Inside: l Valery Khoroshkovsky named finance minister – page 3 l Generation Uke – page 9 l UCRDC launches online video oral history project – page 15

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXX No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 $1/$2 in Ukraine Freedom House report notes Tymoshenko’s daughter appeals “troubling backslide” in Ukraine to U.S. Senators in Washington Freedom House WASHINGTON – The political uprisings that have swept the Arab world over the past year represent the most significant challenge to authoritarian rule since the collapse of Soviet communism, according to “Freedom in the World 2012,” the latest edition of Freedom House’s annual global survey of political rights and civil liberties. Yet even as the Arab Spring triggered unprecedented progress in some countries, it also provoked a harsh and sometimes murderous reaction, with many leaders scrambling to suppress real or potential threats to their rule. The repercussions of this backlash have been felt across the Yaro Bihun Middle East, as well as in China, Eurasia and Africa. Yevhenia Tymoshenko Carr, testifying before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs in Washington on February 1 about her imprisoned A total of 26 countries registered net mother, former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko. declines in 2011, and only 12 showed over- all improvement, marking the sixth consec- by Yaro Bihun Former Internal Affairs minister Yurii utive year in which countries with declines Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Lutsenko has been in prison for more than a outnumbered those with improvements. year supposedly for hiring a driver “past the While the Middle East and North Africa WASHINGTON — Yevhenia Tymoshenko retirement age and of spending $2,000 over experienced the most significant gains – Carr, the daughter of the imprisoned former budget to mark Ukraine’s national police day.” concentrated largely in Tunisia, Egypt and Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko, The son-in-law of a Supreme Court Libya – it also suffered the most declines, appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign chairman was arrested on the day his wife Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs gave birth in order to intimidate that jus- (Continued on page 13) on February 1 in her continuing effort to gain tice into resigning. her mother’s freedom and help her country Former acting defense minister Valery in “this moment of grave danger for Ukraine’s Ivashchenko has been imprisoned for liberty, and our independence as a nation.” almost two years, with his health severely Battle of Kruty anniversary is recalled The root source of her mother’s persecu- deteriorating. tion and imprisonment, she explained, was “What we are witnessing in Ukraine is the her persistent fight since she was deputy continuous abuse of the criminal justice sys- prime minister ten years ago against corrup- tem. Politically motivated prosecutions of tion, especially in the energy sector. And for former government officials, civil society that, “she ended up illegally imprisoned, activists and prosecutions of human rights convicted and tortured for not playing by the defenders ignore the rule of law,” she said. rules of their game, not complying with their Ms. Tymoshenko Carr called on America orders that were detrimental to Ukraine.” to do all that it can “to preserve democracy She described to the senators and the in my country” and “to speak out, loudly and packed hearing room the numerous illegal clearly, so that the people of my country do methods used by the Yanukovych govern- not feel abandoned and lose hope.” ment during her arrest, interrogation and Ms. Tymoshenko Carr testified in the sec- trial period and subsequent imprisonment. ond part of the subcommittee hearing enti- While the Kachanivska prison near tled “Ukraine at a Crossroads: What’s at Kharkiv where her mother is being now Stake for the U.S. and Europe.” The hearing, held is not necessarily “a dungeon,” Ms. chaired by Sen. Jeanne Shoheen (D-N.H.), Tymoshenko Carr said, “the Yanukovych began with a panel of three Washington regime does not need to use medieval sur- experts in this region: Steven Pifer, the for- roundings to get medieval results.” mer U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, now a “Instead, they are using the modern tech- senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; niques of sleep deprivation and intimidation Damon Wilson, executive vice-president of UNIAN/Oleg Petrasyuk to try and break her.” the Atlantic Council; and Edward Chow, KYIV – On January 29, a peaceful march in Kyiv honored the memory of the heroes of Ms. Tymoshenko Carr described how, senior fellow of the Energy and National the Battle of Kruty, who defended the Ukrainian capital and the newly proclaimed inde- denied a restful night’s sleep in her cell, Security Program Center for Strategic and pendent Ukrainian National Republic. On January 29, 1918, about 300 Kyiv students and which is kept lit day and night and monitored International Studies. cadets succeeded in holding back the Bolshevik forces of Gen. Mikhail Muraviev, some by a close-up surveillance camera, her moth- Following the hearing, Ms. Tymoshenko 4,000 strong. According to the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, the student battalion’s resistance er’s health has deteriorated. But, she added, Carr went to the White House for meetings delayed Muraviev’s capture of Kyiv and enabled the Ukrainian government to conclude they will not succeed in changing her mind. with special advisers to Vice President Joe the Peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The remains of those who died in the battle were later Ms. Tymoshenko Carr stressed that while Biden and President Barak Obama. She was re-interred at Askold’s Mound (Askoldova Mohyla) in Kyiv. The battle is remembered as her mother may be the main target, she is not scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on a symbol of patriotic self-sacrifice. Seen above are participants of the march that com- the only former government official to find Thursday and Friday for more meetings memorated the 94th anniversary of the historic battle at the Kruty railroad station. herself in such a predicament, among them: with members of Congress and staff. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

ANALYSIS

PACE passes resolution on Ukraine Council of Europe’s standards and for the The West and Belarus: Catch 22 charges against former government offi- KYIV – The Parliamentary Assembly of punishments while losing leverage within cials which are based on these provisions to by David Marples the Council of Europe (PACE) at its meeting be dropped,” the resolution said. Failure to Eurasia Daily Monitor the country. Meanwhile, Russia has exploit- on January 27 in Strasbourg approved a ed the rift to acquire control of various implement these recommendations within resolution on “the functioning of democrat- a reasonable timeframe, especially those Both the European Union and the United Belarusian assets. Thus, Russian bankers ic institutions in Ukraine” and called for relating to the criminal prosecution of for- States are stepping up pressure on the already control seven of 32 Belarusian charges against former members of govern- mer government members, would “raise Belarusian regime, which is targeted banks; nearly all the main insurance com- ment, including former Prime Minister serious questions” about Ukraine’s commit- because of its continuing violations of panies in the country are Russian-owned Yulia Tymoshenko, to be dropped. It asked ment to the principles of democracy and human rights and treatment of political and Russians have made inroads into the the president of Ukraine to consider releas- the rule of law, PACE said. (Ukrinform) prisoners, as well as its introduction of new ownership of the main leasing firms; ing them and to allow them to compete in laws, the most recent of which restrict Russian influence over the Belarusian mass the upcoming parliamentary elections. Lutsenko files case in U.S. court Internet access. On the other hand, the media is growing and now includes two Sixty-nine delegates voted in favor of the country sinks inexorably into the Russian prominent newspapers: Belgazeta and resolution, eight voted against and 14 KYIV – Lawmakers from the opposition orbit, with less and less chance of extricat- Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorussii, as abstained. “The Assembly expresses its People’s Self-Defense Party handed over to ing itself. well as the Belarusian version of concern with regard to the criminal pro- Ukraine’s Procurator General Viktor Is there a way out of this dilemma? Is Argumenty i Fakty and the journal Planeta ceedings initiated under Articles 364 Pshonka on January 31 the copy of a state- ment of claim that former Internal Affairs Western policy on Belarus correct? (BelarusDigest, December 20). (abuse of office) and 365 (exceeding official Minister Yurii Lutsenko filed in a U.S. court. In early January, U.S. President Barack Herein lies the problem. The European powers) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine On December 14, 2011, Mr. Lutsenko filed a Obama signed the Belarus Human Rights Union wishes to express its displeasure at against a number of former members of lawsuit at the U.S. District Court for the and Democracy Act, which amends and the behavior of the Lukashenka regime but government, including the former internal affairs minister, Mr. Yurii Lutsenko, the for- District of Columbia regarding the violation updates the earlier laws of 2004 and 2006. its influence is dwindling and is mainly lim- mer acting minister of defense, Mr. Valerii of his rights during his detention, arrest Among other stipulations, the act will ited to the Eastern Partnership, of which Ivaschenko, and the former first deputy and imprisonment. The defendants are expand to the perpetrators of the post- Belarus is a maligned and not very wel- minister of justice, Mr. Yevhen Korniichuk, Procurator General Pshonka, First Deputy 2010 election crackdown both visa and come member. However, the regime evades as well as the former prime minister, Ms. Procurator General Renat Kuzmin, as well financial sanctions. The U.S. State sanctions by allowing more control to Yulia Tymoshenko,” reads the document. In as investigator Serhii Voichenko and prose- Department is requested to report to Russia, a neighbor to which it is increasing- its resolution PACE noted with concern cutor Yevhen Zinchenko. At the same time, Congress on Belarusian arms sales, as well ly indebted and shackled. Last month, the reports that the health of both Mr. Lutsenko the spokesperson for the Procurator as restrictive laws. The act appeals to the Belarusian Parliament approved a Russian and Mr. Ivaschenko, who are in detention General’s Office (PGO), Yurii Boichenko, told International Ice Hockey Federation to export loan for the program to construct on remand, is rapidly deteriorating and that reporters that the PGO had not received any extend the punishment by canceling the the Belarusian nuclear power plant in the both of them need medical treatment out- official documents from the U.S. court and World Hockey Championships, which are Hrodna region. The loan is over 25 years side the prison system. The assembly asked that he was currently not ready to comment scheduled to take place in Minsk in 2014 and up to $10 million (Nuclear Engineering that both men be released at once for on the details of the claim. According to Mr. (RFE/RL, January 4). International, January 3). humanitarian reasons pending the out- Lutsenko’s lawyers, the U.S. District Court In an interview in Lithuania, U.S. The Europeans realistically have two come of their trials, and in view of its con- for the District of Columbia accepted for Assistant Secretary for European and choices. They can accept that, whatever its cerns regarding recourse to detention on consideration their client’s lawsuit lodged Eurasian Affairs Philip H. Gordon went so crimes (and there are many), the remand in Ukraine. PACE also expressed its against Mr. Pshonka and several of his sub- far as to say: “We see no future in relations Lukashenka regime is here to stay. concern about the deteriorating health of ordinates. (Ukrinform) with Belarus.” Mr. Gordon stated that Therefore, engagement must be restored Ms. Tymoshenko and called on Ukraine’s Foreign doctors want to examine Yulia Belarus had a chance to begin a better rela- and the European market expanded, partly authorities to allow, without preconditions, tionship, but had frittered away this oppor- through the availability of new loans and medical examinations and, if necessary, KYIV – The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs treatment by independent doctors outside tunity by its recent actions, including the credits. Naturally, this is the option pre- Ministry has submitted proposals to the the prison service. “The Assembly consid- jailing of Ales Belyatsky, the leader of the ferred by the Belarusian leaders, who have Procurator General’s Office (PGO) regard- ers that Articles 364 and 365 of the ing the formation of an independent medi- Vyasna human rights center. long argued that the EU often ignores Ukrainian Criminal Code are overly broad In a subsequent interview with the BBC human rights transgressions in more pow- cal commission of eight foreign doctors to in application and effectively allow for post examine former Prime Minister Yulia in Washington, Mr. Gordon accepted erful countries, including Russia, i.e., the facto criminalization of normal political Tymoshenko. “The Ukrainian Foreign implicitly that the U.S. treats Belarus differ- Lukashenka regime may be bad, but it is no decision-making. This runs counter to the Affairs Ministry has submitted the follow- ently from the nations of Central Asia, add- worse than those of other former Soviet principle of the rule of law and is unaccept- ing proposal to the Procurator General’s ing that “there is a European set of values states. able. The Assembly therefore urges the Office regarding the composition of the and democratic practices that we expect The second choice is to broaden the authorities to promptly amend these two Belarus to meet if it wants to be part of sanctions, but open borders to all other articles of the Criminal Code in line with the (Continued on page 12) Europe” (www.democraticbelarus.eu, Belarusians, abandon the Schengen visa January 11). system, boost funding for the opposition, Simultaneously, the European Union and actively aid the formation of a united intends to increase its own sanctions democratic party as a feasible alternative to FOUNDED 1933 against the regime of President Alyaksandr the current regime. It would require active The Ukrainian Weekly Lukashenka by expanding its list of banned and overt collusion with the regime’s oppo- officials to 336 people from its current 201. nents. Most likely it would necessitate An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Addressing the European Parliament’s approaches to the growing sectors of the a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $65; for UNA members — $55. Committee on Foreign Affairs in ruling elite that are dissatisfied with the Strasbourg, Gunnar Wiegand from the failure of the Lukashenka team to intro- Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. (ISSN — 0273-9348) European External Action Service, also duce economic reforms. The issue is how commented that one or two Belarusian long it would take for the president to The Weekly: UNA: firms would also be banned from conduct- depart, and whether a united opposition is Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 ing business in Europe and that the intend- attainable so soon after the heightened ed measures could be made at the EU for- repressions. Postmaster, send address changes to: eign ministers’ meeting in Brussels today What the European Union and equally The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas (www.naviny.by, January 13). the United States, cannot do is to vacillate P.O. Box 280 The president of the European and dither between the two choices. Mr. Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, observed a “signif- Plaschinsky deduces correctly that that icant deterioration” in the situation in there is no imperialist threat from Russia, The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com Belarus that the EU must address as it has the absorption is by economic means, and always focused on the importance of it is occurring rapidly. Salaries for officials The Ukrainian Weekly, February 5, 2012, No. 6, Vol. LXXX human rights. However, Mr. Buzek also of Beltranshaz, for example, will triple Copyright © 2012 The Ukrainian Weekly pointed out that although the EU would not under Gazprom’s control. Can the EU offer compromise on its demand for the release similar incentives? Soon it will no longer with full pardons of all political prisoners, have the opportunity to try. Both choices it would be prepared to bargain, partly due have innate and serious flaws, but either ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA to its concern about the way that Moscow one is better for the future of independent Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 has exploited the deteriorating economic Belarus than the status quo. e-mail: [email protected] situation in Belarus (www.belegraf.by, Walter Honcharyk, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 fax: (973) 644-9510 January 16). The article above is reprinted from e-mail: [email protected] In an article for Belarus Digest, George Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 Plaschinsky provides a fuller illustration of its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, e-mail: [email protected] the dilemma. In his view, the EU is applying www.jamestown.org. No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Acute anti-Americanism now official policy in Moscow

