INSIDE:• U.S. envoy speaks on democracy and free elections — page 8. • McGill University students hold Ukrainian Week — page 14. • UNWLA at NGO workshop at United Nations — page 15.

Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIV HE KRAINIANNo. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine BushT signs bill grantingU Ukraine Uncertainty aboutW parliamentary coalition permanent normal trade relations is uppermost in Ukrainian voters’ minds WASHINGTON – President George At the time, the law served an important W. Bush on Thursday morning, March purpose – it helped to encourage freedom 23, signed into law a bill authorizing per- and the protection of fundamental rights, manent normal trade relations for and penalized nations that denied liberty Ukraine. HR 1053 was passed by the to their citizens. Times have changed. House of Representatives on March 8 The Cold War is over, and a free Ukraine and by the Senate on March 9. is a friend to America and an inspiration Among those present who were cited to those who love liberty. by the president in his remarks to the The Orange Revolution was a power- gathering were Sen. Richard Lugar (R- ful example of democracy for people Ind.), Reps. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.), Tom around the world. The brave citizens who Lantos (D-Calif.), Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), gathered in Kiev’s [sic] Independence Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and Mike Square demanded the chance to deter- Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), as well as Ukraine’s mine their nation’s future, and when they Ambassador to the United States, Oleh got that chance, they chose freedom. In Shamshur. the past two years, Ukraine has held free Following are excerpts of President elections, and the people of Ukraine and Bush’s remarks at the signing ceremony its president, Viktor Yushchenko, are in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive deeply committed to democratic reform. Office Building, as released by the White On Sunday, the Ukrainian people will House Office of the Press Secretary. again have the chance to cast a ballot in parliamentary elections, and they have a *** chance to continue to shape their own Zenon Zawada ... In a few minutes I’m going to sign a future. In the week leading up to the parliamentary elections, Our Ukraine and the Yulia bill that authorizes permanent normal Ukraine is also working to expand its Tymoshenko Bloc filled Independence Square with their campaign tents. trade relations between the United States market economy and produce measurable and Ukraine. It’s a good bill, and it’s improvements in the lives of the by Zenon Zawada especially if they won’t have the ability going to strengthen our ties with our Ukrainian people. America supports Kyiv Press Bureau to file a complaint in court, he said. these efforts, and this bill is an important friend, Ukraine. It’s going to create new “The threat also remains that many step. By eliminating barriers to trade KYIV – The final days before parlia- opportunities, economic opportunities, will have problems voting as a result of between the United States and Ukraine, mentary elections here were marked by for both our countries. ... disorder or long lines at the polls, which the bill will help Ukraine grow in pros- questions about the make-up of the par- The bill I sign today marks the begin- may lead to those declining to partici- perity. As we’ve seen over the past 50 liamentary coalition that will call the pate,” Mr. Popov said. ning of a new era in our history with years, trade has the power to create new shots in Ukraine once a new Verkhovna About 20 percent of district election Ukraine. During the Cold War, Congress wealth for whole nations and new oppor- Rada is seated, as well as concerns that commissions will function with a mini- passed the Jackson-Vanik Amendment as tunities for people around the world. By some 1 million voters are at risk of not mum staff, which threatens their organi- a response to widespread Communist expanding trade with Ukraine, this bill being able to cast their ballots. zation, he said, while urging the deprivation of human rights. The law will open new markets for American Ihor Popov, chair of the Committee of Ukrainian government to create reserves made American trade with Communist products and help Ukrainians continue to Voters of Ukraine, said that an absence or of workers to fill those commissions that nations contingent on those countries’ unreliability of information on voter lists respect for the rights of their own people. (Continued on page 12) threatens the citizens’ ability to vote, (Continued on page 4)

Ukrainian Catholics mark 60th anniversary of Soviets’ attempted liquidation of their Church by Zenon Zawada government to accredit theological stud- Kyiv Press Bureau ies and degrees. Patriarch Lubomyr Husar commenced LVIV – To commemorate the 60th the commemorative evening’s events with anniversary of its attempted liquidation a panakhyda (memorial service) held at a by Soviet Communists, the Ukrainian square near St. George Cathedral. Greek-Catholic Church leadership held a Afterwards, he told worshippers that procession on March 11, visiting the his- the procession was meant to remember toric places in Lviv where the repression those who saved the Church, supported it took place. and brought it to where it is now. More than 6,000 Ukrainian Catholics “The procession’s consummation will joined the pilgrimage throughout Lviv’s be a symbol of the Church’s vitality,” narrow, winding streets dusted by a light Patriarch Husar said. “Sixty years of hard snowfall that created a quiet atmosphere trials was the road to a new life of of worship and introspection. strengthened hope. Pray for those who The procession came just a week after became victims, but also for those who Ukraine’s State Accreditation withstood with patience because the Commission made a landmark decision strength of our Church was and is in on March 2 granting recognition to the prayer, which united its children with Ukrainian Catholic University’s theologi- God and amongst each other.” cal department and all Ukrainian theolog- Carrying red candles, the worshippers Zenon Zawada ical degrees. walked to seven stations throughout Lviv Ever since its inception, the UCU’s Clergy lead a procession in Lviv marking the 60th anniversary of the “pseudo-sobor” leaders have fought for the Ukrainian (Continued on page 12) organized by Soviet authorities to liquidate the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Poor strategy, the elections Tymoshenko: what are president’s plans? liters of blood, underwent surgery and remains hospitalized. Pora, which is par- and Ukraine’s NATO ambitions K YIV – Former Prime Minister Yulia ticipating in the parliamentary election in Tymoshenko, who is also the leader of the a bloc with the Reforms and Order Party, by Taras Kuzio Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is eponymous political bloc, called on has demanded a thorough investigation of on record as supporting Ukraine’s NATO President Viktor Yushchenko on March 21 the incident. (RFE/RL Newsline) Ukrainian ministers continue to pub- membership. An influential Ukrainian to give a “clear-cut and unambiguous” licly remain optimistic about their coun- newspaper concluded that, “The U.S. answer to the question whether he is going Our Ukraine comments on Belarus vote try’s chances of NATO membership. will support it in every possible way and to create a coalition with his presidential Different dates are given for the country’s call on the other allies to help Ukraine rival Viktor Yanukovych after the March 26 KYIV – The pro-presidential Our entry, from 2008 to 2010. Vice Minister of integrate into the alliance.” parliamentary elections, Ukrainian media Ukraine election bloc on March 21 issued a Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Khandohiy Unilateralism could work in Ukraine’s reported. According to Ms. Tymoshenko, statement saying that it fully shares the pre- said Ukraine hoped to be included in favor as it reduces the need for the U.S. to the lack of an answer by March 26 will be liminary conclusions of the Organization those countries invited to join at the 2008 take into account Russian objections to seen as Mr. Yushchenko’s tacit agreement to for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s NATO summit, which is expected to be an NATO membership for Ukraine. This is such a coalition. Ms. Tymoshenko also election observation mission that monitored enlargement summit. Three other coun- especially true at a time when democratic called on all other political forces to reveal the Belarusian presidential elections. The tries could be included in this enlargement regression is taking place in Russia. their coalition plans in the new Parliament. bloc said on its website that the Belarusian wave: Croatia, Albania and Macedonia. The 2003 territorial conflict with Some Ukrainian analysts have speculated presidential elections did not meet the Inclusion in the 2008 enlargement wave Russia over Tuzla island near Crimea, the that the pro-Yushchenko Our Ukraine bloc OSCE commitments made by the leader- would likely see Ukraine and the other 2005-2006 gas crisis and the ongoing dis- would prefer Mr. Yanukovych’s Party of the ship of the country and international elec- three countries join NATO in 2010. This pute over Russian Black Sea Fleet’s ille- Regions to the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc in toral standards. The bloc also cited the would be good timing for Ukraine, as it gal use of Crimean lighthouses have rein- forming a governing coalition in the new Belarusian authorities’ intimidation and per- would follow the October 2009 presiden- forced the need in the minds of a large Verkhovna Rada. Meanwhile, Mr. secution of journalists and representatives tial elections. But, it would assume that the portion of Ukraine’s elites for the country Yanukovych said in a television interview of the opposition, as well as violations of NATO friendly Viktor Yushchenko would to achieve NATO membership. President on March 21 that he does not see a possibil- human rights, including the right to free- be re-elected for a second term or that his Yushchenko told a joint meeting of the ity for creating a post-election coalition dom of expression. Ukraine has said that it successor was pro-NATO. National Security and Defense Council with the Orange Revolution camp. “How is will formulate its position on the Belarusian NATO General Secretary Jaap de and NATO’s North Atlantic Council in it possible to create a coalition with partners presidential elections after the OSCE releas- Hoop Scheffer supports the view that the Kyiv that NATO membership would pro- who are propagating evil?” Mr. es its final conclusions on the elections. 2008 NATO summit would be an vide the necessary external guarantees for Yanukovych asked. (RFE/RL Newsline) Prime Minister Yurii Yekhanurov, who enlargement summit that would invite in Ukraine’s national security. heads the Our Ukraine bloc’s list of candi- western Balkan states and Ukraine. He NATO membership, Mr. de Hoop Exit poll to be conducted on election day dates, has said that Ukraine will prioritize refused to give a concrete follow-up date Scheffer added, may be also seen as a step- the economic aspects of its relations with K YIV – The Democratic Initiatives when these four countries would actually pingstone to European Union membership. Belarus. The Verkhovna Rada chairman has Fund, the Kyiv International Institute of become NATO members. The EU is currently inclined only to offer advised Ukrainian authorities to use the Sociology, and the Razumkov Center for Defense Minister Anatolii Hrytsenko “enhanced partnership” to Ukraine rather conclusions of the Ukrainian observers at Economic and Political Studies will has said it is likely that Ukraine will obtain than full membership. As the “carrot” of the Belarusian presidential elections as jointly conduct a nationwide exit poll a Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the EU membership was crucial in encourag- guidelines. The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs during the March 26 legislative vote, NATO summit in November in Riga – the ing post-Communist states to undertake Ministry’s spokesman has said that Ukraine Interfax-Ukraine reported on March 21. first to be held in a former Soviet country. painful and unpopular reforms, the has always opposed the isolation of The pollsters are planning to question This would give Ukraine the opportunity absence of such a “carrot” may negatively Belarus. (Ukrinform) 18,000 respondents from throughout to complete two annual cycles of the MAP influence reforms inside Ukraine. before being invited to join NATO. Ukraine. (RFE/RL Newsline) Polish Senate: Famine was genocide The unilateralist Bush administration Problems on the road to NATO is committed to supporting democratiza- Policeman shoots election campaigner KYIV – The Polish Senate (the upper Although Ukraine has a high chance tion abroad, including Ukraine and chamber of the Parliament) urged the world of being invited into the MAP process in KYIV – A police officer on March 21 community to recognize the 1932-1933 Georgia, which includes giving these 2006, the time frame for achieving full shot and severely wounded Oleksander countries the protection of NATO. U.S. Famine in Ukraine as a genocide against membership could be delayed beyond the Hlobenko, a 17-year-old student distribut- the Ukrainian people, the Senate’s resolu- 2008 NATO summit because of the view ing election materials for the Pora civic tion said. In the resolution, Polish senators Dr. Taras Kuzio is visiting professor, widely held by European members of organization, the Ukrayinska Pravda web- expressed their solidarity with the people Institute for European, Russian and NATO that Ukraine is not ready. The site (http://www.pravda.com.ua) reported. of Ukraine and urged bringing the Famine- Eurasian Studies, Elliott School of three western Balkan states are already in The incident reportedly took place while Genocide’s organizers to responsibility. International Affairs, George Washington the MAP process. the officer was trying to handcuff University. He is also a former head of the President Yushchenko is correct to Hlobenko. The youth reportedly lost four (Continued on page 20) NATO Information and Documentation Center, Kyiv. (Continued on page 17) FOUNDED 1933 Will Moscow continue to back HE KRAINIAN EEKLY TAn English-languageU newspaperW published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Lukashenka and his regime? Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. by Claire Bigg Lukashenka on his victory in a March 20 (ISSN — 0273-9348) RFE/RL Newsline statement, saying that the “results of the elections point to voters’ trust in your The Weekly: UNA: While Western leaders have openly policies and to the further growth of the Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 expressed their distaste for authoritarian prosperity of the Belarusian people.” Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Opposition leaders are claiming the vote The Ukrainian Weekly Editor: Lukashenka, Russian President Vladimir was rigged and have called for new elec- Putin has consistently supported his 2200 Route 10 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) tions. Several thousand people have P.O. Box 280 regime, both politically and economical- massed in a central Miensk square to Parsippany, NJ 07054 ly. Russia has been providing the country protest the results. But while the huge mar- with cheap oil and gas, generous loans, gin of victory granted to Mr. Lukashenka The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] and has cancelled customs duties for by the preliminary results has raised some Belarusian exports to Russia. eyebrows, it is widely believed that he The Ukrainian Weekly, March 26, 2006, No. 13, Vol. LXXIV According to official preliminary does enjoy enough support at home to Copyright © 2006 The Ukrainian Weekly results, President Lukashenka won a have won a majority and avoided a runoff. landslide victory in the March 19 presi- Many political observers say Mr. dential election, garnering 82.6 percent Lukashenka owes his popularity not only ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA of the vote. An official victory would to intense propaganda, but also to enable Mr. Lukashenka, a former collec- Russia’s robust economic aid, which has Walter Prochorenko Ph.D., director of publications (973) 292-9800, ext. 3034 tive-farm manager who has ruled Belarus allowed him to raise pensions and e-mail: [email protected] since 1994, to win a third term and salaries. But why is Russia throwing its Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 remain in office for five more years. weight behind such a controversial figure Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Mr. Putin formally congratulated Mr. as Mr. Lukashenka, who has been isolat- e-mail: [email protected] ed by most Western leaders and branded Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 a dictator by Washington? Claire Bigg is an RFE/RL correspon- e-mail: [email protected] dent based in Moscow. (Continued on page 16) No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 3 POLITICAL BLOC PROFILES: Final pre-election poll results show two blocs that may not make it Party of the Regions with the lead by Zenon Zawada RFE/RL Newsline Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, 17.9 percent Kyiv Press Bureau Our Ukraine, 15.7 percent KYIV – A number of Ukrainian During the 2006 parliamentary election campaign, The Ukrainian Weekly has profiled polling organizations announced their lat- Image-Control Pollster: the leading political blocs. The final installment features two blocs that, according to est predictions regarding voter prefer- Party of the Regions, 25.9 percent polls, have only a slight chance to pass the 3 percent barrier. ences for the March 26 parliamentary Our Ukraine, 18 percent elections, Ukrainian news agencies Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, 15.3 percent reported. Pora-Reforms March 10 was the last day before elec- Institute of Political and Sociological tion day, when Ukrainian law permits the Studies: and Order Bloc release of election survey results. Party of the Regions, 26.1 percent Just how powerful is Vitalii Klitschko’s Following are the results released by four Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, 22.3 percent image? polling organizations for the top three Our Ukraine, 16.7 percent Without any political experience, he has parties/blocs. achieved about 15 percent electoral support All-Ukrainian Sociological Service: in the Kyiv mayoral race, second or third Institute of Social and Political Party of the Regions, 20.1 percent to incumbent Oleksander Omelchenko. Psychology: Our Ukraine, 16.4 percent He has campaigned on a platform of Party of the Regions, 26 percent Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, 14.9 percent fighting corruption, making business transparent and creating an affordable housing market in Kyiv. In a Kyiv Post interview published on February 2, he also claimed, “I do not ElecElectiontion NotNotebookebook have any business in Ukraine.” by Zenon Zawada Kyiv Press Bureau Mr. Klitschko’s name and face are now synonymous with the Pora-Reforms The logo of the Pora-Reforms and • KYIV – The fiercely pro-Russian ed brochures were given out to voters. and Order Bloc, a political force that had Order Bloc. little hope of breaking the 3 percent vote Derzhava political party, led by former So what can be said of the Ukrainian Procurator General Hennadii Vasyliev, voter? barrier before his addition. O rder’s top five electoral list, which Most Ukrainian election polls still has resorted to attacking the Ukrainian “People are exhausted from the elec- Ukrainian voters will be able to examine, American diaspora in its literature. tion process,” Ms. Lew said. “And most don’t expect the Pora-Reforms and Order is a who’s who of the Orange Bloc to qualify for Parliament. However, “We are proud of our nation, our peo- people have already decided who to vote Revolution’s leaders. ple, our glorious and heroic history, our for,” she added. of all the dark-horse candidates, this bloc Finance Minister and Reforms and has the best chance. Orthodox traditions!” states a party flier. Order Party leader Viktor Pynzenyk is “We want to see Ukraine great, prosper- • KYIV – Kyiv Mayor Oleksander Party leaders second on bloc’s list, while Pora Citizens’ ous and free! We are patriots of our Omelchenko accused mayoral challenger Party leader Vladyslav Kaskiv is third. Slavic-Orthodox Nation!” and Praveks Bank President Leonid Though he is running for the Kyiv may- Orange Revolution field commander Chernovetskyi of allowing his bank to oral race, Mr. Klitschko’s name is first on “They think that speaking Ukrainian Taras Stetskiv is fourth on the Pora- with an American accent mixed with aid in the laundering of money stolen the bloc’s election list for Parliament. Reforms and Order list and the revolution’s from the Elita-Center investors. Mr. Klitschko himself acknowledged Polish, Romanian and Hungarian words tent city leader Yevhen Zolotariov is fifth. is more patriotic than speaking in “Praveks Bank of Kyiv is the single that he is lending his name to the bloc’s The remainder of Pora-Reforms and Russian,” the flier states. largest and most responsible [for the electoral list to help them win votes. scandal], which created two internal lim- The remainder of Pora-Reforms and (Continued on page 13) “They deny us the right to call our- selves patriots,” the flier states. “For ited liability companies which I can’t them, patriots are Ivan Mazepa, who sold reveal because they are confidential,” Mr. is among those political forces based on out his people with an agreement with Omelchenko said at a March 22 press Vitrenko’s People’s a single personality, though the 54- foreign invaders, and Stepan Bandera, conference. “Through these two compa- year-old Ms. Vitrenko has clearly delin- stooges [sic] who shot Soviet soldiers in nies, they cashed Ukrainian currency into Opposition Bloc eated political and ideological princi- the back while going to Berlin.” American dollars.” ples. “They raise their children to become About 1,500 investors found out in She’s the type of Ukrainian gal that Second on the bloc’s election list is American soldiers, while we [do so mid-February that they had lost more makes Vladimir Putin proud. Volodymyr Marchenko, her close ally based] on the traditions of our ancestors.” than $70 million they had entrusted to When the Ukrainian Catholic Church with whom she formed the Progressive For 2006 the parliamentary elections, Elita-Center, a real estate company that moved its headquarters from Lviv to Socialist Party in 1996. Derzhava formed a political bloc, claimed it was building seven apartment Kyiv on August 21, 2005, it was Natalia Luhansk resident Pavlo Baulin, 57, Derzhava-Trudovyi Soyuz (Power- complexes in Kyiv. Vitrenko who led the violent opposition. third on the list, is the chief editor of the Workers’ Union). The company’s partners, Russian-born Oleksander Volkonskyi and Kyiv resident Ruskaya Pravda The bloc isn’t expected to make the 3 Oleh Shestak, are subject to international newspaper, and percent barrier for the Verkhovna Rada. Liudmyla Bezuhla, search warrants. 59, is an Odesa resi- • KYIV – The Ukrainian Congress In response, Mr. Chernovetskyi said dent and leader of the Committee of American (UCCA) hosted Mr. Omelchenko was engaging in a clas- women’s organization a town hall meeting on Hrushevsky sic case of “black PR,” adding that he Dar Zhizni (Gift of Street in downtown Kyiv on March 23, would sue Mr. Omelchenko for defama- Life). capping off a nationwide series that visit- tion. Mr. Chernovetskyi said that several Fifth on the list is ed 10 Ukrainian cities. weeks ago Mr. Omelchenko demanded one of the bloc’s most At the “Voice Your Vote” town halls, that he quit the mayoral race, threatening prominent supporters, representatives of political blocs and par- to reveal the scandal. Leonid Anisimov, the ties presented their platforms and then Mr. Omelchenko leads the Kyiv may- The logo of Natalia Vitrenko’s People’s Opposition Bloc. assistant general engaged in dialogues with voters. oral race with 31 percent support, accord- director of the Motor “People even asked some uncomfort- ing to a February poll conducted by the “They want to make us Catholics! Sich airplane engine factory in able questions of the political blocs,” said Ukrainian Sociology Service led by poll- They want to destroy our faith!” she Zaporizhia. Anatolii Yakovets, the coordinator of the ster Oleksander Vyshniak. thundered into a loudspeaker in an “Voice Your Vote” program. “Not all He became the target of widespread attempt to disrupt the divine liturgy. Political strategy were answered.” protests and blame for creating condi- tions in Kyiv’s government that allowed Two months later, she led thousands For those eastern and southern Popular political topics included social real estate scams to occur. to violently clash with Ukrainian Ukrainians who feel the Party of the security and education. Insurgent Army (UPA) veterans on the The UCCA first hosted town hall Mr. Chernovetskyi enjoys 16 percent Regions and Communists are too moder- support, while 15 percent of Kyiv voters Khreschatyk as they attempted to con- ate for their tastes, there’s Ms. Vitrenko’s meetings during the 1998 parliamentary duct their annual ceremony to honor the elections; it did so again during the 2004 said they would cast their ballots for national opposition bloc. Vitalii Klitschko. fallen on the Feast Day of the Mother of Vitrenko supporters resent Ukrainian presidential campaign. God’s Protection. independence to such a degree that they Since the project’s inception, the • KYIV – A civic group calling itself It’s no wonder that Ms. Vitrenko, who fly only the Russian flag at their rallies. UCCA estimates it has reached 20,000 Rodina Vostok (Eastern Homeland) has once represented the Konotop region as a Ms. Vitrenko supports all unification Ukrainian voters. Between 50 and 250 called on Ukrainian voters to select national deputy in Ukraine’s Parliament, efforts with the Russian Federation, voters attended this year’s meeting across “against all parties” when casting their has earned the nickname “Konotopska especially the Single Economic Space, as Ukraine. ballots to protest the closed party list sys- Vidma” (witch from Konotop). well as dual Russian-Ukrainian citizen- A $50,000 grant from the National tem. Endowment for Democracy financed this Party leaders ship for all Ukrainians. In the parliamentary elections, year’s town halls, said Khristina Lew, the Vitrenko’s People’s Opposition Bloc (Continued on page 11) project’s coordinator, while UCCA-fund- (Continued on page 12) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 Why five members of the House did not vote for HR 1053

