A reporter of the Vesti Newspaper discussed in English with the former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell the problem of being a woman in the world of politics, which is dominated by men, corruption as the key challenge of Ukraine, Ukrainian hospitality, Rinat Akhmetov and cottage cheese pancakes.

“Oh dear, what’s that?”
- Mrs Campbell, you are a woman who is used to senior positions in government. In addition, you were the Chair of Council of Women World Leaders. What’s your opinion about the role of a woman in the global politics?
- Today the world of politics is impossible without a woman. Women perceive the world a little differently from men. I am not saying that women are better only because they are women. I believe we are to be governed by good women together with good men. The number of women in politics is increasing although the barriers still exist, especially in developing countries.

- Are there any barriers in Ukraine?
- It is the same as elsewhere. This is a matter of time. I see the role of a woman getting more and more important. There are many good strong women in Ukraine, especially in politics. By the way, the UNO World Economic Survey clearly demonstrates a link between the number of women in politics and economic welfare of a country.

- You were also the Minister of National Defense in Canada. Did you experience any problems because of the defense being traditionally a men’s job?
- It wasn’t difficult. As far back as in 1993, I was sitting at the meeting of the Ministers of Defense of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. At that time I was much younger and men were looking at me as though saying: “Oh dear, what’s that?” Still, when you occupy a senior position, even if you are a woman, your opinion is taken into account. Madlen Albright, Margaret Thatcher – there are many examples.

No illusions
- Mrs. Campbell, in one of the interviews you stated that Ukrainian politics is never boring and Ukraine has strong political energy. Haven’t you changed your opinion?
-No, I haven’t. It’s always good to have discussions and to have a fight. Political life shall not be boring, especially in Ukraine. I was here in 1972 when I was a student and I can see the difference. I know how much has been done and how much is to be done. However chaotic the Ukrainian politics may seem there are some positive changes going on.

- You are cooperating with the Foundation for Effective Governance. Do you feel any political pressure?
- Absolutely not! A well-known Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov (who wants Ukraine to be like England) who finances the Foundation has never interfered into the Foundation’s affairs. Akhmetov provides funds and leave us alone. We are to decide what is better for us to do. We are independent and when Yuschenko was the President we cooperated with him. This is a European approach and everybody is happy.

- What is the main problem of Ukraine, in your opinion?
- I think it’s corruption. I know a great number of western businessmen who love Ukraine and want to work here. Still, they have no illusions on what is going on here. Someone can just deprive you of your business referring to imperfective laws and corruption. This is really bad.

Sausages and canned peaches
- Mrs Campbell, you said you had visited Soviet Ukraine. What impressed you most?
- Soviet Ukraine seemed to be the place where everything had been done to make it inconvenient for people. There were always long queues for something. I think those people who lived at that time can understand me. But I was surprised that people, especially women, who had experienced so much hardship and worked so much, had not lost humanity.

- It looks you received a very warm reception.
- I tell you! When I arrived to Kiev I went to look at a wooden church on the bank of the Dnieper River. By the way, I adore Kiev - it is a very beautiful place. I like the Dnieper River, it is impressive. I even have a big painting of the Dnieper and its banks, which is about two meters wide, by a Ukrainian painter Valentina Svyatkova. So, two women, Vira and Olga, were sitting on the bench by the church. The first thing they asked was if I knew William from Washington. I laughed and said no. Then they took me to the Botanic Garden and later to their home. Olga lived in a communal apartment with her daughter. It was in a terrible condition but people tried to improve the place as much as possible. They opened canned peaches for me although at that time it was a luxury. Then I went to Vira’s place who also lived in a communal apartment. She boiled sausages for me, which was the only meat meal at home. These women were very cautious to meet me in the street as they were scared: I was an exotic person for them. When I said I was going to a restaurant they said they had never been there before. I was surprised that people who had so little were ready to share the most valuable things to show hospitality of their country.

Pen picture of Kim Campbell:
Family: married, no children of her own.
Favorite food: cottage cheese pancakes with sour cream.
Favorite movie: old American musicals.
Hobby: music, reading, playing the piano and the guitar.
Car: a small Mercedes; at the time when she was the Prime Minister she liked riding Honda Civic of 1985.