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INSIDE:• Interview: Belarusian opposition leaders on Lukashenka regime — page 3. • Leonid Kravchuk analyzes Ukraine’s new Constitution — page 5. • An overview of Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations — centerfold.

Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXIV HE No.KRAINIAN 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 EEKLY$1.25/$2 in Ukraine KyivT celebratesU independence Ukraine launchesW monetary reform, with parades and concerts hryvnia to be put into circulation by Marta Kolomayets Hennadiy Udovenko in a flag-raising cere- by Marta Kolomayets DM. Buyers will require 3,000 Russian Kyiv Press Bureau mony on European Plaza, the newly Kyiv Press Bureau rubles to purchase 1 hryvnia. renamed Komsomol Square, located at the Ukrainian National Bank officials said KYIV — President Leonid Kuchma foot of the Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s central KYIV — The Ukrainian government they are considering pegging the hryvnia emphasized Ukraine’s shining future as avenue. announced on August 25, amid holiday to a hard currency or basket of curren- one of Europe’s leading nations and A blue flag, adorned with a circle of celebrations marking the fifth anniver- cies, and will apply for an international recalled its turbulent yet glorious past gold stars — the banner of the Council sary of Ukraine’s independence, that it credit rating in approximately 16 weeks. during a 70-minute celebratory address of Europe, was raised next to the blue- will introduce the long-awaited national In contrast to Russia’s monetary reform on Friday evening, August 23, marking and-yellow standard of Ukraine for the currency, the hryvnia, on September 2. of 1993, holders of the old Ukrainian cur- the fifth anniversary of Ukraine’s decla- first time. Mr. Tarschys warmly greeted Appearing on State Television, National rency will be allowed to exchange as much ration of independence. the small crowd of people gathered for Bank Governor Viktor Yushchenko and of it as they like, but sums over 100 million Ukraine’s emerging role as a stable the ceremony in front of the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Pynzenyk karbovantsi (about $600) will be trans- European player was further underscored Home, which was formerly — ironically informed Ukraine’s citizens that the hryv- ferred to special accounts rather than issued on August 24, when Council of Europe — the Lenin Museum. nia will replace the karbovanets, which in cash. In previous currency reforms in Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys joined “This flag flies all over Europe, and it is became legal tender in 1992 soon after the many former Soviet republics, people were Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister very good to see that it now flies in Kyiv. collapse of the Soviet Union. often given insufficient time to exchange Let it be a symbol of the determination of Both currencies will be in circulation their money, or faced limits on the amount the European people to work together to for a two-week period, from September 2 of bills they could exchange. realize a pluralistic democracy, rule of law to September 16, but this may be extended Ukrainian citizens initially met news of Ottawa diplomats and respect for human rights,” he said. if it proves to be an insufficient time frame the impending introduction of the hryvnia “Ukraine is now an equal partner in to complete the changeover, said Mr. with panic, scrambling to change their kar- Yushchenko. During this period, the kar- the Council of Europe,” he added, bovantsi to dollars, for fear that their bovanets will be exchanged for the new toast Ukraine’s explaining that it became a member in money would depreciate in value. Many currency at the rate of 1 hryvnia for November 1995. lined up at exchanges to buy out dollars, 100,000 karbovantsi. In effect, Ukraine’s This was just one of the many high- which were in short supply over the week- anniversary monetary reform does nothing more than lights of August 23-26, when Ukrainians end. Vendors at various open markets chop five zeroes off the karbovanets. by Christopher Guly not only in Ukraine but throughout the refused to take karbovantsi, also known world recalled the euphoria of August As karbovantsi have been selling at OTTAWA – The day before here as coupons, trading only for dollars. 24, 1991, when the Ukrainian Parliament 176,000 to the U.S. dollar for some time, Ukraine’s Independence Day, Uk- In Odessa, Ukraine’s major port city, declared Ukraine’s independence. the hryvnia will initially be pegged at 1.75- raine’s third ambassador to Canada, An evening assembly — addressed by 1.76 to the U.S. dollar and 1.18-1.20 to the (Continued on page 4) Volodymyr Furkalo, opened the President Kuchma, Secretary-General doors to his Ottawa residence to mark the fifth anniversary of Ukraine’s lib- Tarschys and United Nations Deputy eration from Soviet rule. Secretary-General Giorgio Giacomelli — at While diplomats attended the the recently renovated Ukraina Palace, fol- Ukraine’s Embassy in Washington August 23 evening reception in the lowed by a jubilee concert on August 23, city’s tony Island Park Drive district, kicked off the weekend of festivities that included a military parade, outdoor con- the Canadian government was repre- hostsby fifthR.L. Chomiak anniversaryThere was reception the receiving line headed by sented at Independence Day celebra- certs, arts and crafts shows, athletic events, and trade and commerce exhibitions. Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Ambassador and Mrs. Yuri Shcherbak, and tions in Kyiv by Manitoba Sen. Deputy Chief of Mission and Mrs. Valeriy Gildas Molgat, speaker of the Perhaps the biggest news marking the WASHINGTON – A record 30 days fifth anniversary of independence was the Kuchinsky. There were White House and Canadian Senate. While in Ukraine, of unseasonably cool weather ended in presidential decree signed on Sunday, State Department officials, diplomats from Sen. Molgat met with President Washington on August 23, and the usual August 25, announcing the introduction of other countries’ embassies, military Leonid Kuchma, Oleksander Moroz, heat, humidity and smog of the summer Ukraine’s new national currency, the hryv- attachés in their various uniforms, special speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, returned with a vengeance. That was the nia, which will make its debut on friends of the Ukrainian Embassy from all and Ukrainian Foreign Affairs day the Embassy of Ukraine celebrated September 2. walks of life, a few visitors from Ukraine, a Minister Hennadiy Udovenko. independent Ukraine’s fifth birthday, and Although the announcement was ini- Ukrainian singing group from Philadelphia Back in Ottawa, Foreign Affairs even the muggy atmosphere couldn’t tially met with unease, government offi- — and Ukrainian food, American wine, Minister Lloyd Axworthy congratu- intervene in the feast. (Efficient air con- cials began an extensive public relations French champagne, Scotland’s whisky, lated Ukraine for reaching its fifth ditioning in the historic but modernized campaign to calm citizens, promising England’s gin and Ukraine’s horilka. anniversary milestone. “Canada is building housing the Embassy helped to that they would not lose any money dur- And much conversation, congratula- proud to have supported Ukraine’s make the occasion festive for some 300 ing the transition period from the karbo- tions, and seemingly no one in the rooms transformation since gaining indepen- invited guests dressed to the T.) vanets zone to the hryvnia market. [See who would admit to harboring doubts three dence,” he said. “We are pleased to There are more than 100 embassies in story on page 1.] or four years ago that there would be a fifth celebrate Ukraine’s fifth anniversary Washington, so almost no week goes by A military parade, complete with 19 anniversary of independence. Lest anyone of independence and its success in without a National Day celebration at two implementing its political and eco- battalions and 4,000 Ukrainian servicemen, forget that this was the fifth, Ukrainian representing the army, navy, air force, or three of them. This was the fifth marked diplomats wore buttons on their lapels with nomic reform. Canada looks forward by the Ukrainian Embassy (the fourth one to an even closer relationship with national guard and border patrol, marched “5” prominently displayed. down the Khreshchatyk on Saturday morn- in the building in which George Melanne Verveer, whose grandparents Ukraine in the years ahead.” In Washington himself closed the deal on the October, Mr. Axworthy will travel to ing, August 24, past a reviewing stand that came from Ukraine and who now works included President Kuchma, commander in location of the American capital), and per- at the White House as deputy chief of staff Ukraine to lead a business delegation haps the nicest thing about it was how nor- for the first Canada-Ukraine Inter- chief of Ukraine’s armed forces; Prime to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Minister Pavlo Lazarenko, Parliament mal the event was – just like a Fourth of read a letter from President Clinton to governmental Economic Commission July celebration in an American Embassy and to forge a closer bilateral partner- Chairman Oleksander Moroz, Minister of President Kuchma that began with the Defense Oleksander Kuzmuk, as well as anywhere in the world, and the U.S. has “Dear Leonid” salutation. [For full text ship with Ukraine. been doing it for more than 200 years! Meanwhile, several embassies such distinguished guests as Secretary- see page 2.] General Tarschys and Deputy Secretary- It was relaxed and happy. No longer a “In its five years of independence,” the (Continued on page 11) novelty. A pleasant routine. Ukraine’s (Continued on page 9) diplomats have gotten the hang of it. (Continued on page 11) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No. 35

COMMENTARY NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Independent Ukraine: a personal perspective Belarusians granted asylum in U.S. gy.” (OMRI Daily Digest) by David R. Marples “How much is this?” I asked the ven- WASHINGTON — Belarusian Popular World Bank loan to Ukraine confirmed dor, fingering the 80-page book. Front leaders Zyanon Paznyak and Syarhei PART I “Thirty dollars,” he answered. Navumchyk received political asylum in the KYIV — The World Bank confirmed I dropped the wretched thing like a hot I decided it was time to play the role of U.S. on August 23. The U.S. Immigration a $300 million loan to restructure potato. observer in Ukraine – to be more precise, and Naturalization Service said “it has been Ukraine’s agriculture industry, Western “Why?” I asked him. in its capital, Kyiv. I had last visited the determined that you have established a agencies reported on August 26. “I have no idea,” he replied, “because city in May 1992. Subsequently, my well-founded fear of persecution were you Agriculture Minister Anatoliy Horishko research work had taken me to neighbor- it’s not worth 2 kopeks.” signed the protocol, which will now be Stalin’s works aside, nevertheless, the to return to your county.” Mr. Paznyak said ing Belarus, to which I have made 11 visits this will help his “work to save democracy submitted for government approval. over the past four years. The latter country lack of reverence for the past era is striking. After the approval, the World Bank will The past, however, has not disappeared. in Belarus.” Vladimir Zametalin, the is notable for its familiarity to those who deputy head of Belarusian President give its final go-ahead for the loan. recollect the Soviet period. Kyiv came as It will take generations to replace the (IntelNews Economic Review) decrepit housing in which most urban resi- Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s administration, something of a culture shock. said the decision “only arouses amazement Physically and externally, Kyiv is in the dents of Ukraine are obliged to live. As Kuchma makes additional appointments one enters, one cannot help but note the and regret,” and that he hopes it does not throes of a dramatic transformation. One peeling walls and urine-stenched elevators. signal U.S. backing for political “adven- KYIV — President Leonid Kuchma re- can begin with the regular port of entry into The apartments themselves provide conve- tures” to undermine Belarusian authorities. appointed Serhiy Osyka as minister for for- the country, Boryspil Airport. I had entered nient views into the windows of neighbors, This is the first time that leaders from a for- eign economic relations, Ukrainian agen- the airport under the auspices of British indeed into their daily lives. mer Soviet republic have been granted asy- cies reported. Valeriy Borzov has been Airways, en route from Gatwick Airport. Some fare better. One day I visited lum since the collapse of the Soviet Union named chairman of the new State The airline is apparently new to Ukraine Misha, a friend of a friend, a businessman in 1991. (OMRI Daily Digest) Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, and at present appears to have little idea who had redecorated his apartment to near while Volodymyr Kuznetsov has been that Ukraine is an independent country. Donetske miners disbanded by court perfection by removing the walls separat- relieved from his duties as a presidential Announcements were made in English ing the kitchen from the living room and DONETSKE — The Donetske Workers’ adviser and appointed chairman of the and Russian. Upon landing, the plummy- bathroom, and taking over part of a neigh- Committee was disbanded by the Donetske State Credit and Investment Co. Mr. voiced flight attendant announced: boring apartment. He had also eliminated Court of Arbitration on August 20. The Kuznetsov replaces Borys Sobolev, who “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the balcony, which had thereby become an court ruled against the committee for orga- was fired from that post several months Russia.” I was about to ask whether the extension of the living room. The result nizing illegal miners’ strikes in July, block- ago. President Kuchma also dismissed plane had been diverted to Moscow, but at was extraordinary: a plush living room ing roads and railroad tracks, and causing Oleksander Savenko as president of the time could find no one to question. We with a tapestry carpet on brown-tiled floor huge losses for local mines and railroads. Ukrainian State TV and Radio, and named were, in fact, in the capital of Ukraine. and a substantial kitchen with bench seats. Videotaped interviews by local TV reporters Zinoviy Kulyk as acting president. Boryspil used to be among the shabbiest The window overlooked the river and the with the imprisoned committee leaders were Ukrainian Radio reported on August 26 of Eastern Europe’s major airports. There Pecherska Lavra on the hillside, a vast for- used as evidence. The leftist Civic Congress that President Kuchma liquidated the State were still few international planes in evi- est that seemed close enough to touch. The of Ukraine issued a protest against the court’s Tax Inspection Agency and formed a new, dence, but the airport itself was remark- food provided was lavish, and even ostenta- ruling, calling it a sign of the “advance of more powerful Institute of State Tax ably efficient and clean. It lacked the dark, tious by Western standards: black caviar, totalitarianism...based on a nationalist ideolo- Administration. (OMRI Daily Digest) dank appearance of recent memory. I roast chicken, salads, a tray of desserts that cleared customs within 10 minutes. A vast would have graced the Ritz, all to be highway now runs into the city center. washed down with Finnish cranberry Most of the cars around me appeared to be vodka, well diluted by a fantastic assort- German. The odd Lada driver now occu- ment of German and Finnish fruit juices. President Clinton greets Ukrainians pies the inside lane and can watch the traf- Misha plans to buy out the people who fic pass by him like an express train. One live above him and has plans to build a on fifth anniversary of independence could be anywhere in Europe in this stairwell and some sort of waterfall Following is the text of a statement on positioning Ukraine as a stabilizing respect. It was a scene utterly alien to the (indoors) that can cascade from the top Ukrainian Independence Day by President force in an evolving and undivided airport road into Miensk. floor to the bottom. I wish him luck. Is this Bill Clinton, released by the White House Europe. Ukraine’s decision to complete Kyiv’s city center, always impressive, a new breed of Ukrainian resident? Does he on August 21. the removal of nuclear warheads from now functions as a commercial hub. represent a new elite in Ukrainian society? its territory has been lauded by the inter- Businessmen in suits with mobile phones It seems a reasonable assumption to Warm greetings to all those celebrat- national community as an historic step, are everywhere. Foreign stores have begun make. Certainly there is a nouveau riche in ing the fifth anniversary of Ukrainian and the Ukrainian people can be proud to predominate. On Chervonoarmiyska Ukraine that is notably self-confident. It is a independence. I am delighted to join with of their new Constitution, which exem- Street, a young woman tried to entice me young – often very young – and dynamic Ukrainian Americans across our nation in plifies the principles of democracy and to install a whirlpool in my home. sector that has rejected the traditional route marking this special day. human rights as the bedrock of the polit- The main bookstore in Soviet times to success: education and technical training. In its five years of independence, ical system. now sells computers. Gas stations abound, Its feet are firmly on the path of business. Ukraine has emerged as a leader for These achievements have won the as do official currency exchange booths. The new generation may turn out to be peace and democracy. The Ukrainian respect of the United States and other There seems to be a market, large or the least educated in 20th century Ukraine. American community can take pride in nations around the globe. We remain com- small, at every major metro station. Some It rarely reads books other than computer giving invaluable moral support and mitted to supporting Ukraine through its of them extend into the street. Most often manuals, but it has a definite grasp on the financial help that have sustained friends ambitious and far-sighted reforms and to the vendors sell individual items and principles of a market economy. and relatives in Ukraine through this working with Ukraine and our European rarely more than five. These markets are The new entrepreneur knows the laws of unprecedented and challenging transition. partners to promote Ukraine’s integration less the result of a suddenly thriving capi- the country and the amendments that occur This past year, especially, has been into the European family. talism than a reflection of the struggle for almost on a weekly basis. He is in a hurry. marked by extraordinary accomplish- Best wishes for a wonderful Ukrainian subsistence, though this fact was not At the same time the trappings of the new ments that have advanced the sovereign- Independence Day. immediately apparent. life must be present: the expensive brief- ty and prosperity of Ukraine, while Bill Clinton The currency appeared to be relatively case, the Italian suit, the car, the cellular stable against the dollar, at 174,000- phone. He is as likely to be in Tashkent as 177,000 kbv, and inflation was negligi- Moscow from one week to the next, and his ble, though in both cases suspension of work ethic is utterly alien, well nigh incon- FOUNDED 1933 regular wages to state employees has cre- ceivable to the Soviet-trained employee. HE KRAINIAN EEKLY ated a false sense of security. A cynic might declare that such wealth TAn English-languageU newspaperW published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., The Soviet period is generally regarded can only be attained by working the sys- a non-profit association, at 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302. with contempt. In fact, Soviet icons are tem, by close links and cooperation with Yearly subscription rate: $60; for UNA members — $40. now marketed with good humor at every organized criminal elements. Much Second-class postage paid at Jersey City, NJ 07302. souvenir outlet. One of my favorites was a depends on how one defines the word (ISSN — 0273-9348) T-shirt depicting the founder of the Soviet “crime.” Good contacts are essential, but state under the golden arches and the slo- the new entrepreneur must fend for him- Also published by the UNA: Svoboda, a Ukrainian-language daily newspaper (annual subscription fee: $100; $75 for UNA members). gan “McLenin.” Soviet Army coats and self/herself once established. The crucial caps are for sale, usually costing from $6 question is where the accumulated wealth The Weekly and Svoboda: UNA: to $20 per item. At one outlet, I found one is stored, inside or outside the country, (201) 434-0237 (201) 451-2200 of Stalin’s works in what appeared to be and if the former, then in which banks? the original edition of 1950. The success of the nouveau riche con- Postmaster, send address Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz trasts with the rest of Ukrainian society. In changes to: Associate editor: Marta Kolomayets (Kyiv) this respect, the changes have left in their The Ukrainian Weekly Assistant editor: Khristina Lew David R. Marples is professor of history wake the majority of the capital’s popula- P.O. Box 346 Staff editors: Roman Woronowycz at the University of Alberta in Edmonton tion. Some are on the fringe, trying and Jersey City, NJ 07303 and Andrij Kudla Wynnyckyj (Toronto) and director of the Stasiuk Program for the often failing with new businesses. Others Study of Contemporary Ukraine at the have never gotten off the ground. The Ukrainian Weekly, September 1, 1996, No. 35, Vol. LXIV Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Copyright © 1996 The Ukrainian Weekly which is based at that university. (Continued on page 15) No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 3 INTERVIEW: Belarusian opposition leaders on the Lukashenka regime

