INSIDE:• NEWS ANALYSIS: Will have a new Constitution? — page 3. • Preserving Ukrainian churches in the Prairie Provinces — page 5. • Conferences of SUSK and SUSTA — page 13.

Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXVIHE KRAINIAN No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine ‘Don’t be indifferent!’ movement promotes T U W Tymoshenko travels by Illya M. Labunka Kyiv Press Bureau to to meet KYIV – The grassroots movement “Don’t be indifferent!” sponsored its latest round of civic, interactive events on with Russian leaders by Illya M. Labunka Saturday, February 16, under the motto “Make a gift to Ukraine. Start speaking Kyiv Press Bureau Ukrainian.” The aim of the ongoing series KYIV – “We have gone over practically of events is to help those who wish to every question that needs to be settled speak Ukrainian but experience difficulties between Ukraine and today,” stated due to various psychological barriers. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko follow- The organizers of the interactive events ing a meeting with her Russian counterpart, are Ukrainian musicians and everyday citi- Viktor Zubkov. zens who, for the last two and a half years, After a month’s delay, due to her bout have joined forces with the national move- with the flu as well as political intrigue, on ment “Don’t be indifferent!” February 20 Prime Minister Tymoshenko The city of Dnipropetrovsk was the finally managed to fly to Moscow for a host of the latest civic interactive event. two-day visit comprising a series of meet- Volunteers distributed 10,000 copies of a ings with Russia’s top leaders. handbook with “psychological recommen- Ms. Tymoshenko’s trip was ill-fated dations” how to start speaking Ukrainian even before her departure. or to become the language’s active sup- Concert-goers at Dnipropetrovsk’s Meteor Sports Complex on February 16 Initially, Ms. Tymoshenko had hoped to porter. The handbooks were distributed in receive free booklets on how to overcome psychological barriers to speaking review with her counterpart in Moscow the schools, on the street and to everyone who Ukrainian. They were attending an interactive entertainment event dubbed agreement that had been reached on attended the musical-interactive show held “Make a gift to Ukraine! Start speaking Ukrainian!” February 12 between Russian President that evening at the city’s Meteor Sports Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Complex. Viktor Yushchenko regarding natural gas tions on stage. Rozdobudko, Oksana Zabuzhko, Maria The audience was entertained by the deliveries. But Ms. Tymoshenko’s wish Matios, Valerii Shevchuk and Maryna music of the bands Mandry, Motor’rolla, Before the interactive event’s entertain- was not meant to be, as Russia and Ukraine Hrymych. FlayZZa and Flit, the bandura player ment program took place that evening, had already agreed that they would stick to Serhii Zakharets and the ethno-rock band volunteers distributed 95 packages of Dnipropetrovsk is the 10th city where the gas accord reached earlier in the month Huliayhorod, whose repertoire included- Ukrainian-language books to Ukrainian the regional interactive event “Make a gift by the heads of state of both countries. traditional Ukrainian songs collected in the schools in Dnipropetrovsk to encourage to Ukraine. Start speaking Ukrainian” took “We have confirmed our absolute com- villages of central Ukraine. The ensembles students to speak Ukrainian more often. place. Since April 2007 similar interactive mitment to the agreement reached by our performed their compositions in classical Among the complimentary publications events have already been organized in presidents,” said Russian Prime Minister and experimental theater-like interpreta- were books by such noted authors as Iren Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Zubkov, following his meeting with Ms. Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy, Sumy, Tymoshenko. Zaporizhia and . Prime Minister Tymoshenko had reject- “Ukraine is a European state. One day it ed the agreement, which calls for the elimi- Obama wins in Ukraine will become part of the broader European nation of intermediary suppliers while set- community, ” said Serhii Prysiazhnyi, ting up two joint ventures with Russia’s PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Sen. Barack In Ukraine, 24 votes were cast over the Obama of Illinois tallied yet another win Internet, one by fax or mail; and 15 at a (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 8) in the Democratic presidential primaries voting center in the capital city of Kyiv. when he won in Ukraine, beating Sen. The global Democratic primary took Hillary Clinton of New York by a margin place between February 5 and 12, and the of 62.5 percent to 32.5 percent. results were released on February 21. Verkhovna Rada chairman visits Brussels In hard numbers that translates to 25 More than 23,000 American citizens liv- votes for Sen. Obama and 13 for Sen. ing abroad participated. There is no com- Clinton. Two votes were cast for Rep. parable worldwide primary on the to promote Ukraine’s European integration Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, earning him 5 Republican Party side. percent of the vote. Notably, Obama supporter Dr. by Illya M. Labunka the 10th session of the EU-Ukraine The percentages for the two remaining rallied voters in nine Kyiv Press Bureau Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. contenders for the Democratic nomina- European cities via conference call, and Mr. Yatsenyuk also met with the head tion were similar worldwide in the party’s local TV covered the event, according to KYIV – Verkhovna Rada Chairman of the Belgian Parliament, Herman Van first global primary. the Washington Post. Both Michelle Arseniy Yatsenyuk flew to Brussels on Rompay, and held discussions with EU “Obama made it 11 in a row, winning Obama and former President Bill Clinton February 26 for two days of meetings Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs the Democrats Abroad global primary, attended fund-raisers in London. with European Union officials in order to regarding Ukraine-EU cooperation on with 65.6 percent of the vote versus 32.7 The Associated Press explained that press Ukraine’s case for continued inte- energy issues. percent for Hillary,” wrote Geoff Berlin, Democrats Abroad controls seven gration with Europe. During his meeting with Mr. Van chairman of Democrats Abroad Ukraine, pledged delegates at the party’s national During the visit, Mr. Yatsenyuk met Rompay, Mr. Yatsenyuk discussed the in an e-mail message sent to Democratic convention this summer. The party will with the president of the European current blockade plaguing Ukraine’s voters on February 21. (Sen. Clinton has send 14 pledged delegates to the conven- Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering; the Parliament and possible solutions to the not won a primary since Super Tuesday, tion, each with a half vote. The global pri- leader of the faction of the European stalemate. At the same time, Mr. February 5.) mary was used to determine nine people, People’s Party, Josef Daul; the head of Yatsenyuk noted problems facing both Those wishing to cast their ballots or the equivalent of 4.5 delegates. the Foreign Affairs Committee of the the Ukrainian and Belgian Parliaments. could do so at voting centers in over 30 Democrats Abroad will hold a global con- European Parliament, Jacek Saryusz “Belgium is a country with a stable countries, as well as by mail, fax and, for vention in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wolski; and the vice-president of the the first time ever, over the Internet. in April to select the other five people, democracy but it also in the midst of a European Parliament, Marek Siwiec. In political crisis, due to the absence of a Online ballots were cast over a secure representing 2.5 votes, who will attend addition, the Ukrainian parliamentary voting system from 164 countries. the convention. leader’s agenda included participation in (Continued on page 20) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS

