Ex.1. Complete the interview (points 1-3 below) of a well-known English journalist with the appropriate answers of one of the Ukrainian top state officials Mr N. and answer the questions after it.
Interviewer:
1) In the Western press Ukraine’s often described as a state of totally corrupted bureaucracy, officialdom and mafia. No less often it is mentioned as a country of new democracy. There is also a good chance of finding articles which say that the Ukrainians may possibly support the reestablishment of the Soviet Union. What are your comments on this?
2) Ukraine’s road to independence has been a long and winding one, many of the milestones are covered with blood. What do you feel now when you at last have achieved what you were striving for. I mean, Ukraine gained sovereignty and independence.
3) What are the main tasks in your opinion that must be solved now, at the present stage of Ukraine’s development as a state, and of its entry into the world community of nations?
Mr N.: ...
A) I’m sure we have to continue implementing reforms. But at the final count everything that is being done in Ukraine at the moment organically unites the efforts to solve the internal problems with the steps directed at entering into the family circle of economically developed countries.
B) All the above opinions are not groundless, nevertheless, they do not give a full picture of the contradictions in Ukrainian political and economic situation. This situation is in a constant and a dynamic change, and the Ukraine of the early 2010 bears little resemblance to a Soviet republic it was years ago, and even to the independent state it was in 1994 when Leonid Kuchma was elected president for the first time. In fact, it was in the past few months that the most radical changes took place.
C) I’m really proud of this fact. What happened in August of 1991, was the most important event in several centuries of Ukrainian history. Much of that time Ukraine had lived in bandage. Our thinking has changed along with our destiny. We have tried very hard and we have gained our independence.
1) What are the points of view on Ukraine in the Western press?
2) What are the three main problems discussed in the talk?
3) How does Mr N. appreciate different points of view on his country?
4) What event is mentioned by Mr N. as the most important event that took place in August of 1991.
5) What are Mr N.’s feelings in connection with this event?
6) What is the main task according to Mr N.’s opinion that must be tackled now?
