InsIde: l The Yanukovych regime’s growing paranoia – page 3 l White House press secretary’s statement on Holodomor – page 5 l Dr. Myron B. Kuropas on the Displaced Persons Act – page 9
ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXIX No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 $1/$2 in Ukraine Thousands remember Holodomor at service in St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Felix Khmelkovsky Special to The Ukrainian Weekly NEW YORK – A special requiem service was held on Saturday, November 19, here in St. Patrick’s Cathedral as thousands of Ukrainians gathered together to pray for the millions of their compatriots killed by the Soviet Communist regime in 1932-1933. They came from various parts of the United States – New Jersey, New York, Michigan and even California – to remem ber the victims of the Holodomor, the Famine-Genocide ordered by Stalin. Almost every second Ukrainian family suffered as a result of the Famine, which today is largely accepted as genocide directed against the Ukrainian people. The church service began with the placing of symbolic candles and stalks of wheat by children of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) and students of local schools of Ukrainian studies, all attired in embroidered shirts and blouses. Concelebrating the requiem for the victims of the Holodomor on its 78th anniversary were hierarchs and clergy of the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Lev Khmelkovsky Churches, most notably Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Hierarchs who led the requiem service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (from left): Bishop Daniel, Archbishop-Metropolitan recently elected leader of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Stefan Soroka, Patriarch Sviatoslav, Archbishop Antony, Bishop Paul Chomnycky and Bishop Basil Losten. Church. Also participating were Archbishop Antony and Bishop according to the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, we must continue telling the world the truth about the Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., and which organizes the annual commemoration – sang “Eternal events of 1932-1933 so that they can never again happen. Archbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, Bishop Paul Memory” (Vichnaya Pamiat) Archbishop Antony turned to UCCA President Tamara Olexy asked the assembled to Chomnycky and Bishop Basil Losten of the Ukrainian the congregation with words of comfort and wisdom. imagine themselves as children and to ponder what the chil- Catholic Church. Archbishop Antony said that not only must we not forget dren must have experienced during the Holodomor. “It is Singing the responses was the Dumka Chorus of New what happened to our nation, but we must not allow hard to conceive these gruesome scenes, but thankfully we York, under the direction of Vasyl Hrechynsky. Ukraine’s new leaders to deny the fact that the Holodomor After those in attendance – more than 4,000 people, was an artificially created genocide. He underscored that (Continued on page 5)
After tough meeting with Lithuanian president, CCRDF says it will complete
Yanukovych allows Yulia to get medical care its mission in February 2012 PARSIPPANY, N.J. – At the fifth meet- Ms. Grybauskaite said that the success of ing of the presidents of Ukraine and the EU-Ukraine summit will depend on Lithuania in Kyiv on November 22, the fate of imprisoned opposition leader President Viktor Yanukovych once again and former Prime Minister Tymoshenko. said it is crucial for Europe to provide a Ms. Grybauskaite spelled out a tough path for Ukraine to sign the Association message, which she said she had been Agreement with the European Union, authorized to pass on from the European while Lithuanian President Dalia Union. Grybauskaite raised the issue of Yulia “Europe was shocked by the decision Tymoshenko’s imprisonment. taken by the court regarding the opposi- The Ukrainian president stressed that, tion leader. In Europe, the opinion pre- in matters of economic integration with vails that Ms. Tymoshenko and her col- the EU, Ukraine has achieved quite good leagues are the victims of a process of results. In particular, negotiations for a political neutralization,” she said, accord- comprehensive free trade area are near ing to Reuters. completion and the first part of the road Mr. Yanukovych responded that the map for visa liberalization is also ful- Tymoshenko trial dealt solely with her Illya M. Labunka filled. “I hope that during the December work as prime minister and that her Zenon and Nadia Matkiwsky with the Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development summit we will get the second part and opposition activities had not influenced Fund banner following the November 21 press conference in Kyiv at which CCRDF’s continue to move in this direction,” Mr. the court’s verdict. upcoming closing was announced. Yanukovych added. Moments later, during the same joint PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Children of and medical programs in February 2012, However, the Ukrainian president’s press conference, Mr. Yanukovych said he Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund after 22 years of work in saving the lives optimism about the December summit would allow the jailed opposition leader (CCRDF) announced at a press confer- of countless children in Ukraine. was not shared by his Lithuanian coun- to seek medical treatment outside of the ence in Kyiv on November 21 – as well as At the same time, CCRDF announced terpart. At a press conference following in its winter 2011 newsletter – that it the meeting of the Council of Presidents, (Continued on page 10) will conclude its humanitarian mission (Continued on page 14) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
ANALYSIS
Ukraine fails to secure Journalists demand reports on murders Marking Orange Revolution anniversary KYIV – Representatives of Ukrainian and KYIV – City authorities on November 21 international media organizations staged a proposed that November 22 rallies dedicat IMF financing in 2011 rally on November 23 and handed over a ed to the anniversary of the 2004 Orange petition to the Presidential Administration Revolution be held on the Yevropeyska, to investigate the murders of 63 Ukrainian Besarabska, Kontraktova and other squares by Pavel Korduban revision of its cooperation program with Ukraine when gas talks with Russia had journalists committed over 20 years of the of Kyiv – that is, in any location other than Eurasia Daily Monitor been completed. Kyiv hopes that by the end country’s independence. “We are here to I n d e p e n d e n c e S q u a re ( M a i d a n The International Monetary Fund (IMF) of November, Moscow will agree to signifi strongly protest against impunity for mur Nezalezhnosty), where seven years ago the mission that arrived in Ukraine on October cantly cut its gas prices for 2012. Mr. Azarov ders and attacks on journalists. It is not just main protests took place against rigged 25 left the country on November 3, one day also said Ukraine and the IMF differed on a petition for the authorities, we demand results of the presidential election run-off. ahead of schedule, without agreement on the their forecasts for state budget revenues in that authorities report on attacks on journal The Kyiv City Administration noted that this next loan tranche. The IMF local representa 2012, but the differences were not major ists: how these cases were investigated, proposal is due to the installation of the tive, Max Alier, announced on November 4 ones (www.kmu.gov.ua, November 4). whether the murderers were punished,” said country’s main New Year tree; therefore, that the IMF would “take a pause.” Later he The business daily Kommersant-Ukraine a representative of Reporters Without Independence Square is partially blocked explained that the IMF would wait until the reported on November 7 that the IMF insist Borders in Ukraine, Oksana Romaniuk. The and peaceful actions in the central square of completion of Ukraine’s current gas talks ed that the 2012 budget bill, which the gov petition was received by Denys Ivanesko, Kyiv are limited. A number of political par with Russia (Interfax, November 15). ernment submitted to the Verkhovna Rada head of access to public information at the ties and public organizations had applied for This means that Ukraine will have hardly in September, should be revised because it Presidential Administration. He promised open-ended rallies to be held on November received a single dollar from the $6 billion was based on unrealistic forecasts and that that the administration will consider it as a 22 on the Maidan. However, the Kyiv District that it expected to receive from the IMF this personal income tax for the rich should be Administrative Court supported an effort by year. This is a large sum for a country whose increased from 17 percent to 19 percent. Mr. General with a request to objectively investi the city authorities to ban November 22 central bank reserves plunged by more than Azarov’s Cabinet, oblivious to the signs of gaterequest the murdersand send of a journalists.letter to the (Ukrinform) Procurаtor events on the Maidan, explaining its decision $4 billion in September and October to $34 economic slowdown around the world, by saying that the citizens who will gather 32 countries commemorate Holodomor billion, which covers less than five months expects GDP to pick up pace to 5.5 percent together that day on Independence Square could pose a threat to Lithuanian President of imports. Less financing from the IMF is to 6.5 percent next year from some 5 per KYIV – Events dedicated to Ukrainian Dalia Grybauskaite, who will be in Kyiv on a likely to result in more Ukrainian depen cent expected this year, while the IMF Holodomor Remembrance Day will be held visit to Ukraine. (Ukrinform) dence on Russian financial resources. believes Ukraine’s growth in 2012 will be in 32 world capitals, Ivan Vasiunyk, one of IMF loans helped Ukraine survive the flat if not slower than this year. the coordinators of the Public Committee for Klitschko’s new fight: for Ukraine 2008-2009 financial crisis. In July 2010, Kyiv On November 14, Mr. Azarov said the Commemoration of Victims of the secured a new $15.7 billion assistance pack Ukraine has survived without IMF financing Holodomor Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933, KYIV – In a November 22 article published age from the IMF. The first two loan tranch so far this year and its absence should not be told the press on November 23. “The in The Times, Vitali Klitschko, leader of the es arrived last year as Ukraine agreed to a problem in 2012 (Interfax, November 14). Ukrainian World Congress on November 26 UDAR (Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for implement a set of measures to streamline This must mean that the Cabinet is not going will organize events in the capitals of 32 Reform) party, writes: “My new fight is for a its finances. The most painful of these were to change its position on domestic gas prices countries,” he said. Mr. Vasiunyk said that in country more like Europe. I joined the pension reform, aimed at balancing the bud although Russia, even if it agrees to charge Ukraine the events will be dedicated to the Orange Revolution. Now I want to stop my get of the Pension Fund, and domestic gas less for gas next year, will hardly agree on a memory of children killed and aborted due homeland sliding into tyranny.” He wrote the price hikes to improve the finances of the price low enough to allow Naftohaz to bal to this tragedy. In Kyiv there will be a mourn article on the occasion of the seventh anni debt-ridden state-owned oil and gas giant ance its budget. At the same time, Ukraine ing procession and a memorial service with versary of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, Naftohaz Ukrainy – which buys gas from will have to borrow this year in any case as its bishops of all Churches and religious organi which he described as “a peaceful uprising Russia and sells it artificially cheap at home. coffers are nearly empty. It is expected that zations in Ukraine. At 4 p.m. a national against a rigged presidential election,” when However, as the parliamentary election consolidated budget expenditures will exceed moment of silence will be declared and the “Millions of my countrymen and I stood in year of 2012 approaches and the popularity revenues by almost $2 billion in December “Light a Candle” action will begin. According freezing weather for weeks defending our of the ruling Party of Regions starts to fall, (Kommersant-Ukraine, November 9). to various estimates, the Holodomor in right to a free and fair election.” Mr. Klitschko the government is increasingly reluctant to In the absence of support from the IMF Ukraine killed between 7 million and 10 mil went on to say: “Today our European aspira implement unpopular measures promised and as the current situation on the financial lion Ukrainians, including nearly 4 million tions are again being tested. Two-thirds of to the IMF. As a result, Parliament passed markets does not favor the Eurobond issues children. The official Day of Remembrance of Ukrainians believe that their country is going pension reform last September instead of initially planned by the government for this Victims of Holodomor and Political in the wrong direction. Most are disaffected year, there are signs that Ukraine will rely with all national politicians and neither the early this year and the plan to increase gas Repressions is marked annually in Ukraine more on Russian financial resources. The gov ruling party nor the democratic opposition prices for households and utility companies on the fourth Saturday of November. by 32 percent in 2011 was abandoned. ernment will most probably ask the Russian (Ukrinform) (Continued on page 14) Consequently, Naftohaz’s deficit is expected bank VTB to extend the $2 billion loan to approach 1.5 percent of GDP this year. received in June 2010 by another six months. The recent talks with the IMF were Earlier this month, Naftohaz had to bor doomed to fail, as the government made it row $550 million from Russia’s clear from the outset that it was not going to Gazprombank in order to pay Gazprom for The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 meet the main IMF condition – the gas price gas supplied in October. Also, the central hikes. Speaking on the first day of the IMF banks of Ukraine and Russia agreed in An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., mission’s visit, on October 25, Prime October that it would be possible for a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Minister Mykola Azarov told factory work Naftohaz to pay Gazprom for gas in rubles Yearly subscription rate: $65; for UNA members — $55. ers in Dnipropetrovsk that Ukraine did not rather than dollars as has thus far been the Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. need loans at any cost and that gas price case (www.bank.gov.ua, November 1). (ISSN — 0273-9348) hikes were unnecessary because Kyiv would The article above is reprinted from The Weekly: UNA: undoubtedly persuade Moscow to lower gas Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 prices (Interfax, October 25). Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Commenting on the IMF mission’s depar its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Postmaster, send address changes to: ture, Mr. Azarov said the IMF would start the www.jamestown.org. The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas P.O. Box 280 Corrections Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected]
Statehood Roundtable” was omitted in the story “Washington conference focuses on The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com Ukraine’s• The name relations of a with speaker Poland at theand 12th Turkey,” annual supplied “Ukraine’s by the Quest UCCA for (November Mature Nation 20). A sentence about the panel on Ukrainian-Polish relations should have read: The morn The Ukrainian Weekly, November 27, 2011, No. 48, Vol. LXXIX ing panels addressed Ukrainian-Polish relations in the past, present and future. Both Copyright © 2011 The Ukrainian Weekly Krzysztof Bobinski (Unia & Polska) and Serhii Plokhii (Harvard University) [omitted in the original version] in reviewing the past, as well as Janusz Onyszkiewicz (former minister of defense of Poland) and Borys Tarasyuk (former minister of foreign affairs ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA of Ukraine) in assessing the present made it clear that a Polish-Ukrainian entente would have enormous positive consequences for the region. Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 e-mail: [email protected] Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 fax: (973) 644-9510 ‘short of people’ ” (November 6), which began on page 3, was incorrectly rendered on e-mail: [email protected] page• The 22, jump appearing headline as afor jump the storyheadline “NEWS for ANALYSIS:the other storyPost-communist, on page 3, which European, was andnot Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 transferred to another page. Thus, the jump story headline was incorrectly headlined in e-mail: [email protected] our print edition as “Corruption at the top...”; it should have read “Post-communist…”. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 3
NEWS ANALYSIS: Paranoia grows in the Yanukovych regime by Taras Kuzio The Yanukovych administration’s criti enemies behind everything” (Ukrayinska rogated after the SBU revealed plans for a cism against its domestic opponents Pravda, November 3). There is no room for terrorist attack on August 24, Ukraine’s Eurasia Daily Monitor equates their protest with undermining maidans in this mindset. Mr. Yanukovych Independence Day. On November 2 President Viktor political stability with the help of foreign told the government meeting, “normal Ahead of the soccer Euro-2012 champi Yanukovych made a startling warning at an support. Cables from the U.S. embassy in people sit and are patient.” onship, another threat is politicized foot enlarged government meeting. He said, Kyiv, released by WikiLeaks, show on a If, instead, they storm the barricades ball fans. A senior Internal Affairs Ministry “Law enforcement organs have told me number of occasions Mr. Yanukovych’s they are “unhinged,” like Ms. Tymoshenko, officer revealed to Ukrayinsky Tyzhden on there are purchases of weapons in prepara “Maidanophob ia” (Korrespo ndent , or financed by the CIA and high on oranges November 4 that instructions had been tion for a violent attack on the organs of the November 7). The maidan, Independence injected by the CIA with narcotics. In the sent from the presidential administration ruling bodies (of the state),” adding “People Square, is blocked each weekend by musi Orange Revolution, Liudmila Yanukovych to repress fanatical football supporters. have lost their fear and conscience. Who is cal performances organized by the author said at one of her husband’s rallies that the These instructions were issued after the organizing this?” (Ukrayinska Pravda, ities who fear it could be taken over by the CIA had imported drugged oranges for August 7 soccer match between Kyiv November 2). opposition. protesters so they would stay in tents on Dynamo and Lviv Karpaty, where support An anonymous Security Service of Mr. Yanukovych has always believed the the maidan (see video: www.youtube. ers of both clubs chanted “Thank you Ukraine (SBU) officer on November 3 told Orange Revolution, and similar democratic com/watch?v=EtS2xb8EFD4). Since Mr. Donbas for a Faggot President” (www.you Segodnya, a newspaper owned by Donetsk uprisings in Serbia, Georgia and the Arab Yanukovych was elected, Mrs. Yanukovych tube.com/watch?v=w0IqcXwpZpY). A oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, that there have world, are products of foreign conspira has been kept out of public sight in print shop producing T-shirts with the been cases of weapons being purchased in cies. In November 2006, then Prime Donetsk. lyric was closed and its owner has fled Lviv, Kharkiv and other cities. He confirmed Minister Yanukovych told U.S. Ambassador The head of the Association of Owners abroad. that the SBU had “operational information” William Taylor that President Viktor of Arms, which believes there are 2 million A People’s Council was established by about increased threats to Ukraine’s leaders. “Yushchenko is obligated to the Americans legal holders of weapons in Ukraine, told radical social, veterans and business NGOs “These are not rumors from the bazaar. for his position.” Mr. Taylor replied that his Kommersant-Ukrainy (November 4) that on November 5, with the objective of over These are facts from trusted people,” the was “nonsense” (http://www.wikileaks. the president’s paranoia “smells of 1937.” t h ro w i n g P r e s i d e n t Ya n u ko v yc h . SBU officer said. This was the reason, he org/cable/2006/11/06KYIV4187.html). Anatoliy Grytsenko, the head of the parlia Chornobyl and Afghanistan veterans have confirmed, for increasing presidential secu The 2004 Yanukovych election cam mentary Committee on National Security twice almost stormed Parliament, in the rity and that of other senior state officials. paign unleashed a massive anti-American and Defense, is concerned that Mr. second incident breaking newly erected Mr. Yanukovych’s cortege to Chernivtsi campaign against Mr. Yushchenko (see Yanukovych’s paranoia signifies a shift in metal fences. The People’s Council will included 30 vehicles, only 15 less than the Eurasia Daily Monitor, October 7, 2004). At the authorities’ threat perceptions from have limited influence because of wide level of protection for the U.S. president that time, Ukraine had the third largest external to internal. Of Ukraine’s 715,000 spread disillusionment in opposition poli (see video on Ukrayinska Pravda, military contingent in Iraq and unsuccess security forces only 184,000 are military ticians. November 9). fully sought a Membership Action Plan at personnel. “Today the political opposition is com In September, the Party of Regions NATO’s June 2004 Istanbul summit. Front for Change leader Arseniy pletely unable to do anything,” Volodymyr began drawing up a draft law to combat A Korrespondent blogger noted on Yatsenyuk pointed out that corrupt Fesenko, the head of the Penta think tank, “extremism,” as seen in Russia and the CIS. November 7 that paranoia makes it impos Internal Affairs Ministry officers are the said. He pointed to low numbers of pro “Extremism” is defined as the “forcible sei sible to explain the policies and actions of major source of illegal weapons. He added, testers in Ukraine compared to those in zure of power,” “intrusion into the work of the Yanukovych administration in “‘ratio “every Ukrainian has a weapon, as there is Greece and elsewhere in Europe. the authorities” and “hindering the work of nal terms.” Paranoia is driven by Mr. a pitchfork in every decent home” The president’s paranoia will have two the authorities.” If the law had existed in Yanukovych’s fears, as in the case of the (Ukrayinska Pravda, November 3). outcomes. First, it reduces the chances of 2004, Orange Revolution protesters, who imprisoning of Yulia Tymoshenko, which Paranoia is stoked up by the president’s Ms. Tymoshenko’s release. Second, it is blocked the government and presidential has brought them no dividends and is oligarchic allies and security forces to likely to stoke further political repression, administration buildings, could have been “irrational” (see EDM, November 4). make him dependent upon them. Mr. especially ahead of the 2015 presidential criminally charged. On the other hand, Ms. Tymoshenko’s Yanukovych’s bodyguard is a Russian citi election, when Mr. Yanukovych will cam The Yanukovych administration is para imprisonment is “rational” when the coun zen and his security establishment was paign for re-election. In such an environ noid about threats and “sees imagined ene try is completely controlled by one person, successfully lobbied by Russia (EDM, ment of paranoia, exaggerated threats and mies much like other strongman leaders in Mr. Yanukovych, who has concentrated March 29, 2010, Jamestown blog, October personal insecurity, it will be virtually Russia and Belarus” (Kyiv Post, November power entirely in his hands. Rational or 13, 28, 2010). impossible to hold free elections in 2012 3). In response to criticism of democratic not, Mr. Yanukovych feels threatened by Arms were planted on Svoboda and and 2015. backsliding, Ukrainian leaders, according to Ms. Tymoshenko who, if released, would Tryzuyb nationalists who were arrested in one editorial, “have adopted increasingly organize an “Orange Revolution-2” against January 2011, after the Joseph Stalin mon The article above is reprinted from aggressive rhetoric against both Western him. Mr. Yanukovych’s neo-Soviet political ument was blown up in Zaporizhia. In Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from and domestic critics” (Kyiv Post, November culture “does not view the right of the peo August, the leaders of the marginal nation its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, 3). ple to undertake protest actions and sees alist group, Patriots of Ukraine, were inter www.jamestown.org.
