Yeremeyev gives the impression of a tough, unemotional, but ambitious person. It seems he still remains a businessman by mindset and is only getting used to the fact that during an interview one must give answers to questions, rather than avoid them. However, "Ukrainska Pravda" still managed to learn a lot of interesting things.
– Lytvyn's offensive election campaign has already begun. It is everywhere – on billboards, on television, on light boxes, in newspapers. And one gets the impression that the key note of the advertising is nostalgia for the past. Some for the 1960s, and the ads depict women in headscarves, some for the 1980s: Komsomol meetings, guitars... Some have nostalgia for the recent past. Even the music is like that. Don't you have such an impression?
– I do not agree that we are building a campaign on nostalgia. The slogan "My" unites the people in the past, present and future. We do not appeal to the past and will still be able to convincingly show how traditions can be modern. I promise that the "People's Bloc" will pleasantly surprise you more than once...
We are not inventing anything new! The People's Party is like a mirror for the people, and on the billboards you see the Ukrainian people.
As for Soviet times... I am 37 years old, and I remember them. We do not deny the positive moments associated with the USSR, but we also do not idealize the communist system. We simply know our history very well – in all its colors. We all come from that time.
Another revolution again showed that we think in the category: for the coming of the new, everything old must be destroyed. And we do not agree with this.
– One senses skepticism about revolution in you... Did you yourself somehow support it?
– Of course! I was born in Western Ukraine. And I supported the revolution with my position in the Verkhovna Rada, with my voting.
I had the same hopes for the revolution as you did. Unfortunately, after every revolution there are always many disappointed people. This especially applies to the Orange one: the principles proclaimed on the Maidan and today's realities diverged too sharply.
– But besides that, you are a very rich person. Did you support the revolutions financially? For example, Ihor Tarasyuk once admitted that half of the management of his company "Nasha Ryaba" stood on the Maidan and fried chickens...
– I can say for sure that the management of the companies I headed before being elected as a deputy came to the Maidan. I also liked being there and feeling this spirit! I brought my son, because I think such a thing may not repeat itself a second time in life – this is history.
– Soon is the anniversary of the Maidan. Will the People's Party take part in this?
– Obviously. But we have not yet decided in what way. We are with the people. If the people are on the Maidan, then the People's Party will be there too.
– It is strange why then Lytvyn did not come to the Maidan during the revolution?
– He could not do this. Because there had to be a person who could look at the problem with an unbiased eye. He had a different mission and different tasks. But his family – as is known – was on the Maidan and provided assistance to the participants of the revolution.
– But now you do not have footage in the election video "Lytvyn on the Maidan". After all, for many this is a signal!
– I think for many the signal is that not a single drop of blood was spilled on the Maidan. Lytvyn took upon himself the hardest and most ungrateful – in terms of PR – role. He ensured the process of peaceful transfer of power from the old team to the new one, he did everything so that the old authorities would not resort to force methods, he created the basis for settlement within the walls of the Verkhovna Rada.
– Why then during this year everything did not happen as everyone imagined?
– The disappointment of the revolution's participants confirms: one cannot live by the principle of "hats-off bravado". One cannot destroy everything and offer nothing new. One cannot continue the revolution forever! One cannot act by Sharikov's principles – "take everything from everyone and divide it among all". The new authorities did not draw conclusions from the previous 10 years!
– What first of all?
– Under no circumstances can professionalism be replaced by patriotism. I will give an example: Maya Plisetskaya is a wonderful ballerina. But this does not mean that she is a good tractor driver. Heads of administrations or governors are appointed from a club's film mechanic or a nurse – these are real facts!
Second. People who have their own political ambitions were appointed to all key positions in the state. Although it was obvious: having received executive power, they would be tempted to use it for their own image, for the development of their own political forces. Even at the cost of sacrificing the economy.
I SAW TYMOSHENKO NO MORE OFTEN THAN ONCE A WEEK
– But you were an adviser to the person who is most often reproached with these claims. This is about Yulia Tymoshenko.
– I was never an adviser to Yulia Tymoshenko. If Roman Zvarych called me an adviser, then I simply kept silent at the time. I, inspired by the revolution and hopes, believed that we had great prospects, and therefore simply as a deputy was ready to prompt the premier, to provide her with all possible assistance...