by Pavel Felgenhauer are you deputies meeting the U.S. ambassa- telling reporters the offenders did not Duma fracas lead by Messrs. Zhirinovsky Eurasia Daily Monitor dor behind closed doors? What are you hid- report or ask for approval in advance. The and Isayev exposed it as wishful thinking. ing from the Russian citizens?” Mr. Isayev Communist leader Gennady Zuganov Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey As the new American ambassador – exclaimed. He also accused the JR leader defended Mr. Kalashnikov’s attendance at Lavrov has stated Moscow will defend the Michael McFaul – arrived in Moscow, the Sergei Mironov, a candidate in the March 4 the meeting in the U.S. Embassy by telling Syrian and Iranian regimes against alleged policy of improving Russia-U.S. relations, presidential elections, of “running to journalists “he was sent by the party to tell U.S.-led encroachments and categorically known as the “reset,” began to unravel. become a U.S. resident.” Mr. Isayev alleged the Americans we will fight to the hilt the refused to support any sanctions. Mr. Lavrov Dr. McFaul, as director for Russia and that the white ribbon, which has become a ‘orange plague’ the U.S. is spreading” stated: “We will not apologize or give expla- Eurasia on the U.S. National Security popular symbol of the mass pro-democracy (Interfax, January 24). nations why we sell arms and ammunition Council, was considered the designer of the movement “for just elections,” was invented When Mr. Ponomarev, Ms. Dmitryeva and to Syria” (www.mid.ru, January 18). reset policy. It is a terrible irony that Russian by unnamed “U.S. propaganda warfare spe- Mr. Kalashnikov, together with other opposi- The time of reset niceties is clearly over, authorities used his arrival as a pretext to cialists.” Mr. Isayev concluded: “The LDPR is tion leaders, arrived at the U.S. Embassy on but aggressive anti-Americanism has been launch a massive anti-American PR assault. an opposition party, but unlike JR, it is statist January 17, they were harassed by pro-gov- previously used during electioneering by This week, speaking in Parliament (the and patriotic, while JR is known more and ernment Nashi youth movement activists. Russia’s rulers and might be scaled down Duma), the flamboyant leader of the populist more as a party of national treason” (RIA The same day during the evening prime after the March 4 elections, or it may not. and nationalist Liberal Democratic Party Novosti, January 24). time “Vremya” news broadcast on state TV, The chairman of Russia’s Constitutional (LDPR), Vladimir Zhirinovsky, condemned For more than 20 years, since communist prominent commentator Mikhail Leontyev Court, Judge Valery Zhorkin (a man seem- deputies from the Just Russia (JR) fraction Ilia rule began to crumble at the end of the accused Ambassador McFaul of being an ingly having little in common with Mr. Ponomarev and Oksana Dmitryeva and 1980s, authorities in Moscow have refrained old-time enemy of Vladimir Putin who came Zhirinovsky), this week published an essay Communist Leonid Kalashnikov, who together from labeling as “treason” a visit to a foreign to Moscow to organize a revolution. The in a government newspaper explaining that with the organizers of pro-democracy rallies embassy without an official vetting. In recent footage showed the opposition figures arriv- NATO destroyed Libya by illegally killing attended a meeting at the U.S. Embassy with months, the Russian police has been screen- ing at the U.S. mission, fending off the Nashi Moammar Gaddafi and toppling a regime Ambassador McFaul and Deputy Secretary ing Russians who attend any receptions or activists (Channel I, January 17). that was falsely declared “illegitimate.” of State William Burns on January 17. meetings in embassies. Foreign embassies Ambassador McFaul went into damage Today, argues Mr. Zhorkin, a tiny, but vocal “What are deputies doing in an Embassy have their own security services that screen control and gave a lengthy interview to minority is staging rallies in Russia, aiming of a nation that is plotting a war against each visitor to establish whether or not that Kommersant, stressing that the entire fracas to destroy the regime by declaring elections Russia when a presidential election cam- person was legitimately invited. The Russian was a misunderstanding, that President rigged and the Duma and Mr. Putin as third- paign is in full swing? They are traitors,” police at the entries to foreign institutions in Barack Obama had sent him to Moscow to term president – illegitimate. roared Mr. Zhirinovsky from the Duma podi- Moscow has been acting independently, enhance the “reset,” that the meeting was The minority protesters are, according to um and demanded the guilty must be kicked demanding from Russians an ID “to register between the opposition activists and Mr. Mr. Zhorkin, vocally supported by the U.S., out of the Duma or be permanently denied them,” as the policemen explain, in a central- Burns, while the ambassador was obliged to while NATO bombers and Special Forces the right to address the house until ized computer database. participate, that Nashi were also welcome at will come into Russia later, like into Libya December 2016 by the Duma’s Ethics This practice has often created ugly the U.S. mission and that the Foreign (Rossiyskaya Gazeta, January 26). Committee (RIA Novosti, January 24). human jams at foreign embassies during Ministry received him cordially. Ambassador While mass pro-democracy protests con- The LDPR has been represented in the large receptions, but now it is clear why the McFaul implied the PR assault was not offi- tinue, relations with the U.S. will go from Duma since 1993, and Mr. Zhirinovsky is effort and inconvenience – the Russian cial Russian policy, since the reset was mutu- bad to worse. The threatened and fright- known to have always closely coordinated authorities have a full roster of all Russians ally beneficial (Kommersant, January 25). ened rulers of Russia will not believe his political actions with the Kremlin. who have contacts with the enemies that The reset with Russia seems to be Ambassador McFaul’s or anyone else’s This week, the ruling United Russia (UR) are “contriving a war against Russia.” President Obama’s only foreign policy suc- words or deeds. party without hesitation joined the fray: one The Duma Ethics Committee announced cess in office and it would be unpleasant if it of its leaders, Andrei Isayev, accused it is ready to look into the matter. Mr. is proven to be a failure in an election year. The article above is reprinted from Ambassador McFaul of being a “specialist in Mironov’s defense of Ms. Dmitrieva, who is Of course, Mr. McFaul’s interview explaining Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Orange revolutions” and supported defer- the No. 2 in JR, and Mr. Ponomarev was half- in detail that U.S.-Russia relations are much its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, ring the case to the ethics committee. “Why hearted, deferring any personal blame by better than they seem was given before the www.jamestown.org. Former SBU chief and media tycoon Mr. Khoroshkovsky named finance minister

by Pavel Korduban which had been frozen due to the govern- Mr. Yanukovych appointed Mr. that Mr. Khoroshkovsky’s independence from Eurasia Daily Monitor ment’s refusal to hike domestic gas prices in Khoroshkovsky as SBU chief in 2010. In that Mr. Azarov and the ruling Party of Regions order to balance the fiscal budget. capacity, Mr. Khoroshkovsky has been could unbalance the government. He also On January 18, Ukrainian President Viktor Mr. Azarov did not comment on Mr. accused of stifling the free media and intimi- predicted that Mr. Khoroshkovsky would sti- Yanukovych appointed Valery Yaroshenko’s dismissal in public, implying dating the opposition (see Eurasia Daily fle free enterprise through checks and tax Khoroshkovsky as the finance minister and that he may have been very disappointed. The Monitor, June 22, 24, 2010); he sparked an pressure (Channel 5, January 18). relieved him of his duties as chief of the local media speculated that the prime minis- international scandal by detaining the Another former member of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Mr. ter himself may soon be out, to be replaced Ukraine Director of the German Konrad Tymoshenko team, former Economy Khoroshkovsky replaced Fedir Yaroshenko, by Mr. Khoroshkovsky (Ukrayinska Pravda, Adenauer foundation, Nico Lange, in June Minister Bohdan Danylyshyn, who obtained who resigned earlier that day. Unlike his pre- January 18; Zerkalo Nedeli, January 21). 2010; and played a key role in the incarcera- asylum in the Czech Republic last year, was decessor, who is a post-Soviet media-shy Mr. Khoroshkovsky has been prominent tion of Ms. Tymoshenko last year. more optimistic. He said Mr. Khoroshkovsky’s bureaucrat and a protégé of Prime Minister in Ukrainian politics since the late 1990s, Mr. Khoroshkovsky has been no less prom- appointment was a positive development as Mykola Azarov, Mr. Khoroshkovsky is an when he was elected to Parliament and inent in business. In the late 1990s and early he is financially independent and has ample ambitious public politician who, despite his joined the pro-government camp. In 2002 he 2000s, he controlled one of Ukraine’s largest experience in both business and government relatively young age (43) has a long and con- became the deputy head of the administra- banks, Ukrsotsbank, which was eventually (RFE via Ukrayinska Pravda, January 23). troversial record as an official and a business- tion of President Leonid Kuchma. That same sold to the Italian Banca Intesa. In 2006 he During his first media appearance as the man. He is reportedly linked to the gas lobby year he was appointed as minister of the served a brief stint as president of the Russian finance minister, Mr. Khoroshkovsky said his in the government and he is not from the economy and European integration. In 2004 metals giant Evraz. The weekly goal would be to make the state budget industrial heartland of Donetsk, unlike most he left the Cabinet, accusing the First Vice Korrespondent put his wealth at $600 million transparent, eliminating “various hangers-on of the current government’s top members. It Prime Minister Azarov of derailing European last year, estimating that he was the 19th rich- and dishonest moneymakers.” He must have is rumored that Mr. Khoroshkovsky may integration plans and stifling liberal reforms. est Ukrainian (Korrespondent, June 10, 2011). meant the administrative reform that was replace Mr. Azarov, who increasingly looks In 2007 he joined the Cabinet of Prime Mr. Khoroshkovsky is also one of launched in late 2010, but has not been com- like a lame duck. Minister Yulia Tymoshenko as customs chief, Ukraine’s most influential media tycoons. He pleted. Mr. Khoroshkovsky also pledged that It had been rumored that Mr. a position from which he was fired in early controls several TV channels, including the his ministry would not only boost but also Khoroshkovsky would replace Mr. 2009 for taking the side of President Viktor nation’s arguably most popular one, Inter, shape reforms. He dismissed the rumor that Yaroshenko since last fall. President Yushchenko and Ukrainian billionaire Dmytro which campaigned for Mr. Yanukovych and he could top the Party of Regions’ list for the Yanukovych on several occasions publicly Firtash in a dispute with Ms. Tymoshenko his Party of Regions in several recent elec- October 2012 parliamentary election, saying expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. over the ownership of gas in Ukrainian under- tions. Mr. Firtash at some point had an option that he would neither join the party nor run Yaroshenko, blaming him for slow reform. Mr. ground reservoirs. The gas would be returned to buy 50 percent of Inter shares, which in the election (Inter TV, January 20). Mr. Azarov reportedly threatened to resign if Mr. to Mr. Firtash in 2010-2011. prompted speculation that the gas lobby Khoroshkovsky departed for Washington to Yaroshenko were dumped, so Mr. Yanukovych Ever since then, Mr. Khoroshkovsky has influenced the channel’s editorial policy. discuss loans with the IMF on January 24. gave Mr. Yaroshenko several more months. been referred to in the media as a member of Commenting on Mr. Khoroshkovsky’s new Mr. Yaroshenko will apparently be made a the gas lobby, together with Mr. Firtash; the appointment, Ms. Tymoshenko’s right-hand The article above is reprinted from Eurasia scapegoat for Ukraine’s failure to persuade current energy minister, Yurii Boyko; and the man, Oleksander Turchynov, who de facto Daily Monitor with permission from its pub- the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to chief of President Yanukovych’s administra- runs the main opposition party, Batkivschyna, lisher, the Jamestown Foundation, www. unfreeze its $15 billion credit line last year, tion, Serhii Lyochkin. while Ms. Tymoshenko is in prison, predicted jamestown.org. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6 FOR THE RECORD: U.S. ambassador’s remarks on years of U.S.-Ukraine relations Following is the text of U.S. Ambassador relationship with us. Many of you who are At the core of our relationship through- John F. Tefft’s speech at the gala concert on here tonight have played an important role out these past 20 years have been the peo- January 20 in Kyiv marking the 20th anni- in building U.S.-Ukrainian relations. ple-to-people contacts within government versary of diplomatic relations between the Gathered here, we have officials, and for- programs and outside in private contacts. United States and Ukraine. The text was mer officials, ambassadors and former Thousands of Americans and Ukrainians released by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. ambassadors, members of the U.S. business have developed close personal ties that are community, members of the Ukrainian the cement that holds us together, even Mr. President, Ministers, Ambassadors, diaspora, leaders of the NGO community when our official relationship had its prob- Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Friends: and civil society, artists and activists, pro- lems. Thank you all for coming here tonight to fessors and teachers, students and alumni As we worked together, Americans and help us mark the 20th anniversary of the of our many programs. Ukrainians have gotten to know each other establishment of U.S.-Ukrainian diplomatic Twenty years ago was a historic moment and to share their experiences. relations. as we created a new Embassy and watched a Peace Corps volunteers fanned out I am told there is an old Ukrainian prov- new country being created before our eyes. I across the country into the lives and homes erb: “Dalekyi shliakh, ta blyzhnii druh” – To was then the deputy director in Washington of thousands of Ukrainians, who take them see a friend, no road is too long. of the new office of Commonwealth and in and teach them Ukrainian ways. Today, U.S.Embassy Kyiv Tonight, we have gathered together Newly Independent States. I like to feel that I the Peace Corps in Ukraine is the largest Ambassador John F. Tefft at the 20th anniversary celebration of U.S.-Ukraine many friends who have traveled the long too was present at the creation – albeit sepa- relations. road of building a sound U.S.-Ukrainian rated by 5,000 miles. (Continued on page 11)

