The Ukrainian Weekly 1993

INSIDE: • Analysis of Ukraine's proposed elections law — page 2. • A first at the World Congress of Ukrainians — page 3. • Teaching English in southern Ukraine — centerfold. THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXI No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993 50 cents World Congress of Ukrainians faces new era with new name Cipywnyk elected president by Andrij Wynnyckyj TORONTO — The World Congress of Free Ukrainians dropped the "Free" from its name during its sixth congress, held November 3-7, and elected Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk, former president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, as its president. The congress was the first since the declaration of Ukraine's indepen dence, and was conducted with a member of the Ukraines Cabinet, an ambassador and parliamentary deputies in attendance. With endorsements from Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Zhulynsky, among others, the World Congress of Ukrainians also shrugged off debate that it should be dissolved, that it was financially crippled and ill-equipped to move into the future. Its new president. Dr. Cipywnyk, said that "the WCU must succeed, as it is a potent symbol and vehicle for Ukrainian influence within countries where they have settled." He warned against "premature" talk of dissolv ing existing organizations, saying that this would erode the community's hard-earned standing in countries of the diaspora. The main themes of the congress were the commemo ration of the 1932-1933 famine, work with newly inde pendent Ukraine, and a new definition of the term "dias pora" as the sphere of the WCU's activities. The resolutions adopted on the final day of plenary (Continued on page 4) The newly elected president of the World Congress of Ukrainians, Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk, addresses delegates. Principles of new law on elections Russia renews pressure, threats seen as setback to democratic bloc regarding Ul<raine's писіеаг arms by Marta Kolomayets law based on a proportional system. The by Marta Kolomayets to use nuclear weapons first," said a Kyyiv Press Bureau PDRU suggested that 50 percent of the Kyyiv Press Bureau stunned President Leonid Kravchuk at Parliament's members should be elected the opening of a museum dedicated to KYYIV — Ukraine once again KYYIV - Opposition leaders suffered by that system, while Rukh said all Kyyiv's 50th anniversary victory over yet another setback in their struggle to became the target of threats and accusa German forces on Friday nriorning. should be elected via a proportional tions, as Russian leaders put new pres hold democratic multi-party elections method. "Russia's concern is already some when the Parliament approved the basic sures on their southern neighbor to give Even the draft project favored by kind of illness," said Parliament principles of a new law on elections on up its nuclear weapons on two separate Ukraine's parliamentary speaker, Ivan Chairman Ivan Pliushch. He called Wednesday morning, November 10. occasions during the first week of Russia's pressure on Ukraine to become Under the newly adopted system, Pliushch, which promoted a mixed sys November. tem, i.e. 350 deputies to be chosen by a non-nuclear state "unethical." approved by a vote of 271-31, elections Russia's new military doctrine, adopt "I think we have to ratify START I, will be held in 450 single-mandate elec absolute majority and 100 to be chosen by party lists, failed to receive support in ed November 2, promotes an activist pol but regarding the Lisbon Protocol and toral districts on the basis of an absolute icy that allows the use of nuclear Ukraine's non-nuclear future, we don't majority. the legislature. "The basic principles do not create con weapons "against states, nuclear or non- need pressure," he added. This system was advocated by nuclear which have undertaken aggres These comments came just hours Socialists and Communists, while most ditions for truly democratic multi-party elections," said Oleksander Vorobiov, a sion against Russia or supported such before Russian Foreign Minister Andrei democrats hoped for balloting based both aggression." It does pledge that it will Kozyrev accused Ukraine of keeping on nationwide party lists and regional member of the National Council, the democratic bloc in the Parliament. not use nuclear weapons against a coun nuclear warheads in unsafe conditions. constituencies that would proportionately try that has signed the Nuclear Non- However, Mr. Stetskiv, said optimisti Before departing for a working meet reflect the political spectrum. Proliferation Treaty. ing with Ukrainian Foreign Minister "This is a glaring reflection of the vic cally, "in these unfavorable circum This move has been interpreted by Anatoliy Zlenko in Odessa, Mr. Kozyrev tory of post-communist forces in our stances which our political parties now some experts as a direct warning to told reporters in Moscow that "a tragedy Parliament," said Taras Stetskiv of the face, we