On Tuesday, July 16, the Ukrainian National leader, destroy me. But they have been unable to do Association was visited by a pair of wanted individuals this. When [during the disturbances which occurred in from one of the last redoubts of authoritarianism in Miensk in late April] our apartment was surrounded by Europe, Belarus. Zyanon Paznyak, chairman of the gunmen, I was able to literally escape out the back door, Belarusian Popular Front and former parliamentary get into a cab and get across the border to safety, to deputy, and Syarhei Navumchyk, also a former deputy Ukraine. There the communists nearly started a fight and now the BPF press secretary, are in what, presum- over my arrival. As soon as word was out about me in ably, is temporary, self-imposed exile, denounced by Kyiv, Lukashenka ordered the appropriate authorities to their erratic president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, for seek my extradition from Ukraine. In this vein the opposing Mr. Lukashenka’s pro-Russian, and, in their Belarusian Procurator General demanded my extradi- opinion, anti-Belarusian and dictatorial policies, and tion by the Kyiv Procurator, but the Ukrainian side did marked for “neutralization” by the Lukashenka regime. not even bother to respond to the procurator’s demand. This interview was conducted by The Weekly Editorial Later, we went to the Czech Republic, met there with Assistant Yarema A. Bachynsky and Svoboda editorial government officials, the head of President Havel’s staffer Serhiy Myroniuk. administration, with officials at the foreign ministry, Since this interview, the pair have sought political gave press conferences, interviews with newspapers, asylum in the U.S. The Lukashenka government has television. We found supporters amongst the Czechs. In denied all allegations of persecution directed at it by Poland, where we had been for over two months, our Mssrs. Paznyak and Navumchyk. Mr. Lukashenka, in information is distributed every day, on television, over turn, on August 5th gave a lengthy television address in the radio. The Polish public is well aware of the current which he described the opposition figures as “terminal- situation in our country. Regarding Ukraine, we have ly ill cases,” according to Reuters. Mr. Lukashenka also active relations with that country. Our position is simply predicted that opposition to his regime would become that Belarus, Poland and Ukraine need to coordinate increasingly violent and that members of the opposition policy regarding the East, because the East threatens all would “break in through apartment windows and rape our lands. Belarus has almost been captured, and if your [law-abiding citizens’] wives and daughters.” Belarusian democracy and independence are not defended now, then a similar threat will emerge against PART I Poland and Ukraine. On June 24, at a Warsaw meeting For what purpose did you come to the United on the subject of Eastern European security, NATO Zyanon Paznyak, Belarusian Popular Front chairman. States, who is sponsoring your trip, and what do you expansion etc., representatives of the three countries hope to accomplish here? formed an understanding of the significance of this not only that Belarus was a bygone for him, but also process to our region. On April 26 I quietly returned to that “Now it is time to orient ourselves on the Kremlin.” Zyanon Paznyak: We came to the U.S. by invitation Belarus from Poland for the Chornobyl commemora- of the National Endowment for Democracy. They, tion. There was a large demonstration, Lukashenka’s We understand that Mr. Lukashenka has even together, with a Warsaw-based organization, sponsored security forces tried to get at me as I was addressing the tried his hand at what is known, in the United States our trip, through provision of a grant and travel coordi- crowd [numbering between 50-70,000 according to BPF as shuttle diplomacy. nation. Our goal was to meet with political and state estimates], but when, at 10 p.m. they raided the head- Zyanon Paznyak: Last summer Lukashenka bought officials in the United States of America, and to discuss quarters of the BPF, arresting everyone present, I still himself a presidential airplane for $45 million. Well, problems of our state independence, the threat emanat- escaped them, coming across the border again. Soon once you have bought a plane, you must fly somewhere, ing from Russia and human rights questions. Because, after, Lukashenka called in his security chiefs, the KGB no? So he flew to visit Boris Yeltsin and play tennis to our mind, the U.S. has thrown Belarus to the wolves. etc., severely scolded them for their failure to apprehend with him in Sochi [a Black Sea resort city southern And this has led to the Lukashenka-Yeltsin pact, which me, and thereafter branded me an “enemy of the peo- Russia]. Once there, he had to wait half a day for is nothing other than a planned annexation of Belarus to ple” who carries on anti-presidential activities from the Yeltsin to sober up. Finally they met, but the planned Russia. Thus we found it crucial to meet with those safe harbor of foreign countries. Later, he issued a tennis match between Yeltsin and Lukashenka did not political figures who formulate [U.S.] policy vis-a-vis secret order to “neutralize” us. The meaning of the word take place. Instead, [Mr. Yeltsin’s former security chief Belarus, inform them of the situation and give our is well known to many Americans. We take this threat Alexander] Korzhakov faced him on the court. Yeltsin appraisal concerning that situation. Our appraisal, that is quite seriously and just today, having spoken with continued partying... None of the official media sources the view of the opposition Belarusian Popular Front. Miensk, we learned that he has again threatened us mentioned this; we learned it only through internal Did your visit here include meetings with congres- while addressing Parliament. These rantings of a psy- diplomatic channels. Later, during a discussion with sional representatives or U.S. government officials? chologically ill personality must be taken seriously. He Yeltsin, Lukashenka proposed that Belarus and Russia is obsessed and as such his threats must be taken seri- unite, with the two presidents of the former states taking Zyanon Paznyak: Yes. We met with chairmen of ously. turns on an annual basis at the helm of the unified state. Senate committees, as well as State Department offi- What do you mean when you say he is obsessed? Yeltsin found this interesting, but told Lukashenka to cials, congressmen and also with certain non-govern- bring [Ukrainian President Leonid] Kuchma on board. mental, private organizations. We met with U.S. Zyanon Paznyak: He has promised to become presi- So he flew on to Kyiv, where he waited for over a day Representatives Frank Pallone (D—N.J.) and dent of Russia. He does everything to further this. Take before Mr. Kuchma received him [the Ukrainian Christopher Cox (R—Cal.). We also met with officials the Russian-Belarusian union. Naturally, Russia is inter- President was in Dnipropetrovske at the time on a at the State Department’s Ukraine, Belarus and CIS ested in this union. But he has his own personal interest regional visit.] desks, among them Carlos Pasquale, as well as with the in it. People can’t understand, how is it that a president Syarhei Navumchyk: And Lukashenka complained Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. During our stay in of a state acts directly against the sovereignty of his about having to wait for Kuchma, as if someone had Washington Zbigniew Brzezinski arranged a luncheon own state. This is idiocy, moronic behavior. There is no been expecting his arrival in the Ukrainian capital, stat- for us. Present at that event were more than 20 represen- logic to this behavior, except his own sick, twisted ing “I am here, but where is Leonid?” tatives of various political organizations, a number of logic. He thinks he can become president of all Russia. Kuchma listened to him but gave no commitments active and retired public officials, among them former But how can the citizen of a foreign state become presi- whatsoever, after which Lukashenka flew to see U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig. Overall I’d say dent of Russia? Very simply. He proposes such a tight [Russian Prime Minister Viktor] Chernomyrdin. that our meetings were quite useful and successful, integration between our Belarus and Russia that Belarus Chernomyrdin, however, was less diplomatic than because we dealt with active political figures, many of will cease to exist as a sovereign entity. He has publicly Yeltsin, saying to Lukashenka, “This [Russia] is not a whom strongly influence formulation of foreign policy said that “sovereignty is nonsense” on national televi- kolhosp” [in a reference to Mr. Lukashenka’s previous and its execution. It was very important to hear what sion. And in his dealings with Yeltsin in preparation of executive experience as manager of a collective farm in they had to say and to familiarize them with our point of the Russian-Belarusian union, he demanded that a sin- Belarus]. view. Virtually all of them touched on, to a lesser or gle, joint government be created. But Yeltsin, the impe- greater extent, the question of what should the United rialist he is, said “No. Russia must remain sovereign.” It seems as if Mr. Lukashenka strikes almost a States do vis-a-vis the situation in Belarus. This direct, And Belarus of course, should remain sovereign, comic figure at times. perhaps at times even exceedingly direct, nature of our according to Yeltsin’s logic. But Lukashenka believes Zyanon Paznyak: What I am saying sounds funny, talks, was refreshing. In New York, our program was that with a new, unitary state, new presidential elections but the fact remains that it is very dangerous, this also arranged by the NED. We appeared yesterday would be required. And he figures he can accede to the schizophrenic fixation of his on becoming leader of [Monday, July 15] at Columbia University’s Harriman presidency in this manner. He has taken control of the Russia. Naturally, what he has done is useful to Russia, Institute, where we addressed regional specialists, and government apparatus, reined in the banks and put the the ruination of the Belarusian economy, surrender of later we were interviewed by Novoye Russkoye Slovo economy on the mat. sovereignty etc. One wonders why the president of a [the Russian-language daily published in New York]. He has spoken officially in this manner? country would call national sovereignty “nonsense.” We believe those meetings also went quite well. But he has his own way of thinking, his own goals. Zyanon Paznyak: No, he does not say these things We understand that there is a warrant outstand- And it is important to understand that similar goals nowadays. But if we go back one year, after the referen- ing for your arrest, should you return to Belarus. were shared by that group of people who came to dum [the 1995 referendum in which Belarusian voters We have also been informed that President power years ago, created artificial famines throughout elected to give Russian equal status with Belarusian, to Lukashenka has issued an edict for your “neutral- Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan etc. How many died in revert to Soviet-style national symbols and to pursue ization.” What does this mean? your Ukraine? Six million? More, perhaps? A band of close economic integration with the Russian criminals took power under a lumpen ideology called Zyanon Paznyak: This means that we are being per- Federation], he stated “For me Belarus is a bygone scientific communism, terrorized 70 million by force, secuted for our political views, inasmuch as we do not stage.” and for what? So it was with the communists. Or take share the outlook of the Lukashenka regime. The Syarhei Navumchyk: Let me correct this statement. Hitler, a man people laughed at. So we see, that despite regime’s goal here is very simple: destroy the move- Lukashenka, as was reported by the independent press ment and destroy its leader, and insofar as I am the at that time, immediately following the referendum, said (Continued on page 12) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No. 35 Mavka-like Tanya Kost crowned Miss Soyuzivka 1997 by Serhiy Myroniuk is Mrs. Ulana Diachuk. Special to The Ukrainian Weekly “I am rather embarrassed, but at least I got the name correctly,” said Ms. Kost, KERHONKSON, N.Y. — Although smiling after the crowning ceremony. “I she misidentified the gender of the had heard the name and, in fact, my sister Ukrainian National Association’s presi- had told me who it was, and unfortunate- dent, it didn’t prevent her from getting ly I didn’t recall what she said.” the wreath of Miss Soyuzivka 1997 at the After operatic singers of Lviv Lesia UNA estate on August 18. Hrabova and Roman Tsymbala ended their Twenty-two-year-old Tanya Kost of evening perfomances in the Veselka North Royalton, Ohio, was chosen from Auditorium, the jury began the process of among nine young women who competed selecting a new Miss Soyuzivka. The in the UNA’s 41st traditional contest. judges — singer Olya Chodoba-Fryz, Wearing a wreath of wild flowers and Sonya Semanyszyn, Soyuzivka’s office smiling to people who cheered her at the manager; and UNA Advisor Alex Chudolij south end of the Veselka Terrace after — evaluated the young womens’ fluency midnight, she resembled the Mavka from in the Ukrainian language, participation in Lesia Ukrainka’s play “Lisova Pisnia” the Ukrainian community, knowledge of (Forest Song). current events in Ukraine as well as acade- Two first runners-up from New Jersey, mic standing and physical appearance. To Zenia Helbig, 20, of South Orange, and participate, a contestant had to be over age Krystyna Kosz, 26, of Clifton, as well as 17, never married, and a UNA member. second runner-up Olenka Rojowsky, 19, UNA Advisor Stephanie Hawryluk of Brooklyn, N.Y., shared the moment monitored the process. with the new queen. Due to the higher number of contes- Earlier, however, when asked by a tants this year (last year only five young three-person jury to name the current women competed), the panel missed the UNA president, Ms. Kost did it correctly deadline that had been set for 11:45 p.m. Serhiy Myroniuk but said it was a gentleman rather than a and made its decision well past midnight. lady, which prompted the panel to Tanya Kost shares her first dance as Miss Soyuzivka with the estate’s manager, explode with laughter, since the president (Continued on page 15) John A. Flis.

