Inside: • Viktor Yanukovych’s drive toward Russia – page 3. • Roots of Ukraine’s status as a non-nuclear state – page 7. • Students stage “Hip Hop Hopak” in Montreal – page 11

ThePublished U by thekra Ukrainian Nationali Association n i a Inc., a n fraternal Wnon-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXVIII No.19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 $1/$2 in Ukraine Communists in Zaporizhia Ukraine-Russia fleet deal unveil monument to Stalin provokes protest in NYC by Zenon Zawada Kyiv Press Bureau ZAPORIZHIA, Ukraine – T h e C o m m u n i s t s o f Z a p o r i z h i a u n v e i l e d Ukraine’s first monument to the genocidal Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin on May 5 amidst a cheerful crowd of more than 1,500 admirers, mostly destitute pensioners and Russian chauvinists nos- talgic for the Soviet Union. Though Ukrainian patri- ots vowed a protest, none was visible at the ceremony, particularly after the city’s courts forbid any public demonstrations. Instead, about 100 Svoboda national- ists and Prosvita members Vasyl Lopukh donned embroidered shirts Ukrainian protesters send a message of disgust to Ukraine’s Mission to the United and carried placards to the Nations. City Council. Yurii Hudymenko, a lead- by Matthew Dubas and Dmitry Medvedev of Russia that exten- er of the local Ukrainian ded the basing of the Black Sea Fleet in patriots, led about 15 col- NEW YORK – Carrying placards, dres- Sevastopol, Crimea, for an additional 25 sed in Ukrainian embroidery, and waving Zenon Zawada leagues to the unveiling, but years. they weren’t allowed to get Ukrainian and American flags, hundreds Prior to the extension, the contract was Communists in Zaporizhia unveiled a monument to near the ceremony, which met here on 51st Street (between First and set to expire in 2017. In return for the fleet’s Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin on May 5 at their party was guarded by dozens of Second avenues) in front of Ukraine’s continued basing, Ukraine is to get lower headquarters. Upon the granite pedestal is the police. He said the monu- Mission to the United Nations on Monday, gas prices from Russia. The deal was rati- inscription “To the leader of the Soviet government, May 3, to protest the deal signed between fied last month by both countries’ (Continued on page 4) Generalissimo Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.” Presidents Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine Parliaments. The protest, which lasted from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., was organized by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Yanukovych tells PACE Holodomor was not genocide and included participants from branches in PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Addressing the against Ukrainians.” mitted by the Soviet state. Philadelphia, Yonkers, N.Y., New Haven, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Ukrinform quoted Mr. Yanukovych as Our Ukraine pointed out that Mr. Conn., and Morris County, N.J., in addition Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, France, on saying: “It would be incorrect and unjust Yanukovych’s stand opposed the positions to the New York branch. Some of the UCCA April 27, President Viktor Yanukovych of to recognize the Holodomor as genocide of the parliaments of Estonia, Australia, branches organized buses and vans to take Ukraine said the Holodomor of 1932-1933 of any specific nation.” The Holodomor, Canada, Hungary, Lithuania, Georgia, members from their local Ukrainian com- was not genocide committed against the he said “was a result of Stalin’s totalitarian Poland, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, munities to the demonstration. Volunteers Ukrainian people by the Stalin regime but rule.” Columbia, Mexico and Latvia, which offi- collected signatures from participants on “a shared tragedy” of all who were part of “We know that there was Holodomor cially acknowledged the Holodomor as petitions calling for scrapping the agreement the USSR. both in Ukraine, in Russia, Stavropol and genocide of Ukrainian people, as well as between Ukraine and Russia. The next day, PACE adopted a resolu- Krasnodar areas, on the Volga banks, in the European Parliament, which called the Protesters spent the first hour in front of tion that refused to recognize the Famine Belarus and Kazakhstan,” Mr. Yanukovych Holodomor a crime against the Ukrainian Ukraine’s Mission to the United Nations. It that took place in the Soviet Union during said to the applause of the Russian delega- nation and all humanity. was expected that Ukraine’s Minister of the 1930s as genocide of the Ukrainian tion. A member of the Russian delegation to Foreign Affairs Kostyantyn Gryshchenko people. The new Ukrainian president’s position PACE, Sergei Markov, said that thanks to would be at the Mission, but he was at a According to Interfax-Ukraine, only 21 coincides with that of Russia, which main- Mr. Yanukovych’s statement in Strasbourg, conference at the United Nations on the PACE members voted for recognizing the tains that the Holodomor cannot be con- the PACE amendment would not pass. non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian sidered an act that targeted Ukrainians, as “The assembly met with applause his Tthe protesters then walked uptown to people, while 55 voted against correspond- millions of people from different ethnic [Yanukovych’s] words... This statement 67th Street, to the corner of Third Avenue, ing amendments to the draft resolution on groups also lost their lives across the will definitely affect the resolution...” Mr. near Russia’s Mission to the United Nations. the issue. Soviet Union. Markov said, according to RIA Novosti. A local police captain on the scene explai- The Associated Press characterized the The Our Ukraine party accused The “provisional edition” of the ned that the protest was contained to the recently elected Ukrainian president’s President Yanukovych of violating a Resolution 1723 “Commemorating the corner because the Russian Mission had remarks as “a major turnabout in Ukrainian law on the denial of the victims of the Great Famine (Holodomor) filed a court order to prevent the protest Ukrainian policy,” noting that Holodomor, reported Ukrinform. Under a in the former USSR,” which is available from being held directly across the street “Yanukovych’s stance is a complete shift law passed by the Verkhovna Rada on on the PACE website, states in part: from its building. from that of his predecessor, pro-Western November 28, 2006, it is an offense to “…3. One of the most tragic pages in In spite of the intermittent rain showers, president Viktor Yushchenko, who sought deny that the Famine, which took the lives students and young adults were represented to have the famine recognized as genocide of millions, was an act of genocide com- (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 9) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS

Gas in exchange for naval base: Putin: merge Gazprom and Naftohaz ate a joint holding company in the sphere of nuclear energy, including the imple- A boon to Ukraine’s weak economy KYIV – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir mentation of energy projects in third Putin proposed to his Ukrainian counterpart, countries. Russian Prime Minister by Pavel Korduban Pravda, April 22). Messrs. Yanukovych Mykola Azarov, a merger of the Ukrainian Vladimir Putin said at a briefing after the and Russian state gas companies. Speaking Eurasia Daily Monitor and Putin agreed that the discount is tan- sixth meeting of the Ukrainian-Russian tamount to $40 billion in assistance from with the news media after the sixth meeting Intergovernmental Commission on Moscow has agreed to lower the price Russia over the next 10 years. Ukrainian of the Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation in Sochi on April of gas for Kyiv by one-third in exchange Prime Minister Mykola Azarov estimated Commission on Economic Cooperation in 30. “We have presented concrete propos- for extending the lease of the Sevastopol that this is more than the foreign invest- Sochi on April 30, Mr. Putin said, “We talk- als of the Russian side in this sphere base for the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) by 25 ment received by Ukraine since indepen- ed about integration in the nuclear sphere. I regarding the creation of a large joint years. The Ukrainian Parliament ratified dence in 1991 (ICTV, April 25). Ukraine think the same could be done in the gas holding company, uniting the industries the agreement on April 27, despite pro- will save $2 billion in 2010, according to sphere. I propose uniting Gazprom and of nuclear engineering, fuel cycle and tests by the opposition. the government’s calculations national JSC [joint stock company] Naftohaz nuclear generation,” he said. Mr. Putin Both the Russian and Ukrainian gov- (Kommersant-Ukraine April 26). Ukrainy.” The Russian prime minister also said the issue concerned the construction ernments are happy with the outcome: The discount will be at the expense of said that he had signed a government deci- of new nuclear reactors in Ukraine and while Moscow satisfied its geopolitical Russian taxpayers, Prime Minister Putin sion on nullifying an export customs duty on the participation of Ukrainian partners in ambitions, Kyiv expects economic bene- said (Interfax, April 27). At the same gas from Russia to Ukraine. He said that the the development of the Russian energy fits without which the national economy time, Ukrainian taxpayers will benefit. agreements reached by the presidents of the sector, as well as the sale of products to could be jeopardized. While Prime Mr. Azarov said there was no need to two countries had been implemented by third countries. “Russia has formed a seri- Minister Vladimir Putin plays geopolitics, increase domestic gas prices in order to Russia. (Ukrinform) ous package of foreign orders for the con- the former governor of the heavily indus- narrow the deficit of Naftohaz, which in Kyiv to consider Putin’s proposal struction of energy facilities. Our banks trialized Donetsk Region, President 2009 was estimated by the International have serious funds to finance such proj- Viktor Yanukovych, conducts business. Monetary Fund (IMF) at 2.5 percent of KYIV – The idea of merging Ukraine’s ects, and we are interested in Ukrainian The political outcome for Ukraine is the gross domestic product (ICTV, April Naftohaz and Russia’s Gazprom was not enterprises joining their implementation,” debatable. The opposition cites Article 25). discussed or raised during talks at the sixth he said. The director general of Rosatom 17, which forbids the stationing of any Before the April 21 accords, the IMF meeting of the Ukrainian-Russian State Atomic Energy Corp., Sergei foreign military bases in Ukraine. insisted that Ukraine should double its Intergovernmental Commission on Kiriyenko, told Ukrainian reporters that However, they ignore Article 14 of the domestic gas prices. This would have Economic Cooperation, the Ukrainian Russia had a program for the construction Constitution’s transitional provisions, impoverished households whose incomes prime minister’s spokesman, Vitaliy of 26 new nuclear reactors. The Russian which allows the temporary stationing of shrank in 2009 when GDP plummeted by Lukianenko, has quoted Mykola Azarov as side estimated Ukraine’s needs for the foreign troops at existing military bases. 15 percent. This also would have affected saying at talks in Sochi on April 30. next 15 to 20 years at 11 to 12 nuclear This article was drafted in 1996 purport- Ukraine’s main export industries (metals “[Russian Prime Minister] Vladimir reactors. Therefore, the Russian side is edly to legalize the BSF in Sevastopol, and chemicals), which heavily rely on Vladimirovich [Putin] expressed this idea in interested in the production of Kharkiv- which was confirmed by accords with gas. Mr. Azarov estimated that an increase an impromptu way. Well, we’ll consider the based enterprise Turboatom, as all Russia in 1997, according to which the in the Russian gas price to $330 would impromptu and study specific proposals,” Russian nuclear power plants are fleet was allowed to stay until 2017. stop the national chemical industry while Mr. Lukianenko said. Gazprom CEO Alexei equipped with its turbines. “We can com- Presidents Yanukovych and Medvedev, in the metals industry would operate at a Miller said that the issue required additional bine our assets in the engineering indus- Kharkiv on April 21, extended the validi- loss (UNIAN, April 6). The two indus- discussion. He said that the Russian and try, including for work to third countries,” ty of the 1997 accord by 25 years until tries contributed most to the 11 percent Ukrainian energy ministers and the leader- he said. On April 26, during his Kyiv 2042, which does not contradict any year-on-year industrial production growth ship of Gazprom and Naftohaz would meet meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Ukrainian law. posted in the first quarter of 2010 (www. in Moscow after the May holidays to dis- Yanukovych, Mr. Putin had suggested the Setting aside the controversial political ukrstat.gov.ua, April 15). cuss the unification of the two companies. implementation of a project on coopera- aspects, the April 21 accords benefit the Finally, the gas price discount should Mr. Miller said that a possible asset swap tion between the nuclear industries of Ukrainian economy in the short term. The allow Ukraine to qualify for the resump- would be discussed. “Naftohaz of Ukraine Ukraine and Russia. Mr. Putin invited price of Russian gas for Ukraine will be tion of IMF assistance. Ukraine received has considerable production, transportation Ukrainian companies producing equip- lowered to around $230 per 1,000 cubic almost $11 billion from the IMF in and underground storage assets. Gazprom ment for nuclear power plants to expand meters, from $330 in the second quarter 2008-2009 and it hopes to receive another also has very substantial assets. So we’re the market at the expense of Russia. He of 2010. More precisely, the discount will $20 billion according to a new two-and-a- ready to consider an asset swap, but in also expressed readiness to provide assis- equal 30 percent if the price of gas calcu- half-year program which the Cabinet essence this involves a merger of the com- tance to Ukrainian nuclear power plants lated according to the January 2009 con- wants to sign with the IMF panies,” he said. (Ukrinform) toward their modernization. He also made tracts between Russia’s Gazprom and the (Ekonomicheskie Izvestia, April 26). a proposal on joint Ukrainian-Russian Naftohaz Ukrainy national energy com- Of course, not everything is positive. Joint nuclear energy company proposed work on the market of electricity for pany falls under $333, and the discount The long-term economic benefits for KYIV – Ukraine and Russia could cre- (Continued on page 14) will be flat at $100 if the price calculated Ukraine are debatable. First, the BSF for each quarter according to the contract accord is apparently not the only conces- formula is higher than $333 (UNIAN, sion promised to Moscow. April 21, 23). Ukraine paid $228 on aver- Mr. Putin made it clear on his brief FOUNDED 1933 age throughout 2009, and the correspond- visit to Kyiv on April 26 that he expects THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY ing price for 2010 was expected to the “integration” of the two countries’ amount to $334 if Moscow did not offer nuclear power sectors (RIA Novosti, An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., any discount. a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. April 26). In practice, this means that Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. The discount applies to 30 billion cubic Russia wants to absorb Ukraine’s nuclear meters (bcm) of gas to be imported by sector as its own nuclear industry is much Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. Ukraine in 2010 and to 40 bcm to be (ISSN — 0273-9348) imported from 2011 to 2019 (Ukrayinska (Continued on page 18) The Weekly: UNA: Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900

actions and policies of the Soviet regime. Postmaster, send address changes to: Yanukovych tells... “5. In Ukraine, which suffered the most, The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma hadzewycz (Continued from page 1) the peasantry was particularly hit by the 2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew Dubas the history of the peoples of the former Great Famine and millions of individual P.O. Box 280 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) Soviet Union was the mass famine in grain- farmers and members of their families died Parsippany, NJ 07054 growing areas of the country which started of hunger following forced ‘collectiviza- The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] in the late 1920s and culminated in 1932-33. tion,’ a ban on departures from the affected “4. Millions of innocent people in areas and confiscation of grain and other Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and food. These tragic events are referred to as The Ukrainian Weekly, May 9, 2010, No. 19, Vol. LXXVIII Ukraine, which were parts of the Soviet Holodomor (politically motivated famine) Copyright © 2010 The Ukrainian Weekly Union, lost their lives as a result of mass and are recognized by Ukrainian law as an starvation caused by cruel and deliberate act of genocide against Ukrainians. … “ 15. The Assembly calls on historians ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA of all countries of the former Soviet Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 Union, which suffered during the Great e-mail: [email protected] Famine, as well as historians from other Correction Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 In the article “Marika Kuzma to con- countries, to conduct joint independent fax: (973) 644-9510 duct concert at University of California- research programs in order to establish e-mail: [email protected] Berkeley” (April 25), it should have been the full, unbiased and unpoliticized truth Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 noted that the conductor grew up in about this human tragedy, and to make it e-mail: [email protected] Hartford, not New Haven, Conn. public. …” No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 3