have to pull all of our forces Ukraine, which has been dragging its feet worse than Chornobyl" could result if Party for the Democratic Rebirth of together, to win the majority of seats in the Parliament. We have to fight united in ratifying both START I and the NPT. Ukraine did not transfer its nuclear Ukraine. weapons to Russia. The Communists, who dominate many in one bloc." Ukrainian leaders on Friday, The law on new elections will be November 5, accused Russia of being "Kozyrev is scaring the world. The regions, "will have total control in their Russians want to paint Ukraine's image districts and in the media, and will crush reviewed in the Parliament on Tuesday, "uncivilized" and "unethical" for reserv as an irresponsible state," said Anton democratically oriented legislators," he November 16. Once the law is adopted ing the right to the "first strike" policy on added. and a Central Election Commission is nuclear weapons. Buteyko, President Kravchuk's foreign policy adviser. The leaders of the Party for the approved, the election campaigns can "I didn't think the Russians had Mr. Kozyrev has said the nuclear war Democratic Rebirth of Ukraine and Rukh begin. This process must be completed by crossed all norms of civilized behavior heads on Ukraine's territory could pose a had presented their projects to the November 27, if elections are to be held and humanism, to the point where they Supreme Council, proposing an election on March 27 as previously determined. have included in their doctrine the right (Continued on page 15) THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1993 No. 46 ANALYSIS: Draft of Ukraine's law on parliamentary elections October Revolution anniversary marked attempt at a law-enforcement officer's by Christina D. Maciw gone to some proportional representation life. The congress directed journalists in their parliaments to encourage the role SEVASTOPIL - Sevastopil's commu On November 9, the Parliament of who are Parliament members to insist and effect of parties and the development nists celebrated the 76th anniversary of that the charter's clauses be included in Ukraine commenced discussion on the of democracy. the October Revolution on Saturday, draft of the new election law. Heated the new Constitution of Ukraine. In order to appease the party leaders, November 6, with a meeting. Meeting (Interfax-Ukraine) debates continued all afternoon and into was willing to support an alternative pro participants passed a resolution which the evening session on the various elec ject that would allow for proportional called Russian President Boris Yeltsin's Youth organizations organize sports camp toral systems that Ukraine could adopt. representation for 100 seats out of 450 attempt to bury Lenin's body "one more DONETSKE — The local branches of The draft bill, which had been distributed with a single electoral district for all of crime" and stated that "political revenge three youth organizations, Plast, the to the Members of Parliament in late Ukraine. However, this project would not to the leader of the revolution is vandal Ukrainian Youth Association (SUM) and October, reflected provisions that had allow individuals to appear on the party ism." (Interfax-Ukraine) the Organization of Democratic Ukrainian been voted on October 8, which con lists as well as run in the single-mandate Crimean Tatars leader murdered firmed that the electoral system will majoritarian electoral district. In such a Youth (ODUM) have begun preparations remain majoritarian with 450 single- case, second-rate or lesser-known indi for a joint sports/educational camp to be mandate electoral districts. The Supreme SYMFEROPIL - Despite the fact that held during the winter vacation. More than viduals would end up on the lists since Ukrainian police have rejected the possi Council also voted to have a professional 200 youths are expected to participate in no well-known party personalities would bility of political motives behind the legislative assembly, which means that the camp's sports competitions and other risk not being elected from a party list. recent death of Yuriy Osmanov, leader of the members will not be able to have activities. Financial assistance for the pro The debates in Parliament were finally the National Movement of Crimean places of employment outside of the ject is being provided by the Kamianka- resolved by a vote of 274 of 348 for the Tatars, the Mejlis has labeled this an act Parliament. Shakhtarska mine. (Respublika) majoritarian system and 102 of 345 for the of terrorism. "Terrorism is the way of The debates in Parliament continued mixed system with some proportional rep actions polarly contradicting the princi on the issue of whether there should be Ukraine's milk may be cleaned up resentation (100 seats). It was clear that ples of the national movement of the any proportional representation for par many of the members of Parliament did Crimean Tatars," said the Mejlis presidi- BRISTOL, England — Bradtec, a ties in Parliament.

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