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INSIDE: • An advance look at Ukraine’s parliamentary elections — page 2. • The Zarvanytsia shrine, St. Michael of the Golden Domes — page 8. • Our Christmas traditions live on — page 9. HE KRAINI A N EEKLY T PublishedU by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW association Vol. LXVI No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 $1.25/$2 in Ukraine

Peace Corps in Ukraine: Verkhovna Rada OKs 1998 budget five years of involvement thanks to cooperation with Cabinet by Roman Woronowycz Corps regulations direct that no one stay by Roman Woronowycz ing Vice Prime Minister Serhii Tyhypko, Kyiv Press Bureau in one spot for more than five years. Kyiv Press Bureau Finance Minister Ihor Mitiukov and Brendan Daly, the press director of Minister of the Economy Viktor Suslov, KYIV — When Jerry Dutkewych the Peace Corps in Washington, KYIV — Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada after each reading of the budget to iron out arrived here in November 1992 as the explained that the decision to renew Mr. endorsed the national budget for 1998 on differences and address issues raised by first country director of the Peace Corps Dutkewych’s contract was straightfor- December 30, 1997, dodging any possibili- the national deputies during their plenary in Ukraine, in charge of the first inter- ward. “We are pleased with the work he ty that once again a budget would not be in s e s s i o n s . governmental collaboration between has done. He has been very effective. He place as the fiscal year began. In the third and final reading, the budget Ukraine and the United States, he had an has begun a number of projects that we By voting for the budget, 240 to 45, the smoothly flew through Parliament. When American staff of three, a small, felt he could best complete,” said Mr. legislature avoided a repeat of 1997, when issues could not be resolved, such as a Ukrainian support staff, two telephones Daly. it could not approve a 1997 budget until the desire by the Cabinet of Ministers, for and a load of boxes. Roman Shpek, chairman of Ukraine’s middle of the fiscal year, which made it approval of a bill to revamp the corporate “We did have offices, but they were National Agency for Reconstruction and necessary to institute emergency budgets tax structure, an issue left over from the very primitive. Many of the staff were Development, while congratulating the based on expenditures from the previous great budget debacle of 1997, they tem- working on top of boxes, the furniture Peace Corps and Mr. Dutkewych on five year beginning on January 1. porarily shelved it. That bill and several hadn’t arrived yet. We had two tele- years’ work in Ukraine at a party thrown The big difference this year was that the others will be looked at in the several ses- phones and 50 volunteers in training,” in the organization’s honor at the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of sions that are still left before this said Mr. Dutkewych, a 49-year-old American Business Center in Kyiv on Ministers worked together and not against Verkhovna Rada completes its work and each other. The Verkhovna Rada budget Detroit native of Ukrainian descent. December 8, 1997, made the comment prepares for elections. committee, headed by National Deputy When the first group of 47 volunteers, that when even the president of the U.S. The 1998 budget authorizes outlays of Volodymyr Pustovoitovskyi, a member of who came to Ukraine in fulfillment of an is limited to two terms Mr. Dutkewych’s 21.1 billion hrv against revenues of 24.5 the Communist faction, met with represen- agreement signed by U.S. President billion hrv. The deficit of 3.4 billion hrv (Continued on page 3) tatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, includ- George Bush and Ukraine’s President comes to 3.3 percent of the GDP, which is Leonid Kravchuk, went into the field in close to the guidelines that the International February 1993 they had to deal with Monetary Fund requires that Ukraine meet Ukrainians who could not understand CHRIST IS BORN — GLORIFY H I M ! in order to receive additional IMF financial why well-educated, young Americans s u p p o r t . were doing volunteer work in this post- Ukraine is counting on foreign sources Soviet country, which a few short years of borrowing to the tune of 2.3 billion hrv, ago was considered a prime U.S. enemy. much of it promised IMF money, to help “In a humorous way we were often asked defray some of the deficit. The other 1.1 if we were here gathering intelligence,” billion hrv will be covered by internal explained Mr. Dutkewych. sources of borrowing. Less humorous were visits by mem- For the first time the Verkhovna Rada bers of the local militia after volunteers voted to include in the budget a list of had arrived in cities and towns to begin items that must be maintained as expen- their projects, who wanted to know the diture priorities, including wage pay- nature of the work the volunteers were to ments to government workers, purchases undertake. But those misunderstandings of adequate food supplies, medicine pur- were cleared up after more contact with chases and servicing interest on the local and state officials. “Today we don’t national debt. have those problems.” said Mr. Dutkewych. Now, after five years of developing the organization’s infrastructure, the Procurator general Peace Corps can be found in every oblast of Ukraine, and most people know what investigates Lazarenko it is that the group does. “I think one of our biggest successes is that Ukrainians by Roman Woronowycz know that Peace Corps volunteers are in Ukraine,” said Mr. Dutkewych. by Kyiv Press Bureau Today he works closely with many of KYIV — The business and personal Ukraine’s state organizations and min- dealings of Pavlo Lazarenko, the leading istries, including the National Agency critic of Ukraine’s President Leonid for Reconstruction and Development and Kuchma and a potential presidential can- the Ministry of Education, to expand and didate in the 1999 elections, are being deepen the Peace Corps’ involvement in investigated by Ukraine’s procurator gen- this country of 50.9 million. He has a eral as counter-charges fly that revelations volunteer group of 190 U.S. citizens of possible criminal wrongdoing are part working in 78 cities in all the oblasts of of a plan developed by the president’s Ukraine, who will be joined by 45 addi- administration to discredit the former tional volunteers in February to make the prime minister and his Hromada Party. Peace Corps-Ukraine the organization’s Acting Procurator General Oleh largest country project in the world. He Lytvak announced on December 26, has a support staff of 38, proper accom- 1997, that his department is investigat- modations and plenty of telephones. ing former Prime Minister Lazarenko on He also was renewed for a third term charges of unlawful use and concealment of assignment, the first time a country of currency earnings. The announcement director has been given a third tour; not an easy achievement given that Peace A Christmas card published by Molode Zhyttia featuring artwork by Edward Kozak. (Continued on page 7) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1