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: December Amount Name City Theodore Kuzio Granby, CT Ann Goot Moretown, VT $1,000.00 Leonard and Helena Mountain Lakes, NJ Luba and Michael East Hanover, NJ Luba Keske Woodland Hills, CA Mazur Lapyczak Eugene Kolisnyk St. Johns, FL $200.00 Zenon Masnyj New York, NY Lydia Liedman West Des Moines, IA Wolodymyr Kostiuk Woodside, NY Oksana Zakydalsky Toronto, ON Patricia McGarrigle Massapequa Park, NY Natalia Kowal Riverside, CT $120.00 Irene Komarynsky Stamford, CT Eugene Melnitchenko Owings, MD Natalia Kozak Springfield, IL $100.00 Barbara Chupa Fresh Meadows, NY Irene Melnyk Plains, PA Mary Kramarenko East Windsor, NJ Roman Goy Catonsville, MD Mary Motyl Sunnyside, NY Catherine Krucylak St. Louis, MO Roxolana Horbowyj Holmes, PA Peter Myskiw Pheonix, AZ Tania Kuzmyn Poughkeepsie, NY Marta Kaczaj Jenkintown, PA Irene Nowak Milwaukee, WI Maria Lavanga Philadelphia, PA Andrei and Raissa Bethesda, MD Roman Olijnyk Radnor, PA Anya Locke Liverpool, NY Kushnir John Pluta Walingford, PA P. Lutwiniak Sunrise, FL John Nowadly Fairfax, VA Slawka Pylyshenko Bethesda, MD Stefan Lysiak Auburn, NY Neonila Sochan Morristown, NJ Karola Rac Glenside, PA Eli Matiash Aliquippa, PA Roman Zastawsky Newington, CT Peter Romanyshyn Arvada, CO Christine Matiash Sunrise, FL $65.00 Michael McGrath Franklin Square, NY Arnold Rudakewych Lorton, VA Emil Maybo Irvington, NJ $60.00 Victor Omelczenko West Hollywood, CA Christina Saldana Hackettstown, NJ Patricia Bodnar- Massapequa Park, NY $50.00 George Cikalo West Orange, NJ Martha Tesluk-Derhak W. Hartford, CT McGarrigle Stan and Halyna Brick, NJ Gregory Tkaczyk St. Catharines, ON Peter Melnycky Edmonton, AB Jakubowycz Lida Truchly Chicago, IL Jaroslaw Oberyshyn Jamaica, NY Anna Karmaty Chatham, NJ Michael Wawryshyn Toronto, ON Luba Onuferko Jenkintown, PA Robert Kent Riverhead, NY Wolodymyr Wronskyj Greenlawn, NJ Lida Pakula Dearborn, MI Bohdan Kurylko Venice, FL Edward Young Ludlow, MA Borys Pawluk Lansdale, PA Jaroslaw Leshko Northhamption, VA Olga Zazula Flushing, NY Dagmar Petrina Yonkers, NY Andrew Marenin Centennial, CO $23.00 Peter Yewshenko Sarasota, FL Zenon Pihut Austin, TX John Melinyshyn Arlington Heights, IL $20.00 Myron Bytz Randolph, NJ Valentina Poletz St. Anthony, MN Boris Onufreiczuk Watchung, NJ George Chomyn Weston, ON Romana Pylyp Riverside, CT Natalie Pawlenko Princeton, NJ George Chuchman Winnipeg, MB George Sawchuk Rydal, PA Ihor Puhacz Macungie, PA Donald Cisyk Staten Island, NY Julianne Shepelavy Niskayuna, NY Melanne Verveer Washington, DC Oksana Danylyk Houston, TX Anna Shepko New Paltz, NY Wasyl Wowchuk Wathorn Woods, IL Andrea Kochanowsky Wayne, NJ Nicholas Skirka Yonkers, NY Vera and Zenon W. 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Larysa Szanc-Smarsh Brooklyn, NY Marion Hurinenko Manning, ND Andrij Witiuk Brooklyn, NY $15.00 Roman Bilak Kenosha, WI Lesya Jones Toronto, ON $30.00 Orest Hrycyk Syracuse, NY Maria Bodnarskyj Depew, NY Maria Kodelsky Kailua, HI George Jaskiw S. Euclid, OH Peter Hawrylciw Ludlow, MA Zenovia Kolody Bayside, NY Lydia Kozak North Port, FL Alexandra Holuka Flushing, NY Roksolana Korchynsky Pittsburgh, PA $25.00 William Balko Ledgewood, NJ Roman Komunytsky Santa Rosa, CA Harry Kowalchek West Newton, PA Daria Bekesewycz Newark, NJ Michael Lotocky Huntington Beach, CA Maria Krislatyj Cleveland, OH Michael Bilynsky Hollywood, FL Michael and Roma Astoria, NY Walter Odajnyk Ojat, CA Christine Bonacorsa Beleville, NJ O’Hara Ruslan Rasiak Leesburg, VA Alexandra Borregaard Millsboro, DE Romana Rudnyk- Los Angeles, CA Paul Rosynsky Oakland, CA Mike Bortnowskyj Los Angeles, CA Mackenzie Bohdan Smolynsky Shrewsbury, MA John Bortnyk Forked River, NJ Stephan Skrybalo Sharlottesville, PA Michael Trenza Carle Place, NY Ronald Bugryn Bristol, CT Anthony Wolchasty Southampton, PA Marie Ulanowicz Gainesville, FL Michael Cham Spokane, WA $12.50 John Chopyk Easthampton, MA Philip Yankoschuk Bayside, NY D. Chromowsky Little Egg Harbor, NJ $10.00 Olga Ariza Miami, FL Lubomyr Zapar Chesterfield, VA Irene Dean Mt. Vernan, ME Ellen Barlit North Falmouth, MA Tania and Walter Yardley, PA Ulana Diachuk Rutherford, NJ Vladimira Bilaniuk Douglaston, NY Zinych Marie Durbak Chicago, IL Michael and Nancy Union, NJ Daria Dykyj Forest Hill, NY Bohdan TOTAL: $5,893.50 Andrij Gavdanovich Edison, NJ Victor Cartorycky Brooklyn, NY Walter G. and Renata Westfield, NJ Leo Cionka Warren, MI Sincere thanks to all contributors to The Ukrainian M. Hanchuk Tamara Denysenko Rochester, NY Weekly Press Fund. Anna Harmaty Chatham, NJ Jaroslaw Dutkewych Alexandria, VA George Hiuk Clifton, NJ Svetlana and Wasily Del Mar, CA The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only fund Olya Hron Osprey, FL Dubinin dedicated exclusively to supporting the work of this Zenon Ivanonko Vestal, NY Maria Dychdala Norristown, PA publication. Ihor Kowalysko Warren, MI James Fedorko Rutherford, NJ John Krupinski Scranton, PA Stefan Golub Minneapolis, MN No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 5

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Maria Oscislawski retires after nearly 24 years of service PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Maria Oscislawski, an manager for both Svoboda and The employee of the Ukrainian National Ukrainian Weekly since April of 1999. Prior Association since 1988 and advertising to that she was a key employee of the UNA manager of the UNA’s publications since Organizing Department since August 1988. 1999, was bid a fond farewell here on UNA employees, as well as Mrs. January 10, her last day of work at the UNA. Oscislawski’s colleagues at Svoboda and Mrs. Oscislawski retired after nearly 24 The Weekly, gathered to offer her best years of service to the UNA. wishes during a retirement luncheon at the She was the advertising department UNA Home Office.

Lev Khmelkovsky Maria Oscislawski shows off the framed mock-up of a Svoboda front page announcing her retirement as her husband looks on. UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj, UNA Present at the farewell luncheon were her Treasurer Roma Lisovich and the editor-in- husband, Eugene Oscislawski, who is a sec- chief of both Svoboda and The Weekly, ond vice-president of the UNA, and their Roma Hadzewycz, noted Mrs. Oscislawski’s daughter, Anna Fisher. contributions and her loyalty to the UNA The advertising department of Svoboda and its two newspapers. and The Ukrainian Weekly is now headed UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj speaks at the farewell gathering for Maria Oscislawski Mrs. Oscislawski received several gifts, by Walter Honcharyk, who continues in his (second from left). Also in the photo are UNA Second Vice-President Eugene including a framed mock-up of a Svoboda role as administrator of the UNA’s newspa- Oscislawski and UNA Treasurer Roma Lisovich. front page announcing her retirement. pers. New Haven branch presents gift s Young UNA’ers to Ukrainian school’s students

Christian Constantine Kohut, son of Helene Collins and Borys Yuri of Woodland Hills, Calif., is a new member of UNA Branch 450. He was enrolled by his aunt Dr. Taissa U. Hayduk, a long-standing member of Branch 450. Christian’s sisters Amelia and Annalise, and his brother Roman also are members of Branch 450.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Ukrainian National Association Branch 414 of New Haven, Conn., presented Christmas gifts to all participants (some of whom are seen above) of the annual St. Nicholas play present- ed by St. Michael’s School of Ukrainian Studies on December 18, 2011, in St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church hall. The gift was presented by UNA Advisor Gloria Horbaty, who is Branch 414 financial secretary.

THE UNA: 117 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

The Ukrainian Weekly Freedom’s decline in Ukraine There was no good news for Ukraine in “Freedom in the World 2012,” which was released in January by the highly respected NGO Freedom House. The annual survey of the state of freedom around the globe, which has been published since 1972, point- ed to the “troubling backslide” in Ukraine during 2011. Freedom House said Ukraine was one of three “more promising young democra- About Voroshylov Street cies” exhibiting declines in freedoms. Arch Puddington, vice-president for research at NAHORIANY, Ukraine – I was shocked to Freedom House, explained: “The steepest decline in the institutions of freedom has deliver his sermons and speeches in the learn several years ago that my third cousin taken place in Ukraine, where a series of negative developments was punctuated by Russian language, not bothering to learn the the conviction of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko on dubious charges. In the past Stepan and his family live on a street named villagers’ native Ukrainian language despite two years, Ukraine has moved from a status of free to partly free and suffered deterio- after Klement Voroshylov in his native vil- having lived in the community during 20 ration on most indicators measured by Freedom House.” lage in the Khmelnytsky Oblast. years of independence. The report, which examined political and civil rights in 195 countries and 14 terri- Among his distinctions, Voroshylov was Stepan once complained to me about the tories around the world, also noted: “Ukraine’s political rights rating declined from 3 engaged in several mass killings, including darn “Rukhivtsi” who throw rocks at to 4 [on a scale of 1-7, with 7 being the worst rating] due to the authorities’ efforts to organizing and executing the Holodomor, Moscow Patriarchate pilgrims who hike to crush the opposition, including the politicized use of the courts, a crackdown on which he confirmed as genocide when the Pochayiv Monastery through the media and the use of force to break up demonstrations.” Its rating on civil liberties addressing a 1934 meeting of the Ternopil Oblast. I don’t support throwing remained at 3, the same as in the previous year. Those numbers put Ukraine in the Communist Party leadership. rocks at Christians, but at the same time, I same league as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kenya, Mozambique, Papua New “At the beginning we went for hunger don’t think Stepan has the faintest idea of Guinea and the Solomon Islands. consciously because we needed bread. But what Rukh was all about. As for Ukraine’s neighbors, Russia, labeled not free, had ratings of 6 for political the victims of hunger were non-working But it’s this kind of ignorance that the rights and 5 for civil liberties; Belarus, the worst of the lot, had ratings of 7 for political elements and kurkuls,” he reported with Moscow Patriarchate spreads throughout rights and 6 for civil liberties; Poland and Slovakia, both free states, had the highest pride to Joseph Stalin and his criminal central Ukraine that inhibits the region’s ratings of 1 on each scale; partly free Moldova had a 3 on each scale; while Hungary, cohorts. He added, “Day by day, we will gain progress away from the “sovok” (derogato- free, had a 1 in political rights and a 2 in civil liberties; and Romania, also free, had a 2 new victories and no pig face, wherever it ry slang for Soviet) towards an ethnically in each category. may show up, will be able to scare the conscious Ukraine. A year ago, in “Freedom in the World 2011,” which covered developments in 2010, Bolsheviks and stop our irrepressible pro- A visitor to the village is immediately Freedom House reported that Ukraine had been downgraded from free to partly free cession.” recognized in the church, particularly – the result of deteriorating levels of freedom of the press, incidents of election fraud The village doesn’t have its own council, among its main clientele, the babusi. One of and increasing politicization of the country’s judiciary. All, of course, were directly so I wrote a letter to the council responsible them approached Stepan and asked him attributable to the regime of President Viktor Yanukovych. In his essay accompanying for governing Nahoriany in the neighboring whether I was the relative who asked the that report, Mr. Puddington noted: “Ukraine had previously been the only country in village of Dovzhok. council to rename Voroshylov Street. the non-Baltic former Soviet Union to earn a free designation, and its decline [to party I pointed out that Voroshylov was among “No, that’s not him,” a nervous Stepan free] represents a major setback for democracy in the region.” the Holodomor’s organizers and asked the responded, demonstrating the Soviet sys- The situation not so long ago was much different. In the reports covering the years council to consider changing the street’s tem’s effectiveness in rooting out any indi- 2005-2009 – the post-Orange Revolution years – Ukraine was labeled as a free state. name to something neutral, such as the vidualism and critical thinking in its citi- (Prior to that, we should note, Ukraine was rated partly free for the years 1991-2004.) name of a tree or flower that grows in the zens. Heck, I was ready to discuss the mat- Now, Ukraine is back to where it started when its independence was re-established region. Heck, that’s how we do it in the U.S., ter with anyone. in 1991. Yes, in two short years, Mr. Yanukovych and his cronies have managed to right? Your street isn’t named after Gen. Yet, grown Ukrainian men like Stepan undo years of democratic development. But what’s even more alarming is that Mr. George Patton, is it? have been reduced to trembling cowards Yanukovych continues on his path, ignoring the advice and warnings of Ukraine’s I received a surprisingly quick response, before elderly women, utterly frightened by allies in the West, not to mention the well-being of Ukraine’s citizens. within two weeks, which came in an enve- the prospect of questioning anything in U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John F. Tefft, speaking on January 20 on the occasion of lope decorated with the St. George Ribbon, society lest they be accused of thinking for the 20th anniversary of U.S.-Ukraine relations, underscored that the United States the black and orange symbol resurrected themselves and challenging the status quo. “encouraged Ukrainians as they built democratic skills and institutions, promoting and retooled by the Kremlin to represent This worship of unquestioning conformi- civic participation and good governance.” He concluded his remarks by stating, “The Russian-Ukrainian unity against German ty, enforced by fear and ignorance, to this U.S. is a true friend of Ukraine and we are willing to walk this long road together with fascism in World War II. day haunts Ukraine’s men, who have prov- our Ukrainian friends.” I doubt the letter’s author, a village en themselves impotent in liberating their Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on January 26 council deputy, wanted to send a message nation from its destructive oligarchy and adopted a strong resolution on “The functioning of democratic institutions in of Soviet defiance to the complaining building a moral society that protects the Ukraine,” which stated that Kyiv’s failure to implement its recommendations “would American. More likely, village councils are individual rights of its citizens. raise serious questions regarding the authorities’ commitment to the principles of thankful for any stationery available. And My other third cousin in Nahoriany – democracy and the rule of law, which should lead to an appropriate response” – Soviet symbols don’t bother many resi- Stepan’s brother Yura – invited us for lunch including “the consideration of sanctions if the Assembly’s demands are not met.” dents of central Ukraine, particularly the after the liturgy. He and his family also live Thus far, however, it seems that neither carrots nor sticks have worked to shift older folks. on Voroshylov Street. independent Ukraine’s fourth president from his chosen course, with disastrous The letter thanked me for my civic inter- Stepan mentioned during our meal that I results for his nation. est and assured me the issue would be asked to change its name, which prompted reviewed by the Dovzhok Village Council. Yura to ask why. When I explained that Nothing in a Ukrainian village goes unno- Voroshylov was a Bolshevik who organized ticed, and soon news of the letter from an the Holodomor, he let out a big, “hah!” – American visitor to Nahoriany spread revealing his disdain not only for my criti- Feb. Turning the pages back... among the village’s most active residents – cism of Soviet Communism, but also my its babusi (elderly ladies). attempt to question their status quo and Sixty-seven years ago, on February 11, 1945, the weeklong I decided to visit my cousin on the vil- their matrix of reality. 11 Yalta Conference, which brought “The Big Three” Allied leaders – lage’s annual holiday on October 14, 2011, Ukraine is filled to the brim with guys in U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister and we attended liturgy in Nahoriany’s sin- their 30s and 40s who mimic the prior gen- 1945 Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin – concluded gle church, owned by the Ukrainian eration of self-pitying whiners, who wax at the Livadia Palace, the summer palace of Tsar Nicholas II, on Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate. nostalgically about the Soviet Union yet the Crimean peninsula. Their first meeting took place in Tehran The Moscow Patriarchate’s influence on don’t do anything for its restoration. Nor do in 1943, with a third meeting held in Potsdam. the villages of central Ukraine can’t be over- they do anything constructive for Ukraine’s With victory over Germany three months away, Churchill and Stalin discussed carving estimated. In the chaos of the 1990s, its future. It’s always easier to sit in front of the up Europe into zones of political influence. Germany, it was decided, would be divided into priests took control of at least two-thirds of television, drink vodka with the boys, and four zones of occupation administered by the three major powers and France. The area the region’s rural churches, helping to pre- just bitch and complain. was to be demilitarized and its war criminals brought to trial. serve the worldview in rural central Indeed it’s become a trademark, a per- However, the conference put aside the right of democratic people to determine their Ukraine of Ukrainian inferiority and sub- verse rite of passage, for many poorly edu- national destinies. Instead, the emphasis at Yalta was simply on power politics, and coor- mission to Russian supremacy. cated, middle-aged Ukrainian men to resent dinating the Allied Forces’ military action against Germany. At its officials events, including liturgies, the Soviet collapse while doing absolutely The problem for Roosevelt in achieving self-determination for the Red Army-occupied the Moscow Patriarchate forbids praying nothing constructive for Ukraine’s future. countries, like Ukraine, was that it would be difficult to remove an ally who already was in and singing in the Ukrainian language, I can’t disagree that the Soviet system control of those countries, as the Red Army repelled the invading Nazis and he hoped to denying Ukraine’s rural population the abil- was better for the uneducated. They all secure Stalin as an ally against Japan. ity to worship God in their native language had work and pay with limited responsibil- Stalin joined the allies on August 8, 1945, two days after the first atomic bomb was and empowering themselves both culturally ities. In exchange for their mediocre per- dropped on Hiroshima. Following the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, and the Soviet- and politically. formance, they gained vacations to Crimea (For those who don’t know, the Moscow led invasion of Manchuria, Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. and, in some cases, apartments and cars. It Patriarchate’s liturgies are exclusively in As a result of the conference, the Allied leaders issued a statement affirming the use of certainly was a “worker’s paradise,” in that Church Slavonic, as are its hymns.) the Curzon Line, demarcating the border between Poland and the Soviet Union. There sense. In the case of Nahoriany, I was shocked (Continued on page 7) to see that the village priest continues to (Continued on page 14) No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 7