back into Ukraine’s banking system. Mr. new currency, because we have now The 1 hryvnia note — dark green in Ukraine launches... Yushchenko estimated that these funds managed to stabilize the economy,” color — will feature a portrait of Prince (Continued from page 1) add up to 376 trillion karbovantsi (over explained Mr. Yushchenko. Volodymyr the Great on the front, and an people were trading the karbovantsi for $2 billion) — twice the size of the money The Ukrainian government has been image of the ruins of Khersones, the site 250,00-300,000 to the dollar on Monday. turnover in the official economy. promising for years to introduce the where he converted to Christianity, on In Kyiv, soon after the presidential decree The National Bank governor said citi- hryvnia, but economic conditions were the back. was signed, the karbovanets was trading as zens of Ukraine will be able to change never considered sufficiently favorable. The 2 hryvni note will feature the por- low as 220,000 to the dollar, down almost their money at more than 330,000 The new currency, printed in Canada and trait of Prince Yaroslav the Wise on the 50,000 from just the previous week. exchange points, including their places of England, has remained sealed in bank front. Rust-brown in color, it will depict the Government officials stepped up a pub- employment and post offices. Foreigners vaults in Kyiv since 1993. Cathedral of St. Sophia on the back. lic relations campaign to calm Ukrainian and citizens who are not employed will be This year the inflation rate in June and Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky will citizens during this transition period. “No able to exchange their money at almost July was 0.1 percent, and the exchange rate appear on the 5 hryvni note, which will be one will lose money in this exchange,” 20,000 different currency exchange for the karbovanets has held steady since dark blue in color. A picture of the his- promised Mr. Yushchenko. “We hope offices/banks throughout Ukraine. December of 1995. Therefore, the fifth toric St. Elijah’s Church in Subotiv, where never to return to the time when serious Mr. Yushchenko also noted at the anniversary period of Ukrainian indepen- he was once buried, will appear on the economic decisions were built on political August 27 news conference, where he dence — prior to the onset of winter and its back. games,” added Mr. Pynzenyk. showed samples of the new banknotes in attendant soaring of energy prices — The 10 hryvni note — violet in color Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko also denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and seemed ideal for the introduction of the — will feature a portrait of Hetman Ivan appeared on Ukrainian State Television 100 hryvni, that Ukraine’s monthly infla- new currency. Mazepa; the back will include a depic- after a hotline phone number for citizens tion rate could jump between 8 and 10 Ben Slay, an analyst for the Prague- tion of the Kyivan Cave Monastery who had inquiries about the new curren- percent as the new currency is intro- based Open Media Research Institute, said (Pecherska Lavra). cy was established on August 25. duced. He added that this would be due the introduction of a national currency in a Poet and national leader Ivan Franko “There are no grounds for concern. to speculation on the new currency and post-Communist country can create power- will be featured on the 20 hryvni note, The reform is completely transparent, rising energy costs, as gas and electricity ful new symbols of national identity. which will be greyish in color and depict without restriction or confiscation. All prices are reaching world market prices. This can be precisely what reformers in the Lviv Opera Theater on the back. money held by the population, without However, Mr. Yushchenko said no infla- Ukraine need to implement new economic Also violet in color, the 50 hryvni note exception, will be gradually exchanged tion would be sparked by the government, policies, restructure enterprises and finan- will feature Mykhailo Hrushevsky, in the two weeks between September 2 and no additional money would be printed. cial institutions, and encourage exports and Ukrainian historian and president of the and September 16. In an effort to boost trust in the govern- foreign investment. Ukrainian National Republic. The back of “I want to stress one point and ask all of ment, the Cabinet of Ministers announced Markian Bilynsky, the director of the the bank note will feature the Parliament Ukraine’s residents not to rush to exchange on August 27 that it would freeze prices for Pylyp Orlyk Institute, a private U.S. orga- building in Kyiv. their money today. There is no need to play goods and services for one month, begin- nization monitoring reforms in Ukraine, The 100 hryvni note will feature into the pockets of commercial banks and ning on September 2, the day the hryvnia is said “The hryvnia’s introduction may Ukrainian national bard Taras Shevchenko commercial structures with your rash introduced. renew confidence in the Ukrainian curren- on the front. Green in color, the back of actions. They seek to make additional prof- It has also threatened to revoke licenses cy, which in itself is a factor of stability.” the note will depict St. Sophia Cathedral. However, Mr. Bilynsky added, “Perhaps its from every decision taken by the gov- of currency exchange offices that have been Also debuting on September 2 will be ernment,” said the prime minister. selling dollars at inflated rates and exploit- the government should have waited until they finalized their stabilization fund deal “kopiyky” (kopecks), coins in denomina- The government also hopes that ing rumors that the old currency may be tions of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50, on which Ukrainian karbovantsi, stashed away in confiscated once the new banknotes come with the International Monetary Fund.” Countering such suggestions, Mr. the national symbol, the trident (tryzub), cupboards and mattresses and circulating into circulation. will appear surrounded by a wreath of in the shadow economy, will be drawn “It’s the best moment to introduce the Yushchenko said, “The introduction of a new currency does not depend on the wheat stalks and oak leaves. IMF.” He explained that the Ukrainian The coins will be minted in 1, 2, 5, 10, government will continue its talks with the 25 and 50 denominations. The 1, 2 and 5 world financial organization in September. will be silver in color, the 10, 25 and 50 One government official said he believed will be gold in color. that Prime Minister Lazarenko had already In an effort to show how state-supplied won approval for the IMF-backed $1.5 bil- goods will now be priced, the National lion stabilization fund during his visit to Bank submitted the following examples: Washington in late July, while National bread will now cost 66 kopecks, a liter of Bank insiders said that the introduction of milk will be priced at 50 kopecks, sugar the hryvnia may, in fact, act as a catalyst for will be available at 1 hryvnia 17 kopecks Ukraine to receive the funds. per kilogram, and pork will run about 3 “The loan would reflect international hryvni 69 kopecks a kilogram. confidence in Ukraine’s reform program,” Soap will cost 70 kopecks and a box explained the National Bank governor. of matches will be 5 kopecks. Description of the new money A ride on the subway, previously set at 20,000 karbovantsi, will now cost 20 The multi-colored hryvni will feature kopecks, while a stamp that cost 5,000 The 100 hryvni note depicts Ukrainian national bard Taras Shevchenko. portraits of Ukraine’s historical figures. karbovantsi will now cost 5 kopecks. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 5 Kravchuk addresses audiences in Toronto and at Soyuzivka

Constitution is ‘Ukraine’s passport’ by Andrij Wynnyckyj Toronto Press Bureau TORONTO — Ukraine’s former president, Leonid Kravchuk, appeared before an audience of about 750 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in this provincial capital’s downtown on July 22 to speak on a topic of immediate interest for Ukraine and the diaspora: the newly adopted Constitution and the Russian presidential elections. The evening’s sponsors were the Canadian Friends of Ukraine, and executive member Prof. Jurij Darewych, who served as master of ceremonies, did much in the way of following protocol and encouraging an atmos- phere of respect for the honored guest. In his word of introduction, Prof. Darewych hailed Mr. Kravchuk as a man who “has engraved his name in the book of Ukraine’s history,” and who “will take his place alongside [Hetman Bohdan] Khmelnytsky, [Hetman Ivan] Mazepa, [Ukrainian National Republic President Mykhailo] Hrushevsky and [UNR Directory President Symon] Petliura.” Former CFU president Bohdan Myndiuk (currently also the executive director of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce), then rose to commend Mr. Kravchuk for having participated in the first peaceful transfer of power in newly independent Ukraine follow- ing the 1994 presidential elections and for having actively cooperated with current President Leonid Halyna Kolessa Kuchma in securing Parliamentary ratification of the Leonid Kravchuk is welcomed to Soyuzivka by Dr. Roman Baranowsky (right). On the left are Consul- new Constitution, thus averting a potentially divisive General Viktor Kryzhanivsky and UNA President Ulana Diachuk. national referendum on the subject. It was also announced that Mr. Kravchuk would be “without a single shot being fired, without a single drop heading a newly formed agency called the International ‘Ukraine exists and will continue to exist’ of blood being shed.” Within a very short time, he Union of Ukrainian Businessmen, set up as a wing of by Halyna Kolessa noted, the Soviet empire disintegrated and Ukraine was the Ukraina Association, and that Dr. Eugenia Pasternak recognized by nearly all the world’s countries. of Toronto (director of the Ivan Franko Home for the KERHONKSON, N.Y. — Leonid Kravchuk, the first He characterized this as “a historic event, one, I would Aged) would serve as liaison officer in Canada. Mr. president of independent Ukraine, spoke here at the say, of planetary proportions, as this was the beginning of Kravchuk did not elaborate. Ukrainian National Association’s upstate New York resort strategic changes in the world, the beginning of new rela- According to a mission statement since obtained by before an overflow audience of 700, addressing the topic tions among nations in Europe, and not only in Europe. The Weekly, the businessmen’s union intends to “estab- of “Ukraine after the Adoption of the Constitution.” And Ukraine, as a great European state, immediately took lish a communications network for entrepreneurs world- Mr. Kravchuk’s July 27 visit to Soyuzivka was its rightful place in the world community.” wide, and to provide organizational, methodological, arranged during his visit to the U.S. as representative of Noting the Ukrainian populace’s diversity, he said legal, financial and other support for business-entrepre- the Fund to Promote the Development of the Arts in that despite that diversity “there was not a single village, neurial organizations, including marketing services.” Ukraine. He was welcomed to the resort with the tradition- town, city, region or oblast where less than half the pop- In his address, Mr. Kravchuk offered comments on al Ukrainian greeting of bread and salt by representatives ulation voted for independence” during the December 1, some particulars of the historic Constitution, its expect- of the local Ukrainian community, Dr. Roman 1991, plebiscite on the issue. Even in the Crimea and ed impact on Ukraine’s society, and the effect of its Baranowsky and members of the Plast and SUM-A youth Sevastopil, he underlined, the vote for independence adoption on his country’s international “imidzh” — a organizations, as well as by the Soyuzivka management. was greater than 50 percent. word with which many Ukrainian politicians now pep- Once inside the Veselka auditorium, the former presi- The first president of independent Ukraine also offered per their speeches, – i.e., image. dent and current member of Parliament was welcomed his opinion of the achievements of the newborn state. Mr. Kravchuk said the new Constitution is with a standing ovation. He was then seated on the dais “The Ukrainian state is developing; it is gaining authority “Ukraine’s passport into the international community,” along with UNA President Ulana Diachuk, Ukraine’s among the world; it is proceeding along the democratic which he said now recognizes Ukraine as a nation on Consul-General in New York Viktor Kryzhanivsky and path of democracy, and economic and political reform; the path of democracy and the rule of law. fellow Parliament Deputy Yaroslav Kendzior, as well as and it is strengthening its statehood, independence and To thunderous applause, the former president Bohdan Mysko, foreign adviser to the president of security.” He pointed to the appearance of new people and stressed that Ukrainian has been firmly ensconced as the Ukraine, and Roman Lun, a representative of the new enterprises, and said “the people are becoming the state language, and said that he can no longer be blamed Porozuminnia (Understanding) organization. true masters of their own state, their own land.” Mrs. Diachuk welcomed the distinguished visitor and for “coercing the Supreme Council back in 1989” on the While acknowledging current problems — low salaries, introduced him to the audience by noting his significant role question. He added that Article 10 provides a better for- the non-payment of wages, paltry pensions — he observed in the re-establishment of independent Ukrainian statehood. mulation regarding the state’s support for the mainte- that new forms of life are emerging. Taking the podium, Mr. Kravchuk underlined the fact nance and development of other languages, in that it Besides, he asked, “Where and when was it possible in a that Ukraine had gained its independence five years ago does not require hair-splitting and debate over what constitutes “a concentrated settlement of a minority” as (Continued on page 14) the old Law on Language did. Mr. Kravchuk hailed the adoption of the blue-and- yellow flag and “golden trident on the blue shield of Volodymyr” as national symbols. Former President Kravchuk: He went on to say that the Constitution would gradu- ally transform Ukrainian society, and that politicians will become more accustomed to being ruled by an still walking between raindrops authoritative legal document. by Serhiy Myroniuk “Now there is a law that everyone must follow, from the president on down,” Mr. Kravchuk said, “It is some- KERHONKSON, N.Y. — Two years after he left thing people will have to get used to.” office, the first president of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, He said the new document provides for a clear divi- still has the ability to walk between raindrops and keep sion of powers between the various branches of govern- dry (as people in Ukraine usually describe it). ment, and that a new system of authority is being con- When asked why the Communist Party hasn’t been firmed. But Mr. Kravchuk voiced his opposition to banned in Ukraine, Mr. Kravchuk, a deputy of the those calling for immediate elections for all levels of Supreme Council, told a 700-strong Ukrainian government, saying that the country would not be able American audience at Soyuzivka on July 27 that this to withstand the strain in its current economic condition. is “justified.” He got a big round of applause. Referring to the Parliament’s change of heart after “Rukh and other democratic parties organize a years of arduous debate over the charter’s adoption, the whole series of actions to ban the Communist Party or former president said the Supreme Council became take it to the court,” he said. “And a significant num- more accommodating as the realization spread that the ber of people sign those petitions. But the government document would have been adopted without Parliament. is not persecuting the Communist Party or trying to Mr. Kravchuk opined that the Agrarian, Socialist and take it to the court because today I think such a policy Roman Iwasiwka Communist factions realized that even they would not Leonid Kravchuk speaks at (Continued on page 15) (Continued on page 14) 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No. 35

