By Valeriy Panyushkin, Special Correspondent
Kommersant (Moscow), Posted on Gazeta.ru
Moscow, Russia, Friday, 26 November 2004
[Translated by Lisa Koriouchkina for The Ukraine List (UKL)]

I am in Kiev. I saw people rejoicing. I saw a city square full of people wearing orange scarves and jackets. One cannot glance over a sea of people . I saw cars honking in rhythm with the slogan "Yushchenko! Yushchenko!" It is happening not only downtown but also on any street of the city. And it happens not only to encourage one's supporters but to express one's joy as well.

There are people on top of cars waving flags and shouting. My feelings of joy of revolution were mixed with jealousy over the fact that I would never see anything like that happening in Moscow. And I prayed to God that I would live a little longer to see something similar to what is happening in Kiev take place in Moscow.

Exuberant city. Peaceful, smiling, kind, united people. But most importantly - they are free. Free! Free! I experienced jealousy and pride for the fact that I am standing among these free and peaceful people. And these people were not  forcing me out despite the fact that I came from Russia, a country
whose minister of Foreign affairs is low enough to make an official statement about NATO's geopolitical claims to Ukraine.

Listen, you, minister, come here, to Kiev. Go to Maidan and despite any orders from Kremlin, you would not be able to utter a word about NATO's geopolitical claims. There are many more of these people - young men and women, children and elders, - than a Minister or a President of Russia could
ever imagine in their wildest dreams when they think about a category "people". They might be fragile in body, but they are strong in spirit.  And do not deceive me that there are no Russian troops in Ukraine. They are here. But if even one of them ever makes a single shot, as a citizen of Russia I could never clear myself from shame and will never be pardoned for this sin.

Yes, I realize that my statements are full of pathos. And pathos is not used in Russian journalism. But you should understand me because I am in the heart of a revolution while you are stuck in boring Moscow offices. Come here, go to Maidan - and you will understand me.

For the last five days every meeting at Maidan begins with a prayer. And they sincerely pray to God to grant them freedom. This is a revolution that neither Vladimir Putin nor Viktor Yushchenko can stop. Only God can.

Vladimir Putin can spill blood here. He can spill a lot of blood. But before giving an order about military actions, a president of Russia should have come to Kiev, to Maidan and breathed in this air. It is stronger than any army. One could send even the most cynical bastard from President administration to Kiev and he would return wearing an orange scarf.

With his genuine soft-heartedness and inclination towards compromise, Viktor Yushchenko could consent to negotiate with Leonid Kuchma or Russian representatives. However, Maidan will not accept negotiations. People will not leave Maidan until and unless Viktor Yushchenko is pronounced President of Ukraine. The fact of the matter is that it is not about Yushchenko. It is about freedom.

No, I very well understand that politicians in Moscow cannot comprehend how the whole people could be drawn to the city square not due to the PR technologies but to defend their freedom. But do come to Kiev, go to Maidan and you will believe it.

I have not been happier in my entire life. I have not experienced greater love than the feeling I experience towards every single person I meet on Kreshchatik.

God damn it, how can I make the officials in Russia believe that they cannot win here in Kiev but can only cover themselves with shame? How can I make them believe that freedom does indeed exist if they believe TV anchor Mikhail Leontiev's lies whom they paid to lie in the first place? There is no way I can make the officials in Russia believe that freedom exists. But come to Kiev, go to Maidan before Manezh Square turns into Maidan.

I understand that my enthusiastic words are not in line with Russian journalistic style, but you should try to understand me. I stopped by the hotel to write this column while the city is rejoicing behind the windows of my hotel. I am sitting in the hotel room scared that some bastard in Moscow gives an order to shoot.

But I will finish this article, go back to Maidan and will stop being afraid.

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NOTE: Article was republished in English by The Ukraine List (UKL) #286, 26 November 2004, compiled by Dominique Arel, Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Ottawa, 559 King Edward Ave., Ottawa ON  K1N 6N5, CANADA For a free subscription to UKL, write to darel@uottawa.ca
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