Posted by stephan on September 06, 2000 at 17:20:15:
In Reply to: kuchma in jail? posted by andriy on September 06, 2000 at 17:06:39:
: Both Ukraine and Russia are ranked as one of the world's most corrupt countries. What a surprise? Many in Ukraine try to become deputies only so that they can have parlimentary immunity from prosecution for illegal business dealings. According to many opinion polls many Ukrainians see their country and its government as a den of corruption. Those in power, a small group of people, former high ranking communist apparatchiks, with a large dose of former KGB agents are crucial to letting any form of business operate in Ukraine and therefor this provides for abuse of power and corruption on a wholesale scale.
: Sobornist, a parlimentary group is now starting action for impeaching President Kuchma for embezzlement on a large scale, in cahoots with Lazarenko and others. Ihor Bakai was forced to resign earlier this year because he was accused of laundering millions into offshore accounts. Before him was Lazarenko, it is estimated that close to a billion was embezzled and that some of the proceeds made their way into Kuchma's personal accounts. To stop some of his opponents and critics Kuchma has threatened to expose some of their crimes. He's known about it for years but now he seems to be feeling pressure. Hummm. Who's going to jail next, I wonder? Could it possibly be Kuchma one day....?
:Good question, could Kuchma end up in jail one day. This must be going through his mind as well, as he has been forced to recently begin openly attacking his opponents and defending himself from their accusations. The noose begins to tighten. Perhaps he'll try to work out some deal like Lazarenko did, and get himself into a witness protection program while he exposes all the other rats who've also been picking Ukraine's bones clean. It would seem only fair that he end up in jail with Lazarenko. They both belong their! Too bad Ukraine and its people have to suffer the consequences! Perhaps justice will rule one day in Ukraine. It depends on its people, if they stand up and say we won't take this anymore and do something about it, then things could get better. If they continue to remain silent, then the inevidable will happen. Ukraine will fall apart completely and be eaten up by its neighbors for another few hundred years. Which is it to be? Only time will tell.