INSIDE: • On the campaign trail in the United States — page 6. • Ukrainian Catholic University establishes ties with Georgia — page 8. • Battle of Kruty recalled at commemorative program in Kyiv — page 13. HE KRAINIAN EEKLY T PublishedU by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW association Vol. LXXVI No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 $1/$2 in Ukraine Opposition forces continue to block Verkhovna Rada Yushchenko, Putin by Illya M. Labunka Kyiv Press Bureau meet in Moscow, KYIV – Opposition forces led by the Party of the Regions (PRU) continued to resolve gas crisis block the work of Ukraine’s Parliament by Illya M. Labunka for the fourth consecutive week as the standoff continued over the Ukrainian Kyiv Press Bureau government’s steps toward NATO. KYIV – In the middle of a parliamen- National deputies of the Party of the tary crisis at home, President Viktor Regions and the Communist Party of Yushchenko on February 12 flew to Ukraine (CPU) are protesting the Moscow for a two-day official visit to request for Ukraine to join NATO’s meet with his Russian counterpart to Membership Action Plan (MAP), which tackle, among other priorities, Ukraine’s was officially signed by President Viktor looming gas crisis. Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia That same day, Russia’s state energy Tymoshenko and Parliament Chairman giant Gazprom had threatened to cut off Arseniy Yatsenyuk on January 15. gas supplies to Ukraine by 6 p.m. unless Ever since the first session of the Ukraine agreed to immediately settle its Verkhovna Rada’s sixth convocation was debts. opened on November 23, 2007, Oleksander Kosarev/UNIAN As of November 2007, Ukraine owed Ukraine’s Parliament has been plagued Russia approximately $1.5 billion for gas by a series of blockades by parliamen- Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk waits for the deputies to unblock the Presidium in the Parliament. it had received. President Yushchenko tary opposition forces. By the end of managed to reach a deal with President November, only two of the scheduled of the PRU and the CPU stormed the sixth convocation. Vladimir Putin whereby the price of gas five plenary sessions had taken place, on Parliament’s podium and presidium and On February 4 CPU Petro Symonenko for 2008 would remain at $179.50 per November 23 and 29. plastered signs declaring “NATO will not vowed that his parliamentary faction and 1,000 cubic meters. Ukraine agreed that In January, although only six days pass.” the PRU would continue their policy of it would already start repaying its debt were set aside for deliberations in com- disrupting the Parliament’s agenda unless on February 14. mittee, only three plenary sessions were Beginning on January 18, the Parliament podium remained blocked a resolution was passed to call for a However, no topic caused more ten- held during the entire month, of which sion between the two leaders than until February 5, when Rada Chairman national referendum not merely before only one session proved fruitful for leg- Ukraine joins NATO, but before the Ukraine’s drive toward NATO member- Yatsenyuk reconvened Parliament in islative review of draft laws and resolu- NATO summit in Bucharest in April, at ship. In a remark during their joint tions. The other two plenary sessions in order to officially close the first session press conference, Mr. Putin said Russia January were paralyzed when members and to open the second session of the (Continued on page 11) would be compelled to redirect its mis- siles toward Ukraine if Ukraine were to join NATO. Mr. Putin added that Russian missiles Though closed for the off-season, much ado at “Suzy-Q” would be targeted at Ukraine in response PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Soyuzivka to book now for the summer season and to a possible deployment of a U.S. mis- may be closed to guests during the off- beyond.” As a matter of fact, he added, sile defense shield on the territory of season, but the Ukrainian heritage cen- the center has booked several functions Ukraine. “It is horrible to say and terri- ter located in Kerhonkson, N.Y., for May, even before the official kick- fying to think that Russia could target its nonetheless has been the scene of much off for the new season that will take missile systems at Ukraine,” added Mr. activity in recent months. Furthermore, place over the Memorial Day holiday Putin. as General Manager Nestor Paslawsky weekend. In addition, he said In response, President Yushchenko put it, “Everything is being done to Soyuzivka has eight to 10 weddings said he had realized coming into the improve and enhance Soyuzivka for our already booked for 2008 beginning in meeting that a number of “sensitive ‘hromada’ [community]” by the time it June. (Incidentally, an increasing inter- issues” would emerge over the course of reopens in May. est among brides to incorporate the latest talks regarding Ukraine’s steps Though it has officially been closed Ukrainian traditions in their weddings toward a Membership Action Plan with since mid-November, the center – popu- has been noted by Soyuzivka person- NATO, but that he hoped that such issues larly known as “Suzy-Q” – has nel.) could be dealt with through constructive remained open to take reservations for Veselka is being upgraded, from top dialogue, openness and trust. cultural programs, camps, vacations, to bottom, he continued. A new air con- “One must realize that everything weddings and special events at ditioning system is being installed, the Ukraine does in this direction is not in Soyuzivka. Plus, there are plenty of ren- bathrooms are being redone and a new any way directed at any third country, ovations now under way at Soyuzivka – state-of-the-art dance floor – suitable including Russia,” Mr. Yushchenko most notably to the Veselka pavilion, for use by the instructors and students Nestor Paslawsky, general manager underscored. He added that Ukraine the focal point of the center’s activity. of the extremely popular dance camps of Soyuzivka. follows “the principle that any nation has And then there is the matter of the co- and dance workshops of the Roma the right to define its own security. Our op development project planned for this Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Another enhancement will be a tent Constitution does not allow deployment beloved center of Ukrainian community Foundation – will be constructed. This erected over the area of the roller rink by a third country or bloc on Ukrainian life. year, Mr. Paslawsky explained, there that will provide yet another venue for territory.” So, is Soyuzivka really closed? will be eight weeks of such dance pro- Soyuzivka’s growing list of youth President Putin had welcomed The general manager commented grams at Soyuzivka. camps. “Our camps are so busy lately. Ukraine’s president to the Kremlin for that perhaps it’s more appropriate to say Working with the Ukrainian Athletic- We have three camps going on at one the latest round of talks that are part of Soyuzivka is “semi-closed.” Educational Association Chornomorska time – ‘Tabir Ptashat’ [for preschool- the second meeting of the Yushchenko- “We’re open to take reservations,” Sitch, Soyuzivka is looking to transform ers], Tennis Camp and Dance Camp,” Putin Commission formed in May 2005. said Mr. Paslawsky, adding, “so we its soccer field into one that will be a President Yushchenko’s delegation to advise Soyuzivka guests not to wait, but small regulation-size field. (Continued on page 18) (Continued on page 6) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS

Is a coalition possible between Putin threatens to target Ukraine ral-gas monopoly announced on February 7 that it may cut supplies of MOSCOW – President Vladimir Russian gas to Ukraine if Kyiv does not Tymoshenko and Yanukovych? Putin, speaking at a joint news confer- pay off its estimated $1.5 billion in gas ence on February 12 with President by Pavel Korduban Ms. Tymoshenko did not deny her debts by February 11, Agence France- Viktor Yushchenko, who was on an offi- comment, but she said she had been mis- Presse reported. The news agency quoted Eurasia Daily Monitor cial visit to Moscow, warned Ukraine understood. She meant nothing more Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov against pursuing membership in NATO, In a recent television interview than the hypothetical possibility of coop- as saying that only supplies of Russian- which the Kremlin considers a hostile Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia eration on selected issues with the PRU produced natural gas will be affected, Tymoshenko raised the possibility of a alliance that seeks to encircle Russia. He while those from Central Asian countries, as an opposition party, she said. Her said that possible membership “is of coalition between her eponymous bloc press secretary, Maryna Soroka, said that which supply most of Ukraine’s gas, will and the Party of the Regions (PRU) of course Ukraine’s internal [affair]... and not. Still, newsru.com reported on the words quoted by Ukrayinska Pravda we do not have the right to interfere and former Prime Minister Viktor were meant as a joke. The PRU cannot February 7 that exports of Central Asian Yanukovych. Ms. Tymoshenko later tried will not interfere in this process. [But] gas to Ukraine at their current levels are fulfill the conditions mentioned by Ms. that raises the question for Russia of the to downplay her comment, saying she Tymoshenko in any case, according to insufficient to cover the country’s needs, had been misunderstood. But her words need for retaliatory actions.” Mr. Putin and that RosUkrEnergo, the Swiss-regis- Ms. Soroka. also cautioned Ukraine against joining were taken quite seriously by both her Our Ukraine, however, took Ms. tered gas trader that supplies gas to current allies, President Viktor the proposed U.S. missile-defense pro- Ukraine, has been buying gas from Tymoshenko’s words very seriously. gram, which Russia believes is directed Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine (OU), and the “Our bloc will demand explanations from Russia at a premium – $314.7 per 1,000 PRU. against it. Mr. Putin said that “it is horri- cubic meters – to make up the shortfall. Ms. Tymoshenko,” said OU chairman ble to say and even horrible to think that, Prime Minister Tymoshenko’s slip of Viacheslav Kyrylenko. He noted that a Gazprom stressed in a statement that a the tongue – or whatever it was – has in response to the deployment of such cutoff of Russian gas will not “impact on YTB-PRU coalition would violate the facilities on Ukrainian territory, which been interpreted as a signal to President promises that OU and the YTB had made supplies to Gazprom’s other customers in Yushchenko that if the tug-of-war cannot theoretically be ruled out, Russia Europe.” At the beginning of 2006 to their voters ahead of the September could target its missile systems at between the Cabinet and the presidential 2007 parliamentary elections. Gazprom cut all gas supplies to Ukraine team continues, the coalition may be Ukraine. Imagine this, just for a second.” in a pricing dispute that disrupted sup- The PRU interpreted Ms. President Putin and other top Russian reconfigured. Tymoshenko’s words as a sign of insur- plies to the European Union. (RFE/RL Ukrayinska Pravda was the first to officials have made similar threats Newsline) mountable difficulties in the YTB-OU against Poland and the Czech Republic if report Ms. Tymoshenko’s remarks about coalition. “The parliamentary majority the possibility of a different coalition, they participate in missile defense. In Tymoshenko vows to avert cutoff has proved unviable, which confirms a response to Mr. Putin’s comments on quoting an interview by EuroNews TV, a warning by the PRU that disregard for KYIV – Ukrainian Prime Minister French-based pan-European news chan- possible NATO membership for Ukraine, the position of our party in the process of Mr. Yushchenko said on February 12 that Yulia Tymoshenko said on February 7 nel. Speaking to EuroNews on her visit forming a coalition and the Cabinet that “there will be no problems in natu- to Brussels on January 29, Ms. “you understand full well that everything would paralyze the work of the that Ukraine does in this direction is not ral-gas supplies to Ukraine,” RFE/RL’s Tymoshenko was asked if it would be Parliament and the executive,” according Ukrainian Service reported. Ms. possible for the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc in any way directed at any third country, to a PRU statement. including Russia.” In Kyiv, Ukraine’s Tymoshenko was responding to a state- (YTB) to form a coalition with the PRU. The PRU blocked Parliament in ment by Gazprom spokesman Sergei “Yes, but on our conditions,” she replied. former defense minister, Anatolii January, protesting the government’s Hrytsenko, said that “if [Putin] is afraid, Kupriyanov, who said that the Russian “This would include implementing a 20- intention to pursue a NATO Membership gas giant intends to cut off gas supplies point plan to deal with murky schemes in then fear will prevent him from taking Action Plan. This not only prevented the ill-considered steps against Ukraine. We to Ukraine on February 11 if Ukraine politics and the economy. If the PRU is legislature from passing important bills, fails to pay its debts for gas already ready for this, then it is welcome.” are an independent state and will make but also made it impossible to close the our decisions regardless of what others delivered, or fails to sign the required However, those words are missing new Parliament’s first session properly. say.” In Washington, U.S. State contracts and agreements for future from the transcript of Ms. Tymoshenko’s The PRU has not concealed its plans to Department spokesman Sean deliveries. Former Fuel and Energy interview on the EuroNews website, and play up differences between President McCormack said on February 12 in Minister Yurii Boiko noted that “as of they apparently were never aired. But Yushchenko and Prime Minister regard to Mr. Putin’s threat against January 2008, Ukraine is consuming nat- Ukrayinska Pravda said that it had quot- Tymoshenko in order to destroy the cur- Ukraine: “There he goes again,” news ural gas without signed documents,” ed from the original audio file of the rent coalition. agencies reported. This is an apparent adding, “There are neither agreements interview, which it had obtained via its allusion to a well-known phrase used by nor payments. Such a situation cannot own sources. (Continued on page 22) former President Ronald Reagan. last for a long time.” Ms. Tymoshenko (RFE/RL Newsline) pledged to solve “all these matters,” and reiterated her intention to remove inter- Gazprom threatens cutoff of supplies mediaries from the gas supply process. Yulia Tymoshenko reaches out MOSCOW – Russia’s Gazprom natu- (Continued on page 14) in meeting with foreign investors by Taras Kuzio European Peoples Party – European HE KRAINIAN EEKLY FOUNDED 1933 Democrats (EPP-ED) political group in T U W Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko held January. Our Ukraine is already an associ- An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a two-hour meeting in Kyiv on January 24 ate member of the EPP-ED, thereby mak- a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. with 250 foreign investors. The meeting ing both parts of the Orange parliamentary Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. came ahead of Ms. Tymoshenko’s January coalition allied to the European Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. 28-29 visit to Brussels where she met Parliament’s largest political group. (ISSN — 0273-9348) European Union and NATO officials. The In Kyiv and Brussels, Prime Minister EU is Ukraine’s market and trading partner Tymoshenko outlined her government’s The Weekly: UNA: with a trade turnover in 2006 of $39.3 bil- priority of increasing transparency through Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 lion (U.S.) the Tymoshenko Transparency Initiative Postmaster, send address changes to: Ms. Tymoshenko spoke to the Foreign (TTI) and improving the struggle against Affairs Committee of the European The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz corruption. Ms. Tymoshenko offered to 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas Parliament, chaired by Polish Member of cooperate with the EU on European energy the European Parliament (MEP) Jacek P.O. Box 280 security, principally through offering to Parsippany, NJ 07054 Saryusz-Wolski. The committee and the cooperate on alternative energy supplies European Parliament have strongly backed from Russia. The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] Ukraine’s membership in the EU via three The Kyiv meeting with foreign resolutions passed since the Orange investors included speeches by government The Ukrainian Weekly, February 17, 2008 No. 7, Vol. LXXVI Revolution of 2004. ministers, followed by comments from the Copyright © 2008 The Ukrainian Weekly Ms. Tymoshenko’s Fatherland Party European Business Association (EBA), the became an associate member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and European Parliament’s center-right Development (EBRD), and Ernst and ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Young, one of the world’s big four auditing Dr. Taras Kuzio is a research associ- companies. The meeting put into practice Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 ate and former visiting professor at the the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc’s (YTB) e-mail: [email protected] Institute for European, Russian and September 10, 2007, “Contract with Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Eurasian Studies, George Washington Investors” that was launched during the e-mail: [email protected] University, and a senior research fellow 2007 pre-term election campaign. Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 at the Chair of Ukrainian Studies, e-mail: [email protected] University of Toronto. (Continued on page 21) No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 3 NEWS ANALYSIS: Medvedev is no democratic alternative for Russia by Rob Coalson age of Mr. Medvedev’s christening sim- torate bestows legitimacy on the elected, Of course, it is too much to expect RFE/RL Newsline ply: “100 Times Better Than Ivanov.” politicians must state their positions pub- that, prior to assuming power, Mr. Leaders of the opposition Union of licly before they are elected. Mr. Medvedev would break with the current It isn’t hard to find examples of the Rightist Forces were harshly critical of Medvedev, however, is taking a different system, even if he were secretly bent on, Russian first deputy prime minister and the Byzantine way in which Mr. tack, playing by the rules of a corrupted as he said in Davos, “building new insti- all-but-certain presidential successor, Medvedev is being brought to power, but system. He has declined to participate in tutions based on the fundamental princi- Dmitry Medvedev, making sweeping offered relatively little criticism of the election debates. He has failed to speak ples of full democracy.” But he has clear- affirmations of liberal values. man himself. out against the state media, which are ly passed on many opportunities to make “Today we are building new institu- Mr. Medvedev won plaudits again last giving him exponentially more coverage forceful declarations in favor of those tions based on the fundamental principles month with his first major campaign than they are granting his opponents. He principles. of full democracy,” Mr. Medvedev told event, a speech before Kremlin-friendly has watched silently as rigged election And there are signs that the public, the World Economic Forum in Davos in civil-society activists. During that laws have been used to sideline former although resigned to Mr. Medvedev’s 2007, making a point of speaking this address, Mr. Medvedev – a lawyer by Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and ascendancy and pleased with the prospect paragraph of his speech in English. “This training – lamented Russia’s tradition of others who sought to participate in the of continued stability, is not convinced democracy requires no additional defini- “legal nihilism,” a curse that “goes back presidential election. He has said nothing by his democratic pronouncements. A tion. This democracy is effective and is to the dawn of time in Russia.” Mr. as opposition figures have been harassed poll last month asked voters to character- based on the principles of the market Medvedev noted that Russia exceeds all and jailed, and rallies violently broken ize Mr. Medvedev. About 40 percent of economy, supremacy of the law and gov- European countries in terms of “disre- up. respondents mentioned his “intellect,” ernment that is accountable to the rest of gard for the law,” both on the part of citi- He has, in short, accepted the advan- while the same number touted his “pro- society. We are fully aware that no unde- zens and of officials. tages of an undemocratic, nihilistic sys- fessionalism.” Just 11 percent, however, mocratic country has ever become truly However, he offered no solutions to tem as if they were his due. cited his “honesty.” prosperous, and this for the simple reason the problem, saying merely, “We need to that it is better to have freedom than not understand clearly: if we want to become to have it.” a civilized state, first of all we need to For those who missed the message the become a lawful one.” In a subsequent OSCE says restrictions force cancellation first time around, this excerpt is featured speech to the Association of Lawyers of prominently at the top of the English-lan- Russia, Mr. Medvedev said the key to guage page of Mr. Medvedev’s campaign overcoming legal nihilism lies in organ- of election observation mission to Russia website (http://www.medvedev2008.ru). izing “a system of legal education that Organization for Security pens on Election Day. The Copenhagen So, too, is a translated version of a July reaches out to schools, universities and and Cooperation in Europe Document makes this clear, committing 2007 interview with Ekspert, in which the media, getting them all involved.” In states on fundamental issues such as the Mr. Medvedev opines that “adding words the speech to civil-society advocates, he WARSAW – The Office for right of citizens to seek public office, to further define the term ‘democracy’ paid lip service to the idea of “a powerful Democratic Institutions and Human their right to establish, in full freedom, creates an odd aftertaste and gives rise to and independent media,” but speaking to Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for their own political parties, to conduct the thought that perhaps what is meant is the lawyers he said a key component of Security and Cooperation in Europe political campaigning in a fair atmos- some kind of different, unconventional his legal-education system will be a new (OSCE) on February 2 announced that phere without administrative obstacles, democracy.” state-controlled television channel, Law restrictions imposed on its planned elec- and access to the media on a non-dis- Observers often note that Mr. TV. tion observation mission will not allow it criminatory basis. Therefore, the time Medvedev’s advocacy of a democracy Expanding the state media sector to to deploy a mission to the March 2 presi- frame set by Russian authorities has that “requires no additional definition” combat legal nihilism shows a distinct dential election in Russia. already prevented us from observing would seem to be a rejection of the semi- lack of imagination that could ultimately “We made every effort in good faith to many important parts of the election official ideology of “sovereign democra- doom Mr. Medvedev’s efforts, even if he deploy our mission, even under the con- process, beginning with the registration cy” that is the brainchild of President is sincere. Fundamentally, however, ditions imposed by the Russian authori- of candidates and aspects of the cam- Vladimir Putin’s deputy chief of staff, there’s good reason to believe he’s not. ties,” said Ambassador Christian Strohal, paign, including the work of the media,” Vladislav Surkov, and that is seen as the Mr. Medvedev was right to note in his ODIHR’s director. “We have a responsi- Mr. Strohal underlined. philosophical justification for the rapid- speech to civil-society activists that legal bility to all 56 participating states to ful- In response to the restrictions set, fire consolidation of government power nihilism is a product of deep-seated public fill our mandate, and the Russian ODIHR outlined minimal parameters nec- within Mr. Putin’s power vertical. cynicism, a cynicism that has been culti- Federation has created limitations that essary for effective, though limited, obser- When Mr. Medvedev was anointed as vated by centuries of inept, closed and are not conducive to undertaking election vation in the Russian Federation. In its President Putin’s successor in January, unaccountable government. But he seems observation in accordance with it.” response on February 1, Russia’s Central many were cautiously optimistic that a unwilling or unable to accept that he has Russia, as all OSCE states, has com- Election Commission replied that it could new political trend could be in the offing, now become a key component of that mitted to inviting international observers not meet those minimal parameters and although no one believed the heir would unaccountable system, and a key benefici- for its elections and also mandated that ODIHR’s intention to deploy its mis- stray far from the Putin line. The naming ary of it. As a result, his declarations – to ODIHR, in 1994, to “play an enhanced sion in this already compressed time of the relatively liberal technocrat was the extent that anyone pays attention to role in election monitoring, before, dur- frame “could not be seen as a positive welcomed as a favorable alternative to them in the context of a political system ing and after elections.” Yet, contrary to step, taking into account our fundamental “silovik” Deputy Prime Minister Sergei where everything is predetermined – standard practice, Russia did not accept position.” Consequently, visas for mem- Ivanov or other hard-line presidential merely add to the public’s distrust. an ODIHR planning mission that would bers of the advance team were denied. also-rans. Gazeta.ru headlined its cover- In democratic systems where the elec- have been conducted in December 2007 “What is true for every election is also in order to determine the scope of a true for this one: transparency strength- potential observation mission. While ens democracy; politics behind closed Russia eventually invited ODIHR on doors weakens it,” Mr. Strohal added. “I OSCE official urges parliamentarians January 28, it set severe restrictions on regret this development and hope that the the composition and duration of the mis- Russian authorities can find their way sion, also contrary to previous Russian back to unimpeded cooperation with the to step up fight against human trafficking elections observed. ODIHR and its long-established election observation mandate.” Organization for Security vent human trafficking and bring perpe- “An election is more than what hap- and Cooperation in Europe trators to justice. Lack of information and a disjointed response were named as rea- VIENNA – The OSCE Special sons that human trafficking continues. Representative and Coordinator for Ms. Biaudet urged parliamentarians to Russian opposition journalist Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, call for a day of national reflection on Eva Biaudet, said on February 12 in human trafficking. “A day of national is granted asylum in Ukraine Vienna that parliamentarians have a cru- reflection during which parliamentarians cial role to play in the fight against traf- from different segments come together to RFE/RL after he left his homeland. ficking. discuss and contribute towards concrete In an interview with RFE/RL’s PRAGUE – Ukrainian officials say they “The role of Parliament in the fight policies and results is needed to curb this Russian Service, Mr. Kosvintsev, who have granted asylum to a Russian journal- against human trafficking is not only to crime. We should be more ambitious and now lives in Kyiv, said a campaign of ist who alleges harassment in his home discuss and amend national legislation, mark today as our day of reflection. We harassment and threatening phone calls country after he took up a leadership role but also a vehicle for national reflection should come together in the near future as began after he took over the local United with a political opposition group. on how to change the situation,” said the a true global forum, bringing our contribu- Civic Front branch in August 2005. Aleksandr Kosvintsev was editor-in- official of the Organization for Security tions, challenges and achievements in the “I received a very serious warning chief of the newspaper Russian Reporter, and Cooperation in Europe in her address battle against human trafficking,” she said. from people working in the law-enforce- in Russia’s Kemerovo Oblast, and also to participants from 116 countries at the “Human trafficking takes many forms, ment agencies, telling me to be careful, headed the Kemerovo branch of Garry first global Parliamentary Forum to fight and exists side-by-side with other unlaw- not to travel alone, that I was going to be Kasparov’s United Civic Front opposi- human trafficking. The event is part of ful activities such as illegal migration, beaten up by some people dressed as tion organization. the U.N. Global Initiative to Fight forced labor, pedophilia, child exploita- police – or that they would plant drugs The Ukrainian state migration service Human Trafficking. tion, civil conflicts and organized prosti- [in my pocket],” Mr. Kosvintsev said. in Lviv Oblast announced last week that Participants at the Vienna forum dis- tution. It is a violation of human rights Mr. Kosvintsev added that he thinks cussed practical measures to increase the and it is very complex, so there is no Mr. Kosvintsev had been granted asylum effectiveness of measures aiming to pre- quick solution,” she stated. in late December 2007 roughly a year (Continued on page 19) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 Lonhyn Cehelsky remembered for his historic role in 1918-1919 JENKINTOWN Pa. – Dr. Lonhyn Cehelsky, a lawyer, journalist and political leader who was state sec- retary of internal affairs for the Western Ukrainian National Republic, was remembered here on January 21, on the eve of the 89th anniversary of the historic Act of Union of January 22, 1919. The 1919 act unified the Western Ukrainian National Republic (WUNR) and the Ukrainian National Republic (UNR). Dr. Cehelsky and Dmytro Levytsky had signed the initial agreement with the UNR Directory on the union of the two republics on December 1, 1918. In January 1919 Dr. Cehelsky was appointed director of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs for the Western Province of UNR and deputy foreign minister of the UNR. It was Dr. Cehelsky who on January 22, 1919, at Kyiv’s St. Sophia Square read out the decision of the WUNR’s National Rada to unite with the UNR into one sovereign Ukrainian state. Dr. Cehelsky’s historic role was recalled by a group of Ukrainian and Ukrainian American activists who gathered in Jenkintown, Pa., at his gravesite at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The event was organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States and the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York. The group placed flowers at the grave of the well- known political leader, and clergy of the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches led a prayer for Ukraine. Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Oleh Shamshur, as well as several leaders of the local Andrii Olefirov Ukrainian American community, spoke on the occasion. Members of Ukraine’s diplomatic corps in the United States, headed by Ambassador Oleh Shamshur (first According to the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Dr. row, third from left), and Ukrainian American community activists gathered at the gravesite of Lonhyn Cehelsky was a founder of the Academic Hromada Cehelsky in Jenkintown, Pa. while studying law at Lviv University. He was editor of the journal Moloda Ukrayina (1900-1902), had ties with World War I broke out he joined the Supreme Ukrainian He was sent to the United States in 1920 as a repre- the Revolutionary Ukrainian Party and was among the Council, the Combat Board of the Ukrainian Sich sentative of the WUNR government by President organizers of the agrarian strike of 1902 in Halychyna. Riflemen and the General Ukrainian Council. He was Yevhen Petrushevych and settled in Philadelphia. Dr. Later he edited Dilo (1908), Svoboda (1907-1908) and active in the Union for the Liberation of Ukraine and Cehelsky became active in the Ukrainian American Ukrayinske Slovo (1915-1918) and was active in poli- authored numerous political pamphlets and articles. In community and was one of the founders and vice-presi- tics at the same time. 1918 he became a member of the Ukrainian National dent of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. He was elected to the Austrian Parliament in 1907 Rada and state secretary of internal affairs for the His memoirs, titled “From Legend to Truth,” were pub- and 1911 and to the Diet of Halychyna in 1913. Once Western Ukrainian National Republic. lished in the Ukrainian language in 1960.

IN THE PRESS The Washington Times editorial on Lev Dobriansky “Lev Dobriansky,” editorial, The Washington Times, Thereafter, he worked to ensure that – despite the shifting Dr. Lev Dobriansky’s – denying the legitimacy of the February 9: political winds in Washington and the ebb and flow of Soviet empire, validating their aspirations and predicting U.S.-Soviet relations – Congress and the White House their eventual triumph. …” “It is rare that a man dreams big, dedicates his life to a would celebrate it annually for nearly five decades. He also project and sees it to fruition before his death. Yet, this is tirelessly lectured, testified and wrote about how truly frag- precisely what happened with Lev E. Dobriansky, a schol- ile the Soviet empire was, urging that U.S. policy toward ar, educator, American patriot, and, above all else, a relent- Moscow must take this into account. Ukrainian American wins less anti-Communist, who died on Jan. 30 at the age of 89. “Most of Washington’s foreign policy ‘realists’ were “…The most important part of his career… was fusing dismissive, expecting the Soviet Union to endure. They intellectual thought with political activism. It was animated were proven wrong and Lev Dobriansky was proven in Maryland’s GOP primary by a heartfelt belief that the old Communist-controlled right. … Soviet Union was a prison of nations and that this arrange- “While the collapse of Soviet communism had many PARSIPPANY, N.J. – In his quest for a seat in the U.S. ment was so inimical to the human spirit and the desire of causes, the forces of nationalism and the desire for self- Congress, State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Baltimore County), people for self-governance that it would not last. determination were among the most important of them. We was victorious in the Republican Party primary in “He authored the ‘Captive Nations Week Resolution,’ are also told by many of the former Soviet dissidents and Maryland on Tuesday, February 12. espousing these sentiments and pledging the support of the freedom fighters how important in their long struggle The Washington Post reported that he defeated veteran American people, and had it passed by Congress in 1959. against communism were voices in the United States – like U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in the 1st Congressional District, as well as another candidate, State Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne’s). According to the Post, Dr. Harris, who was surrounded The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: January by reporters as he walked onto the Maryland Senate floor on the day after the elections, said the 43 percent of the Amount Name City Peter Woloschuk Dorchester, Mass. vote he received in a multiple-candidate primary against an $250.00 UNA Branch 125 Chicago, Ill. $10.00 Jerry Kuc Shokan, N.Y. incumbent sent a strong message. Sisterhood of Zenia Kuzel Rochester, N.Y. “That’s a pretty resounding endorsement of our message Annunciation $5.00 Michael Dzwinka North Port, Fla. in the primary,” he said. “The message is a fiscally conser- $100.00 John Nowadly Fairfax, Va. Mary Gaboda Belvidere, Vt. vative Republican is the best choice for that district.” George Pryjma Glenview, Ill. Merle and Bonnie Toledo, Ohio Dr. Harris, a physician, is a Ukrainian American whose $50.00 Oksana Zakydalsky Toronto, Ont. Jurkiewicz mother, Irene (née Koczerzuk) Harris, hails from Ukraine. $40.00 Wasyl Gina New Haven, Conn. Chrystyna Lysobey Cherry Hill, N.J. He has been a state senator since 1998 and serves on the $35.00 Ulana Sos San Antonio, Tex. Adrian Shepelavey Silver Spring, Md. Health Subcommittee and the Joint Committee on Health $25.00 Andrij Baran Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Stephania Tatchyn Timonium, Md. Care Delivery and Financing. Taras Kolomeychuk Neebing, Ont. He has a full-time medical practice and is an associate Chrystyna Nebesh Parma, Ohio TOTAL: $840.00 professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Vera and Alexander Pickerington, Ohio Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is affiliated with his alma Pokora Sincere thanks to all contributors to mater, Johns Hopkins University. In addition to his M.D. $20.00 Jean Ochrym Etobicoke, Ont. The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. degree, Dr. Harris has a master’s in health policy and Orest Shegda St. Catharines, Ont. management. $15.00 Bohdan Golda Linden, N.J. The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only fund He was endorsed by The Washington Times and a for- Natalia Lonchyna Raleigh, N.C. dedicated exclusively to supporting the work of this mer governor of Maryland, Robert Ehrlich. Eli Matiash Aliquippa, Pa. publication. Dr. Harris will face Democrat Frank Kratovil, state’s Eugene Repeta Warren, Mich. attorney in Queen Anne’s County, in the November elec- tion for Congress. No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 5

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM UNA Branch 75 in Michigan Svoboda Press releases convenes its annual meeting 2008 Almanac of the UNA PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The 2008 Almanac of the Ukrainian National Association, which is released annually by the Svoboda Press, is on its way to subscribers of the Ukrainian-language weekly Svoboda. This year’s almanac is dedicated first and foremost to the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Kruty, where a contingent of sev- eral hundred young men led by Capt. Ahapii Honcharenko attempted to block the advance on Kyiv of Mikhail Muraviev’s 4,000-strong Bolshevik unit. Thus, the first section of the Ukrainian- language volume contains several articles and poetry about the historic battle that is remembered as a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. As well, it contains an excerpt from Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s remarks at the funeral of members of the Cover of the 2008 Almanac of the Student Battalion of the Sich Riflemen. Ukrainian National Association. WARREN, Mich. – Branch 75 of the Ukrainian National Association held its annual Other chapters in the UNA Almanac meeting on January 27 and elected new officers. In the photo above are partici- are devoted to historical figures and The editor of the 2008 Almanac of the pants of the meeting with the newly elected officers: (seated from right) Alexandra places; ethnology; current politics; the Ukrainian National Association is Petro Lawrin, secretary/treasurer; Dr. Alexander Serafyn, president; Lesia Florchuk, Holodomor, or Famine-Genocide of Chasto, an editor on the staff of Svoboda. vice-president; and Roman Lazarchuk, meeting secretary. 1932-1933; the displaced persons of the The cover design is by Stepan Slutsky. post-World War II era; and notable per- Readers who would like to purchase a sons and jubilees. A section titled “Other copy of the latest Almanac of the Countries, Other Nations,” featuring arti- Ukrainian National Association may call Young UNA’ers cles about Brazil, Argentina and Japan, 973-292-9800, ext. 3042. The price of rounds out the volume. the almanac is $15.

