Додаток 2.

МАТЕРІАЛИ ДО САМОСТІЙНОГО ОПРАЦЮВАННЯ .

Матеріали до самостійного опрацювання передбачають формування у студентів заочної форми навчання професійно-орієнтованої міжкультурної комунікативної компетентності під час вивчення таких 3 розділів:

• Україна. Політичний устрій .

• Великобританія. Політичний устрій.

• США. Політичний устрій.

SECTION 1.

1. Before reading the text try to memorize the main stages in the history of Ukraine, its struggle for infependence.

2. Skim the text ”contemporary ukraine” and define the key ideas of it.

For more than three centuries Ukrainian territories have been a part of different empires...

History shows that often Ukraine seemed totally defeated, irreparably destroyed but as time passed Ukraine would rise from ruin and reappear in the historical arena, alive and charged with fresh vigour.

Ukraine's Foreign Political Chronicle. Beginning in 1991, the independent Ukrainian state was recognized by 152 countries. Diplomatic relations were established with 138 states. 54 embassies, 6 representatives of international organizations were accredited in Ukraine.

1992: Ukraine is a member of the European Conference on Security and Cooperation;

1992: Ukraine joins the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development;

1992: Ukraine is one of the founding members of the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation;

1992: Ukraine joins the Working Group of the North Atlantic Council;

1993: Ukraine becomes a member of the Council;

1994: on US President Clinton's initiative, Ukraine joins NATO's Partnership of Peace Program;

1994: the Supreme Council ratifies the Treaty reducing offensive strategic weapons;

1994: Signing the Agreement on Partnership with the European Union in Luxemburg;

1995: Ukraine has 42 embassies, 4 permanent representations, and 8 consulates in general. Ukraine's prestige increased considerably after it had acceded to the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty.

Independence. On June 16, 1990 the Supreme Council (the Verkhovna Rada) of Ukraine passed the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian Parliament solemnly proclaimed Ukraine's independence and the formation of the independent state of Ukraine, proceeding from the right to self-determination, provided for by the UN Charter and other international documents, acting in pursuance of the Sovereignty Declaration.

On December 1, 1991, a referendum took place in Ukraine, involving 84.14 percent of the citizens; 90.3 percent of voters seconded the Independence Act of August 24.

After winning 61.6 percent of votes, Leonid Kravchuk was elected President of Ukraine. The nation supported Leonid Kravchuk's program aimed at the construction of a New Ukraine, where generations would combine efforts in asserting a strong state system, genuine democracy, material well-being, elevated spiritual awareness, and trust in each other.

At the summit meeting in Belovezhskaya Pushcha (December 7-8, 1991) the heads of the states of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine signed a Treaty on the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), thus putting an end to the USSR. Independent Ukraine proceeded to lay the formation on which to achieve the set goals. Over a short period a new system of state administration was created, along with the National Armed Forces, the Security Service and law enforcement authorities. New, broader horizons opened for political freedoms; practically all restrictions on the spiritual progress of the Ukrainian and other nations were lifted. The economic emancipation of men began. The Ukrainian state entered the international community as an equal partner.

However, as in all other post-Communist states, the process of social reforms in Ukraine took a winding and thorny path. Among the aggravating factors were the differences between the legislative and executive branches. Fortunately, a democratic way out of the resultant political crisis was found as Parliamentary and then Presidential elections were held in 1994, and in 1999.

In 1999, Leonid Kuchma was elected Ukraine's President for a second term, having won 56.2 percent of the votes in the second polling.

Post-reading exercises.

Exercises