Opposition uses Ukraine-NATO issue Russia threatens to cut gas supply 27 that the presidential directive to pay off gas debts incurred to the Russian gas when it’s politically expedient MOSCOW – Gazprom spokesman giant Gazprom is being carried out, the Sergei Kupriyanov said on February 26 Ukrayinska Pravda website reported. by Taras Kuzio would likely become the largest parliamen- in Moscow that the Russian gas monop- “Within two days – today and yesterday oly might reduce gas supplies to Ukraine Eurasia Daily Monitor tary faction after a 2008 vote, because of a – we have transferred nearly 2.4 billion combination of declining support for the by one-quarter if it fails to sign necessary [hrv, approximately $474 million (U.S.)]. For over a month, the Ukrainian PRU and OU-PSD and the rising populari- agreements or pay off debts for gas We are today going to close the issue of Parliament has been in a forced recess as ty of the Tymoshenko government follow- already delivered, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian the UkrHazEnergo debt incurred in the the opposition blocked the legislature to ing the re-payment of lost Soviet-era sav- Service reported. “If all the necessary last year,” Mr. Prodan said. Ukraine cur- protest a joint letter to NATO signed by ings to Ukrainian citizens. documents are not signed, then because rently receives Russian natural gas President Viktor Yushchenko, Prime In addition, OU-PSD’s relationship with of [Ukraine’s] debt, gas supplies to through two intermediary companies: Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Verkhovna the president is increasingly tenuous. Ukrainian consumers will be reduced by RosUkrEnergo delivers gas to the 25 percent starting at 10 a.m., on March Rada Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The Presidential Chief of Staff Viktor Baloha Russian-Ukrainian border and 3,” Mr. Kupriyanov said. In a telephone January 15 letter asked NATO to consider resigned from OU-PSD on February 15, UkrHazEnergo supplies it to Ukrainian conversation about Russia’s gas supplies offering Ukraine a Membership Action Plan after its nine disparate parties failed to unite consumers. Mr. Prodan also said that to Ukraine the same day, Russian (MAP) at its April summit in Bucharest. as a pro-presidential party of power. there are some issues regarding Ukraine’s President Vladimir Putin reportedly told Under the 2006 Constitution of Ukraine Given these factors, odds are that politi- gas debt that are questioned by the gov- President Yushchenko can dissolve Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko ernment. “According to my calculations, cal leaders will find a way to compromise that the payment made by Ukraine for Parliament if it does not function for 30 and avoid early elections. Messrs. except sums that are not confirmed by working days. However, he exercised that consumed gas does not cover the entire Ukraine, we are today going to pay off Yushchenko and Baloha would not want to debt and, therefore, it cannot be regarded power in April 2007 and doing so again in head into the 2009 presidential elections the debts in full,” he added. (RFE/RL less than a year would be an unpopular as a sufficient measure to secure further Newsline) with an even larger YTB parliamentary fac- uninterrupted gas supplies. Mr. Putin move with unknown consequences. tion, which already is double the size of Of Parliament’s three largest factions, suggested that Gazprom might reduce Political forces hold roundtable OU-PSD. gas supplies starting on February 27. only the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB) Mr. Yatsenyuk proposed a compromise KYIV – Representatives of all factions would likely gain from pre-term elections. After that conversation, Mr. Yushchenko to unblock the Verkhovna Rada – specifi- criticized the Ukrainian government for in the Verkhovna Rada on February 25 Based on current polls, the Party of the cally, asking all factions to refrain from held a roundtable aimed at resolving the Regions (PRU) and the president’s Our failing to fulfill the agreement on paying using this tactic in the future. Mr. off the debt he recently reached with Mr. ongoing parliamentary crisis, Ukrainian Ukraine – People’s Self-Defense (OU- Yatsenyuk has also called upon all factions Putin, and he sent Prime Minister Yulia media reported. The Parliament has been PSD) bloc would poll even less than they to recognize the legality of legislation on Tymoshenko a note ordering a report deadlocked for several weeks due to did last year. In the September 2007 elec- NATO that was adopted under former early on February 27 on the implementa- protests by the Party of the Regions tions, the YTB increased its support by 8 President Leonid Kuchma and that the tion of the deal he reached with the against possible NATO membership. percent over the 2006 election, finishing Russian president. Gazprom demanded Viktor Yanukovych, the leader of the only 3 percent behind the PRU. The YTB (Continued on page 17) that Ukraine pay $1.5 billion for gas con- Party of the Regions, recalled at the sumed in the last months of 2007. roundtable that the parliamentary crisis Ukrainian First Vice Prime Minister began with the signing by Verkhovna Oleksander Turchynov said on February Rada Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk of a Putin, Medvedev speeches suggest 26 that the government had paid in full letter to NATO Secretary-General Jaap the gas debt incurred in late 2007. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer. Mr. Yatsenyuk, along Turchynov accused the intermediary with President Viktor Yushchenko and the former will be calling the shots companies UkrHazEnergo and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, asked RosUkrEnergo of failing to notify Mr. de Hoop Scheffer to give Ukraine a by Jonas Bernstein laid out a series of ambitious goals for the Gazprom of the fact that debts were paid Membership Action Plan at the alliance’s Eurasia Daily Monitor country over the next dozen years. off. Mr. Turchynov also said that the gov- summit in Bucharest in April. Mr. Mr. Putin reinforced that impression in ernment intends to continue its policy Yanukovych said that Mr. Yatsenyuk had President Vladimir Putin’s February 8 his marathon February 14 press confer- aimed at excluding intermediaries and not coordinated his signature with the speech on Russia’s development strategy ence. While he effusively praised Mr. “opaque criminal schemes” from the Verkhovna Rada and therefore the through 2020 and his final annual presi- Medvedev – Mr. Putin said he could “feel Ukrainian gas market. (RFE/RL Parliament should hold a debate on the dential press conference on February 14, confident and unashamed about handing Newsline) issue, giving all legislators an opportuni- together with the speech that his designat- over the main reins of power in this coun- ty to express their attitude to Ukraine’s ed successor, First Deputy Prime Minister try to such a person” – he also interpreted Ukraine promises to settle gas debt possible NATO membership. Mykola Dmitry Medvedev, delivered to the Russia’s Constitution as giving the coun- Tomenko of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc KYIV – Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum on try’s president and prime minister more or Minister Yurii Prodan said on February (Continued on page 14) February 15, have provided fresh grist for less equal power – or perhaps even more speculation about the likely configuration power to the latter. of power following Mr. Medvedev’s vir- Russia’s Constitution, said Mr. Putin, tually certain victory in the March 2 presi- gives the government – headed by the dential election and Mr. Putin’s presumed prime minister – “many opportunities,” THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY FOUNDED 1933 accession to the post of prime minister. including responsibility for “forming the While nothing can be stated definitive- budget and presenting it to the An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., ly, the addresses by Messrs. Putin and Parliament,” “forming the foundations of a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Medvedev, both in form and substance, monetary and credit policy,” “resolving Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. strengthened the sense that a transfer of social, health care, education and environ- Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. political power from the post of president mental issues,” “creating the conditions (ISSN — 0273-9348) to the post of prime minister is in the off- for ensuring our country’s defense and ing. security” and “carrying out our economic The Weekly: UNA: Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 As a number of observers have noted, and trade policies abroad.” Thus while the President Putin’s speech on Russia’s president is “the head of state, guarantor development plans was noteworthy – if Postmaster, send address changes to: of the Constitution, and sets the main The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz for nothing else – for sounding much less domestic and foreign policy guidelines,” 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas like a valedictory than a speech by a Mr. Putin asserted, the “highest executive P.O. Box 280 national leader who plans to be in charge power in the country is in the hands of the Parsippany, NJ 07054 for a good while longer. Indeed, while government.” describing the problems and failures of Mr. Putin also made it clear that he will The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] governance of the 1990s and trumpeting not display the traditional reverences vis- The Ukrainian Weekly, March 2, 2008 No. 9, Vol. LXXVI the putative successes of his own presi- à-vis the new president. Asked whether he Copyright © 2008 The Ukrainian Weekly dency over the last eight years, Mr. Putin would hang a portrait of President Medvedev in his office, Mr. Putin answered: “As for my relationship with Correction Dmitry Anatolyevich, if he does choose ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA me to be prime minister, there is a certain The photos of the two “Young unique quality in this, consisting in the UNA’ers” published in the February 17 Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 fact I myself have been president for eight issue were inadvertently switched. Thus, e-mail: [email protected] years and have done on the whole not the photo over the caption about Mykola Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 badly. In order to build relations with e-mail: [email protected] Quinn Staruch should have appeared Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, if he is Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 with the caption referring to Oliver e-mail: [email protected] Thomas Molls, and vice-versa. (Continued on page 17) No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 3 NEWS ANALYSIS: Will Ukraine have a new Constitution? by Pavel Korduban Mr. Yushchenko maintains that the cur- Eurasia Daily Monitor rent Constitution is too imperfect to be amended, so an entirely new Constitution President Viktor Yushchenko has should be drafted. On December 27, begun his drive to reverse the 2004 con- 2007, he signed a decree authorizing the stitutional reform. His goals include NCC to draft a new Constitution. boosting presidential powers and weak- Addressing the NCC on February 20, ening the legislature. On February 20 Mr. President Yushchenko made it clear that Yushchenko convened the first meeting he would bypass Parliament if national of the National Constitution Council deputies fail to cooperate in drafting a (NCC), consisting of 97 experts and new Constitution. He said that the politicians, to share with them his outline Constitution will not necessarily be for a new Constitution of Ukraine. The passed by Parliament, but it can be Council was expected to start to work on adopted by a national referendum “at the February 26. Mr. Yushchenko expects a initiative of the people.” new draft Constitution to be ready within Mr. Yushchenko’s skepticism about Official Website of the President of Ukraine six months, in time for the 2010 presi- assistance from Parliament for working dential election in which he will probably on a new Constitution is justified, as A view of the February 20 meeting of the National Constitution Council. run. national deputies are unlikely to gladly The current Constitution of Ukraine accept cuts to their authority. He said that was adopted in 1996. Initially, it created the Constitution should provide for a a very strong president who could fire the “comprehensive status” for the president Belarusian political prisoner prime minister and government any time as the guarantor of national sovereignty, and who formed governments single- territorial integrity and the Constitution, handedly. and that the president should play a key calls RFE/RL his ‘air of freedom’ The reform of 2004, which was enact- role in shaping foreign policy, and RFE/RL Following his return to Miensk early in ed in 2006, weakened the president vis-à- national security and defense. Mr. the morning of February 27, Mr. Kazulin vis the Cabinet of Ministers and Yushchenko said that the remits of the PRAGUE – Belarusian opposition leader was interviewed in his apartment by Parliament, so the prime minister and Alyaksandr Kazulin on February 27 told president and the government in this field Belarus Service correspondent Aleh government are now picked by a majori- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s audi- currently overlap. Gruzdzilovich. ty in the Verkhovna Rada, rather than the ence in Belarus: “I was able to listen to The Ukrainian edition of the Russian Mr. Kazulin also recounted his prison president, and the government subse- Radio Liberty in prison, and this made me business daily Kommersant summed it experience and grief in an online forum quently works more or less independent- feel free. You cannot imagine what it up by saying that Mr. Yushchenko wants with Belarus Service listeners shortly before ly of the president. to make the presidency a separate branch means, being behind the bars, behind the Mr. Yushchenko’s supporters argued barbed wire, to breathe the air of freedom the funeral. He said he must return to the of power. penal colony near the city of Vitsebsk in a that the 2004 reform was devised to Simultaneously, Mr. Yushchenko which is Radio Liberty.” weaken him, making it difficult for Mr. Mr. Kazulin is serving a five-and-a-half- day or two and that he has become an avid wants the Constitution to cancel national listener of RFE/RL since his incarceration. Yushchenko to replace the corrupt post- deputies’ immunity from prosecution and year sentence for participating in protests Soviet elite. Mr. Yushchenko has never that followed the 2006 presidential elections He said he has a short-wave receiver in his to increase the role of regional govern- cell and wakes up every morning to begin concealed his dislike of the reform. In ments, thereby weakening the in which he ran as an opposition candidate August 2007 he made public the idea of against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. the day with the 6 a.m. program of the forming the NCC in order to reverse it. (Continued on page 20) Mr. Kazulin got a temporary pass to attend radio’s Belarusian Service. the February 27 funeral of his wife, Iryna, In October 2007 Iryna Kazulina was the who died on February 23 after a long battle Belarus Service’s first “guest editor,” using FOR THE RECORD with breast cancer. Mr. Kazulin was not a program created by the service to encour- allowed to see her before her death. age “citizen journalism” in Belarus as a He said he had to go on a hunger strike platform to raise awareness of breast cancer. Senators, representatives write to Rice and tell prison officials he intended to be Ms. Kazulina’s program was re-aired this buried with his wife before permission was past week. granted for him to attend the funeral service. RFE/RL’s Belarus Service broadcasts to support MAP for Ukraine, Georgia It was Mr. Kazulin’s second hunger strike eight hours of programming a day to since he was jailed in July 2006 for staging Belarus; the programs are produced in Following is the full text of a letter to new boundary beyond which countries are anti-government rallies. Prague and the service’s Miensk Bureau U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice constrained or forbidden from integration Belarusian law permits prisoners to be and transmitted to listeners via short wave, that was sent by three senators, Joseph I. into the Euro-Atlantic community, regard- temporarily released for funerals of family medium wave and satellite broadcasts. Lieberman (I-Conn.), John McCain (R- less of their democratic desires or shared members. But the warden of the prison in Belarusian Service programming is also Ariz.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), values. Vitsebsk where Kazulin is being held had available via the Internet, on the service’s and three members of the House of Both Georgia and Ukraine have made said that Mr. Kazulin is guilty of several website www.svaboda.org and at Representatives, Jane Harman (D-Calif.), clear their determination to enter into a conduct violations and would not be permit- www.rferl.org; English-language news Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and Jim Membership Action Plan with NATO. Last ted to leave without special permission from about events in Belarus can be found on the Marshall (D-Ga.). The letter is dated month, Georgia held a referendum on Miensk. RFE/RL website. February 19. NATO in which more than 76 percent of voters supported their country’s integration Dear Secretary Rice: into the Atlantic alliance. Also in January, As Democrats and Republicans who Ukraine’s top three democratically elected serve in both chambers of Congress, we leaders – the president, the prime minister, Medvedev speaks on international relations write to express our support for the efforts and the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada – RFE/RL Newsline tates many circles abroad. ... Given suffi- of Georgia and Ukraine to enter into a sent a letter to NATO Secretary-General cient ingenuity, one might [also] condemn Membership Action Plan (MAP) with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer formally requesting MOSCOW – Russia’s first deputy prime the United States as a financial aggressor NATO, and to urge you – as the administra- a Membership Action Plan. minister and presumed presidential succes- and economic terrorist that forced its mone- tion makes preparations for the NATO Both Georgia and Ukraine are young sor, Dmitry Medvedev, said in an interview tary unit and free-enterprise standards on summit in Bucharest, Romania, in April – democracies that continue to face many with the news weekly Itogi, which was the rest of the world.” to engage in sustained and robust diploma- challenges and whose futures remain posted on itogi.ru on February 18, that Mr. Medvedev said he is glad that Russia cy to assist Kyiv and Tbilisi in securing this uncertain. In our view, however, this makes Russia will “eventually establish a common is taking a tougher line now in defense of its objective at the summit. the case for a Membership Action Plan for economic zone” with Ukraine, Kazakhstan, interests than it did a decade ago. As you know, the enlargement of NATO these countries all the more urgent and and Belarus. Otherwise, “we’d be treated as a Third has been a critical element in the unprece- compelling. Although a MAP does not He noted that trying to reach any interna- World country even now. Something like dented democratic peace that has unfolded guarantee membership in NATO, it does tional agreement with Ukraine is a “chore” Upper Volta with nuclear missiles,” he across Central and Eastern Europe over the provide a proven toolkit of resources that at present because of that country’s domes- added, in an allusion to a famous remark past 15 years and that stands as one of the will help Kyiv and Tbilisi as they pursue tic problems. Mr. Medvedev said he made by former West German Chancellor greatest bipartisan successes in the history vital reforms in the areas of defense, believes that Russia will also reach an Helmut Schmidt about the . of American foreign policy. In our view, democracy and human rights. “understanding” with Georgia, even though Mr. Medvedev stressed that it is good for however, the consolidation of this extraor- President [George W.] Bush has repeat- the “situation with Russian-Georgian rela- Russia “to bare its teeth” when important dinary accomplishment requires the active edly argued for the United States to adopt tions is more complicated.” interests are at stake. He denied that such and continuing integration of emerging what he has called “a forward strategy of Asked whether Moscow might cut off concerns are limited to Kosovo or missile democracies across the broader region into freedom.” We urge you to assist Ukraine gas supplies to Kyiv or Tbilisi as a form of defense and stressed that Russia’s current the flagship institutions of the Euro- and Georgia in securing a Membership political pressure, Mr. Medvedev replied toughness over the rights of the British Atlantic community. Action Plan as soon as possible, and to pur- that “Gazprom faithfully honors its commit- Council to operate in Russia is justified. In particular, we believe that it is in the sue the integration of these countries into ments. All these speculations about alleged He argued that “when you allow others vital national interest of the United States the Euro-Atlantic community as one of the energy blackmail we keep hearing from the to push you and keep pushing, these others to dispel gathering fears that a new dividing top foreign policy priorities of the adminis- West are absolutely groundless.” inevitably stop taking you seriously. There line may be descending across Europe – a tration’s remaining months in office. He noted that “a Russia [on the rise] irri- are no trifles in international affairs.” 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 N.J. panel on immigrant policy TWG Fellowship Fund announces to hold its second public hearing summer internship program in D.C. TRENTON – The second public hearing of timony. Members of the public expressed WASHINGTON – The addresses. the New Jersey Governor’s Blue Ribbon their concerns and opinions on diverse topics Washington Group (TWG), in coop- • A resume or a CV (optional). Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy will be such as education, social services, state and eration with the Embassy of All application materials should held on Tuesday, March 11, at 6-10 p.m. in local government, as well as work force, Ukraine, is seeking candidates for its be sent in electronic format to: fel- the auditorium of Bridgeton High School, 111 labor and economic development. annual summer internship program lowshipfund@thewashington- North West Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302. Dorothy Sawchouk of the Polish American at the Embassy of Ukraine in group.org. The Immigrant Policy Panel is charged Congress, who spoke on behalf of the Polish Washington. Conducted by the TWG The name of the chosen intern with developing recommendations regarding community as well as Ukrainian American Fellowship Fund, the project aims to will be published on the TWG web- how to more successfully integrate the rapidly community groups, noted: “Our communities provide the Embassy with an intern site (http://www.thewashington- growing immigrant population in New Jersey. are facing special challenges in that our latest to serve as a research assistant. group.org) by April 30. TWG also The panel calls on the public to testify on immigrants arrived in the U.S., legally, with The Embassy will arrange the will contact the intern by e-mail. issues confronting New Jersey’s immigrant visas, but remembering the consequences of terms of employment with the TWG will not contact applicants population, including: work force, labor and political involvement in their native lands, intern, such as responsibilities, who were not chosen. economic development; issues related to state often fail to become involved with govern- duties, tasks, duration and work The individual selected as the and local government; social services (includ- ment in the U.S. and thus don’t readily pursue hours. Interns are expected to work 2008 TWG Ukrainian Embassy ing health care, language access/cultural com- citizenship. They may not understand that about two months. In turn, that indi- Intern will need to make visa and petency); and education (elementary, second- they need more than a green card to be an vidual will gain valuable insight into travel arrangements in advance, and ary and higher education). American, or they may even lack the money the day-to-day operations of a for- already be in the Washington area State officials are encouraging members of for the application for naturalization ($645). eign embassy in Washington. ready to start the internship in either the public who wish to give testimony to pre- They may fear that they won’t pass the exam- The total amount of $1,500 is late May or June. The TWG register. (Individuals who pre-register to tes- ination. Many are political refugees.” paid at the beginning of the intern- Fellowship Fund cannot extend visa tify will be heard first.) Individuals also will Ms. Sawchouk continued: “We find that ship after at least one week of work invitations to applicants, nor can it have an opportunity to register to give testi- they are the ‘low-hanging fruit’ in the immi- at the Embassy. assist with other related visa or trav- mony before and during the first 15 minutes gration/deportation process. Our people are Applicants should have complet- el arrangements. of the public hearing and may submit written hard-working, stable, pay taxes, list their ed at least two years of undergradu- The TWG Fellowship Fund also testimony to the panel at any time. names in the phone book, buy homes and ate studies and be proficient in is unable to offer financial assistance Testimony will be limited to two minutes; generally are very law abiding. This makes English and Ukrainian. They should to the intern beyond the $1,500 them easy to find when their visas expire – or, for those needing translations, the time taken possess excellent oral and written stipend. The Washington Group can- as in recent cases, are rescinded without their by the interpreters will not count as part of communication skills, along with not find the intern a residence in the knowledge because the governments in the the two minutes allotted. All testimonies will computer and Internet expertise. The area. All questions regarding trans- countries from which they came have now be considered by the panel members as they intern should expect to assist the fer, residence, etc., must be settled been labeled ‘democratic.’ Often when they provide ongoing recommendations to the Embassy with needs and issues as by the intern. TWG can try to help, buy their own homes and move, they don’t they arise, including general office governor. but can offer no guarantee. receive notices from ICE because the mail is work. There are no Ukrainian or TWG is a Washington-based Those who would like to testify, need lan- not forwarded to their new addresses auto- U.S. citizenship requirements. association of Ukrainian American guage interpreter services or an assisted-listen- matically.” Candidates should submit the fol- professionals. Members participate ing device should call 609-826-5107 or e-mail “We seek due process for all people,” Ms. lowing information no later than in activities that advance their pro- [email protected] no Sawchouk said, “and protection from April 7, 2008: fessional growth, promote Ukraine’s later than March 4. unscrupulous lawyers and those who claim to • A one-page essay explaining the cultural heritage, and raise the Written testimonies may be e-mailed to the be legal experts, who often prey on these peo- candidate’s interest in the internship, awareness of Ukrainian social and above address, faxed to 609-984-4747 or ple – by demanding large sums of cash – and preferred starting date (May or political issues here and abroad. mailed to Department of the Public Advocate, not responding to their quest for justice, for June), and how his/her background Since its inception in 1987, the Att’n. Clarisa Romero-Cruz, P.O. Box 851, mercy. In many cases, they are deported only and experience meet the goals of the TWG Fellowship Fund has awarded Trenton, NJ 08625-0851. because their case has not been properly pre- project. nearly $45,000 in grants for 35 dis- Among the 35 members named by Gov. pared or heard. • Copies of academic transcripts. tinct projects. Since 1996, the Fund Jon Corzine to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon “These are valuable, educated individuals If the candidate studies in more than has sponsored 15 interns at the Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy is who seek only to contribute to our society and one university, please send the tran- Embassy of Ukraine, Ukrainian Camilla Huk, an active member of the make it richer and more prosperous in this scripts from each. National Information Service and Ukrainian American community of New global economy, where their language skills • Two letters of recommendation the Ukrainian American Jersey who also served on the Governor’s and expertise can help build our own econo- (either in Ukrainian or English) from Coordinating Council at a cost of Ethnic Advisory Council. my. They come here to give, to add to our those with whom the candidate has $16,500. Panel’s first hearing culture, and rarely take. They don’t ask for dealt on a professional basis, such as For more information or to learn special privileges whether it is with their lan- a supervisor. about past TWG interns, readers may The panel held its first public hearing on guages or in education. They want to earn • Two references (names of indi- log on to the TWG website: December 10, 2007, in New Brunswick, N.J., their rightful place and be part of the viduals who know the candidate http://www.thewashingtongroup.org/fe with more than 200 people attending. Over American mainstream, just as their brethren, well and are willing to support llowshipfund.htm or contact the TWG 50 witnesses provided testimony at the hear- who came here earlier, have become,” Ms his/her candidacy). Please provide Fellowship Fund chair at fellowship- ing and more than 20 submitted written tes- Sawchouk stated. telephone numbers and e-mail [email protected].

Wladimir Klitschko defeats Ibragimov to add third belt to his collection PARSIPPANY, N.J. – In the first unifica- The majority of these cheers came from tion title bout since Evander the large Ukrainian group present at the Holyfield vs in 1999, fight, including Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ukrainian heavyweight the United States Oleh Shamshur and (50-3, 44 KO), by unanimous decision Ukraine’s Consul General Mykola added Russian Sultan Ibragimov’s (22-1-1, Kyrychenko. 17 KO) World Boxing Organization title to Commenting on the fight, Klitschko said his collection of belts on February 23 at of his challenger, “He was very difficult to in New York. fight.” “He kept backing off. He’s very Klitschko already held the International careful, but the result counts. I’m very Boxing Federation and International Boxing happy to get the WBO belt back.” Organization belts. Two other belts remain to be won by The fight, which the judges scored 119- Klitschko, the , 110, 117-111 and 118-110, drew boos from the audience due to Klitschko’s methodical held by , and the World probing jab, while he parried Ibragimov’s Boxing Council, held by Oleg Maskaev. southpaw looping attempts. Klitschko land- “This fight is not really about the ed 108 jabs to Ibragimov’s 16. money,” Klitschko said. “It’s about the The first real cheers from the 14,000- pride. This fight is not a pay-per-view, but member audience came during the fourth we need this fight on both sides. We have to round when Klitschko (6-foot-6) connected make history.” his first right, and then again on a few left- Klitschko said he would like to leave the right combinations during the eighth and victor of the Oleg Maskaev vs ninth rounds, that almost sent Ibragimov fight on March 8 to his brother Vitaliy, who (six-foot-2) to the canvas, but he was saved is grandfathered as the next in line for the Markian Hadzewycz by the ropes that kept him on his feet. WBC title. The scoreboard in Madison Square Garden during the Klitschko-Ibragimov bout. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 5 Ukrainian churches in the Prairies: the “Sanctuary” project by John Paul Himka central digital record; • systematically photographing all EDMONTON, Alberta – An all-day churches (exterior and interior), church workshop held at the University of vessels and vestments, bell towers, Alberta on Saturday, January 26, focused cemeteries, tombstones and chapels in on preserving the heritage of Ukrainian the Ukrainian Canadian prairies; sacred culture in Alberta, Saskatchewan • digitizing all historic recordings of and Manitoba. church music from the parishes; and Forty-three participants from across • videorecording liturgical services. the three prairie provinces accepted the Most of this material will be made organizing committee’s invitation to help available on the Internet. plan “Sanctuary: The Spiritual Heritage In his remarks at the opening session, Documentation Project.” This is a major the national executive director of the collaborative effort aimed at: Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ostap • digitizing, as comprehensively as Skrypnyk, made the point that the possible, the results of all past projects Ukrainian bloc settlements and the that have painted or photographed the Ukrainian areas of cities are important churches; components of our heritage, but they are • copying historical photos and videos disappearing. Churches and other sacred in private and institutional hands for a monuments are markers that existed and even changed the landscape of western Canada. Preserving the record of these markers resists Ukrainian Canadians’ erasure as a community. Consider, he said, that the French Canadians have a Thomas Nahachewsky addresses the workshop on preserving the Ukrainian spir- well-established geographical place; itual heritage of Canada’s Prairie Provinces. Canadian Ukrainians need to recognize that they have their place too. Church of Canada, representatives from John-Paul Himka (Religion and Culture Conference presentations included a the Alberta and Manitoba governments, Program, CIUS) and Frances Swyripa survey of existing publications and proj- community activists, members of the (department of history and classics, ects dealing with Ukrainian churches and executive of the Ukrainian Canadian University of Alberta). other sacred monuments, a well-illustrat- Archives and Museum of Alberta, profes- The Ukrainian Studies Fund subsi- ed talk on Ukrainian graveyards, presen- sors from various disciplines (including dized travel for participants from outside tations on past and former projects in Natalie Kononenko, Kule Professor of Edmonton, and the Religion and Culture Manitoba, and several presentations on Ukrainian Ethnography), a technology- Program covered all other workshop photography and databasing. There were savvy architect with a passion for these expenses thanks to the Anna and also three hourlong directed discussions churches, a computer and systems ana- Nikander Bukowsky Endowment Fund. during which participants made sugges- lyst from the city of Edmonton, a choir Detailed information about and mate- tions about how to go about this work. director, a photographer-artist and others. rials from the Sanctuary Planning Among the participants were The conference was organized by a Conference are being put up on the web- Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak of the committee consisting of Jars Balan (Kule site of the Religion and Culture Program Ukrainian Catholic Church and official Ukrainian Canadian Studies Center, of CIUS: www.ualberta.ca/~cius/reli- Prof. Frances Swyripa delegates from the Ukrainian Orthodox Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies), gion-culture/index.htm. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9

