Громадська ліга Україна-НАТО

The NATO-Ukraine Civic League declares that a referendum on Ukraine’s accession to NATO is unsuitable at this time, because this contradicts Ukrainian law, and does not respond to the Law “About National Security Basis” and threatens the realizations of Ukraine’s national interests.

The question of conducting an all-Ukrainian referendum should be defined by the Constitution, but the Constitutional Court does not rule about the legality of changes to the present Constitution. During the current political crisis conducting a referendum regarding Ukraine’s accession to NATO would not be the answer. A referendum could be initiated by not only the political powers inside the country but also the exterior powers, for the realization of well-known imperial interests, referring to the stereotypes about NATO, which are consequences of not only Soviet propaganda but also political speculations and disorientations of the population during the latest election campaigns. Thus, the statement about the referendum concerning Ukraine’s accession into NATO is a political speculation.

Since the agreement on a National Unity Universal, a NATO referendum should be conducted “after Ukraine has done all its necessary procedures” in which the executive powers would initiate the drive to join the Membership Action Plan. A referendum must not be conducted because it is irresponsible to make ignorant citizens decide on strategic questions concerning national security.

For the 10 new members of NATO, in only two countries was there a national referendum concerning NATO membership. The experience of these countries, this type of referendum was conducted exclusively after receiving a NATO invitation of membership. Conducting a referendum about any such invitation is a non-logical and arrogant step.

Because of the absence of priorities and understandings of protection of national interests, state government is avoiding its responsibility to the national state security and transfers its responsibility of very difficult questions dealing with civilian security.

In the condition of domination in the Ukrainian media information area with precisely identified anti-Ukrainian position, for citizens it is not easy to decide about questions which are complicated and extensive.

Ukrainian society must immediately understand that without NATO membership, as the most effective security system, the existent of the Ukrainian state will still remain under threat.

Kyiv, 12 March 2007