FOR THE RECORD HE KRAINIAN EEKLY T U W Below, in an exclusive, The Weekly reprints a correspondence between Rep. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey and President Bill Clinton regarding the $225 million ear- A run for your money mark for Ukraine in the Foreign Assistance Act for fiscal year 1997. The introduction of Ukraine’s new national currency the hryvnia – on September 2 may become a watershed event in this nation’s economic history. To be sure, Ukraine’s government leaders took a gamble by announcing the Rep. Torricelli urges support for earmark... debut of the hryvnia at this time. However, according to many insiders, it is a Dear Mr. President: America’s unqualified support. politically correct move. I am writing to urge you to support an I hope that you will use your influence “It’s a logical move for the government to make, showing people – in the earmark of $225 million in aid for with our Democratic colleagues in the midst of Independence Day celebrations – that there is economic stability in Ukraine as part of the Foreign Assistance House [of Representatives] and speak out in Ukraine,” said one Kyiv economist. “But, economically, such moves are made Act for 1997. As you know, Ukraine is favor of the allocation of $225 million for in the spring months when life is about to get easier and less expensive, not going through a very difficult adjustment Ukraine when the foreign aid bill reaches before the approaching cold winter, when energy prices are going to soar.” period as it transforms to a market econo- the conference committee. This is a very With such factors as a 0.1 percent inflation rate in June and July, the dollar- my. Ukraine desperately needs financial modest investment to promote democracy karbovanets exchange rate holding steady since last December, and an expect- aid to close down the Chornobyl nuclear in a nation which Secretary Christopher has ed growth of 1.5 -2 percent in the gross national product, there has been some station and to develop alternative sources called the “strategic linchpin” of Eastern positive economic news in Ukraine, where the transformation to a market of energy by the year 2000. Europe. This earmark has won bipartisan economy has moved at a snail’s pace. Never before have economic conditions In the past, you and Secretary [of State] support in the Senate, but I am concerned in independent Ukraine been more favorable to leave the transitional karbo- Warren Christopher have expressed strong that the administration and the Democratic vanets behind and introduce a convertible, national currency. support for Ukraine and its President leadership in the House must show strong Even the popular unease exhibited after rumors began circulating last week that Leonid Kuchma, who advocates market support for it because it is being closely the hryvnia would be introduced in the very near future has subsided over the last reforms and shows an unwavering commit- few days. The panic-buying of dollars has also tapered off, not only because citizens watched, not only in New Jersey, but in ment to human rights and the development have calmed down, but also because the government has announced that it will other key states with large Ukrainian Amer- of a pluralistic society. Since 1991, Ukraine revoke licenses of banks and businesses trying to make a profit on jittery residents. ican communities such as Ohio, Michigan, has actively promoted the cultural and reli- Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko has tried to reassure Ukrainians that there is Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida. gious diversity within its borders, and has no reason to panic over the introduction of the new currency. He has reiterated on I would be glad to discuss this issue gone out of its way to pursue peace in various occasions that the monetary reform will be fully transparent and that there with you and your staff in greater detail. Eastern Europe. Ukraine’s participation in will be neither restrictions on exchanges nor confiscation of currency, something the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and its Robert G. Torricelli many Ukrainians feared would transpire as it did in Russia in 1993, when only a removal of nuclear weapons have earned Member of Congress certain amount of rubles could be traded for the new currency. It seems that the government has earned the trust of its citizens, something that has not happened since independence was gained five years ago. If economic reforms are to move forward in Ukraine, this trust is worth its ...President Clinton’s response weight in gold. It is the citizens of Ukraine who will determine whether or not Dear Bob: Ukraine’s reform program. We have these reforms take off in Ukraine. helped mobilize $1.9 billion in internation- Ben Slay, an analyst for the Open Media Research Institute, pointed out that Thank you for your letter on Ukraine’s al commitments for Ukraine in 1996, and if the Ukrainian currency began to slide, it could jeopardize the recent economic needs and the important role of we continue our advocacy for quick action exchange rate and price stability that had originally created the favorable pre- our assistance programs. on the $3 billion G-7 program, crafted conditions for the hryvnia’s introduction. I share your concern that Ukraine under U.S. leadership, to close Chornobyl. But, he added that “the introduction of national currencies in post-Communist faces a difficult adjustment period, but I Bilaterally, we have budgeted for Ukraine countries have often had the effect of creating powerful new symbols of national am also pleased that steady perseverance more assistance in FY 1996 than for any identity. These symbols in turn can help reformers sell their citizens on economic is showing positive results. President other country in the NIS: $330 million in policies that maintain (or strengthen) the value of the new currency by keeping Kuchma’s economic reforms have cut grants under the Freedom Support Act and inflation low and encouraging exports and foreign investment. monthly inflation from 18 percent to 1 other accounts, and $675 million in trade “Ukraine has reached a critical point in its economic transition: continued percent, stabilized the currency and shift- credits. progress requires socially painful restructuring of enterprises and financial ed half the economy to private hands. We I believe our outstanding record on institutions. The introduction of the hryvnia could help tilt the political balance are also optimistic that Ukraine’s new support for Ukraine makes an earmark in favor of reform, and help Ukraine through what will almost certainly be a Constitution, adopted on June 28, will unnecessary. You can be assured that, as difficult phase in its economic transition,” he explained. provide a legal foundation for investment Ukraine moves forward with reform, my Now, if the government stands by its word and the transition period on and growth. administration will continue to mobilize September 2-16 goes smoothly, there is a good chance that economic reforms In meetings with President Kuchma and international support. will take off in Ukraine. The hryvnia can appreciate in value and independent Prime Minister Lazarenko over the last few Ukraine will live long and prosper. weeks, senior members of my administra- Sincerely, tion have reaffirmed our strong support for Bill Clinton

when the plenary session adjourned until September 10. Sept. The crowd, however, was angered when the blue-and-yellow flag was raised along with the red-and-blue on the single flagpole atop the Supreme Soviet building, and TurningTurning the pagespages back... back... stormed up to the front steps, which were barricaded off. 3 The angry crowed broke down the barricades and shoved its way through the Interior Ministry forces to the front door, demanding the red-and-blue flag be taken down. 1991 On September 3, the Supreme Soviet approved a new minister of defense of As Ukraine’s Supreme Council reconvened in plenary session Ukraine, Maj. Gen. Kostyantyn Morozov, an air force commander, by a constitutional on September 3 – its first session since the declaration of indepen- majority, 323 to 3, with 11 abstentions. dence – it was a different body in a different Parliament chamber. Speaking in Russian, Maj. Gen. Morozov told the legislators that he would be will- Following are excerpts from the news story filed in the wake of independence by ing to become a civilian and leave his military ranking if the Ukrainian Supreme Chrystyna Lapychak. Soviet required the new minister of defense to do so. * * * After a last ditch effort by General Procurator Mykhailo Potebenko to overturn the Conspicuously absent from the hall on the first day of the plenary session on Presidium’s decrees banning the CPU and establishing a temporary commission of September 3 was the Lenin statue above the chairman’s podium, removed the evening inquiry into the behavior of officials during the failed coup, his proposal to introduce before by a decision of the Parliament’s Presidium. debate on the issue was voted down. The gesture followed the Presidium’s historic decision on August 29 to dissolve the Because there was no Ukrainian state procuracy, and since Mr. Potebenko was Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU) for its support of what it called the “unconstitu- appointed by Moscow to his position, the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet voted to end Mr. tional” failed coup in Moscow on August 19-21. Potebenko’s authority and that of his fellow chief procurators on the collegium, and The landmark decision banned the CPU, an organ of the Communist Party of the Soviet approved the establishment of a new post, general procurator of Ukraine. Union, which ruled the entire Soviet Union and Ukraine with an iron fist for over 70 years. Victor Shyshkin, an attorney and deputy from the Kirovohrad region, was elected, Although hardliners in the Supreme Soviet during last week’s two-day plenary session 280 to 19 out of 337, as the new general procurator. Chairman Kravchuk and most attempted to have the decision overturned with a statement signed by 90 deputies (out of deputies in the session hall, particularly the democratic minority, were visibly delight- the original Communist bloc of 239), calling it illegal, they were soundly outvoted. After ed by Mr. Shyshkin’s selection. suffering one defeat after another, a visibly upset Oleksander Moroz, leader of the Com- At the same time, it should be noted, throughout the land monuments to Lenin munist majority in the Supreme Soviet, announced on September 4 that the majority was came tumbling down. On September 5, the acting mayor of Kyiv, Oleksander officially dissolved within Parliament because the CPU leadership had “betrayed” them. Mosiyuk, announced that the city’s main monument to Vladimir Illich — all 1,000 On September 4, the Parliament voted after three tries to raise what it called the tons of it — would begin to be dismantled on September 9. Among the first cities to “national flag,” the blue-and-yellow flag, next to what remains the red-and-blue “state remove the ubiquitous Lenin were Pidvolochyske and Monastyrske; meanwhile, in flag” of the Ukrainian SSR above the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet building. Both flags Kremenets and Khmelnytsky, residents assembled at public meetings demanded that were to fly until a referendum on national symbolism is held and proper changes to their Lenin monuments be dismantled. the Constitution are made. And so, in the first few days of independence, the icon of communism was the first Thousands of people who had gathered outside the Parliament building during the to feel the effects of newfound freedom. two-day session watched as the red-and-blue flag was taken down just after 6 p.m., Source: The Ukrainian Weekly, September 8, 1991; Vol. LIX, No. 36. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Faces and Places words pertaining to the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy and the help needed by Myron B. Kuropas St. Sophia sidewalk to care for the growing number of sick due to radiation; the help the Ukrainian athletes not appropriate grave need for equipment, etc. for the Olympic Dear Editor: Games in Atlanta; and the upcoming 5th The Church’s stubbornness, militancy anniversary celebration of Ukrainian inde- and unwillingness to “Render to Caesar pendence. Give Ukraine a high five what is Caesar’s and to God what is After breakfast the ambassador and his Ukraine just celebrated its fifth birth- ing and selling products from Turkey and God’s” forced the Ukrainian government wife walked to each table, shook hands and day. All over the country, including Poland. The older generation, on the to capitulate by allowing the erection of a exchanged pleasantries with everyone, thus Russified eastern Ukraine, there were other hand, is interested in politics memorial over the sidewalk grave of endearing themselves to all. The feeling in parades, concerts, poetry readings, panel because independence has brought few Patriarch Volodymyr. the dining room was spiritually uplifting, discussions and television shows to com- benefits. For many senior citizens the Legend has it that Apostle Andrew and in our opinion the ambassador is a memorate the occasion. Blue-and-yellow misery quotient has risen during the past blessed the hills of present-day Kyiv. All first-class diplomat. The breakfast commit- flags, posters and bunting were all over the five years. In their minds, payless pay the land of Ukraine is sanctified with the tee was headed by Lesia Tatarko, and the place, even, I’ve been told, in the Crimea. days, devalued pensions, higher prices blood of our ancestors. Common sense master of ceremonies was Dr. Korol. It was There was something for everybody. and other such dislocations are the result tells us that to be buried in Ukrainian truly an elegant affair. For those who still yearned for the “good of independence. As bad as things were soil, anywhere (not beneath a sidewalk), In the evening the ambassador was a old days” of Soviet rule, Ukrainian under the Soviets, pay checks came on would be honorable and a proper place to guest speaker during the Taras Shevchenko Television offered nostalgia film footage time, and they could afford the basic have eternal rest. memorial concert held at St. Andrew of the gulag, churches being destroyed, a necessities of life as well as the occasion- Why did the Church leaders pick St. Cultural Center. The main theme of his few shots of the famine, live action shots al luxury. Who can blame them for want- Sophia for the patriarch’s burial place? speech was poetry of the great bard. His of Vlad (like in Lenin), as well as ing the return of Soviet-like rule? Who are those leaders who knowingly led opinion of poetry was precise, reverent, President Roosevelt’s old buddy “Uncle Ukraine’s education system, from pre- innocent, gullible mourners into the wall of deeply analytical and most likely many lis- Joe” (like in Stalin) and Lazar school to graduate school, is another area riot police who had the “ugly” duty to pro- teners began to understand Shevchenko’s Kaganovich, architect of the famine. of considerable concern. Teachers and tect the laws of the land and themselves? poetry in a new and more profound light. Some 450 leading lights of the North professors are ill-paid. There is a great Even a memorial the size of a pyramid Artist of Ukraine Yaroslav Maksymchuk American diaspora were invited for the shortage of books at all levels, especially would not correct the shameful spectacle recited a number of Shevchenko’s poems official festivities in Kyiv, which were in the social sciences. University profes- made of the patriarch’s funeral. It is done with a depth and emotion that brought tears conducted in the Ukrainian language. sors can’t keep up with the latest devel- and recorded, and the peoples of the world to many in the audience. There were a few missteps. Some opments in their chosen field of exper- will read about it on the pages of “Ripley’s It must be acknowledged with pride goofy singer from Moscow sang a song tise. And although Ukrainian-language Believe It or Not” and will marvel at our that the concert was a combined effort of tying Ukraine to “Mother Russia.” schools are multiplying, they are still too “wisdom” for years to come. the local communities and with available Everybody waited politely until he fin- few to serve a generation in need of a How sad that “a 10th century treasure” local talent. The choir performed melodi- ished and then booed him off the stage. new national identity. Older Ukrainians will now become a gravesite of ever-feud- ously and on the whole the concert was a Poor dope probably thought he was at a are of little help because they too are ing patriarchs of Ukraine. Unfortunately, as huge success both spiritually and finan- celebration of the Treaty of Pereyaslav. unsure of who they are. sure as there is a tomorrow, not being able cially. President of St. Andrew’s, Roman Over all, there was much to celebrate. Compounding problems facing to tolerate each others’ religious differ- Shramenko, opened the program with Ukraine has a Constitution that guarantees Ukrainian youth is the lack of a viable ences, the St. Sophia site will become a appropriate remarks, and Ms. Tatarko the right of private ownership – including extracurricular youth program following was mistress of ceremonies. mecca for fist fights and name-calling. land an official language, a national flag, the demise of the Young Pioneers and Sunday, March 10, the ambassador vis- Where is the Church’s piety, humility and — an official currency (hryvnia) that Komsomol. Plast is growing but it’s ited the Ukrainian American community in and its teachings about good and evil? The will be introduced this year at 1.77 to the mostly in western Ukraine. St. Petersburg. Church should distance itself from the dollar. Inflation is down, and the economy Corruption has not been stemmed, and On Monday, March 11, a public meet- craze of costly memorials and set an exam- appears to be headed upward. gangsterism has infiltrated all aspects of ing was held at 2 p.m. at the St. Mary ple to those who in these trying times are Ukraine’s newly enacted foreign Ukrainian life, even, it would seem, the tearing the very shirt from Ukraine’s back Ukrainian Catholic Church. George D. Mullen, chief commissioner of the town investment law (FIL) has given new hope American Embassy. There are people to finance self-glorifying monuments. As to those who want to do business in walking the streets of the United States for our late Patriarch Volodymyr, he (North Port operates without a mayor), pre- sented the ambassador with a proclamation Ukraine. According to law notes pub- who have purchased their visas illegally should be buried, or rather reburied, at St. lished by Patterson, Belknap, Webb and from racketeers who advertise their ser- Volodymyr Cathedral or at Baikiv naming him a “Honorary Citizen of the City of North Port.” The ambassador then Tyler, a New York law firm, FIL “pro- vices openly in the Ukrainian press. The Cemetery – not under a sidewalk. vides the fundamental benefits and state militia is poorly paid and either fearful of Let’s give him a Christian burial with- delivered an hour-long speech on the state of Ukraine’s health; its past, present and guarantees for protection of foreign the mobsters or on the take itself. Trials out sticks, stones and riot police, and the investment that have become traditional- of major criminals are rare. ever-present “crusaders” of UNA/UNSO. future prospects; its economy; privatization program; state of the new constitution; ly expected. And finally, there is little interest in This would please God and Ukraine, and “First, foreign investors are guaranteed prosecuting the criminals directly give eternal peace to Patriarch Volodymyr. international relations; expanded coopera- tion with the United States and the help the ‘national treatment,’ that is, they will be involved in the horrendous crimes of Ivan Jaciw Ukrainian community provides and how treated the same as domestic businesses Bolshevism at a time when other former- Windsor, Ontario badly that help is needed in Ukraine. and not discriminated against because they ly Communist states are not so reticent. The ambassador presented to several are foreign. Second, the Ukrainian law The Washington Post reported on July 9 members of our community a “hramota” explicitly acknowledges that preferences that Ethiopia has begun trying 46 top plaque as a thank-you gesture for their ser- can be established for specific foreign officials of the Marxist regime of dictator Florida community vice to Ukraine. The meeting was moderat- investments on the case-by-case basis to Mengistu Haile Mariam, who now lives ed by Ukrainian activist Yaroslav Haywas. develop ‘priority sectors in the economy, luxuriously in Zimbabwe, the guest of welcomed Shcherbak The sponsorship of the ambassador’s social sphere and territories ... to help alle- President Mugabe. “Over the next sever- Dear Editor: visit was undertaken jointly by the local viate the country’s energy dependency on al years,” reports the Washington Post, as The Ukrainian community in Florida branches of the Ukrainian American Russia, Ukrainian authorities have identi- many as 3,000 former officials of awaited the arrival of Ambassador Yuri Coordinating Council and the Ukrainian fied oil and gas exploration and develop- Mengistu’s regime could face trial, many Shcherbak with joy and anticipation. On Congress Committee of America headed ment as areas of special priority.’ ” on charges of genocide and crimes March 8 the ambassador met with Gov. respectively by Michael Belendiuk and Other provisions of FIL “guarantee against humanity.” It seems to me Lawton Chiles and other high-ranking offi- Jaroslav Kostyshyn. Both men contributed unhindered transfer of profits, revenues Ukraine could learn from Ethiopia. cials in Tallahassee. His next stop was the an inordinate amount of their time and and other proceeds in foreign currency Yes, there’s good news and bad news Ukrainian American community in North effort to assure that the reception of obtained legally ... as well as a 10-year coming from Ukraine. From where I sit, Port, which is the cultural and social center Ambassador Shcherbak was smooth and ‘guarantee against change in legislation,’ however, most of it is good news. A foun- of a large Ukrainian settlement. St. Andrew dignified as behooves the representative of albeit a restricted guarantee.” dation for statehood has been laid in Religious and Cultural Center plus the new an independent country. Although all of these developments Ukraine, and the nation is slowly moving St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church and As with all public affairs, mistakes were point to a brighter future, there are still seri- out of Moscow’s long, dark shadow. other religious denominations attract droves made that should be avoided in the future. ous problems that need to be overcome. Given the horrific devastation wrought by of winter and summer visitors. During the It was a mistake not to invite the city offi- Taxes, for example, are still confisca- the Bolsheviks during their bloody reign; winter season the North Port area is a bee- cials to participate in welcoming ceremo- tory. As one American businessman told given the fact that Ukraine almost lost its hive of cultural, educational and social nies for the ambassador. At the insistence me, “it is hard for anyone to conduct a history, its culture and its language; and activities. of the publicity committee, the mistake was profitable business in Ukraine legally.” given the lack of a professionally trained On Saturday, March 9, the ambassador corrected at the last moment. The commit- Commies in the Verkhovna Rada are nationalist leadership and an unfamiliarity was joyously welcomed to our community tee was also frustrated time and again in still putting the brakes on meaningful with the democratic process, the Ukrainian with the traditional bread and salt, and a their effort to generate appropriate newspa- change, and the next parliamentary elec- people have done extraordinarily well dur- get-acquainted breakfast at the Boca Royale per and TV coverage for the ambassador’s tions don’t take place until March 1998. ing their first five years on the world stage. Golf & Country Club. The spacious dining visit, due to the self-glorification of some A lot of mischief can be initiated That Ukraine is still around after five years room overlooking the golf course was people who place their personal ambitions between now and then. is for many of us a miracle. packed with guests eager to meet the above the good of the community. Even more scary is the fact that the For this, if for nothing else, the people ambassador and his charming wife, Mary. Joseph Iwaniw younger generation seems disinterested of Ukraine deserve one big high five The ambassador confined himself to a few Venice, Fla. in politics. They’re into “business,” buy- from all of us. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No. 35