UWC leader meets chair of EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
WARSAW – Ukrainian World Congress dence, one achieved through much suffer- President Eugene Czolij met on November i n g , a n d w i l l b r i n g a b o u t t h e 3 with the Chair of the European Europeanization of life for millions of Parliament Delegation to the European Ukraine’s citizens. All of this is now in your Union-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation hands.” Committee, Pawel Kowal. In addition, Mr. Czolij noted a statement Mr. Czolij emphasized the importance of made by the press attaché for the EU dele Ukraine’s integration into European struc gation to Ukraine, David Stupik, on tures and called upon the European Union November 1, regarding an annual alloca to sign the Association Agreement with tion of 180 million euros designated for Ukraine before the end of the year. The reform initiatives in specific Ukrainian sec agreement, which has great significance for tors. Mr. Stupik announced that Ukraine both parties, is crucial for Ukraine’s future will receive this allocation only when it can development as a democratic European demonstrate its commitment to carry out state. reforms. In response, the UWC president The UWC president relied on the asked that funding for projects of non-gov November 2 appeal to the European com ernmental organizations designed to munity by Ukraine’s opposition leader strengthen civil society not be withheld. Yulia Tymoshenko, in which the former During the meeting with Mr. Kowal, Mr. prime minister wrote: “I ask you to sign Czolij also called upon the European and ratify the Agreement with Ukraine Parliament to closely monitor the process even if Ukraine’s government deliberately of adoption of the law “On Election of fails to fulfill the conditions of the last reso National Deputies of Ukraine.” lution of the European Parliament, because The meeting concluded with a discus for Ukraine, this agreement is not just the sion about the upcoming 17th meeting of UWC signing of an official document, it marks the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij (right) with Pawel Kowal, chair the rebirth of our long-awaited freedom, Committee scheduled for November 24-25 of the European Parliament delegation to the European Union-Ukraine assures the preservation of our indepen in Kyiv. Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
OBITUARIES in 1946-1947 and St. Joseph, Mo., in “My Century and Some Facts on the 1947-1955. Between 1950 and 1955 he History of Ukraine,” was at the printer Tamara Kardashinetz, 89, organized parishes in Omaha and when he died. Lincoln, Neb., and Denver and he served At the age of 63 he began embroider former editor at Svoboda the Denver parish in 1955-1958. ing. He created 350 embroidered icons COLUMBUS, N.J. – Tamara Kardashinetz, He then went on to serve parishes in and religious banners, and published 16 a former member of the editorial staff of Philadelphia in 1958-1959 and collections of patterns of Ukrainian reli Svoboda, died on November 4. She was 89. Houston, where he was assigned from gious embroidery. Ten years ago he Mrs. Kardashinetz was born on 1959 to 1973. established a museum of embroidered November 14, 1922, in Kyiv; she was a The Rev. Dr. Blazejowsky authored 25 icons in Lviv. It is the only museum of its daughter of the late Artem and Anna scientific papers on the history of the kind in the world. Musienko. She moved to the United States Church and the Ukrainian state, as well Burial was at the Yanivsky cemetery in 1949, after a period in the Displaced as countless articles on those topics. His in Lviv, in accordance with the Rev. Persons camps in Germany, and most most recent Ukrainian-language book, Blazejowsky’s last will. recently resided in Columbus, N.J. She was an editor at Svoboda, the Ukrainian-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Yar Slavutych, 93, professor (UNA), from February 1975 until she retired in May of 1990 to take care of her of Slavic languages, writer ailing father. EDMONTON, Alberta – Yar Slavutych, She was bid a fond farewell by her col noted professor of Slavic languages and a leagues at Svoboda, its sister publication, prolific writer, died on July 4. He was 93. The Ukrainian Weekly, and the UNA, Tamara Kardashinetz at work at Svoboda. He was born in Blahodatne, Ukraine, on including its executive officers led by five grandchildren, Roman, Michele and January 11, 1918, and was 15 years old President John O. Flis. Ronnie Kardashinetz, D.J. Cronrath (with when his grandparents and the youngest of Mrs. Kardashinetz remained active in his wife Danielle) and Tolyk Cronrath. Also his three sisters died of starvation in the community life after her retirement and in mourning are other family members in Holodomor, the Famine-Genocide of 1932 was a founding member of the Rutherford the United States, Ukraine and France. to 1933 in Ukraine, along with millions of Patriots. Mrs. Kardashinetz was predeceased by their countrymen. Young Yars’ grandfather, Surviving are two sons and a daughter, three brothers, a sister and two nephews. who died in his arms, asked him to promise Anatole Kardashinetz and his wife, Martha, The funeral service was offered on to inform the world about the Famine. of Berkley Heights, N.J.; Ronald and Mary November 8 at St. George Ukrainian At the end of the war Mr. Slavutych was Kardashinetz and his wife, Mary, of Clifton, Orthodox Church in Yardville, N.J. Interment a displaced person in Berlin and then in N.J.; and Victoria Yasika and her husband, followed at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Bavaria. In the DP camp he fell in love with Guy, of Springfield Township, N.J.; as well as Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J. and married Elwira Ziebarth in 1948, and the couple moved to the United States shortly thereafter. He completed an M.A. and a Ph.D. at the The Rev. Dmytro Blazejowsky, 100, University of Pennsylvania, and the couple moved to Monterey, Calif., where he taught scholar, creator of embroidered icons at the Army Language School. After the Prof. Yar Slavutych LVIV – The Rev. Dr. Dmytro birth of their son Bohdan and daughter Blazejowsky, a church scholar and histori Oksana, the family moved to Edmonton, poetry books is called “Conquerers of the an, who was known also for his beautiful where Prof. Slavutych accepted a position Prairies.” embroidered icons, died here on April 23. in the newly established Department of Prof. Slavutych also kept his grandfa- He was born on August 21, 1910, in Slavic Languages at the University of ther’s dying wish by conducting research Vyslik, Sianok county of the Lemko Alberta, where he worked until his retire- on the Holodomor and publishing in both region in Ukraine. He began his studies in ment in 1988. English and Ukrainian. Prague, but then traveled by foot on a pil He is perhaps best known by a genera- Prof. Slavutych is survived by his son grimage to Rome, where he remained to tion of Ukrainian schoolchildren in Canada Bohdan Slavutych, former daughter-in-law study theology and history and was for his Ukrainian textbooks, such as Judy Slavutych, grandsons Bohdan Slavutych ordained to the priesthood in 1939. U k r a i n i a n f o r B e g i n n e r s a n d Jr. (with his wife, Erin Slavutych) and Lev He earned a doctorate in theology Conversational Ukrainian, which helped Slavutych, all of Edmonton; daughter Oksana from the Urbaniana University in Rome standardize the way Ukrainian was taught Slavutych (with her husband, Marc-Philippe in 1942 and a doctorate in history from despite the many differences in dialects. Gagné) and his granddaughter Emmanuelle Gregorian University, also in Rome in In academic circles he was recognized Slavutych Gagné of Toronto. 1946. for his prolific writing, both of poetry and A private funeral service took place on July 9 in Edmonton. The Rev. Dr. Dmytro Blazejowsky He served parishes in Ansonia, Conn., literary history. One of his most popular
Gareth Jones and Holodomor in the spotlight in Washington
WASHINGTON – Nigel Colley, great-nephew of Gareth Jones, the Welsh journalist who brought the Holodomor in Ukraine to the attention of the world, points to selected pages from Jones’s diaries and let ters about the Famine, as well as photographs from that period, during a discussion of his forthcoming book “More Than a Grain of Truth: the Biography of Gareth Jones” on November 21 at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation in Washington. Among those observing his presentation were Eugenia and Charles Osgood (seated) and Peter Hickman of the National Press Club, where Mr. Colley appeared earlier that day. Washingtonians had a chance to broaden their under standing of the Holodomor at a number of informative events that week, among them the presentation of the 2011 Omelan and Tatiana Antonovych Foundation lau reate awards to Profs. Stanislav Kulchytsky and Andrea Graziosi for their scholarly research work on that sub ject. Complete reports about these events will appear in next week’s issue of The Ukrainian Weekly. – Yaro Bihun No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 5
matters as we strive year after year, event Thousands... after event, resolution after resolution, and prayer after prayer to bring the full light of (Continued from page 1) day to this historic tragedy. It matters can return to the reality and comfort of our because to secure our place as a civilized surroundings. Yet, for the few Holodomor people, in Ukraine and here in America, and survivors among us here today, such horrif indeed in every corner of this globe, we ic scenes were not figments of their imagi must call out evil for what it is,” Sen. nation; for them in 1932-1933 such scenes Schumer stated. were a frightening reality,” she noted. A statement by the White House press Patriarch Sviatoslav then came to the secretary was read to the gathering by podium. He prayed for the millions of souls William Pope, senior advisor for Europe to lost in what was probably the greatest the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. (The crime against humanity. The leader of the full text appears below.) Ukrainian Catholic Church lamented that Ukraine’s ambassador to the United the new Ukrainian government gives pref States, Olexander Motsyk, read an official erence to the pro-Russian version of statement from the Ukrainian government. Ukrainian history, adding that such treat At the end of the commemoration, ment is inadmissible for the majority of Bishop Chomnycky called upon all to offer Felix Khmelkovsky Ukrainians in Ukraine and in the diaspora. one more prayer in memory of those who Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Catholic Church addresses the thousands gath- The congregation responded to the patri died in the Holodomor. Patriarch Sviatoslav ered inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral. arch’s speech with sustained applause. blessed the congregation with a cross, giv Afterwards Patriarch Sviatoslav stepped ing special attention to the few remaining forward to bless the Holodomor survivors Holodomor survivors. in attendance. Many in the cathedral had tears in their Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a regular eyes during the solemn commemoration. speaker at the annual Holodomor commem The presence of younger generations of orations at St. Patrick’s, underscored that Ukrainian Americans will no doubt ensure remembering the millions murdered mat that the memory of this genocide of the ters “as we seek justice for the unspeakable.” Ukrainian nation will endure and will serve “It matters as we honor the suffering and to unite the Ukrainian nation for decades to the eternal souls of the innocent. And it come.
Bishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. underscores the genocidal nature of the Holodomor.
