Volodymyr Bondar, the head of the Volyn Oblast State Administration, is the youngest among his colleagues in this position — he is 36 years old. It is logical that his steps and actions in the governor's post draw considerable criticism from both representatives of the former government and recent associates.\n\nThe Western Information Corporation has also repeatedly drawn public attention to the actions of the new head of the Volyn Oblast State Administration, often criticizing him. Today Volodymyr Nalkovych has the opportunity to set the accents himself regarding the events taking place in the region and the state.\n\nWe began our conversation with the latest, almost sensational for Volyn, event — the start of construction of new plants in the region. This concerns both foreign ("Daimler-Chrysler," "Kromberg & Schubert") and domestic (the "Bohdan" corporation) auto giants.\n\nThere is a need and necessity for building industrial facilities in Volyn\n\n- First, I believe that the development of auto plants is not a sensation but the result of long-standing purposeful work by people who dealt with these matters. In this context, it should rather be seen as a continuation of the stage begun by predecessors. Second, I see nothing bad in the fact that our region, in addition to its agrarian profile, will also have a certain industrial potential. Today all the prerequisites for this exist.\n\nWe have a sufficiently high personnel potential; several higher education institutions operate in Volyn, one of them a state technical university. In my view, we have a developed infrastructure of secondary and specialized education that trains specialists — we have preserved this. We have serious industrial traditions. So there is a need and necessity for building such industrial facilities.\n\nProximity to the border and the orientation of production toward the West, which simplifies transport costs, is also a normal factor for industry to develop here. If this does not harm the natural environment, in particular the Shatsk National Park and other nature reserves in the region, then I believe we should develop production.\n\nI take a principled stance on another issue as well — we must stop car smuggling. Then our production will have the opportunity to develop, and we will buy either these cars or foreign cars that are an order of magnitude, ten orders of magnitude more expensive. And here we must ensure the development of our own producer. Therefore, if we have the funds to purchase cars, we will buy from our own producer. That is how it was done before — all those VAZ models available in the motor pool of the oblast council, I think, were purchased precisely from our producer. Moreover, it is economically beneficial; their prices are quite acceptable. But the problem exists, and we realize that we must solve it.\n\nThe Volyn Oblast State Administration does not own a single car\n\n- Will the Volyn authorities switch from "Mercedes" to domestically produced cars? The Volyn Oblast State Administration has no "Mercedes." I have a personal "Mercedes"; it is 9 years old. I drive it half the time for official purposes, and of course no one compensates me for this. Therefore I would not simplify this problem. Moreover — the oblast state administration does not own a single car, and today I am working to ensure that they have them.\n\nI categorically reject the thesis, in case someone wants to reproach us, that supposedly it is not a problem that the Oblast State Administration lacks proper transport. I, as governor, for three months could not travel to any problem area of the region simply because I did not have appropriate, proper motor transport and did not have the financial means to provide it. Do you think it is normal when the head of the Oblast State Administration, or anyone else, cannot travel to a location if, God forbid, some disaster has occurred there, and the fates of many people will depend on my decisions and understanding on the ground? How should we treat the fact that a deputy head of a raion state administration drives a car that his father drove in this position in his day? What can we demand from a raion state administration that has one car and — I am afraid to name the figure — how many liters of fuel are allocated per month or per year?\n\nA service car that I drive recently appeared at the oblast state administration. It was transferred to the oblast state administration by the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Volyn Oblast. It is one of those cars that were purchased by the former leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for unknown purposes. Today they are ready to transfer them for the performance of state functions to various state bodies. This is the first car that does not belong to someone — Klichuk, Frantsuz (previous governors — Author) or Bondar — but is the car of the head of the Volyn Oblast State Administration. So that the next head who comes after me does not have to look for a way to get to work but knows that there is a service car that no one will ever take with them.\n\nAs for switching to domestic cars, I treat this absolutely normally. Although we must understand that these cars of the appropriate class that will be produced here are not cheap and will not be cheaper.\n\nWe want to revive the industries traditional for us that were shut down\n\n- Today there are very many plans in the development stage. We want to revive the industries traditional for us that were shut down in recent years. I mean both metalworking and the manufacture of various equipment. This includes the "Osnastka" plant in Novovolynsk, which today is practically falling under bankruptcy proceedings. We have serious hopes for stabilizing the situation at the "Kovelsilmash" open joint-stock company. There is a path to serious areas of work for this enterprise, because it is quite promising and, in my view, ready to work. The only issue: the former state share package of this plant must be returned to state ownership, which for unknown reasons fell out of it. I think this issue will be resolved in the near future.