COMMENTARY THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Our (new and improved) website Russian-Ukrainian gas games Every year at about this time, we report to our readers that the full texts of all the by Roman Kupchinsky know who owns the so-called stories carried in our issues for the previous year are available online on our official ‘Ukrainian’ half of RosUkrEnergo. It is Is Ukraine a society with limited not owned by the Ukrainian govern- website, www.ukrweekly.com. It’s become tradition that we unveil the new additions responsibility? to what is essentially our online archive on the anniversary of the founding of the ment.” Most signs point in that direction. Konstantin Chuichenko, co-director of Ukrainian National Association, the fraternal benefit society that publishes our paper With a weak president prone to changing and our Ukrainian-language sister publication, Svoboda. RosUkrEnergo and a member of the his mind from day to day and a forceful Gazprom management committee and This year is no different. As of February 22 – the actual anniversary date of the and scheming prime minister who has UNA’s founding in 1894 – all 52 issues published by The Ukrainian Weekly in 2007 head of Gazprom’s legal department, on always believed that Viktor Yushchenko December 1, 2006, speaking on Ukrayina are available online. So, you will now be able to peruse and search all those issues, in was a fraud and a moral weakling, addition to the others previously placed on our website, simply by logging on. television, said: “The Ukrainian half is Ukrainians are left with little more than a owned by two Ukrainian businessmen – But wait, there’s something new this year – something that visitors to our website slab of “salo” and a smidgen of hope. should notice right away. www.ukrweekly.com has a new look. And, what’s more, Dmytro Firtash and Ivan Fursin. Why The latest “gas war” between Ukraine Firtash and Fursin appeared in this busi- readers of the website will now be able to see all the stories of the year laid out on and Russia is an example of how pages just as they appeared in the printed (or hard-copy, if you prefer that terminolo- ness is not our topic. It is a topic for the Ukrainian slyness and Russian opaque- Ukrainian side. The one thing I want to gy) issues of The Weekly. With a few clicks of the mouse (a single click on an issue ness clashed and in the end produced number will take readers to a table of contents; double click to view the newspaper say is that Dmytro Firtash is a very well God knows what because the decisions known figure in the gas business. He has pages), they can view entire issues, page by page, in either pdf or DjVU format were made in a back-room deal between been working in the gas business in (readers need only select the format by clicking on a link at the top right of our two untrustworthy men – Vladimir Putin Ukraine for a long time. So his appear- homepage). For 2007 that means a total of 1,392 pages are now accessible to website and Mr. Yushchenko. ance in this topic was no accident.” visitors. And, visitors can view those pages in various sizes – again, that is their This, unfortunately, has been the way In a February 2, 2007, interview by choice. gas conflicts have been solved between Radio Liberty with Andrii Kliuyev, vice Also available in this full-page format are The Weekly’s issues for 2006. Earlier the two neighboring countries since the prime minister in the Yanukovych issues can be found under the heading “Archive.” However, for now, these are avail- great divorce of 1991. Cabinet, the exchange regarding able as text only, as was the case on the earlier version of our archive website. It was this type of back-room deal in Ukrainian participation in RosUkrEnergo As it was prior to this upgrade, the site is searchable, which is a boon to July 2004 between Leonid Kuchma – the was as follows: researchers, students and average readers. Looking for a particular topic, event, per- man linked to the killing of Heorhii Question: “Mr. Vice Prime Minister, son or author? Just type in your search terms (if you choose, you can confine your Gongadze (whose name Mr. Yushchenko what is the official Ukrainian participa- search to a particular year) and click on search. Voilà! You get a list of the issues in has done everything to erase from our tion in RosUkrEnergo? which that search term appeared. memories) – and Mr. Putin, which creat- Reply: “50 percent of RosUkrEnergo Originally unveiled in August 1998, The Weekly’s official website includes ed RosUkrEnergo, the legendary scam is [owned] by its founder NAK Naftohaz archival materials published in the newspaper since its founding in 1933. With the that was so blatantly and laughingly cor- Ukraine.” latest addition of issues from last year, the site includes the full texts of articles pub- rupt that nobody in his or her right mind According to Interfax, Valery Yazov, lished from 1996 though 2007, as well as articles from a variety of special issues (see believed anything official Kyiv or deputy head of the Russian State Duma, that heading under the Archive section) published during the newspaper’s almost 75 Moscow said in its defense. Here are a on February 1 of this year said: “On the years of service to the Ukrainian community. few examples of the malarkey both sides Russian side, the ownership structure is Another new feature on our new and improved website is the pdf version of the spouted. absolutely clear. As for the Ukrainian two-volume “The Ukrainian Weekly 2000” (Volume I: 1933-1969; Volume II: 1970- During the announcement of RUE’s side, it is represented by a foreign bank 1999), which contain “the most significant news stories and commentaries published formation on July 26, 2004, Interfax [Raiffeisen Bank]. Russia has asked on a in The Ukrainian Weekly” during the previous century. reported that RUE comprised two major number of occasions whether it wouldn’t All this, however, is only a small part of a vast and vastly significant digital banks, Gazprom Bank and Raiffeisen be right for the founders of the joint ven- archive project. Bank, and reported that the two banks ture to be Gazprom and Naftohaz As reported on the front page of our issue dated January 20, The Ukrainian would ensure the new company’s full Ukrainy.” Weekly and Svoboda have embarked upon an ambitious project to digitize all their transparency. Interestingly, shortly before his nomi- back issues – in the case of The Weekly, that goes back to 1933, and in the case of Mr. Yushchenko, during an interview nation as a candidate in the upcoming Svoboda to 1893. The project is both time-consuming and expensive, and our news- on Ukrainian television in 2005, said: presidential election by the leaders of papers are seeking additional funding beyond the $15,000 grant provided by the “This is a fairy tale, the stories about four pro-Kremlin parties and by Shevchenko Scientific Society. In time, we will complete this project to make all this RosUkrEnergo being corrupt.” President Putin personally, Deputy Prime unique information available to the public. Interfax reported on December 22, Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the chairman In the meantime, Dear Readers, there is already a wealth of information available 2006: “Prime Minister Viktor of the board of directors of Gazprom, on www.ukrweekly.com. So, just click away and explore. Yanukovych believes that the policies of made what many believe was an aston- Russia’s Gazprom gas monopoly, the ishing statement. RosUkrEnergo company, which is the In an interview with the German tele- exclusive supplier of natural gas to vision station ARD on October 9, 2007, March Ukraine, and the UkrHazEnergo compa- Mr. Medvedev stated: “We will most Turning the pages back... ny, as well as the policies of the Cabinet likely review the scheme of our relations of Ministers members in charge of the [with Ukraine] and will end the existence energy sector are transparent.” of middlemen structures which we do not 6 In the case of the hidden owners of fully understand. In any case, these struc- Two years ago, in Ukraine’s quest to become an equal member RUE, Mr. Putin told Spanish reporters in tures, whose existence has not been com- 2006 of the global economy, the United States and Ukraine signed a February 2006: “We don’t know who the pletely explained to us, were proposed to bilateral World Trade Organization accession agreement and the hidden owners of RUE are. … So go ask us in a certain historical context by our U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would grad- Viktor Yushchenko. Gazprom owns 50 partners. Possibly this will make our uate Ukraine from the economic constraints of the Jackson-Vanik percent of the company and the relations less complicated and will help Amendment enacted during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Ukrainian side owns the other 50 per- them to pay on time and not accumulate Ukraine’s Minister of the Economy Arseniy Yatsenyuk and U.S. Trade Representative cent. What I said to Viktor Yushchenko is such large debts.” Rob Portman signed the WTO agreement on March 6, 2006, in Washington. this: ‘Please, we would welcome it if House Resolution 1053, sponsored and introduced by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.), was your 50 percent were to be sent directly * * * to Naftohaz Ukrainy,’ but we did not do passed on March 8, 2006, by a vote of 417 in favor, two against and three abstaining. Rep. Yulia Tymoshenko, of course, was this. The Ukrainian side did. Like you, I Gerlach stated that his bill was “another important step for Ukraine as it becomes a partner always right in her description of do not know to whom they transferred in the global economy.” RosUkrEnergo as a criminal enterprise. this 50 percent via Raiffeisen Bank. “The message we are sending by making this relationship permanent is priceless to the Why President Yushchenko denied this Gazprom does not know either. Believe people of Ukraine. It strongly reaffirms our long-term partnership and support as Ukraine on numerous occasions is unknown and me, I am telling you the 100 percent continues down the path of reform and democracy,” he added. most likely will never be explained. truth. This is the Ukrainian part. Ask The Senate had passed a similar resolution in November 2005 and political observers Ukraine was being plundered by all them about it ... They proposed to us that suggested that the Senate would quickly pass the updated version that the House passed. sides in this scheme, while the president RosUkrEnergo supply natural gas to Prime Minister Yurii Yekhanurov caused a bit of a stir in Moscow during his visit to of the country fed aspirins to his support- Ukraine instead of Gazprom. We have Washington in November 2005 when he suggested that Ukraine had to join the WTO ers in order to distract them from real agreed with this.” before Russia, otherwise, he said, “it would make our entry into the WTO practically life-and-death issues. He offered them Meanwhile, Mr. Yushchenko, speaking impossible.” his own brand of cod liver oil: honoring earlier that month, said: “We do not Minister Yatsenyuk said Ukraine “strongly supports” Russia’s membership in the WTO the heroic struggle of the Organization of “because we have to act and to exist in a similar legal environment” of WTO regulations. Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Leading the negotiations were Vice Minister of the Economy Valerii Piatnytskyi, Insurgent Army. Assistant USTR for WTO Multilateral Affairs Dorothy Dwoskin, Deputy Secretary of Roman Kupchinsky is a partner in the Patriotism is a poor substitute for hon- Commerce David Simpson, Undersecretary of State Josette Shiner, Ambassador of Ukraine AZEast Group, international consultants esty. The sooner Ukrainian leaders to the U.S. Oleh Shamshur and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Miller. on Eurasian country and business risk, understand this basic concept, the better and a consultant to Radio Free their nation will live. Source: “U.S. and Ukraine sign agreement on market access, a step toward WTO,” by Europe/Radio Liberty on energy matters Yaro Bihun, The Ukrainian Weekly, March 12, 2006. in the former Soviet Union. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

fact that many historians, politicians and Faces and Places A subversion political analysts in U.S. and in Europe at by Myron B. Kuropas that time lacked a clear understanding of of Holodomor historical and political forces that operated Dear Editor: in Ukraine after the fall of the Soviet Union. Peter Duffy’s article in The New York The thought of Ukraine’s leadership Understanding the NIU tragedy: Times on December 19, 2007, on the using nuclear weapons offensively against Holodomor is yet another stunning demon- Germany or any other nation is absurd. In stration of Holodomor subversion. The addition, Ukraine is well aware of the dan- ‘Forward, Together Forward’ writer (presumably unintentionally) slides gers of nuclear weapons as a result of its When the Virginia Tech shooting ram- easily all the way down to a figure of 3 experience with the Chornobyl nuclear ence. Victims were mentioned as their million to 6 million dead. reactor disaster in April 1986. page happened last year I was shocked images were flashed on a huge screen. That can easily become the new bench- And that brings us to the issue of the 15 and appalled. In the back of my mind I There was a religious invocation. A choir mark established by The New York Times. percent of the former Soviet Union’s thought, “It can never happen here, not sang “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”. (As readers may recall, Walter Duranty nuclear weapons stationed in Ukraine, here at my university.” I was naive. Every speaker mentioned prayer. was the Times reporter who denied the which made Ukraine the third largest As the whole world now knows, mass Throughout all of this one question Holodomor was taking place.) nuclear power in the world. In the period murder was committed at Northern remains unanswered. Why? Why did this There is weak mention of “Genocide” in following the declaration of independence Illinois University on Valentine’s Day. happen? The shooter, an NIU graduate, the article, but lots of references to of Ukraine and other republics, and the dis- Five undergraduate students were shot killed himself but left no suicide note. “Famine” – all attributed to misguided solution of the USSR, the U.S. was strange- dead while they sat in an oceanography “He was someone that was revered by government policy. Could it all have been ly slow in establishing contact with the new class. Sixteen students were sprayed with faculty and staff alike,” said the NIU just another one of those unfortunate state, wrote Henry Kissinger. While visiting shot-gun pellets. The NIU campus and police chief. He won awards for his work bureaucratic SNAFUs? Ukraine at that time, Dr. Kissinger noticed city police responded within minutes. at NIU and was doing well at the The quoted source of the disinformation that the U.S. did not have an established The wounded were rushed to area hospi- University of Illinois graduate school in is Prof. Alexander J. Motyl of Rutgers diplomatic presence and the occasional offi- tals. All recovered. Champaign/Urbana. He was not a loner. University. Prof. Motyl owes millions of cial American visitors were mainly con- Lesia and I teach graduate courses to He had a girlfriend. Still, he had a trou- Ukrainians, a majority of them children, a cerned with the problem of nuclear teachers at NIU off-campus sites, so we bled childhood. He was taking various profound and sincere apology. In his pseu- weapons. were not around when the tragedy meds but stopped a few weeks before the do-intellectual arrogance, he has deemed 4 The U.S. and the West agreed to Russia’s occurred. But, like everyone else in tragedy. million to 7 million of them to never have claims to take under its control all Soviet DeKalb – as well as the hundreds of The why of it all is related to other existed. He owes the entire Ukrainian com- nuclear weapons, without considering Ukrainians who attended NIU – we were questions. Why does God allow this to munity an apology for subverting truth and Ukraine’s security concerns. After much affected. Reading about the victims, all happen? In the wake of the shootings at spreading disinformation about the political maneuvering among Washington, young, all vibrant, all good students with Virginia Tech and NIU, are all universi- Holodomor. Kyiv and Moscow, Ukraine on May 23, bright and exciting futures, was especial- ties vulnerable? Is our society so toxic If Prof. Motyl refuses to retract his state- 1992, ratified the START-I agreement ly heartrending. that none of us is safe anywhere? ment and publicly apologize, he should be (together with Belarus and Kazakhstan) for Julianna Gehant had dedicated 10 I am neither a theologian nor a drummed out of Ukrainian organizations removal of all nuclear weapons on their ter- years of her life to the U.S. military, philosopher so I can’t answer these ques- and be rendered unwelcome in the ritories. including a tour in Iraq; she was taking tions in any definitive way. But I do Ukrainian community. I really don’t care Of interest is the fact that there was dis- advantage of the G.I. Bill, preparing to know this: God had nothing to do with what he may or may not have done in the sension in the Ukrainian Parliament over become an elementary school teacher. the NIU tragedy. God gave us free will. past – some crimes are unforgivable. This this issue. Vyacheslav Chornovil demanded Catalina Garcia was planning to become It’s people who create evil, not God. is one of them. security guarantees, and Stepan Khmara an elementary school teacher in her Yes, I believe all universities are vul- Let there be no doubt: the Holodomor said President Leonid Kravchuk had made home-town of Cicero, Ill. Ryanne Mace nerable but less so now than before. We was genocide, and 10 million were mur- a “tremendous political mistake,” when he was studying psychology and wanted to have learned from the events at Virginia dered in 1932-1933. agreed to Ukraine’s nuclear-free status be a school counselor. Gayle Dubowski Tech and NIU. It was as a result of the without guarantees from the West. Also was pursuing a degree in anthropology. Virginia Tech tragedy that certain safe- Peter Borisow Deputy Yurii Kostenko wrote in Holos Dan Parmenter, hard-working, popular, a guards were in place at NIU, preventing Ukrainy that Ukraine participated in the part-timer on the campus newspaper, was an even greater tragedy. production of nuclear arsenals and had the sitting in the front row when the gunman Yes, it seems that our society has The letter-writer is president of the right of ownership on its territory. entered the hall. His girlfriend was sitting changed. What was unimaginable and Hollywood Trident Foundation. Sixteen years later one can almost hear next to him. He shielded her as they knelt unbelievable a few decades ago, has the echo of the above warnings. On down to pray. (The media ignored the become real today. We are becoming de- A once-nuclear February 12 President Viktor Yushchenko prayer part. Nor will you find much press sensitized to terror and evil. Evil is now a on his trip to Moscow to settle the gas debt mention of the message boards erected in sickness and sickness has become dys- problem, met President Vladimir Putin, the university square. Most of the senti- function. The shooter was dysfunctional state: Ukraine who issued a threat to target missiles at ments mentioned God and prayers.) because he didn’t take his meds is hardly Dear Editor: Ukraine if it joins NATO and signs up to The entire DeKalb community came a satisfactory answer to why he did it. the U.S. missile defense shield. “Russia has together in preparation for the students I ask you: As a decadent Hollywood In an article in Time magazine from chosen the statecraft of fear over the prom- return on February 25. Businesses and some privileged academics continue April 13, 1992, titled “The New Germany ise of freedom,” wrote Martin Wolf in an throughout the area had “Forward, to push for an ACLU-monitored society Flexes its Muscles,” W. Mader, J.F.D. article in the Financial Times. Together Forward” on their windows and predicated on diversity, uncompromising McAllister and F. Ungeheuer quoted a sen- One can speculate about the lack of fore- signs. NIU banners with the same mes- secularism, cultural pluralism, moral rel- tence from the French historian Georges sight on the part of American and Western sage were hung from lampposts on ativism and non-judgmentalism, will Valance, which stated: “Germany may one political strategists and politicians vis-à-vis DeKalb’s main street, as well as on the America improve as a nation? Will the day decide to acquire nuclear arms to deal Ukraine in the early days following the highway leading to NIU. Volunteers were outside world love us more? I think not. with the threat of the ones in Ukraine.” demise of the Soviet Union in not seeing packaging comfort food for the 25,000 Our nation was founded by Christians The statement by Mr. Valance (and the young nation as a future strategic returning students with a message of car- who believed in a Creator whose laws repeated by American journalists at that geopolitical partner and ally (instead of ing. guide our lives. “Our Constitution was time) had no validity and it confirms the worrying about Ukraine’s nuclear arsenal) “We want to show the students, the made only for a moral and religious peo- and missing the opportunity of helping to faculty and the community that we sup- ple,” John Adams once explained. “It is We welcome your opinion establish nuclear Ukraine as a buffer state in port them,” said Rudy Espiritu, assistant wholly inadequate to the government of Eastern Europe and as a powerful member city manager. “We wanted to welcome any other kind.” We can no longer pre- The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to of the community of free and democratic them back with open arms. We are truly tend that all cultures are equal. Virtue the editor and commentaries on a variety of nations. one school, one city, one family.” Town must become fashionable again, not topics of concern to the Ukrainian American something to be dismissed as unrealistic Myroslaw Burbelo, M.D. and gown came together as students and and Ukrainian Canadian communities. city-dwellers took to wearing black and in a Darwinian, survival-of-the-fittest Opinions expressed by columnists, commen- Westerly, RI world. As the NIU experience demon- tators and letter-writers are their own and do red NIU ribbons of sympathy and soli- darity. Church services were packed strates, religion does play a role in the not necessarily reflect the opinions of either lives of most Americans. The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the throughout the week as townies and stu- Ukrainian National Association. Correcting info dents coped with their grief. As Lesia and I go forward, together Letters should be typed and signed Students and grief counselors from forward, we will always remember the (anonymous letters are not published). about new DVD Virginia Tech were on campus to aid in victims, especially Dan Parmenter, the Letters are accepted also via e-mail at student who saved his girlfriend’s life Dear Editor: the healing process. We were offered [email protected]. The daytime phone specific suggestions as to how to proceed and left a rainbow for us to follow. number and address of the letter-writer must As suggested by Yuri Shevchuk when classes resume. Volunteer coun- “Whoever saves a single life,” the be given for verification purposes. Please note (“Commentary: ‘Shadows of Forgotten selors from the Chicagoland area are in Talmud says, “is as one who has saved that a daytime phone number is essential in the entire world.” order for editors to contact letter-writers Ancestors’ on DVD,” January 20), I have every classroom during the week. regarding clarifications or questions. posted the following review of the new Lesia and I attended the February 24 Please note: THE LENGTH OF LETTERS evening memorial service along with Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is CANNOT EXCEED 500 WORDS. (Continued on page 22) 10,000 others. It was a moving experi- [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9