Local youths place flowers and wheat before candles lit in memory of the millions of victims of the Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933. UWC on Holodomor ’s 78th anniversary
The following statement by the Ukrainian genocide in 2006. Today, the Ukrainian gov The patriarch blesses survivors of the Holodomor. World Congress was released on November 22. ernment does not recognize the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian On Saturday, November 26, 2011, people in direct contravention of the Law International Holodomor Memorial Day, of Ukraine ”On the Holodomor of 1932 White House press secretary Ukrainians around the world will remem 1933 in Ukraine.” ber the victims of the Ukrainian genocide – In commemoration of the 78th anniver the Holodomor of 1932-1933, the most sary of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, the issues statement on Holodomor extensive and heinous crime of the totali UWC calls upon the Ukrainian diaspora to Following is the full text of the around the world in remembering tarian Soviet regime against Ukraine and remember this tragic historical event and “Statement by the Press Secretary on those who suffered and died sense the Ukrainian nation. mark the anniversary on Saturday, Ukrainian Holodomor Remembrance lessly as a result of this man-made Seventy eight years ago, in an attempt to November 26, with memorial services, Day” issued on November 19 by the famine. subdue our nation and destroy its national community vigils and other commemora White House Office of the Press In the wake of this brutal and delib spirit, Soviet authorities brutally eliminat tive events. The UWC also calls upon every Secretary. erate attempt to break the will of the ed millions of innocent Ukrainians, causing Ukrainian family to light a candle in the people of Ukraine, Ukrainians showed irreparable harm to the social fabric of window of their home and unite in the As we celebrate the 20th anniversa great courage and resilience. The Ukraine’s society, its spiritual culture and international campaign “Light a Candle in ry of Ukraine’s independence – a testa establishment of a proud and indepen ethnic identity. Remembrance.” ment to the spirit and determination dent Ukraine 20 years ago shows the Honoring the memory of the “In order to prevent the resurgence of of the people of Ukraine – we also remarkable depth of the Ukrainian Holodomor’s victims, the over 20 million totalitarian regimes and the recurrence of remember the suffering they endured people’s love of freedom and indepen strong Ukrainian diaspora, led by the such horrors, the UWC calls upon all 78 years ago during the catastrophic dence. Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), contin Ukrainian communities around the world famine that has come to be known as The United States values the friend ues its persistent efforts to raise interna to continue their efforts to raise awareness the Holodomor – the “death by hun ship between our peoples and offers tional awareness of the reasons and conse and actively support the recognition of the ger.” This terrible tragedy, created by our deepest condolences on this sol quences of the Holodomor in Ukraine. Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian the intentional seizure of crops and emn occasion. As we remember this Among our greatest accomplishments has people in their countries of residence,” stat farms across Ukraine by Joseph Stalin, tragedy, we recommit ourselves and been the recognition of the Holodomor as ed UWC President Eugene Czolij. was one of communism’s greatest reaffirm our shared determination to an act of genocide by the governments of May our memory of the victims of the atrocities. Today, Americans join with prevent similar tragic acts from ever 16 countries. One of these countries was Holodomor-Genocide of the Ukrainian the people of Ukraine and Ukrainians happening again. Ukraine, recognizing the Holodomor as a nation be eternal. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly
Orange Revolution: seven years after Subregional cooperation with the EU Archbishop and Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, writing on the website Pohliad, asks: Or, how can Ukraine not miss the integration boat? “Have we understood the Orange Revolution?” “Let’s remember what this revolution was like: Several hundred thousand people – by Larion Lozoviy EU, forcing it to adjust its policy towards the some said there were a million – gathered on the central square of Kyiv; residents of group of friendly countries that are on its the capital welcomed complete strangers into their homes; not a single drop of blood The large window of opportunity that outskirts and are hoping to be able to join. was spilled, not a single shop window was broken, the people who gathered did not opened with the Polish presidency of the This group, in turn, contains two differ- respond to those who did not share their viewpoint with fists, but with flowers! European Union will soon begin to swing ent types of countries: countries on the “Several years have passed. We ask ourselves: Foreigners from various points on shut. If the long-awaited signing of the Balkan peninsula that are already engaged the globe were inspired by our Orange Revolution. Why have we forgotten about Association Agreement does not take place in the Stabilization and Association it?” he writes. within the next six months, Ukraine will Process, which involves very specific mea- The retired leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church goes on to note the situation find itself having to seriously rethink its sures intended to accelerate accession to in the country: there is tension, the president has warned of possible armed encoun prospects and begin to look for new part- the EU; and countries in the European ters. “Do we need a bloody revolution?” Cardinal Husar asks, and then replies in the ners. The question is, what’s better: to hold Neighborhood Policy, whose “Europeanness” negative. “I don’t think anyone among our nation wants to see blood spilled. I don’t your breath and wait for the desired result, is not under question, but who are not think that we didn’t understand. I suspect that some simply did not want to under or to start looking for new friends right being offered any real integrational pros- stand, trying to transform [the Orange Revolution] into a political spectacle.” now? pects. That is why, no doubt, the Yanukovych administration and its toadies saw fit to At a time when the European Union is Ukraine belongs to the second group. declare that Independence Square – the epicenter of those historic events that has hoping to form a circle of friendly, stable Although such a situation cannot but raise become known to all as the Maidan – and surrounding streets were off limits on the countries around itself, Ukraine must also feelings of disenchantment in the country revolution’s anniversary. News media reported that Kyiv city authorities had asked the form a circle of friends within the EU. To that finds itself left on shore while the inte court to ban such gatherings on November 21-22 and the Maidan was cordoned off to expect all the EU’s members to have the gration boat moves away, it is also not keep the people out. The ostensible reason(s): city officials said the square was being same attitude towards it or to count on the worth indulging in fatalistic thoughts about prepped for the erection of the holiday tree and safety rules prohibited gatherings complete dedication of a single mentor how the walls of “Fortress Europe” are while this was taking place; police officials cited security precautions during the visit country makes little sense. And, although becoming completely impenetrable for of Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. (The response to the latter was a letter the formula of an alternative path to new aspirants. writing campaign to the Lithuanian leader on the maidan.org.ua website welcoming European integration through subregional Sectoral cooperation: her to Kyiv on Freedom Day and asking her to raise the suppression of citizens’ rights sectoral cooperation is hardly ideal, it could One foot inside the EU? and freedoms with President Viktor Yanukovych.) However, observers say the real actually offer the principles that are capable reason is the Yanukovych regime’s antipathy toward not only the events of 2004, but of establishing friendly and mutually bene- In the post-expansion era, participation also toward the people of Ukraine – and, some argue, the regime’s fear of the people. ficial relations with all members of the EU. in subregional, sector-based organizations Truly, the Yanukovych administration’s cynicism knows no bounds. Back in 2005 could provide a viable alternative to “full President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree establishing Freedom Day on “Friends 4ever?” scale” Eurointegration in those cases where November 22, the date on which the Orange Revolution began. The decree was On its path to Europe, Ukraine has the latter is at least temporarily, impossi signed “with the aim of promoting the ideals of freedom and democracy in Ukraine always tried to find those who would reli- ble. This means that Ukraine’s cooperation [and] ingraining the feeling of national pride in citizens, while taking into account ably defend its interests among EU mem- with its European friends should be very the historic experience of events in the autumn of 2004.” But the current leaders of ber countries. The idea that a few strong clearly outlined, having a regional tie, being Ukraine will stop at nothing to rewrite Ukraine’s history to their liking – that political allies could lobby the country’s sectoral in orientation and, where possible, includes denying the significance of the Orange Revolution. Eurointegration ambitions from within, having a contractual basis. Despite the authorities’ ban, hundreds of people, many wearing something pulling Ukraine like some tow truck into Ukraine already has experience joining orange, turned out on the streets of Kyiv to mark Freedom Day 2011. Many gathered European space, became a virtual axiom in partner organizations on this basis, such as beside the city’s main post office, which is near the Maidan, and formed a “7” using Ukrainian diplomacy. the subregional European Energy candles in front of the building. The “forum of friends of Ukraine” that Community (EEC), of which the country Cardinal Husar underscores that seven years ago it was “not Ukraine” [in the took place in Luxembourg in May was a became a full-fledged member half a year abstract sense] but “concrete people – Ukrainians,” who gathered on the Maidan and clear confirmation of this. Organized by the ago. It is not unreasonable to expect that, “demanded truth and justice.” Today, he says, we need to “transform this spirit into country’s traditional political “pals” – the should Ukraine build proper multilateral action.” How? “By respecting every one of our countrymen, by speaking the truth, by foreign ministries of Poland and Sweden – relations with EEC members, this organiza giving each what he deserves…” the forum enjoyed a friendly atmosphere tion will allow the integration dynamic to Sadly, seven years after the heady events of the Orange Revolution, trust and jus with very optimistic findings and an keep moving forward in EU-Ukraine rela tice are not in evidence in Ukraine. And the people of Ukraine continue to press their extremely wide range of topics, from a visa- tions even as the process of expansion just demands. free regime to military cooperation. begins to come to an end. Enormous hopes were placed on influen- Membership in the European Energy tial friends – the traditional approach of Community offers Ukraine an opportunity Ukraine’s foreign policy, and one that is not to bring its policies as close as possible to entirely baseless. those of the EU, even if these only relate to Nov. Turning the pages back... Indeed, it seems particularly appropri the power sector. This kind of narrowly ate just now, during Poland’s presidency, specialized approach places Ukraine’s power sector in the forefront of integration, Last year, on November 27, 2010, Ukrainians around the world which coincides with the final stages of talks between Ukraine and the EU on an making it a kind of test lab for European 27 marked Holodomor Victims Remembrance Day. approaches to policy-making and for In Ukraine, President Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister Association Agreement. But are these 2010 expectations not just a bit unrealistic? adapting EU rules and procedures. Mykola Azarov, along with Metropolitan Volodymyr of the The EEC is often seen as a preliminary Efforts by Ukraine to form a circle of Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate, participated stage to EU accession – a pre-accession friends, a kind of “inside Europe party of in an official ceremony at the National Museum in Memory of Victims of Famines in instrument. But it does not actually antici supporters,” have generally been bilateral Ukraine. Also in attendance were national deputies, Cabinet members, members of the cler pate full policy unification between EEC and depended significantly on understand- gy and the public. Symbolic bowls of wheat, sprigs of kalyna and candles were left at the member countries and the European ings between individual politicians at the foot of the statute “The Bitter Memory of Childhood.” Union, as this would require setting up a highest level. The stability of such a circle Unofficial ceremonies organized by patriotic forces in Ukraine commemorated the 77th comprehensive common legislative envi of friends becomes hostage to the political anniversary of the Famine-Genocide. ronment in an individual sector that would situation at any given moment and to The “Day of Remembrance of Victims of Famines and Political Repressions,” as it is offi then be governed by all EU legislation, swings in the electoral mood in each of the cially called in accordance with the presidential decree of November 26, 1998, is marked including new laws. mentor countries. As the ruling coalitions annually on the fourth Saturday in Ukraine in November. Instead, the European Energy Community in these countries change, it is always pos In Budapest, Hungary, a wreath-laying ceremony before the Candle of Memory, a memori only extends to its members a series of sible that friends will gradually be replaced al to victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, was also held on November 27 at Petofi Square. “tried and true” EU directives in the power by indifferent politicians with no qualms Jaroslawa Hortiani, chair of the national organization of Ukrainians in Hungary, and the sector, competition rules and the environ about leaving Ukraine in a grey zone. chairmen of 15 local Ukrainian organizations and Ukraine’s ambassador to the Republic of ment. So, to say that EEC membership is de In addition, after the last wave of expan Hungary, Yuri Mushka, attended the ceremony. facto membership in the European Union’s More activities such as memorial concerts, readings of works on the Holodomor and sion, the European Union came close to the energy sector would be inaccurate. It is limits of its ability to absorb new countries. other events were organized by the Ukrainian community in Hungary under the auspices of more like a platform for cooperation that Fatigue from the expansion process itself the International Institute of Education, Culture and Relations with the Diaspora of the Lviv includes the European Union’s closest has set in and is still felt very sharply in the Polytechnic National University. friends – both potential candidates for In Russia, the Embassy of Ukraine hosted a commemorative event for members of the accession like the Balkans, and countries Ukrainians diaspora in Russia. Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to Larion Lozoviy is a researcher with the that have no such prospects for the imme- Russia, noted that for many years the Holodomor had been covered up, “and only after International Center for Policy Studies’ EU diate future, like Ukraine and Moldova. 4SEAS project, funded with the support of (Continued on page 22) the European Commission. (Continued on page 22) No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 7 PERSPECTIVES
by Andrew Fedynsky
A special man from an extraordinary generation Should history be patriotic?
I once wrote a column about fathers: Chicago cultural institutions. Recent Internet discussions between Every country has enemies. The threat of those who loved, nurtured and raised us, His funeral was pretty much like count historians like John-Paul Himka and Islamic terrorism has not rendered and the ones we picked up along the way as less others I’ve attended, only for this one I Roman Serbyn about the Holodomor and Americans incapable of dispassionate dis advisors, mentors and inspirations. For me, was in the front row next to my wife the Holocaust have raised the question of cussion of their history. One should ask, one of the latter was Dr. Jaroslav Panchuk, Chrystia, her mother, our two children, her whether Ukrainian history should be rather, whether Ukraine can afford not to my father-in law and friend. He passed away sister and brother-in law and two nieces. “patriotic.” While this is not a concern of have an objective history. For the suppres the last week of October at the age of 88, a Behind us were family members, several of most professional historians, it has caught sion of open scholarly discussion would good man who provided for his wife of more whom had flown in, and many friends. the attention of journalists, politicians, and gain it no friends, and would only provide than 60 years and two daughters. He also At the parastas, priests sang the age-old the general public in Ukraine and the dias propaganda points for its enemies. gave guidance to four grandchildren and requiem service ending with the mournful pora. At a time when Ukrainian historical Russia’s attempts to whitewash its histori provided a model of how to conduct your “Eternal Memory” and sprinkling holy water. scholarship and education are under cal record, including the Soviet period, life. We’re all listed as survivors in a death It was gratifying that 97-year-old Bishop assault, the question has taken on especial have brought it nothing but disdain from notice in the November 4 issue of Svoboda, Innocent Lotocky led the service, paying urgency. the international scholarly community. alongside notices for Richard Legenckis, respect to a man who had supported the Should history be patriotic? The ques In today’s Ukraine, however, the threat Mykola Lushniak, Mykola Danylyshyn and church financially for more than half a cen tion is meaningless, because history is not to history comes from the other side. It is Borys Hloba. There’s also an obituary for tury and never missed a Sunday liturgy. a person and only a person can be patriot the heroic aspect of the liberation struggle Ivanna Lutsyshyn. We mourned, of course, but also celebrat ic. History is what happened. It is also a that is being suppressed, while the And so, allow me this month to write ed a life. People spoke: Dr. George Charuk, branch of scholarship. Scholarship can regime’s favorite intellectuals (notably its about Jaroslav Panchuk, not only because I head of the Ukrainian Medical Association, only be good or bad, truthful or dishonest. minister of education) harp on its alleged loved the man and admired him, but also paid tribute to a departed colleague. So did When people speak of “patriotic” history, crimes. It is hard to imagine a country that because he belonged to a generation whose Dr. Andriy Ripecky who dubbed his father they usually mean written history, that is, denigrates its own history, but Ukraine is historiography. becoming just that. story should be told. Others have done so in-law a “one-man PR firm for Ukraine.” Should written history, then, be patriot What, in this perverse situation, is the better than me, but not in the requisite num My wife elaborated on that: every year, ic? That is, should it emphasize the posi task of conscientious scholars? To redress bers. So here’s my contribution. her father visited Chicago’s classical music tive achievements of a nation, and mini the balance by writing “patriotic” history? Jaroslav Panchuk was born in 1923 in the stations, dropping off a recording of mize