by Yarema Belej Rep. Goode’s office forwarded a mes- political freedom in Ukraine and have Semitic agitation” in Ukraine. sage in which the congressman simply advanced the cause of Ukrainian culture Nonetheless, Rep. Lantos voted for HR PARSIPPANY, N.J. – When the House stated: “I have consistently voted no on internationally and in the United States,” 1053, citing Ukraine’s commitment to of Representatives overwhelmingly free trade agreements, including those read their statement. “...We know that defending the rights of all national approved a bill to graduate Ukraine from with Africa, Chile, Central America, democracy is on the march in Ukraine. minorities and noting that President the trade restrictions of the 1974 China and others.” We also know that the conditions for a Viktor Yushchenko and Foreign Affairs Jackson-Vanik Amendment, three mem- The office of Rep. Taylor failed to fully functioning democracy are not in Minister Borys Tarasyuk had both con- bers of the House of Representatives – all comment on his “no” vote despite several place.” demned the MAUP. of whom are members of the attempts by The Ukrainian Weekly to Citing what they believe are Ukraine’s In their joint statement Reps. Kaptur Congressional Ukrainian Caucus – shortcomings in meeting requirements of and Kucinich also expressed concern declared themselves “present” and did obtain an explanation. The three “present” votes came from a previous bill to lift Jackson-Vanik trade that, if appropriate safeguards are not put not cast a “yes” or “no” vote. restrictions on Ukraine (H.R. 3939 in the in place, Ukrainian citizens’ wealth could In addition there were two votes of representatives who sit on the 107th Congress), Reps. Kaptur and be transferred to multi-national corpora- “no” for the bill, which also grants per- Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (CUC), Kucinich said that there were several tions that do not adhere to human rights, manent normal trade relations to which comprises members of Congress conditions – including issues related to labor rights and environmental quality Ukraine. who are interested in matters concerning labor rights, trafficking of women and standards. The reasons for these five dissident Ukraine. Most notably, Rep. Kaptur is drugs, freedom of the press, legislative The response from the office of Rep. votes are varied. one of the four co-chairs of the caucus. reforms, restitution of religious property, Hastings indicated that his vote of “pres- Voting “no” on March 8 regarding HR A declaration of “present” is much dif- rule of law, environmental protection, ent” was more a political move than an 1053 were Reps. Virgil H. Goode (R-Va.) ferent from an “abstention” or a “no” transparency of elections and settlement expression of his beliefs that somehow and Gene Taylor (D-Miss.). Reps. Marcy vote – something that was underlined by of trade disputes – that should have been Ukraine had fallen short of meeting Kaptur (D-Ohio), Dennis Kucinich (D- the offices of the three members of met before the current bill was passed. requirements for permanent normal trade Ohio) and Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) all Congress who opted to record their posi- (The full text of the Ohio representatives’ relations. declared themselves “present.” A total of tions on HR 1053 in that manner. statement appears below.) Rep. Hastings explained that, as presi- 437 members of the House voted in sup- Reps. Kaptur and Kucinich, both Most notably, their statement noted dent of the Parliamentary Assembly of port of the bill. Democrats from Ohio released a joint that there is a university in Ukraine that The Ukrainian Weekly contacted the statement that was read on Capitol Hill. the Organization for Security and offices of each of the five representatives They explained that theirs was not a “no” “sadly, is still teaching anti-Semitism.” Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), he will for comment on their action regarding vote, but more of a “we know” vote. The reference is to the Interregional lead the U.S. delegation observing this landmark bill for Ukraine. “We have been strong supporters of Academy of Personnel Management Ukraine’s parliamentary elections. It is (known by its Ukrainian-based acronym his belief that HR 1053 was very impor- as MAUP). tant to certain political parties in Ukraine The MAUP was cited also by Rep. and, because of this, he did not want to Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), who said in his seem biased before functioning in a very Statement by Kaptur, Kucinich speech on the House floor that the uni- important and neutral capacity on elec- Following is the text of a statement women and of illicit narcotics; versity is “the principal source” of “anti- tion day in Ukraine. released by Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D- (7) accelerate governmental struc- Ohio) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) tural reform and land privatization regarding their decision not to support policies which benefit ordinary citi- Tymoshenko Bloc and the Socialist Party HR 1053 to graduate Ukraine from the zens; As Ukrainians... of Ukraine. Or Yulia Tymoshenko might Jackson-Vanik Amendment. Ms. Kaptur (8) adopt a more comprehensive (Continued from page 1) unite with the Party of the Regions. is a co-chair of the Congressional program to protect the environment; lack a quorum. While Mr. Yushchenko has not ruled Ukrainian Caucus, while Mr. Kucinich (9) support internationally recog- Meanwhile, in the week leading up to out forming a coalition with any political bloc, Ms. Tymoshenko has said she will is a member. nized standards of transparency in the March 26 elections, both the Our never unite with the Party of the Regions. monitoring of elections; and Ukraine and the Yulia Tymoshenko blocs Political chaos may also ensue. It is Mr. Speaker: We have been strong (10) remedy trade disputes involv- smothered the maidan (Independence possible that no coalition will be formed supporters of political freedom in ing violation of international property Square) and the Khreschatyk with dozens and President Yushchenko will then call Ukraine and have advanced the cause rights, trans-shipment of counterfeit of campaign tent stands in attempt to lay of Ukrainian culture internationally goods and dumping of such products as for a repeat election. Or any coalition claim as the successor political force to that is formed could fall apart within and in the United States. steel into the United States market in the Orange Revolution. Today we voted “present” on HR months. such increased quantities as to cause The result is a sea of orange and white 1053, a bill to authorize the extension harm to the domestic industry. Finally, in the least likely of scenarios, tents representing the competing blocs. of nondiscriminatory treatment (nor- Despite our high aspirations for the Party of the Regions could win a Five scenarios have emerged for the mal trade relations treatment) to the Ukraine, we do not believe that these large enough number of votes that it post-election situation, according to a products of Ukraine. We wish to make conditions have been met, although we won’t have to form a coalition. clear that this was not a “no” vote, but are mindful that there are people in senior Western diplomat speaking in on The U.S. government is prepared to a “we know” vote. civil society working to bring these background Kyiv. work with any government that is We know that democracy is on the principles to fruition. The most likely outcome is the Our formed, and would have worked with march in Ukraine. We also know that The Jackson-Vanik requirement for Ukraine Bloc forming a coalition with President Viktor Yanukovych had he won the conditions for a fully functioning annual review of the trading relation- the Party of the Regions. However, the 2004 presidential elections fairly, the democracy are not in place. ship was originally intended as a way President Viktor Yushchenko stands to senior diplomat said. Mr. Yanukovych We adhere to the principles of a sim- to sanction anti-Semitic regimes. lose an enormous amount of support and understands that Ukraine is now differ- ilar bill to lift Ukraine from Jackson- According to the Anti-Defamation credibility with this scenario. ent, and has effectively tailored his image Vanik in the 107th Congress, HR 3939. League, in a document attached to this Our Ukraine may also be able to and strengthened his electorate with the However, that bill specified certain statement, that we attach for the record, renew an Orange coalition with the Yulia help of U.S. political consultants. conditions be met prior to lifting that at least one university in Ukraine, reflect the spirit of the law as much as sadly, is still teaching anti-Semitism in the letter of the law, including that the Ukraine. govemment of Ukraine: We have both worked to ensure (1) adopt and institute policies that human rights, labor rights and environ- Yushchenko says March 26 vote remove undue restrictions and harass- mental quality standards are included in ment on labor organizations to freely trade agreements. However, the WTO is second stage of Orange Revolution associate according to internationally does not permit trade on this basis. This RFE/RL Newsline “[It will be] difficult, difficult [to do recognized labor rights; makes new entrants into the WTO high- this]. Because many political statements (2) take additional positive steps to ly vulnerable to the export of their jobs KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko made during the campaign were incom- transfer places of worship and related to nations which offer cheap labor and said in an interview with the Kyiv-based patible with each other. But we are religious property for all confessions to no standards. A transfer of wealth from publication Kommersant-Ukrayina pub- speaking about politics, about elections. their original owners; the great mass of the people of Ukraine lished on March 23 that the parliamentary As regards the implementation of nation- (3) establish an independent legal to multi-national corporate interests vote in Ukraine will be a “second part of al interests, goals, ideals, I think that a lot and judicial system with rule of law will result unless there are safeguards. what the maidan [the Orange Revolution of incredible things may happen,” Mr. that is free of political interference and Any nation, and Ukraine is no excep- headquarters on Independence Square in Yushchenko noted. corruption; tion, which is heavily influenced by oli- Kyiv] spoke about and fought for.” Asked about whether Yulia (4) commit to providing funding and garchical interests, could easily be sac- Mr. Yushchenko said the “ideal sce- Tymoshenko can become the prime min- administrative support for reforms of rificed. We remain committed to con- nario” for him in the post-election period ister once again, the president said: the legislature; tinuing to work with the valiant people would be to restore the Orange “Speaking frankly, it is not very pleasant (5) demonstrate a firm commitment of Ukraine and the wonderful groups of Revolution coalition in Ukraine. for me to comment on this issue now.” to freedom of the press by prohibiting the diaspora to lift up the economic, physical harm and intimidation of jour- political and social progress of the nalists through such means as preven- Ukrainian people. We are optimistic Tired of searching and surfing? tion of abuse of tax and libel laws; about the blossoming of freedom, eco- (6) adopt and vigorously enforce nomic democracy and human rights in The Ukrainian Weekly – your one reliable source for all the news laws to prohibit the trafficking of Ukraine. about Ukraine and Ukrainians. No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 5

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM CONVENTION PRIMER: Conventions, Branch 13 holds annual meeting, the UNA’s highest decision-making body elects delegates to convention WATERVLIET, N.Y. – Ukrainian 300 members and insurance policyholders. As the Ukrainian National Association, to: “enact legislation necessary for the National Association Branch 13, the St. Mr. Fil also thanked Secretary Zendran its officers and members prepare for the government of the Association, including Nicholas Brotherhood, held its yearly for recording the official minutes of all organization’s 36th Regular Convention, the enactment, revision, repeal and meeting on February 19, at which time new monthly meetings of the brotherhood for which will convene on Friday, May 26, at amendment of the Laws and By-Laws of officers were elected and two delegates the past 40 years. His meeting minutes the Soyuzivka estate in Kerhonkson, N.Y., the Association.” were selected to the 36th Convention of the provide a rich history of the activities and The Ukrainian Weekly is publishing a It also has the authority to “act on the Ukrainian National Association to be held good works of the many members of this series titled “Convention Primer” that reports of the General Assembly and in May at the UNA’s Soyuzivka estate. longstanding organization. Mr. Fil will explain the UNA’s goals, structure branches,” to “determine the amounts of The St. Nicholas Brotherhood was reminded everyone that we should all be and operations. the bond and salaries of the officers,” and founded on December 12, 1895, and guided by the great respect for good to “act upon such resolutions and recom- three years later UNA Branch 13 was works that Mr. Zendran always demon- Every four years, the Ukrainian mendations as may be introduced for the formed. For more than 100 years, the strated in the way he carried out his National Association holds its regular well-being of the Association.” There is brotherhood – has continued to carry out brotherhood duties, and in the way that he convention. The word “regular” is used an important distinction between resolu- its tradition of community activism and always stepped forward to help in any here to differentiate a regularly scheduled tions, which must be implemented, and charitable assistance to those in need. To project or undertaking of the brotherhood. quadrennial convention from a “special” recommendations, which merely need to this day Branch 13 meets monthly and After presentation of the financial convention that may be called by the fra- be considered. has a regular attendance of about 20 report by the Auditing Committee, Mr. ternal organization when dictated by Perhaps most importantly, the conven- members. Tysiak called for acceptance of all reports need (as is explained below). tion nominates and elects by ballot the Mykola Fil, branch president, opened presented by past officers and the In accordance with the UNA By-Laws, General Assembly of the UNA, which the meeting. Secretary John Zendran read Auditing Committee. The membership notice of the convention must be given at comprises the executive officers – presi- then relieved the 2005 president and offi- the names of all deceased members of the least four months before the date it is to dent, first vice-president, second vice- brotherhood, while Paul Shewchuk, cers of their official duties, and proceeded convene. (This year, for example, the president, director for Canada, national branch secretary, read the names of the with the election of a new slate of mem- official announcement of the convention secretary and treasurer; three members of deceased members of Branch 13. bers into leadership positions for 2006. was dated January 20; the convention the UNA Auditing Committee; and 11 After greeting all in attendance, Mr. The newly elected officers of the UNA will convene on May 26.) advisors. (It should be noted that the size Fil proceeded by recognizing Axcenty Branch 13 for 2006 are: Mr. Tysiak, presi- The convention is the UNA’s highest Urban, who at age 91 is the senior, most dent; Walter Litynsky, vice-president; decision-making body. It has the power (Continued on page 12) active member of the brotherhood. The Taras Myshchuk, secretary; Mr. Zendran, members honored Mr. Urban by joining assistant secretary; John Suchowacki, treas- together in singing “Mnohaya Lita.” urer; Andrij Wasienko, assistant treasurer; TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 500 The meeting then proceeded with its Mr. Fil, UNA secretary, Mr. Shewchuk, official business. assistant UNA secretary, Visitation of the As of March 15, 2006, the secretary’s duties of Branch 500 Slavko Tysiak was asked to run the Infirm Committee Chairs Sam Ksenych were assumed by Mr. Myroslav Hladyshevsky. We ask all interim yearly meeting, and John Uruskyj and Stefan Gebuza and Auditing served as secretary for the meeting. Mr. Fil Committee Members Andrij Demczar, members of this Branch to direct all correspondence regarding read his report on the activities of 2005 and Olexander Serdyuk and John Uruskyj. membership and insurance to the address listed below: concluded by thanking Branch Secretary Following the election of brotherhood Shewchuk for his many years of service branch officers, the members proceeded both to the UNA and to the brotherhood. with the election of delegates and alter- Mr. Myroslav Hladyshevsky Mr. Shewchuk served as UNA Branch nates to the 36th Convention of the 10 Marlowe Place, N.E. 13 secretary for 40 years and devoted his Ukrainian National Association. The Calgary, AB T2E 5P8 life to the betterment of the local communi- members elected Mr. Tysiak and Mr. Fil ty, and to the UNA as both an insurance as delegates, with Messrs. Suchowacki Canada provider and a national organization devot- and Myshchuk as alternate delegates. (403) 277-3830 ed to furthering the goals and aspirations of At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Ukrainians here and abroad. Mr. Fil stated Tysiak, the new president, thanked the that Mr. Shewchuk had demonstrated over members for their support and invited the years that he was one of the UNA’s best everyone to a group picture followed by TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 465 branch secretaries by enrolling more than a light reception. As of March 15, 2006, the secretary’s duties of Branch 465 were assumed by Mr. Alexander Kisak. We ask all members of DISTRICT COMMITTEE of UNA BRANCHES this Branch to direct all correspondence regarding membership OF CHICAGO, IL and insurance to the address listed below: announces that its Mr. Alexander Kisak ANNUAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING 12 Brittany St. will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. Baie D’Urfe, QC M9X 3E9 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center Canada 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL (514) 457-9566 Obligated to attend the annual meeting as voting members are District Committee Officers, Convention Delegates and two delegates each from the following branches: TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 269 17, 22, 114, 125, 131, 139, 220, 221, 379, 399, 423, 452, 472

All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting. As of March 15, 2006, the secretary’s duties of Branch 269 were assumed by Mrs. Valentina Kaploun. We ask all members Meeting will be attended by: of this Branch to direct all correspondence regarding member- Michael Kuropas – UNA Advisor Andrij Skyba – UNA Advisor ship and insurance to the address listed below: Dr. Myron Kuropas – Honorary Member of the UNA General Assembly Mrs. Valentina Kaploun DISTRICT COMMITTEE Stefko Kuropas, District Chairman 100 Montgomery St., Apt. 18-M Andrij Skyba, Secretary Jersey City, NJ 07302 Bohdan Kukuruza, Treasurer (201) 432-7357

THE UNA: 112 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

Reporter’s notebook HE KRAINIAN EEKLY T U W by Zenon Zawada The vote in Belarus Kyiv Press Bureau