BOOK REVIEW The things we do ... A highly imaginative, entertaining leap by Orysia Paszczak Tracz into Ukrainian and related histories

by Bohdan Vitvitsky and anarchist Jew named Sholom Schwartzbard. “Stories from the Gulag” Anyone with even a passing interest in It turns out that Schwartzbard had Ukrainian history, East European history lived and worked in Paris as a watchmak- or the relationship of the historical past to er from 1910. In 1918, he went to Russia the present will find Alexander J. Motyl’s to serve in the Red Guards. He then left the latest novel “The Jew Who Was Ukrainian,” Red Guards in 1920 and returned to his a great read. The book is unique in its watchmaking work in Paris until in 1926 inventiveness in that it mixes the factual he murdered Petliura there with five gun- with the probable and the preposterous, shots. and it does so in a way that allows the Similarly interesting details emerge reader to focus on one or all three of those about Bohdan Stashynsky, the Ukrainian elements depending on his/her interests who assassinated Lev Rebet and Stepan and tastes. Bandera in Munich after World War II on The preposterous involves the novel’s behalf of the KGB. protagonist, a man named Volodymyr But perhaps the most fascinating parts Frauenzimmer. He is the almost accidental of the book involve the many imaginary son of a murderous Jewish NKVD agent encounters between Volodymyr and the father and a concentration camp guard various historical figures who take the Ukrainian mother who hates Jews. This stage in Prof. Motyl’s novel. The book thus fantastic genesis and the numerous moral allows one to imagine being present at the Dr. Semeon Hrushovetz and existential dilemmas provoked by it 1927 Paris trial of Schwartzbard and At the presentation of “Stories from the Gulag” (from left) are: George Nytepchuk, for Volodymyr serve as the motivating being able to listen to Schwartzbard being Sylvia Uzwyshyn, Oksana Shulakewych and Lubomyr Shulakewych. force for the entire novel, along with its cross-examined on the stand by many ironies, absurdities and fantasies Volodymyr about the key issues relating to There was barely a smattering of about six months. This retired Plast that amuse and entertain. Schwartzbard having committed murder. applause, and that ended almost as soon member and retired engineer said he Of greater interest to at least this read- And it allows one to imagine being as it began. The somber audience want- welcomes other communities holding er were the factual and the probable ele- present at the 1962 German trial of ed to thank the readers, but the mood similar presentations. ments in the novel. For example, the novel Stashynsky and being able to listen to was not conducive to applause. Just The readings, both dramatic and chill- informs readers about some fascinating Stashynsky being cross-examined on the silence. The appreciation was there, and ingly reserved – all so difficult and pain- was felt. (It reminded me of the silence ful to hear – included texts from: Martin details relating to the biography of Symon stand by Volodymyr about the key issues after the premiere of the original Ukrainian Amis, Donald Rayfield, Anne Applebaum, Petliura’s assassin, a self-styled socialist relating to his having murdered Rebet and version of Yuri Luhovy’s “Genocide Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Karlo Steijner, Bandera on behalf of the KGB. Revealed,” his documentary on the Robert Conquest, Ian Hunter, Malcolm Later, there are imaginary debates and Holodomor, a few years ago. After being Muggeridge, Richard Lourie, Dimitri conversations between and among overwhelmed by the story, you cannot Shostakovich, Edward Crankshaw and Bandera, Rebet, Stashynsky, Petliura and bring yourself to applaud.) Simon Montefiore. Schwartzbard. Although these encounters “Stories from the Gulag” was an eve- There were also quotes from Joseph are obviously invented, the substance of ning of readings from memoirs, histories Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev, and reports the comments and positions staked out by and reports on the Soviet Gulag system, from the Winnipeg Free Press, The New the individual interlocutors are both prob- presented on November 25 at Oseredok, York Times, and the Chicago Tribune. able and insightful. the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational The BBC documentary “Stolen Years” Many years ago, as a graduate student Center in Winnipeg. by filmmakers Jennifer Law Young and in philosophy, I was tasked with writing a It was conceived and compiled by Bruce Young showed survivors of the major paper on the subject of whether it Lubomyr B. Shulakewych, and read by gulags telling their own stories. The two makes sense to say that literature can tell Sylvia Uzwyshyn, Oksana Shulakewych filmed the documentary over six years. or reveal truth. What great fun it would and George Nytepchuk. Sophia Kachor, “The most compelling thing about the have been if Prof. Motyl’s novel had been executive director of Oseredok, wel- video Bruce made on that trip was the available back then. comed the audience and outlined the his- mass gravesite in a big forest [Bykivnia] “The Jew Who Was Ukrainian” illumi- torical framework, within the nationwide outside Kyiv,” said Ms. Young. nates, entertains and challenges. It may be week commemorating the Holodomor. “People would come place little photos obtained from the publisher, Cervena The announcement for the evening at the wall, and there was this lady cross- Barva Press, in Sommerville, Mass.. at read: “It would seem that the history of ing herself over these pictures and cry- http://www.thelostbookshelf.com/m. the Soviet Union is a thing of the past, ing. That was really moving footage, and I html#AlexanderMotyl (scroll down until perhaps irrelevant after its demise in thought we should do something with you reach Motyl’s book). 1991. Yet, there are stories from that this rather than let it sit on the shelf. past that are not only cautionary tales, “That’s how it all started,” Ms. Young but testimony to immense and immea- added. “Ironically, none of that footage is LETTER TO THE EDITOR surable human tragedy that has largely in this film.” not received the public attention it Hopefully, similar presentations will orary member of our UABSociety as you deserves.” be held throughout the world – for the have researched, revealed and served to Mr. Shulakewych later said that it was mainstream, in public settings – to get Thank you to Tracz remind us of how important a role these very difficult to read through and then the attention this history deserves and creatures play in the betterment of our select the passages to be read. “There demands. for column on bees Ukrainian culture, as well as the world. was just so much, and so difficult to Dear Editor: At a time when many issues threaten read!” He thought of this idea a few years Orysia Tracz may be contacted at orysia. the collapse of the honeybee in the ago, and worked on the presentation for [email protected]. On behalf of the Ukrainian American world, we hope that more might opt to Beekeeper Society and Friends of the join us and become possible stewards of democracy, we must continue nonetheless, Honeybee, I would like to thank Orysia the Honeybees in addition to traditional Turning... and with greater power, our efforts to Pasczak Tracz for her Christmas bees article keepers of the bees. As many of us have inform American public opinion with the (January 8). It spoke of rites that are part of recalled grandparents and other relatives (Continued from page 6) truth concerning Ukraine. At the same time our innate identity, being born Ukrainian that were beekeepers, we realize this art we should hasten our help to the Ukrainian and inheriting all the strong attributes is in our DNA . Therefore, it should not be were two versions of the line, with the sec- war sufferers, both in Ukraine and outside that surround our history of beekeeping. too difficult to readapt this pastime/ ond version including Lviv and East Galicia her borders; they need this help very badly. Honey and honeybees evoke such feel- hobby into our lifestyles and aid in the under Polish rule, which Stalin rejected. But, above all, let us bear in mind that final ings of kinship and symbolize health, survival of this vital species. The current border is an approximation of victory for our country is still far off, and wealth and sweet pleasures. I appreciate Our next meeting is scheduled around the Curzon Line, which dates from the first world war. that we must continue doing our utmost to that Ms. Tracz was able to honor this the spring equinox, on Sunday March 25. “As for us, Americans of Ukrainian hasten its coming,” the article concluded. sacred symbol of our heritage by clearly All are welcome. acknowledging their significance during descent, though these days are dark in Christmas and other significant holidays. Petrusia Kotlar Paslawsky regards to the aspirations of our kinsmen Source: “The Yalta Conference and Ukraine,” Ms. Tracz we invite you to be an hon- Towaco, N.J. over there for national freedom and The Ukrainian Weekly, February 17, 1945. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

New Ukrainian studies scholarship offered at Kansas University by Jarosewycz family

