The Ukrainian Weekly 1996, No.33
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www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• An oral history “FIVE of Ukrainian YEARS independence OF INDEPENDENT — pages 7-8. UKRAINE” • Photo essay: the road to independence and Ukraine’s statehood — pages 9-12. • Youthful perspectives on independent Ukraine — pages 13-14. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXIV HE No.KRAINIAN 33 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 1996 EEKLY$1.25/$2 in Ukraine Ukraine set to mark milestone fifth anniversary SenateT approves U W by Marta Kolomayets vision” of the process of state-building, keeping costs to a minimum. Kyiv Press Bureau said Mr. Tabachnyk. Given that the anniversary falls at a $225 M for Ukraine Among the highlights of the celebra- time Ukraine is undergoing the difficult by Eugene Iwanciw KYIV — Celebrations marking the fifth tions for Kyiv residents and tourists alike transition to a market economy, Mr. anniversary of Ukraine’s independence are will be a military parade along the WASHINGTON – In a 93 to 7 vote, Tabachnyk pointed out that many of the slated to begin next week and last through Khreshchatyk, the capital’s main thor- the U.S. Senate on July 26 approved the events scheduled on this historic anniver- December of this year, Presidential Chief oughfare. But, unlike the parades of the Foreign Assistance Appropriations Act sary will be funded by private donations. of Staff Dmytro Tabachnyk told reporters Soviet era, this procession will exclude for fiscal year 1997. The House of “These celebrations should be neither during a weekly briefing at the presidential all military hardware, such as tanks, Representatives had previously passed expensive nor exhaustive,” said Mr. administration on August 14. heavy artillery and armored personnel the bill. Containing an earmark of $225 Tabachnyk, emphasizing the fact that On Friday, August 23, President Leonid carriers. Members of Ukraine’s armed million of assistance for Ukraine only in they will be popular in nature, ranging Kuchma will address the Ukrainian people forces will march past a reviewing stand the Senate version, the bill now moves to from flower shows and outdoor theater during a celebratory gathering of members that will include Ukraine’s top govern- productions to Kozak games and sporting the House-Senate conference committee of Parliament, government leaders and dis- ment officials. for resolution of the differences between competitions. tinguished guests at the newly renovated An earlier plan to hold an air show has “And, this holiday is not only for citi- the two bills. Ukraina Palace. also been canceled, according to Lt. Gen. In its report, the House Foreign zens of Ukraine, but for Ukrainians In the address, scheduled to be tele- Mykola Zabely, who is in charge of the throughout the world,” noted Deputy Operations Subcommittee wrote: “The vised live, the Ukrainian leader is sched- parade, as the city’s officials are con- committee commends the administration uled to outline his “perception and cerned about both its citizens’ safety and (Continued on page 2) for its support during fiscal year 1996 for reform efforts in Ukraine, a struggling nation whose independence is key to a peaceful Europe. Although the committee has not earmarked funds for Ukraine, or any other nation, it expects the coordinator to allocate to Ukraine approximately the requested level of funding, subject to con- tinuing progress in economic reform.” The House subcommittee, however, reduced the president’s request of $640 million in assistance for the new inde- pendent states (NIS), from which aid to Ukraine is provided, by $50 million. The administration’s planning documents indicated spending of about $170 million for Ukraine if the full NIS appropriations was approved. The Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee pursued a far different approach in assistance to Ukraine. In addi- tion to fully funding the administration’s NIS request at $640 million, the Senate earmarked $225 million of assistance for Ukraine, $95 million for Armenia and $25 million for Georgia. The subcommittee, under the chairmanship of Sen. Mitch Chrystyna Lapychak McConnell (R-Ky.), took the further step UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Members of Parliament bring the blue-and-yellow flag of Ukraine into the hall of sub-earmarking the Ukrainian assis- after they voted to proclaim Ukraine’s independence on August 24, 1991. tance for particular programs. The sub-earmarks include $25 million as part of the U.S. contribution to the decommissioning of the Chornobyl nuclear plant, $35 million for agricultur- Gilman resolution supports Ukraine’s independence al projects, $5 million for a small busi- by Volodymyr Chornodolsky enough support to pass the resolution. military bloc on the territory of