Ukrainian independence sparks genealogical interest in Canada by Christopher Guly Tracing one’s roots back to Ukraine then becomes a bit trickier. Knowing OTTAWA – Prior to Ukraine’s 1991 the name of an emigrant relative’s declaration of independence, the birthplace is one thing; knowing when Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ Winnipeg they arrived in Canada is another, headquarters received “perhaps one or since Canada’s national and provincial two phone calls” from people interested archives have records of all immigrant in Ukraine, said UCC Executive Director arrivals. Often, they include details Lydia Jaworsky. about the emigre’s family. “In the last five years, we have, at However, finding that information times, been inundated with people either requires sound detective skills. “There telephoning or visiting us trying to find were three ports of entry into Canada,” out a bit more of their Ukrainian heritage said Mr. Hluszok. “Halifax, Quebec or trying to track down their family con- City and Montreal. You can trace the nection to Ukraine,” she said. “There ship records from one of those cities was no question older people always by the year, but some years had as maintained their connection with the old many as 800,000 people arriving in country. But now, I’m seeing a lot more Canada.” younger people trying to find out where But while Ukraine’s five-year-old they come from.” independence has prompted many In fact, the interest in genealogy with- in the local Ukrainian Canadian commu- Ukrainian Canadians to identify their ori- nity is de rigueur. One of the busiest sec- gins and keep archivists like Mr. Hluszok tions at the Kyiv Pavilion at this year’s frantically busy, the now country-to- Foreign Affairs Minister Hennadiy Udovenko (right) greets Council of Europe Winnipeg multicultural festival, Folk- country connection between Canada and Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys (second from left). lorama, was a room devoted to helping Ukraine has also produced a down side. people plant their Ukrainian family trees Twice in the last five years, Mr. Hluszok – sponsored by the Ukrainian Cultural said people were hoodwinked into send- and Educational Center, Oseredok. ing their personal Ukrainian Canadian In fact, Oseredok’s director of archival collection to a contact person in archives, Zenon Hluszok, has personally their ancestral villages. been flooded with a couple of hundred “In both cases, someone from inquiries in the last five years from Ukraine contacted these people in Ukrainian Canadians (real and aspirants) Canada and requested that they donate interested in finding out where they their books or whatever to a museum come from. “When there’s a lot of atten- that was about to be opened in their tion on Ukraine in the mass media, that’s mother village in Ukraine,” he said. when the phone starts to ring,” said Mr. “While playing on emotional heart- Hluszok. strings, the person at the Ukrainian end Although Oseredok does not actually also asked for money to support the pro- trace someone’s ancestral tree, Mr. ject. But, in both instances, after the Hluszok’s archival section will help them individuals on the Canadian side sent locate a family village on a Ukrainian their collection and their money, they map. Often, the 17-year-veteran lost contact with their Ukrainian coun- Oseredok archivist will help them terpart, as well as their money and their embark on their personal genealogical collections.” journey. “I always tell them you need With a country still struggling patience and need to be a good detec- through economic growing pains, Mr. tive,” he said. Hluszok is not entirely surprised that Mr. Hluszok advises family-tree con artists in Ukraine would resort to growers to begin by documenting all such ingenuous archival scams. biographical details of the most recent Then again, the ploys may also be generation and then work backward. part of the negative by-products that “The first hurdle to overcome is come with nationhood. “Sure, you have ensure that you know as much infor- bogus artists at work in Ukraine,” said mation as possible about your family Mr. Hluszok. “But you also have them connection in Canada.” in Canada and the United States.” Ukrainian folk dancers perform in the Ukraina Palace.

Marta Kolomayets President Leonid Kuchma delivers a fifth anniversary address in the Ukraina Palace. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 9 D.C. panel provides overview of Ukraine’s first five years by R.L. Chomiak help in its security system from friendly countries large and Special to The Ukrainian Weekly small, because none of them would want to irritate Russia. That factor is always present in any of Ukraine’s foreign WASHINGTON – At age 5, Ukraine is doing surpris- policy initiatives, Mr. Popadiuk contended. ingly well, say three experts who have followed these Adrian Karatnycky, president of Freedom House, who developments closely, and by its seventh birthday, one of has kept a finger on Ukraine’s pulse and frequently report- them predicted, Ukraine should enjoy economic recovery. ed the results since long before independence, expressed This candid, “warts-and-all” view of Ukraine was “substantial optimism” about Ukraine’s future. offered at the Center for Strategic and International Studies He noted that despite many problems over the past five (CSIS) in Washington on August 21 by a panel organized years, Ukraine now “is stabilizing in a democratic direc- jointly by CSIS and The Washington Group (TWG). tion, and to a large extent this has to do with the kind of Economist Oleh Hawrylyshyn, now an International leadership that has been exhibited by the two people who Monetary Fund official who had represented Ukraine at have been custodians of that state over its first five years – the IMF and before that was Ukraine’s deputy minister President Kravchuk and President Kuchma.” of finance, admitted that two years ago he was critical of Ukraine. “Today,” he said, “it’s impossible to be criti- While justifying the optimism about Ukraine’s future, cal. Ukraine looks like it’s catching up.” Its inflation, he with democracy and civil society continuing to evolve noted, has been stopped, but productivity is not there there, Mr. Karatnycky also warned that it was important yet. Now, if Ukraine continues to keep the inflation not to “turn away from many shortcomings that are natural down, waits for change to occur without forcing it, and to a transition from a 70-year legacy of totalitarianism.” fights the forces that seek to block this change, then by In a discussion after their presentation, which was mod- its seventh birthday Mr. Hawrylyshyn said he would erated by Richard Murphy, who is both a senior associate expect Ukraine to have an economic recovery. at CSIS and member of the board of directors of TWG, Mr. Roman Popadiuk, the first American ambassador to Hawrylyshyn suggested Ukraine should not give up easily Ukraine and now international affairs adviser to the when its exports are blocked with charges of dumping (as commandant of the U.S. Industrial College of the was the case last year when the U.S. said women’s coats Armed Forces, recalled that a fellow ambassador in made in Ukraine were selling at dumping prices). In a simi- Kyiv had argued Ukraine wouldn’t last five years. lar situation, he said, Taiwan would hire some smart At that time, he said, Ukraine had two main prob- lawyers to find loopholes in anti-dumping regulations. lems: security and identity. By now, Mr. Popadiuk con- Mr. Karatnycky discounted a suggestion from the tinued, the identity problem has been solved, and the floor that there are strong forces in Ukraine pulling it first credit for that should go to President Leonid towards Russia. He said he didn’t see that as a major Kravchuk and then Foreign Minister Anatoliy Zlenko, factor. Mr. Popadiuk agreed with this and recalled that who “made a big effort to extend Ukraine’s reach,” to when he traveled through Ukraine at the height of the open up Ukrainian Embassies in many countries. problems in the Crimea, there wasn’t much serious talk The security problem is still there, the former ambas- of going back to some form of union. But Russia, he sador said, and he included in it Ukraine’s energy deficien- said, hopes Ukraine will fall on its own, without any Marta Kolomayets cy, friction between those who want to continue Soviet-era need for an aggressive takeover. subsidies and those who want privatization and ties to the If Ukraine gets its economic house in order, he said, A banner in Kyiv announces Ukrainian Independence West, but foremost the fact that Ukraine can’t count on it will survive. Day.

tary hardware, the 30-minute parade who have done much to ensure Ukraine’s depiction of “Mother Ukraine” was Kyiv celebrates... recalled Soviet-style celebrations and independence,” and voiced heartfelt thanks unveiled next to the monument of Taras (Continued from page 1) lacked the spirit and color of an American to “our brothers — Ukrainians worldwide, Shevchenko in the city center, at the site General Giacomelli, who is the director of production, such as a small-town Fourth who supported Ukraine by word and deed, where the first meetings calling for the Vienna-based U.N. European Depart- of July parade. and dreamt of its resurrection.” Ukrainian independence were held in 1988. ment. Ignoring the cloudy weather, thousands A grand fireworks display on Saturday Meanwhile, in the sometimes restive of people came out to view the parade and evening, August 24, was a colorful sight Crimean Autonomous Republic, the “Our national armed forces are a model the various attractions prepared by the Kyiv that lit up Kyiv’s evening skies; simulta- blue-and-yellow flag was hoisted atop of loyalty to the country’s national interests City Council for this historic fifth anniver- neous fireworks displays both in the city the Parliament building in Symferopil, a and historic and military traditions of the sary. Many of them were visitors from the center and off of one of the mighty first in modern Ukrainian history. past generations,” said Gen. Kuzmuk. United States, Canada and Europe — rep- Dnipro’s little isles were a captivating Even the Crimean Parliament, with its “They know who and what they are to resentatives of the Ukrainian diaspora — scene, enjoyed by Kyiv residents and ethnic Russian majority, congratulated defend,” he added, explaining that their from around the world, who were proud to guests alike. its residents on Ukraine’s fifth year of motto is “For Ukraine and its freedom.” be in Ukraine to help celebrate its fifth On Sunday, August 25, parties contin- independence. Other distinguished foreign guests cele- birthday. ued not only in Kyiv but throughout “For Crimea, as well as for all of brating Ukraine’s fifth anniversary of inde- They were not forgotten by President Ukraine, in such cities as Poltava, Ivano- Ukraine, the past five years have been a pendence included Malta’s Vice-Premier Kuchma, who, during his address on Frankivske and Sumy, and in towns and period of difficult trials and hardships in and Foreign Minister Guido de Marco and August 23, paid tribute to “our great prede- villages throughout Ukraine. every sphere of life. It took a great effort Canada’s Senate Speaker Gildas Molgat. cessors,” expressed gratitude to “our con- In Lviv, a bronze monument depicting to overcome them and ensure further Despite the fact that it was void of mili- temporaries, the statesmen and politicians Ukraine’s history and crowned with a consolidation of healthy forces in soci- ety, attain constructive goals and secure a dignified way of life,” read the mes- sage from the Crimean leaders. On August 24, military units of the Sevastopil garrison marched in a parade devoted to Ukraine’s fifth anniversary of independence. Troops were reviewed by Deputy Defense Minister Vice-Adm. Volodymyr Bezkorovayny. The com- mander of the military review was Deputy Navy Commander Rear Adm. Olexiy Ryzhenko. In honor of Ukraine’s independence, one of the squares in a Sevastopil bay was renamed Svoboda (Freedom) Square. In Kyiv’s Independence Square, vari- ous musical groups — pop, rock and folk artists who have made names for them- selves in such festivals as Chervona Ruta – performed throughout the weekend. Singers and musicians from the Tavria Games festival, held in the Kherson region in July, also entertained the audi- ences on Saturday evening, August 24. And, Kyiv’s City Council suggested that the sole monument of Vladimir Lenin remaining in the capital city be removed, underscoring once again that there is no going back to the past for this A military parade marches down the Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s main thoroughfare. five-year-old European state. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No. 35