At Kansas University (from left) are: Prof. Edith Clowes, Director, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, Peter Jarosewycz, who established the Jarosewycz Family Scholarship in Ukrainian Studies, and Dr. Yaroslava Tsiovkh, who teaches in the Ukrainian Studies Program at the university. LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Center for CREES offers one of the leading pro- Russian, East European and Eurasian grams in Ukrainian Studies in the United Studies (REES) at Kansas University has States. It includes all levels of Ukrainian announced a new scholarship for M.A. stu- language study, as well as courses in dents in Ukrainian studies. The scholarship Ukrainian history, politics, and culture. As will support top REES graduate students part of the Ukrainian Studies Program, who have shown commitment and scholar- CREES conducts a summer school at Ivan ly interest in Ukraine and Ukrainian stud- Franko University in Lviv, the same school ies. It will be available for full-time students where Mr. Jarosewycz’s parents received starting in the 2012-2013 academic year. their medical degrees. Retired attorney Peter Jarosewycz of The Ukrainian Studies Program at KU is Kansas City, Mo., established the also supported by the Maria Palij Fund, Jarosewycz Family Scholarship in which sponsors the annual visiting Palij Ukrainian Studies in honor of his late par- Lecturer and awards the annual Ukrainian ents, Dmytro and Maria, and aunt Olha. Studies Prize for an outstanding student Immigrating to the United States in 1949, specializing in Ukraine. his parents and aunt taught him to take For more information about CREES and deep pride in his Ukrainian heritage. Mr. the Ukrainian Studies program at KU, read- Jarosewycz is a past president of the ers may visit www.crees.ku.edu. Kansas City Ukrainian Club and has helped CREES is designated a National Resource to support Ukrainian speakers, artists and Center for the study of Russia, Eastern filmmakers visiting the Kansas City area. Europe and Eurasia by the U.S. Department He is a loyal member of the Ukrainian of Education, and receives Title VI funds for National Association. educational outreach activities. U. of Alberta offers opportunities for engagement with Ukraine by Michael Davies-Venn EDMONTON, Alberta – Ukraine is at a crossroads, says Bohdan Klid, assistant director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) at the University of Alberta. Half the country is looking towards the past, while the other half is fac- ing the future. This makes it an ideal place for University of Alberta students to study a range of subjects, from culture to politics, says Dr. Klid. “Ukraine is in transition, but we don’t know exactly where it’s going,” Dr. Klid said. “So a student who’s going there would better understand and study the changes, some of which are taking place very rapidly.” To enable U of A students to study in this evolving country, the CIUS is offering finan- cial support to students through its newly Bohdan Klid, assistant director of the created University of Alberta Ukraine Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies. Student Exchange Endowment Fund. The which is one of the oldest in Eastern fund supports students to study at Ivan Europe. The new fund provides students Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine, the opportunity to study the evolution of a for up to two semesters; the CIUS is now geopolitically strategic country. And it sat- accepting applications. isfies one of the key objectives set forth by Dr. Klid says the scholarship strengthens U of A President Indira Samarasekera in the university’s relationship with the Ukrainian university – founded in 1661 – (Continued on page 14) No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 9 GENERATION UKE Edited and compiled by Matthew Dubas Plast members continue tradition of “koliada”

by Katrusia Stecyk homes, bringing with them the musical stylings of two guitars and a ukulele. After NEW YORK – The “koliada” (Christmas much pre-Koliada preparation, this group caroling) stands as a Ukrainian tradition decided to give their audiences a surprise. that demonstrates a strong sense of com- “The last song we sang was a munity and a lasting connection with Ukrainian rendition of ‘Feliz Navidad,’ and Ukraine’s past. Koliada is an ancient word we even had maracas,” said Mykhailo associated with the pre-Christian celebra- Fedynsky, who added that the piece was tion of the birth of the new sun, and now, very well-received by all hosts. The plas- the Christian celebration of the Nativity of tuny were graciously welcomed, and Jesus Christ. invited to stay and celebrate at a The Pre-Christian koliada ranked Christmas party at the end of the evening. among the most important events of the East coast members of the Chornomortsi calendar year: our Ukrainian ancestors fraternity spent a Saturday in December believed that spring and harvest would calling on their senior members in New not come to their villages unless the ritual Jersey. Sixteen starshi plastuny participat- songs had been sung in every household. ed in what has become an annual tradi- Laryssa Czebiniak “Do you welcome carolers?” asked tion in recent years. “We visited the Young adult members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization who participated in members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting homes of five of the Chornomortsi seniors the New York City “koliada.” Organization knocking on doors of urban and spent about 45 minutes to an hour at apartments and suburban homes in the each home,” said Pavlo Jarymowycz. New York City starshi plastuny At each home, Viktor Podpirka greeted United States. This winter, young adult The Chornomortsi also collected dona- knocked on apartment doors throughout hosts with a traditional “vinshuvannia” Plast members (“starshi plastuny” age tions for activities relevant to their Plast the East Village in addition to visiting the greeting. A large group of over 20 starshi 18-35) across the United States partici- goals. In the past, the group has collected Ukrainian National Home, Lys Mykyta plastuny participated, drawing attention pated in the annual koliada ritual. They donations for a new motor for a boat they and the USK Ukrainian sports club. as they crowded through doorways. visited home after home and sang tradi- use at their annual water-sports camp. This Laryssa Czebiniak noted one special “Some people called us a choir, there were tional Christmas carols while enjoying the year’s collection will help fund home visit, where a family and their so many of us,” noted Ms. Czebiniak. hospitality of Plast friends and families. Chornomortsi attending the 100th anni- friends were together for “Schedryi Plast members nationwide expressed Twenty starshi plastuny and senior versary celebration of Plast, which will take Vechir” dinner, all wearing embroidered the hope they would be welcomed as car- Plast members in Chicago visited 10 place in and around Lviv in August 2012. blouses and shirts. olers next year as well.

Orthodox mission team returns McGill University students host from Znamianka orphanage screening of “Genocide Revealed” MONTREAL – The McGill Ukrainian McGill University has almost 8,000 Students’ Association (MUSA) organized a international students. MUSA has a mem- screening on November 22. 2011, of the bership list of 350, including students from multi-award-winning documentary film U.S and Ukraine. The club tries to reach out “Genocide Revealed” at McGill’s Business to the student body on campus, always Administration lounge with the film’s welcoming new student members. director Yurij Luhovy. The evening was Some viewers, specifically students from opened by MUSA’s president Marta Cybulsky, Ukraine, were moved to tears at the eve- who welcomed the students and general ning’s showing, as they later mentioned public to the screening, and presented an that their families went through the geno- overview of MUSA’s mission and activities. cide but that they feared taking about it Working closely with the Concordia and as a result they have large gaps in their Ukrainian Students’ Union (CUSU), meet- history. They vowed to return home and ings are held monthly where they plan record memories about the Famine- future events. Past events have included a Genocide while they can still be document- pyrohy-making supper and pub nights. ed. Upcoming events include the annual “koli- For more information, readers can visit ada” and a fundraiser for Help Us Help the MUSA‘s website, www.ssmu.mcgill.ca/ Children of Znamianka orphanage with the staff. Children. musa or e-mail, [email protected]. SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – The 2011 parishes of the UOC-U.S.A., in response to Winter Mission Team to the Ukrainian the orphanage’s request. Tatiana Vlko, Orphanages of the Ukrainian Orthodox director of Znamianka orphanage, Church of the U.S.A. (UOC-U.S.A.) returned expressed her gratitude to the team and the home on December 30, 2011, following 10 faithful of the Church for their continued days of inspiring moments as they minis- prayers and support. tered to the children of Znamianka orphan- The team worked diligently on daily age in the Kirovohrad Oblast. projects, assisting the staff to keep the This year’s team consisted of Bishop orphanage facility working, feeding chil- Daniel, spiritual father of the Winter dren, participating in educational classes, Mission Team, the Rev. John Haluszczak, organizing, and sponsoring St. Nicholas and with his wife, Anne, of St. Vladimir Nativity plays, playing with children – these Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, are just a few scheduled events that took Pa., Olga Coffey of St. Andrew Ukrainian place during the team’s time at the orphan- Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring, Md., age. In addition, the team members trav- and Catherine Bucharev of Harrisburg, Pa. eled with the children of the orphanage to a During the trip, the team worked in the local Orthodox monastic community, teach- orphanage with the children, sponsored a ing the children of the orphanages about St. Nicholas concert, presented by the the sacredness of the location as well as the Kropyvnytskyj State Theater of Kirovohrad, precepts of Orthodox Christian worship. as well assisted with physical rehabilitation The College Age Mission trip to exercises and other duties. Ukrainian Orphanages will travel to In addition to the time spent with chil- Ukraine on August 1-19, 2012. Application dren of the orphanage, the team delivered deadline is January 15. For more informa- 13 suitcases of various play costumes for tion, readers can visit http://www.uocy- MUSA president Marta Cybulsky (second from left), film director Yurij Luhovy the orphanage, which arrived as a gift from outh.org/uoccollegemission.html. (right/end) and McGill students at the screening of “Genocide Revealed.” 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6 No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 11

lose two host cities and be excluded think this project would have died.” entirely if Kyiv’s renovated, 70,000-capac- Kallen is fully aware Euro-2012 in Ukraine ready to host Euro-2012 ity Olympic Stadium was not ready to Ukraine will not be perfect. In all proba- “I think everything will be fine,” Kallen host the final match. Vice Prime Minister bility, it will never match the high stan- said in a recent interview. “You name it, Boris Kolesnykov travelled to UEFA’s dards Germany set when hosting the they had hundreds of things to do – roads, Swiss headquarters in June 2010 to guar- 2006 World Cup to worldwide acclaim. public transport, hospitals, schools. They antee the project’s completion. Hotel rooms will be in short supply, char- came from very far away and produced in “Mr. Kolesnykov took it as his personal ter flights will be in use to service Kharkiv a very short time.” project. If someone does that, it is very and Donetsk, and some high-end corpo- Ukraine exceeded expectations and powerful,” Kallen said. rate hospitality suites will not be sold. public opinion polls by beating Poland to The vice prime minister’s work has When selecting their UEFA-approved complete its four host stadiums in Kyiv, been instrumental in President five-star hotels and training bases it is Lviv, Kharkiv and Donetsk before the Yanukovych’s home base of Donetsk, 450 expected most national squads will not December 1 arrival date for the European miles east of Kyiv, where the airport proj- choose those in Ukraine. Experts are pre- football leadership group. ect loomed vital to the tournament’s dicting that a majority of the teams will “In Ukraine they worked more or less logistics. Temperatures at the Donetsk opt for accommodations in Poland. around the clock. They put the work in, airport were noted at -25 degrees (minus Ukraine’s soccer fans have responded the effort, the motivation,” Kallen noted. -13 F) last winter. Kolesnykov hired in huge numbers to purchase their allot- Some tough love from UEFA and its American consultants to assist in com- ted share of 1.3 million tickets available to president, Michel Platini, went a long way pleting the terminal opening on schedule. the co-host nation. in helping Ukraine achieve its preparation Kallen also praised Surkis, who had to Kallen, a Swiss native, relishes the per- Some seven months before the start of goals. Back in 2007 it was Platini who ful- overcome a major challenge to his leader- sonal challenge of organizing his third the Euro-2012 soccer championship, the filled an election promise to make certain ship post while ensuring Ukraine did not Euro tournament and seeing it successful- Union of European Football Associations Western Europe shared its football lose its hosting honors and face shame ly play out in the non-traditional venues of tournament director confirmed the soc- wealth and influence. His executive com- internationally. “Without Mr. Surkis there Ukraine and Poland. He will not permit cer world can rest assured Ukraine is mittee denied Italy’s Euro-2012 bid and is no Euro in Ukraine, it’s very simple,” himself any rest until the trophy is pre- indeed prepared and ready to co-host the dispatched UEFA’s main revenue-earning Kallen said of the UEFA executive com- sented in Kyiv around midnight on July 1. 2012 European Football Championship. sporting event to Eastern Europe for the mittee member. “He had to convince all of “It is only done when the final went On December 2, 2011, at the Palace of first time since the finals format was the people that this project is good for well,” he said in an interview with the AP. Arts in Kyiv, UEFA conducted the 16-team introduced in 1980. Ukraine and needs to be done on time. He “If most of the people will be happy, then I finals draw for the showcase event many “Within five years we will build a new is a person with no fear. Without him, I will be happy.” doubted would ever be played in the rela- country,” Ukraine Football Federation tively new independent nation of Ukraine. leader Hryhoriy Surkis promised after the To arrive to this point, Ukraine had to surprising 2007 announcement. President overcome a series of major obstacles, Viktor Yushchenko was present for the including a global financial crisis, national vote, but his government struggled mighti- political changes and UEFA’s threats to ly with the initial stages of preparations relocate half of the Euro-2012 to a more for the tournament, testing UEFA’s faith. deserving country. Ukraine struggled to Platini insisted there never was an upgrade and modernize its infrastructure alternate plan, though Kallen hinted at and finally was deemed fit to co-host the secondary options if necessary. Germany three-week tournament with its neighbor and Hungary were eventually mentioned Poland. as possible replacement partners for The national pride was shared with Poland. The pace of preparations picked Euro-2012 Director Martin Kallen, up only after Viktor Yanukovych was Ukraine’s personal guide through four elected president in February 2010. plus years of intensely stressful prepara- “You could say more focus was put on tions, which will not end until the prelimi- the project because Yanukovych knows nary matches kick off on June 8. that the Euro will be during his presiden- “They can say ‘We did it,”’ Kallen said in cy,” Kallen said. “For him, it is an important a November 30, 2011, interview with the project because he is facing Europe and Associated Press when he praised the the world, and he doesn’t want to fail.” host nation. “They did it with all the Politics was not the only stumbling doubts of everybody in the world. But, block. The global economic meltdown yes, we did it.” from September 2008 had Ukraine Ukraine still has much work to com- snared in a credit crunch, while partner plete, including unfinished road projects Poland was propped up by its member- along with a new airport terminal in ship in the 27-nation European Union. Donetsk, which is not slated to be fin- Financial assistance from Brussels did the ished before April. The terminal is of work in Poland, whereas Ukraine was left great importance as Donetsk will be host- to fend for itself. ing three group matches, a quarterfinal UEFA President Platini hit Ukraine and a semifinal. with another ultimatum: Ukraine would

skills and institutions, promoting civic par- U.S. ambassador’s... ticipation and good governance. (Continued from page 4) Throughout these 20 years our goals remained unchanged. The United States such program in the world. And many for- wants, as it has always wanted, what mer volunteers stayed or came back. Ukrainians themselves want for their coun- Our U.S.-sponsored exchange programs try – a Ukraine that is sovereign, indepen- have sent more than 40,000 Ukrainians to dent, prosperous and irreversibly demo- the U.S. since 1992. Scholars, students, cratic: a country that is modernizing as a experts, officials and community leaders at European state; a transparent, inclusive all levels have traveled on our various aca- Ukraine where a dynamic civil society is demic and professional exchanges. These free to contribute to public life; a country programs have allowed a broad spectrum which is open to investment and welcomes of Ukrainians to see their work in an inter- international business, and a Ukraine, national context – and to see the United where all citizens enjoy the full protection States first hand. of the rule of law. Through the U.S. Agency for To repeat the Ukrainian proverb: “To see International Development, the American a friend, no road is too long.” people have helped support economic The U.S. is a true friend of Ukraine, and growth and transition. We have encour- we are willing to walk this long road aged Ukrainians as they built democratic together with our Ukrainian friends. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