\n\nWe are considering the development of the woodworking and processing industry. We want to do deep processing of wood. Although in this case we need to be more careful so that the amount of processed wood corresponds to the capabilities of our forestry to grow it. That is, we cannot build many wood-processing enterprises without knowing their tie to raw materials. Because I have become unequivocally convinced — if there are processing capacities, there will always be temptations to steal timber and process it in one way or another. This is the wrong approach: production capacities must correspond to the capacities of raw material growth.\n\nWe are also considering the production and processing of agricultural products. This is a basic industry for our region. Previously it was sufficiently developed, but today it has experienced a halt in its development. But this industry will pull along the development of the agro-industrial complex, especially in the northern districts. Therefore we must take the processing of agricultural products under special control. I believe this will be a priority area of work. We already have certain investment programs on this matter and are conducting further negotiations with investors. I think that in the near future several former canning plants will start operating and produce their own products. Already today we are talking with agricultural producers about increasing the sown areas next year for those crops that can be processed at these plants. That is, we are systematically resolving these issues.\n\nIt was not entirely right that in the "dairy" conflict I took the side of one party\n\n- I will admit: we have not studied this issue. And it is not entirely right that in the "dairy" conflict I took the side of one party — the producers — and left the problems of processors entirely out of attention. We helped producers and held very many meetings to stabilize the capabilities of both. You understand, a situation arose in the region where purchase prices for milk became the lowest. I know that these same producers outside the region pay a higher price to processors. And a situation may develop in which everyone — both producers and milk processors — may find themselves, when livestock farming here becomes unprofitable. When cows simply begin to be slaughtered because it will be inefficient to keep them. Our processors will then face the problem that there will be no raw material base. Then they will take raw materials from outside the region, and for our area that will be a big problem.\n\nWe should seek that middle ground which, on the one hand, would give our agricultural producers the opportunity to develop livestock farming, which is very inefficient today, and on the other — take into account the interests of processors. Because they are losing, and the profitability of their products is very low — both at the enterprises of the "KOMO" and "Lyubart" trademarks and at the "Rozhyshche Cheese Plant." You aptly cite the argument that for the same "KOMO," raising the purchase price of milk by 5 kopecks entails additional expenses of 500 thousand hryvnias per month. They indeed purchase not a liter or two but hundreds of thousands. This should also be taken into account.\n\nThe authorities today are not applying any non-economic measures to processors. They have not felt either tax pressure or other measures — there were none. Yes, we talked, sometimes harshly, but that is the nature of the work here. Even speaking harshly, I guaranteed not to apply any non-economic measures, and there will be none. Believe me, this is not a one-day meeting, and this is not one day's work. This is systematic and constant work — with both one side and the other. But we must find a reasonable balance in this part. We are the authorities and must propose a reasonable way out of this situation.\n\nWe have analyzed the full-year cycle of milk production and know the volumes that can be processed here. We have data on how profitable this is, and we believe that under these circumstances there is an opportunity to concede on price, taking into account the prospect of further development of this industry. We talked about this with processors, and they did agree with our arguments.\n\nWe must prepare for WTO accession while protecting our producer\n\n- My deputy Vitaliy Zaremba met with representatives of Volyn farmers. First, they also demanded higher prices for their products. Second, they oppose WTO accession because they know the situation that developed with local production, farming, and agriculture after these countries joined the WTO.\n\nThey have the right to their position, and I have never taken away their right to have their own opinion. They have one position, and I know producers with another. Unfortunately, when there are two or three different opinions, one must seek opportunities for reconciliation or some consolidated opinion.\n\nI agree that our agriculture is not entirely ready for WTO accession. At the very least, we must protect our producer, above all the agricultural producer. This problem exists; it must be seen and responded to. But one cannot fight with such methods: "Aha, since I am not protected, we will not join the WTO!" Ukraine's accession to the WTO carries many prospects and benefits for our state. And this too cannot be ignored or left out of account.\n\nI believe we must prepare for WTO accession. In particular, by adopting the necessary laws that could guarantee protection for our commodity producer compared with the competition of foreign producers from Europe. But we must see the full necessity of such a movement and must do it. Because both time and the majority of people who are convinced of the necessity of Ukraine's WTO accession demand this of us. A number of studies have been conducted on this, and I hope you know public opinion on this matter.\n\nWe are attracting investment to Volyn\n\n– You, like me, should be pleased by the trend of growth in agricultural production in Volyn. This year we are sowing an order of magnitude more area than was sown last year. That is, we strive for efficient and economical use of land. And the issue here is a professional approach to one's work.\n\nToday we are attracting investment to Volyn, and believe me, specialists have worked very seriously on this. For 5 months, together with the director of one plant and then another plant, we have been holding talks in order to create investment attractiveness for the region. A region where people would invest money and understand that their money will work here, will be preserved, and will produce an effect. And this money will give us jobs and give revenue to the budget.