instead of Ms. Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko... Recent speculation regarding a bitter (Continued from page 1) Yushchenko-Tymoshenko rivalry caused Gazprom and Ukraine’s NaftoHaz compa- the prime minister to respond to such nies to import fuel to Ukraine and distribute reports during her visit to Moscow. “I real- it across the country. ize it will never be easy for me. In demo- Prior to her departure for Moscow, Ms. cratic societies political rivalries are a com- Tymoshenko had issued a statement, mon occurrence. The Yushchenko- announced on February 19 by First Deputy Tymoshenko relationship does not consist of any strategic confrontation. We work Prime Minister Oleksander Turchynov, that together as part of one democratic team,” “the agreement we have now doesn’t bene- said Ms. Tymoshenko, adding that it would fit us and is dangerous.” Mr. Turchynov be easy to ruin such a good team, but the said that the prime minister planned to start question is “Why?” negotiations regarding the supply of gas all Ms. Tymoshenko noted that the gov- over again. ernment is working well and that she is Evidence of how adamant Ms. ready to support Mr. Yushchenko for one Tymoshenko was to visit Moscow for the more term as president, if, as head of the first time in the role of Ukraine’s prime government, she will have the opportuni- Oleksander Prokopenko minister was seen in the fact that on the ty to oversee concrete reforms. She actual day of her departure not one of her Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko and Russian Federation Prime underscored that in every democratic Minister Viktor Zubkov during their February 20 meeting in Moscow. three major planned meetings had been offi- country, and in any type of political sys- cially confirmed by Russian officials. tem up to a certain point, certain issues which does not know how to keep dirty specific discussions on the gas question did On the morning of her scheduled depar- arise between leaders – this is only nor- laundry behind closed doors.” not materialize between the two leaders. ture for Moscow, President Yushchenko had mal and not a tragedy. In commenting on Prime Minister The following day, Prime Minister summoned Prime Minister Tymoshenko According to Dr. Taras Kuzio, Tymoshenko’s recent visit to Moscow, Dr. Tymoshenko met with Gazprom head into a meeting during which Mr. research associate at the Elliott School of Kuzio stated that Ms. Tymoshenko should Aleksei Miller for over four hours. Yushchenko asked Ms. Tymoshenko to International Relations, George at least be credited with establishing a more However, once again the Ukrainian leader’s refrain from politicizing the Ukrainian- Washington University, the recent minc- transparent energy policy with Russia. In hopes to solidify a specific deal were Russian gas issue. The president went on to ing of words between the president and addition, her trip to Moscow should also be dashed, as no concrete deal was reached criticize the prime minister for the govern- the prime minister is not just about ener- viewed as an attempt by Ms. Tymoshenko regarding further Russian-Ukrainian gas ment’s inability to pay the full amount of gy issues. In some ways, it appears that to demonstrate to her colleagues both relations. During the prolonged meeting, Ukraine’s gas debt, amounting to $1.48 bil- the situation might be mirroring events domestically and abroad that she is an inte- Mr. Miller was actually forced to interrupt lion (U.S.), by the February 14 deadline that dating back to 2005, when Ms. gral political player, he added. his discussions with Ms. Tymoshenko on at had been agreed upon by the presidents of Tymoshenko was first appointed prime Prime Minister Tymoshenko also met least three occasions. In the end, the two Russia and Ukraine. minister by President Yushchenko, and with President Vladimir Putin at his official agreed that negotiations will have to contin- In an apparent attempt to thwart Ms. subsequently fired. “It’s obvious residence in Novo-Ogarevo, just outside ue in the future and parted ways. Tymoshenko’s scheduled visit to Moscow, President Yushchenko has a tough time Moscow, in the evening of February 20. A press conference that had been sched- on February 15 President Yushchenko’s working with strong personalities like During the three-hour meeting, President uled by Prime Minister Tymoshenko after Secretariat delivered a statement to the Tymoshenko,” said Dr. Kuzio. Putin reiterated that he and President the meeting was cancelled, as she had noth- prime minister’s office, asking her to But the real culprit in the reputed rivalry Yushchenko had already discussed and ing significant to discuss with the press as a reconsider the February 20-21 dates for her between the two leaders is the head of the decided a number of important issues which result of the meeting. visit to Moscow, as Mr. Yushchenko was Presidential Secretariat, Viktor Baloha, seemed difficult, but that he saw no major Clearly, Prime Minister Yulia also planning to be in Moscow at that time according to Dr. Kuzio. “Baloha has disagreements which needed to be pursued Tymoshenko had wanted to make the gas as part of his participation in a summit of wrapped his finger around President further. “I completely understand the desire issue “her project, but came up empty-hand- Commonwealth of Independent States Yushchenko and for some reason has of Ukraine’s government to settle all ques- ed,” commented Ivan Lozowy, director of (CIS) leaders. Yushchenko believing that the president can tions based on economic fairness, but for us, the Kyiv-based Institute of Statehood and Prime Minister Tymoshenko did not take win the next election without Tymoshenko, it is important that our investors will enjoy Democracy. Ms. Tymoshenko wanted some the request into account, especially since but this is not true. Yushchenko will never the same level of fairness as enjoyed by of the credit in the gas deals to go to her as she had already been denied an opportunity be able to win without Ms. Tymoshenko’s Ukrainian investors,” Mr. Putin told Ms. well, and not just to President Yushchenko, to travel to Moscow in January, when help,” underscored Dr. Kuzio. Tymoshenko. During the meeting President but she experienced a lot of pressure and lit- President Yushchenko decided to send The war of words between the Putin also urged the head of Ukraine’s gov- tle support, both domestically and in Russia, National Security and Defense Council Presidential Secretariat and the Cabinet of ernment to encourage closer cooperation in and that’s why the prime minister will prob- Secretary Raisa Bohatyriova to Moscow in Ministers, is, according to Dr. Kuzio, “noth- manufacturing. ably feel upstaged following her latest trip preparation for his own upcoming visit, ing but an example of post-Soviet culture Much to chagrin of Ms. Tymoshenko, to Moscow, Mr. Lozowy explained.

to reject the language of their forefathers Oblast), among others. publications aimed at toddlers and teach- ‘Don’t be indifferent!’... and their native land. The introduction At the outset of the grassroots move- ers, encouraged journalists to utilize the (Continued from page 1) encourages all those who are indifferent to ment, the organizers set out two main Ukrainian language more actively, met leader of the band Motor’rolla. “If overcome fear and laziness. goals that they hoped to reach over time. with teachers in Kyiv and Vinnytsia, and Ukrainians are not going to take action in “We will build a competitive Ukrainian First, their objective was to encourage unveiled a monument in Mykolaiv honor- support of its culture and language, then community that can stand on the same the revival of Ukrainian national and ing the Ukrainian language. level, economically and culturally, with the one day they can lose Ukraine and get civic consciousness. Second, they agreed “For some reason, on the state level, the countries of Europe. We don’t expect mira- that making their country a full-fledged, right mechanism which would make the ‘Malorosia’ – a provincial territory of a cles from politicians, and for this reason developing Ukrainian state would be native language and culture popular and provincial empire with a completely differ- we will begin from ourselves – free citi- possible only through the community dominant in the media, doesn’t exist. ent set of values. Ukrainians cannot be zens who realize their own responsibility activism of its citizens in every city, Every influential country, which has the indifferent! And not only about language for the destiny of independent Ukraine, town and village. capability to do so, will safeguard its own and history, but also about other problems and are ready to ensure a rightful place for As a result, the participants of the inter- national communications network – this is – social, ecological, etc.,” Mr. Prysiazhnyi the Ukrainian language on its own land,” active entertainment events not only per- a nation’s identity,” said Serhii Fomenko explained. write the organizers undersigned in the form their songs on stage, but also engage of the band Mandry. The distributed handbook offers an handbook’s introduction. in dialogue with the audience and discuss Ukrainophile Tymofii Khomiak does not overview of the most popular Ukrainian- Among the initiators and participants of pressing issues of a particular community. consider himself an outsider in predomi- language mass-media, works of classic and the interactive event were many individu- This, in turn, encourages local community nantly Russian-speaking Dnipropetrovsk. contemporary Ukrainian authors, and facts als who grew up in a Russian-speaking organizations and activists of all ages and During his college days, he shed his use of on the history of the Ukrainian language, environment but later made the choice to professions to have their voices heard. “surzhyk” (a non-standard blend of Russian including a facsimile of a 1914 ethnolin- speak Ukrainian. These include Mr. “The situation in urban areas and in and Ukrainian) and switched over to guistic map demonstrating how dominant Prysiazhnyi (of the band Motor’rolla), Ukraine in general is the responsibility of Ukrainian. Today Mr. Khomiak is the owner the Ukrainian language was at that time on Yurko Zhuravel (of the band Ot Vinta), every Ukrainian – from the janitor to the of a bookstore that carries the works of clas- the territory of Ukraine. In addition, the Valerii Umrykin (one of the leaders of the president, from the doctor to the mayor. We sic and contemporary Ukrainian-only publication includes a list of popular and movement “Don’t be indifferent!”), plan to live in this country with our kids, authors. Mr. Khomiak said he is pleased that hip Ukrainian-oriented cultural locations Oksana Levkova (the movement’s execu- and we are all responsible for this country. the youth of Dnipropetrovsk are finally, in Kyiv worth visiting while spending time tive director). This is the main message we wanted to slowly but surely, beginning to switch over in the capital city. The “Don’t be indifferent!” movement send to every Ukrainian, and that’s why we to “the language of .” The handbook includes an introduction was founded in September 2005. With the are here, in Dnipropetrovsk,” stated Mr. Mr. Khomiak said he’s glad today’s written by the organizers of the grassroots slogan “Malorosia – no! Let’s make this Prysiazhnyi. youth no longer consider Ukrainian the movement, which states that its members country Ukraine!” the movement’s In the fall of 2006 the organizers of the language of peasants. “Such a series of wish to help people who would like to activists began by organizing concerts in movement added the Ukrainian-language interactive entertainment events only testi- speak Ukrainian but are embarrassed by small towns such as Kostopil (Rivne book-donating program to the format of fies to the fact that we are heading toward the Russian-speaking majority. The organ- Oblast), Lubny (Poltava Oblast), Smila their interactive entertainment series. a Euro-centrist approach, and the youth izers state that they are not against the (Cherkasy Oblast), Berdychiv (Zhytomyr During the early months of 2007 active will be attracted to such interesting, high- , but rather against indif- Oblast), Oleksandria (Kirovohrad Oblast) members of “Don’t be indifferent!” took quality and ambitious endeavors,” he ference and weakness that compel people and Starokostiantyniv (Khmelnytskyi part in a subscription drive for Ukrainian commented. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 9 Folk band from Lviv captivates audiences in Alberta and Manitoba by Bohdan Klid ments, its music is not an attempt at authen- tic reproduction but reflects its own EDMONTON, Alberta – From January arrangements and modern influences, in 28 to February 8, the Lviv-based folk band line with world music trends. Burdon toured Alberta and Manitoba, play- Lorna Arndt, project manager of ing a series of concerts and appearing at Folkways Alive! at the University of Manitoba schools and two universities in Alberta, also pointed to the group’s “energy Alberta and Manitoba. and passion” while performing and noted Several of Burdon’s appearances were that its “dynamic and skillful delivery blend tied to International Week events at the with a profound understanding of the cul- University of Alberta in Edmonton. These tures represented.” included speaking before and demonstrat- CBC radio host Ron Wilson, who ing their musical instruments at an ethno- emceed the International Week concert, musicology workshop (sponsored by marveled at Burdon’s “amazing ability to FolkwaysAlive! and the Canadian Center grab their audience and hold them through for Ethnomusicology on January 30), play- their performance. Many who heard them ing a mini-concert in the “Around the perform on CBC Center Stage or at the World in Seven Hours” series (on the small International Week concert hadn’t heard the stage at the Student Union Building on group before, so it’s a tribute to Burdon that January 31), and co-leading a Ukrainian they won over many fans, almost with their folk dancing workshop (sponsored by the first note.” Kule Center for Ukrainian and Canadian Formed in 2002, Burdon consists of: Folklore on February 1). Olena Yeremenko (violin, vioara cu goarnã, Burdon at the CBC Center Stage in Edmonton (from left): Rostyslav Tatomyr, Burdon topped off International Week vocals), Oksana Hrynko (telenka, accor- Olena Yeremenko, Oksana Hrynko, Lyubomyr Ishchuk, Mikhail Kachalov and events at the University of Alberta by head- dion, vocals), Mikhail Kachalov (fiddle), Ivan Ohar. lining its gala concert at the Myer Horowitz Theater on February 1, which was attended Lubomyr Ishchuk (drums, percussions, by Ihor Ostash, Ukraine’s ambassador to hurdy-gurdy, Jew’s harp, vocals), Ivan Canada. Ohar (double bass) and Rostyslav Tatomyr Burdon’s other appearances at the (bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy, vocals). The University of Alberta included a concert at band’s name, Burdon, comes from the orig- Convocation Hall (presented by the inal meaning of the French word “bourdon” Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies and for drone, a reference to the droning sound the Wirth Institute of Austrian and Central associated with historically old instruments, European Studies on January 29), a meet- like bagpipes or the hurdy-gurdy (“lira,” in ing with graduate students in Ukrainian Ukrainian). studies (hosted by the Kule Center for In 2006 the band released two CDs: “Re: Ukrainian and Canadian Folklore on Karpatia,” which contains mostly January 29), and a visit to Prof. Natalia Carpathian repertoire, and “Vam Pylypiuk’s Ukrainian language class Koliadochka,” consisting of Christmas car- (February 1). ols. Burdon has appeared at many folk fes- Other appearances in Alberta included tivals and other venues in Ukraine, Poland, concerts at Athabasca’s Nancy Appleby Belarus, Russia and Western Europe. The Theater (hosted by the Heartwood Folk Alberta and Manitoba tour was its first Club on January 30) and Calgary’s appearance in North America. The group’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary website is found at Church Hall (hosted by the Ukrainian http://www.burdon.lviv.ua/. Youth Association of Canada on February Burdon’s visit, especially the Alberta 2). portion, was organized by the Canadian Burdon’s last concert in Alberta was held Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) with Olena Yeremenko plays the viora cu in Banff National Park (at the Banff the financial support of the following uni- Oksana Hrynko plays the telenka. goarna. Center’s Bentley Chamber Music Studio on versity units: Wirth Institute; Office of the February 4), where the group performed Vice-President (Research); Ukrainian Edmonton, Ukrainian Senior Citizens returning to Ukraine on February 10. before an audience composed largely of Culture, Language and Literature Program; Association of Marko Boyeslaw, and the All in all, Burdon’s concerts were akin to staff and residents of the Banff Center’s University of Alberta International; and Lviv City Council and Mayor Andrii multicultural musical tours of the Peter and Doris Kule Center for Ukrainian Sadovyi. music programs. Carpathians, while the band’s skillful and Despite the severe winter weather in and Canadian Folklore. Although the group did not appear on high-energy performances showed it could Alberta – temperatures approached minus CIUS also received support from the stage in Toronto, they were pleased to be 30 degrees C on the nights of January 29 Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Ukrainian hosted there by the renowned bandura play- win accolades at any mainstream North and 30 in Edmonton and Athabasca – con- Canadian Benevolent Society of er and musicologist Victor Mishalow before American folk festival. certs held these evenings were well-attend- ed and the International Week gala concert was sold out. Burdon also appeared on City TV’s “Breakfast Show” and on CBC’s Center Stage in Edmonton on January 28. An excerpt of the band’s appearance on City TV can be seen by visiting http://videoedmonton.citytv.com/index.jsp? auto_band=x&rf=sv&fr_story=350eaebc56 0fab4accc51d7ddebd56892ef09bb2. In Manitoba Burdon appeared before children at the inner city school of Strathcona, located in the historical Ukrainian North End, visited Ralph Brown School and participated in a workshop with the dance group Rozmai. Burdon shared the stage with Rozmai at a concert in Jubilee Auditorium on February 8. Earlier that day Burdon performed a short concert before students and faculty at St. John’s Colleges’ Chapel, University of Manitoba. Burdon members also visited Prof. Iryna Konstantiniuk’s Ukrainian language class. (Information on Burdon’s Winnipeg appearance was published in The Weekly last week). Burdon’s success at captivating audi- ences – Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian alike – can be explained in part because of the group’s interpretations of traditional folk music of the Carpathian mountain region. Although the band uses acoustic folk instru- 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation helps orphans in Ukraine by Matthew Matuszak “On the one hand, these visits will help to improve the level of the children LVIV – A project of the Ukrainian within the religious, social, medical, Catholic University (UCU) to help dis- physical, intellectual and cultural areas, abled orphans at a state institution in the to develop their natural talents for the village of Verkhnie Synievydne located sake of forming their identities and their in the Skoliv District of the Lviv region, realization in society,” said Ms. had a festive start on February 15-16. Stremousova. “On the other hand, the Students of UCU’s department of project will give the social pedagogy stu- social pedagogy will visit the children dents the opportunity to get experience regularly, leading them in sports, art, music, games and other activities, in working with orphans and other children addition to catechism, as part of their in various directions, especially the psy- course work. The program, supported by chological and social-pedagogical.” a donor of the Chicago-based Ukrainian An anonymous donor, not of Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF), Ukrainian descent, approached the UCEF is a very small part of the more than in 2005 and said that she wanted to help $500,000 that the UCEF has provided to orphans and abandoned children in help orphans and other children in Ukraine. She then made major donations Ukraine since 2005. in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and specifically According to Oksana Stremousova, requested that they be used for this pur- coordinator of student practicum in pose. Since then, the UCEF has been able UCU’s department of social pedagogy, to financially support numerous pro- she and another staff member will grams, big and small, in various parts of accompany eight first-year students of Ukraine. Oksana Stremousova (center), a graduate of the Ukrainian Catholic University, the department on one Saturday and These include: orphanages run by the is now coordinating the practicum of its social pedagogy students. Here she visits Sunday every two or three weeks. “The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate children at a state institution in the Lviv region. director of the orphanage has welcomed near Ternopil and in Zolochiv, Lviv us and is interested in our program,” region; visits to orphans by the Basilian explained Ms. Stremousova. Sisters in Kyiv; programs to help street guardianship and Christian education, helping out at a psychiatric hospital, an She talked about the official start of children in Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv run family affection and love.” institution for single mothers and their the program. “On Friday we organized by the international charitable organiza- The UCEF has also helped a program children, and an institution for older peo- some craft classes and then leisure activi- tion Caritas; Christmas events for for juvenile prisoners. “There are so ple. ties in the evening. The children started orphans organized by a Ukrainian many youth in Ukraine’s prisons. Many Part of the donation from the anony- Saturday with a costumed skit about the Catholic parish in Crimea; and even help have mental problems or a very poor mous UCEF donor has been used to cre- life of St. Valentine. Later we had games, for a Roman Catholic center for children education,” said Deacon Constantin ate an endowment to train students who contests and marathons with sweet from problem families in Berdiansk and Pantaley, assistant of the Ukrainian plan to work with orphans and aban- prizes. As we were leaving, the director for an Orthodox project in Catholic Church for prison ministry in doned children. Ukraine and a graduate of Holy Spirit of the institution invited us to return for Dnipropetrovsk. *** an organized trip with the children to the According to Sister Lubov Seminary in Lviv. The UCEF donation Carpathian Mountains,” said Ms. Starzhynska, provincial superior in Lviv has helped support his prison chaplaincy Further information about the UCU in Stremousova, who is a 2004 graduate of of the Sisters Servants of Mary in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. English and Ukrainian is available on the UCU and also has a graduate degree in Immaculate, the considerable gift from In addition to working with orphans, university’s website at www.ucu.edu.ua. pastoral theology from the Catholic the UCEF allowed the sisters to ”finish students of UCU’s social pedagogy pro- Readers may also contact the Ukrainian University of Leuven (Louvain), repair work on the house in Zolochiv for gram have gained experience at a transi- Catholic Education Foundation, 2247 W. Belgium. orphan children who in these days need tional center for homeless people and Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; phone, recovering drug addicts and alcoholics 773-235-8462; e-mail, [email protected]; who are trying to return to normal lives. website, www.ucef.org. In Canada, the They also helped organize a summer toll-free number of the UCEF is 866- camp for autistic children and they are 871-8007.

