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ïêàëíéë ÇéëäêÖë! CHRIST IS RISEN! HE KRAINIAN EEKLY T PublishedU by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW association Vol. LXXV No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 $1/$2 in Ukraine Ukraine in crisis after president’s dismissal of Verkhovna Rada by Zenon Zawada Kyiv Press Bureau KYIV – The Ukrainian government descended into chaos after President Viktor Yushchenko signed an April 2 presidential decree to dismiss Parliament, throwing the nation into its biggest crisis since the Orange Revolution and re-igniting the east-west divide. In defending his act, Mr. Yushchenko said the parlia- mentary coalition was violating the Constitution of Ukaine in its drive to form a 300-vote constitutional majority – enough to override all presidential vetoes – by adding additional deputies to its already established coalition. “The parliamentary government majority is no longer hiding its main goal: usurping power and concentrating its administration,” the president said in a national address. “Society is sick of watching the same thing: a fight for authority and complete neglect of the daily needs of Ukraine’s citizens.” In response, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych said the president broke the law when dismissing the Verkhovna Rada, since the Constitution allows for such UNIAN/Andrii Mosiyenko a move in only three specific instances, none of which UNIAN/ Oleksander Lepetukha President Viktor Yushchenko at the March 31 con- Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych at a special ses- were imminent at the time. gress of the Our Ukraine People’s Union. sion of the Cabinet of Ministers on April 3. He accused the president of manipulating the Constitution, usurping power and destabilizing Ukraine. elections, the decree stated, thereby discrediting an grounds in issuing his dismissal decree. “For the first time in the years of Ukraine’s independ- attempt by deputies dismissed from their respective fac- The Constitution refers to three specific instances in ence, the Constitution’s guarantor took a step that may tions to form a new faction called Independent Ukraine. which the president may dismiss Parliament: if a coali- have catastrophic consequences for the state and socie- (A faction is the parliamentary version of a political tion isn’t formed within the first 30 days of a new gov- ty,” Mr. Yanukovych said. bloc or party that won enough votes to be elected to ernment in accordance with Article 83; if a Cabinet of Panic in Parliament Parliament. Five factions emerged as a result of the Ministers isn’t formed within 60 days of the predecessor 2006 elections, in which five blocs or parties earned government’s dismissal; and if a plenary session of The president’s decision to dismiss Parliament visi- more than 3 percent of the vote.) Parliament isn’t called within 30 days. bly shocked the coalition government leaders, who In the view of Ivan Lozowy, a Kyiv political insider, The president is relying on the first condition, arguing reacted in panic the night of April 2. Mr. Yushchenko is standing on fragile constitutional (Continued on page 8) Directly thwarting the president’s authority, Verkhovna Rada Chair Oleksander Moroz presided over an extraordinary parliamentary session the night of the decree, immediately declaring the presidential decree an unconstitutional, criminal act in violation of democratic Our Ukraine congress elects new leader norms. by Stephen Bandera began chanting the president’s tect democracy and realize Hurriedly, the parliamentary coalition voted to dis- name. (Two days later, Mr. Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. miss the Central Election Commission (CEC) leader- Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Under his leadership, he said the ship, including Chairman Yaroslav Davydovych, and re- Yushchenko issued the decree.) KYIV – In attempt to refurbish its party will focus on local initiatives, install Serhii Kivalov, his predecessor who was found The president has led the party tarnished image, the pro-presidential and among his priorities would be to responsible for aiding in the falsification of the 2004 since it was formed in 2001, and was Our Ukraine’s People Union visit all the country’s regions. presidential elections. once again nominated as its chair, (OUPU) party elected as its leader Mr. Kyrylenko, 38, was born in In another quickly passed resolution, the Parliament along with Mr. Kyrylenko, who also stalwart patriot Viacheslav the small town of Poliske in the forbade the CEC from financing pre-term elections. It serves as parliamentary faction chair. Kyrylenko at its March 30 congress Kyiv Oblast. A pro-democracy also sent a request to the Constitutional Court to review Mr. Yushchenko withdrew his candi- held at Kyiv Polytechnic University. activist and member of the People’s the validity of the decree. dacy, and Mr. Kyrylenko attempted Nearly 1,500 delegates at the Rukh of Ukraine, he was a philoso- The Ukrainian president issued his decree after to do the same when the president fourth national congress also phy teacher at Shevchenko National spending several hours in negotiations with coalition declared its support for Parliament’s asked him not to do so. The president said he will remain University of Kyiv. leaders at the Presidential Secretariat to no avail. dismissal and pre-term elections, After Rukh split into two parties, When Communist Party of Ukraine Chair Petro despite the likelihood tha the Our honorary chair and maintain an office at the party’s headquarters, Mr. Kyrylenko joined the Ukrainian Symonenko and Socialist Parliamentary Faction Chair Ukraine bloc would lose a signifi- People’s Party, becoming the party’s Ivan Bokyi abandoned the talks at 5:30 p.m. without cant number of seats. but asked the convention to support Mr. Kyrylenko because he is a assistant chair in 2002. A member of any results after two and a half hours of talks, it became “Many people are wondering Parliament since 1998, he joined apparent a compromise was unlikely. whether or not the president will member of a “new generation” who will bring “new opportunities” for OUPU to run under its banner for When the Kremlin announced at 7:45 p.m. that the sign the decree,” Ukrainian the 2006 elections. Ukrainian president had canceled a visit to Moscow President Viktor Yushchenko said the party. Only 51 delegates voted against After the Orange Revolution he scheduled for the next day, it was clear that Mr. during his opening address. served as minister of work and Mr. Kyrylenko with the conviction Yushchenko was preparing to dismiss Parliament. Chants of “He will sign it! He social policy and vice prime minis- that Mr. Yushchenko is the party’s The president’s decree declared that the coalition will sign!” reverberated through the ter of humanitarian affairs, leading only leader. government’s attempt to form a constitutional majority hall, causing Mr. Yushchenko to an ambitious initiative to dub 70 Mr. Yushchenko joked that the by gradually recruiting individual deputies violates pause. percent of foreign films into the single candidate nomination was Article 83 of the Ukrainian Constitution. “If the parliamentary majority is Ukrainian language by July 2007. Only factions, not individuals, can form parliamen- not restored on a constitutional reminiscent of a Communist Party In December 2006 he was tapped tary coalitions, which must be based on agreed-upon basis, then he will sign,” the presi- convention. to serve as Our Ukraine’s parlia- political positions, the decree noted. dent responded. Delegates then In his inaugural speech, Mr. These factions can emerge only as a direct result of delivered a standing ovation and Kyrylenko spoke of the need to pro- (Continued on page 4) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 No. 14 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS
Kyiv assassination leaves trail of intrigue Coalition refuses to obey decree that he sees no legal grounds for the gov- by Roman Kupchinsky Mr. Kurochkin apparently had reason ernment to finance the early-election cam- KYIV – During an emergency session in to fear for his life. paign, as President Yushchenko ordered in RFE/RL the evening of April 2, some 260 national In 2004, he survived a bomb attack his decree dissolving the Parliament. On deputies of the ruling coalition of the Party What promises to be one of Ukraine’s outside his Russian Club. In March a bul- April 2, following Mr. Yushchenko’s deci- of the Regions, the Socialist Party and the biggest scandals of the year emerged last let-riddled Toyota Landcruiser was found sion to call new elections, the Verkhovna Communist Party adopted a resolution con- week when a Russian-Ukrainian busi- on a highway outside Kyiv containing Rada passed a resolution to outlaw the demning President Viktor Yushchenko’s nessman known as “Mad Max” was the bodies of his bodyguard and two Central Election Commission headed by decree as illegal and constituting a “step assassinated in Kyiv. close associates. His business partner, Mr. Davydovych, and another one to ban toward a coup d’état,” Ukrainian media Maksim Kurochkin’s high-profile con- Volodymyr Vorobiov, was killed in the government from funding the election reported. The ruling coalition’s lawmakers nections have fueled a storm of speculation Dnipropetrovsk in late 2006. campaign. (RFE/RL Newsline) also passed a resolution disbanding the about the possible reasons behind his There are also more recent develop- death. The fact that Mr. Kurochkin was Central Election Commission formed in PM: no campaign before court ruling ments that add intrigue to the circum- one of the major Russian supporters of December 2004, and another one banning stances of Mr. Kurochkin’s killing. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’s failed the government from funding the campaign KYIV – Prime Minister Viktor The Ukrayinska Pravda website noted presidential bid in 2004 has attracted much for early elections. On April 3 ruling-coali- Yanukovych said at a Cabinet meeting on that by returning to Ukraine voluntarily, attention in the wake of the killing. tion lawmakers requested that the April 4 that the ruling coalition would not Mr. Kurochkin knew that he faced imme- One unsolved mystery that derives Constitutional Court rule on whether make any attempt to enter a campaign for diate arrest, yet he chose to do so never- from the campaign is determining who is President Yushchenko’s decree on the dis- early parliamentary elections until the theless. responsible for poisoning candidate solution of the Verkhovna Rada conforms Constitutional Court rules that the presi- This has led to inference that Mr. Viktor Yushchenko. to the Constitution. (RFE/RL Newsline) dential decree dissolving the Verkhovna Kurochkin may have been considering And, Mr. Kurochkin’s business and Rada and calling new elections is in line revealing what he knew about the work- political ties are not being discounted as President: decision is irrevocable with the Constitution, Channel 5 reported. ings of the Russian Club and any dirty a possible motive, Ukrainian Vice- Mr. Yanukovych reiterated his position that tricks used during the 2004 Ukrainian KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko the presidential decree is a “mistake” and Minister of Internal Affairs Mykola and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych Kupianskyi said on March 28. presidential election in return for his free- called on President Viktor Yushchenko to dom. One unsolved mystery that derives discussed the current political standoff in make compromises in order to overcome “We are following several leads, includ- the presidential office on April 3 for four ing Mr. Kurochkin’s activity in the Russian from the campaign is determining who is the current political crisis. According to Mr. responsible for poisoning Mr. Yushchenko and a half hours, Ukrainian and interna- Yanukovych, the president should rescind Federation,” Mr. Kupianskyi said. “We do tional news agencies reported, citing the not rule out a possible link to his activity in when he was a presidential candidate. his decree in exchange for concessions presidential press service. Mr. Yushchenko from the ruling coalition on a number of Russia. The reason for most contract Yanukovych reacts reportedly told Mr. Yanukovych that his killings is associated with conflict