the crimes and catastrophes? Or Or to just be good historians, dedicated to village of Monastyrok about 40 miles north Ukrainian music and suggesting they play it should it strive for objectivity? uncovering the truth about what really east of Lviv in what was then part of Poland. on Ukrainian Independence Day. And they Under circumstances of political danger happened? His parents were teachers, devout Catholics did. When Jaroslav felt Ukraine was not get from Moscow and its surrogates in We have said that only individuals can and fervent Ukrainian patriots. Most ting proper coverage in the Chicago Tribune, Ukrainians at the time, including Jaroslav, Ukraine and beyond – almost a state of be patriotic. Should historians, then, be he met with “Bob,” the foreign affairs expert siege – can Ukraine “afford” objective his patriots? Yes – but no more or less than considered themselves to be under foreign on the editorial board, providing him with occupation. That’s why I found it amusing tory? Or must history be harnessed to the anyone else. They should first of all be books and making the case. Sure enough, the that his Ukrainian, as was the case with defense of the national cause? Many, if not scholars, that is, they should seek the coverage improved. When “60 Minutes” on many others, was salted with Polish phrases most, historians would argue that histori truth. Just as an unpatriotic surgeon may CBS ran a horridly distorted program about and jests; plus, like others, he had cordial cal research and writing should have no be a despicable citizen but still a good phy Ukraine, Jaroslav picked up the phone, relations with Polish Americans. “purpose” other than discovering the sician, so an unpatriotic historian, while demanded to speak with Morley Safer – who Jaroslav began medical studies at the truth. personally offensive to many, can still be a took his call – and proceeded to set him University of Lviv just before civil society But doesn’t the teaching of history in good scholar. This is because patriotism straight. was disrupted by the Soviet invasion in schools have a national purpose? The state has everything to do with being a good cit When he noticed the Tribune Tower, 1939, followed by the Nazi invasion two has an interest not only in educating its izen, but nothing at all with being a good whose walls are studded with stones from years later. In the wake of the ensuing catas citizens about their past, but also in build historian. dozens of historic buildings like the trophe, he, with hundreds of thousands of ing patriotism: in forming citizens who This is not to say that a patriot cannot other Ukrainians, became a refugee in post- Pyramids of Egypt, the Kremlin in Moscow love their country and are willing to be an objective historian of Ukraine – any World War II Germany. There he continued and the Capitol in Washington, had nothing defend it. A version of national history that more than a religious believer cannot be his medical studies at the University at from Ukraine, he called his friend “Bob” to is full of crimes and catastrophes is not an objective historian of the Church. A Erlangen, only this time in German instead find out what had to happen to fix that and likely to build patriotism. On the other patriot is one who loves his country and of his native Ukrainian or Polish. then followed up with the Ukrainian Consul hand, a people who do not understand the his people. Such a person can only desire In 1950, Jaroslav got precious permission in Chicago. A year later, a stone from St. failures of the past cannot understand the what is best for them. And what can be to immigrate to the United States and the Michael’s Monastery in Kyiv was installed in present or effectively shape the future. better for a country and its people than newly minted doctor – still in his late 20s – the Tribune Tower wall. Next time you’re on Besides, whitewashed history is bland. the truth? A patriotic historian not only landed in New York, where he passed the Michigan Avenue in Chicago, take a look. This issue has arisen in the United can be a good historian, but must do the exam to become a physician, only now in Dr. Panchuk is now resting at St. Nicholas States, where some schoolteachers have utmost to become one. English. He also found time to attend social Cemetery surrounded by friends. Each has a been accused of undermining their pupils’ But is objectivity possible? Each histori and cultural events in New York and to story. At the funeral liturgy, Father Myron patriotism by overemphasizing the geno an has a different perspective, which may marry Jaroslava Slyz, while doing his resi Panchuk paid touching tribute not only to cide of the Native Americans or the evils of determine the questions to be pursued, dency in anesthesiology at Bellvue Hospital. his Uncle Jaroslav, but also his generation: slavery and racism. Attempts have been the theses to be proposed. There is a dif Soon the Panchuks welcomed two daugh people who fled Nazi and Communist made to denigrate revered figures like ference, however, between observing and ters into the world –Ruta and Chrystia – oppression, coming to America as adults, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson describing facts from your point of view, before moving to Chicago and Walton Street learning a new language and joining the by pointing out that they were slave-own and deliberately ignoring those that do not in the Ukrainian neighborhood near St. workforce to build America. They also ers. Is it possible for an American to fit into some preconceived scheme. Nicholas Cathedral, built by an earlier wave worked to strengthen existing Ukrainian remain patriotic while being conscious “Patriotic history” sometimes does just of immigrants. American institutions and build new ones, that there were no flawless heroes, that that. This is bias – that is, willful ignorance. Dr. Panchuk was a busy man with a investing heart and soul to support freedom every positive achievement had a negative But having a point of view is inevitable stressful job, frequently awakened in the and independence for their homeland. And, side? and harmless as long as you acknowledge middle of the night to rush to Edgewater by the way, they also maintained their prop Is it possible for a Ukrainian to remain the existence of other points of view and Hospital to administer anesthesia to a erty, paid taxes and sent their kids to college. patriotic while conscious that Bohdan the limitations of your own in the search patient needing emergency surgery after an To see them at the supermarket or voting Khmelnytsky’s “revolution” involved the for truth. auto accident, gun shot or similar incident. on Election Day, they were regular folks; yet mass murder of Jews and Catholics? Or “Patriotic history,” in fact, can be self- As a result, he was not much in the way of these were extraordinary people. I want to that a national hero like Stepan Bandera defeating. If it suppresses other perspec joining organizations. On the other hand, he not only remember one who was special to may have been an anti-Semitic fascist, and tives, it limits our understanding. It also regularly wrote checks to the church, youth me, but also express my admiration for all the struggle of the Ukrainian Insurgent divides us from our neighbors, who inevi organizations, the school, Harvard, whose death notices appear on these pages Army may have been stained by bloody tably see our history differently. And it Smoloskyp, Ukrainian museums and more and add my condolences to family and pogroms? Can Ukraine afford to publicly tends to isolate our historians – whether than a dozen publications. He was also a friends who experience the same loss my discuss such possibilities while the inde at home or abroad – from the scholarly patron of the arts, buying paintings, sculp wife and her family did a few weeks ago. pendence that such men and movements community. Few results could be more tures and recordings of dozens of Ukrainian Vichnaya pamiat! fought for is under threat? unpatriotic. artists and performers, and a library of Yet if only a country without enemies could afford true and objective history, books. He also supported non-Ukrainian Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at there would be no good history at all. charities: hospitals, paralyzed veterans, [email protected]. [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
ReseaRCHing UkRainian HistoRy Erroneous methods in a scholar’s challenge to “Ukrainian myths”
by Roman Serbyn Ukrainian community’s effort to secure rec towards the victims of other criminal activi then evaluate it accordingly. If the story is ognition for the Ukrainian genocide. Prof. ty is casuistic. This is not to overlook the fact presented as history and is then proven to Himka does not see it as a legitimate cam that thousands of Ukrainians helped Jews be a fabrication, it should be rejected as his CONCLUSION paign for historical justice for the victims, during the war (Yad Vashem attests to that). torical falsification. but rather as a political and ideological gim The help that Jews received from the Prof. Himka criticizes President Lemkin’s terminology mick to glorify the struggle of the OUN and Ukrainian population during the war is Yushchenko for embracing the “OUN-UPA- Lemkin, who in 1943 coined the term the UPA and blame the Jews for the Famine. praiseworthy. Many Ukrainians risked their Holodomor” identity and pushing it on the “genocide” and conceptualized the crime it To bolster his argument he invokes irrele lives saving or trying to save Jews. Those Ukrainian public. What Prof. Himka fails to connoted, and later was instrumental in get vant and misleading affirmations, such as who hid Anne Frank in Holland were not see is that the Ukrainian politician was ting it adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, the claim that the campaign “finds its great even arrested, while Ukrainians lost their attempting positive heritage-making. We are had no difficulty in applying the U.N, defini est resonance in the area of Ukraine where lives when caught hiding Jews. Contrary to dealing here with what can be called consol tion to what happened in Ukraine. In 1953, there was no Famine, and in the overseas Prof. Himka’s insinuation, many if not most idation myths. Since the break-up of the five years after the declaration of the U.N. diaspora deriving from that region.” First, of the Ukrainians who “embraced the heri Soviet Union two basic myths have been Convention on Genocide, and on the occa the argument is irrelevant: the recognition tage of the wartime nationalists” empathize operating in Ukraine, seeking to consolidate sion of the 20th anniversary of the Great of a crime as genocide is contingent on with the victims of the Holocaust. post-Soviet formations according to oppos Famine, Lemkin addressed a 3,000-strong objective criteria and not on the geographi I find Prof. Himka’s opposition to “the ing principles. audience at the Manhattan Center in New cal distribution of its popular support. campaign for recognition as genocide” of One is centered in Russia but enjoys York with an allocution titled “Soviet Second, the history of the Ukrainian the Holodomor, on the pretence that it is strong support among pro-Russian seg Genocide in Ukraine.” Genocide’s affirmation is quite different being used to “glorify the anti-Communist ments of Ukrainian society. This myth pro This Polish legal expert of Jewish origin from what Prof. Himka insinuates. resistance of the Ukrainian nationalists motes the idea of a common “Russian elaborated his analysis within the parame While taboo in Soviet Ukraine, the first during World War II,” a casuistic argument world” (russkii mir), of which the Ukrainians ters of the U.N. Convention. He described it promoters and pioneers of Famine studies against recognizing the Ukrainian Genocide are supposed to be an integral part even if, as a four-pronged attack by the Communist in the diaspora in the immediate post-war itself. The instrumentalization of a histori for the time being, Ukraine and Russia are regime against the Ukrainian nation, with decade originated from the regions where cal event does not change the nature of the separated by what the myth holds as “artifi the intent to destroy (1) the intelligentsia the Famine took place in central and eastern event. The Nazis exposed Soviet crimes cial” state boundaries. The most aggressive (“the national brain”), (2) the national Ukraine. They were: Semen Pidhainy, (the starvation of Ukrainians and the Katyn promoters of the “Russian World” idea are Churches (“the soul of Ukraine”), (3) the Dmytro Solovei, Fedir Pigido, S. Stariv, Yar massacres of Poles) in a propaganda war the Russian state authorities (see the speech independent peasants (“the repository of Slavutych, Vsevolod Holubnychy, Ivan against the Soviets, yet no one will now say es at the Vladimir conference on the upcom the tradition, folklore and music, the nation Maistrenko and others; and it was the that these crimes cannot be recognized ing celebrations of the 1,150th anniversary of al language and literature, the national spirit younger generation of “easterners” – Oleh because the Nazis used them for ideologi the foundation of Russian statehood at of Ukraine”), and (4) the cohesion of the Pidhainy, Marco Carynnyk, and others – who cal and political purposes.
“DP TO DC” CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO The Displaced Persons Act of 1948: It almost didn’t happen by Myron B. Kuropas some bit each other’s jugular veins. Once in the Soviet zone, many were Below is the text of remarks delivered by summarily executed. Others were placed Myron B. Kuropas, Ph.D., at the “DP to DC” into box cars and shipped to the gulag. conference at the Ukrainian National Alexander Solzhenitsyn called this opera- Museum in Chicago on November 6. The tion “the last great secret of World War II.” conference was held in conjunction with the How do we know all this? Julius Epstein opening of the exhibit “From DP to DC, published a book titled “Operation Displaced Persons: A Story of Ukrainian Keelhaul” in 1973. Nikolai Tolstoy Refugees in Europe 1945-1952,” which runs described this atrocity in his book “Victims through January 31, 2012. of Yalta” in 1977. Tolstoy was later sued for libel by Lord Aldington, a Communist sym- When World War II ended, Ukraine was pathizer, over war crimes allegations that in ruins. “No single European country,” Tolstoy had made in his book. Tolstoy lost wrote war correspondent Edgar Snow in the case in Great Britain, but the award 1945, “suffered deeper wounds to its cities, against him was later overturned by the its industries and its humanity.” European Court of Human Rights. Some 6.8 million Ukrainians perished, One wonders. Why did the Allies partici- including 3.9 million civilians, 1.3 million pate in forced repatriation? military dead, as well as slave laborers. The Two reasons are usually offered. They war destroyed over 700 Ukrainian cities wanted to honor agreements reached with and towns and some 28,000 villages. “The the Soviets at Yalta, agreements Stalin Bohdan Dudycz whole titanic struggle which some are so openly ignored. There was also the fear Dr. Myron B. Kuropas speaks on the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. apt to dismiss as ‘the Russian glory,’ ” con- that the Soviets would refuse to repatriate cluded Snow, “was first of all a Ukrainian some 5,000 Allied soldiers being held in mittee members learned that UNRRA only why Ukrainians refused to return to the war.” the Soviet Union. Even so, Stalin never did worked with organizations that were Soviet “worker’s paradise.” The UCCA By the end of September 1945, the return most of these military hostages. approved by the Council of American appealed to all “Americans of good con- Western allies and the Soviets claimed to They died in the gulag along with those Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Services science” to intercede on behalf of the free- have some 14 million displaced persons who were forcibly repatriated. and were recognized by the president’s dom-loving Ukrainians in Europe who under their care, of which 7.2 million were Allied commander Gen. Dwight D. Relief Board. were fleeing Soviet oppression. Soviet citizens. They included forced labor- Eisenhower was appalled by developments They were also told that, since UNRRA Panchuk penned a letter to various U. S. ers, which the Germans had collected dur- in Germany and ordered an end to forced served all refugees, they couldn’t guarantee government officials in which he wrote: ing the war, as well as POWs, “refuseniks” repatriation on September 4, 1945. that assistance earmarked specifically for “In the ordinary course of events, the (those who refused to return to their On September 6, however, U.S. authorities Ukrainians would be forthcoming. Finally, resettlement of displaced persons into the homelands), military collaborators and attempted to move some 600 Ukrainians all food, clothing and monies sent overseas country of their origin would go unques- those who were ultimately repatriated. and others from Mannheim to a DP center by American voluntary agencies required tioned. President Roosevelt and Marshall Most of the non-returnees, some 52 per- in Stuttgart. Believing they were headed for prior approval from the U.S. State Stalin anticipated the repatriation of war- cent, were Ukrainians who had fled the Soviet zone, the refugees rioted, an Department. What we know now is that, at torn populations and made it a subject of Ukraine with the German retreat. Most event which made national news in the U.S. the time, the State Department was infil- agreement providing for mutual repatria- were living in displaced persons (DP) This prompted Congresswoman Clare trated with Communist spies and sympa- tion of Americans found in the Soviet zone camps administered by the United Nations Booth Luce to later ask the War and State thizers. of occupation, and of Soviet citizens found Relief and Rehabilitation Administration Departments regarding the Yalta A final problem for the UCCA commis- in the American zone. (UNRRA). Few of them were aware that Agreement and “our common understand- sion was the Soviet demand that all assis- As subsequent events proved, however, their fate had been decided at Yalta earlier ing here of the kind of freedom for which tance to Soviet citizens be channeled the vast majority of Ukrainians – whose in the year. our soldiers fought.” Forced repatriation through Russian War Relief, an agency melancholy destiny was the subject of bar- On February 11, 1945, the United States, was effectively over, but the future of under Moscow’s control. Commission ter at Yalta without their knowledge or Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union Ukrainian DPs was still up in the air. It members learned that the American Red consent – did not welcome the ‘agreement’ had signed a reciprocal agreement guaran- would remain that way for the next three Cross had already sent some $20 million to for their repatriation to the Soviet Union. teeing the return of all displaced Allied years. the Soviet Union, most of it earmarked for When one recalls that Russia’s claim to nationals. This included all Ukrainians who In the United States, meanwhile, the Ukraine. There was no way to determine if them rests upon the military occupation of were living in the USSR prior to September Ukrainian American community was just the relief funds ever reached the people of their homeland, forceful annexation, confis- 1, 1939. This excluded, of course, all recovering from a 10-year long Soviet- Ukraine. cation of their lands and property, and Ukrainians who had resided in Polish- engineered defamation campaign. In June 1944, the UCCA established the ruthless subjugation, their determined governed Halychyna (Galicia) and Volynia. Responding to these attacks, the FBI had Ukrainian American Relief Committee unwillingness to comply with repatriation The Soviets took the position that all investigated the Ukrainian National headed by Dr. Walter Gallan. At about the is understandable. Soviet citizens who found themselves in Association (UNA) and other Ukrainian same time a second relief committee was The U.S. War Department’s reply to all Germany and Austria were anxious to organizations, such as the Organization for formed in Michigan under the leadership of such inquiries was that “Ukrainian dis- return