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Sponsors an Awards and Scholarship Program to UNA student members attending college in academic year 2008-2009

The UNA Scholarship program for UNA student members offers 2 programs: An Awards Program and a Scholarship Program.

UNA Awards Program: these awards are assigned by the Scholarship Committee, designating a set amount to each year depending on the total amount assigned for the awards. The applicant must comply with all rules and qualifications. UNA Scholarship Program: offers scholarship to active UNA members completing Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years in college. Specific Scholarships: Dr. Susan Galandiuk, In momeory of Drs. Maria & Demetrius Jarosewycz, Vera Stangl, Joseph Wolk and the Ukrainian National Home Corp. of Blackstone. Each Scholarship has special requirements that the student applicant must comply with.

• Scholarships and awards will be granted to UNDERGRADUATE students attending accredited colleges or universities, studying towards their first bachelor’s degree, and to Mykola Quinn Staruch, son of Adrian One-year-old Oliver Thomas Molls, High School graduates entering colleges. T. Staruch and Erin E. Carlin of son of Thomas and Trini Molls of • Applications for UNA SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS or UNA AWARDS will be accepted Alexandria, Va., is a new member of Sacramento, Calif., is a new member from students who have been ACTIVE UNA MEMBERS for at least TWO YEARS by UNA Branch 172. He was enrolled by of UNA Branch 358. He was enrolled June 1st of the filing year. his grandparents Theophil T. and by his grandparents Vera Hrabec Aristida Staruch. Molls and Frank Molls. • Applications and required enclosures must be sent to the UNA in ONE MAILING and be postmarked not later than June 1, 2008. Do you have a young UNA’er, or potential young • Incomplete and/or late entries will automatically be disqualified. UNA’er in your family? UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC., Call the UNA Home Office, 973-292-9800, SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE to find out how to enroll. 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054

Please send me a scholarship application for the 2008/2009 academic year. Dear Students, UNA Members: (please print or type) Name (in English) ______

Now you can download UNA scholarship Name (in Ukrainian) ______applications from our website Address ______

www.unamember.com City ______State ______Zip Code ______

under “Membership Benefits.” Tel. ______E-mail ______

Web: ______I am a member of UNA BRANCH # ______

THE UNA: 114 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 On the campaign trail THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Candidate for the Republican presi- Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia dential nomination Sen. John McCain Tymoshenko and Parliament Chairman Vlad the intimidator (R-Ariz.) on February 8 spoke about Arseniy Yatsenyuk to declare Ukraine’s On February 12, at a joint press conference during the official visit of Ukrainian NATO’s expansion in Europe, in advance readiness to advance a Membership President Viktor Yushchenko to Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of the alliance’s summit in Bucharest, as Action Plan (MAP) with NATO. Ukraine against joining NATO. Furthermore, he threatened to target missiles at well as Georgia’s and Ukraine’s aspira- The extension of NATO membership Ukraine if it joins NATO and signs on to the U.S. missile defense shield. “It is horrible tions for a NATO Membership Action to new democracies in Europe has helped to say and terrifying to think that Russia could target its missile systems at Ukraine, in Plan. Sen. McCain stated: create a zone of peace and prosperity response to deployment of such installations on Ukrainian territory. Imagine this for a Georgia and Ukraine have expressed across Europe and enhanced NATO’s moment. This is what worries us,” Mr. Putin said. their desire for a NATO Membership military capability by facilitating contri- Two days later, the Russian president played the role of the much-misunderstood Action Plan. We should offer it to them at butions from new members. I therefore world leader. Speaking at a press conference he said: “Our experts believe that [the the summit. These two nations have applaud the Ukrainian leaders’ commit- missile-defense] system threatens our national security and, if it appears, we will be every right to aspire to democracy and ment to deepening the democratic forced to react in an adequate fashion. We will then be forced to retarget some of our security as other states closer to the heart reforms required of all NATO members missile-defense system toward these objects that threaten us. We didn’t start this. We of Europe. Ukraine and Georgia have dif- and to undertaking new responsibilities ask for this not to be done, but nobody listens to us. …We just warn in advance: if you ficult neighbors and domestic challenges; in their relationship with the alliance. take this step, then we will be forced to act like that.” they are young democracies and their The Ukrainian leadership’s determination So, you see, Russia is just forced by circumstances beyond its control to issue road ahead will be difficult. But they to foster national unity and consult the threats to peace-loving nations... Surely Russia must feel threatened by Ukraine, should know that we will support them Ukrainian people on the question of which willingly relinquished its nuclear arsenal in the early 1990s after declaring in every step of the way, and we can show Ukraine’s future in NATO demonstrates 1990 – in its Declaration on State Sovereignty – that it aspired to be a nuclear-free them this by supporting their aspirations the importance they place on national state that would not accept, would not produce and would not procure nuclear at Bucharest. unity and open, democratic debate. weapons. NATO’s upcoming summit in But, we must note, the Russian president has quite a track record of such threats. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), candidate Bucharest in April 2008 is a critical Mr. Putin’s unequivocal warnings to Ukraine echoed those he had issued earlier to for the Democratic Party’s nomination opportunity to continue to build the Poland and the Czech Republic. for president, on January 28 released a Europe “whole and free” that has been What really hurts Mr. Putin though – and goes against his vision of Russia as a statement on Ukraine’s readiness to the goal of all recent U.S. presidents. I country that has, in his words, “returned to the world stage as a strong state” – is that advance a Membership Action Plan call on President [George W.] Bush and Ukraine, once a “fraternal republic of the USSR,” would dare to conduct an independ- (MAP) with NATO: all of NATO’s leaders to seize that oppor- ent foreign policy that steers its course away from Russia. Clearly, Mr. Putin is using I welcome the decision by President tunity. scare-mongering and intimidation tactics targeting Ukraine’s leaders and its people in order to halt Ukraine’s ever-increasing orientation toward the West. In response to the bellicose comments of his host, President Yushchenko calmly replied that Ukraine’s desire to join NATO should not be seen as a threat to Russia. “Anything Ukraine is doing in the Western direction is on no account aimed against some third country, not to mention Russia.” However, let there be no mistake: the threat uttered by Mr. Putin was real and it should not be pooh-poohed by commentators, spokespersons and pundits. (Comments like that of State Department spokesman Sean McCormack – who said of Mr. Putin, “There he goes again” – while they cleverly channel Ronald Reagan, are hardly an adequate response.) U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s reaction was much more appropriate. Speaking on February 13 before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, she stat- ed: “The unhelpful and, really, I will use a different word, reprehensible rhetoric that is coming out of Moscow is unacceptable.” She added, “The Soviet Union… is gone forever, and I hope that Russia understands that. We are absolutely devoted to the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine and of other states that were once a part of the Soviet Union.” Ukraine, we are certain, will stay the course it has chosen. And its people, we are certain, understand whence Mr. Putin’s threats originate.

Feb Turning the pages back...

22 Four years ago, on the occasion of the Ukrainian National Association’s 110th anniversary, The Ukrainian Weekly pub- 2004 lished the texts from three editorials marking the 50th, 75th and 100th anniversaries of the UNA. Mykola Lazarenko From the organization’s early beginnings in Shamokin, Pa., President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin in in 1894, with the primary purpose of providing insurance protection to the families of Moscow during a meeting of the Yushchenko-Putin Commission on February 12. Ukrainian coal miners, the UNA has grown to take on new challenges by providing its members with modern financial tools for the future and keeping the Ukrainian commu- as well as the need to begin the demarca- nity strong through its newspapers, The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda. Yushchenko, Putin... tion of the Ukrainian-Russian border. In the early years, the UNA was responsible for an intensive educational campaign (Continued from page 1) Also covered was the need to resume and targeted at Ukrainian immigrants, which stressed the benefits of American citizenship. accelerate negotiations on the operations This would later be recognized as pivotal in the Ukrainian community’s contributions Moscow included the Chair of Ukraine’s of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and the issue during times of war. During second world war, on the initiative of the UNA, the National Security and Defense Council of its stationing on Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian community purchased over $10 million in War Bonds. Raisa Bohatyriova, Minister of Foreign The results of the talks were formally With the 75th anniversary theme “In Tribute to Pioneers – With Eyes Toward Youth,” Affairs Volodymyr Ohryzko, First Vice the UNA added new programs to benefit the Ukrainian community and called upon the Prime Minister Oleksander Turchynov, solidified when the leaders of both coun- Ukrainian youth to provide ideas and energy to assure the UNA’s continued growth. The Minister of Education and Science Ivan tries agreed to sign the Action Plan of new programs included scholarships and support of student and youth-oriented projects, Vakarchuk and Minister of Defense Yurii 2008, aiming to develop a strategic part- including the Federation of Ukrainian Student Organizations in America (SUSTA). Yekhanurov. nership on the basis of friendship and Additional projects in which the UNA played a key role were the erection of the Mr. Yushchenko said at the outset of mutual profitability, deepening Russian- Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington, the creation of the World Congress of Free the talks that Russia was, is and will Ukrainian cooperation in trade, as well as Ukrainians (today known as the Ukrainian World Congress), the establishment of remain a strategic partner with which in the energy and agricultural sectors, Ukrainian studies chairs and the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University, and Ukraine would develop close, fruitful engineering, transportation, communica- the publication of numerous books, including Mykhailo Hrushevsky’s “History of relations. The Ukrainian president also tion industry, aviation and science. Ukraine” and Robert Conquest’s “The Harvest of Sorrow.” stressed that a large-scale 26-point plan Following his three-and-one-half hour After Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the UNA established the first full-time Kyiv- of action had been prepared for the bilat- meeting with President Putin, President based press bureau to serve a Western news outlet – The Ukrainian Weekly’s Kyiv Press eral meeting and that it was his hope the Yushchenko also had the opportunity to Bureau. plan would be signed following the meet- visit the Ukrainian Cultural Center in “With reverence for the past, with a vision for the future” – the motto for the UNA ing of the Yushchenko-Putin Moscow, where he met with representa- centennial celebration – continues to be a relevant framework for the UNA in its next Commission. tives of Ukraine’s diaspora in Russia. century of work. In addition to resolving the gas crisis, Before returning to Kyiv on February the two leaders also discussed such 13, Mr. Yushchenko also laid flowers at Source: “UNA anniversaries for the past: a look back at 1944, 1969 and 1994,” The issues as the delimitation of the Sea of the foot of the statue of Taras Ukrainian Weekly, February 22, 2004. Azov, the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait, Shevchenko in the Russian capital. No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 7

