www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE: l Kerry and Lavrov hold talks on Ukraine – page 3 l Crimean Tatar leader at Shevchenko event in D.C. – page 5 l Special section: Ukrainian Debutante Balls – pages 9-12 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXII No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014 $1/$2 in Ukraine NATO condemns Poroshenko favored to win presidential election Russia’s ‘illegal by Zenon Zawada military intervention’ KYIV – Chocolate king Petro Poroshenko is the new favorite to win the May 25 presidential The following statement on Ukraine election, according to a poll released on March was issued by NATO foreign ministers 26 by four of Ukraine’s leading polling firms. meeting in Brussels on April 1. What’s more, he enjoys a commanding lead over his top rival, former Prime 1. We, the Foreign Ministers of Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Almost 25 per- NATO, are united in our condemnation cent of eligible voters said they’d cast their of Russia’s illegal military intervention ballots for Mr. Poroshenko compared to in Ukraine and Russia’s violation of more than 8 percent for Ms. Tymoshenko. In Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial a second-round runoff, he would earn 46 integrity. We do not recognize Russia’s percent compared to her 12 percent. illegal and illegitimate attempt to Another contender, boxing legend Vitali annex Crimea. We urge Russia to take Klitschko, earned 9 percent in the poll. But immediate steps, as set out in the state- he announced on March 29 that he’s with- ment by the NATO-Ukraine Commission, drawing his presidential candidacy to sup- to return to compliance with interna- port Mr. Poroshenko, who in turn will tional law and its international obliga- extend his support for Mr. Klitschko’s candi- Yevgeniy Maloletka/UNIAN dacy in the Kyiv mayoral (City Council tions and responsibilities, and to Vitali Klitschko (left), the head of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR), engage immediately in a genuine dia- chair) election, to be held the same day. announced on March 29 he’s withdrawing his presidential candidacy to support Petro logue towards a political and diplomat- “We are pledging to fulfill the politics of Poroshenko (right), who in turn offered his support for Mr. Klitschko’s candidacy for ic solution that respects international European reforms, which will ensure the mayor of Kyiv. Mr. Poroshenko is the easy favorite to win, according to recent polls. law and Ukraine’s internationally rec- guaranteed protection of human rights and ognized borders. We support the freedom, rule of law, economic develop- Facebook page. “We call upon democratic ment as an alternative to separatism, popu- deployment of an OSCE monitoring ment, free enterprise, uprooting corruption parties, civic organizations and movements, lism and authoritarianism in any displays.” mission to Ukraine. and conducting a policy of social justice,” and all those who share the ideals of democ- Observers said the sudden emergence of 2. Our goal of a Euro-Atlantic region said a declaration of unity signed by Messrs. racy and freedom to unite around our com- Mr. Poroshenko as the leading presidential Poroshenko and Klitschko, which was pub- whole, free and at peace has not mon initiative and participate in the cre- lished on March 29 on Mr. Poroshenko’s (Continued on page 13) changed, but has been fundamentally ation of a wide, national democratic move- challenged by Russia. We support the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all states within their internationally recognized borders. An independent, sovereign Maidan Benefit Concert in Parma raises spirits and funds and stable Ukraine, firmly committed by Renata Harmatiy Heavenly Brigade, the fallen heroes of the Cleveland Maidan Committee and the to democracy and respect for human Maidan, the Ukrainian community of north- United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio rights, minorities and the rule of law, is PARMA, Ohio – Tragic events stay in the ern Ohio came together in an unprecedent- (UUOO); participants represented over 50 key to Euro-Atlantic security. headlines for several days. However, they ed fund-raising concert, reflecting a vigor- Ukrainian organizations in northern Ohio, 3. In order to demonstrate our com- stay with the survivors for a lifetime. In a ous effort and unity. mitment to Ukraine, we will intensify show of support for the families of the The event was co-sponsored by the (Continued on page 5) our cooperation in the framework of our Distinctive Partnership. Today NATO and Ukraine have agreed, as set out in the statement by the NATO- Ukraine Commission, to implement immediate and longer-term measures in order to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to provide for its own security. 4. We have also today agreed a package of measures aimed at deepen- ing our cooperation with other NATO partners in Eastern Europe, in consul- tation with them and within our exist- ing bilateral programs. 