NEWS ANALYSIS: For Yanukovych, a dash to repair Russia divide by Gregory Feifer into law, said that “after five years of por- Moscow administration of former Yatsenyuk – who also ran for president RFE/RL traying Russia as an enemy,” the period President Leonid Kuchma: earlier this year – said they would join of discord between Kyiv and Moscow is “Mr. Yanukovych is acting so severely forces to try to remove President Mention the cities Yalta or Potsdam over. and brazenly that he’s effectively become Yanukovych from office. and many will think of the conferences “Now I am ready to tell my voters: legitimate in the eyes of only less than But political experts agree that even if held there by the Allies to establish new From now on, dialogue with our big half the population, when his task should opposition leaders can put their bitter dif- spheres of influence in Europe at the end neighbor will be based on the principles have been to unite society,” Ms. ferences behind them, they will have little of World War II. For many Ukrainians, of equality, neighborliness and healthy Bekeshkina says. hope of opposing a president with firm another name – Kharkiv – has now pragmatism, rather than confrontation and Ms. Bekeshkina says Mr. Yanukovych control over the government and a major- become associated with a new interna- anti-Russian rhetoric,” the statement read. has mortgaged Ukraine’s long-term secu- ity in Parliament. tional deal establishing Moscow’s foreign But the Ukrainian government’s rity for the short-term goal of reducing influence. actions are causing bitter controversy in a gas prices. She says that’s dangerous, not Copyright 2010, RFE/RL Inc. On April 21 the Ukrainian city hosted country split in half between its Russian- least because officials in opposition-con- Reprinted with the permission of Radio newly elected President Viktor speaking industrial east, which supports trolled western regions may try to sabo- Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Yanukovych and his cheerful-looking Mr. Yanukovych, and its largely pro- tage the central government’s policies. Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev Western west. The Kharkiv agreement has prompted 20036; www.rferl.org. (See http://www. for the signing of a sweeping agreement some movement among Ukraine’s highly rferl.org/content/For_Yanukovych_A_ Stark differences reversing two of the most symbolic poli- fractured opposition. Ms. Tymoshenko Fleet_Footed_Dash_To_Repair_Russia_ cies of Ukraine’s ousted pro-Western When Ukraine’s Parliament ratified the and her former Orange rival Arseniy Divide/2028075.html.) leadership. Black Sea Fleet deal last week, opposi- Mr. Yanukovych extended by at least tion legislators threw eggs, set off smoke 25 years a lease held by Russia’s Black bombs, and came to blows with Party of Sea Fleet for the use of a former Soviet Regions deputies. Outside the building, Journalists chain themselves naval base at the port of Sevastopol. thousands of protesters scuffled with gov- Many Ukrainians see the base as a hostile ernment supporters. presence left over from the Communist Political observers used to fisticuffs in to train during protest in Lviv era, and former President Viktor Parliament say they’ve never before seen Yushchenko had vowed the lease anything on the same scale. RFE/RL had failed to pay 2.6 million hrv (about $328,000) in taxes. The publisher said the wouldn’t be renewed after it was set to The opposition says President LVIV – Six journalists from the Ekspress additional demand is illegal and the charges expire in 2017. Yanukovych is putting Kyiv under newspaper chained themselves to a were “fabricated.” In return, Moscow gave Ukraine a 30 Moscow’s sphere of influence despite his Budapest-to-Moscow train on May 3 in In April, several Ekspress journalists percent discount on the amount it pays campaign promise that joining the Lviv to protest restrictions on the indepen- were beaten by police. for Russian natural gas, which could save European Union would remain one of dent media, RFE/RL Ukrainian Service The May 3 protest was the third action in Kyiv tens of billions of dollars. The ener- Ukraine’s main foreign-policy objectives. reports. recent months. Ekspress journalists said they gy deal rolls back a landmark agreement The Kharkiv agreement has also The protest was carried out under the reached last year that some hoped would prompted criticism for reversing the pre- motto “Where are we going?” More than 50 are prepared to take more determined steps boost Ukraine’s sovereignty by establish- vious government’s efforts to establish journalists in total took part in the action at if authorities do not react to their demands. ing market-based relations and ending formal, Western-style arrangements for the Lviv train station. * * * decades of bitter acrimony over what Russian gas purchases. Experts say the The journalists told RFE/RL they inten- Russia said were subsidized rates that revival of old practices such as siphoning tionally chained themselves to the train that May 3 was marked around the globe as Ukraine paid for its gas. off profits will stifle hopes for reform goes from Europe – where press freedom World Press Freedom Day. Russian officials could hardly contain under a recent deal with the European exists – to Russia, where they said it is limit- According to the Ukrinform news ser- their pleasure, calling the deal historic. Union. ed. They added that Ukraine is at a cross- vice, President Yanukovych congratulated Since the Orange Revolution five years Mr. Yushchenko told RFE/RL’s roads between Russia and the West. Ukrainian journalists on the occasion and ago, Moscow has fumed over Ukraine’s Ukrainian Service the country now has a Ekspress Editor-in-chief Ihor Pochynok noted the special role of the press in the pro- drive to join NATO and other Western- “totalitarian model” of management. said that since Viktor Yanukovych became cesses of democratization, the state’s social leaning policies. Now Russian Prime “Three institutions are in the hands of one president earlier this year, the situation for and economic development, and ensuring Minister Vladimir Putin has said the gas- person: the parliamentary majority, the independent media outlets has significantly human rights and freedoms. for-fleet deal is an “expensive” necessity government and the central bank,” he worsened. He said freedom of speech exists “Ukraine should soon implement deep for Moscow but that cooperation with said. Mr. Yushchenko said Mr. only “on paper” and that journalists in reforms in all spheres of life so as to over- Ukraine was more important than money. Yanukovych’s goal is to make Ukraine “a President Viktor Yanukovych’s Ukraine do come the crisis as quickly as possible and “Cooperation in the military area privileged zone of influence for Russia.” not feel safe. take the path of sustainable development. improves a level of trust between two Former Prime Minister Yulia The protesters demanded that the And it’s hard to overestimate the role of the countries, gives us a chance to work with Tymoshenko, who now leads the opposi- Procurator General’s Office open a case media in these processes,” Mr. Yanukovych trust in the economy, the social sphere, tion, called the Kharkiv agreement “anti- according to Article 171 of Ukraine’s said in a congratulatory message released by and in politics as well,” Mr. Putin said. Ukrainian.” Criminal Code on “obstruction of journalis- the presidential press service. “That’s the most important thing.” “It’s not just treason,” Ms. tic activity.” Mr. Yanukovych said he would promote President Yanukovych may have been Tymoshenko said. “It’s the beginning of In March, a case was filed against the freedom of speech in Ukraine in every way in office only two months, but he is the systematic destruction of our coun- Ekspress publishing group that alleged it possible. already moving at breathtaking speed to try’s independence and our state sover- realign his country with Russia. Experts eignty.” are warning his reversals of key policies Mr. Yanukovych’s actions have flown of his pro-Western predecessors are polar- in the face of widespread predictions – izing Ukraine’s society and threatening many of them from the West – that the IN THE PRESS: Russia its stability. onetime villain of the Orange Revolution Blue Revolution could no longer be described as “pro- goes shopping for warships Moscow” and would pursue relatively The Kharkiv deal was only one of a neutral policies. “U.S. Embassy in Moscow Indicates the ambassador’s statement seems to con- series of moves that have rolled back his Instead, he’s enabled the Kremlin to Acceptance of Mistral Deal,” by Vladimir vey U.S. indifference to these recent predecessors’ policy of minimizing strengthen its influence over Moscow’s Socor, Eurasia Daily Monitor, May 3: developments. Moscow’s influence. crisis-ridden former Soviet subject by “… Beyrle’s statement contradicts the Courts overturned President exploiting the price for gas, the top issue “On April 28 in Moscow, US positions expressed publicly by Defense Yushchenko’s recent decision to bestow for Ukraine in its relations with Russia. Ambassador John Beyrle justified the Secretary Robert Gates and Deputy the title Hero of Ukraine on two anti- New era proposed sale of four French Mistral war- Secretary of State James Steinberg. These Communist nationalist leaders. Mr. ships to Russia. Interviewed by the officials have objected to the proposed Yanukovych’s Party of Regions has also The speed of President Yanukovych’s Moskovsky Komsomolets daily newspa- Mistral sale, citing the risks to regional moved to boost the official status of the actions has shocked many Ukrainians. per, Beyrle stated: ‘The only question stability and the concerns expressed by Russian language, after Mr. Yushchenko Political expert Volodymyr Fesenko says the [about the Mistral sale] is the overall sta- U.S. allies in the Baltic and the Black spent years promoting Ukrainian. new president’s strong-arm style is changing bility in the region. And I believe that it seas (EDM, February 11, April 12). On In Strasbourg, France, latest week, Mr. the nature of Ukraine’s political system. will not be infringed as a result of this the whole, however, Washington has not Yanukovych asserted that the Stalin-era “Formally, the country remains a par- agreement.’ Moreover, ‘we understand formulated a coherent policy regarding famine that killed millions of Ukrainians liamentary-presidential republic, but in that this is an agreement between two the Mistral issue since September 2009, in the 1930s shouldn’t be considered fact we’re a presidential-parliamentary sovereign countries’ (Moskovsky when the French warship sale to Russia genocide, countering an argument Mr. system,” Mr. Fesenko says. “That is to Komsomolets cited by Interfax, April 28). was first announced. … Yushchenko had often pressed to say the main political figure, the main “Beyrle’s statement comes within days “The Mistral sale, if allowed by default Moscow’s dismay. (Council of Europe decision-maker, is now the president.” of Russia’s abusive extension of its Black to proceed, could trigger multiple arms parliamentarians appeared to follow his Critics say Mr. Yanukovych’s actions Sea naval base on Ukrainian territory, in deals between NATO countries and lead, voting 55 to 21 against recognizing pose a serious threat to the country’s sta- violation of that country’s Constitution. Russia on a bilateral basis, beyond the the famine as genocide.) bility and development. Sociologist Iryna Moreover, Moscow has made clear its Alliance’s ability to control. Such a pro- Mr. Yanukovych, in a statement posted Bekeshkina says the president is splitting intention to deploy one of the Mistral cess would further erode the effectiveness on April 29 on the presidential website Ukrainian society to an unprecedented ships – a massive power-projection capa- of NATO policies toward Russia and in after he signed the Black Sea Fleet deal degree, even compared to the old pro- bility – in the Black Sea. The timing of NATO’s own eastern neighborhood.” 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

in the West. Communists... The world’s historians, (Continued from page 1) including those in the for- ment is a disgrace to his native city that mer Soviet Union, have will harm its image internationally. established that Stalin “No one knew of Ukraine but began to was responsible for say at the end of the 1980s, ‘Ukraine is deaths of tens of millions where Chornobyl is!’ Now our city has its of Soviet citizens (esti- own Chornobyl,” said the 22-year-old Mr. mates range between 20 Hudymenko, who didn’t lose any family million and 50 million), members to the Bolsheviks but said he’s of which an estimated protesting because he’s a history student. one-fifth, and possibly Not especially influential but potentially more, were ethnic dangerous, neo-Stalinism is emerging in Ukrainians. the post-Soviet republics decades after Aside from two artifi- Soviet leaders themselves, including Nikita cial famines in Ukraine Khrushchev as early as 1956, condemned that claimed an estimated the dictator’s cult of personality and mass 3 million to 10 million killings. l i v e s , m i l l i o n s o f Ukraine’s first monument sits atop the Ukrainians perished dur- red granite front porch of the headquarters ing the collectivization of the Zaporizhia Oblast Committee of the and de-kurkulization Communist Party of Ukraine, located in campaigns of the late Zaporizhia’s downtown area along 1920s and early 1930s Komunarska Street. and the Great Terror of Perhaps as some relief to its opponents, the late 1930s (which the monument is not particularly large included the 1937-1938 UNIAN (measuring less than 10 feet tall), nor is it Vinnytsia massacre). situated along a major thoroughfare, Stalin also deported Patriotic fans hold aloft a banner reading “Zaporizhia is against Stalin” during a soccer match tucked away on a backstreet. hundreds of thousands of in the local stadium on May 5. It consists of a silver-colored statue – western Ukrainians to depicting the Soviet dictator from the waist Siberia and Central Asia when annexing “good name” has been revived by up with his famous pipe in his right hand – the Halychyna and Volyn regions follow- Zaporizhia’s Communists. perched atop a five-foot red granite pedes- ing World War II. He conducted an equally “I am convinced that our brave tal at the front entrance of the three-story vicious campaign of ethnocide against the step today, establishing the first party headquarters. Crimean Tatars, who lost a third of their monument to Stalin, generalissimo That the monument is on the party’s population. of the Soviet Union, is a bright private property enabled its leaders to Mr. Baburin claimed the average life example for other citizens of our claim they could avoid obtaining the expectancy of the Soviet citizen improved [Soviet] Union,” he said, noting city’s permission to build it. Indeed about under Stalin’s leadership from 37.5 years that May 5 marks the beginning of two-thirds of the city’s residents said they to 59, while the mortality rate declined by a national movement to revive oppose the statue, with no more than 10 2.5 times. Stalinism and the Soviet Union. percent in support, according to a few The Communist didn’t cite the source Somehow Mr. Shekhovtsov also polls conducted in the city in recent of his statistics, but it’s likely they didn’t managed to scrape together 50,000 weeks. factor in the tens of millions murdered by hrv ($6,250) to donate towards The Communists also succeeded in Stalin in calculating the life expectancy building the Stalin monument, skirting the April 30 court ruling forbid- and mortality figures. which Mr. Baburin said covered ding all public meetings on the planned The population of the Soviet Union rose more than 60 percent of the monu- day of the monument’s opening, whether by 40 million between 1927 and 1952, ment’s total cost of 80,000 hrv in support or against it. “regardless of the famines, repressions and footed by party members. The May 5 event was organized instead losses during the Great Patriotic War,” Mr. Just how he was able to save as a meet-and-greet between local citizens Baburin said. “Today Ukraine lost 6 mil- that much money on a Ukrainian pension that averages $90 to $110 and Oleksii Baburin, a national deputy in lion and Russia 12 million during the last a month remained a mystery. Ukraine’s Parliament. Mr. Baburin shook 20 years of democratic rule.” While he could afford such a large Zenon Zawada hands and embraced his supporters, includ- Moreover, western Ukrainians should donation, he arrived modestly at ing poor pensioners enticed by the promise honor Stalin rather than hold him in con- Zaporizhia resident Petro Hryhorets, 75, said the ceremony, dressed in an old, of free food and drink at the ceremony’s tempt, Mr. Baburin told reporters before Joseph Stalin led human civilization towards wrinkly suit. conclusion. the ceremony began. If not for Stalin, unprecedented progress and achievement, Yet Mr. Shekhovtsov assured Church bells marked the ceremony’s Ukraine would not have its current borders including science and space exploration. journalists that “his hands didn’t start at noon, as the organizers convenient- and the western Ukrainian oblasts would steal anything,” a snide allusion to former effective leader. Meanwhile Pro-Russian ly overlooked Stalin’s policy of destroying be part of Poland, he said. President Viktor Yushchenko’s claim dur- forces in Ukraine are striking at a time thousands of churches throughout the for- While he’s unlikely to convince western ing the 2004 campaign that he stole noth- mer Soviet Union. Ukrainians of his arguments, those attend- when Ukraine’s pro-Western forces are in Indeed, even the Ukrainian Orthodox ing the May 5 ceremony eagerly accepted ing to achieve his success. complete disarray, he said. Church - Moscow Patriarchate, whose the Stalin portraits, plastic bags and books It’s likely that Mr. Shekhovtsov’s gen- Yet Zaporizhia’s Ukrainian patriot priests are known to occasionally reveal handed out by the party leadership. erous donation was a public relations ploy community, which is relatively small their sympathies for the Communists and Supporters eagerly hoisted up the por- organized by the Communists, observers even when compared with other south- the old Soviet order, condemned the traits and held banners with Soviet slo- said. Communist Party bosses, many of eastern Ukrainian cities, said it will fight Zaporizhian Communists’ decision to erect gans, such as “For the motherland! For whom are wealthy businessmen, depend to remove the monument, whether within the Stalin monument. Stalin! For our victory!” on the votes of pensioners in order to gain the law’s bounds or beyond. That didn’t dissuade Mr. Baburin from Before the official ceremony began, office. Both European and Ukrainian law con- praising the Soviet dictator in his opening songs praising Stalin filled the air, many Demonstrating their indifference to demn the honoring of genocidal leaders, remarks and highlighting his accomplish- written by the Russian musician Soviet ideals, among the vehicles that particularly Hitler and Stalin. ments: industrialization of Soviet society, Aleksandr Kharchikov, who authored lyr- party leaders arrived in for the May 5 “If all these measures through the improvements in health care and educa- ics such as, “Stalin for us – a father! Our unveiling was a Volkswagen Touareg – a courts don’t work, we’ll simply come and tion, the launch of the world’s first suc- homeland – our mother! The Soviet gov- sports-utility vehicle made by a German twist its head off,” said Oleh Tkachenko, cessful space program and the military ernment – a sister and girlfriend!” In manufacturer. the chair of Prosvita in Zaporizhia. defeat of the German Nazis. another song, “Stalin! Rise Up!” Mr. The campaign to rehabilitate Stalin – To apprise the world of their protest, “If not for Stalin, we’d still be living in Kharchikov sings, “Rus’ remembers the first such effort since Ukrainian inde- patriotic soccer fans hoisted a massive the epoch of Auschwitz,” he declared, con- Stalin, loudly calling: Stalin! Rise from pendence – was likely launched by the banner at the Zaporizhia Metalurg-Odesa veniently ignoring Stalin’s own genocidal the grave! Stalin! Look at the country! Communist Party’s leadership in Kyiv as Chornomorets match on the evening of policies. Stalin! Our strength is captive! Stalin! a litmus test, said Fedir Turchenko, a pro- the monument’s unveiling, in their home “Liberals are against Stalin, viewing Our motherland is captive!” fessor of history at Zaporizhia National stadium. The banner declared: him as a dictator and tyrant, and nothing Another Stalinist to address the crowd University. “Zaporizhia is against Stalin.” more,” he said. “Some consider him from was Ivan Shekhovtsov, the elderly The pro-Russian government led by Tragically, death marked the May 5 the view of the West, but the West’s Communist activist from Kharkiv who President Viktor Yanukovych is testing to ceremonies as an 80-year-old suffered a ‘understanding’ in quotes is only con- led an active campaign condemning the see just how much integration with the heart attack during the ceremonies, cerned with what’s convenient for them city’s renowned history professor, Russian government’s cultural policies according to news reports. Two other and what works to their advantage. For the Volodymyr Kalinichenko, for his work the Ukrainian population will support or seniors were hospitalized. West, discrediting Stalin is an instrument exposing the Holodomor in that oblast. tolerate, he said. “As we can see, Stalin continues to of fighting Russia.” Mr. Shekhovtsov not only denies the Dr. Turchenko noted that the Russian collect his victims,” remarked Vitalii Yet the objective facts about Stalin’s Holodomor ever happened (and claims to government under Prime Minister Podlobnikov, chair of the Zaporizhia genocidal policies have struck a chord have evidence to prove his claims), but is an Vladimir Putin has already printed school Oblast Organization of the Svoboda amongst all of humanity – not only those ardent admirer of the Soviet dictator whose textbooks praising Stalin as a great and party. No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 5