situa- controversial issues. Mr. Yanukovych sug- The man who opposed President decision to dissolve the Parliament was gested that the ruling coalition could meet tions linked with the commercial activities final and warned the prime minister against or business interests of the victim.” Yushchenko in the contentious election, Mr. Yushchenko halfway in amending the Prime Minister Yanukovych, expressed resorting to force. “The main issue dis- controversial law on the Cabinet of Mr. Kurochkin was shot in broad day- cussed at the meeting was to ensure strict light on March 27 while being escorted his concern about Mr. Kurochkin’s killing Ministers adopted in January and in aban- and other recent crimes during a Cabinet implementation of the decree on an early doning the expansion of the parliamentary from a Kyiv courthouse by three police election. Viktor Yushchenko, as command- officers. of Ministers meeting on March 28. majority with individual deputies from the “The recent crime situation in the er-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, also opposition. Simultaneously, Mr. The bullet went through his heart and stressed he would allow no use of force in he died soon afterward. One of the police regions is worrisome, particularly the Yanukovych accused the presidential high-profile killings, including yester- the country,” the president’s press service administration of pressuring judges of the escorts was wounded by the same bullet. reported. (RFE/RL Newsline) The shot is believed to have come from day’s,” Mr. Yanukovych said. “We had Constitutional Court, adding that the eighth floor of a nearby building, also faced similar situations in several CEC instructed to fund campaign Constitutional Court Chairman Ivan where police later found a rifle they sus- regions before that. We agreed that indi- Dombrovskyi will soon resign because of pect is the murder weapon. The shooter vidual operative groups would be set up KYIV – Central Election Commission such pressure. (RFE/RL Newsline) escaped. to deal with those regions. I would like to Chairman Yaroslav Davydovych said on hear your report now.” Channel 5 on April 4 that President Viktor PM’s supporters arrive in Kyiv The Russian Club The Kurochkin case promises to Yushchenko has instructed the National KYIV – According to police, some Mr. Kurochkin was the founder of the reopen numerous questions about the Security and Defense Council to provide 4,500 people arrived in Kyiv in the morn- Russian Club in Kyiv, an organization with nature of the 2004 election in Ukraine. funding for a campaign for the early par- ing of April 4 in buses from Ukrainian which many prominent Russian “political Firstly, why did Mr. Yanukovych’s team liamentary elections scheduled for May regions to support Prime Minister Viktor technologists,” including Gleb Pavlovsky work with Mr. Kurochkin? And why did 27. Mr. Davydovych estimated that some Yanukovych and protest against the presi- and Kremlin aide Igor Shuvalov, worked Messrs. Chernomyrdin, Pavlovsky and $340 million hrv ($67 million U.S.) is dential decree dissolving the Verkhovna on behalf of Mr. Yanukovych during his Shuvalov – men with direct ties to needed to finance the campaign. First Vice Rada, UNIAN reported. Regional backers presidential campaign. The club had the Russian President Vladimir Putin – agree Prime Minister and Finance Minister active support of Russian Ambassador to to be associated with an organization cre- Mykola Azarov told journalists on April 3 (Continued on page 14) Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin and includ- ated by a man with a criminal record in ed many prominent supporters of former Russia and Ukraine? The Ukrainian opposition will also Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma FOUNDED 1933 among its ranks. likely question the effectiveness of a THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY After the Orange Revolution brought Yanukovych appointee, Vasyl Tsushko, Mr. Yushchenko to the presidency, a war- as Mr. Lutsenko’s replacement as internal An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., rant for Mr. Kurochkin’s arrest was affairs minister. a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. issued by then-Internal Affairs Minister Ukrayinska Pravda pointed out that Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. Yurii Lutsenko. Mr. Tsushko had failed to protect the life Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. Mr. Kurochkin was charged with extor- of a high-profile suspect wanted on seri- (ISSN — 0273-9348) tion in a number of business deals in Kyiv ous criminal charges – and that this alone involving the Hotel Dnipro, an outdoor should compel him to resign. The Weekly: UNA: market, and three sanatoriums in the Crimea The assassination was highly unusual. Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 The use of a high-powered rifle strays that he was accused of obtaining illegally. Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Mr. Kurochkin returned to Moscow from the more common close-range use The Ukrainian Weekly Editors: after the election and then, in an unex- of handguns, automatic weapons or even 2200 Route 10 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) pected move, decided to return to bombs during assassination bids. P.O. Box 280 Matthew Dubas Ukraine in November 2006, where he Vice-Minister of Internal Affairs Parsippany, NJ 07054 was arrested at Kyiv’s Borispil Airport. Kupianskyi said on March 28 that the Soon afterward, Lutsenko was forced investigation is focusing on two suspect- The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] out of his Internal Affairs Ministry post ed perpetrators of the attack. by the Cabinet headed by Mr. “There were two criminals – [one] The Ukrainian Weekly, April 8, 2007 No. 14, Vol. LXXV Yanukovych, who had become prime 1.85 meters tall, [the other] 1.75 meters – Copyright © 2007 The Ukrainian Weekly minister earlier in the year. fit, wearing black masks and jackets,” Mr. Kupianskyi said. “They disappeared Reason to be afraid from the scene of the crime in a silver ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA During Mr. Kurochkin’s pretrial hear- Mazda. Later, this car was found in a yard on Lesia Ukrayinka Street in Kyiv. ing on March 27 – just minutes before he Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 The investigation and the search for the was killed – he pleaded with the judge to e-mail: [email protected] owner of the car is under way.” release him and claimed that a contract Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 What is certain is that the assassin was had been put out on him. “I don’t want to e-mail: [email protected] a highly trained marksman, considering die,” he reportedly told the presiding Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 judge, who nonetheless ordered him to that Mr. Kurochkin was shot through the e-mail: [email protected] remain in confinement. heart from a distance of 300 meters. No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 3
NEWS ANALYSIS Ukraine faces crisis as president dissolves Verkhovna Rada by Jan Maksymiuk Ukrainian presidency to a merely symbol- parliamentary elections: if the Verkhovna options available for Ukraine’s main RFE/RL Newsline ic role or even abolish it altogether. Rada fails to form a majority within 30 political players to move ahead in the April 3 By dissolving the Verkhovna Rada, days after its first sitting, or a new Cabinet current political crisis. President Yushchenko, who has often within 60 days after the dismissal or resig- A less favorable scenario for Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on April 2 been criticized for indecisiveness, made nation of the previous one, or if it fails to politicians is to wait for the Constitutional signed a decree to disband the Verkhovna his boldest move since being elected gather for a sitting within 30 days during Court’s ruling and, in the meantime, allow Rada and hold new elections on May 27. president in December 2004. an ongoing parliamentary session. people to decide in street rallies who of A majority of national deputies, including In a television address to the nation on So did Mr. Yushchenko overstep his the two key figures – President members of the Party of the Regions led April 2, Mr. Yushchenko asserted that it bounds in issuing the decree to disband Yushchenko or Prime Minister by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, was his “duty” to disband the legislature. the Verkhovna Rada? Rada Chairman Yanukovych – is more loved by the elec- responded by condemning the decree as a “My actions were dictated by the urgent Oleksander Moroz on April 2 said he has torate. Such an option would almost cer- “step toward a coup d’etat” and indicated necessity to save the state, its sovereignty no doubts about it. “The Verkhovna tainly deepen the divide between the west they will disobey the president’s order. and territorial integrity, and to ensure the Rada, with all its responsibilities, states and the east of Ukraine and, in an extreme Mr. Yushchenko’s decision to dissolve Constitution of Ukraine, the rights and lib- that today there are no legal reasons to case, could lead to bloodshed or even split the Parliament and call new elections fol- erties of people and citizens are upheld,” dissolve this Parliament, which people the country into two political entities. lowed last week’s defection of a dozen he said. “I would like to underline that this freely elected according to all the demo- A better option for both sides is to opposition deputies to the ruling coali- is not only my right, it is my duty.” cratic standards as recognized by all the hold fresh elections in May – even if the tion of the Party of the Regions, the Mr. Yushchenko stressed that the main Ukrainian and international organiza- decision would represent a major public Socialist Party and the Communist Party. legal reason for the dissolution of the tions, and the president himself.” boost for Mr. Yushchenko at Mr. That changeover strengthened the gov- legislature was the ruling coalition’s push During a late-night emergency session Yanukovych’s expense. ernment’s support base in the 450-seat to convince individual deputies from the on April 2, national deputies from the rul- But if Mr. Yanukovych wants to main- Verkhovna Rada to some 260 votes. opposition to switch allegiance to the ing coalition adopted an address to the tain the standing of a responsible prime President Yushchenko was evidently parliamentary majority. The Constitution, nation, blasting Mr. Yushchenko’s decree minister and guarantee a public role for afraid that even more defections from his he said, unambiguously stipulates that as a “step toward a coup d’etat.” They also himself in post-crisis Ukraine, he should Our Ukraine bloc and the Yulia such a majority should consist of parlia- passed two other resolutions that have do everything possible to preserve the Tymoshenko Bloc would follow, allowing mentary factions, rather than individuals. added fuel to the rising political tensions in country’s political stability, rather than sat- Mr. Yanukovych to increase the parlia- But some Ukrainian commentators the country – they revoked their resolution isfying his personal ambitions by outplay- mentary coalition to a constitutional maintain that President Yushchenko’s jus- of December 2004 on the formation of the ing and marginalizing Mr. Yushchenko. At majority of 300 votes. In such a scenario, tification for his decree is shaky, to say the Central Election Commission, and banned the emergency Cabinet meeting, Mr. Mr. Yanukovych’s coalition would be least. They point out that the Constitution the government from funding a campaign Yanukovych suggested in enigmatic fash- able to override presidential vetoes, of Ukraine explicitly states only three for early parliamentary elections. ion that he is mulling over a “third” option change the Constitution and reduce the cases when the president may call early Moreover, the ruling coalition on April 3 for resolving the current stand-off between made a formal request to the Constitutional the president and himself. “If the president Court, asking it to pass a judgment on the does publish his decree tomorrow [April president’s decree. The Constitutional 3], he still has the chance to rescind it,” he U.S. is monitoring situation, Court, however, has failed to gather for a said. “I will not say