5. Over the past 20 years, NATO has consistently worked for closer cooper- ation and trust with Russia. However, Russia has violated international law and has acted in contradiction with the principles and commitments in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Basic Document, the NATO-Russia Founding Act and the Rome Declaration. Adam Misztal (Continued on page 6) The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, directed by Oleh Mahlay, performs during the March 15 Maidan Benefit Concert held in Parma, Ohio. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014 No. 14 ANALYSIS The Crimean operation: House passes Ukraine aid bill eration” with Russia in response to WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea Representatives on April 1 passed legisla- region. The decision was made by NATO Russian force and tactics tion that includes aid for Ukraine and sanc- foreign ministers gathered at a meeting in Brussels on April 1. It was the first NATO by Maksym Bugriy Polyana near Sochi. Furthermore, the tions on Russia for its annexation of meeting since Russia’s annexation of Eurasia Daily Monitor Russian forces were apparently made up Crimea. The vote for the Support for the solely of contract soldiers (kontraktniki) Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy and Crimea last month. The ministers, however, The military aspect of Russia’s interven- and not conscripts. The soldiers reportedly Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 said political dialogue with Moscow will tion in Crimea is coming to an end. On were ordered to cede their personal docu- was 378 in support and 34 against. The continue within the NATO-Russia Council. March 25, Vladimir Putin ordered the local ments and mobile phones prior to the mis- Senate passed the bill, which includes $1 NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh “self-defense” forces to integrate into the sion (http://top.rbc.ru/politics/06/03/ billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine, last Rasmussen told reporters that he also regular Russian military and security forces 2014/909718.shtml). week. “With Russian forces massing on expects NATO to continue at least some (Interfax, March 25), whereas the Security In that way, the Russians were able to Ukraine’s borders, tension and fear is cooperation with Russia on antinarcotics and Defense Council of Ukraine resolved to stage a “deniability” operation, at the center spreading throughout the region, and our initiatives and the situation in Afghanistan. withdraw the remaining Ukrainian troops of which were the soldiers in brand new, legislation sends a clear signal – that Mr. Rasmussen said NATO was in agree- from the peninsula. Reportedly, by March insignia-less Russian uniforms – dubbed by Congress will not stand for further viola- ment to help improve Ukraine’s military, 26, Russian flags were flying over all 193 Ukrainians as the “little green men.” On tions,” said House Foreign Affairs but said the alliance as a whole was not in a Ukrainian military facilities in Crimea February 27, two groups comprised togeth- Committee ranking member Eliot Engel, a position to provide Ukrainian forces with (http://www.arms-expo.ru/05004905405 er of up to 120 insignia-less troops calling Democrat from New York. The legislation weapons. He indicated that each individual 0124051053051054051.html). themselves “self-defense forces of the has been sent to President Barack Obama NATO member is responsible for decisions The Russian operation to annex Crimea Russian-speaking Crimean citizens” seized to sign into law. (RFE/RL) on whether to supply arms. “Military equip- was remarkable in the way the forces were the Parliament and government buildings in ment is owned by NATO member states,” he planned and assembled, including the state Symferopol, the administrative capital of NATO chief warns Russia said. “So possible delivery of equipment [to military, private military companies, para- Crimea (http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/ BRUSSELS – NATO Secretary-General Ukraine] is a bilateral arrangement military civilians, Ukrainian security per- news/2014/02/28/7016676/). Anders Fogh Rasmussen says it would be a between NATO allies and their partners.” sonnel and Crimean police. At the initial These soldiers were initially perceived to “historic mistake” if Russia intervened fur- Mr. Rasmussen said the alliance will also pre-military stage of the operation, civilian be Russian troops, though it is still possible ther in Ukraine following the annexation of consider ways to enhance collective defense protesters, assembled by pro-Russian par- that Crimean private security contractors Crimea. On April 2, Mr. Rasmussen said against any threat of aggression to alliance ties such as Russkoye Yedinstvo, organized supported by Russia might have been Russia’s military build-up on the Ukrainian members. Reports said this could include mass rallies in Crimean cities – such as the among these operators. The siege met no border was a “matter of grave concern.” the possible deployment and reinforcement 50,000 protesters who gathered in resistance from the local police and security Western officials have said tens of thousands of military assets in eastern NATO members Sevastopol in February.