TheThe thingsthings wewe do...do... Faces and Places by Myron B. Kuropas by Orysia Paszczak Tracz At the Honchar Museum A one-man lobby “So how did it go?” Inquiring minds would also understand. I’m sure they fig- Long before the Ukrainian Congress Bentley to introduce a similar resolution in are still asking how my presentation went ured it all out from the songs. Committee of America and the Ukrainian the House. After much politicking and at the Ivan Honchar Museum in Kyiv this In my presentation the many examples National Association had their information fund-raising, the monument was finally past August. It went well – very well, of symbolism in songs are illustrated and lobbying offices in Washington, D.C., unveiled in 1964. much better than I could have ever imag- with verses from the songs being played the Ukrainian community had a one-man I always believed that Dr. Dobriansky ined. Considering the cold panic in my (from CD or tape) and sometimes sung, lobby in our nation’s capital. was of the Ukrainian community, never in heart and throat 10 minutes before the by yours truly. I knew that in Kyiv there And long before Ronald Reagan pre- it. Given the kind of strife that often pre- event was to begin, when there were only would be no need to play any tapes, dicted the imminent collapse of the Soviet vailed among Ukrainians, this was proba- about 10 people in the hall, it went very because the folks in the audience would Union, our representative in Washington bly a good thing. At a time when the UNA well indeed. All I could think of as I know all the songs. published a book titled “The Vulnerable was still part of the UCCA, I had the privi- looked at this meager group (in quantity, There are three or four songs that I Russians” in which he argued that the lege of being at two UCCA conventions. not in quality) was “the museum folks play from the duets of Viktor Morozov Soviet Union was not invincible. Dr. Dobriansky would open the conven- went through all this effort, and here and Oksana Bilozir. I asked Mr. Morozov His name was Dr. Lev Dobriansky, tion with formal remarks and then retire to Orysia from Canada disappoints them so if he would be in Kyiv at the time, and if described by the Washington Post as “a his suite. During his absence there were badly ...” he was interested in participating. Even professor of economics at Georgetown floor squabbles, disruptions and other But somehow, with God’s help, within though he was under extreme deadline University and an anti-Communist kinds of funny business. On the last day of the next minutes the museum hall filled pressure to finish the last Harry Potter activist.” He was “the author in 1959 of the convention he came down to the con- to the point that it was standing room translation into Ukrainian, he kindly the Captive Nations Week Resolution,” the vention hall to accept his unanimous re- only, and well over 100 people joined in agreed to sing – with his wife, Motria Washington Post continued, “first declared election and to offer closing remarks. His some glorious singing. What a relief! Onyschuk Morozova. by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and non-involvement with Ukrainian trench This started innocently enough, with a Beginning the program, a father-and- celebrated annually by Congress and the warfare was all well and good, but I joke. I have been working with the daughter duo from Moscow, Ihor and White House for nearly five decades. The always believed that he could have done Ukrainian Center of Folk Culture – the Ksenia Tymchuk, sang their hearts and resolution stated that the Soviet Union more to heal our partisan divisions follow- Ivan Honchar Museum in Kyiv for a few souls out, and moved everyone to the enslaved a number of non-Russian nations, ing the UCCA implosion in 1980. years now, translating the volumes of core. In the most amazing harmony, they that Soviet dominance would not last and Dr. Dobriansky’s major contribution to the Ukrainian cause came from outside of Honchar’s album “Ukraine and sang old songs from Polissia and the that one day the nations would be free.” At our community, in the world of American Ukrainians” (three so far, only 16 to go). Chernihiv region. the time, such thinking was not popular politics and ideology. After penning more My “boss” there is Ihor Poshyvailo, an Mr. Poshyvailo welcomed the guests, within the American political establish- than 500 articles, he came to be perceived assistant director of the Ivan Honchar and Petro Honchar, director of the muse- ment. as an expert on the USSR by American Museum. um, also spoke, telling the audience Born in New York City, Dr. Dobriansky conservatives. His 1962 book “The During our e-mail correspondence, I about its work. Natalia Danylenko of earned a doctorate in economics from New Vulnerable Russians” was amazingly pre- sent him an invitation to my presentation New Jersey, a philanthropist and power- York University in 1951. He taught at house supporter of many good causes in Georgetown University from 1948 to 1982 scient. He criticized those who believed of “Songs Your Mother Should Never that the Soviet Union would eventually Have Taught You? Erotic Symbolism in Ukraine and the United States, later and the National War College in 1957- spoke about how Ivan Honchar worried 1958. President Reagan appointed him evolve into some kind of liberal democra- Ukrainian Folk Songs” at the University cy. It won’t work, he wrote, because “we of Manitoba. Ihor replied that it was too when she visited him and his ambassador to the Bahamas, where he house/museum back in the 1970s. He served from 1982 to 1986. He was also a are in a persistent Cold War with a mes- bad his still Soviet-style salary forbade sianic enemy, the Soviet version of tradi- him from coming to Winnipeg to hear feared for her safety, and for his artifacts, consultant for the departments of State and Defense, and the U.S. Information Agency. tional Russian imperio-colonialism ... it is this lecture. Jokingly, really joking, I because he was constantly under surveil- A staunch anti-Communist, Dr. a delusion to believe that victory on net replied that – hey, when I’m in Kyiv in lance, as were all who visited him. Dobriansky was honored in 2005 with the balance is not achievable... if we are not August, I could do it at your museum. There were quite a few folks from out- Lifetime Achievement Award from the dedicated to the defeat of the enemy, then The next thing I knew, we were work- side of Kyiv in the audience; they came National Captive Nations Committee for it obviously follows that we are prone to ing on a date and arrangements for my from Lviv and other cities in Ukraine, “his inspiring leadership and unwavering compromise ourselves morally and politi- presentation. “Sweetheart, Let’s Love,” from France (members of the commitment to the liberation of all cally.” He elaborated on this theme in his an exhibit of folk paintings on the same International Holodomor Committee of the Ukrainians World Congress), from Captive Nations and the national inde- 1971 book, “The USA and the Soviet theme, was arranged in the exhibition Canada and the U.S. (New Jersey, New pendence of all peoples.” He was also a Myth.” hall for that time. Announcements were York, Washington, D.C.). I was honored key figure, along with the late Eugene Dr. Dobriansky’s long involvement sent out, as well as invitations to the that members of the diplomatic corps Iwanciw, in the unveiling last year of the with Yaroslav Stetsko and the Anti- business, expat and diplomatic communi- were present, including the elegant Victims of Communism Memorial near Bolshevik Bloc of Nations (ABN), as well ties. Susanna Keller, wife of the Ambassador the U.S. Capitol. as the World Anti-Communist League The point was to get a new, different of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who Dr. Dobriansky wore many hats. A (WACL), brought derision from America’s audience to come to the museum. And I told Mr. Poshyvailo how pleased she was Republican Party activist, he would head radical left. Publications such as “Inside spoke not in English, but more “half-na- up the Republican National Committee’s the League” by Scott and Jon Lee piv,” so that the Ukrainians in attendance (Continued on page 16) Heritage Groups outreach every four years Anderson, and “Old Nazis, the New Right during presidential elections. I first worked and the Republican Party” by Russ with him in 1968 during the first Nixon Bellant, suggested that Dr. Dobriansky campaign, organizing a GOP ethnic might be an unwitting participant in some appearance for him in Chicago. During the kind of Nazi cabal. It was a canard, of second Nixon campaign in 1972, Taras course, typical of those who preached “co- Szmagala Sr. took his place as the ethnic existence” with the Soviets until the bitter liaison for the so-called Committee to Re- end. Elect the President. Later, Dr. Dobriansky No leader in our community did more was instrumental in helping Mr. Szmagala for the cause of Ukrainian freedom than and me establish the Ukrainian Republican Dr. Dobriansky. He had it all: almost unan- Nationalities Council which eventually imous Ukrainian community support, a had chairpersons in 30 states. Those were distinguished reputation among American the golden years for Ukrainian leaders and the ability to write and speak Republicans. eloquently. I doubt we will ever have a Dr. Dobriansky was never fond of leader of his caliber again. President Gerald Ford. During my time in Some Ukrainians were critical of his the Ford White House, the UCCA repre- inability to speak Ukrainian fluently. My sentative at White House-initiated ethnic response to such tribalists was always: functions was always the vice-president, “Oh yeah, what a shame. He might have Joseph Lesawyer. done something for our people had he Dr. Dobriansky had many contacts in been able to speak Ukrainian.” That usual- Congress. In 1959, after UNA President ly shut them up. and UCCA Vice-President Dmytro Dr. Dobriansky died of a heart attack on Halychyn convinced Sen. Jacob Javits to January 29 at age 89. “Vichna Yomu introduce a Senate resolution authorizing Pamiat.” the erection of a statue of Taras Bohdan Poshyvailo Shevchenko in Washington, Dr. Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is Orysia Paszczak Tracz (left) with renowned singer Nina Matviyenko. Dobriansky induced Rep. Alvin M. [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 Ukrainian Catholic University builds ties with Georgia by Matthew Matuszak their kids will go on to study in Ukraine.” The UCU delegation also visited three LVIV – A delegation from the institutes at Tbilisi State University Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in (TSU). The UCU plans to invite a profes- Lviv recently visited the small Ukrainian sor from TSU’s Georgian Studies diaspora in the country of Georgia and Institute to Lviv to give a short course on native Georgian institutions. The UCU’s Georgian history and culture, and per- rector, the Rev. Borys Gudziak, Ph.D., haps language, added Dr. Kindiy. Two led a group of eight young professors, students from TSU’s Ukrainian Studies including graduates of the university who Institute now plan to come to the UCU have gone on to receive doctorates and for its annual Ukrainian-language then returned to work at the university. Summer School. It is also hoped that The trip lasted from January 27 through February 1 and was centered on UCU will be able to work together with the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and nearby TSU’s Institute of Classical, Byzantine towns and villages. and Neo-Greek Studies. According to one of the participants, Cooperation with the Roman Catholic Dr. Oleh Kindiy, the trip had various Church in Georgia has also had ongoing goals. One was “to honor UCU staff who importance for the Ukrainian Catholic recently completed their doctorates.” University. Over the years, several UCU And, as they had earned their doctorates professors have gone to Georgia to teach in Western Europe or North America, select courses at the Roman Catholic another goal was “to look at Ukraine Theological Center in Georgia. “The stu- from the East,” in this case, Georgia. It dents there are laypeople who will teach Father Ihor Boyko, Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology of the was also an opportunity to visit Georgia, catechism, and most of the students are Ukrainian Catholic University, in front of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, during which is “spiritually rich, with close rela- Georgian Orthodox,” Dr. Kindiy a recent trip to Georgia. tions to Ukraine and a historically long explained. friendship,” as Dr. Kindiy put it. But “the most unforgettable moment,” and shields, sparks [were] flying,” said to Georgia told them about a monument Dr. Kindiy graduated from the Lviv according to Dr. Kindiy, was visiting the Dr. Kindiy. to Taras Shevchenko recently put up in Theological Academy (now UCU) in Catholic-run international aid organiza- The UCU delegation also had a brief Tbilisi. 2000 and earned his doctorate in theolo- tion Caritas-Georgia. “It was clean and audience with Patriarch Illia II, head of “We were received as Europeans, peo- gy at the Catholic University of America full of happy people, workers, children, the Orthodox Church of Georgia, and ple helping Georgia get closer to in Washington, D.C., in 2007. He is now old people. There’s a dining room where visited the newly built Holy Trinity Europe,” summed up Dr. Kindiy. “As one assistant chair of UCU’s department of people can come for a free meal; rooms Cathedral. “It’s huge,” commented Dr. of the Georgians said to us: ‘Ukraine has theology. where abandoned children stay – some Kindiy. “Three stories, 10 altars, in a never betrayed Georgia.’ ” Among the group’s stops, was the live there, some come for classes during strict Byzantine Greek style. Many Further information about the UCU in Mykhailo Hrushevsky First Ukrainian the day. There’s also a meeting place for young people attend the church.” English and Ukrainian is available on the School in downtown Tbilisi, which has the elderly with a piano in it. While we Delegation members said they were university’s website at www.ucu.edu.ua. 10 grades and approximately 160 stu- were there, for example, someone start- deeply impressed by the Ukrainian pres- Readers may also contact the Ukrainian dents. In addition to students who have ing playing and the old people got up and ence in Georgia. Dr. Kindiy noted that Catholic Education Foundation, 2247 W. some Ukrainian in their background – started dancing. Ukraine is Georgia’s No. 2 international Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; phone, usually one parent or at least a grandpar- “Also, Caritas organizes a traditional trade partner, second only to Turkey. He 773-235-8462; e-mail, [email protected]; ent – “a lot of the Georgian elite send Georgian dance group with kids from 6 estimated that a third of the products that website, www.ucef.org. The phone num- their kids there,” said Dr. Kindiy. “They to 16 years old. They travel international- the delegation saw in stores were import- ber of the UCEF in Canada is 416-239- see their future in Ukraine. They hope ly. It was very intense, they use swords ed from Ukraine. Ukraine’s ambassador 2495. No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 9 Entrepreneurs hailed as saviors of manufacturing plant in upstate New York by Roma Hadzewycz facility titled “Fairy tales do come true.” The editorial, commented, in part: PARSIPPANY, N.J. – A start-up phar- “After more than two years of a free maceutical manufacturer headed by a fall of uncertainty and fear, Rouses Point Ukrainian American businessman and and the North Country have landed on his partner has emerged as a savior in the their feet: Hundreds of Wyeth jobs, lost upstate New York community of Rouses forever, are found, good as new. Point, located near the Canadian border “Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, a start-up on the shore of Lake Champlain. company run by people with deep expe- Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, which is rience in drug manufacturing and mar- headed by Chairman Joseph Krivulka, a keting, has bought the massive plant in Hungarian American, and Vice- Rouses Point and will begin producing Chairman Leonard Mazur, a Ukrainian products almost immediately. And, in a American, on January 11 acquired the clever and most accommodating arrange- Rouses Point manufacturing facility ment for all, Akrimax will lease the plant owned by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The back to Wyeth for the next two years so deal averted the plant’s closing, which the former owner will be able to fulfill would have meant the loss of hundreds its own production needs until vacating. of jobs in a village with a population of “This all attests to the cooperative less than 2,500. spirit of the two companies as they truly Mr. Mazur, an active member of the try to best serve the needs of each other Ukrainian American community in New as well as the people who have been so Jersey’s Morris County, is president of integral to Wyeth’s success in Rouses the Ukrainian American Professionals At a press conference in Rouses Point, N.Y., (from left) are: Akrimax Chairman Point. It was those people, the heads of and Businesspersons Association of New Joseph Krivulka and Vice-Chairman Leonard Mazur, and Gov. Eliot Spitzer of Akrimax specified in a news conference York and New Jersey. He is also on the New York. Tuesday, who were their firm’s greatest board of directors of the Ukrainian incentive to buy the place. A first-class American Cultural Center of New Jersey, Franklin counties. “This facility is Mr. Mazur noted that he and his part- plant housing first-class employees is an located in Whippany, as well as the world-class.” ner had a lot in common, which became elusive pair of commodities for any com- Children of Chornobyl Relief and Messrs. Krivulka and Mazur toured evident only after they formed Triax and pany seeking to establish itself. … Development Fund. In addition, he is on the plant on January 15, noting that they Akrimax. Both are of Eastern European “Akrimax Chairman Joseph Krivulka the board of trustees of Manor College, a saw a first-class workforce. “This facility background. Mr. Krivulka was born in and Vice-Chairman Leonard Mazur told two-year college located in Jenkintown, has been open for 70-plus years. It is our the United States, but his parents took Pa., that is run by the Ukrainian Sisters the Press-Republican that the salary intention that it stays open another 70- him back to Budapest and he was there structure and benefits offered by the new of St. Basil the Great. plus years,” Mr. Mazur said, according to during the Revolution of 1956. The fami- Four years ago Mr. Mazur partnered company will be identical to those of the local press. ly fled to Germany, settling in a town Wyeth, which is the ultimate piece of with Mr. Krivulka to form Triax Mr. Krivulka explained that 800 man- called Rodenburg, which is close to Pharmaceuticals, which today is the good news for the people who work ufacturing jobs will be saved and that Ansbach, where Mr. Mazur was born. there. fastest growing prescription dermatologi- employee salaries and benefits will The parents of both Mr. Krivulka and cal company in the industry. They are “This is almost a fairy-tale ending to a remain the same. Mr. Mazur settled in Philadelphia, and story that started out as a nightmare. also the top two members of the execu- As soon as Wyeth had announced its both men attended Temple University – tive team at Akrimax, which stands for Wyeth had been Clinton County’s lead- intentions to close the Rouses Point plant, although at different times. Krivulka-Mazur RX company. ing private employer, with 1,250 work- the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber “We were both involved in starting The announcement of the Rouses ers, all making attractive salaries and of Commerce sprang into action. something up at the separate companies Point plant acquisition – two years in the wages. Its loss in a village of fewer than Working with federal, state and local where we worked,” Mr. Mazur contin- making – was made on January 15, with 2,500 people would have left a deep cav- leaders, the chamber’s efforts resulted in ued. “And we didn’t meet until after I New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer in atten- ern, physically and emotionally. … the establishment of the Wyeth Transition sold Genesis Pharmaceuticals – about dance. “I don’t think it’s too late in the “As far as this region is concerned, Coordinating Council and federal training four years ago. Then we formed our part- year to say happy holidays,” the gover- Akrimax, Krivulka and Mazur have support for employees. nership in both Triax and Akrimax.” nor stated at the press conference made the one commitment that matters – The assistance of Sens. Hillary announcing the deal, according to local Local newspaper’s editorial the purchase of the Wyeth holdings in news media. Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer Rouses Point, the resourcefulness to con- In a telephone interview, Mr. Mazur and Rep. John McHugh were noted as The Press-Republican on January 16 tinue to produce pharmaceuticals for the told The Weekly: “We very much believe instrumental, and the New York gover- published an editorial about the acquisi- mass market and the willingness to pay in open communications. We told the nor’s office was credited with cementing tion of the Rouses Point manufacturing top dollar to the people they employ. …” public [at the press conference] that we the deal with Akrimax. are different from typical management The state offered Akrimax a $2 mil- persons because we are entrepreneurs lion capital grant through Empire State who believe in open communications, Development, and State Sen. Betty Little and we gave out our e-mail addresses. was able to secure a $1 million econom- They were all taken aback, I think.” ic-development appropriation, reported the Press-Republican. Easter Greetings 2008 The press conference in the Rouses Point fire hall was packed with TV cam- Akrimax and its execs eras and townspeople, Mr. Mazur relat- ed. One woman held up a sign that said, Akrimax describes itself as “an Continue your tradition. “Thank you for caring.” That, he said, emerging branded pharmaceutical com- Send best wishes to your family and friends, was when it really hit home what they pany led by a core management team of colleagues and clients on the occasion of Easter had done. experienced pharmaceutical executives “We take very seriously the responsi- with expertise in development, manufac- with a greeting in The Ukrainian Weekly. bility for what we have here – we intend turing, distribution, marketing and sales to deliver on our promises,” Mr. Mazur of pharmaceutical products.” continued. “And, we have a major effort According to the Akrimax website, under way to bring in new products to be Chairman Krivulka has 30 years of expe- manufactured at the plant.” rience in commercial pharmaceuticals, in Holiday Issue Publication Date Advertising Deadline “We met with all the employees of the management, marketing, product strate- plant, including the midnight shift. I gy, clinical development and manufac- could not believe the reaction of the peo- turing. Among the successful companies March 16 March 27 ple – those people were so grateful,” Mr. he has founded are Triax and Reliant Mazur said. Pharmaceuticals. He was president of 1/16 page – $35; 1/8 page – $50; Bertek Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Plant closing announced in 2005 Mylan Laboratories. 1/4 page – $100; 1/2 page – $200; full page – $400 Wyeth had announced back in 2005 Vice-Chairman Mazur co-founded that it would close the Rouses Point plant Triax and prior to that founded Genesis and move its operations to Puerto Rico Pharmaceuticals, where as CEO he creat- All advertising correspondence, reservations and payments should be directed and Ireland by the end of 2009. Now ed and grew the cosmetic dermatologic to Mrs. Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager, tel. 973-292-9800, ext. 3040, Wyeth will lease the plant from Akrimax business that was sold in 2002 to a or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] until then, while Akrimax begins inte- French pharmaceutical company. He was grating its production at the facility. one of the first executives at the start-up Kindly make checks payable to The Ukrainian Weekly. “We’ve looked at other facilities,” Mr. dermatology pharmaceutical Medicis, Please send payment to: Mazur was quoted as saying by the Press where he was responsible for acquiring The Ukrainian Weekly, Advertising Department Republican, the newspaper for northeast- brands, sales and marketing. He has over P.O. Box 280, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 ern New York state’s Clinton, Essex and 35 years’ experience in the industry. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 11 Opposition forces... (Continued from page 1) which Ukraine’s MAP request is expect- ed to be resolved. The Our Ukraine – People’s Self- Defense (OU-PSD) bloc and the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB) insist that a national referendum should take place only after Ukraine’s MAP requirements are completely fulfilled. Less than an hour after opening the second session of Parliament, Chairman Yatsenyuk announced a 30-minute recess at the request of the opposition forces. Little did the Chairman Yatsenyuk real- ize that recess would last over two and a half hours and his legislators would not formally reconvene in session for the rest of the day. During the recess, leaders of all the parliamentary factions attempted but failed to arrive at a consensus on a pro- cedural resolution regarding Ukraine’s NATO MAP. Following the failed meeting, OU- PSD bloc leader Viacheslav Kyrylenko announced that members of the PRU and CPU had blocked Mr. Yatsenyuk in his office during the recess, thus preventing him from returning to the legislative chamber. In connection with the announcement, and in a state of confu- Oleksander Kosarev/POOL sion, YTB leader Ivan Kyrylenko (no A view of the Verkhovna Rada, festooned with anti-NATO balloons, on Wednesday, January 13. relation to Mr. Kyrylenko of the OU- PSD) declared from the Presidium that using the NATO issue as a ploy to stall resumed. not rule out the possibility of President scheduled deliberations of the newly all legislative work in Parliament On Wednesday, February 13, Yushchenko’s direct participation in the opened parliamentary session would not because it doesn’t wish to vote and can- Volodymyr Lytvyn of the eponymous negotiating process as an attempt to continue for the day. cel parliamentary immunity and other bloc told reporters that the next session of resolve the legislative stalemate. The move by Ivan Kyrylenko which perks. Parliament would take place no earlier As of February 11, the Verkhovna goes against official parliamentary proto- On Tuesday, February 12, Chairman than Friday, February 15. Mr. Lytvyn Rada had endorsed only one bill, the col and procedure, caused some deputies Yatsenyuk again attempted to open a underscored the fact that in the meantime, state budget for 2008, since it began its to suggest that Chairman Yatsenyuk had morning plenary session of Parliament, negotiations between opposition and sixth convocation on November 23, resigned in frustration. but failed. As a sign of continued defi- coalition forces would continue. He did 2008. However Viacheslav Kyrylenko, in ance, members of the PRU brought in defending his legislative colleague for blue and yellow balloons printed with taking initiative, immediately noted that the slogan “NATO – No” into Parliament Mr. Yatsenyuk had not resigned but was that morning and disseminated the bal- in fact unable to personally close the loons throughout the chamber by tying daily session because he was not allowed them to national deputies’ chairs. to exit his own office. The OU-PSD The agenda for the morning session leader also confirmed that his bloc was had included a debate on the procedural not going to compromise in any way resolution regarding NATO membership, with the opposition on NATO issues. parliamentary immunity, government National Deputy Nestor Shufrych of procurements and a draft law on the the PRU has also ruled out the possibility reduction of the armed forces. of a compromise on NATO issues. Mr. Approximately 50 PRU members con- Shufrych said that the PRU insists on the gregated near the podium and presidium adoption of the parliamentary resolution as Chairman Yatsenyuk attempted to proposed by PRU Deputy Oleksander open the morning session. Three of the Yefremov which is similar to the deputies occupied the parliamentary demands of the Communist Party of leader’s chair and took away his micro- Ukraine regarding NATO and calls for phone. Undaunted, Mr. Yatsenyuk more debate before the Bucharest sum- attempted to address Parliament but his mit. voice was overwhelmed by megaphones. “We are strictly abiding by our posi- The Parliament leader said, tions. We will not continue working until “Unfortunately the Constitution and the the issue of NATO is resolved.” said status of an MP are being grossly disre- Mr. Shufrych. He added that the PRU garded. As a result I don’t see any pos- agreed to unblock the Parliament’s podi- sibility to open the next plenary session um on February 5 only to allow the of Parliament. Thank you for your atten- chairman of the Parliament to declare its tion. You will be informed shortly fifth session closed and its sixth session regarding the schedule of the next ses- open, in accordance with the sion.” Constitution. Mr. Yatsenyuk then left the Presidium, Asked why the PRU had blocked the agreeing to try an evening session of chairman in his office during the recess, Parliament, and exited the legislative Mr. Shufrych stated, “Nobody blocked chamber. anyone, and it was just a matter of nego- That afternoon, members of the PRU tiations taking place between the leader- agreed to unblock Parliament on the con- ship of the Parliament and the Party of dition that no controversially political the Regions.” pieces of legislation would be introduced In response to Mr. Shufrych’s for debate, but only social issues As a demands, Roman Zvarych of the OU- result, an evening plenary session was PSD stated on February 5 that no com- opened at approximately 5 p.m., suggest- promise is possible. “Our faction firmly ing a breakthrough in the long legislative believes that any question can be gridlock. resolved through political compromise, Members of Parliament considered except the issue of NATO,” he declared. draft laws on health care, the minimum Parliament has already registered an wage and the reduction of the armed alternative draft resolution on NATO forces for 2008 but, after an hour and a prepared by Borys Tarasyuk of the OU- half of fruitful dialogue and voting, the PSD, said Mr. Zvarych. session for the day came to an end and According to Mr. Zvarych, the PRU is the blockade of Ukraine’s Parliament 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 BOOK NOTES: Four-volume set of Ivan Franko works in English “Behind Decorum’s Veil,” by Ivan injustices of the time. “Unknown Waters,” set in rural Halychyna, Franko, translated by Roma Franko, edited The three other books comprise and “Lel and Polel,” set in urban Lviv – the by Sonia Morris (Toronto: Language “Turbulent Times: A Trilogy,” which capital of western Ukraine, which describe Lanterns Publications, 2006), ISBN: 0-968- includes “Winds of Change,” “Beacons in the post-serfdom emergence of educated, 3899-9-6, 415 pp., $14.95, plus shipping. the Darkness” and “Fateful Crossroads.” nationally and politically aware young peo- These books maintain the theme of the ple dedicated to the enlightenment and “Turbulent Times – A Trilogy”: “Winds growth of national and political awareness empowerment of the largely illiterate mass- of Change,” 320 pp., ISBN: 0-97.2650-2-0; in Halychyna in the second half of the 19th es in both the Ukrainian and Polish parts of “Beacons in the Darkness,” 416 pp., ISBN: century. Halychyna. These young people were the 0-9735982-3-9; “Fateful Crossroads,” 384 The pre-existing feudal system of serf- “beacons in the darkness” in the struggle pp., ISBN: 0-9735982-4-7; translated by dom was predicated on violence against the for social justice, economic equity and Roma Franko, edited by Sonia Morris, peasants and a callous exploitation of their democratic and national rights in the (Toronto: Language Lanterns Publications, illiteracy, ignorance and servility. The first Austro-Hungarian Empire. 2006), $14.95 each, plus shipping. steps toward independence came as the “Fateful Crossroads” takes the reader serfs became aware of the power of educa- through eastern Halychyna in the 1890s. This four-volume set was published in tion and knowledge. The protagonist, a young lawyer, is commemoration of the 150th anniversary of The biggest stumbling block to change, Franko’s epitome of the Ukrainian intelli- Ivan Franko’s birth. This sampling of according to Ms. Morris’s introduction, was gentsia engaged in national, social and Franko’s work was translated by Roma the psychology of the people and the rela- political activism. This path he chose at the Franko, and the English-language text was tions among groups with disparate social fateful crossroads in his life is the one edited by Sonia Morris. histories characterized by potentially explo- Franko envisaged as turning the tide at the The first book, “Behind Decorum’s sive intersects between social stratum and crossroads at which Halychyna found itself Veil,” includes two novellas, ethnicity. at the beginning of the 20th century. “For the Home Hearth” (1892) and “Pillars The first work in the trilogy, “Winds of Readers can visit www.language- of Society” (1894), which tell of the social Change,” includes “Hryts and the Young lanterns.com to find a distributor or and economic turmoil that Ukrainians were Lord,” “The Cutthroats” and “The 1848. The last novella in the book, “The www.amazon.com. Readers can order facing at the turn of the 20th century. In par- Involuntary Hero.” The first stories touch Raging Tempest,” tells of the emergence of directly from the publisher at: Language ticular, these novellas criticize the “moral on the rising tide of discontent with the evils peasant leaders in the years of uncertainty, Lanterns Publications, 2 Whitecroft Place, decadence and insensitivity of the most of serfdom in the early 1800s, the spilling confusion and manor-village hostilities in Toronto, ON, Canada, M9A 4T2; tele- powerful echelons of society” to incite the over of the serfs’ anger in the 1840s and the the 1850s. phone, 416-840-8034; e-mail, reader to evaluate the systematic social insurrections of urban revolutionaries in “Beacons in the Darkness” includes [email protected].