BOOK REVIEW

Czech ethnographer’s photos illustrate book on 19th century Ukraine The Land They Left Behind: Canada’s Ukrainians in the Homeland. Stella Hryniuk and Jeff Picknicki. Introduction by Nadia Valaskova. Photography by Frantisek Rehor. Winnipeg: Watson & Dwyer, 1995. 107 pp. illus. ISBN 0-920486-13-4 $24.95 (Distributed by General Publishing: 1-800-389-0172 in western Canada, 1-800-387- 0141 in eastern Canada.

by Orysia Paszczak Tracz impression is that the photographer just called to the people to look his way, and “Photography by Frantisek Rehor.” It is they did. The other photographs are of peo- the last note on the title page, and yet with- ple, places and events without anyone pay- out it, this book would not exist. Rehor ing attention to the camera at all. (pronounced Rzhegorzh), the Czech ethno- The front and back cover photos are grapher and folklorist (1857-1899), fell in sepia (rather than black or grey) on white, love with things Ukrainian. In the introduc- giving the reader the feeling that he/she is tion, Nadia Valaskova writes: “By birth he entering the past. The photos in the book was a Czech but he lived for much of his are black and white. The glass negatives life in Ukrainian Galicia, a region whose are reproduced on the pages in an unusual unique ethnic coloring and rich culture so way, giving the reader a sense of antiqui- fascinated the young Rehor that he dedicat- ty, or at least of stepping back in time. ed the whole of his creative life and work The edges of the photos are not sharp, but to its study and documentation.” fade, just the way the negatives were That documentation included a 2,000- developed. This adds a dreamy, almost item collection of Ukrainian folk art and other-worldly quality to the scenes. craft, 300 articles on Ukrainian themes, And yet these scenes are so fascinating, and a photograph collection of 350 glass and so down-to-earth. Before seeing these Ukrainians, her wonderful title “The “A Woman’s Work” (managing the house- plates, 9x12 cm in size, of life in photographs, the only images I had of Land They Left Behind” connects that hold, wash day), “To Market To Market” Halychyna, or Galicia, the term used by Ukrainian village life of the last century land and its people to Canada as the sub- (Zhydachiv, Bolekhiv, Kosiv), “Some of the authors of the book. were from artwork – the mostly pretty and title explains, “Canada’s Ukrainians in the People” (villagers, townsfolk, the Many fortunate events came together idealized paintings by Shevchenko, the Homeland.” Hutsuls, Jews, beggars), “The Built to create this treasure of a book. Ms. Vasylkivsky, and so many other fine Dr. Hryniuk emphasizes (as she did in Landscape” (schools, churches, roadside Valaskova discovered the photo collec- artists. The few photographs I was familiar one of her latest books, “Peasants with crosses and chapels, road building), tion in the course of her ethnographic with before this book were posed portraits Promise: Ukrainians in Southeastern “Special Days” (1848 remembered, Corpus work in the National Museum of of couples and families, sitting and stand- Galicia 1880-1900”), that at the turn of the Christi, Obzhynky) “Easter” (the Great Ethnography in Prague. For some reason, ing stiffly for the camera in all their finery century, Ukrainian peasants in this region Day, hayivky, Easter games, Drenched whether financial or otherwise, other (in the chapter “Some of the People,” there were not the downtrodden illiterate poor Monday, a time to remember), “To the Canadian scholars were not interested in are a few posed family portraits, but out- we have been lead to believe. They were Other World” (funerals, cemeteries). acquiring the rights to these photographs. doors, as the photographer caught them). becoming more prosperous, more educat- Completing the book are a bibliogra- Dr. Stella Hryniuk of the University of My other images are from literature, which ed, more active politically and socially. phy, a glossary of Ukrainian words, Manitoba doggedly pursued this project, described village life, but each reader’s “As the villagers’ feelings of dignity and index, and toponymy of settlements trying to find a sponsor. This was accom- imagination conjures up different images self-worth increased, so did their expecta- where photographs were taken as of 1900 plished with the generosity of the of what this life was. tions of a better life, for themselves, and [this is given in the transliterated Canadian Province of the Sister Servants In “The Land They Left Behind,” we especially for the next generation. For Ukrainian and in Polish, both village, of Mary Immaculate, who were looking see actual people, seliany [villagers] and some of them this would lead to emigra- town, and county]. for a fitting way to celebrate their centen- mishchany [townspeople] living their tion to another country,” she writes. Mr. Picknicki may be familiar to The nial: Their founding a century ago was in life. The camera captured them as they Chapters 2-11, written by Mr. Picknicki, Ukrainian Weekly readers from his “Baba the general region depicted on the pho- were, not always attractive, and some- are the meat of the book. Without his Chronicles,” about his grandmother. He is tographs. Jeff Picknicki, an accomplished times downright grubby. But then, how extremely detailed, well-researched text, also the author of “Generations: a Family Winnipeg researcher and writer, wrote else is a maziar [greaseman] at work sup- the photos would have remained interesting History” (Winnipeg: Sanford Evans, 1990). chapters 2-11 of the book, describing so posed to look? I imagined women wash- pictures, but without meaning. The chapter Who would have thought that a photo- ably the life and rituals the photographs ing laundry at the pond or lake or river, titles say it all, and we learn all about each graph of a blacksmith would be interest- depict. To do this better, he even learned and here I see them, not exactly the way of the subjects: “House and Home” (house ing? But not only do we see a horse being Czech, adding to his growing linguistic they appeared in my mind. construction, the farm yard, manor house, shod, we see that it is a Hutsul pony, and arsenal. As Mr. Picknicki writes, his The 11 chapters of the book clearly wells, fences), “Working the Land” (in the we see that his owner came to Kosiv to the work “was truly a labor of love.” define the photographs. Dr. Hryniuk, in fields, haying, bringing in the crops, the market dressed in his kyptar, with a tobiv- In contrast to other books that may Chapter 1, discusses “The Land of the potato harvest), “Supplementary ka, and wearing postoly and kapchuri. include photographs of village and town Photographs,” the Halychyna in which Occupations” (blacksmithing, tanning, cul- Most of the other photos also show us the life in Ukraine from the end of the last cen- these people lived, and from which they tivation of special crops, beekeeping, bas- folk costume of the areas in all their detail, tury, these photographs are either not posed emigrated to North America. Even ketweaving and plaitwork, the greaseman, at all, or are moments caught in time. The though the book is all about Ukraine and from peat to palyvo, burning limestone), (Continued on page 13)

Czech academic carves niche in Ukrainian ethnographic studies by Jeff Picknicki Morski Prague, which she continues to the present day. undertaken a study of the former Czech social and cul- With varied interests ranging from the study of the tural activist Vojta Naprstek. Naprstek, whose Czech Slovak by birth, Czech by nationality and living in Ukrainian minority in the Czech Republic and Technical Museum in Prague was the original home to the city of Prague, Dr. Nadia Valaskova may seem Slovakia to the family cycle of rites and rituals, a great Rehor’s Ukrainian ethnograph artifacts, provided misplaced when included among the list of leading deal of Dr. Valaskova’s research and writing activities financial support to Rehor during the time he spent in researchers and academics working in the field of have, in addition, centered around the life and work of western Ukraine and encouraged him in his further Ukrainian ethnographic studies. Frantisek Rehor. Rehor, a Czech ethnographer who study and documentation of the Ukrainian people. In fact, not only does she belong on this list for her significant contribution to the field, within it she has lived in present-day western Ukraine during the late Other current research projects include a study of the carved for herself a unique niche through her extensive 1800s, amassed an enormous collection of Ukrainian immigration of Ukrainians to the Czech Republic fol- work on the legacy of 19th century Czech ethnograph- ethnographic artifacts, photographs and writings that lowing the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster. er Frantisek Rehor. Her solid academic training, strong with little exception, has remained largely unstudied Like Messrs. Rehor and Naprstek before her, Dr. background in ethnography and love and affection for since his premature death in 1899. Valaskova has made an invaluable contribution to the her subject has made her one of today’s leading spe- Dr. Valaskova, in continuing the work of researcher study and preservation of the Ukrainian culture. Most cialists in this field of Ukrainian studies. Michal Molnar and others, has devoted years of study to notably it is her dedication to the Rehor legacy that has Nadia Surkalov Valaskova was born in the city of surveying Rehor’s collections at the National Museum in set her work apart from that of others. By using these Presov, Slovakia, and graduated with a Ph.D. in ethnol- Prague and working through his written materials in the mostly untapped and previously forgotten sources, she ogy and folklore studies from Prague’s Charles city’s Literary Archive. One of her most comprehensive has been able to show, in details seldom before seen, University in 1969. In 1966-1969, she worked as a articles on this subject appeared in the Czech-language the rich, vibrant and progressive society that was the researcher at the Museum of Ukrainian Culture in journal Cesky Lid (The Czech People) in 1990 on the Ukrainian homeland. Svidnik, Slovakia, and then at the Cabinet of Ethnology occasion of the 90th anniversary of Rehor’s death. Jeff Picknicki Morski’s book “The Land They Left of Comenius University in Bratislava. In 1972, she Concurrent with her work on Frantisek Rehor, the Behind: Canada’s Ukrainians in the Homeland” began her work as a researcher at the Institute of most recent of which has been amending the bibliogra- (Watson and Dwyer, Winnipeg) is based around the Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in phy of his published works, Dr. Valaskova has also photograph collection of Frantisek Rehor. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 11

