Helsinki Commission Leaders' Resolution Urges Fair Election In
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INSIDE:• Interview with Cardinal Lubomyr Husar — page 3. • Blight threatens Kyiv’s famed horse chestnut trees — page 9. • Chicagoans welcome boxing champion Vitalii Klitschko — page 13. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXII HE KRAINIANNo. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2004 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine Helsinki Commission T UUkrainian studies endowment at ColumbiaW reaches $1 million leaders’ resolution urges by Andrew Nynka NEW YORK – Columbia University’s fair election in Ukraine Low Memorial Library, billed as the architectural centerpiece of the 250-year- old Ivy League academic powerhouse, WASHINGTON – A resolution “urging played host to a number of diplomats, the government of Ukraine to ensure a dignitaries and guests who gathered here democratic, transparent and fair election on May 8 in support of Ukrainian studies process for the presidential election on October 31” was introduced on May 5 in at the school. The announcement of two the Senate by Ben Nighthorse Campbell major milestones for that initiative (R-Colo.), co-chairman of the Helsinki capped what organizers of the gala fund- Commission, together with Christopher J. raising banquet called “a successful Dodd (D-Conn.) and Joseph R. Biden (D- evening for the future of an interdiscipli- Del.), ranking member of the Senate nary program of Ukrainian studies at Foreign Relations Committee. Columbia University.” An identical version was introduced in “As many of you know, two years the House of Representatives by ago, the Ukrainian Studies Fund and the International Relations Committee Shevchenko Scientific Society launched a new Columbia initiative and fund-rais- Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), together Andrew Nynka with Helsinki Commission Chairman ing program to further enhance Ukrainian studies,” Dr. Mark von Hagen, Prof. Mark von Hagen of Columbia University (left) applauds as Dr. Bohdan Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Tom Kekish announces a $140,000 gift from the Self Reliance (New York) Federal a professor of history at the school, said Lantos (D-Calif). Credit Union. In the background is Dr. Bohdan Vitvitsky, head of the organizing in a speech during the dinner. The measure, which has been desig- committee for the banquet held to support Ukrainian studies at the university. nated as Senate Concurrent Resolution “That endowment, after tallying the 106 (the full text of the resolution appears donations from this evening’s event as of organization had agreed to cover the dif- from that endowment had already been on page 6), underscores that “the estab- yesterday’s mail, now stands at approxi- ference. used to support two courses recently lishment of a democratic, transparent and mately $860,000 and our initial aim has “We are pleased to announce that the offered at Columbia University. Prof. fair election process for the 2004 presi- been to reach $1 million for that endow- credit union is donating $140,000 – we Frank Sysyn, director of the Jacyk Center dential election in Ukraine and of a gen- ment,” Prof. von Hagen said. have reached the $1 million goal,” Dr. for Ukrainian Historical Research at the uinely democratic political system are In somewhat of a surprise announce- Kekish announced. That donation, cou- Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies prerequisites for that country’s full inte- ment made toward the end of the pled with an earlier gift of $250,000, put and director of the Hrushevsky transla- gration into the Western community of evening, Dr. Bohdan Kekish, president the credit union’s total contribution to the tion project, was involved in teaching nations as an equal member, including and CEO of the Self Reliance (New endowment fund at $390,000. into organizations such as the North York) Federal Credit Union, said that his Dr. von Hagen pointed out that money (Continued on page 12) Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).” Sen. Campbell noted: “The Helsinki Commission, which has long monitored and encouraged human rights, rule of law Historic medal awarded to Filip Konowal is found and democracy in Ukraine, continues to by Christoper Guly in Hamilton at the end of May. As Dr. Luciuk said: “When was it be a stalwart supporter of Ukraine’s Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Dr. Luciuk, who teaches political geogra- removed, who removed it, where has it been development as an independent, demo- in the last 30 years and how did the prodigal cratic and market-oriented state.” phy at the Royal Military College in OTTAWA – Lubomyr Luciuk, the 50- medal end up in London, Ontario?” “It is abundantly clear that a small clique Kingston, Ontario, and holds a Ph.D. in year-old research director of the Ukrainian The story he’s heard is that Konowal’s have a vested interest in perpetuating the geography from the