Inside: l Ukrainian National Information Service celebrates 40 years – page 9 l Historic UPA and Akcja Wisla anniversaries are marked – page 11 l UKELODEON: Plast scouts and St. George Academy students – page 19

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXV No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 $2.00 Canada’s opposition Conservatives support Russian propaganda buster Fedchenko U.N. peacekeeping mission in Ukraine keeps going with StopFake group by Mark Raczkiewycz KYIV – Among the first people to pin- point that Russia engages in lies on an industrial scale packaged as actual news was Yevhen Fedchenko, 41, director of the Mohyla School of Journalism. He and his colleagues noticed the practice during the Revolution of Dignity that ended in February 2014. That month, disgraced Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia after leaving behind a dry treasury and a graft-infested, dysfunctional government, along with 100 civilians killed by his law enforcement personnel. A month later, Mr. Fedchenko and his like-minded team took action when he noticed that amid a “news vacuum” on

Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition Ukraine, where there was “no government, Yuri Panin Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer (at podium) with Member of Parliament James no news makers, …immediately that vacu- Yevhen Fedchenko, director of the Mohyla Bezan, both members of the Conservative Party of Canada. um was filled with fake news, a fake reality” School of Journalism and co-founder/chief – allegedly by Russia. editor of StopFake.org. “would allow Ukraine to restore control over Ukraine’s post-revolutionary govern- by Christopher Guly one layer at a time, peeling away, always Special to The Ukrainian Weekly its eastern border with Russia” and ensure ment was being called a “junta,” the presi- the Russian military stays out of Ukraine. dent’s overthrow was labeled a “coup knowing that a news story never has an OTTAWA – Canada’s Official Opposition However, the Tories don’t hold power d’état,” and it was claimed that “fascists” ending. Conservative Party has joined the and the next Canadian general election bent on annihilating Russian speakers had Soon, the StopFake group that he co- Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) in call- won’t take place until October 21, 2019. taken power in the country. founded to debunk hoax news would ing for a Canadian-led United Nations Mr. Scheer, the former speaker of the This was when Moscow was illegally become aware of the scope of Russia’s large peacekeeping mission in eastern Ukraine. House of Commons, who was among 12 annexing the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, cottage industry, complete with a troll facto- “The defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty other Canadian lawmakers and officials an act that the Kremlin first denied – as is ry in St. Petersburg, automated “bots,” and and territorial integrity should be a priority banned from entering Russia in retaliation the case with leading fake news campaigns fictitious social media accounts created to for Canada’s government on the internation- for Canadian sanctions imposed on Russia around the world – but which Russian lead- spread lies and disinformation on Ukraine. A al stage,” said Opposition Leader Andrew following its 2014 annexation of Crimea, er Vladimir Putin later admitted was of his BBC Russia report this week even revealed Scheer on November 9 when he announced acknowledged as much when he said that making. that Moscow proxies in the occupied part of that a Conservative-led Canadian govern- As a former newspaperman himself, Mr. ment would call for such a mission that (Continued on page 13) Fedchenko started busting Russian myths (Continued on page 3)

Ukrainian Heritage Consortium convenes fifth conference by Jurij Dobczansky maintaining the Ukrainian heritage. Conference planning and logistics were SOMERSET, N.J. – Preserving and making spearheaded by Natalia Honcharenko, accessible the rich collections of Ukrainian director, and Michael Andrec, archivist, both American archives and museum collections of the UHEC; and Hanya Krill-Pyziur, pro- was the focus of a three-day conference grams and marketing coordinator, Daria titled “Conservation and Preservation” held Bajko, administrative director, and Maria by the Ukrainian Heritage Consortium of Rewakowicz of The Ukrainian Museum. North America (UHCNA) that took place The conference was made possible October 27-29. The conference provided a through the generous support of these unique opportunity for member organiza- donors: Self Reliance New York Federal tions to get exposure to professional-level Credit Union, Selfreliance Ukrainian museum, archive and library procedures. American Federal Credit Union (Chicago/ This year’s biennial conference was co- New Jersey), SUMA Federal Credit Union hosted by the Ukrainian History and (Yonkers, N.Y.), Ukrainian National Federal Education Center (UHEC) in Somerset, N.J., Credit Union (New York), and Meest- and The Ukrainian Museum in New York America Inc. (Port Reading, N.J.). City. Participants who arrived in Somerset On Friday morning the group traveled on Thursday evening were warmly greeted from Somerset to New York’s Metropolitan by Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Museum of Art to visit the Antonio Ratti Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. Quoting the Textile Center for a behind-the-scenes look. words of Patriarch Mstyslav, he under- Conference participants with Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox scored the importance of preserving and Church of the U.S.A. (Continued on page 8) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

ANALYSIS

Russia pours more military hardware U.S. and Russia differ on peacekeepers for a combination of political and security measures to be taken under Minsk,” the After talks on the conflict in eastern into annexed “Fortress Crimea” Ukraine, U.S. and Russian envoys say their statement by Messrs. Volker and Surkov countries have “different concepts for how said. “Both sides agreed to reflect on the dis- cussions today and to think about further by Sergey Sukhankin Russia is planning to deploy to Crimea an to make peace” but will continue to work to ways to address this challenge.” Ahead of Eurasia Daily Monitor early-warning Voronezh-SM radar, which achieve that goal. “Both sides agreed to will be capable of monitoring both the reflect on the discussions... and to think the Belgrade talks, Ambassador Volker said According to the chief of the General southern and western vectors (Politexpert. about further ways to address this chal- he would meet Mr. Surkov for a “discussion Staff of Russia, Valery Gerasimov, in the last net, August 15). For information-psychologi- lenge,” said a joint statement released by the of principles” to see if they can agree on five years Russia has profoundly increased cal warfare, the Crimean authorities are U.S. Embassy in Moscow after special envoy what a peacekeeping force might look like. its military presence in key regions of the expected to soon raise a 151-meter radio Kurt Volker and Kremlin aide Vladislav He said that Washington wants the mission world, in some areas “reaching the level of antenna near Dzhankoy to broadcast televi- Surkov met on November 13. It said the to monitor the entire conflict area and make the Soviet Union” (Vpk.name, November 9). sion and radio signals covering Crimea as meeting in Belgrade included a “thorough sure heavy weapons are pulled back. (RFE/ Speaking on November 7, Russia’s top-rank- well as Ukrainian-controlled Mykolayiv, discussion of the current diplomatic state of RL, with reporting by TASS and Interfax) ing military official devoted significant atten- Kherson, Zaporizhia and Donetsk Oblast. play concerning efforts to end the war” European Parliament hails reforms tion to Crimea, which Moscow had forcibly The main purpose will be to jam Ukrainian between Kyiv’s forces and Russia-backed annexed from Ukraine in spring 2014. programs and spread Russian TV and radio separatists in eastern Ukraine. Mr. Volker European Parliament lawmakers over- In particular, Gen. Gerasimov noted that content (Voenno-Promyshlennyy Kuryer had indicated before the meeting that it whelmingly passed a resolution praising Russia has installed there a self-sufficient August 9). would focus on the possibility of an interna- reforms in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova military formation (“samodostatochnaya Second, in the domain of strategic air tional peacekeeping force being deployed in and said the three former Soviet republics operations, in 2014 Russia established the gruppirovka woysk”) consisting of a naval the parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk could eventually be considered for member- 27th Mixed Aviation Division, consisting of base, an army corps, as well as an aviation oblasts that are held by Russia-backed sepa- ship in the European Union. The resolution three regiments located in Gvardeyskoye, and air defense division. Also, the Black Sea ratists. After the meeting, Mr. Surkov said on November 15 also vowed to maintain Belbek and Dzhankoy. Russia claims that Fleet (based out of Sevastopol) received six that the U.S. side presented 29 paragraphs “collective pressure on Russia to resolve the this division is unique within the Russian submarines, two frigates (the Admiral containing its proposals on a Russian plan conflicts in eastern Ukraine, the occupied Aerospace Forces (VKS). More recently, Gorshkov and Admiral Essen, which took for peacekeepers, Russian news agencies territories” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Moscow has undertaken a comprehensive part in Russian military operations in reported. “Our delegation came to the con- rearmament program encompassing the and Transdniester. The move by Parliament Syria) equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, clusion that three of them were acceptable,” 43rd and 318th maritime/naval aviation members comes ahead of the 2017 Eastern and three divisions of costal missile com- Mr. Surkov said, adding that the parties regiments of the BSF (airfields located in Partnership summit scheduled for plexes Bal and Bastion. decided to continue the work to bring their Saki and Kacha, respectively) (Voenno- November 24 in Brussels. The partnership Gen. Gerasimov claimed these deploy- positions closer. Discussions about deploy- Promyshlennyy Kuryer, March 20). Yet, was created in 2009 to deepen EU ties with ments are part of a strategy aimed at ing a peacekeeping force have heated up without the deployment of strategic bomb- six Eastern European partners – Armenia, upgrading the military capabilities of the since September, when Russian President Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Southern Military District, which subsumes ers (such as the Tu-22M3), these measures will remain rather incomplete. Vladimir Putin proposed deploying U.N. Ukraine. The recommendations had been occupied Crimea (Rosbalt, November 7). peacekeepers along the line separating approved on October 10 by the Parliament’s Sergey Ermakov, an analyst with the Third, Crimea’s air-defense system has been boosted in recent years by the inte- Ukrainian government forces and the foreign affairs committee. The text is non- Moscow-based Russian Institute for Strategic Russia-backed separatists. The plan swiftly binding, but EU lawmakers said they wel- Studies (RISS), has argued that Russia’s pri- gration of S-300 (SA-10 Grumble) and drew criticism from both Kyiv and the West, comed “significant progress” made since the mary strategic goal around the Black Sea is S-400 (SA-21 Growler) anti-aircraft com- largely because of concerns that deploy- previous Eastern Partnership summit held strengthening the military potential of the plexes (see EDM, January 18). Aside from ment only along the front line would in Riga in 2015. The text called on member Black Sea Fleet (BSF), “which is the key factor this, local capabilities have been strength- cement Russian control over separatist-held states to “agree to an ambitious declaration precluding NATO and the United States from ened by the Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound) territory and do nothing to stop Russia from for the 2017 summit that sets relevant long- more decisive actions in the region” short-to-medium-range surface-to-air mis- sending fighters and weapons into Ukraine. term goals” and highlights that the associa- (Rueconomics.ru, November 7). sile (SAM) and anti-aircraft artillery weap- Mr. Putin later said he was open to adjust- tion agreements signed with the three Comparative analysis of recent develop- ons system, which particularly comple- ments to his initial proposal, but no agree- countries “do not constitute the final goal in ments on Russia’s northwestern and south- ments the S-400 (Tvzvezda.ru, October 24). ment has been reached. Fighting between their relations with the EU.” The lawmakers ern flanks, however, undermines Mr. And reportedly, Russia has also deployed to Kyiv government forces and Russia-backed said they were in favor of “clear bench- Ermakov’s argument that Russia is only try- Crimea the Buk medium-range SAM sys- separatists who hold parts of Ukraine’s marks for future cooperation” and that the ing to bolster the BSF. Rather, it would be tem. The relative potency of local air defenses is inseparable from Russia’s abili- Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed EU would make no further deals with any more accurate to say that Moscow’s objec- more than 10,000 people since April 2014. tive in Crimea is to complete the creation of ty to promptly transport required pieces Eastern Partnership country that does not from other parts of the Southern Military Several ceasefire deals announced as part of respect EU values or “intimidates human an Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) “bub- the Minsk accords – September 2014 and ble” on the shores of the Black Sea. District. The capability to do so was clearly rights defenders and journalists.” demonstrated in November 2016, amidst February 2015 pacts aimed to resolve the Experts have pointed to Russian efforts Diplomats told RFE/RL that the final decla- the bilateral tensions over Ukrainian mis- conflict – have reduced fighting but not to build up a military presence in Crimea sile tests near Crimea (Tvzvezda.ru, August stopped it. “There has always been a need (Continued on page 12) (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, September 22, 10). Another factor that could have a pro- 2014; March 27, 2015) and establish an found impact on local military capabilities A2/AD zone on the peninsula since the is the potential deployment of the Tor-M2 annexation (see EDM, June 24, 2016). All missile system. On November 9, this com- too often, however, Western analysis has he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 plex arrived in the 150th Rifle Division T U W tended to regard Russian A2/AD efforts as (based out of Rostov Oblast, on the border defensive in nature. Yet, much as in the case An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., with eastern Ukraine), which means (on of the A2/AD bubbles being developed in a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. the basis of previous experience) that it Kaliningrad and Syria, Russia’s continuing Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. could soon be anticipated in Crimea, too aims in Crimea are in fact offensive (see (Tvzvezda.ru, November 9, 2017). However Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. (ISSN — 0273-9348) EDM, March 4, 2016; November 1, 2017). impressive they might seem, these mea- Russia’s A2/AD strategy – including in sures remain incomplete without The Weekly: UNA: Crimea – combines information/cyberse- Iskander-M complexes. The Iskander-M Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 curity (including electronic warfare), stra- short-range ballistic missile is an essential tegic air operations, an integrated air- element of Russia’s broader A2/AD strate- Postmaster, send address changes to: defense system as well as naval superiority, gy – repeatedly and explicitly demonstrat- The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz with submarines playing a key role (this ed in Kaliningrad, for example. But despite 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas last element is not universally recognized numerous rumors presented by Ukrainian P.O. Box 280 by the expert community). The analysis sources (Censor.net.ua, June 3), there is no Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] presented below will seek to highlight the concrete supporting evidence that above-mentioned points with respect to Iskanders had been permanently deployed The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com the Crimean A2/AD bubble. to the Crimean peninsula for now. First, the domain of information/cyber- Analysis of Russian activities during The Ukrainian Weekly, November 19, 2017, No. 47, Vol. LXXXV security has received a huge boost in the 2014-2017 emphasizes Russia’s clear Copyright © 2017 The Ukrainian Weekly past several months. Notably, Crimea has determination to turn Crimea into a new- received a mobile Murmansk-BN coastal style, offensively oriented A2/AD bubble. complex, which can disrupt radio communi- Yet, the process remains incomplete, and ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA cations at a range of more than 3,000 kilo- further progress will greatly depend on meters (5,000 kilometers, according to both internal and external developments – Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Russia). Reportedly, it is effective against the and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 including NATO’s posture. e-mail: [email protected] High Frequency Global Communications The continued militarization of Crimea System (HFGCS) employed by the US mili- Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 tary (Tvzvezda.ru, March 10). In 2018, e-mail: [email protected] (Continued on page 3) No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 3

