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Borys Kosarev: Modernist Kharkiv, 1915-1931 at The Ukrainian Museum thru May 2, 2012
Posted by lesia on May 08, 2000 at 03:35:31:
In Reply to: Re: invites faudulent thus meaningless (and not only that!) posted by Andrei on May 08, 2000 at 02:38:19:
: As a Ukrainian citizen, I would like to assure you that the visa requirenment does indeed give the door open to visa fraud by travel agents and consulate officials. Hanya, haven't you seen the many ads by travel agencies offering assistance in getting business or private visas? How do you think this is done? Very simply- the travel agents use their connections to obtain the necessary business/private invitations and then sell them to their customers. In no way do they assure the traveler's ahelter or insurance while in Ukraine. The things are somewhat different with the tourist visa, although fraud is frequent there as well.
: Certainly, it is a privilege to visit another country. However, it is customary to allow visa-free travel by citizens of friendly states, especially if they are not likely to pose threat to domestic economic/political security. Some people have asserted that Ukraine has to protect itself from the rogue elements in the eastern parts of the former USSR. Well, friends, you are in for a surprise- the citizens from all but Baltic states (surprisingly, most secure) of the former USSR do not need visas to visit Ukraine. Furthermore, they don't even need any visas to settle here permanently- as long as they by some real property or find jobs (which would allow them to get 'propiska'- residential registration). That is, despite its visa requirenment toward the Westerners, Ukraine keeps its border wide open to the people who are actually likely to cause trouble (or, at least, the popular opinion says they are). Ukraine needs to do away with the visa requirenment unilaterally towards Westerners and citizens of more prosperous Third World countries.The same goes for the much-despised and stupid registration system for short-term travellers. This would allow to facilitate tourism, which is essential to bringing $$$ to its weak economy. Furthermore, in the long run it would result in reduction of visa fees/restrictions that the Ukrainian citizens face when they travel. Of course, travel agents like Hanya will lose some revenue. But, hey- view it as a collective action problem- do the right thing, don't defect!
Absolutely agree