The Ukrainian Weekly 2010, No.23
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www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE: • A murder in Odesa one year later – page 3. • More on the UNA’s 37th Regular Convention – pages 4-5. • New York roundtable on religion and ethnicity – page 10. THEPublished U by theKRA Ukrainian NationalIN AssociationIAN Inc., a fraternal Wnon-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXVIII No. 23 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2010 $1/$2 in Ukraine Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Farewell receptions, meetings begins celebrations of its 70th anniversary cite Shamshur’s contributions Ukrainian National Information Service vice of the Ukrainian Congress Committee by Yaro Bihun of America. Rep. Dennis Kucinich WASHINGTON – What began 70 years Special to The Ukrainian Weekly (D-Ohio), a member of the Congressional ago in Washington, on May 24, 1940, with Ukrainian Caucus and longtime friend of the WASHINGTON – Ambassador Oleh the founding of the Ukrainian Congress Ukrainian community in the greater Shamshur, who headed Ukraine’s diplo- Committee of America, an umbrella organi- Cleveland area, congratulated the UCCA on matic mission to the United States for zation representing Ukrainian Americans, its 70 years of service to the Ukrainian com- more than four years, returned to Kyiv on was commemorated in an elegant manner munity and read remarks submitted earlier May 30, following a weeklong series of on Wednesday, May 19, in the halls of the that day on the floor of the House of farewell receptions and meetings here with U.S. Congress. Representatives. representatives of private and governmen- The gala congressional reception was the The statement noted: “Throughout the tal organizations and officials with whom inaugural commemoration of the UCCA’s Cold War, the Ukrainian Congress he had worked in strengthening Ukraine- 70 years of dedicated service to the Committee of America spoke out against U.S. bilateral relations. Ukrainian community. Other activities human rights violations and advocated for Ukrainian American organizations hon- throughout the year will include celebrations the liberation of Ukrainian political prison- ored the ambassador and bid him farewell in communities throughout the United ers in the former USSR. The grassroots on May 25 at a special reception held at States; a short history DVD on highlighting efforts of the UCCA continue to focus on the downtown Army-Navy Club near the the UCCA’s achievements since 1940; and, encouraging members of Congress to sup- White House. Organized by the Ukrainian a culminating banquet gala in New York in port the process of democratic development Congress Committee of America (UCCA), May 2011. in Ukraine and to promote the needs and The Washington Group (TWG), the Yaro Bihun Nearly 100 community activists and lead- concerns of Ukrainian Americans.” Ukrainian American Coordinating Council Ambassador Oleh Shamshur of Ukraine. ers gathered from throughout the United Other members of Congress who joined (UACC) and the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation States for the celebratory fete, which was in the celebration, all members of the (USUF), the evening brought together Shamshur for his dedication to developing highlighted by the presence of a host of Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, included some 40 representatives of these and other every aspect of relations with the United guests and members of Congress. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), who spoke local Ukrainian organizations and church- States as well as with the Ukrainian Michael Sawkiw, Jr., the current director of his Ukrainian heritage, his previous trip es to thank him for his efforts in American community. Representatives of of the Ukrainian National Information to Ukraine as a UCCA election observer, Washington, bid him farewell and wish the other participating organizations Service (UNIS), the Washington public and his commitment to enhancing the bilat- him the best in the future. echoed this theme – Michael Sawkiw of affairs office of the UCCA, and former eral relationship between Ukraine and the Opening the evening, TWG President UCCA president, served as the master of United States. Andrew Bihun thanked Ambassador (Continued on page 19) ceremonies for the evenings. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) thanked Archbishop Metropolitan Stefan Soroka the UCCA for its active work in Congress of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of and mentioned her close ties to the Philadelphia began the proceedings with a Ukrainian community in her congressional U.S. and Canadian officials react prayer of Thanksgiving, followed by greet- district. As the co-chair of the Georgian ings from UCCA President Tamara Olexy- Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, Gallo. the congresswoman spoke of her recent trip to attempted intimidation of UCU In her opening remarks, Ms. Olexy men- to Ukraine, and how both Ukraine and tioned the UCCA forefathers who, “upon PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The U.S. State sions – the first being on May 22, Orest Georgia need the continued support of the Department reacted on June 2 to reports of Deychakiwsky, policy adviser, told The losing themselves in their cause – freedom United States to solidify their young democ- and justice for Ukraine – found the strength attempted intimidation on May 18 by the Ukrainian Weekly. Mr. Deychakiwsky added racies. Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) of the that the commission’s comments were and determination to call the first Congress Two of the Congressional Ukrainian of Ukrainians in America. Because of their Ukrainian Catholic University’s rector and relayed to Kyiv along with concerns about Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Marcy Kaptur expressed “concern about actions that could freedom of assembly and media freedom. passion and perseverance, they were able to (D-Ohio) and Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.), be interpreted as restricting basic freedoms.” In Canada, Member of Parliament Borys gather all Ukrainian American organizations expressed their gratitude for the UCCA’s Assistant Secretary for State for Public Wrzesnewskyj on May 28 delivered a state- in our nation’s capital and establish the service to the Ukrainian community in advo- Affairs Philip J. Crowley issued the follow- ment on the SBU’s actions, referring to Ukrainian Congress Committee of cating its concerns. “We are fortunate to America.” ing brief statement (published here in full): “recent attempts to muzzle Ukraine’s media have a close working relationship with the “Today, the State Department raised with Ukraine’s ambassador to the United UCCA, in particular its Washington office, and trumped up criminal charges against States, Dr. Oleh Shamshur, congratulated the chargé d’affaires of the Ukrainian opposition leaders.” in pursuing many projects of the Embassy issues related to freedom of speech the UCCA and expressed his heartfelt appre- Congressional Ukrainian Caucus to forge “Incredibly, secret service agents have ciation for the years of cooperation with the and association in Ukraine, including reports even attempted to intimidate university rec- better relations between us [Congress] and of recent contact between Security Service Ukrainian Congress Committee of America the Ukrainian Parliament and the Ukrainian tors. On May 18 Father Borys Gudziak, the officials and the rector of Ukrainian Catholic during his tenure in Washington. society,” stated Rep. Kaptur. Rep. Gerlach rector of the renowned Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. We expressed concern The ambassador also presented the acknowledged the deep commitment of the University, received a call on his cellphone about actions that could be interpreted as UCCA with an official greeting from UCCA in promoting the rich Ukrainian heri- from a security service agent. Twenty min- restricting basic freedoms. We welcome the Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs tage in the United States and making the utes later this agent was in the rector’s public offer by the Ukrainian Security Konstyantyn Gryshchenko, which read in plight of Ukraine known in the halls of office. What followed was an hour of Service chief to meet with the university part: “We recall with gratitude the unwaver- Congress. attempts to co-op and intimidate the rector rector. Ukrainians should be proud of their ing support rendered by the UCCA for the Former congressman Don Ritter from into spying on student activists and to rat out democratic progress, and we hope that prog- nation-building process in Ukraine, your Pennsylvania also attended and thanked the the names of student protest organizers.” ress will continue.” valued advice and active stance in defending UCCA and the entire Ukrainian American Mr. Wrzesnewskyj emphasized that, “Not The U.S. Commission on Security and Ukraine’s interests in international affairs, as community for working so closely with him since the days of the Soviet Union has the Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki well as your tangible input into the develop- during his years in Congress in the 1980s Ukrainian Catholic Church, its institutions, Commission) also conveyed its misgivings ment of the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partner- through the early 1990s. Mr. Ritter served priests and students been menaced in this ship.” on the Commission on Security and about the Lviv incident to the Embassy of way.” Members of Congress joined in the cele- Ukraine in Washington and Ukraine’s bration with accolades for the work and ser- (Continued on page 8) Ministry of Foreign Affairs on several occa- (Continued on page 16) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2010 No. 23 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS President Yanukovych returns UEFA approves host cities why Mr. Indyl died and insisted that