University of Alberta in Canadian Civil Liberties Association VC was “misplaced” around 1973 when it outmoded status quo,” continued the sena- Edmonton, says he immediately contacted (UCCLA) has spent the last decade helping was removed from its case to be pho- tor. “Ukrainian authorities need to radically Wendy Hoare of Jeffrey Hoare Auctions to draw attention to the heroism of the late tographed and allegedly not returned to its improve the election environment if there is Inc., based in London, Ontario, which had Filip Konowal, one of several thousand proper place. to be hope for these elections to meet issued a news release announcing the May Ukrainian-born immigrants who served The Ottawa-based War Amputations of OSCE standards. The question is whether 30 sale of the “historically important with the Canadian Expeditionary Force dur- Canada, which re-ignited interest in the their perceived self-interest will trump the Victoria Cross awarded to Acting Corporal ing the first world war. Konowal was the missing medal at an August 2000 tribute to interest of the people of Ukraine.” Filip Konowal.” only Ukrainian Canadian to be awarded the Konowal jointly organized by the Ukrainian Rep. Smith stated: “I have been a Dr. Luciuk says that Ms. Hoare assured British Empire’s highest bravery medal for Canadian Professional and Business steadfast supporter of human rights and him the medal was “genuine” and that the his actions, as a member of the 47th Association (UCPBA) of Ottawa, claims democracy in Ukraine, and I value inde- individuals, who remain anonymous but Canadian Infantry Battalion, in single-hand- the VC was loaned “to persons” outside the pendent Ukraine’s contribution to security edly taking out three German positions and who consigned the VC to the auction house for sale, had the “legal right to do so.” museum for an exhibit. and stability in Europe.” He explained killing 16 German soldiers over a two-day Dr. Luciuk believes that somebody that “the stakes in the upcoming elections period in August 1917 in France. She also told him the medal’s asking price was listed at $120,000, though the “stole” the medal. “The medal was removed are high, not only with respect to the out- Up until recently, the missing link in and sold,” he said. “Whether it was sold to come, but also as a fundamental indicator Konowal’s legacy has been the whereabouts medal is believed to be worth about $250,000 (Canadian). whoever put it up for auction, or whether of Ukraine’s democratic development.” of his Victoria Cross. the original person died and passed it on, I “Ukraine remains at a crossroads,” Sold for $3,750 (about $2,750 U.S.) to Dr. Luciuk then alerted Joe Geurts, direc- tor and chief executive officer of the don’t know.” Rep. Smith added. “Developments with the Ottawa-based Canadian War Museum in In November 2000, War Amps founder Canadian War Museum, who subsequently respect to democracy have been discour- 1969 by a dealer who had purchased it from and CEO Cliff Chadderton, a second world contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted aging over the last few years. The elec- Konowal’s second wife, the medal mysteri- war veteran who lost his right leg during Police. After seizing the medal, the RCMP tions represent a real chance for Ukraine ously disappeared about four years later. combat overseas and who personally knew began an investigation prior to releasing it to get back on the road to full respect for But now, Dr. Luciuk believes it has been Konowal, wrote to RCMP Commissioner the tenets of democracy, human rights found. to the museum for authentication. Guiliano Zaccardelli and called for an and the rule of law. The United States A week before Easter, he received an e- While experts have yet to determine investigation into the medal’s disappear- stands in solidarity with the people of mail message from a British war-medal whether it is Konowal’s VC, even more ance. Ukraine as they strive to achieve these enthusiast in England notifying him that questions remain unanswered as to how it essential goals.” Konowal’s VC was to be sold at an auction got lost in the first place. (Continued on page 10) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2004 No. 20 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS On the border between Europe and Asia No place for Ukraine in EU Europe in our state.” (RFE/RL Newsline) by Roman Kupchinsky asked her if she lived in Europe. “No, I KYIV – Ukraine, Russia and Moldova .. but says EU membership not essential live in Kyiv” was her honest reply. I Romano Prodi, the president of the have no chance of gaining membership of smiled and let the topic drop, knowing European Commission, told a gathering the European Union, even in the distant KYIV – Ukraine’s Prime Minister that her answer was spontaneous. in Dublin on May 5 that he sees no place future, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Viktor Yanukovych said in a May 3 inter- On May 1, the European Union admit- for Ukraine in the European Union.