www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• A UKRAINIAN SUMMER: special 14-page supplement • offering suggestions for camps, studies, travels, cultural programs, • sports and just plain fun – pages 11-14. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXVIII HE KRAINIANNo. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2000 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine Ukrainians in Washington mark T U Presidents ofW Russia, Belarus, Ukraine anniversary of Chornobyl disaster mark World War II victory in Belgorod by Yaro Bihun resolution of the Chornobyl problem and to by Roman Woronowycz states are part of one larger nation. Special to The Ukrainian Weekly urge its European partners to meet their Kyiv Press Bureau “We met our enemies together and obligations as well.” achieved victory together,” said Mr. Putin, WASHINGTON – The Ukrainian Also speaking at the commemoration KYIV — While Ukraine celebrated a according to the Associated Press. “We American and Ukrainian diplomatic com- were Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the three-day holiday after the Easter weekend, have a common fate, common culture and munities here marked the 14th anniversary Ukrainian National Information Service, which included two days off for May Day, religion. We are one family.” of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster with two who also heads the local chapter of the President Leonid Kuchma flew off to President Kuchma was far more events: a commemorative ceremony in front Ukrainian Congress Committee of America; Belgorod, Russia, for a one-day meeting restrained in giving any such endorsement of the White House and a literary/musical Ihor Kotlarchuk, president of the Ukrainian with the presidents of Belarus and Russia in and called only for the need for closer and evening at the Embassy of Ukraine. Association of Washington; and Laryssa a display of Slavic unity on the occasion of more open relations. He said that in today’s Some 50 Ukrainian diplomats and their Fontana, of the Chornobyl Committee of the 55th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi uncertain and changing world the three families, and members of the Greater Washington, who compared the “frailty” of Germany. countries must continue to seek mutual sup- Washington community gathered at The commemorations included a memo- port and cooperation. Lafayette Park on April 26 beside the Ukraine and other countries suffering from the affects of the nuclear disaster to the frail rial service during which the three leaders Mr. Lukashenka, the Belarusian strong Chornobyl Tree – planted there 12 years jointly rang a bell symbolizing their spiritu- condition of the Chornobyl tree itself, man, has long called for a reunion of the ago as a reminder of the tragedy that befell al unity and the unveiling of a monument to which, although planted in Lafayette Park three countries, which were the core of the Ukraine and its neighbors. those who fell during the Battle of Kurek – 12 years ago, “is still struggling.” Soviet Union and have not done very well The main speaker at the commemoration which some Russian historians consider the The Very Rev. Stefan Zencuch, rector of individually since they went their separate was Ukraine’s new ambassador to the defining battle of World War II. St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox ways with the USSR’s fall in 1991. He has United States, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, It was a meeting in which the varying Cathedral, officiated over the religious part led his own country back into formal union who honored “those who fought the fire, aims of the three leaders stood in contrast, of the service. with Russia, but Moscow has not pursued knowing that they were doomed and paying muted by affirmations of cooperation and The Chornobyl anniversary theme was the new partnership with vigor because it the ultimate price to save Kyiv, Ukraine and friendship. introduced a week earlier, April 19, during a would involve absorbing the stagnant Europe.” Belarusian President Alyaksandr literary and musical evening at the Belarusian economy, which would only fur- He also expressed his country’s gratitude Lukashenko took the opportunity to once Ukrainian Embassy. ther harm its own already moribund one. to all who helped Ukraine since the acci- again tout the need to form a great Slavic Sponsored jointly by the Embassy and The strong-armed tactics used by Mr. dent, and especially the Ukrainian commu- state and reunite the three countries – decla- The Washington Group Cultural Fund, the Lukashenka in redoing the Belarusian nities in the United States and Canada. rations that President Vladimir Putin fell evening featured writer Irene Zabytko, Constitution and stomping out opposition in The Ukrainian government has made the just short of making. The Russian president whose first novel, “The Sky Unwashed,” decision to close the Chornobyl power sta- merely