OSCE coordinator in Ukraine offers anti-trafficking courses for local police

Organization for Security have increased their awareness of traf- and Cooperation in Europe ficking in human beings as a violation of human rights and provided a better , Ukraine – The project coor- understanding of the problem of traffick- dinator in Ukraine of the Organization ing and the victims’ circumstances. for Security and Cooperation in Europe “In response to the participants’ (OSCE) launched a new series of region- request for additional information on this al training courses on combating human subject, we are now supplementing the trafficking, with the first course held in training sessions with a special brochure northwestern Ukraine on February 26. and a set of awareness-raising materials. The series of eight regional anti-traf- We are also planning to expand the train- ficking seminars, for local section heads ing and networking opportunities for of the Precinct Police Inspectors’ Service, these officers and the anti-trafficking is a continuation of the joint initiative NGOs.” between the Office of the OSCE Project The training courses will be held in Coordinator in Ukraine and the different regions of Ukraine through Department of Civil Security of March. Ukraine’s Internal Afffairs Ministry. The regional training courses were ini- Four such regional training courses tiated together with the Ukrainian were already conducted by the OSCE in Internal Affairs Ministry as part of the Ukraine in July and August 2007. State Program to Combat Trafficking in Ambassador James F. Schumaker, Human Beings for the Period until 2010 OSCE project coordinator, said: “The and the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Precinct Police Inspectors’ Service within Trafficking in Human Beings. the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry The OSCE Action Plan recommends represents the branch of the police force combining the efforts of law enforcement closest to the local communities. The bodies, both specialized anti-trafficking inspectors may play a significant role in units and the local police, and other gov- preventing trafficking, as well as in pro- ernmental and civil society institutions. viding assistance to the trafficked per- The training sessions are funded by sons and support to the investigation.” the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as He added: part of the Danish Program Against “Last year’s anti-trafficking training Human Trafficking in Eastern and courses for the precinct police inspectors Southeastern Europe. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 11 ART REVIEW: Solovij retrospective at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art by Roman Petruniak is Ukraine as a mother fighting to feed her family amidst the horrors of war and genocide – while prepar- CHICAGO – On Sunday, January 27, the Ukrainian ing the next meal, she cuts the throat of a chicken and Institute of Modern Art opened its first exhibition of defiantly raises her knife in a gesture proclaiming “We 2008: “Things Greater Than Stars,” a retrospective will survive!” exhibition of works by Ukrainian artist Jurij Solovij, In Solovij’s “Pieta: Homage to 1933,” the red blood who passed away in April 2007. surrounding the figure’s dark womb corresponds direct- As a painter, sculptor and art critic, Solovij was most ly to the fiery sky blanketing the scorched earth of his active during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. He was “Landscape” (1964). renowned for his large and violently abstract canvases, Thus, insofar as Solovij’s work attempts to bridge the as well as for an extensive series of paintings, drawings gap between individual and universal experience, while and sculptures titled “1,000 Heads.” simultaneously expressing the modernist drive to perse- Solovij was born in 1921 in Lviv. He graduated from vere in the face of incomprehensible circumstances and the Lviv School of Arts and Crafts in 1944 and in the seemingly insurmountable odds, his brushstrokes will late 1940s fled to Germany, where he met his wife be forever alive with the essence of the 20th century Liselotte. In 1952 Solovij, his wife and their young son, Ukrainian identity – a constant reminder of “Things Jurij Jr., immigrated to the United States, moving first Greater Than Stars.” to Detroit, later to and settling in New The retrospective exhibit will run through March 16 Jersey in 1965, where to this day his backyard studio in the main gallery of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern remains intact. Art at 2320 W. Chicago Ave. For information log on to Numerous comparisons can be drawn between www.uima-chicago.org. Solovij’s work and that of the most famous painters of the 19th and 20th centuries. Paintings from Solovij’s early period seem to combine the fragile linear compo- “Eternal Matter” (1967). sitions of Paul Klee with the psychological depth and play of surrealism. The ghostly nature of his small and progressive painting style can be taken to represent gouache and wax crayon pieces is reminiscent of sym- a form of cultural healing. bolistic expressionism such as that of Edward Munch. Solovij was able to successfully express the trauma Solovij’s large oil canvases completed between 1952 and pain experienced by his generation. The essence of and 1968 exhibit the intensity of American abstract such experience could be contained neither by linguistic expressionism while simultaneously containing figura- structures nor concrete forms; thus, beginning in the tions of deeply emotional, political and historical refer- early 1950s, Solovij boldly set forth into the realm of ences. In this regard, his work has often been compared painterly abstraction. to that of European abstract painters Francis Bacon and Solovij’s canvases are a testament to the endurance Frank Auerbach. and tenacity of the human spirit. His paintings Although some early critics criticized him for being too progressive and incomprehensible, in retrospect “Awakening” (1962) and “Lovers” (1967) are Solovij ranks among the greatest abstract painters of the unabashed celebrations of the beauty and power of modern period. human sexuality, while “Creation” (1962) and “Eternal In light of these numerous comparisons it is undeni- Matter” (1967) show us that the physical component of able that at the heart of Solovij’s artwork there remains love provides a platform from which to explore the a unique, and powerful, Ukrainian essence. The haunt- metaphysical dimensions of creation. ing and traumatic effects of Ukrainian diaspora are quite Besides exhibiting aspects of the ethereal, Solovij’s prevalent in Solovij’s work. work is politically charged. It is here that the concept of Often expressing existential themes such as those of motherhood bridges the gap between the celestial and birth, suffering, transience, motherhood and death, his mundane. Furthermore, beyond representing the indi- art is cathartic in the expression of those darker aspects vidual being, the female figures central to “Pregnant” of the immigrant experience. In this sense, his visionary (1959), “Triumph” (1959) and “Pieta: Homage to 1933” (1962) can be seen as personifications of Ukraine her- Roman Petruniak is curator at the Ukrainian self as mother country and motherland. Institute of Modern Art. The dark and ominous figure of Solovij’s “Triumph” Visitors view works by Jurij Solovij.

Ukrainian cultural institutions participate in Chicago Cultural Alliance by Theodora Turula “Teaching Instruments.” This year the Ukrainian Institute of Modern CHICAGO – The Chicago Art and the DuSable Museum of Cultural Alliance (CCA), founded African American History part- in 2007, is a consortium of 21 eth- nered for a program titled “Art nic museums and cultural centers, Speaks: Community Building and including the Ukrainian Institute of Cultural Memory” that will Modern Art (UIMA) and the explore how Chicago’s African Ukrainian National Museum of and Ukrainian communities use art Chicago (UNM). to project their own histories and The alliance connects Chicago- voices. This Cultural Connections area ethnic museums and cultural program will take place the centers to flagship arts and culture evening of March 6 in the UIMA’s institutions, universities, businesses newly renovated gallery space at and government agencies. It allows 2320 W. Chicago Ave. the partner organizations to tap into Ethnic museums are a resource resources which would not be avail- cultivated by the City of Chicago, able to the individual institutions. acknowledging the significance of CCA members have been work- immigrant populations in the city’s ing together since 1998 in the growth and development, and as a “Cultural Connections” program destination for tourists visiting the administered by the Field Museum city. of Chicago as part of its Center for Friday, February 15, marked the Cultural Understanding and CCA’s official kick-off. The event, Change. “Cultural Connections” held at the Chicago History programs, while open to the pub- Museum, was featured in an article lic, are intended to be a resource by Charles Storch in The Chicago for area teachers, who can receive Tribune on February 13. continuing professional develop- Association members, many ment credits for participation in the dressed in folk costumes, mingled program. and chatted, gravitating toward In 2007 the Ukrainian National small tables draped in ethnic tex- Attending the Chicago Cultural Alliance launch are: (from left) Luba Markewych and Museum partnered with the tiles, including Ukrainian embroi- Roman Petruniak of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art; Theodora Turula, George Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and deries, and examining the displays Hrycelak, Marika Klimchak, Jaroslaw Hankewych and Lydia Tkaczuk from the Ukrainian Culture for a program called set up by the partner organizations. National Museum. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 UMANA Foundation supports projects and scholarships for 2008 by Maria Hrycelak University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. Originally from Chicago, she has CHICAGO – The Foundation of the been active in Plast Ukrainian Scouting Ukrainian Medical Association of North Organization and danced with the America (UMANA) selected three proj- Hromovytsia ensemble. “Everything that ects involving medical education in I do has been influenced by my Ukrainian Ukraine to receive grant funding for upbringing. I hope to work in a place 2008. In addition, three qualified students where I can interact with Ukrainians were awarded partial scholarships every day and give back just a little of through an endowment from the estate of what has been given to me,” she wrote. former UMANA member Dr. Walter Ms. Skliarenko is now a third-year Prokopiw and wife, Olga. medical student at the University of The UMANA Foundation held its Ottawa. She is in the middle of her clerk- board meeting on Saturday, January 19, in ships and looking forward to electives Chicago. Members of the board conferred next year. She noted: “ I would like to via teleconference and selected appropri- specialize in oncology. Being fluent in ate projects and scholarship applicants. English, Ukrainian, French and Russian, I One of the UMANA Foundation’s hope to serve the Ukrainian community goals is to identify and support members and diaspora by communicating with of the Ukrainian medical community in patients in the language of their prefer- the U.S. and Canada who display a high ence to make them more comfortable George Hrycelak level of educational competence and with me and to make my office as stress- UMANA Foundation board members (from left) Nestor Popowych, Maria commitment. Pursuing this mission, the free as possible.” Hrycelak, Ihor Voyevidka and George Domino discuss and review applications board awarded scholarships to Julia Ms. Zelisko is a second-year student with other board members by teleconference. Skliarenko, class of 2009, Andrea at the Medical College of Wisconsin. This Zelisko, class of 2010, and Christina summer she was one of two students on research projects involving “Nutritional Assessment of Level 3 Hanowsky, class of 2011. accepted into the university’s Medical Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in and 4 Orphanages in Ukraine for the pur- Ms. Hanowsky attends the Western Summer Research program and worked postmenopausal women. She continues to pose of Treatment of Malnourished dance with the Dnipro dance ensemble in Children and Education of their Milwaukee despite her difficult academic Caretakers” is a project co-sponsored by schedule. “ I would like to help the the Ukrainian Congress Committee of Ukrainian immigrants and Ukrainians in American and the charitable organization America because they are undergoing dif- Starving for Color, as a proposal to the ficulties that my ancestors encountered,” United States Agency for International she wrote. Development (USAID). It is planned for The UMANA Foundation supports two phases, and the UMANA Foundation projects that are aligned with its priorities in various areas related to furthering has pledged $2,250 to print program medical education among Ukrainians manuals for use by orphanage caretakers worldwide. in the Phase 2 educational seminars on The foundation contributed $2,500 to nutrition to be held in 2009. For informa- the World Federation of Ukrainian tion readers may contact Dr. Roksolana Medical Associations for the support of Tymiak-Lonchyna at Rtymiak@com- their “CITKA LIKAPIB e-Zustrich cast.net. Likariv (e-Grand Rounds)” project. The The UMANA Foundation depends on program is conducted with live audio and the suppport of donors to continue mak- video capability, featuring speakers from ing such worthwhile educational endeav- the U.S. and Ukraine. It provides a virtual ors possible. For information readers may opportunity for participation and benefits e-mail [email protected]. of an ongoing medical educational expe- rience, the “Grand Rounds” program, to rural as well as urban hospitals in Ukraine. For more information readers may contact Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj at [email protected]. The UMANA Foundation is also sup- porting the Friends of Radiology Conference which will be held in Lviv on August 11-13. A $2,000 grant will help to support an ongoing Ukrainian-language conference series in which native Ukrainian imagers are introduced to state-of-the-art contemporary diagnostic imaging and taught Ukrainian technical terminology by an international faculty of Ukrainian Americans and native Ukrainians. For more information readers many contact Dr. Leo Wolansky at [email protected]. Andrea Zelisko

Julia Skliarenko Christina Hanowsky No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 13 GENERATION UKE

Edited and compiled by Matthew Dubas and Yarema Belej Canadian students convene Revived SUSTA will hold at SUSK’s 50th Congress conference in Pennsylvania by Yarema Belej Also featured during the congress PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Federation night is planned for attending students at were workshops on fund-raising and of Ukrainian Student Organizations in the Ukrainian League of Philadelphia PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Over the week- project creations geared toward the indi- America, known by its Ukrainian (www.ukiebar.com). Mr. Makar, who end of February 22-24 the Ukrainian vidual clubs. Often clubs have the ability acronym as SUSTA, announced it is Canadian Student’s Union (SUSK) held came from Ukraine to the U.S. over 10 to get many of their school’s Ukrainian holding its annual conference on March its 50th congress at McGill University in years ago, is project director for the con- students into a room, however what to do 29 at the University of Pennsylvania. Montreal, Quebec. The recent revival of ference and said that, though the school’s as a club or how to raise money can often The conference, which is expected to the over-arching governing body of chapter has approximately 15-20 active be tasks that are difficult to tackle. Thus attract over 100 students, will include a Ukrainian student clubs has been a suc- members, the club’s events ocassionally some direction and ideas are always great panel of academic experts, diplomats and cess due to the involvement of some of attract between 40 and 50 students. for individual clubs to obtain. businesspersons discussing Ukraine’s Canada’s best Ukrainian students. SUSTA was founded in the 1950s to At the heart of the congress was the role in Europe, a teleconference with aca- According to its website bring together Ukrainian student clubs at congress itself, where new executives are demia and students in Ukraine, a discus- (www.susk.ca), SUSK “is a national stu- American universities, and has recently elected, national projects are voted on sion about the goals of SUSTA, and the dent organization comprised of Ukrainian been resurrected after several decades of and issues and concerns are raised in a election of the SUSTA board and the rati- student organizations at post-secondary dormancy. Last year, the first annual con- forum setting that allows for open com- fication of strategic documents. institutions across Canada. Its purpose as ference of the revived SUSTA was held munication and clarity in direction. Confirmed speakers for the conference outlined in its mission statement is “to at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, At this congress commitments to currently include Myroslav Popovych, advocate concerns relevant to Ukrainian N.J., and featured representatives of the future projects included: continuing the director of the Institute of Philosophy in Canadian students.” In essence, SUSK Ukrainian community, including Michael awareness campaign of the Famine- Kyiv, and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the serves as a coordinating body for United States Oleh Shamshur. Sawkiw Jr., president of the Ukrainian Ukrainian students’ organizations, pro- Genocide of Ukraine, in particular peti- Students interested in being nominated Congress Committee of America, Askold viding a national forum in which these tioning the Canadian government to rec- for a position on the SUSTA board, may Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian concerns are discussed. ognize it as genocide and exhibits on campuses across the nation; conducting submit their candidacy by including World Congress, and Dr. Yuri Shevchuk During the congress, individual mem- name, graduation year, university, posi- of the Shevchenko Scientific Society. bers and member-clubs congregated to redress and information campaigns on the internment of Ukrainian Canadians tion desired and a description (100 words For more information on the confer- establish relationships and exchange maximum) about the candidate’s relevant ence, readers may visit www.ukrainain- ideas to further their individual goals, during the first world war; enlisting more guest/expert speakers on Ukrainian and experience and plans, if elected, to: elec- students.net or visit SUSTA’s pages on their national projects and overall aims. [email protected]. the social-networking websites Facebook The objective of this year’s congress Ukrainian-Canadian issues across the clubs; publishing another issue of the According to Igor Makar, president of and Multiply, or e-mail Mr. Makar at was to “continue the revival of SUSK by the Ukrainian Society at Penn, a social [email protected]. creating friendly networks through which SUSK publication “Student”; providing projects of national Ukrainian Canadian more Internet content to further SUSK’s significance can be addressed by a uni- exposure; and furthering the involvement fied Ukrainian student base,” said of alumni. Adriana Luhovy, the media director of And just as any gathering of SUSK. Ukrainians, SUSK also held a zabava PHOTO OF THE MONTH Represented at the congress were where the band Ukrainia played to a very many student clubs from various schools high energy and well received crowd. in Canada; including York University, The celebratory and friendly mood of the Guelph University, U. of Manitoba, U. of congress carried into the night as many Alberta, U. of Toronto, Concordia of the participants took to the streets, University and McGill University. singing after the band stopped playing all The host club at McGill University the way to their hotels. planned a very unique weekend in which “The congress was absolutely amaz- events were held to further the cultural, ing,” said Ms. Luhovy. “It was a great practical and social awareness of partici- source of motivation to become more pating students. These events spoke to involved, informed and take action to the cultural aspects of being Ukrainian create change. It was much more than a and also the practical aspects of running meeting of friends, but a way to unite us a club in today’s university environment. together – as the leaders of tomorrow – Throughout the weekend, Columbia and speak about issues that matter to us University Prof. Yurij Shevchuk hosted a and our community. With the help from Festival of Contemporary Ukrainian other community organizations and Film, which included Ukrainian animated involvement from the nation-wide stu- films, documentary shorts as well as fea- dent body, I hope to see SUSK grow and ture-length documentaries. take on some new and interesting proj- Speaking before each film to introduce ects. The possibilities are endless.” them, as well as to outline the circum- SUSK is also looking forward to stances in which they were made, Dr. attending and supporting the upcoming Shevchuk hosted a wonderful event at conference of SUSTA (its sister organiza- which more than a dozen films were tion in the USA) on March 29 at the shown. He is fast becoming one of North University of Pennsylvania. For more America’s leading expert on Ukrainian information on SUSK readers may visit cinema and film. www.susk.ca.