The Ukr a ini a n Nationa l Asso c iation For u m

CONVENTION PRIMER: Voting Report of the Auditing Committee and elections of General Assembly of the Ukrainian National Association The Ukrainian National Association being of Ukrainian nationality or descent To the UNA Executive Committee: profit from operations reported of will hold its 37th Regular Convention and being a UNA member in good stand- $86,651 (excluding subsidies to publica- The Auditing Committee, in accor- from Thursday, May 20, through Sunday, ing for not less than one year. A person tions and Soyuzivka) in 2009. To place dance with the UNA By-Laws, on March May 23, at Soyuzivka in Kerhonkson, N.Y. who is an officer of any other fraternal the net profit of $86,651 in perspective, 20, 2010, conducted an examination of With that in mind, The Ukrainian Weekly benefit life insurance organization or who UNA management actions have cut total the financial condition, management and is publishing a series titled “Convention sells life insurance for any insurance core business losses over the past four operations of the Ukrainian National Primer” that explains the UNA’s goals, company or who “at any time, unjustifi- calendar years from a $914,708 loss for Association for the calendar year ended structure and operations, as well as what ably or maliciously institutes or caused to the calendar year ended December 31, December 31, 2009. UNA conventions are all about. This is be instituted any suit, action or proceed- 2006. The Auditing Committee in the current the fifth and final article in the series. ing against the Ukrainian National The UNA’s net surplus, which stands Association… shall be ineligible.” examination focused on the following: at $4,899,162 as of December 31, 2009, In less than two weeks, delegates will • An employee of the UNA can only (1) actions taken by the UNA Executive has stabilized. The sale of the UNA’s be arriving at Soyuzivka for the 37th run for full-time paid executive positions Committee towards implementation of headquarters building on June 4, 2007, Regular Convention of the Ukrainian because he/she cannot hold office on the resolutions approved by the 36th UNA boosted unassigned surplus by $4,626,558 National Association. There they will be General Assembly while a paid employee Convention; (2) progress made in imple- and strengthened its net surplus position. called upon to discuss and vote on diverse of the UNA. However, if a person choos- mentation of current strategic plans and The challenge for UNA management matters that concern the operations of the es to run for one of the three paid execu- addressing stated management challeng- going forward remains the same as in UNA and to elect the UNA leadership for tive positions (president, national secre- es; (3) activity of the financial and orga- recent years, that is, keeping net surplus the next four-year term. tary, treasurer), he is, in effect, continuing nizing departments, including the status at an acceptable level, and staying All delegates, as well as members and as a paid employee of the UNA and being of insurance sales in Canada; (4) UNA focused on better and more innovative honorary members of the General promoted from his previous job to a high- publication sales and production efficien- ways to build life insurance sales while Assembly, have a right to voice their er paid position. A UNA employee can, of cies and business development; (5) finan- maintaining the high level of annuity opinions and vote at the convention. course, choose to run for unpaid execu- cial condition of the Soyuzivka Heritage sales in a bumpy national economy. Proceedings of the convention are open to tive office (the two vice-presidents’ posi- Center, including the third annual The UNA is still not at a point where all members, who are free to attend and tions, director for Canada), auditor or Ukrainian Cultural Festival held July 17 net profit is sufficient to fully fund tradi- listen in. advisor, but if elected would have to give through 19, 2009; and (5) selected other tional fraternal benefits. UNA manage- The UNA Manuals provide that “On up his job at the UNA. matters. In certain instances, for context, ment continues to explore ways to wean any question before the Convention, Prior to the 2002 amendment to the we have provided financial or operational the publications and Soyuzivka from con- except the amendment of the By-Laws, UNA By-Laws, employees were allowed data for the last four calendar years. tinued reliance on UNA cash subsidies. the majority vote of the delegates present to serve as advisors; and, though it was The Auditing Committee provided the shall govern. The presiding officer shall not expressly forbidden, it was logical Executive Committee with detailed obser- 1. Resolutions of UNA’s take the vote in such a way as he sees fit, that employees could not be executive vations and recommendations that it 36th Convention except for the election of officers, which officers or auditors since those positions believes warrant corrective actions. The 36th UNA Convention approved shall be by ballot and voting machines. have authority over employees. The Auditing Committee files the fol- 12 resolutions for implementation by the All proceedings shall be run in accor- The election of UNA General lowing report. Executive Committee. At the time of dance with Robert’s Rules of Order.” Assembly members takes place in two Overall condition audit, on March 20, 2010, of the 12 In the case of amendments to the UNA rounds. approved resolutions we noted that: four By-Laws, an amendment is passed only if The first round is a primary in which Calendar year 2009 saw steady prog- have been fully implemented, one resolu- it is supported by “not less than by a two- delegates, on ballots listing all the offic- ress in restoring the UNA’s core business, tion has been partially implemented (in thirds vote of the delegates of all es to be filled, write in the names of their with the UNA posting a strong perfor- progress), three resolutions are pending Branches.” The UNA By-Laws also pro- choices for these positions. Afterwards, mance. During 2009, UNA saw insurance the start of preparations for the 37th vide that “Amendments to the By-Laws, the votes are tallied and the top three product sales revenues grow, investment Convention in 2010, and 4 resolutions are unless otherwise ordered, take effect the candidates for each position who accept income increase and spending reductions awaiting action. first day of July following the this de-facto nomination will go on to take hold. We further noted that the official min- Convention.” balloting in the second round. (In prac- Again, the brightest star in UNA’s utes of the 36th UNA Convention have It should be noted that there is no tice, that means that nine candidates can business is its strong annuity sales con- been prepared and issued in advance of proxy voting at a UNA convention. run for the three auditors’ positions and tracts. Annuity sales continue to add to the 37th UNA Convention. The official “Votes by delegates may be cast only by 33 candidates can run for the 11 slots of UNA’s operating surplus, but not at the minutes were published in the UNA’s the delegates personally,” the UNA advisors.) same incremental contribution margin as publications in August 2009. The 37th By-Laws stipulate. In the second round of the election, the year-over-year increase in annuity UNA Convention is scheduled at One of the most important functions of delegates use voting machines or special- sales revenues. Annuities with different Soyuzivka for May 20 through May 23, a UNA Convention is the election of a ly printed ballots that are read by vote durations (maturity dates) provide differ- 2010. new General Assembly: executive offi- tabulating machines. The machines or ent contribution margins. cers (there are currently six positions), ballots contain the names of the candi- Another sign of financial health is net 2. Strategic plan accomplishments auditors (three) and advisors (11). dates for each office and the states/prov- income performance, which in recent Executive powers in the UNA rest with Who can run for office on the General inces in which they in reside. years, and in 2009, showed continued Assembly? The UNA By-Laws state: The newly elected officers are sworn improvement. The UNA recognized a net (Continued on page 8) “Any member in good standing of the in during a special ceremony. In keeping Association, over the age of 21, possess- with UNA tradition, the oldest member or ing the qualifications of a delegate as honorary member of the General hereinbefore prescribed shall be eligible Assembly administers the oath of office, for any office in the General Assembly which reads: of the Association, provided, however, “I, (name), swear before Almighty that no person shall be eligible to any God, and before you, Honorable office of the Association, nor shall such Members, that I, (name), will honestly person hold office, who believes in, and faithfully perform and fulfill all my advocates, teaches or practices, or is a duties and obligations as such (office); member of any organization or group that I will always observe, comply with that believes in, advocates or teaches the and obey the rules and regulations, reso- overthrow by force of violence or sub- lutions and laws of the Ukrainian National version of the government of which he is Association; that I will protect and defend a citizen.” the good name of the Association; that I At the 2002 Convention, the following will endeavor to promote its welfare, and provision was added to the By-Laws: to the best of my ability work for the gen- “Employees of the UNA can only run for eral good of the Ukrainian National the full-time paid Executive positions.” Association. So help me God, Amen.” Now, to explain: The new UNA General Assembly offi- • A “member in good standing” is one cially assumes office on July 1. Roma Hadzewycz who pays his UNA dues. The Ukrainian National Association’s Auditing Committee (from left): Eugene • The qualifications of a delegate are: – Roma Hadzewycz Serba, Slavko Tysiak (chairman) and Dr. Wasyl Szeremeta.

The UNA: 116 years of service to our community 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

Th e Uk r a i n i a n We e k l y Victory Day in Ukraine May 9 marks Victory Day in the former Soviet republics. For Ukrainians, it ought to be a bittersweet commemoration. The soldiers of the Red Army and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fought off the German Nazis and freed Ukraine from their occupation; unfortunately, the hopes of the UPA for an independent Ukraine were Yanukovych’s efficiency defeated as well, and more death and destruction were imposed on Ukraine by the Perhaps the most difficult part for The Yanukovych administration will be genocidal dictator Joseph Stalin. Western Ukraine was annexed by the USSR, and Ukraine’s pro-Western supporters to con- banking on the majority of Ukrainians wel- hundreds of thousands of its residents were deported to Siberia, where they were con- front about the presidency of Viktor coming some measure of law and order, demned to misery and death. At least one-third of the Crimean Tatar population was Yanukovych is the efficiency and effective- even at the expense of civil liberties, pro- forcibly deported as well. ness in which he’s been able to consolidate gressive economic reforms and reinforce- Ukraine’s commemoration of Victory Day remains utterly distorted by the Soviet his power and pursue his agenda, utterly ment of equality before the law. legacy and its propaganda, which remains inculcated in the minds of millions of shaming the record of his Orange predeces- Following the collapse of the Orange Ukrainians. Even when the pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko was president, the annual sors. government, many Ukrainians appear commemorations maintained the anachronistic Soviet traditions of parading military Consider that former President Viktor resigned that their society is not ready for hardware down the central boulevards of cities, followed by marchers dressed in Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia such luxurious democratic institutions and Soviet uniforms waving the red hammer-and-sickle banner. Such military displays are Tymoshenko had far more public support, will be content with some measure of sta- unproductive for civilized, progressive societies. And, what’s even more critical, and political momentum, when taking bility. Ukraine’s Victory Day commemorations ought to eliminate any Soviet symbolism and office in January 2005. Praises for the regime of Alyaksandr glorification of the Soviet past. Such ongoing traditions are a painful insult to the mil- Lukashenka in neighboring Belarus, which lions of Ukrainians whose families suffered at the hands of the Soviet Communists. The consensus among observers is they has preserved collective farms and low The triumph over the evil of Nazism by another evil, Communism, deserves no had an unprecedented carte blanche to pur- unemployment, are common fodder for celebration. Yet, Ukraine’s irresponsible politicians continue to encourage the joyous sue a policy of establishing the rule of law conversation throughout Ukraine, even tone of the events, in complete disregard of the suffering imposed on the Ukrainian in Ukraine, introducing progressive eco- among the youth. people following 1945. Not even President Yushchenko had the courage to call for a nomic reforms and accelerating Euro- Meanwhile, the opposition is as disori- solemn commemoration of historic events instead of a celebration. Unfortunately, Atlantic integration efforts. ented as at no other time in the last decade. under President Viktor Yanukovych the festivities have taken a turn for the worse. They failed to make any significant In an April 23 press conference, Mr. Victory Day festivities this year will be exceptionally politicized. A fiercely pro- progress towards these goals not only dur- Yushchenko offered only criticism, still tar- Russian administration – like no other in independent Ukraine’s history – has taken ing their first months in office, but through- geting Ms. Tymoshenko, and no concrete control of Ukraine’s government. Judging by the policies it has pursued in its first two out the five years of the Orange era. plan of action. And yet the events of the last months, the Yanukovych administration is not only eager to forge close ties between In contrast, Mr. Yanukovych has accom- month prove that the former president’s Ukraine and the Russian Federation but is on the fast track to integrating Ukraine into plished more in the first 50 days of his claim that there’s little difference between a Eurasian Union dominated by Moscow. As noted by The Times of London, a presidency than his predecessor, Mr. Ms. Tymoshenko and Mr. Yanukovych is Eurasian Union would be a rival to the European Union as a supranational state. This Yushchenko, was able to do in five years. utterly false. Eurasian Union is a revival of the former USSR, only without the Baltic states that Immediately his administration While political insiders suspect Ms. have already integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures. If only Ukrainians could have as addressed, through tangible policies, some Tymoshenko may have offered the much collective foresight and wisdom… Instead, they are being bombarded with of the essential issues upon which the polit- Russian Black Sea Fleet a lease extension Soviet-era propaganda about the brotherly Slavic nations that defeated fascism. ical platform of the Party of Regions of on its Sevastopol base, few believe it The Victory Day celebrations are being conducted with tight cooperation among Ukraine is based: restoring the supremacy would have been for 25 years. And Ms. Minsk, Kyiv and Moscow – an effective tool to further the Kremlin’s ambitions of of the Russian language and culture in Tymoshenko would never have asked the uniting the three nations not only culturally, but also economically by integrating key Ukrainian society, and renewing close for- Europeans to vote against considering the industries such as aviation-building and energy, and forging a customs union. eign relations with the Russian Federation. Holodomor as genocide, or restricting the On May 9 Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Ukrainian President These are easy-to-understand issues on use of the Ukrainian language in higher Viktor Yanukovych will both be in Moscow for the Victory Day celebration. which the average Ukrainian, not familiar education. Apparently, the Ukrainian president has forgotten that his capital city is Kyiv. Perhaps with more nuanced matters like judicial and Following the April 27 brawl in even more alarming is the fact that Russian and Belarusian troops will march along- tax reform, can see tangible results. Parliament, Ms. Tymoshenko declared she side Ukrainian troops along Kyiv’s main boulevard, the Khreschatyk. While millions In this sense, Mr. Yanukovych has swift- would travel to Ukraine’s regions to build of Ukrainians fought in the Red Army, millions of others gave their lives so that they’d ly and firmly solidified for himself the support for a Defense of Ukraine never see Russian soldiers marching through their capital. image of a politician who is able to deliver Committee. Yet during her stump speech President Yanukovych should have elected to stay home with his soldiers in Kyiv, for his voters, a task at which his predeces- she was almost shouted down by Ukrainian and Russian soldiers ought to keep guard on their own territory. We must ensure that sor failed miserably. nationalists of the far-right Svoboda party. the events of 1945 aren’t repeated on the territory of independent Ukraine. Mr. Yanukovych has solidified and even bolstered his electorate (according to some Indeed, the opposition’s most popular recent polls), which is critical for political politician, Ms. Tymoshenko, is at the same success. time the opposition’s most hated politician. Mr. Yanukovych has also been able to So much so that Yuriy Andrukhovych, May Turning the pages back... assess who’s a worthy political ally, and among other Ukrainian pop culture figures, who’s a political third rail, another task at has gone public to plead with Ukrainians to which Mr. Yushchenko failed miserably. put aside their grievances against the “Gas Among the first priorities of Prime Princess” and rally behind her, given the 14 limited options amidst the alarming pros- Seven years ago, on May 14, 2003, Vice Prime Minister of Minister Mykola Azarov was to warn the unpopular mayor of Kyiv, Leonid pect of swift Russian cultural and geopoliti- 2003 Ukraine Dmytro Tabachnyk called on Ukraine’s Parliament to turn cal takeover. to the United Nations to have the Holodomor, the Famine-Genocide Chernovetskyi, that he was skating on thin ice. As deviously pragmatic as she may be, of 1932-1933 that killed millions of Ukrainians, internationally rec- to the resentment of intellectuals and ognized as genocide. The proposal was made during a special session of Parliament held in The public welcomed the gesture fol- lowing President Yushchenko’s years of nationalists, Ms. Tymoshenko is proposing conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the Soviet-perpetrated Famine. Mr. Tabachnyk said concrete steps and acting like a leader. there is no doubt that the Great Famine was a crime against humanity, but that a special effort catering to Mayor Chernovetskyi – who achieved the distinction of epitomizing cor- Nevertheless the pro-Western national needed to be made to have the United Nations recognize it as genocide. democratic political field is wide open, By gaining international recognition, Ukraine would do much to ensure that such a tragedy ruption in Ukrainian politics – during his five-year suicidal battle against Ms. with the most support currently being mus- is not repeated, he said. Those who died as a result of the deliberate actions of Stalin and his tered for Viacheslav Kyrylenko and his For henchmen were victims of genocide, he added. “We are quite simply forced by the memory Tymoshenko. It’s amusing that the party synonymous Ukraine party and former Defense Minister of these innocent victims to raise the level of their commemoration to the level at which vic- Anatoliy Grytsenko and his Civic Position tims of the Holocaust have been immortalized by the world,” declared Mr. Tabachnyk. with corruption in Ukraine – the Party of Regions of Ukraine – has made some prog- party. During his address, at least half of the parliamentary session hall was empty, with legisla- It’s yet to be settled who will carry the tors playing hooky, including the full complement of the parliamentary faction of the ress in at least appearing to clean up cor- ruption, whereas the man perceived to be a torch, dropped by President Yushchenko, as Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU). The reason for the CPU’s absence, explained Adam Ukraine’s pro-NATO leader. Martyniuk, a CPU national deputy, was because the party felt that the issue had been previ- corruption fighter decimated this image of himself. Amidst all the controversy surrounding the ously addressed and had become redundant. Medvedev-Yanukovych pact, it’s worth The arrogant Chernovetskyi even “In 1932-1933 there was a hunger [‘holod’] caused by natural circumstances, but it was noting that the parliamentary speaker who appears to be trembling before the Party of not death by forced starvation,” said CPU National Deputy Ivan Herasymov. led the April 27 vote, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Regions – also to the delight of Kyiv resi- Roman Krutsyk, head of the Kyiv branch of the Memorial Society, commented, received considerable support in his 2007 dents – as repair brigades have taken to the “Shamefully, when the Congress of the United States, the Parliament of Canada, even parliamentary campaign from Petro capital’s central streets in recent weeks to Denmark have recognized the fact of genocide in Ukraine, our Parliament continues to speak Poroshenko, the former Orange Revolution fix granite sidewalks and steps in need of in half-truths.” financer and “kum” (parent of godchildren) renovation. In addition to Mr. Tabachnyk, addressing the session were Verkhovna Rada Chairman to Mr. Yushchenko. It remains to be seen whether the Party Volodymyr Lytvyn and National Deputy Hennadii Udovenko. They outlined plans to com- That goes to show what a tangled web of Regions is able to maintain this smoke- memorate the victims, recognize the past injustice and the failure of the Soviet Union in Ukrainian politics is, and how so many screen in its widely anticipated campaign acknowledging the horror of the Stalin regime. of Ukraine’s business and political lead- of usurping Ukraine’s wealth and selling (Continued on page 19) what’s left to the Russians. (Continued on page 19) No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 7