Members of Congress announce Victims of Communism Caucus WASHINGTON – Representatives Marcy ous North Korean rhetoric surrounding the ianism, inherent to communism, deserves nism, subject to horrific abuses and denied Kaptur (D-Ohio), Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), country’s nuclear program poses to the free special attention in the annals of history. their most basic human rights. China, Dennis Ross (R-Fla.), and Chris Smith (R-N.J.) world. This caucus will shine a light on the victims’ Vietnam, North Korea, Cuba and Laos on November 8 announced the formation of The caucus will honor the memory of struggle, and work to keep the flame of remain communist dictatorships,” Rep. the Victims of Communism Caucus for the the 100 million victims of communism and human rights around the world alive.” Smith said. “There has also never been full 115th Congress (2017-2019). raise awareness about the dissidents who “We should not be lulled into thinking accountability for the crimes committed by The Victims of Communism Caucus is a continue to protest against current commu- that communism is no longer a threat to past Communist regimes, including bipartisan group of members of Congress nist regimes. freedom in the world, given that many peo- planned famines, deportations, and ethnic dedicated to raising awareness of how Executive Director of the Victims of ple still toil under its hateful, totalitarian cleansing. Thus, the victims of those communism victimized and enslaved more Communism Memorial Foundation Marion rule,” said Rep. Ross. “Our caucus will regimes do not have closure.” than 100 million people in the past and Smith said, “There is no more fitting occasion ensure that we do not forget those victims “I will never forget my experiences in how its tyranny in the five existing than the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik who were forced to choose between their Berlin at the fall of the Wall in 1989,” said Communist countries – China, Cuba, Laos, Revolution to announce the Victims of faith and the cruelty of a dictatorship. We Rep. Lipinski. “As we approach the 28th North Korea and Vietnam – and its legacy Communism Caucus. It sends a powerful must hold fast to the virtues of freedom.” anniversary of that day, we now have about in the post-Soviet sphere shapes interna- message on behalf of the more than 100 mil- “Our bipartisan caucus is determined to a third of the U.S. population that has lived tional relations today. lion people victimized by communism in the ensure that Congress and the American in a world without the Soviet Union. In my During the upcoming congressional ses- last century and one-fifth of the world’s people remain aware of and continue to district, there are many people who suf- sion, the Victims of Communism Caucus population who still live in a single party fight against the deadly and ongoing evil of fered under communism, watched relatives will focus on several issues, including state that adheres to this failed ideology.” Marxist and Leninist ideology – still pro- and friends perish, and were forced to leave Russian expansionism in Ukraine; the role “I look forward to working with my col- moted by communist dictators,” said Rep. their homes and their countries. It is our of the United States in ameliorating the leagues as a Co-Chair of the Victims of Smith, a human rights champion during his duty to tell these stories, the truth about deteriorating political and economic situa- Communism Caucus,” said Rep. Kaptur. “As 19 terms in Congress and founding mem- communism, and preserve this history for tion in Venezuela; the continuing human many of my constituents have personally ber of the new Victims of Communism all generations. I am proud to join my fel- rights abuses of the Castro regime in Cuba; experienced, the successful struggle for Caucus on Capitol Hill. “One out of five peo- low co-chairs in establishing the Victims of and the increasing threat that the danger- freedom from under the yoke of authoritar- ple in the world still live under commu- Communism Caucus.”

drawal from the EU] were tweeted from ticeable to people who are not monitoring Donbas. Called “Your Right to Know,” the Russian propaganda... Russian Twitter accounts in just 48 hours it on a constant basis.” publication provides accurate local news during last year’s referendum,” the Daily That’s why he draws the line between and reports on media literacy issues to pre- (Continued from page 1) Mail reported, citing another U.K. newspa- freedom of speech and propaganda. vent residents from falling victim to the Donbas are cooperating with their per, The Times. “The first amendment doesn’t cover pro- Russian propaganda in an area where the Russian counterparts to spread brainwash- The report continued: “More than paganda,” Mr. Fedchenko said. latter is prevalent via satellite, television ing in Ukraine and Russia. 150,000 Russian-based accounts switched He cited the Luxembourg European and radio. “We just started as a reaction to things on their attention from subjects such as the Court of General Jurisdiction’s ruling on StopFake also runs a weekly syndicated the ground,” Mr. Fedchenko told The Ukrainian conflict to Brexit in the lead-up June 15 that upheld a previous decision to radio and television show and stores all its Ukrainian Weekly at his office at the to the vote, according to research by keep asset freezes and travel bans to the broadcasts on SoundCloud. It also has a National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Swansea University and the University of continent in place on Dmitri Kiselyov, the YouTube channel of weekly fake news campus on November 14. “Then there was a California, Berkeley.” only Russian journalist to have been sanc- debunking shows. moment when we realized this is huge, that In the run up to the 2016 U.S. presiden- tioned over the Kremlin’s war-mongering The group conducted three studies on this is kind of a new reality. And very quickly tial elections, over 150 million Americans in Ukraine. Russia-related propaganda this year, one of it would be a new reality not only for were “exposed to Russia-linked material on Now in its third year of existence, the which was affiliated with the Oxford Ukraine but for everybody else.” Facebook and… Instagram… last StopFake.org Russian propaganda debunk- Internet Institute. All of the studies are It would take about two years for every- November,” MSNBC reported. ing website is available in 11 languages, available for free and are aimed at improv- body else to identify Russia as weaponizing And this week, Russia’s government- with Polish and German being the latest ing media literacy and staving the effects of information in elections in France, the funded English-language propaganda additions. Russian information warfare. Dutch referendum, Britain’s decision to mouthpiece RT (formerly called Russia Interloping state-run agencies with large Mr. Fedchenko’s stance is firm on Russia. leave the European Union, and “finally the Today), registered as a “foreign agent” with budgets finally woke up to Russia’s infor- If Russia tries to “weaponize” news narra- climax was the U.S. [presidential] election,” U.S. authorities. mational warfare. Meanwhile, StopFake tives, that should be considered “to be an he said. “That’s when the U.S. and global “Registering as a foreign agent is a big operated last year on a budget of only act of war.” media started to think, ‘well this phenome- deal,” Mr. Fedchenko said. “It’s quite clear $225,000, and its 30 employees work “If Russia is weaponizing narratives, the non was around for quite a while and why that… because a lot of people in the West remotely by using their personal comput- Ukrainian government should take action didn’t we pay any attention.’ Actually, we perceive it as a legitimate source of infor- ers while communicating online. By con- because what the Constitution says, the did say that very specific political actions mation… [people] perceive it not as trast, the overall U.S. intelligence budget is president… is in charge of national and the are needed.” Russian state-run propaganda but as nor- $70 billion, The New Yorker magazine people’s security, so it is his constitutional Although Ukraine banned Russian TV mal television, and RT was brought into the reported this week in a story on Russia’s duty,” he said. channels from the nation’s airwaves in 2014 spotlight and discredited.” meddling in U.S. elections. He’s hopeful as well. Acknowledging that at the start of Moscow’s invasion, it was only Whether one looks at Britain’s choice to Foreign-language myth-busting stories Moscow’s war has boosted “media literacy” in May of this year that Kyiv banned popular leave the EU or President Donald Trump’s that are about Ukraine get translated, while in recognizing Russian propaganda, Mr. Russian social media sites, several news por- ascension to the highest office in the land, it the emphasis is to let in-country editors Fedchenko cited his group’s survey in tals and other online outlets that were is impossible to know if Moscow’s use of and partner organizations choose which February, which found that 58 percent of deemed threats to national security. disinformation and other tools, like hacking propaganda pieces to report in their respondents “recognize the danger of pro- “Now there’s no doubt that Russia wea- the Democratic Party’s national headquar- respective languages and countries in the paganda.” ponizes anything it has access to,” the aca- ters, influenced the outcome of the votes. Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain and The West is more blind to Russian pro- demic said. “Basically, whatever Russia lays Yet, achieving a desired election out- elsewhere. paganda because it isn’t conventionally at its hands on, they immediately weaponize come isn’t the Kremlin’s chief aim, said Mr. A two-part monthly newspaper is also war with Russia, unlike Ukraine, he said. it.” Fedchenko. printed with funding from the British “So other countries don’t have the capacity Some of the Western countries that have “The goal is to sow discord, …to get peo- Embassy. Some 200,000 copies, printed in for resilience towards that propaganda.” been specifically targeted by Russian disin- ple to lose faith that there’s an objective Russian, are distributed in the two eastern- To learn more about StopFake, readers formation onslaughts have also taken truth out there,” he said. “Also what Russia most regions that comprise the occupied may go to: https://www.stopfake.org/. action, albeit belatedly. successfully did is they used available tools “Governments were very slow to react to to push fringe ideologies to the center and that [Russian propaganda] because, again, make them mainstream.” perceived by the North Atlantic bloc as a it would mean that they would have to name Ukraine was always a victim to this – Russia pours... pivot and a center for containment of who is behind this, Russia in particular,” Mr. ever since it gained independence in 1991, Russia in the entire Black Sea region” (Riss. Fedchenko said. “Governments were reluc- he said. While it was more expensive to (Continued from page 2) ru, November 9). If Moscow has truly inter- tant to do so. That means you accept the spread lies and propaganda by more tradi- also brings into focus Russian perceptions nalized such a viewpoint, this also suggests challenge and would have to react to that.” tional media like print, where ink, paper of neighboring NATO members posing a that, unlike in Kaliningrad (contained by The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister and the cost of distribution are exorbitantly regional containment threat. Analysis of the Baltic states and Poland), Russia does Theresa May accused Russia of “seeking to more expensive, now Russia does it cheaply Russian sources suggests that the Kremlin’s not perceive the need to rush to develop weaponize information” by “deploying its via social media platforms. apprehension of Turkey is subsiding due to the Crimean A2/AD bubble given NATO’s state-run media organizations to plant fake “All the Russian TV channels were pres- the ongoing bilateral rapprochement (see relatively weaker presence in the Black Sea stories… in an attempt to sow discord in ent [in 1991]. You would always have politi- EDM, July 7, 2016; November 6, 2017). At region. the West and undermine our institutions,” cally charged news programming,” Mr. the same time, in the eyes of Russian mili- she said in a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Fedchenko said. “This is very small but very tary strategists and experts, Romania is The article above is reprinted from banquet in London on November 13. well calculated, …pushing narratives and increasingly seen as a concern to Russia Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Her statement came as “almost 45,000 making sure they’re stuck in public opin- and its regional aspirations. RISS analyst its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, messages about Brexit [the U.K.’s with- ion. This is very insidious and very unno- Mr. Ermakov argues, “Romania is currently www.jamestown.org. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