Indeed, when they proposed introducing excises or changing the tax system that they had fought against for 10 years – and then changed it! – 10 billion hryvnias came to the state budget. And what next? How were they used? The issue of providing the state reserve with diesel fuel has not been resolved, the issue of the refineries' operation has not been resolved! And where did the money go?
– They say it went to social payments...
– But the problems remained! And again there will be spring 2006, and again there will be the sowing campaign, and again there will be a diesel fuel deficit!
Very often a situation arises when people do not see beyond their own noses! I am not talking about the former premier – I am talking including about many who are in power now. And their own ambitions are so great that they cannot hear the people standing nearby and who perhaps understand more. Although it is not shameful – to listen.
– Did you see Tymoshenko often then?
– No more often than once a week.
– When did you realize that Tymoshenko does not accept your advice?
– When I heard her words that the rise in prices for petroleum products is the result of a conspiracy. And I am convinced that this is the result of the adoption of amendments to the 2005 budget, when the excise became 20% of turnover.
– But Tymoshenko even thanked you during one of the meetings for the fact that your oil refinery "Halychyna" kept gasoline prices down.
– Yes! Because with all my soul I want my child to live in a democratic country, and the management of "Halychyna" did everything to support the new authorities. But after the changes to the budget, "Halychyna" has not been working for six months! The changed legislation created priorities for importers. This is such political and economic short-sightedness! The whole world understands that domestic capacities must work, but our government did everything to make imports dominate.
– Tymoshenko said she is going in order to return to the post of premier in 2006. Bezsmertny promises that "Nasha Ukraina" will support any conditions of Tymoshenko, just so that she does not become premier. You have experience communicating with her. Your position – can she again become head of government or categorically no?
– (Thinks for a long time.) Every person has a chance...
– What position does the People's Party claim in the new configuration of power? Is Lytvyn more likely a premier or more likely a speaker?
– Having taken power into our own hands, we bear full responsibility for representatives in the executive branch. If one asks whether there are people among the members of the People's Party who are worthy of the post of premier – unequivocally yes! These are balanced, moderate people who understand how to develop the economy. Who, having become premier, will not start thinking about the 2009 presidential elections on the second day.
– All right, I will put the question differently: does Lytvyn know how to develop the economy?
– I am convinced that he does! I am sure that when there are questions in which he is incompetent, he can call specialists and make the right decision.
– But he is not an economist, he is a historian!
– The world has known a large number of historians in high state positions – including presidential and premier ones. Historians receive a versatile and universal education. Besides, Lytvyn is – how should I put it... he is a "fast learner". Do you remember how he was criticized in 2002 when he came to the post of speaker? Several years passed – and now everyone is unanimous: Lytvyn became one of the brightest and most effective speakers in the history of Ukraine.
– President Yushchenko in the spring proposed creating a bloc that could gain votes for a controlling stake in the new Verkhovna Rada – BYuT, the People's Party and "People's Union Nasha Ukraina". But this did not happen...
– For a long time you and I thought that the Maidan brothers were building the country. But it turned out that the Maidan brothers are looking for kompromat on each other!
We were offered a format in which Viktor Yushchenko and "People's Union Nasha Ukraina" would have 50% of the seats, and the People's Party and "Batkivshchyna" – 25% each. From a political point of view, it was hard to agree to this! Besides, it was very difficult to gather forces of different polarities into the bloc – the contradictions between Tymoshenko's and Yushchenko's supporters were more than obvious at that time.
I DO NOT FEEL HELP FROM PINCHUK
– At the same time, the People's Party's partner in the next elections will be the "Spravedlyvist" party, whose leader Ivan Chyzh raises many questions. He is accused of having been the ideologue of temnyky during Kuchma's times, that he did not fight this in any way. And this figure will obviously drag Lytvyn's bloc down.
– The sooner we leave the terminology "Kuchmist", the easier it will be for us to move into the future. Why do you think that when Viktor Andriyovych or Yulia Volodymyrivna worked in the government of Kuchma's times – they were not "Kuchma's helpers"? And as for Chyzh – let's not be hypocritical: he was neither the ideologue nor the author of temnyky. Temnyky were written in completely different offices.
– But all journalists know what Chyzh's role was then! He was a real instrument of censorship.
– Every person has the right to live differently, and we are obliged to give them such a chance. He was in the position, and it is easier to attach labels than to understand the problem. Perhaps Chyzh knew that if he left, a non-human would come in his place who would cynically break everyone over his knee?! Chyzh's censorship filters were not all that harsh, and many journalists acknowledge this.