\n\nThis is work done by professionals, and they should at least be noticed so that they continue to do it. Because we all live in this region — the governor, journalists, and other people. It seems to me that personal relationships, if any exist, can be sorted out in entirely different moments. And when I see things that seem petty to me, I personally have not reacted to any statements, but there are systemic, fundamental things. On petty things we can always come to an agreement. These are not methods of struggle. With these methods of struggle we can make things worse not only for those we are fighting against but for the whole society. So let us choose methods.\n\nPersonnel positions can be evaluated from the work practice of these people, and from the point of view of the effectiveness and results of this work\n\n- Regarding the numerous criticisms in the selection of the new team of the oblast state administration and raion state administrations. First, personnel positions can be evaluated from the work practice of these people, and from the point of view of the effectiveness and results of this work. Compared with previous years, how the economy, farms, and various industries in the region are developing — you know, today I am not ashamed of any of my deputies, practically not ashamed of any personnel decision in the districts. These people cope with their work.\n\nFor example, if we speak about my deputy Vitaliy Zaremba, who was the target of so much criticism, today agriculture and the agro-industrial complex in Volyn are developing dynamically, there are positive shifts and results. This has been recognized in Ukraine; both the President and the Prime Minister of Ukraine have noted it. So why should I be ashamed of this decision, why should I react to someone's criticism? Yes, a point of view was expressed. It was analyzed by us, but after consulting, we made a different decision. And, as it turned out, it was the right one. And so it is in each specific case.\n\nHowever anyone may regard my first deputy Bohdan Shyba, today there are positive trends in development, preparations are underway for housing and communal services reform, and there is a positive trend in the size of utility tariffs. That is, there is a positive result from the people who professionally deal with this. Similarly — regarding my deputy Vasyl Baitsym, who oversees the economy, foreign economic relations, and investment. In one direction or another, I believe there is very serious progress. Analyze the actions of Volodymyr Karpuk and draw conclusions about what changes are taking place in education and healthcare. If there are positive changes and positive results, then why should I be ashamed of this? On the contrary, I am proud that the people who were taken into the team are correcting the trends that were somewhat neglected before us.\n\nThere is no mythical struggle between the Oblast State Administration and the Lutsk City Council\n\n– It is absolute nonsense that the resignation of Lutsk city mayor's adviser Volodymyr Byelsky is linked to my name. I read this in your professional commentaries as well. I have nothing to do with this. Moreover, I learned about it from the media. Byelsky has laid out his position — I believe it is clear and unambiguous. His motivation is understandable for a person who understands what is happening inside the city executive committee. I will not say that it should be supported or not supported — it is sufficiently clear and needs no additional comment. The only thing is that I do not want this to be linked to some mythical struggle between the oblast state administration and the Lutsk city executive committee or city council. There is none today.\n\nThere are issues to which we will draw the attention of both the Lutsk city executive committee and the Lutsk city council, if from our point of view it is a problematic issue and it is not being resolved in the right way. But this applies not only to Lutsk — likewise in Kovel, in Volodymyr-Volynskyi, and in other districts. We will draw attention to issues that are painful and are not being resolved at a sufficient level.\n\nI trust the President boundlessly, therefore I considered it my duty to join the NSNU\n\n– Regarding the exit of deputies from the "Our Ukraine" faction and the creation of the "Lutsk is European" faction. If you follow the processes further, you see that deputies who remained in the party that was once called the RPR and then was called "Our Ukraine" have left. They did not join the unification process of the "People's Union." That is their choice. I personally maintain normal constructive ties with them. Everyone had the right to decide for themselves, because party affiliation is an individual matter. I followed the call of the President, whom I trust boundlessly and for whom I campaigned. And when he said that a united party was being created — the one we all talked about before the elections — I considered it my duty to join this party. Because I chose this path. A path shared with President Viktor Yushchenko.\n\nSomeone else has a different point of view on these matters. But this does not mean there should be any confrontation or enmity. There are arguments that are weighty in many cases. So this process is now ongoing. And I would not make it either antagonistic or incomprehensible. Talks are being held. We have many common points of view with those deputies. I think that on most issues we will act together. Because there is also ideological closeness here. I see nothing extraordinary in this.\n\nThere is a demand from society — to remove corrupt prosecutors\n\n- I do not believe there is a confrontation between the authorities and the prosecutor's office. There is a demand from society — to remove corrupt prosecutors. There are various manifestations of this process, and it will happen regardless of my desire or anyone else's desire. Moreover, there is a clear, concrete instruction from the President which, without doubt, will be carried out regarding the heads of the region's prosecutor's office. This is the position of people regarding those actions of the prosecutor's office that were carried out over a long period of time. This opinion did not form over a month or two. This is not some extraordinary process but, I would say, a predictable one from the point of view of Ukraine's development, and it will have its logical conclusion.