FOR THE RECORD The roots of Ukraine’s status as a non-nuclear state

Below are excerpts from a statement by disaster then and its ongoing ramifications Robert A. McConnell, co-founder of the because the Soviet Union took on a major Heroes and history U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, submitted by Rep. cover-up of this nuclear explosion. We do Most of us value both truth and patrio- fact arrested Bandera. Moreover, a secret Chris Smith into the Congressional Record. know that there were devastating conse- tism. We therefore get upset when someone German directive of November 25, 1941, quences in Ukraine, as well as throughout by Robert A. McConnell tries to drive a wedge between these two revealed at Nuremberg, had ordered the the region, and the radioactive plume spread ideals. This happens when historians attack arrest and liquidation of OUN-B members. its lethal poison into northern Europe. PART I our national myths or symbols. In a BBC interview on the same day, However, what we, those living outside In recent years, some Western historians Prof. Timothy Snyder of Yale University As the Committee [on Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and beyond the area of the catastro- have suggested that, as Soviet propaganda characterized Bandera as a fascist, though the House of Representatives] looks at the phe and disaster, also do not fully under- had long maintained, the Organization of as such he was hardly alone among very important issue of nuclear weapons, stand or appreciate is the visceral reaction to Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and its mili- European leaders. Since fascism was char- their proliferation and the potential of their the cover-up of that explosion within the tary wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army acterized by the advocacy and use of physi- use by terrorists, as well as reviewing the then-Soviet Union, in particular the reaction (UPA), were fascist organizations involved cal violence, he said, by praising Bandera results of the April 12-13 nuclear security in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, located only kilo- in the mass murder of Poles and Jews dur- President Yushchenko had betrayed the ide- summit, I offer comments and a historical meters from the explosion site, as well as the ing World War II. At a conference in als of the peaceful Orange Revolution. perspective related to one country most in subsequent political reaction and conse- Boston in November 2009, Prof. John-Paul Next, Prof. Alexander Motyl of Rutgers, the news during the summit: Ukraine. quences of the radioactive catastrophe. Himka of the University of Alberta present- author of a study of Ukrainian nationalism I do not speak for Ukraine or for anyone Ukraine is among only a handful of coun- ed a paper, based on voluminous Holocaust in the 1920s, published two pieces on the in Ukraine, however, as you are aware, I am tries or locations that have ever experienced survivor testimony, basically confirming controversy: “Difficult Task Defining one of the founders of the Washington, D.C.- the profound fear, complete disruption and these charges. Bandera’s Role” (Moscow Times, March based U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (a non-prof- destruction caused by an uncontrolled or In Ukraine, President Viktor Yushchenko 11) and “Ukraine, Europe, and Bandera” it organization that hopes to build peace and unexpected nuclear reaction. And, it is had been trying to rehabilitate the image of (www.CiceroFoundation.org; UKL No. prosperity in Ukraine through democratic Ukraine’s political reactions to Chornobyl Ukrainian nationalism. In October 2007 he 442; AAUS list). Prof. Motyl, a political values) that, having established an office in that we need to understand and history needs declared UPA commander Roman scientist, argued that Bandera and the OUN Kyiv in 1990, is among a select few with an to record clearly. Shukhevych (1907-1950) a Hero of were not fascists, but nationalists with fas- Moscow, which then still controlled all American presence in Ukraine since before Ukraine. On January 22, 2010, he posthu- cist inclinations. Although the OUN went dissemination of information throughout the independence. mously awarded OUN leader Stepan through a fascist phase before 1943, after Soviet Union, did not announce or warn the Therefore, I speak for myself and my Bandera (1909-1959) the same title. that it evolved towards social democracy. people of Ukraine or nearby Belarus of the comments are based upon personal knowl- On February 7 (the day that Viktor He also drew comparisons with the edge gained from trips to Ukraine made Chornobyl accident. When European scien- Yanukovych won the presidential election Algerian, Israeli and Palestinian nationalist before we opened our office there, meetings tists raised an alarm, on the morning of April over the more patriotically inclined Yulia movements. with Ukrainian government officials that 28, Moscow initially denied an accident had Tymoshenko), Canadian historian David Meanwhile back in Ukraine, the began before independence, hundreds of occurred. Marples, writing in the Edmonton Journal, Yanukovych regime set to work disman- hours spent with the leadership of Rukh (the Finally that evening, a Soviet broadcaster criticized the outgoing president’s award to tling the uncompleted edifice of Ukrainian “movement” that was established in 1989 announced the following, “An accident Bandera, whose views he characterized as national history. To some Ukrainians, and was a fundamental catalyst to Ukraine’s occurred at the Chornobyl nuclear power “archaic and dangerous.” He claimed that Bandera’s denigrators must have looked drive for independence), as well as having plant and one of the reactors was damaged. Bandera’s wing of the OUN (OUN-B) had like the real collaborators. participated in numerous meetings between Measures have been undertaken to eliminate “spearheaded” the pogrom of Jews in Lviv Was it prudent to designate Stepan officials of the Ukrainian government and the consequences of the accident. Aid is in the summer of 1941, and that the UPA Bandera a Hero of Ukraine? Practically officials of our own government in the early being given to those affected. A government had massacred Poles in Volhynia in 1943. every country has a hero cult, though as 1990s and since. commission has been established.” On February 10 historian Zenon Kohut, Prof. Snyder observes, the creation of offi- I am disappointed with what I believe to The accident was played down, and life director of the Canadian Institute of cial heroes is very Soviet. But just as liter- be the embarrassing lack of recognition on went on as usual in the Soviet state. Though, Ukrainian Studies, wrote in the same news- ary scholars periodically rethink the canon the part of our government of the historical as was later learned, Kyiv’s Communist paper that the OUN was not a fascist but a of great works, so we might want (as Prof. reality of Ukraine’s contribution to nuclear political elite knew or had suspicions about national-liberation movement. No less an Himka suggests) to rethink our pantheon of security, the apparent lack of appreciation the disaster and began to evacuate their fam- authority that John Armstrong had charac- heroes. Ukraine needs figures who can for the political significance of the decision ilies, within the first 72 hours after the terized its ideology as “integral national- unite citizens at home and present a respect- by Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych explosion. However, millions of people ism.” As for the July 1941 pogrom, it clear- ed image abroad. Among nationalists, what to continue Ukraine’s role in contributing to within 100 kilometers of Chornobyl, which ly had been instigated by the Germans, about Oleh Olzhych, who died at the hands worldwide nuclear security and our, the included Kyiv, and outlying suburbs and vil- even if some Ukrainians had participated. of the Nazis in 1944, or Danylo Shumuk, United States’, all too familiar stance of lages, had no information whatsoever. Bandera, he pointed out, wasn’t even there, who was imprisoned by Poles, Germans minimalism when dealing with countries On April 30, the lead story in Soviet having already been arrested by the Nazis. and Soviets? What about heroic clerics like that cooperate with us. Here I will explain. I media was about flowers in Ukraine and The discussion continued on the Internet Father Omelian Kovch, martyred at believe the Ukrainian reality and our treat- preparations for the May Day parade. The (chiefly UKL – The Ukraine List). In a Majdanek, or Metropolitan Andrey ment of Ukraine should be of great and public was assured that “the air and water testy response, Prof. Himka maintained that Sheptytsky, who rescued Jews and entreat- continuing significance to this committee. around Kyiv was fine,” though we now the OUN was a typical fascist organization. ed youth to desist from the killing? Or the Last week, Ukrainian President know the radiation plume returned over He cited evidence that OUN and “Sich” latter-day heroes of Chornobyl? Yanukovych made headlines at the Kyiv with increasing amounts of radiation. militias had gone on a rampage in the sum- Is the fascist label fatal? “Fascist” does Washington nuclear security summit with For the people of Ukraine, the first genu- mer of 1941, killing Jews, Poles, and not mean “Nazi collaborator.” On the con- his announcement that Ukraine has agreed ine indication that a catastrophe had Communists, and concluded that “state- trary, a Ukrainian fascism would be theo- to dispose of all of its weapons-grade highly occurred on their land was on May 1, during ments like Dr. Kohut’s will make Ukrainian retically incompatible with German fas- enriched uranium before 2012. The only the enormous annual May Day parade on studies look foolish at best, complicit in cism. Nonetheless, a national hero whom nation at this summit to have made such a Khreshchatyk Street in the city center. As war crime and Holocaust denial at worst.” history places on the wrong side of the decision, Ukraine’s decision is unique and was the custom, all workers and schoolchil- While this exchange continued, New Holocaust will never be accepted by the distinctive in its boldness. dren had the day off either to march in or York attorney Askold Lozynskyj joined the civilized world. However, lost among the reports and watch the parade. The residents of Kyiv – fray (“Rewriting history: An evidentiary Did the OUN-B and UPA commit atroci- statements was what I believe to be a long men, women, children carrying flowers – perspective,” The Ukrainian Weekly, ties? How can we square such a possibility history, and a much more powerful story assembled and participated with no knowl- February 21). Characterizing Prof. Himka with our memories of the kind, sincere, about Ukraine’s role and leadership in the edge of the danger in the city’s air. as a “notorious Soviet apologist” and devoted patriots we have known in our arena of international nuclear security and Then, as the marchers in the parade “Ukraine detractor,” Mr. Lozynskyj assert- communities? True, sometimes nice people our far too measured and conflicted passed the reviewing stand expecting to see ed that the scholar’s fellowship from the do horrible things. Or did their command- response, as always, to Ukraine’s actions. the Communist Party elite and government Holocaust Memorial Museum “goes to ers tell them that the nationalist ideal of a Ukraine’s voluntary efforts to become nucle- officials, they saw instead near-empty motive” – as if Prof. Himka himself were Ukrainian state for the Ukrainians required ar-free began long before independence and stands. The party elite and high government the accused. Mr. Lozynskyj attacked both them to eliminate the Poles and the Jews? certainly before the Budapest meetings and officials had evacuated, some not only tak- the veracity of his evidence and the validity Nationalist ideology, to be sure, is not agreements of 1994. Unfortunately our reac- ing extended family and pets, but even their of his inferences. the same thing as patriotism. Patriotism tions to those efforts have consistently been prize horses! Then on February 25, the European extends one’s natural love of family and colored by Russo-centric attitudes and pref- Not until May 5 – 10 days after the explo- Parliament declared that it “deeply friends to an entire people. It respects the erences. sion – and only after public outcry from patriotism of others. Myths nourish patrio- During the evening of April 26, 1986 – Europe and government pressure from the deplores” President Yushchenko’s decision tism, but falsifications compromise it. Is 24 years ago – there was an explosion at one West did the Kremlin admit to the complete- to honor Bandera, whose OUN had “col- history the enemy of patriotism? No more of the reactors of the Chornobyl nuclear ly uncontained nature of the explosion and laborated with Nazi Germany.” On March than truth is the enemy of love. plant in Ukraine, a fact now well-known the extent of the radioactive disaster. 3 the Ukrainian World Congress protested, throughout the world. However, even today The truth of the Soviet Union became arguing that Bandera was a symbol of the we do not have a complete understanding or struggle for Ukrainian independence. The Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at information about the consequences of this (Continued on page 19) OUN had fought against the Nazis, who in [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