implied that the three independent (Continued on page 3) tion this year, he said. “We are counting on about the aftermath of the Chornobyl acci- the international community to respond dent, was published recently by the appropriately during the planned pledging Algonquin Press. It has received strong pre- conference,” he said. He added that Ukraine publication reviews and has been nominat- also expects this will be a priority item on ed for the Barnes and Noble “Discover Changes in U.S. visa regulations the agenda of the planned visit of President Great New Authors” series. Bill Clinton to Ukraine in June. The musical part of the evening featured Following Ambassador Gryshchenko’s Taras Lazurkevych, a bandurist from Lviv, to simplify travel by Ukrainians remarks, Ihor Gawdiak, vice president of and flutist Daria Lassowsky Nebesh, who by Roman Woronowycz temporary work visas, could simply drop the Ukrainian World Congress and presi- performs, teaches and composes in the Kyiv Press Bureau off their applications and fees at the con- dent of the Ukrainian American Baltimore-Washington area. The program sular offices and in most cases pick up KYIV – The United States Consulate their visas the next day. Coordinating Council, called on the Clinton included duets and solo pieces by the artists, in Kyiv announced more changes in visa administration, the U.S. Congress and the including Ms. Lassowsky Nebesh’s compo- Now that privilege will be extended to application procedures on April 25 that all individuals 60 years of age or older American people to help Ukraine achieve sition “Elegy for Hanusia, a Chornobyl will make it still easier for Ukrainians “to the fullest extent possible the adequate Victim.” and to those who have been granted even wishing to travel to the United States to a single U.S. visa during the previous do so. year. The latest modifications, which follow Those who qualify for the drop-box a larger overhaul of the system that took service simply need to fill out the visa place last summer, will give more application form and submit it in person Ukrainians the ability to obtain visas by or through a courier to the U.S. consular utilizing a drop-box system and forego- offices in Kyiv on Mondays through ing what for many can be a nerve-wrack- Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ing visa interview. It also will speed up along with their passport, supporting the work of the consular section and documents, a passport photo and a $45 ostensibly reduce the waiting time for application fee. Visas for those who are those who still must go through an inter- approved can be picked up the following view, which today takes anywhere from day during the same hours after the pay- six to eight weeks. ment of an issuance fee, if it applies. “It is a procedure that enables quali- Those who do not qualify for the drop fied applicants a greater chance of box should send a request for an appoint- obtaining a visa without having to go ment for an interview by mail, telegram, through an interview,” said Kyiv’s fax or e-mail to the consular section of Consul General Lauren Hueber Marcott. the U.S. Embassy at least two weeks in In July 1999, the consular division advance of their desired interview date. instituted a drop box procedure, whereby Yaro Bihun The information should include their people who previously had been granted name, date and place of birth, passport Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Kostyantyn Gryshchenko addresses a three-year multiple-entry visa or two number, a return address or fax number. the 14th anniversary commemoration of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in front single-entry visas, or those who were of the Chornobyl Tree near the White House. Standing beside him is Very Rev. renewing student, exchange, visitor or (Continued on page 3) Stefan Zencuch of St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2000 No. 19 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Courting strategic partnership in Kyiv Top officers fired over stray missile people, adopted a resolution calling on the government to break all ties between by Jan Maksymiuk ened” when Mr. Kuchma reaffirmed his KYIV – Defense Minister Oleksander RFE/RL Newsline intention to close the Chornobyl nuclear Ukraine and the International Monetary Kuzmuk has dismissed Missile Forces Fund, and on the Constitutional Court to power plant this year. And she expressed and Artillery Commander Lt. Gen. President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine support for the constitutional referen- declare the results of the April 16 constitu- scored several impressive political victo- Volodymyr Tereschenko and Col. tional referendum illegal. (RFE/RL dum, which is, however, regarded by the Heorhii Korneyev, head of the control ries in the past two weeks. Council of Europe as dangerous to Newsline) The major one was of course the group for the missile forces, Reuters Ukraine’s fledgling democracy.