The March 19 presidential election in Belarus, Ukraine’s neighbor to the north, in which President Alyaksandr Lukashenka won a third term in office with nearly 83 per- cent of the vote, has been unequivocally described as rigged. The next highest vote-get- ter was opposition candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich, who won merely 6 percent, if the official figures are to be believed. (It should be noted here that a 2004 referendum NowAlas, the 2006that parliamentary the electioncampaignasked her to pose is for over...a photo. Her knee- had approved a constitutional amendment that did away with the two-term limit for the campaign has come to a close. jerk reaction was to turn her back to me office of president, thus paving the way for Mr. Lukashenka’s third term. That referen- Regardless of the outcome, your trusty to prevent any photograph. Talk about dum itself was condemned by international observers as a rigged vote.) Kyiv reporter can already draw several lousy PR skills. Imagine what her reac- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the conclusions. tion would have been if I had told her I European Union and the Council of Europe have all said the election did not meet If the much-speculated parliamentary represented a “Ukrainian American international standards and have condemned the abuse of state power. The EU has coalition emerges between the Our newspaper.” said that new sanctions against Mr. Lukashenka and his regime are quite likely. Ukraine bloc and the Party of the As a professional journalist, I am not In the United States, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: “We sup- Regions, then President Viktor going to judge an entire party based on a port the [opposition’s] call for a new election. We will stand with the people of Belarus Yushchenko and his party will lose an small, insignificant slight. However, let’s and back their aspirations to take their rightful place among the world’s democracies.” immense amount of credibility and sup- look at these party’s overall behavior and Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mr. Lukashenka: port. words. “The outcome of the elections demonstrates the confidence of voters in your The two political blocs have a lot in In spite of the millions the Party of the course aimed at further raising the well-being of the Belarusian people.” common: they are full of wealthy busi- Regions has invested in polishing its On election night, in defiance of the authorities’ threats of arrests on charges nessmen (formerly known as oligarchs), image, it’s the party’s bitter, angry souls of terrorism, 20,000 people gathered in the center of the Belarusian capital, con- they support free-market economics (for that need repentance. stituting the largest anti-government really in Belarus in 12 years. Since then the the most part) and they support global- Consider Mr. Yanukovych’s comment opposition has staged a continuous demonstration in October Square – an ization efforts such as Ukraine’s mem- on March 2 in Kharkiv that “24 days are expression of public sentiment reminiscent of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution – to bership in the World Trade Organization. left and we will once again be masters of protest fraud in the presidential election and to demand a new vote. But their differences in whether to ori- our own land and we won’t let anyone Mr. Lukashenka called his re-election a victory over foreign pressure exerted ent Ukraine toward the Russian rule in our home.” by states that are critical of his regime. “The revolution that was talked about so Federation (Party of the Regions) or the “We need power, and we are ready to much and prepared for so much has failed,” he boasted, adding that “the virus of European Union (Our Ukraine) are so take it from your hands,” he said. “On colored revolutions affects weakened countries...” large that a coalition would likely keep March 26, we should show them who’s The opposition, however, does not agree. “We have won and it does not mat- Ukraine in its current holding pattern and the master of our home.” ter what they announce; they will announce a ridiculous percentage [for prevent decisive steps in either direction. This is the voice of desperation. For Lukashenka],” RFE/RL quoted Mr. Milinkevich as telling the demonstrators on As much as I have tried to understand decades, eastern Ukrainians were the March 19. “We have won because people believe they can stand up for freedom, eastern Ukrainians and sympathize with pride of Soviet Ukraine, embracing the truth, justice and their own dignity. ... This is a victory over fear.” them, they are very misguided for sup- Russian language and culture, working in Thousands continued to demonstrate on succeeding days, with several hun- porting the Party of the Regions, for rea- its productive and relatively well-paying dred demonstrators opting to remain on the square overnight. The demonstrators sons not related to politics. factories, mines and industries. That all received the backing of the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, In principle, it is simply wrong to vote came to an abrupt end when the Soviet France, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, who came out to the for people who have flagrantly broken Union collapsed. square on March 21 to show their support for the people of Belarus. laws while occupying positions of power. And with the recent rebirth of The OSCE’s chairman-in-office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, When leaders themselves don’t uphold a Ukrainian culture and identity, they now speaking of over 200 detentions in the first three days following the elections, under- nation’s laws, then that’s when chaos feel like second-class citizens. After scored that “It is unacceptable that people are being detained for trying to uphold mocking “villagers” for speaking their right to assembly and to express their views in a peaceful way. The Belarusian begins to set in. When voters decide to re-elect such Ukrainian, they have become the targets authorities must immediately put an end to the persecution of their opponents.” of laughter for speaking such lousy And still the demonstrations continued, as Mr. Milinkevich called on the protest- people to office, they’ve made a decision to remain slaves to money and power Ukrainian. ers to remain in the square through March 25, the 88th anniversary of the Belarusian As for the Orange split, I can’t blame Democratic Republic, an independent, but short-lived state from 1918. instead of trying to build a fairer and more lawful society. either Mr. Yushchenko or Yulia There are many young people among the demonstrators. An 18-year-old student, Tymoshenko. They are both correct in Stepan Svidersky, told The New York Times on March 22: “They may attack and However, as I recently learned in a visit to Luhansk, eastern Ukrainians gen- their own right; therefore, I believe the beat us, and inflict great trauma. But we have already achieved a result: We have split was meant to happen. shown our country that we are not afraid to stand against arbitrary rule.” uinely don’t believe their leaders have acted in any criminal way. Ignorance is Mr. Yushchenko is correct when he And thus, perhaps there is reason to believe that the newborn freedom move- says that Ms. Tymoshenko sometimes ment has a chance for success in Belarus, the last dictatorship in Europe. bliss, I suppose. I understand eastern Ukrainians want- puts her own interests ahead of all others, ing to maintain close political and eco- and Ms. Tymoshenko is correct when she nomic ties with their neighbor, the accuses the Our Ukraine leaders of March Russian Federation. However, their engaging in corruption. Turning the pages back... resistance to European integration will It’s become a biblical truth among only ensure that Ukraine remains a divid- Ukrainians that “Yushchenko’s a good ed and fought-over “borderland” with no man, but it’s his circle that’s corrupt.” 31 firm direction for its future. The Kostenko-Pliusch Bloc is just as Their refusal to get on the bus bound much to blame for the Orange disunity as 1996 Ten years ago, in our issue dated March 31, 1996, our top for Europe also ensures that Ukraine will Ms. Tymoshenko. Sure, their shade of story was about an alternative to the draft constitution devel- continue to be sliced up, divided and orange might be deeper than Our Ukraine, and maybe their platform is oped by Ukraine’s Constitutional Committee. “The exploited by the world’s empires, be it more Ukrainian. But were their differ- Constitution of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic” – the Russian Federation, the European ences significant enough to justify creat- which did not differ from the most recent (1978) fundamental law of the Ukrainian Union or the United States. ing a separate bloc that will skim votes SSR – was signed by 125 left-wing members of Ukraine’s Parliament. Furthermore, the Party of the Regions away from Our Ukraine? I believe not. Representatives of the Communist, Socialist and Agrarian factions made good on lacks vision for Ukraine, and instead The Kostenko-Pliusch Bloc won’t their threat to present their own version of a draft constitution, which stated that the thrives on fear and ignorance. qualify for the Verkhovna Rada and they Ukrainian SSR represents a “socialist state of the people expressing the will of the The vast majority of its election cam- workers, peasants, working intelligentsia, of all people who have created material and deserve to fall short for their political paign, whether in advertisements or cam- spiritual values by their honest labor effort.” miscalculation. paign speeches, has been based on The alternative constitution did not include the post of president, but it did provide No blame for Orange disunity need go attacking Viktor Yushchenko and his per- for a Council of Ministers as the supreme executive body of the Ukrainian Soviet toward the Pora-Reforms and Order formance since he assumed the presiden- Socialist Republic. The draft also envisaged three forms of property: citizens’ (earned Bloc, because I believe Ms. Tymoshenko cy. by labor), collective and state, and listed both Ukrainian and Russian as state lan- is correct in assessing them as a political At a February press event in which guages. The trident was to be replaced by the hammer and sickle and a red five-point- project aided by the Our Ukraine Bloc. Viktor Yanukovych was supposed to ed star as the coat of arms of the Ukrainian SSR. The blue-and-yellow flag was to be Vitalii Klitschko’s name atop the Pora- unveil the party’s economic strategy, he replaced by the old red-and-blue banner of the Ukrainian SSR. Reforms list was a brilliant victory. It’s a The draft constitution that had been presented by the Constitutional Committee and spent most of his 50-minute speech relief that Mr. Klitschko has expressed submitted to Parliament was written by a group that represented all factions of Parliament. attacking his political opponents instead, support for the Ukrainian language, even However, the left-wingers on the committee did not approve the completed draft. especially Mr. Yushchenko. though he’s only started to study and The alternative Communist constitution was harshly criticized by Ukraine’s national This is not only morally weak, as Mr. learn it recently. democrats, who viewed the move as a provocation pure and simple. Les Taniuk, a mem- Yushchenko put it. It is hostile and dan- “The identity of every country is its ber of the Rukh faction in Parliament, said “This move by the left forces, in my opinion, gerous for Ukraine. language,” Mr. Klitschko told the Kyiv is a farce; it is not serious. ... it comes off looking not like a drama, but like a parody.” At the same Party of the Regions Post in its February 2 issue. “In France, event, I approached their No. 2 leader, they speak French. In Spain, they speak Source: “Communists propose own version of new Constitution for Ukraine,” by Marta Nina Karpachova, identifying myself as Kolomayets, Kyiv Press Bureau, The Ukrainian Weekly. March 31, 1996, Vol. LXIV, No. 13. an “American journalist” and kindly (Continued on page 19) No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PERSPECTIVES ‘Wormwood’ author A call to Ukrainian BY ANDREW FEDYNSKY responds to letter sports enthusiasts Dear Editor: Dear Editor: I am gratified that Natalka Gawdiak I would like to address this letter to perused “Wormwood Forest: A Natural fellow Ukrainian sports enthusiats. My Chicago: my kind of town History of Chernobyl” so carefully as to name is Marc Lapointe-Denysewych, The American Institute of Architects restoration of Ukrainian independence in notice that there are three bars in and I am the founder and coach of the recently named Chicago the city with the 1991, a campaign was launched to also Chornobyl, and no footnotes in my book. first all Ukrainian soccer team in finest architecture in the country. Atlantic restore St. Michael’s Monastery; it But the bars are for the zone workers, for Ottawa. Magazine book critic, Benjamin reopened in 1998. Next time you’re in whom I have enormous respect; and the I am urging all Ukrainian sport clubs Schwarz, is not surprised. He calls it Chicago, make a point of going to the footnotes were – as Ms. Gawdiak cor- and soccer clubs to please contact me. I “affirming the evident,” and notes that Tribune Building to see the stone fragment. rectly points out – in the original manu- would like to have contact information “Chicago holds more important buildings And as long as you’re there, don’t forget script. I deferred to my publisher’s for all the the sport clubs and soccer of the past century and a half than any to visit another architectural treasure, St. advice to leave them out. teams so that we can keep in close con- other place in the world.” Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Writing a popular science book is a tact. I’m no expert, but I don’t disagree. the corner of Oakley Boulevard and Rice delicate balancing act between satisfying Through a strong link among our Driving in from the east on the Chicago Street. It’s where I married a beautiful girl the experts with accuracy, and not boring Ukrainian clubs all over the world, we Skyway, you see a dramatic skyline, from Chicago and it’s where we baptized everyone else with too much informa- can share creative ideas with each other dominated by the Sears Tower at one end our son and where, as an adopted citizen of tion. “Wormwood Forest” is a personal regarding running a successful club, and and the Hancock Building at the other. At the Windy City, I’ve listened to the ethereal narrative written for an audience with no for potential tournaments and events that ground level, walking up Michigan choir nearly every Christmas and Easter for technical background. Except for a few we can have together. Avenue, Wabash or in the neighborhoods, the last 17 years. The Chicago Tribune scientific reviewers and Ms. Gawdiak, This is a unique opportunity for you marvel at the diversity and how often recently ran a feature about this gorgeous no one has complained about the absence many clubs to get in touch with each stone, glass, brick and concrete are joined 90-year-old building with its graceful green of notes. other that promises future events and in a perfect wedding of form and function Kozak Baroque cupolas, luscious icons, It is amusing to be described as a tournaments. to create what Schwarz calls “one of this painted ceilings, mosaics and stained glass “handmaiden” in some plot to make Please contact me at country’s greatest contributions to mod- windows, calling it one of the city’s most nuclear energy more palatable. [email protected] with your ern civilization.” valuable and unusual architectural treasures. That I have reluctantly come to sup- information or questions. Please have a No building in Chicago appeals to me Given the competition, that’s saying a lot. port nuclear energy, at least for the time look at our website: www.momentumde- more than the Tribune Tower on Northern Within minutes of St. Nicholas, you’ll being, makes me no more a handmaiden sign.ca/ukrainaroyals. Michigan Avenue. With neo-gothic arches, find Ukrainian bookstores, grocery stores, of that industry than Ms. Gawdiak’s anti- flying buttresses and soaring columns, this restaurants, the Ukrainian National Institute, nuclear position makes her a “handmaid- Marc Lapointe 1922 building is beautiful to be sure, but Ukrainian Museum of Modern Art, the en” of Gazprom, trying to keep Ukraine Ottawa what’s particularly interesting is the collec- Selfreliance credit union and Ss. Volodymyr dependent on Russian fossil fuels (which tion of stones inserted into the ground and Olha’s, another of Chicago’s architec- it is, and for which she suggests no alter- level walls from famous sites around the tural treasures, its golden domes visible native). Even now, Ukraine is negotiat- world, including the Arc de Triomphe and miles away from the observation deck of ing alternative nuclear fuel supplies from “Good nationalism” Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Peter’s the 1,000-plus foot John Hancock Center. the U.S. instead of Russia. But fossil Basilica in Rome, the Parthenon in Athens, Over the years, Chicago has been at the fuel alternatives will require much time, and common sense the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the Berlin leading edge of Ukrainian-American cultur- money and political will. Dear Editor: Wall, the Taj Mahal, the White House, the al life with strong publishing, performing All forms of energy have costs – the I noticed the ongoing debate about Kremlin in Moscow, even the moon itself. and academic sectors. Politically, the com- war in Iraq, global warming, coal miners’ nationalism in letters to The Ukrainian Ah, but nothing from Ukraine. munity won the support of powerful con- deaths, Russian leverage in Ukrainian Weekly (e.g. March 5). As a onetime Nothing, that is, until 2002, when retired gressmen like Clement Zablocki, Ed politics, disposing of spent nuclear fuel, avid reader of Dmytro Dontsov’s works Chicago physician Jaroslav Panchuk Derwinski and Henry Hyde; Sens. Charles or terrorism – much of which is funded who later became acquainted with some decided to do something about it. I’ve Percy and Richard Durbin. Ukrainians Boris by American dependence on Middle of the real-life chapters and shades of the known Dr. Panchuk ever since he agreed Antonovych, Myron Kulas and Walter Eastern oil. Those are just a few. My issues, I find the present exchange some- to welcome me into his family as his Dudych served in the Illinois Legislature. native Long Island is debating the place- what abstract and occasionally ivory- son-in-law. As a person, he’s tactful and Myron Kuropas worked in President Gerald ment of windmills – an alternative energy towered. diplomatic, yet utterly implacable when Ford’s White House. Indeed, the first lady of source that everyone likes in theory – off The practical significance of national- he decides on the proper course of action. Ukraine, Kateryna Chumachenko the coast of Jones Beach. They would ism for today’s Ukraine is minimal. And so, when he took his grandchildren Yushchenko, was born and raised in look like a fuzzy crosshatching on the Political groups embroidered with the to the Tribune Tower to see the historic Chicago and regularly visits her hometown. horizon. But ruining the view is enough word “nationalism” draw not more then stones imbedded there and perhaps stimu- So does native Chicagoan Marta to generate opposition. about 1 percent of the vote, east and late dreams of visiting Stonehenge, the Kolomayets, a pioneer journalist for The Ms. Gawdiak’s complaint about west, in Ukraine. Nationalism might be Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Ukrainian Weekly who covered the period “Wormwood Forest’s” supposed neglect more popular if it could be used to make Egypt and more than 130 other places, Dr. of “perebudova” in Ukraine in January-July of the liquidator issue is particularly synthetic gas. Panchuk wanted one of those options to 1991 and served seeral more tours of duty in inapt. An entire library could be devoted A substantial majority of people in include his native Ukraine. So he picked up 1992-1996, and now lives in Kyiv. to all aspects of the Chornobyl disaster. Ukraine need to acquire a sense of the phone, called the offices of the Chicago Chicago’s Ukrainians even managed to The 600,000 liquidators’ stories could fill national identity and speak the Ukrainian Tribune and asked to speak with the person turn setbacks into victories. When a volumes. Ms. Gawdiak can write one of language – if they are to climb out of in charge of placing rock fragments into the major bank came in to swallow a small them if that subject interests her. My their political and socio-economic rut. I building wall. He didn’t stop until he had Ukrainian-owned bank – a fate that befell passion is the radioactive land’s natural would hardly call such a goal nationalis- persuaded the powers that be that the similar institutions in other communities, recovery, which continues to move me so tic. It’s just common sense. Tribune Tower collection was incomplete including my hometown of Cleveland – much that I go back there again and “Good nationalism” exists throughout without a contribution from Ukraine. Chicagoans, led by my friend and fellow again. I expressed that passion as best I the world, and so does the toxic kind that Then, working with the Ukrainian co-chair of Ukrainians for Clinton-Gore, could in “Wormwood Forest.” qualifies as zoological chauvinism, jin- Consulate in Chicago and through them Julian Kulas, negotiated for and success- goism, xenophobia, racism. Examples of with the State Scientific-Technological fully established a multi-million dollar Mary Mycio the latter can be found in the least Center for Conservation and Restoration Heritage Foundation that’s been helping Kyiv expected places. For instance, Winston of Monuments in Kyiv, Dr. Panchuk Ukrainian civic, cultural and religious Churchill’s views about people of the arranged for a fragment from St. institutions around the country and will Mary Mycio is the author of Middle-East expressed in his memoirs, Michael’s Monastery to be delivered to continue to do so for generations to come. “Wormwood Forest: A Natural History fall in that category. Chicago where it’s now imbedded along- A community is not just a collection of of Chernobyl.” Readers may visit the side fragments from the Alamo, buildings, regardless of how beautiful. “Wormwood Forest” homepage at Boris Danik Mammoth Cave, Westminster Abbey and Many of the stones embedded in the www.chernobyl.in.ua. North Caldwell, N.J. David’s Tower in Jerusalem. Tribune Tower are from cultures that have St. Michael’s is a fitting choice. died and left magnificent ruins behind. Originally built in 1108 by Kniaz (Prince) Buildings take on life from the people Sviatopolk, it stood near St. Sophia Square who inhabit them, work there, create and Quotable notes in Kyiv for more than 800 years. To be sure, recreate within their walls. Chicago, “We, the Latvian people, have not been put by the good Lord on this earth to the building was damaged during the including its “Ukrainian Village” section, make Russia happy. We have our own lives to live and as we see fit. And we Mongol invasions, but Orthodox clergy not only has glorious architecture, but also wish the Russians joy, and we wish them a happy and prosperous life.” restored and renovated it during the Kozak vibrant citizens who infuse their structures era, its golden domes attesting to the glory with energy and vitality. Like the song – Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, responding to comments that of God and the might of Kyivan Rus’. Then says, “Chicago is my kind of town.” Latvia’s membership in NATO would anger Russia, as quoted on March 8 by The in 1922, Lenin and the Bolsheviks closed it Washington Post in the article “A Latvian First and Always” by Nora Boustany. down; in 1936 under Stalin, the monastery Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is: was dynamited to the ground. With the [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 FOR THE RECORD: Ambassador Herbst on democracy and free elections