out loud what the single session in the past six months. Some third option is. All other [options] would argue that it may take months for the panel boost tensions significantly in Ukraine, calls for maintaining calm of 18 judges to rule on the decree. and the president would be fully responsi- Following is the April 2 press state- Rada, the United States calls on all Meanwhile, Mr. Yushchenko formally put ble for that heavy burden.” ment by Sean McCormack, spokesman Ukrainian political leaders to take full his decree into effect on April 3 by publish- Some were quick to conclude that the for the U.S. Department of State, regard- responsibility for their supporters’ ing it in his official bulletin. ing the decree of President Viktor actions and to maintain calm. We are There seem to be two immediate (Continued on page 18) Yushchenko disbanding the Ukrainian monitoring closely developments in Parliament. Ukraine and urge all parties to respect the rule of law and resolve disputes non- In light of President Yushchenko's violently, in a manner consistent with President Yushchenko’s decision today ordering the dissolution Ukraine’s democratic values and nation- of Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna al interests. address to the nation Following is the text of President al laws. The most recent example is the Viktor Yushchenko’s address to the law on the Cabinet of Ministers, which Russia calls on Ukrainians nation on Monday evening, April 2. systemically violates the Constitution The abridged text was released by the of Ukraine and is an attack on Press Office of the President of Ukraine’s constitutional order. to demonstrate ‘wisdom’ Ukraine. The third tendency is their inability RFE/RL Newsline simply his “personal opinion.” to fulfill obligations and fraudulent The daily Kommersant wrote on April Dear Fellow Citizens: policy of intrigues and betrayals dis- MOSCOW – The Russian Foreign 3 that the Kremlin prefers Ukrainian I have signed a decree to dissolve guised by national unity slogans. Ministry said in a statement on April 3 Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych to the the Verkhovna Rada of the fifth convo- In the past year, the Verkhovna Rada that Moscow is concerned about the president but is less open about express- cation today. has not demonstrated what the nation political crisis in Ukraine and hopes that ing its support than in the past. I made this decision in accordance expected from it. The parliamentary the political forces there will show The newspaper added that the Kremlin with Ukraine’s Constitution and my coalition does not even conceal its “restraint and responsibility” and act has repeatedly forced a postponement of obligations as president of Ukraine. My major goal to usurp power and pre- within the framework of the law, Interfax actions are dictated by the crucial neces- serve its rule. reported. a planned visit by President Yushchenko to Moscow and thereby undermined his sity to save the country, its sovereignty Society is tired of seeing this power The statement added that Russia hopes and territorial integrity, and ensure struggle and how its daily needs are that those political forces “will display position at home. When and if he does come to the Russian capital, the daily adherence to the Constitution and the ignored. restraint and demonstrate wisdom and observance of civil rights and freedoms. I have been calling on parliamentary predicts his reception will be “extremely responsibility to their people as they search I would like to say again that this is not forces to start constructive dialogue for cold indeed.” for a way out of the current political crisis.” only my right but also my obligation. months. My proposals were ignored In another article, the same daily com- Elsewhere, Konstantin Kosachyov, who The Verkhovna Rada is deliberately even today. pared the situation in Kyiv now with that heads the Duma’s Foreign Affairs escalating the political crisis, which Violations of the Constitution of in Moscow “in October 1993, when leg- Committee and is often more outspoken poses a threat to our country and Ukraine, among them unconstitutional islators barricaded themselves in the than the Foreign Ministry, said in Moscow nation. There are three dangerous ten- coalition formation, created obvious on April 3 that Ukrainian President Viktor Russian White House to protest President dencies in it. legal and political reasons to dissolve Yushchenko was wrong to order the disso- Boris Yeltsin’s dissolution of the Russian The first one is the unconstitutional Parliament. lution of Parliament the previous day. Mr. legislature and refused to budge until the process to form and expand the parlia- A new election is the best way out. Kosachyov argued that “the president of army sent in tanks to shell the parliament mentary coalition. Under the It became inevitable. Regular and early Ukraine made a mistake. This mistake building and force the deputies to surren- Constitution, the coalition can be elections are a legitimate democratic clearly will not help resolve the problems der. The question now is whether the formed by deputies, factions and not instrument belonging to the people of in domestic political life there.” warring factions [in Ukraine] will resort by individual or group members. Any Ukraine to control their government. Mr. Kosachyov said he believes that to force: the prime minister controls the other way is a revision of the will of There will be no shocks and confronta- the Ukrainian parliamentary majority did police, while the president claims the the nation and the most cynical chal- tions. The situation in the country is not act outside the law and that, there- support of the army.” lenge for each of us. under control and will be stable. The fore, there was no justification for the Kommersant also argued that The second tendency is the practice presidential decree to disband president’s “radical interference in the President Yushchenko’s patience has to pass illegitimate and unconstitution- Parliament is obligatory. ... situation.” He stressed that his views are been exhausted. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 No. 14 ONE YEAR AFTER THE ELECTIONS: National democratic forces lack influence by Zenon Zawada decline in Ukraine’s national democratic Kyiv Press Bureau movement. Mr. Kostenko’s party earned only 2 This is the second article in the three- percent support in the 1999 presidential part series “One Year After the elections, while Mr. Udovenko’s earned 1 Elections.” percent. “Chornovil ran Rukh into the ground KYIV – The People’s Rukh of by closing in, safeguarding his own posi- Ukraine (Narodnyi Rukh Ukrainy, NRU) tion, and relying on close, servile confi- was the second most popular party dur- dants,” said Ivan Lozowy, president of ing the parliamentary elections of 1994 the Kyiv-based Institute of Statehood and and 1998, representing European national Democracy, financed by Ukrainian busi- democratic ideals of liberal democracy, ness donations. Since then, national dem- free markets and cultural conservatism. ocratic parties have deteriorated into iso- Although these ideals are popular lated political cliques, he said. among Ukrainians, national democrats Mr. Chornovil’s tragic flaw – protect- have since lost most of their influence on ing his leadership post at the party’s government. expense – is common among most cur- The Ukrainian People’s Party rent national democratic leaders. (Ukrainska Narodna Partia, UNP) led by “They’re small, tiny old-boy networks Yurii Kostenko failed to pass the 3-per- that aren’t interested, or not showing any cent barrier in the 2006 parliamentary desire, in reaching out and building more elections, while just a handful of NRU powerful organizations, because that and Christian-Democratic Union deputies would challenge them,” Mr. Lozowy made it into the Verkhovna Rada, only by commented. joining the Our Ukraine bloc. A UNP member for five years since its Zenon Zawada “The current composition of the inception, Mr. Lozowy said leaders are People’s Rukh of Ukraine Chair Borys Tarasyuk (left) and Ukrainian People’s Verkhovna Rada is the worst since themselves to blame for their inability to Party Chair Yurii Kostenko sign a declaration on December 20, 2006, renewing 1990,” said Stepan Khmara, a national tap into and organize a national demo- the organizational unity of their parties. deputy in every parliamentary convoca- cratic electorate that is as high as 60 per- tion except the current one, as a result of cent of the voting population. last year proves that the UNP can’t While not likely to achieve the type of UNP’s defeat. He said he’s seen Rukh and UNP lead- entirely blame lack of financing for its discipline evident in the Party of the “It is blatantly anti-Ukrainian. There ers let valuable fund-raising possibilities failure, Mr. Lozowy said. Regions and the Tymoshenko Bloc, Mr. may be pockets of Ukrainian patriots, but slip through their fingers as a result of “Money is not the deciding factor,” he Tarasyuk and Mr. Kostenko led the no pro-Ukrainian structures. All the dom- mismanagement. said. “Yulia Tymoshenko is extremely national democratic forces to another inating factions are oligarchic clans,” he “In the mid-1990s a group of very stingy and didn’t buy any television com- level of progress. stated. serious businessmen approached mercials. But she has incredible charis- Leaders of five national democratic Recognizing their failure to unite Chornovil to finance a shadow govern- ma. On the other hand, Kostenko is dry parties signed a memorandum on March among themselves, and to motivate a sig- ment,” Mr. Lozowy said. “All Chornovil and uninteresting.” 24 uniting their forces into a national nificant portion of the electorate, the had to do was put together a shadow gov- Another reason for the Tymoshenko democratic bloc to compete in national national democrats are in a crisis. Some ernment and let it work. He never fol- Bloc’s success, and that of the Party of and local elections and participate in blame a corrupt, expensive electoral sys- lowed up, and the opportunity faded.” the Regions, is their top-down organiza- political demonstrations. tem, while others blame themselves. Meanwhile, no one is interested in tional structures that bear military traits. Joining NRU and UNP were the Sobor The first attempt to confront the crisis investing effort toward building local Decisions are made at the very top, Ukrainian Republican Party led by occurred on December 20, 2006, when party organizations in towns and villages with top- and middle-ranked operatives Anatolii Matviyenko, the Republican Mr. Kostenko of the UNP and NRU nationwide, he said, which would create responsible for their execution, political Christian Party led by Mykola Porovskyi leader Borys Tarasyuk shook hands and a system for attracting and developing observers said. and the Village Revival Party led by Ivan signed a declaration renewing the organi- members. “These parties are not built as political Tomych. A permanent coordinating coun- zational unity of their two parties and “Parties should raise and rear local parties, but as mafia clans,” said Mr. cil is to consist of the party’s five leaders. calling for a union of all national demo- leaders who rise to the national level,” Khmara, a UNP member who said he Consolidation of national democratic cratic forces. Mr. Lozowy said. “Instead, it’s half abandoned the Tymoshenko Bloc in early forces is critical to their future success, The declaration created an NRU-UNP chaos, and half run at the behest of the 2005 because it began recruiting oli- political observers said. But unity won’t council with 12 members from each leader, who runs the party like it’s his garchs. solve all their problems. party. own backyard.” The parties also agreed to cooperate in “Both the Tymoshenko Bloc and the “National democrats have been divid- UNP leaders insist Ukraine’s elections Party of the Regions act along a method- ed ever since independence, but I don’t political demonstrations, monthly leader- system makes it difficult for a genuine, ship meetings and representative govern- ology of pure mafia structures, in which think that’s the major problem,” Mr. national democratic party to survive. The there isn’t any internal party democracy Lozowy said. “Together or divided, if ment bodies. closed party list system implemented for and the leadership does whatever it everyone is doing the