Mr. Yatsenyuk is viewed warily by people on the street, especially because he is a top official in Fatherland, the party of a former prime minister, Yulia V. Tymoshenko, his appointment has been greeted enthusiastically by Western officials, who regard him as experienced, technically competent and someone they can work with as a partner.
On Thursday, he received a call from Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who assured him “the United States will offer its full support” as Ukraine undertakes needed reforms, the White House said.On Thursday, he received a call from Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who assured him “the United States will offer its full support” as Ukraine undertakes needed reforms, the White House said.
Mr. Yatsenyuk is a former foreign minister, economics minister and acting head of the central bank. In a speech to Parliament on Thursday just before he was officially appointed acting prime minister, he said he would revive the sweeping political and free-trade agreements with the European Union that Mr. Yanukovych scrapped in November, setting off the unrest.Mr. Yatsenyuk is a former foreign minister, economics minister and acting head of the central bank. In a speech to Parliament on Thursday just before he was officially appointed acting prime minister, he said he would revive the sweeping political and free-trade agreements with the European Union that Mr. Yanukovych scrapped in November, setting off the unrest.
With Ukraine facing an economic crisis, Mr. Yatsenyuk said the country should quickly take steps to meet the requirements of the International Monetary Fund for a large economic rescue package, which will include some painful austerity measures and other changes.With Ukraine facing an economic crisis, Mr. Yatsenyuk said the country should quickly take steps to meet the requirements of the International Monetary Fund for a large economic rescue package, which will include some painful austerity measures and other changes.
“The new government should immediately start negotiations with the I.M.F.,” Mr. Yatsenyuk said.“The new government should immediately start negotiations with the I.M.F.,” Mr. Yatsenyuk said.
In working toward fixing the economy, Mr. Yatsenyuk will have the help of Stepan Kubiv, whom Parliament appointed this week as chairman of the Ukrainian National Bank.In working toward fixing the economy, Mr. Yatsenyuk will have the help of Stepan Kubiv, whom Parliament appointed this week as chairman of the Ukrainian National Bank.
Mr. Kubiv has some experience for the central banker post: he is a former chief executive of KredoBank, a Ukrainian retail bank. But he became far better known for his work during the protests as commandant of the occupied Trade Unions Building, which had served as an unofficial headquarters of the opposition right on Independence SquareMr. Kubiv has some experience for the central banker post: he is a former chief executive of KredoBank, a Ukrainian retail bank. But he became far better known for his work during the protests as commandant of the occupied Trade Unions Building, which had served as an unofficial headquarters of the opposition right on Independence Square
The building operated around the clock, with a kitchen that helped feed protesters, as well as offices where politicians would meet opposition leaders, and even a makeshift press center. The building was set on fire and gutted last week during the worst clashes between demonstrators and the authorities.The building operated around the clock, with a kitchen that helped feed protesters, as well as offices where politicians would meet opposition leaders, and even a makeshift press center. The building was set on fire and gutted last week during the worst clashes between demonstrators and the authorities.
Ms. Chornovol — the activist and journalist whose infiltration of Mr. Yanukovych’s residence two years ago gave Ukrainians a first peek at the compound that on Saturday was open to the public — has crusaded against corruption. In December, she made international headlines after she was beaten savagely by a group of men who ran her car off the road, apparently in reprisal for her efforts to expose the ill-gotten riches of officials.Ms. Chornovol — the activist and journalist whose infiltration of Mr. Yanukovych’s residence two years ago gave Ukrainians a first peek at the compound that on Saturday was open to the public — has crusaded against corruption. In December, she made international headlines after she was beaten savagely by a group of men who ran her car off the road, apparently in reprisal for her efforts to expose the ill-gotten riches of officials.
In an interview in the Parliament building on Thursday, Ms. Chornovol acknowledged that she had no government experience and that she would face challenges in running an anticorruption bureau that must be developed from scratch.In an interview in the Parliament building on Thursday, Ms. Chornovol acknowledged that she had no government experience and that she would face challenges in running an anticorruption bureau that must be developed from scratch.
Perhaps the most unorthodox figure in the new government, however, is Mr. Bulatov, who will be minister of youth and sports, but who rose to fame as the leader of AutoMaidan, a group that carried out protests using caravans of vehicles.Perhaps the most unorthodox figure in the new government, however, is Mr. Bulatov, who will be minister of youth and sports, but who rose to fame as the leader of AutoMaidan, a group that carried out protests using caravans of vehicles.
Mr. Bulatov, 35, who owns a garage in Kiev, was kidnapped last month, apparently by men connected to the authorities, and abused. He said that he was held in a dark room and beaten, and that his hands had been nailed to a door. An ear and a cheek were cut with a knife.Mr. Bulatov, 35, who owns a garage in Kiev, was kidnapped last month, apparently by men connected to the authorities, and abused. He said that he was held in a dark room and beaten, and that his hands had been nailed to a door. An ear and a cheek were cut with a knife.
Speaking from the stage in Independence Square on Wednesday night, Mr. Nyshchuk, the actor chosen for culture minister, made a crowd-pleasing promise — not for some renewed national dedication to the arts or music, but simply no corruption. “No one will steal,” he said.Speaking from the stage in Independence Square on Wednesday night, Mr. Nyshchuk, the actor chosen for culture minister, made a crowd-pleasing promise — not for some renewed national dedication to the arts or music, but simply no corruption. “No one will steal,” he said.