expenses. Report of... UNA management resources and funds (Continued from page 5) continue to be expended on disposition of the General Assembly, except during any two additional real estate assets that hold recess when such powers are vested in the possibility of significantly adding to the Executive Committee to enable the the UNA’s surplus position and allowing UNA to maintain overall operations. The the UNA to expand its core financial ser- UNA Executive Committee consists of vices businesses. six elected officers, of which three are We also note that the General non-salaried volunteers and three are full- Assembly established a committee on time salaried offices. The UNA Executive Canada Insurance Operations. This Committee as a whole meets periodically Committee was created on September 15, to direct and guide operations, whereas 2007, to work with the UNA’s executive the three full-time committee officers are management and the director for Canada responsible for the day-to-day supervi- to identify the UNA’s ability to offer com- sion of the UNA. petitive insurance products in Canada and The Executive Committee created its to review the UNA’s sales efforts and first strategic business plan in 2002 to accomplishments in Canada. These activ- deal with fundamental issues facing the ities culminated with a trip in October UNA for the three calendar years ended 2008 to Toronto, Ontario, where branch December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The secretaries and other interested individu- strategic plan detailed the work not only als received a briefing on the business of the UNA as a whole but its fraternal plan for future insurance business in benefits, primarily Soyuzivka and its Canada. weekly publications. The business plan essentially proposes At that time, the Executive Committee converting current Canadian insurance identified the major challenges facing the policies from Canadian dollars to U.S. UNA. These challenges were not new to dollars, and going forward to underwrite the UNA; rather, they were challenges in insurance polices in U.S. dollars from existence for a number of years. They UNA’s Home Office in Parsippany, N.J. include: (1) membership decline, (2) The UNA Executive Committee has Soyuzivka and newspaper publication expressed its intention to begin the insur- losses and (3) reduced Canada insurance ance conversion process, however, ques- sales. In addition, the General Assembly tions have recently surfaced regarding the called attention to the need for succession legal authority to sell insurance out of planning to replace retiring and departing state from the UNA’s Home Office. Until UNA branch secretaries. this matter resolved, the UNA will hold For context, the UNA’s overriding pri- off taking action on the business plan as it ority in 2002 was to restore its financial is relevant to Canadian insurance sales. health by reducing costs in the publica- With respect to branch secretary suc- tions business segment and reducing cession, we note no specific actions have UNA contributions to the fraternal bene- happened, but, according to the current fits, and to generate higher revenues Strategic Plan, if sufficient funds are through increased sales of a range of available in 2010, UNA management pro- competitive products. UNA management poses hiring new in-house insurance expressed its intent to run all secondary agents to concentrate on direct sales to business segments (its fraternal benefits) current membership and the community. on a for-profit business model. These in-house insurance agents report- It should be noted that the strategic edly will be part of a new sales organiza- planning process has evolved since the tion assigned by geographic region to UNA’s first published Strategic Business work with the branch secretary network Plan in 2002. The UNA updated its strate- to develop sales. UNA management states gic plan for the years ending December that use of regional sales agents is expect- 31, 2007, 2008 and again for 2009 ed to reduce reliance on the traditional through 2011. branch network and branch secretaries. This audit examined management The UNA’s long-term goal for its core efforts and accomplishments in meeting financial services business remains to re- established goals detailed in an Executive establish itself as a market leader in qual- Committee approved and published blue- ity, value-priced insurance products to the print in 2007 labeled “Restructuring the Ukrainian and Slavic communities. of $825,208; Home Office payroll, bene- In the graph we combined the refunds UNA for the 21st Century.” We have Toward this end, the UNA follows a stra- fits and taxes totaling $1,084,078, exclud- in fraternal benefits, gain on stocks and highlighted efforts toward realization of tegic plan updated most recently for cal- ing payroll costs for the weekly publica- bonds and the loss on foreign exchange, major goals enumerated to provide a endar years ending December 31, 2009 tions and for certain Soyuzivka staff; gen- showing them as net other costs. The financial safety net (incremental gains in through 2011. eral administrative and operating expens- graph below presents the cost of business es totaling $1,033,885. In addition, the operations excluding the net cost of the net surplus) within “Restructuring the Financial Department UNA for the 21st Century” without detail- UNA reported $91,059 in member frater- UNA’s publications and the Soyuzivka ing the many efforts aimed at cost reduc- The UNA experienced a banner year in nal benefit refunds; $21,278 in gains from Heritage Center. tion, building a network of independent 2009, for the first time the UNA realized the annual valuation of stocks and bonds For the calendar year ended December professional agents and reinvigorating the $100 million in Total Net Admitted to present market value; and, lastly, a loss 31, 2009, the UNA realized a net profit secretarial structure to increase financial Assets. The net asset position of the UNA on foreign exchange of $120,917 (based from core business operations of $86,651, product sales, and hiring new financial has risen over 60 percent from on Canadian currency exchange rates). excluding the net cost of the UNA’s pub- advisors to achieve a higher portfolio $62,172,684 as of December 31, 2006. During 2009, the UNA employed a lications and the Soyuzivka Heritage yield following a conservative investment For the calendar year ended December total of 27.5 full-time equivalent employ- Center. While modest in total, to place the philosophy with bonds as the principal 31, 2009, the UNA recognized total ees within the Home Office and two net profit of $86,651 in perspective, UNA investment vehicle. income of $41,049,716. The reported employees at the Soyuzivka Heritage management actions have cut total core Major accomplishments include: income consists of $34,675,180 from the Center. The Home Office includes 14 business losses each of the past four-cal- • Sale of the UNA headquarters build- sale of annuity contracts, $1,241,336 in staff working with the sale and process- endar years from a $914,708 loss for the ing in 2007 that has allowed the UNA to net insurance premiums, $5,122,584 in ing of financial products, as well as 13.5 calendar year ended December 31, 2006. solidify its surplus position and allocate investment income (excluding profes- staff working with the publication of Annuity sales continue to exceed man- resources to make investments in people sional financial advisor fees) and $10,616 Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. agement expectations, reaching and equipment to bring down operational in miscellaneous income. The graph Combined payroll and related employee $34,675,180 as of the calendar year ended costs and to find additional revenue below shows the percentage composition benefits, insurances and taxes totaled December 31, 2009. The chart below sources. of major income sources relative to total $1,713,438 comprised $1,084,078 for shows the growth since calendar year • Transfer of Soyuzivka, a non-admit- reported income. Home Office management and financial 2006. ted asset, to the Soyuzivka Ukrainian Total cost of core business operations services staff, $449,646 for the weekly The UNA has benefited from strong National Estate, LLC in 2007. We noted at the UNA totaled $40,963,065 for the publications staff and $179,714 for cer- annuity sales due to its attractive and very that while Soyuzivka (now commonly year ended December 31, 2009. The cost tain Soyuzivka staff. Publications and competitive interest rates. Buyers have called the Soyuzivka Heritage Center) of business operations is presented on Soyuzivka payroll costs are shown on sought UNA annuities to lock in high with its buildings and land has been trans- UNA financial statements as deductions separate financial statements prepared by interest rates, but experience tells us these ferred to a limited liability corporation, to income, but, to aid reader understand- the UNA to show net income and net rates can only be sustained as long as the Soyuzivka operations are directed and ing of the true nature of these deductions, expenses from the two secondary busi- UNA’s investment portfolio yields high controlled by UNA management, and its we relabeled them as areas of expendi- ness segments (fraternal benefit opera- rates of return in contrast to competitor financial results are reported as a separate ture. The UNA reported deductions to tions) and presented in summary on the financial institutions, the UNA keeps it department, including income and income for member benefits totaling UNA’s consolidated statement of opera- $4,399,713 along with organizing costs tions. (Continued on page 17) No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 9

song, with Mr. Kaczurak providing accom- Ukraine-Russia... paniment on guitar. Songs included (Continued from page 1) “Chervona Ruta” by Volodymyr Ivasiuk, in large numbers, thanks in part to the and Ukrainian patriotic songs. announcement of the event via e-mail and A native of Cherkasy, Philip Bogachuk, on Internet sites such as Facebook. Others, 29, of New York, said that he came to the like Sammy Warycha, 27, of Yonkers, N.Y., demonstration “to protest the sale of Ukrainian lands to Russia.” He also said he heard about the event while attending a talk had learned of the event on Facebook. by Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Near the end of the protest, officials of Ukrainian National Information Service in Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs left the Washington, which was hosted on April 27 Mission to attend the conference at the by the Ukrainian American Youth United Nations. They were thoroughly hec- Association branch in Yonkers. kled as they crossed Third Avenue, scu- Mr. Warycha commented, “I don’t want rrying down the far side of 67th Street, to Russia to take over Ukraine.” avoid confrontation. “I came here to support my country. “It was heartwarming to see such a strong Ukraine is about to lose its independence gathering of Ukrainian Americans and because of Russian influence,” said Taras Ukrainians alike from the greater metropoli- Kulynych, 23, of Yonkers. tan area, so patriotically showing their Chants of “Russian fleet out of Ukraine!” support of the cause at both missions in Matthew Dubas “Ukraine is not for sale!” and “Bandera, defense of Ukrainian sovereign interests,” Young and old alike carry signs and flags on 51st Street in support of Ukraine’s Shukhevych, Heroes of Ukraine!” were led said Adrian Dlaboha, 32, of Astoria, N.Y., sovereign interests. by Askold Lozynskyj and Stepan Kaczurak who is the UCCA’s director of external of New York, who also led the protesters in affairs. Alex E. Kyj Financial Advisor Financial Planning Specialist

One Liberty Place 1650 Market Street, 42nd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 854-6284 (800) 233-1414

www.fa.smithbarney.com/robertskyj [email protected]

Matthew Dubas Standing on the corner of 67th Street and Third Avenue, near Russia’s Mission to the United Nations, protesters command attention from passersby. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19 CONCERT NOTES: Connecticut’s Yevshan choir in Newport, R.I. by Ihor Slabicky NEWPORT, R.I. – Attendees of the con- cert held on Sunday, April 18, at Trinity Church experienced a leviathan opening of the 2010 “Music at Trinity” concert series by the performance of the Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble, directed by Alexander Kuzma. The ensemble is composed of members from eight Ukrainian parishes in Connecticut, with one member from Boston. They appeared at this pre-Revolutionary War church in the “City by the Sea” to pres- ent a two-part concert of sacred and secular music. Besides the Newporters in the audience, the concert attracted a large number of Ukrainians from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The first part, Sacred Easter Music opened, appropriately, with “Khrystos Ihor Slabicky Voskres.” This work by Artem Vedel has Alexander Kuzma directs the Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble at Trinity Church in Newport, R.I. quite a wide range of voicing. Yevshan per- formed it wonderfully. Most importantly for “Sey Den’” for Mr. Kuzma, because he Anatol Vakhnianyn’s arrangement of who fakes his own death only to miracu- this work, Mr. Kuzma’s direction allowed directed it as if it had been written for him. “Khrystos Voskres” was followed by “Anhel lously revive at the funeral when his beloved the full dynamic range of this work to be Starting with the one-two punch of the open- Spovischav” by Fiodor Makarov. That piece touches his hand. The arrangement by appreciated while keeping the ensemble ing bars by the whole ensemble, the conduc- started with the women’s sections in angelic Hryhory Kytasty again featured the three away from that vocal “red line” that many tor led the women’s sections through this voice. Mr. Kuzma then brought in the men’s bandurists, who wonderfully demonstrated choirs cross when they perform this piece. masterpiece, hitting the highs perfectly, section at a controlled fortissimo, carefully Kytasty’s intriguing musical vision. For “Tilo Khrystove,” Mr. Kuzma had while having the basses, baritones and ten- guided the ensemble back to the angelic, Alexander Koshetz’s setting of “Pisnia the men’s and women’s sections weaving ors provide them with solid and powerful and ended the work in a joyous crescendo. pro Nechaya” featured the men. Here, Mr. and interweaving around and through each support. Hearing this was a spiritually mov- Part 2, Secular and Folk Music, saw the Kuzma expertly kept the rest of the ensem- other. Just when one wondered whether they ing moment. choir members return dressed in embroi- ble and the bandura trio in balance, allowing ever could come back together, he would do The ensemble next performed Petro dered shirts and blouses. This part of the the men’s solos to develop and be fully so, only to again lead them out in diverse Honcharov’s “Myslist Spokoyu.” A modern program started with “Vyshiy, Vyshiy” by appreciated by the rapt audience. directions, bringing them back together for work, it flowed very nicely in the aura of the Petro Kytasty. Ludmilla Yurkevych, Joanna “V Nedilenku Rano” by Mr. Kuzma is the closing. 18th century work they had just sung. O’Flaherty and Irene Kytasty-Kuzma, the passionate prayer of a young woman Mr. Kuzma followed that with “Christos The “Pokayania” by Vedel followed. accompanying themselves on their bandury, asking for her beloved to appear. Mr. Kuzma Anesti,” the ancient Greek Easter chant. The Starting off with almost an innocent open- sang this piece. The whole Ensemble then brought out all the feelings of this work – performance of this was an ethereal experi- ing, Mr. Kuzma had the women’s section performed “Na Vodi Choven” accompanied the early morning church bells, the languid ence, surrounding the listeners with voices soar over and around the rest of the group, by the bandura trio. motions of the woman, and the fervor of her directed towards Heaven. building the intensity with each verse, cul- The ensemble next performed “Dozvol Dmytro Bortniansky must have intended minating in an emotion filled ending. Meni Maty,” about a lovelorn young man (Continued on page 19) No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 11 GENERATION UKE

Edited and compiled by Matthew Dubas and Yarema Belej Montreal’s “Hip Hop Hopak” an outstanding success by Adriana Luhovy visible. This spilled out into the audience and a wonderful, exciting atmosphere MONTREAL – The first ever dance was created throughout the entire eve- competition between break-dancing and ning. The winner was chosen by a judg- Ukrainian folk dancing, called “Hip Hop ing committee as well as by audience Hopak” was held in Montreal on Saturday, vote conducted by means of two separate March 27, as a fund-raiser for Help Us buckets passed around for attendees to Help The Children for orphan children in toss in their coins. The bucket with the Ukraine. The event was organized by the most money in the end indicated audience Concordia Ukrainian University Students’ winner choice. These contributions went Union (CUSU), the McGill Ukrainian towards the fund-raising. Students’ Association (MUSA) with the The masters of ceremonies for the eve- Ukrainian National Youth Federation ning, speaking interchangeably in (UNYF). Over 300 people attended. Ukrainian, English and French, were The idea originated with CUSU Media Anastasia Kyva, a law student at the Coordinator Adriana Luhovy, who was University of Montreal and Tanya always struck by some similarities in the Bednarczyk, a public relations student at moves within the two different dance McGill University. styles and thought it would be interesting Many volunteers from CUSU, MUSA Yurij Luhovy to bring the two together. and UNYF worked tirelessly during the Student coordinators and volunteers of the “Hip Hop Hopak” fund-raiser held in The Shevchenko Foundation and Caisse entire day to ensure everything went Montreal. Populaire Desjardins Ukrainienne de smoothly. The main organizing committee Montreal generously supported Hip Hop included event coordinator and communi- Zabuga, president of CUSU, organized the MUSA, and Ms. Luhovy and Tanya Hopak. Their quick commitment and cations student, Ms. Luhovy, with Alyssa annual wine and cheese evening with Bednarczyk from CUSU. financial contribution permitted the stu- Paterson, Artem Luhovy, Vivian Zabuga, entertainment, which lasted until the The audience found it daring, as never dents to begin planning. Marta Cybulska, Vera Zabeida, Bohdan beginning of Hip Hop Hopak. Also per- before was such an idea conceived and so Two professional groups were invited to Koval, Olesya Akhtemiychuk, Tanya forming were the local Montreal Ukrainian professionally executed by university stu- participate – the Syzokryli Dance Bedarczyk and Anastasia Kyva, who all dance groups Marunczak and Troyanda. dent volunteers. Montrealers are still talk- Ensemble from New York, and the worked with great dedication to the event. During the evening, varenyky were sold as ing about it, while many others are posting Montreal breakdancers The Deadly Other volunteers included Andrij Kostiv as part of the fund-raising and raffle prizes their comments on Facebook. It was a Venoms. Each dance group has traveled DJ for the entire evening, Kalyna Franko, were arranged with gifts bought at dis- unique experience for all who attended the extensively as part of their respective per- Stephan Mota, Ostap Lyakh and Nick count prices at major outlets. unforgettable event. formance schedules. Saldan. Every summer CUSU and MUSA mem- Toronto is now planning to organize a The venue, which was provided at no Artwork on the Hip Hop Hopak theme bers volunteer to work with orphan chil- similar event this coming fall. For more charge by the Ukrainian National was painted by Andrij Kostiv from dren in Ukraine. Past participants included information refer to CUSU’s website: Federation, was so effectively transformed Argentina, now living in Montreal, Johanna Paquin, Melania Czolij, Anna http://orgserver.csu.qc.ca/~cusucon/ with light and sound equipment, arranged Stephan Fydyshyn, and Oriana Iwaniuta Shabotynsky and Artem Luhovy from CUSU/Welcome.html by Stefan Usyk, that the interior décor of Paris, now studying in Montreal. Their added a special atmosphere to the event. works were displayed in the main Free radio publicity was provided by entrance. Also assisting was Mykhailo Simon Kouklewsky of “Ukrajinskyj Chas” Zelman, UNF caretaker, who helped (Ukrainian Time) radio program in the solve any unforeseen needs in setting up Montreal area. Zytynsky Deli provided the event. discounted varenyky, and blocks of rooms Besides coordinating the event, Ms. were reserved at Holiday Inn Midtown Luhovy designed the poster, tickets, pre- Montreal. pared the Hip Hop Hopak program book- The dance competition had various let, special award plaques for the various components, which included an opening categories of participants including danc- group dance, followed by the “battle” or ers awards, and a video clip on Youtube. challenges by groups, or one on one, each The program booklet included information dance group displaying their most cre- about the history of Ukrainian dance in ative and difficult steps. At the end of the Quebec from the 1920s, which began with competition part, each group tried to the arrival of dance instructor and chore- teach the other three different step combi- ographer Vasile Avramenko from Kyiv to nations, as the audience watched. It was Canada. The evening was filmed by an outreach and blending of two different Concordia University Television (CUTV) cultures and the closeness that was creat- and Troyanda.net. ed between the two dance groups was Prior to Hip Hop Hopak, Vivian