wrong thing, it The declaration called for all national the 2006 elections prevented national wants,” he added. doesn’t matter.” democratic parties to cooperate in democrats from becoming elected in sin- defending their politics, support each gle-mandate constituent districts. other’s activity, unite for elections and “If there were open lists, intellect, pro- In fact, the delegates did exactly the form an active inter-party committee. grams and ideas would compete – and Our Ukraine... opposite, passing a resolution appealing “We waited for this event very long – not money,” Mr. Kostenko said during a (Continued from page 1) to Mr. Yushchenko to do so. perhaps even too long,” Mr. Tarasyuk March 26 press conference. “The system Mr. Kyrylenko’s election may also sig- said, offering a view shared by many was specially created, not for the compe- mentary faction chair. Analysts said Mr. Kyrylenko’s selec- nify Our Ukraine is becoming more of a Ukrainian political observers, who cite tition of programs or ideas, but money, right-of-center political force, observers the division among Ukraine’s national tion marks the demise of the so-called with the aim of fooling people through said. democrats as one of the key problems in “dear friends” (“liubi druzi”) – a tight television and mass actions on which Mr. Kyrylenko was a student of late Ukraine. circle of wealthy businessmen who exert- millions were spent uncontrolled.” Rukh leader Vyacheslav Chornovil and The declaration reunited two parties ed tremendous influence in the party, Besides advocating a proportional, has always been a committed national that had sprung from the People’s Rukh open-list electoral system based on sin- namely Petro Poroshenko, Mykola democrat, said Ilko Kucheriv, director of of Ukraine, known in shorthand form as gle-mandate constituent districts, Mr. Martynenko and Oleksander Tretiakov. the Democratic Initiatives Foundation or Rukh (Movement), which was the Kostenko also supports campaign finance When exposing the corruption in Mr. think-tank in Kyiv. driving force for Ukrainian independence restrictions. He pointed out that there Yushchenko’s midst, which led the presi- from the Soviet Union. They were torn isn’t a civilized country in the world like dent to dismiss his entire government, “He is a professional politician in the apart by a conflict over who would Ukraine where campaign financing is former Presidential Secretariat Chair Western sense,” he said. “He does not become Vyacheslav Chornovil’s torch- limitless and entirely opaque, without Oleksander Zinchenko blamed the tri- have a business background. Kyrylenko bearer. any disclosure rules. umvirate. The accusations were eventual- did not abandon politics when times were Rukh’s legendary leader tapped With its many millionaire supporters, ly cleared in court. bad.” Hennadii Udovenko, a senior Soviet Our Ukraine is more financially capable Of the three, only Mr. Tretiakov was A “cleaner image” for the party may diplomat who posed no threat to his lead- of competing on the national level than elected to the party’s 203-member result in higher numbers at the polls, Mr. ership, as the party’s 1999 presidential UNP. Political Council. A Kyiv city regional Kucheriv said. “With Kyrylenko, OUPU candidate. “In the United States, election funds branch of the party circulated a newspa- has a chance of becoming a real political Following Mr. Chornovil’s untimely are strictly controlled,” Mr. Kostenko per calling for Mr. Martynenko’s ouster party and not a rich boys’ club,” he said. death, one faction elected Mr. Udovenko said. “Here, we’ve allowed three mega- from the party’s ranks. OUPU is the largest among five par- party chairman in March 1999 and kept blocs to buy voters throughout the coun- The congress rejected Mr. ties in the Our Ukraine bloc. Five years the party name thanks to a Ministry of try. With the help of mass advertising, Poroshenko’s proposals to amend the ago, it won nearly 24 percent of the vote Justice ruling. The opposing faction led with the help of these or other giveaways party’s statute. He also argued the party in parliamentary elections. Last year, the by Mr. Kostenko split and launched the to voters, parties are buying off voters.” should not demand that the president dis- bloc earned 14 percent, with current sup- UNP. However, the Yulia Tymoshenko solve Parliament because it would be port hovering at between only 4 and 8 The rift marked the start of a gradual Bloc’s immensely successful campaign perceived as exerting pressure. percent, according to polls. No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 5
THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM 2006 organizing results of the Ukrainian National Association by Christine E. Kozak UNA National Secretary It is that time of year when we put our hands together and applaud all those individuals who have risen to the top as UNA’s leading organizers. The Ukrainian National Association Inc. has several tiers of producers – those who sell our life insurance and annuity products. The gamut runs from the branch secretary/organizer who has been with the UNA for many, many years, to the younger-generation secretary and to the professionally licensed agents who sell life insurance and annuities for a living. Today, however, we honor those indi- viduals who are loyal, dedicated and enjoy working within the Ukrainian com- munity. These are our UNA branch secre- taries and organizers who sell UNA prod- ucts to help their friends, their neighbors; Christine Brodyn Myron Pylypiak Lubov Streletsky to assure them that, should the unthink- able happen, their family will have the 2006 “Club of UNA Builders” part of our entire product portfolio. UNA wishes them all the best in 2007. ability to live life without having to sacri- annuities offer excellent interest rates We also welcome our new members fice more than they have already lost. Enrolling 10-24 new members: with no additional fees or charges. If you and thank them for purchasing a life UNA products are solid, straightfor- • Stefan Hawrysz, honorary member, make a deposit of $1,000 into a UNA insurance policy, an endowment or an ward and affordable, sold in amounts the UNA General Assembly; secretary, annuity, the interest begins accruing on annuity from the UNA, for premiums large commercial life insurance compa- Branch 83 the full $1,000, nothing less. And our from these products are what supports nies do not want to bother with. The • Stephanie Hawryluk, secretary, UNA members receive special annuity the UNA. In return, the UNA supports UNA has the products that are written Branch 88 benefits of which they can take advan- the Ukrainian community by providing it • Eli Matiash, secretary, Branch 120 about in today’s professional journals as tage. with our publications, Svoboda and The the type of products Americans are The UNA would like to acknowledge Ukrainian Weekly, and our beloved cul- returning to: strong, basic, with no com- 2006 “Club of Dedicated UNA’ers” and congratulate our top two annuity tural center, Soyuzivka, located in the plications. Enrolling 5-9 new members: organizers: Catskill region of New York state. The UNA’s most popular product • Steve Woch, UNA Home Office • Stephan Welhasch, chairman, New We invite all Ukrainian Americans and continues to be the 20-Payment Life. Jersey District Chairman, Home Office employee, professionally licensed Ukrainian Canadians to join this 113- This product is a whole life insurance employee, professionally licensed • Eugene Serba, advisor, UNA General policy, paid up in 20 annual payments. It • Alex Redko, secretary, Branch 130 Assembly year-old organization by purchasing one is especially advantagous for young • Myron Pylypiak, advisor, UNA Congratulations, Gentlemen! of our life insurance or annuity products. adults, as the premiums are low and they General Assembly; secretary, Branch And lastly, a special thank you and Help the UNA to help you and your fam- remain the same throughout the life of 496 congratulations go to our top salesperson ily be prepared – you never know what the policy. Usually when one is younger, In January through April 2006, the who collected the most premiums for the life can bring. For product information, one is also healthy, making this the best UNA held a pre-convention sales blitz. year 2006, for life insurance and annu- call your branch secretary or the UNA time of life to begin purchasing life Following are the top three winners: ities combined: Home Office. You can also visit the UNA insurance. • Joseph Chabon, chairman, Shamokin, • Steve Woch, UNA Home Office website for product information at And it is these products our UNA District; secretary, Branch 242 employee, professionally licensed www.ukrainiannationalassociation.org. branch secretaries and organizers are sell- • Joyce Kotch, secretary, Branch 39 The UNA hereby congratulates all We need your commitment, for “The ing. For the year 2006, the UNA saw an 8 • Stefan Hawrysz, honorary member, branch secretaries and organizers for UNA and the community are partners for percent increase in its life insurance book UNA General Assembly; former chair- their dedication to our organization and life!” of new business with a face amount value man, Philadelphia District; secretary, of $3,474,000 and $124,828 collected Branch 83 with applications. For annuities, the UNA During the last quarter of 2006, the collected $575,803 with applications. UNA held its third annual Life Insurance DISTRICT COMMITTEE of UNA BRANCHES Kudos to the following branch secre- Awareness Drive for branch secretaries. I OF CONNECTICUT taries and organizers for their hard work. am very proud to announce the 2006 announces that its Best overall combined single winners: premium + annual premium • Lubov Streletsky, secretary, Branch 10 ANNUAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING • Christine Brodyn, secretary, Branch • Stephanie Hawryluk, secretary, will be held on 27, professionally licensed; Branch 88 • Myron Pylypiak, advisor, UNA • Maya Lew, advisor, UNA General SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. General Assembly; secretary, Branch 496 Assembly; secretary, Branch 5 HOLY PROTECTION of the B.V. MARY Ukrainian Catholic Church Most annual premium collected Congratulations, ladies, on a job well 255 Barnum Ave., Bridgeport, CT done! • Lubov Streletsky, secretary, Branch 10 UNA annuities are a very important Obligated to attend the annual meeting as voting members are District Committee Officers, Convention Delegates and two delegates from the following Branches: TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 83 12, 59, 67, 253, 254, 277, 387, 414 As of April 2, 2007, the secretary’s duties of Branch 83, were assumed by Mr. Michael Luciw. All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting. We ask all members of this Branch to direct all correspondence MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY: regarding membership and insurance to the address listed below: Stefan Kaczaraj, UNA President Gloria Horbaty, UNA Advisor Mr. Michael Luciw 1009 Melrose Ave. DISTRICT COMMITTEE Ihor Hayda, District Chairman Melrose Park, PA 19186 Bohdan Doboszczak, Secretary 215-635-5109 Taras Slevinsky, Treasurer
THE UNA: 113 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 No. 14
