Бирюков С. Под.Русь смотрит с надеждой на Россию. Перевод на англ.

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Бирюков С. Под.Русь смотрит с надеждой на Россию. Перевод на англ.

rusin: Subcarpathian Ruthenia looks towards Russia with hope 08/05/2010 17:08 Facts from KM.RU Ruthenians (Rusyns, Rusnaks, Carpathorosses) are native Slavic population of the Carpathian region. They consider themselves a separate nation and they are officially recognized in 22 countries. According to national census in 2001, in the Transcarpathian region live around 10069 Ruthenians. In 1992 and 2002, the Transcarpathian regional council had twice applied to the deputies of the Supreme Council of Ukraine to recognize the Ruthenian nationality. In August 2006, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination urged the Ukrainian government to recognize the Ruthenian minority. In March 2007, the Transcarpathian regional council acknowledged a nationality this ethnic group in the region. Due to a number of contemporary challenges, Ruthenian movement now finds itself at a crossroads, in front of a peculiar junction, for developments both within Ukraine and in neighbouring EU countries - the Czech Republic, Romania and especially Hungary, which to a certain extent "mixes cards", complicating the hitherto clear picture. On one hand, since the victory of Viktor Yanukovych in the presidential elections and his efforts to “re-format” the power and adjust the former “Orange” policy to alleviate the situation around the Transcarpathia and reduce administrative and ideological pressure, no one questioned the existence of the Ruthenians as a separate ethnic group and their right to ethnic and cultural identity. Ruthenians for the first time acquired ideological allies in the government, among which we should name the current Education Minister Dmitry Tabachnik. At the same time, it is obvious that the problems of the Ruthenians are far from being attended by Kiev’s political elite. The President and the Government of Ukraine, as well as supporting “majority coalition” in the Supreme Council, currently can not afford to extend the independence of Transcarpathia and “depressurization” of problems of the Subcarpathian Ruthenia, for experiencing serious problems with the support of their policies in the Western Ukraine (especially in Galicia), and therefore they would avoid raising the issue of autonomy. Today, a serious challenge for the weakened by mistakes and miscalculations of the former "Orange power" in the Ukrainian state is the expansion of Bukovina by neighbouring Romania, (where everyone can easily get Romanian passports, automatically making them citizens of the EU). Poland is not lagging behind as well, when actively attracting not only migrant workers, but also students and entrepreneurs from Ukraine. However, Hungary, whose influence is increasingly felt in Transcarpathia, has succeeded more than any other country in the struggle for influence in the neighbouring territory of Ukraine. Adoption of the law on dual citizenship in Hungary has caused a storm of controversy in central Europe, resulting in recommendations to Budapest to follow common European legal standards more strictly. The possibility of obtaining a passport of the Hungarian is being actively discussed among the residents of Transcarpathia, who have the entire necessary formal basis to receive them (for Hungarians and Ruthenians, as pointed out by historians of the Subcarpathian Ruthenia, have been living in the territory of the Hungarian Kingdom for about 1000 years). Ruthenians have mixed feelings about the situation. However, the difficult economic situation in Transcarpathia (and in Ukraine in general) encourages its residents to active labour migration to neighbouring European countries. At the same time, obtaining Schengen multi visa has become very difficult for the Ruthenians, which impedes the maintenance of the welfare of their families that remain in the Carpathian region. It should be noted that Transcarpathia, as a historically formed trans-boundary region, has a wide experience and practice of obtaining a second citizenship, starting with citizenship of the U.S., Israel, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, and finally Hungary. According to the most modest and a rough estimate, to date 200 thousand inhabitants of Transcarpathia hold a second nationality or residence, which, supported by their high mobility, helps them to survive. As for the "smooth" and "disperse" integration of the Ruthenians in the EU, such alternative cannot be very reasonable and unconditional. The situation in the EU is ambiguous, and apart from the safeguards of common national and cultural rights and the status of "ethnic minority", Ruthenians are unlikely to obtain anything, because they would be separated from the autochthonous territory and cease to exist as a compact ethnic community. Therefore, representatives of the Ruthenian movement still should not have too many illusions regarding this issue. At the same time, without cooperation with the EU, primarily on legal issues, it is impossible to consolidate the status of the Ruthenians as one of the autochthonous peoples of Transcarpathia. With this regard, one should also be aware of the limited possibilities of Budapest itself. In the times of crisis, Hungary (the country-recipient in the EU) would not be able fully integrate the Ruthenians, to solve their national-cultural and socio-economic