Allison Home-Douglas McGill students Marta Cybulsky and Artem Luhovy collecting donations among the crowd, to determine the competition winner. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19 No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

President signs budget bill gram to Ukraine, citing Kyiv’s unwilling- Russian side, the document was signed NEWSBRIEFS ness to cut budget deficits and remove by the governors of the Belgorod, KYIV – President Viktor Yanukovych state price supports for energy. (RFE/RL) Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov (Continued from page 2) on April 29 signed a long-awaited nation- Third World countries. Mr. Yanukovych regions and the Krasnodar Territory, and al budget bill, which plans for increased YTB notes Yanukovych’s “crimes” on behalf of Ukraine by chairs of the expressed his interest in such a proposal, spending and a renewal of foreign credits. adding that the previous discussion of this KYIV – National Deputy Hryhorii Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Sumy, The legislation passed by Parliament on Chernihiv and Zaporizhia regional state issue had already been held at the level of April 28 plans for nearly $41 billion of Omelchenko of the Yulia Tymoshenko the presidents of both countries at a meet- Bloc (YTB) has registered in Parliament administrations and the Council of government spending in fiscal year 2010 Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of ing in Kharkiv on April 21. He also noted – an almost 19 percent increase over 2009 a draft resolution on creating an ad hoc Crimea. The parties agreed to hold joint that it would be interesting for Ukraine to spending. The allowed budget deficit was interim commission to investigate the events to celebrate the 65th Anniversary build a plant for nuclear fuel production $7.3 billion, or 5.3 percent of the expect- activities of President Viktor Yanukovych of Victory in the Great Patriotic War; to not only for domestic power plants, but ed gross domestic product (GDP) for and considering his possible impeach- promote the development of partnership also for Third World countries. He added, 2010. International Monetary Fund (IMF) ment. The commission was proposed to among regions in the fields of economy, “We have not only nuclear power, but officials have made the passage of a bud- work for six months and deliver its pre- science, culture, medicine, education, also hydropower. And knowing your pro- get bill with a 6 percent budget deficit or liminary report in July. The draft resolu- tourism, youth policy; and to promote the gram on the modernization of Russian less a key condition for obtaining further tion proposes electing Mr. Omelchenko exchange of information and experience hydropower, we are interested in coopera- IMF financing. Vice Prime Minister as chairman of the commission. An in preparing and carrying out sports and tion in terms of supplying Ukrainian Sergey Tigipko, meanwhile, said that an explanatory note to the document reads cultural activities, economic and tourism equipment to Russian hydroelectric power IMF mission is to visit Ukraine next that the reason for its registration in plants,” the Ukrainian president said. “If month for talks on a new credit program. Parliament was the signing by President forums, and development of transport the current experience of Ukraine and Mr. Tigipko had just returned from a Yanukovych of the agreement extending routes. News of the agreement was Russia is combined, there might be very week of talks in Washington with IMF the lease on a Russian naval base on reported on April 22. (Ukrinform) interesting cooperation,” Mr. Yanukovych officials. The IMF in October 2009 froze Ukrainian territory until 2042. Under the Ukraine cannot join Customs Union added. (Ukrinform) an emergency $16.4 billion credit pro- Constitution of Ukraine, the president may be impeached for committing a state KYIV – Ukrainian President Viktor crime or some other crime if a constitu- Yanukovych, speaking at the April 27 tional majority in Parliament (at least 301 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS lawmakers) votes for impeachment. the Council of Europe (PACE) in (Ukrinform) Strasbourg, said that, having already TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292-9800 x 3040 joined the World Trade Organization, Stalin monument for Dnipropetrovsk… Ukraine cannot form a customs union or e-mail [email protected] DNIPROPETROVSK – Communists with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. in the eastern Ukrainian city of “Ukraine has made its choice in favor of SERVICES Dnipropetrovsk want to erect a monu- accession to the WTO. Ukraine is inte- ment to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, RFE/ grated with the WTO,” Mr. Yanukovych RL’s Ukrainian Service reported on April said in answering a question posed to 28. Kateryna Vidyakina, a Communist him, adding participation in a customs deputy on the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast union with Russia, Belarus and Council, told journalists that placing a Kazakhstan is impossible because the monument to Stalin in the city would be a WTO laws do not allow that. Mr. sign of the Communist Party’s political Yanukovych said the creation of a free strength and popularity. Mykola Vodyany, trade zone with the European Union is the secretary of the Communist Party’s within the sphere of Ukraine’s national Dnipropetrovsk committee, said the mon- interests. “We have taken this path and are following it,” he underscored. PROFESSIONALS ument to Stalin could be erected on one of the city’s major streets, but he said dis- (Ukrinform) cussions with local authorities must be Defense ministers to meet in Kyiv held and the opinion of locals taken into account. He said the monument could be KYIV – The 59th meeting of the erected on property belonging to the Council of Defense Ministers of the Communist Party, in which no one’s per- Commonwealth of Independent States will mission would be necessary. (Ukrinform) be held in Kyiv in October 2010. The defense ministers of CIS countries sup- … and maybe for Kyiv, too ported Ukraine’s initiative at a meeting of KYIV – National Deputy Oleksander the CIS Council of Defense Ministers in Holub of the Communist Party of Ukraine Moscow on April 14, the Ukrainian (the CPU is a member of the ruling coali- Defense Ministry’s press service has tion with the Party of Regions and the reported. The report says that the Ukrainian Volodymyr Lytvyn Bloc) believes that it delegation headed by Defense Minister would be “absolutely right” to erect a Mykhailo Yezhel participated in the meet- monument to Joseph Stalin in Kyiv, ing as an observer. The participants in the because “no one has done for Ukraine as meeting discussed issues linked to celebra- much as Stalin.” Mr. Holub was com- tions of the 65th anniversary of the Soviet menting on May 5 on a statement by the Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War , Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc concerning plans as well as issues of multilateral military to erect a monument to Stalin in the cen- cooperation. (Ukrinform) MERCHANDISE ter of Kyiv. As reported, on May 5 Klitschko launches political party Communists in Zaporizhia unveiled a statue of Stalin near the building of their KYIV – Former world boxing champi- FOR SALE regional committee. They are very proud on Vitali Klitschko has announced the of the fact that this is the second monu- launch of a new political party named Condominium For Sale ment “to the leader of all peoples” in the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for post-Soviet space. The first was in Gori, Reform. The acronym UDAR translates Somerset, New Jersey Stalin’s (Joseph Dzugashvili’s) hometown as “punch.” AFP quoted Mr. Klitschko a Located in 55+ Ukrainian community , 5 rooms in Georgia. (Ukrinform) saying: “I am used to achieving my goals; total, 2 bedrooms, first floor, Excellent condi- I am convinced that this will be the case tion. Very close to shopping and Churches. Majority against Stalin monuments not only in the field of sports but also in $125,000.00. Call 908-526-1259 KYIV – The majority of the public in politics. With a strong and well-aimed Ukraine, 56.7 percent, have a negative ‘punch,’ I am ready to knock down the attitude toward the idea of putting up wall between society and the authorities Waterfalls, 2 bedrooms, new energy-effi- monuments to Stalin in Ukrainian cities, which is blocking the development of cient “green” home, quiet road, small lot, and only 9.6 percent like the idea, accord- Ukraine.” During Ukraine’s Orange 10 minutes to Saugerties Thruway, 20 ing to the results of a public opinion poll Revolution in 2004, Mr. Klitschko sup- minutes to Ukrainian Church. $284,000. conducted by the Razumkov Center of ported pro-West former president Viktor 518-622-8149. Economic and Policy Studies. The poll Yushchenko against the current head of results were reported on April 29. state, Viktor Yanukovych. AFP notes that (Ukrinform) although Mr. Klitschko, nicknamed Dr. Iron Fist, has never been knocked down Cooperation between border regions in the boxing ring, his political career has Insure and be sure. been rockier: his two campaigns for KYIV – The chiefs of border regions mayor of Kyiv fell flat in 2006 and 2008. Join the UNA! of Ukraine and Russia signed in Kharkiv (RFE/RL with Agence France-Presse). a declaration of cooperation between bor- der regions of the two countries. On the (Continued on page 15) No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 15

NEWSBRIEFS Pinchuk among most influential people KYIV – Ukrainian businessman and (Continued from page 14) philanthropist Victor Pinchuk has become Russians decorated for liberating Ukraine the first Ukrainian public figure to be KYIV – Ukraine’s Chargé D’Affaires included on the list of the world’s 100 ad interim to the Russian Federation, most influential people according to Time Yevhen Herasymov, and Defense Attaché magazine. The Victor Pinchuk Foundation reported on April 30 that he had been list- Maj.-Gen. Ihor Ostapenko on April 27 in ed seventh in the “Thinkers” section. The Moscow presented state awards to magazine’s ranking, titled “Time 100: The Russian citizens who took part in the lib- World’s Most Influential People,” is one of Paul Shewchuk eration of Ukrainian territory from the most authoritative world rankings pub- Sept. 30, 1924 – April 28, 2010 German fascist invaders during the Great lished since 2004. This year, the magazine Patriotic War of 1941-1945. On the eve divided the list into four categories: lead- of celebrations of the 65th anniversary of ers, artists, thinkers and heroes. The maga- victory in the Great Patriotic War, The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Association regrets zine also includes trendsetters – those who to announce to the members of the General Assembly, to members of Defender of Homeland medals were shape and change the world. (Ukrinform) awarded to 67 veterans. (Ukrinform) Branch 13 in Watervliet, N.Y. and to the UNA membership-at-large that Ukraine 117th in press freedom longtime former Branch Secretary and District Chairman Paul President sacks navy commander Shewchuk passed away on April 28, 2010. Paul Shewchuk served as KYIV – The U.S.-based non-govern- Secretary of Branch 13 from 1964 to 2005 and as Albany District KYIV – President Viktor Yanukovych mental organization Freedom House, which Chairman for more than 20 years. signed a decree dismissing Ukrainian monitors the global level of democracy, on navy commander Adm. Ihor Teniukh. The April 30 released its annual rating of mass The Executive Committee and the entire UNA membership wish to decree was posted on the president’s offi- media freedom, in which Ukraine ranks express their deepest sympathy to his wife of 46 years Teodozia cial website on April 30. Adm. Teniukh 117th, between Mexico and Lebanon. In Ksenich; his daughter, Diane and son, Peter (Ana Matilde); his nieces was against the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s 2009, Freedom House noted, the situation and nephews in Poland and Ukraine.Mr. Shewchuk loved the people in presence in Crimea. The presidential in Ukraine had improved somewhat thanks his local community and was a long-time supporter of the UNA. His decree says that the admiral was dis- to fewer attacks on reporters, as well as a active promotion of UNA and participation in many UNA conventions missed for health reasons with the right to broad variety of opinions and media own- allowed him to lend his voice to many key decisions that to this day wear his military uniform. In March, ers. Russia is the 174th on the list. Among continue to impact UNA’s fraternal and cultural heritage mission. His Adm. Teniukh submitted a letter of resig- the worst 10 are Belarus (188th), UNA legacy is best illustrated by the fact he enrolled over 300 new nation from the Ukrainian armed forces Uzbekistan (199th) and Turkmenistan members to the UNA for period of 41 years as a secretary. His loyalty for moral and ethical reasons. During the (194th). The best in the post-Soviet space and dedication to the Ukrainian National Association are an inspiration Russian-Georgian conflict in 2008, as by the speech freedom situation is Estonia that will not be forgotten. commander of Ukraine’s naval forces, he (14th). At the top of the list are Iceland, ordered Ukrainian warships to try to Norway and Finland, and on the bottom is Ç¥˜Ì‡ ÈÓÏÛ Ô‡Ï’Ú¸! block the entrance to Sevastopol bay for North Korea. (Ukrinform) Russian Black Sea Fleet ships that were involved in the conflict in Georgia. Vice- Ukraine eighth in steel smelting Admiral Viktor Maksymov was appointed KYIV – As of March, Ukraine is in the new commander of the Ukrainian eighth place among countries that are the navy. Defense Minister Mykhailo Yezhel world’s largest steel producers. Ukraine presented the new commander to the has produced 2.995 million tons of metal, executive staff of the national fleet. “Over according to data of the World Steel the six years of Vice-Admiral Viktor Association (WSA). World steel produc- Maksymov’s holding of the post of first tion this March, as compared to March deputy commander of the navy, all mili- 2009, grew by 30.6 percent and totaled tary sailors could be sure that he was 120 million tons. According to the WSA’s It is with deep sadness that we inform exacting, professional and honest,” the calculations, China remains the largest family and friends that Saturday, Defense Ministry’s press service quoted steel producer, having produced 54.968 May 1st, 2010, in her 57th year of life, Minister Yezhel as saying. (Ukrinform) million tons. (Ukrinform) after a difficult illness, ROXOLANA MYROSLAVA PODPIRKA