IN THE PRESS THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Volatile Ukraine The crisis in Ukraine Three days after President Viktor Yushchenko issued a decree dismissing the “Ukraine’s crisis needs a firm ing now is the blurred political reforms Verkhovna Rada, the situation in Ukraine remained uncertain, even volatile. response,” by Viktor Yushchenko, which were adopted in the heat of the Demonstrators supporting what until recently was called the Anti-Crisis Coalition Financial Times, April 4: Orange Revolution,’ said Bohdan Futey, a were converging on Kyiv and setting up tent camps, and the Verkhovna Rada and U.S. judge who has advised Ukraine on the Cabinet of Ministers continued to defy the president. Meanwhile, opposition “… Ukraine’s young democracy today constitutional issues and judicial reforms. forces, in hopes of preventing civil strife, called on their supporters to shy away faces a new and dangerous challenge, one “While these reforms, aimed at pre- from participating in street actions and began to speak of preparations for pre- that requires a firm and immediate venting a return to authoritarian rule, term parliamentary elections on May 27. response. It comes from a ruling coalition brought a peaceful resolution to the That was the state of affairs as this issue of The Ukrainian Weekly was complet- that has exceeded its mandate and attempt- Orange Revolution, they had left the ed. The situation in Kyiv was fluid, with new developments, it seemed, every hour. ed to monopolize political power, even at country’s top tiers of government in a There was one constant: the president continued to insist he had dismissed the the cost of violating the Constitution and state of ‘legal chaos,’ Mr. Futey added. ...” Parliament in order to guarantee the rights of citizens and the choices they had ignoring the democratically expressed made in the 2006 parliamentary elections. wishes of the Ukrainian people. “Ukraine’s Yushchenko turns Citing the parliamentary majority’s efforts to recruit individual national deputies “Since the new government was formed Cromwellian,” by Adrian Blomfield, from opposition factions and thus increase its size so that it could overturn presiden- last summer, I have repeatedly tried to per- The Daily Telegraph, April 4: tial vetoes and alter the Constitution, Mr. Yushchenko said: “This is a direct viola- suade Viktor Yanukovych, the prime minis- tion of human rights, of the key, fundamental law – the right to choose.” After all, ter, to govern in a spirit of national unity “Frequently derided as a vacillator, he argued, the people of Ukraine had voted for party lists based on their programs and reconciliation. Instead, the ruling coali- Viktor Yushchenko has suddenly turned and now members of those parties were being lured – or bought – by the ruling tion has waged a relentless campaign to Cromwellian. coalition. These deputies no longer represent the parties on whose lists they were overturn both the constitutional balance of “Fed up with its constant infighting, the elected and, therefore, go against the will of those who voted them into office. The power and the results of the last parliamen- Lord Protector dissolved the Rump coalition thereby created is illegal and that, Mr. Yushchenko said, gave him the right tary elections. This situation cannot persist. Parliament in 1653 with the famous and the obligation to act as the guarantor of the Constitution of Ukraine. I have been left with no choice but to dis- words: ‘You have sat here too long for any The president’s decision to dissolve the Rada was a gutsy gamble, albeit late solve Parliament and call a fresh round of good you have been doing. Depart I say in coming – it was the president who’d allowed things to deteriorate to a point parliamentary elections for May 27. ... and let us have done with you. In the name of God go.’ that left him no options. In fact, the coalition government’s aggressive usurpation “In a democracy, the people must “Like Cromwell, Mr. Yushchenko may of power forced Mr. Yushchenko to finally take a strong stand. This “outrageous always be the final arbiters of power. Only be doing the wrong thing for the right rea- political corruption,” this “real threat to freedoms, democratic values and human by trusting in the wisdom of the Ukrainian sons. Many Ukrainians, at least in the pro- rights” ends now, he said. There would be no more roundtables. people can we break this political dead- European west of the country, are fed up The president decided the only way out of Ukraine’s crisis was to once again lock and create the consensus necessary with what they call their ‘gangster empower the people – via pre-term elections. Let the people’s votes determine for our country to move forward again. ... Parliament.’ The ruling coalition in the leg- Ukraine’s course, not the corrupt ruling coalition that never signed an agreement it “It is with great regret that I have to say islature, led by Viktor Yanukovych, the intended to keep, that repeatedly demonstrated it was interested only in influence for that the spirit of reconciliation and com- pro-Russian prime minister, stands accused the benefit of its members, that put Ukraine in reverse on the road to democracy. promise required to make ... [the of blocking market reforms and promoting Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych reacted to Mr. Yushchenko’s move by call- Universal of National Unity] a success has the business interests of dubious oligarchs. ing it a “fatal error.” In the ensuing days he attempted to persuade the president not been reciprocated by the ruling coali- “The rapid rate at which MPs loyal to to rescind the decree, threatening that “if he doesn’t cancel the decree, then presi- tion. They have consistently acted in bad the president have been defecting to the dential elections also are inevitable.” faith. Instead of respecting the agreement Yanukovych ranks is even more alarming. Thus far, President Yushchenko has stood his ground, repeatedly responding that to share power, they have sought to under- he has no intention of rescinding the Rada’s dismissal, and he called on “all branch- ... The president suspects financial mine it by grabbing more power for them- inducements are being offered. But even es of authority to mobilize to ensure a democratic resolution to this political crisis.” selves at every opportunity and with every Much too eagerly, neighborly Russia offered – not once, but twice so far – its if the constitutional court upholds his means available. Instead of respecting the decision to call fresh parliamentary elec- “assistance,” without specifying what form that assistance might take. And, wishes of the Ukrainian people expressed Russian spinmeisters were already accusing the United States of being involved tions next month, Ukraine’s political freely at the ballot box, they have used problems are unlikely to disappear. ...” in fomenting the crisis in Ukraine. (One wonders if Russia’s spin doctors com- subterfuge to alter the parliamentary bal- municate with the pro-Russian Mr. Yanukovych’s U.S. handlers...) ance in an entirely undemocratic manner. “East and West: Ukraine’s squab- Then there was Ukraine’s Constitutional Court – which has not yet issued a single “These are not the actions of responsible bling politicians should put their coun- ruling in the nine months of its existence, although many pressing appeals have been democrats. They reflect attitudes and try first,” The Times (London), April 4: filed. The court said it would decide within 15 days whether to hear a case concern- behavior that the Ukrainian people had ing the presidential decree to dismiss Parliament. And so, Ukraine will have to wait. every reason to believe had been consigned “Ukraine has the potential to be a As the holy days of Easter approach, Ukrainians beyond the borders of to our past. Instead, it seems that we must thriving, prosperous nation. It has huge Ukraine pray for renewal in their ancestral homeland. May the people of Ukraine fight and defeat them once again. …” tracts of fertile ‘black earth’ that have have their say and may they finally succeed in electing true leaders of the nation traditionally produced large grain sur- who are responsive to their needs. “Ukraine clash brings distant echo pluses. It inherited a well-educated work- of Orange Revolution,” by Roman force and a high technology base. It has Olearchyk, Financial Times, April 4: coal reserves and heavy industries that have proved innovative, in some cases, “For a moment it almost seemed like in adapting to a post-Soviet world. Yet April 2004 again. Against a backdrop of an esca- Ukraine has consistently failed to live up Turning the pages back... lating constitutional crisis, tens of thou- to its cherished independence. ... sands of demonstrators took to the streets “Once again, the country has reached a 16 of Kiev [sic] yesterday to protest against political impasse. President Yushchenko’s President Viktor Yushchenko’s decision to decision to dissolve Parliament and call 2006 Last year The Ukrainian Weekly reported on President dissolve Parliament and call snap elections. for new elections next month has met Viktor Yushchenko’s optimism about the formation of “But any comparisons with the Orange furious opposition from Viktor Ukraine’s government after the parliamentary elections in Revolution – when massive public protests Yanukovych, the prime minister, who March 2006. His optimism was unusual – and perhaps mis- propelled Mr. Yushchenko into office – called it a ‘fatal error’ and has threatened placed – because his rival Viktor Yanukovych and the Party of the Regions led the for- quickly proved misleading. Despite the to challenge it in the Supreme [sic] Court. mation of a government coalition. drama surrounding the power struggle His government refuses to resign, and The president said it was too early to predict who would join the coalition, but talks between the president and Viktor parliamentarians will not quit. After eight were ongoing between his Our Ukraine bloc, the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and the Yanukovych, his prime minister, yesterday months of a dysfunctional administration, Socialist Party of Ukraine, in an attempt to re-unite the Orange coalition. largely passed without incident as most with the two rivals sniping at each other, However, Mr. Yushchenko did not want the formation of any coalition until a Ukrainians went about their everyday Ukraine again stands on the brink of a detailed agreement was written and signed by its partners to clarify the coalition’s business. constitutional crisis. Protesters have been position on every political and economic matter. This was a safeguard to ensure the “Such apparent indifference is one of massing in public squares. Two and a half stability of the coalition and in the event of failure it would be easier to pinpoint the the symptoms of the months of political years after the Orange Revolution, there reasons for the coalition’s collapse. stalemate that followed the inconclusive is a grim sense of failure. … According to President Yushchenko, the main points for the agreement included result of the March 2006 general election. “The uneasy coalition with Mr. positions on the World Trade Organization, the European Union, the Single Economic That vote produced a Parliament split Yanukovych has clearly collapsed. The Space, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, privatization and re-privatization, and between forces loyal to Mr. Yanukovych, stream of defections to the prime minis- dozens of other questions. Once an agreement was drafted, Mr. Yushchenko said he whose power base is in the industrial, ter’s party has raised Mr. Yushchenko’s would be ready to name a prime minister. Russian-speaking east of the country, and fears that his rival was trying to build up Divisions were already apparent in the stipulation by Yulia Tymoshenko that she those broadly pledged to the more pro- enough support to override vetoes and would not unite with Our Ukraine unless she was named Ukraine’s next prime minis- Western course favored by the president. sideline him. East and West see the dan- ter. “The current power struggle is the gers: Moscow and Brussels have called biggest political clash since the Orange for calm and compromise. It is a call the Source: “Yushchenko optimistic about Ukraine’s next government,” by Zenon Revolution …” squabbling politicians should heed for Zawada, The Ukrainian Weekly, April 16, 2006. “ ‘The heart of the problem we are see- the sake of their long-suffering country.” No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 7
