I blogged last week about how an early invitation to OSCE/ODIHR1 to send observers to the October 2012 parliamentary elections would be a “quick win” to help Ukraine show its commitment to democracy. I subsequently saw a tweet from Foreign Minister Hryshchenko on 19 March saying that he had just signed off such an invitation. This is a welcome move, and will enable the OSCE/ODIHR to send a “needs assessment mission” to Ukraine at the appropriate time.
Incidentally, a couple of commentators have suggested that because I have recently published several blogs about good things happening in Ukraine, I am in some way either (i) not objective; (ii) ill-informed; or (iii) hopelessly optimistic. On the first, I would urge readers to check out all my blogs, interviews and speeches. On the second, I’m open to all reasoned argument to persuade me I’m wrong about something. On the third, I’m always wary of being seen as a devotee of arch-optimist Dr Pangloss. But if something good happens, it’s important to recognise it. That way, if you express concern about something later, people know that you strive to be objective (see (i)).
1 The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.