Update on Ukraine

HDH> First, you mentioned "guarding the tents of the opposition", could you talk a little about "tent city" and what is happening on the streets?
OS> The situation in Kiev now is very different from last week's. Now there is one mayor tent city - it is on the main street of Kiev - Khreshchatyk. There were about 2,000 tents there at the beginning with about 5,000 people living there. No I believe there are about 500 tents with remaining people. In total, according to our local news there are about 5,000 protesters left in Kiev who will keep the blockade of the Presidential administration. Many people in Kiev bring food and warm cloths to those who keep the blockade and everyone is very supportive. When we stand in the streets shoulder to shoulder with people from over Ukraine - we feel proud that we are such strong people who finally stood up from the knees after years of disrespect of our government and politicians. We are confident in what we are doing and the support of the world adds to our confidence.
HDH> We are hearing reports of jubilance in response to the supreme courtdecision overturning the run-off election, is that an accurate description of the sentiments you are experiencing?
OS> Yes, this is exactly what we all feel. But this decision of the Supreme Court plays even a more important for regular citizens, because the level of trust to the Judiciary in Ukraine is very low. After this court decision, regular people in Ukraine believe that courts can make fair decisions.
HDH> How do you feel about the role the United States is playing in Ukraine? Many here are calling the situation a power-play between the US and Russia, does it feel that way to you? Do you feel the US is being invasive at all?
OS> Personally I work for the US NGO here in Ukraine and I know from my friends that a lot of funding from US and EU was given to Ukrainian NGOs who support Yushchenko. The grants were not aimed at promotion of his candidacy, but for "fair elections". But we understand, that fair elections means a victory of Yushchenko. This is why the pro-government candidate Yanukovych is accusing Yushchenko of being pro-American and pro-European. On the other hand, Yushchenko also receives big money from certain Russian businessmen, who want him a presidents, hoping that in the future Russians will be able to move Putin from the presidential chair the same way as we are doing now. Of course, Ukraine is a big country and Russia needs our cooperation, I am not sure about the US so much, I would say it is the power-play between the EU and Russia, this would be more correct. US is not being invasive now, but they were all these previous years, when millions and millions of the USD were given by Soros and US State Department to support grass-roots NGO. I can say that the US prepared a base for this orange revolution, but now they play the role of sponsors and observers. Of course, they hope for something if they put so much money in it, but i am not quite sure what exactly Ukraine can do, besides support of the war in Iraq...
HDH> And can you describe the similarities between what many are calling Ukraine's "Orange Revolution" and Georgia's "Rose Revolution"?
OS> I talked to a few friends in Georgia, but I know very little about the revolution there. What is similar: no blood and no military intrusion upon the peaceful protesters for now. Since we can not tell the results of our revolution now, it's hard to compare with Georgia, where it happened over a year ago.