OBITUARY Prof. Natalia Ishchuk Pazuniak, scholar and community activist

by Larissa Zaleska Onyshkevych While the events of World War II forced Maria Warwariw) testified at this presenta- the family to flee to Western Europe, she tion that her “father’s courage, fortitude With the recent passing on October 12 was able to continue her studies after the and steadfastness in sustaining his of Prof. Natalia Ishchuk Pazuniak, our war and obtained her diploma at the Christian principles was one of the greatest American community lost one of the last Ukrainian Free University in Munich. lessons that he had taught us and all those experts in the field of the Ukrainian lan- Among her professors there were Leonid who came in contact with him.” guage and its history. She was also a pillar Biletskyi, Yuriy Sheveliov, Yaroslav Roman Ishchuk had sheltered several of the Ukrainian community in Rudnytskyi and Panteleimon Kovaliv. Jewish families in his own home, months at Philadelphia, and belonged to numerous In 1949, the family immigrated to the a time, while his two daughters helped to organizations, continuing the tradition of U.S. and settled in Philadelphia. There, Ms. secretly prepare meals for a large number her ancestors. Ishchuk soon married Roman Pazuniak of people. It was both a personal risk (he Through her maternal line, she was a and began her graduate studies at the was arrested and threatened with execu- descendant of the Polubotok, Myloradovych, University of Pennsylvania, with the lin- tion), as well as a risk to the lives of his Skoropadsky and Shulhyn old Ukrainian guistic historians and comparativists Alfred whole family. lines; it was her great-great aunt Yelysaveta Senn and Antanas Salys. She specialized in Dr. Pazuniak described how her Jewish Myloradovych who provided the funds for Slavic languages and literatures, and dentist, Dr. Schuchman, who managed to the Shevchenko Scientific Society, when it earned an M.A., and then a Ph.D. in 1956. escape being confined to the ghetto, turned was established in 1873. This tradition of Her dissertation “The Vocative Case in the to her for help. Since it was very risky to cultural and community activism greatly Ukrainian Language” reflected her deep take more people to the Ishchuk home influenced Prof. Pazuniak’s life and choices. interest in the history of the Ukrainian lan- when her street was heavily patrolled, she She was born on February 24, 1922, in guage and its typical characteristics. took the dentist directly to a family friend, Prof. Natalia Ishchuk Pazuniak (circa Kyiv, where the Shulhyns were among the Dr. Pazuniak taught Ukrainian language the poet and organizer of the Red Cross 2000). leading families in the Ukrainian cultural and literature at the University of chapter in Ukraine, Dr. Kharytia and political life. The Ishchuk family soon Pennsylvania (1963-1983), Manor College ering specific Ukrainian literary works Kononenko. The latter gladly opened her moved to Rivne, and she completed the (1956-1968), and Macquarie University in against the background of Western doors to a complete stranger. Dr. gymnasium there, and began the study of Australia (1984-1987). She was a full mem- European trends and works. This method- Schuchman survived, and after the war philology at Lviv University. Ms. Ishchuk ber of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, the ology is reflected in her book “Lesia wrote a letter of thanks to the Ishchuk fam- was fortunate to be taught there by some of Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Ukrayinka: Ideya Svobody Ukrayiny u ily. (Dr. Kononenko was not as fortunate; the best scholars in the field of Ukrainian the U.S., and the Association of Ukrainian Spektri Svitovoyi Tsyvilizatstiyi (Lesia she continued her good works for a few and Slavic languages and linguistics. In Lviv, American University Professors. Ukrainka: The Idea of Ukraine’s Freedom more months, and in 1943, she was arrest- her professors included Roman Ingarden, Prof. Pazuniak’s graduate students at the on the Spectrum of the World Civilization, ed and executed by the Nazis for helping Vasyl Simovych, Denys Lukiianovych. University of Pennsylvania were cognizant 2008). She also compiled and edited sever- members of the Ukrainian underground.) of the respect that professors of other al publications, among them a collection of While still in Rivne, Ms. Ishchuk partici- Slavic languages and Old Church Slavic Ukrainka’s works translated into seven lan- pated in providing help to the Ukrainian showed towards her, in view of her exten- guages (1988). resistance against the Nazis as well as the sive knowledge of the historical develop- In her private life, Dr. Pazuniak was a Soviets. While living in Philadelphia, she ment of these languages. Her colleagues true Christian in her beliefs, as well as prac- was an activist in several Ukrainian wom- often asked Prof. Pazuniak to participate in tices. She often donated her modest earn- en’s organizations, serving on the editorial their seminars and to contribute to their ings to worthy causes, publications, and board of Our Life (published by the publications on linguistics. individuals. There were times during Ukrainian National Women’s League of Her own book “Vybrani Studiyi” severe winter weather when homeless America) for 30 years, and Ukrayinka u (Selected Studies, 2010) includes articles people needed housing; on extremely cold Sviti (the magazine of the World Federation discussing such characteristics of the nights, social services would come and ask of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations) for Ukrainian language, as the 12th century Dr. Pazuniak to help such needy Ukrainians. 20 years, as well as being active in the etymological development of vowel alter- She would take in total strangers, rather Ukrainian Gold Cross. Later she served as nations/adjustments in positions of open than allow them to freeze outside. This was general secretary of the last Ukrainian gov- and closed syllables (as in stil – stola, the response that her parents would have ernment in exile until 1991, when Ukraine Kovaliv – Kovaleva). The author also dis- taken, as they had taken in Jewish families regained its independence. cussed the irregular new trends when the during the Holocaust. Dr. Pazuniak followed in the footsteps of diaspora speakers copied the recent prac- On October 6, 1991, a Remembrance her ancestors, who for generations were tices of some Ukrainian speakers in Presentation honored Raoul Wallenberg stalwart supporters of Ukrainian culture Ukraine, who unknowingly followed the and Roman Ishchuk for sheltering Jews and community, and personally participat- Russian language in terms of certain lexical during the Holocaust; it was held by the ed in worthy undertakings. She will be and/or grammatical usage. Rider University Holocaust Genocide remembered as a scholar and a community Natalia Ishchuk Pazuniak in her gradua- Dr. Pazuniak also lectured on and taught Center (in Lawrenceville, N.J.) and the activist. She is survived by her sons Yuriy tion robes after receiving her Ph.D. from Ukrainian literature. She relied on the com- Raoul Wallenberg Committee of New and Bohdan and their families, her grand- the University of Pennsylvania in 1956. parative approach to the subject, by consid- Jersey. Dr. Pazuniak (as well as her sister children, great-grandson and niece.

ly funded reception and concert of music Federation’s continuing aggression against by Russian and American composers, all Ukraine. It is regretful that Western sup- Activist arrested at D.C. concert based on an ambiguous premise. What, port from serious American non-govern- exactly, does ‘unity’ mean? Guests were mental structures provides a venue for Billed as “A Concert for Unity,” the and taking her to the police station. She invited to light candles ‘for unity, healing, Russian propaganda and manipulations of November 13 performance at the was later released but faces charges of tres- and peace in the world,’ and a symposium public opinion in the U.S.A.” Washington National Cathedral of the passing on private property, which she said before the event brought together religious The Ukrainian Congress Committee of Mariinsky Orchestra conducted by Valery she will appeal. and cultural leaders, including the head of America issued a statement in reaction to Gergiev, with pianist Denis Matsuev, drew Other demonstrators, meanwhile, took the Orthodox parishes in the United States the arrest, noting: “Ukrainian Americans peaceful protesters who carried placards their protest off the cathedral property and and the Kennedy Center’s president, being arrested for protesting Russian impe- and distributed leaflets pointing out that onto the sidewalk. Deborah Rutter, to talk about cultural and rialism is certainly not a new development. Messrs. Gergiev and Matsuev were among As noted in advertisements for the con- religious bridges across political divides. Nevertheless, we are at a loss when asked the Russian cultural activists who in 2014 cert, it was held “in cooperation with the to cite a similar instance of an arrest for signed a public letter in support of Embassy of the Russian Federation, in con- The whole thing was planned and funded by Susan Lehrman, a Washington socialite respectfully distributing flyers outside of a President Vladimir Putin’s actions in cert with Washington National Cathedral concert in the 26 years of Ukraine’s inde- Crimea and Russian annexation of that Choir, Organ, Carillon and Peal Bells, and in and philanthropist who has for some years devoted herself to promoting cultural pendence. UCCA applauds Ms. Chopivsky’s Ukrainian territory. unity with The John F. Kennedy Center for tenacity and dedication in leading her local Among the protesters was Alexa the Performing Arts, Washington understanding with Russia – and who, last November, received Russia’s Order of community against Russian attempts to Chopivsky, executive director of The Performing Arts, Mariinsky Foundation of win over public favor. Moreover, we ask on American Center for a European Ukraine. America, Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Friendship from Vladimir Putin himself.” The Embassy of Ukraine in the United behalf of our nationwide community that Security guards asked Ms. Chopivsky to The Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, the Washington National Cathedral with- leave the cathedral grounds, but she insist- Sustained Dialogue Institute, American- States commented in a Ukrainian-language post on Facebook: “We consider it improp- draw its pressing of charges and work with ed she had a right to be there as a member Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, us to help prevent such mistakes going for- er to connect the personalities V. Gergiev of the National Cathedral community (she and the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture ward.” had attended a private all-girls’ school affil- and History.” and D. Matsuev, who signed a statement in iated with the cathedral). The Washington Post’s music critic, support of the Kremlin’s policy on the occu- (Sources: Voice of America, The Wilson Security then summoned police, who Anne Midgette wrote the next day: “It was pation of Crimea, with the ideals of unity, Center, The Washington Post, Embassy of arrested Ms. Chopivsky, handcuffing her an unusual event from the outset: a private- especially in view of the Russian Ukraine in the U.S., UCCA) No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 5 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

FOR THE RECORD The Ukrainian Weekly Victims of Communism Ukrainian Genocide Remembrance Month The centennial of the Bolshevik Revolution was marked in various ways around The following Joint Legislative Resolution innocent men, women, and children; and, the globe. For example, as noted by RFE/RL, the Russian Communist Party on was adopted by the New Jersey Senate and Whereas, The survival and recovery of November 7 staged a celebratory march in Moscow, while in the Baltic states, the General Assembly on November 7. The text the Ukrainian people from this terrible trib- date was not marked at all. In Ukraine, the date is solemn and sorrowful, as it recalls of the resolution was provided by the office ulation stands as a testament to their endur- more than seven decades of Communist Party rule, oppression, the Gulag and mur- of Sen. Anthony R. Bucco. His co-sponsors ing resolve, and it has provided a measure der on an enormous scale. The number of Ukrainian victims of Soviet repression were Assemblymen Anthony M. Bucco and of hope and inspiration to oppressed and cannot be fully known; millions died in the Holodomor of 1932-1933. Michael Patrick Carroll. persecuted peoples all over the world; and, In The Washington Post, columnist Marc A. Thiessen wrote: “The death toll of Whereas, Honoring the memory of communism, cited in ‘The Black Book of Communism,’ is simply staggering: In the JOINT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION those persecuted during the Ukrainian USSR, nearly 20 million dead; China, 65 million; Vietnam, 1 million; Cambodia, 2 mil- By Senator Bucco and Assemblymen Holodomor Genocide and emphasizing the lion; Eastern Europe, 1 million; Africa, 1.7 million; Afghanistan, 1.5 million; North Bucco and Carroll importance of remaining vigilant against Korea: 2 million (and counting). In all, Communist regimes killed some 100 million Whereas, The Senate and General tyranny helps to ensure that such abhorrent people – roughly four times the number killed by the Nazis – making communism Assembly of the State of Jersey join the crimes will never again be committed; and, the most murderous ideology in human history.” Ukrainian community of the Garden State in Whereas, By diligently dedicating our- Though not widely reported, President Donald Trump declared November 7 the recognizing November 2017 as Ukrainian selves to this vigilance and by educating National Day for Victims of Communism. “The Bolshevik Revolution gave rise to the Genocide Remembrance Month; and, future generations about the realities of the Soviet Union and its dark decades of oppressive communism, a political philosophy Whereas, This solemn occasion, mark- Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide, we contin- incompatible with liberty, prosperity, and the dignity of human life,” his proclama- ing the Eighty-Fifth Anniversary of the ue to combat tyranny to the ultimate bene- tion said. “Today, we remember those who have died and all who continue to suffer Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide, will be fit of the human race; now, therefore, under communism. In their memory and in honor of the indomitable spirit of those commemorated during special services Be It Resolved by the Senate and General who have fought courageously to spread freedom and opportunity around the throughout our nation, including the Assembly of the State of New Jersey: world, our Nation reaffirms its steadfast resolve to shine the light of liberty for all Holodomor Memorial Observance in That this Legislature hereby remembers who yearn for a brighter, freer future.” The Washington-based Victims of Washington D.C. on November 7, 2017, and the victims of the Ukrainian Holodomor Communism Memorial Foundation’s Executive Director Marion Smith welcomed the the March of Remembrance in New York Genocide, salutes all those involved in the proclamation, pointing out: “America has never before had a day dedicated to recog- City on November 18, 2017; and, memorial services taking place throughout nizing the victims of communism.” Whereas, From 1932 to 1933, the our country to commemorate this dark On November 8, Reps. Marcy Kaptur, Dan Lipinski, Dennis Ross and Chris Smith Soviet totalitarian regime, under the direc- chapter in history, and urges the citizenry announced the formation of the Victims of Communism Caucus for the 115th tion of Joseph Stalin, implemented an engi- of the Garden State to participate fittingly Congress (2017-2019). A release from their offices described the caucus as “a bipar- neered famine by confiscating land, grain, in these observances; and, tisan group… dedicated to raising awareness of how communism victimized and and animals from the Ukrainian people, Be It Further Resolved, That a duly enslaved more than 100 million people in the past and how its tyranny in the five and this heinous effort, designed to punish authenticated copy of this resolution be existing Communist countries – China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam – and brave Ukrainians for their resistance to signed by the Senate President and the its legacy in the post-Soviet sphere shapes international relations today.” These economic, political, and social oppression, Assembly Speaker and attested by the members of Congress explained that the caucus will focus on several issues in the resulted in the deaths of up to ten million Senate Secretary and the Assembly Clerk. upcoming congressional session, including “Russian expansionism in Ukraine.” Rep. Smith added that there has “never been full accountability for the crimes committed by past Communist regimes, including planned famines, deportations and ethnic cleansing.” His colleague Rep. Lipinski said, “It is our duty to tell these stories, the truth about communism, and preserve this history for all generations.” Ukrainian Canadian community These stories surely do need to be told. That’s because, as Rep. Lipinski noted, about one-third of the U.S. population has lived in a world without the USSR, and, as a poll conducted by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation revealed: “the commemorates Remembrance Day majority of America’s largest generation would prefer to live in a socialist or commu- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress issued Memorial are the names of 11,285 nist society than in a free enterprise system… This is even more disconcerting when the following release on November 11 for Canadians who died in France and whose coupled with the fact that, despite Millennials’ enthusiasm for socialism and commu- Remembrance Day. final resting place was then unknown. More nism, they do not, in fact, know what those terms mean.” than 7,000 of these fallen heroes are buried And, there are still those who try to gloss over, or even cover-up, the crimes of On November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., the in 30 war cemeteries within 20 kilometers Communists, or argue that these were “mistakes” committed in pursuit of an admi- guns of Europe fell silent and peace of the Vimy Memorial.” rable goal. Our readers will recall that The New York Times Moscow correspondent returned to the continent after four years of At the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917, Walter Duranty once said, “you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.” war. Each year on this date, Canadians gath- some 9,000 Canadians were killed, wound- Yes, indeed, the victims of communism must be remembered, their stories told, er from coast to coast to honor the brave ed or taken prisoner. “These brave Canadian and the lessons therein learned. men and women who fought with valor in soldiers cemented the professional reputa- defense of liberty on so many battlefields tion of the Canadian Army and helped forge throughout the history of our country. the reputation of Canada as a nation that Today, we pause to remember our sol- does not shy away from its obligations,” stat- diers, who have served defending our way of ed Capt. (ret’d) Sochaniwsky. “Among them Turning the pages back... life and who serve today in the Canadian was Cpl. Filip Konowal, a Ukrainian Nov. Armed Forces. From Passchendaele to Canadian, who was one of six Canadians Normandy to Korea to Afghanistan, awarded the Victoria Cross at Hill 70.” Seventy years ago, on November 23, 1947, the Chicago Canadians have fought with honor and cour- In 2014, war returned to Europe. Russia Tribune Press Service’s correspondent Hal Foust, reported about age so that we may be free. We ask God to invaded Ukraine and is today waging a war 23 a 21-year-old Ukrainian partisan fighter named Olga, who with a protect our men and women in uniform. of aggression in Ukraine’s east. As small troop of seven male fighters had recently surrendered to 1947 Those who have fallen in battle for our Ukrainian Canadians, we pay tribute to the the U.S. authorities in the occupied zone of Germany. She did not country and the sacred cause of peace live on soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, want to identify herself further because her relatives in Ukraine in the hearts of a grateful nation. We owe who today bravely defend their country’s would be likely enslaved or killed by the Reds because of her deeds. them a solemn debt that can never be repaid. freedom from a foreign aggressor. We “Her five-foot figure may lack that ‘new look’ but it has the old-fashioned charm of stur- This year, we mark the 100th anniversary thank the 200 Canadian soldiers training dy capabilities. Olga, the daughter of the Kozaks, is an unwilling citizen of Russia, detained of many significant battles of World War I, their Ukrainian allies in Operation UNIFIER. by the United States occupation army for possible repatriation. If sent back home, execut- such as the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the first Every day, Ukraine’s finest sons and ed as a rebel probably would be her fate. She has been a combatant in the little-publicized time the four divisions of the Canadian daughters fight and die so that Ukraine guerrilla fighting behind the Iron Curtain which she and her thousands of co-belligerent Corps fought together as a complete forma- may be free. Their courageous struggle is a describe as their war for Ukraine independence from the Kremlin,” Mr. Foust wrote. tion. Capt. (ret’d) Andre Sochaniwsky, presi- reminder to us all that, too often, liberty Comparing Olga to Molly Pitcher of the American Revolution, Mr. Foust noted how – dent of the Ukrainian War Veterans must be defended. With God’s Help, they despite Olga having seen more fighting than Molly Pitcher – Olga would unlikely be remem- Association of Canada, stated, “Carved on will be victorious. bered in history for two reasons. “First, her cause is facing defeat by the combined troops of the walls of the Canadian National Vimy Russia, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Secondly, there are thousands of female rebels – or women patriots, depending upon the viewpoint – fighting the Red armies in Ukraine.” Lest We Forget. Вічная Пам’ять. Olga explained her beginnings in the resistance against the Soviets, “I enlisted in the par- OPINIONS tisan army as a nurse in 1945, because Bolshevism is ruining my country, which suffered so much from the Germans and from the Russians during the war. Ukraine fights for its inde- The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commentaries on a pendence, to free itself from Bolshevism, forced labor, hunger and police terrorism.” Olga variety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian then recounted that she carried a pistol and had experience firing an automatic pistol. “Red communities, as well as the Ukrainian diaspora. Opinions expressed by colum- Polish forces attacking our partisan hospital in the Polish Ukraine last January. Three of our nists, commentators and letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily girls were killed in that fight, but we saved the hospital. I was not in one of the women’s reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association. (Continued on page 7) No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 7