Yonkers UAYA to host annual volleyball tournament PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Yonkers and youth (13 and older) divisions. A reg- Branch of the Ukrainian American Youth istration fee of $30 per player includes a Association (UAYA) will be hosting its lunch at the gymnasium and a dinner at annual six-on-six volleyball tournament the Yonkers Ukrainian Youth Home. fund-raiser on April 5 at Sacred Heart For more information, readers may High School in Yonkers, N.Y. visit the Facebook and Multiply websites Four divisions are scheduled to com- or contact Sammy Warycha, event coor- Hassenstein/Getty pete in a round-robin format, including the dinator, at 914-709-0435 or Wladimir Klitschko, at age 31 still a member of Generation Uke, holds three men’s open, the seniors, women’s open [email protected]. heavyweight title belts. See story on page 4. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9

Gazprom in late 2007. Messrs. NEWSBRIEFS Yushchenko and Putin also agreed to pre- CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) serve the base price of $179 per 1,000 told reporters that representatives of four cubic meters for gas delivered by TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 of the blocs in the Verkhovna Rada have Gazprom to Ukraine in 2008. After the or e-mail: [email protected] created a working group that within a presidents’ meeting, Gazprom CEO week will prepare a draft agreement Aleksei Miller announced that Gazprom aimed at enabling the Parliament to and Naftohaz Ukrayiny, Ukraine’s state- SERVICES PROFESSIONALS resume its work. The Communist Party owned gas operator, have agreed to set has not joined the group. Mr. Tomenko up a new company that will supply said that the agreement will propose Russian gas to Ukraine. However, the approving either an agreed-upon single two governments have made contradicto- resolution on the NATO issue or all reso- ry statements on the planned new scheme lutions that have been submitted to the for gas supplies. Gazprom currently sup- Parliament so far. Mr. Tomenko also said plies Ukraine with gas through two inter- that the draft agreement will propose as mediary companies: Swiss-registered priority issues for consideration by legis- RosUkrEnergo, which delivers gas to the lators: approval of the government’s Russian-Ukrainian border, and working program, a bill on state purchas- Ukrainian-registered UkrHazEnergo, es, hearings on monetary and credit poli- which delivers gas directly to Ukrainian cy, changes to regulations on the parlia- consumers. Before Ms. Tymoshenko’s mentary opposition’s activities, and staff- visit to Moscow, reports indicated that WEST ARKA related issues. The signing of the agree- she might challenge the deal agreed by 2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 LAW OFFICES OF ment is scheduled for March 3. “If the Presidents Yushchenko and Putin. Ukrainian First Vice Prime Minister Fine Gifts ZENON B. MASNYJ, ESQ. working group and leaders of the factions are still able to find compromises, the Oleksander Turchynov had said on Authentic Ukrainian Handicrafts February 19 that Ms. Tymoshenko would Art, Books, CDs, Ceramics Andrew R. CHORNY Verkhovna Rada will resume its work on have to start gas talks “from scratch,” but Embroidered Goods and Supplies Manager In the East Village since 1983 March 4,” the Ukrayinska Pravda web- the Presidential Secretariat immediately Gold Jewelery, Icons, Magazines site quoted Mr. Tomenko as saying. rejected that statement as “incorrect and Newspapers, Pysankas and Supplies Serious personal injury, real estate (RFE/RL Newsline) unacceptable.” (RFE/RL Newsline) All Services to Ukraine, Mail-orders for personal and business use, rep- Yushchenko speaks of new Constitution Tel.: (416) 762-8751 Fax: (416) 767-6839 resentation of small and mid-size Ukraine, Gazprom agree on debt e-mail: [email protected] www.westarka.com businesses, securities arbitration, KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko KYIV – Ukrainian Prime Minister divorce, wills and probate. has said that the Ukrainian nation, as the Yulia Tymoshenko told reporters in Kyiv only source of power in Ukraine, is able on February 21 that the government has (By Appointment Only) to determine its constitutional order by FIRST QUALITY reached an accord with Russian gas approving the Constitution of Ukraine, UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE monopoly Gazprom to pay off debts RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reported on 157 SECOND AVENUE incurred in November and December February 23. Mr. Yushchenko said that MONUMENTS NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10003 2007 for the purchase of gas at a price of the new Constitution should first be SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES (212) 477-3002 $130 per 1,000 cubic meters, RFE/RL’s approved by the Verkhovna Rada and Ukrainian Service reported. Ukraine’s OBLAST then proposed by the president to a total debt to Gazprom amounts to $1.5 MEMORIALS national referendum. “I believe that the BILINGUAL UKRAINIAN-ENGLISH NJ LICENSE S1003562 billion. On February 12 Russian P.O. BOX 746 current Verkhovna Rada... will adopt by a President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian Chester, NY 10918 LYDIA (“LESIA”) ZBOROWSKI GOLUB, PH.D constitutional majority the new version of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST President Viktor Yushchenko agreed that 845-469-4247 the Constitution before it will be pro- CLINICAL, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS, FAMILIES, as of February 14 Ukraine will start pay- BILINGUAL HOME APPOINTMENTS TREATMENT OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, posed for a referendum,” he said. BEHAVIORALAND INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS ing off this debt, but, according to a 51 UPPER MONTCLAIR PLAZA, SUITE 29 However, the president did not exclude UPPER MONTCLAIR, NJ 07043 recent statement by Mr. Yushchenko, the 973-655-9472 the possibility that a constitutional refer- Ukrainian government has paid only a Website Design & endum could be held on civic initiative if part of this debt so far. Ms. the Parliament fails to agree on the entire Development HOUSING Tymoshenko’s visit to Moscow on and integral version of the new February 20-21 was intended to settle the Tel: (202) 657-7105 Constitution. In late December 2007 Mr. matter. During her meetings with her Email: [email protected] Yushchenko initiated the creation of the Russian counterpart, Viktor Zubkov, and National Constitutional Council in order Portfolio: Artdriver.com with Mr. Putin, Ms. Tymoshenko con- to prepare a new Constitution. Last week firmed her readiness to follow up on the LvivRentals.com he approved the personal composition of deal agreed upon earlier by the two presi- MERCHANDISE the council, which includes nearly 100 dents. However, Gazprom spokesman representatives of local governments, par- Sergei Kupriyanov said after the five- liamentary factions, scientists and human hour talks with the Ukrainian delegation rights defenders. Mr. Yushchenko, who FOR SALE on February 21 that details of bilateral himself heads the council, insists that the cooperation in the issue of gas supplies new Constitution should strengthen the were not settled and that the talks will be authority of the president, whose mandate continued at an unspecified future date. comes from being directly elected, and Upon her return to Kyiv, Ms. shift the role of Parliament toward partici- Tymoshenko also told reporters that pating in the distribution of power, rather Gazprom demands Ukraine return 4 bil- than operating with the status of “the lion cubic meters of gas that disappeared most important institution of state from Ukraine’s balance sheet. Ms. power.” (RFE/RL Newsline) OPPORTUNITIES Tymoshenko said that her government PMs back gas agreement was not aware of this problem and will look into it. The Ukrainian prime minis- MOSCOW – Ukrainian Prime ter, who is known to be strongly in favor EARN EXTRA INCOME! Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her of excluding intermediaries from The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Russian counterpart, Viktor Zubkov, con- Ukrainian-Russian gas deals, said that for advertising sales agents. firmed on February 20 in Moscow that Mr. Putin supported her stance. “Yes, cer- their governments will stick to the gas For additional information contact tainly, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin agreement reached a week ago by the clearly stated that there is no need for Maria Oscislawski, Advertising presidents of the two countries, any intermediaries. I have in mind Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, Ukrainian and international media report- RosUkrEnergo and UkrHazEnergo,” she (973) 292-9800, ext 3040. ed. “We have confirmed our absolute said. (RFE/RL Newsline) commitment to the agreement reached by our presidents,” Prime Minister Zubkov Kyiv to offer Gazprom long-term deal told reporters after meeting with Ms. KYIV – Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Ukrainian Book Store Tymoshenko. “I can firmly say that we Tymoshenko said on February 22 that the have outlined constructive and effective Largest selection of Ukrainian books, dance government believes that strategic accords supplies, Easter egg supplies, music, icons, ways of settling every single issue,” the “will have to arise between [Ukrainian gas greeting cards, giftwear and much more. Ukrainian prime minister said. On operator] Naftohaz and [Russian gas February 12 Russian President Vladimir monopoly] Gazprom or its descendant 10215-97st Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Edmonton, AB T5J 2N9 Insure and be sure. companies for the lasting prospect of 25 or Yushchenko agreed that as of February 30 years without introducing any addition- Toll free: 1-866-422-4255 14, Ukraine would start paying off the www.ukrainianbookstore.com Join the UNA! debt it incurred to Russian gas giant (Continued on page 15) No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 15

currently has 200,000 troops, but this internal affairs, the BBC reported on certainly easier to work with a person NEWSBRIEFS number will be reduced to 191,000 by February 27. Mr. Topolanek was in who has modern positions and is not (Continued from page 14) the end of the year. After the switch to a Washington for talks with President blinded by the past.” He argued that it is al intermediaries” into the gas-supply fully professional army, it will comprise George W. Bush on the proposed U.S. simpler to deal with someone who does scheme, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service 143,000 troops. President Viktor missile-defense program, which includes not always propagate views that border reported. “Ukraine has to receive stable Yushchenko last year issued a decree the stationing of 10 interceptors in on the moronic. It is not clear to whom contracts, unlike the legacy we are now ordering the government to make the Poland and a radar site in the Czech he was referring, since all three leading dealing with, when contracts are signed, or armed forces fully professional by the Republic. Prime Minister Topolanek said U.S. presidential candidates have criti- not, once a month by those corrupted inter- end of 2009, but the Defense Ministry that missile defense “is not an issue of cized Russia. Sergei Markov, a State mediaries,” Ms. Tymoshenko said. She later announced that the last military one radar installation... It primarily con- Duma deputy for Unified Russia and said that during her recent talks in draft would be held in 2010. (RFE/RL cerns [our freely chosen willingness] to director of the Institute of Political Moscow, Russia and Ukraine agreed to Newsline) defend ourselves.” He stressed that “our Research, said on February 6 that there is civilization will end if we lack the will to exclude the UkrHazEnergo company from Reporters’ group criticizes Russia… no major difference for Russia as to who the gas-supply scheme by April. Ms. defend ourselves... We do not want to wins the U.S. elections, but a victory for Tymoshenko also said that Russian PARIS – Reporters Without Borders belong again to the sphere of Russian Sen. John McCain (R- Ariz.) would be President Vladimir Putin agreed to exclude released its annual report on press free- influence. We do not want to belong to a the “worst-case scenario.” In an allusion in the future all intermediaries from the dom on February 13. The report places group of countries which have to ask to President Bush’s now famous remark Russian-Ukrainian gas market. Russia among those countries where Russia for permission if they want to that he looked into President Putin’s eyes Meanwhile, Gazprom spokesman Sergei press freedom is under the greatest ensure their own defense.” He noted that and saw his soul, Sen. McCain has said Kupriyanov said the same day that threat: indeed, as the daily Kommersant the Czech-U.S. negotiations on missile on several recent occasions that he Ukraine would be able to receive gas on reported, the Paris-based international defense are “almost complete.” The looked into Mr. Putin’s eyes and saw the the basis of direct contracts only during the media watchdog specially invited one Russian daily Vremya Novostei com- letters “K-G-B.” Sen. McCain called for first three months of 2008. According to journalist from Zimbabwe and another mented on February 27 that Washington, expelling Russia from the Group of Eight agreements signed in 2006, Gazprom sup- from Russia to a presentation of its annu- Prague and want to complete (G-8) industrialized countries on the plies Ukraine with gas through the Swiss- al report in Berlin in order to underscore their agreements in time for the NATO- grounds that it is not a democracy. U.S. registered joint venture RosUkrEnergo and that “press freedom is exposed to the Russia summit in April, which President Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) stumbled the Ukrainian-registered company greatest danger in those countries.” The Putin plans to attend. (RFE/RL over pronouncing Mr. Medvedev’s name UkrHazEnergo. (RFE/RL Newsline) Russian journalist who was invited to Newsline) in a televised debate on February 26 and Reporters Without Borders’ Berlin pres- suggested that he is someone “whom Medvedev on next U.S. president Putin speaks for Russian investors entation is actually a Moldovan citizen Putin can control.” Sen. Clinton once who works for a Russian magazine – MOSCOW – Russian President UFA, Russia – First Deputy Prime said that Mr. Putin “doesn’t have a soul.” Novoye Vremya correspondent Natalya Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is the This may have prompted Mr. Putin’s Vladimir Putin on February 20 told Morar, who was barred entry into Russia Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia anticipated successor to President remark at his recent annual press confer- in December for reasons of state security. Vladimir Putin, said here on February 26 ence that “a head of state should have a Tymoshenko at his residence in Novo- Ms. Morar has written about the personal Ogarevo that Russia’s main priority is that the Russian government works with head.” On February 26 U.S. Sen. Barrack finances of top government officials, a the administration of U.S. President Obama (D-Ill.) did not pronounce Mr. that Russian investors in Ukraine be purported secret fund that the Kremlin given conditions not worse than others, George W. Bush and will work with “any Medvedev’s name but noted that uses to finance political parties and the administration” that is formed as a result President Putin has made it clear that he including Ukrainian investors, RFE/RL’s unsolved 2006 murder of Central Bank Ukrainian Service reported. Mr. Putin of the November presidential election, will remain in charge after the Russian Deputy Chairman Andrei Kozlov. RIA Novosti and newsru.com reported. March presidential vote. Sen. Obama recalled that during his recent meeting (RFE/RL Newsline) with Ukrainian President Viktor Mr. Medvedev added that the selection of previously called for working together Yushchenko they agreed that there are …details actions against journalists a new U.S. president is the business of with Russia on arms control and other neither unresolved issues nor deep dis- the American people alone, which is also issues of mutual interest, while not crepancies in relations between Russia PARIS – The annual report of President Putin’s public position. Mr. neglecting to speak out on “democracy and Ukraine. Ms. Tymoshenko told Mr. Reporters Without Borders, which was Medvedev said nonetheless that “it is and accountability.” (RFE/RL Newsline) Putin that she discussed in detail with posted on the group’s website, rsf.org, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov details actions taken by Russian authori- the Ukrainian-Russian action plan ties last year against journalists attempt- approved by both presidents, and she ing to cover demonstrations organized by confirmed that her government wants to the Other Russia opposition coalition. take full advantage of the cooperation Among them was Nikolai Andrushenko, between Ukraine and Russia. (RFE/RL co-founder of the St. Petersburg weekly Novy Peterburg, who was given a two- Newsline) month prison sentence after writing that Yushchenko: OUPU fails to keep pledge he would march with the demonstrators and for printing the opposition’s mani- It is with great sadness that we share the passing of KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko festo. Earlier this month, law enforce- said on February 20 that the group of ment authorities raided the offices of the politicians who recently quit the pro- weekly, which has since been renamed Dr. Julian Pawlyszyn presidential Our Ukraine People’s Union Minuty Veka. According to Reporters (OUPU) party did so in protest against Without Borders, at least two journalists on Saturday, February 23, 2008, in Abington, Pa. their bloc’s failure to unite as a single were forcibly sent to psychiatric hospitals party as promised, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian in 2007, marking the revival of what the Born July 13, 1908 in Zhyznymyr, Ukraine, he was one of 14 children. Service reported. The Our Ukraine – annual report describes as “a frequent He received his license to practice medicine in Warsaw and his doctor- People’s Self-Defense (OU-PSD) bloc practice during Soviet days to discredit ate in medicine from Heidelberg University in Germany. Upon immigrat- comprises nine political forces, the those with ‘undesirable’ views and to dis- ing to the U.S. with his wife Myroslawa in 1950 and settling in largest of which is the OUPU. The OU- courage people from openly opposing the Minnesota, he completed all necessary requirements and was granted PSD bloc and the Yulia Tymoshenko regime.” An international campaign led Bloc comprise the ruling coalition in the to the release of the two journalists – a license to practice medicine in the U.S., which he did until his retire- Ukrainian Parliament. The OU-PSD opposition activist Larissa Arap and inde- ment in 1980. leadership last year announced plans to pendent journalist Andrei Novikov – who form a single political party by the end of were held for six weeks and 11 months, Because of his love of Ukrainian culture and community, he spent most 2007. Seven prominent members of the respectively. Elsa Vidal, who heads the of the years of his retirement as an active member of Plast in OUPU recently gave up their member- Europe and former USSR desk at Minneapolis. He volunteered his time as a physician to numerous Plast ship, claiming that they had exhausted Reporters Without Borders, told summer camps while still actively practicing and upon retiring. Largely the possibilities for change within the RFE/RL: “What we have witnessed [in because of his efforts, he was able to get a home dedicated to Plast to ranks of the party. Mr. Yushchenko said Russia] during the year 2007 is that much serve as the scouting organization’s “domivka.” that a discussion to be held at the party’s pressure was exerted on independent highest level might help reverse the law- media with journalists being arrested dur- The funeral service was held at St. Michael's Church in Jenkintown, makers’ decision to quit. (RFE/RL ing opposition demonstrations, independ- Newsline) ent newspapers being shut down and Pa., on Saturday, March 1. He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery. some journalists being sent to psychiatric Ukraine plans professional army hospitals as punishments. All these He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Myroslawa KYIV – Defense Minister Yurii events seem to us to be very bad omens His daughter Marie Kjellberg with her husband Karl Yekhanurov said on February 14 that with the upcoming presidential election.” His daughter Stephanie Luchanko with her husband Orest transforming Ukraine’s armed forces into (RFE/RL Newsline) His daughter Christine His grandsons Bohdan, Stephan and Markian a fully professional army will cost 49.5 Czech PM rebuffs Russia billion hrv ($9.8 billion U.S.), RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reported. Mr. WASHINGTON – Czech Prime Though he has passed into eternal life, those of us who were fortunate Yekhanurov said that the first stage of the Minister Mirek Topolanek said in enough to have known him, will remember his kind and gentle spirit, his transition, which will be conducted this Washington on February 26 that his music, his words and his undying sense of humor. This will serve as year – “assembling the contractual army” country will cooperate with Russia in inspiration to us and he will live on in our memories forever. – requires over 11 billion hrv. According many fields, but that the Czech Republic to Mr. Yekhanurov, the Ukrainian army will make its own decision regarding its 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 17