their first decade of independence. Ukraine’s Embassy... “And the steady, courageous efforts of Planning a trip to (Continued from page 1) Ukraine’s people to transform their econo- YEVSHANDistributor of fine Ukrainian products - Cassettes, Compact letter read, “Ukraine has emerged as a my,” Ambassador Collins added, “has discs - Videos - Language tapes & Dictionaries - Computer leader for peace and democracy.” opened the way for closer ties with Europe UKRAINE? fonts for PC & MAC - Imported Icons - Ukrainian Stationery - Cookbooks - Food parcels to Ukraine President Clinton also promised to work and the United States in pursuit of mutual with Ukraine and America’s European prosperity and the well-being of all.” Personalized Call for a free catalog partners “to promote Ukraine’s integration The national anthem of Ukraine was into the European family.” sung by a male octet from Philadelphia Travel Service at 1-800-265-9858 Adding some personal observations, called Haydamaky, while Renata Hron led VISA - MASTERCARD - AMEX ACCEPTED in the singing of the American anthem. Reasonable Rates FAX ORDERS ACCEPTED (514) 630-9960 Ms. Verveer recalled how pleasant it was BOX 325, BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC for her, who as a child had been taught to Ambassador Shcherbak, host of the CANADA - H9W 5T8 sing the Ukrainian national anthem, evening, noted that the event was being •VISAS•HOTELS•MEALS• “Shche Ne Vmerla Ukraina,” to stand on held “in a historical place – at the cross- •TRANSFERS•GUIDES• the soil of free Ukraine in May 1995, roads of the past, present and future. In this •AIR TICKETS• when she accompanied President Clinton building ... more than 200 years ago, the on his state visit. first U.S. president, George Washington, •CARS WITH DRIVERS• She also noted that “building democracy worked. He was one of the most ardent •INTERPRETERS• FLOWERS is not easy; we know from our own experi- champions of independence. It’s not acci- •SIGHTSEEING• ence – 220 years now for the United States dental that Taras Shevchenko, the greatest – that it is never-ending work. But it is a Ukrainian bard, dreamt about the coming most noble cause and we are committed in of our own Washington, ‘with new and righteous law,’ and prayed that this time LANDMARK, LTD Delivered in Ukraine our support for your efforts.” toll free (800) 832-1789 Ambassador James Collins, coordinator would certainly come. 1-800-832-1789 of ties with new independent states at the “In this building, the modern history DC/MD/VA (703) 941-6180 Landmark, Ltd. Department of State, brought greetings of Ukrainian-U.S. relations is being cre- fax (703) 941-7587 from Secretary Warren Christopher. He ated. I believe that this place, illuminated said that “in the fifth year Ukraine demon- by the spiritual genius of Washington strated great capacity for courage and lead- and Taras Shevchenko, will continue to FIRST QUALITY ership and its strength as a partner for the play a prominent role in the further forg- HOUSE FOR SALE UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE United States,” in the removal of nuclear ing of our partnership.” arms, in leadership for the extension of the And the ambassador raised a toast “to BY SOYUZIVKA MONUMENTS Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which the strengthening of Ukranian-American SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES “led the way toward a safer world and a friendship, to Leonid Kuchma, president Call 914-361-2274 more secure Europe.” of Ukraine, and to Bill Clinton, president OBLAST He also mentioned the work for peace of the United States of America. MEMORIALS by Ukrainian soldiers in Bosnia, and “Long live the independent Ukrainian P.O. BOX 746 added that this year’s passing of state. Slava Ukraini – Glory to Ukraine. Chester, NY 10918 God bless America.” By then in Kyiv it was 914-469-4247 Ukraine’s Constitution “opens the way WEST2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ARKA Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 for Ukraine to flourish as a democracy, already early morning of August 24 — the BILINGUAL HOME APPOINTMENTS as its people begin the second half of sixth August 24 of independent Ukraine. Gifts Ukrainian Handicrafts Looking for an individual to help care Art, Ceramics, Jewellery A. CHORNY Cabinet of Ministers in November, she said. for elderly man in the Yonkers, NY area. Books, Newspapers “[We] also have great appreciation for Male preferred. Ottawa diplomats... Cassettes, CDs, Videos (Continued from page 1) Ukraine’s participation in peacekeeping Hours and pay negotiable. 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Communist past,” he said. “We found our- Meanwhile, at the Slovakian Embassy in NEWSLETTER Toll Free 1-800-898-9778 selves many times in a similar situation, Ottawa, Ambassador Anton Hykisch said Serving Ukrainian singles of all ages and roughly about the same time, we were Ukraine was one of his country’s “best throughout the United States and Canada. Ext. H-6945 for current listings. friends.” There are an estimated 30,000 able to secure our freedom and indepen- For information send a self-addressed Ukrainians living in eastern Slovakia. dence. Today, both countries are develop- stamped envelope to: ing democracy and prosperity, and fighting “We are probably just behind the United SEIZED CARS from $175. Single Ukrainians very hard to get rid of the difficulties States, with the second-highest rate of Porsches, Cadillacs, Chevys. BMW’s, inherited from the old systems.” established joint ventures between our two P.O. Box 24733, Phila., Pa. 19111 L.P. 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bids citizens of other countries from Belarusian opposition... holding appointed posts in government, (Continued from page 3) but this is nonetheless a reality in our the humor the situation is serious, when country. For example Lukashenka a man like Lukashenka is put into appointed as vice chairman of the KGB, power. He sends the police to beat inno- Yerin, a Russian citizen, formerly a cent people in the streets. Seven colonel in the FSB. NEW YORK • LVIV • NEW YORK $749.00 Ukrainian citizens [arrested at the time This Yerin is still a part of the FSB? of the April 26 demonstrations against Syarhei Navumchyk: Well now he is the Lukashenka regime] are still sitting NEW YORK • KYIV • NEW YORK $760.00 part of the Belarusian KGB, but the point in a Miensk jail, and for what? Our is that he is a Russian citizen. (Taxes Included) youth tried to demonstrate and literally Zyanon Paznyak: Could you imagine everyone got surrounded, beaten, tear- if the head of the FBI or the CIA were a gassed, and many were arrested. Chinese citizen who is head of the AIR UKRAINE Effective 15 August Syarhei Navumchyk: In our meetings Chinese intelligence services? The point in the State Department and the Senate, being: how can a citizen of another coun- (212) 254-8779 or (800) 535-5587 we especially raised the matter of two try serve in such a capacity? This is our political prisoners, vice president of the reality. Within Lukashenka’s inner circle democratic Beer Lovers’ party Andrei of Russians there is but one Belarusian, Ramasheusky and the poet Slavomir the chief of the presidential administra- Adamovich, who is being held for a tion, well-connected with the Russian ATTENTION ATTENTION poem he wrote, allegedly titled “Kill the economic mafia, Uladzimir Zamyatalin. President.” Mr. Adamovich was the first AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN EXTRA INCOME We have a junta which has seized control Belarusian poet to condemn Stalin’s of the security services and the budget. deeds, soon after that dictator’s death. By Funds from the budget are regularly We are looking to expand our advertising clientele for our publications, the way, the arrest and holding of the the Ukrainian-language daily Svoboda and English-language The Ukrainian Weekly. poured over into the so-called presiden- seven Ukrainians, members of the tial fund. There are sufficient documents Ukrainian National Assembly, in If you are a self-motivated, hard-working and bright individual, you can supplement your to prove this. Should there be a national Miensk, has been effectuated only uprising, and this can occur in our cur- income by referring customers to our advertising department. Your earnings will be based through the direct violation of practically on the amount of advertising you attract to our pages. rent difficult socioeconomic situation, every rule of the Belarusian code of then most of the government bureaucracy criminal procedure. They have not been and nomenklatura will turn away from For details please write or call: Svoboda Administration allowed to see an attorney, the conditions Advertising Department: Maria Szeparowycz Lukashenka, especially if he loses of their detention are pathetic, and even Moscow’s support. Should the masses 30 Montgomery Street the Ukrainian Embassy has had great dif- take to the streets, as they did in 1991, Jersey City, NJ 07302 ficulty maintaining contact with them. when hundreds of thousands came out, (201) 434-0237 That is why the Belarusian Popular Front then the junta, though allied with and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Lukashenka, would face a possible diffi- are both demanding the earliest release of cult choice. He is the type of person who these seven individuals. would order the shooting of demonstra- Does the Lukashenka government tors, as is evidenced by the beating, on have popular support and is there a his orders, of parliamentary deputies in chance that the regime could be 1995, the suppression of the recent deposed, whether from within or by demonstrations, etc. So the junta would outside means? have to consider whether they would want blood on their hands, or perhaps get Zyanon Paznyak: In 1994, 56 percent rid of Lukashenka like the Romanians of all voters voted for Lukashenka. True, got rid of Ceaucescu in 1989... So he 80 percent of those voting in the second really does not have much support, apart round voted for him, but this constituted from the junta and the 25 percent of com- only 56 percent of all eligible voters. munists, Russians and fringe elements Now, he has the support of a stable 25 amongst the population at large. He percent of the population. And I say “sta- trusts neither the militia nor the KGB, ble” because these are for the most part only his hand-picked retainers. And this older people, veterans, members of the is common knowledge in Belarus. He is a former nomenklatura, ethnic Russians, man who does not take his bulletproof people of a pro-Communist and pro- vest off in public, and he will soon sleep Stalinist orientation, who so loath the in it, if he is not doing so already. Belarusian state and nation that they will support Lukashenka to the bitter end, Have experts commented on Mr. even if one were to skin them alive. Lukashenka’s mental state, his sanity? Lukashenka has the most marginal vot- Zyanon Paznyak: Psychiatrists who ers. Young people reject him, intellectu- have observed his behavior have con- als, there is a growing and active opposi- cluded he is a paranoid schizophrenic. tion to him within blue collar constituen- The classic symptoms are there. There is cies. He is also not accepted by the cur- constant turbulence, a non-stop search rent bureaucracy, including persons for enemies. If none can be found, they appointed by him to high positions. They are created within the sufferer’s head. In fear him and so carry out his orders, but Lukashenka’s case, it’s hard to find a they do not in any way see him as a highly placed official appointed by him, leader of the nation, as someone worth who has not subsequently been either defending. The bureaucracy may be nos- fired, demoted, threatened with harm or talgic but it is unenthusiastic about actually punished. The most recent Lukashenka, to the extent that some of example is the case of the Russian his orders are not carried out. This is true Belarusophobe Tatiana Vinnikova, the of all structures, including the KGB, new head of the National Bank of which he does not trust. Belarus. When, about a month after her Then what is his base of power? appointment, she refused to carry out some order of his because of her knowl- Zyanon Paznyak: He has created a edge that it went against all accepted praetorian guard of approximately 2,400 banking procedures, e.g.. to make “5” out within the Interior Ministry, as well as of “4,” Lukashenka told her, simply, to surrounded himself with hand-picked obey his orders or suffer the conse- lackeys. His guiding principle in choos- quences. She refused, and a short time ing retainers is “No Belarusians need thereafter, her son was severely beaten apply.” That is his principal power struc- by unknown assailants. The same thing ture. His closest advisors and collabora- happened when the wife of a Radio tors are people connected, in the first Liberty correspondent critical of the place, with the Russian intelligence ser- Lukashenka regime was beaten uncon- vices. There are retired colonels among scious by masked men, who specifically them, various other ranking officers of told the woman that her beating was in the Russian FSB, the foreign intelligence retribution for her husband’s acts. So you service. Some of them are even Russian see what his power rests on: lies and citizens. The Belarusian Constitution for- brute force. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 13

Tovmach, and Kosiv in the Hutsul region, Czech ethnographer’s... and Horodenka and Ternopil in Podillia... (Continued from page 10) “The photographic collection, it can- for example, women wearing embroidered not be overstated, exists within the lega- shirts and some kind of beads even for cy of Rehor’s life and work truly as an everyday work, the hairstyles, and the anomaly. Taken with a borrowed camera ornament on the back of a svyta [coat] of a and at a time when photography as a part man going to market in Zhydachiv. of ethnographic fieldwork was seldom The details in the photos are fascinating: used, the photographs reconstruct in con- the wattled fence (plit), the patterns in the siderable detail the social and cultural thatched roofs, the finely plaited baskets, ambience of the era as it was seen by the musicians accompanying people head- someone who lived through it...” ed to work the harvest, girls collecting Even though this is such a special and poppy seeds (the lovely cover photo), and valuable book, some improvements could we see an actual “perelaz” in the fence. be made for the next edition. One gets the The details in the text also add to the rich- impression the publisher was in too big a ness of information. Mr. Picknicki not hurry to get this book out because, very only describes the rituals depicted, but he obviously, basic proofreading was not explains the reasons for them. For exam- done. For example, on the map, “coun- ple, in the chapter “To the Other World” tries” instead of “counties,” and Slovakia (from the Ukrainian “na toi svit”), we learn labeled as “Slovenia,” and in the text, why the deceased was carried out of the “weeding” songs instead of wedding house feet first, and why still-hot freshly songs. The type of the text could have baked bread was carried to the cemeteries been a bit larger, because it is hard to for the memorial service. read; even the page numbers are hard to In her essay on Rehor, Ms. Valaskova find. The captions for the photos are explains why not all events of village life placed on the edges of the photos them- were photographed: selves, and often are also difficult to see. “... Not all of these groups [of pho- The term for “skasuvannia pan’shchyny” tographs] however, are equal in size and is translated as “abolition of compulsory some, such as christenings, weddings, and labor.” To this reviewer, “abolition of serf- other family celebrations are completely dom” would be a much clearer, definite absent from the collection, even though translation. Serfdom and compulsory labor, Rehor himself participated in these events while similar, convey different meanings. and described them in his articles. The rea- The Glossary of Ukrainian Words is much son, of course, was his lack of a camera of too short, considering the terminology in his own [the one he used was borrowed] the text. and the inability to photograph the interi- This is a special book, one-of-a-kind. ors of houses or buildings because of tech- This reviewer hopes that a revised edi- nical considerations... tion appears, and receives mainstream “Territorially, the collection includes, attention. This material leaves you won- first of all, Zhydachiv and its environs, dering what all those other Frantisek and also several villages in the former Rehor photographs show, and what he counties of Stryi, Dolyna, Kalush, wrote about in his many articles.

TO ALL UNA MEMBERS: Kindly be reminded that your dues (premiums) for insurance coverage are Executive Director payable on the first day of the month, and not at the end, as some assume. The Ukrainian Institute of America, Inc., is seeking suitable candidate for the By paying promptly to your Branch Secretary, you will help him/her remit position of Executive Director of the Institute. the monthly collection to the Home Office in a timely fashion. The Executive Director, based in NYC at the UlA’s headquarters at Fifth HOME OFFICE OF UNA. Avenue and 79th Street, will be responsible for the administration of the UIA and its Headquarters building; actively promoting and coordinating the use of the Headquarters facility for meetings, receptions, concerts, social and cultural events, film shoots and exhibits; budgeting for all activities and events; develop- ing new business revenue sources for the UIA and its Headquarters facility and communicating with the Board of Directors and UIA membership.

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problems facing his country. Constitution... Mr. Kravchuk said the middle class is (Continued from page 5) growing in Ukraine, suggesting that it be able to capitalize on the divisiveness a now includes 10 percent of the popula- Air Ukraine tion, but added that impoverishment is National Airlines referendum could provoke, particularly in difficult economic times. sucking ever more people down. In turning to economic affairs, Mr. The former Communist ideologue said Kravchuk claimed that Ukraine’s diffi- he frequently confronts those who assert NON-STOP FLIGHTS culties with rampant corruption are no “they lived better” under the Soviet different than those facing other former regime. “Who lived better? I know who NEW YORK - KYIV — Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays Soviet states. He said this is an inevitable lived better, and it wasn’t you,” Mr. symptom of the co-existence of “the new Kravchuk related. NEW YORK - LVIV — Tuesdays and the old” in Ukraine’s political and Describing the political climate prior to administrative order. the recent presidential elections in Russia, CHICAGO - LVIV - KYIV — Thursdays Mr. Kravchuk called Ukraine’s industri- Mr. Kravchuk said that “people were al sector “unnatural” and “deformed by the marching around the Russian Parliament For information and reservations, please call: Soviet legacy” and needful of “geographi- with eyes ablaze, ready to assume roles of cal reorientation” toward the West and executioner, ready to decide who will hang redesigned for lesser dependence on former from what lamppost.” 1-800-UKRAINE ties established under the ancient regime. However, the former president said Topically, he cited statistics about the “history spoke otherwise” and expressed (1-800-857-2463) non-viability of the local coal industry, confidence that Ukraine and Russia will or our corporate offices: saying that Polish coal costs $35 a ton to be “equal partners” economically and produce, Russian coal $21 a ton, while in politically. New York - (212) 557-3077 Ukraine it is being produced at levels Apart from opining that re-elected New York - (212) 599-0555 ranging from $72 to $400 a ton. For Mr. Russian President Boris Yeltsin is a Kravchuk, the involvement of about 2 known quantity and thus preferable than Chicago - (312) 640-0222 million people in this industry and the any alternative, Mr. Kravchuk made no struggles of pensioners seeking to live on further comments about the changing Arrival and departure information: $20 a month are the gravest economic political scene in Moscow. JFK - (718) 656-9896 JFK - (718) 632-6909 was thanks to this that the work of the O’HARE - (312) 894-3451 Ukraine exists... Supreme Council, the presidential admin- (Continued from page 5) istration and political forces, parties and mere five years to build a new state, perfect movements came together and on June 28 in all respects?” gave us the new Constitution.” Air Ukraine With the approval of the Constitution of Mr. Kravchuk cited as the Constitution’s 551 Fifth Ave., Suite 1002, 1005 pluses the fact that it clearly states that the New York, NY 10176 Ukraine on June 28 “a new period in the life of Ukraine began.” He went on to state language of Ukraine is Ukrainian; that national minorities are recognized; that it For cargo shipments call to: state, “The Supreme Council on the morn- ing of June 28, 1996, became different. In enshrines the Ukrainian flag and emblem; one night it became different. In the and that Kyiv is recognized as the capital of Air Ukraine - Cargo Ukraine. “Thus, there will be no more falsi- Tel. 718-376-1023, FAX 718-376-1073 process of adopting the Constitution and debating it, there was a definitive polariza- fications” regarding “these fundamental historical and national questions,” he 2307 Coney Island Ave. (Ave.T), Brooklyn, NY 11223 tion of all political forces that exist in the Supreme Council.” Even among the explained. Communists, he said, there were those Our most important task, now that there “who understood that it is impossible to go is a Constitution of Ukraine, is that “we back. Just as no one has yet been able to have to learn to live by the Constitution,” revive a dead person and raise him from the former president observed. “Our peo- 17th Annual the coffin, it is impossible to revive the ple, who lived at the time of the Soviet Soviet Union, the socialist system or the Union, during the rule of the Communist Communist Party.” Party, knew well that there were no func- Continuing on the topic of Ukraine’s tioning laws, that there was only one law: Baltimore Ukrainian Festival newly approved Constitution, Mr. the decisions of the Communist Party.” In concluding his remarks, Mr. September 7 and 8, 1996 Kravchuk commented: “Why was it so important to have a Kravchuk said: “Regardless of the most 12 Noon - 7 PM rain or shine Constitution? This serves to underline the impossible obstacles, regardless of internal path we have taken. This is the beginning of problems and external pressures — and Music, dancing, crafts, ethnic foods a new stage: Ukraine became mature; it has these do exist, especially on the part of our its own passport; it will develop its own northern neighbor [Russia] — we can state laws and life based on the new Constitution. that Ukraine exists and it will continue to Addmission: $2.00 “Is our Constitution perfect? We, of all exist. No one will change this, no matter what he does. Because this is the will of the $1.00 seniors and children under 12 the countries that arose on the territory of the former Soviet Union, took the longest nation.” to adopt a constitution. But, I believe that Mr. Kravchuk’s address was followed To be held on the grounds of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church as of today we have one of the best consti- by a question and answer session. on Eastern Avenue and Montford St., Baltimore, Maryland. tutions, the best that could be adopted in Afterwards, Mr. Kendzior screened a Parliament in 1996 with its current mem- videotape of the historic events of June 27- 28 in Parliament when the Constitution of Directions from I-95: Take exit I-395 (follow signs for downtown) bership. And this happened because cen- trist democratic factions in the Supreme Ukraine was adopted. Directions from I-95: Turn right onto Pratt St. (3rd light). Go to end. Council were active, not missing a single (The news story above is an abridged Directions from I-95: Turn right onto Patterson St. opportunity to underline the objective version of the Ukrainian-language news Directions from I-95: Next light make a left onto Eastern Avenue. necessity of adopting the Constitution. It story filed by Halyna Kolessa, member of Directions from I-95: Church will be on your right.