problems. Large external debt, accumulated by Budapest for the past few years, would not allow implementing any large-scale program for the reintegration of the Ruthenians (especially as there are also Hungarian Diasporas in Transylvania and Moravia - the main recipients of various benefits and forms of support from the Hungarian State). Hungary is experiencing a number of serious challenges to the reintegration of its other Minorities (primarily Roma), and simply might not be able to cope with the totality of problems. Ruthenians also should not discount the possible negative reaction to their participation in the "Hungarian project" by traditionally friendly neighbouring states, especially Slovakia. Mixed reaction of Slovakia to Hungary's Act on dual citizenship is a reaction of the State where is a significant Hungarian minority, associated with their historical homeland by various connections. In addition, the known activity of Hungary in the matter of dual citizenship could shift the established balance of power in Eastern Europe, which is related to the issue of informal leadership in the region, now belonging to Poland. Significant changes in this case would experience the Slovak Republic and Romania (especially the latter, which has considerable geopolitical ambitions). An alternative to the "Hungarian choice" and orientation on the EU countries for Ruthenians is traditionally a" Russian world "- cross-border cultural and linguistic space that does not include, however, a political status. It seems that the fate of this significant cultural region depends on the activity of Russia to support and expand the "Russian world" (not referring only to activities of the same name fund). Remaining in this space can bring considerable benefits to the Ruthenians, but will not solve all their political problems. For example, one of effective moves of Russia in this direction could be the introduction of the "ID card of Russian", which would extend to all willing citizens of Ukraine, including the inhabitants of Transcarpathia. For, without integration into the "Russian world" Ruthenians may lose their national identity. Thus, geopolitically, the Ruthenians leaning towards Russia would be objectively difficult. However, the further convergence in a number of areas is possible and necessary, because without the participation of Russia Ruthenians would not receive support for a number of important issues - including culture and economy. The more so as "filling" of the Russian world with real content is in the hands of Russia, having in mind not territorial expansion, but broadening of contacts with compatriots in various fields. The most rational strategy and purpose for Ruthenian movement today is the status of national-territorial autonomy within Ukraine. It would create a foundation for formal recognition as a national and territorial identity, including on the international level. In order to do this, there is a need to relinquish some overly radical slogans that objectively cannot be realized because of existing circumstances. The objective reality requires a return of the Ruthenians to the political space of Ukraine for the implementation of their own objectives. Ruthenians should search for Ukrainian politicians, able to understand their perspective and actualize their interests. Under the new leadership of Ukraine, even taking into consideration all existing problems and challenges, such a choice is possible. Therefore, dialogue is possible with a real chance to be heard. The current authorities in Kiev, according to several events and statements, are prepared for such a dialogue. Rejecting the federalization at this stage (this would require changing Constitution and the constitutional majority in parliament, which "regional representatives" don‘t have at present), President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych in a recent interview to "2000" confirmed the intention to expand the powers and rights of Ukrainian regions, allowing them fulfil the potential they possess. In addition, Yanukovych and Party of Regions pay considerable attention to implementation in Ukraine of the European Charter on minority languages, which gives Ruthenians additional way to protect their national and cultural interests. Ruthenians, who have already achieved recognition as a distinct indigenous community in Transcarpathia, now need to secure for themselves a legal status within Ukraine. It appears that the Ruthenians, using available today political options, should actively seek national and cultural autonomy, simultaneously lobbying for a comprehensive state program for the development of Transcarpathia, including investors from the EU (and including representatives of the Ruthenian businesses, expanding their activities in Europe) - with an emphasis on the development of transport communications and infrastructure, logistics capacity, the creation of small and medium enterprises, development of small and medium businesses, a more equitable distribution of transit revenues between Kiev and the region. For without the necessary economic foundation, it is quite difficult to talk about autonomy for Transcarpathia. As one of the famous political leaders said, "Be realistic, demand the impossible". Today, representatives of the Ruthenian movement should take maximum advantage of the opportunities, provided by the current political situation. Sergey Biryukov

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