FOR THE RECORD NEWS AND VIEWS Ukrainian scholars of diaspora Ukrainian physicians in the U.S. voice protest on language issue and a challenge to UMANA Following is the text of an open letter Ukrainian people and the country in by George Hrycelak revealed a similar ratio of U.S.-to for- from Ukrainian scholars in the United which they reside. eign-born among the active membership States, Canada and Europe protesting This is why we sound the alarm and Oleh Wolowyna, Ph.D., presents an in 2000, but with a distinct trend now against attempts to declare Russian the appeal to the deputies of the Verkhovna informative and revealing statistical analy- favoring U.S.-born members. second state language in Ukraine. The Rada and members of the government, to sis of physicians and surgeons giving The census data further reflect the pres- letter is dated March 31. local administrators, business representa- Ukrainian as their first or second ancestry ence of recent immigrants in percentages tives, to students and teachers, and to all during the 2000 U.S. census. “Ukrainian that agree with UMANA’s membership We, Ukrainian scholars in America, those who value Ukrainian cultural identi- Physicians in the United States: a statistical statistics. Over the past five years, approx- Canada and Europe, members of the ty, to reject the declaration of Russian as a overview,” (The Ukrainian Weekly, imately 25 percent of new applicants have World Scholarly Council of the second state language. We urge you to use January 21). These data are of particular been individuals with medical degrees Ukrainian World Congress and of the all means to assure the stability and growth interest to the Ukrainian Medical from Ukraine – most of whom are in the Ukrainian-American Association of of the Ukrainian language on all levels of Association of North America (UMANA), process of presenting their credentials for University Professors, express our indig- national life. If Ukraine is to be respected the largest organization of Ukrainian recognition by U.S. accrediting bodies. nation and protest against the renewed by the world community as an independ- American professionals in the Western The challenge to UMANA posed by attempts by certain political forces in ent and sovereign nation, it must respect hemisphere. Dr. Wolowyna is this: With the potential Ukraine to declare Russian as the second its own cultural and linguistic heritage. UMANA, established in 1950, has number of physicians claiming Ukrainian been in continuous operation for 57 state language. ancestry in the thousands, how can years, encompassing a diverse member- Nothing threatens the Russian language Prof. Lubomyr Wynar (U.S.A.), UMANA reach out to this group? ship with a steady influx of new mem- in Ukraine; it is the native language that is president, World Scholarly Council The largest group consisting of bers. 2006 UMANA data reveal 487 in real jeopardy, as evidenced by recent WSC, Ukrainian World Congress English-speaking, U.S.-born physicians active dues-paying members, with 859 appeals to students to bar Ukrainian- (UWC); president, Ukrainian-American is difficult to identify and contact. known physicians and affiliated health speaking teachers from school auditori- Association of University Professors Identification initially seems achievable, care professionals in our database. Over ums. Such anti-Ukrainian elements, by (UAAUP); president, Ukrainian since Ukrainian names are rather unique. 70 new members applied for membership pushing for the official introduction of Historical Association (UHA); head, However, this method is imperfect due to in 2003-2005, and nearly 50 have applied Russian as a second state language, intend History Section, the Ukrainian Academy name variations in mixed marriages, use through the present date. to bring Ukrainian to the level of “non- of Arts and Sciences, U.S.A. (UAAS); of professional names, and name changes The 2000 U.S. census data analyzed by obligatory” and “impractical” to learn and full member, Shevchenko Scientific and disparate spelling that were popular Dr. Wolowyna suggest that there are use. They know perfectly well that with- Society, U.S. (NTSh); in earlier generations. approximately 5,947 physicians, the major- out language there is no nation and that Prof. Assya Humesky (U.S.A.), vice- Contacting this group may be more ity U.S.-born, stating their ancestry is making Russian the second state language president WSC; vice-president, UAAS; problematic. They don’t all read the Ukrainian. This fact by itself is encourag- would threaten the existence of Ukraine as vice-president, UAAUP; head, English-language Ukrainian press, such as ing and optimistic. Dr. Wolowyna fittingly an independent country. Philological Section, NTSh; head, The Ukrainian Weekly, and there are no notes that this number must be viewed nationwide communications venues (radio, This was stressed by President Language and Literary Section, UAAS. through a critical lens: stating one’s ances- Yushchenko in his February 21 address Prof. Arkadii Zhukovskyi (France), TV) that encompass such a group. There is try does not, for many reasons, necessarily some activity on the Internet, with a web during the celebration of the vice-president, WSC; president, NTSh reflect one’s self-awareness and active par- International Day of the Native Europe; member, board of directors, presence by many Ukrainian American ticipation in things Ukrainian. professional groups, including UMANA. Language. The president said, “We must UHA; full member, UAAS; academician, Reviewing the data presented by Dr. always remember that the Ukrainian lan- National Academy of Arts and Sciences, This may, in fact, represent a future Wolowyna, it is reassuring to note that method of communication and recruit- guage is the language of our freedom and Ukraine. many of his statistics corroborate our statehood.” Prof. Stefan Kozak (Poland), vice- ment. But the main problem remains how UMANA’s numbers and trends. For exam- to discover and introduce UMANA to Many examples in history demonstrate president, WSC; president, NTSh ple, with the exception of Los Angeles- that the disappearance of the native Poland; full member, UAAS; chairman, individual physicians of Ukrainian origin Riverside, Calif., and Dallas-Fort Worth, in a diverse geographic area. tongue may lead to the disappearance of department of Ukrainistics, Warsaw Texas, the top seven major metropolitan that nation from the map of the world. University; president, Association of UMANA recruits members best by per- areas with physicians of Ukrainian ances- sonal referrals. Current members identify That is why for centuries Kremlin author- Ukrainists, Poland. try correspond directly to the top seven ities have imposed Russification on the Prof. Rev. Oleh Kravchenko their colleagues in work situations, refer- UMANA branches in the United States. ring them to local branch group activities, Ukrainian people in an attempt to destroy (Canada), member, board of directors, Over the last two decades, the northern their self-respect and national identity. WSN; ex-President of UAAS Canada. lectures or social events. In addition, and southern California branches have UMANA places paid ads in The Ukrainian The Ukrainian language has been Prof. Myroslav Melnyk (U.S.A.), shown definite growth, and the number of ridiculed and declared a mere “Little director, Scientific Fund, UAAUP; secre- Weekly, which continue to bring in new members in Texas is also rising. applicants on a regular basis. Also, online Russian dialect” having no future, while tary, UAAUP; full member, NTSh, UMANA has also noticed a definite its defenders were persecuted. And yet, in UAAS. applications at www.umana.org have eased demographic trend of rising membership the new member sign-up process. spite of all those efforts, Ukrainian self- Prof. Mykola Musinka (Slovakia), in the Southern states. This is again veri- UMANA’s executive director has success- awareness could not be destroyed. member, board of directors WSN; presi- fied by the U.S. Census data, with fully recruited applicants by scanning the Today, in an independent Ukraine the dent, NTSh, Slovakia; president, California, Texas, Arizona and Florida medical and lay ethnic press for Ukrainian native language – as the natural basis of Association of Ukrainists, Slovakia. emerging as major centers of physicians names and following up with invitations to the national culture – has ample opportu- Prof. Osyp Martyniuk (U.S.A.), sec- of Ukrainian ancestry. Such a trend may join. Finally, UMANA has made a con- nities for preservation and develepment. retary, WSC; corresponding member, be fueled by expanding professional certed effort to be visible with an informa- Emphasizing the importance of language UAAS; full member, UHA and UAAUP. opportunities, or perhaps represents a tive bilingual website, a public presence as a crucial element in state-building, Dr. Vasyl Veryha (Canada), member, general interest of baby boomers to move through press releases, the popular President Yushchenko said, “We are board of directors, WSC; ex-president, to warmer climes. newsletter UMANANews, the in-house faced with a vitally important task of UWC; full member, NTSh Canada, UMANA has also experienced an expect- UMANA Banana, and the venerable implementing a wise, tolerant and con- UAAS Canada, UHA, UAAUP. ed shift in nativity and period of immigra- Journal of the Ukrainian Medical sistent linguistic policy so as to trans- Prof. Vsevolod Isajiw (Canada), full tion depicted in the analysis. As the genera- Association of North America. form the native word into an effective member, board of directors WSC; vice- tion that founded UMANA in 1950 under- Based on the U.S. census data, recruit- unifying force in Ukrainian society.” president, UAAUP; full member, NTSh goes natural attrition, the percentage of U.S.- ment efforts may need enhancement. Unfortunately, today, when progres- Canada and UAAS Canada; president, born physicians rises, hopefully representing There are undoubtedly hundreds, if not sive nations are apologizing and seeking Ukrainian Canadian Research and not only a healthy rate of replacement, but thousands of physicians who never hear of forgiveness from people whom they Documentation Center, Toronto. an actual growth in members. UMANA, but yet might find the mission exploited, culturally suppressed and Prof. Dmytro Shtohryn (U.S.A.), The U.S. Census data at the city level of the association appealing and fulfilling. enslaved during times of imperialism and member, board of directors WSC; full also confirm UMANA statistics. Taking Certainly, the statistics presented by Dr. colonialism, there still exist elements in member, NTSh and UAAS; director, the Chicago area as an example, the U.S. Wolowyna are encouraging, indicating a an independent Ukraine that refuse to Ukrainian Research Program, University Census reveals 310 physicians of potential for growth and development for show any sign of respect for the of Illinois. Ukrainian ancestry, 107 of those being many years into the future. The trick will U.S.-born. The UMANA Illinois Branch be to find a way to reach out and touch database contains 220 names, 125 of these physicians. Their Ukrainian ancestry whom are active dues-paying members. need not remain a historical footnote. MAY WE HELP YOU? UMANA Illinois Branch numbers UMANA presents an opportunity for health professionals to satisfy the need to To reach The Ukrainian Weekly call (973) 292-9800, George Hrycelak, M.D., is executive rediscover their roots, become part of a and dial the appropriate extension (as listed below). director of the Ukrainian Medical warm and welcoming group, and use their medical talents and skills to help Editorial – 3049, 3088; Production – 3063, 3069; Association of North America. UMANA may be contacted at 888-RX-UMANA; someone in need. UMANA’s future will Administration – 3041; Advertising – 3040; Subscriptions – 3042; information about the organization may depend on how well we embrace the pos- be found on its website, www.umana.org. sibilities revealed in the U.S. Census data. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 No. 14