Following is the text of remarks by States in Ukraine, I have witnessed a opposition candidates. They gave the cal dialogue going on in the country about John E. Herbst, United States profound change in the level of freedom world a shameful new word – “temnyky” – what direction Ukraine should take, and Ambassador to Ukraine, in Kyiv, at here. From the beginning I realized directions from the authorities to journal- the news media are largely free to report Wisconsin International University in Ukraine had a well-developed civil soci- ists on what should be covered and what all positions. Temnyky and pressure on Ukraine, on March 20. (After the speech, ety that is perhaps stronger than in any the ambassador was awarded an hon- other former Soviet republic. orary degree from WIUU). Well before the events of last year, At this point, we can say that the elec- Ukrainians throughout the country were Thank you, Rector [Oleksander] actively engaged in efforts to strengthen tion campaign has been the freest and Romanovsky, for your gracious invitation democratic values and institutions. They for me to be here today to speak on the advocated for their basic human rights fairest in independent Ukraine’s young topic of “Democracy and Free Elections.” and when necessary stood up and history, but we also want to help insure I especially enjoy speaking with stu- demonstrated in defense of freedom of dents in Ukraine because yours is a gener- speech, religious tolerance, rule of law, that this is an honest election. ation that has grown up since independ- and honest government free of corrup- ence. Your views of the world and of the tion. Statements of public protest on possibilities the future holds for you are Maidan Nezalezhnosti [Independence should be suppressed. News organizations journalists – at least from the national fundamentally different from those of Square] are not new to Ukraine. and journalists who ignored these direc- government – has ceased. Even former your parents, who were raised and educat- Yet, something extraordinary hap- tives were subject to pressure from unwar- Kuchma chief of staff [Viktor] ranted tax and health code inspections, sus- Medvedchuk, a figure often linked with pension of licenses, libel suits, seizure of repressive measures against the media in As we did during the 2004 elections, the assets, destruction of property, threats, the past, has publicly admitted the media physical assault and, in some cases, death. are much more free today than when he United States is providing non-partisan In addition to a controlled and hostile worked at Bankova [Bankova street – the assistance in support of a democratic media environment, opposition candidates presidential administration]. faced challenges such as cancelled meet- That is not to say that all media are inde- process. As part of our overall assistance ing halls, power outages during campaign pendent in Ukraine. Journalists and advo- to Ukraine, the U.S. is providing approxi- rallies, roadblocks, cancelled flights, ran- cates of media freedom here say self-cen- sacked offices and even poisoning. sorship, or political posturing ordered by mately $13.3 million to support free and The first two rounds of voting in media owners still pose an obstacle to free October and November 2004 were speech. For you, as consumers of news and fair elections. marred by ballot stuffing and ballot steal- responsible citizens of a democratic ing by elections officials. Police disap- Ukraine, it is important to seek out a range peared from polling stations minutes of information sources and take media ed under the former Soviet Union. You pened in November and December of before gangs of thugs showed up to dis- ownership and political affiliation into will have much more control over your 2004. Hundreds of thousands of people rupt the counting. Groups of voters trav- account as you evaluate the source’s quality own destiny than earlier generations. With poured into the maidan to demand that eled from polling place to polling place, and objectivity. Unfortunately, media own- this new freedom, however, you will need the result of the election reflect the will voting numerous times. Plant workers ership in Ukraine, especially of the broad- to take on greater responsibility – not only of the Ukrainian people. and students were threatened if they did cast media, is still shrouded in mystery. for your own actions, but also for the Recall for a moment what had been hap- not vote a certain way. This is a shame because the broadcast spec- actions of your government and leaders. pening at the time. The authorities con- It is no wonder that the Ukrainian people trum is among a nation’s most precious In the nearly three years that I have trolled nearly every major national televi- were so outraged that they poured into the resources, and it should be used for the pub- had the honor to represent the United sion station and limited the access to TV of streets – not only in Kyiv – but also in many lic good, not for private or political gain. cities in Ukraine to protest the theft of their And I would not be truthful if I said all vote. What is extraordinary is that they problems in the election process had been stayed for 17 days in the bitter cold until the eliminated. There are still problems associ- Supreme Court acknowledged the wide- ated with the formation of some election spread fraud and ordered that the runoff vote commissions. Voter lists, while improved, be repeated, effectively asserting the rule of remain problematic. The Central Election law over power. This round was finally con- Commission reports it has removed from ducted in a largely free and fair manner voter lists the names of 800,000 people according to international standards. who have died. It is suspected, but not con- These events changed the underlying firmed, that many of these dead souls dynamic between Ukrainian citizens and miraculously managed to vote from the their government, creating the possibility grave in 2004. Removing the dead from for rule of law to put down roots in the voter rolls is a tremendous step for- Ukraine, a pre-requisite for sustainable ward, but, until a national voter registry is political and economic reform. It is a created, inaccuracies in voter lists will con- tribute to all sides – including then- tinue to threaten to disenfranchise voters. President [Leonid] Kuchma – that ulti- For instance, there are credible reports mately these events remained peaceful. that whole buildings or city blocks of voters I know there are some people inside and do not appear on the lists for Donetsk and outside Ukraine who now wonder if it was Zhytomyr. And there are credible reports all in vain, but, in my opinion, they are the about the problem created by the transliter- people who do not understand the value of ation of voter names from Russian to what happened in Ukraine in November- Ukrainian. It is essential that the authorities December of 2004. The Orange Revolution do everything possible to address these and – as it is now known around the world – all other problems with the voter lists. It is was not so much a victory for a certain likewise essential that all voting precincts political party or coalition, as it was a victo- be adequately staffed with commissioners. ry for the Ukrainian people, who took back There have also been reports of improp- control of their country. Viktor Yushchenko er use of administrative resources by local officials in some parts of the country. The was elected president, but it was the people reports I have heard do not indicate wide- of Ukraine and the country’s democratic spread or systematic abuse as we saw in institutions that gained power. 2004, and complaints emanate from a Indeed, the fruits of last year’s democrat- broad range of political parties. That said, ic struggle can be seen most dramatically citizens, the media and civil society organ- this week, as Ukraine prepares itself for par- izations need to continue to be vigilant and liamentary and local elections. Fifteen must act to expose undemocratic practices. months to the day after the free and fair third Free and fair elections and a transparent round of the 2004 presidential elections, process for forming a new government Ukrainian voters will again go to the polls. that represents the will of the people are This election campaign is being con- critical to solidifying Ukraine’s democratic ducted in a much more open and transpar- credentials in the world. Honest elections ent way than the last one was. If you turn will not only strengthen Ukraine but also on almost any Ukrainian television chan- have a positive impact on Ukraine’s neigh- nel you will see candidates and campaign borhood. Free and fair elections are essen- advertisements from across the political tial if Ukraine wants to further integrate spectrum. Opposition candidates have into the Euro-Atlantic community. But been able to organize and campaign with- out harassment. There is a vibrant politi- (Continued on page 16) No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 9 UKRAINE’S FOREIGN POLICY: Tarasyuk speaks at Brookings Institution Following is the text of the speech “Ukraine’s ting an invitation to NATO at the 2008 Summit is Foreign Policy: from the Orange Revolution through within the reach. the parliamentary elections and beyond” delivered by At this point, I am aware of the need to address Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk at the the widespread concerns in the West over implica- Brookings Institution in Washington on March 9. tions that the electoral outcomes of Ukraine’s par- (Editor’s note: the text has been slightly edited for liamentary campaign could have on a coherent for- clarity.) eign policy against the backdrop of constitutional reform. Ladies and Gentlemen: Although the ongoing parliamentary campaign is I’m honored to be invited to address such a distin- heavily charged with a foreign policy component, guished audience where I see so many friends. primarily with NATO accession, as was the last pres- During my visits to Washington both as foreign idential campaign, it is clearly a point of no return in minister and an opposition deputy who chaired the the heated debate over national strategic priorities. Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee, the subject One should not be tricked by the fact that some of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of political forces and especially the out-of-mainstream Ukraine was a topical issue in my discussions. parties, which enjoy tiny public backing, gamble on Noticeably, even in the most challenging moments NATO and Russia-related issues as they lack any of Ukraine’s modern history, my country’s European trustworthy vision of foreign policy priorities. and Euro-Atlantic prospect has never been ques- By using the remnants of the existing phobias and tioned but incited a sincere interest and backing ignorance that root back into Soviet-era indoctrina- among the U.S. political elite and American political tion and brain-washing practices, these political analysts alike. players aim at winning constituency support while Since the dramatic events branded as the Orange not giving up efforts to torpedo the democratic Revolution, Viktor Yushchenko, then the presidential choice of the Ukrainian people. By the way, to candidate and now the president of Ukraine, has address this challenge, the government of Ukraine Yaro Bihun repeatedly stressed that the Ukrainian people, by appropriated in 2006, for the first time ever since the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasyuk (left) standing up for their civil rights and freedoms and NATO membership clause was inserted into the with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Carlos Pascual at against cynical falsifications in November 2004, national military doctrine, funds to run a NATO the Brookings Institution in Washington. proved to be Europeans and, as Europeans, deserve awareness campaign. their place in the united Europe. On the other hand, there are no grounds to deny ing the procedures of crossing the border by Ukrainian and It’s commonly known that the notion of European that freedom of speech is flourishing in Ukraine. Russian nationals. and Euro-Atlantic integration has been a landmark Opposition leaders and the harshest critics of the When speaking of Ukrainian-Russian relations, one cannot of the Ukrainian foreign policy and politics for a democratic government are the first to grasp these avoid touching upon acute questions. The energy dispute with decade. But the frank assessment of the real progress new opportunities to assail the media space and the Russia has made international and domestic headlines for a on Ukraine’s move toward NATO and EU member- constituency with ideas that sometimes are lethal for couple of months. Although the agreement hammered out on ship made by the end of Mr. Kuchma’s tenure democracy. The media themselves are no longer the January 4 might not be the better option for Ukraine, it still unmistakably leads to a blue conclusion that any target of influence by the government or political reflects to some extent the balance of interests. Ukraine’s econ- mention of Ukraine’s European integration sparkled forces supportive of it. This level of freedom of omy got an acceptable gas price that mitigates the negative nothing but irritation and “fatigue syndrome” among speech wasn’t dreamed of just a year ago. European politicians. We have transparent and fair political competi- impact on its performance. Let me briefly remind you that at the edge of the tion, as no political force or opposition leader is With Ukraine securing tariffs on transit and its reliability, democratic breakthrough of 2004, Ukraine’s image harassed or persecuted by either law-enforcement or we expect that Russia provides, in exchange, guarantees that abroad was tainted by a discredited and corrupt any other governmental agency on the basis of their the gas price and the volume of gas pumped through the political leadership incapable of getting rid of for- political affiliations or ideologies. No wonder Ukrainian transit system will remain unchangeable for the eign policy ambiguity and securing any consistency Ukraine was upgraded by the renowned Freedom agreed period of time. in the implementation of strategic tasks. House in its annual Freedom in the World 2006 The scheme of energy supply is far from transparent by Moreover, the undemocratic nature of the regime report from a “partly free” to “free” country since Western standards. Still, with all economic and political factors and de-facto international isolation of Ukraine kept both political rights and civil liberties ratings taken into account, there was no other option or choice but to at bay any prospect of joining Western institutions. improved significantly. abolish previous barter schemes that fed corruption both in With the Orange Revolution unleashed by the The president and the government of Ukraine are Ukraine and Russia and set up new mechanisms which better widespread electoral fraud, the pro-democracy aware that the upcoming parliamentary elections suit market-economy transformations. Although Ukraine’s forces were able to seize the popular mood and for- will be a test for Ukraine’s democratic compatibility approach was legally strong and we have little doubt our coun- mulate the mainstream civilization choice of the with united Europe and the Euro-Atlantic communi- try would have won the lawsuit in the Stockholm court, in Ukrainian people to live in a democratic, law-abid- ty, and its integration ambitions will be assessed by practical terms the Ukrainian economy would be hit severely, ing and fair society homogenous with other the democratic world through the ability to secure as would be, to some extent, European economies. As a reli- European countries. transparent, free and fair elections. able partner, Ukraine decided it would be wise to hammer out Instead of incessantly speaking about the We are confident that the pro-democracy forces a compromise that benefits both our country and Europe. European and Euro-Atlantic perspective that found will gain a clear majority in the future Parliament. We are very optimistic about the prospect of further enhanc- little response from European and NATO counter- Despite the fragmentation between the pro- ing our relations with the U.S., which have never been better parts in the previous decade primarily due to demo- democracy political parties, their combined approval than today. cratic incompatibility, the new government articulat- rating has even slightly grown. There should be no Eager to rediscover the meaning of genuine strategic part- ed ambitious but clear-cut foreign policy priorities doubt that the pro-democracy parties are capable of nership, the new Ukrainian authorities and the United States and backed them up with a trustworthy agenda and bridging their differences and restoring the Orange have been able in just one year to get rid of the bulk of prob- actions. coalition. lems that have been blemishing our relationships for ages. Although one year is a small period of time to With the elections to be held in two weeks’ time, Frank discussion and true political will are back in the draw profound conclusions, by all accounts Ukraine the consensus on the key principles and priorities of Ukrainian-American dialogue. The democratic authorities of has made great progress toward Euro-Atlantic and the future government have already been worked out Ukraine have proved they do what they say and say what they European integration. and agreed upon by the pro-democracy parties that mean, leaving no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. First off, by actively engaging the implementation will have a legislative representation. I am happy to say that Ukraine has strictly lived up to its of the Ukraine-EU Action Plan, we were able to melt Besides, there is no place for argument that, with commitments under the Yushchenko-Bush Joint Statement of down major fences between Ukraine and the rest of the constitutional changes taking effect upon the April 2005, as has the U.S.A. Ukraine’s steadily improving Europe. This Action Plan was instrumental in help- new Cabinet’s formation, the president still keeps economic performance and robust market transformation were ing Ukraine to push economic and democratic exclusive powers to articulate the foreign policy and recognized by the U.S. by upgrading Ukraine to market-econo- reforms forward. As a result, Ukraine was graduated secure the consistency of its implementation. The my status. My country is one step closer to achieving WTO to market economy status and is fully committed to president will remain an active player in the membership after Ukraine and the U.S. successfully completed building on this success. Cabinet-forming process as the nominees for the negotiations on market access on March 6, 2006. And today, I Our expectations are to kick start in the nearest posts of foreign and defense ministers are submitted have just returned from the U.S. Congress, which approved the future negotiations with the EU on a European-type at his discretion. decision to abolish the Cold War relic of the Jackson-Vanik agreement on association, as well as on a free trade In my already not-so-brief speech, there is an Amendment – a move that grants a normal trade regime to area. Pending the assessment of the implementation obvious necessity that an assessment of current Ukraine. of the Ukraine-EU Action Plan, the government of Ukrainian-Russian relations be given, as they will As Ukraine is seen as an outpost of democracy in the region, Ukraine will make its mind up on submission of an have repercussions on Ukraine’s European and we stand firmly for freedom, human rights and liberties. Having EU membership application during this year. Euro-Atlantic strategy and integration pace. said that, let there be no doubt that Ukraine will remain a com- As far as joining the NATO is concerned, launch- Still these bilateral relations are not problem- mitted partner to the U.S. in promoting these shared values. ing and successfully implementing the Intensified free. Shifting the dialogue into the dimension of Ladies and Gentlemen: Dialogue on Membership is not a lesser achieve- equal relations should be considered a milestone As the Orange Revolution created prerequisites to develop ment. The Intensified Dialogue on Membership and achievement. On the other hand, two countries the nation and society, Ukraine is going through a historic reform issues brought us into the formal stream of managed to return to the process of seeking gen- moment in its development. We have the unique chance to preparation for NATO membership. uine solutions to long-standing problems of the make this historic dream of generations of Ukrainians to re- We are pleased to note that each of the Alliance Black Sea Fleet’s stationing on the territory of integrate our country into the Euro-Atlantic family of nations a members recognizes the legitimacy of Ukraine’s Ukraine, delimitation of the Azov and Black seas, reality. NATO aspirations. We believe that the goal of get- etc. Significant progress has been made on loosen- I thank you. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 UCCA New York hosts meeting Pennsylvania Ukrainians thank with Reps. Crowley and Hastings Sen. Santorum for his support by Tamara Gallo Olexy tion monitoring, stated that “an election Ukrainian Congress Committee of America does not a democracy make.” Elaborating on this point, he stated that NEW YORK – The New York City branch of the Ukrainian Congress the brave people in Ukraine took the Committee of America on February 13 proper steps, but an independent and hosted a Town Hall meeting with strong judiciary is extremely important Congressmen Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) for the advancement of democracy. and Alcee Hastings (Florida) to discuss Commenting on the first and second democratization and the upcoming par- rounds of the 2004 presidential elections,

BRISTOL, Pa. – Ukrainian American community representatives of the Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA) and the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) met with Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) here on Friday March 10, to discuss a variety of community issues and to thank the senator for his support of the graduation of Ukraine from the trade restrictions of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. From left are: Borys A. Zacharczuk (UECC presi- dent), Orysia Hewka (UECC executive director), Sen. Santorum, Vera M. Andryczyk (UFA president) and Ihor Shust (UECC vice-president). Ukraine’s Consul General in New York Mykola Kyrychenko (left) with Reps. UKRAINIAN BUILDERS OF CUSTOM HOMES Alcee Hastings (center) and Joseph Crowley. WEST COAST OF FLORIDA liamentary elections in Ukraine. Despite Rep. Hastings stated they did not meet TRIDENT DEVELOPMENT CORP. the record-breaking snow storm a day international standards due to poor regis- • Over 25 years of building experience earlier, over 25 people, including tration lists, ballot stuffing and intimida- • Bilingual Ukraine’s new consul general in New tion. He emphasized that the upcoming • Fully insured and bonded York, Mykola Kyrychenko, attended the parliamentary elections in Ukraine will • Build on your lot or ours event. be pivotal. He warned against romanti- • Highest quality workmanship In keeping with the traditional town cizing President Viktor Yushchenko and hall meeting format, the congressmen Ihor W. Hron, President Lou Luzniak, Executive V.P. noted that a significant number of people provided remarks and then entertained (941) 270-2411 (941) 270-2413 in eastern Ukraine are Russian and, questions from the audience. therefore, President Yushchenko is Zenon Luzniak, General Contractor Presenting his personal views and not unable to be completely nationalist or Serving North Port, Venice, South Venice and area those of the U.S. government, Rep. Hastings, who has been involved in elec- (Continued on page 25)

The General Assembly of the Ukrainian National Association EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AUDITING COMMITTEE Myron Pylypiak HONORARY MEMBERS 11204 SE 234th Street President Zenon Holubec Kent, WA 98031 Anna Chopek Stefan Kaczaraj 5566 Pearl Road [email protected] 1001 Oppenheimer Drive, Apt. 101 Ukrainian National Association Parma, OH 44129-2541 Los Alamos, NM 87544 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 [email protected] Wasyl Liscynesky Parsippany, NJ 07054 4257 Dentzler Road Myron Kuropas [email protected] Yaroslav Zaviysky Parma, OH 44134 107 Ilehamwood Drive 11 Bradley Road [email protected] DeKalb, IL 60115 Clark, NJ 07006 First Vice-President [email protected] [email protected] Pawlo Prinko Martha Lysko 450 Jeanes St. Archbishop Stephen Bilak 1404 Roundhouse Lane, Apt. 311 Alexander Serafyn Philadelphia, PA 19116 1750 Jefferson St., Apt. 301 Alexandria, VA 22314 2565 Timberwyck Trail [email protected] Hollywood, FL 33020 [email protected] Troy, MI 48098 Andrij Skyba Taras Szmagala Sr. 4575 N. Nagle Ave. Director for Canada ADVISORS 10976 Tanger Trail Harwood Heights, IL 60706 Al Kachkowski Brecksville, OH 44141 [email protected] 126 Simon Fraser Crescent Eugene Oscislawski [email protected] 5 Stable Lane Saskatoon, SK S7H 3T1 Michael Kuropas Canada Flemington, NJ 08822 Anatole Doroshenko [email protected] 313 West St. [email protected] Sycamore, IL 60178 16955 Sycamore Court Northville, MI 48167 Joseph Hawryluk [email protected] National Secretary [email protected] 79 Southridge Drive Christine E. Kozak West Seneca, NY 14224-4442 Myron Groch Ukrainian National Association [email protected] 16 Kevin Drive 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 Founthill, Ontario L0S 1E4 Parsippany, NJ 07054 Stefan Hawrysz Canada [email protected] 600 E. Cathedral Road #306 Gloria Horbaty Philadelphia, PA 19128 Treasurer 3 Pequot Rd. Wallingford, CT 06492 Roma Lisovich Vasyl Luchkiw [email protected] Ukrainian National Association 49 Windmill Lane 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 New City, NY 10956 Parsippany, NJ 07054 [email protected] [email protected] No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 11 Philadelphia-area community welcomes Ambassador Shamshur by Vera Andryczyk Ambassador Shamshur and the other spe- cial guests, including Natalya Holub, sec- JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Dr. Oleh ond secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine. Shamshur, Ukraine’s ambassador to the On behalf of both sponsoring organi- United States, on February 26 visited the zations, Vera M. Andryczyk (UFA presi- Philadelphia-area Ukrainian American dent) welcomed Ambassador Shamshur, community here at the Ukrainian guests and community leaders. Educational and Cultural Center. Former Congressman Dougherty The event was hosted by the Ukrainian informed the audience about the current Federation of America (UFA) and the status of the Jackson-Vanik Resolution Ukrainian Educational and Cultural and introduced Rep. Gerlach, who Center (UECC). Joining in welcoming expressed his commitment to ensure the Ambassador Shamshur to the area were passage of his HR 1053 prior to the Auxiliary Bishop John Bura of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Ukraine. Rep. Schwartz added her sup- Philadelphia; the Rev. Protopresbyter port to the resolution. (The resolution Frank Estocin, secretary of the Consistory was passed by the House of of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Representatives on March 8.) U.S.A.; Sister Lydia Sawka, OSBM; Rep. The participants appreciated the Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) chief sponsor of HR ambassador’s frank and comprehensive 1053 to graduate Ukraine from the overview of priorities and goals, which Jackson-Vanik Amendment; Rep. Allyson included the graduation of Ukraine from Schwartz (D-Pa.), a co-sponsor of the res- the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, constitu- olution; and the community’s loyal friend tional reforms, World Trade Organization and advisor, former Congressman Charles and NATO membership, integration in Ambassador Oleh Shamshur (left) with Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.), author of HR 1053. F. Dougherty. the European Union and several coopera- The Voloshky Ukrainian Dance tive projects with the Ukrainian the Encyclopedia of Ukraine (University Earlier in the day, Ambassador Ensemble welcomed the ambassador American community. A lively question of Toronto Press) by Bohdan Shamshur had an opportunity to have a upon his arrival to the center with the tra- and answer period followed, which was Korzeniowski and Dr. Volodymyr guided tour of historic Philadelphia and ditional greeting with bread and salt. moderated by Borys Zacharczuk, UECC Bandera of the UFA. A book on historic visited several area museums escorted by During the reception, representatives president. Philadelphia and Poor Richard’s Dr. Renata Holod, curator of the Islamic of the area organizations had the unique At the conclusion of his visit, the Almanac were presented by Mr. Art Collection at the University of opportunity to meet and speak to ambassador was presented with a set of Zacharczuk. Pennsylvania Museum. Shamshur meets with Ukrainian community leaders in Chicago

by Pavlo T. Bandriwsky only locally but on a national scale, supporting CHICAGO – The recently appointed Ukrainian American initia- ambassador of Ukraine to the United tives where needed. Also States, Dr. Oleh Shamshur, invited addressed were questions Chicago Ukrainian community leaders to involving the upcoming meet at the Ukrainian Consulate in parliamentary elections downtown Chicago on February 21 for a and matters related to briefing and dialogue. Members of the broader recognition of the group included the leadership of UCCA Ukrainian Holodomor. Illinois Division, the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation and the Heritage The newly designated Foundation of 1st Security Federal consul general of Ukraine Savings Bank. in Chicago, Vasyl Ambassador Shamshur presented his Korzachenko, and his wife, agenda, listing what he would like to Olya, were introduced. As accomplish, which included establishing the meeting concluded, a Ukrainian information and cultural participants pledged to center, and closer cooperation between continue to work together the Embassy staff and Ukrainian com- in promoting Ukrainian munities. With an evident grasp of dias- democracy and facilitating During the Ukrainian ambassador’s visit to Chicago (from left) are: Sviatoslav Lychyk, pora issues, his presentation was gen- business investment in Mykola Mischenko, Pavlo Bandriwsky, Bohdan Melnyk, Dr. Oleh Shamshur, Orest Baranyk, uinely conveyed and optimistically Ukraine by American com- Julian Kulas, Ivanna Gorchynsky, Olya Korzachenko and Consul General Vasyl Korzachenko. received by the attendees. panies. During the dialogue Ambassador Ambassador Shamshur promised to Shamshur was informed of the vast con- return to Chicago soon to meet with the tributions the Chicago community not immense Ukrainian community.