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of the most savvy representatives of the Former President... old “elite” as he delivered a speech on the (Continued from page 5) situation in Ukraine after the adoption of is justified by political prudence.” the new Constitution in June. Being the Mr. Kravchuk referred to the 15 million first president of Ukraine, he also gave a Ukrainian pensioners who suffer most brief account of his tenure. from the disastrous situation in the econo- Mr. Kravchuk took advantage of the my. Many of them used to work for the upcoming fifth anniversary of Ukrainian old regime and had numerous privileges independence and distributed copies of that disappeared with the demise of the the independence proclamation personal- Soviet Union. The Communists could use ly signed and sealed by him, as the chair- them and other economically dissatisfied man of the Supreme Council five years segments of the population to spark social ago. The price: $20 per copy. unrest if the government decides to crack Beautifully designed and rendered in down on the Communists, he warned. old Ukrainian-style letters, the proclama- Mr. Kravchuk, who used to be the tion was not, however, a facsimile of the party’s ideology chief, said the Communist original. And, it contained one spelling Party has shrunk from 3.5 million in 1991 error: instead of “navysla bula,” it says to 170,000 today. Only fanatics with burn- “navysla bulo.” ing eyes and a desire for revenge remain in Proceeds from sales of the “document” the party, he said. Educated people, or the will go to the Fund to Promote the “elite,” had left it long ago. Development of the Arts in Ukraine, which Here at Soyuzivka, among Carpathian- provides aid to gifted Ukrainian students like scenery and a friendly Ukrainian audi- and creative individuals who need support. ence, he proved once again that he is one Mr. Kravchuk is the head of the fund.

mines will ever turn a profit again, but their Independent Ukraine... death will be a gradual and lingering affair. (Continued from page 2) The same applies to many of the traditional And there are the state workers and the old industries of Ukraine. President Leonid elderly, for whom life could scarcely be Kuchma has been reluctant to apply the sort worse, whose sacrifices of the past can now of shock treatment administered in Poland be deemed worthless, who have no savings or Russia – though one feels that such a pol- and evidently no future. They are the reason icy might over the long term be more why Parliament today still comprises a humane. strong Communist and Socialist element. Pensioners are in the worst crisis of all. They are epitomized by the Donetske Few can subsist on their pensions. Many coal miners. No industry has ruined the congregate at markets, often clutching a health of its workers over the past 30 years package of cigarettes. Often they plead more than that of the Donbas, but the with pedestrians to help them, to buy their industry today has become obsolete. Its meager offerings. They are the forgotten workers have resorted to militancy in an generation. The past is a distant memory. effort to receive due wages, which are often One can only imagine the impression that months in arrears. The chief union leader the recent changes must have made on was arrested suddenly two weeks ago in them. Some 22 percent of Ukraine’s pre- what the miners widely regard as an unnec- sent residents are pensioners and that fig- To subscribe: Send $60 ($40 if you are a member of the UNA) to The Ukrainian essary provocation. ure will increase further as the century It is unlikely that the Ukrainian coal draws to a close. Weekly, Subscription Department, 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302.

row in the Veselka Auditorium and waited Tanya Kost... for her turn to be interviewd by the judges. (Continued from page 4) Speaking of two young women from Even before Halyna Kolessa, the Ukraine who didn’t advance to the top, she estate’s mistress of ceremonies for 1996, said the only difference between her and them was her experience in the Ukrainian began to announce the selections on the community, especially in UNA programs. Veselka Terrace, where guests gathered to Ms. Kost is an active member of Plast and enjoy the music of Burlaky, a portion of is director for “novatstvo” (children up to the crowd started to chant, “Zenia! Zenia!” age 11) of the U.S. National Plast The reference was to Ms. Helbig, who Command. As part of the UNA program became one of the two first runners-up. A “Teaching English in Ukraine,” she trav- summa cum laude graduate of Mount St. eled this summer to Zalishchyky, Ternopil Mary Academy, she is now a sophomore Oblast, where she taught the language. at Drew University, where she studies “I am sure if these girls would have physics and world religions. done the work I did they would possibly Her tied competitor Ms. Kosz is a be in my shoes as well,” she said. graduate of Rutgers University and has a Indeed, 17-year-old Martha Tatarevich bachelor’s degree in marketing. Second and 24-year-old Lesia Kalynska had runner-up Ms. Rojowsky, a recipient of a completed applications for UNA mem- special UNA scholarship award for 1996- bership just before the contest and didn’t 1997, is a biology major at Barnard score high on UNA activities. College, Columbia University. However, Ms. Kalynska of Kyiv, a As Ms. Hawryluk laid the wreath on Ms. graduate of the Drahomanov Ukrainian Kost’s head (outgoing Miss Soyuzivka State Pedagogical University with a degree Tania Sawa, who was to perform this part, in Ukrainian philology, was probably one wasn’t around at the moment), the crowd of the strongest competitors when it came cheered and applauded. Mavka-like Ms. to social activism in the Ukrainian com- Kost was smiling, her eyes radiating irre- munity. A member of the Ukrainian pressible joy. Student Union, she had participated in the Then she danced the traditional first famous student hunger strike that prompt- dance with the estate’s manager, John A. ed Prime Minister Vitaliy Masol to resign Flis. They were joined eventually by the in October 1990. Specializing in the runners-up and the judges with their newest Ukrainian literature, she is now dance partners. pursuing a literary career. Ms. Kost, a summa cum laude graduate Noting how difficult it was to make of Case Western Reserve University with the selections, the members of the jury two bachelor’s degrees, in physics and expressed their admiration for all of the German, didn’t expect to be selected. When contestants. asked before the contest whether she was Miss Soyuzivka will receive $500 in going to win, Ms. Kost replied this was not prize money and a free week at the UNA’s a fair question because there were a lot of estate. Each of the two first runners-up will worthy competitors to choose from. also enjoy an all-expenses-paid, one-week “I am just curious what they are going to stay at Soyuzivka, while the second runner- ask me,” said Ms. Kost as she sat in the last up is entitled to any free weekend there. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No. 35

UKRAINIAN PREVIEW OF EVENTS ATIONAL Friday, September 6 WARREN, Mich.: Pianist and composer N Myroslav Skoryk will perform a concert of LAS VEGAS: The Ukrainian American his works at St. Josaphat Banquet Center at Social Club of Las Vegas will hold a pot 7 p.m. Also on the program are pianist luck dinner in honor of Ukrainian ASSOCIATION Volodymyr Vynnytsky and soprano Independence Day and Labor Day. The Marianna Vynnytsky. Tickets are $12 for dinner will be held at 1844 Westwind adults and $10 for students and seniors, and Road beginning with cocktails at 6 p.m. are available at EKO Gallery, Ukrainian FOR PURCHASE Admission is $7; for reservations or fur- Self Reliance Michigan Federal Credit HOME ther information call Jan, (702) 434-1187. OR REFINANCE Union and Ukrainian Future Credit Union. LOAN Friday - Saturday, September 6 -7 Sunday, September 15 CARNEGIE, Pa.: In conjunction with BROOKLYN, N.Y.: Branch 158 of the SPECIAL FEATURES: Carnegie Days, Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Ukrainian National Association will host PROGRAM* • Available Nationwide Orthodox G.C. Church will hold a food fair an address on “The Chornobyl Accident” Call now for immediate service and bake sale at the Ukrainian Hall on by Senior Assurance Engineer Sofia • Single-Family Residence or Condominium Mansfield Boulevard at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on and complete program details... Korduba Toth. The presentation will be • Conventional and Jumbo Loans Friday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday. held in the auditorium of the Ukrainian • Fixed or Adjustable Rates Saturday - Sunday, September 7 - 8 Catholic School of the Holy Ghost, 162 North 5th St., at 1 p.m. • Fast, Efficient Service WATERVLIET, N.Y.: The St. Nicholas CHICAGO: (800) 253-9862 • Free Pre-Qualification Ukrainian Catholic Church will hold its St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic 15th annual street festival on 5th Avenue Church is hosting a concert of classical and 25th Street at 1 p.m.-midnight on music performed by the Cresta Verde String Saturday, and 1 p.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday. Ensemble at 3 p.m. at 5000 N. Cumberland. Seventeen musicians from the Chicago Sunday, September 8 Symphony, Civic Opera and Chamber STAMFORD, Conn.: The annual Orchestras will perform Handel, Hovhaness, Ukrainian Day Festival sposored by the Telemann, Bach and Britten. Tickets are Connecticut state Ukrainian Day Committee $12.50 for adults and $5 for children, and are will be held at St. Basil’s Seminary on available at the door. For further informa- Glenbrook Road. It will begin with a pontif- tion contact St. Joseph’s, (312) 625-4805. ical liturgy at 11 a.m. A program of BLOOMINGDALE, Ill.: A famine Ukrainian dance, song and music will begin memorial ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at 3 p.m. with the Vesna, Doryshka, Veselka at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox and Zolotyj Promin dance groups, the Church, 300 E. Army Trail Road. Lvivyany Ensemble and singer Olya Chodoba-Fryz. Tickets are $3 at the gate or Saturday, September 21 $2 through Helen Rudy, (860) 568-5445. HOLMDEL, N.J.: The 22nd Annual Wednesday- Wednesday, Sept. 11 - 18 Ukrainian Heritage Festival will be held at * the PNC Bank Arts Center. There will be a NORFOLK, Va.: Two Ukrainian naval soccer tournament at 9 a.m. and Ukrainian UNA “YOUTH” PLAN ships and a large landing ship will be docked dance groups at noon. The stage show will at the U.S. naval base in Norfolk. An official begin at 3:30 p.m. with the Troyanda Dance visitation by U.S. citizens will be held on Ensemble from Canada. Also featured are 10 years old September 14-15 and an official reception on the Luba and Mykola Ensemble and the board the Vessel “Hetman Sahaidachny” will Cheres Ensemble, which specializes in be given by the commander of the Ukrainian Carpathian folk music. Traditional arts, 10,000 Life policy navy. For more information call the Office crafts and food will be available until 6 p.m. of the Defense Attaché of Ukraine, (202) Ticket prices are $10 for general admission 10 dollars per month 342-6031. and $20 for box seats for all over age 10, Saturday, September 14 and can be purchased in advance by calling (908) 442-9200. EDMONTON: A Chornobyl Commemora- for 10 years Tuesday, September 24 tion Blood Drive will be held at Edmonton Blood Center, 8249-114 St. Volunteers who CHICAGO: The Kyiv Symphonic Choir up to 10,000 cash at age 65 donate blood between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 and Orchestra will hold a concert at the p.m. will get Ukrainian meals donated by Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago at “Granny’s Ukrainian Foods.” This event is 7:30 p.m. in the Fourth Church sanctuary, sponsored by the Ukrainian Canadian Michigan Avenue and Delaware Place. The Students’ Union and the Edmonton Blood program will include “Solemn Vespers” by CALL TODAY (800) 253-9862 Center, Canadian Red Cross. Blood also can Sergei Rachmaninoff, “March of the Nobles” be donated throughout the week at other by Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov, Ukrainian * PLAN NOT AVAILABLE IN CANADA * locations. For further information call anthems and folk songs, and an American Volodymyr Boychuk, (403) 432-7752, or tribute. Suggested donations are $10. For Tracy Larson, (403) 431-0202. further information call (312) 787-4570.

Congressional reception to be held in D.C. WASHINGTON – The Capitol Hill from members of Congress and the Uk- commemoration of Ukrainian Indepen- rainian government, a musical program, and dence Day is an important tradition in an exhibit of paintings and Ukrainian arti- Washington that has greater meaning on the facts in the Senate Caucus Room. The hier- fifth anniversary of Ukrainian indepen- archy of the Ukrainian Churches (Catholic, dence. Following such a tradition, the Orthodox and Baptist-Evangelical) have Ukrainian Congress Committee of America been invited to participate, along with lead- Inc. (UCCA) and the Ukrainian American ers of Ukrainian American organizations. Coordinating Council (UACC) will coordi- The participation of the entire Ukrainian nate this event and provide a forum for American community is of utmost impor- members of Congress to express their soli- tance in order to convey the appreciation of darity with the Ukrainian people and the the community to the members of Congress Ukrainian American community. who will join in the celebration of Uk- In observance of the fifth anniversary of raine’s fifth anniversary of independence. Ukrainian independence, a special congres- The cost of the congressional reception is sional reception will be held on Capitol Hill $35, which includes a complete luncheon. on September 18. Sponsored by Sen. Carl RSVP for the congressional reception by Levin of Michigan, the UACC and the September 11. Checks should be made pay- UCCA, the two-hour event will be held in able to the UCCA and sent to the following the Senate Caucus Room (located in the address: Ukrainian National Information Senate Russell Office Building). Over 30 Service (UNIS), 214 Massachusetts Ave., senators and representatives have endorsed NE, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20002. the congressional reception by serving as For further information contact Michael supporting members of the event. Sawkiw Jr. at UNIS, (202) 547-0018, or Beginning at 12 p.m., the congressional Ihor Gawdiak of the UACC, (301) 680- reception will feature a luncheon, remarks 8414.