USS Vella Gulf calls on Odesa seaport ing to January 30 press reports. Pinchuk Foundation, predicted on January NEWSBRIEFS Parliamentary Commissioner for Human 28 that in the future Ukraine would abolish KYIV – The USS Vella Gulf, a guided mis- Rights Nina Karpachova will leave her post criminal penalties for political decisions (Continued from page 2) sile cruiser of the U.S. Navy, has arrived in on February 7 as her term expires. Ms. adopted by officials. But Ukrainian legisla- the port of Odesa on an unofficial friendly Karpachova has been elected three times tion is not yet ready for that, he added. The commission – two doctors from Germany, visit, Ukrainian Navy official Oleksander to the position – in 1998, 2003 and 2007. president called the situation over the sen- three from Canada, and three from the Dereschuk reported on January 31. “The The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights tencing of former Prime Minister Yulia International Committee of the Red Cross,” American sailors who are in Ukraine in Union has appealed to Verkhovna Rada Tymoshenko to seven years in prison for the PGO said in a statement released accordance with the list of measures of mil- Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn and national abuse of authority in signing the 2009 gas January 31. According to the PGO, on itary cooperation of the armed forces of the deputies with a proposal to support the contracts with Russia “controversial” and January 30, Procurator General Viktor two countries will hold meetings with candidacy of Yevhen Zakharov, the chair- expressed his belief that the issue of Pshonka held a meeting with the leadership heads of the city and the region, as well as man of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human decriminalization of Article 365 of the of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Health with their Ukrainian counterparts sta- Rights Union. Mr. Zakharov, who ran for the Criminal Code, based on which she was Ministry and the State Tax Service regard- tioned in the Black Sea city,” he said. Before position in 2007, believes his chances of sentenced, should be dealt with in ing the provision of assistance to the visiting Odesa, the ship visited the port of winning are slim and describes himself as Parliament. Mr. Yanukovych said that embassies of Germany and Canada, as well Sevastopol, where its sailors held a series of being “unattractive to the current govern- Ukraine follows the path of both judicial as to the International Committee of the joint tactical training missions and exercis- ment.” His main motive for the nomination, and legal reform, but now the point at issue Red Cross, to include the proposed doctors es with Ukrainian sailors aimed at improv- Mr. Zakharov said, was information that is implementation of existing legislation. in the medical commission to examine Ms. ing anti-piracy tactics. The ship was sched- the authorities want to select for the posi- Earlier, Mr. Yanukovych, in response to a Tymoshenko. The date of Ms. Tymoshenko’s uled to leave the port of Odesa on February tion former Procurator General Hennadii question from Ukrainian journalists on his examination has not yet been determined. 1. (Ukrinform) Vasilyev. “The procurator general cannot reaction to the January 26 PACE resolution Last week Ms. Tymoshenko, who is serving Three candidates for ombudsperson be the ombudsman inherently,” Mr. on Ukraine said “the PACE decision is help- her seven-year prison sentence in the Zakharov emphasized. According to ful” for the country. PACE adopted a tough Kachanivska penal colony near Kharkiv, KYIV – Ukraine’s human rights organi- human rights organizations and the resolution on Ukraine, calling for the agreed to be examined by German doctors. zations are concerned about the upcoming Ukrainian media, Mr. Vasilyev, a native of Ukrainian government to drop criminal (Ukrinform) election of a new ombudsperson, accord- Donetsk, served as procurator general in charges against former members of the 2003-2004 and is currently a member of Tymoshenko government and allow them Parliament from the ruling Party of to participate in the next parliamentary Regions. There are two other candidates elections. (Ukrinform) for the post of ombudsperson: the presi- dent of the International Human Rights Envoy doubts Ukraine-EU association deal Centre La Strada-Ukraine, Kateryna KYIV – The human rights situation in TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 Levchenko, and the government commis- or e-mail [email protected] Ukraine calls into question the initialing and sioner for the European Court of Human ratification by the European Parliament of Rights, Valeria Lutkivska. (Ukrinform) the Ukraine-European Union Association SERVICES PROFESSIONALS PACE recommendations on elections Agreement, France’s Ambassador for Human Rights Francois Zimeray told KYIV – The Parliamentary Assembly of reporters in Paris on January 26, after visit- the Council of Europe (PACE) recommended ing Ukraine last week. “No one can imagine that Ukrainian authorities lower the 5 per- that the prepared Association Agreement cent threshold for parliamentary elections will be initialed, signed and ratified by the and allow blocs of political parties to run in European Parliament if the current situa- the elections, according to a resolution tion [with human rights] will continue,” he approved by the PACE on January 27 in said. At the same time Mr. Zimeray ruled out Strasbourg. “The PACE is concerned that the the possibility of sanctions against Ukraine raising of the threshold for the proportional in case of a worsening human rights situa- elections to 5 percent, combined with the tion. “The word ‘sanctions’ is absent from prohibition on parties to form electoral my dictionary,” the diplomat noted. He blocs to run in the elections, might negative- added that he is “doing everything possible ly affect the opportunities for new or small- to protect human rights, and this is of the er parties to enter Parliament. The highest interest to Ukraine.” According to Assembly is concerned that these provisions Mr. Zimeray, the interest in Ukraine on the could reduce pluralism and further increase part of foreign countries is focused on three polarization in the new Parliament. It rec- important aspects: respect for human ommends that the threshold be lowered rights, the conclusion of the Association and the prohibition on electoral blocs be Agreement and the organization of the removed from the electoral legislation Euro-2012. “The last two issues are beyond before the next parliamentary elections. In my competence, as the decision on them is order to increase pluralism and encourage in the plane of the EU and its officials,” he participation of national minorities in public emphasized. During a press conference held life, the Assembly recommends that, when with former Prime Minister Tymoshenko’s delineating constituencies for the 2012 par- daughter, Yevhenia Tymoshenko, Ambassador liamentary elections, the Central Electoral Zimeray also expressed displeasure that he Commission ensures inclusion in a single was not allowed to meet with the leader of constituency of national minority groups the opposition Batkivschyna party at the who live compactly in certain areas,” reads penal colony. “I am concerned that I was not the document. The Parliamentary Assembly allowed to visit Ms. Tymoshenko and other also said “it regrets the provisions included prisoners. The visit was announced as a in this law that limit the right to stand for visit to attract the attention of foreign doc- election for anyone convicted of a crime, tors and study the possibility of their visit- regardless of the severity of the crime com- ing prisoners in Ukraine,” he said. mitted. Recognizing that these provisions (Ukrinform) are based on Article 76 of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Assembly proposes to Chelsea Clinton addresses students promptly remove them in the framework of KYIV – The daughter of former U.S. the constitutional reform process that was Run your advertisement here, in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. President Bill Clinton and current Secretary recommended by the Assembly.” of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chelsea Furthermore, the Parliamentary Assembly Clinton, told a group of Ukrainian university said it “considers that the upcoming parlia- students in Kyiv on January 24 that being mentary elections will be a litmus test for engaged in the world is “part of being a good Ukraine’s commitment to democratic prin- person.” The 31-year-old Ms. Clinton said ciples. The Assembly is of the view that there is always a gap between what the gov- international observation of these elections ernment and the private sector can provide, will substantially contribute to their demo- and that gap must be filled by the work of cratic conduct. It considers that the charities and non-governmental organiza- Assembly should contribute to the interna- tions. Ms. Clinton also toured the neonatal tional election observation with a large dele- center at the National Children’s Hospital in gation.” (Ukrinform) Kyiv during her visit. She is pursuing a doc- Yanukovych: PACE resolution helpful torate at Oxford and does philanthropic work for the Clinton Foundation and the KYIV – President Viktor Yanukovych of Clinton Global Initiative. Ms. Clinton recently Ukraine, who participated in the Ukrainian took up a job as a correspondent for the NBC lunch in Davos organized by the Victor television network. (Associated Press) No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 13

deemed to be not free was 48, representing Freedom House... 24 percent of the world’s polities. The number of people living under not free Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia: (Continued from page 1) conditions stood at 2,453,231,500, or 35 marked by stability and stagnation with a list of worsening countries that percent of the global population – more than half of whom lived in China. Following is a excerpt from the “Freedom clapping in unison – to prevent creative includes Bahrain, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Electoral democracies: The number of Around the World 2012” report, taken from expressions of popular discontent over electoral democracies increased by two the lead essay by Arch Puddington, vice- political repression and economic decline. Yemen. Syria and Saudi Arabia, two coun- tries at the forefront of the violent reaction and stands at 117. Three countries president for research at Freedom House. For most of Central and Eastern Europe achieved electoral democracy status due to and the Baltics, by contrast, the year was to the Arab Spring, fell from already low positions to the survey’s worst-possible elections that were widely regarded as The protests that roiled Moscow and notable for the ability of most countries to improvements: Niger, Thailand and other Russian cities in the wake of deeply weather the European economic crisis ratings. flawed December parliamentary elections without major damage to the basic institu- “We’ve been through a multi-year period were stark reminders that no authoritarian tions of democracy. At the same time, a in which the world’s authoritarians The steepest decline leadership, no matter how sophisticated its number of countries in the region remained seemed to be on the march and the democ- methods, is immune to popular demands highly vulnerable to precarious economies, racies appeared to be in retreat,” said David in the institutions of for change. the merging of business and political inter- J. Kramer, president of Freedom House. freedom has taken While the immediate trigger for the mass ests, and corruption. Latvia, Bulgaria, “But the past year’s trends give reason for place in Ukraine, demonstrations were widely circulated Romania and the Western Balkans could hope – especially because they arose in a YouTube videos that suggested ballot-stuff- face problems as Europe’s economic woes region of the world where many observers where a series of neg- ing and other forms of election fraud, the persist. dismissed the idea of democratic change as ative developments protests also reflected displeasure with the Hungary poses the most serious problem futile. We are at a historic moment, and it is earlier announcement that Prime Minister in Central Europe. The government of Viktor imperative that the United States be fully was punctuated by Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Orbán has taken advantage of a two-thirds involved in the difficult process of democ- the conviction of op- Medvedev had forged an agreement to parliamentary majority to push through a racy-building that lies ahead.” swap positions at the end of Medvedev’s new and problematic Constitution without Published annually since 1972, position leader Yu- term in 2012. The two men had failed to ful- adequate input from the opposition, and a “Freedom in the World” examines the abili- lia Tymoshenko on fill long-standing promises to reform series of laws that are widely seen as threats ty of individuals to exercise their political dubious charges. In Russia’s corrupt, stagnant and unresponsive to press freedom, judicial independence, and civil rights in 195 countries and 14 ter- government system, and the idea of Mr. and political pluralism. ritories around the world. The latest edi- the past two years, Putin’s return for a third and possibly Albania experienced declines due to vio- tion analyzes developments that occurred Ukraine has moved fourth presidential term helped drive ordi- lence against demonstrators, flawed munic- in 2011, and assigns each country and ter- nary Russians to the unprecedented dem- ipal elections and the failure of the courts to ritory a status of free, partly free, or not from a status of free onstrations. deal effectively with major corruption cases. free based on a scoring of their perfor- to partly free and suf- There are many questions about the abil- mance on key democracy indicators. ity of the forces that led the post-election Two countries changed in status this fered deterioration protests to influence future politics in Ukraine’s political year: The Gambia, which declined from on most indicators Russia. But clearly Russia is not alone in its partly free to not free, and Tunisia, which vulnerability to popular discontent with rights rating de- measured by Freedom moved from not free to partly free in one of authoritarian leadership. As the 20th anni- clined from 3 to 4 (on House. versary of the Soviet Union’s disintegration the largest single-year improvements in the history of “Freedom in the World.” was marked at year’s end, most Eurasian a scale of 1-7, with – Arch Puddington, in countries were still subject to autocratic Tunisia’s gains came as a result of the oust- rule of one variant or another. Whereas 7 being the worst er of longtime dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben his essay on “Freedom prior to 2011 the “president for life” phe- rating) due to the Ali and the recent holding of free and fair in the World 2012.” nomenon was principally associated with constituent assembly elections. the Middle East, it is today more likely to authorities’ efforts Three of the world’s more promising apply to the long-term leaders of the former to crush the opposi- young democracies saw a troubling back- Tunisia. Nicaragua dropped from the list of Soviet Union. slide in 2011: Hungary, South Africa and electoral democracies in 2011. The authoritarian temptation poses a tion, including the Ukraine. Worst of the worst: Of the 48 countries threat even in countries with recent histo- politicized use of the Although it suffered no net change in designated as not free, nine have been ries of free-wheeling democracy. Thus, score this year, Turkey was also identified given the survey’s lowest possible rating of Ukraine suffered a major decline due to courts, a crackdown as a country of particular concern for a 7 for both political rights and civil liberties: President Viktor Yanukovych’s moves to on media, and the series of political arrests and pressure on Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, North Korea, crush the political opposition through a media freedom. Among longtime authori- use of force to break Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, variety of anti-democratic tactics, including tarian states, declines were noted in a num- Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Two territo- the prosecution of opposition political lead- up demonstrations. ber of countries in energy-rich Eurasia, ries, Tibet and Western Sahara, were also er and former prime minister Yulia including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. ranked among the worst of the worst. Tymoshenko. On a positive note, three of the world’s An additional seven countries and one Other “color revolution” countries also On the positive side, Slovakia was credit- most repressive societies – Burma, Libya territory received scores that were slightly faced problems. Kyrgyzstan, recovering ed for having adopted legislation designed and to a much lesser extent Cuba – experi- above those of the worst-ranked countries, from a 2010 revolt against an authoritarian to shield the press from political intimida- enced improvements. The Asia-Pacific with ratings of 6 and 7 or 7 and 6 for politi- president, held national elections that were tion. region continued to record steady gains on cal rights and civil liberties: Belarus, judged to be relatively fair and competitive. The Balkans achieved mixed progress on a majority of indicators. Burma, Chad, China, Cuba, Laos, Libya and Nevertheless, deep divisions lingered the road to democratization and European “Tunisia’s emergence as possibly the South Ossetia. between the majority Kyrgyz and minority Union (EU) accession. In July, Serbia’s gov- Arab world’s first genuine electoral democ- Uzbeks, and little progress was made in ernment finally surrendered the last of the racy is a development of profound signifi- Key regional findings bringing to justice those responsible for 161 suspected war criminals indicted by cance,” said Arch Puddington, vice-presi- Middle East and North Africa: Tunisia anti-Uzbek violence in mid-2010. the International Criminal Tribunal for the dent for research at Freedom House. In Georgia, President Mikheil Saakashvili rose from among the worst-performing “Unfortunately, the examples of Ukraine, continued to face criticism for his apparent Middle Eastern countries to achieve partly a leading figure in the 1995 Srebrenica mas- which suffered major declines, and Turkey, efforts to marginalize potential opposition sacreformer who Yugoslavia, had evaded including arrest Ratko for 16 Mladić, years. free status and a place on the list of elector- where authoritarian tendencies have risen figures. - al democracies. While Egypt and Libya to the surface, are disturbing reminders of Meanwhile, in several cases, the region’s proval from over 50 percent of Serbia’s pop- remained Not Free, with the latter still far the difficulty of building durable democrat- most repressive regimes declined still fur- ulation,Mr. Mladić’s triggering extradition sizeable metprotests. with disap behind the former, both countries saw ther. In Azerbaijan, the government of Nationalism in much of the Balkan ic systems. Elections are the first step, but major improvements in 2011. Declines President Ilham Aliyev used force to break region continues to undermine regional rec- what comes after them may be even more were noted in Bahrain, Lebanon, Saudi up demonstrations, jailed opposition activ- onciliation efforts and complicate relations important.” Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and ists, tried to neutralize the international with the EU. Pressures on free media Key global findings Yemen, most of which stemmed from the press, and misused state power to evict citi- increased across the Balkans, particularly in backlash against the year’s uprisings. zens from their homes as part of grandiose Macedonia, where an opposition-oriented Free: The number of countries designat- Israel, the only free country in the region, building schemes. television station and several newspapers ed by “Freedom in the World” as free in also suffered a decline due to a series of Kazakhstan suffered a decline due to the were harassed and closed. 2011 remained unchanged at 87, repre- laws and policies that posed threats to free- adoption of legislation that restricted reli- senting 45 percent of the world’s 195 poli- dom of expression and civil society. gious belief. In December, conditions deteri- To read the complete essay on the ties and 3,016,566,100 people – or 43 per- Sub-Saharan Africa: The Gambia expe- orated further when the regime used vio- Freedom House report “Freedom in the cent of the global population. rienced the most notable decline over the Partly free: The number of partly free lence in an effort to put down labor protests World 2012,” log on to http://www.freedom- past year. Its status moved from partly free countries stood at 60, or 31 percent of all by oil workers. house.org/report/freedom-world-2012/full- to not free due to a presidential election countries assessed by the survey, and home And in Belarus, the regime of President report-essay. that was judged neither free nor fair. to 1,497,442,500 people, or 22 percent of Alyaksandr Lukashenka held scores of polit- Eliza B. Young and Tyler Roylance assist- Djibouti, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sudan and ical prisoners and adopted a series of ed in the preparation of this report, whose the world’s population. bizarre policies – such as outlawing public lead author is Arch Puddington. Not free: The number of countries (Continued on page 14) 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