Yanukovych governments on July 17, Ukrainian leadership is united on the ques- Putin, Medvedev... Opposition uses... 2003, and October 5, 2006, that gave tion of seeking a MAP. Herein lies the crux (Continued from page 2) (Continued from page 2) Ukraine’s wholehearted support to NATO of the problem. elected president, I do not have to hang PRU and other pro-Kuchma centrist forces military operations in peacetime, during Following the NATO crises and in military conflicts. was more receptive toward Ukraine joining, his portraits. We have sufficient other endorsed. Messrs. Yushchenko and Yatsenyuk see and a MAP for Kyiv was a serious prospect means of building relations, a working The Ukrainian media have recently pub- no need for a referendum ahead of a MAP, at the November 2006 Riga summit. relationship that would allow us to work lished Kuchma-era official documents that and the president has described the call for However, this step depended on Ukraine effectively to solve the general problems outline Ukraine’s goal of NATO member- a referendum as “political adventurism.” creating an Orange coalition after the 2006 in developing the country” (Kremlin.ru, ship. In 2002-2004 Mr. Kuchma and then- While acknowledging the need for an even- elections – a strategy that failed because of February 14). prime minister Viktor Yanukovych, head of tual referendum, Mr. Yushchenko has Mr. Yushchenko’s unwillingness to see Ms. Meanwhile, Mr. Medvedev, in his the PRU, initiated and fully supported promised this would be many years away, Tymoshenko return as prime minister. speech to the Krasnoyarsk Economic Ukraine’s drive to NATO membership. In only when Ukraine was on the verge of However, Ms. Tymoshenko did just that Forum, put forward a set of goals note- November 2002 NATO initiated annual worthy for their liberalism. These includ- joining NATO, as occurred with other after the 2007 elections. But her approach NATO-Ukraine “Action Plans,” and the NATO candidates. to NATO membership, as seen during her ed the need to lower administrative barri- 2002-2004 Yanukovych government ful- ers and taxes, make the ruble a regional The Party of the Regions seeks to hold a January 28-29 visit to Brussels and her can- filled the first two. referendum in April. In a February 12 state- cellation of a presentation to the February reserve currency, modernize transporta- Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine tion and energy infrastructure, fight cor- ment, Mr. Yanukovych said, “We are 8-10 Munich security conference, is more Steven Pifer, now a senior adviser at the against any steps that would take our state lukewarm than that of President ruption, ensure a genuinely independent Center for Strategic and International to the North Atlantic alliance without the Yushchenko and the OU-PSD. media and, more generally, protect indi- Studies, told the Jamestown Foundation agreement of the Ukrainian people.” vidual freedom (Interfax, February 15). that the Ukrainian leadership and NATO NATO is publicly receptive to Ukrainian Sources: president.gov.ua, securitycon- However, unlike Mr. Putin, who both understood that there was little difference membership, but some large Western ference.de, partyofregions.org.ua, in his speech and his press conference dis- between “Action Plans” and “Membership European members, such as Germany, Pravda.com.ua, January 15-February 18; cussed a huge array of subjects ranging Action Plans.” Both require Ukraine to oppose a Ukrainian MAP. Such opposition Zerkalo Nedeli, February 2-8; International from energy policy, corruption and the undertake a wide range of military, politi- within NATO can only be overcome if the Herald Tribune, January 24. 2014 Olympics in Sochi to the cal and economic reforms. Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty and According to Minister of Foreign U.S. plans for missile defenses in Eastern Affairs Volodymyr Ohryzko, Kyiv is now Europe, Mr. Medvedev focused almost seeking a MAP because Ukraine’s cooper- exclusively on economic and administra- ation with NATO has outgrown the five Illinois UCCA honors county treasurer tive reform, with no real discussion of for- Action Plans. eign policy. In 2004 the Yanukovych government In other words, Mr. Putin’s comments signed on to a strategy for Ukraine’s drive sounded like those of a prospective head to NATO drawn up by the president’s of state while Mr. Medvedev’s sounded think-tank, the National Institute for like those of a prospective head of gov- Strategic Studies. The plan has four stages: ernment. • 2002-2003: prepare the legislative In addition, the themes Mr. Putin hit in basis for Ukraine’s NATO membership; his speech and press conference (how • 2004: Ukraine enters into a MAP; Russia is putatively being treated unfairly • 2007: NATO invites Ukraine to join by the West; how Russia’s “growing eco- the alliance; nomic and military potential” allows it to • 2008: Ukraine joins NATO. “be firmer in standing up” for its national This month Prime Minister Tymoshenko interests; the need to halt Russia’s demo- publicly apologized for not succeeding in graphic decline, close the income gap, reaching the Yanukovych government’s ensure that the elderly receive decent pen- 2008 NATO membership goal. sions and benefits and, more broadly, to Importantly, the four-stage strategy create a society “without poverty” that never included a referendum on NATO “guarantees the safety of all its citizens”) membership. This demand emerged during are more or less the same themes that the latter stages of the bitter 2004 presiden- have contributed to his popularity and are tial election, together with elevating likely to continue to resonate with Russian to a state language. Both issues Russians. were introduced by Russian political advis- CHICAGO – Cook County (Illinois) Treasurer Maria Pappas received an award The themes that Mr. Medvedev hit in ers working for the Yanukovych campaign. from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America thanking her for her service to his Krasnoyarsk speech, including the The PRU has raised the demand for a the Ukrainian community. Meeting in Ms. Pappas’ downtown Chicago office (from need to implement economic reforms referendum on NATO whenever it has left) are: Alex Striltschuk of Buffalo Grove, Iwanna Gorchynski of Chicago, Steve (like substituting the value-added tax been in the opposition – in 2005-2006 and Striltschuk of Palatine, Ms. Pappas, Nicholas Mischenko of Mount Prospect; Pavlo with a sales tax), to fight corruption and to again since the 2007 elections. This duplic- Bandriwsky of Chicago (president of the UCCA Illinois Branch), Eva Zelenko of protect media independence, are likely to itous strategy of being radically opposed to Oak Park and Bogdan Melnyk of River Grove. The committee noted that Ms. resonate more with Western governments NATO only when in opposition could be Pappas’ service included having information for property owners in the Ukrainian and investors. seen further in documents adopted by language on her office’s website, cookcountytreasurer.com. Dmitry Oreshkin, head of the inde- pendent Mercator Group, predicted that the “real center of power” in Russia’s political system will shift to the govern- ment headed by Prime Minister Putin, while “the economy will probably remain the president’s share.” Mr. Putin “leans and depends on a powerful clan of siloviki that … is extremely heterogeneous and [whose members are] competing,” said Mr. Oreshkin. “These people don’t earn money; they love to spend it. Correspondingly, the condition for appointing Mr. Medvedev as the new president, in respect to the siloviki, was a guarantee that their situation will not worsen in the future, and only Mr. Putin can provide that guarantee. Accordingly, Mr. Putin will have to work with the power lobby; he will have to ensure their feeding by using budget funds” (Vlast, RTVi television and Ekho Moskvy, February 15). If Mr. Oreshkin is correct about a shift in power, it remains to be seen whether it will occur de facto or be formalized through amendments to the law on gov- ernment – by which, for example, control over the Federal Security Service and/or other security agencies could be trans- ferred from the president to the prime minister. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 19 Surf, sun, sand + friends = success for the UECC’s Malanka cruise by Andrea Zharovsky JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Malanka (New Year’s Eve according to the Julian calen- dar) is a Ukrainian folk holiday celebrated on January 13, which commemorates the feast day of St. Melania. This event tradi- tionally caps off the festivities of the Christmas holidays. Thus, it is often the last opportunity for partying and festivi- ties before the solemn period of Lent, which precedes Easter. Keeping this Ukrainian tradition alive, but maintaining a unique Caribbean twist, the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center celebrated its Malanka with almost 100 UECC members and friends on the open seas far, far away from its home in Jenkintown, Pa. Setting sail from Miami, for a seven- day Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Sun, the festivities began on Saturday, January 12, and lasted until Saturday, January 19, while visiting exotic ports-of- call, including Roatan in Honduras, Belize City in Belize, Cozumel in Mexico, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Between morning power walks, come- dy shows, boat safety drills, art auctions at sea, bingo, karaoke, theatrical shows, spa sessions, massages, workouts on the treadmills and soaks in the Jacuzzi, the UECC group found time onboard to meet and dine together. On land or on the shore, many broke up into smaller groups and explored the best of what the Caribbean had to offer, including sightseeing, beach parties, dol- Participants of the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center’s Caribbean Malanka cruise. phin encounters, forest adventures, canopy tours and aerial treks, snorkeling ship’s band, Brothers and Friends, gave all shore, a barbecue lunch, drinks, shopping the 2008 UECC Malanka cruise. The with stingrays and sharks, Mayan ruins, present a chance to dance the night away for those last-minute souvenirs, sharing UECC also thanked its members and and of course, shopping. or sit back and enjoy the sunset. jokes and lots of reminiscing. friends – those who supported the success- On Sunday, the first full day at sea, The group met again later in the week, The tour was lucky to have a week of ful fund-raiser, raised money for the everybody was seated together at the Four on Thursday, for a farewell cocktail party great weather and relatively calm sailing. UECC by attending the cruise and, in the Seasons Restaurant in beautiful with jokes and a sing-along. A raffle was The group comprised almost 100 UECC process, had a wonderful Caribbean adven- Ukrainian embroidered attire. The UECC held and lucky winners received UECC members and friends hailing from ture in the company of Ukrainian friends. group was truly united in spirit, eating, Malanka cruise canvas bags with some Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, The Ukrainian Educational and drinking and, like a family, celebrating 10 lovely surprises. Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, Cultural Center, founded in 1980, is a non- birthdays and even a 60-year wedding But the last day on the island of Great Florida, California and Canada. (To view profit organization whose objective is to anniversary. There were a lot of Stirrup Cay provided the group with that photos and videos from the cruise, readers preserve and promote awareness of the “Mnohaya Litas.” final chance to spend the day together on may visit the UECC website, www.uec- Ukrainian heritage throughout the The group met immediately after din- the beach and in the beautiful, clear, warm cphila.org.) Philadelphia community. The UECC is ner for the official photo and the UECC water. Seizing the opportunity, the UECC The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural located at 700 Cedar Road in Jenkintown, Malanka dance at the Great Outdoor Café group members actively enjoyed them- Center and its board of directors thanked PA 19046; for more information readers began to the sound of the waves and selves with volleyball games, snorkeling, Zenia Brozyna of Zenia’s Travel Club, can phone 215-663-1166 or e-mail con- under the Caribbean starry skies. The swimming, sunbathing, walks along the LLC for creating, organizing and leading [email protected].

Ukrainian Music Institute holds midyear recital WWantant toto seesee youryour namename inin print?print?

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We welcome submissions from all our Ukrainian com- munities, no matter where they are located. Let the rest of us know what you’re up to in your corner of the Ukrainian diaspora! NEW YORK – In connection with the 55th anniversary of its founding, the New York Branch of the Ukrainian Music Institute held its midyear recital at the Ukrainian Institute of America on East 79th Street on February 3. Thirty students, from begin- Any questions? Call The Weekly, ners through advanced, performed on piano and violin, as well as sang; numbers by several teachers followed. Students 973-292-9800, ext. 3049. played selections from Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Barvinsky, Sonevytsky, Sawycky, and other Ukrainian and international composers. The recital was attended by Prof. Roman Sawycky Jr., son of the founder of UMI in America, as well as by other longtime supporters of the UMI New York Branch. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9

Dear Students, UNA Members: NOTESNOTES ONON PEOPLEPEOPLE

Now you can download UNA scholarship Great Britain (AUGB) is working to dis- Canadian author tribute 20,000 to 30,000 copies of applications from our website “Enough” to students throughout honored by Ukraine Ukraine. According to Volodymyr www.unamember.com PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Ukrainian Muzyczka, director of AUGB, teachers under “Membership Benefits.” Canadian author Marsha Skrypuch, who in Ukraine have praised the book as an writes children’s fiction books based on ideal teaching tool for the topic of the historic events, was selected by President Holodomor. Viktor Yushchenko, upon the recommen- Lubomyr Luciuk, chairman of the dation of the Embassy of Ukraine in Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Ottawa, to receive the Order of Princess Association, which is helping to fund the Olha, third class, which is the highest project, said it’s vital for children to learn honor that Ukraine bestows on foreign about their past so that they can avoid citizens. future tragedies. “Enough is a remarkable The honor recognizes Ms. Skrypuch’s work, as it gently introduces children to a work “Enough” on the Holodomor – the horror that none of us can ever fully Soviet-orchestrated systematic starvation appreciate, yet manages to convey a of between 7 million and 10 million sense of catastrophe by telling a simple Ukrainians during 1932-1933. tale,” he said. Written in 2000, Ms. Skrypuch’s “Isn’t it ironic that a Canadian chil- “Enough” describes a young girl’s dren’s author ends up educating people attempt to save her village from starva- about their own Famine?” Ms. Skrypuch tion. Another Holodomor-inspired story, was quoted as saying by the Brantford “The Rings,” was released as part of an Expositor. She also noted that the anthology of Ukrainian Canadian writ- Holodomor was never even acknowl- ings, called “Kobzar’s Children.” edged until after the collapse of the The Association of Ukrainians in Soviet Union.

