But first let’s be clear on one point: no country is (or has ever been) free of corruption. Even such wealthy, developed countries as the U.S., with all its technical capabilities, resources, and tradition of public and private transparency can not account for tens of billions of dollars of public moneys; maintain the integrity of its electoral processes and records; or pass major legislation without deferring to the interest of some privileged constituency, special interest, or campaign donors. Only those without sin should cast the first stone.
Although corruption was wide-spread throughout the Soviet Union, it was more subtle – not as brazen as it is in today’s “democratic” Ukraine. Just as societies adjust to certain levels of waste, unjustified disparities, abuse and inefficiencies, they also adjust to a measure of corruption. To eliminate all corruption would require too great a price in intrusiveness and controls. But today’s level of corruption – placing Ukraine in the lower quartile of 180 countries – goes far beyond those “norms”. It is tantamount to societal paralysis.
So what happened after 1990? Who is responsible for bringing this affliction upon Ukraine? And what can be done about it?
Firstly, let’s take a look as to the “who”. Look at who had access to the levers of power in 1990 –i.e. those who could make or break or selectively enforce laws with impunity and without accountability. Look at who had the keys to state vaults and bank reserves. Look at who had financial “connections”, including sleazy friends in places like Brighton Beach. Look at who were the kolhosp and factory directors that sold livestock and equipment at “fire sale” prices, robbing millions of their livelihood and their wealth. Look at who took over the banking system. And look at the Marxist-era dinosaurs that still litter and weigh down Ukraine’s political and economic landscape.
In early 2009 a “Forum of Ukrainians of the Czech Republic” conducted a study (http://www.box.net/shared/17yz6xbabe) on the “Probable Presence of KGB Agents and High-Ranking Communists and Komsomol Members of the Former USSR among Independent Ukraine’s State Officials”. In preparing its investigative report, the Forum used the methodology and standards incorporated in the 1991 Czechoslovak “lustration” law. The lustration law had been enacted in 1991 to prohibit any citizen, born prior to December 1, 1971, who had been a high-ranking Communist Party functionary, a member of the State Security Service, a graduate of Soviet KGB institutions of higher education, and several other categories from holding prominent positions in the Czech government, army, law enforcement, state media, and elected office.
The report was compiled largely from publicly available sources and included biographical studies of 909 key Ukrainian state officials and MPs working (as of May 2009) in the Presidential Secretariat, Cabinet of Ministers, National Bank, Verkhovna Rada, Central Election Commission, Ministries, and political parties. However, the authors of the report acknowledged that publicly available sources “often do not list complete information about the educational background and careers of former Soviet Ukrainian state officials” , and that the 909 listed officials appeared to be merely “the tip of the iceberg”.
The authors divided the 909 officials into two categories: (1) known and probable KGB; and (2) known and probable Communists. The results are startling. In looking at the top levels of government (executive, legislative, and judicial branches) a total of 51% (of the 909 sample group) were determined to be either known KGB agents or individuals and/or agents of “critical” or “high probability of cooperation” with the Soviet-era KGB.
Similarly, in looking at the percentage of Communists at top levels of government, a total of 61% were known or probable communists. For those who are interested, the report lists the 909 individuals by name and breaks out the numbers for major legislative and executive components of government as well as political parties
Of particular interest is the “residual” sentiment – after 20 years – still manifest in the voting records of many of these officials. In 2009 Communist party chief Symonenko submitted a draft resolution to the Verkhovna Rada to commemorate “the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Komsomol of Ukraine”. The resolution passed by a margin of almost 60%; only 23 of 431 national deputies voted against it. Besides the Communist Party, the Lytvyn Bloc unanimously supported the resolution, as did 150 members of the Party of Regions (with 25 abstentions).
In subsequent articles on “Corruption in Perspective” I will write as to what happened in the intervening 20 years of independence and what can be done about it. But, I think it important that the reader clearly understand that the mess and corruption in Ukraine is not the work of “democrats” or even “patriots”…..but that of the same rogues, renegades, and retrogrades who served the tyranny of Marxism and were complicit in the subjugation of the nation to Moscow – whether willfully or by default. They have also been the greatest beneficiaries of that mess.
Without a doubt there are many former communists, perhaps even KGB agents, whose eyes have been opened to the injustice and exploitation that had been visited on their compatriots during the past century. However, there is a wise old proverb: “the seed does not fall far from the tree.” The Czechs recognized this in 1991 and today are rated among the top 30% of countries that have succeeded in dealing with corruption. Ukraine is long overdue for a pruning.