ANALYSIS

The Ukrainian parliamentary election campaign: Ukraine’s population continues to decline Antonov tests new aircraft parties aplenty, but how much democracy? KYIV — As a result of rising death KYIV — The Antonov Design rates and falling birth rates, the population Bureau’s new aircraft, the AN-70, is cur- of Ukraine declined by approximately rently being tested, the Antonov press ser- by Markian Bilynskyj commission’s composition. Being responsi- 400,000 people in 1997, the State Statistics vice reported on December 18, 1997. The ble, among other things, for approving party KYIV — The chairman of the newly Committee announced on December 26, AN-70 is to replace the AN-12, which lists, the lists of voter signatures and, most 1997. The country’s population now recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. constituted Central Electoral Commission critically, supervising and approving ballot (CEC) on November 14, 1997, announced stands at 50.48 million, down from 50.85 Experts expect it to go on being used until counting, the CEC will play a critical role million a year ago. (RFE/RL Newsline) 2005-2010. At present, 70 AN-12s are in the official start of the March 1998 parlia- not only in the forthcoming parliamentary mentary election campaign. In fact, the use in Ukraine and 700 around the world. elections but also in the 1999 presidential Kuchma responds to Council of Europe (Eastern Economist) campaign had begun in earnest much earli- elections. er. Some political parties had already held The list submitted by President Kuchma KYIV — In a letter to the president of Top business schools hold MBA fair their election-dominated party conferences for Verkhovna Rada approval contained the Parliamentary Assembly of the even before President Leonid Kuchma several nominees from the administration. Council of Europe, President Leonid KYIV — Three European MBA somewhat reluctantly signed the new elec- The president’s apparently blatant attempt Kuchma of Ukraine said he and his gov- schools, the London Business School and tion law on October 23. Together with the to pack the CEC was unacceptable to many ernment have done all they could to end the French INSEAD and Spanish IESE creation of the CEC this was the key pre- national deputies – and not just from the left the death penalty in Ukraine as they had held an MBA Fair on November 15, 1997, condition for the campaign’s formal com- – who were quick to claim that this was promised, but that the country’s at Ukraine House. About 200 Ukrainians m e n c e m e n t . simply the president’s latest attempt to stall Verkhovna Rada had refused to act, ITAR- turned up to find out about enrollment and The new election law creates a so-called election preparations as a pretext for their TASS reported on December 24, 1997. possible financing. The relatively high mixed majoritarian-proportional system. eventual cancellation. President Kuchma The Parliamentary Assembly has said it tuition fees can be paid through special Two hundred and twenty five deputies will categorically refused to submit alternative will suspend Ukraine’s participation in that loan programs financed by the European be elected directly in single mandate nominees, and a compromise was eventual- body unless it abolishes the death penalty, Bank for Reconstruction and Development majoritarian districts. An additional 225 ly reached whereby all but the most obvious something the Verkhovna Rada has and ABN-AMRO Bank. Under the student deputies will enter the Verkhovna Rada on pro-presidential individuals were approved. refused to do. (RFE/RL Newsline) loan program, the bank pays a student’s party lists in proportion to the number of This compromise gave the CEC the nec- tuition fees. The annual percentage rate Long ballot may stall elections votes their political party receives nation- essary two-thirds quorum with which it ranges from 8 to 13 percent and the re- payment period is 13.5 years. The banks wide. In order to be represented in the could begin its work. (President Kuchma KYIV — Central Election Commission stipulate that recipients of such loans must Verkhovna Rada, parties must receive no has in fact vetoed the CEC law on the Chairman Mykhailo Riabets told return to Eastern or Central Europe and less than 4 percent of the total votes cast. grounds that certain provisions compromise Ukrainian Television on December 24, work there for at least three years after Neither the adoption of the election law its independent status. Administration 1997, that Kyiv might have to delay parlia- graduation. According to LBS Marketing nor the creation of the CEC were straight- spokesmen insisted that this did not prevent mentary elections scheduled for March and Enquiries Manager Mary Ferreira, it is forward affairs. The election law was adopt- the CEC from functioning because the pres- because the country lacks the physical much easier to get financing for the pro- ed by the Verkhovna Rada after approxi- ident had no reservations over the mecha- capacity to print what would be three- mately nine months of sometimes acrimo- nism by which the members of the CEC gram than to actually enroll in the MBA meter-long ballots. The ballots are so program. All three schools are highly rated nious debate. During that time, alliances themselves had been confirmed.) lengthy because the Verkhovna Rada has formed and vanished in almost kaleidoscop- Differences between the Verkhovna in Europe and have a very competitive required a large amount of personal data to selection procedure. (Eastern Economist) ic fashion, as new and established parties Rada and the president are nothing new. be listed under each name. (RFE/RL sought to secure the inside track by shifting What was more interesting in the dispute Newsline) (Continued on page 16) their support between the various electoral over the CEC were the dynamics within models. Indeed, one of the few constant fea- the Verkhovna Rada itself. Several groups tures was the almost identical stance adopt- had a shared interest in prolonging the ed by Rukh and the Communists – the only deadlock. First, there were elements of the U.N. report predicts further decline two Ukrainian parties that can genuinely left, and some independents, who support- claim to have anything beyond a narrow ed the old, exclusively majoritarian elec- Eastern Economist Ukrainian HDI is likely to decrease even regional influence – as they strove to con- toral system. Having lost that particular further because of falling life expectancy, KYIV— The United Nations worsening education and public health solidate their edge at their respective ends battle, they saw the CEC issue as another Development Program’s annual Human of the political spectrum. way of frustrating the implementation of a standards, as well as the decline in the Development Report on Ukraine predicts gross domestic product. Moreover, President Kuchma proved to new electoral system. that quality of life in Ukraine will contin- be a rather reluctant midwife to the new Then, there were those parties – princi- The population numbers 50.9 million ue to decline in the near future. in Ukraine, 72.7 percent of whom are election law. The reason behind the presi- pally the Communist, and Socialist and “The report is a U.N. publication, but it dent’s vacillation was a nagging uncertainty Peasants’ (SPP) – that viewed any delay as ethnic Ukrainians. “The demographic sit- is a Ukrainian document, prepared by uation is very serious,” Prof. Valentyna within the administration – an uncertainty a way to put the squeeze on potential com- Ukrainians and to be used by Ukrainians,” characterized by the fact that the president petitors. Under the new election law each Steshenko reported. “Since 1970, aver- said the head of the United Nations Office age life expectancy has fallen 4.5 years had on at least three occasions publicly party had to collect at least 200,000 voters’ in Ukraine, Pedro Pablo Villanueva. The changed his preference for the various elec- signatures (including at least 10,000 from for men and 2.5 years for women,” report, prepared jointly by the UNDP and 14 separate oblasts) by December 19, 1997. reaching 62 and 73 years, respectively. toral models – over what kind of a team of national experts and policy- Verkhovna Rada the new election law The larger parties – such as the Migration trends continue to be nega- makers, analyzes living standards, the would produce. Communists and Rukh, as well as possibly tive, with about 50,000 highly educated labor market and welfare provision. specialists emigrating each year. “With At one point in mid-October, the presi- the SPP, the National Democratic Party of The so-called Human Development the situation continuing to deteriorate, dent had even made a public show of seri- Ukraine (NDPU) and the Agrarian Party – Index, consisting of factors such as mor- people are going elsewhere to find a better ously considering the arguments of those possess a sufficiently broad party or politi- tality rates, life expectancy, education place to live,” noted Mr. Villanueva. The national deputies who claimed that the cal base to have met this target under a very and economic indicators, places Ukraine Human Development Report was released mixed electoral law is unconstitutional. compressed schedule without difficulty. 95th among 175 countries. The in Kyiv on December 10, 1997. The primary objection of opponents is that For the Communists and the SPP the tar- the law discriminates against independent get was, and remains, the maverick candidates by allowing those on party lists Progressive Socialist Party (PSP). For the to run simultaneously in single mandate purposes of the parliamentary elections at FOUNDED 1933 constituencies. (These national deputies least, the PSP has settled into a potentially TH E UK R A I N I A N WE E K LY rewarding populist groove of criticizing the remain fundamentally opposed to the An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., mixed system and will very likely petition leadership of the traditional left (including a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. the Constitutional Court in the near Oleksander Moroz, the Socialist chairman Yearly subscription rate: $60; for UNA members — $40. future.) Eventually, however, President of the Verkhovna Rada) for betraying their ideological heritage no less vigorously than Second-class postage paid at Jersey City, NJ 07302. Kuchma simply returned the law to the (ISSN — 0273-9348) Verkhovna Rada with some relatively it attacks the Kuchma administration and minor observations. The Verkhovna Rada government. This kind of procedural attri- Also published by the UNA: Svoboda, a Ukrainian-language daily newspaper very quickly accommodated these reserva- tion could also have worked in favor of the (annual subscription fee: $100; $75 for UNA members). tions, leaving the president little choice but larger parties at the other end of the spec- trum, such as Rukh and the PDP. The Weekly and Svoboda: UNA: to sign the law. Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 The major contention regarding the CEC Most observers concur that money will concerned not so much the law itself but the play a much bigger role in these parliamen- Postmaster, send address Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz tary elections than in 1994 and that support changes to: Assistant editor: Khristina Lew will therefore not necessarily be based on The Ukrainian Weekly Staff editors: Roman Woronowycz (Kyiv) Markian Bilynskyj is director of the political convictions. Thus, it is very diffi- Pylyp Orlyk Institute, an independent 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 Andrij Kudla Wynnyckyj (To r o n t o ) cult at the moment to predict which parties Parsippany, NJ 07054 Irene Jarosewich public policy, research and information will actually cross the 200,000 signature center located in Kyiv that is supported threshold. Indeed, by the end of the first The Ukrainian Weekly, January 4, 1998, No. 1, Vol. LXVI by the Washington-based U.S.-Ukraine Copyright © 1998 The Ukrainian Weekly Foundation. (Continued on page 12) No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 3 Peace Corps... (Continued from page 1) success here must truly be amazing. For his part, Mr. Dutkewych explained that his success is merely evi- dence of the success the Peace Corps has enjoyed here. The organization that Mr. Dutkewych directs in Ukraine today is not your daddy’s Peace Corps. Although the vol- unteers are still all college – educated, today Peace Corps volunteers come with work experience and living experiences, not just a degree and youthful enthusi- asm, which were the only real require- ments when the Peace Corps began its work in the early 1960s. And their field work today is done more often in busi- ness offices than on the street or in the village. The average age of the volunteers in Ukraine today is 35, and about half have master’s degrees. Those in the business development program must also show at least five years’ work experience in the business sector to qualify for a volunteer assignment in Ukraine. In the 1960s most volunteers were fresh out of college with degrees in liberal arts. The 400 volunteers who have served in Ukraine since 1992 are the key to the success of the Peace Corps program here. Their mission is to teach Ukrainians Western business practices Peace Corps volunteers in Ukraine with Jerry Dutkewych, country director for Ukraine. and to give them exposure to Western standards and Western life. Today Peace Corps volunteers teach Nations and the U.S. Environmental But Mr. Dutkewych said there is a English in secondary schools and at Protection Agency. Mr. Dutkewych said deeper underlying theme that runs teacher re-certification institutes. There a team of volunteers would also develop through all the Peace Corps programs, are several volunteers assigned to Kyiv an ad campaign on the environment and which it tries to instill in Ukrainians — State University and the Ministry of the individual’s role in maintaining it. that “individuals need to take it upon Education to develop teacher preparatory While the volunteers, whether ecology themselves to make change happen.” materials, textbooks and audio cassettes consultants, English teachers or business It is up to the volunteers, who are the on how to teach English. Volunteers also advisors, work to complete their primary ground troops, to instill that notion. They aid teachers and school administrators in assignments, they are encouraged to are given three months’ training in lan- requesting textbooks from U.S. publish- develop secondary projects that might guage, culture and customs, in the histo- ers. To date 200,000 English-language fulfill personal interests or a need in the ry of the country and in its current eco- books have been gathered for Ukrainian community in which they are placed, as nomic development after they arrive in schools and libraries. well. Mr. Dutkewych cited numerous pro- Ukraine. When they go into the field New project focuses on environment they must rely on that and their educa- jects that have blossomed in Ukraine tion and general knowledge to get the job The newest Peace Corps program, ini- from the personal initiatives of a volun- done. tiated on December 10, 1997, when 16 teer. One was an Earth Day clean-up volunteers were sworn in at the American campaign along the Dnipro River in Economic development a priority Business Center by U.S. Ambassador to May. A project that started with a class The first volunteers in Ukraine Ukraine William Green Miller, is the of English-language students cleaning up worked on the economic development environmental protection project. Its aim trash along the banks of the Dnipro River project, whose aim it is to transfer free is environmental education and public one weekend mushroomed into a com- market business skills and expertise to awareness, as well as community devel- munity effort that eventually collected those who are interested in entrepreneur- opment. 20,000 pounds of trash. Jerry Dutkewych ial careers. That project continues with Many of the 16 volunteers will spend In Zaporizhia, volunteers helped the cent leave before training is complete 89 of the 199 volunteers involved. time in the Carpathian Mountains in vil- handicapped purchase sewing machines (the world rate is 26 percent). And more They work in regional and municipal lages and small towns working on to put their skills to use and give them forestry and water projects. Some will the ability to generate income. A baseball strikingly, 25 percent of the volunteers government offices, post-privatization have stayed on in Ukraine to pursue busi- centers, business centers that are now help communities develop tourism pro- little league has been formed in Ukraine, grams. One of the ecology consultants also through the help of Peace Corps vol- ness or other interests after their Peace cropping up throughout the country, non- Corps days were up. Another interesting governmental (NGO) centers and educa- will be stationed at the new unteers. Environmental Resources Center in Many of the volunteers must enjoy statistic: 10 percent have married tional institutions, where they help cur- Ukrainians. rent and future entrepreneurs develop Kyiv, which is funded by the United their experiences in Ukraine. Only 7 per- skills in forming business plans, market- ing plans and a sense of business ethics, explained Mr. Dutkewych. Canadian Ukrainians protest Sher appointment At these locations they are used as consultants by organizations and individ- CALGARY – Canada’s Ukrainian failing to disclose exculpatory evidence. locate a Canadian lawyer for this respon- uals interested in developing or main- community has reacted with dismay to He added that the Ukrainian Canadian sible role, as there are many fine unem- taining businesses. They are never news of the appointment of an American community has expressed grave concerns ployed barristers and solicitors in Canada, assigned to individual firms, although Nazi hunter as a special consultant to the over Ottawa’s drift toward a policy of Jews and non-Jews alike, who could bring they will work individually with enter- Canadian Ministry of Justice War Crimes denaturalizing Canadian citizens then the necessary ethical and professional prises going through privatization, but U n i t . deporting them to other countries rather qualifications to bear on these investiga- only as consultants to the government. Justice Minister Anne McLellan than bringing alleged war criminals to trial t i o n s . The second program that the Peace defended her decision to appoint Neal in Canada under Canadian criminal law. “Mr. Sher is a controversial appointee, Corps has developed in Ukraine, which Sher, a Washington-based lawyer who “Basically,” said Mr. Gregorovich, whose partiality is open to serious ques- currently involves 85 volunteers, is the served as director of the U.S. Office of “the government has not been able to tion. But perhaps the Minister of Justice English as a Foreign Language project. Special Investigations in 1983-1994, by prove that there are any Nazi war crimi- had other considerations in making her The idea behind the effort is to help saying that he is “one of the world’s lead- nals living in Canada. As a result, Ottawa appointment that she did not wish to share Ukrainians participate in international ing experts in dealing with war criminals.” has abandoned the promised ‘made in with us. Let the record note that a exchanges of information through the J. B. Gregorovich, chairman of the Canada’ solution for the easier route of UCCLA delegation informed the minister most widely used language in the world. Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties deporting persons without providing con- in Edmonton several weeks ago about our The program was begun in June 1993, Association, noted that the OSI has been vincingly that they are actually guilty of objections to Mr. Sher being put on a gov- earlier than had been planned, because discredited in the U.S. for its unscrupulous wrongdoing. We find this objectionable.” ernment payroll. She obviously chose to the Ukrainian government realized that a tactics in pursuit of alleged Nazi war As for Mr. Sher’s appointment, Mr. ignore the honestly communicated con- need existed not only for business educa- criminals, its officers having been accused Gregorovich said: “We find it odd that the cerns of her constituents and of our com- tion but for training in the language of of making use of forged documents and government of Canada was not able to m u n i t y . ” business, according to Mr. Dutkewych. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1 Canadian Friends of Ukraine plan Parliamentary Resource Center by Andrij Kudla Wynnyckyj on this side of the ocean.” we could reverse Russification, or slow it year’s round of awards. The CFU vice-pres- Toronto Press Bureau Individuals and organizations are invited down,” he said, “but the best we can do is to ident said the fund eventually intends to to support this project. Donors contributing get Russian speakers to feel good about also reach into every oblast and to establish TORONTO — The local branch of $500 or more will be recognized as the speaking Ukrainian, their country’s official itself as a self-supporting endowment fund. Canadian Friends of Ukraine has Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Resource language.” Mr. Wynnyckyj explained that the pro- announced plans to help establish a Center’s honorary founders, and their Prof. Darewych, who teaches physics at ject is unique, “because it’s a small, grass- Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Resource names will appear on a permanent plaque in York University, said the effort, which aims roots program, as compared to many of the Center at the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv, and Ukraine’s Parliament building. to reward nine teachers by the end of the huge projects administered by CIDA.” He to give teaching awards to leading peda- Lisa Shymko, CFU Toronto Branch current academic year in the oblasts of added, “Some of the most successful pro- gogues in eastern Ukraine. executive administrator, told The Weekly Chernihiv, Sumy and Luhansk, is still at the grams [in Ukraine] are those that do not The president of CFU Toronto, Bohdan that the CFU’s Teachers Awards Fund was organizational stage. The intention is to command the big dollars.” Wynnyckyj, told The Weekly in a recent established in response to the challenges form three-person committees consisting of Donors who wish to establish an award interview that his organization works with faced by Ukrainian educators in the eastern one local CFU member, one local represen- in their name or in the name of a patron of “a broad coalition of activists and organiza- oblasts of Ukraine. tative of a civic organization, such as their choice have two options: by contribut- tions in Ukraine, without regard for specific In a recent interview, Prof. Jurij Prosvita or the Shevchenko Ukrainian ing $545 Canadian (or $390 U.S.), donors political affiliation.” Darewych, CFU Toronto vice-president and Language Association, and one member of will establish an oblast award in their name; The CFU official also expressed hope teachers’ fund chair, said “the aim is to a local teachers’ council or some other third or by making a donation of $1,250 that the Ukrainian community in the dias- encourage and reward those professionals in party representing teachers. Canadian ($900 U.S.) donors will establish pora “will rally behind our projects as they rural areas of Ukraine’s eastern oblasts, to Pedagogues may either be nominated, or a three-oblast annual award in their name. have our five library support efforts in whom the least amount of attention has they may they may apply directly them- CFU Toronto intends to recognize donors Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Symferopil been paid to date.” Initially, each award will s e l v e s . with special certificates. and, most recently, in Odesa.” be valued at $100 (U.S.). Prof. Darewych said the CFU is about a For further information contact the The Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Mr. Wynnyckyj added that the decision month away from having these committees Canadian Friends of Ukraine, Toronto Resource Center would house pertinent Canadian federal and provincial laws, as to concentrate on eastern Ukraine was pred- struck and ready to process applications. He Branch, 620 Spadina Ave., Toronto, well as regulations concerning various icated on a desire to counter the effects of added that Dr. Maria Fischer-Slyzh of Ontario, M5S 2H4; telephone, (416) 964- agencies and quasi-governmental institu- Russification. “It would be nice to say that Toronto donated the $900 (U.S.) for this 6644; fax, (416) 964-6085. t i o n s . The intent is to make a broad spectrum of information pertaining to trade and eco- Hnatyshyn counsels patience in dealing with Ukraine nomic development, environmental protec- tion, constitutional reform, federal provin- by Christopher Guly cial relations, cultural preservation, health OTTAWA — Ukrainian Canadians care, human rights, and other areas accessi- eager to offer Ukrainians “free advice” on ble to Ukraine’s elected officials and public how to push Ukraine faster along its current servants, as well as the general public and path of reforms should “have a sense of scholars. patience and understanding about the chal- Mr. Wynnyckyj said that Leonid Kravchuk, former president of Ukraine and lenges [Ukrainians] face,” Canada’s former currently a National Deputy has endorsed Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn told this project and agreed to be its honorary the annual awards dinner of the Ukrainian patron in Ukraine. As a testament to the Canadian Professional and Business CFU’s political ecumenism, Mr. Association of Ottawa on November 22, Wynnyckyj said that Verkhovna Rada 1 9 9 7 . Chairman Oleksander Moroz also has “Ukrainians are living the reality of fac- given his blessing to the project. ing a system they have to change and are Prof. Orest Subtelny of York University, trying to change,” he explained. “It’s impor- the CFU project chairman, said, tant to be supportive of Ukraine in the chal- “[Ukrainian officials] often look to lenges they face. But we have to understand that Ukraine is not a country that knows Canadian legal precedent, and it’s very Chris Guly important for them to know how [Western] democracy very well and has never known Ramon Hnatyshyn and his wife, Gerda, at the Ps & Bs dinner in Ottawa. judiciaries and legislatures operate.” The a free-market economy.” historian added that former Prime Minister Mr. Hnatyshyn, the first Ukrainian [Dr. Sylvia Fedoruk, replaced by Ukrainian P’s and B’s event. The site for the third Yevhen Marchuk also expressed great Canadian to hold the country’s highest Canadian John Wiebe] from the province annual awards dinner was Greek (the interest in the project. office as Canada’s constitutional head of who were all of Ukrainian descent.” Hellenic Banquet Center) and the menu was Mr. Wynnyckyj said that while there are state in 1990-1995, was also the first foreign Serving as Canada’s governor general distinctly North American (roast sirloin of copies of Canadian statutes in Kyiv, they head of state to visit Ukraine in September during the 1991-1992 centennial year of beef, with not a varenyk to be found). are spread out all over the capital in various 1992 – a year after the country declared Ukrainian settlement was another highlight Nevertheless, the mood was decidedly academic institutions and government min- independence. “It was certainly one of the for him, said Mr. Hnatyshyn. His appear- celebratory in terms of local Ukrainian istries. “We’d like to provide one central emotional highlights of my term in office,” ance at an Ottawa P’s and B’s gathering Canadian accomplishments. Lucy Hirniak, area where people can go to access legal said Mr. Hnatyshyn, who recalled meeting a was the first in about a decade – a time not an 18-year volunteer in Ottawa who served information,” the CFU branch president relative, Ivan Hnatyshyn, a senior official in forgotten by Mr. Hnatyshyn. “I was repre- four terms as president of the local s a i d . Bukovyna. senting the prime minister [Brian Ukrainian Canadian Congress and hosts a Dealing with the nuts and bolts of the Saskatoon-born Mr. Hnatyshyn, a former Mulroney] and recall sitting next to an weekly community cable-TV series, operation in Ukraine will be the secretariat federal Conservative Cabinet minister prior Ottawa alderman by the name of ‘Smith,’ ” “Ukrainian Profile,” was given the Filip of Ukraine’s Parliament, headed by Leonid to his appointment as governor general, also said Mr. Hnatyshyn, the son of the first Konowal V.C. Memorial Achievement Horiovy, and the Rada’s Library reminded his audience of approximately Ukrainian Canadian senator, John Award, which honors the only Ukrainian Information Branch, headed by Dr. Edvard 120 guests of Ukrainians’ “enormous con- Hnatyshyn. “He was Ukrainian but Canadian veteran to receive the prestigious A f o n i n . tribution to Canada’s way of life.” He men- changed his name to Smith to get elected Victoria Cross. Retired Justice Department While he was optimistic about the tioned John Sopinka, whom he appointed to in Ottawa. When it was my time to speak, lawyer Peter Sorokan was awarded the impact this initiative would have, Mr. the Supreme Court of Canada during his I said I was born a Smith but changed my “Member of the Year” prize. Wynnyckyj was realistic about how soon it term as Canada’s attorney general in the late name to Hnatyshyn to get elected in The Ps and Bs event also raised $1,500 would be up and running. “It’s still going to 1980s. “There was a time in Saskatchewan Saskatoon-Biggar [the electoral district for the Help Us Help the Children Fund, take a while,” he said, “the major problem when we pretty well ran things,” he contin- that he represented in the House of which has distributed 1 million kilograms is getting the Canadian government and the ued lightheartedly. “We had a governor C o m m o n s ] . ” (approximately 2 million pounds) of med- Canadian Industrial Development Agency general, a premier [Roy Romanow], the Given Mr. Hnatyshyn’s references of ical supplies, clothing and infant formula interested. Our partners in Ukraine are rar- chief justice of the Court of Appeal Ukrainian Canadiana, it was easy to over- worth about $7 million ($5 million U.S.) to ing to go, now we have to work on people [Edward Bayda] and a lieutenant governor look some of the anomalies present at the 170 institutions throughout Ukraine. No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 5 Ukrainian American Bar Association celebrates 20th anniversary by Bohdanna Pochoday video animation, coding and imaging, ABA and other gled with the questions raised: the future of the UABA, the sources providing links to legal research and information purposes of the association, the needs of the diaspora, the WASHINGTON — The Ukrainian American Bar resources on the Internet. original mission of the UABA, and what had changed. Association (UABA) held its annual fall meeting and com- During a formal luncheon UABA President Pochoday Former UABA President Lupan moderated the afternoon memorated 20 years of its existence here during the week- awarded certificates of recognition to each of the past panel, which commenced with a historical perspective. A end of November 14-15, 1997. The four-part anniversary UABA presidents, namely: Victor Borowsky (1977-1978), brief retrospect into the motivation and objectives of the program was attended by approximately one-sixth of Myroslaw Smorodsky (1978-1979), Taras Modny (1979- founders of the UABA was provided by Mr. Rud, a mem- known lawyers and law students of Ukrainian descent from 1980), Ihor Rakowsky (1980-1981), Bohdan E. Porytko ber of the initiative committee that organized the conference throughout the United States, as well as fellow jurists from (1981-1982), Bohdan Shandor (1982-1983), Bohdan Futey at which the UABA was established, and Mr. Bazarko, the Canada and Ukraine, and members of the Ukrainian diplo- (1983-1986), Taras Gawryk (1986-1988), Andrew first UABA vice-president. matic corps. Fylypovych (1988-1990); Mr. Smorodsky (1990-1993), A synopsis of the UABA’s history over the period of 20 Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Yuri Shcherbak, Walter M. Lupan (1993-1995), Orest A. Jejna (1995-1997). years was presented by two former UABA presidents, greeted the UABA and its guests in the historic The current UABA president was presented a beautiful Messrs. Smorodsky and Fylypovych. Mr. Smorodsky com- Georgetown home of the Embassy on the occasion of the bandura, with the emblem of Lviv (lion), by Danylo mented that many of the driving issues in the 1970s and UABA’s 20th anniversary. The ambassador noted the Kourdelchouk on behalf of the International Bar 1980s – political repression in the former Soviet union, UABA’s efforts on behalf of Ukrainian dissidents and its Association of Ukraine (“Iniurkolegia”) on the occasion of attacks on the Ukrainian American community in connec- involvement in other issues over the years. the UABA’s 20th anniversary. tion with denaturalization and deportation proceedings initi- In addition to UABA members attending the recep- Ms. Pochoday then introduced the luncheon’s keynote ated by the Office of Special Investigations, and the absence tion, there was a delegation of 20 jurists from Ukraine speaker, Carlos Pascual, director for Russian, Ukrainian and of the word “Ukraine” from the U.S. government lexicon – and its Constitutional Court, as well as a group of local Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. Mr. are now either irrelevant or largely in the past. Washingtonians, including Michael Sawkiw Jr., director Pascual, who has traveled to and is quite knowledgeable Thereafter, Ihor Bardyn, a barrister practicing in Toronto, of Ukrainian National Information Service; George about Ukraine, presented a very supportive and cooperative discussed some parallels in organizational problems applic- Masiuk, president of The Washington Group (TWG); position towards the legal, economic and democratic able to both the Canadian Professional and Businesspersons and Dr. Roman Goy, who represented the Ukrainian growth of Ukraine, stating that it is in everyone’s interest to Association and the UABA, and suggested some changes Medical Association of North America and the World see Ukraine prosper. and approaches to improve the association. Mr. Bardyn Federation of Ukrainian Medical Associations. Mr. Pascual stated that Ukraine must undertake a pro- expressed the view that Ukrainian Americans and At the UABA’s request, the Embassy staff prepared a gram of reduced spending and focus on expanding privati- Ukrainian Canadians had much to learn from the most wonderful buffet of “zakusky” served in the Embassy’s zation efforts, provide a forum for investors to resolve com- recent book by author and law professor Alan Dershowitz lower-level reception room. Afterwards, UABA members mercial disputes and enforce commercial agreements, and and their guests retreated to the UABA hospitality suite at titled “The Vanishing American Jew.” Noting that just as take measures for macroeconomic stability within Ukraine. anti-Semitism was becoming a less potent factor binding the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, just over the bridge from the Notwithstanding continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine, Mr. Embassy, for further camaraderie and reminiscing. American Jews, he said Ukrainians in the diaspora no Pascual said that Ukraine must stay on a clear course of longer have anti-communism to cement their ties. The UABA’s all-day conference, held on Saturday, reform, despite the roadblocks that may be laid as a result of November 15, at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, com- With the demise of the Soviet Union, Mr. Bardyn the impending parliamentary elections and the presidential suggested that Ukrainians need to redefine themselves menced at 9 a.m. The conference addressed both internal campaign. and external issues affecting the UABA. and their mission. Noting a recent scandal involving a The conference resumed after the luncheon with a dis- Ukrainian official in Canada, Mr. Bardyn stated that the The morning session included introductory comments by cussion of a proposed commercial law project for Ukraine. Bohdanna Pochoday, president of the UABA, and a finan- Canadian Ukrainian Ps & Bs have decided to concen- UABA member Askold Lozynskyj, who is president of the trate on affairs in Canada. Mr. Bardyn spoke harshly of cial report by Bohdan Ozaruk, UABA treasurer. A UABA Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), along Scholarship Fund report was presented by Andre Michniak, the current generation in Ukraine. He opined that with James Huntwork of Arizona and UABA Vice- Americans and Canadians of Ukrainian descent should and Bohdan Shandor, co-chairmen of the UABA President Petro Piddoubny, briefed the audience on the need Scholarship Fund Inc., a separate IRC 501(c)(3) non-profit assist Ukraine by helping to shape the values of the next for support, and the possibilities of obtaining a USAID generation of Ukrainians. corporation. grant for a commercial law project under the auspices of the Mr. Jejna of Arizona, raised some contemporary prob- The present goal of the UABA Scholarship Fund is to UCCA. lems within the UABA, the need to find ways of attracting provide scholarships to needy and qualified jurists from Stating that is no comprehensive system of commercial additional members, and increasing attendance at meetings, Ukraine who come to the United States for graduate law law in Ukraine, the panel underscored that the UABA’s member participation and input into the UABA. The mod- studies. In the past U.S. law students received such aid. support, and legal assistance for such a project is indispens- erator, Mr. Lupan, expressed his frustration with getting However, after Ukraine’s independence, the primary focus able. UABA members were asked to provide assistance things done, saying that all sorts of projects and committees was changed to help Ukrainian, English-speaking law grad- both in terms of lobbying their congressional representa- were being proposed, but only a few people carry out the uates complete their law studies in the U.S. These scholar- tives and lending their expertise to the project. Sitting in the work. Other speakers, however, noted that, as a percentage ship recipients are requested to return to Ukraine upon the audience was Patricia Liefert, a representative of the U.S. of its membership, UABA members are more active than completion of their studies, where it is hoped they will use Agency for International Development, who was able to comparable American bar associations, including the pow- their newly acquired knowledge to help Ukraine in its address some questions posed by members of the audience. process of legal and commercial reform. It is anticipated erful American Bar Association. that in the future, upon accumulation of adequate funds, “UABA: Quo Vadis?” Unfortunately, due to time limitations, there was insuffi- both Ukrainian American and Ukrainian law students could cient time to discuss in any detailed manner the UABA’s What some regarded as the main focus of the meeting – a future objectives and goals, and its relationship with other be assisted by the fund. panel discussion on the topic “UABA: Quo Vadis” – was The issue of an agreed-upon name for the UABA in the shortened due to time constraints. As expected, many strug- (Continued on page 14) Ukrainian language was raised by Ms. Pochoday in view of the confusion that has developed over the years in diaspora organizations, as well as in Ukraine itself. After some dis- cussion and the appointment of a committee comprising Historical background of the UABA Ulana Baransky, Wolodymyr Bazarko, Walter Lupan and Victor Rud from the U.S., and Danylo Kordelchouk and Twenty years ago, on September 23-24, 1977, the world” should even more vigorously undertake the task. Ihor Shevchenko of Ukraine, the conference agreed to uti- first national convention of Ukrainian American These thoughts were echoed by Messrs. Rud and Mr. lize the committee’s proposed name: “Asotsiatsia lawyers took place in Cleveland. Fifty-one attorneys Stepanenko, who stressed the importance of working Ukrainskykh Pravynykiv Ameryky” in future situations from 13 states attended this convention, for the specific closely with the Society of Ukrainian Attorneys in New requiring identification in the Ukrainian language. A logo purpose of organizing the Ukrainian American Bar York, which united former jurists from Ukraine and for the UABA will be worked on for future approval. Association (UABA), the first national association of published the journal “Legal News.” In addition, upon earlier proposals made by UABA Ukrainian American lawyers, and to commence work The conference was also attended by Canadian members, the conference agreed to provide retired UABA on a national level. jurists Jurij Danyliw, Ihor Bardyn and Orest Rudzik. members a 50 percent discount on their annual membership This conference was prepared through the efforts of The first elected board of governors of the UABA dues, and to consider the reduction of dues in special cir- an organizational committee consisting of Viktor Rud, (which was divided into six districts) consisted of: cumstances on a case-by-case basis. George Pazuniak, Jurij Stepanenko and others. The Nestor Olesnycky, Mr. Pazuniak, Wolodymyr Anastas, During the later part of the morning session, Richard convention was greeted by UCCA Cleveland Branch Mr. Borowsky, Taras Modny and Mr. Stepanenko (who Rezie, a second-year law student from Case Western President Bohdan Futey; Andrew Boyko, mayor of was chosen as the board’s first chairman). Andrij University School of Law, made some suggestions as to Parma; John O. Flis, on behalf of the UCCA and the Steckiw was selected as the law student representative. how law students could obtain information about the Ukrainian National Association; and Yaroslaw Padoch The first elected officers of the UABA were as fol- UABA. Vyacheslav Bihun, a jurist from Ukraine enrolled of the Scientific Society of Shevchenko. In addition, lows: Victor Borowsky, president; Wolodymyr in the master’s law program at the University of greetings were sent by the president of the Society of Bazarko, vice-president; Zenon Forowych, correspond- Connecticut and a former president of the Ukrainian Law Ukrainian Attorneys in the U.S., W. Sawchak, and were ing secretary; Ivan Shandor, recording secretary; and Students Association, also greeted the attendants. also delivered by Mr. Borowsky, president of the Dennis Grunyk, treasurer. The final presentation before the lunch break consisted Michigan Ukrainian American Bar Association. The convention addressed issues such as the repre- of an interesting and absorbing hands-on Internet presenta- At this founding conference, Mr. Pazuniak enumer- sentation of dissidents, particularly Ukrainian dissi- tion by Myroslaw Smorodsky, a former UABA president ated the reasons for establishing the national Ukrainian dents, in the Soviet Union, as well as non-testamentary who administers the UABA web page, and a computer pre- American Bar Association: the desire to work more and testamentary dispositions to individuals in the sentation by UABA Secretary George Pazuniak, focusing closely with the Ukrainian community and its organiza- Soviet Union. on practical use. Mr. Smorodsky demonstrated how the tions, and to stand in defense of Ukrainian brethren Dr. Padoch noted that during Ukraine’s history Internet offers a wealth of information to the Ukrainian fighting for a better future in Soviet-dominated Ukrainian jurists had played a significant role in the American community in general, as well as to attorneys Ukraine. It was noted that if U.S. Attorney General renaissance of the Ukrainian nation and in its defense at seeking information about Ukrainian legal sources. Mr. Ramsey Clark could stand in defense of dissidents in times of occupation. He stressed the need for contem- Pazuniak provided an 18-page booklet with citations to Ukraine, then Ukrainian American lawyers of the “free porary jurists to continue in this role. legal databases, search engines, and addressed the issues of 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1