to the joys of living in the USSR. the Rebirth of Ukraine (ODVU), for suppos- John Panchuk. Once Panchuk learned that placed persons are not being repatriated to Those who refused, Moscow argued, were edly having Nazi ties. The House all donations would have to go through their countries of origin unless they so Nazi collaborators. The New York Times Un-American Activities Committee held Russian War Relief, however, he decided to desire.” Among the exceptions noted were agreed. Those who do not wish to return, hearings regarding these allegations in meld his organization with the UCCA. A “those who on the basis of reasonable evi- the Times argued on January 24, 1945, Washington. Obiednannia (United unity conference was held in October and dence have been found to be collaborators were “collaborationists who have no claims Ukrainian Organizations of America), the the result was the United Ukrainian with the enemy, having voluntarily ren- on the sympathies of Russia’s western Ukrainian umbrella organization, was American Relief Committee (UUARC). dered aid and comfort to the enemy.” allies.” The UNRRA director in the forced to disband. A new umbrella organi- Ukrainian Communists in the United Still determined to undermine the American zone of occupation agreed, zation, the Ukrainian Congress Committee States were monitoring all UCCA activities Ukrainian relief effort, the Ukrainian declaring that the “anti-repatriation groups of America (UCCA), was established in on behalf of their masters in Moscow. American Fraternal Union – known as are not the product of democratic process- 1940. The defamation campaign continued, Ukrayinski Schodenni Visti, the Communist Orden – a Communist front, sent a letter to es, but are rather the remnants of pre-war unabated, however. daily, accused Ukrainians in the nationalist the State Department on November 21, regimes that reflect Nazi and fascist con- The future of Ukrainians refugees was a camp of engaging in “racketeerism.” At the 1945, protesting Ukrainian activities. On cepts.” major topic of discussion at the second same time, members of Russian War Relief June 25, 1946, the Ukrainian American Worried that they would be forced to convention of the UCCA in 1944. The dele- complained to the White House that League, another Communist organization, care for millions of refugees during the gates passed a resolution stating that it was Ukrainians in the United States were plan- sent a similar letter to the State upcoming winter, the U.S. military com- absolutely essential that the UCCA organize ning to raise funds to assist Nazi war crimi- Department protesting all efforts to assist mand in Germany initiated what came to a purely humanitarian and apolitical nals and collaborators who had fled with Ukrainian “war criminals,” “quislings” and be called “Operation Keelhaul,” and forcibly Ukrainian relief committee for war victims the Germans in order to escape Soviet jus- “collaborators posing as displaced persons repatriated thousands of Ukrainians to the and refugees. tice. and refugees.” Soviet zone of Germany. This was done at the first UCCA execu- Meanwhile, letters were appearing in The UUARC, meanwhile, continued to NKVD officers had roamed the DP tive committee meeting in March 1945. A Svoboda, America and Narodna Volya from work on behalf of Ukrainian displaced per- camps identifying those who should be three-person committee, which included refugees and Ukrainian American military sons. On July 28, 1945, the Central repatriated. Refugees were dragged kicking Svoboda Editor-in-Chief Luke Myshuha, personnel stationed in Germany, explaining Ukrainian Relief Bureau was established in and screaming to trucks. Some hanged Longin Cehelsky and Olena Shtogryn was the nature of forced repatriation. London with the cooperation of UUARC themselves. Others rammed their heads created. Traveling to Washington in April to The UCCA published a 31-page brochure through windows to sever their necks; seek assistance from UNRRA officials, com- titled “Plight of Ukrainian DPs,” explaining (Continued on page 19) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48 International conference focuses on reviving economic freedom in Ukraine
by Andriy Tsintsiruk U.S.-Ukraine Business Council WASHINGTON – “Ukraine has all pre conditions to become an economic leader in Eastern Europe using its rich natural resources, educated workforce and advan tageous geographic location at the cross road of major trade routes between Europe and Eurasia,” said the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Olexander Motsyk, at an international business con ference organized recently by the Heritage Foundation and the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) in Washington. Over 175 participants attended the conference. The conference’s speakers emphasized that Ukraine’s global economic integration and securing its rightful place among free, Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Anatoliy Kinakh speaks. Seated at the table (from left) are: Ambassador Olexander Motsyk, democratic and prosperous nations former Vice Prime Minister for Agrarian Policy Leonid Kozachenko, Jim Roberts and Ariel Cohen of the Heritage Foundation. should be an important American foreign policy priority. The rebirth and advance Needed Economic Reforms.” prime minister for agrarian policy. domestic institutions that promote effec ment of economic freedom in Ukraine “Despite all complications that Ukraine Mr. Kozachenko and other speakers at tive and transparent economic regula could have a positive impact not only on is currently experiencing, the historical the conference stressed that, to increase tions in Ukraine. Eastern Europe, but also on Russia and direction of the transition has been private investment, the protection of pri Conference organizers emphasized other post-Soviet states. toward free market system and away from vate property rights must be significantly that, as one of the largest investors in Achieving this desirable outcome, how centrally planned economy. We know that improved in Ukraine through the legal Ukraine, the U.S. has real economic and ever, will require the government of progress for economic growth and prog system and by the government taking geopolitical interests in Ukraine’s future. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to ress for democracy go hand in hand. stronger measures against corporate The 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s inde implement long-delayed structural and Ukraine has chosen an irreversible path raidership. pendence marks an important occasion legal reforms aimed at establishing a toward democratic, modern, and free James Roberts, research fellow for for the West and offers a good opportunity stronger free market democracy and get market state,” said Mr. Kinakh, who is a Economic Freedom and Growth at the to the U.S. to re-focus on the country, espe ting Ukraine fully open for business. member of the Ukrainian Parliament. Heritage Foundation, and Andriy cially as it seeks to revive its economy, Opening the international conference, “For the Ukrainian economy to devel Tsintsiruk, assistant director of govern raise the standard of living for its citizens, “Reviving Economic Growth and op more efficiently, the government must ment relations and communications at the and integrate with global economy. Freedom in Ukraine,” on September 16, adopt a strategic approach to imple U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, published The U.S. has already invested signifi the president of U.S.-Ukraine Business menting free market economic reforms an economic policy report, “Ukraine cantly in Ukraine’s democratic future and Council, Morgan Williams, stated: “On such that would gradually encourage Needs an Economic Freedom ‘Reset’” in economic integration with the West since the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s inde international trade and attract more FDI which the authors outlined current chal the collapse of the Soviet Union by sup pendence, Ukraine is faced with one of [foreign direct investment]. Currently, lenges and opportunities in Ukraine’s porting Ukraine’s efforts to transition to the most important tasks, which is mov flows of trade and FDI are far below their post-Soviet economic transition. (The text a free-market economy and providing ing the country forward to economic potential level given Ukraine’s dynamic, of the report will appear in next week’s tangible economic assistance through freedom, because without economic well-educated population, proximity to issue of The Ukrainian Weekly.) direct channels and through internation freedom Ukraine is not going to have the European Union markets, and abun As a joint publication of the Heritage al organizations. adequate international investments, dant natural resources,” Mr. Kinakh told Foundation and U.S.-Ukraine Business U.S. and EU foreign policymakers experience higher economic growth, job the conference. Council, the report was presented at the should develop a cohesive long-term creation and build a strong middle class.” “Given Ukraine’s large amounts of fertile international conference and called on the approach toward Ukraine that recogniz Mr. Williams is the Washington represen land, Ukraine has a potential to become government of Ukraine to move forward es its strategic role on the border tative of the SigmaBleyzer private equity one of the world’s largest food providers, if with the implementation of free-market between Western Europe and Eurasia. investment firm. the government moves forward with the economic reforms necessary to unlock the The conference concluded that U.S. A former prime minister of Ukraine, legal and regulatory reform necessary to country’s economic potential. foreign policy decision-makers should Anatoliy Kinakh, one of the leading private allow Ukraine’s agricultural sector to oper The report emphasized the long-term send strong signals of concern to Kyiv sector advocates for economic freedom in ate according to international standards, positive implications for Ukraine if Kyiv about the level of economic freedom in Ukraine who currently serves as president be competitive, attract more investment concludes a trade association agreement Ukraine and continue providing support of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and improve its productivity,” said Leonid (DCFTA) with the European Union, to Ukrainian organizations that are com and Entrepreneurs, made a presentation Kozachenko, president of the Ukrainian which could serve as an external “frame mitted to democracy, free markets, and titled: “Moving Ukraine Forward Through Agrarian Confederation and former vice- work provider” for the creation of Euro-Atlantic integration.
tion and free trade with the EU. But rela After tough meeting... tions have soured over the trial. The European Union has called for Ukraine to (Continued from page 1) free Ms. Tymoshenko, who says her trial Lukianivka detention facility where she is and sentencing are revenge by Mr. jailed. Yanukovych, who narrowly beat her in the Mr. Yanukovych said he had been in con presidential election in February 2010. tact with the procurator general and rele Ukrainian officials privately told Reuters vant ministries about Ms. Tymoshenko’s that the decision to prosecute the opposi health. “I was informed that the system [of tion leader was driven by the president’s medical treatment in jail]... is not up to the personal dislike of Ms. Tymoshenko, whose required standards. So this treatment or key role in the Orange Revolution street medical services will have to be provided in protests in 2004 doomed his first bid for the medical institutions in Kyiv, in the coming presidency. days, either today or tomorrow,” he said, Meanwhile, in Kyiv on November 22, on according to Reuters. the occasion of the seventh anniversary of Nina Karpachova, the Ukrainian the beginning of the Orange Revolution, Parliament’s human rights ombudsperson hundreds of protesters defied a court ban of who visited Ms. Tymoshenko in jail, was mass gatherings, issued in response to a quoted on November 21 by Channel 5 TV as petition by the Kyiv City State Administration. Independence Square – the famous Maidan saying that the 50-year-old former prime that was the epicenter of the Orange minister was in poor health and had been Revolution – was cordoned off by municipal unable to move from her bed in her cell. authorities. Ms. Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven November 22 was designated in 2005 by years in prison last month after being found then President Viktor Yushchenko as guilty of abuse of office while prime minis Freedom Day, to be celebrated annually in ter, in a trial she and EU leaders said was light of the “historic significance of the revo politically motivated. lutionary events of autumn 2004.” Before the Tymoshenko trial, Kyiv had been hoping to conclude deals on associa Source: Reuters, Ukrinform. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 11 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
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Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund Launches Final Program – Telemedicine
“Telemedicine is an invaluable tool in healthcare because it facilitates an instant exchange of information between medical communities and leading global medical institutions for the benefit of patients.”
The Children of Chornobyl Relief and donated telemedicine equipment, our brain, or the pregnant woman’s develop- program in 13 select partner hospitals Development Fund is proud to announce hospital has become a leader in the diag- ing fetus. Then, the telemedicine soft- throughout Ukraine: Chernihiv, the establishment of its final legacy in the nosis and treatment of pediatric heart ware and equipment transfer the defined Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, medical field – the introduction of an diseases. In the first seven months, 39 image via high-speed internet to any Kherson, Kyiv, Lutsk, Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, expansive telemedicine program in patients with congenital heart defects location in the world for an instant con- and Volodymyrets. The fulfillment of the Ukraine. CCRDF chose this program were consulted online; 13 critical sultation.” program will include the purchase, because it is the best investment we can patients were transported and under- installment, and training of doctors on make for the future of Ukraine - launch- went operations in the Ukrainian In September, following the pilot proj the essential pieces of equipment, specif ing it into the 21st century and broaden- Children’s Cardiac Center in Kyiv. ect in Kherson, CCRDF nominated seven ically the ultrasound with its multiple ing the opportunities for quality health- Further, telemedicine allows our special- doctors from our partner hospitals to probes and the computer, high-tech care for patients by connecting doctors ists to participate in weekly cardiac con- participate in a two week medical educa screen, and audio system. tion program. This Open World program, and hospitals to the global network of ferences that take place at the Kyiv car- To maximize the potential of this far- leading medical institutions. diac center.” administered by American Councils and sponsored by the U.S. government, reaching program, we invite you to make In February 2011, CCRDF piloted a Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky explains the pro- one final tax-deductible contribution to allowed the Ukrainian doctors to famil telemedicine project in Kherson cess of how the innovative program CCRDF by January 31, 2012. 100% of iarize themselves with telemedicine at Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital. works, “Using precision probes, the ultra- your gift will be added to the funds leading U.S. hospitals. Cardiologist Dr. Tamila Kozina of the sound captures the image of the pediat- already earmarked for the completion of Kherson Hospital says, “Thanks to the ric patient’s beating heart, abdomen, CCRDF plans to implement the final the telemedicine program.
Please visit us at www.ccrdf.org to view the 22 year CCRDF timeline.
These pages sponsored by Mr. Orest Fedash and Mr. Levko Mazur. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 13
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which united us during the Orange EBRD invests in Ukrainian projects ing security in Europe, and had not contrib NEWSBRIEFS Revolution, outweighs the cynical and uted to the development of its relations with greedy temptation of money and power that KYIV – The European Bank for the European Union and the United States. (Continued from page 2) has infected Ukraine. I’m confident that we Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) The situation improved only in relations invested 830 million euros in Ukrainian has their support. …Despite this uncertain will change Ukraine from within. I want to with Russia. Experts were split in their opin count on Brussels’ support for our mission to projects in 2011, EBRD Director and ion on domestic political stability. From outlook, the issue that unites Ukrainians make our neighborhood democratic, free Country Manager for Ukraine Andre February 2010 to October 2011, most most is the prospect of European integration. and anchored in Europe.” (klichko.org) Kuusvek told reporters on November 21. experts noted the absence of reliable exter Given Europe’s current problems one might “We have had the pace of financing since nal guarantees of the independence, sover ask why? Because we share Europe’s demo Klitschko not allowed to visit Yulia 2008 of about 1 billion euros annually. eignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. cratic values and desperately want fair rules Sometimes it was higher and sometimes Over this period, experts most often of the game.” He explained that his Ukrainian KYIV – According to November 21 news lower, but projects worth about 1 billion reports, a court has turned down a request described Ukraine as a European state with Democratic Alliance for Reform unites sup euros are signed every year. This year, we of the UDAR (Ukrainian Democratic Alliance weak influence, searching for its place in the porters of European democratic values and have currently signed 830 million euros for Reform) party leader Vitali Klitschko to world. At the same time, a significant num those who put the interests of their country [worth of projects], and this means that ber of experts described Ukraine as a state in visit former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia there are some projects that are at the final above their own. “Our agenda is simple and Tymoshenko and former Internal Affairs a “buffer zone” between Europe and Asia. one I learned early on as a sportsman — we stage of preparation. And, perhaps, by the The results of the survey, conducted on Minister Yurii Lutsenko in the Lukianivka end of the year, this amount will again reach are committed to playing by the rules. … detention center. During a panel discussion October 10-14, showed that the number of When Ukraine declared its independence in 1 billion euros,” he said. Mr. Kuusvek noted those who consider Ukraine as a country titled “European International Prospects of that in 2011 there were more projects in the 1991, I had just become an adult. Twenty Ukraine within the Context of the Adoption under the influence of Russia had signifi years later, my generation has shown that, corporate sector. “In other words, mainly in cantly increased. The Razumkov Center of the New Law on Elections,” Mr. Klitschko industry and agriculture, and the number of with hard work and playing by the rules, we questioned 80 experts, including national said that he had submitted his request to such projects was much greater than last can live honestly and in comfort. My mission deputies, representatives of central and Kyiv’s Pechersky District Court the previous year,” he explained. The EBRD’s senior bank is to unite my compatriots and show that the regional government agencies, public and week. Ms. Tymoshenko has been impris er, Alexander Pavlov, said that the size of the commitment to democracy and free markets, oned since August 5. (Interfax-Ukraine) private research institutions in Kyiv and the bank’s investment in Ukraine’s financial sec regions in Ukraine, and the media. tor in 2012 would reach $200 million to (Ukrinform) $300 million. “About a third of that amount is trade financing, and the rest are lines of Ombudsperson: Yulia in critical condition medium-term lending to small- and medi um-sized businesses and the financing of KYIV – The condition of former Prime energy-efficiency projects,” he noted. Mr. Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is extremely TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292 -9800 x3040 critical and she needs to be treated outside or e -mail [email protected] Pavlov said that the total amount of funds that the EBRD will invest in Ukraine – about of prison, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner 1 billion euros – should remain at the same for Human Rights Nina Karpachova told SERVICES PROFESSIONALS level next year as in the current year. “There Channel 5 TV on November 21. “During my will definitely be no significant reduction. unannounced visit to the jail, I also visited Yulia Tymoshenko and the two other ОКСАНА ТРИТЯК The operational strategy will not change. We see no reason to change anything, because women in the cell. Ms. Tymoshenko’s condi Професійний продавець tion is extremely grave, and she could not забезпечення УНС our task is to finance private business, which will require huge resources. As commercial get out of bed when talking to me. She needs OKSANA TRYTJAK an examination and treatment outside of Licensed Agent banks will apparently continue to lend very the detention center. Also, I think it is abso Ukrainian National Ass’n., Inc. weakly, then the demand for our funding lutely impossible to conduct investigations 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 will only increase. Therefore, we see no need to cut [the funding], and we would be happy in the cell of the detention center, and this is Tel.: (973) 292 -9800 (Ext. 3071) • Fax: (973) 292 -0900 the only recorded instance of this occurring e - mail: [email protected] to invest more. It all depends on how posi tive or negative the situation in the economy since Ukraine’s independence,” the ombuds is,” he added. (Ukrinform) woman stressed. The State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine reported that a commis Experts on Ukraine’s non-aligned status sion composed of leading experts of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on November KYIV – The declaration by Ukraine of its 7 and 9 had examined Ms. Tymoshenko’s non-aligned status has not generally health and noted no medical indications improved the situation in key foreign policy that should prevent ongoing investigations areas, according to a survey of experts con of the opposition leader. Earlier, National ducted by the Razumkov Center and Deputy Natalia Korolevska of the Yulia released on November 21. Most respon Tymoshenko Bloc-Batkivschyna had dents said they were confident that this step appealed to Ms. Karpachova, asking her to had not strengthened the country’s security, immediately intervene on behalf of Ms. had not improved its image, had not strengthened Ukraine’s influence on ensur- (Continued on page 15)