which gave Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega another term About Voryshylov Street Freedom House report... in office. Declines were also noted in Ecuador and Puerto Rico, while improvements were seen in Guatemala. (Continued from page 6) (Continued from page 13) Western Europe and North America: In the face of the Yura once confided in me, “At least we were able to steal Uganda also saw declines. Improvements were noted in most serious economic crisis in the postwar period and sig- from the kolhosp [collective farm] and get something for Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Zambia. nificant political unrest as a result of austerity measures, ourselves. Now there’s not even anything to steal from.” Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region has been the only the countries of Western Europe and North America Yet guys like Yura can’t seem to put two and two together one to record steady overall gains in the majority of indica- remained unwilling or unable to develop effective policies – that the Soviet Union fell apart precisely because it was tors over the past five years. In 2011 progress was noted in to ensure assimilation and fair treatment of immigrants. In unaffordable. Too many people were stealing and taking, Burma, Indian Kashmir, Singapore and Thailand. Declines parts of Europe, far-right parties with an anti-immigrant and not enough were working and producing. The fake sta- were registered in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and anti–European Union perspective continued to gather tistics submitted by collective farm and factory heads could as well as in China, where authorities carried out a major strength. While these countries generally maintained their only hold up the fiction for so long until it burst at its seams. campaign of repression in the wake of the Arab uprisings. existing democratic standards during 2011, Greece suffered And the fact that the Soviet Union was built on the bones Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia: The region saw a notable decline due to the installation of an unelected of millions of Ukrainians – like themselves – means little to notable declines in two promising young democracies: the Soviet romanticists. They’re ignorant not only of their technocrat as prime minister. Italy’s similar experience was national history, but their local history and often their family Ukraine and Hungary. Albania, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan offset by a reduction in media concentration associated history. also declined, while improvements were recorded in with the departure of Silvio Berlusconi as prime minister. Yet with all his fashionable nostalgia, Yura isn’t doing too Slovakia. badly in the “bourgeois nationalist” independent Ukraine. Americas: Nicaragua suffered a decline in political To read the complete report on “Freedom in the World He has his own tractor, which would have been impossible rights and lost its electoral democracy status due to irregu- 2012,” log on to http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/free- in the Soviet Union. And he recently acquired some more larities in advance of and during the presidential election, dom-world-2012/full-report-essay. land in his village and a second house, also impossible under communism. I’ve written much about cognitive dissonance that themselves in a country that is facing these and other the plagues many Ukrainians and his is no different. While U. of Alberta offers... questions, many of which are far different from questions romanticizing about the Soviet life, Yura can’t deny that he’s Canada faces. (Continued from page 8) wealthier now that he’s no longer forced to work in a collec- For example, Ukraine has a large population with strong tive farm, often without any financial compensation. her vision document “Dare to Discover”: to welcome the ties to its rural communities, Dr. Klid says, but the country My cousins live just outside of Kamianets-Podilskyi, a rest of the world to the university, while bringing the uni- also has a highly developed urban culture. “Ukraine was Ukrainian-speaking city that is conscious of its Ukrainian versity to the world. part of the Soviet Union and was submerged under history and got rid of most of its Soviet remnants. The city “We live in a globalized world. This fund gives students Russian culture, so that Ukrainian culture is now trying to even boasts of Roman and Ukrainian Catholic churches – who study Ukraine opportunities to gain more in-depth find a space for itself,” he said. “Ukraine has a strong rural unusual for most Ukrainian cities. knowledge, to experience a country that they would like to culture and that is coming apart. That rural culture used to Yet in the surrounding rural areas, the inertia of the Soviet Union remains, as some of the district’s villages still know more about, whether it’s politics, language, culture, be the foundation. So this might be interesting for a sociol- have Lenin statues, while others have streets named after religion or sociology,” Dr. Klid said. ogist, a folklorist or anthropologist to study.” Holodomor organizers. The nearby village of Holoskiv also “We’re trying to open doors so students can [dare to dis- Students from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv has a Voroshylov Street. cover] Ukraine – dare to discover what’s taking place in will also be eligible to apply for support to study at the U of The Dovzhok Village Council has yet to reach a decision on that country and also learn about a different part of the A. “It’s important that students have the opportunity see Voroshylov Street. Nahoriany’s villagers don’t seem to care world,” he said. “Ukraine occupies a strategic position in what others are facing, so they’re able to gain a better much, either about the street or the Russian-speaking priest. the world; it straddles Europe and Asia. The direction in understanding of the world,” Dr. Klid noted. “To gain a bet- Voroshylov and his co-conspirators exceeded their wild- which Ukraine goes is important. Will it become more of a ter understanding of what we’re facing as human beings.” est expectations with the Holodomor. Besides physically Central European kind of country or revert back to author- For more information about the University of Alberta destroying more than a quarter of the rural Ukrainian popu- itarian traditions that it inherited from the Soviet Union?” Ukraine Student Exchange Endowment Fund, readers may lation, they wrecked the souls of much of the remainder. Students from the U of A who go to Ukraine would find contact the CIUS at 780-492-2972. No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 15 UCRDC launches oral history video interviews online TORONTO – The oral history archives of the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Center (UCRDC) hold over 1,000 audio and video interviews on vari- ous Ukrainian and Ukrainian Canadian his- torical subjects. Digitization of the audio interviews was begun two years ago, and last summer the UCRDC began digitizing its video archives, most of which were done years ago and exist in VHS format. Digitization not only preserves the material (VHS and audio cassettes do not have a long shelf-life), but also allows the UCRDC to make available to researchers, students and the public the interesting and unique material collected. “This is the only large collection of Ukrainian oral history testimonies in the diaspora, and it is vital that this material be preserved and shared,” said the UCRDC’s head archivist, Iroida Wynnyckyj. Digitization is a costly procedure, both in terms of equipment and man-hours, she noted, adding that the UCRDC is grateful for the financial support it has received from the Ukrainian Credit Union, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture A photograph from the Ukrainian Canadian Servicemens’ Association Christmas dinner in London, England, 1944. Museums and Technology Fund, the Taras 1989-1991, which cover questions such as: Chraplywa-Smith are now available on the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA); veterans Shevchenko Foundation, the Buduchnist Credit Union and the Canadian Institute of reasons for joining the armed forces; efforts UCRDC website, www.ucrdc.org. (click on of the Galicia Division (Divizia Halychyna); Ukrainian Studies. to maintain ‘Ukrainianess’ while overseas; “Oral History.”) Dutch officers who were assisted in their The first video digitization project covers discrimination (or absence of) against As the UCRDC continues with the digiti- escape from German captivity by the UPA; the participation of Ukrainian Canadians in Ukrainians in the armed forces; relationship zation of its video archives, excerpts of and Ostarbeiters – Ukrainians who were the Canadian Armed Forces during World with Ukrainian displaced persons and the other groups of interviews, covering vari- taken to Germany as forced labor during War II. Over 35,000 Canadians of Ukrainian repatriation issue; and veterans’ views on ous themes, will be available online. The World War II. descent served in the Canadian military. the consequences of Ukrainian participa- full interviews can be accessed at the The digital video oral history collection Representing some 10 percent of the tion in the war effort for the status of UCRDC by interested persons. is an invaluable resource for researchers, Ukrainian Canadian population, they consti- Ukrainians in Canadian society. Some of the groups whose video inter- scholars, students and the public at large. tuted the largest group of non-British, non- Excerpts of video interviews with Gen. views will be available are: Ukrainians who The UCRDC may be contacted at 416-966- French servicemen and women. Joseph Romanow, Peter Smylski, William assisted, hid or rescued their Jewish neigh- 1819, 620 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S The UCRDC has 28 interviews done in Kereliuk, Michael Lucyk and Ann bors during World War II; veterans of the 2H4 or [email protected]. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6 UAYA of Whippany, N.J., celebrates a milestone by Walter Kovbasniuk shown in the photographs have grown up to be a large part of the Ukrainian commu- WHIPPANY, N.J. – The Ukrainian nity near and far. Most are still active and American Youth Association (UAYA) branch have taken leadership positions in various in Whippany, N.J., marked the 20th anniver- local, national and international Ukrainian sary of its renewal as an “oseredok” and non-Ukrainian organizations. (branch) with a celebratory banquet on The keynote speech was given by Dr. November 6, 2011, at the Ukrainian Askold Lozynskyj, noted attorney, past American Cultural Center of New Jersey. president of the national board of the The event celebrated the rebirth of the old- Ukrainian American Youth Association, the est youth organization in New Jersey’s Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Morris County area. and the Ukrainian World Congress, and The banquet was organized by Christina current president of the International Bytz, Banquet Committee chairperson, with Conference in Support of Ukraine. Dr. the help of Linda Kleban, vice-chairperson, Lozynskyj highlighted the history of the Walter Honcharyk, treasurer, Oksana UAYA in the diaspora and Russia’s attempts Christina Bytz Telepko, cultural director, and parents/ to discredit the organization in the eyes of Youth of the Whippany branch of the UAYA perform during the anniversary celebration. members of the branch. The parent organi- the world because of its constant attempts zation, UAYA Inc., is headquartered domes- to bring the plight of Ukraine under life imprisonment on trumped-up charges. success. Yaroslav Zaviysky, vice-president of tically in New York and internationally in Russian Communist rule, especially the After he began serving his term, the sen- Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Kyiv with branches worldwide. Holodomor, to light on the international tence was changed to death and he was Credit Union, presented a stipend from the The original branch, which was formed political stage. executed. New Jersey Advisory Board. Selfreliance, in 1953 and named Kalush, was established The Rev. Roman Mirchuk, pastor of St. The presentation was followed by per- which has been a friend to the UAYA for in the name of Volodymyr Velykyi. The John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church formances of UAYA members, ranging in many years, has a branch in the Ukrainian renewed branch retained the original title in Whippany and also a lifetime member of age from 4 to 18, who sang songs, delighted American Cultural Center of New Jersey in but took the name of August 24, 1991, to the UAYA, shared his own memories of life the audience with their skill on the bandu- Whippany as well as in Jersey City and commemorate the date of the official decla- as a senior counselor (vykhovnyk) and ra, and danced in their beautiful and color- Newark, N.J., and is a major financial sup- ration of the independence and freedom of religion and history instructor at UAYA ful Ukrainian costumes. porter of local Ukrainian organizations. Ukraine from Russian Communist rule. SUM summer camps in Ellenville, N.Y., with Mr. Bytz presented awards to each of the The oseredok continues to grow and ful- Myron Bytz, president of the Whippany most of the adult members who were pres- former presidents of the branch: Michael fill its mission of instilling in its young branch, formally opened the festivities and ent at the banquet. Koziupa, Ms. Bytz, Lesia Cebrij-Rago, members a love for Ukraine and under- introduced the banquet mistress and mas- The keynote speeches were followed by Zoryana Kovbasniuk and Chrystia Woch. A standing of its history and present-day ter of ceremonies, Zoryana and Volodymyr a short stage presentation, written by Dr. special award was presented to the Rev. struggles to retain its independence. The Kovbasniuk. After a sumptuous lunch, they Roksolana Leshchuk and presented by the Mirchuk, officially designating him as the children and their parents share a bond presented a reading and photographic his- younger members of the branch. They por- chaplain of the Whippany oseredok. that will be in them for all days – a tory of UAYA and the Whippany branch trayed a portion of the “Kharkivskyi Chrystia Cebrij-Rizzo was posthumously Ukrainian bond to each other. They are from its original founding to the present Protses,” mock trials of Ukrainian political recognized for her hard work and dedica- proud members of Ukrainian society as day. Throughout the entire afternoon, a activists by Russia in 1930, during which tion to the children of the branch. well as the United States of America. slide show was presented chronicling the Mykola Pavlushkov, acknowledged to be the Representatives from various communi- For more information on the Whippany growth, activities and faces of members official founder of the Ukrainian Youth ty organizations greeted the guests and UAYA oseredok, readers may visit the UAYA past and present. Many of the children Association in Ukraine, was sentenced to conveyed their best wishes for continued website, www.cym.org. No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 17