Presentation by Kyiv writer launches new series at Columbia University NEW YORK – On the evening of as well as by the Kennan Institute at the Ukrainian literature at Columbia Ukrainian society and politics, Mr. Kurkov January 22 writer Andrey Kurkov – per- Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in University. said he believes that other writers of his haps the best-known writer living in Washington. Thanks to the series, audi- Mr. Kurkov was born in Leningrad in generation in Ukraine purposefully ignore Ukraine today – visited Columbia ences in New York and in Washington 1961 but has lived in Kyiv since he was a such settings and topics as a means of University. His appearance was the first in will be given the opportunity to listen to, child. He is a writer, a film scriptwriter and rejecting their surroundings. a groundbreaking series of events with and converse with, three individuals who an essayist, as well as the author of 13 Commenting on Ukraine’s newest gen- leading literary figures from Ukraine that are at the center of literary life in Ukraine novels and five books for children. His eration of writers, Mr. Kurkov pointed out will take place this spring in New York today. books have been translated into 32 lan- the tendency of many young writers to City and in Washington. The New York presentation by Mr. guages; more than 20 films (features, doc- write rather candidly concerning intimate The Contemporary Literature in Kurkov was organized and moderated by umentaries, shorts and TV movies) have details of their life experiences. Ukraine series is being co-sponsored by Dr. Mark Andryczyk, Shevchenko been based on his scripts. The question and answer session with the Harriman Institute and the Ukrainian Scientific Society post-doctoral fellow in In 1997 Mr. Kurkov was short-listed for the audience was followed by a wine and Studies Program at Columbia University, Ukrainian studies and a lecturer of Best European Screen-writer for the film- cheese reception overlooking Manhattan’s script “A Friend of the Deceased” skyline, as well as a book-signing by the (Ukraine-France). He writes for The author. Guardian, New Statesman, Die Welt, Post The next New York event in the Postup and other journals and newspapers. Contemporary Literature of Ukraine series, Mr. Kurkov is a member of the European an evening with writer Larysa Denysenko, Film Academy and a member of Writers’ will take place on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 Union of Ukraine. p.m. at the International Affairs Building, The evening at Columbia University 12th Floor, Room 1219 (420 W. 118th St.). consisted of a dialogue between Mr. Admission is free. and the public is invited Kurkov and Dr. Andryczyk, interspersed to attend. with readings by the author. This was fol- Ms. Denysenko is a lawyer, the host of lowed by an extensive question and a television program on Ukraine’s Channel answer session with the audience – an 1+1 and the author of five novels. An eclectic mix of academics, students and award-winning representative of the avid fans of Mr. Kurkov’s work. newest generation of Ukrainian writers, Much to his listeners’ delight, Mr. Ms. Denysenko offers a unique perspec- Kurkov read excerpts of English-language tive on contemporary Ukraine informed by translations of his works, focusing on his her wide-ranging areas of expertise. latest novel to be published in English For the final event in the series, on translation – “The President’s Last Love” Tuesday, April 8, New York audiences will (Random House U.K., 2007) – and con- have the rare opportunity to attend an inti- cluding with a scene from perhaps his mate concert by singer-songwriter Taras most famous work, “Death and the Chubai. A star of the Ukrainian music Penguin” (Harvill Press, 2001). stage, Mr. Chubai will be performing his Among the topics Mr. Kurkov dis- songs set to the words of leading poets in cussed were problems of book distribution Ukraine today (Kost Moskalets, Yurii in Ukraine. According to the author, publi- Andrukhovych, Oleh Lysheha and Viktor cations of contemporary Ukrainian litera- Neborak, among others), as well as to the ture seldom reach urban centers in south- words of his late father, 1970s under- ern and eastern Ukraine and smaller ground poet, Hrytsko Chubai. The time Ukrainian cities throughout the country. and location of this event will be Language was another topic. Mr. announced shortly. Kurkov, an ethnic Russian, is fluent in The Washington appearance of Ms. Ukrainian and publishes articles in that Denysenko is planned for March 6, and language, but writes his fiction in Russian. Mr. Chubai will appear on April 10. For Thus, the audience was surprised to learn more information about these events, that his works are less popular in Russia readers may contact the Ukrainian precisely because he is a writer from Studies Program at Columbia University Ukraine and that his most avid readers, in at [email protected] or fact, can be found in western Ukraine. 212-854-4697; for Washington events e- A writer whose works are set in the mail renata.kosc-harmatiy@wilsoncen- often absurdist reality of post-Soviet ter.org or call 202-691-4100. No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 13 Commemorative event and book presentation recall Battle of Kruty by Illya M. Labunka who had only fire in their heart and love Kyiv Press Bureau for Ukraine, these two events in world his- tory are always united by that mystical KYIV – In addition to various govern- number 300, and the heroism and self-sac- ment- and civic-sponsored events marking rifice above and beyond the call of duty for the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Kruty their native land, declared Mr. Zinkevych. throughout Ukraine, on January 31 “I hope this publication will help many Smoloskyp publishers organized a com- of us, particularly our students and young memorative event at the Teacher’s people, to understand who we are and who Building in Kyiv and presented a book on fought for our independence back in 1918, the subject. and who dared to stand up to Moscow for The publication, compiled by Osyp and the first time since Mazepa’s bold military Nadia Zinkevych, includes various histori- campaign,” he stated. cal materials, articles and memoirs sur- Other speakers that evening included rounding the Battle of Kruty, as well as former dissident and political prisoner poems dedicated to the heroic event that Yevhen Sverstiuk, former student activist were written over the decades following and current National Deputy Oles Doniy of the historic battle. Some materials in the the Our Ukraine–People’s Self-Defense compilation appeared for the very first time Bloc, historian Ihor Hyrych and professor in Ukraine; included are rare photographs of Ukrainian history Volodymyr on the subject. Serhiychuk. Mr. Zinkevych said he began collecting Mr. Doniy compared the Battle of Kruty some of the rare material for the book as to a sacrifice on the altar for the sake early as the 1940s. He said he hoped the Ukrainian independence. “Without our Illya M. Labunka book would become an interesting and losses we would not have had any victo- Prof. Volodymyr Serhiychuk presents recently discovered archival documents on informative read for today’s students, ries, and if we had not fully comprehended the Battle of Kruty during his speech marking the 90th anniversary of the Battle youth and all Ukrainians in general. “A the disastrous circumstances following our of Kruty at the Teacher’s Building in Kyiv on January 29. number of generations were never familiar defeats, we would have never garnered the with this event and were unaware of the strength and courage to obtain our ultimate activities of the various leaders of the years independence,” he stated. 1917-1918,” said Mr. Zinkevych. Ukrainians need to make appropriate Very often the Battle of Kruty is com- assessments of their triumphs as well as pared to the Greek battle at Thermopylae, their downfalls. If Ukrainians were not where 300 Spartans perished at the hands able to defend their own security at that of the Persians. Although the Spartans time, then Ukrainians must make sure they were well-trained and well-equipped, while know how to guarantee and defend it the fighters at Kruty were mere students, today, Mr. Doniy commented. He added that today’s security is not only a military term, it is also a question of informational security and economic security and, if we misunderstand this, then it could cost Ukraine dearly. “When we talk about the past, we cannot forget the present, and we must consider the future, especially since the heroes of Kruty did not die in vain,” added Mr. Doniy. In the opinion of historian Ihor Hyrych, at first glance the Battle of Kruty may seem to be a complete defeat for the Ukrainian cause of independence from the military-strategic point of view. However, Smoloskyp at the same time, Mr. Hyrych said that the Bandurist Taras Kompanichenko and other participants of the artistic program battle is also viewed as a great triumph for presented in remembrance of the Battle of Kruty. Ukrainians. In citing the Ukrainian writer Yevhen Malaniuk, Mr. Hyrych claimed remain a part of world history for all time. said and there is still much to research, that Kruty came to symbolize the appear- “Our youth is the youth of the events at according to Prof. Serhiychuk, who ance of a “new Ukrainian, a being of a new Kruty. The demonstrations on the Maidan expressed his gratitude to Smoloskyp pub- era.” Quoting one of the writer’s works, he during the presidential elections in 2004 lishers for their latest contribution on the subject. Illya M. Labunka said, “Kruty is an act of martyrdom, and prove this. If necessary, our youth will Osyp Zinkevych, founder and publisher martyrdom is never a defeat.” stand up to defend its fatherland,” under- Following Prof. Serhiychuk’s speech, of the Smoloskyp Publishing Company, Similarly, Prof. Serhiychuk, who scored Prof. Serhiychuk. everyone was asked to honor the fallen and co-organizer of a commemorative chronologically recalled the various events Not everything about Kruty has been heroes of Kruty with a moment of silence. evening, held at the Teacher’s Building that led up to the ultimate showdown in in Kyiv on January 29 to mark the 90th Kruty, stated that the battle was a major anniversary of the Battle of Kruty, pres- victory of the Ukrainian spirit, because it ents his compilation of materials about solidified a level of national consciousness the historic battle. in the minds of many generations and will Historian joins ‘Holodomor’ documentary feature film team HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Rutgers Ukraine for his academic accomplish- University professor emeritus, Taras ments, as well as for his contributions to Hunczak, has joined the film team of building civic society in Ukraine. “Holodomor; Ukraine’s Genocide of “Holodomor; Ukraine’s Genocide of 1932-33” as the film’s expert, historian 1932-33,” a feature-length documentary and researcher. film, is in production by Tomkiw Prof. Hunczak is a world-renowned Entertainment and Moksha Films. The scholar who has focused his research film’s production coincides with the 75th and years of study on Ukraine, Russia, anniversary of the Holodomor, Ukraine’s Poland and national minorities of Famine Genocide Ukraine. He received his Ph.D. from the The film’s producers, Marta Tomkiw and University of Vienna in 1960 and has Bobby Leigh have made available a five- authored and edited 27 books and over minute trailer and are looking for financing 60 articles and chapters on the subject of for the documentary. “I really feel that this Ukrainian, Russian and Jewish-Ukrainian subject needs awareness and must be relations. His other activities include brought into the mainstream cinematic serving in November 1993 as consultant arena. There is no more effective way to get to the CSCE High Commissioner on into everyone’s homes and hearts than National Minorities and Preventive through cinema,” said Mr. Leigh. Smoloskyp Diplomacy at the Hague. To view the film trailer and to support the A youth troupe affiliated with the Ukrainian Women’s League performs during Prof. Hunczak has received numer- making of the documentary, readers may the commemorative progam. ous awards in the United States and in visit www.HolodomorTheMovie.com. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7