daughter of the late Dr. Stephan and Lubomyra Bojko With deep sorrow we announce that my beloved wife dearest Wife, Mother, Granddaughter, Sister, Aunt passed to eternal life. MONA WOJTOWICZ She is survived by: Husband – CHARLES passed into eternity on April 29, 2010. Sons – ROMAN, ADRIAN, VICTOR Grandmother – KAROLYNA KONRAD Panakhyda was held on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Peter Jarema Funeral Sisters and brothers: Home in New York City. Funeral Mass was held at St. George Ukrainian THERESE DIACHOK with sons Andrew and Mark with families Catholic Church on Monday, May 3, 2010. Burial was at Holy Spirit ANDREAS BOJKO with wife Irena and children Areta and Markian Cemetery, Hamptonburg, NY. GEORGE BOJKO with wife Anna Marie and son Alexander MOTRJA WATTERS with husband David and daughters Arianna, She left behind in great sorrow: Andrea, Alexa and Alanna VERA BOJKO Husband - Joseph Wojtowicz NESTOR BOJKO with wife Marta Daughter - Vera with husband Michael MYRON BOJKO with wife Lynette and children Richard, Sophia and Granddaughter - Alexandra Karolyna Brothers-in-law: RICHARD PODPIRKA with wife Sandra and children Nicole and Richard JOHN PODPIRKA with wife Allison and daughter Emily Uncle - IHOR KONRAD with wife Sonja and sons Lubomyr, Taras and Death announcements Mykola with wife Renata and daughter Kalyna Viewing – Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue. at the R.P. Drago Funeral Home located at 43-10 30th Avenue, Astoria, New York 11103 (rpdragofuneralhome.com.) Funeral service at 7:30pm. Rate: $7.50 per column-inch. Funeral Mass – Thursday, May 6th 9:30 am at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Telephone, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040; the Holy Cross located at 31-12 30th Street, Astoria, New York 11106. Burial at e-mail, [email protected]. Locust Valley Cemetery, Locust Valley (near Glen Cove), New York. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE! Please include the daytime phone number In lieu of flowers, donations for orphans in Ukraine may be made to: of a contact person. Orphans Aid Society - www.oasukraine.org 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19 No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 17

of $73,967. Despite the slight drop in Report of... 2009, the overall pattern over the last four (Continued from page 8) years shows a slower decline in the down- operating costs low, and the sluggish ward trend of the UNA’s insurance pre- economy and investment markets do not mium income. dramatically shift buyer preferences to The UNA’s annuity sales originate pri- other investment vehicles. We commend marily through a network of independent UNA management’s efforts to use this agents along with professional agents at period of exceptional annuity growth to the UNA’s Home Office, whereas life find ways to push the cross-sale of other insurance sales continue to come from the insurance products to sustain sales growth traditional local branch secretary struc- across a wider spectrum of UNA product ture. UNA branch secretaries sold 64 per- offerings. cent of the life insurance policies and just UNA management believes that insur- 3 percent of the annuity sales contracts in ance regulatory bodies are comfortable 2009, whereas independent agents sold with a UNA net surplus in the range of $5 84 percent of the annuity sales contracts million. The UNA’s net surplus, which and 13 percent of the life insurance poli- stands at $4,899,162 as of December 31, cies during same year. 2009, has benefited from the sale of the With the dramatic increase in annuity UNA’s headquarters building on June 4, contract sales, according to UNA policy 2007, that increased unassigned surplus an individual who purchases an annuity by $4,626,558. contract of $5,000 or more is automati- cally enrolled as a UNA member. This Reflecting the surge in annuity sales situation bears closer attention. proceeds, net investment income stood at $4,924,000 for the calendar year ended Canada operations December 31, 2009, in comparison to $4,009,000 for the calendar year ended As of the end of calendar year 2009, December 31, 2008, and $3,474,000 the UNA had 1,945 life insurance policies recorded on December 31, 2007. The in force in Canada with eight policies portfolio yield average of 6.25 percent in added during the year; in comparison, 2008 declined to 5.82 by year-end 2009 there were 2,189 life insurance policies due to softening interest rate yields. with 10 policies added in calendar year UNA investment policy emphasizes 2006. The 1,945 life insurance policies on bond holdings as the primary investment record in 2009 had a total face amount value of $6,392,812. At year-end 2006, vehicle and uses portfolio diversification the UNA had 2,189 policies with a face to keep credit risk at a minimum and amount value of $7,028,087. maintain asset quality. There were no We note that the combined total cost of defaults and UNA investment portfolio Canadian operations to the UNA was esti- market values were well within overall mated at $448,000 for calendar year marketplace performance. ended 2009, whereas the UNA collected Organizing Department $3,273 in first-year annual cash with application premiums for the same year. The UNA is a member-owned frater- In comparison, the UNA collected fit. Since the transfer of Soyuzivka to the buildings and facilities along with erect- nal insurance society and, as such, cur- $1,987.30 in first-year annual cash with limited liability corporation, for strategic ing new buildings that would make up a rently depends primarily on the sale of application premiums in Canada for the business purposes, its new name is the proposed Co-Op Development Project. life insurance and annuity products by calendar year 2006. Soyuzivka Heritage Center. The UNA has been working with the branch secretaries, Home Office profes- Upon prior request of the Auditing For the calendar year ended December Co-Op Development Group on plans to sional agents and independent contracted Committee in 2007, UNA management 31, 2009, UNA management reported develop 30 to 50 acres of existing lands agents. At the end of calendar year 2009, estimated it costs $175 to create and file Soyuzivka total income of $1,608,867 into new residential units, along with ren- the UNA consisted of 19 districts in 16 all the prescribed paperwork to establish with total expenses, including deprecia- ovation of existing hotel-style rooms and states in the U.S.A., four districts in six a life insurance policy in Canada. Based tion, of $1,863,592 resulting in a net loss common-use facilities at Soyuzivka. The provinces in Canada, and 158 branches in on the estimated price to create and file from operations of $254,725. For context, project calls for between 120 and 140 both countries. The UNA showed 33,476 all necessary paperwork for one policy, annual net losses at Soyuzivka have units, which will be sold to private indi- insurance policies in force as of the Auditing Committee concluded that at declined each calendar year over the past viduals on a co-op basis. While the UNA December 31, 2009. This reflects a the current level of life insurance sales in four years as shown in the chart below. has advanced certain costs to meet pre- decrease of 3,880 policies in force since Canada (less than one new life insurance However, the UNA continues to subsidize development land-use requirements, UNA December 31, 2006. policy each month), the UNA is barely net losses through funds donated to the management asserts all construction costs U.S. Operations recovering its clerical costs in the first Ukrainian National Foundation for pur- will be borne by the development group. policy year without even considering all poses of supporting member fraternal At present, the Co-Op Development For calendar year 2009, the UNA expe- recurring costs associated with underwrit- benefits. Project is conditional on the Soyuzivka rienced another year of rapid growth in ing life insurance policies in Canada. No It is noteworthy that UNA employs Heritage Center existing as a viable enti- annuity sales with a continued decline in other options have been identified by two key employees year-round at ty. This event depends on the sale of 250 its traditional life insurance product sales. UNA management or by Canadian branch Soyuzivka, the facility is closed approxi- acres of surrounding lands to an environ- The UNA expects the high volume of secretaries to build a sustainable life mately four months during the winter mental group for about $2 million. annuity sales by outside agents to eventu- insurance business in Canada. months, and the UNA has entered into a According to the current plan, the UNA ally lead to the sale of more life insurance As discussed in Strategic Plan catering arrangement whereby a catering will share part of land sale proceeds with products. In January 2009, UNA manage- Accomplishments, the UNA’s Executive firm provides all food services. The cater- the Ukrainian National Foundation to ment rolled out a new 20-year term insur- Committee expected to begin to convert ing firm pays all payroll costs for kitchen provide the seed money needed by the ance policy, an Immediate Annuity, cou- current Canadian insurance policies from workers and the wait staff, along with Co-Op Development Group for redevel- pled with a new rate book based on the Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars, and buying all food and certain other equip- opment of Soyuzivka. UNA management 2001 mortality table which it expects to going forward to underwrite insurance ment and supplies. The catering firm that anticipates the Co-Op Development expand business. According to UNA- polices in U.S. dollars from the UNA provides food services at Soyuzivka Project will provide other revenue streams provided insurance industry information, Home Office in Parsippany, N.J. Recently received $394,296 during calendar year from the sale of co-op units, collection of the 20-year term insurance policy is cur- a legal question has surfaced regarding 2009. The two year-round employees, maintenance and activity fees, rental of rently the most popular insurance policy the legal authority to sell insurance out- along with bartenders and other service units, and fees from catering, cultural sold in the United States of America. of-state from the UNA Home Office. staff, are on the UNA’s payroll, totaling events and summer camps. Total premium income for 2009 Until this matter is resolved, the UNA $179,714 during calendar year 2009. While ideas and discussions on rede- amounted to $35,916,516. For compari- will postpone taking action on Canadian In May 2002, the UNA first publicly velopment of Soyuzivka have been pro- son purposes, that’s almost triple the insurance sales. announced Soyuzivka to be an unaccept- gressing since 2002, UNA management is $12,741,403 million for 2008, which like- able drain on UNA reserves. At that time, Soyuzivka Heritage Center now hopeful the first co-op units will be wise reflected a two fold increase over UNA management made a commitment marketed for sale in 2010. 2007 premium income of $4,317,786. In 2007, UNA management transferred to insurance regulators to cease funding New annuity sales contract income for Soyuzivka from the UNA to the the resort as a fraternal benefit. UNA UNA Publications – Svoboda 2009 totaled $34,675,180, while new Soyuzivka UNA Estate, LLC. Although management initiated an analysis of and The Ukrainian Weekly insurance policy business in the U.S. Soyuzivka, with its buildings and land, Soyuzivka prospects and attempted to While the UNA’s two weekly newspa- resulted in the issuance of 182 new poli- has been transferred to a limited liability find a solution to the dire financial straits per publications together continue to bring cies at a face value of $5,761,000 and corporation, the operations of Soyuzivka presented by Soyuzivka. in less money than the cost of their com- cash with application premiums of are reported within the UNA’s consolidat- While operating deficits attributable to bined operations, the newspapers are los- $67,712. The sale of new insurance poli- ed financial statements as a separate Soyuzivka have declined over the past ing slightly less money than in years past. cies in 2009 reflects a decline from 2008 department showing its income and four years, as discussed in the section on Part of the decline in publication losses is levels, when new insurance policy busi- expenses. The UNA indirectly, through its the Strategic Plan, the cash proceeds that attributable to private donations and due to ness in the U.S. resulted in 195 new poli- charitable arm the Ukrainian National would come through the sale of the sur- on going cost containment measures. cies at a face value of $2,442,999 that Foundation, continues to partially support rounding 250 acres will provide the reve- brought cash with application premiums its seasonal operation as a fraternal bene- nue streams for redevelopment of existing (Continued on page 18) 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

high number of outside visits (hits) so this Report of... condition offers a sales and marketing (Continued from page 17) opportunity that should be seized. We further note that starting in March In an attempt to become more self-suf- 2010, The Ukrainian Weekly became ficient, each of the two weekly publica- available on a subscription basis through tions has established a Press Fund to the Internet on UNA’s host website. account for donations. The UNA received Svoboda is expected to become available a total of $51,998 in donations to these through the Internet later in 2010. It is too Press Funds in calendar year 2009. The early to tell how electronic subscriptions total includes $22,568 for Svoboda and will benefit the publications business but, $29,430 for The Weekly. We note that it’s clear that hard-copy readership is each month the publications acknowledge declining in all newspaper publications the names of contributors and amounts and that readers increasingly desire read- donated to support these publications. ing news online. The Digital Archive Project started with $50,000 in seed money in 2007 from For the calendar year ended December Lys Mykyta by Edward Kozak, and all operational and capital expenses. 31, 2009, the UNA reported total income the Self Reliance (NY) Federal Credit UNA Almanacs. Access to past years’ In July 2007, the Ukrainian National Union and, subsequently, received dona- from publications of $901,189 consisting issues of the two publications is free, sub- Foundation presented the first Annual tions of at least $5,000 from five addi- of $485,586 from Svoboda and $415,603 scription fees will be charged for current Ukrainian Cultural Festival at the tional sources through calendar year from The Ukrainian Weekly, while oper- year publications. The UNA began charg- Soyuzivka Heritage Center and, subse- ating expenses totaled $1,201,719 with 2009. We noted one additional donation ing viewers for The Ukrainian Weekly in quently, made the festival an annual event $638,555 attributable to Svoboda and in the amount of $10,000 arrived in March 2010 and will do the same for on the third weekend in July. $563,164 to The Ukrainian Weekly. The March 2010. The Digital Archive Project access to Svoboda. The Ukrainian National Foundation is UNA’s weekly publications resulted in a gives readers online access to all newspa- governed by the three salaried UNA exec- net loss $300,530 for calendar year ended per issues released since the publications’ Ukrainian Cultural Festival utive staff and has no staff. The first three 2009. For context, the chart below shows founding – Svoboda was founded in 1893 Ukrainian Cultural Festivals held at the The UNA developed the concept of a operating performance since 2006. and The Ukrainian Weekly in 1933 – Soyuzivka Heritage Center have thus far Ukrainian Cultural Festival to preserve and Overall, statistics show a continuing approximately 23,000 issues of Svoboda relied on UNA staff to plan and organize decline in paid subscriptions to printed and 3,978 issues of The Ukrainian Weekly promote our Ukrainian heritage, as well as the event and all activities. Over 100 vol- publications but the publications in elec- – together with 334 issues of the chil- to provide a new source of revenues to the unteers, along with UNA and Soyuzivka tronic format are receiving a relatively dren’s magazine Veselka, 317 issues of Soyuzivka Heritage Center to help offset its staff, provide the workforce necessary to carry out the three-day festival. While the Ukrainian Cultural Festival is unquestionably popular and a huge suc- cess in terms of visitor attendance to the three-day festival, until now, there have been no detailed financial reports on just how much the festival contributes to income and expenses at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center. The Auditing Committee, during the preparation of this report, received an accounting of the income and expenses associated with holding the annual festi- val in 2009, 2008 and 2007. The late arrival of the accounting precluded an audit of the financial data and, until such time as the Auditing Committee has a chance to examine the financial data pro- vided, it does not believe it prudent to publish the financial data. Other matters Management stated there are no defaults and no lawsuits to which the UNA is a party, however, the UNA has received complaints from subscribers about the late delivery of newspapers. UNA management is looking into the matter and has contacted postal authori- ties in hopes of finding a remedy to the current situation. Part of the problem may stem from the fact that a new printing firm is producing UNA publications and the printer uses a Philadelphia postal facility. The previous printing firm mailed the publications using a New Jersey post- al facility. For the Auditing Committee: Slavko Tysiak, Chairperson Dr. Wasyl Szeremeta, member Eugene Serba, member

Gas in exchange... (Continued from page 2) stronger. Similar accords are planned for the aerospace industry. Second, Moscow did not offer any guarantees that it would continue pump- ing a certain volume of gas to Europe through Ukrainian pipelines, which Kyiv insisted on. This means that Ukraine may lose its transit potential once the Nord Stream and South Stream pipelines, bypassing Ukraine, are ready.