to believe that Ms. Vitrenko receives sup- Easter Greetings 2006 Vitrenko’s... port from the Putin government, although (Continued from page 3) she has vehemently denied this, claiming SendContinue best wishes toyour your family tradition. and friends, party supporters contribute financially. Her campaign platform is based on colleagues and clients on the occasion of Easter four key principles: membership in the Mr. Anisimov, a top director at the Single Economic Space, opposition to Motor Sich plant, is another possible with a greeting in The Ukrainian Weekly. NATO membership, official status for the source of financing. Russian language and “defense of canon- Vitrenko’s People’s Opposition bloc ical Orthodoxy,” or opposition to the has produced some of the more spicy, Holiday Issue Publication Date Advertising Deadline Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv even controversial television ads. One ad Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Greek- features two policemen on night patrol Catholic Church. noticing a rape taking place in a car. Since the natural gas crisis, Ms. They shine their flashlights on the license April 16 April 5 Vitrenko has also said that, through part- plates, which indicate that the car nership with the Russian Federation, she belongs to a national deputy. 1/16 page – $35; 1/8 page – $50; can renegotiate Ukraine’s price for They decide to leave the crime scene 1/4 page – $100; 1/2 page – $200; full page – $400 Russian natural gas to $45 (U.S.) per alone. Ms. Vitrenko’s voice then tells the 1,000 cubic meters. viewer her bloc is against immunity for All advertising correspondence, reservations and payments should be directed members of Parliament. to Mrs. Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager, tel. 973-292-9800, ext. 3040, Campaign strategy The other ad features a young girl in a or e-mail: [email protected] Whenever Ms. Vitrenko stages a polit- classroom who needs to use the bath- Kindly make checks payable to The Ukrainian Weekly. ical rally, it is well-organized and well- room. She asks the teacher in Russian, Please send payment to: outfitted with her thousands of supporters “May I leave the room?” “No. Ask me in The Ukrainian Weekly, Att’n Advertising Department carrying flags and placards. the official language!” the teacher P.O. Box 280, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Such impressive financing can lead one responds harshly in Ukrainian. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

trakhyl,” which a priest wears around his this period of trial to reborn life,” Father and bore witness to the persecution. Ukrainian Catholics... neck, to a young priest. Gudziak said. “Throughout all of the celebration (Continued from page 1) • The Transfiguration Church, which Patriarch Husar and 20 bishops led a commemorations, there was a positive where Catholic bishops, clergy and wor- was the first in Lviv to declare its divine liturgy at St. George Cathedral on spirit of looking to the future,” Father shippers were persecuted, tortured or Catholic identity in 1989. At this historic March 8 in thanksgiving to God for His Gudziak said. “There was a gratitude to beaten. site, the pilgrims symbolically exchanged help in leading Ukrainian Catholics out God in the face of unspeakable evil and a At each station, an elder Church leader their red candles for white ones. of captivity. confidence that the Church that survived symbolically passed a cherished Catholic “The notorious event of 60 years ago Attending the liturgy were a number will continue to work for the people of relic to a leader in the younger genera- that brought us here is a demonstration of of priests who were ordained before 1946 Ukraine.” tion. In the following order, they visited: human hopelessness and audacity, petu- • The former KGB and current lance and violence towards those who Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) head- called themselves Christians,” said quarters on Vitovskyi Street, where Father Yaroslav Chukhnii, the church’s Communists planned their methods and current pastor. Yushchenko, Husar, Bishops’ Synod tactics for the Church’s liquidation. Elder “What happened is a result of various priests passed a series of crosses to the reasons which we cannot fully compre- hend,” he said. “It would be banal to pre- issue statements on anniversary younger priests as a symbol of the LVIV – On March 3-12, the the events of the past and calling upon tend that the tragedy of spiritual catastro- Church’s resilience. Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church other Churches in Ukraine “to decide phe, which occurred as a result of the • A former prison on Bandera Street (UGCC) commemorated the Lviv Sobor on what foundations it is necessary to 1946 liquidation, belongs to a single per- (formerly Lonsky Street) where of 1946, where the Union of Brest of base their work and future prospects to son. The liquidation is a result of the Communists interrogated, tortured and 1596 was renounced under pressure reach real union in Christ.” The release decline of religion and devaluation of killed priests and lay Catholics. Marta from Soviet authorities, unifying the goes on to comment on the un-canoni- spiritual values.” Tsehelska, the wife of a priest, was inter- UGCC with the Russian Orthodox cal nature of the Sobor because “it was The march then returned to St. George rogated there and had her children taken Church (ROC). Below are quotations summoned under horrible terror and Cathedral, where priests led a moleben in away. In the ceremony, she passed an from statements by President Viktor conducted with inadmissable violations the central square to honor the Church’s embroidered ritual cloth (rushnyk) to the Yushchenko, Patriarch Lubomyr Husar of the norms of Church law and the wife of young priest. martyrs. and the UGCC Synod of Bishops, as religious freedoms of the people.” • The former site of the Church of the The procession capped off a weeklong reported by www.RISU.org.ua. After a religious procession and a Holy Spirit and Lviv Theological series of events in Kyiv and Lviv that service held on Marh 11 at St. George’s Academy and Seminary on Copernicus commemorated the liquidation. Prior to the commencement of a Cathedral, Patriarch Husar addressed the Street. German bombs destroyed the The National University of Kyiv- requiem concert held on March 7 at the faithful saying, “We want to remember church in 1941. Father Mykola Prystai, Mohyla Academy and Ukrainian Lviv National Opera and Ballet all those who preserved our Church, who who had been Archbishop Josyf Slipyj’s Catholic University held a scholarly con- Theater, Patriarch Husar read a letter supported it and carried it to this day. The private secretary when he was rector of ference in Kyiv, attended by Belarusians from President Viktor Yushchenko procession will be the symbol of vitality the academy, passed on a small gospel and Russians. It examined the liquidation which expressed his regret over the of our Church. Sixty years of tribulations book he had preserved from seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in events of the Sobor saying it, “opened became a path to new life in reinforced days to the seminary’s current rector, addition to that of the Ukrainian Catholic a tragic and at the same time heroic hope. Pray for those who suffered, but Father Bohdan Prakh, and Ukrainian Church, as well as the history of state- period in the history of the Ukrainian- pray for those who caused the suffering, Catholic University Rector the Rev. Dr. sponsored violence under Russian impe- Greek Catholic Church.” because prayer remains the main power Borys Gudziak. rialism. The UGCC Synod of Bishops on of our Church, which united its children • The Mother of God statue on Freedom At the Lviv Opera House on the night March 7 released a statement outlining with God and tied them with each other.” Boulevard, where Antonina Chaika, a of March 7, actors performed vignettes of brave nun who helped organize the work life in the underground Church, as well of the underground Church, passed a as life stories and testimonies to the per- Mother of God icon to a young nun. secution of the clergy and faithful. In the 2002 parliamentary elections, a • The Taras Shevchenko statue on “Driving home, not only did the suf- Election Notebook portion of the national deputies were Freedom Boulevard, where Father Ivan fering affect me, but the fortitude of the (Continued from page 3) selected by closed party lists, while Dankiv symbolically passed an “epi- human spirit leading the Church through Ukrainians vote for a political bloc (a another portion were selected according coalition of parties) or a single party, to single-mandate districts. However, the Kuchma government rather than selecting any individual either pressured or convinced many of Ukraine’s goal of joining the WTO, and politician. we will help resolve the remaining steps the single-mandate deputies to join the Bush signs... Such an electoral system is absurd (Continued from page 1) required for entry as quickly as possible. pro-presidential bloc, Za Yedynu because it doesn’t allow for any account- Ukrayinu (For a United Ukraine), snatch- build a free economy that will raise the As the Ukrainian government continues ability of a party’s leader to the ing the majority coalition away from Our standard of living for families across to build on a record of progress at home, we will help Ukraine join the institutions Ukrainian people, said Ihor Gekko, the Ukraine, which had won more votes in their land. that unite free nations and become a part leader of Rodina Vostok. the election. As Ukraine embraces democracy and of Europe that is whole, free and at peace. No other parliamentary voting system Our Ukraine’s inability to build the more open trade, our nation’s friendship The growth of economic freedom and in Europe, with the exception of Italy, parliamentary coalition prompted politi- will grow. President Yushchenko has ownership in countries like Ukraine rein- forces voters to choose a closed party cal reforms to make all the candidates made reforms to increase transparency forces the habits of liberty and democra- list, Mr. Gekko said. part of a closed party list system. and provide intellectual property protec- cy, and gives citizens a stake in the suc- “Why is this system considered pro- Mr. Gekko claimed that no political tion and strengthen the enforcement of cess of their nation. Ukrainian people gressive and European?” Mr. Gekko party or bloc, or any affiliate, finances the rule of law. have shown the world they are commit- asked. “This system of voting is favor- Rodina Vostok, which has 17 permanent These reforms have taken great convic- ted to the ideals of economic freedom able only to the party leaders.” offices throughout Ukraine. tion. And earlier this month, our two and democratic progress and open trade, nations signed a bilateral agreement that and that gives them a promising future. will establish the terms of trade between The United States is proud to call being or stability of the Association is our nations when Ukraine joins the World Ukraine a friend, and I’m honored to sign Conventions... threatened,” or upon three-fourths vote Trade Organization. We support this important piece of legislation into law. (Continued from page 5) majority of all the members of the of the General Assembly was decreased General Assembly. at the 2002 Convention, which adopted Those empowered to vote at a special amendments to the UNA By-Laws that convention are the members of the reduced the number of auditors from five General Assembly and the delegates to to three and the number of advisors from the preceding regular convention. 14 to 11. A proposal to decrease the There is yet another vehicle by which Executive Committee from six officers to the UNA can make major decisions. four did not pass.) A relatively recent revision to the The UNA By-Laws stipulate that regu- UNA By-Laws provides that “to the lar conventions are held in the month of extent permitted by the law of the State May at a time and place designated by of New Jersey [the state in which the the General Assembly at an annual meet- UNA is chartered], questions and resolu- ing. tions requiring approval by a Convention As noted in the UNA By-Laws, spe- between Regular Conventions may be cial conventions may be called “upon 60 considered and voted upon by mail, with days’ notice to the branches, or such such decision having the same force and notice as is required by law.” effect as if a Special Convention had The UNA president shall issue a call been convened.” for a special convention, “stating therein Just as at a special convention, those Got a group? Need The Weekly? the time, place and purpose of holding empowered to vote are the members of the General Assembly and the delegates Call our subscription department to find out how you may qualify the same,” upon the demand of two- thirds of all branches, or upon the call of to the preceding regular convention. for a group discount on your Weekly subscriptions. (973) 292-9800 ext. 3042 the Auditing Committee “if in its opinion by unanimous vote the financial well- – Roma Hadzewycz No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 13

THE MUSIC SCENE: Bass-baritone Pavlo Hunka stars in “Wozzeck” by Wasyl Sydorenko “Zolotyi Obruch” in 1929. Ukrainian cul- “Wozzeck” is a good opportunity to ture in the 1920s was on the go! get acquainted with early 20th century TORONTO – On March 31, April 2, 5, In contrast, the Canadian Opera opera. And Pavlo Hunka in the title role 8, 11 and 13, the Canadian Opera Company Company first performed “Wozzeck” in is a performer not to be missed. Two (COC) will feature British-Ukrainian bass- 1977 – 50 years after the Ukrainian pre- years ago, Mr. Hunka was invited to give baritone Pavlo Hunka in the title role of miere. Berg’s other opera, “Lulu,” was a number of vocal master classes to Alban Berg’s 1925 opera, “Wozzeck.” produced by the COC in 1980 and caused Ukrainian music lovers in Toronto. The In the 1920s, “Wozzeck” and other quite a scandal within the Ukrainian event was organized most professionally, modern operas like Kurt Weill’s “Die community. Word got around that the and Mr. Hunka selflessly shared his art Dreigroschenoper,” Ernst Krenek’s granddaughter of the metropolitan of the with the participants. “Johnny Spielt Auf” and Sergei Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, There was a utopian hope that a new Prokofiev’s “Love of Three Oranges,” Kristen “Tunia” Gregory, would be Ukrainian opera ensemble could be were all performed in Ukraine. Ukraine’s singing in the opera. It was only a minor organized to produce new Ukrainian capital at the time, Kharkiv, was the center role for her, but many Ukrainians who operas. Unfortunately, there are few con- of theatrical innovation, with Les Kurbas had never attended opera went. Those temporary works, if any, worthy of the staging futuristic productions of Ukrainian who survived the dissonances of the first international stage. Myroslav Skoryk’s dramas, which included robots and even act were rewarded with “Tunia” playing “Moisei” is the only recent opera being Martians. And composer Borys the role of a lesbian lover in Act II. staged in Ukraine. But how contempo- Liatoshynsky wrote his ultramodern opera Ukrainians tend to believe that opera is rary or Ukrainian is a biblical story? the pinnacle of all arts. We have many I urge everyone in the Ukrainian com- Wasyl Sydorenko is a musicologist, Ukrainian opera stars who perform in major munity to attend the COC’s production composer and a librarian at the opera houses around the world. Yet, we are of “Wozzeck.” Mr. Hunka as Wozzeck University of Toronto (Petro Jacyk remarkably unfamiliar with the genre and will certainly astound music-lovers and Central and East European Resource know little about modern and post-modern critics alike. Let’s broaden our horizons, Center). He has written articles on music. We prefer our 19th century Ukrainian Pavlo Hunka diversify our musical tastes and explore Ukrainian music for nearly 20 years and folk melodramas like “Zaporozhets,” new forms of artistic expression. In fact, has been active with the Ukrainian “Natalka Poltavka,” “Kupalo,” “Taras sional ensembles in Toronto. Performances “Wozzeck” is the greatest expressionist Music Festival in Toronto for more than Bulba,” “Kateryna.” All of these works have are always a grand community event, but is opera ever written. It changed my life 20 years. been staged by amateur and semi-profes- this the pinnacle of art? when I was 17. It’ll change yours too! UIMA’s third annual Juventus exhibit spotlights young artists

CHICAGO – The Young Friends of the Submissions that best reflected this gram is partially sponsored by a Chicago rary Ukrainian art and culture. It serves as Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art diversity were selected for the exhibit. City Arts Program Grant and the Illinois an artistic anchor in Chicago’s West Town announced the third annual Juventus, an The artists represented are: Benjamin Arts Council. Community, providing world-class art exhibit featuring 12 student and recent Funke, Sayre Gomez, Mayuko Kono, The Young Friends of the Institute is a exhibitions, concerts, literary readings and graduate artists representing institutions Maria Burke, Nathaniel Smyth, Mariano committee of the UIMA that sponsors educational cultural exchanges. from Canada and the Midwest. The selec- Chavez, Stacey Nemeth, Lauren events aimed at attracting a younger and Located at 2320 W. Chicago Ave., the tions cover a wide range of styles and Anderson, Dan Anhorn, Kristyna Comer, more ethnically diverse public to the insti- UIMA is open Wednesday through media, from photographs and collages on Caitlin Wells and Matthew Schommer. tute. The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For more infor- glass to installation and sculpture. They were chosen by a panel of jurors was created to preserve and promote the mation readers may call 773-227-5522 or that included Youlia Tkatchouk, artist; Juventus 2006 is distinctive in that it knowledge and appreciation of contempo- visit www.uima-art.org. gives young artists at the very beginning Nicholas Sawicki, faculty member of at of their careers a unique opportunity to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago be shown at an established institution, and Anthony Elms, critic and assistant and, at the same time, presents a cohesive director at Gallery 400. The exhibit is display of the trends and issues at the curated by Karin Patzka, chair of the forefront of new art creation. Young Friends Committee. Juventus was designed to highlight the The exhibit opened with a reception diverse ideas, propositions and concerns on Friday, March 3, and will be on view currently engaging students and recent through April 10. Prizes will be available graduates of studio art programs. for the top three works of art. This pro-

education, the bloc seeks to provide educa- Pora-Reforms... tion that meets the needs of a free-market (Continued from page 3) economy. It also supports merit-based Order’s electoral list is a collection of scholarships. Ukraine’s young patriotic leaders who Campaign strategy are expected to lead the nation toward European integration in the future. Few, if any, names in Ukrainian politics They include young diplomat Markian could draw immediate trust among the Lubkivskyi, journalist Vakhtang Kipiani, electorate as does Mr. Klitschko’s. Unlike politician Illia Shevliak, and political other Orange Revolution leaders, Mr. advisor and expert Serhii Taran, who Klitschko enjoys an untarnished image. earned a doctorate from Duke University. Most of the bloc’s advertising in one way or another refers to Mr. Klitschko Political strategy and his untarnished image as a man of The Pora-Reforms and Order Bloc’s action and results. That plays into its political platform is almost identical to political strategy of giving voters the the Our Ukraine Bloc, said Oles Donii, a option of choosing an Orange political Ukrainian political expert who is 96th on force that is young and full of fresh faces. the Socialist Party’s electoral list. “New People Are Needed” is one of The bloc firmly supports free-market the bloc’s main slogans that appears on economics, and Ukraine’s integration fliers bearing Mr. Klitschko’s image. into the European Union and the North Although the Pora-Reforms and Order Atlantic Treaty Organization. bloc uses the “Tak!” logo, it is a separate It also wants to make the Ukrainian political structure from the Our Ukraine language the status quo in Ukraine. bloc, Mr. Donii said. In fact, Pora-Reforms and Order may And, though it is fiercely competing to end up demonstrating itself to be more make the 3 percent barrier, it serves as a reform-oriented than Our Ukraine helping factor for Our Ukraine because it because its young members aren’t tied up may draw young or disenchanted voters in any corrupt schemes or structures, Mr. that might not have otherwise voted for Donii said. an Orange bloc. For example, its leaders have criticized The bloc still receives funding from Our the Yushchenko administrations’s natural Ukraine sources, Mr. Donii said, including gas deal with the Russian Federation. businessman David Zhvania and possibly Rather than making promises of free even First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 Students’ Association organizes Ukrainian Week at McGill University by Alexandra Hawryluk Roman Krutsyk of Kyiv’s “Memorial”). The poster size panels showed photos, maps, graphs MONTREAL – Cameras clicking, lights blazing, and descriptive English texts about: The Great Famine reporters quizzing – this was not what the members of of 1932-1933, the Soviet labor camps and prisons, the the McGill Ukrainian Students’ Association had expect- Stalin-Hitler accord, Bykivnia and Vinnytsia, the ed at their “Ukrainian Week 2006” held on January 20- destruction of historic architecture, and the role of the 26 on the McGill University campus in the heart of KGB in the systematic decimation of the Ukrainian downtown Montreal. intellectual elite. As Artem Luhovy, the treasurer of the association “Everyone who saw this exhibit was enthusiastic explained, their expectations were more down to earth. mainly because they didn’t know anything about these “We were aware that there used to be a Ukrainian stu- events. For most, it’s the first time they’re seeing pic- dents’ club, but it seems to have died before we arrived. tures and documents of that era. I know that Polish, So, we wanted to start it up again. We wanted to make Czech, Romanian and other overseas students see us in Ukrainian students from Canada, the United States and a different light now. They are glad that someone has Ukraine feel at home here in Montreal. And of course, opened up that part of history, that someone is telling the truth,” commented Mr. Luhovy. McGill professors expressed an interest in this exhib- it as well. Alexandra Havrylyshyn, a first-year student, said: “I am a history student and my professor asked me if I have seen the exhibit. I told him that I have and that I think it’s a very good thing that we put it up.” Taking a breath, she added: “It’s a powerful experience.” Then, in conjunction with “Not to be Forgotten,” the Nina Hawryluk students asked Dr. Serbyn, the author of a number of Dr. Roman Serbyn publications on the Great Famine, on the Soviet Great Patriotic War (i.e. World War II), and professor of histo- ing carried over into the organization of Christmas car- ry at Université du Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), to oling. “We had a lot of fun, and I hope that the people deliver a lecture entitled “Was the Ukrainian Famine of for whom we caroled enjoyed themselves too. Those 1932-1933 Genocide?” Using overhead projections, Dr. are our goals – to socialize with Ukrainians and to learn Serbyn introduced his audience at McGill’s Newman what culture is,” she said. Center to newly available archival data proving that the So, it was good to see the small theater in the School Great Famine was indeed, a deliberately designed, polit- of Architecture building fill up for the Radoslav Zuk ically motivated event targeting Ukrainians. lecture on “The Cultural Context of Ukrainian Prof. Serbyn compared the international response to Architecture.” With the help of slides of Western the draught caused famine of 1922, with the response to European and Ukrainian churches, their plans and ele- the planned famine of 1932-1933. In the first case, in vations, the internationally acclaimed architect and answer to direct appeal, aid was sent to Ukraine by vari- McGill professor described how throughout history ous charitable organizations. The 1932-1933 Great Ukrainian builders adapted Byzantine, Renaissance and Famine, on the other hand, was covered up, the requisi- Prof. Radoslav Zuk Baroque architectural ideas to the Ukrainian cultural tioned grain was exported in guise of a bumper crop, context. borders were closed, and foreign correspondents were we also wanted to let the university community know The Chapel of The Three Saints in Lviv, for example, not permitted to bear witness to the horror – as the combines Renaissance architectural concepts with about Ukrainians.” British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge attests in his And indeed, during the 1950s and 1960s, right Ukrainian tradition, while the Church of the book “The Green Stick.” Transfiguration of the Savior in Chernihiv shows the through to mid-1980s, the McGill Ukrainian Students’ However macabre and heart rendering this story is, Association (MUSA) was in top form organizing semi- ability of Ukrainian architects to build in the Byzantine it’s still necessary to tell it. Prof. Serbyn summed it up: style without resorting to copying Greek or Serbian pro- nars, public lectures, “zabavy,” art exhibits and concerts “In order to gain a better understanding of contempo- by well-known Ukrainian artists and musicians. totypes. rary reality, knowledge of its course in the past is neces- What makes these churches, built in various interna- However, with the decline in enrollment in the late sary. In the course of Ukrainian history there were many 1980s the Ukrainian profile at McGill virtually disap- tional styles, Ukrainian? Prof. Zuk, pointed out that ana- happy and tragic moments, which defined the develop- lytical study suggests that it’s the arrangement of the peared. What’s worth noting though, is that a surprising ment of the Ukrainian nation. Among the tragic events, number of the former members of MUSA and SUSK – interior space, i.e. the rhythmic order, especially the the one that impressed itself most deeply on the rhythm of the roof line, that characterizes a Ukrainian “Soyuz Ukrayinskykh Studentiv Kanady,” an umbrella Ukrainian people was the genocide by famine of the organization for all Ukrainian students’ associations church. 1930s.” The inventive use of these rhythms was beautifully across Canada – are now community leaders. Nearly every student I spoke with at these events said Given this legacy, is there any wonder that the illustrated by the photographs of Prof. Zuk’s own that their main concern in joining the Ukrainian student Ukrainian churches: St. Stephen’s in Calgary, Alberta Montreal branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress group was the maintenance of a connection with and the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and (Governor General’s Medal); Holy Cross in Thunder Ukrainian culture. Aside from socializing, getting Bay, Ontario; Holy Trinity in Kerhonkson, N.Y.; and his Businessmen’s Association gave the students their together for Uke Pub Night, Pot Luck Dinner, listening enthusiastic support? newest – the amazing Church of the Nativity of the to Ukrainian pop music, wearing embroidered shirts and Theotokos in Lviv, which “constitutes a clearly stated At the wine and cheese party given in the students’ blouses, or doing a couple of “narodni tantsi” (folk honor by the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and modern version of the typical Byzantine cross-in-square dances) at Malanka, they were genuinely interested in + nartex + apse plan” (The Ukrainian Weekly, Businessmen’s Association, Dr. Yarema Kelebay, the learning about Ukrainian arts and sciences. president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in December 18, 2005, “Church in Ukraine designed by Roxanne Zalucky, of Philadelphia, was very pleased Radoslav Zuk reaches completion”). Montreal, and the students’ club mentor, congratulated that 70 students showed up for the first meeting of the students on the success of their Ukrainian Week pro- MUSA in October 2005. The enthusiasm of that meet- (Continued on page 19) gram and asked them to look at their involvement in the Ukrainian club as a unique opportunity for “leadership training and preparation for political participation, that is, for life in the public square”. He also said that giving their free time to MUSA offers them the chance to speak out and to inform their contemporaries about the history of the Ukrainian people. In his salutation, the former president of SUSK dur- ing the 1960s, Dr. Roman Serbyn, suggested that if the new generation of Ukrainian Canadians is to leave its mark on Canadian history, it should get involved in both the Canadian and the Ukrainian communities. On the other hand, Mr. Roman Karpishka, president of MUSA in 1960, reminisced about the past and encouraged the students to participate in the development of democracy in Ukraine by becoming elections observers. What did MUSA do to merit all this attention? To begin with, anyone using McGill’s Redpath Library, the busiest of the 14 libraries on campus, would have to walk past MUSA’s exhibit titled “Not to be Forgotten – A Chronicle of the Communist Inquisition in Ukraine 1917-1991” (materials assembled and printed by