CHRISTMAS PASTORAL LETTER TH E UK R A I N I A N WE E K LY We are one holy family of God Sharing our Christmas To the Distinguished Pastors, Deacons in Life. Using that night in Bethlehem as a On January 7, many of us will celebrate Christmas according to the Julian Christ, Venerable Monastics and Christ- starting point in our lives, we all can count calendar. And, since that is the date on which Christmas is observed in loving faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox ourselves among those “who received Him, Ukraine, it is only natural that our thoughts turn to the land of our parents, Church in the U.S.A., Canada and diaspora: and to whom He gave the power to be chil- grandparents, great-grandparents ... May the peace of the Lord, born in dren of God, to them who have believed in Many of us, while sitting at the dinner table during “Sviat Vechir,” as Bethlehem, be with all of you! His name.” Christmas Eve is called in Ukrainian, will think of family, friends and col- Christ is born! For all of us this feast is a joyful celebra- leagues in distant Ukraine. In our thoughts, and perhaps in our toasts, we will Let us glorify Him! tion, for it draws attention to God’s love for wish them a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Beloved spiritual children in Christ: us, and encourages us to make love for fel- During our “Sviata Vecheria” we feel a strong connection, by way of tradi- Christmas is a celebration of the birth of low man a reality in our daily life. In the tion, with our kith and kin in Ukraine. The same customs we observe here in the Son of God. Motivated by love for all of presence of the children of Bethlehem, we the diaspora are observed in Ukraine. They have been passed down through the humanity which He fashioned, our sense a nearness to our Heavenly Father, ages from generation to generation. They have survived wars and other cata- Heavenly Father sent His Only begotten and perceive that we are indeed partakers of clysms, migrations and deportations, exile and repression. Son so that whosoever believes in Him His immeasurable love for all people. We One Ukrainian youth organization active throughout the world has made that might not perish, but have life everlasting. also sense the reality of the invitation given Christmas connection seem even more real with a very special ritual. On Through the instrumentality of the star of by Christ Jesus the Son of God, an invita- January 6, on Christmas Eve, members gather at the same hour that the first Bethlehem, the Heavenly Father, through tion to be perfect, to be holy and to be one. star appeared in the heavens above Ukraine, marking the start of the traditional an angel, announced to the world, the birth As we celebrate the Birth of Christ, we 12-course meatless repast on Sviat Vechir. At what is called the “Svichechka,” of His beloved Son: “And this shall be a Orthodox Ukrainians in Ukraine and Plast members light candles, sing our beautiful Ukrainian Christmas carols and sign unto you; You will find the babe beyond her borders are prepared to trans- partake of the most important course of the special Christmas Eve dinner, the wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a form ourselves into one holy family of God, “kutia” — so rich in its symbolism and in its ties to the very essence of manger” (Lk. 2, 12). Who calls us to mutual love and unity in the Ukraine. The Infant Who was born in Bethlehem Church which He heads. In the early days of this custom of the Svichechka (literally: little candle), – the city of David seemed, to the shep- We, beloved in the Lord, have at last Plast members would solemnly recall that Christmas could not be celebrated herds, Magi and those who beheld Him, come to this great feast, a feast filled with openly in Soviet-dominated Ukraine. Later they cautiously rejoiced when the like any other infant. Tiny and weak, the love – the feast of the Nativity of the Son of spiritual rebirth of Ukraine was beginning. Now they simply join with fellow Infant required assistance and was totally God. As we celebrate this feast, we Ukrainians in the joy of the newborn Christ Child, all the while realizing that dependent upon His parents. Mary, the embrace in Christ’s divine love which over- others worldwide are doing the very same thing on Sviat Vechir. Most pure one, nourishes Him, bathes and comes all, the archpastors, pastors and all of During this Christmas season, let us Ukrainians around the world continue clothes Him and, like any other mother, our faithful – our brothers and sisters in free this remarkable connection with each other. No matter where we are, let us tends to His every need. St. Joseph, like and independent Ukraine. Together with us, symbolically join hands and hearts as together we celebrate Christmas. every devoted husband and father, consci- they, at the Nativity Liturgy, proclaim the entiously provides for the family entrusted brief but powerful credo: “One is Holy, One “Khrystos Rodyvsia — Slavim Yoho!” to his care. In reflecting on this mystery of is Lord, Jesus Christ.” the incarnation of the Son of God, St. Paul, It is our prayerful wish for you, the spiri- writing to the believers of his time, says of tual children, whom the Lord has entrusted Christ, that “(He) in all things was similar to to our archpastoral care, that the days of us, except sin” (Hebrews 4, 15). Christ’s Nativity and Holy Theophany be The Infant born in Bethlehem was truly joyous and blessed. May these days, filled God, the One promised by the Heavenly with the spirit of love and holiness, be for Father, the very fulfillment of the Law and all of us a source of sanctification and days the prophets. His external condition was not of personal renewal in the Lord. an indication of internal frailty. The Infant May the Infant of Bethlehem, Who, except for the manger, had no place to lay born in Bethlehem was the very power, the His head, find a place of rest in our hearts. life and the force of God the Heavenly May the star of Bethlehem, lead us as it did Father. Centuries before the birth of Christ the Magi, to Him Who is above all of us – Jesus, God’s servant, the prophet Isaiah, to our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit, proclaimed that so that in joyful song we might be able to this Child would be “the Prince of Peace, a proclaim: “God is with us!” Marvelous Counselor, the Mighty God” Christ is born! Let us glorify Him with (Isaiah 9, 6). Jan. all of our being! It is interesting to point out that when TurningTurning the pagespages back...back... God appeared to the people of Old † Wasyly 5 Testament times, they were struck with fear Metropolitan of the Ukrainian when they encountered His manifestations. Orthodox Church of Canada In reading the books of the Old Testament 1996 On January 5, 1996, 250 kilometers south of Kyiv, the † Constantine we see how the theophanies of God the defense ministers of Ukraine and Russia, and the defense sec- Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Father elicited fear and trepidation. retary of the United States witnessed the destruction of an Church of the U.S.A. and Diaspora However, the opposite occurred when ICBM missile silo – one of 130 in Ukraine that were to be destroyed by November of “grace came and the shadow of the law † Ivan 1998 in accordance with provisions of the START I disarmament treaty. faded” (Vesper Dogmatikon, Tone 2). The Archbishop of the Ukrainian The silo, located in Pervomaisk, was the third destroyed by Ukraine. innate divinity of the Infant in the manger Orthodox Church of Canada U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry and Russian Minister of Defense Pavel does not strike fear in our hearts, His hidden † Antony Grachev had arrived in Ukraine two days earlier for talks with Ukrainian Minister of wisdom does not put us to shame. Shrouded Archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Defense Valerii Shmarov. The three met with President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine. is His righteousness. Let us gaze upon the Church of the U.S.A.; Ruling Archbishop Messrs. Perry and Shmarov also signed an agreement on closer military cooperation traditional icon of Christ’s Nativity. The of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church between the United States and Ukraine. countenance of the Divine Infant radiates of Australia and New Zealand The three defense officials flew from Kyiv to Pervomaisk on January 5, but due to love, confidence and meekness. Having inclement weather their plane was forced to land not at the airport near that city in encountered this, the shepherds, as recorded † Vsevolod Mykolaiv Oblast, but on an icy runway in Uman, Cherkasy Oblast. From there the by Holy Writ, “returned, glorifying and Archbishop of the Ukrainian entourage traveled some 90 kilometers by car to the base of the 43rd Strategic Missile praising God for all that they had seen and Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. Forces. Demolition of the missile silo at Pervomaisk got under way at 1 p.m., four heard” (Luke 2, 20). † Paisij hours later than scheduled. Dearly beloved in Christ! The Divine Bishop of the Ukrainian On January 14, 1994, Ukraine had signed a tripartite agreement with the United Infant lives among us in this feast of Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. States and Russia, thus paving the way for Ukraine’s disarmament and the destruction Nativity. He is with us in our nativity wor- of its nuclear arms. At the time, Ukraine possessed 1,300 warheads for intercontinen- ship services, in our devout customs, in the † Yurij tal ballistic missiles and more than 600 cruise missile warheads. It had 176 silos for words of the Gospel and in the Holy Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox strategic nuclear missiles: 130 SS-19s and 46 SS-24s. Thus, it was the world’s third Eucharist. The Divine Infant, born in Church of Canada largest nuclear power. Bethlehem, lives among us when we, via However, Ukraine had stated in 1990 in its Declaration on State Sovereignty that it † Ioan charitable and compassionate deeds, make would abide by three non-nuclear principles: not to accept, not to provide and not to Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Him a reality and accessible to those who procure nuclear weapons. Then, in 1993, the Verkhovna Rada ratified START I. Church in the Diaspora even today are overwhelmed by the spiritu- At of the end of 1995, 90 percent of Ukraine’s missiles had been deactivated; 70 al darkness that has enveloped contempo- † Jeremiah percent of its warheads had been transferred to Russia, where they were being rary humanity. Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox destroyed under international supervision, including representatives of the Ukrainian Our meditations on the Divine Infant Church in Latin America military. give rise to spiritual reflection and encour- Source: “Defense ministers witness demolition of missile silo in Ukraine,” special to The age us to holiness and to oneness with the Issued on the 1,998th commemoration of Ukrainian Weekly by Borys Klymenko, January 14, 1996, Vol. LXIV, No. 2. Son of God, Who is our Way, Truth and the Nativity according to the flesh of our No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 7