NEWS AND VIEWS Update on Canadian-Ukrainian defense relations To the aggressor, the laurels: Russia 2018

by Harjit Sajjan governments can continue to work togeth- er to grow our economies, bring about and Western complicity in Putin’s propaganda As Canada’s minister of national defense, peace in the Donbas and continue to stand by Markian Bilynskyj ruption scandal and with the new presi- I am proud that the past year has seen up against Russian threats. It was inspiring dent, Gianni Infantino, reforming the orga- increased coordination and cooperation to see the resiliency of the Ukrainian sol- As new crises arise with the frequency nization with the enthusiasm of a man diers and security personnel who partici- between the Canadian and Ukrainian gov- and intensity of early autumn’s Atlantic hur- charged with painting the Brooklyn Bridge pated in the Invictus Games, and the warm ernments. Having just returned from my ricanes, the international community must with a toothbrush, FIFA is working very way Canadians from all cultural back- second trip to Ukraine, I am pleased to not be distracted from pre-existing prob- closely with Russia to ensure that next grounds cheered them on. share with Canadians the way our govern- lems. North Korea, in particular, may pose year’s show will go on regardless of con- ments are continuing to work together. During my recent visit to Ukraine, I had the an existential threat in its neighborhood and cerns over the host nation’s suitability to In March, Foreign Affairs Minister opportunity to see first-hand some of the mil- beyond, while ethnic cleansing in Myanmar host the event. Chrystia Freeland and I announced the itary training Canada is providing in Lviv. In and the Kurdish and Catalan referenda For example, FIFA has officially admitted extension of Operation UNIFIER, ensuring Kyiv, I saw tremendous work being done could still ignite serious tensions. Yet, as U.S. that it was fully aware that Russia was Canadian soldiers will continue to train through civil-military partnerships, and was Vice-President Mike Pence recently reiterat- using North Korean forced labor to com- members of the Ukrainian armed forces. As inspired by the civic pride shown everyday by ed, Russia continues to undermine its neigh- plete the infrastructure in time for 2018. of September 1, the Canadian Armed Ukrainians. I had the honor of sharing meet- bors’ sovereignty. The Kremlin shows no FIFA has also shown little concern about Forces’ Joint Task Force-Ukraine has ings and meals with members of Ukraine’s signs of a serious commitment to its obliga- allegations that Russian soccer has appar- trained more than 5,580 Ukrainian soldiers military leadership, and meeting some of the tions regarding Ukraine. ently been no less immune to the industri- in over 140 courses. The opportunities for Canadian and Ukrainian soldiers who are In short, Russia al-scale, government- learning on both sides are paying off, as sol- working together to stand up to Russia. remains a very real sanctioned doping diers from each country benefit from the Through our trade agreement, through The most egregious that so thoroughly knowledge and experiences of the other. our military partnerships, through our cul- revisionist threat to discredited Russian In April, Ukrainian Defense Minister tural communities and through our work the international aspect of this whole athletics and led to Stepan Poltorak visited Canada to sign the within NATO, Canada is sending a strong order. sordid episode is very real sanctions Canada-Ukraine Defense Cooperation message of deterrence to Russia. We have Sanctions against from other sporting Agreement, putting pen to paper demon- soldiers in Latvia to prevent what happened Russia for its annexa- that Russia 2018 federations. strating Canada’s strong support for in the Donbas from happening in the Baltics. tion of Crimea and will be the first time FIFA has – and is – Ukraine and providing a framework for We are cautiously optimistic about a poten- direct military inter- the World Cup finals investing substantial future military cooperation. This milestone tial peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, if vention in eastern resources that appear allows our government to move quickly there is the right mandate and if Ukraine has Ukraine remain in will be hosted by a to allow Moscow to forward at adding Ukraine to the Automatic a strong voice to ensure its needs are met. place. The interna- country that is under plug gaps in its bud- Firearms Country Control List. Ultimately, the greatest successes are tional community get for Russia 2018. The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement because of the strength of the people of continues to try to sanctions for invad- For example, FIFA’s took effect on August 1, and will create jobs Ukraine, both in Ukraine and in the diaspo- identify additional ing a neighbor. financial report for and opportunities in both our countries. ra. Ukraine’s strength is the greatest dem- sanctions to deter fur- 2016, issued in May More recently, Prime Minister Justin onstration to Russia that their threats and ther Russian aggres- of this year, reveals that in its budget cycle Trudeau had the honor of hosting actions are unwarranted. Canada will con- sion and as an instrument to compel Russia for 2015-2018 a total of $627 million (32 President Petro Poroshenko during his visit tinue to stand by Ukraine, today, tomorrow to take seriously its Minsk obligations. percent of the total FIFA budget for Russia to Toronto to cheer on Ukrainian athletes at and long into the future. I look forward to Unfortunately, the West seems to have 2018) is allocated for “local organization” – the Invictus Games. During bilateral discus- continuing to meet with Ukrainian ignored a genuine opportunity to employ a category with no further explanation in sions, our leaders talked about ways our Canadians and working with my Ukrainian some further, novel sanctions against an otherwise detailed breakdown of the counterparts to strengthen this important Moscow. budget pie. Harjit Sajjan is Canada’s Minister of bilateral relationship. On December 1, the draw will be held in Under normal circumstances, supple- National Defense Slava Ukrayini! Moscow to decide which Russian cities will host the qualifying teams in next year’s menting budgetary shortfalls would not World Cup soccer finals. The event will raise eyebrows. But in the context of effectively mark the point of no return for Russia’s current foreign policy, FIFA could Quotable notes the hosting of the world’s premier sporting unwittingly be helping Moscow to maintain event. funding levels for its military operations in Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea was the first time since the second world war It is of course the prerogative of soccer’s Ukraine and its aggressive propaganda that one sovereign nation has forcibly taken territory from another in Europe. Since world governing body, the Fédération campaign against both the international then, Russia has fomented conflict in the Donbas, repeatedly violated the national Internationale de Football Association community and its own population. Add airspace of several European countries, and mounted a sustained campaign of cyber (FIFA), to decide who hosts its flagship the money to be spent by up to a million espionage and disruption. This has included meddling in elections, and hacking the event. FIFA is an organization with special tourists and at least 12 Russian local econo- Danish Ministry of Defense and the Bundestag, among many others. status under Swiss law. It has an acute, mies will also receive quite a boost, courte- It is seeking to weaponize information. Deploying its state-run media organiza- almost neuralgic, aversion to external med- sy of the West. (Don’t even ask if anyone tions to plant fake stories and photo-shopped images in an attempt to sow discord in dling in its affairs and trumpets with an cares enough to protest that one of the host the West and undermine our institutions. almost missionary fervor its goal to use cities is Rostov – the major staging point for So I have a very simple message for Russia. Russian military operations in southeast- We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed. Because you underesti- soccer as an instrument to promote good will and harmony among an ever-expand- ern Ukraine.) mate the resilience of our democracies, the enduring attraction of free and open soci- Absurdly, the international community eties, and the commitment of Western nations to the alliances that bind us. ing “football family.” However, FIFA has shown no reluctance seems perfectly willing to allow FIFA to pro- The U.K. will do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and work with our allies to ceed with Russia 2018. It’s as if the more do likewise. That is why we are driving reform of NATO so this vital alliance is better to intervene in national politics for its own purposes. For example, in 2010 it threat- than 10,000 deaths, the humanitarian crisis able to deter and counter hostile Russian activity. It is why we have stepped up our in Ukraine, the subsequent international military and economic support to Ukraine. It is why we are strengthening our cyber ened to relocate the championship from South Africa if the host refused to alter its sanctions and concern over Russian broader security and looking at how we tighten our financial regimes to ensure the profits of intentions have nothing to do with the host corruption cannot flow from Russia into the U.K. … judicial and legal systems to protect the commercial prerogatives of its principal country and that the World Cup is going to – United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May, in her speech to the Lord Mayor’s sponsors. In 2014 Brazil was “asked,” among be held in some other dimension – perhaps Banquet on November 13. other things, to amend legislation for dis- that “other world” German Chancellor abled spectators in order to maximize FIFA’s Angela Merkel thought President Vladimir Putin inhabited when she spoke with him Germany with the same goal – to bring revenue. Host countries even waive tax obli- following Russia’s invasion of Crimea. When Turning... news of the Ukrainian rebellion against the gations for FIFA, often in the face of substan- Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, arguing it Soviets from behind the Iron Curtain. tial local opposition. Such is the prestige – (Continued from page 6) was simply a province of Iraq, the response Olga was asked if she wanted to go to and price – associated with hosting the was Operation Desert Storm. When Russia America, she said, “I would love to go to World Cup finals. But even FIFA’s messian- infantry companies but I fought again in invaded Crimea under the same pretext, the saving a first aid station from an attack America – after I finish helping Ukraine win ism has its limits. FIFA’s most notable politi- its independence.” She was asked if she had international community replied with sanc- which cost the lives of four girls.” cal intervention has been to allow Israel to tions – and total indifference to Russia’s fit- “Of course,“ she added, “I was in many a sweetheart in the army, and replied, “No. play its World Cup qualifying games as a When there is one woman soldier with 126 ness to stage world soccer’s show-piece small skirmishes. Guerrilla warfare is like European nation, thus foregoing a very obvi- event. that. We had a brush with Bolshevik sol- men soldiers she cannot pick one as a lover ous opportunity to apply Dr. Soccer’s cura- and remain friends with all.” Inexplicably, at a time when the interna- diers near the Polish-Czech border, one of tive elixir to Arab-Israeli relations. tional community is concerned about Mr. our men being killed, when we were sent Source: “Sturdy Olga, 21, tells of fight to Having just emerged from a sordid cor- Putin’s revisionist activity to the point on this mission to Germany.” free Ukraine, slips through Iron Curtain into where sanctions have been imposed and At the same time as Olga and her unit U.S. zone,” by Hal Faust (Chicago Tribune Markian Bilynskyj is vice-president/ with the leader of the Third Rome struggling crossed into Germany, a larger band of 112 Press Service), The Ukrainian Weekly, director of field operations of the Ukrainian partisans had also entered December 8, 1947. U.S.-Ukraine Foundation. (Continued on page 9) 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