Alexandra Hawryluk is a freelance writer and a con- tributor to Radio Canada International. Students with Prof. Radoslav Zuk No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 15 NGO workshop at United Nations focuses on families and poverty

by Nadia Shmigel Harvard University with a full fellowship UNITED NATIONS – Anna and wrote her thesis in Krawczuk, honorary president of the three languages: Ukrainian National Women’s League of English, Polish and America, was among speakers invited to Ukrainian. address participants of a workshop spon- Another young sored by the United Nations NGO woman, from Brazil, Committee on the Family at the 44th earned a Ph.D. from Session of the Commission on Social London University Development in New York on February with scholarships from 9. Brazil and the U.K. and The workshop focused on the eradica- became a linguistic his- tion of poverty affecting families. The torian. first speaker, Djankon Ndjonkou, direc- Three former schol- tor of the International Labor arship recipients in Organization, addressed the issue of Brazil became bishops: poverty from the macro perspective of one Orthodox and two the ILO mission statement which is Catholic. based on a Philadelphia declaration One young woman (1944) asserting that “poverty anywhere in Brazil who complet- constitutes a threat to prosperity every- ed a 12th grade level At a workshop of the NGO Committee on the Family (from left) are: Vicki Soanes, NGO repre- where.” education (quite an sentative to the U.N. for the International Movement ATD Fourth World; Anna Krawczuk, for- The other speakers, Mrs. Krawczuk of achievement 30 years mer and honorary president of the UNWLA; Harold Cook, Ph.D., co-chair, NGO Family the UNWLA, a founding member-organ- ago) could not afford a Committee on the Family – New York; Djankon Ndjondou, director, International Labor ization of the World Federation of wedding dress when Organization, New York Office for the U.N.; and Eva E. Sandis, Ph.D., co-chair, NGO Committee Ukrainian Women’s Organizations she got married. She on the Family – New York. (WFUWO) which has consultative status now owns a wedding to U.N.’s ECOSOC, and Vicki Soanes, a dress rental business in Curitiba, Parana, worked globally to promote opportunities World Bank, International Monetary representative to the U.N. from the Brazil. for men and women to “work in condi- Fund, United Nations Development International Movement ATD Fourth This and other life stories of scholar- tions of freedom, equity, security and Program, governments and civil society. World, were invited to describe their ship students illustrated how well this human dignity.” To this end, the ILO has He asserted that market forces alone organizations’ best practices in address- program works and how helping poor launched a World Commission on the would not be able to stem rising unem- ing poverty from a micro perspective, children achieve education helps to Social Dimensions of Globalization, and ployment levels despite the increases in that is, in an approach that tackles reduce poverty in the long run. has held labor conferences. They have wealth of the world economy. Therefore, impoverishment on an individual and Ms. Soanes, of the International studied such issues as the effects of inter- concrete interventions of the type specific family basis. Movement ATD Fourth World, described national migration, social security, credit described by the speakers at the work- Mrs. Krawczuk spoke about the her organization’s commitment over the unions, skill development for the socially shop will continue to be important, he UNWLA Scholarship Program, which past 50 years to helping families living in and economically excluded, and various noted. was established in 1967 on the initiative extreme poverty. Ms. Soanes’ presenta- pilot projects. This well-attended workshop stimulat- of Dr. Theodosia Sawycky, a profession- tion was based on two documents pub- Mr. Ndjonkou stressed the need for ed many questions and concluded with a al social worker, UNWLA member and lished by her organization in the last two cooperation and coordination among the lively discussion. activist concerned with education for years: “How Poverty Separates Parents” girls. and “Children, Valuing Children and Mrs. Krawchuk prefaced her remarks Valuing Parents.” with historical background about the In 1987, Joseph Wresinski, a Polish UNWLA, explaining the organization’s priest and the founder of ATD Fourth Coordinating meeting discusses commitment to human rights and to the World, submitted to the French preservation of Ukrainian heritage that Economic and Social Council a defini- informs its various charitable programs. tion of extreme poverty. The definition plans for ‘Chornobyl Week’ at U.N. UNITED NATIONS – Joint plans for “Chornobyl Week” at the U.N. headquar- Since 1925, when it was founded in New stressed lack of basic security as the base the commemorative events in the United ters. The most outstanding among them York City, the UNWLA has promoted of extreme poverty. Nations were at the center of the discus- will be a special commemorative session women’s advancement through educa- Ms. Soanes confirmed that “the nature sion at the recent coordinating meeting of the U.N. General Assembly to be held tion by supporting its members’ goals of enduring social exclusion and depriva- chaired by the permanent representative on April 28. The session will feature through small scholarship grants. tion is that families and individuals are of Ukraine to the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan; the presi- After 1967, the UNWLA Children’s eventually affected by insecurity in all Ambassador Valery Kuchinsky. The dent of the current session of the General Student Scholarship Program envisioned aspects of their lives. The eradication of gathering brought together top represen- Assembly, Jan Eliasson; the administrator by Dr. Sawycky started to support the extreme poverty has to involve a com- tatives of the Ukrainian women’s and of the United Nations Development education of orphaned and disadvan- prehensive approach recognizing the cultural organizations, local non-govern- Program, Kemal Dervis, as well as numer- taged children. By 1990, the program links between health and education, cul- mental organizations that have been ous dignitaries from U.N. member-states had expanded significantly, providing ture, self-esteem, environment, work and active in helping Ukraine to mitigate the and non-governmental organizations. nearly 1,000 scholarships to children and housing. When living in extreme pover- sad Chornobyl legacy, as well as scores In addition, a photo exhibit, a charity young people in 17 countries of the ty, people are vulnerable on all fronts, of journalists. bazaar and the 15th international confer- Ukrainian diaspora. From 1993 to 2001 but particularly, poverty can threaten the Ambassador Kuchinsky briefed the ence on health and the environment are the program had 1,135 graduates in 16 family.” audience on major events to be held in the scheduled to take place during the week countries: seven Ph.D.s, 155 master’s Programs conducted by the ATD framework of the forthcoming of April 24. degrees, 402 baccalaureate degrees, 548 Fourth World create an environment of high school diplomas and 23 vocational mutual respect, inclusion and full partici- school certificates. In those nine years pation of families in the development of alone, 5,918 scholarships were awarded, programs. An interesting program is the totaling $1,274,795. Street Library Program, which exists in Currently, scholarships range from 20 countries on five continents. World Information Transfer to hold $100 to $500 annually depending on the What impressed this writer is that the country and grade. These amounts might ATD programs recognize that impover- conference on health and environment seem small, but especially with favorable ished families have many strength and NEW YORK – The World Information however, due to U.N. security, pre-regis- rates of exchange, these stipends are of need not cease to relate positively to Transfer will be holding the 15th tration is mandatory by April 5. great assistance to their beneficiaries, their society. Poor families are encour- International Conference on Health and Also, luncheons featuring guest speak- Mrs. Krawczuk noted. aged to share their experiences and the Environment: Global Solutions at the ers will be scheduled for each day of the Mrs. Krawczuk transposed the num- openly discuss issues affecting their United Nations. This year’s theme is conference; the cost is $125 per person. bers into actual stories of several young lives. “Living with Radiation in the Modern Checks must be made out to World people who received scholarships under Ms. Soanes described several projects World: Commemorating Chornobyl, Information Transfer, and sent to 451 this UNWLA program. Each of the stu- aimed at family preservation. One proj- Remembering Hiroshima/Nagasaki.” Park Ave. S., Sixth Floor, New York, NY dents has accomplished an almost impos- ect in England helps social workers learn The event will be held on April 19-20, 10016. RSVP by fax, (212) 686-2172; sible task under most difficult circum- how to avoid placement of children in in Conference Room 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 phone, (212) 686-1996, or e-mail stances. One young woman from Poland, foster care; another project in Madrid p.m. The conference is co-sponsored by [email protected]. If inviting guests, who participated in the program through helps families negotiate adequate hous- the government of Ukraine, the govern- please send their names, addresses, tele- high school, received her Ph.D. from ing; all the projects aim to overcome the ment of Croatia and the Permanent phone and fax numbers on a separate tendency for poor families to be exclud- Mission of Japan to the U.N. in collabo- sheet of paper. Nadia Shmigel is the main representa- ed from society. ration with the U.N. Environment For more information on scheduled tive to the United Nations from the World In his remarks, Mr. Ndjonkou of the Program and the International Atomic speakers and times, readers may visit the Federation of Ukrainian Women’s International Labor Organization Energy Agency. World Information Transfer website at Organizations. explained how his organization has Admission to the conference is free, www.worldinfo.org. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

wrest control of the Belarusian section of Will Moscow... the Yamal-Europe pipeline from a reluc- CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) tant Mr. Lukashenka last December. This TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 Yevgeny Volk, director of the Heritage pipeline carries 10 percent of Russian gas exports to Europe. or e-mail: [email protected] Foundation think-tank in Moscow, said Russia’s support reflects its fears of losing But Presidents Putin and Lukashenka its closest ally in opposition to NATO’s have not always enjoyed a close relation- SERVICES eastward expansion. “From the point of ship. While Russia and Belarus have long CARDIOLOGIST view of the Russian political mentality, planned to join in a union state that Petro Lenchur, MD, FACC Belarus is a very important stronghold of would use the Russian ruble as its curren- Board Certified: resistance to NATO’s eastward expansion, cy, Mr. Lukashenka was severely angered Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional, a containment of this NATO expansion by a proposal Mr. Putin made in 2002 Nuclear Cardiology, Internal Medicine that is often discussed in Russian political under which Belarus would virtually circles,” Mr. Volk said. “In the Cold War become a part of Russia. The only Ukrainian-speaking Interventional paradigm that is still very present in Nevertheless, Heritage Foundation Cardiologist in NY and NJ. Russian politics, Belarus plays an impor- Director Volk said Moscow’s support of tant role as a stronghold against NATO.” Mr. Lukashenka is unlikely to falter in the In-office cardiac testing at two convenient While the European Union on March 20 future, provided the Belarusian president locations: expressed its disapproval of the way in remains loyal to the Kremlin. “This [sup- 776 E. Third Ave. 1432 Hylan Blvd. which the presidential election was con- port] will take place until a person is found Roselle, NJ 07203 Staten Island, NY 10305 ducted and said it will likely impose sanc- in Belarus who, firstly, will be at least as loyal to the Kremlin as Mr. Lukashenka, (908) 241-5545 (718) 351-9292 tions, Russia hailed the vote as free and fair. FATA MORGANA Strategic interests aside, Russia has a and, secondly, will enjoy as much support Music for all your music needs Weddings, Zabavas, number of reasons to back President from the population,” Mr. Volk said. Concerts, Festivals and Private Parties Lukashenka. The Kremlin has been anxious “So far, not a single politician has satis- to prevent a repetition of Ukraine’s Orange fied the Kremlin by meeting these criteria. Contact Oleksij (609) 747-1382 or email us at General Dentist [email protected] Revolution, which swept the Western-lean- There are people who can be supported by Visit our website: www.fata-morgana-band.com Marusia E. Kushnir, D.M.D. ing Viktor Yushchenko to power in 2005. the population, but the Kremlin strongly

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Ukraine’s membership of NATO? Not Kuchma camp has launched an anti- How do Ukraine’s foreign policy strate- completely. NATO membership campaign. gists expect to deal with the possibility Poor strategy... Throughout the CIS, the left is hostile that the largest faction in the new (Continued from page 2) Lack of an all-round strategy state that no country invited into NATO’s to NATO membership. This makes the Parliament will be against NATO mem- Intensified Dialogue on Membership, post-Soviet left very different from the left The anti-NATO campaign is being led bership? Do those government officials which Ukraine was invited to join in May in the Baltic states and Central Europe. by the Ne Tak! (Not So!) election bloc who prefer an Our Ukraine-Regions coali- 2005, has never not ultimately joined Post-Communist Polish President grouped around the Social Democratic tion not understand that this would send a NATO. But, the short time frame of Aleksander Kwasniewski’s ardently Party – United headed by Viktor signal to NATO that Our Ukraine is coop- 2006-2008 for a MAP before being invit- backed Polish membership in NATO. We Medvedchuk, head of the presidential erating with an anti-NATO political force? ed into NATO may mean Ukraine’s invi- could not imagine any Ukrainian left-wing administration in Mr. Kuchma’s last years If President Yushchenko had fulfilled tation may be postponed after 2008. leader, pro-Orange or anti-Orange, follow- in power. An important financial source his campaign promise to send “Bandits to Ukrainian authorities are too optimistic ing in Mr. Kwasniewski’s footsteps. for Ne Tak! bloc and anti-NATO cam- Prison,” the Party of the Regions would about Ukraine’s chances of entering Ultimately, the major hurdle to be paign is the Republican Party led by for- not be able to create the largest faction in NATO – even though there are the best overcome in Ukraine will be the attitude mer Naftohaz Ukrainy CEO Yurii Boiko. the new Rada. Regions would not have international conditions for this step. It is of the Party of the Regions, which is set Mr. Boiko was set to be arrested in sum- been able to take revenge for what it sees not just a question of free and fair elec- to have the largest faction in the newly mer 2005 but this was halted after presi- as a stolen victory in 2004; and the tions – a Western demand that is likely to elected Verkhovna Rada. The Party of the dential adviser and energy tycoon largest faction in Ukraine’s Parliament be met by Ukraine. A British Foreign Regions is dominant in eastern Ukraine, Oleksander Tretiakov intervened. Mr. would have been pro-NATO (Our Office official working on Ukraine told where opposition to NATO membership Boiko is thought to be a major recipient of Ukraine), not anti-NATO (Regions). me recently that such a free election is highest. Without the conversion of the income from the shady RosUkrEnergo cre- Conclusion would be one of the first in the Party of the Regions after March into a ated in July 2004 and included in the new Commonwealth of Independent States pro-NATO force, or at least one neutrally gas contract with Russia signed in January. Holding a free election and not pro- since the early 1990s (and certainly in disposed toward membership, it is diffi- This shows how the failure to launch posing anti-Russian policies are two Ukraine since 1994). Another condition is cult to see how Ukraine can move criminal proceedings dealing with past cor- Western expectations of President that President Yushchenko attempt to have beyond an MAP into membership by ruption in the energy sector and continuing Yushchenko that he will easily fulfill. He good relations with Russia. In the West, 2008-2010 as President Yushchenko and to work with the shadowy RosUkrEnergo is a democrat and is not anti-Russian. A Yushchenko is not seen as anti-Russian. Ukrainian officials constantly reiterate. undermines other policies, namely, the third more difficult expectation is that an strategic aim to seek NATO membership. Orange coalition be established in the But, a third Western expectation is to Demands of the Bush administration wait and see whether reformers will domi- Not surprisingly, Defense Minister Verkhovna Rada after the elections. nate the parliamentary coalition and gov- NATO and the Bush administration Hrytsenko and Finance Minister Viktor Ukraine has two coalition possibilities ernment. It is in this expectation that two expect three objectives to be met in Pynzenyk are against the gas agreement. in the new Parliament. In choosing which contradictions face the authorities that will Ukraine for membership to become a Support for a coalition with the Party of coalition to join, President Yushchenko be decided by the 2006 election results. potential future option. the Regions (which Messrs. Yekhanurov, and Our Ukraine will, in turn, either First, many Western members of The first objective is the holding of free Rybachuk and Kinakh allegedly support) influence Ukraine’s successful drive to NATO will support Ukraine being invit- and fair elections on March 26 as under- shows the degree to which the Ukrainian NATO or postpone it indefinetly. ed into an MAP at the Riga summit based stood by the Organization for Security and government itself is not united with regard The two possibilities are: on the condition that there is a re-unified Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the to NATO strategy. Is their dislike of Ms. 1. A re-united Orange coalition leading Orange Parliament coalition. A re-unified Council of Europe. This objective is very Tymoshenko more important than their to an invitation to join the MAP at the Orange coalition will send a signal to likely to be met as Ukraine holds its first support for Ukraine’s NATO membership, NATO summit in Riga in October. This NATO and the EU that Ukraine’s demo- free elections since 1994. which would be postponed if such a Rada would be followed by an invitation to join NATO (together with Albania, cratic breakthrough begun by the Orange The second objective is continued polit- coalition was formed? Croatia, Macedonia) at its 2008 summit. Revolution and the election of Mr. ical, economic and defense reforms. The largest faction in the new Verkhovna Rada will be the Party of the Regions of 2. An Our Ukraine-Regions coalition Yushchenko as Ukraine’s first reformist Although the pace of reforms since Mr. Ukraine. It will include numerous senior- that will lead to a postponement of president is now consolidated and the Yushchenko’s election has been slower level Kuchma officials against whom no NATO’s decision on inviting Ukraine into reform process is sustainable. The para- than expected, and often contradictory, that criminal charges have been laid. The slogan the MAP. Such a postponement would dox of this expectation is that one of the there is forward momentum is internation- “Bandits to Prison” appears to have been lead to Ukraine not being included in the three branches of the Orange coalition – ally recognized. Freedom House upgraded replaced by “Bandits to Parliament.” third wave of NATO enlargement in 2008. the Socialists – is hostile to NATO mem- Ukraine to “free” this year, the country bership. was granted market economic status by the Second, as an alternative to a re-unified EU and the U.S. and the FATF (Financial Orange coalition, Anders Aslund is lobby- Action Task Force) on money laundering Ñ¥ÎËÏÓÒfl ÒÛÏÌÓ˛ ‚¥ÒÚÍÓ˛, ˘Ó 25 Ò¥˜Ìfl 2006 ð. ing in Washington for an Our Ukraine- has halted its monitoring of Ukraine. ‚¥‰¥È¯Ó‚ Û ‚¥˜Ì¥ÒÚ¸ ̇¯ ̇ȉÓðÓʘËÈ ÏÛÊ, Party of the Regions coalition. After his There is an ongoing cleaning up, and Ú‡ÚÓ, ‰¥‰ÛÒ¸, Ôð‡‰¥‰ÛÒ¸ ¥ ·ð‡Ú January visit to Ukraine he wrote that reform of, the Internal Affairs Ministry such a parliamentary coalition is what and military under Internal Affairs Prime Minister Yurii Yekhanurov, State Minister Yurii Lutsenko, who was on a c‚. Ô. Secretary Oleh Rybachuk and National high-profile visit to Washington recently, Security and Defense Council Secretary and Defense Minister Hrytsenko. Mr. Anatolii Kinakh also allegedly support. Hrytsenko has called for greater coordina- ãÂÒ¸ á‡Î¥˘ÛÍ If this is indeed true, do Dr. Aslund and tion among Ukraine’s security forces, ç‡ð. 31 ·ÂðÂÁÌfl 1922 ð. ‚ óÂðÌflÚËÌ¥, ß‚‡ÌÓ-îð‡ÌÍ¥‚Ҹ͇ Ó·Î., these three members of the Orange “vlada” where duties often overlap. NATO is set to ìÍð‡ªÌ‡. realize what signal such a coalition would assist in this endeavor by expanding its send to NATO and the EU? Do they real- long-standing cooperation with the mili- ize how support for such a coalition would tary to the Security Service of Ukraine, èÓıÓðÓÌÌ¥ ‚¥‰Ôð‡‚Ë ‚¥‰·ÛÎËÒfl ‚ ÒÛ·ÓÚÛ, 28 Ò¥˜Ìfl 2006 ð. ‚ undermine the goal of Ukraine’s member- Internal Affairs Ministry, Border Troops ìÍð‡ªÌÒ¸Í¥È Í‡ÚÓÎˈ¸Í¥È ˆÂðÍ‚¥ Ò‚. íðÓȈ¥ ‚ ä‡ðÌ£¥, è‡., ‡ ‚¥‰Ú‡Í ship in NATO? An Our Ukraine-Regions and Ministry for Emergency Situations. ̇ Ô‡ð‡Ù¥flθÌÓÏÛ ˆ‚ËÌÚ‡ð¥. coalition would give a signal that Ukraine The most contentious issue is that of is backtracking on reform and regressing regional opposition to NATO member- from the Orange Revolution. NATO would ship and low public support. Some other á‡Î˯ÂÌ¥ Û „ÎË·ÓÍÓÏÛ ÒÏÛÚÍÛ postpone inviting Ukraine into an MAP post-Communist states, such as Slovenia ‰ðÛÊË̇ - ä‡ÚÂðË̇ Á ‰ÓÏÛ ç‡ˆÛ΢ and Ukraine would miss being invited to and Hungary, also had low public support ‰Ó̸ÍË - ɇÌfl Á ÏÛÊÂÏ ÅÓ„‰‡ÌÓÏ äÓ̈¸ÍËÏ join in the third round of NATO enlarge- for membership. The populist ment in 2008. Tymoshenko bloc has reiterated its oppo- - å‡ð¥È͇ á‡Î¥˘ÛÍ An additional consequence of support- sition to joining NATO if there isn’t pub- ‚ÌÛÍË - éÎÂÒ¸ äÓ̈¸ÍËÈ Á ‰ðÛÊËÌÓ˛ éβ ing a parliamentary coalition with the lic support for the move within Ukraine. - êÓψfl äÓ̈¸Í‡ Party of the Regions would be to make Ukraine is different from earlier coun- - éðÂÒÚ äÓ̈¸ÍËÈ Mr. Yushchenko a virtual president tries that have joined NATO because it (which constitutional changes would would be the first truly post-Soviet state to - ûð¥È ÇÓ‚˜ÛÍ Á ‰ðÛÊËÌÓ˛ ò‡ðÎÓÚ simply reinforce). Mr. Yushchenko’s sup- be invited to join NATO, as the three - ÅÓðËÒ ÇÓ‚˜ÛÍ port in western-central Ukraine would Baltic states were always treated different- - áÂÌÓ‚¥È ÇÓ‚˜ÛÍ collapse and his supporters would defect ly (with some states, including the U.S., Ôð‡‚ÌÛÍË - ãÂÒËÍ äÓ̈¸ÍËÈ to Yulia Tymoshenko. Eastern-southern never recognizing the forcible incorpora- Ukrainians would not give Mr. tion of the Baltic states into the USSR) and - âÓÒËÙ ÇÓ‚˜ÛÍ Yushchenko credit for doing a deal with never joined the CIS. Only 10 percent of ÒÂÒÚð‡ - ÄÌ̇ ÜËÎËÍ ‚ ìÍð‡ªÌ¥ their Party of the Regions. This would Ukrainians understand what NATO is and Ú‡ ·ÎËʘ‡ ¥ ‰‡Î¸¯‡ ðÓ‰Ë̇ ‚ ÄÏÂðˈ¥ È ìÍð‡ªÌ¥. lead to Mr. Yushchenko not being re- why the country should join – a legacy of elected for a second term in 2009. Soviet anti-NATO propaganda. Thus, the Does Our Ukraine not remember the third objective is a NATO information Ç¥˜Ì‡ âÓÏÛ è‡ÏflÚ¸! drop in its support after it signed a strate- campaign to raise public awareness. gically futile memorandum with the Party An information campaign on NATO á‡Ï¥ÒÚ¸ Í‚¥Ú¥‚ ÁÎÓÊÂÌÓ ÔÓÊÂðÚ‚Ë ‚ ÒÛÏ¥ 1,150 ‰ÓÎ. ̇ ‰ÓÔÓÏÓ„Û of the Regions in late September 2005, a was lacking during the administration of ‚ÂÚÂð‡Ì‡Ï ìèÄ ˜ÂðÂÁ ëÛÒԥθÌÛ ëÎÛÊ·Û äÓÏ·‡Ú‡ÌÚ¥‚ memorandum that Mr. Yushchenko him- Leonid Kuchma. This lack of a positive self discarded in January? campaign on the merits of membership Û ÑÊÂÌÍ¥ÌÚ‡‚Ì¥, è‡. Would an Orange coalition support has left a vacuum into which the former 18aerosvit_Svoboda_09-12.qxd 9/12/2005 12:02 PM THE Page UKRAINIAN 1 WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