by members of the Kuchma administra- Procurator general... tion and signed by a “high-ranking offi- (Continued from page 1) cial in the Kuchma government,” to dis- came in connection with documents the credit Mr. Lazarenko and the Hromada Party in the eyes of the electorate. procuracy had obtained, which indicate by Myron B. Kuropas that Mr. Lazarenko holds foreign curren- The document describes a scenario cy accounts in a Swiss bank into which that the Procurator General’s Office he has transferred money earned in his seems to be playing out: that it should business dealings in this country. begin investigations in conjunction with The procurator’s office is trying to the Verkhovna Rada against both Mr. A dark cloud over Canada determine whether a bank account Lazarenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, who opened at the Swiss bank UBS in the is a close associate of Mr. Lazarenko, as A dark cloud hovers over Canada, and its (INS) earlier. None were deported. name of a firm registered as LTP HAN- well as the prime minister of Hromada’s name is Neal Sher. The same double standard has operated DEL AG actually belongs to Mr. shadow government. The goal, as the Recently appointed a special consultant in Israel. According to Tom Segev, a Lazarenko. document states, is “to instill the follow- to the Canadian Justice Department’s war columnist for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Because the investigation is ongoing, ing stereotypes in society: Hromada — crimes unit, Mr. Sher was head of the U.S. the Israeli Ministry of Justice introduced an the Procurator General’s Office would bandits; leaders of Hromada — leading Office of Special Investigations (OSI) from Act against Jewish War Criminals in 1949 not comment on the details. criminal figures; if Hromada wins, crimi- 1983 to 1994. Prior to that time, he was OSI and by the mid-1950s was investigating nals will run the country; Lazarenko has However, because Mr. Lazarenko, as a deputy director. some 40 Jews suspected of collaboration. started a criminal war; there are no vic- national deputy in the Verkhovna Rada, It was during Neal Sher’s tenure that Some of the accused were acquitted. In his tors in disputes among criminals.” has criminal immunity and is not subject fraud against federal courts was committed. 1993 book “The Seventh Million: Israelis Other points of the alleged plan to dis- to prosecution, the Procurator General’s Aware that John Demjanjuk was not “Ivan and the Holocaust,” Mr. Segev writes: “As credit Mr. Lazarenko and his political Office took pains to explain that the the Terrible,” OSI lawyers conspired to for the guilty, their sentences tended to be party include investigations by the point of the investigation is to determine keep exonerating evidence from his defense lightened on appeal, generally two or three Security Service, tax authorities and the Faces and Places the facts, not to indict Mr. Lazarenko. attorneys. When these documents were years, but even as little as a few months.” Internal Affairs Ministry into the deal- “The investigation is not against found in a trash bin, OSI attorneys accused One of the judicial decisions read: “It is ings of companies and organizations Lazarenko. It is simply an investigation the defense of stealing them. One of the hard for us, the judges of Israel, to free our- associated with Hromada and Mr. to determine the facts,” said press trashed documents revealed that Mr. Sher selves of the feeling that, in punishing a Lazarenko, and the distribution of infor- spokesperson Maksym Krechetov. was present at a meeting on July 2, 1986, worm of this sort, we are diminishing, even mation among the Odesa, Kyiv, Donetsk, “Should the facts reveal that there is when deception in the Demjanjuk case was by only a trace, the abysmal guilt of the Crimean and Russian criminal organiza- cause for prosecution, a request could be revealed. Small wonder that the OSI sought Nazis themselves.” tions about Mr. Lazarenko’s alleged ties made to have the Verkhovna Rada vote to destroy this type of information. Mr. Sher has been identified as a “top to the Odesa mob, the ramifications of on whether to lift criminal immunity.” Such duplicity was exposed several years American Nazi hunter” by the Canadian electoral success of Lazarenko’s political Mr. Lazarenko replied to the public ago by Samel Francis in an article that press. He is no such thing. Only Aryan organizations for the other criminal orga- announcement of the investigation in a appeared in Insight magazine. “OSI has a Germans were permitted membership in the nizations and the need to take “preven- strongly worded statement that was pub- clever excuse for skirting law and justice,” Nazi Party and thus far Mr. Sher has found tive measures.” lished in a leading Ukrainian daily, Mr. Francis wrote. “It doesn’t actually try no Nazi Party members in the U.S. Volodymyr Horbulin, secretary of the Vseukrainskie Viedomosti. He denied those it accuses. It merely seeks to show Given the thorough examination of National Security and Defense Council having a Swiss bank account or that he that when they entered the United States, alleged Canadian war criminals by the in the Kuchma administration, on has ever been involved with LTP HAN- they lied or failed to tell the truth about their Deschenes Commission a decade ago, how December 25 denied that a document like DEL AG. “I want to make it clear that I supposed role as Nazis or Nazi collabora- did Canada manage to get itself into this the one printed in Nesavisimaya Gazeta do not have any kind of foreign currency tors.” This is exactly what Mr. Sher will be mess? Ukrainians in Canada can thank exists. “In the first place, with full accounts and that I have absolutely no advising the Canadian authorities to do. CBS’s “60 Minutes,” which started the ball responsibility, I must state that the docu- relations with the corporation LTP HAN- Justice for “war criminals” is not the issue. rolling last February with an “exposé” of ment does not exist, much less that it has Some of the alleged “war criminals” in DEL AG,” stated Mr. Lazarenko. “Nazi war criminals hiding in Canada” been submitted to the president,” said the United States have gone to court. Even The question of who owns the Swiss titled “Canada’s Dark Secret.” This was fol- Mr. Horbulin. “We have carried out the though all of the trials have been in civil bank account alleged to be in Mr. lowed by an NBC “Dateline” segment necessary investigations, and I have courts, where “preponderance of evidence” Lazarenko’s name is not the only prob- devoted to the same subject. every reason to make such a statement.” is all that is needed to convict, the OSI lem that the former prime minister has In April, B’nai B’rith Canada, headed by Mr. Horbulin added that he believes claims that it has held to a standard that is with the Procurator General’s Office. Lyle Smordin, and the Simon Wiesenthal the “fabrications” to be Ukraine-based. “substantially identical” to the criminal Two days prior to the announcement by Center, headed by Sol Littman, created a “It is far simpler to publish such non- standard: proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Procurator General Lytvak, a formal commission to pursue the matter with the sense in the Ukrainian mass media by Don’t believe it. Since most of those Canadian government. They met with criminal investigation also was begun quoting foreign publications, thus shun- accused by the OSI must hire their own into the financial source for a question- Justice Minister Allan Rock, demanding ning direct responsibility,” said Mr. lawyer (in contrast to criminal trials in changes in the Criminal Code to make pros- able 5 million hrv renovation of a coun- Horbulin. which the courts provide legal counsel) all try estate after it was given to Mr. ecutions easier, harmonization of the He said the government would request the OSI has to do to “win a case” is to Immigration and Citizenship Acts to expe- Lazarenko by the government when he that Nezavisimaya Gazeta give it the announce to the media that someone is assumed the post of prime minister. Olga dite proceedings against suspects, and original documents. “If there are such being investigated and it’s over. No trial. investigation and prosecution of members Kolinko, deputy procurator general, said materials, they will help us to track down No due process. Guilty by accusation. the former head of government has been of the Ukrainian Waffen SS unit Galicia the forgers and stave off fresh provoca- Unable to bear the enormous legal fees and who, in the words of Paul Lungen of the accused of unauthorized use of budgetary tions.” emotional turmoil required for an adequate funds for the repairs of two country hous- Canadian Jewish News, “engaged in mass Mr. Lazarenko, once a close political defense, the accused sometimes leaves the murder of Jews and Poles.” es at the Puscha Vodytsia estate, located crony of President Kuchma and prime country. “The procedures and standards by on the outskirts of Kyiv. Ignoring the fact that the Deschenes minister until his dismissal in July after which it [the OSI] operates are offensive Commission had thoroughly discredited his Ms. Kolinko said the charges are not much criticism by the president for his and unjust under American concepts,” con- “politically motivated.” She explained “evidence” 10 years ago, Mr. Littman inability to get a 1997 budget approved cluded Mr. Francis. argued that the 2,000 members of the that the investigation was begun after an and his lackluster effort in fighting cor- None of this matters to Neal Sher, who inquiry by National Deputy Anatolii Galicia Division “have been ignored by the ruption, is considered among the wealthi- once explained to the Washington Post that Canadian government.” Yermak begun in early September est people in Ukraine. Most political mere association with Nazis is enough to revealed possible financial improprieties. And finally, voila! Neal Sher appears to observers agree that he earned large sums convict. How outrageous! Under U.S. law rescue the day, saying that his hiring However, in his rebuttal in the news- and that of any civilized society a person of money trading in gas and oil with “shows Canada was serious about tracking paper Vseukrainskie Viedomosti, Mr. can’t be charged with a crime simply Russia. His close business partner is said war criminals in the country.” Can anyone Lazarenko said the investigations are because he willingly or unwillingly associ- to be Ms. Tymoshenko, president of believe that none of this was coordinated? part of a concerted attack against him- United Energy Systems, considered the ated with criminals. Nor is misrepresenta- A note to Canadian Ukrainians based self and the Hromada Party that he largest privately owned company in tion necessarily a reason to deport. In the on our experience in the U.S.: Do not leads to discredit them before the elec- Ukraine before it ran into financial prob- case of Antanas Spokevicious of Chicago, believe for one minute that Mr. Sher and tions. “The campaign of persecution lems several months back. Mr. Lazarenko the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals his minions will be fair or that their goal against me and the Hromada party that has denied that the two are business part- ruled that the Immigration Act of 1948 did is justice. Do not fall for the ruse, which is being coordinated by high govern- n e r s . “not preclude the issuance of a visa to a will be voiced by Ukrainians and non- ment officials associated with the presi- Ms. Tymoshenko, like Mr. Lazarenko, bona fide refugee who has made a willful Ukrainians alike, that this has nothing to dent on the eve of elections to the is a national deputy in the Verkhovna misrepresentation of a material fact where do with our community, that a few Parliament has the goal of destroying Rada. The Procurator General’s Office the misrepresentation was made because of expendable Ukrainians, regardless of the centrist political opposition, which has recently requested that the Verkhovna fear of being repatriated to his former their guilt, are not worth the trouble. has become their No. 1 enemy,” stated Rada lift her immunity from prosecution h o m e l a n d . ” Mr. Lazarenko. so that charges could proceed against her A double standard has always operated Don’t be intimidated by those who argue Coincidentally or not, the same day for illegally attempting to transfer money within the OSI regarding the Judenrat and that resistance to Mr. Sher will be viewed (and on the same page) that the out of the country. She is accused of car- Kapos, Jews who worked for the Nazis. as anti-Semitic by non-Jews. And finally, Lazarenko rebuttal was published, an rying $26,000 in undeclared cash onto a To my knowledge, no Judenrat member ally yourself with other Eastern European allegedly confidential document from the flight bound for Moscow from was ever accused by the OSI; if there groups who also are being damned. offices of the presidential administration Z a p o r i z h i a . were such accusations there was no pub- The reputation of our community is on also appeared. Originally printed in the When the charges were announced in lic fanfare. Only three Juderat members – the line. Be prepared to fight for it. Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta early December, Ms. Tymoshenko called Heinrich Friedman, Jakob Tencer and on December 24, the document outlines a the action a political effort by the presi- Jones Lewy – were identified by the U.S. Myron Kuropas’ e-mail address is: seven-point plan, allegedly formulated dent’s administration to muzzle her. Immigration and Naturalization Service m b k u r o p a s @ c o m p u s e r v e . c o m 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1 PROGRESS REPORT: Shrine of Zarvanytsia begins construction by the Rev. Roman Hankevych to his ability, to do everything possible to spread and leadership of their priests. Many of them had begun their strengthen belief in God and faithfulness to Christian moral- priestly studies in the rectory in Zarvanytsia. In 1990 the Every year in the spring, on the Feast of St. George, ity in Ukraine. Rev. Vasyl Semiuk, the pastor in Zarvanytsia, had founded pilgrimages to Zarvanytsia begin. They continue until Every evening, near the miraculous fresh-water spring, a home for young candidates to further their knowledge of the Feast of the Protection of the Blessed Mother on concerts took place in the candlelight. Just before the sun religion as the instruction they had received in their homes October 14. rose in the morning, a bonfire was lit. On July 28, 1997, the may not have been adequate to enter the seminary. Every Sunday, and on important holy days, great num- Congress ended. Youths and their leaders returned home On the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, the bers of faithful come to receive confession, participate in with new enthusiasm, and a renewed and strengthened pilgrimages ended to be begun again on the Feast of St. the liturgy and receive communion. Pilgrims kneel and Christian view of life. George in the spring of 1998. Parish life in Zarvanytsia will pray before the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, tell Usually, the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God continue, however. The building of the Church of the the Blessed Mother their troubles, and thank her for the is a most popular holy day. Since the harvest is over, homes Mother of God in Zarvanytsia, started on May 11, 1997, special grace of a pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia. At the conclu- can be left behind and attention turned towards returning the sion of the pilgrimage, they go to the spring to pray again, also will go on. wash in the miraculous water and possibly take some home spirit. Many Ukrainians in the diaspora responded to the call of in a little bottle for those who were not able to make the This year, the Dormition pilgrimage was unusually Cardinal Lubachivsky and all the bishops and sent their pilgrimage. grand. For decades the communists had tried to destroy offerings, but the needs are still great. On May 11, 1997, the first Sunday after the Feast of St. everything Ukrainian. They destroyed customs and folk tra- In his letter “to all people of good will,” Cardinal George, Bishop Mykhail Sabryha, with the blessing of the ditions, but they didn’t destroy the faith of the people nor Lubachivsky asked the professionals and businesspeople to cornerstone, began the great task of building the grand their love for the Mother of God. With the first glimmer of set aside funds for the building of this church. He especially sobor of the Mother of God of Zarvanytsia. Many church freedom, the people returned to their ancestral customs and addressed those whom God had blessed with special talents, and government dignitaries, and thousands of faithful practices, and among these practices there is a renewed those who were able to complete their studies and become helped to make this historic day unforgettable. Following an interest in pilgrimages. p r o f e s s i o n a l s . old custom, entire parishes with their priests, carrying ban- In the past there was a practice whereby a whole village Cardinal Lubachivsky wrote: “Let us honor the Mother ners and singing songs, came to Zarvanytsia for this beloved would go on a pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia. Some pilgrims of God of Zarvanytsia, in the same manner as the French pilgrimage. walked for as long as five days from Kolomyia, Nadvirna, honor Lourdes and the Portuguese honor Fatima and the In the summer, the Youth Congress was begun with an Kosiv, Hordenka, Zalischyky and other places. They carried Polish honor an icon that originated in Ukraine and now is unprecedented pilgrimage from Zakarpattia. On July 20, their food in baskets slung across their shoulders, slept in known as the Mother of God of Czestochowa.” He and all 1997, more than a thousand pilgrims came by bus and car, barns offered by good people, sang together and asked local the bishops of the Greek-Catholic Church in Ukraine asked under the leadership of Bishop Ivan Margitych of priests to lead the Akafist to the Mother of God in their all to join the great collection. Offerings will help erect a Zakarpattia. On Friday, July 25, 1997, the Youth Congress churches. One pilgrim recalled the years before the second worthy temple to house the miraculously saved icon of the began with thousands of young men and women participat- world war when the pilgrims filled the roads and paths on Mother of God of Zarvanytsia. ing. There were more than 200 priests, a great numbers of the way to Zarvanytsia, and from afar one could tell by their Ukrainians from the diaspora visit Ukraine and do not sisters, monks, and seminarians present. dress and embroidery the regions from where the they forget about Zarvanytsia. They offer their support, remem- Since 1997 had been declared the year dedicated to Jesus c a m e . bering the past and expressing gratitude for protection in Christ, the theme of the Congress was “You are Christ, the During the Feast of the Dormition, the main liturgy was difficult times, for saved lives. Their deep devotion to the Son of the Living God”; its goal was for youth to get to celebrated by Bishop Pavlo Vasylyk, the hero of Blessed Mother is felt by those in Ukraine. The Rev. know and understand Jesus Christ more closely. There are Zarvanytsia, who in 1988 – despite danger and threats – Semiuk said: “Although you are far away, with your hearts still many atheists in Ukraine, thus, there is a need to speak courageously celebrated a liturgy to commemorate the you are always near. We feel that.” about God, and God’s Word needs to be spread among Millennium of Christianity in Ukraine. Even the smallest offering will be recognized with a per- youth. This year, over 6,000 pilgrims received the sacraments. sonal certificate; the names of major donors will be On Saturday, Bishop Lubomyr Husar, the auxiliary bish- After the liturgy, a traditional procession to the miraculous inscribed on a commemorative plaque in the shrine. op to Cardinal Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky, primate of the spring took place, where water was blessed as well as flow- Please make checks payable to Shrine of the Zarvanytsia Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, arrived to participate. ers – which is the prescribed practice of this feast. Mother of God and mail them to: Sobor Building On Sunday liturgy was celebrated by Bishops Husar, On the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, 110 Committee, 15 St. Olga St., Hamilton, Ontario L8L 6R3; or Sabryha and Margitych. In his sermon, Bishop Husar called seminarians of the Ternopil Eparchy went on a pilgrimage, to Selfreliance Credit Union, 108 Second Ave., New York, youth to be faithful to God, and encouraged each, according walking all the way from Ternopil to Zarvanytsia under the NY 10003-8392. N E W S A N D V I E W S : The bells of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church by Michael Heretz century bells. This is not just another appeal for funds. If the 3,000 to honor Archbishop Antony In 1996 President Leonid Kuchma issued an appeal to parishes of the Kyiv Patriarchate fail to deliver such a mini- the Ukrainian nation around the world. It was titled “Let Us mal amount of money for the bells of St. Michael’s SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – On Saturday, January Renew Our Ukrainian Spirituality.” The appeal was signed Cathedral of the Golden Domes, we have learned that 17, the Saturday before Theophany, the Ukrainian by Patriarch Filaret and also by a number of well-known Moscow Patriarchate stands ready to provide the funds Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. will honor Archbishop Ukrainian writers and scholars. Little-noted in the appeal immediately. They would expect that if they provide the Antony of New York, ruling bishop of the Eastern Eparchy was a call to the Ukrainian diaspora to join hands in rebuild- money for the bells, they would be the ones to hold the and president of the Consistory, on the occasion of the 25th ing St. Michael’s Cathedral of the Golden Domes, rebuilt St. Michael’s Cathedral of the Golden Domes. If we anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood. destroyed by the Soviets in 1935. do not respond to this appeal, the mayor will have no moral Solemnities will begin with the celebration of a divine Unfortunately, very few in our community in the diaspo- basis to deny their request. liturgy of thanksgiving at 10 a.m. in St. Andrew the First- ra were made aware of the president’s appeal, and there has Attempts to raise the money among Kyiv Patriarchate Called Apostle Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, been virtually no response to it. Determined to proceed with parishes have been unsuccessful. This is no surprise, con- N.J. The principal celebrant of the liturgy will be the rebuilding of St. Michael’s Cathedral of the Golden Metropolitan Constantine; concelebrating will be bishops Domes, President Kuchma and Kyiv Mayor Oleksander sidering the difficult economic conditions. Patriarch Filaret has turned to us, the St. Andrew’s Society, asking us to and archbishops, and local clergy. Omelchenko decided to tap into their already strained bud- Following the liturgy, an agape banquet and program gets and to begin the reconstruction with state and city appeal to persons of good will in the U.S. to help raise the necessary funds so that St. Michael’s Cathedral of the honoring the archbishop will be held in the main auditori- f u n d s . um of the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave., Construction is now under way. We are pleased to report Golden Domes does not meet the same fate as the Franklin Township, N.J. that the finest construction techniques are being employed Monastery of Caves, which is now held by the Moscow Ordained to the holy priesthood on November 26, 1976, and the work is proceeding rapidly. It is the goal of the pres- P a t r i a r c h a t e . in St. John the Baptist Parish in Sharon, Pa., Archbishop ident and the mayor that the reconstruction of at least the Let us all work together to realize the 60-year dream of Antony, then the Rev. John, served as pastor of St. bell tower of the famous cathedral should be completed all Ukrainians: that the bells of St. Michael’s Cathedral of before the Kyiv Days celebration this coming May and that the Golden Domes will again ring out across Kyiv, as they Vladimir Parish in Ambidge, Pa., and St. Michael the the entire project be completed before the year 2000. There did for more than 800 years before the cathedral’s destruc- Archangel Parish in Hammond, Ind. In addition to his pas- is every sign that this goal will be achieved. t i o n . toral duties, he served as spiritual advisor of the senior and But the president and the mayor left one part of the bell Please help us to buy the bells and restore St. Michael’s junior chapters of the Ukrainian Orthodox League, editor of tower out of their budget: the bells. Cathedral of the Golden Domes to the Kyiv Patriarchate. To the UOLeague Bulletin, editor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Mayor Omelchenko made it quite clear that while he and let our historic temple fall into the hands of the successors Word and rector of St. Sophia Theological Seminary. President Kuchma have undertaken the general construc- to the very group that violently destroyed it in 1935 would Archimandrite Antony was called by the Council of tion, he expects that the bells will be purchased by the be a harsh insult to all of us. Please do not let this happen. Bishops and the Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate. It is his The names of those able to give $1,000 or more will be of the U.S.A. to espicopal service and was consecrated to stated intention to return the cathedral to the Kyiv permanently inscribed at the bell tower entrance, and the the episcopacy in St. Andrew Memorial Church by the late Patriarchate. But first, and quite rightly, the mayor expects names of all contributors, even those who can send only $5 Patriarch Mstyslav I and the present Church primate, that there should be some indication that the Church has or $10 will be published in the official Information Bulletin Metropolitan Constantine. Elected to the position of consis- sufficient interest in the rebuilding project. In this sense, the of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate. The tory president, Archbishop Antony’s ministry is focused on purchase of the bells by the people of the Kyiv Patriarchate edition of the bulletin containing the names will be pre- the spiritual and material growth and development of would constitute “down payment.” served at the cathedral forever, for you, your children and Ukrainian Orthodox parishes in the U.S. Most importantly the Kyiv Patriarchate’s purchase of the your children’s children to see. Agape banquet tickets at $30 per person, may be pur- bells will give the mayor a firm moral basis for the eventual All donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. Please make chased at local Ukrainian Orthodox parishes or at the transfer of the completed Cathedral to the Kyiv Patriarchate checks payable to St. Michael’s Cathedral Fund and mail consistory by telephoning (732) 356-0090. Reservations and not to others, who have expressed interest in it. to: St. Andrew’s Society, c/o Anna Wojtiuk, 162-4 E. 23rd and ticket orders must be made with the consistory by Only $25,000 is needed to duplicate the original 12th St., Paterson, NJ 07514. January 12. No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 9