to participate. Will Ukraine... Among the top politicians sitting on (Continued from page 3) the commission are Prime Minister Yulia Parliament-backed central government. Tymoshenko; her predecessor, Viktor In order to ensure support for a new Yanukovych; presidential Chief of Staff Constitution in a popular referendum, Viktor Baloha and several of his Mr. Yushchenko proposed giving citizens deputies; National Security and Defense the right to appeal directly to the Council Secretary Raisa Bohatyriova; Constitutional Court, the right to draft Parliament Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk; laws and submit them directly to his predecessors Volodymyr Lytvyn and Parliament, and the right to cancel laws Ivan Pliusch; and Communist leader by referenda. Petro Symonenko. The pro-opposition commentator The NCC also includes scientists and Mykhailo Pohrebynsky told Glavred that national deputies representing both the President Yushchenko would violate the coalition and the opposition. law by offering a new draft Constitution National Deputy Dmytro Tabachnyk, for a referendum, because the current who is one of the representatives of the Constitution allows only amendment; it opposition Party of the Regions (PRU) on does not say anything about invalidating the NCC, said that his party and the Yulia the Constitution. Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB) are against However, Ivan Tymchenko, a former rewriting the Constitution altogether. He chairman of the Constitutional Court, said said that the PRU and YTB can only back that the current Constitution does not for- new constitutional amendments. bid the president from calling a popular Another PRU deputy, Inna referendum to approve a new Bohoslovska, was more outspoken. She Constitution. He added, however, that Mr. warned that Mr. Yushchenko wants to Yushchenko should secure approval of his strengthen the presidency “in accordance draft Constitution by the Constitutional with the all-power-no-responsibility Court before calling a referendum. model like it was under [Yushchenko’s Commentator Oleksii Taran expressed predecessor Leonid] Kuchma.” Mr. reservations about the composition of the Symonenko also strongly disagreed with Easter Greetings 2008 NCC. He noted that the council includes Mr. Yushchenko’s plan. very few representatives of non-govern- mental organizations and that several Sources: President.gov.ua, February Continue your tradition. prominent constitutional experts, such as 18, 20; NTN TV, Glavred.info, February Send best wishes to your family and friends, a former vice-chairman of the Verkhovna 20; Kommersant Ukraine, Gazeta, colleagues and clients on the occasion of Easter Rada, Viktor Musiaka, were not invited February 21, 24. with a greeting in The Ukrainian Weekly. there is no parliamentary crisis in Holiday Issue Publication Date Advertising Deadline Verkhovna Rada... Ukraine. “What is taking place,” accord- (Continued from page 1) ing to Mr. Yatsenyuk, “is the regular stable government, discord among its process of guaranteeing democracy.” In summing up his meetings and dis- March 16 March 7 coalition and a language problem as cussions with representatives of influen- well,” he said. tial European political institutions, Mr. In addition, Mr. Yatseniuk met with 1/16 page – $35; 1/8 page – $50; Yatsenyuk underscored the importance of 1/4 page – $100; 1/2 page – $200; full page – $400 Javier Solana, secretary general of the continuously developing an effective Council of the European Union, and with relationship with the European All advertising correspondence, reservations and payments should be directed EU Commissioner for External Relations Parliament. Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Among other to Mrs. Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager, tel. 973-292-9800, ext. 3040, The Verkhovna Rada chair expressed issues, the leaders discussed the possibil- or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] his hope for overall support from ities for simplification of visa applica- Europe’s numerous Parliaments, particu- Kindly make checks payable to The Ukrainian Weekly. tions for Ukrainian citizens wishing to larly regarding the latest agreement of Please send payment to: travel to EU member-states. cooperation between Ukraine and the During his February 26 meeting with The Ukrainian Weekly, Advertising Department EU, and the free-trade-zone treaties that Mr. Pöttering of the European are expected to be voted on in the P.O. Box 280, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Parliament, Mr. Yatsenyuk stated that European Parliament later this year. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 21 HURI co-founder elected to Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences by Peter T. Woloschuk through such of its members as Oktawiusz president of that association, as well as hon- Founded in 1872, the Polish Academy of Jurewicz, Jerzy Kloczowski and Maciej orary president of the Ukrainian Academy Arts and Sciences has served from the CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Ihor Sevcenko, Salamon.” of Arts and Sciences in the United States. beginning as a learned and cultural society Dumbarton Oaks Professor of Byzantine “It may be of interest to the Ukrainian He is also a senior research associate at for the Polish nation under the oversight of History and Literature, Emeritus, and co- scholarly community at large,” Prof. Dumbarton Oaks. Prof Sevcenko holds the Polish government and the protection of founder of the Harvard Ukrainian Research Sevcenko continued, “to know that the three honorary doctorates, one from the Polish president. It currently has 475 Institute (HURI), was elected on June 23, academy has a plenipotentiary for scholarly Germany (Cologne), and two from Poland members, including 148 full-time members, 2007, as a foreign member of the Polish cooperation with Ukraine, a position held (Warsaw, 2001, and the John Paul II 154 correspondents, and 171 foreign mem- Academy of Arts and Sciences and was by its active member, Prof. Jan Machnik.” Catholic University of Lublin, 2005). bers. It is based in Krakow. confirmed by the president of the Republic Born in 1922 in Radosc near Warsaw to of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, on July 26, a family that left Ukraine with the govern- 2007. Dr. Sevcenko was inducted into the ment of Symon Petliura, Prof. Sevcenko academy in October 2007. was educated in the classics in Warsaw. He In commenting on the appointment, the graduated from the University of Prague in minister counsellor/scientific attaché of Poland to the United States, Prof. Andrzej 1945 and received his doctorate from the Rabczenko, said, “This election seems real- University of Louvain in 1949. He also ly significant – Prof. Sevcenko is a person studied in Brussels. of the future joining East and West where After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Sevcenko there will be no borders, and people will be emigrated to the United States. He was the fully tolerant and free. He represents all the co-founder of the Harvard Ukrainian values created in the Polish-Lithuanian Research Institute (HURI) and served as Commonwealth in the 15th century, where HURI’s associate director from 1973 to Ukraine played such an important part …” 1989 and as acting director in 1977 and In acknowledging his appointment, Prof. 1985. Sevcenko said, “I began to admire the His primary fields of specialization Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences include Byzantine cultural history, hagiog- (PAU), by then the only academy and the raphy, Byzantine text editions, Byzantine- most prestigious learned society of the land, Slavic cultural relations, Byzantine epigra- as a lyceum student in Warsaw. It was then phy and Greek palaeography. that I learned from my Latin teacher about Prof. Sevcenko is a member of a number Tadeusz Sinko, a remarkably productive of learned societies, among them the member of that academy, capable of churn- American Philosophical Society, the ing out 40 pages a day. Sinko was connect- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, ed with the academy’s international project the Medieval Academy of America, the Ukraine’s consul general in Krakow, Mykhailo Brodovych, and Prof. Ihor of editing the works of the Byzantine Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the Sevcenko at the ceremony in which Prof. Sevcenko was inducted into the Polish Church Father Gregory of Nazianzus. As a Accademia di Palermo, the Accademia Academy of Arts and Sciences. young scholar, I made use of articles by Leo Pontaniana, the Christian Archaeological Sternbach who directed the project for 30 Society, the British Academy, the Österre- years. In the USA I was honored by the ichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, the friendship of the Byzantinist Alexander Academy of Humanities Research and the Got a group? Need The Weekly? Turyn, a member of PAU. Today, I am National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. happy to report that PAU shows its respect Between 1986 and 1996 he was presi- Call our subscription department to find out how you may qualify for Byzantium and the influence of dent of the Association Internationale des for a group discount on your Weekly subscriptions. (973) 292-9800 ext. 3042 Byzantine culture in East-Central Europe Études Byzantines. He is now honorary 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9 HURI and Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies Philadelphia community begins to co-sponsor conference on post-Soviet energy politics Holodomor commemorations CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard International Studies (CGIS), which is PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral and at the Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI) and located at 1730 Cambridge St. It will fea- Ukrainian Community to Commemorate Ukrainian Catholic cathedral. It is most Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and ture scholars and political analysts from the 75th Anniversary of the Holodomor appropriate and fitting that our commem- Eurasian Studies will co-sponsor a major the United States, Ukraine and Russia. will begin its yearlong commemoration orations will commence with a memorial international conference reassessing post- The conference will open at 9 a.m. on of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of program at the House of Prayer of our Soviet Ukrainian and Russian energy Friday with a three-hour session and will 1932-1933 with a special program at the Baptist brother and sisters.” politics, concentrating on the battle for be followed by a two-and-a-half-hour House of Prayer of the First Ukrainian The Philadelphia Ukrainian gas from Central Asia to the European session beginning at 2:30 p.m. A third Evengelical Baptist Church. Community to Commemorate the 75th Union between the two countries. The two-and-a-half-hour session will be held The memorial program will begin at 4 Anniversary of the Holodomor comprises conference is a follow-up to a similar on Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at the House of representatives of various Ukrainian event held in the spring of 2006, which a.m. Prayer, located at 600 Large St. in institutions and organizations. The com- looked at the oil policies and politics of The sessions will cover: “Actors and Philadelphia. mittee is planning various events that the two countries. Interests in the Aftermath of the 2006 The head of the committee, Ulana will call attention to the Holodomor The conference “Ukraine, Russia and Gas Crisis”; “Gas Trade and Energy Mazurkevich said, “In previous years we orchestrated by Stalin, which claimed the the Battle for Gas from Central Asia to Schemes: Their Role in National and held Holodomor commemorations at the lives of 10 million. the European Union,” will be held on International Politics”; and “From Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, Producer to Consumer: Pricing in the Case Study Room (S020) of Mechanisms, Transit and Informal Harvard’s Center for Government and Institutions.” with the help of western Ukrainians. In Correcting... fact, they had to lie in order to live. A (Continued from page 7) part of the procedure was to swear that DVD release of “Shadows of Forgotten one was telling the truth. When America Ancestors” on the amazon.com webpage opened its borders to the displaced per- for this DVD. sons, they had to swear that they did not “The information about this classic lie before. Then when time came to film posted by Amazon contains impor- apply for citizenship, they had to swear tant errors of fact. again that they never lied to the “First of all, the film is not in Russian, American authorities. but in Ukrainian. Note to Amazon: I know for a fact that some of these please correct the language classifica- people continued to live in fear that some tion! day, someone would discover their resi- “Second: The story is not about dence prior to the war, and they would be ‘Russian regional history,’ as the write- repatriated. In his project, Mr. Heretz had up states. The Carpathian Mountains are a problem, since some of the witnesses nowhere near Russia. Its Hutsul people would not tell him of their experiences in speak Ukrainian and are among the least the Famine for the reasons I cited. He Russified in all of the former Soviet had to give them his word of honor that Union. he would not reveal the source. It is “Third: What brought director Sergey obvious now that Mr. Heretz kept his Paradzhanov into conflict with word, and the accusations against him Communist authorities was not his por- are grossly unfair. trayal of harsh realities of Soviet life, but On a related aspect, there were numer- his stubborn insistence on filming his ous previous attempts to inform America adaptation of Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky’s and the world about the genocide. These 1911 Ukrainian-language novel in the included books, newspaper articles, authentic Ukrainian language of the leaflets and trips to Washington by region and refusing to dub it into Metropolitan Mstyslav, who testified in Russian. Congress several times. The Ukrainian “These errors of fact mislead the pub- Orthodox Center in South Bound Brook, lic and tend to perpetuate the myth that N.J., was built to commemorate the vic- the Soviet Union was Russia.” tims. Each year, there was a memorial I thank Dr. Shevchuk for reminding us service attended by thousands. Old pho- of the facts. tos and newspaper clippings of the hor- rors were displayed. George Rakowsky The complete list is too long for me to Riverhead, N.Y. remember, but the real problem remained: the Ukrainians were speaking mainly to Ukrainians. We had to reach further. The real break came when Sen. About survivors Bill Bradley added $200,000 to the fed- eral budget to establish the U.S. and the Holodomor Commission on the Ukraine Famine in Dear Editor: order to study the causes and conse- quences of the Ukrainian Famine. Dr. The letter by Dr. Bohdan Vitvitsky James Mace was assigned to handle the accuses Prof. Leonid Heretz of faulty project and all else followed. It was a memory or misappropriation. I happen to great success. know Mr. Heretz personally from the Nothing done by humans is perfect, time he was collecting information from and some people will be upset no matter the survivors of the genocidal Famine in how it is done. But everyone who con- Ukraine. I do not accept these accusa- tributed to the effort deserves credit, tions and would like to remind the read- including Dr. Vitvitsky. Nothing else was ers of the conditions of that time. more important. Please recall that the vast majority of I commend him for not initiating a our people, who witnessed the horrors, lawsuit. It could have destroyed every- were from central and eastern Ukraine. thing. Many of them barely escaped forced repatriation to Stalin. They did so by Ihor Koszman claiming former Polish citizenship, often Montgomery, Texas

Tired of searching and surfing? The Ukrainian Weekly: your one reliable source for all the news about Ukraine and Ukrainians. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 23 OUT AND ABOUT

March 4 Lecture by Larysa Denysenko, “Kyiv: 410-967-4981 or 410-687-3465 New York Strange People in a Big European City,” Columbia University, cancelled March 16 Pysanka workshop, Glebe Community Ottawa Center, 613-233-8713 or 613-564-1058 or March 6 Lecture by Larysa Denysenko, “Kyiv: www.gnag.ca Washington Strange People in a Big European City,” Kennan Institute, 202-691-4100 March 16 Easter bazaar, St. John the Baptist Whippany, NJ Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian th March 8 28 annual Taras Shevchenko conference, American Cultural Center of New Jersey, New York Shevchenko Scientific Society, 973-540-9144 212-254-5130 March 17 Lecture by Giovanna Brogi Bercoff, “Canon March 8 Hawaiian Luau, featuring DJ Roman, Cambridge, MA and Culture in Early Modern Ukraine: The Spring Valley, NY Ukrainian Hall, 914-478-3183 Baroque and its Aftermath,” , 617-495-4053 March 8-9 Pysanka Symposium, Ukrainian Catholic Washington National Shrine, March 19 Violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv and pianist www.ucns-holyfamily.org/events.html Philadelphia Angelina Gadella perform Bach sonatas for March 13 Lecture by Roman Tashleetsky, violin and keyboard, Baptist Church of Stanford, CA “Contemporary : Chestnut Hill, 215-248-3063 or Writing, Translating, Publishing,” Stanford www.bach-fest.org University, 650-725-5936 March 19 Panel discussion, “Kyoto Protocol – March 13 Panel, “Returned from Russia: Nazi Washington Sustainable Energy Options for Ukraine,” Washington Archival Plunder in Western Europe and U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, Recent Restitution Issues,” Ronald [email protected] or Reagan Building and International Trade [email protected] Center, 202-691-4000 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome March 15 Concert, featuring the Svitanya Women’s submissions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion Elkins, WV Vocal Ensemble, Randolph Arts Center, of the editors and as space allows; photos will be considered. Please note: www.randolpharts.org or 304-637-2355 items will be printed a maximum of two times each. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. March 15-16 Easter bazaar and pysanka workshop, St. Baltimore, MD Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008 No. 9

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Thursday, March 6 Saturday, March 8 NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Film Club NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific of Columbia University will feature the Society (NTSh), jointly with the Ukrainian U.S. premiere of the “Car Washers” Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S. (2000), a feature narrative film by (UVAN) and the Harvard Ukrainian Volodymyr Tykhyi. The Kyiv-based film Research Institute (HURI), invites all to director tells the story of a gang of the 28th annual scholarly conference dedi- squeegee kids who find on the streets of cated to Taras Shevchenko. Participants: Kyiv the friendship, human attachment Dr. George G. Grabowicz and Dr. and solidarity that their immediate fami- Myroslava Znayenko. The conference lies and society lack. The screening is at will take place at the society’s building, 63 7:30 p.m. at 516 Hamilton Hall, Columbia Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th University. The film will be shown in its streets) at 4 p.m. For additional informa- original Russian-language version with tion call 212-254-5130. English subtitles. The event is free and Monday, March 10 open to the public. Details may be found at www.columbia.edu/cu/ufc. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute will host a Friday, March 7 lecture given by Benjamin Tromly, lectur- PHILADELPHIA: The Underground er on history, Harvard University. His lec- Film Series presents “Ukrainian Film ture, “Nationalism and the Khrushchev Shorts,” hosted by Yuri Shevchuk at the Thaw: Kyiv University 1953-1964,” will Ukrainian League of Philadelphia at 8 be held in Room S-050 (Concourse level) p.m. This is the Philadelphia premiere of of CGIS Building South at 4-6 p.m. The short films directed by emerging South Building of the Center for Ukrainian filmmakers Anastasia Government and International Studies Kharchenko, Nadia Koshman, Valery (CGIS) is located at 1730 Cambridge St., Yambursky and Roman Bondarchuk. Join Cambridge, MA 02138. For more informa- us for the screening, followed by a tion contact HURI at 617-495-4053 or log thoughtful Q&A. The league is located at on to http://www.huri.harvard.edu/calen- the corner of 23rd and Brown streets (Art dar.htm. Museum area); tickets are $7. Log on to Monday, March 17 www.kinofilmproject.org for more infor- mation. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute is pleased to Friday-Saturday, March 7-8 announce that this year’s Vasyl and Maria CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Petryshyn Memorial Lecture will be given Ukrainian Research Institute in co-spon- by Giovanna Brogi Bercoff, professor of sorship with the Davis Center for Russian Slavistics, University of Milan. Her lec- and Eurasian Studies will host a confer- ture, “Canon and Culture in Early Modern ence “Reassessing Post-Soviet Energy Ukraine: The Baroque and Its Aftermath,” Politics: Ukraine, Russia and the Battle for will be held in Room S-020 (Belfer Case Gas from Central Asia to the European Study Room) of CGIS Building South at Union.” Session 1, “Actors, Agendas and 4-6 p.m. The South Building of the Center Interests,” will take place on Friday, for Government and International Studies March 7, at 9:15 a.m.-noon. Session 2, (CGIS) is located at 1730 Cambridge St., “Gas Trade and Energy Security: The Cambridge, MA 02138. For more informa- Impact on National and International tion contact HURI at 617-495-4053 or log Politics,” will take place at 2:15-5 p.m. on to http://www.huri.harvard.edu/calen- that same day. Session 2, “From Producer dar.htm. Being Ukrainian means: to Consumer: Transit, Prices and Informal Sunday, March 30 Institutions,” will take place on Saturday, March 8, at 9:15 a.m.-noon. All sessions JENKINTOWN, Pa.: A presentation and ❏ Malanka in January. will be held in the Belfer Case Study luncheon for the Ukrainian Catholic Room (Room S-020) of CGIS Building University will be held at 4 p.m. at the ❏ Debs in February. South. Speakers will include: Rawi Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, ❏ Abdelal, Margarita M. Balmaceda, Gene 700 Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Sviato Vesny/Zlet in May. Fishel, Marshall Goldman, Roman Tickets to the event cost $45; donations are ❏ Wedding of your roommate in June. Kupchinsky, Taras Kuzio, Martha Brill also welcome. All proceeds from the Olcott, Ferdinand Pavel, Carol Saivetz, luncheon will go to support the Ukrainian ❏ Tabir in July. Volodymyr Saprykin, Alla Yeriomenko, Catholic University. To purchase tickets, and other specialists from Ukraine, Russia, please send a check to: Philadelphia ❏ Volleyball at Wildwood in August. Europe and North America. The South Friends of the Ukrainian Catholic Building of the Center for Government University, P. O. Box 19, Huntingdon ❏ Labor Day at Soyuzivka in September. and International Studies (CGIS) is locat- Valley, PA 19006. For more information ed at 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, call 773-235-8462. All friends and support- ❏ Koliada in December. MA 02138. The event is open to the public ers of the Ukrainian Catholic University with online registration, which is available and the Ukrainian Catholic Education on http://www.huri.harvard.edu. For more Foundation, along with all other interested If you checked off more than one of the above, information contact HURI at 617-495- persons, are invited to this event. then you know what you’re doing to your brain cells. 4053 or [email protected]. Organizations are also most welcome. Now, how about doing something for your mind? Subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly. PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES: Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per submission) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community.

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