special attention” in mutual relations, NEWSBRIEFS such as cooperation in the aerospace sec- CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) tor. Mr. Yushchenko admitted that “there Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Viktor are issues that we have to discuss sepa- TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 Yushchenko said that the Gazprom state- rately.” “They might be very sensitive,” or e-mail: [email protected] ment is a response to the Ukrainian gov- he added, but that “our starting point is ernment’s recent announcements that it that Russia was, is and will be our strate- will exclude RosUkrEnergo from the gic partner” and in the context of this SERVICES PROFESSIONALS gas-delivery scheme and revise prices for assumption Ukraine intends to develop transportation across Ukraine’s territory. its cooperation with Russia. (RFE/RL (RFE/RL Newsline) Newsline) President asks PM to ensure supplies … and settle dispute over gas KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko MOSCOW – After a three-hour, one- on February 8 asked Prime Minister on-one conversation on February 12, Yulia Tymoshenko to ensure that supplies Presidents Viktor Yushchenko and of natural gas to Ukraine are not inter- Vladimir Putin announced that they rupted, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reached agreement in the ongoing gas reported. Mr. Yushchenko was reportedly dispute between Kyiv and Moscow. The responding to a telegram sent to him by Russian natural-gas monopoly Gazprom Aleksei Miller, the CEO of Russian gas recently threatened to cut off supplies to giant Gazprom, in which Mr. Miller Ukraine unless it pays $1.5 billion owed WEST ARKA asked the Ukrainian president to help for gas already delivered and signs agree- 2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 LAW OFFICES OF resolve Ukrainian-Russian gas-delivery ments on further supplies. “We have heard today from our [Ukrainian] part- Fine Gifts issues. Mr. Miller accused Naftohaz ZENON B. MASNYJ, ESQ. ners that the paying off of the debt will Authentic Ukrainian Handicrafts Ukrayiny, Ukraine’s state-owned gas Art, Books, CDs, Ceramics Andrew R. CHORNY company, of the unsanctioned pumping begin soon, and we have agreed on the Embroidered Goods and Supplies Manager In the East Village since 1983 of gas from Russian arterial pipelines and principles of cooperation in 2008 and the Gold Jewelery, Icons, Magazines delays in payments for gas already deliv- coming years,” Mr. Putin told a press Newspapers, Pysankas and Supplies Serious personal injury, real estate ered to Ukraine. He threatened that conference. Mr. Yushchenko said that All Services to Ukraine, Mail-orders starting on February 14 Ukraine will for personal and business use, rep- Russia would cut off gas supplies to begin paying off the debt incurred in Tel.: (416) 762-8751 Fax: (416) 767-6839 resentation of small and mid-size Ukraine on February 11 unless Naftohaz Ukrayiny pays its debts and signs the November and December 2007. He also e-mail: [email protected] www.westarka.com businesses, securities arbitration, said that “the base price of $179 [per divorce, wills and probate. necessary agreements on gas supplies. First Vice Prime Minister Oleksander 1,000 cubic meters of gas] will be pre- served” in 2008. The same day, Gazprom Turchynov denied on February 10 that FIRST QUALITY (By Appointment Only) CEO Aleksei Miller announced that Ukraine pumps Russian gas in an UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE Naftohaz Ukrayiny, Ukraine’s state- unsanctioned way and said Naftohaz 157 SECOND AVENUE owned gas operator, and Gazprom agreed Ukrayiny is ready to pay debts incurred MONUMENTS to set up a new company that will supply NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10003 by the former government in exchange SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES Russian gas to Ukraine. Mr. Miller’s (212) 477-3002 for direct contracts on gas supplies with announcement apparently means the end OBLAST Gazprom. Under the current gas-delivery of RosUkrEnergo, the Swiss-registered MEMORIALS scheme, Gazprom supplies gas to joint venture that since January 2005 was P.O. BOX 746 Ukraine through the RosUkrEnergo and HOUSING the exclusive deliverer of Russian gas to Chester, NY 10918 UkrGazEnergo intermediary companies. the Russian-Ukrainian border. At the bor- 845-469-4247 (RFE/RL Newsline) der, the gas was purchased by the BILINGUAL HOME APPOINTMENTS Cabinet admits some gas debts Ukrainian-registered joint venture UkrHazEnergo, which supplied it to LvivRentals.com KYIV – Ukrainian Prime Minister Ukrainian consumers. Ukrainian Prime Website Design & Yulia Tymoshenko said on February 11 Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had called Development that her Cabinet of Ministers is willing to for an end to the use of the two middle- admit to some debts for Russian natural man companies. (RFE/RL Newsline) Tel: (202) 657-7105 gas, but she said that the debt was Email: [email protected] FOR SALE incurred by the former government, Rada takes steps to resume work Portfolio: Artdriver.com RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reported. KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada in the Ms. Tymoshenko also said, citing evening of February 12 adopted a sched- Russian First Deputy Prime Minister ule of its activities during the second ses- MERCHANDISE Sergei Ivanov, that Ukraine does not face sion, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service report- a cutoff in the supply of gas from ed. The schedule was supported by 427 Russia’s Gazprom. Gazprom has claimed of the Parliament’s 450 members. The that Naftohaz Ukrayiny, Ukraine’s state- Parliament has been deadlocked for four owned gas operator, owes $1.5 billion for consecutive weeks due to the demand of gas delivered to Ukraine and threatened the opposition Party of the Regions to to cut off further supplies if Ukraine fails OPPORTUNITIES adopt a resolution that any steps by to pay or sign agreements on gas sup- Ukraine’s government toward NATO plies. According to Presidential membership should be preceded by a Secretariat Chair Viktor Baloha, nationwide referendum. Viktor EARN EXTRA INCOME! Naftohaz has not paid for gas delivery Yanukovych, leader of the Party of the since October 2007 and, in connection The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Regions, said on February 12 that his with the government’s intention to for advertising sales agents. faction is ready to consider social bills change the gas-delivery scheme to direct without considering the NATO issue. For additional information contact contracts, it also has not concluded Parliament Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk Maria Oscislawski, Advertising agreements on gas supplies with interme- Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, said he intends to hold plenary meetings diary companies. Gas supplies were of the Verkhovna Rada on February 13, (973) 292-9800, ext 3040. among the main issues discussed at the 14 and 15. (RFE/RL Newsline) meeting between Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and his Russian Rudkovskyi detained by SBU counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on February 12 in Moscow. (RFE/RL Newsline) KYIV – The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on February 9 detained Presidents confirm partnership… former Transportation Minister Mykola Rudkovskyi on charges of abuse of office MOSCOW – Ukrainian President during his term, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Viktor Yushchenko met on February 12 Service reported. The SBU said that the Insure and be sure. in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, prosecutor investigating the case asked Ukrainian Book Store Vladimir Putin, as part of the interstate the court to detain Mr. Rudkovskyi and Yushchenko-Putin commission, Ukrain- Largest selection of Ukrainian books, dance Join the UNA! the court upheld the request. The SBU supplies, Easter egg supplies, music, icons, ian and international media reported. also said that Mr. Rudkovskyi’s detention greeting cards, giftwear and much more. Before the start of the talks, President was in line with legislation, in response Putin said that “despite the domestic 10215-97st to claims by Viktoria Butenko, Mr. Run your advertisement here, political processes in Ukraine ... nothing Edmonton, AB T5J 2N9 Rudkovskyi’s spokeswoman, that the for- in The Ukrainian Weekly’s is obstructing the [growth] of trade,” Toll free: 1-866-422-4255 mer minister was taken from the hospital CLASSIFIEDS section. between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Putin www.ukrainianbookstore.com added that “there are issues that require (Continued on page 15) No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 15

parliamentary confrontation. (RFE/RL Ukrainian Service reported. Mr. Bulgaria. A new section of the missile- NEWSBRIEFS Newsline) Yatsenyuk said he believes that the defense system seems likely to be (Continued from page 14) Verkhovna Rada would manage on installed in Poland soon, with another President reinstates SPF chair by unidentified masked men. The claims February 12 to resume its work. He was element in the Czech Republic.’” RBK prompted Mr. Rudkovskyi’s family to KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko reportedly responding to Viktor Daily reported that the Russian president notify the Kyiv prosecutor about a possi- on February 7 issued a decree reinstating Yanukovych, leader of the opposition considers Washington’s assertion that ble kidnapping. (RFE/RL Newsline) Valentyna Semeniuk as chair of the State Party of the Regions, who at a meeting of missile defense is not directed against Property Fund, and reversing the govern- the Ukrainian shadow Cabinet said he Russia “nothing more than a media- Former minister’s arrest ordered ment’s dismissals of Ms. Semeniuk’s does not exclude the possibility of new diplomatic cover story.” (RFE/RL pre-term parliamentary elections, adding Newsline) KYIV – A Kyiv district court on deputies, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reported. The previous day, the Ukrainian that the current composition of both the February 11 ruled against continuing for- Russia shuts down European university government dismissed Ms. Semeniuk and coalition and the Parliament are ineffec- mer Transportation Minister Mykola tive. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko her deputies in connection with an MOSCOW – Britain’s The Guardian Rudkovskyi’s house arrest and ordered said that there aren’t sufficient grounds him to be remanded into pretrial deten- inquiry into the operations of the State newspaper reported on February 12 that Property Fund. Mr. Yushchenko said the for holding early elections and accused tion, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service report- the Party of the Regions of destabilizing “the Kremlin was yesterday accused of government’s decision violates the ed. The court ruled that Mr. Rudkovskyi the Parliament’s work. Ms. Tymoshenko mounting an unprecedented attack on Constitution, which gives the govern- has not complied with the conditions of said that the Party of the Regions has no academic freedom after one of Russia’s ment the right to nominate and dismiss his house arrest. The Security Service of real reason to block Parliament and initi- top universities was closed. The the heads of central executive institu- Ukraine detained Mr. Rudkovskyi the ate early elections. The Verkhovna Rada European University at St. Petersburg tions, whereas the State Property Fund previous day in connection with several has been deadlocked since last month (EUSP) has been forced to suspend its carries out state policy in the area of pri- investigations into misuse of state funds over a disagreement between parliamen- teaching after officials claimed that its at the Transportation Ministry during his vatization, and decisions on its leader- tary factions on Ukraine’s possible acces- historic buildings were ‘a fire hazard.’ term. Nestor Shufrych, a lawmaker of the ship, therefore, belong to the Verkhovna sion to NATO. (RFE/RL Newsline) On Friday a court ordered that all aca- opposition Party of the Regions, said that Rada. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko demic work cease, classrooms be sealed, Mr. Rudkovskyi’s arrest could be a said that the government will comply Putin concerned about encirclement and the university’s library shut.” The with the presidential decree, but added provocation aimed at complicating the MOSCOW – On February 8 President daily noted that “academics at the EUSP situation in the Verkhovna Rada. that she regrets that what she called “the said the move was politically motivated serious corruption in the State Property Vladimir Putin said that a global battle (RFE/RL Newsline) for natural resources has begun, the and followed a row last year over a pro- Fund” will continue for some time. gram funded by the European Government dismisses SPF chair (RFE/RL Newsline) nationalist RBK Daily reported on February 11 (see “RFE/RL Newsline,” Commission to improve the monitoring KYIV – The Ukrainian government Yanukovych predicts repeat elections February 11, 2008). The paper noted that of Russian elections. The university decided at its February 6 meeting to dis- “according to him, ‘many conflicts carry accepted a three-year, nearly $1 billion miss Valentyna Semeniuk, chairwoman KYIV – Viktor Yanukovych, former a whiff of gas and oil,’ and this explains EU grant to run a project advising of the State Property Fund (SPF), due to prime minister of Ukraine and the leader why many developed nations are show- Russia’s political parties on matters such abuse of office, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian of the opposition Party of the Regions, ing increasing interest in Russia. ‘Their as how to ensure elections are not Service reported. The government also said on February 9 that there are two investments in defense are not compara- rigged.” A St. Petersburg spokesman for dismissed all of Ms. Semeniuk’s ways to resolve the ongoing parliamen- ble to ours. Their defense spending the liberal Yabloko party was quoted by deputies. Valerii Pysarenko, a vice-chair- tary crisis: either hold early parliamen- exceeds ours by an order of magnitude.’” The Moscow Times on February 12 as man of the Verkhovna Rada’s special tary elections again, or change the make- The daily also noted that Mr. Putin feels saying that the fire-safety argument “was monitoring committee on privatization up of the ruling coalition, RFE/RL’s that NATO is “expanding, drawing ever just an excuse” to shut the university for issues and a member of the Yulia Ukrainian Service reported. “How would closer to Russia’s borders. ‘We shut political reasons. In October 2007 Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB), said that the the [450-seat] Parliament, whose majori- down our bases in Cuba and Vietnam. Russian President Vladimir Putin called committee’s inquiry into the operations ty comprises 227 deputies, be able to And what did we get in return? New the EUSP “an agent of foreign meddling” of the State Property Fund revealed abus- work?” Mr. Yanukovych asked Ukrainian American bases in Romania and in Russian affairs. (RFE/RL Newsline) es that “caused significant damage to the television channels. He said that the state budget.” The government appointed answer “is lying on the surface” and con- Andrii Portnov, another YTB member, as sists of repeat pre-term elections, but first vice-chair of the State Property “when and how they would be conducted Fund. Mr. Portnov will also be the acting – this is a question for lawyers.” head of the SPF. Meanwhile, Presidential Responding to a question on possible On the first anniversary of passing into Eternal Life of our dear Secretariat Chair Viktor Baloha said that changes in the coalition, Mr. Yanukovych husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle Ms. Semeniuk’s dismissal violates the said that he does not exclude them, but Constitution, which stipulates that the added that it is only speculation. head of the State Property Fund is (RFE/RL Newsline) The late Dr. John I. Kyzyk appointed and dismissed by the Yatsenyuk dismisses talk of new elections Verkhovna Rada at the suggestion of the Our sincere thanks to all who contributed offerings for prayer prime minister. Mr. Baloha said that the KYIV – Verkhovna Rada speaker services and made donations to support government’s desire to resolve urgent Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on February 6 problems in the functioning of the fund that “the phantom of pre-term [parlia- the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv, Ukraine. are justified, but that Ms. Semeniuk’s mentary] elections exists exclusively in dismissal could provoke a new wave of analysts’ imaginations,” RFE/RL’s ALEXANDRA M. KYZYK & FAMILY Commemorative services will be held on February 19, 2008 at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, New Jersey at 6:00 p.m. and February 23, 2008 at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hamptonburg, New York at 11:00 a.m.

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Ukrainian songs. This has never beofre At the Honchar... happened to me and I was very moved (Continued from page 7) and appreciatively surprised. “Thank you for your talk yesterday. I that there was something being presented found it very moving to be in the pres- in English. Peter Bates of the Canadian ence of such a strong cultural history, Embassy and his wife Margaret I. voiced by almost everyone there. It Gibson, also attended. struck me poignantly how cut off I was From Kyiv, Nina Matvienko and from my mother’s Finnish heritage. In Marichka Mykolaichuk were there and honor of Baba’s songs, I have written a sang. (Nina sang from the back of the poem, with thanks to you for your lec- room, and Marichka performed four ture... Thanks for opening this world in songs, as we all held our breath in awe.) your lecture.” Leopold Yashchenko and a whole contin- With her permission, below is her gent of the Homin Choir gloriously poem “The Songs that Baba Taught Us,” joined in the singing. Some of the mem- which she also posted on the All Poetry bers of Ridna Pisnia also came and sang site (http://allpoetry.com/poem/3341198). during the reception. This is the poem’s first publication. And, I had some family present – my sister Nusia’s brother-in-law, Bohdan Denysyk, of Washington, D.C., who also The Songs That Baba Taught Us In the front row at the Honchar Museum (from left) are: Ihor Poshyvailo, sang along. Tetiana Marchenko-Poshyvailo and Petro Honchar. And then there was the woman with The songs that Baba taught us were the rooster. I must say, he was so well- full of life, she said; behaved that I noticed him only after the the land and nature bursting out in presentation. No kidding. I had seen this hills and verdant farms. lovely woman in the courtyard of the We sang them at the weddings, we museum plaiting a beautiful lush wreath sang them to the dead, of leaves and fresh kalyna berries. Only we sang them in the winter nights, we later did I notice she had a rooster on her sang for singing’s charm. lap. I guess he is her pet. Well, she attended the lecture and so did he – and The songs that Baba taught us were there was not one “ku-ku-ri-ku” out of full of men and girls, him, even during the singing. The two of who loved and parted, loved and lost, them stayed for the reception. I learned and grieved and loved again. that she is Olia Nalyvaiko, an ethnogra- The orchards full of cherries and the pher and medicinal plant specialist from head-wreaths set on curls Lviv. One of these days I will find out were subjects of the stories in the more about her – and him... songs of girls and men. My intention had been for this event to be a fund-raiser for the Ivan Honchar The songs that Baba taught us were Museum. I hope it was, but the folks sung with winking eyes, there are not used to being so open about with symbols that the adults knew and donations, and the collection box youth had yet to learn. remained in the background instead of The harmonies wove in and out, we being front and center during the recep- found to our surprise tion. The museum certainly needs sup- that other generations knew how men Motria Onyschuk Morozova and Viktor Morozov sing during the presentation. port for its many activities. (The Obolon and women yearn. beer company generously sponsored the reception.) And the festivities continued The songs that Baba taught us were after the presentation with music and made of love and life, dancing in the courtyard of the museum. the songs of ages lost in time, but life I felt honored to be part of this muse- is still the same; um for the day. I felt so at home among she never taught us anything of war or all these people – whether they were civil strife – friends from the U.S. and Canada or from she only taught us love (and sex), and Lviv and Kyiv, or newfound friends from what that love became. France – we were all “ridni” (kin). And, when we sang, the centuries-old walls of Written on August 25, 2007. the museum reverberated from the sound *** of an amazing spontaneous polyphonic choir. I am sure our common ancestors Margaret I. Gibson was born in on those large photos looked down upon Sudbury, Ontario, in 1957 of English and us with pride and comfort. Finnish heritage. She was educated in Ontario, graduating with a diploma in *** medical laboratory technology in 1980. To my great surprise, the next day I Her husband is a Canadian diplomat; received an e-mail from Ms. Gibson, they have two teenage sons. They have who was so inspired by my lecture that lived in Ottawa, Moscow, Washington she wrote a poem about babas and and Tehran; they currently live in Kyiv.