by Orysia Paszczak Tracz

You think you’re helping and comforting them, and you’re P redvichnyi” in almost the same melody we all know, but the one who benefits the most. with a folk kick. The rhythm and melody almost re m i n d e d These are usually my thoughts after my monthly evenings me of a kolomyika, but the words were all there. She would at The Holy Family Nursing Home in Winnipeg, but espe- sing out the koliada whenever the spirit moved her during cially so this mid-December. I visit one evening a month, and the rest of the evening. I guess I could call myself the program or the entertainment Some visiting adult children sat with their resident pare n t s . for that week. The residents who are able – physically and One son, probably in his late 50s himself, later told me how mentally – to sit through an hour or so of talking and singing much he enjoyed reminiscing, because he and his wife, their are brought to the sitting area where we meet. c h i l d ren and grandchildren still celebrate most of the tradi- In the past, we’ve talked about folk medicine and tions. His quite elderly mother, in her 80s or early 90s, was the Shevchenko (on different evenings), and we sang. Therapists daughter of pioneers from Horodenka and Bukovyna. Even know that music heals and comforts, and this was certainly though her face was deeply wrinkled, that elegant Ukrainian t rue when we sang together. I tried to select the real oldies beauty of eyes, cheekbones and lips was still there . but goodies, including “Dai Nam, Bozhe, Dobryi Chas,” When I mentioned some custom as it was celebrated in which everyone re m e m b e red. We will sing more in future Ukraine long ago, another resident corrected me, “What do visits, especially because I’m learning new verses I haven’t you mean in Ukraine? Here in Winnipeg, too!” She was a heard before. Winnipeg native, whose parents arrived at the turn of the The residents at the nursing home are a microcosm of century. Ukrainian Winnipeg. There are those who were babies when Carolling was especially fun in the rural areas of Manitoba. they arrived with their pioneer parents around a century The distances were far, the snow was very deep and not ago, those who were born in Manitoba 100 or 90 years ago, plowed, but if the families could not aff o rd horses yet, the those from the post-world war immigrations (both of them), koliadnyky walked from homestead to homestead. If a sleigh and now the elderly of the later immigrations (from Poland and horses were available, these were used. Of course, the and Ukraine). Right after dinner on this December evening horses’ bridles were decorated for the occasion. One woman (bedtime is early in a nursing home), we gathered to talk re m e m b e red that the koliadnyky were fed in every house, about Ukrainian Christmas traditions. I looked forward to and her father, the sleigh driver, also had a charka or two of learning something new, as well as confirming certain things something stronger to warm up. By early morning the horses I had read. I went through the traditions of Sviat Ve c h i r pulling the sleigh full of koliadnyky found their own way (Christmas Eve), and into Malanka (New Ye a r ’s Eve) and home. In Winnipeg and among the scattered towns certain Yordan (Feast of the Epiphany) – and as I mentioned a partic- n e i g h b o rhoods were completely Ukrainian, so the koliad- ular ritual or custom, at least one of the residents would add nyky just went door-to-door, without asking. m o re. What was especially interesting was to hear how on We remembered how cold it could be on Yordan, when the the farms in Manitoba, or in the city of Winnipeg back in the water is blessed outside. It is usually the most bitterly cold 1910s to 1930s, the same celebrations were happening as in and freezing day of the winter so far, and that is the morning Ukraine. the parishioners gather outside for the blessing. Of course, We started with kutia (the ritual food of cooked wheat c r osses made of blocks of ice stand at every Ukrainian grains, poppy seeds and honey), and it was interesting that church. And, of course, in the old days, and still now in rural in many regions of western Ukraine whence most of the resi- areas, those crosses are cut out of the river or lake ice (at least dents or their families emigrated, this dish was just called a foot or two thick by January 19). “pshenytsia” (wheat). But this was not ordinary wheat, In his play “Tin Can Cathedral” about Ukrainian and because even the pronunciation of “pshenytsia” was re v e r- Canadian church politics in Winnipeg in 1903, Wi n n i p e g ent. We discussed varieties of fish, borsch and mushro o m s . playwright Nick Mitchell has the French Roman Catholic The fillings for varenyky certainly went beyond potato and bishop look out onto the frozen Red River and remark that onion, sauerkraut, plums, other fruit and berries. There were t h e r e go those “Ruthenians” cutting ice out of the river varenyky filled with buckwheat, and one lady always made again! During the Prairie Theater Exchange production of s a rdine-filled vare n y k y, which her family enjoyed. This fill- this play, the Ukrainians in the audience were the ones to ing could have been a variation on a fish filling, with the burst out laughing. canned sardines an economic necessity – or, maybe the fami- After Yo r dan, just like back in Ukraine, all the hay and ly really liked them. straw from the house and the didukh were disposed of in the The various broad bean dishes were discussed, and these traditional way. In the yard, where two paths cross, the w e re especially popular among those from Bukovyna and didukh and the rest were burned. Of course, reverent, sym- Podillia (salamakha – a casserole of crushed beans and garlic; bolic items such as this could not be just discarded. The fami- the word also means something that is a real mess). “Horokh ly members would then jump over the fire, to ensure health z kapustoiu” (dried peas with sauerkraut baked in a casse- and everything good in the new year. Shades of Kupalo! A role) is a phrase also often used to indicate that something is person from the Gard e n t o n - Vita area of southeastern all mixed up. Manitoba even has a photograph of his mother jumping over T h e re was a discussion of what the liquid re f re s h m e n t the burning didukh. should be on Sviat Ve c h i r, with one lady saying that they There are many people of Ukrainian descent in Winnipeg drank only wine that evening, and everything else the next who no longer celebrate “Ukrainian” Christmas. And yet, day. All remembered the empty place setting, and leaving the considering that Ukrainians have been in Canada for over a food for the souls all night. Some spoke about throwing the century now, so very many still do celebrate – and the rest of kutia to the ceiling, and what a problem that became when the community knows, respects and often even envies us for the ceiling was a stuccoed one. our Ukrainian Christmas. One woman remembered the pampushky fried in konopli The seniors at Holy Family Nursing Home are some of the (hemp) oil, done in that oil only for Sviat Ve c h i r, and how ones who over the years made sure that our Christmas tradi- delicious they and the oil were. She started up “Boh tions continue to flourish. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1

Ukrainian pro hockey update by Ihor Stelmach

‘Second best’ vows and the concessions, and as long as they have people in the building, they’ll do to keep trying harder fine. The building is the key.” The International Hockey League has The league is experimenting with rule two teams on suspension and several oth- changes Ufer hopes will create more ers on life support, but that has done offense and speed up the game without nothing to diminish Commissioner Bob offending traditionalists. Ufer’s optimism for the long-range health “As great as this game is, we feel we Need a back issue? can make it better,” Ufer said. “We’re con- If you’d like to obtain a back issue of of the league. The league clearly does not The Ukrainian Weekly, send $2 per copy want to compete with the NHL, despite fronted with greater than ever size, speed (first-class postage included) to: the concerns of some in the older league and strength of our players. What we’re Administration, The Ukrainian Weekly, who believe the IHL may try to go the doing is looking for ways to improve the 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. way of the World Hockey Association. excitement and offensive capabilities. Ufer thinks the league has found its niche While some of our proposals may not be by promoting itself as the “second-best the answer, we owe it to our fans to contin- league in the world” and said the results are ue to explore ways to improve it.” beginning to show on the bottom line. Free Cash The San Francisco Spiders and Minors have major numbers Grants! Phoenix Roadrunners franchises are on The bottom rung of professional hock- College. Scholarships. Business. suspension for 1997-1998, but the league ey was once described as the Jules Verne Medical Bills. Never Repay. is expected to announce shortly that deals League. You know, 20,000 leagues have been completed to move them to beneath the NHL. Victoria, British Columbia, and Toronto, But now there are seven minor profes- respectively, in time for 1999-2000. And sional leagues, and they’re all trying to WEST ARKA more teams, he said, have stemmed the forge their own identity. Things are clear 2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 free-flowing river of red ink. at the top where the American and Teams such as the Las Vegas International leagues are Nos. 1 and 2, Gifts Thunder, Indianapolis Ice, Fort Wayne but not so crystal clear beneath them. Ukrainian Handicrafts Komets and Quebec Rafales have Prior to the formation of the Colonial Art, Ceramics, Jewellery A. CHORNY encountered financial problems the past League in 1991-1992, the “low minors” Books, Newspapers few seasons, but Ufer said the league is of hockey consisted of just 11 teams in Cassettes, CDs, Videos working with teams to stop that. He said the East Coast League. Embroidery Supplies two key factors are careful marketing But the secondary minor league network Packages and Services to Ukraine plans and new arenas. now includes 67 teams in five leagues. The Utah Grizzlies are in the new E That’s 600 percent growth in six years – Tel.: (416) 762-8751 Fax: (416) 767-6839 Y E V S H A N Center this season, and team president from 200 players to more than 1,300. Distributor of fine Ukrainian products - Cassettes, Compact Tim Mouser said its impact is already How confusing is it? Until the discs - Videos - Language tapes & Dictionaries - Computer apparent. fonts for PC & MAC - Imported Icons - Ukrainian Stationery Colonial League changed its name to the - Cookbooks - Food parcels to Ukraine “Look at the (Detroit) Vipers,” United League this summer, it shared the Mouser said. “They don’t need the ticket FOR SALE Call for a free catalog 2 adjacent lots in Port Charlotte, Fla. revenue because they control the parking (Continued on page 11) Call 416-245-7236 after 6 p.m. 1-8 00- 2 65-9 8 5 8 Ask for Peter VISA - MASTERCARD - AMEX ACCEPTED FAX ORDERS ACCEPTED (514) 630-9960 BOX 325, BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC CANADA - H9W 5T8 STILL PAYING 18% ON YOUR FIRST QUALITY CREDIT CARDS? UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE MON U M E N T S SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES OBLAST UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX M E M O R I A L S P.O. BOX 746 FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Chester, NY 10918 914-469-4247 PROUDLY ANNOUNCES OUR NEW BILINGUAL HOME APPOINTMENTS

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Working agreements includes all those Pro hockey... with NHL, AHL and IHL clubs. American Hockey League (Continued from page 10) Working agreements Player Pos. Team CHL designation with the 10-team Peter Ambroziak LW Hershey Bears Central League. There’s the third-year 1. ECHL: 21 of 25 teams West Coast League and the second-year 2. UHL: 6 of 10 teams Wade Belak D Hershey Bears Western Pro League. 3. WCHL: 2 of 9 teams Drake Berehowsky D Hamilton Bulldogs 4. WPHL: 2 of 13 teams Including the AHL and IHL, there are Frank Bialowas D Philadelphia Phantoms more than 100 minor pro teams and 5. CHL: 1 of 10 teams Steve Halko D Beast of New Heaven 2,000 players this season. So how do the 1996-1997 average attendance leagues fit in the minor-pro network? Todd Hlushko RW St. John Flames Well, there really isn’t a Triple-A, 1. ECHL: 5,273 Sergei Klimentiev D Rochester Americans 2. CHL: 4,600 Double-A, Single-A system like you Mike Maneluk LW Philadelphia Phantoms have in baseball. The AHL and IHL, to a 3. WPHL: 4,506 lesser extent, are the developmental 4. WCHL: 3,069 Nick Naumenko D Worcester Icecats leagues. The ECHL is struggling to make 5. UHL: 2,824 Peter Sidorkiewicz GT Albany River Rats it, too, but it’s not quite there yet. Weekly salary cap (U.S.$) Lee Sorochan D Hartford Wolf Pack Unlike baseball, where it’s common Oleg Tverdovsky D Hamilton Bulldogs for young prospects to advance through 1. WPHL: $9,450 the ranks from rookie to Single-A to 2. UHL: $8,800 Alex Vasilevski RW HamiltonBulldogs Double-A to Triple-A before making the 3. ECHL: $8,000 Brendan Yarema C Kentucky Thoroughblades majors, blue-chip hockey prospects don’t 4. WCHL: $7,125 drop below the AHL or IHL. 5. CHL: $6,600 The ECHL is a catch-all league for Caliber of play International Hockey League secondary prospects and career minor leaguers. Granted, 21 of 25 ECHL teams 1. East Coast League Player Pos. Team have working agreements with NHL 2. United League Aaron Boh D Fort Wayne Komets teams, and a handful of players such as 3. Western Pro League Mike Buzak GT Long Beach Ice Dogs Olaf Kolzig of the Washington Capitals, 4. Central League Dave Chyzowski LW Orlando-San Antonio Dragons Paul Laus of the Florida Panthers and 5. West Coast League Harry York of the St. Louis Blues even- Brent Fedyk LW Detroit Vipers tually make the jump. But there isn’t New franchises putting Alex Gattcheniouk C Michigan K-Wings what you would call a pipeline of fans back in arenas Alexander Godynyuk D Chicago Wolves prospects flowing through the ECHL. In terms of caliber of play, the ECHL Minor pro hockey experienced a resur- Tony Hrkac C Michigan K-Wings is rated slightly ahead of the UHL. The gence at the gate last season thanks to Ryan Huska LW Indianapolis Ice WPHL is a step below the UHL and a eight new venues. Attendance in the Paul Koch D Chicago Wolves step above the CHL and WCHL. American, International and East Coast Mark Kolesar LW Manitoba Moose Minor league hockey headhunter Dan leagues increased 7 percent compared to Delaney sends his best clients to the 1995-1996. That contrasts the dropoff of Brad Lukowich D Michigan K-Wings ECHL (the only unionized league of the a year before when attendance in the Jeremy Mylymok D Quebec Rafales three leagues dipped by 8 percent. bottom five) and UHL. “The ECHL is Yevgeny Namestnikov D Utah Grizzlies established because of its working agree- New teams in Quebec, Grand Rapids ments with NHL teams,” says Delaney. and Manitoba in the IHL, Philadelphia and Greg Pankiewicz RW Manitoba Moose “But the United League is probably just Kentucky in the AHL, and Mississippi, Dan Ratushny D Quebec Rafales as competitive because it has a nine-play- Pensacola and Baton Rouge in the ECHL Russ Romaniuk LW Manitoba-Long Beach er veteran rule. Other leagues allow only attracted more fans than the league aver- Jeff Salajko GT Kansas City Blades three or four veterans.” ages. The San Antonio Dragons (IHL) and Another factor that has a huge impact Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) were new Mike Tomlak C Milwaukee Admirals on caliber is salary. One reason why the teams with below average totals. Dan Tryboyevich D Grand Rapids Griffins Texas-strong WPHL leap-frogged ahead The Detroit Vipers (IHL) again led the of the CHL this past year is because its way with an average of 12,506. That’s players are paid 43 percent better. WPHL more than the NHL’s New York East Coast League teams have weekly salary caps of $9,450 Islanders and Los Angeles Kings. compared to $6,600 in the CHL. New minor league teams this season Player Pos. Team are the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, The WPHL also has better goaltending Alexander Alexeev D Hampton Roads Admirals because of a three-marquee-player rule Hartford Wolf Pack and Beast of New Steve Cheredaryk D New Orleans Brass that allows each team to budget a total of Haven in the AHL, and the Chesapeake $100,000 for three players. That lured Icebreakers, New Orleans Brass and Pee David Craievich LW Mobile Mysticks ex-NHLers Daniel Berthiaume and John Dee Pride in the ECHL. Brad Federenko LW Jacksonville Lizard Kings Teams that have not returned are the Blue, as well as several other former Garry Gulash D Birmingham Bulls AHL and IHL goalies last season, Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL), Baltimore although Berthiaume returned to the Bandits, Binghamton Rangers and Dieter Kochan GT Louisville Riverfrogs ECHL this year. Carolina Monarchs in the AHL, and Jack Kowal LW Louisville Riverfrogs Knoxville Cherokees in the ECHL. The growing war between the WPHL Rick Kowalsky RW Hampton Roads Admirals and CHL may be a battle to the death. Top three minor leagues Taras Lendzyk GT Richmond Renegades Or, perhaps, a battle that will result in a union of the two. boast a total of 52 Ukes Alex Matvichuk Wheeling Thunderbirds The CHL has traditionally been strong The top three professional minor Jay Mazur RW Pee Dee Pride at the gate, although average attendance league circuits (AHL, IHL and ECHL) Marty Melnychuk Huntington Blizzard last season dropped to 4,600 after three are very capably represented by Mikhail Nemirovsky New Orleans Brass straight years above 5,600. The upstart Ukrainian players. WPHL averaged 4,506 in its first season The American Hockey League has 14 Dan Pawlaczyk Chesapeake Icebreakers in 1996-1997. To address a downward Ukrainians on rosters at press time, includ- Ryan Pisiak Louisiana Icegators trend in attendance, caliber of play and ing the recently signed Oleg Tverdovsky, Mark Polak Pensacola Ice Pilots credibility, the CHL recently airlifted in contract holdout with Phoenix, signing Ray Compton and Tom Berry from the with Hamilton in early December. The Sergei Radchenko Wheeling Thunderbirds IHL’s head office to serve as president more independent International League Steve Suk Mobilee Mysticks and commissioner, respectively. Berry lists 19 Ukrainian pucksters, as does the Brad Zavisha Birmingham Bulls isn’t about to start a minor league war. East Coast League. Of the total of 52 “There’s an absolute guaranteed reali- Ukes, three have also spent time with their ty that these two leagues join in the next parent clubs in the NHL this season. They two or three years,” Berry says. “It include Drake Berehowsky, Wade Belak PACKAGES TO UKRAINE makes sense for us to help each other, not and Steve Halko, all defensemen. compete.” As for the remaining lower minor as low as $ .69 per Lb Perhaps fitting into this future union is leagues, information concerning team ros- the nine-team WCHL. Ambitious and ters and scoring statistics are almost impos- DNIPRO CO well-organized, it has three teams in sible to obtain. Rest assured that there are California and another in Alaska. many more Ukes toiling away in these NEWARK, NJ P H I L A D E L P H I A CLIFTON, NJ Here are the basics about the East lower leagues. Among the better known is 698 Sanford Ave 1801 Cottman Ave 565 Clifton Ave Coast, United, Western Pro, Central and veteran netminder Sergei Tkachenko, tend- West Coast leagues. The rating on caliber ing goal for the Anchorage Aces in the Tel. 201-373-8783 Tel. 215-728-6040 Tel. 201-916-1543 of play was determined in a The Hockey West Coast Hockey League. We’ll try to *Pick up service available News survey of minor league experts. get the inside scoop out here, too. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1