\n\nI do not think anyone should be satisfied with the situation that exists today in law enforcement agencies. Because we live in this society. We cannot tolerate it when the prosecutor of the city of Lutsk has a car worth 120 thousand euros stolen in broad daylight. Tolerate the beating of a prosecutor, with some nuances regarding his wife. This is not simply a car theft — it is a demonstration of disrespect for the structure, for the authorities. And one cannot fail to restore order in this.\n\nWith the power of authority you can win one election, but you cannot win authority\n\n- I know that recently Volodymyr Karpuk, my deputy and at the same time the head of the oblast organization of the NSNU, stated at a press conference that this party will not use administrative resources and will create personnel committees. In my opinion, every party should make a similar statement and adhere to it. I should be talking about the use or non-use of administrative resources by virtue of position, but it is very pleasant when political parties say this. It means they are maturing to the understanding that one cannot step on the same rake that the previous government stepped on.\n\nI am deeply convinced that with the power of authority you can win one election, but you cannot win authority. Authority is won by entirely different things — real, concrete deeds. And we will do this. Today we have something to talk about, we have something to show, we have certain successes. And people's attention should be drawn to this.\n\nI and my family do not have a business like Chervonenko's or Poroshenko's\n\n- I and my family do not have a business like Yevhen Chervonenko's or Petro Poroshenko's. I do not personally engage in business. Moreover, I have not for a long time. Although earlier I had some attempts to engage in something resembling business. But it did not work out as effectively for me as for some, and I stopped doing it. I engage in other activities. Often in the mass media I am characterized as a "clean politician." Obviously there is some truth to this.\n\nMy wife is a co-founder of certain firms or economic companies. Their fates vary. There are those that are developing. This is an old story. For example, "ERGO-Volyn." At one time I was a co-founder, then my wife became the founder of this company. "ERGO-Volyn" deals in building materials, has its own long history, and occupies its own place in the market. I do not think this is somehow connected with my participation or my family's participation. The company develops on its own.\n\nThere are also other, less successful business projects of my wife. But this is not a large or systemic business that could be considered a family business where everyone works in the interest of this business. It is rather the use of an opportunity to earn some additional kopecks through participation in one company or another. This form is also permitted.\n\nMy preferences lie at the intersection of history, political science, and economics\n\n- What would I be doing if I had not gone into politics? It is very hard to say. I have never thought about this question. In any case, I would be engaged in public activity. It attracts me. Somewhere in this I find myself.\n\nBy profession I am a historian. But now, frankly speaking, I really do not have time for this. Although on my desk you can see books by quite interesting Volyn authors and scholars, both in the historical and socio-political sense, and books by our artists. For the soul, I continue to engage with these matters. But there is very, very little time for this. If you compare what is for the soul and what is occupied by matters that require far too much time, the ratio is 1 to 30.\n\nI long thought, planned, and dreamed of engaging in academic research both in the sense of history and in the sense of political science, because my preferences lie at the intersection of history, political science, and economics. At the institute I deeply studied the development of Europeanism, the development of European thought both in Europe and in Ukraine. And this topic was quite interesting to me. Today I can already continue such study or research from a practical point of view. But that will be when I have time for it. Unfortunately, my work today requires very great involvement, and for now I can only dream about it.\n\nIf you are being criticized, obviously there is a problem there\n\n- Politics cannot be without criticism; the activity of any head of administration cannot be without criticism. If it is substantive criticism, I treat it with attention. I analyze every critical remark from political parties or from the press, looking at it through the eyes of an official. If you are being criticized, obviously there is a problem there. But by analyzing your own arguments, you see the stronger side — whether it is where you are being criticized, or whether it is still those arguments by which you were guided in making this or that decision. In many cases I believe that my arguments are an order of magnitude stronger than the criticism, and therefore I will continue what I was doing.\n\nWhen I read certain commentaries, our motivation is somewhat different from what is presented in the commentaries. I would like us to understand each other correctly in order to present all positions. And then everything will be fine. I think that you, like me, like everyone else, are interested in order being established in our society. Of course, we can argue about methods and methodology. I have my own visions, you have yours, every person has their own.\n\nThere are no inconvenient questions for me\n\n– The only thing I would like to wish in conclusion, both to you personally and to your corporation, is closer communication. I read your commentaries a lot, and it seems to me that you have a certain biased attitude toward our team. I think this is most likely due to a lack of information about what we are doing — both the real opportunities and the real results and the real motivations.\n\nI am ready to comment on any questions that from your point of view are convenient or inconvenient. For me there are no inconvenient questions. I am ready to give deeper comments if the question requires it. Not so that they write well about me, but so that there is an understanding of what we are doing.\n\nVitaliy Buryak,\nWestern Information Corporation