tion season for the May 27 elections and by Acting Chair Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Mr. Kivalov’s arrest for participating in Ukraine in crisis... stated that any subsequent sessions held is under the president’s influence, while the siege of the Pechersk District Court, (Continued from page 1) by the Parliament were invalid. the Ministry of Internal Affairs that runs stating that he is no longer a national that by attempting to further enlarge Afterwards, Messrs. Kyrylenko and the nation’s police is led by Socialist deputy protected by immunity. itself, the parliamentary coalition in fact Lutsenko joined other political leaders in Vasyl Tsushko. Ukrainian nationalist organizations failed to form itself according to Article scurrying to the studios of the ICTV net- The next day, Mr. Yushchenko and Mr. and parties, including the All-Ukrainian 83, that is, within the required 30 days. work to engage in debate on a special Yanukovych spent another four and a half Union Svoboda, asked the president to But while that article specifically episode of Ukraine’s most popular politi- hours at the negotiating table, with the declare a state of emergency. refers to factions as the basis for forming cal talk show, “Svoboda Slova” prime minister offering to compromise if (“Freedom of Speech”), hosted by Savik the president nullified his decree. Maidan II coalitions, it doesn’t address whether Shuster. The president declined the request. deputies could switch factions, said Mr. Parliament’s dismissal re-ignited the While Mr. Shuster moderated the pas- Responding to the Parliament’s Lozowy, a graduate of New York very same conflicts that drove the Orange sionate debates, Mr. Moroz led the attempt to block financing of elections, University Law School. Revolution, creating a sense of déjà vu extraordinary parliamentary session and Ms. Tymoshenko said the CEC has a “They’re basically saying the voters on the streets of Ukraine’s capital. Mr. Yanukovych convened a special ses- reserve fund of more than $100 million, pick parties, their factions form a govern- This time around, it’s the coalition sion of the Cabinet of Ministers, both which is more than enough to hold elec- ing coalition and, if massive defections supporters who took control of Kyiv’s working into the early morning hours of tions. take place, this subverts election results,” strategic public areas, including April 3. “Conducting pre-term elections will Mariyinskyi Park adjacent to Parliament, he said. “But there’s nothing in the Mr. Yanukovych instructed his Cabinet cost Ukraine about $60 million,’ Ms. Constitution addressing that.” and Independence Square at the heart of to take measures ensuring the nation’s Tymoshenko said. “Leaving a mafia in Kyiv. The Ukrainian Constitution’s failure to stability and to defend the rights of government will cost Ukraine tens of bil- provide clarity on the authority, rules and Coalition leaders demonstrated they Ukrainians. lions of dollars.” had learned valuable lessons from the limits of governmental organs, and how At the session, Minister of Defense The descent towards lawlessness they relate to one another, is a main con- Orange forces in mobilizing citizens and Anatolii Hrytsenko said the president’s accelerated on April 5, when Mr. Moroz holding demonstrations, imitating tactics tributor to such crises, Mr. Lozowy said. decree to dismiss Parliament must be forced his way into a meeting of the pres- “It’s a poorly drafted Constitution – a that enabled Mr. Yushchenko and his obeyed upon its official publication. He ident’s National Security and Defense supporters to emerge victorious during hodgepodge fragmentation thrown assured the Cabinet that the nation’s mili- Council, from which he was dismissed together by different people with differ- the Orange Revolution. tary forces were stable and were not three days earlier. Thousands of coalition supporters had ent interests and of the Soviet tradition,” being mobilized, despite rumors to the The council is the single government he said. already begun pouring into Kyiv from contrary. organ falling under the exclusive purview throughout the country as early as March “This is a direct result of the Soviet At the meeting’s conclusion, only Mr. of the president; its role is to coordinate 30, when the coalition government held a tradition that laws didn’t matter, because Hrytsenko and Minister of Foreign the activities of all the government’s key rally on European Square under the ban- the Communist Party did whatever it Affairs Arsenii Yatseniuk voted against a bodies. ner “The Country’s Unity – Ukraine’s wanted. As a result, the Constitution has Cabinet resolution supporting the That same morning, violence erupted Future.” too many general phrases that don’t mean Parliament’s position that the presidential at Kyiv’s Pechersk District Court when By then, coalition supporters had taken anything,” he commented. decree is illegal. former Chair Volodymyr Kolesnychenko control of Mariyinskyi Park, setting up a Political leaders react In addition to requiring ministers to stormed the court’s lobby with a group of tent city of about 500 residents, which obey orders and lead their ministries in men that included Mr. Kivalov, demand- has swelled to 2,000 following the dis- After the president addressed the pub- resolving socio-political matters, the ing the court’s official stamps. missal decree. lic on national television at 9:10 p.m., Cabinet resolution also forbade financing When a secretary denied their demand, Once the presidential decree was parliamentary opposition leader Yulia of the pre-term elections. Mr. Kolesnychenko assaulted her and issued, coalition leaders mobilized tens Tymoshenko, Our Ukraine chair Mr. Hrytsenko is the only remaining snatched one of two official stamps, said of thousands more to arrive and stage Viacheslav Kyrylenko and National Self- minister in the Cabinet who is loyal to Inna Otrosh, the court’s acting chair. demonstrations in Kyiv. Estimates ranged Defense leader Yurii Lutsenko appeared Mr. Yushchenko, having been appointed The men entered an office and Mr. between 30,000 and 100,000 for the on Independence Square (the “maidan”) during the Tymoshenko government. Kolesnychenko began authorizing docu- number of coalition supporters in the to express gratitude. The Ministry of Defense and the ments with the stamp, she said. They announced the start of the elec- Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), led The Pora Citizens Campaign called for (Continued on page 9)
Mark Your Calendar & Join Us for Our Spring Festivities ! TAP new york 2007 Craft Brew & Fine Food Festival APRIL 29, 2007 Festival at Hunter Mountain with a roundtrip bus from Soyuzivka. Let Soyuzivka be the designated driver. Special Overnight Room Rate- $60+tax & gratuities Mother’s Day Brunch MAY 13, 2007 Make the day special, take her out and celebrate mom! Featuring our traditional Soyuzivka Brunch Buffet. Dining room open 11:30 am– 2 pm, $15+tax & gratuities/per person Memorial Day Weekend & Orchidia Patrons’ Reunion MAY 25-27, 2007 Festivities all weekend, BBQ’s and Saturday zabava with band ‘HRIM’ Overnight Room Rates– starting at $75+tax & gratuities UNA Seniors Conference & Banquet JUNE 10-15, 2007 Organized over 30 years ago, this week is full of interesting speakers & entertainment, concentrating on maintaining our own Ukrainian identity. Package Rate including 5-night stay & all meals– starting at $425 4th Annual Adoptive Parents Weekend JUNE 15-17, 2007 Sponsored by the Embassy of Ukraine and the UNA, this itinerary consists of Ukrainian crafts, entertainment and demonstrations. Overnight Room Rates– starting at $65+tax & gratuities 23rd Annual Father’s Day Program & Luncheon JUNE 17, 2007 This year’s program will feature ‘SYZOKRYLI DANCE ENSEMBLE’ from New York City, Tenor ROMAN TSYMBALA, a graduate of the State Theater in Lviv & band ‘VIDLUNNIA’ featuring violinist Marian Pidvirnyj. Luncheon- $20+tax & gratuities/per person at 1 pm, followed by program.
Photo by Pavlo Mulyk Kerhonkson, NY 12446 www.Soyuzivka.com (845) 626-5641 No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 9
mously declined to tell reporters where Union, Borys Tarasyuk of the People’s Department spokesman Sean Ukraine in crisis... they arrived from and how old they were. Rukh of Ukraine, Yurii Kostenko of the McCormack called on all Ukrainian (Continued from page 8) Many responded they were university stu- Ukrainian People’s Party, Viktor political leaders to take full responsibil- nation’s capital at any given moment this dents in Kyiv, without being more specif- Pynzenyk of the Reform and Order ity for their actions and maintain calm. week. ic. A few openly admitted to receiving Party, Vladyslav Kaskiv of the Pora “We are monitoring closely develop- By the morning of April 4, coalition $20 a day for their participation. Citizen’s Party, Volodymyr Lytvyn of ments in Ukraine and urge all parties to the People’s Party of Ukraine and respect the rule of law and resolve dis- supporters also took control of Central Election Commission Independence Square, setting up a con- Liudmyla Suprun of the National putes non-violently, in a manner consis- cert stage in the exact place where it The Verkhovna Rada’s decision to Democratic Party. tent with Ukraine’s democratic values stood during the Orange Revolution. revoke the law appointing Mr. The leaders avoided commenting to and national interests,” Mr. McCormack More than 50 tents were also pitched as Davydovych and his fellow commission- the press after the meeting. stated. an encampment to prevent Orange sup- ers was unconstitutional, the president Ms. Tymoshenko, on the other hand, Both President Yushchenko and Prime porters from holding meetings or demon- said, as was reappointing Mr. Kivalov as is against the mega-bloc proposal and Minister Yanukovych have begun strations on the maidan. CEC chair. wants her bloc to approach the May elec- appealing to the international communi- “They want to occupy the battlefield “Kivalov’s renewal is yet further evi- tions independently. ty, with the president meeting with for demonstrations and protests,” Mr. dence of the wide scale return of Mr. Yanukovych said his party has no Group of Eight and European Lozowy said. “Their main motivation is Kuchmism,” Ms. Tymoshenko said. intention of preparing for May elections Commission representatives. to envelop everything.” Mr. Kivalov was so excited by the until the Constitutional Court reaches a Russian Federation Ambassador to Throughout the day, loud speeches of prospect of returning to his old office that verdict. Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin offered pro-coalition demonstrators echoed in he wanted to start working the same The All-Ukrainian Council of assistance to Ukraine’s leaders in resolv- Kyiv’s city center as traffic was disrupted morning the Parliament reinstated him. Churches, consisting of six confessions, ing the conflict, without offering any on what was a normal business day for He had some obstacles. issued a statement supporting the presi- specifics about the type of assistance he local residents. SBU Acting Chair Nalyvaichenko said dent’s decision; among the signatories had in mind. Coalition leaders imitated more than on April 3 that any attempt to change the were Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian just their Orange opponents’ protest tac- CEC’s status or make-up would be con- Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate tics. sidered an infringement on the and Ukrainian Catholic Patriarch In his maidan address, Minister of Constitution. The SBU will also ensure Lubomyr Husar. The Ukrainian OSCE urges Transportation Mykola Rudkovskyi, a the functioning of the CEC and local Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate Socialist, began chanting a familiar slo- election commissions, he said. did not endorse the statement. restraint, dialogue gan from two years ago: “We are many! “In a democratic country, which Constitutional Court appeals We will not defeated!” (“Nas bahato! Nas Ukraine is, there are enough forces to Organization for Security ne podolaty!”) ensure preparations enabling all of us to Both the Presidential Secretariat and and Cooperation in Europe vote in elections in a lawful manner,” Mr. the Verkhovna Rada submitted appeals to Orange supporters did not mobilize MADRID – The chairman-in-office of Nalyvaichenko said. Ukraine’s Constitutional Court on April after the president’s decree – a conscious the Organization for Security and The Pechersk District Court in Kyiv 3 to review the constitutionality of the decision by leaders to avoid unnecessary Cooperation in Europe, Spanish Foreign put a bigger damper on Mr. Kivalov’s president’s dismissal decree. conflicts. Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, on plans, at least temporarily, canceling the The 18 judges of Ukraine’s They held a “Betrayal – Get Out!” April 4 expressed his concerns and parliamentary resolution appointing him. Constitutional Court are under enormous (“Zradu – Het!” – a play on the words called all parties in Ukraine to find a That drew an angry response from the pressure as Ukraine’s future hangs in the “Rada” and “zrada”) rally on swift solution to the political crisis. Party of the Regions deputy, who threat- balance, Mr. Lozowy said. “I am certain Independence Square the evening of “It is of utmost importance that all ened to dismiss the judges from their the amount of pressure that is already March 31 that drew about 100,000 sup- political forces show restraint and a high posts. exerted on the court is unprecedented,” porters, many arriving from central sense of responsibility, while continuing That same day, a delegation of Party he said. “If (Victor) Pinchuk allegedly Ukrainian oblasts by buses. to use dialogue, in the resolution of this of the Regions deputies paid Mr. offered $10 million bribes for the “The life of a country is like the life of crisis,” said Minister Moratinos. Davydovych a visit. Kryvorizhstal privatization, there’s no a person – you can’t give up too early,” Minister Moratinos said he would fol- “Believe me, it’s not easy to work in doubt the Party of the Regions would said Nadiya Halenko, a Sumy Oblast res- low developments in Ukraine closely. the CEC today when two political giants offer far more.” ident who supports the Tymoshenko “I expect that all parties will act in a are caught in a sharp political battle,” he Court Chairman Ivan Dombrovskyi Bloc. “Our country is only three years spirit of constructive cooperation so that said. “But there is a law that defends our attempted to resign on April 4, but his old. It still doesn’t know or understand the role of democratic institutions may rights and no one has the right to demand colleagues rejected his resignation. anything. It is only learning how to walk, be preserved and democracy strength- to talk and to understand.” that the CEC pass unlawful decisions.” Coalition leaders accused Mr. ened,” he said. Many of those attending were party The Presidential Secretariat later Yushchenko of attempting to pressure the functionaries who had arrived in buses accused Prime Minister Yanukovych and court when he met with its judges on from towns and cities in neighboring the Party of the Regions of pressuring March 27. oblasts. Mr. Davydovych. “The coalition isn’t pressuring the An unusually large number of high Disturbed by the prospect of Mr. Court,” the chairman of the Socialist Pifer to speak school-age students, however, were hold- Kivalov returning to the CEC, Pora Faction, Mr. Bokyi, said. “On the other ing the flags of Our Ukraine and the activists pitched tents on April 4 in front hand, the president went to the court at Penn State People’s Self-Defense movement led by of the CEC headquarters in order to and pressured them, which is a violation UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Steven Mr. Lutsenko. defend any attempts to lay siege. of the law. Why did six court judges Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to They denied being paid, but when Instead of targeting the CEC, Mr. decline to work on the Cabinet of Ukraine, will visit Penn State’s asked to explain why they supported the Kivalov teamed up with Mr. Ministers law after his visit?” University Park campus to deliver a talk party represented by the flag in their Kolesnychenko to forcibly take control Presidential Representative to the titled, “The Role of Europe in Resolving hands, they couldn’t offer much of a rea- of the Pechersk District Court on the Constitutional Court Volodymyr Ukraine’s Orange Revolution Crisis.” son. morning of April 5, which occurred Shapoval denied the accusation. The Sponsored by the Woskob Ukraine New “We’re for the truth,” said a teenager under the passive observation of police Constitutional Court requires at least two Century Fund in the College of distributing People’s Self-Defense flags. officers. months to make a ruling on the dismissal Agricultural Sciences, the talk will take She said she belonged to the organization That afternoon, Mr. Yushchenko char- decree, Mr. Shapoval said. place at 2:30 p.m. on April 10 in Room because “it’s the right thing to do,” acterized Mr. Kivalov’s actions as crimi- However, the Constitutional Court 102 of the Weaver Building. declining to offer her name. nal. issued two statements on April 5, the Now a senior fellow at the Center for No other Orange public demonstra- “I called for and call for all sides, first stating that it will spend 15 days Strategic and International Studies, tions have been held since the “Betrayal including the prime minister, not to considering whether it would even Ambassador Pifer was a foreign service – Get Out!” rally. appeal to the population now,” the presi- review the president’s decree. Later in officer for more than 25 years, focusing Pora stated that it expects 5,000 dent said, “but for the opposite: to use the day, spokesman Ivan Avramov said on U.S. relations with the former Soviet activists to eventually arrive in Kyiv to political methods to find a democratic the court had begun to review the com- Union and Europe, as well as on arms defend government institutions. way of resolving.” plaint submitted by the Verkhovna Rada, control and security issues. He served as In another moment of déjà vu, the 1+1 The National Security and Defense “deeming it undelayable.” ambassador to Ukraine from 1998 to television network reported that the Party Council voted on April 5 to require the The Constitutional Court hasn’t made 2000. of the Regions was recruiting high school government to finance pre-term elections a single ruling in nine months, and it’s His talk is part of the Woskob Speaker students in the Cherkasy Oblast town of from the national budget’s reserve fund. possible it will avoid making one this Series. The Woskob Ukraine New Chyhyryn to skip class and travel to Kyiv That day, Mr. Moroz said the Socialist time as well. Century Fund – begun by real estate for the demonstrations. Party of Ukraine would not take part in Though Western judges have the luxu- developers Helen and Alex Woskob of Students told 1+1 they were offered $8 elections and continued denying they ry of reviewing a law within the context State College – also supports several other a day by local officials of the Party of the would ever take place. of legal precedents and well-defined con- Penn State initiatives: the Woskob stitutions, Ukraine’s judges make their Regions. One Chyhyryn high school Opposition forces meet International Research in Agriculture the reported 29 students absent on April 4. rulings based on the immediate political Ukrainian Forest Resources Initiative and While thousands of high school stu- Leaders of more than a dozen of considerations, Mr. Lozowy said. “The a faculty exchange program with Ukraine. dents were present for the March 31 Ukraine’s opposition political forces met court takes an ostrich approach, hiding More information on programs spon- opposition rally, it took place on a with Mr. Yushchenko at the Presidential its head in the sand,” he said. sored by the Woskob Ukraine New Saturday, not interfering with classes. Secretariat on April 5 to discuss forming International community reacts Century Fund is available by calling the During the weekdays, thousands of a mega-bloc of democratic forces to cam- College of Agricultural Sciences’ Office high school students suspiciously roamed paign for the May elections. U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William of International Programs at 814-863- about Kyiv’s city center during the coali- Among those attending were Mr. Taylor didn’t make any statement on 0249 or by logging on to the website tion’s demonstration. They almost unani- Kyrylenko of the Our Ukraine People’s the dismissal decree, but U.S. State http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/international. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2007 No. 14
THE ART SCENE Vera Jacyk’s meditation on historical events Depictions of Ukrainian symbolism and motifs OSHAWA, Ontario – Vera Jacyk’s artistic invention. In a stripped, white by Chrystyna Nykorak “Chysto, Chysto, Chysto” (Ukrainian for space, objects have been rendered or Clean, Clean, Clean) on view at the The assembled by hand and strategically DETROIT – An exhibit Robert McLaughlin Gallery, is a medita- placed. A bust of Joseph Stalin sits of paintings, sculptures, tion on the power of historical events behind cupboard doors. Traces of an textile art, photography, that, for the artist, have lingered long embroidered swastika lay in a drawer. A woodcuts and pysanky after their occurrence. This history chalk drawing and a bundle wrapped in featuring 27 artists from includes the ravages perpetrated by archival newspapers sit on the floor. Each the United States, Canada Communist and Nazi regimes on hand-wrought object reveals itself to the and Europe who depict Ukrainian soil, the birthplace of the viewer. ancient and contemporary artist’s émigré parents. Although the setting is one suggestive symbolism and motifs For many who endured war, displace- of domesticity, there are no objects reflect- from their Ukrainian her- ment and forced emigration to Canada, ing family life, no family photos or other itage will be presented at such as the artist’s parents, telling their specific memorabilia. Autobiographical the Scarab Club on April story was difficult or impossible, and, material is not overtly evident, in order to 4-May 12. thus, oral history was lost. Nevertheless, summon abandonment, disconnection and “In Search of Ukrainian Symbolism and Motifs” is the impact of such experiences was strangeness – all legacies of inter-genera- an art exhibit that draws passed on to the artist through silent tional trauma. from rich and colorful transmission, taking up residence within Art begun as a response to past trauma Ukrainian traditions filled the domestic sphere of her early life and creates a space of troubled silence for with symbolism and the artistic imagination of her adult contemplating the nature of our violent motifs. years. reality. The viewer of “Chysto, Chysto, One of the works on The crafted objects placed within the Chysto” may be motivated to explore exhibit is Christina pristine environment of “Chysto, Chysto, personal silences or the nature of power Pereyma O’Neal’s Chysto” make reference to Ukrainian and the continuing threat of its misuse in “Caryatid,” a dress based heritage, history and culture. Though the both public and private domains. on Ukrainian archeologi- imagery is drawn from familiar icons and The exhibit, which opened on March cal and pictorial refer- even clichés, it has been reworked into 16, is on view through May 6. ences of a garment worn idiosyncratic artifacts through selected On Sunday, April 15, Dr. Lubomyr by “Rusalky” (water materials, juxtapositions and placements. Luciuk will speak at the gallelry. His lec- spirits). The linen gar- “Talisman 21” (conte and pastel, 33.5 by 25.5 inches) Of importance is the trace of the artist’s ture on the topic broached by “Chysto, ment is very long, pillar- by Irma Osadsa. hand within these works, as it reflects an Chysto, Chysto” is slated for 1 p.m. like in form, and encrust- inherited sensibility, that of Ukrainian The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is ed in natural and dyed eggshells. Actual Osadsa’s “Talisman 21” depicts the womens’ handiwork, and makes manifest located at 72 Queen Street, Civic Centre, garments with the same exaggerated long ancient belief that certain symbols trans- accumulated, decisive actions taken by Oshawa. Gallery hours are: Monday- sleeves have been found in Ukraine; the fer their power to the object on which an individual in formulating a response Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m; Thursdays, 10 sleeves were used in dance to mimic they are drawn, thereby creating a talis- to a particular life experience. a.m.-9 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, flapping wings of birds. man for coping with life’s uncertainties. The viewer experiences two worlds in noon-4 p.m. Other symbolism and motifs depicted Daniel Graschuck, the juror of this Ms. Jacyk’s installation: one associated For information call 905-576-3000, by the artists are drawn from floral pat- with lived experience and the other an ext. 107, or e-mail [email protected]. exhibit, is a professional photographer terns, geometric designs, the cosmos, spi- and chairman of the board of directors of rals, the summer solstice, birds, mytholog- the Detroit Artists Market, as well as a ical spirits, icons and poignant encounters. former board member of the Wayne Anizia Karmazyn’s vivid “Tree of Council of the Arts, History and Life” woodcut depicts the universal Humanities, and a former board president theme of the continuum of life. Alexander of the Indian Village Association and Tkachenko’s watercolor painting of the Historical Indian Village Collections. Mr. ancient ritual of “Summer Solstice” is both enchanting and mesmerizing. Irma (Continued on page 16)
( %)* $ Paintings by Alexander Motyl % &