liamentary wing of the SPP and some The Ukrainian parliamentary. . . members of the SDP(U), such as another (Continued from page 2) former prime minister, Yevhen Marchuk, week of the official campaign, newspapers and of Hromada, including Mr. Lazarenko began carrying reports of some of the himself. smaller parties and blocs literally buying While there was much talk of creating a signatures so as to clear the first hurdle. unified centrist bloc, the idea has again failed to blossom, once more falling foul of President Kuchma’s concerns over the narrow political, more accurately leader- likely outcome of the parliamentary elec- ship, ambitions. Therefore, many centrist tions are not unfounded. He has under- parties have settled for a, thus far, rather standably avoided openly associating him- half-hearted call to coordinate candidacies self with any particular party. Instead, the in single mandate constituencies so as not president has publicly identified the left as to take votes away from each other. (Such the unacceptable face of any Verkhovna proposals will almost certainly be taken Rada and declared his support for, and will- much more seriously closer to election ingness to work with, all centrist forces. time.) What this means in practice, however, is The first attempt to coordinate some- difficult to determine. Although the left is thing along these lines was in fact undertak- heading toward the elections as a much less en by President Kuchma. On October 3, coherent entity than in 1994, the center – 1997, he persuaded the representatives of however defined – is as divided as ever. nine parties to sign a memorandum of Opinion polls show that around 40 percent cooperation. Almost immediately, howev- of respondents with a preference would er, the parties began denying that their sig- vote for moderates. Thus, squeezing into natures represented a compromise of their the increasingly crowded niche on either political identities. But the president’s side, but within touching distance of the motives were clear enough and were reiter- political center, is very much the order of ated by his chief of staff, Yevhen the day for many relatively established par- TALENT SEARCH FOR AN ASSIGNMENT IN UKRAINE Kushnariov, at a November 26, 1997, press ties as well as the parvenus. briefing: President Kuchma sees these par- Voter identification with the center, ties as the most likely source of support I. MARKETING MANAGER however, is somewhat abstract and hence within the next Verkhovna Rada for his and tenuous. Very few voters (or, indeed, II. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER the government’s policies (as well as for his experts) can, for example, readily differen- possible re- election bid). tiate between the platforms of most of the However, short-term goals, such as in UKRAINIAN WAVE, INC. – AN AMERICAN-UKRAINIAN parties now claiming – in the case of the TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY IS SEEKING RESULTS-ORIENTED. this case the principally negative one of EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL TO FILL THESE TWO KEY POSITIONS IN THE CITY OF LVIV extreme right Ukrainian National preventing the left from exploiting differ- Assembly, amusingly so – centrist creden- ences among the centrists, remain a central Minimum Qualifications: t i a l s . feature of post-independence Ukrainian • 5 years of experience in telecommunication or related field. Currently, the center consists of approxi- politics. This enduring reality is simply • Western education and training with degrees from accredited University. mately 15 parties and blocs. Politically – brought into sharper relief during periods of • Motivated self starters. Objective driven. use economic criteria and the arrangement heightened political activity. • Computer literacy and passable command of Ukrainian is a must. changes somewhat – the center can be said • Good and patient communicator and trainer of local workforce. Extrapolating from current dynamics, • Willing to be based in Lviv for several years. to range from the Social Democrats Party President Kuchma’s future relationship (Unified), or SDP(U), ironically born of a with the parliamentary center is unlikely to UW party schism, and former Prime Minister differ greatly from the position in which he will offer a competitive compensation package for the right candidate commensurable with experience and education. Pavlo Lazarenko’s Hromada party on the Benefits, performance incentives as well as hardship pay will be valuated as part of the comp. finds himself today. Beyond a core of usu- left, to Rukh (whose original national ally supportive parties, he must rely on his Qualified candidates are urged to send a LETTER OF INTRODUCTION and recent RESUME to: democratic message now has a marked ability or, most crucially, his inclination or UW Staffing, P.O. Box 92, social democratic content), and possibly the disinclination to form issue-specific Brush Prairie, WA 98606 National Front (an alliance of nationalist alliances with individuals or groups of indi- parties such as the Congress of Ukrainian viduals wherever he can find them within Nationalists, the Republican Party and the the Verkhovna Rada. Conservative Republican Party) on the As money will help determine which To subscribe: Send $60 ($40 if you are a member of the UNA) to The Ukrainian Weekly, right. The edges of this scheme are further parties will clear the first formal electoral Subscription Department, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 blurred by the fact that it is not at all easy to obstacle, celebrity will play a key role in differentiate between, say, the Moroz par- helping parties negotiate the second, 4 per- cent vote, barrier. It is premature to argue that Ukrainian politics is now shaped by the kind of triumph of style over substance so characteristic of a growing number of Western electoral processes. Yet given that most centrist parties are very new, regional- ly based and divided less by philosophy than by irreconcilable personality conflicts, resorting to gimmickry offers the best way of winning over the hearts (if not the minds) of a sufficient number of voters for just as long as it takes for them to mark their ballot paper. Thus, while some popu- lar entertainers have thrown in their lot with political parties out of conviction – with Rukh and the Communists among the ben- eficiaries – others, or more accurately their agents, have rather less than discreetly hint- ed that their clients are available for hire. Celebrity comes in many forms. The most successful example of this new politi- cal symbiosis is offered by the Social Democrats Party (Unified), who can be considered a serious party with an essential- ly appealing message for the many Ukrainians with a visceral affinity for the left of center. In contrast, the most glaring failures in this regard have been the Democratic Party of Ukraine (DPU) and the Christian Republican Party (CRP). The DPU placed Deputy Prime Minister Serhii Tyhypko sec- ond on their ticket but without his consent. This put the DPU in the embarrassing posi- tion of having to remove Mr. Tyhypko’s name from the list when he made it clear that he would not be running for (Continued on page 13) No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 13 The Ukrainian parliamentary. . . This is not the only shortcoming of the current system. Just as before, there is noth- The Consulate General of Ukraine in New York (Continued from page 12) ing in the new electoral regime that obliges Parliament, but should he elect to do so he an incumbent national deputy to run for re- expresses its deepest condolences to the family of election in his or her original constituency. would choose his party allegiance on his This deprives constituents of their only real longtime pastor of St. Volodymyr Cathedral in New York own. The CRP found itself in an almost opportunity to pass judgment on his or her identical position, being too eager to The Very Rev. Protopresbyter performance. (Running on a party ticket announce that Leonid Kadenyuk, who on obviously offers yet another way of avoid- November 21, 1997, became independent ing the negative consequences of possible Ukraine’s first astronaut as part of the cur- Volodymyr Bazylevsky voter censure.) rent Shuttle mission, would run on their Moreover, anyone wishing to discover ticket. something more substantial concerning whom we all knew, valued and respected. At their party conference the SDP(U) these peripatetic candidates, in order to surprisingly announced that the top two make a more informed choice will have to berths in their party ticket will go to former contend with a recent ruling of the President Leonid Kravchuk and ex-Prime Constitutional Court. The Mohyla Academic Society, Inc., a charitable and tax-exempt organization which lends support Minister Yevhen Marchuk, respectively. The verdict in the Ustymenko case The party leader, former Minister of Justice essentially denies access to confidential to the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA), wishes a Blessed Christmas and Vasyl Onopenko, will run third, a small – information on someone without that indi- Happy New Year to all benefactors for their generosity and their appreciation of the NaUKMA’s role and very likely temporary – inconvenience vidual’s consent. Confidential information in the cultural, political and economic life of Ukraine. This academic year, after only five years of its given that the SDP(U) has now managed to includes, among other things, education, rebirth, NaUKMA is attended by 2,252 undergraduate and graduate students at its three campuses raise its profile considerably in what is marital status, religious convictions, state (Kyiv, Ostrih and Mykolayiv). Moreover, NaUKMA maintains a number of secondary schools (in undoubtedly at present the most crowded of health, date and place of birth, and Chernihiv, Zaporizhia, Feodosiya, Mykolaiv and Rozhniv in Ivano-Frankivsk district). It has its own part of the political spectrum. But what are financial status. Most remarkably, because university press which to date has published over 30 scholarly books as well as several scholarly and the possible implications for the voter, and, of sloppy legislating, this anonymity is student magazines, a student radio station, a research library with ca. 300,000 volumes, four comput- by extension, the idea of representative applicable only to those national deputies er centers, and Internet page, art gallery, several research institutes, a student theater. This is but a d e m o c r a c y ? running on party tickets. (Candidates run- partial list of UKMA’s achievements. But above all, UKMA is entirely a UKRAINIAN UNIVERSITY, None of these maneuverings can detract ning simultaneously on party tickets and totally dedicated to the further development and strengthening of the Ukrainian state. from the fact that Messrs. Kravchuk and in single mandate districts are obliged to Marchuk are genuine political heavy- reveal biographical details in the latter weights. But while there can be little doubt- Your assistance has played a significant role in these achievements. The Mohyla Academic Sociaty is case only!) While it has not yet caused grateful for this and hopes that you will continue to be an active participant in UKMA’s academic ing their commitment to the idea of social much concern within the Verkhovna Rada growth. (Mail your correspondence to: Prof. John Fizer, 26 Bedford Rd., Somerset, N.J. 08873) democracy – an identification that can only itself, this absurdity is hardly conducive to be consolidated among the electorate at the creation of an atmosphere that would Vsevolod Onyshkevych large through their relationship with the encourage people to take an active interest SDP(U) – there are genuine doubts about in the elections. Larissa Onyshkevych their commitment to the SDP(U) itself. In By commencing the consolidation of Lydia Zaininger fact, neither is a party member. political parties within the Verkhovna Rada, George Farion Thus, the SDP(U) presence in the next the new electoral system does offer the Volodymyr Bandera Verkhovna Rada might be attributable in promise of an eventually more broadly John Fizer no small measure to two individuals who based, accountable system of government. will probably choose to represent their But it does little more than that in the pre- single mandate districts – where they are sent. Indeed, it is even possible to argue, unlikely to be seriously challenged – as without much risk of exaggeration, that the To subscribe: Send $60 ($40 if you are a member of the UNA) to The Ukrainian Weekly, independents. Mr. Onopenko will return first systematic steps towards consolidating Subscription Department, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 to the top berth, and the natural order of party-based democracy in Ukraine are to things will have been re-established with- begin with the paradox – that pervasive and in the SDP(U). But those who voted for enduring Ukrainian condition – of a some- the party (a distinction must be drawn what circumscribed democracy; in other between them and SDP(U) supporters) words, one existing largely to serve the on the basis of the appeal of the Ukrainian political elite, which, despite Kravchuk-Marchuk dominated ticket will impending months of rhetoric to the con- Air Ukraine most certainly have been short-changed, trary, continues to define itself primarily in and, arguably, deceived. (How many of terms of its own immediate interests and these voters will actually care is, of apart from, rather than as an organic part of, course, a completely different issue.) Ukrainian society as a whole. non-stop flights NEW YORK - KYIV NEW YORK - LVIV