Olia Nalyvaiko and her pet rooster. No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 17 Yevshan choir performs concert in Ansonia, Conn. ANSONIA, Conn. – The Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble completed its Christmas concert series with a performance on Sunday, January 27, here at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. The Hartford-based choir of 25 men and women performed a num- ber of seasonal favorites by Stetsenko, Leontovych and Liudkevych, as well as several pre- mieres of rarely heard koliadky arranged by Father Dmytro Troubachov of the Dnipropetrovsk Cathedral Choir. The concert drew music lovers from many parishes across southern Connecticut and Rhode Island. In deference to many non-Ukrainian speakers in the audience, Yevshan also sang “Silent Night,” “Adeste Fideles” and a 15th century arrange- ment of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The January 27 concert coincided with the final liturgy and a parish tribute to the pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Church, the Rev. Pavlo Martyniuk, who is being transferred to St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hartford, some 40 miles to the north of Ansonia. The beauti- ful acoustics in the marbled basilica- like interior of the church provided an ideal backdrop for the choral finale, Dmytro Bortniansky’s Christmas concerto “Slava vo Vyshnykh Bohu” (Glory to God in The Rev. Pavlo Martyniuk the Highest). The Yevshan Choir performs against the backdrop of the iconostas in Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7

facilities to accommodate expanded cul- Plast’s Vovcha Tropa announces Though closed... tural programs and youth camps. “But, (Continued from page 1) we will need to vigorously fund-raise to new process for camp registration Mr. Paslawsky explained. “We needed continue these upgrades,” the general another large multi-purpose space.” The manager said. With regard to the co-ops on the draw- EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. – The man- website www.vovchatropa.org. The forms area under the tent will be available for ing board for Soyuzivka, Mr. Paslawsky aging committee of the Vovcha Tropa are to be downloaded, filled out com- games, dances, soccer, meals and other activities. explained that attorneys have been camp of Plast Ukrainian Scouting pletely with appropriate authorization sig- brought on and a co-op plan is to be pre- Organization is preparing for its 55th sea- natures where required, and mailed to: Also to accommodate the higher num- ber of campers, Soyuzivka is converting sented to the attorney-general of New son of Plast Camps for children and teens Plast Camp, c/o Darka Halaburda Patti, York State; land-use attorneys are being age 6-16. 123 Pearl Brook Drive, Clifton, NJ more space for use by the camps, as well as sprucing up the Lviv lodge, where the consulted; engineering firms are con- The three-week camps are scheduled 07013; telephone, 973-778-4427. ducting surveys; and feasibility studies to begin on Saturday, July 5, and will run All previous Vovcha Tropa campers old mess hall will be revamped. All these renovations, Mr. Paslawsky are being prepared. “We’re moving through Saturday, July 26. Also being will receive a letter detailing the new ahead aggressively,” he related. “We’re offered is a two-week camp for older process. The timeline for applications said, will be completed in time for the new season that begins in May. “Being semi- putting together site plans and drawings “yunatstvo” (age 15-16), commonly and payment deadlines is available on the closed gives us the time and the opportuni- for presentation to the planning board, known as “U2,” which starts on Vovcha Tropa website under the heading ty to do all these things. We’re very busy the health department, etc.” Only when Saturday, July 5, and concludes on “Informator 1.” getting all this in place,” he said referring, the attorney general approves the plans Sunday, July 20. Vovcha Tropa, which encompasses first and foremost, to himself and Sonia can Soyuzivka begin marketing the co- Vovcha Tropa is implementing a new over 350 acres of beautiful forests and Semanyszyn, assistant manager. ops, he said. camp registration process in 2008. A meadows, is nestled between the Catskill He noted that the Ukrainian National At the same time, Mr. Paslawsky direct-mail package with registration and the Berkshire mountains. The man- Association, through the Ukrainian noted, the executives of the UNA have materials will no longer be sent to previ- aging committee has been hard at work National Foundation, has begun the nec- been contacted by the Open Space ous Vovcha Tropa campers. Instead, all upgrading the facilities, including new essary repairs and restorations – the total Institute, whose goal is to preserve land camp forms and instructional documents dining areas for teen campers and a cost of which is between $200,000 and in perpetuity by purchasing undeveloped will be available on the newly updated major pool renovation. $250,000 – to improve Soyuzivka’s tracts. The OSI is interested in purchas- ing a piece of land from Soyuzivka – which encompasses more than 390 acres, only a small portion of which it actually uses – that it will ultimately gift to the state for the public’s use as part of Minnewaska State Park. Soyuzivka and its guests would retain the right in perpe- tuity to use the land for recreational pur- poses. In fact, the OSI previously had purchased a part of the nearby property owned by the Shevchenko Scientific Society, which is now state land. Mr. Paslawsky hastened to add that “there is no talk of selling Soyuzivka” – despite the occasional rumors that emanate from unknown sources. So, look for Soyuzivka’s reopening over Memorial Day weekend, which will include a Ukrainian Film Festival – dubbed “Kino-Q,” featuring documen- taries, short films and animated features on Ukrainian subjects or produced by Ukrainian filmmakers; a pub night on Friday with Ukrainian accordionist Matthew Dubas; a “zabava” (dance) on Saturday evening with Hrim, whose con- temporary take on Ukrainian dance tunes is popular with younger generations; and a musical performance by Walter Mosuriak on Sunday evening. And then, in short succession, come June weddings, the annual Father’s Day program, the UNA Seniors Conference, plus camps for children and youths of all ages (Tabir Ptashat, Exploration Day Camp, Tennis Camp), as well as the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Dance Workshop. July brings Independence Day week- end events and more camps (Ukrainian Heritage Day Camp, Discovery Camp, Sitch Sports Camp and the first session of Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Camp). Not to be missed is Soyuzivka’s second annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival, slated for July 9-13 – the premiere event of the summer. Then, in August, there is the second session of Dance Camp, a special week- end for adoptive parents and the children they have adopted from Ukraine (organ- ized in conjunction with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States), plus the Miss Soyuzivka weekend. Finally, at the end of August and the beginning of September, the season wraps up with the always-popular Labor Day weekend program of sports events, dances, Ukrainian music and socializing of all sorts. * * * Soyuzivka is located at 216 Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446. Readers may contact Soyuzivka by phone, 845-626-5641; fax, 845-626- 4638; or e-mail, [email protected]. No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 19

SSPPOORTSRTSLLIINENE

Soccer year and an Olympic gold the next. Additionally, she held the European all- Wladimir Klitschko dedicates • The Ukrainian team won silver at the around title at the time, giving her a triple international Finpromko Cup 2008, held in crown of sorts rarely seen in the sport. Ekaterinburg, Russia, on January 27-28. unification title bout to charity Ukraine defeated Hungary 3-0 in the semi- Wrestling PARSIPPANY, N.J. – finals to compete in a close match for first Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF/IBO place against Russia, but lost that match 2-1. • Oksana Cherkasova won the silver World Heavyweight Champion, Valeriy Zamyatin of Ukraine was named best medal in the 59 kg division at the 219th will fight WBO Champion Sultan forward of the tournament. Ivan Yarygin Memorial Golden Grand Prix Ibragimov at Madison Square international freestyle wrestling tournament Garden in New York on February • Ukraine and Poland are back on track on January 25-27 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. 23 – the first heavyweight title to host the Euro 2012 after Michael Platini, Miroslav Dikun tied for the bronze in the unification bout since the 1999 president of UEFA, criticized the two coun- 66 kg division. fight between Evander Holyfield tries on their lack of preparations. Yurii and Lenox Lewis. Pavlenko, Ukraine’s minister of sports, Cycling Mr. Klitschko, an ambassador said, “Authorities in Ukraine will not let for the Laureus Sport for Good this chance slip through their fingers and • Lesia Kalitovska won the individual Foundation U.S.A., announced will prepare the country for 2012 in the pursuit at the UCI Track Word Cup in Los that he would dedicate this his- best way possible.” UEFA reminded Angeles on January 18-20 with a time of toric bout to the sporting organi- Ukraine and Poland that Scotland would be 3:39.917. The Ukrainian women’s team, zation. the alternative site of the tournament which included Yelizaveta Bochkarova, “Since the fight takes place in should they fail to meet requirements. Svitlana Galyuk and Lesia Kalitovska, won New York, I want the youngsters the gold in the women’s pursuit event with from this city to benefit from it,” Gymnastics a time of 3:27.44. The Ukrainian men’s Mr. Klitschko said. “Together with • Olympic Champion Lilia team, composed of Lyubomyr Polatayko, the Laureus Sport for Good Podkopayeva, 29, was inducted into the Vitaliy Shchedov, Vitaliy Popkov and Foundation, we will start a social International Gymnastics Hall of Fame on Maksym Polischyuk, won bronze in the project in New York using boxing February 9. Podkopayeva won the men’s team pursuit with a time of 4:05.77. as the focus.” women’s all-around gymnastics gold medal Yevgen Bolbrukh won silver in the men’s 1 “We have had very positive at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She km race with a time of 1:03.11. experiences with a boxing project was fourth woman in 24 years to win a in Berlin, where boys and girls gold medal at the world championships one – compiled by Matthew Dubas can learn skills in the gym which Wladimir Klitschko. can help them in their daily life in terms of boosting self-esteem and help- Friends and Ambassadors program two ing them to channel aggression into posi- years ago and have used their influence tive energy,” he added. to highlight the plight of underprivileged Stamford Levy win second As part of the fund-raising effort, up children. to 10,000 names can be placed on the The Laureus Sport for Good annual indoor soccer tourney boxing robe that Mr. Klitschko will wear Foundation addresses a broad range of for the fight for $199. Fans can log on to social problems through a worldwide WHIPPANY, N.J. – Eight teams from Ukrainian Sports Club Levy from www.klitschko.com and book a space on program that funds over 50 sports-related five Ukrainian sports clubs competed in the Stamford, Conn., Chornomorska Sitch the robe; each fan who participates will community development initiatives. second annual winter indoor soccer tourna- (Blue), the Ukrainian Sports Club of get a personal certificate signed by Mr. Since its inception, Laureus, with the ment hosted by Chornomorska Sitch and New York (II), and Chornomorska Sitch Klitschko and Edwin Moses, chairman support of its founding patrons held at the Ukrainian American Cultural (over-30). of the Laureus Sport for Good Richemont and Daimler, represented by Center of New Jersey on February 10. In the final match, the Levy (Lions) Foundation. The robe will then be auc- their brands IWC Schaffhausen and The teams were broken down into two won the fast-paced tournament, defeating tioned off with the proceeds going Mercedes-Benz, has improved the lives groups of four teams. The first group Chornomorska Sitch (Yellow) 6-2. Third towards the foundation. of over 150,000 young people. For more included Chornomorska Sitch (Yellow), place went to Krylati. Mr. Klitschko, along with his brother, information, readers can log on to Krylati of Yonkers, N.Y., Ukrainian The coaching staff of Chornomorska Vitali, became members of the Laureus www.laureus.com. American Sports Club Tryzub from Sitch, including head coach Nicholas Philadelphia, and the Ukrainian Sports Hordynsky, Greg Serheev and Jaroslaw Club of New York (I). Twardowsky, organized and ran the tour- The second group included the nament. AN OPEN INVITATION TO LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS Tuleyev’s request two years ago but took Russian opposition... no action because there were insufficient Would you like fellow Ukrainians to know about events in your community? Would you like to become one of The Ukrainian Weekly’s correspondents? (Continued from page 3) grounds to open an investigation. Then what are you waiting for? his “political activity was as important a A new voice in Kyiv factor” as his journalistic work to his Mr. Kosvintsev, who is now editor-in- The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes submissions alleged harrassers. chief of the Kyiv-based Ukrainian daily from local community activists. Before he joined the United Civic Vechernie Vesti, said that newspaper’s You may reach The Weekly by phone, Front, Mr. Kosvintsev said the authorities coverage of his homeland and the poli- (973) 292-9800; fax, (973) 644-9510; often weighed in on his journalism work, cies of Russian President Vladimir Putin e-mail, [email protected]; suing him several times over his articles. has “significantly changed,” becoming After he began heading the local branch or mail, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, more aggressive during his tenure. Parsippany, NJ 07054. of Kasparov’s group, his phone was “As a journalist, I aim to tell the tapped, he was removed from the passen- Ukrainians what Putin’s regime repre- ger lists of scheduled plane flights and he sents,” Mr. Kosvintsev said. “We publish received visits from the police. a lot of facts that one cannot find in other Mr. Kosvintsev also said that Ukrainian papers.” Kemerovo Gov. Aman Tuleyev personal- Mr. Kosvintsev has accused Russian ORTHODONTIST ly requested in a letter that the regional authorities of trying to block his asylum prosecutor investigate him and “take request by saying it would violate bilater- Dr. Daniel A. Kuncio appropriate measures.” al agreements. “These measures were expressed Russia appears to have made no for- р. анило О. унцьо through various provocations, telephone mal reaction to Ukraine’s decision to taps, constant chasing, police visits, and so grant Mr. Kosvintsev asylum. The case Specialist in Child and Adult Orthodontics on,” Mr. Kosvintsev told RFE/RL. “This, comes amid heightened tensions between Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics in fact, proved the fact that their interest Moscow and Kyiv over Ukraine’s efforts toward me was politically motivated.” to join NATO and generally distance • Certified and Published in Invisalign® • Complimentary Consultation • • Most Insurances Accepted • Three New York City locations • The English-language daily The itself from Russia’s sphere of influence. Moscow Times quoted a spokesman for WWW.KUNCIOORTHODONTICS.COM the Kemerovo prosecutor’s office as say- RFE/RL’s Russian and Ukrainian serv- BAYSIDE • UPPER WEST SIDE • TRIBECA ing that prosecutors received Mr. ices contributed to this report. 718-352-1361 212-874-0030 212-732-2200 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 21