lift – an Antonov-124 cargo plane filled CCRDF says... with over 93 tons of humanitarian cargo (Continued from page 1) – left for Ukraine from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on FOR SALE its final project: a comprehensive tele February 10, 1990. (See The Ukrainian medicine program that, according to a Weekly issue of February 18, 1990, news release from the organization, aims which may be accessed via the archives Ukrainian Village, Somerset, N.J. “to bring Ukraine’s healthcare into the on www.ukrweekly.com.) Center unit #32, 1 bedroom, 21st century.” The project, whose cost is The organization, which developed LR, DR & deck. estimated at $620,000, will connect 13 from the Rukh Fund established to assist $50,000.00 or best offer hospitals across Ukraine by providing the Popular Movement of Ukraine for Perebudova (known as Rukh), was found the latest medical technology to facilitate Call 732-819-0324 ed in 1989 as the Children of Chornobyl real-time visual consultations with doc Relief Fund with the goal of providing tors in a global network. assistance to the young victims of the A furnished condo for sale CCRDF, which is based in Whippany, 1986 nuclear disaster at the Chornobyl in the St. Andrew Ukrainian community N.J., but has an office in the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Ukraine. in North Port, FL. 2 Br, 2 Ba, community capital, intends to implement its final Through the years, with the assistance swimming pool. Price negotiable. project in hospitals located in Chernihiv, of tens of thousands of donors and Tel. 941-426-8708 Chernivtsi, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, scores of volunteers, CCRDF has brought Kherson, Kyiv, Lutsk, Lviv, Poltava, Rivne more than $63 million worth of medical and Volodymyrets. assistance in the form of medicines, sup OPPORTUNITIES CCRDF is seeking tax-deductible con plies and equipment to Ukraine. It has tributions by January 31, 2012, and also organized many medical conferenc Earn Extra incomE! notes that 100 percent of these dona es, arranged for the training of physi tions will be added to the funds already The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Run your advertisement here, cians, and provided for the translation for advertising sales agents. earmarked for the completion of the tele and publication of textbooks and other For additional information contact in The Ukrainian Weekly’s medicine program. materials in various medical specialties. Maria Oscislawski, Advertising Manager, CLASSIFIEDS section. CCRDF will complete its mission For further information readers may The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. exactly 22 years after its first medical air log on to www.ccrdf.org. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 15
2009 to about 4 percent this year. “The main cities, the distance between Kyiv and Lviv boasted. The second task, as noted by Mr. NEWSBRIEFS task of the government now is to stop the could be covered within four and a half Kolesnikov, is the completion of several ‘debt pyramid’ and to fulfill its obligations at hours, said Vice Prime Minister and important road projects. “Our team has also (Continued from page 14) the expense of enhanced economic growth,” Infrastructure Minister Borys Kolesnikov in made gigantic efforts in road construction. I Tymoshenko, whose rights were being vio Mr. Azarov emphasized. As reported, as of an interview with the Lviv newspaper think in Lviv, we saw several bright exam lated by the wardens of the Lukianivsky the beginning of October, the state debt Express on November 11. He said that after ples of improvement in the quality of roads, detention facility. The opposition drew Ms. amounted to 365.5 billion hrv, which is the construction of the four stadiums and as well as roads around cities,” he said. Karpachova’s attention to the fact that party equal 36 percent of forecasted GDP. terminals at four airports in the host cities is “Intensive construction continues in other members, lawyers and relatives of Ms. (Ukrinform) completed, the main task for the first half of cities. It will be possible to travel from west Tymoshenko were not able to visit her due Economists on Greek scenario in Ukraine 2012 is the launching of high-speed train ern Ukraine to Kyiv on new and improved to a sharp deterioration of her health. service among host cities. “In 2012, roads. Last month we started work on an However, “there are no contraindications” KYIV – The International Monetary Ukrainian railways will experience consider 80-kilometer section of the highway leading for investigators and investigation. The Fund’s demand to increase gas tariffs for able improvement. Euro-2012 host cities from Kyiv to the Russian border,” he pointed Pechersky District Court in Kyiv on October households is a more complex decision for will get a high-speed service,” the official out. (Ukrinform) 11 had sentenced Ms. Tymoshenko to seven Ukrainian authorities than pension reform, years in prison, with no right to hold public Volodymyr Sidenko, a fellow of the Institute office for three years, on abuse of office for Economics and Forecasting at the charges in signing gas agreements with National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine In loving memory of Russia. The Kyiv Court of Appeals will con (NASU), said at a press conference on sider an appeal of the “gas case” against Ms. October 27. He said that taking into account Tymoshenko on December 13. Other cases the proximity of parliamentary elections, the Hans Bauer authorities would do their best to resist such brought by the state against Ms. Tymoshenko are ongoing. (Ukrinform) a decision, because such a move would be beloved SON, HUSBAND, FATHER, and BROTHER-IN-LAW perceived by the public as unambiguously U.S. citizens adopt Ukrainian children negative. Mr. Sidenko recalled that many a memorial mass to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his
KYIV – A total of 632 children from Ukrainian citizens have the example of passing will be celebrated on Saturday, November 26, 2011, Ukraine were adopted by U.S. citizens dur Greece, where attempts to reduce social at 5:00 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church ing the 2011 fiscal year (from October 1, guarantees and shift some responsibility for in Whippany, NJ. 2010, to September 30 of this year). This is a emergence from a crisis onto the shoulders 40 percent increase over the previous year’s of ordinary citizens had resulted in serious Mother (in Argentina), Gerda Bauer number of 450 children. These data are con social protests that are leading to significant tained in the annual report on intercountry economic losses. Therefore, the expert did Wife, Oksana adoption issued by the U.S. Department of not rule out that the reaction of Ukrainians Sons, Orest and Roman to an increase in gas tariffs could be similar State and released on November 18. U.S. citi zens over the past year adopted 9,320 chil to that in Greece. Mr. Sidenko suggested that Brother-in-law, Ihor Sirko with wife Antonia and son Adrian dren. On the list of more than 100 countries, Ukraine had the opportunity to abandon the Sister-in-law, Christina Smetaniuk with husband Ihor Ukraine holds fifth place in terms of the next tranche of an IMF loan, but then it number of adoptions this year, after China would be necessary to resort to other mea and daughter Alana (2,589), Ethiopia (1,727), Russia (970) and sures. He said Ukraine could not resort to Sister-in-law (in Argentina), Graciela Bauer with daughters the devaluation of its currency. “In my opin South Korea (736). According to generalized Johanna and Gisella statistics from the U.S. Department State, for ion, this path is closed in our country, the period of 1999-2010, U.S. citizens adopt although the currency may devalue indepen Extended family in US, Spain and Argentina. ed 8,249 Ukrainian children (4,130 boys and dently, because the government will not be 4,119 girls). Most of them were adopted at 1 able to keep it. Then there remain two May His memory be eternal. to 2 years of age (3,195) and 5 to 12 years of options: to seek assistance from Russia or age (2,802). Children less than a year old from China. Russia is the Belarusian scenar and ages 13 to 17 numbered 500 and 590 io, and I will not comment on it. We must adoptions, respectively. The highest number also realize that China is also an interesting of Ukrainian children was adopted in 2002, country and it will not make financial invest with a recorded 1,094 adoptions. ments without getting any benefits. It’s hard (Ukrinform) to predict which path the government will Walter Szuja choose,” the expert said. (Ukrinform) Kyiv among best cities for shopping Walter Szuja, of Sevierville, TN, China to finance construction of port KYIV – Kyiv has joined the list of 33 major passed to his eternal rest cities in Europe in terms of the number of KYIV – A delegation of the Crimean gov on November 3, 2011, purchases made by foreign tourists, and ernment during a visit to Beijing reached an at the age of 89. took 27th place in the list. The study was agreement on November 11 with the China conducted by the Economist Intelligence National Technical Import & Export Corp. May he rest in peace. Unit (EIU) with the support of Global Blue, a (CNTIC) on the construction of a commercial world expert in the field of international port on Donuz lav Lake. Rustam He was born August 28, 1922. Walter came to Lorain, from Ukraine in shopping, and released on November 18. Temirgaliyev, a member of the Crimean 1950 and became a member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic The Ukrainian capital demonstrated serious Supreme Soviet’s Presidium who participat Church. He was an active member of the Ukrainian community. He results in the “convenience” category ed in negotiations jointly with Crimean worked for and retired from U.S. Steel. Walter was also the owner of because of the high likelihood of receiving Parliament Vice-Chair Kateryna Yurchenko Walt’s cafe in Cleveland, OH. After retirement, Walter and his wife, and Crimean Regional Development Agency discounts on purchases and extended work Jeanette, moved to Sevierville, TN, where he found great enjoyment in ing hours of stores. According to these indi Director Oleksii Starodubov, said the total his hobbies of gardening and cooking. ces, the Ukrainian capital ranked first and volume of investments in the project is over second, respectively. Kyiv received low $1 billion. The Chinese party considers con He is survived by wife Jeanette Szuja; sisters, Sofia Dobowik, scores in the “hotels and transport” category, struction of the modern port in Crimea as a Veronica Michatkow, and Paulina Bubenko; son and daughter-in-law mainly because of the limited number of most important strategic project, allowing Walter and Marie Szuja; stepson and daughter-in-law Steve and Yvonne four- and five-star hotels. (Ukrinform) the Chinese economy, the world’s second Stephens; daughters and sons-in-law Vera and Dennis Proy, Bella and largest, to arrange logistics for the supply of Michael Fallner; stepdaughter Linda Sue Powell; niece with husband Government plans to reduce state debt Chinese goods to Eastern Europe through Olya and John Czerkas; grandchildren, Jerrel Proy with wife Tina, Kristie Crimea. “For the Crimean economy it is a KYIV – The Ukrainian government is Proy, Theresa Webb, Jennifer Webb-Stewart, Natasha Szuja, Austin great chance, thousands of jobs, an impetus planning to considerably reduce the state Szuja, Justin Szuja; great-grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and debt in 2012, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov for the whole construction industry and great-nephew Marko. said at a meeting of the economic press club multimillion revenues for the budget,” Mr. on November 14. According to Mr. Azarov, in Temirgaliyev noted. In October of last year, He was preceded in death by his parents Clemente and Maria Szuja; 2007 the ratio of the state debt to GDP was the Council of Ministers of Crimea had daughter, Luba Rancher (née Szuja); brother and sister-in-law, Stefan 12 percent, while in 2009 it rose to 36 per approved the draft state program and Kateryna Szuja; brother, Helarko Szuja; sister, Ludvena (née Szuja); cent. “In other words, the state debt grew Development of Transport-Road Complex of great- nephew, Stefan. over two years by 24 percentage points. Crimea for 2011-2020. The program envis Walter Szuja’s memorial service was held on Saturday, November 26, ages the transfer of the cargo portion of the Over those one and a half years, while ser 2011, at 3:00 pm at Atchley’s Funeral Home, Sevierville, TN. Yevpatoria commercial seaport to Donuzlav vicing such an unprecedented debt, we have One tradition in the Ukrainian culture is a commemorative service increased it only by 7 percent,” the prime Lake, where the infrastructure will be set up which is held 40 days after the death of a loved one. The family will con minister underscored. In 2012 the govern for freighter ferries and a container terminal ment is planning to achieve a deficit of will be built. (Ukrinform) tinue this tradition in memory of Walter Szuja. Memorial service will be held on the 40th day following Walter’s date of death at: St. John the between 2.5 percent and 3 percent, Mr. High-speed train service for Euro-2012 Azarov said. Over the last one and a half Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church 3038 Charleston Avenue, Lorain, OH, years the government considerably reduced KYIV – Following the launch of high- Monday, December 12, 2011, at 7:00 pm. the state budget deficit, from 18 percent in speed train service between Euro-2012 host 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
At the unveiling and blessing of the veterans monument, Ukrainian American and Victor Lisnyczyj Ukrainian veterans are seen with the Rev. Severyn Kovalyshin, Chrystia Lazor Ukrainian American Veterans Post 40 Members at observances of Veterans Day in Stecyk and the Rev. Mitred Wolodymyr Woloszczuk. North Port, Fla. Ukrainian American Veterans of Florida mark Veterans Day
by Jerry Zinycz marched into the hall, forming two honor columns for the Venice, Fla., was recognized for providing accommoda Junior Naval ROTC Color Guard to post the colors. All sang tions for the 62nd National Convention of the UAV. NORTH PORT, Fla. – Ukrainian Americans Veterans the national anthems of the United States and Ukraine Each year, Post 40 recognizes individuals in the (UAV) of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 had a very active and Marion Bojsiuk delivered an invocation. Ukrainian American community for their achievements. schedule on Veterans Day, when local veterans, police and Post Commander Ihor Hron, the master of ceremonies, Distinguish Citizen Awards recipients were: Dr. fire departments and town dignitaries honored veterans recognized distinguish guests: Ukraine Armed Forces Col. Michael Yarymovych for his lifelong service to the aero for their service to the country. Serhiy Shevtsiv with his wife, Maria; UAV members of space profession in government, industry and interna Marine Corp Detachment 948 and Post 40 were the Post #40; Ukrainian veterans of World War II; Chrystia tional scientific community, (his outstanding contribu only units chosen to stand in a prominent location at the Lazor-Stecyk, president of UNWLA Branch 56; Daria tions to space programs, and his role in the development Veterans Monument. Junior Naval ROTC cadets hoisted Tomashosky, president of the Ukrainian American Club; of the GPS have been recognized internationally); and Mr. the flag, in a long-standing military tradition. Vira Bodnaruk, president of the Ukrainian Language Andrij Slywka, artistic director of the Kalyna Dance On Saturday, November 12, the traditional UAV dinner- Society; and Viktor Lisnyczyj, president of Oseredok. Group, for his tireless work with Ukrainian American dance was held at St Mary’s Parish Center. Veterans Bohdan Guran, president of the Best Western Hotel in youngsters in St. Petersburg, Fla. The UAV Commander’s Award was presented to Halya Lisnyczyj, for her initiative in sending packages to U.S. servicemen and women in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as, providing homeless kids in North Port with basic needs. UAV Service Awards were presented to: Marion Bojsiuk, UAV NSO, for his initiative and dedication to the UAV Monument project in Venice Memorial Garden: Gene Tomashosky, past commander of Post 40, for his leader ship in preparing and hosting a premier 62nd UAV National Convention. On Sunday, November 13, the unveiling and blessing of the UAV and Ukrainian Veterans Monument, a permanent resting place for six UAV and 14 Ukrainian veterans, took place at Venice Memorial Gardens. The color guard raised the flags and laid the wreaths at the monument. The Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk and the Rev. Severyn Kovalyshin blessed the monument. The monument project, from inception to construc tion, was accomplished in less than a year. The idea of the monument project was to leave a lasting memorial in southwest Florida to men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces and Ukrainian veterans who fought for Junior Naval ROTC Cadets present and post colors at the UAV annual dinner-dance. the freedom and independence of Ukraine.