Tour of Ukraine was milestone for Edmonton’s Ukrainian Male Chorus

by Lida Somchynsky EDMONTON, Alberta – August 2011 was an important milestone in the 27-year illus- trious history of the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton (UMCE). Choristers undertook a 19-day tour of their ancestral homeland to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Ukrainian independence, the 150th anniver- sary of Taras Shevchenko’s birth and the 120th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. To honor these celebratory events, the choir had an extensive musical repertoire to choose from. The tour began in Lviv, and continued across western Ukraine to Kolomyia, Chernivtsi and Uzhhorod, and concluded in the Poltava region and Kyiv. In addition to performing in well-attended concert halls, the choir was also invited to various places of worship. “That we were able to sing the liturgy at the Cathedral of St. George in Lviv was per- sonally a great achievement for our choir. We received a compliment from the priest halfway through the service – thinking that we were a choir from Kyiv,” said conductor Nestor Petriw Orest Soltykevych. The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton, Alberta, at the famous 14th century castle in Halych, Ukraine While travelling across Ukraine, the cho- rus garnered many newsworthy items from hear a Zwozdesky piece, such as ‘The Old but once the public understood our emo- camp from 2003 to 2007. “It was heart- local media, as the UMCE chose to perform Sheepskin Coat’ or the Kytasty song ‘Yak tional commitment to the music and our warming to see that one teenager who was in some places where to date no Canadian Davno,’ which are attributed to the first ability to technically sing well, they were in my group in 2004 had completed univer- group had appeared. experiences of Ukrainians coming to Canada enthralled because we transported them. In sity and is now teaching physical education Long-time chorister and executive board most cultures men can’t do that publicly, in the same orphanage where she grew up.” member Andrij Hladyshevsky reflected on and their dislocation. It speaks to them. ... “Yet there is some scepticism about who and here there is a tenderness and emotion- Another singing engagement inadver- the complex diaspora mystique felt by some al exposure.” tently provided the choir the opportunity to you are and why do you do this. For some of the Ukrainian audiences: Choir member John Palahniuk and his experience Ukraine’s complex history. Mr. who came to our concerts, it was the first “They struggle with their identity. So wife thought a touring choir would be an Petriw spoke about the day the chorus was many families have been dislocated by the time they heard a chorus from Canada sing. enriching educational experience for their asked to sing at a philharmonic building, economic circumstances whereby 6 million They’re curious about our multiculturalism two children, Mara, 11, and Mitchell, 14. which prior to World War II was a Jewish of their own people live abroad. Then they and how does it actually work in practice... The siblings were able to make a visit to synagogue, in the town of Uzhhorod. “To their great-grandparent’s home in the honor this sacred house of worship and the Tulova region. profound sense about it, we also included a After reading poems by Shevchenko and ballad, passed on to me from my father, his references to the Dnipro, “it was neat to which I recited. Written by a Ukrainian put my feet into that same river and also expatriate, whose pen-name was Anatol visit his gravesite,” Mara recalled. “And I Halan, it’s about how some evil deeds can- met a 14-year old girl, who told me the his- not be forgiven,” he said. Mr. Hladyshevsky tory of a castle. We had a conversation in also recalled that performance with heart- both English and Ukrainian ... I got to dance felt emotion: “I remember speaking with at a wedding with a bride.” some of the Jewish folks that came to the In fact, the choir through beauteous ser- concert and they were very moved.” endipity had three wedding encounters UMCE had the opportunity to partici- and good-humored consideration was pate in two choral workshops: one with given to changing the name of the chorus director Leonid Tryfunenko of the to The Wedding Crashers. “How can a renowned Cherkasy National Choir and Ukrainian choir walk past a wedding if another with Volodymyr Volntyr, composer they don’t hear anybody singing ‘Mnohaya and choir director in Mukachivo. Lita’? Everywhere we were welcomed with “To use a golf analogy – it was like hav- such hospitality,” noted Nestor Petriw, ing Jack Nicklaus spend an hour with you another member. and suddenly you get the ball 20 yards fur- One highlight of the trip was a visit to a ther – and you wonder how that is possi- camp in Vorohkta in the Carpathian ble? ... and then through the teachings, you Mountains, which billeted 125 orphans from understand what you can do,” Mr. across Ukraine. Iris Ciona, one of the 12 Hladyshevsky exclaimed. accompanying spouses on tour, said, “This The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton was one of the most moving and emotionally has a sense of pride and achievement that rewarding parts of the trip – especially after can best be summed up by Mr. Gulka: “We the choir sang and the children sang in have been blessed with our Christian faith, return.” The impact was so heartfelt that two health, family, each other, our Ukrainian choristers have committed to sponsoring heritage, and parents and grandparents these children if they wish to attend universi- who instilled in us the love of that heritage. ty or college. Other choristers also have We have music second to none in richness expressed interest in sponsoring children. and beauty! Passionate, disciplined and UMCE President Darcy Gulka, besides inspired performances of these works is being the principal organizer of this tour the means through which we give thanks and a sponsor for a student, had volun- for those blessings and the gift we give to teered for five years as a youth leader at the our listeners wherever they may be.”

Making contact with The Weekly Readers/writers who send information or queries to The Ukrainian Weekly are kindly asked to include a daytime phone number and a complete mail- ing address. Please note that a daytime phone number is essential in order for editors to contact correspondents regarding additional information, clari- fications, questions, etc.

43B 32B

18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

Ola Bihuniak Zoryana Natalka Zaryckyj Morris Plains, NJ New York, NY

Christina Marie DeBruin Marta Yarish Amawalk, NY 48th Debutante Ball Wayne, NJ of the Ukrainian American Youth Association - CYM

Victoria Anna Charuk Saturday, February 18, 2012 Oksana Varshavsky Johnson City, NY Randolph, NJ Sheraton Parsippany Hotel 199 Smith Road, Parsippany, NJ

Coctails at 6:00 p.m. Presentation of Debutantes at 7:00 p.m. Jessica Chrysta Demianicz Maria Surmachevska Elizabeth, NJ Banquet immediately following presentation North Caldwell, NJ Ball at 9:00 p.m. featuring “Hrim” and “Vorony” Black tie required For reservations and additional information go to: www.cym.org/us

Lesia Dubenko Sofia Soroka Philadelphia, PA This page is sponsored by the SUMA (Yonkers) Federal Credit Union. Livingston, NJ

Romanna Dumyak Karinna Anne Hudyma Nusia Kerda Nadia Anna Klapacz Dana Kurylyk Diana Luba Mikula Christine Mlynaryk Olenka Omeliach Philadelphia, PA Millersville, MD Alexandria, VA Oak Ridge, NJ Brooklyn, NY Rockaway, NJ Yorktown Heights, NY New Britain, CT No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 19

Through Art exhibit, “Versus” by Adriana Farmiga, La MaMa February 12 Presentation for children, “Kilim-Weaving Workshop,” February 12 Gallery, 212-505-2476 or [email protected] New York The Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 or New York www.ukrainianmuseum.org

Through Art exhibit, “Opposite Ends,” featuring works by Dianna February 12 Crepe (Nalysnyky) breakfast, Ukrainian National Women’s February 25 Shmerykowsky and Vivianna Acuna-Francisco, Perth St. Petersburg, FL League of America – Branch 124, Epiphany of Our Lord Perth Amboy, NJ Amboy Gallery Center for the Arts, 732-826-1690 ext. Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.unwla.org 4325 or www.ci.perthamboy.nj.us February 12 Exhibit, “Ukrainian Kilims: A Journey of a Heritage,” Through Art exhibit, “Paintings by Volodymyr Voroniuk from through October 21 The Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 or February 26 Vyzhnytsia, Ukraine,” Ukrainian National Museum, New York www.ukrainianmuseum.org Chicago 312-421-8020 or [email protected]

Through April 29 Art exhibit, “William Kurelek: The Messenger,“ Art Gallery of February 16 Presentation by Dennis Reid and Tony Urquhart, “Kurelek Hamilton, ON Hamilton, www.artgalleryofhamilton.com or 905-527- 6610 Hamilton, ON in Conversation,” Art Gallery of Hamilton, www.artgalleryofhamilton.com or 905-527- 6610 February 10 Book presentation by Alex Motyl, “The Jew Who Was Whippany, NJ Ukrainian,” Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New February 18 Mardis Gras cocktail party, Ukrainian National Museum Jersey, www.uaccnj.org or 973-585-7175 Chicago Young Professionals, Ukrainian National Museum, 312-421-8020 or [email protected] February 10 Book presentation by Nastia Marusyk, “Symbolism in Chicago Bukovyna’s Embroidery and Textiles,” Ukrainian National February 18 Dinner and dance, “Celebration of Family,” Ukrainian Museum, 312-421-8020 or [email protected] Pittsburgh Community of Western Pennsylvania, Best Western Parkway Center Inn, 412-364-0968 or [email protected] February 10 Concert featuring soprano Victoria Loukianetz and pianist Washington Marianna Humetska, The Washington Group Cultural February 18 Concert, “Lost Gems of Ukrainian Sacred Music,” Ewashko Fund, Embassy of Austria, 703-955-2555 or Ottawa Singers, St. Joseph Church, University of Ottawa, [email protected] www.ewashkosingers.com or 613-565-3993 February 11 Presentation of debutantes, with music by Hrim and Fata February 19 Winterfest, Bobriwka campground, East Rutherford, Morgana, Chervona Kalyna Plast Fraternity, Sheraton Colebrook, CT www.bobriwka.org NJ Meadowlands Hotel, 201-896-0500 or 914-271-2805

February 11 Presentation of debutantes, with music by Good Times, February 19 Book presentation by Marie Ulanowicz, “A Woman In Chicago Ukrainian Medical Association of North America – Chicago Exile: Tales From Kazakhstan” by Julianna Starosolska, Illinois Branch, Palmer House Hilton, 312-282-7017 or Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org [email protected] Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events February 11 Presentation of debutantes, with music by Svitanok, advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Warren, MI Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America, Ukrainian from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Cultural Center, 734-717-0695 or [email protected] and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012 No. 6

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Friday, February 10 Sunday, February 12 reader. The presentation will take place at the and Sunday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. for NEW YORK: Join us on opening day of the UIMA, 2320 W. Chicago Ave, at 1 p.m. everyone who is planning a wedding in a WHIPPANY, N.J.: The Arts, Culture and Suggested donation: $10. For more informa- Ukrainian Catholic Church, regardless of city or Education Committee of the Ukrainian exhibition “Ukrainian Kilims: Journey of a Heritage” (closing October 21). See more than tion see www.uima-chicago.org. state. The conference will feature lectures by American Cultural Center of New Jersey qualified specialists: a priest, a psychologist, a (UACCNJ) will host a book presentation and 30 late-18th to early-20th century kilims, Saturday-Sunday, March 10-11 many of which survived war, the Soviet inva- physician, an attorney/financial planner and sev- reading of “The Jew Who Was Ukrainian or NEWARK, N.J.: St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic eral life coaches. Cost: $150 per couple. To regis- How One Man’s Rip-Roaring Romp Through sion and DP camps. Museum admission: free for members and children under age 12; $8 for Church in Newark is sponsoring a Pre-Cana con- ter or for more information call the parish office, an Existential Wasteland Ended in a Bungled ference on Saturday, March 10, at 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 973-371-1356, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Attempt to Bump Off the Exceptionally Great adults; $6 for senior citizens and students. A Leader of Mother Russia” by author Alexander special “Kilim-Weaving Workshop” for families Motyl at 8:30 p.m. Books will be available for with children age 5-12 will take place at 1:30- purchase from the author. Proceeds to support 3:30 p.m. Workshop fee (includes materials, PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES the UACCNJ. Admission: $10. For information access to galleries): $5 per person/$3 per Preview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is a service museum member. The Ukrainian Museum is about the UACCNJ and travel directions log on provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian located at 222 E. Sixth St.; telephone, 212-228- to www.uaccnj.org community. Items should be no more than 100 words long; longer submissions are 0110; website, www.ukrainianmuseum.org. subject to editing. Saturday, February 11 Sunday, February 19 Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific CHICAGO: The Ukrainian Institute of Modern publication. No information will be taken over the phone. Items will be published only Society invites all to a lecture by Dr. Volodymyr Art in Chicago invites all to the presentation of once, unless otherwise indicated. Please include payment for each time the item is Mezentsev on the subject “Baturyn 2011: New a new book “A Woman In Exile: Tales from to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Also, Archeological Findings.” Dr. Mezentsev is a vis- Kazakhstan.” The book is a translation of the senders are asked to include the phone number of a person who may be contacted by iting professor at the University of Toronto late Julianna Starosolska’s fascinating memoir The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. and the scholarly director of the Baturyn of her life in exile, which appeared in Project. The lecture will take place at the soci- Ukrainian as “Rozkazhu Vam pro Kazakhstan.” Information should be sent to: [email protected] or Preview of Events, The ety’s building , 63 Fourth Avenue (between The translator, Marie Ulanowicz, will talk Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, 973-644- Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 p.m. For addition- about her work on Ms. Starosolska’s text and 9510. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments; simply type the al information call 212-254-5130. the task of adapting it for the English-speaking text into the body of the e-mail message.