month that included RosUkrEnergo. Mr. New York Stock Exchange. Gazprom, a Yulia Tymoshenko... Yekhanurov was then head of Our Ukraine. 50-percent owner of RosUkrEnergo, would (Continued from page 2) In government, the Party of the Regions inevitably undergo stringent due diligence The “Contract with Investors” outlined backtracked from its vote and continued to in the process of its New York Stock MAY WE the policies to be pursued by a future use RosUkrEnergo. Minister of Fuel and Exchange application. Therefore the Tymoshenko government in encouraging Energy Yurii Boiko was head of NaftoGaz Tymoshenko government’s opposition to domestic and foreign direct investment. Ukrainy in 2004 when RosUkrEnergo was continued use of RosUkrEnergo is fortu- HELP YOU? International advice was provided by the launched with the blessing of Presidents itous for Mr. Medvedev. Washington-based International Security Kuchma and Vladimir Putin during the first The Tymoshenko government’s initia- To reach and Defense Policy Center of the inde- Yanukovych government (2002-2004). tives have been cautiously welcomed by pendent Rand Corp. think-tank. Mr. Boiko’s arrest in the summer of Anders Aslund, senior fellow at Peterson The Ukrainian Weekly The Rand Corp.’s Keith Crane and F. 2005 by the Security Service of Ukraine Institute for International Economics, the Stephan Larrabee co-authored (SBU), then headed by senior YTB leader fiercest Western critic of the 2005 call (973) 292-9800, “Encouraging Trade and Foreign Direct Oleksander Turchynov, for high-level cor- Tymoshenko government. Dr. Aslund com- and dial the Investment in Ukraine,” a study sponsored ruption was blocked by intervention from mended the current Tymoshenko govern- by the Kyiv-based Center for European the Presidential Secretariat. Mr. Turchynov ment for moving “quickly on three fronts” appropriate extension and International Studies (CEIS). The is first vice prime minister in the against corruption: firstly, halting the CEIS is headed by Vice Prime Minister Tymoshenko government. Yanukovych government’s fraudulent VAT (as listed below). Hryhorii Nemyria, who has responsibility The Tymoshenko government has refunds; secondly, cleaning up customs, an for European and international integration. advised Russia and the EU that it will seek area in which the 2005 Tymoshenko gov- Mr. Nemyria has played a key role in the to remove RosUkrEnergo in favor of a ernment enjoyed noticeable success; third- Fatherland Party, choosing to join the EPP- bilateral gas relationship with Russia. ly, aiming to remove RosUkrEnergo. Editorial – 3049, 3088 ED over the Socialist International political Gazprom chief (and Russian President Prime Minister Tymoshenko’s govern- Production – 3063, 3069 group in the European Parliament. Mr. Putin’s official successor) Dmitri ment is Ukraine’s first government com- Nemyria also negotiated away the last Medvedev is not opposed to this step. mitted to undertaking the domestic reforms Administration – 3041 remaining obstacles that paved the way for On January 24 Semyon Mogilevich, a that would increase the country’s Euro- Ukraine to join the World Trade reputed crime boss sought by the FBI who Atlantic membership prospects. Advertising – 3040 Organization. has long been linked to opaque energy In addition to advice provided by the schemes in Russia and Ukraine, was arrest- Sources: ibyut.com, kmu.gov.ua, Subscriptions – 3042 Rand Corp., the EBA prepared a compre- ed in Moscow. Mr. Mogilevich stood in the byut.com.ua, Pravda.com.ua, rand.org, hensive “Barriers to Investment” and way of Gazprom seeking to list itself on the europarl.europa.eu, themoscowtimes.com. “Action Plan” spreadsheet. “Barriers to Investment” will be incorporated into the government’s program, while the “Action Plan” will provide a timetable. Building on the YTB’s use of foreign advice, the government is set to create a Council of Foreign and Domestic Advisors that will work on improving Ukraine’s investment climate. The council, part of the TTI, will consist of businessmen, policy- makers and experts. Ukraine had a similar council under for- mer President Leonid Kuchma, but it rarely convened and had little influence on gov- ernment policy. Under President Kuchma, Ukraine received little foreign investment. The “Contract with Investors” outlined key areas for a future Tymoshenko govern- ment that are now to be implemented using foreign (Rand Corp.) and domestic (EBA) advice through the TTI. The TTI includes policies to improve legal stability for for- eign investors, fiscal and administrative policies supportive of foreign and domestic investment, a comprehensive energy pro- gram (in a sector where corruption throughout the CIS is rife), the advance- ment of trade opportunities through the EU and WTO, and additional transparent pri- vatizations. It should be recalled that the 2005 Tymoshenko government organized Ukraine’s first transparent privatization of Kryvorizhstal, selling it for $ 4.8 billion (U.S.) to the Dutch-registered Mittal Steel Co. Kryvorizhstal had been re-privatized because of the fraudulent nature of its under-valued sale for $800 million (U.S.) to Ukrainian oligarchs in July 2004. In 2005 the Tymoshenko government had supported an open bid that permitted for- eign investors. Ukraine’s oligarchs and the 2002-2004 Yanukovych government had adopted a protectionist policy that had blocked access by foreign investors. Ms. Tymoshenko’s energy policies, which will be incorporated into the TTI, have long been known, and were devel- oped in her May-June 2007 Foreign Affairs article “Containing Russia.” The article was the first ever published in the journal’s 86-year history that received a rebuke from a foreign ministry (Russia’s) prior to its publication. The YTB has been the only consistent political force in the Ukrainian Parliament that has opposed use of the non-transparent and corrupt intermediary, RosUkrEnergo, that transports Central Asian gas to Ukraine. In January 2006 the YTB and the Party of the Regions voted no confidence in the government of Yurii Yekhanurov over the gas deal it signed earlier that 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7 Western Union money transfer service honored in annual consumer competition KYIV – Western Union received the they know that we offer a reliable, fast and 2007 Choice of the Year award for convenient way to send funds.” money transfer services during a ceremo- The Choice of the Year festival is a ny held at the Ukraina Palace on national project intended to recognize the November 17, 2007. most popular goods and services avail- “This is more than an honor,” said able in Ukraine. Selections are based on Mikhail Babirenko, Western Union’s a national consumer marketing study, the country manager for Ukraine, Georgia work of an expert panel, comments and Armenia. “This award is recognition received from advertising agencies and of the trust that consumers in Ukraine others. It is a project of Festivals place in Western Union thousands of International, the European Marketing times a year when they rely on us to send Foundation, the European Chamber of or receive money.” Commerce, Industry and Trade, and the “Western Union has been building a tra- European Marketing Research Center in dition of trust with consumers since the association with TNS Ukraine. The con- company was founded more than 150 test’s results are audited by Deloitte. years ago in the United States,” Mr. Money sent by Western Union is Babirenko said. “Since then, we have available to recipients minutes after the evolved into the world’s most trusted and transaction is complete, making Western best-known money transfer service. Every Union one of the fastest ways to send year, Ukrainians confidently send and funds. The company has more than receive cash using Western Union because 10,000 agent locations across Ukraine.

Willard PR/Jak Davis Seen during a press conference in Kyiv at the Ukrinform news service on December 24, 2007, is Western Union Country Manager for Ukraine Mikhail Babirenko (center). Also pictured are Vyacheslav Logvinenko, moderator, and Western Union Assistant Marketing Manager Kateryna Holyanich.

Parliament a law on the Cabinet of Is a coalition possible... Ministers that diminished President (Continued from page 2) Yushchenko’s authority in early 2007. The number of such differences has Oleksander Moroz, leader of the been growing since Ms. Tymoshenko’s Socialists, who were YTB and OU allies appointment as prime minister in in 2004-2005 but formed the ruling coali- December 2007. President Yushchenko tion with the PRU in the previous thwarted Prime Minister Tymoshenko’s Parliament in 2006, has opined that a planned visit to Moscow, torpedoed sev- PRU-YTB coalition is quite possible, eral appointments to her government, because there are not many ideological disagreed with her privatization plans, differences between them. But Mr. came up with a package of bills aimed at Moroz predicted that Ms. Tymoshenko diminishing the role of the Cabinet of and Mr. Yushchenko will run against Ministers, tried to dismiss the head of the each other in the next presidential elec- State Savings Bank, whom Ms. tion, so their coalition is doomed. Tymoshenko had praised, and disagreed However, Andrii Yermolayev, the head with her plans to get rid of intermediaries of the Kyiv-based Sofia think tank, dis- in the gas trade with Russia and to missed the possibility of reconfiguring increase transit fees for Russian gas the coalition. He said it is possible to dis- bound for Europe. rupt the work of the current coalition, but PRU member Vadym Kolesnichenko it would be difficult to destroy it. It would told RTVi that Ms. Tymoshenko’s com- be even more difficult to form any new ments about a possible coalition with the coalition in the current Parliament, Mr. PRU were a signal to Mr. Yushchenko Yermolayev said. Still, he did not rule out that if he continues to confront her on the possibility that the Tymoshenko major policy issues, the YTB may Cabinet may fall quite soon because of change partners. He did not rule out the differences in the YTB-OU coalition. possibility of a PRU-YTB coalition. Mr. Kolesnichenko and several other com- Sources: www.euronews.net, January mentators pointed out that the PRU and 30; Ukrayinska Pravda, Interfax-Ukraine YTB have some experience with cooper- January 31; Inter TV, February 1; ation, such as jointly pushing through UNIAN, February 1, 2; RTVi, February 3.

Got a group? Need The Weekly?

Call our subscription department to find out how you may qualify for a group discount on your Weekly subscriptions. (973) 292-9800 ext. 3042 No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 23 OUT AND ABOUT

Through March 9 Art exhibit, featuring Adriana Farmiga, La History in the paintings of Petro Andrusiv,” New York Mama Galleria, 212-505-2476 or Shevchenko Scientific Society, [email protected] 212-254-5130

Through March 23 Art exhibit, “Orchids and More,” featuring February 23 Ukrainian Cartoon Festival, Ukrainian Cleveland works by Andrij Maday, Cleveland Botanical Jenkintown, PA Educational and Cultural Center, Garden, 216-721-1600 215-663-1166 or www.ueccphila.org

February 18 Performance by Mariana Sadovska, The February 24 “Nelehalka” by Ukrainian Drama Theater State College, PA Woskob Family Gallery, 814-865-1675 St. Catharines, ON “Zahrava,” Ukrainian Black Sea Hall, 416-246-0972 February 23 Pysanka course, Ukrainian National Buffalo, NY Women’s League of America Branch 97, St. March 1 Lecture by Vitaly Zhuhay, “The Present Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, New York State and Perspectives of Ukrainian Press,” 716-674-5185 Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 February 17-March 2 Art exhibit with works by Kateryna and Toronto Volodymyr Nemyra, KUMF Gallery, March 1 Ice skating on the National Mall, Plast 416-766-6802 Washington Ukrainian Scouting Organization, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, February 19 Lecture by Adriana Helbig, “’Make Me a 301-622-2338 or Washington Hip, Make Me a Hop:’ Afro-American Music, http://nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm African Migration and Class Identity in Ukraine,” Kennan Institute, 202-691-4100 March 2 Concert with Luba and Ireneus Zuk, Toronto Ukrainian Music Festival, Glenn Gould February 22-24 Ski and Snowboarding Trip, Ukrainian Studio, 416-762-7988 Lehighton, PA Homestead, 267-357-9114 or [email protected]

February 23 Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sultan Ibragimov Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to New York unification title bout, Madison Square events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome Garden, 732-921-8862 or 732-921-3415 submissions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors and as space allows; photos will be considered. Please note: February 23 Lecture by George Gajecki, “The items will be printed a maximum of two times each. Please send e-mail to New York Historiosophic Views of Ukraine’s Ancient [email protected].

UNA SENIORS’ CONFERENCE Sunday, June 8-13, 2008 – Senior Citizens’ Week SOYUZIVKA Ladies and Gentlemen! 2008 is here. I wish you good health, good spirits and invite you to visit SOYUZIVKA!

On behalf of the UNA Seniors’ Club, I would like to invite all seniors to participate in our annual UNA Seniors’ Club Week which will be held from Sunday, June 8 to Friday, June 13, 2008. For your general information the Seniors’ Club was organized over 30 years ago. The purpose of the UNA seniors is to support UNA endeavors, to preserve and cultivate Ukrainian heritage, promote unity within the community, develop social activities and maintain Ukrainian community life in America where we must concentrate on maintaining our Ukrainian community. There is much that can be done. We will try to make the week interesting and fun. Last year we had over 100 participants, 10 interest- ing speakers, entertainment in the evenings and fun was had by all. This year again, we have an interesting program scheduled and hope that you will be able to join us for an interesting, inexpensive weekend. SAVE these days for the Seniors’ Week. Follow the press for further information.

Make your reservations for the UNA Seniors’ Conference which will be held at our mountain resort SOYUZIVKA, beginning Sunday, June 8th, starting with wine and cheese through Friday, June 13th brunch. Registration: Sunday and Monday morning. All inclusive 5 nights, all meals, banquet, taxes and gratuities included, entertainment and special speakers. UNA members Single occupancy $425 – double $355 pp / Per night - Single $100– Double $82 pp Non UNA members Single occupancy $475- double $373 pp / Per night – Single $110– Double $90 pp BANQUET AND ENTERTAINMENT only $35 pp Call SOYUZIVKA Tel: 845 626-5641 and register early. Limited space available. Contact local senior clubs and organize a bus from your area. For further information please call Oksana Trytjak, Tel: 973 292-9800 X 3071 Senior Citizens’ Week is : FUN, AFFORDABLE AND INTERESTING WE WELCOME GUESTS! COME ONE COME ALL! 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 No. 7

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Saturday, February 23 information call 212-571-1555, ext. 35. NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Friday-Sunday, March 7-9 Society invites all to a lecture by Prof. CLEVELAND: The award-winning George Gajecky titled “The Historiosophic Orange Revolution documentary film Views of Ukraine’s Ancient History in the “The Orange Chronicles” will be featured paintings of Petro Andrusiv.” The lecture at the Cleveland International Film will be illustrated with slides. It will take Festival. Screening times are Friday, place at the society’s building, 63 Fourth March 7, at 9:45 p.m., Saturday, March 8, Ave. (between Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 (with Film Forum), at 11:15 a.m., and p.m. For additional information call 212- Sunday, March 9, at 9:30 a.m. Audience 254-5130. voting determines the best film award. For Monday, February 25 more details see www.ClevelandFilm.org. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Sunday, March 9 Ukrainian Research Institute will host a NEW YORK: All children age 4-11 are lecture by Andriy Danylenko, lecturer in invited to the Kostiumivka, organized by the modern languages and cultures, Pace New York City branch of Plast Ukrainian University; and Eugene and Daymel Scouting Organization, beginning at 2 p.m. Shklar Research Fellow, Ukrainian This year’s theme is “Chervona Shapochka” Research Institute. His lecture, “Mykhailo (“Little Red Riding Hood”). Children will Luchkai – A Dissident Forerunner of be active participants in this costume story Literary Rusyn?” will be held in Room S- presentation, which will be held in St. 050 (Concourse level) of CGIS Building George School Auditorium, between Sixth South at 4-6 p.m. The South Building of and Seventh streets. Admission: $10 for the Center for Government and adults; free for children. Fun and games will International Studies (CGIS) is located at follow the story. For further information call 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 212-982-4530. 02138. For more information contact HURI at 617-495-4053 or log on to Sunday, March 30 www.huri.harvard.edu/calendar.htm. JENKINTOWN, Pa.: A presentation and Saturday, March 1 luncheon for the Ukrainian Catholic University will be held at 4 p.m. at the NEW YORK: The Center for Traditional Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Music and Dance and Ukrainian Wave Center, 700 Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA present “Spring Vechornytsi” (Village 19046. Tickets to the event cost $40; Dance Party) program at 7:30-11 p.m. at donations are also welcome. All proceeds the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant, 140 from the luncheon will go to support the Second Ave., New York (between Eighth Ukrainian Catholic University. To pur- and Ninth streets). Enjoy Carpathian chase tickets, please send a check to: mountain music by acclaimed acoustic Philadelphia Friends of the Ukrainian folk band Cheres, led by Andriy Milavsky. Catholic University, P. O. Box 19, Learn folk dances such as the “Dribka” Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. For more (shivering) polka, “Hanka,” “Arkan,” information call 773-235-8462. All friends “Pleskan” and more with dance master and supporters of the Ukrainian Catholic Tamara Chernyakhovska. Dance instruc- University and the Ukrainian Catholic tion is at 7:30-8:30 p.m. Admission: $10 Education Foundation, along with all other for adults, $5 for children (dinner not interested persons are invited to this event. included in admission price). For further Organizations are also most welcome. Being Ukrainian means: PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES: ❏ Malanka in January. 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 ❏ Debs in February. Weekly to the Ukrainian community.

❏ Sviato Vesny/Zlet in May. To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English, ❏ written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief paragraph that includes the date, place, Wedding of your roommate in June. type of event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations ❏ Tabir in July. involved, and a phone number to be published for readers who may require addi- tional information. Items should be no more than 100 words long. ❏ Volleyball at Wildwood in August. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of ❏ Labor Day at Soyuzivka in September. publication. Items will be published only once, unless otherwise indicated. Please ❏ include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in Koliada in December. which the item is to be published. Also, senders are asked to include the phone num- ber of a person who may be contacted by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. If you checked off more than one of the above, then you know what you’re doing to your brain cells. Information should be sent to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, 973-644-9510; e-mail, Now, how about doing something for your mind? [email protected]. Subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly. Attention Debutante Ball SUBSCRIPTION NAME: ______Organizers! NAME: (please type or print)

ADDRESS: ______As in the past, The Ukrainian Weekly CITY: ______STATE: ______ZIP CODE: ______will publish a special section devoted to the Ukrainian PHONE (optional) ______community’s debutantes. The 2008 debutante ball section ❏ UNA member subscription price — $45.00/yr. ❏ Non-member subscription price — $55.00/yr. will be published in March. UNA Branch number ______The deadline for submission of stories Mail to: Subscription Department, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 and photos is February 29.