the for- ness incubator project, $5 million for Ukrainian National Information Service The chairman opened the meeting by mer Soviet Union. screening and treatment of childhood saying, “Let me state, first of all, that The Gilman resolution urges the gov- WASHINGTON – Rep. Benjamin events in Ukraine will inevitably have ernment of Ukraine to: continue efforts to mental and physical illnesses related to Gilman (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Chornobyl radiation, and $50 million to consequences for all of Europe – both ensure the rights of all citizens; accelerate International Relations Committee, re- East and West. Too often, unfortunate- efforts to transform its economy; proceed improve safety at nuclear reactors. introduced Concurrent Resolution 120 The Senate subcommittee also devot- ly, we here in the United States have expeditiously with the privatization of “Supporting the Independence and ed two pages of its report to Ukraine, focused our attention on Russia and the state-owned enterprises; place high prior- Sovereignty of Ukraine and its Political which set a different tone from that of tremendous changes taking place in that ity on adopting laws to encourage eco- and Economic Reforms” at a committee the House. It begins: “The committee is important country. In the process, we nomic growth based on market mecha- meeting on August 1. extremely disappointed by the adminis- have overlooked the important role that nisms, private enterprise and the right to tration’s continued reluctance to serious- This is the first time in history that Ukraine will play in Europe.” own property; and continue efforts to ly and fully address Ukraine’s require- such a resolution was introduced in Rep. Gilman went on to congratulate reach agreement with the G-7 states to ments. The USAID mission in this coun- Congress. The resolution was initially Ukraine for the recent adoption of its shut down the nuclear plant at Chornobyl. try and the program administrators in proposed in December 1995, but did not new Constitution, the fulfillment of its It calls on the president of the United Washington have preferred to expand gain enough support at that time. Rep. commitment to become nuclear-free, States to: support continued U.S. assis- existing contracts with Russian-based Gilman now feels that with the fifth and its attempt to implement political tance to Ukraine for specified purposes, organizations rather than assess and anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and economic reforms, and continue to proclamation nearing, there should be oppose the emergence of any collective (Continued on page 17) (Continued on page 2) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 1996 No. 33 • August 22: a telebridge titled “From Ukraine set to mark... the Dinets to the Tysa” designed to (Continued from page 1) underscore Ukraine’s unity. NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Prime Minister Ivan Kuras, who heads • August 23: opening of an exhibit the working group for planning the dedicated to five years of Ukraine’s inde- pendence at the Sports Palace. Kuchma appoints government officials announced. He said his office had dis- anniversary events. covered dozens of cases of embezzle- Underscoring the global nature of this • August 23: an awards ceremony for KYIV — President Leonid Kuchma recipients of state honors at the ment of government funds intended as event, Mr. Kuras said at the briefing that visited Moscow to meet with Russian wages in the coal mining, education, on August 22 there will be a ceremonial Mariyinsky Palace. President Boris Yeltsin on his inaugura- health care and other sectors, especially gathering of the Ukrainian World • August 23-25: flower shows and tion day. Back home, President Kuchma by the managers of 10 coal mines in Coordinating Council at the Teachers’ concerts in the city center and in various appointed Volodymyr Yevtukh as chair- eastern Ukraine. This greatly aggravated Building, formerly the headquarters of neighborhoods of Kyiv. man of the new State Commission on the wage debt crisis there. He also said the Central Rada of the Ukrainian • August 26: the third Congress of the Nationalities and Migration. He reap- ministry officials did not monitor the National Republic. International Association of Ukrainian- pointed Pavlo Mysnyk to head the State funds’ use. (OMRI Daily Digest) It is unlikely that any of the Soviet sym- ists opens in Kharkiv. Committee on State Secrets and the • August 27: presentation of a coffee- bols adorning the facades of the Ukrainian Technical Protection of Information, Mining strike problems continue Parliament, the Foreign Ministry and the table book “Ukraine: Five Years of Ukrainian TV and radio reported on presidential administration buildings will Independence.” August 7. He continued to form his gov- KYIV — Leaders of the Independent