Maybe he somewhere compromised with his conscience... But his position was balanced when he, risking his position, made concessions so that journalists could say their word. Especially during the Orange Revolution. Why don't you want to look at the problem from such an angle?!
– What does Chyzh's party add to Lytvyn's bloc?
– A month ago we announced the creation of the Lytvyn People's Bloc. We invited all political forces that understand our position on the unification of society and the ban on political persecutions to join the bloc.
Chyzh's party was one of the first to enter negotiations with us. And now we are holding negotiations with various forces. The final configuration of the bloc has not yet taken shape – we have only the first outline. For us it is not so important what direction a political force is. What is important is how much the understanding of the situation and problems coincides with our vision.
– Besides, Chyzh has a resource – to influence the heads of regional television and radio companies. And one need not doubt that Lytvyn will be present in the television space in the regions.
– Those are your words. You yourself invented the story and yourself voiced it – just as you invented that Chyzh was some kind of "policeman". Look from a different angle – at those forces that united with us! The Ukrainian Peasant Democratic Party – one of the oldest in Ukraine, created in the west of the country. The core of "Spravedlyvist" is the former part of the Socialist Party.
Besides, you understand perfectly well: the majority of the population draws information from central television channels, not from regional and even state ones. And I would not overestimate some resources.
– How does Viktor Pinchuk help the People's Party?
– I do not understand the essence of the question, because Viktor Pinchuk is not a member of the party. And if he helped – then I, being the first deputy head of the party, would know about it. I say responsibly – I do not feel help from Viktor Pinchuk.
– Can Pinchuk be on the election list of the Lytvyn People's Bloc?
– I am not ready to talk on this topic. But I know for sure that a non-member of the parties participating in the bloc cannot run on our list. And Pinchuk is outside the parties.
– If one looks at Lytvyn's active advertising campaign – experts see in this the talent of Pinchuk's PR specialists. The "My" logo, music, NLP programming...
– I definitely do not know such a thing – and this means that there is no such thing. Representatives of the People's Party are not ashamed to hold consultations with people who really can suggest something to us.
Yesterday I read a letter from a man from a village who proposed taking bread and salt as the symbol of Lytvyn's election bloc, because it is a unifying element. He described in colors – why, for example, one cannot take the orange color.
– But can you name the names of the political technologists who are developing the campaign for Lytvyn?
– I will say that only Ukrainians work with the People's Party. We fundamentally do not invite foreign technologists. We believe that Ukrainian elections are a completely Ukrainian matter. And when we have an election campaign, then, as the poet wrote, "Let America and Russia be silent."
– What advice does Serhiy Lyovochkin – first aide to President Kuchma – give to Lytvyn and your political force?
– Serhiy Lyovochkin is not a member of the People's Party, but he is an adviser to Volodymyr Mykhailovych in the Verkhovna Rada. What advice he gives – I am not present at this. I only know that Serhiy Volodymyrovych is an intelligent and erudite person.
– And would you personally accept Leonid Danylovych Kuchma into the People's Party so that he would go to the elections on your list?
– First of all, it is not I who makes the decision – these are the duties of the party organization. (Pause.) Leonid Danylovych has not approached any lower-level party organization – as far as I am informed. And he is unlikely to approach. Ideologically we are in different niches.
Although as for the figure of Leonid Kuchma as former president, I can say: some period of time must pass, and we will look at many things from a different angle. We approach many things too emotionally and subjectively.
YAROSLAVSKY IS NOT BUYING A PLACE ON OUR LIST
– What is Oleksandr Yaroslavsky's role in the People's Bloc?
– He is a member of the People's Party faction, cooperates with the party...
– And will he go to the elections on the list of the People's Bloc?
– If Oleksandr Vladlenovych makes such a decision for himself, and the party's highest governing body recognizes him as worthy to be among the candidates for deputies.
– Tell me, where are the guarantees that places will not be sold on the People's Party's list?
– Our process of forming the list will be absolutely transparent. How can we have people on the list who came from the street and simply decided to buy a place – if our image is a guarantee of obtaining power?!
– But Yaroslavsky was never in the People's Party, at the same time he is among the richest people of Ukraine. And when Havrysh's faction fell apart, Yaroslavsky simply found shelter for himself with you! What is his value for the People's Party? Is he really a theoretician of parliamentarism? He does not speak from the tribune, is not the author of bills, nothing!