U.S.-Ukraine Biotechnology Site unveiled in Ottawa for Canada’s Initiative launched Memorial to the Victims of Communism USUF Ukrainian Canadian Congress WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation has announces $25,000 contribution announced the launching of its Biotechnology Initiative, which will support the advancement of biotechnology in Ukraine. The program is supported by an initial gift of UCC $250,000 by a foundation donor, Irene Hoffman. OTTAWA – The dedication of the site for Canada’s The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation is a publicly supported Memorial to the Victims of Communism – “Canada, Land 501(c)(3), not-for-profit non-governmental organization of Refuge” – took place in Ottawa on November 2. The established in 1991 to support democracy, a free market Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) announced a contri- and human rights for Ukraine. Over the course of 26 bution of $25,000 to the memorial. years, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, with offices in Mélanie Joly, minister of Canadian heritage, and Arif Washington and Kyiv has directed over $43 million to Virani, parliamentary secretary to the minister of build peace and prosperity through shared democratic Canadian heritage (multiculturalism), took part in the values in programs focusing on economic development, solemn ceremony. UCC education, health and humanitarian aid, and public policy. The ceremony included an Indigenous blessing, testi- Ukrainian Canadian congress CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn Discussions have already been taking place with monies of survivors of Communist regimes, and the pre- and UCC Executive Committee member Cassian Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chaly sentation of a plant that will be incorporated into the Soltykevych at the unvieling ceremony of the Memorial with the intent of maximizing efforts for the initiative landscape of the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. for the Victims of Communism. and helping Ukraine focus on its specialization develop- The site of the memorial is on the west side of the ment strategy for biotechnology. Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Garden of Provinces and Territories in the Parliamentary “The UCC makes this donation to honor and pay trib- Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush- Precinct in Canada’s capital. Construction will begin next Tsintsadze visited the USUF recently and learned of the ute to all those who suffered the brutality and cruelty of year, and the memorial is scheduled to be completed in over 70 years of Soviet Communist occupation of new program through discussions with foundation late 2018-early 2019. In December 2015, the govern- President Nadia McConnell. Ukraine,” stated Mr. Grod. “Millions of Ukrainians were ment of Canada announced it will provide matching Working with public and private sector leaders, the murdered by the Soviet Communist regime. Millions funds of up to $1.5 million for the memorial. USUF aims to heighten the awareness of the benefits of more suffered in the forced labor camps of the Gulag. It is Minister Joly stated, “I am pleased that the Memorial the biotechnology sector for Ukraine. The foundation very important that Canada remembers the victims of to the Victims of Communism – ‘Canada, a Land of plans to develop cooperative relationships between Communist terror and imperialism. This memorial will Refuge,’ is one step closer to becoming a reality with Ukrainian and U.S. biotechnology players through trade ensure that our children will learn the lessons of history shows, conferences and other networking opportunities today’s site dedication ceremony. This memorial will be so that these crimes are never committed again.” that will assist Ukrainian biotech companies, start-ups an evocative tribute to those who fled repressive regimes The UCC expressed its sincere gratitude to the many and entrepreneurs in their market activities. and made their lives in Canada. I thank Tribute to Liberty Ukrainian Canadians whose donations have made the The foundation recently participated in a Kyiv trade and all the communities for their support and vision.” construction of the Memorial to the Victims of show to formally present its new program in Ukraine. On behalf of the board of directors of the Ukrainian Communism possible. For more information or to get involved, readers may Canadian Congress, National President Paul Grod “Many members of our community were forced to contact John A. Kun, vice-president and chief operating offi- announced that the UCC will make a $25,000 contribu- leave Ukraine to escape Communist tyranny or are direct cer of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, at [email protected]. tion to the memorial through Tribute to Liberty, estab- lished in 2008 to spearhead the construction of Canada’s (Continued on page 15)

Ukrainian Heritage... (Continued from page 1) The visit was arranged by Olha Yarema-Wynar, associate conservator at the Met, who is responsible for textile con- servation. Guided by Alexandra Barlow, assistant conserva- tor, and Isabel Kim, collections specialist, they toured the center’s storage facility and textile conservation laboratory and were able to observe several conservators at work. Before proceeding to The Ukrainian Museum, the group stopped briefly to visit the nearby Ukrainian Institute of America. The afternoon was spent at The Ukrainian Museum, where the group viewed a current exhibit of Bohdan Borzemsky’s artworks and the folk costume exhibit being prepared for opening day (November 12 for the public). Maria Shust, the museum’s director and Lubow Wolynetz, folk art curator, provided detailed overviews of both exhi- bitions and led a tour of the museum’s storage facility. In the lower gallery, attendees heard two interesting presentations by guest conservators. Erin Toomey, senior conservator of the Art Conservation Group, spoke of “The March of Time: Breaks, Floods and Plain Old Bad Participants of the Ukrainian Heritage Consortium of North America conference at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Conservation,” discussing how knowledge of art and sci- ence contribute to the survival of culturally important to “Shepherding Ukrainian Orthodoxy in a New Land: The Ukrainian Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in Whippany objects. Yuri Yanchyshyn, principal and senior conservator, Metropolitans of the Church.” Walking through the spa- N.J., the newest institutional member of the Consortium, Period Furniture Conservation, offered “One Conservator’s cious, yet uncompleted areas of the museum the center’s gave a lively and compelling presentation. Approach to Assessing the Condition of an Art Object” – an enormous potential could easily be envisioned. Plans Participants learned of new projects, initiatives, accom- integral aspect of institutional collections either at the time include a National Famine Memorial, a permanent plishments and challenges, as well as areas of cooperation of acquisition, or periodic review. Holodomor Art Gallery, classrooms, conference space and and outreach opportunities. Commentaries and substan- The day’s activities concluded with dinner at the nearby exhibit areas for displaying ecclesiastical vestments, icons, tive discussions continued until dinner was served in the Ukrainian Village Restaurant. crosses and liturgical vessels, kylym and art collections, as atrium of the Library. Continuity of the consortium’s gath- At Saturday morning’s session, Monmouth County, N.J., well as rare books. erings was assured when Olha Aleksic of Harvard archivist and photographer Gary D. Saretzky offered insights The remainder of Saturday was devoted to a general University offered to host the next conference in the fall of into preserving family photographs, drawing upon over 40 meeting of consortium members. Brief activity reports 2019 in Cambridge. years of experience in the field. Tim Corliss, archivist and were given by private collectors and representatives of the On Sunday, following a divine liturgy at St. Andrew conservator at the Rutgers University Special Collections following: the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute Memorial Church, a small group visited the Holy and Archives, addressed issues in paper conservation. (Cambridge, Mass.), the Ukrainian National Museum Resurrection Mausoleum, the final resting place of Michael Andrec, UHEC archivist since 2010, covered the (Chicago), the Ukrainian Museum-Archives (Cleveland), the Patriarch Mstyslav. Unable to explore the historic cemetery care, maintenance and preservation of analog audio tapes. Shevchenko Scientific Society and The Ukrainian Museum grounds due to the heavy rain, the group retired to the cen- All three well-illustrated presentations were supple- (New York City), Mirko Pylyshenko’s community archive ter for a hearty lunch and final a wrap-up session before mented by reading lists and extensive directories of preser- (Rochester, N.Y.), the Ukrainian Museum and Library of bidding farewell. vation and conservation supply vendors. Stamford (Connecticut), the Library of Congress For information about the Ukrainian Heritage After lunch at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, participants (Washington) and the Ukrainian History and Cultural Consortium of North America readers may visit http:// toured the center’s library and the current exhibit devoted Center (Somerset, N.J.). Christina and Myron Bytz of the www.uhcna.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/uhcna/. No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 9 UNIS celebrates 40 years of service UCCA WASHINGTON – The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), the Washington bureau of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), marked its 40th anniversary with an evening reception on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, October 11. Held following the third daylong Ukrainian Day Advocacy event of 2017, the reception attracted over 100 guests in the prestigious Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building. Michael Sawkiw, UNIS director and UCCA vice-presi- dent, began the evening’s program by warmly thanking the guests for supporting the work of the UNIS office before introducing Bishop John Bura, auxiliary bishop for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, to deliver Andrij Dobriansky the invocation. UCCA’s Andrij Dobriansky was invited to Lithuania’s ambassador to the United sing the Ukrainian and American national anthems. States, Rolandas Kriščiūnas, accepts a In keeping with the tradition established at previous Congressional Ukrainian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Marcy Kaptur Friend of UNIS Award on behalf of his advocacy events, Mr. Sawkiw bestowed several Friend of (D-Ohio), addresses attendees. She is flanked by UCCA President country’s foreign affairs minister, Linas UNIS Awards – an honor reserved for those in Washington Andriy Futey (right) on her left and UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw. Linkevičius. who have advocated for and expressed their continued support for Ukraine. Revolution of Dignity. Upon receiving his award, he stated, alone. I thank UNIS for this award and for its tireless efforts That evening’s recipients included Rep. Brendan Boyle “I am truly honored to be recognized by the Ukrainian in informing the public about the gravest dangers to (D-Pa.), Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Valeriy American community but more importantly, to be consid- Europe’s freedom in the 21st century. In this common mis- Chaly and Lithuania’s Foreign Affairs Minister Linas ered a friend of Ukraine. I am proud to represent a commu- sion, Lithuania will continue supporting Ukraine...” nity of strong, vibrant and proud Ukrainian Americans that Throughout the evening, additional members of A vocal member of the House Foreign Affairs live in my congressional district.” Congress stopped by to congratulate the UNIS office on its Committee,Linkevičius. Congressman Boyle, who represents part of Ambassador Chaly warmly thanked the UNIS office, 40th anniversary, including Congressional Ukrainian Philadelphia and its suburbs, has been an outspoken advo- UCCA’s network of Ukrainian organizations and volunteer Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Rep. Paul cate for Ukraine since entering Congress during Ukraine’s members, and the entire Ukrainian American community David Tonko (D-N.Y.). in general, for their decades of work in support of John Lansing, the CEO of the Broadcasting Board of Ukraine’s Independence and for the strengthening of bilat- Governors, the U.S. government agency that supervises eral relations between our two nations. Voice of America, also attended the reception. Addressing Following his words of gratitude for the Friend of UNIS the attendees, he emphasized the importance of the media Award, the ambassador surprised Mr. Sawkiw by presenting in today’s society and conveyed his congratulations to the him with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (5th degree) UNIS office. on behalf of the president of Ukraine. Emphasizing Mr. Two former directors of the UNIS office were invited to Sawkiw’s significant contribution to strengthening U.S.- the podium to share remarks: Tamara Olexy, current execu- Ukraine relations, the ambassador went on to explain that tive director of the UCCA National Office and a former this award, the second highest civilian honor bestowed by UCCA president, and George Nesterczuk, a founding mem- Ukraine, recognized the totality of his work as the director of ber of UNIS and longtime political advisor and government UNIS, his current vice-presidency and his former presidency official since his appointment to the U.S. Office of Personnel of the UCCA, as well as his chairmanship of the U.S. Management during the Reagan administration. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness. The evening’s program concluded with a special video Lithuania’s ambassador to the United States, Rolandas presentation from Kyiv by Marie Yovanovitch, the ninth and current U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and the perfor- mance of two Ukrainian dances by the Carpathia Folk terKriščiūnas, of acceptance accepted from the the lastforeign award affairs of theminister, evening which on Dance Ensemble. statedbehalf inof part:Minister “Today Linkevičius. Lithuania The stands ambassador with Ukraine read as a herlet- In her pre-recorded remarks, Ambassador Yovanovitch Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) accepts a Friend of UNIS friend and as an ally. Aggression against Ukraine was also congratulated the UNIS office on its 40 years of service to Award from Michael Sawkiw, UNIS director and UCCA an act of aggression against the values that unite the Euro- the community, and quoted the words of Taras vice-president. Atlantic community. Therefore, it is not Ukraine’s fight Shevchenko, “Keep fighting – you are sure to win.”