New Jersey Ukrainian veterans remember fallen comrades by Bozhena Olshaniwsky UNION, N.J. – Ukrainian American Veterans’ Post 6 on November 13 held a commemorative program at its memorial stone at Hollywood Cemetery in Union, N.J. The ceremony, which included the reading of statements of loyalty to the U.S., a special prayer for all veterans, a reading of the names on the memorial stone, the laying of a wreath and the singing of “God Bless America,” was performed by Michael Fedirko, commander; Walter Bodnar, past national adjutant; and Bob Dolan; with Daria Bekesewycz and Bozhena Olshaniwsky, representatives of the UAV Ladies’ Auxiliary. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, during which many of the UAV members served in the U.S. armed forces, some paying the ultimate sacrifice. When the war began in 1951, Ukrainians were coming to America as part of the “Third Wave” of immigrants. Many Ukrainians served as a way to ensure gaining U.S. citizenship. Among the names of soldiers commemorated on the memorial stone are those of Korean War veterans Ihor Daria Bekesewycz Olshaniwsky, Oleksander Hromocky, Evhen Salamacha, Bob Dolan, Bozhena Olshaniwsky, Michael Fedirko and Walter Bodnar mark Veteran Day at Hollywood Yaroslav Turiansky and Dr. George Stefaniwsky. Cemetery in Union, N.J. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
sentation of the event is more in the style of Erroneous methods... myth-making than historical analysis. I also have a problem with Prof. Himka’s (Continued from page 8) story line on the OUN involvement in the memory and Mr. Yushchenko’s handling of it. Holocaust. It is not a nuanced version of He is right. President Viktor Yanukovych, Mr. what happened. He attributes the 1941 Yushchenko’s successor, and his supporters pogrom of Jews in Lviv solely to the OUN; he have “pushed the opposite perspective,” and does not mention the involvement of com the current official promotion of this “histor mon criminals and the action of ordinary cit ical-identity” is very harmful for Ukraine. izens of Polish and Ukrainian background I agree with Prof. Himka’s analysis of the provoked by the revelation of massacred vic malady, but not with the cure, when he pro tims in Soviet prisons. Prof. Himka claims poses “the deconstruction of the historical that the Jew-hunting militias were connect mythologies of both camps.” There are four ed to the OUN, that these militiamen formed problems with his suggestion. the nucleus of the UPA in 1943, and that First, the war of the myths is not an until the end of the war they lured surviving internal Ukrainian war: on the one side are Jews out of hiding in order to execute them. the pro-Ukrainian citizens of Ukraine and Thus, he states, the “UPA killed at least thou the pro-Ukrainian part of the Ukrainian sands of Jews” and the “OUN was implicated diaspora; on the other side are the pro-Rus in the murder of tens of thousands of Jews.” sian citizens of Ukraine, pro-Russian emi The only side of Ukrainian Jewish rela grants from Ukraine (of various ethnic tions that Prof. Himka presents is that of the backgrounds), and, most importantly, the extermination of Jews by Ukrainians. A fun Russian state and church authorities. damental question arises: can all the cases of Second, even if the two sides in Ukraine killings of Jews be classified as part of a heeded Prof. Himka’s advice and gave up genocide (the Holocaust), as defined by the their struggle, it is most certain that Russia U.N. Convention? Another question: What (the state and the Russian Orthodox about the Ukrainians who saved Jews? Prof. Church) would not abandon its policy of Himka does not mention them or the promoting the imperialist “Russian world.” humanitarian work of the Ukrainian clergy. Deconstruction of the two mythologies in This is not what one would call a “quae Ukraine would thus open the floodgates to cumque vera” account, a complete and bal myths coming from Russia. anced rendering of Ukrainian-Jewish rela Third, the two camps are not struggling tions during the war. for the same space. Ukrainocentric myths In his section on the “strategies” for the focus on a distinct Ukrainian entity, while dissemination of his ideas, Prof. Himka the Russocentric idea is predicated on the declares his happiness at discovering “the old imperial model of Russia, of which power of short pieces” because they are Ukraine would be an integral part. more widely read, especially when they are Fourth, myths can play a highly con posted on the Internet. He states that tradi structive role in the life of communities and tional academic publications take long to help with nation-and-state building. write, sometimes even longer to be pub Ukraine needs the leaven of good and lished, and have limited audiences. healthy historical myths. We have seen that Prof. Himka acknowl At present, pro-Ukrainian myths are edged the fact that “short pieces” tend to be being attacked from many quarters, and the sloppier and are prone to error and oversim efforts to discredit them seem to be gaining plification. The text under discussion here in strength. In Ukraine itself, not to speak of would seem to belong to the category of a Russia, state and church structures seem short work by a public intellectual. As the overly favorable to some form of the adage goes, “The problem with being a pub “Russian world” myth. With the weakening lic intellectual is you get more and more of Ukrainocentric myths, citizens of Ukraine public and less and less intellectual.” will be drawn into the orbit of the myth- Academic rigor and integrity, proper to rich “Russian world.” scholars, tend to be more relaxed in public As György Schöpflin notes, “‘Through intellectuals writing goal-oriented short myth the assimilation of ethnically different pieces. Historical writing can easily take on groups is accelerated, as the myth-poor mythical coloring. community accepts that upward social This is what, I’m afraid, has been happen mobility demands the abandonment of its ing with some of Prof. Himka’s writing as he culture, language and myth-world in discards his professorial toga and heads for exchange for something superior, for a bet the limelight of the public intellectual. (I was ter world” (George Schöpflin in Hosking sorry to see his name under the infamous and Schöpflin, “Myths and Nationhood,” 2011 Open Letter, even though he was only a 22). Prof. Himka’s participation in the dis contributor to its redaction and not its cussion of Ukrainian myths is a contribu author. I have commented on that piece else tion to the impoverishment of pro-Ukraini where and will not do so here. I mention it an myths and the strengthening of the only because the line of argument is similar “Russian World” myths. and the results are equally harmful to the Now let us turn from myths to history. legitimate right of Ukraine to have a con Prof, Himka quotes his university motto: structive, foundational national myth.) As a scholar of Jewish history, Prof. Himka are true.” He is welcome to apply that prin is well aware that there are positive Jewish ciple“Quaecumque in his historical vera — analysis whatsoever of the things OUN historical myths about the Jewish struggle and the UPA, their struggle for the indepen for a national homeland and on the Jewish dence of Ukraine, and their participation in genocide, which are honored by Jews criminal activities. The only proviso is that around the world. He also knows about anti- the truth be obtained from adequate docu Jewish myths on both these subjects, devel ments that provide sufficient information oped to undermine the very existence of the for a complete and comprehensive inter Israeli state and denigrate the memory of pretation. In this regard, a few remarks the Holocaust. It seems to me that Prof. should be made about Prof. Himka’s text. Himka does not object to the first and does He affirms that the “UPA launched a not condone the second. I fail to understand massive cleansing action against the Polish why he cannot take a similar attitude population of Volhynia and later Galicia, in towards the myths surrounding the which perhaps 100,000 Poles perished.” Ukrainian Genocide and the Ukrainian strug Unfortunately, the author does not give the gle for independence (in particular during context in which these killings took place, World War II). If he is serious about “clarify nor any account of the atrocities committed ing the history of the Holocaust in Ukraine,” by the Polish side. This is not to relativize he must know that it cannot be done in iso the two sides of the conflict, but there were lation from its general context and that his two sides and an objective historical ren partisan treatment of the subject only con dering of the events must take both of them tributes to strengthening anti-Ukrainian into account. Prof. Himka’s one-sided pre myths about Ukrainian-Jewish relations. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 19
ed that the “hard core” of the refugees “has United States over a two-year period. The Displaced... proved to be a criminal and fascist group, President Truman signed the Displaced Ukrainian sponsors willing to sign housing many of whom left their homes voluntarily Persons Act on June 25, 1948, expressing his and• employment Finding thousands assurances offor qualifieddisplaced (Continued from page 9) to work for Hitler.” Judah Nadich, an army hope that future amendments would rectify persons. some of the shortcomings. At the time, there and the Ukrainian Canadian Relief Fund. chaplain serving under Gen. Eisenhower, wrote that Ukrainians and Volksdeutsch were approximately 835,000 displaced per- in Europe. Roman Smook, a Chicago lawyer, The following summer Dr. Gallan traveled “were Nazis to the very core of their being”. sons in Europe, of whom an estimated 138, headed• The the expansion UUARC office of the in UUARC Munich. operation to Europe, where he met with representa- Koppel S. Pinson, educational director of the 622 were Ukrainians. tives of Ukrainian relief organizations in American Joint Distribution Committee, The United States Displaced Persons greet Ukrainian DPs at their port of entry. England, France, Belgium, Italy and wrote that “a large group of Poles, Commission was created in August 1948 Centers• The werecreation created of a inUUARC Boston, apparatus New York to Switzerland. A building was purchased in Ukrainians, Russians and Balts” now resid- and was soon making recommendations to City, and New Orleans. Paris to serve as the center for a coordinat- ing as DPs, “are some of the bloodiest extend their mandate to four years and to - ed effort to aid Ukrainian refugees. eventually award 400,000 visas to displaced ters. The UNA, for example, established one Allowed to visit various Ukrainian DP henchmen of the SS and the Gestapo.” persons. The commission also requested a at 841• The N. creation Western of Ave. inland in Chicago. resettlement cen camps, Gallan learned that forced repatria- Another savage attack came from revolving fund for loans to voluntary agen- - tion was still a major concern. Abraham G. Duker, a member of the legal team at the Nuremberg war crimes trials, cies involved in the resettlement process. ous farm states. Gallan was subsequently appointed exec- It• Findingwas an non-Ukrainianamazing task that sponsors was success- in vari utive director of the UUARC; Panchuk who declared that Lithuanians, Estonians, The UUARC was a prime beneficiary of this Latvians, Ukrainians and Croatians were financial largesse. fully accomplished. The complete story of became president. this extraordinary Ukrainian American Fortunately, the UNRRA was eventually especially “egregious collaborationists.” Also significant was a report of the House Condemning CCDP efforts, Duker later Subcommittee on the Judiciary titled effort can be found in “Brat Bratovy,” dissolved and replaced by the International (Brother to Brother), published by the Relief Organization (IRO), which was more claimed that “Balts, Ukrainians, White “Displaced Persons in Europe and Their Russians and other nationalities... were Resettlement in the United States,” submit- UUARC in 1977. favorably disposed to the wishes and con- The DP saga was not over, however. As cerns of Ukrainians. When the IRO began its placed by the Nazis in the same categories ted on January 20, 1950. The subcommittee Soviet attacks on Ukrainian displaced per- work, there were 210,000 Ukrainian refu- as racial Germans.” report was the result of unannounced visits sons continued, Ukrainian newcomers gees still living in Europe. Despite these complaints, Congressional by members and staff experts to numerous became more apprehensive, preferring ano- UUARC credibility was further enhanced leaders were able to mobilize bipartisan DP camps, interviews with various individu- nymity to sharing their stories. Their fears on September 16, 1947, when it was accred- support for assisting refugees. als, and briefings by civilian and military increased with the creation of the Office of ited by the Advisory Committee on Congressman Emanual Cellar, a personnel. The goal was to investigate Special Investigations (OSI) in the Voluntary Foreign Aid, a federal board Democrat from New York, introduced DP reports of widespread fraud and falsifica- Department of Justice. American coopera- established in 1946. The focus of UUARC legislation in 1947 that would have made tion of documents. tion with the Soviet Union, they learned, quickly shifted from relief to resettlement. available the immigration quota of any Their conclusion was as follows: “The European nationality that was unused by number of screening agencies, screening was renewed. A partially opened door fiscal years 1947 and 1948. Unfortunately, sessions, interrogations and checks that a In 1984, the former head of the OSI, Allan A. Ryan Jr., published a book titled America’s door had already been partial- the bill never made it out of committee. displaced person must pass before reaching “Quiet Neighbors: Prosecuting Nazi War ly opened in December 1945, when Congressman William G. Stratton, a the United States, is so extensive that the Criminals in America.” Let me read you an President Harry S. Truman issued a direc- Republican from Illinois, introduced legisla- chance of a fraudulent statement or a forged excerpt from page 16: “The Displaced tive granting preference to refugees within tion that same year authorizing the admis- document to ‘slip through’ is practically nil.” Persons Act of 1948 was a brazenly discrim- the specified quotas who had a U.S. sponsor sion of 100,000 displaced persons a year for At the time, every application under the inatory piece of legislation, written to willing to sign an affidavit pledging assis- a period of four years. As defined in the Displaced Persons Act was reviewed by: exclude as many concentration camp survi- tance to the new immigrant after his arrival Stratton bill, a DP was anyone living in 1. the FBI; in the United States. For the first time the Germany, Austria or Italy who was out of his 2. the CIA; vors as possible and to include as many designation “displaced person” defined not country of origin as a result of World War II, 3. the Counter-Intelligence Corps of the Baltic and Ukrainian ethnic German only victims of Nazi oppression but Soviet and was unable or unwilling to return to his United States Army, which required 21 sep- Volksdeutsche as it could get away with... oppression as well. country because of fear of persecution due arate investigative steps before a report was Had Congress tried to design a law that President Truman’s directive, however, to race, religion, or political opinions. submitted to the commission. would extend the Statue of Liberty’s hand to was not well received by the American pub- Despite almost unanimous support from the 4. the Provost-Marshal General of the U.S. the followers and practitioners of Naziism lic. Mail to the White House ran 7 to 1 mass media, the bill was still opposed by the Army in Germany; as possible, it could not have done much against the Truman initiative. It was not only American Legion, the VFW and the 5. the fingerprint record center in better than this without coming right out the Communists who protested. Fearing Communists. The legislation never made it Heidelberg; and saying so.” that employment for returning American out of committee. 6. the Berlin Document Center; Ryan estimated that some 10,000 war veterans would suffer, the American Legion On July 7, 1947, President Truman sent a 7. the Immigration and Naturalization criminals came to the United States under and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) message to Congress urging it to pass dis- Service of the Department of Justice through the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. Many of made public statements condemning the placed persons legislation. These people, he stationing of immigration inspectors over- them, he insinuated, were Ukrainians living directive. Hoping to steer Jewish refugees to argued, were hardy and resourceful, or they seas in the DP resettlement centers, as well quietly in your neighborhood. Israel, American Zionists were also opposed would not have survived. They were as at ports of entry; There was more. Praising the coopera- to the plan. opposed to totalitarianism and “because of 8. consular officers especially assigned tion he received from Soviet procurator President Truman persevered, however, their burning faith in the principles of free- for this purpose; and Roman Andreyevich Rudenko, extolling the and in his 1947 State of the Union address, dom and democracy” they have suffered pri- 9. a special investigation in connection bravery of Michael Hanusiak, editor of a he urged Congress to “turn its attention to vation and hardship. Many “have strong with displaced persons whose country of Ukrainian Communist publication in the this world problem... and find ways whereby roots in this country – by kinship, religion origin had been overrun by the Soviets. United States (whose real name he refused we can fulfill our responsibilities to those and national origin.” A source of America’s The life of the DP Commission was even- to divulge), Ryan declared that America was thousands of homeless and suffering refu- strength, the president concluded, “was the tually extended and the admission quotas finally catching up to Russia in the prosecu- gees of all faiths.” Thus were taken the first varied national origins, races and religious expanded. By the time the last displaced tion of Nazi war criminals. An entire chapter steps towards the Displaced Persons Act. beliefs of the American people.” persons ship arrived on July 21, 1952, some in the book was devoted to John Demjanjuk, It was obvious to all concerned ethnic During the fall congressional recess, 395,000 immigrants had been admitted to “Ivan the Terrible” of Treblinka. leaders that if displaced persons were to members of a House Foreign Affairs sub- the United States under the provisions of The history of this last sordid chapter in find a haven in the U.S., American public committee visited over 150 DP camps in the Displaced Persons Act. American history will soon appear in a book, titled “The Demjanjuk Debacle: The opinion would have to change. Taking the Europe, meeting with IRO and voluntary The next, and perhaps the most difficult task for the UUARC was resettlement. It was Trials of a ‘Nazi’ Who Wasn’t.” I hope to have lead in this endeavor was the American agency representatives. They concluded a complex procedure that involved: the book in my hands by the end of the year. Jewish Committee (AJC), which brought that forced repatriation was reprehensible together various non-Jewish ethnic leaders and urged all countries “capable receiving and, on December 20, 1946, created the these displaced persons into their econo- Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons mies and national life” to do so. (CCDP), an organization that soon became a A Senate judiciary subcommittee visited powerful lobby for the refugees. DP camps in 1948 and the result was Senate By May 1948, some 600 radio stations Bill 2242, which accepted the IRO definition had used CCDP materials in their broad- of displaced person, but restricted it to per- casts. Millions of American viewed the film sons who entered the American, French or “Passport to Nowhere,” depicting the plight British zones of occupation between of DPs, which RKO Films distributed to the- September 1, 1939 and December 1945. aters nationally. Thanks to the efforts of Preference was given to persons with agri- CCDP, public opinion began to shift in favor cultural skills, as well as skills needed in the of DP acceptance. Although its major con- resettlement locale. A similar bill by cern was the 400,00 Jewish DPs, the AJC had Congressman Frank Fellows, a Republican been astute enough to understand that from Maine, was eventually passed on the other ethnic groups needed to be included House side. in their effort. After much debate an amendment to Not all Jews were so favorably disposed, increase the number of admissions to however, especially towards Balts, 200,000 was passed. Senate and House con- Ukrainians and Poles, who some Jews ferees met, settled their differences and claimed were Nazi collaborators. Among passed the legislation on to President these were Ira Hirschman, UNRRA emissary, Truman. The final version permitted a total who after touring various DP camps, report- of 205,000 displaced persons to enter the 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
“Scratches on a Prison Wall” presented at Ukrainian center in Philadelphia
by Petrusia Sawchak our youth to learn about a horrific time in Ukraine through the eyes of a young lady JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Many adults and who survived it. It is a way to learn about students of both the upper and lower class history, geography and even sociology in a es from the Ukrainian Heritage School different manner than they do in school,” (UHS), had the unique opportunity to said Natalka Firko, UECC vice-president, attend a book presentation at the Program Sector, and event coordinator. Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center She added, ‘‘I was also happy that Lida after classes ended on Saturday, October Prokop, Christine’s sister, was doing the 29. Members of both Plast Ukrainian presentation in English as this would make Scouting Organization and the Ukrainian a bigger impact on the students and add a American Youth Association came to the dimension to what they usually hear on a presentation in lieu of their regular meet typical Saturday at the center.” ings, along with students from UHS Lida Prokop began her talk by describ because it was considered an important ing the events leading to and after the learning experience for them. arrest of her mother, Luba Komar – her The book reviewed was the wartime grueling trial, brutal imprisonment and memoir of Luba Komar titled “Scratches on ultimate escape. The audience listened a Prison Wall” translated from Ukrainian attentively to the bloodcurdling details of into English and edited by her daughter the presentation as the first snowfall of the Christine Prokop. It is a chilling account of season fell outside, an unusual occurrence a time in history when courageous men for the month of October. and women risked their lives for the love She continued by saying that her mother and honor of their country. wanted the book to be written in English so Andrea Zharovsky “After reading the book, I immediately that more audiences could read it now and Lida Prokop signs a copy of the book “Scratches on a Prison Wall” for Ukrainian thought this would be a wonderful way for in future generations. She lamented that Educational and Cultural Center President Borys Pawluk. her mother, unfortunately, passed away before the publication of the book. Following her introduction, there was a video excerpt from Alexander J. Motyl, ® renowned author, professor of political sci ence and deputy director of the Division of Global Affairs at Rutgers University. Prof. Motyl said, “In this gripping mem oir of a young Ukrainian woman’s encoun ter with Communism and Nazism, Luba Are Komar experiences imprisonment, torture, death row, violence, escape, resistance and, finally, flight to the West. Throughout, Luba retains her dignity and manifests a quiet BANK heroism, convincingly demonstating that totalitarianism is ultimately powerless in the face of individuals with the spiritual courage to speak the truth.” This writer also is aware of the agony of FEES the times through the experiences of her maternal aunt, Maria Hrusczak Kvit, born in America but raised in Ukraine, who served as a courier for the Organization of doing this Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and was held in a prison in Drohobych, Ukraine, about the same time as Ms. Komar and ultimately died. According to a cellmate, she scratched on the cell wall that she would never, to you? despite all the beatings, reveal the names of the members in the OUN. Ms. Prokop explained how her mother, Luba Komar, a 21-year-old politically active university student in Lviv, was first arrest ed in 1940 in the middle of the night by the Soviet secret police (NKVD). They interro gated her about her knowledge of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which helped form the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an underground resistance army that fought for the liberation of Ukraine against the Soviet and Nazi occu Dare to Compare! pations of Ukraine during World War II. When she refused to tell them what they wanted, Ms. Komar was unjustly imprisoned Fee-free Checking with fee-free Debit! and tortured. After four months in prison, a trial was held, and Ms. Komar was sentenced to death. In all, 59 people were sentenced for treason to the motherland, espionage and preparation of an armed insurgency. They were transported to Siberia, where they waited to be executed. During a prison break Ms. Komar and others escaped and eventually made it to the West. “My mother’s strength, determination and ironwill enabled her to endure the bru 2332 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago IL 773-328-7500 Selfreliance.Com 734 Sandford Ave. Newark NJ 973-373-7839 tality and tribulations of the times,” said Ms. 5000 N. Cumberland Ave. Chicago IL 773-589-0077 300 E. Army Trail, Bloomingdale IL 630-307-0079 558 Summit Ave. Jersey City NJ 201-795-4061 136 E. Illinois Ave. #100, Palatine IL 847-359-5911 8410 W. 131st Street, Palos Park IL 708-923-1912 60-C N. Jefferson Rd. Whippany NJ 973-887-2776 Prokop. She encouraged everyone to read the
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government book to experience the rest of the story. Full Minimum initial checking deposit is $50. Member must qualify Financial for free Visa® Debit card. ATM and Visa® service fees may apply. “Scratches on a Prison Wall” can be borrowed National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency Services See our Truth in Savings brochure for additional information. from the UECC Library or purchased at Please visit Selfreliance.Com for a list of all fees and services. Federally Insured by NCUA Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 21
CoMMUnity CHRoniCLe UNWLA Branch 75 organizes exhibit/sale of Hnizdovsky prints WHIPPANY, N.J. – Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 75 organized an authorized exhibit and sale of prints (woodcuts, linocuts and etchings) by the late Jacques Hnizdovsky here at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey on October 16. Slavko Nowytski’s award-winning film “Sheep in Wood,” which presents how the internationally renowned artist created the woodcut “Two Rams,” was screened during the exhibit, and information panels presented the biog
raphy and work of Hnizdovsky (1915 1985). Guests also enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and sipped champagne. A portion of the proceeds from the event, which was chaired by Anna Denysyk and co-chaired by Marta Popovich, was earmarked for The Ukrainian Museum in New York. In the photo above, guests peruse some of the more than 60 art works offered for sale. In the photo on the left, Zorianna Smorodsky holds the Hnizdovsky print (donated by Stephanie Hnizdovsky) that she won in the exhibit raffle.