– Every member of the party is a value. Yaroslavsky is a sympathizer of the party and a member of the People's Party faction.
We can have different attitudes toward Yaroslavsky, but from the moment Yaroslavsky took care of the Kharkiv Tractor Plant, he revived this enterprise. And if he becomes a member of the party – that is good. The state could not raise this plant, so why should we push away from ourselves people who were able to do this? Only because they have capital?
As for membership in the party, Oleksandr Vladlenovych, I hope, will decide for himself – we do not force anyone to join the ranks of the People's Party.
– Yaroslavsky is not a professional politician. And there are suspicions that he is simply buying a place on the list...
– He is not buying a place on the list. I repeat: it is impossible to buy a place on our list. It is not an item for sale! As for the fact that he is not a politician... Well, someone reveals themselves faster, someone – not!
– Now the election fund is unlimited. What will be your contribution to the election treasury of the "Lytvyn People's Bloc"?
– Within my income I am ready to spend a sufficient amount of money on the development of the party. Because Ukraine needs politicians capable of restraining destructive forces. And destructiveness now, unfortunately, dominates.
– Well, for example, Brodsky said that he is ready to contribute one hundred thousand hryvnias to BYuT's treasury. How much are you ready to contribute to your election fund?
– It is very unpleasant for me that in a conversation with me you refer to Brodsky...
– You really do not like Brodsky?
– I expressed myself incorrectly. I do not respect people who are destroyers. I do not like destructive forces. Because of them Ukraine is treading in place. As Volodymyr Mykhailovych says: "Truth has become unfashionable!" Those who pour dirt, for some reason seem better to us.
As for Brodsky – he chose too outrageous and provocative a style in politics. It is unpleasant for me that you refer to the sums announced by Brodsky in order to provoke me into a similar statement. We are not at an auction – who will announce a larger sum?
I EARNED MY FIRST MONEY SEWING LEATHER JACKETS
– Two weeks ago the president met with the largest entrepreneurs. But you were not invited – were you not offended?
– No! I do not consider myself the largest entrepreneur. I am an ordinary person. I walk on real ground. I like walking on foot along Khreshchatyk, I like walking through underground passages...
– Without a bodyguard?
– Obviously with a bodyguard. But I like being among people.
– What is the size of your capital?
– I think I am not a poor person. It is hard to name an exact figure. I am the owner of shares of enterprises, but their market price depends on the prices of one or another product in the world, and also on whether this enterprise is currently working or standing idle. And the size of capital fluctuates. One can become an absolute beggar in one day and still owe...
– 41% of the shares of the "Halychyna" refinery are fully under your control?
– Not under mine. This enterprise is managed by the management of the "Continuum" group.
– Is "Continuum" entirely your group?
– I have a controlling stake there. Shares are also held by my partner – this is Ivakhiv Stepan Petrovych, whom I met when I entered the first year of the Rivne Water Institute and we were placed in one room in the dormitory. It was 1985 and since those times we communicate with him every single day.
– How did you earn your first serious money?
– In 1992, together with Stepan, while still a student, I registered an enterprise. We started work by convincing our groupmates to come to my village of Ostrozhets, and made a workshop there for sewing leather jackets. Our groupmates learned to sew, Stepan was engaged in production, I – in sales. We were very happy then: we would come to the dormitory, talk, have common interests, cook food together. It was such an aura!...
– You sewed a lot of jackets, sold them, and then?
– We sewed jackets... I often traveled around Ukraine – to Odesa for fittings, to Kharkiv, to other cities. And somehow it became clear that there is also such a concept as commercial activity, and not only production. We began to engage in commerce. At the first stage, in 1992–1994, these were intermediary functions. And somewhere from 1996–98 we were a purely production enterprise.
– What other companies does "Continuum" have besides "Halychyna"?
– This is the food industry, light industry. Of the well-known brands I can name "Como" – dairy products.
– How did you become the owner of 41% of "Halychyna"?
– We bought these shares on the secondary market through lending.
– Now "Privat" is going to sell a block of shares of "Halychyna" – are you going to buy them out?
– This depends on the management of "Continuum". If they recognize the proposed price as advantageous, then a decision will be made to buy them out. But I have not been engaged in pure business for four years already – I can only give consultations.
– And how much does an hour of your consultations cost?
– For constructive people it costs nothing. And with unconstructive ones I try not to communicate.
Serhiy Leshchenko, UP