The article above is reprinted from Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 19

fast to their decision that no Western aid – mystery and mysticism of this festival was The roots... none – would be sent to Ukraine. American Connecticut's... brought out. The men’s voices deepened, at (Continued from page 7) doctors were allowed to fly into Moscow (Continued from page 10) times sounding dark and ominous as they fully exposed to its people. In a moment of to assist there, but none were allowed into desires. countered the lightness of the “Marena” part danger, their leaders had abandoned them Ukraine. These aid efforts were reported “Yikhav, Yikhav Kozak Mistom” by sung by the women’s section. Mr. Kuzma completely. The reality of those vacant and highlighted in the West but the dispar- Olena Chmut was performed in a very picked up the pace as the Kupalo festivities stands, the delayed and sporadic news aging treatment of the people of Ukraine, dreamy manner, providing a most enjoyable became livelier, then returning to the ebb about where officials had gone and why, the people most affected, never seemed to interlude from the usually lively versions of and flow of a woman combing her long hair, that the government and the Communist trigger any genuine official or media out- this song. magically moving Fate. The ensemble then Party ignored the people and lied to them rage. Indeed to the contrary, as an exam- “Sirily u Sumerku” is known to many voiced the quickened movements of about the terrible reality of radiation fall- ple, the key cover story about the event in Plastuny as the song signaling the ending of “Kupala Na Ivana,” and Mr. Kuzma led ing around them, including on their chil- U.S. News and World Report was titled a campfire (lyrics by Yurii Starosolsky, them to a thunderous climax. dren proudly marching to honor their “Nightmare in Russia.” Then-Editor David music by Yurii Piasetsky). This performance The audience responded as they only “Union,” resulted in unequivocal and sys- Gergen cynically dismissed any suggestion featured an extra historical note, for singing could – with a standing ovation. After temic distrust, as well as undisguised dis- that the title was misleading. with the ensemble was Orest Kuzma, a tenor expressing his heartfelt thanks, Mr. Kuzma dain of the system by the citizens of Eventually, significantly more than a who sang in the choir that had premiered closed the concert with “Sotvory Hospody, Ukraine. year after the nuclear explosion, Western this song at the Plast Jamboree in 1947 in Mnohaya Lita,” a musical “thank you” from I add that the truth of the Soviet system aid finally was allowed into Ukraine. No Mittenwald, Germany. Mr. Kuzma’s the ensemble to their rapt listeners. also was contemporaneously reconfirmed one will ever be able to define adequately arrangement brought forth sweet melan- The present Trinity Church was built in to us here in the West, at least to those who the human cost of the unnecessary delay. choly from this song, the men’s and wom- 1726. It is completely constructed of wood were paying attention. Aid to victims was This information is important to place en’s sections taking us through the dreams and features a very large and acoustically gathered and shipped to areas immediately into context, not only to the reality and swirling around us and into the deepening open space. These qualities proved to be a outside the Soviet Union. For instance, the implications of this reality within night. wonderful venue for the Yevshan ensemble, flights from Chicago to Poland became Ukraine, but to add a critical perspective The concert ended with the “Kupalo one with almost no reverb and a remarkably routine and were an easily recognizable to the history of the American’s on-again, Suite.” This arrangement by Yevhen clear and distinct sound throughout the part of basic aid provided in the months off-again infatuation with Moscow and Stankovych incorporates many of the well- sacred space. This only served to enhance after the Chornobyl disaster. our frequently myopic Russo-centric atti- known and ancient songs associated with Mr. Kuzma’s direction and the ensemble’s However, Soviet authorities held stead- tudes and policies. the midsummer’s night festival of Ivan voice, presenting the listeners with an exqui- Kupalo. Under Mr. Kuzma’s direction, the site and inspired choral experience.

state support for the Ukrainian language Yanukovych's... and culture. 200,000 pieces of archival material, includ- (Continued from page 6) It may take further repressions by the Turning the pages... ing 10,000 original documents had been ers have extensive ties to the pro-Russian Yanukovych administration to unite opposi- (Continued from page 6) gathered from 17 oblasts of Ukraine, he said. forces. Both Mr. Yushchenko and Mr. tion forces. Or they could remain indifferent President Leonid Kuchma declared via Information was also being gathered in Poroshenko bear some degree of respon- and passive until a new generation of lead- executive edict in 2002 the objectives that Russia and the U.S. sibility for the pro-Russian government ers emerges (perhaps five years from now, needed to be fulfilled in commemorating the Mr. Tabachnyk also highlighted the glar- coming to power and brokering the if not later). 70th anniversary of the Holodomor. Mr. ing gaps in Ukraine’s oral history when it came to the Holodomor, and he indicated “Sevastopol-for-gas” deal that we cur- For those who think the Ukrainian peo- Tabachnyk underscored the objectives and that this needed to be corrected. “This was a rently have. ple will fight back, don’t be so sure. The explained the efforts used to better establish deliberate effort at genocide of the Ukrainian Observers are watching to see whether amount of damage done by Mr. Yushchenko the facts behind the man-made Famine and nation, which has left its merciless imprint the splintered opposition can muster sup- and Ms. Tymoshenko during the last five better bring them to light. The Ukrainian on all of our history and our national self- port among its electorate to combat all years in demoralizing their electorate is government, he said, was collecting histori- identity,” explained Mr. Tabachnyk. that has happened in the last month – not considerable. cal documents, publications and archival only with the Sevastopol-for-gas deal, but The April 24 and 27 protests in front of records as testimony to the artificial nature of Source: “Ukraine’s vice PM calls on also the incursions on individual rights Parliament by 1,500 and 5,000 people, the Famine and the deliberate focus by the Rada to seek U.N. recognition of Famine as such as freedom of speech and freedom respectively, are not exceptionally impres- perpetrators on the Ukrainian farmer, the genocide,” by Roman Woronowycz, The of assembly, as well as the curtailment of sive. backbone of the Ukrainian nation. Some Ukrainian Weekly, May 18, 2003. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

Ukrainian pro sports update: Golf by Ihor Stelmach

continue to talk about that first Masters famous. appearance. Kuchar’s Masters moment Back after eight years This is not a problem for Kuchar. It How about this dilemma? You’ve got a nament co-founder Bobby Jones. Add a sec- doesn’t bother him in the least – in fact, he “I’m very excited,” he said in his pre- very successful career going, earned mil- ond fact the best non-professional perfor- claims he enjoys reminiscing about that Masters interview with ESPN.com. “It’s lions of dollars as a pro, but are incessantly mance in 20-years – and the Masters week, focusing on specific little moments always a goal and an inspiration, playing the prompted to relive a momentous part of moment was sealed and delivered. still clear in his mind. Moments like when Masters. To have an eight-year break, that’s your past. When out earning your living sur- “There’s not a tournament week that goes he hugged his grandparents on his way from a lot longer than I ever thought I’d have. It’s rounded by fans of your sport, you interact by when I don’t have a handful of people the practice green to the first tee. The one of those special weeks that you always with the public, hoping to be respected for come by and tell me that they’ve been fol- moment of being super nervous standing want to be a part of. It stinks to have to sit your prior accomplishments. Yet, most of lowing me since my days at Augusta,” over that opening tee shot. Or being paired back home after having been there and done the time the people see you and recall, not Kuchar said in an interview with ESPN. with the year’s defending champion, some that and have to watch it on TV. It gives you your most recent achievements, but that one com. “So I hear about it a lot, and it’s always dude named Tiger Woods, and finishing his a little bit of incentive to work harder and specific moment so long ago, bringing back great. It’s how I’m viewed. I had a great get back there. I’m excited to make that trip a rush of memories. time. I was living the fairy tale for a week. I first 18 holes within one stroke of Tiger’s score. down Magnolia Lane once again.” This is the essence of Ukrainian golfer couldn’t ask for anything more for my first Based on his start this year, the timing of Prior to 2010, Kuchar returned to the Matt Kuchar’s world. trip down to the Masters.” the Masters was excellent. Kuchar had a Masters twice, qualifying in 1999 due to his Twelve years ago, the then-reigning U.S. Since that momentous first Masters in second-place finish at the Bob Hope Classic top-24 finish a year prior, then once more in amateur champion, a bright-eyed teenager, April of 1998, Kuchar has built a stable and a third at the SBS Championship, earn- was the talk of Augusta National, ending PGA Tour career with two major wins and 2002, due to his first-ever victory at the ing close to $1 million in seven 2010 starts. play in a share of 21st place at the Masters over $68 million in earnings. He has Honda Classic. Neither of his last two “I’m pleased with the way my game is Tournament. His constantly flashing bright increased his money rank for four consecu- appearances came close to his first one. In going right now,” said Kuchar in early smile quickly translated into a genuine lik- tive seasons, and the year 2009 was his best 1999 he finished tied for 50th place, while March. He’s made the top 20 in eight of 11 ability, magnified by the fact he was an yet in his 10 years of professional golf. three years later he missed the cut. 2010 saw appearances going back to last year. “It’s amateur from Georgia Tech – just like tour- Despite all of this success, most golf fans Kuchar return to the locale that made him been a while since I’ve been around the course and I don’t know exactly how it’s going to be playing... I’m not the greatest long iron player, but if it’s not playing super- long, I feel like I’m a good enough driver of the ball and hit my irons high enough to have a good chance. I always feel good when I get around the greens. I’m really pleased with where my game is at the moment.” Dallas-based instructor Chris O’Connell, working with the Ukrainian duffer since 2006, said Kuchar’s short game would be paramount to a strong performance at this year’s Masters. “It’s a second-shot golf course,” O’Connell said of Augusta in his recorded comments with ESPN.com. “You need to be controlling distance with your irons, and, for a player like Matt, I think his wedge game is going to need to be on, much like Zach Johnson when he won in 2007. Matt’s a great wedge player and I would say when he’s swinging well, he’s a very good iron player, too.” Based on his early play, it appears the physical and technical parts of his golf game were prepped heading into the 2010 Masters. Playing on a course where experience is a plus, Kuchar can fall back on his three pre- vious official appearances, plus many casual practice rounds. Being a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Kuchar visits Augusta National at least once yearly. As for the mental aspect with regard to the tournament, Kuchar opted for the “easier said than done” philosophy as his strategy. “I play best when I’m having a good time, when I’m enjoying myself,” Kuchar said. “I’ll go in with low expectations this year and have fun. I’ll be challenging myself to play to the best of my ability. I think that is probably how I’ll go in, with not many expectations, but looking to have a great tournament again.” The hope was all three major parts of his game would come together on April 8-11 – iron and wedge game working, course expe- rience proves an asset, his no-pressure frame of mind proves successful – there was a chance Kuchar could possibly make every- one forget about that first-ever visit to Augusta National in 1998. Okay, maybe not. It is just quite possible nothing in the future, no matter how great, will ever erase that original Masters memory. “Even if I have an incredible run,” he said, “people are still going to remember me for my performance in 1998. Something about being an amateur kid, being my first time, I don’t know if I can replicate that (Continued on page 21) No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 21 OUT AND ABOUT

Through May 31 Art exhibit, featuring works by Dianna New York Academy, 212-674-1615 New York Shmerykowsky, Bar 82, 212-228-8636 May 14 - June 4 Art show and sale, featuring prints and paintings May 14 Concert, featuring the Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Cleveland by Catherine Rozmarynowycz, 216-871-4329 Montreal Theater of Calgary and the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton, Ludger-Duvernay Theater, 514-871-2224 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors and as space allows. Please send e-mail to May 14 Dinner and Jazz Night, with music by Grupo Yuri, [email protected]. Whippany, NJ Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, 973-585-7175 or [email protected]

May 14-16 Ukrainian Festival, St. George Ukrainian Catholic

wayward shot ended up in a body of water. Kuchar's Masters... The phrase “in the cup” refers to a golfer’s (Continued from page 20) putt finding its way into its ultimate destina- even with an incredible performance this tion to end a hole. Kuchar redefined both of year.” the above when his approach shot on the ninth hole in the second round of the Eighth in Houston, paired with Tiger Masters bounced on the green and splashed into fan Jason Thompson’s nearly empty Kuchar carded two birdies and 16 pars en plastic drink cup. The South Carolina resi- route to a closing 70 (-2) and a tie for eight dent was sitting along the right side of the place at the Shell Houston Open played at hole. As allowed by the rules, Kuchar Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas on marked where the ball landed. Thompson April 1-4. He shot rounds of 69-72-69-70, fished the ball out of the cup, and Kuchar finishing the tournament at 8-under, earning dried it off before taking a drop. He went on $168,200. Kuchar jumped up into sixth to shoot par on the hole. place on the Fed Ex Cup points list with his fourth top 10 finish of the season. Fourth Masters is even par Returning to Augusta National Golf Club Firing a final round 71 en route to a tie for his fourth Masters, Kuchar was paired for a 24th place finish, Kuchar shot an even with Tiger Woods (first appearance since his par 288 for the week (70-73-74-71). It was infamous personal strife) and K.J. Choi for his third consecutive and seventh overall top the first two days of competition. 25 finish of the season, second top 25 in In the drink cup four starts at the Masters. Kuchar earned $69,000, bringing his total 2010 earnings up When a golfer’s ball flies off course and to $1,643,213, good for seventh place in the ends up “in the drink,” it usually means the FedEx Cup standings. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19 No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 23 UKELODEON FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Stamford pupils perform traditional spring dances on Easter by Tania Sawa-Priatka brightly colored “vyshyvky” (Ukrainian embroidered attire), they STAMFORD, Conn. – On a bright performed several songs, including and glorious Easter morning, the chil- “Hrushechka” (Pear Tree), dren of the School of Ukrainian Ptashechka (“Little Bird”) and Kryvyi Studies here at the Cathedral of St. Tanets (“Winding Dance”). Vladimir the Great performed tradi- Some of the hahilky performed that tional spring dances (hahilky) on the morning are already popular among church lawn following the morning Ukrainian Americans and some were service. new introductions shared by the many The children were led by several of recently immigrated students from their teachers as they wove their voic- Ukraine who reside in Stamford and es and bodies through intricate move- the vicinity. ments, expressions and melodies of Hahilky are ritual folk songs in con- the ancient hahilky. Dressed in junction with ritual dances and games Children perform the “Kryvyi Tanets,” – the Winding Dance.

typically performed at Easter. Ukrainian School children in Stamford Originally their purpose was to per- were a culmination of lessons and suade the mysterious forces of nature demonstrations in the weeks leading to provide the people with a bountiful up to Easter that taught the children harvest and a happy life. The magical about various Ukrainian Easter tradi- function of the songs, which originated tions, including the art of the pysanka. in pagan times, was eventually forgot- The School of Ukrainian Studies ten, and they became entertainment. hopes to make this an annual tradition The dances performed by the going forward. mishanyna Children embrace the promise of spring and new life in the hahilka In this month’s Mishanyna grid, readers will find the names of 15 “Posadzhu Ya Hrushechku” (Pear Tree). springtime flowers. After you’ve solved Mishanyna, see if you can find all of these flowers in your neighborhood. Happy hunting! New York-area Plast members amaryllis daisy primrose anemone hyacinth snowdrop enjoy a wintertime outing crocus iris tulip MONTICELLO, N.Y. – The New youngsters earned the skiing merit daffodil pansy vinca York/New England branch of the badge, which consists of a number of dahlia peony zinnia Spartanky sorority of Plast Ukrainian basic skiing requirements. Scouting Organization organized a fun At the conclusion of the outing, winter trip for young New York area the group lit a traditional Plast Plast members to Holiday Mountain “vatra,” or bonfire, and sang Plast in Monticello, N.Y., on January 31. songs, toasted marshmallows and The more than 30 children who recollected all the fun moments of attended had a choice of skiing, snow- the trip to the mountain. tubing or ice skating. A total of 14 – Vera Bitcon

Credit Participants of the winter trip to Holiday Mountain gather near a bonfire. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010 No. 19

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Sunday, May 16 direction of Vasyl Hrechynsky, will sing the divine liturgy at noon at St. George Ukrainian LANSDALE, Pa.: The Presentation of Our Catholic Church, 30 E. Seventh St., New Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church will host “A Traditional Ukrainian Dinner.” Attendees will York, NY 10003, as part of the Ukrainian enjoy generous portions of tasty home-made Festival program. Ukrainian ethnic foods: pyrohy, holubtsi, Saturday, June 6 kovbasa, sauerkraut, breads, beverages, baked goods and desserts. Visitors can view BROOKLYN, N.Y.: The second annual displays and demonstrations of Ukrainian Children’s Festival of Ukrainian Art and folk arts and crafts, and purchase Ukrainian Culture will take place at Holy Ghost folk arts and crafts: pysanky (Easter eggs), Ukrainian Catholic Church, 160 N. Fifth St., vyshyvanky (embroidery) and gerdany (bead- Brooklyn, NY 11211 at noon to 6 p.m. The work jewelry). This family-friendly event festival venue is in the heart of the most will be held at 3-7 p.m. at the church’s social eclectic place in the U.S. – the Northside of hall, 1564 Allentown Road, Lansdale Brooklyn, between Bedford and Driggs ave- (Towamencin Township), Pa. Tickets are $10 nues. The highlight of the event is Ukrainian per person at the door with seating. For dance, singing and instrumental performanc- advance tickets, reservations or information, es, and arts and crafts expositions by talented call Mike, 215-715-4871, or e-mail Ukrainian children from all over the country. [email protected]. Take-out Also featured: food vendors of Ukrainian and orders are available. international cuisines, workshops, exhibits, screening of Ukrainian cartoons, clowns, NEW YORK: After its very successful 60th games and fun for all – adults and children. anniversary concert at Merkin Concert Hall For information log on to http://national- on March 28, the Dumka Chorus, under the pearls.org/festival2010 or call 646-894-8534. PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES

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