been a priority in the international community’s arsenal Hosting the event will provide grist for the very Russian To the aggressor... for dealing with Mr. Putin’s challenge. Nor should it have propaganda mill whose output continues to be of such con- been viewed in isolation. Other international sporting cern to the international community. The Putin regime is (Continued from page 7) events should not be held in Russia until the situation in not indifferent to public opinion. It devotes great resources to provide his population with bread (pensions, etc.), that eastern Ukraine and Crimea is not simply regulated but to understanding trends and then neutralizing or manipu- very same international community is helping him to orga- resolved. A universal sporting ban should preferably have lating them for the regime’s purposes. If Mr. Putin is not as nize circuses – in the shape of literally the Greatest Show on been imposed at the initiative of the respective governing popular as some Western and Russian observers believe, Earth. Perhaps nothing better should be expected from an international bodies. But governments should have been then the international community should have grasped the organization as disreputable as FIFA. But given Russia’s chal- prepared to act. The countries that imposed sanctions opportunity to test the depth of this support by depriving lenge to the international order, the most egregious aspect of against Russian individuals and businesses were obliged to Russia of the World Cup. Explaining why the World Cup this whole sordid episode is that Russia 2018 will be the intervene in the affairs of FIFA. As the recent U.S.- and was lost would tax the creativity of even the Kremlin pro- first time the World Cup finals will be hosted by a country Swiss-led anti-corruption moves against FIFA showed, paganda machine – especially in a Russian presidential that is under sanctions for invading a neighbor. FIFA and its leadership are not untouchable denizens of election year. Relocating the competition is still not impossible. From some sporting Olympus. If politics is the art of the possible, then diplomacy is the a logistical perspective, previous contingency plans for an Make no mistake: soccer is immensely popular in Russia, art of international politics at its most cautious – under- event of such magnitude required approximately six and there is understandably great pride among the popula- standably so, given the stakes. Arthur Schopenhauer wrote months. Why, then, is an international community con- tion at large that the World Cup finals are being held there. that “Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for cerned by continuing Russian aggression in all of its hybrid Perhaps being sensitive to how much hosting the World Cup the limits of the world.” Diplomats and politicians are no dif- forms allowing FIFA to lend this level of credibility and means to the Putin regime made some governments reluc- ferent, even though they are all too often loath to admit it. prestige to the Putin regime? tant to further “provoke” or “annoy” Moscow regarding Circumstances handed the West a genuine opportunity From FIFA’s perspective, the issue might well be one of Ukraine in the conviction that Russia still has a role to play to hit the Russian population where it hurts – and at no sunk costs. As regards the international community, the in, for example, mediating the North Korean crisis. Yet, Syria cost to itself. Straining to cope with Mr. Putin’s assault on answer might be depressingly banal. Thinking outside of revealed that cooperation with the Putin regime is not sym- reality through unconventional means, the West’s reaction the box does not come easily to a diplomatic and political biotic but parasitic, with the current occupants of the instead brings to mind George Orwell’s observation that community operating on rules for which Mr. Putin has Kremlin having their own, very idiosyncratic interpretation “to see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant shown he clearly has little respect. There seems to be a of events and their resolution. struggle.” Allowing Russia 2018 to proceed as scheduled, sense that soccer, the world’s most popular sport, is Depriving Russia of the World Cup would not have been especially in a presidential election year, makes the inter- beneath the purview – even respectability – of traditional the “nuclear option” of excluding Russia from the SWIFT national community complicit in Mr. Putin’s propaganda diplomacy. Soccer is for the masses with nothing to con- inter-bank payments mechanism, talk of which angered campaign (especially as regards its principal, domestic, tribute, even under extraordinary circumstances, to the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev into threatening an all- audience) and deprives an increasingly vocal opposition of rarified conventions of international diplomacy. This is a out Russian response (whatever that meant). But for the a substantive issue with which to broaden its appeal. totally misguided view. ordinary soccer- and sport-obsessed Russian it would Unfortunately, it is not only Mr. Putin who appears to be liv- Divesting Russia of next year’s World Cup should have come a very close second. ing in another world. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47 Lecture by Kyiv-based scholar focuses on “Ukrainian Victims of 20th Century” by Andrij Dobriansky senters to the dais: Zenia Kowalchyn Brozyna, president of the Society of Veterans UCCA of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army; Mark NEW YORK – This year marks the 70th Howansky, president of the Organization for year since the ethnic cleansing of Ukrainian the Defense of Lemkivschyna; and the key- Lemko lands known as Akcja Wisla, as well note speaker of the evening, Prof. as the 75th year since the founding of the Volodymyr Serhiychuk, director of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), and the Center of Ukrainian Studies at Taras 70th year since UPA executed its final direc- Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. tive – its “Great Raid” – to spread documen- Ms. Brozyna, chair of the special tary source material throughout the Ukrainian national committee marking nations of Western Europe about Ukraine’s these historic anniversaries, addressed the heroic struggle for independence. attendees with personal stories passed on On Friday, October 13, the special to her by her father, UPA veteran Mykhailo Ukrainian National Committee organized by Kowalchyn. In his recollections to her, he Ukrainian American representative organi- would emphasize the period of 1942-1945, zations to commemorate these three anni- recalling the particular wartime hardships versaries presented a special lecture at the he and his fellow warriors endured. Notably, Ukrainian National Home in New York City. Ms. Brozyna mentioned that members of One of a series of anniversary events, this UPA were aware of the tragic fate suffered lecture, titled “Ukrainian Victims of the 20th by the Crimean Tatars, who had been Century,” was a special presentation co-pro- deported en masse from their homeland by duced by the Ukrainian Free University Stalin at the close of the war. Mr. Brozyna Foundation. and his brethren were determined not to Prior to any speeches or academic pre- suffer the same fate as the Crimean Tatars. sentations, the audience witnessed a proces- Concluding her remarks, Ms. Brozyna sion of colors presented by members of the reminded those in attendance that there is Ukrainian American Youth Association an active, ongoing battle on Ukraine’s terri- (UAYA) and Plast Ukrainian Scouting tory, with casualties incurred almost daily. Organization. Once the scouts had arranged For those with an understanding of the themselves on the raised podium at the hardship endured 70 years ago, the return front of the hall, the evening’s moderator, of Moscow’s war cannons to Ukrainian ter- Askold Lozynskyj, invited Father Emilian ritory signals yet another fight for the liber- Dorosh, OSBM, administrator of the neigh- ation of the Ukrainian homeland. boring St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mr. Lozynskyj introduced Prof. to lead an invocation and intone the singing Serhiychuk. noting that, since the fall of the of the requiem chant, “Vichnaya Pamiat.” Soviet Union, he has combed through the Following the prayers, Andrij Dobriansky declassified archives in Ukraine, which led the room in the singing of the Ukrainian affords more access to Soviet-era archives national anthem. The ceremonial opening than any of the lands formerly controlled was concluded with a recitation of the UPA by the USSR. oath by Taras Kulynych, grandson of an UPA Prof. Serhiychuk began his lecture by cit- veteran, Yaroslav Kitsiuk. ing the documented population losses in First to speak was Askold Lozynskyj, for- Ukrainian ethnographic territories, includ- mer president of the Ukrainian Congress ing the northern lands of Berestia which Committee of America and the Ukrainian lost nearly a million Ukrainians in the early World Congress, who focused the evening’s 20th century, in addition to the over attention on the crime of genocide. As 750,000 who disappeared from the established by Dr. Raphael Lemkin, the Transdniester region, the almost complete coordinated actions of a genocide, aimed “at liquidation of Ukrainian peoples in the the destruction of essential foundations of Lemko lands, Bukovyna and others. the life of national groups,” was clearly seen While the majority of Ukrainian losses in by Lemkin in three horrors of the early 20th the 20th century are attributable to Stalin’s century: the Armenian genocide of 1915, Holodomor, the professor cautioned that the Ukrainian Holodomor of 1932-1933 the totality of losses will never be known, as and the Jewish Holocaust of 1939-1945. there were no demographers actively moni- Citing the noted historian Norman toring population losses on the ground. Davies, who refers to Ukrainians as the Prior to the known atrocities of the people who suffered the most in the 20th Holodomor and Akcja Wisla, targeted century, Mr. Lozynskyj laid out a series of removal of Ukrainians is recorded to have destructive actions indicative of genocide occurred in Halychyna as early as 1914, inflicted upon the Ukrainian nation: target- when over 3,000 of the area’s intelligentsia – ed arrests, expulsions, executions of teachers, directors of institutions, lawyers, Ukrainian intellectual and political leaders, diplomats, and Metropolitan Andrey persecution and virtual destruction of the Sheptytsky – were extricated along with Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox and 20,000 Ukrainians from the surrounding Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Churches, and the countryside. According to information in the many mass resettlements and ethnic archives studied by Prof. Serhiychuk, most cleansing of lands historically settled by the of this population ended up not returning to Ukrainian people. their homelands, even after the collapse of Mr. Lozynskyj cited the ethnic cleansing the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires of the Ukrainian Lemko homeland as anoth- at the conclusion of the first world war. er example of genocide against the When tabulating the losses incurred Ukrainian nation. Having suffered so many during the Holodomor, Prof. Serhiychuk of these injustices over just a few decades, noted with concern that many contempo- according to Mr. Lozynskyj, the remarkable rary scholars undercount the drastic level of civic organization displayed by reset- decline in expected births both during the tled Ukrainians often shocked non-Ukraini- Holodomor and in the years immediately ans, many of whom were intimidated at the following. He said he remains convinced variety of civic and religious organizations that the established number of 7 million quickly established by displaced Ukrainians, to10 million losses during the Holodomor which enabled them to maintain their would be borne out by future historians. national identity even in the midst of a poor- The final speaker of the evening was Mr. ly resourced wartime refugee camp. Howansky, who repeated the call of the Following his opening remarks, Mr. Lozynskyj asked the evening’s three pre- (Continued on page 15) No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 11 Lecture by Kyiv-based scholar focuses on “Ukrainian Victims of 20th Century”

Irene Rejent Saviano Singer/musician/composer Taras Chubay performs. Pikkardiyska Tertsiya on stage during the commemorative concert. Concert in New Jersey marks historic UPA and Akcja Wisla anniversaries

The Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in an original presentation, “Unforgotten,” choreographed for the occasion by artistic director Andrij Cybyk. Michael Sawkiw addresses the sold-out concert. WHIPPANY, N.J. – A commemorative concert held Also appearing in the concert program were mem- here at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New bers of the Stamford, Conn., branch of the UAYA, who Jersey on Saturday, October 14, marked three historic presented a short play and performed several songs, anniversaries that are being observed by Ukrainians including the mournful “Plyve Kacha.” around world. Closing remarks were offered by Zenia Kowalczyn Headlining the sold-out concert were well-known Brozyna, who chairs the national committee that orga- performers from Ukraine, the six-member a cappella nized the event and is president of the Society of group Pikkardiyska Tertsiya and bard Taras Chubay, a Veterans of the UPA. Joining her on stage was Marie singer, musician and songwriter, as well as the Iskra Duplak, honorary president of the OOL, who is vice- Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Whippany, N.J. chair of the national committee. The concert was coor- The event was part of the commemorations planned dinated by Andrij Stasiw. by the community group known as the Ukrainian During the program, Ambassador Chaly presented National Committee to Commemorate 75th certificates of appreciation to Mmes. Brozyna and Anniversary of UPA, 70th Anniversary of Akcja Wisla Duplak for organizing the commemorative event and and 70th Anniversary of UPA’s Great Raid. Among the to Ukrainian National Women’s League of America committee’s members are veterans’ groups of the President Marianna Zajac for many years of work for Ukrainian Insurgent Army (known by its Ukrainian Ambassador Valeriy Chaly, his wife, Liudmyla Mazuka, and the good of the Ukrainian community and Ukraine. acronym as UPA) and the Organization for the Defense children are welcomed to the Ukrainian American Cultural The significance of the commemorative concert’s of Lemkivshchyna (OOL). Center of New Jersey by Zenia Kowalchyn Brozyna (left) and October 14 date is that it is the Day of the Holy The concert was opened with the Ukrainian and Maria Duplak (second from left). Protectress, which is historically identified as the date American national anthems performed by the gifted when the UPA was officially established. young singer Anya Kosachevich. The color guard was Whippany, delivered the invocation. Other events planned by the national committee composed of members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting The audience was addressed by Michael Sawkiw, director of the included a lecture by Prof. Volodymyr Serhiychuk at Organization and the Ukrainian American Youth Washington-based Ukrainian National Information Service, and the Ukrainian National Home in New York on October Association (UAYA). The Rev. Stepan Bilyk, pastor of St. Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, who was 13, and a scholarly conference at the Shevchenko John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in in attendance with his wife, Liudmyla Mazuka, and their children. Scientific Society in New York on October 29.

Concert-goers view an exhibit mounted in conjunction with the com- Anya Kosachevich sings the national anthems. memorative concert. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

MEPs supported the deployment of an remarkable reforms Ukraine has imple- ment in the best interests of the two parties NEWSBRIEFS “armed” police mission of the Organization mented, which have helped the economy and joint protection and promotion of free- for Security and Cooperation in Europe return to growth,” Mr. Kim said. “The people dom and democracy, the rule of law and (Continued from page 2) (OSCE) in eastern Ukraine. (RFE/RL, with of Ukraine have been through some very human rights. The importance of new ration of the upcoming summit will reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels) difficult times, and the challenge now is to approaches and bold initiatives for the acknowledge the EU aspirations of the ensure that the country’s progress contin- replenishment of the strategic partnership World Bank president visits Ukraine partners but will not make any specific ues and is shared by all Ukrainians.” The between Ukraine and the U.S.A. was noted commitments toward potential member- The World Bank reported on November World Bank also reported that Mr. Kim dis- – from enhanced political, trade-economic ship. The lawmakers did recommend pro- 14 that, on a two-day visit to Ukraine, World cussed the importance of unlocking and energy interaction to intensification of viding aid to Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim reiter- Ukraine’s agriculture potential through land the defense and security partnership in the form of trust funds to focus on pri- ated the institution’s support for the coun- reforms that would benefit all landholders. between the parties.” The Presidential vate and public investments in social and try’s ambitious reform agenda aimed at Lifting restrictions on land sales and provid- Administration reported that Mr. Mitchell economic infrastructure. One of the goals, accelerating growth and improving people’s ing greater access to credit can help farmers assured that the United States would fur- they said, would be to support economic lives. Mr. Kim met with President Petro grow their businesses, attract private ther support Ukraine in its endeavors to reforms “aimed at phasing out monopolies, Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr investment, expand food exports and play develop and strengthen the country, as well limiting the role of oligarchs, and prevent- Groysman and members of his Cabinet. an important role in global food security. Mr. as in the further coordination of efforts ing money-laundering and tax evasion.” During his visit, Mr. Kim also met with lead- Kim said he was encouraged by the prog- aimed to ensure a reliable and efficient The lawmakers also vowed to “keep pres- ers in Parliament, Kyiv Mayor Vitali ress of health care reform and offered the international support for our state. He also sure on Russia to resolve conflicts in the EU Klitschko, as well as key anti-corruption World Bank’s continued support for its confirmed U.S. willingness to keep support- eastern neighborhood,” without going into officials and representatives from civil soci- implementation. He also commended the ing Ukraine’s efforts on the restoration of detail. The resolution also stated that the ety and the private sector. “We applaud the Ukrainian authorities and civil society orga- sovereignty and territorial integrity and, if nizations for taking steps to fight corrup- necessary, to increase the price of continu- tion, including the publication of asset dec- ing aggression against the Ukrainian state larations, and the investigation of cases by for Moscow. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Daily Briefing) Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Kim Weiss pays tribute to fallen in Kyiv TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 called for the urgent establishment of an or e-mail [email protected] While visiting the memorial to the fallen independent Anticorruption Court to bring soldiers in Kyiv on November 15, U.S. corrupt officials to justice. The World Bank Assistant Secretary of State for European SERVICES PROFESSIONALS noted: “Kim acknowledged that completing and Eurasian Affairs A. Wess Mitchell said: reforms will be challenging, but necessary “I think the faces on this wall are a poignant to reach Ukraine’s potential. The World reminder of the sacrifice Ukrainians have Bank Group is committed to continuing its paid. And we have to remember that sacri- support, so the aspirations of all Ukrainians fice. We also have to remember the cause can be realized.” (Ukrainian Canadian that these men and women died for, and Congress Daily Briefing) that was the cause of a free Ukraine. A free NAZK launches probe into NABU Ukraine that’s on the path to Europe.” He noted that on this, his first trip to Europe as Ukrainian investigators have opened a assistant secretary of state, is meant “to criminal probe into suspected extortion by underscore America’s continuing commit- members of a sister anti-corruption body. ment to that same cause, not only in sup- The National Agency on Corruption porting Ukraine as it faces aggression in the Prevention (known by its Ukrainian acro- east, but supporting our Ukrainian friends nym as NAZK) is a keystone of Western- as they continue the battle for reform here backed reforms but has been subjected to SERVICES at home.” He added: “That’s the message of criticism for dragging its feet in checking my trip: the United States stands by officials’ wealth declarations for evidence of Ukraine. We appreciate the friendship that illicit gains. The National Anti-corruption we have with the Ukrainian people, and Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) – a sister agency we’ll continue to nurture that. I’m honored investigating high-profile corruption cases – to be in Ukraine, and I’m honored to stand said on November 14 that it opened the here and remember those who have fallen.” case against NAZK officials on suspicion that He made similar comments at the memorial they had received “undue benefits in espe- to the Heavenly Brigade. Referring to the SERVICES cially large amounts, combined with the events of almost four years ago on the extortion of such benefits.” A NABU spokes- Maidan, he said: “The people of Ukraine woman said that officials at other state caught the attention of the world and cer- LAW OFFICES OF agencies were also under investigation, but tainly caught the attention of the United ZENON______B. MASNYJ, ESQ. did not give further details. “Investigators States. And more than a hundred people are not ruling out that NAZK officials may died on this street, and they died for a very In the East Village since 1983 have acted as part of an organized group,” clear purpose. And that was to ensure that Serious personal injury, real estate the spokeswoman said, adding that the case Ukraine has the ability to determine its own for personal and business use, was opened partly based on information future. A future of democratic institutions representation of small and mid-size from the former head of NAZK’s financial and prosperity and stability for its people. businesses, securities arbitration, control department, Hanna Solomatyna. …I’m proud to be here and humbled to divorce, wills and probate. Earlier on November 10, Ms. Solomatyna stand in front of this monument of the faces said she had decided to resign and hand of the fallen.” (U.S. Department of State) HELP WANTED (By Appointment Only) over evidence to NABU after realizing an Chess master boycotts Saudi championships 140 Second Avenue online wealth-declaration tool managed by New York, NY 10003 NAZK was compromised. “The electronic Ukraine’s double women’s reigning Per Diem Event/Banquet Manager declaration system is being used to cover up position available at vibrant, 212-477-3002 world chess champion says she will not [email protected] for officials loyal to the authorities, for attend the $2 million world speed-chess busy Ukrainian cultural center crackdowns on dissidents, and for the per- in NJ. Opportunity for growth. championships after the game’s governing If 212-477-3002 landline not working, sonal enrichment of the NAZK’s chief and body awarded the tournament next month Experience preferred. Please please call 201-247-2413 members of the NAZK’s collective leader- telephone 973-769-8728 or send to Saudi Arabia. Several top players are ship,” she said. “The NAZK is not an inde- joining the 27-year-old Ukrainian grand- your Resume to: The Ukrainian pendent agency. It is completely controlled American Cultural Center of New FOR SALE master, Anna Muzychuk, in boycotting the by the government.” Critics of the NAZK say rapid and blitz championships, considered Jersey Attn. Bill Vincent, 60 C North President Petro Poroshenko is using the Je erson Road, Whippany, NJ one of the most exciting competitions in For sale 2 bedroom apartment, 73.4 anticorruption agency to attack his political chess, citing human and women’s rights 07981 or email to: Mrbillvincent@ opponents rather than investigate corrup- aol.com Tel.: 973-769-8728 m/2 in a new building in Lviv, fully concerns in the Middle Eastern country. equipped. Individual heating +2 tion. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by “Despite the record prize money, I am not electric boilers, air conditioning, 2 Reuters, Interfax and Kyiv Post) going to play in Riyadh [which] means los- OPPORTUNITIES glazed balconies. Kitchen: gas-electric Assistant secretary of state visits Ukraine ing two world champion titles,” Ms. stove. New playground, bus stop 3 Muzychuk, who is currently ranked second min. Pictures will be sent on request. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State A. Wess in the world in rapid chess and third in Earn extra income! Contact: [email protected] Mitchell is on a visit to Ukraine. He met blitz, said in a Facebook posting on with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko November 11. “To risk your life, to wear The Ukrainian Weekly is looking on November 15. The Presidential abaya all the time?? Everything has its lim- for advertising sales agents. Run your advertisement here, Administration reported: “The parties thor- its and headscarves in Iran was more than For additional information contact in The Ukrainian Weekly’s oughly discussed a complex of issues of enough,” she added in reference to the Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Ukraine-U.S.A. bilateral relations and coor- The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. CLASSIFIEDS section. dinated priorities within their enhance- (Continued on page 13) No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 13

