GEORGETOWN: At the invitation of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) – the nation’s majority trade union grouping – Russian Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Nikolay D. Smirnov addressed a packed audience at the GAWU’s Conference Room in Georgetown on August 28, 2014 on the origins and developments of the current turmoil in the Ukraine.
Using pictorial slides to illustrate his explanations, Ambassador Smirnov traced American interference in the New Republic’s Affairs since its independence in 1991. Explaining that Ukraine’s population of sixty-two (62) million accommodates some ten (10) millions Russians and Russian-speakers, the envoy exposed the US alleged strategy to establish military outposts in that part of the world – Eastern Europe inclusive of Ukraine. In his presentation, he denied direct Russia (military) involvement in Ukraine but emphasized the humanitarian initiatives being undertaken by Russia even as Ukrainian bombardments continue to devastate Russian-speaking cities of South-Eastern Ukraine sending tens of thousands of refugees to Russia.
The Ambassador also outlined some of the underlying causes of the escalating conflict. In addition to blatant US interventions he pointed out also to Ukraine’s misguided efforts to join the European Union (EU) and the palace coup d'état against the previous democratically elected government of Ukraine. Ambassador Smirnov explained how this desire to join the EU promoted by the elite oligarchs would militate against Ukraine’s economy with ripple effects throughout the region as Russia will not countenance EU dumping. He addressed passingly the likely concomitant consequences of interventions by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and even reminded the audience of how harshly the EU treated Guyana and the Caribbean with respect to rum and sugar exports and also warned about the possible implications for bauxite from Guyana using Ukrainian ports.
He reiterated that the conflict stems from the unconstitutional power-grab which ousted the previous elected government at the end of February, 2014. The crisis was precipitated by an orchestrated campaign by right-wing opposition and neo-fascist forces in Ukraine – with massive financial backing and guidance from imperialist powers – to overthrow the democratically elected government and seize power. Far from being a popular, pro-democracy “people’s uprising”, this coup d’état was aimed at bringing Ukraine entirely under the influence and domination of the Western centres.
The coup in Kiev has been met by increasing popular resistance. The people of Crimea voted by an overwhelming majority to join the Russian Federation. In other parts of Eastern Ukraine, pro-autonomy forces have taken over more than 20 cities and towns in defiance of the pro-Western regime in Kiev, and are now facing a brutal military offensive by the regime seeking to regain control. Artillery barrages and air strikes have killed a large number of unarmed civilians. Furthermore, a number of atrocities have been committed by the newly-formed Ukrainian “National Guard”, made up largely of pro-Nazi and neo-fascist “volunteers”, the Ambassador revealed.
The evening’s encounter was arranged out of FITUG’s concern over the rising conflict. The Federation joins peace-loving forces around the world to demand that military actions be stopped, the dire situation be resolved politically and the democratic and legitimate concerns and the wishes of the people of Eastern Ukraine be respected. The peace-loving forces must act to block the threat of a new Cold War, and to prevent any further escalation of the crisis. Such an approach will be in keeping with our commitment to preserve world peace.
The activity attracted a substantial response from Guyanese of all walks of life and included Members of Parliament, Trade Unionists and scores of workers and other interested persons.
You must be logged in to post a comment.