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Тiльки Аeрoсвiт Українські Aвiалiнії 1.888.661.1620, 1.212.661.1620, пропонує безпосадкові рейси [email protected] літаками Boeing 767 або звертайтесь у Вашу агенцію Нью-Йорк-Київ, Вантажні перевезення: Київ-Нью-Йорк 1.718.376.1023, À òàêîæ ÷åðåç Êè¿â: [email protected] Львів, Івано-Франківськ, Одеса, Сімферопiль, Íîâèíêà! Тепер у Вас є можливість Донецьк, Дніпропетровськ, Харків, Запоріжжя, замовити і оформити білет на нашій Чернівці, У жгород, Москва, Мінськ, Баку, веб-сторінці www.aerosvit.com Ташкент, Алма-Ата, Делі, Т ель-Авів, Пекін, Дубаї, А фіни, Салонікі, Софія, Белград, Бангкок, Каїр No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 19

the Social Democratic Party to retain its a wide-scale basis. Journalists are still will then decide on behalf of voters who Now that the... slipping grip on power, will become reported to be taking money to promote will represent them in the Parliament. (Continued from page 6) known as the 2006 campaign’s biggest certain political causes. Additionally, parliamentary represen- Spanish. In Great Britain, they speak joke, led by the court jester himself, for- But attitudes are slowly changing. For tation without geographic demarcations English. I think this question must be mer President Leonid Kravchuk. the 2006 campaign, the Party of the is undemocratic. In an attempt to change its image, the solved in a very tolerant manner, without Regions made a conscious decision to try For example, a Ukrainian American in Kyiv oligarch clan, which includes such forcing it.” and clean up its image and present itself the East Village of New York City knows warm and cuddly characters as Viktor At present, there’s no legitimate force as a legitimate collection of people. Even that his or her representative in the U.S. Medvedchuk and Hryhorii Surkis, has in Ukrainian nationalist politics, and if it’s not reality, the effort demonstrates House of Representatives is either spent millions on a campaign that will the party feels it needs to play by Carolyn Maloney or Jerrold Nadler. The maybe that’s all for the better, given that likely fail miserably. Western standards. East Village is part of their geographic Ukraine’s prime minister, an ethnic Because he’s an unprincipled manipu- So who would I vote for if I were a constituency. Buryat from Russia, speaks better lator who has demonstrated that he’s Ukrainian citizen? The Our Ukraine bloc. However, a resident of Ivano- Ukrainian and holds more patriotic views interested only in promoting his own Finally, Ukraine’s closed election list Frankivsk can’t point to anyone in the than Natalia Vitrenko, a blue-eyed Kyiv business interests, Mr. Kravchuk doesn’t system is regression for Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada and say that anyone rep- native who prefers to wave the Russian draw much attention or credibility from democracy. Citizens can vote only for a resents his or her interests. flag. Ukrainian journalists. bloc or party, without being able to select Ukrainians finally have the will to Oleh Tiahnybok has emerged as It’s sad to see how a former president a single candidate. Instead, it’s the party build a Western-style democracy, and it’s Ukraine’s leading nationalist. But while can have such a lack of respect from his leadership that selects candidates. unfortunate that they must do it within he is the only person standing up for lus- own countrymen. Therefore, the Ukrainian voter is instead the framework of an electoral system that tration of Communists and Kuchmists, he Some things in Ukraine haven’t voting for a clique of party leaders who doesn’t represent them adequately. doesn’t help the situation by using slurs changed – private companies and educa- when referring to Russians and Jews. tional institutions are still pressuring their The Ne Tak! bloc, a last-ditch effort by employees to join and vote for parties on

in letting the 32,000 student body know Students’ Association... about their presence on the McGill cam- (Continued from page 14) pus. (586)759-6563 What, then, is the responsibility of Jaroslaw Holowko, vice-president of contemporary Ukrainian architecture? MUSA, who was born in Poland, said “Just as throughout history, Ukrainian that he tells all his friends about Ukraine architecture was able to express itself in and the new Ukrainian Students’ a unique way within various internation- Association. Although he was glad that al styles - as it did during the Byzantine, Ukrainian students from the neighboring Renaissance, and Baroque eras - it is Concordia University joined in the fun, very important that today our architec- he would like to see overseas student ture find a specific and distinctive groups participate in events organized by expression which would be compatible MUSA. with the contemporary world trends in John Mongeau, the sports rep, is architecture. This, however, demands a dreaming of setting up soccer matches high degree of professional mastery and between the Ukrainian, Italian, keen understanding of the particular Romanian and Polish Clubs. architectural trend that could place The president of MUSA, Johanna Ukraine within the sphere of European Paquin, who greeted guests at the Wine culture again,” stated Prof. Radoslav and Cheese reception in beautiful Zuk. Ukrainian, hopes that the Ukrainian The students responded with enthusi- Week celebrations will become a McGill asm to both these lectures and it seemed University tradition. Certainly, if one is that they would more than welcome simi- to judge by this year’s celebrations, the lar lectures and informal discussions on a future success of McGill Ukrainian variety of Ukrainian cultural issues. Students’ Association in Montreal is Nevertheless, they were just as interested assured. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

ECO+25% (23,876,000 hrv) and the Viche 3,500 monitors for Ukrainian vote the SBU materials about similar violations NEWSBRIEFS party(13,756,000 hrv). The Yulia of the rights of citizens over a long period (Continued from page 2) Tymoshenko Bloc was 13th in spending, KYIV – Central Election Commission at one of the regional divisions of the having expended about 2,586,000 hrv on head Yaroslav Davydovych said on March SBU. The PGO has also opened a crimi- According to the senators, the Famine was 19 that 3,518 official international organized by the Soviet regime to weaken its campaign. Among the top 10 spenders nal case into these violations. (Ukrinform) were the Pora-Party of Reforms and Order observers will monitor the March 26 par- and annihilate the Ukrainian people, with liamentary election in Ukraine, Interfax- Kyiv refutes allegations of CIA jail the aim of strangling their desire for free- Bloc, the Socialist Party of Ukraine, the European Capital party, the Ne Tak! bloc Ukraine reported. Among the organiza- dom and the establishment of an independ- tions sending observers are the KYIV – Defense Minister Anatolii ent state. The Senate also said Western and the Kostenko-Pliusch People’s Bloc. Hrytsenko disclosed on March 15 that the (Ukrinform) Organization for Security and Cooperation politicians and journalists who concealed in Europe Office for Democratic ministry has demanded that the Russian the truth about the events in Ukraine in Yekhanurov sees problems ahead Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), side promptly disavow an RTR Channel 1932-1933, also bear responsibility for the the European Parliament, the report alleging the existence of a CIA clan- Famine. News of the resolution was report- KYIV – Prime Minister Yurii Commonwealth of Independent States destine prison in Ukraine. According to Mr. ed on March 17. (Ukrinform) Yekhanurov said in a television interview Interparliamentary Assembly Council, the Hrytsenko, the report is either an informa- tional provocation or a special operation, Election campaign costs $36 million on March 19 that it would be difficult for American Center for International Labor him to work in a government with former Solidarity, the Ukrainian World Congress carried out through the RTR, and has seri- KYIV – According to a study by the Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych if such and the International Union of Komsomol ously harmed Ukraine and its armed forces. Freedom of Choice coalition of public a scenario unfolds following the March 26 Organizations. (RFE/RL Newsline) Mr. Hrytsenko disclosed that, in compli- forces, political parties and blocs that are parliamentary elections, Interfax-Ukraine ance with President Viktor Yushchenko’s running for the Verkhovna Rada have spent reported. “I am a disciplined man, I will No evidence of Berezovsky financing order, the Russian Embassy’s military over 182 million hrv on their campaigns. work where the president will send me. attaché has been invited to visit the KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada’s ad hoc Hanna Yarova, chief of the Political But I’d rather go to the Parliament,” Mr. Makarov-1 facility. The minister has invit- fact-finding commission has found no evi- Promotion project, noted that the Party of Yekhanurov said. Responding to a ques- ed journalists to join in, saying they will be dence that could point to Russian tycoon the Regions tops the list of Ukraine’s five tion about possible post-election coopera- shown hitherto off-limits facilities, where Boris Berezovsky as involved in financing biggest spenders, having invested over tion with former Prime Minister Yulia nuclear weapons were once kept. We are Viktor Yushchenko’s election campaign, it 34,391,000 hrv in its campaign. Others in Tymoshenko, Mr. Yekhanurov said: “I’d making this unprecedented step, Mr. was reported on March 15. According to ad Hrytsenko noted, to convince everybody the top five were: the Lytvyn’s People’s like people to understand her economic hoc commission member Mikhail that the report about alleged CIA prisons in Bloc spent (30,466,000 hrv), the pro-presi- views. It is difficult for me as a profes- Pozhivanov, during the commission’s work Ukraine is a brazen lie. In fall 2005 a scan- dential Our Ukraine bloc (24,758,000 hrv), sional economist to work with people who not a single document was found to confirm dal broke out in the European Union when the Party for Environmental Survival have no views.” (RFE/RL Newsline) Mr. Berezovsky’s involvement in financing the news media published documents on the Yushchenko campaign. On March 14 the existence of the secret CIA jails in the ad hoc commission was to convene a Europe. The documents were allegedly UNA SENIORS’ CONFERENCE session, but it had to be canceled as there provided by Swiss intelligence sources. at was no quorum. As Mr. Pozhivanov noted, Initially the prisons were reported to be the commission’s members got sick and located in Romania and Poland; a later SOYUZIVKA tired of sundry speculations on the subject report pointed to a CIA jail in some East on and decided to discontinue their sittings. European nation. According to the RTR June 11-16, 2006 – Senior Citizens’ Week The commission will deliver no report as no report, one of the clandestine jails could be such decision was made. According to Mr. located on the territory of the Makarov-1 Ladies and Gentlemen! 2006 is already well on its way. Pozhivanov, the ad hoc commission’s chair- military garrison in the Kyiv region. We wish you good health and invite you to visit SOYUZIVKA! man, Yurii Solomatin, may avail himself of (Ukrinform) the opportunity, offered by the Verkhovna On behalf of the UNA Seniors Club, we would like to invite all seniors to participate in our annual UNA RosUkrEnergo interested in Kerch Seniors Club Week, which will be held from Sunday, June 11, to Friday, June 16, 2006. For your general Rada’s rules for speeches by faction mem- information, please note that the Seniors Club was organized over 30 years ago. The purpose of the UNA bers, to make a speech on the subject. It was Seniors is to support UNA endeavors, to preserve and cultivate the Ukrainian heritage, promote unity KYIV – The company RosUkrEnergo within the community, develop social activities and maintain Ukrainian community life in America. We Ukraine’s first president, Leonid Kravchuk, has intimated its intention to participate in have finally reached a time in our lives when Ukraine is independent and living a democratic life. Ukraine who on September 14, 2005, said that Mr. a tender for developing deposits of carbo- will always have our thoughts and support. But there is a time when we must concentrate on maintaining Berezovsky had financed Mr. Yushchenko’s our own Ukrainian community. There is much that can be done. We will try to make the week interesting hydrate fuels in the Black Sea shelf’s and fun. As you may have read in our publications, last year we had over 60 participants, seven interest- election campaign. According to Mr. Kerch segment. RosUkrEnergo has ing speakers and entertainment in the evenings. Fun was had by all. Again, we have an interesting pro- Kravchuk, organizations affiliated with the obtained all the documents necessary to gram scheduled and hope that you will be able to join us for an interesting, inexpensive weekend. Follow Russian tycoon remitted $15 million to allow it to participate in the tender, Prime the press for further information about Seniors Citizens’ Week. businesses that financed the Yushchenko Minister Yurii Yekhanurov told the campaign. Mr. Berezovsky admitted there Cabinet’s session on March 1. According were money transfers, but said that the to Mr. Yekhanurov, 15 companies have money had never been meant for financing stated their intention to participate in the the campaign. (Ukrinform) tender, including entities in Ukraine, the United States, China and Britain. He PGO investigating illegal wiretapping named Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and KYIV – The Procurator-General’s Petrobras among them. On December 24, Office (PGO) has confirmed that a crimi- 2005, the government had announced a nal case has been launched in connection tender to vie for the right to conclude an will allegations that operatives of the agreement on distributing petroleum and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) illegal- gas, extracted from the Kerch segment of Make your reservations for the UNA Seniors’ Conference, which will be held at our ly eavesdropped on the telephone conver- the Black Sea shelf. In line with Ukraine’s mountain resort SOYUZIVKA, beginning Sunday, June 11, starting with a buffet dinner, sations of certain government officials and legislation, the Ukrainian state’s share is at through Friday, June 16, including brunch. All inclusive: five nights, all meals, banquet, politicians. According to the press service least 20 percent in the money equivalent. entertainment, special speakers. of the PGO, these violations took place in The Kerch segment occupies a 12,960 March 2005 and are classified as crimes square kilometer territory. Its exploitation UNA members Non-UNA members will allow Ukraine to annually get addi- single occupancy $399 single occupancy $450 punishable under Article 163 (violation of double occupancy $345 pp double occupancy $360 pp the secrecy of telephone conversations) tional 4 billion cubic meters of gas and 3 Per night - Single $85 – Double $74 pp Per night - Single $95 – Double $82 pp and Article 424 (military officers exceed- million tons of petroleum. The tender’s ing their power or authority) of the winner will get a special license for BANQUET & ENTERTAINMENT only $35 pp Ukrainian Criminal Code. According to extracting carbohydrate fuels in the Kerch Call SOYUZIVKA at 845-626-5641 and register early. Limited space available. the press service, the PGO is presently segment for 30 years, and the agreement Organize a bus from your area, contact your local seniors’ club! questioning witnesses and victims, and may be then extended. The tender’s out- For further information please call Oksana Trytjak at 973-292-9800 ext. 3071. has scheduled forensic examinations in come was supposed to be made public on Senior Citizens’ Week is FUN, AFFORDABLE AND INTERESTING. connection with the case. Furthermore, the March 24. (Ukrinform) WE WELCOME GUESTS ! COME ONE, COME ALL! Procurator-General’s Office received from (Continued on page 21) No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 21

liturgy was celebrated in the basement of NEWSBRIEFS the church, as construction of the church (Continued from page 20) continues. The principal celebrant of the COUNCILMAN STEFAN TATARENKO Suspected arms trafficker extradited liturgy was Patriarch Lubomyr Husar, head of the UGCC. Liturgies will now be KYIV – Oleg Orlov, a Russian business- celebrated in the basement of the church man suspected by Ukrainian prosecutors of only on Sundays; on weekdays, liturgies illegal trade in weapons, was extradited from will be held at a temporary location on the the Czech Republic to Ukraine on February territory of the construction site. The con- cordially invites you to his 25, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Mr. Orlov, 57, struction of the patriarchal church should is accused of illicit sales in 1999 of a P14F be completed in 2007. (Religious radar to Eritrea and of Soviet-made Kh- Information Service of Ukraine) 55SM (also known as AS-15) cruise mis- UOC-MP recalls “Lviv Sobor” siles to China. Mr. Orlov unsuccessfully RE-ELECTION PARTY applied for asylum in the Czech Republic in KYIV – The Synod of the Ukrainian 2004 and was subsequently arrested at a Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate Prague airport while trying to leave for the (UOC-MP) held its first regular session of United Arab Emirates. (RFE/RL Newsline) the year, headed by Metropolitan Wednesday, April 26, 2006 Ukraine not to store spent nuclear fuel Volodymyr Sabodan, head of the UOC- MP, at the Kyivan Monastery of the Caves KYIV – Ukrainian Nuclear Regulation on February 9. At the beginning of the ses- 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Committee Chair Olena Mykolaichuk told sion, Metropolitan Volodymyr emphasized journalists on February 23 that Ukraine “the importance of the Lviv Church Sobor Valley Regency will not store foreign spent nuclear fuel in [Assembly] of 1946 for the history of a “central spent nuclear fuel storage facili- Orthodoxy in Ukraine. This year we will 1129 Valley Road, Clifton, New Jersey ty” that the country is going to be built at celebrate its 60th anniversary.” The synod the former Chornobyl nuclear power “decided to honor this historical event.” As plant, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Ms. a result, a special committee was created, Mykolaichuk was responding to criticism headed by Archbishop Serhii Hensytskyi from some politicians in Ukraine, includ- of Ternopil and Kremenets. The so-called $50 ing Yulia Tymoshenko, that the planned Lviv Sobor was held on March 8-10, 1946, facility is to keep spent nuclear fuel from with clergy of the Ukrainian Greek- many foreign countries, including the Catholic Church (UGCC) who were forcibly assembled by Soviet authorities. United States. Ms. Tymoshenko also cast Great People n Good Food n Open Bar doubt on the credibility of the U.S. com- The “sobor” declared that the UGCC had pany Holtec, which was selected by ended its union with Rome and “returned” Ukraine’s Enerhoatom last year to build to the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox such a storage facility at Chornobyl. “One Church. All the bishops of the UGCC and Paid for by Andrew Tatarenko, Treasurer important lesson from the natural gas cri- many priests, religious and faithful were sis in January 2006 is the need for Ukraine then imprisoned or sent to hard labor to strengthen its own energy security. The camps. The UGCC, which was liquidated Holtec-Enerhoatom agreement is a major by the Soviet government, went under- Contact Walter Hryckowian for information step in that direction,” the U.S. Embassy ground for more than 40 years, during in Kyiv said in a statement disseminated which it was the largest illegal religious (973) 471-2191 or (973) 777-4920 on February 23. (RFE/RL Newsline) organization in the world. (Religious Information Service of Ukraine) Funds allocated for St. Sophia Ukraine releases Putin coin KYIV – A total of 46.5 million hrv will be allocated for the restoration and reha- KYIV – Within the framework of an bilitation of the St. Sophia historical and all-Ukrainian and international event cultural preserve in 2006, reported geared toward popularizing the hryvnia http://www.for-ua.com, citing the press and on the occasion of 10th anniversary service of the Ministry of Construction, of its introduction into circulation, the Architecture and Municipal Housing presentation of the souvenir coin Services. According to the press service, “President Vladimir Putin of Russia” this is the first time in the history of inde- took place on February 8. According to pendent Ukraine that such a large sum the chairman of the Public Council, will be spent on the restoration of St. Valentyn Khaletskyi, the sketch and Sophia. The state budget will allocate 5 design of the coin were agreed upon with million hrv; the municipal budget will fur- Mr. Putin. Coins with images of Yulia nish 26.5 million, and the Donetsk region Tymoshenko, Viktor Yanukovych, will supply 15 million in the form of phil- Leonid Kuchma and Leonid Kravchuk anthropic contributions. The project’s top had been issued earlier. (Ukrinform) priority tasks include the restoration of the Religious relics returned to Crimea metropolitan’s building on the premises of St. Sophia. (The Day Weekly Digest) SYMFEROPOL – A relic reputed to be a piece of the true cross of Jesus Christ, Early Spring CD Special! Kinakh receives Lithuanian medal and other relics which were taken from Crimea in 1943, were returned to Ukraine KYIV – Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Anatolii on January 24. A delegation headed by Kinakh, while on a working visit to Metropolitan Lazar (Shvets) of Lithuania on February 16, was decorated Symferopol and Crimea of the Ukrainian 9 Month - 4.50% APY* with the Cross of Commander of the Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) welcomed at the Symferopol Order for Merits to Lithuania. Mr. Kinakh airport an ark containing a piece of the true received the high order from President 9 Month IRA - 4.65% APY* cross of Christ, and relics of St. Paraskeva Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania together and the martyr St. Panteleimon. Because with other foreign political figures, who, CLIFTON (PRINCIPAL) OFFICE the relics had been in danger for decades 851 A LLWOOD R OAD according to the Lithuanian leadership, because of religious repression under the (973) 471 -0700 made a significant contribution to the Soviet regime, they were taken out of modern history of the state. The order was Crimea in 1943. First they went to France; PASSAIC O FFICE also awarded to Belgian Defense Minister 229 H OPE A VE . since 1971, they had been kept at a Andre Flahaut, an active supporter of (973) 473 -5965 monastery in Jerusalem. When it became Lithuania’s integration with Euro-Atlantic known that the Crimean relics were being entities, and to Georgian State Minister for kept in Jerusalem, Metropolitan Lazar con- European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Toll Free: 1 -888 -226 -5853 tacted Archbishop Mark of Berlin- Giorgi Baramidze. (Ukrinform) Germany and Great Britain, overseer of www.bankuke.com