Minister Freeland. Last month, as reported by The the beleaguered country to purchase lethal Canada’s opposition... Mr. Grod told members of the House com- Ukrainian Weekly, he had reservations aid from Canadian weapons manufactur- mittee that he hoped that at a U.N. peace- about Canada becoming entangled “in an ers. In late September, Canadian Defense (Continued from page 1) keeping conference Canada recently hosted open gun fight” between Ukraine and Minister Harjit Sajjan said that Minister “now is the time to act,” signaling that in Vancouver, Prime Minister Trudeau’s Russia and embroiled in a mission with no Freeland had signed off on adding Ukraine Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Liberal government would announce that end-date in sight if it hardens into a frozen to the list and that it would happen soon. government can count on Conservative Canada would lead a mission to Ukraine, conflict, which Mr. Bezan believes to be Mr. Bezan said that, in fact, the Trudeau support for a Canadian peacekeeping oper- which President Poroshenko has requested President Vladimir Putin’s goal of Russia’s Liberals have introduced no significant new ation in Ukraine. since 2015. eventual annexation of the Donbas. initiatives to assist Ukraine, and have either The UCC has already been pushing for That did not happen. But Mr. Bezan also believes the interna- continued or canceled programs begun by such a mission. Instead, Mr. Trudeau unveiled a multi- tional community should reject Russia’s the previous Conservative government Last month, Paul Grod, the congress’s pronged plan to provide helicopters, trans- idea for a U.N. mission, which would under Prime Minister Stephen Harper. president, appeared before the House of port aircraft and a 200-member quick-reac- restrict peacekeepers to the frontline and Operation UNIFIER, through which the Commons Standing Committee on National tion force for U.N. peace operations at the not the entire Ukrainian-Russian border Canadian military has trained about 5,000 Defense said that, “by spearheading a U.N. 2017 U.N. Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial along with the occupied Donetsk and Canadian soldiers since September 2015 (a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, Canada on November 15. Canada will also send police Luhansk oblasts as Ukraine seeks. month before the Liberals won the general has the opportunity to take its rightful officers to assist peacekeeping missions in Canada has the connection to Ukraine – election), has been extended until 2019. place and make a significant difference in Haiti and Colombia, and contribute $21 mil- through an estimated 1.3 million-strong But last year the Trudeau government can- returning the world to a rules-based inter- lion (about $16 million U.S.) toward increas- diaspora as well as ongoing support for celed the sharing of satellite images with national order.” ing the role of women in peacekeeping. Ukraine’s democratic and economic reforms Ukraine’s military, which the Harper gov- In a November 9 statement, Canadian Last year, the Trudeau government – and could use that clout to influence other ernment also began in 2015. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, a pledged $450 million (about $353 million countries, such as the United States, to rally Mr. Grod has also expressed concern, to Ukrainian Canadian, said that she had “per- U.S.), 600 soldiers and 150 police officers over around a Canadian-led, Ukrainian-desired both The Weekly and the House’s National sonally explored the feasibility and pros- three years to support U.N. peace missions. U.N. peacekeeping mission, Mr. Bezan Defense Committee, that the Canadian gov- pects of such a mission” with Ukrainian There was speculation that Canada argues. ernment has not committed to extend President Petro Poroshenko and Prime could send peacekeepers to the U.N. mis- As a permanent member of the U.N. funding for its annual $50 million (about Minister Volodymyr Groysman, both of sion in the west African nation of Mali. Security Council, Russia could veto such an $39 million U.S.) technical assistance pro- whom recently visited Canada, as well as But Conservative Member of Parliament operation. gram to Ukraine, which is set to expire in with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, James Bezan, a Ukrainian Canadian who That is why “Canada and its Western 2018-2019. Ambassador Kurt Volker – the U.S. special serves as the Official Opposition shadow allies must strengthen Ukraine’s hand Yet the most significant red flag is Prime representative for Ukraine negotiations – minister of national defense in the through increased military support and put Minister Trudeau, according to Mr. Bezan. and U.N. Secretary General António Guterres. Commons, said in an interview that his significant pressure on Russia by escalating He believes that while Ms. Freeland and “Our government has been at the heart of party would not support Canada’s involve- sanctions until they accept the Ukrainian Mr. Sajjan are in favor of a Canadian-led international efforts to support Ukraine, ment in any peacekeeping mission in Africa proposal for peacekeepers,” Mr. Grod wrote U.N. peacekeeping operation in eastern and we are working hard to ensure any – particularly to Mali, where more than 80 in a November 10 op-ed in The Hill Times, Ukraine, Mr. Trudeau is like Stéphane Dion, peacekeeping effort guarantees Ukraine’s peacekeepers have been killed since the a weekly Ottawa-based newspaper that whom Ms. Freeland replaced as foreign sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said U.N. operation began there in 2013. covers Parliament Hill and the Canadian affairs minister earlier this year, in “trying government. to appease Russia.” “Providing Ukraine with kinetic defensive He said the prime minister might view a in Saudi Arabia. That requirement is strictly weapons will enable Ukraine to better defend peace mission as “costing him too much NEWSBRIEFS enforced by Saudi authorities, though the itself against daily artillery attacks and raise political capital” and risk Canada not get- World Chess Federation (FIDE) has said it (Continued from page 12) the cost of any further land-grab offensives ting a 2021-2022 seat on the U.N. Security is still finalizing details of the champion- by Russia,” the UCC president noted. Council, for which Mr. Trudeau has been world championships that were held in ships – which run from December 26-30 in Canada has so far not supplied Ukraine actively lobbying. Tehran earlier this year. All women, for- the Saudi capital – and whether players will with arms, as requested, nor has it placed Added Mr. Bezan: “At the end of the day, eigners and locals alike, are required to have to adhere to such clothing rules. (Alan Ukraine on the Automatic Firearms all we can do as Conservatives is to contin- wear the abaya, a body-covering garment, Crosby of RFE/RL) Country Control List, which would allow ue to advocate for Ukraine.”

With deep sorrow we announce that Natalia Lazirko passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on November 7th, 2017. She was born on September 4th, 1921 in Stara Sil, Ukraine. As a post-war immigrant displaced from Ukraine, she resided in Germany as a refugee. She then emigrated to the United States and arrived at Ellis Island on November 8th, 1949, Election Day. Due to the national holiday, she had to stay on the ship until November 9th, when she entered the Lovingly remembering United States for the  rst time. Natalia traveled to Ohio to reconnect with her brother that had Stefan Petryk emigrated to the United States earlier. She then moved to New Jersey to reunite with her soon-to-be husband Anthony Lazirko. There they (October 3, 1925 – September 19, 2017) opened up their original meat market in Newark, NJ in 1952. After a few who passed peacefully into eternity with God. years, they opened a second store in Irvington, NJ, home to Olympic Park. Together they built a successful business and started a family: their daughter, Natalka Lazirko Farrell, born in 1955, followed by their son Oleh Stefan came from Ternopil, Ukraine. He fought for Lazirko, born in 1957. Ukraine during World War II and after, lived in DP camps in She spent the last 54 years doing what she loved: working at Olympic Germany, and eventually settled in New York City. Community Market with her son, Oleh. She ran daily operations and enjoyed talking to every customer, brightening their day with her sense of humor and positivity. She made an impression on everyone she met; Stefan became a business leader as a  lm lab executive whether she had known them for 5 minutes or 50 years. Her radiant and entrepreneur. He enjoyed the Ukrainian community in personality resonated with everyone she encountered. She taught New York City, playing chess, talking politics and economics. everyone to live their life to the fullest and always remember to laugh no He lived in New York City throughout his retirement and matter what. was a great friend to the community. His spirit will live on. Natalia was predeceased by her husband, Anthony. She is survived by her sister, Stephanie, her daughter Natalka Lazirko Farrell, son Oleh It was a blessing to have known him. Lazirko, daughter-in-law Anna Lazirko and grandchildren Chrystyna Lazirko, Ivanka Farrell and Andrew Lazirko. Stefan was burried at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Cemetery in Visitation occurred on Sunday, November 12th at Lytwyn & Lytwyn Campbell Hall, NY. Funeral Home in Union, NJ. The funeral service took place at St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, NJ, on Monday, November 13th. In lieu of  owers, donations would be gladly accepted Burial services took place at Saint Andrew Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ, following the service. for In lieu of  owers, contributions may be made to the National MS Society, St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163, and United Ukrainian American Relief 30 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003 Committee, Inc, 1206 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111. May His memory be eternal. May her memory be eternal. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47 No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 15

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE New documentary “Recovery Room” receives high marks at Hartford screening by Lana Babij ished first full-length documentary by ris- ing Ukrainian Canadian film-maker Adriana HARTFORD, Conn. – On Saturday, Luhovy. October 14, Hartford-area residents had an In their introduction, producers opportunity to view “Recovery Room,” a Zorianna Hrycenko and Yurij Luhovy dramatic, award-winning documentary shared both humorous and sobering anec- about today’s war-ravaged Ukrainian sol- dotes on the reality of bringing such a film diers and the efforts of dedicated medical to the light of day. Viewers lingered after specialists from Ukraine and Canada who the screening to ask questions and discuss are helping them heal. the film. Some in the audience commented The film opens with a taut back history that, in addition to its intended goal of rais- of the Maidan Revolution of Dignity, then ing awareness about the war among the turns its focus to the experiences of several general English-speaking public, the docu- individual soldiers. We meet them – hear mentary shows particular potential for their stories, view flashbacks of the actual inspiring medical students and winning battles, hear their dreams of recovery – all support for further government and private interspersed with footage of actual surgical assistance. A top question: When will a procedures, and learn how the medical per- DVD be available? sonnel gained knowledge and respect from Thanks go to Ukrainian National Women’s their intense interaction with their trans- League of America, Branch 106 of Hartford and the Ukrainian American Veterans of Atlantic partners, and how each was Eugene Babij uniquely moved by his or her experience Connecticut for sponsoring the film, and to At the Hartford screening of “Recovery Room” (from left) are: Nina Sakun, produc- the Ukrainian National Home for providing with those brave young men. ers Zorianna Hrycenko and Yurij Luhovy, screening coordinator Lana Babij and The desperate reality of treating the UNWLA Branch 106 President Natalia Rudko. the facilities and technical support. injured can seem hopeless. What is special “Recovery Room” is currently being about “Recovery Room” is that it presents a at the injustice of Russia’s ongoing criminal this film defies indifference. It is well- shown in various American cities. For fur- unique, close-up perspective of how com- assault on eastern Ukraine and gratitude paced with a beautiful score and riveting ther information, readers may contact: mitted and courageous individuals can for the goodness of so many – in turns war footage. [email protected] or see www.recov- really make a difference. Evoking outrage heartbreaking, bittersweet, and inspiring – All in all, it is a powerful and very pol- eryroomthemovie.com.