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(secretary), and the members of the board of The keynote speaker, Minister dent Ukraine in creating its independent Ukrainian American Bar. . . governors, Mr. Jejna (chairman), Tanya K. Udovenko, was introduced by Ms. judiciary, drafting a new Constitution and (Continued from page 5) Karpiak, Hilary Kinal and Mr. Michniak, Pochoday, who noted that he is a career starting comprehensive legal and economic organizations, with the Ukrainian diaspora greeted and escorted the honored Ukrainian diplomat who joined the Ministry of r e f o r m . ” and Ukraine. Ms. Pochoday, Mr. Michniak guests, namely: Foreign Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 1959. Mr. In his address Minister Udovenko con- centrated on three issues: the place and role and Mr. Shandor summarily addressed the Ukraine and President of the 52nd session Udovenko served in numerous capacities at of the General Assembly of the United the U.N. in New York and in Geneva. He of the United Nations in international issues. Mr. Shandor commented that the Nations Hennadii Udovenko and his wife, was Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland in affairs, the situation in Ukraine and some Ukrainian Institute of America in New Dina; Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Yuri 1992-1994 and was appointed as minister of aspects of Ukrainian-American coopera- York had to contend with many of the same Scherbak and his wife, Maria; and Consul foreign affairs of Ukraine in 1994. tion. Notably, he criticized the U.S. issues and was able to make progress in General of New York Viktor Kryzhanivsky. On September 16, Minister Udovenko Congress over the recent failure to act on attempting to determine the nature of the UABA President Pochoday commenced was unanimously elected president of the U.S. membership dues to the United community it now serves. He described the dinner with “The Lord’s Prayer,” greet- 52nd Session of the United Nations General Nations and warned that this failure threat- some ideas that worked for the UIA, and ed special guests and provided a brief Assembly, replacing Razali Ismail of ens the U.N.’s future work. suggested that they may be utilized to some overview of the activities of the UABA Malaysia. In this capacity he oversees the Minister Udovenko highlighted some degree by the UABA. over its first 20 years and its aspirations for work of six permanent committees of the steps taken by Ukraine in the aftermath The gala dinner-dance was held that the future. General Assembly and the assembly body of its independence, including the adop- evening at the sophisticated Metropolitan Some of the greetings received by the of 185 representatives of U.N. member- tion of the Ukrainian Constitution, its Club of Washington, made available to UABA were then read, including messages states. record on human rights, the development the UABA through the courtesy of its from: the Ukrainian Legal Foundation, Ms. Pochoday noted that this is a critical of political and party systems, the rapid member, Michael Waris Jr. The private Ukrainian International Bar Association, time for the minister to serve as president of growth of public and professional orga- Metropolitan Club, with mahogany wood Ukrainian Notary Chamber and Association the General Assembly and underlined that nizations, the renaissance in organized paneling and gilded ceilings, tables ele- of Ukrainian Advocates, all in Ukraine; The Minister Udovenko’s election was not only religion, the removal of nuclear arma- gantly decorated with large pink rose Washington Group, Ukrainian Engineers’ an honor for him personally, but also for ments from its territory, membership in centerpieces and delicately bowed dinner Society of America and the U.S.-Ukraine Ukraine. the Council of Europe and the establish- programs and menus was a most-fitting Foundation. An oral greeting was presented Minister Udovenko expressed his con- ment of a special partnership with location for the 20th anniversary evening later that evening by Dr. Goy on behalf of gratulations on the occasion of the UABA’s NATO. Minister Udovenko stressed that celebrations. the Ukrainian Medical Association of North 20th anniversary. He noted that the organi- “the process of democratic and economic During the cocktail hour, the attending America (UMANA) and the World zation’s efforts were “essential in the reform in Ukraine is irreversible.” UABA officers: Ms. Pochoday (president), Federation of Medical Associations process of developing of a truly democratic Ukraine “will continue to focus attention Mr. Ozaruk (treasurer), George Pazuniak (WFUMA). society in Ukraine, in particular, indepen- on issues that can help improve the invest- ment climate in Ukraine, combat corruption and improve public administration. ... We are also determined to make the privatiza- tion process in Ukraine a success story,” he The Ukrainian American Youth Assn. said. The audience was reminded that Ukraine is still a young country of only six invites you to the annual years, and that Ukraine is quite aware that it faces serious problems and challenges. But it also has “the will, the heart and the great talents of the Ukrainian people,” empha- sized Minister Udovenko. The dynamic nature of U.S.-Ukraine relations was also mentioned by the minis- ter, who noted that the key to this bilateral relationship is the recognition that “a free, SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1998 independent and sovereign Ukraine, its security and prosperity, are matters of high CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, importance to the United States of America.” WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. At the conclusion of Minister Udovenko’s address, Ms. Pochoday extended the UABA’s best wishes for a Featuring successful and fruitful term as president of the 52nd Session of the General Assembly BURLAKY (Montreal, Canada) and presented Mr. Udovenko with a Adrianna Rudyk Irene Liber bronzed statute of the Lady of Blind Justice holding the scales, in recognition and appreciation of his achievements, and as a gentle reminder that blind justice and fair- COCKTAILS AT 6:30 P.M. ness are the keystones to democratic deci- DINNER AT 7:30 P.M. sion-making. The awards portion of the evening ZABAVA AT 9:00 P.M. program ended on an emotional note. On behalf of the UABA and the UABA DEBUTANTE PRESENTATION AT 9:30 P.M. Scholarship Fund Inc., Ms. Pochoday conferred a posthumous award recogniz- ing the achievements of longtime Oliana Ros Anastasia Pazana UABA member, former officer and director Ivan Shandor, who was killed in Open bar and dinner from 6:30-2:00 — $80.00 per person an accident in April of 1997. Accepting Open bar and zabava 9:00-2:00 — $35.00 per person the award for the family was Ivan’s brother, Bohdan Shandor, who tearfully Zabava only (under 21 years old) — $20.00 per person reminisced that many of his fondest memories were of attending UABA meetings with Ivan. Upon the conclusion of the formal por- For table reservations call Lesia or Slawko Palylyk tion of the evening program, the guests danced to the tunes of the popular at 203-792-2798 Ukrainian orchestra Tempo. Grace Ann Woloschuk Oksana Hucul * * * The UABA is now preparing for its meeting in the spring of 1998, as well as For hotel reservations the fourth World Congress of Ukrainian Jurists (a federation of Ukrainian jurists call 914-682-0050 and ask for special from throughout the world), which is scheduled to take place in the fall of 1998 Ukrainian American Youth Association room rates. in Ukraine. Anyone wishing to contact the UABA and/or apply for membership may call 1-888-UABA-LAW (toll-free in (Please forward this information along to your friends) the U.S.) or (973) 635-3167; write to Maria Dubas Lada Kyj UABA President Bohdanna Pochoday, 4- G Avon Court, Chatham, NJ 07928- This announcement was paid for by SUMA Yonkers Federal Credit Union 1765; or may visit the UABA homepage at http://www.brama.com/uaba No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 15

American Friends For Ukraine

Founder and Chair Vira Hladun Goldman

would like to extend its gratitude to the Ukrainian communities for their continuing support, most recently, the American debut of the Kyiv Chamber Choir

Special thanks to the following:

The White House Social Office The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Inc. The United States Embassy to Ukraine The Ukrainian Institute of America, Inc. The Embassy of Ukraine to the United States The Ukrainian National Association, Inc. The Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations The Washington Group Cultural Fund The Consulate-General of Ukraine in New York Micocci Productions LLC Carnegie Hall Rubenstein Public Relations, Inc. The Washington National Cathedral The Honorable William Green Miller George Mason University Center for the Arts The Honorable Volodymyr Yelchenko The Music Hall of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Alexander Bystrushkin The Ukrainian Cultural Center of Greater Philadelphia Dr. Lydia Korniy Air Ukraine Victor Kytasty Coca-Cola Ukraine Roksolana Stojko-Lozynskyj Delta Airlines Roman Sawycky The Washington Performing Arts Society Irene Stecura The Department of Culture of the City of Kyiv Olia Swed The Ukrainian American Broadcasting Company, Inc. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 1998 No. 1

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Wednesday, January 7 $7. Tickets for the dance only, which will begin at 8 p.m., are $5. Please make reserva- PARMA, Ohio: St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian tions by January 10 by calling (315) 672- Orthodox Cathedral will sponsor its 11th 5361 or (315) 468-2804. annual Christmas radio program for their sick and shut-in parishoners. The entire 9:30 a.m. Sunday, January 18 divine liturgy will be broadcast over radio station WMIH, 1260 AM, Cleveland at 1-3 NEW YORK: The Brooklyn Philharmonic p.m.. The liturgy will be celebrated by Orchestra will perform Verdi’s “Requiem” in Metropolitan Constantine. He will be assisted Carnegie Hall at 8:30 p.m. Featured perform- by the clergy of the cathedral. The cathedral ers: Oksana Krovytska, soprano; Victoria choirs will sing the responses. Also at St. Livengood, mezzo-soprano; Bo Song, tenor; John Cheek, bass-baritone. Participating cho- Vladimir’s, on Christmas Eve, Great ruses: The Hartford Chorale, Columbia Complines and Matins willl be celebrated at Union Collegiate Choir, Queensborough 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6. Chorus, Long Island Choral Society, Long Saturday, January 10 Island Masterworks Chorus, Warwick Valley Chorale, Taghkanic Chorale. Tickets: $55, PARMA, Ohio: The Brotherhood of St. $44, $30, $16. For tickets call (212) 247- Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral is 7 8 0 0 . sponsoring its 34th annual “Malanka” din- ner/dance in the parish center, immediately Saturday, January 24 following the 6 p.m. Vespers in church. C H I C A G O : The Ukrainian American Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by Veterans (UAV) Post 32 will hold an organi- calling (440) 661-5646. zational meeting at 9-10 a.m. at the Ss. Monday, January 12 Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church Cultural Center, Chicago Avenue W A S H I N G T O N : The Kennan Institute for and Oakley Boulevard. Anyone who has Advanced Russian Studies will hold a discus- served in any branch of the armed forces of sion on “Ukraine: Challenges in 1998” at the United States may join the UAV. New noon. Carlos Pascual, director for Russian, members are welcome. For more information Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs at the call Roman Golash, post commander, at National Security Council, will lead the dis- (847) 885-0208 or e-mail him at cussion. For additional information call (202) G o l a s h _ R o m a n @ c o m p u s e r v e . c o m 2 8 7 - 3 4 0 0 . Saturday, January 24 Saturday, January 17 C H I C A G O : The Ukrainian American TUSCON, Ariz.: The Ukrainian American Military Association (UAMA) and the Society of Tuscon will be holding its annual Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) Post “Malanka” New Year’s party at the 32 are sponsoring an informational confer- Heidelberg, 4606 E. Pima. This is a benefit ence “Peace Shield Missions 1995-1998.” dance for the Children of Chornobyl Relief The conference will provide an overview of Fund and part of the ticket price is tax the most recent peacekeeping missions by deductible. Cocktails are at 6:30 p.m., dinner actual participants and discuss the evolving at 7 p.m. and dancing to the tunes of Tom relationship between the United States and Scheneck’s band at 8-11 p.m.. Tickets: Ukrainian armed forces. The conference will adults, $20; students, $15. Reservations are take place at the Ss. Volodymyr and Olha TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 172 required; for tickets call (520) 296-0085. Cultural Center at 10 a.m.- noon. Everyone is Saturday, January 17 invited; the sessions will be in English. Slides As of January 1, 1998, the secretary’s duties of Branch 172 and official military videos will be shown. will be assumed by Mr. Stephan Kosonocky. WARNERS, N.Y.: Chervona Ruta cordially The sessions will be moderated by We ask all members of this Branch to direct all correspon- invites the community to the New Year’s Commander Chuck Dobra (USNR). For dence regarding membership and insurance, as well as their “Malanka” dance at St. Luke’s Ukrainian more information call Major Roman Golash membership premiums to the address listed below: Parish Hall. A buffet dinner will be served at (USAR) at (847) 885-0208 or e-mail him at 6:30 p.m.; admission: adults, $15; students, G o l a s h _ R o m a n @ c o m p u s e r v e . c o m Mr. Stephan Kosonocky 39 Malapardis Road, To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information w r i t t e n Whippany, NJ 07981-1004 in Preview format (date, place, type of event, admission, sponsor, etc., in the (973) 887-7730 English language, providing full names of persons and/or organizations men- tioned, and listing a contact person for additional information). Items not writ- ten in Preview format or submitted without all required information will not be published. Please include the phone number of a person who may be contacted Join the UNA ! by The Weekly during daytime hours.

Popular TV program suspended SELF RELIANCE (NEWARK, NJ) Newsbriefs (Continued from page 2) KYIV — TV Studio 1+1 has suspended Federal Credit Union broadcasting of its popular discussion pro- 734 SANDFORD AVENUE, NEWARK, NJ 07106 Winner Ford opens tech center in Rivne gram “Pisliamova” and cut the air time of Tel. (973) 373-7839 • http://www.selfreliance.org • Fax (973) 373-8812 its news program TSN by half for the dura- BUSINESS HOURS: RIVNE — Winner Ford-Ukraine Tue & Fri - 12:00 noon to 7:00 PM • Wed & Thurs - 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM • Sat - 9:00 to 12:00 noon • Mon. - Closed tion of the election campaign. The changes opened a new technical servicing station in will be in place until April 5, announced Rivne on November 18, 1997. This is the Chief Producer Oleksander Rodnianskyi on sixth such station to be opened by Winner December 16, 1997. He added that the Ford in Ukraine. It will cover the region of political pressure on these programs had western Ukraine. Seventy skilled workers “reached such forms that affects it the future trained at the Kyiv center will work in of the programs and the lives of journalists three shifts at the new premises. The center were under threat.” Mr. Rodnianskyi said will offer modern equipment and a wide representatives of at least 11 political forces selection of spare parts. Winner Ford’s held “quite harsh talks” with studio man- owner and president, John Hynansky, agement. He confirmed that 1+1 will intro- noted that the Rivne center meets the high- duce new projects from the beginning of est international standards for servicing 1998 to compensate for suspension of the Ford cars. Similar stations will soon open two programs. (Eastern Economist) in Kharkiv, Lviv and Symferopol. (Eastern E c o n o m i s t ) Novartis eyes Ukrainian market Ukraine has negative trade balance ODESA — Novartis, a world leader in measures designed to protect plants, held a KYIV — The total volume of foreign presentation in Odesa on December 16, trade in the first 10 months of 1997 totaled 1997. Novartis has operated in Ukraine $25 billion (U.S.). Figures released by the since 1996 when two chemical firms, Ciba Ministry of Statistics confirmed that and Sandoz, merged. The company devel- imports totaled $13.6 billion. Ukraine now ops fertilizers and pesticides. It is a leader has a negative trade balance of $2.2 bil- also in medicine and the food industry. lion. (Eastern Economist) (Eastern Economist)