First liturgy at UGCC cathedral the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in * Limited time offer and may be withdrawn without prior notice. Annual Percentage Yield (APYs) shown is effective March 20 , 2006. Offer requires minimum deposit of $5,000.00. IRA accounts are eligible. Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. Jerusalem, with the request to return the Funds must remain on deposit until maturity to earn the stated APYs. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. KYIV – The first liturgy was celebrated ark with the relics to the St. Paraskeva Savings insured to $100,000, by NCUA, a U.S. Government Agency. Please, contact Valentina Kucap at 1 -888 -226 -5853 at the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church’s Women’s Monastery of the UOC-MP’s ext. -15 for further information. Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Symferopol-Crimea Eparchy. (Religious Resurrection in Kyiv on January 19. The Information Service of Ukraine) 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 23 TRAVEL TIPS: Surfing the web and direct flights to Ukraine

by Walter Prochorenko Website Round-trip air fare You’re an expert websurfer and an www.AeroSvit.com $728.50 experienced traveler, but finding the best www.AirGorilla.com $707.93 deal for a flight to Ukraine can still be a www.CheapSeats.com Not shown daunting experience. One of the reasons www.CheapTickets.com Not shown is that the only airline that flies directly www.Expedia.com $1,949.00 to Ukraine – AeroSvit – still does not www.Kayak.com $849.00 appear on many of the popular travel www.OneTravel.com Not shown sites. The other reason is that even if you www.Orbitz.com $859.00 do find AeroSvit flights on your favorite travel pages, the prices can be quite dif- For those who are not familiar with ferent from each other. AeroSvit or its flights, AeroSvit utilizes AeroSvit is not usually the least expen- Boeing aircraft and is the airline that took sive for such flights, but for a nine- to 10- over the Air Ukraine routes when Air hour flight, very few people are willing to Ukraine was no longer allowed to land its extend this time by adding the time it takes Soviet-era planes at international airports to connect on top of this. The cheapest fare due to noise and air pollution regulations. for this route was actually via Moscow For business travelers AeroSvit airlines with an Aeroflot/AeroSvit connection, can be a substantial bargain since the flight which came to $647, including taxes. costs can be 50 percent to 70 percent (and A recent survey of the most popular sometimes even more) less than connect- websites showed a marked difference in ing business-class flights on other airlines. pricing among them. The chart above Service on AeroSvit is a marked shows these differences for an AeroSvit improvement over the old Air Ukraine flight originating at New York’s JFK flights that were often marred by very International Airport to Boryspil for the poor quality of service, bland meals and dates March 19-26. Please note that taxes noisy airplanes. can be a large portion of your flight bill. For those who don’t want to purchase The AeroSvit flight fare on its website tickets online, you can still call your showed a charge of $484, but the tax on local travel agent and ask for a booking top of this was $244.50. on AeroSvit.

Notice to publishers and authors It is The Ukrainian Weekly’s policy to run news items and/or reviews of newly published books, booklets and reprints, as well as records and premiere issues of periodicals only after receipt by the editorial offices of a copy of the material in question. Send new releases and information (where publication may be purchased, cost, etc.) to: Editorial Staff, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 UNWLA branch hosts screening of “Between Hitler and Stalin”

Branch 98 members with their guest speaker: (sitting from left) Victoria Mischenko, Professor Taras Hunczak, Anna Krawczuk, (standing) M.Orysia Jacus, Maria Polanskyj, Luba Bilowchtchuk, Olha Hunczak, Rita Oberleitner and Irene Krawczuk.

by Irene Krawczuk Admission was free and refreshments were served. The program included a dis- MANALAPAN, N.J. – Ukrainian cussion period following the film, con- National Women’s League of America ducted by Dr. Taras Hunczak, professor Branch 98 of Holmdel/Middletown, N.J., emeritus of Rutgers University. and the Monmouth County Library My mother, father, brother and sister Branch 98 President Victoria Mischenko, Headquarters co-sponsored a screening of welcomed Prof. Hunczak and Olha the documentary film “Between Hitler and Hunczak, members of the branch, as well as and the rest of the family have life Stalin: Ukraine in World War II – the the audience of more than 100 people. Untold Story” on February 4. This stunning The purpose of the screening was to insurance. What about me? film was produced and directed by Slawko inform the public about World War II in Nowytski for the Ukrainian Canadian Ukraine where, according to Edgar Snow, a Rates are low. See the chart on the Research and Documentation Center U.S. war correspondent, “the whole titanic (UCRDC) and is narrated by Jack Palance. struggle was first of all a Ukrainian war.” Graphic archival footage of events of the next page for more information. Irene Krawczuk is secretary of UNWLA Branch 98. (Continued on page 27) No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 25

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Boston activists promote Famine curriculum

The UNA has a single payment plan that will insure your child’s life at $5,000 for one low payment. Find your child’s age below and that’s all you have to pay. Call today for your application. 1-800-253-9862.

AGE PREMIUM Seen during the Ukrainian community representatives’ meeting with Sid Smith of the Boston School District are: (first row, from left) Dr. Lubomyr Hajda, Anna 0 $ 300.00 Raniuk, Maria Walzer, Dr. Oleksander Zaytsev, (second row) Father Roman Tarnawsky, Mr. Smith and Father Yaroslav Nalysnyk. 1 $ 300.00 2 $ 310.00 BOSTON – Back in November 2005, “The Forced Famine in Ukraine 1932- a group of Ukrainians met with Sid 1933: Curriculum and Resource Guide 3 $ 310.00 Smith, who is in charge of the history for Educators” includes a 29-page section curriculum for the Boston School for teachers and a 33-page section for 4 $ 320.00 District, to discuss the inclusion of infor- students. (Copies of the curriculum guide mation about the Ukrainian Famine- are available from the UNA Home Office 5 $ 330.00 Genocide of 1932-1933 on the history by calling or writing to Steven Woch, 6 $ 340.00 website used by the school district’s Ukrainian National Association, 2200 teachers. Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054; 973- 7 $ 355.00 Present at the meeting were: Anna 292-9800, ext. 3013. Copies of the guide Raniuk, a survivor of the Famine; Father are free; however, there is a postage 8 $ 365.00 Yaroslav Nalysnyk and Roman charge.) 9 $ 380.00 Tarnawsky, respectively, of the local The Ukrainian community activists Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox parish- also presented Mr. Smith with a booklet 10 $ 395.00 es; Dr. Lubomyr Hajda of Harvard that contains copies of a selection of tes- University; Dr. Oleksander Zaytsev of timonies from the three-volume report of the Ukrainian Catholic University in the U.S. Commission on the Ukraine Lviv; and Maria Walzer, vice-president Famine, a bibliography of books and of the Boston Chapter of the Ukrainian websites that have information about the Congress Committee of America. Famine, and a copy of a proclamation on Ukrainian National After reviewing the material present- the Ukrainian Genocide issued in 2004 ed, Mr. Smith said he would place it on by Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. the website provided he had the permis- (Copies of the booklet are available to Federal Credit Union sion of Dr. Myron B. Kuropas, an educa- the public for $3. Checks should be made tor and historian, to scan his curriculum payable to the UCCA Boston Chapter guide, which was released by the and orders sent to: Maria Walzer, 11 The shortest way Ukrainian National Association. Dr. Green Valley Road, Medway, MA Kuropas readily agreed. 02053.) to your first million!

concluded that he is looking for the same • Deposits • Investments UCCA New York... standards in the United States – fairness • IRA • Credit cards (Continued from page 10) in the vote count and no stuffing of bal- supra-nationalist. Ukraine will have to lots – and would call everything the way and many other financial products develop a variety of vectors, including he sees it when monitoring the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine. one toward Russia, he added. MAIN OFFICE: Later, elaborating on how he envi- Rep. Crowley, whose congressional BRANCH in BROOKLYN, NY: sioned a vector toward Russia, Rep. district includes Queens and the Bronx, is 215 Second Ave. 1678 Ö 17th St. Hastings underscored that President a member of the House Committee on (between 13th & 14th St.) Brooklyn, NY 11229 International Relations and an active Vladimir Putin is one of the world’s New York, NY 10003 Tel.: (718) 376-5057 “craftiest politicians” who recognizes the member of the Congressional Ukrainian Tel.: (212) 533-2980 significance of the Russian population in Caucus. Fax: (718) 376-5670 Ukraine. He added that the Ukrainian Rep. Hastings is a member of the Fax: (212) 995-5204 Toll Free: 1-866-857-2464 leadership has to deal with that fact. Permanent Select Committee on “Russia has also not gotten over losing Intelligence and the president of the NEW JERSEY BRANCHES the near abroad,” and Ukraine can expect Parliamentary Assembly, Organization that Russia will continue to manipulate for Security and Cooperation in Europe that situation, Rep. Hastings said, empha- (OSCE). In this role, the congressman 35 Main St. 265 Washington Ave. sizing that the relationship is complicated will lead the U.S. delegation to observe So. Bound Brook, NJ 08880 Carteret, NJ 07008 and sustained work is needed. the upcoming Ukrainian elections, serve Tel.: (732) 469-9085 Tel.: (732) 802-0480 Rep. Crowley added that whichever as the parliamentarian in charge of all vector Ukraine chooses, what is most international observers and have the Fax: (732) 469-9165 Fax: (732) 802-0484 important is transparency in foreign rela- important duty of announcing the final tions. conclusion on behalf of the international Rep. Hastings, who hails from Florida, community. Call us toll free 1-866-859-5848 e-mail: [email protected] • website: www.uofcu.org Need a back issue? If you’d like to obtain a back issue of The Ukrainian Weekly, send $2 per copy (first-class postage included) to: Administration, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13 No. 13 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 27

OUT AND ABOUT The next issue of The Ukrainian Weekly’s

April 1 Cabaret Night fund-raiser for Ukrainian American Whippany, NJ Cultural Center of New Jersey, 973-537-7053 WeddingWedding April 1 Benefit dinner for Ukrainian Catholic University, Jenkintown, PA 773-235-8462 AnnouncementsAnnouncements will appear in the April 30, 2006, issue. April 1 “James Giles Project” Concert, Ukrainian Institute New York of America, 212-288-8660 For a wedding announcement to be included in that issue, all information must be received in our offices by April 20, 2006. April 2 Pysanky workshop, Immaculate Conception Church, Hillside, NJ 908-289-0127 Along with wedding announcements, we will include greetings from friends, April 4 Roundtable discussion about Ukraine’s parliamentary family members, bridesmaids and ushers – from all those Ottawa elections, Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University who wish to share in the excitement of a new marriage. of Ottawa, 613-562-5800, ext. 3692 We hope you will announce your wedding in April 7 Ukrainian Easter Bazaar, St. Mary’s Ukrainian The Ukrainian Weekly, or send a greeting to your favorite newlyweds. North Port, FL Catholic Church, 941-426-2182 Rates for announcements and greetings: April 8 Easter Festival, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox New Britain, CT Church hall, 860-828-5087 One-column wedding announcement: $100 Two-column wedding announcement: $200 April 11 Roundtable discussion on Ukraine’s parliamentary Wedding greeting: $75 Toronto elections, University of Toronto, 416-947-8113 For further information or to request a brochure, Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions please call (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040, from all our readers; please send e-mail to [email protected]. Items will be e-mail: [email protected] published at the discretion of the editors and as space allows; photos will be Visit www.ukrweekly.com to view a wedding announcement sample page. considered. Please note: items will be printed a maximum of two times each.

UNWLA branch... (Continued from page 24) war combined with compelling witness accounts and comments by well-known authorities are presented in the film. RETIREMENT? These elements combine to reveal how greatly Ukraine suffered in the great conflict between the regimes of Hitler and Stalin. One chilling statistic, provided by Snow, is that “no fewer than 10 million people had ARE YOU READY? been lost” to Ukraine since 1941. Prof. Hunczak engaged the enthusias- tic audience in a post-screening question and answer period. He spoke of his own wartime experience, as well as answered many questions posed by a very interest- ed audience. Some questions revealed a lack of public awareness of the plight of Ukraine during the war. The lively session ended with applause and appreciation from many who compli- mented Branch 98 members and asked if other similar events were scheduled. Branch members were delighted at the audience response, thanked Prof. Hunczak for his participation, and agreed to plan other events to further public awareness of Ukrainian history and culture. Last year Branch 98 collaborated with the library on two special events: the screening of the film “Harvest of Despair,” and a monthlong exhibit of Ukrainian arts and crafts provided by its members. Both screened films have been donated to the library. UNWLA Branch 98 expressed grati- tude to the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, and, in particular, Flora Higgins for co-sponsoring these events.

Want to reach us by e-mail? Editorial materials: [email protected] Production Department: UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC. [email protected] 2200 ROUTE 10, PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 Subscription Department: 800-253-9862 [email protected] FAX: 973-292-0900 Advertising Department: [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected] 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2006 No. 13

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Friday, March 31 Education Foundation at 773-235-8462 or Soyuzivka’s Datebook e-mail [email protected]. NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Art and March 31 - April 2, 2006 May 20, 2006 Literary Club presents “Remembrances,” Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2 Plast Kurin “Chornomorski Khvyli” Wedding an evening of personal accounts by mem- Annual Rada bers of the Shukhevych family. Speakers SILVER SPRING, Md.: H oly Trinity Ukrainian Language Immersion May 21, 2006 will include Ulana Starosolska, George Ukrainian Catholic Church, located at Weekend offered at SUNY Communion Luncheon Banquet Jarymowycz, Jaroslawa Gerulak and oth- 16631 New Hampshire Ave., will hold an New Paltz ers. Lavrentia Turkewicz will provide an Easter Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. eyewitness account with commentaries on Traditional Ukrainian food, to eat in or take May 26-29, 2006 out, will be available; selections include April 2, 2006 U NA Convention the Shukhevych convention in Ukraine which took place in July 2005. Donation: varenyky, holubtsi, bigos, borsch, babka and Wedding Shower $7; students, $5. The event will take place paska. Pysanky and Ukrainian crafts will be June 2-4, 2006 at 7 p.m. at the Mayana Gallery, 136 on sale. For information call 301-365-2490. April 7-9 2006 Ukrainian Language Immersion Second Ave., fourth floor. For more infor- Saturday, April 8 BUG (Brooklyn Ukrainian Group) Weekend offered at SUNY mation call (212) 260-4490 or (212) 477- Spring Cleaning Volunteer Weekend New Paltz 6175, log on to www.geocities.com/ukrartl- NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific itclub/, or e-mail [email protected]. Society (NTSh) invites all to a presentation of April 16, 2006 June 3, 2006 two Ukrainian-language publications about F riday, March 31-Friday, April 7 Traditional Ukrainian Easter Day Wedding Lesia Ukrainka (1871-1913) in honor of her Brunch, doors open at 11:30 a.m. NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Art and 135th birthday. Tamara Skrypka will present June 5-9, 2006 Literary Club finalizes its activities at its “Aristocratic Origins of the Kosach Family” April 18-19, 2006 Eparchial Clergy Retreat present location with an exhibit titled “The (Lviv, 1999), and “Larysa Petrivna Kosach- Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Shukhevyches: A Family Album,” featur- Kvitka (Lesia Ukrainka). Biographic Program June 10, 2006 ing a historical overview of the legendary Materials. Memoirs. Iconography” (Kyiv- Wedding clan through photos. Gallery hours: New York, 2004). There will be an introduc- April 22, 2006 Friday, 6-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 tion by Dr. Olexa Bilaniuk and a commentary p.m.. The exhibit will open at 7 p.m. at the by NTSh President Dr. Larissa Zaleska Alpha Kappa Sorority Formal J une 11-16, 2006 Onyshkevych. The program will take place at Dinner Banquet UNA Seniors’ Conference Mayana Gallery, 136 Second Ave., fourth floor. For more information call (212) the society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 p.m. For April 23, 2006 June 16-18, 2006 260-4490 or (212) 477-6175, log on to www.geocities.com/ukrartlitclub/, or e- additional information call (212) 254-5130. Traditional Ukrainian Easter Day 3rd Annual Adoption Weekend mail [email protected]. Brunch, doors open at 11:30 a.m. NEW BRITAIN, Conn.: The 12th annual June 17, 2006 Saturday, April 1 Ukrainian Easter Festival will be held at St. April 28, 2006 Wedding Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church hall, 54 CHICAGO: The Ukrainian Business and Winter St. (behind Newbrite Plaza) at 9:30 Ellenville High School Junior Prom a.m.-3 p.m. Snow date is Saturday, April 15. June 18, 2006 Professional Group (UBPG) of Chicago, the Ukrainian National Museum (UNM) of Pysanky and egg-decorating supplies will April 28-30, 2006 Father’s Day Luncheon and Program Chicago and the Ukrainian Studies Program be featured; other highlights: Easter breads, Spa Weekend organized by at Columbia University invite members and varenyky, stuffed cabbage, borsch, home- UNWLA Branch 95 June 23-24, 2006 the community to a panel discussion on made cakes and desserts. Lunch and takeout Plast Kurin “Shostokryli” Rada “Culture and Identity in Contemporary will be available. Admission and parking April 29, 2006 Ukraine.” Three scholars from Ukraine and (behind the church) are free. For informa- Birthday Party Banquet June 24, 2006 North America will tackle issues of religion, tion call 860-828-5087 or 800-829-1999. politics and language: Dr. Mykola Riabchuk, TAPS New York Beer Festival Wedding Sunday, April 9 at Hunter Mountain, round trip National University of Kyiv Mohyla bus from Soyuzivka, $20; June 25-July 2, 2006 Academy, will discuss the policies of post- ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The Washington special room rate - $60/night Tabir Ptashat Session #1 Communist governments in Ukraine; Dr. Group Cultural Fund cordially invites the Yuri Shevchuk, Ukrainian Studies Program public to the final event of its Sunday Music May 5-7, 2006 June 25-July 7, 2006 at Columbia University, will analyze the Series, 2005-2006 season. This not-to-be desire for cultural autonomy and the contin- Ukrainian Language Immersion Tennis Camp missed concert will feature the U.S. debut of uing dominance of Russian culture in winners of the International Competition for Weekend offered at SUNY Ukraine; Dr. Frank Sysyn, Canadian New Paltz June 26-June 30, 2006 Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the Horowitz. The two very talented winners – Exploration Day Camp University of Alberta, will examine the role from Ukraine and Russia – will perform May 14, 2006 of religious affiliation in the Orange works by J.S. Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Lysenko, Mother’s Day Brunch Revolution. The presentation will be held at Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Skjiabin and 7 p.m. at the Ukrainian National Museum of Sousa. The concert will take place at 3 p.m. Chicago, 721 N. Oakley Blvd. Admission: at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Old $10 for UBPG and UNM members; $15 Town, Alexandria. Suggested donation: non-members and guests. For additional $20; free for students. This concert is spon- information, call the museum, 312-421- sored by TWGCF in cooperation with the 8020, or Anna, 847-359-3676. Embassy of Ukraine. For more information please call 202-244-8836 or 703-838-4994. To book a room or event call: (845) 626-5641, ext. 140 JENKINTOWN, Pa.: All are cordially 216 Foordmore Road P.O. Box 529 invited to attend a special benefit dinner for Tuesday, April 11 Kerhonkson, NY 12446 the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, E-mail: [email protected] to be held at 5 p.m. at the Ukrainian TORONTO: The Petro Jacyk Program for Educational and Cultural Center, 700 Cedar Website: www.Soyuzivka.com the Study of Ukraine at the University of Road. The main speaker at the dinner will Toronto invites the public to attend the be the Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak, rector of the roundtable “2006 Parliamentary Elections in Ukrainian Catholic University. Ukraine” that will feature Dominique Arel Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka, (Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of honorary chair of the event, will be a guest Ottawa); Daniel Bilak (United Nations of honor at the dinner.A film will be Development Program, advisor to the gov- shown, along with various exhibits from ernment of Ukraine); Adrian Karatnycky the university. Tickets are $40 and should (founder and president, The Orange Circle); be purchased by March 27. Tickets may be and Inna Pidluska (president, Foundation purchased at the Ukrainian Educational and Europe XXI, Kyiv). The event will start at 5 Cultural Center in Jenkintown, the p.m. at the Vivian and David Campbell Byzantine Church Supply Store at the Conference Facility, Munk Center for cathedral, Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal International Studies, 1 Devonshire Place. Credit Union, First Security Bank or from For information call 416-946-8113, e-mail individual committee members. For more [email protected] or log on to information call the Ukrainian Catholic www.utoronto.ca/jacyk/.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Listings of no more than 100 words (written in Preview format) plus payment should be sent a week prior to desired date of publication to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510. Items may be e-mailed to [email protected].