Tracz speaks at Morris Museum
MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Orysia Paszczak Tracz, an expert on Ukrainian culture and folk art, was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Friends of the Morris Museum on October 10. The topic of her talk was “Interwoven: Traditional Ukrainian Costumes and Textiles and Their Symbolism.” Ms. Tracz, who is known also for her columns in The Ukrainian Weekly, focused on Ukrainian tex tiles and embroidery, as well as the dress of Ukrainian royalty and nobility. Seen above after her presentation are (from left): Dara Denysyk, Rose Pancirov, presi dent of Friends of the Morris Museum, Ms. Tracz and Nusia Denysyk. — Roma Hadzewycz.
Parishioners celebrate Thanksgiving WILMINGTON, Del. – A longtime tradi- Secretary of UNA Branch 173 Peter Serba. tion at St. Nicholas Church in Wilmington, Father Gore gave the invocation and Del. is to get together as a parish family to reminded all to be grateful for our many celebrate Thanksgiving. good blessings. After dinner, everyone was This year on November 20, the parish entertained by some rousing Ukrainian family and friends gathered for a liturgy dancing as performed by the Lyman celebrated by a former pastor, the Rev. Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Baltimore, William Gore. The liturgy was followed by a under the direction of Orest Lasuk and traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the Andrew Goolsby. church hall. The Lyman Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Over 100 parishioners and friends attend- has performed previously at a number of ed, including Ukrainian National Association festivals, but most recently at the Embassy Auditor Eugene Serba along with longtime of Ukraine in Washington. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
“Christmas with the Kyiv Chamber Choir” comes to the U.S. TORONTO – The internationally formances always bring audiences to their renowned Kyiv Chamber Choir and con feet. “Christmas with the Kyiv Chamber ductor Mykola Hobdych launched their Choir” will be a special occasion – a concert North American tour this week, with not to be missed. Canadian concerts in Ottawa, St . In cooperation with local Ukrainian Catharines, Kitchener-Waterloo and community organizations and other Toronto’s superb Koerner Hall. Chorus America members, this concert After Thanksgiving weekend, the choir tour is being organized by Platinum will perform in outstanding musical venues Concerts International (PCI). The choir’s in New York (November 29), Hartford, tour media sponsors are The Ukrainian Conn. (November 30), Washington Weekly and Svoboda. (December 2), Philadelphia (December 3) Complete 2011 concert tour information and Rochester, N.Y. (December 4) – provid is available at www.platinumconcerts.com. ing audiences a rare opportunity via its first U.S. concert tickets are available at www. U.S. concert performances in over 12 years. ticketweb.com, from participating This tour marks the 20th anniversary Ukrainian churches and community orga since the Kyiv Chamber Choir was formed nizations, and at the door. in 1991. For group tickets, participating local In the first half of each concert, this community organizations or concert award-winning choir performs Christmas details, in Ukrainian or English, readers works by great Ukrainian composers, may call PCI toll-free at 1-877-266-2557. including Koshetz, Stetsenko and Community support of these concerts Turchaninov, with much skill and passion. will help ensure that the Kyiv Chamber The choir will then sing many of the Choir will be able to return to the United most beloved Ukrainian Christmas carols – States and Canada in the future to accom in its unique and entertaining style that is plish its mission by bringing the “hidden unlike anything else in the world of music. treasure” of Ukrainian music to North One of the world’s great choirs, its per American audiences.
regional solutions to regional problems, Subregional... including by organizing transborder coop eration in trade, power infrastructure, envi (Continued from page 6) ronmental protection and other areas. For the first group, participating in the Despite the fact that the very structure of EEC is a mandatory condition of accession; the EEC encourages the building of multilat for the second one, it means access to EU eral ties, relations between Ukraine and the markets and to a source of best practices, EEC evolved in the bilateral fashion typical and, what’s more important, a chance to for this country – with the European establish deep sectoral ties with future EU Commission acting as the main partner. members. For Ukraine, this offers a real This body really did coordinate power inte chance to gain new allies in the European gration in the Balkans from the very first community even before these countries days of the Athens Process, which predated become EU members. the establishment of the European Energy Community. However, it no longer has any More friends = more prospects monopoly on representing the interests of The key to this will be the approach all the member countries. Ukraine uses to build these sectoral ties. It And, it is with representatives of these is common practice in the EU to use bilater countries that the most active sectoral al agreements that cover an entire given cooperation needs to be established. sector. This bilateral approach is decisive Ukraine needs to primarily orient itself on for relations between the EU and countries the western Balkans, which are in the first like Switzerland and Russia. queue to join the European Union: Croatia, But when it comes to the EU’s “circle of Macedonia and Serbia. If they join the EU friends” and “stable neighbors” security with well-established infrastructural and strategy, other, multilateral, approaches are trade ties with Ukraine, this will realistical a higher priority, with a large number of ly draw Ukraine closer to the EU. It would actors and the synergy of a large number of be hard to find a better way to guarantee countries’ policies. Organizations like the Ukraine allies in the EU already now. EEC and the European Free Trade Putting together a common position on key Association (EFTA) are organized precisely issues with the Republic of Moldova would on such a multilateral basis. Moreover, the also make a lot of sense for Ukraine, given EEC has an even stronger regional aspect: that the integration of these two countries set up originally as an instrument for coor in the EEC was synchronized. dinating energy policy on the Balkan pen insula, it expanded to an even larger part of The article above appeared on November the Balkan-Black Sea subregion after 3 on the website of the International Center Ukraine and Moldova joined. This regional for Policy Studies ( www.icps.com.ua). It was form of multilateralism involves looking for originally published in the newspaper Den.
Cathedral of the Savior on the Sands. Turning the pages... In Germany, the Ukrainian community paid tribute to the victims of the (Continued from page 6) Holodomor on November 27 with events in Ukraine gained its independence did it Berlin and Munich. become possible to reveal this terrible The Central Union of Ukrainians in chapter in our history.” Germany held a candlelight vigil in Berlin. In Munich, the community gathered at a local Ambassador Yelchenko noted that in Ukrainian Catholic church. A requiem was recent years, thanks to the efforts of 543 offered and a minute of silence was Ukraine’s diplomatic corps and the observed. Ukrainian diaspora, the truth about the Famine was brought to many parts of the Source: “Ukrainians around the globe world. A requiem was offered for the vic remember the Holodomor,” The Ukrainian tims of the Holodomor in Moscow at the Weekly, December 5, 2010. No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 23
Through Art exhibit, “Thresholds” by Lydia Bodnar-Balahutrak, December 2 Ukrainian Social, The Washington Group and Ukraina December 18 Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, 281-376-6322 or Washington Citizens International Association, Slaviya Restaurant and Spring, TX www.pearlmfa.org Lounge, 240-381-0993 or 202-491-4030
November 29 Concert, Kyiv Chamber Choir, St. Bartolomew’s Church, December 2 Concert, “Chornobyl Songs Project: Living Culture from a New York 877-266-2557 or www.platinumconcerts.com New York Lost World,” featuring the female vocal group Hilka, The Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 November 29 Film screening, “Genocide Revealed” by Yurij Luhovy, December 3 Holiday variety show, Vorochta 5 art group, Bar 82, Toronto Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, www.yluhovy.com New York www.vorochta5.com
November 30 Concert, Kyiv Chamber Choir, Church of St. Peter Claver, December 3 Artist’s reception and concert, featuring art of Katia Setzer, Hartford, CT 877-266-2557 or www.platinumconcerts.com New York Ukrainian Institute of America, 212-288-8660 or www.ukrainianinstitute.org November 30 Petro Jacyk Memorial Symposium, “Politics of History: Cambridge, MA Collective Memory and Media Representations of December 3 Concert, Kyiv Chamber Choir, Church of St. Albert the Ukrainians Displaced by World War II,” presentations by Philadelphia Great, 877-266-2557 or www.platinumconcerts.com Marta Dyczok, Vladyslav Hrynevych and Andriy Kulykov, Harvard University, 617-495-4053 December 3 Conference on the 20th anniversary of the birth of Markian New York Shashkevych, Shevchenko Scientific Society, December 1 Anniversary Gala and Awards Dinner, U.S.-Ukraine 212-254-5130 Washington Business Council, Omni Shoreham Hotel, 202-223-2228 or www.usukraine.org December 3 Wine and Cheese Night, Ukrainian Homestead, Lehighton, PA 610-377-4621 or 610-272-0678 or [email protected] December 1 Film screening, “Three Stories of Galicia” by Olha December 3 Performance by Yunist Ukrainian Dance School, Paramus Chicago Onyshko and Sarah Farhat, Chicago Cultural Center Paramus, NJ Catholic High School, www.yunistdance.com 312-744-6630 or www.chicagoculturalcenter.org December 3-4 Christmas bazaar, Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of December 2 Concert, Kyiv Chamber Choir, National Presbyterian Washington the Holy Family, 202-526-3737 or Washington Church, 877-266-2557 or www.platinumconcerts.com www.ucns-holyfamily.org
December 2 Panel discussion with filmmakers Olha Onyshko and Sarah Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Chicago Farhat, “Multicultural Galicia: An Inseparable, Complicated advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions and Just Possibly Redemptive History,” Ukrainian National from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Museum, 312-421-8020 or [email protected] and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011 No. 48
PREVIEW OF EVENTS Friday, December 2 212-228-0110; website, www.ukrainianmuseum.org. NEW YORK: Maria Sonevytsky, The Center for Traditional Saturday, December 10 Music and Dance and Yara Arts Group present “Chornobyl NEW YORK: A Ukrainian Christmas Traditions Workshop Songs Project: Living Culture from a Lost World,” village songs with hands-on participation in the baking of traditional from Ukraine performed by Ensemble Hilka (New York City), Ukrainian Christmas breads will take place at The Ukrainian led by music director and song collector Yevhen Yefremov Museum at 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Participants will learn about cus- (Ensemble Drevo, Kyiv), at The Ukrainian Museum, 222 E. toms, traditions and rituals practiced during this joyous holi- Sixth Stl (between Second and Third avenues). Concert begins day. The workshop is open to adults and children over age 16. at 7 p.m. with reception to follow. Admission is $15 (discounts Fee: adults, $25; students over 16 and seniors, $15; members for seniors/members). To purchase tickets in advance go to receive a 15 percent discount. Pre-registration is required. www.ukrainianmuseum.org. The Ukrainian Museum is located at 222 E. Sixth St., New York, Saturday, December 3 NY 10003; telephone, 212-228-0110; website, www.ukraini- NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Society invites all to a anmuseum.org. A special offer for conference dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Saturday-Sunday, December 10-11 Markian Shashkevych. The scheduled participants in the confer- NEW YORK: Don’t miss the Christmas Bazaar and its unique new subscribers – ence are: Dr. George Grabowicz, Dr. Anna Procyk and Dr. Serhii gifts at The Ukrainian Museum on Saturday and Sunday at 11 Panko. Shashkevych (1811-1843), a priest and a poet, is famous a.m.-5 p.m. It’s an opportunity to purchase folk art items, orna- as a leader of the literary revival in western Ukraine based on ments, books, artwork, jewelry, home-baked goods and more. and a great gift idea. the use of spoken Ukrainian. The conference will take place at Come early for the best selections. The Ukrainian Museum is the society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th located at 222 E. Sixth St., New York, NY 10003; telephone, streets) at 5 p.m. For additional information call 212-254-5130. 212-228-0110; website, www.ukrainianmuseum.org. Get a six-month subscription Sunday, December 4 Saturday, December 17 to the online edition of NEW YORK: Thee will be a lecture and gallery talk in conjunc- WASHINGTON: The Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian tion with the new exhibition “Borys Kosarev: Modernist Studies will host a Mykolai Show and Holiday Bazaar. Students The Ukrainian Weekly Kharkiv, 1915-1931” at The Ukrainian Museum. At 2 p.m. Dr. will present a Mykolai Program at noon. Sviatyi Mykolai (St. Tetiana Pavlova, Kharkiv State Academy of Art and Design, Nicholas) will then meet with each grade/age group (non-stu- or Svoboda for only $20. will present a lecture titled “Ukrainian Photography: Past and dents welcome). The Heavenly Office will be open 9:15-11:45 Present.” At 3:30 p.m., the exhibition curator, Prof. Myroslava a.m.; please bring only one item per child ($2 fee), clearly labeled Mudrak of Ohio State University, will lead a gallery talk. On (child’s full name, grade/age). The Bazaar/Bake Sale at 9:30 a.m. Please note: Call display for the first time ever will be an exhibition of 82 works to noon will offer torte slices, fancy cookies, kolachi, makivnyky, This is a limited-time our Subscription on paper by avant-garde artist Kosarev, a member of the medivnyky, children’s sweets, varenyky and vushka (frozen), Eastern European Modernist movement and a survivor of offer good only through Department: books, CDs, gift items. Location: Ukrainian Catholic National Stalin’s intellectual purges in 1930s Ukraine. The exhibit Shrine of the Holy Family, 4250 Harewood Road NE, Washington, January 14. 973-292-9800, x 3042. opens December 4 and continues through May 2, 2012. DC 20017. Vendors looking to reserve a table should contact Admission to the lecture (includes gallery access) is $15; $10 Lydia Shevchik, [email protected]. For information, visit for senior citizens; $5 for students. The Ukrainian Museum is http://www.ukieschool.org/events.htm or contact Lada located at 222 E. Sixth St., New York, NY 10003; telephone, Onyshkevych, [email protected] or 410-730-8108.
PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Information should be sent to: [email protected] or Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, 973-644-9510. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments; simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message.