Canada will soon have a place to honor the Site unveiled... hundreds of millions of victims of Ambassador Steven Pifer Communism around the world.” (Continued from page 8) The “Arc of Memory” design of the descendants of those who did,” stated UCC Memorial to the Victims of Communism is discusses his new book CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn. “Here in Canada, described as “a sculptural array of over by Leo Iwaskiw attention to Ukraine’s security concerns and they found liberty and peace. Here, they 4,000 bronze rods intended to express the endemic corruption. In response to ques- preserved and nurtured their culture, lan- vastness of Communist oppression and PHILADELPHIA – Steven Pifer was the tions on whether or not Ukraine should guage and traditions. Due to the generous invite visitors to reflect on Canada as a free U.S. ambassador to Ukraine in 1998-2000; have kept its nuclear arsenal, the ambassa- support of members of our community, and welcoming country.” his 27-year diplomatic career focused on dor explained that this would have entailed U.S. relations with the nations of the former huge expenses that Ukraine could not Soviet Union and Eurasia. afford, and also would have resulted in His book “The Eagle and the Trident” international isolation of the newborn state. appeared in July. The 374-page account is Concerning the Budapest Memorandum, JACQUES HNIZDOVSKY subtitled “U.S.-Ukraine Relations in Modern he underscored that the U.S. could not give Times” and depicts Kyiv’s Maidan Ukraine security guarantees (like NATO), PRINTS DRAWINGS PAINTINGS Independence Square on its blue-and-yel- but only assurances. low hard cover. Ambassador Pifer provided a realistic William Greenbaum Fine Prints has been in business now On October 19, Ambassador Pifer spoke analysis of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine for more than 50 years. We currently have 40 signed prints twice in Philadelphia, presenting his new and followed up with practical advice. He by Mr. Hnizdovsky for sale and we are seeking to purchase book. His first appearance took place during noted that the continuation of economic more of his prints as well as his drawings and paintings. the day at Manor College, where he sanctions against Russia and providing addressed an audience of 50 people, the lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine will majority of whom were students. That eve- increase the costs that Russia must pay for ning he spoke to an audience of 30 Americans its war in Ukraine. in downtown Philadelphia at the invitation He also recommended increased ties of of the renowned World Affairs Council. Ukraine with the European Union and NATO Both presentations generated much inter- because much can be achieved even without est and lively discussions on the topic of U.S.- full membership in these organizations. Ukraine relations during the quarter century Mr. Pifer also reminded listeners that the after the collapse of the Soviet. Union. U.S must not forget about Crimea. In his The ambassador clearly narrated the view, Ukraine’s economic success will successes and failures of U.S. policy toward attract the Crimeans to Ukraine’s side. Ukraine. In his opinion, America overem- The ambassador also stressed that com- phasized the need for Kyiv to eliminate its bating corruption is just as important as nuclear weapons, while not paying enough the struggle against Russia.

of the Donbas, often referred to as the Lecture by... “Russian-speaking” area of Ukraine. Again citing the archives, Prof. Serhiychuk (Continued from page 10) described the population of Ukraine’s worldwide Lemko diaspora for the interna- Donbas as distinctly Ukrainian until the tional recognition of Akcja Wisla as a geno- massive development of industrial mining in ALL PRINTS NOW ILLUSTRATED ONLINE AT: cide. Referring to both his family history the 1930s. With the increase in size of www.greenbaumprints.com and Lemko oral histories, Mr. Howansky industrialized Donbas cities, the population Please email us at [email protected] explained that the early living conditions of totals reflect a sharp distinction between the resettled Lemkos rivaled the indignities foreign workers populating the cities, and or phone us at 508-284-7036. found in Nazi prison camps. Over the the Ukrainian population that remained tied course of 70 years, the Lemko people have to the agrarian rural areas. William Greenbaum Fine Prints maintained their distinct identity despite The evening concluded with the singing 98 South Street their brutal and senseless expulsion. of “Hory Nashy,” the traditional hymn of Rockport, MA 01966 Following the three presentations, sever- Ukrainian Lemkos, followed by “Bozhe Open By Appointment al attendees stepped up to the microphone Velykyi Yedynyi,” Mykola Lysenko’s spiritu- to ask questions of the panelists. There was al anthem of Ukraine, both sung by Mr. Member: International Fine Print Dealers Association a discussion about the historical population Dobriansky. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

ASU seeks applicants for study of Ukrainian as “critical language”

Keith Brown

by Patience T. Huntwork PHEONIX – Under the leadership of the Melikian Center’s new director, Prof. Keith Brown (formerly of Brown University), the Critical Languages Institute (CLI) at Arizona State University’s Melikian Center will offer first-year Ukrainian summer intensive lan- guage courses beginning in 2018. Groundwork for the Ukrainian program was laid over the past two years by the Melikian Center’s interim director, Prof. Mark von Hagen. Classes begin on May 29, 2018, and end on July 13, 2018. Summer 2018 applications opened on October 1 and close on May 8, 2018. The courses provide eight university-level semester credit hours. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. The program is open to: ASU and non-ASU students; high-school juniors and seniors; undergraduate and graduate students; work- ing professionals, teachers, and retirees; and non-U.S. students who hold student visas. If not already an ASU student, the appli- cant must be accepted by ASU as a non- degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student. There is no requirement to regis- ter for any additional courses. The expense of the Ukrainian language courses is a $1,500 program fee. Due to gen- erous support by ASU, tuition is waived. The program fee covers academics only and does not cover housing, meals, travel, books or insurance. Details of the costs are posted as they become available at http://cli.asu.edu. Fellowships, scholarships and program- fee reductions are available, depending on the applicant’s status. The U.S. Department of State Title VIII program provides fellow- ships on a competitive-basis in the CLI for graduate students with U.S. citizenship. The Melikian Center’s endowment and other private donations offer scholarship support awarded on a competitive-basis. The center issues program-fee reductions for a limited number of Pell-Grant-eligible participants in the CLI. The deadline for seeking funding is January 26, 2018. Complete information about the CLI and the Ukrainian summer intensive courses can be found at http://cli.asu.edu. The Melikian Center and the CLI can be reached by telephone at 1-480-965-4188.

Mark von Hagen No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

Through Exhibit, “Timeless Treasures: Recently Acquired Folk December 2 Ukrainian Christmas Traditions, with instruction by September 2018 Costumes and Textiles,” The Ukrainian Museum, New York Lubow Wolynetz, The Ukrainian Museum, New York 212-228-0110 or www.ukrainianmuseum.org 212-228-0110 or [email protected]

November 21 Meet and Greet with 10 Ukrainian State Secretaries, December 2 45th anniversary concert, Promin Vocal Ensemble, Ottawa Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Ottawa, Ukrainian National New York East Village Ukrainian Restaurant, 917-747-7096 or Federation – Ottawa Gatineau, [email protected] [email protected]

November 23 Thanksgiving Day dinner, Soyuzivka Heritage Center, December 2 Concert, “A Bandura Christmas,” Ukrainian Bandurist Kerhonkson, NY www.soyuzivka.com Warren, MI Chorus, St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.bandura.org or 586-757-1980 November 25 Holodomor Commemoration, Ukrainian Canadian December 2 Performance, “Boombox” from Ukraine, Neumos Crystal Ottawa Professional and Business Association of Ottawa, Taras Seattle Ball Reading Room, www.neumos.com/event/1565250- Shevchenko Monument, 613-737-4412 boombox-erised-seattle/

November 26 Holodomor memorial services, with divine liturgy and December 2 Ukrainian Boxing Night, Ukraine’s Kozaks vs NYC Boxing Ottawa requiem service, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic New York Champs, St. George Academy, http://eventbrite.com/e/ Shrine, 613-737-4412 ukrainian-boxing-day- tickets-38313554874

November 26 Film screening, “Recovery Room” by Adriana Luhovy, December 2 Christmas Carol Concert, Assumption of the Blessed Montreal Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Miami Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 954-818-6101 Catholic Church, www.recoveryroomthemovie.com December 3 St. Nicholas visitation and program, Immaculate November 27 Presentation by Lilia Shevtsova, “Russia After Crimea: Hillside, NJ Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cambridge, MA A New Global Challenge,” Harvard University, www.byzcath.org/immaculateconception www.huri.harvard.edu or 617-495-4053 December 3 Performance, “Boombox” from Ukraine, Hermans November 27 Presentation by Anders Aslund, “Ukrainian Reforms Denver, CO Hideaway, www.hermanshideaway.com New York Since 2014: What Has Succeeded and What Has Failed?” Columbia University, 212-854-4697 December 4 Annual Dallin Lecture, “Reformed to Death: The Strange Stanford, CA End of the USSR,” by Vladislav M. Zubok, Stanford University, http://creees.stanford.edu November 28 Beaded necklace workshop, Assumption of the Blessed Ottawa Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 613-884-0580 or [email protected] Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions December 1 Performance, “Boombox” from Ukraine, DNA Lounge, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors San Francisco www.dnalounge.com and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. No. 47 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 19 UKELODEON FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Plast scouts enjoy merit badge weekend by Taras Budurowych EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. – The Plast New York branch’s adult scouts (age 18-35) organized Merit Badge Weekend on Friday- Sunday, September 29-October 1 at the Vovcha Tropa campsite in upstate new York. This field trip originated several years ago as an opportunity for members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization age 12-18 to complete the requirements for several merit badges that are typically not offered during summer camps. This year, almost 100 Plast scouts and counselors from Plast branches and groups in Newark and Passaic, N.J.; New York, Stefan Wojcickyj Yonkers, Hempstead, Kerhonkson and Participants of the Plast Merit Badge Weekend, including scout, counselors and parent volunteers. Albany, N.Y.; Hartford, Conn.; and Philadelphia, participated, as did one inde- had a chance to earn one or two of the six Despite the chilly misty weather and wet Saturday evening. During the closing cere- pendent scout. Several parent volunteers merit badges offered: archery, target shoot- socks, spirits were high and laughter was mony, certificates were distributed to all assisted in running the program. ing, bicycling, nature, photography and eti- plentiful. All activities took place as scouts who completed their merit badge After the opening ceremony, participants quette. planned, followed by a group bonfire on requirements.

Enthusiastic scouts, with their counselors, show off their archery skills. Plast scouts and their counselors are ready for their bicycle trip. St. George Academy goes on retreat SGA News Association ELLENVILLE, N.Y. – In mid-September, the students and faculty of St. George Academy (SGA) embarked on the first annual SGA retreat. The retreat took place on September 13-15 on the grounds of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (known as “ose- lia”) in Ellenville, N.Y., located at the base of the beautiful Catskill Mountains. The purpose of the retreat was to give students the opportunity to get to know each other and their faculty better, to forge lasting bonds and to experience a different Father Ivan Kaszczak speaks with St. environment, where they could learn new George Academy students.

SGA News Association St. George Academy at the Ukrainian American Youth Association grounds in Ellenville, N.Y. things and create lasting memories. building activities. In one activity led by The students enjoyed a variety of activi- Lileya Wasylko, SGA’s new English teacher, ties during their stay, including sports, students were placed into groups of four swimming, hiking, singing, dancing and and asked to create standing structures making new friends. Students also had the with only marshmallows, straws and cups. unique opportunity to meet with the Rev. Dr. The results were amazing! Kaszczak, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian All of the students and faculty had a won- Catholic Church in nearby Kerhonkson, N.Y., derful experience at the oselia. Principal who led an inspirational and thought-pro- Andrij Stasiw, the staff at oselia and the voking discussion with the students. Ukrainian American Youth Association Students and faculty head upstate by bus. The students also engaged in team- made this incredible experience possible. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2017 No. 47

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Monday, November 27 in the Marshall D. Shulman Seminar Room (Room 1219, International Affairs Building, NEW YORK: Please join the Ukrainian 420 W. 118th St.). The event is free and Studies Program at the Harriman Institute, open to the public. For additional informa- Columbia University, for a talk by Anders tion call 212-854-4697. Åslund (Atlantic Council; Georgetown University) titled “Ukrainian Reforms Since Saturday, December 9 2014: What Has Succeeded and What Has Failed?” He is a leading specialist on eco- SOMERSET, N.J.: Get in the holiday spirit nomic policy in Russia, Ukraine and Eastern with a Yalynka Trimming and Caroling Europe. Dr. Åslund has served as an eco- Fund-Raiser featuring the Promin nomic adviser to several governments, nota- Ensemble, to benefit the Ukrainian History bly the governments of Russia (1991-1994) and Education Center in Somerset, N.J. and Ukraine (1994-1997). He is chairman of Decorate five yalynky with traditional the Advisory Council of the Center for Social Ukrainian ornaments, enjoy cocktails and and Economic Research, Warsaw, and of the hors d’oeuvres and sing along with your Scientific Council of the Bank of Finland favorite koliadky. The event takes place at Institute for Economies in Transition. He has the historic Fisher House on the grounds of published widely and is the author of 14 St. Andrew Memorial Church, 1960 Easton books, most recently with Simeon Djankov, Ave., Somerset, NJ, 08873, at 5-7 p.m. “Europe’s Growth Challenge” (2017) and Tickets may be purchased at the door for “Ukraine: What Went Wrong and How to Fix $25. For additional information call 732- It” (2015). This event will take place at noon 356-0132 or e-mail [email protected].

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It is a ser- vice provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English, written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief paragraph that includes the date, place, type of event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations involved, and a phone number and/or e-mail address to be published for readers who may require additional information. Items must be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication (i.e., they must be received by 9 am Monday morning). Please include pay- ment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Also, senders are asked to include the phone number of a person who may be contacted by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. Information should be sent to [email protected]. When e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments – simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. Preview items and payments may be mailed to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.