INSIDE:• Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reacts to Russian Duma resolution — page 2. • Memorial concert to mark Chornobyl anniversary in Toronto — page 8. • Lviv’s Les Kurbas Theater in Metropolitan New York area — page 9.

Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXIV HE No.KRAINIAN 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 EEKLY$1.25/$2 in Ukraine RussianT Duma UU.S. secretary of state denouncesW Duma resolution negates decision by Marta Kolomayets Kyiv Press Bureau dissolving USSR KYIV – In yet another reaffirmation of the growing relationship between the United States and Ukraine, Secretary of by Marta Kolomayets State Warren Christopher arrived in Kyiv Kyiv Press Bureau on March 19 for a six-hour visit to meet KYIV – The Russian Duma – the with top government officials – includ- lower house of that country’s Parliament ing President Leonid Kuchma, Prime – adopted a resolution on March 15 Minister Yevhen Marchuk, Foreign reversing a Soviet legislative decision Minister Hennadiy Udovenko and made in December 1991 that renounced Parliament Chairman Oleksander Moroz. the 1922 treaty forming the Soviet Union. Mr. Christopher denounced the Russian In effect, this resolution denounces the Duma for its March 15 vote on reconstitut- Belaya Vezha pact of December 1991, ing the Soviet Union, calling it “highly and calls for the rebirth of the USSR – an irresponsible.” He was to travel to action that sent alarming signals through- Moscow on March 21 following a visit to out the former Soviet republics, includ- Prague where he addressed Central and ing Ukraine. East European foreign ministers. Voting overwhelmingly – 250-98 with “It was disturbing to us, as I know it no abstentions – that the break-up of the was for Ukraine, for President Kuchma Soviet Union was illegal, Communist was certainly correct when he said that and nationalist forces in Russia offered a the tide of history cannot be turned back. strong sense of what is brewing in the Ukraine and other countries of the for- mer Soviet Union are independent, sov- Efrem Lukatsky (Continued on page 4) ereign nations. Any unilateral attempt to change their status will be rejected by the Secretary of State Warren Christopher with President Leonid Kuchma in Kyiv. international community,” said the “I think it will spur Eastern European position regarding NATO and is commit- American diplomat. countries wanting to join NATO (North ted to this position,” he noted, explaining His comments to reporters, delivered that Ukraine wants to remain a neutral after a 45-minute meeting with President Atlantic Treaty Organization) to become UNA executives state unaffiliated with any military bloc. Kuchma at the Mariyinsky Palace, were more active,” added the Ukrainian leader. Ukraine’s position regarding NATO the sharpest warning to date made by an “In spite of the decision taken by the review finances, American official about the mood in the Russian Duma, Ukraine has determined its (Continued on page 8) State Duma on the eve of presidential discuss mergers elections in Russia, where popularity JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The polls show Communist Party leader Ukrainian National Association’s Gennadiy Zyuganov commanding a Executive Committee held its regularly strong lead. State Department says Ukraine scheduled meeting here at the fraternal Secretary Christopher said: “The organization’s Home Office on March 8. United States feels that the action of the makes progress on human rights Uppermost on the agenda was a review Duma is a highly irresponsible one. It by Yaro Bihun been made toward ensuring an inde- of the UNA’s financial status, continu- seems to be designed to have a certain Special to The Ukrainian Weekly pendent judiciary, the report adds, “the ing merger discussions with two other quality of intimidation. It simply seemed Soviet tradition of political interference WASHINGTON – Ukraine’s Ukrainian fraternals, the sale of the prudent to make known our views in in judicial decisions continues to affect human rights record in 1995 got a bet- UNA’s headquarters building in Jersey advance.” He offered his assessment dur- the judicial process.” ter than passing grade in the U.S. State City, and selection of a hotel for the ing a brief joint press conference with At the behest of Congress, the State Department’s annual human rights UNA’s next convention scheduled to Foreign Minister Udovenko. Department began reporting on the report released on March 6. take place in Toronto in May 1998. Secretary Christopher, who has met state of human rights in foreign coun- “Over all, Ukraine continued to make The meeting was chaired by the presi- with President Kuchma three times in the tries in 1977. Then, it covered the 82 significant progress toward building a dent, Ulana Diachuk. In attendance were: past six weeks – during a brief encounter countries receiving U.S. assistance. law-based civil society,” the report Vice-President Nestor Olesnycky, in Helsinki, an official working visit in Since then, the mandate has been states, noting that the “already low” Secretary Martha Lysko, Treasurer Washington and now a meeting in Kyiv broadened to all member-states of the rights violations in 1994 decreased fur- Alexander Blahitka, Director for Canada – hailed Ukraine as a “very important United Nations, and this year’s report ther in 1995. Peter Savaryn and Vice-Presidentess partner for the United States.” covers 194 countries. The report found some problems, Anya Dydyk-Petrenko. Also present to “The many times we are meeting I The detailed, 6,500-word report on however, in the “unreformed legal and report on the meeting in their respective think is a good index of the importance Ukraine notes that there were no politi- prison systems, occasional govern- newspapers were Editors-in-Chief Zenon of the relationship between our coun- cal prisoners, “no known political ment attempts to control the press, Snylyk of Svoboda and Roma tries,” noted Mr. Christopher in empha- killings by government agents,” nor beatings by police and prison officials, Hadzewycz of The Ukrainian Weekly. sizing and endorsing U.S. support for the any “politically motivated disappear- territorial integrity, independence and limits on freedom of association, First on the agenda following a review ances” in Ukraine in 1995. (The yet- sovereignty of Ukraine. restrictions on foreign religious orga- of the minutes of the previous Executive unexplained disappearance of a Rukh He also noted that the U.S. “appreci- nizations, societal anti-Semitism, some Committee meeting was the treasurer’s leader, Mykhailo Boychyshyn, hap- ates Ukraine’s determination to develop discrimination against women, and report. pened in January 1994.) a pragmatic relationship with Russia, ethnic tensions in the Crimea.” Report of UNA Treasurer While the Ukrainian Constitution based upon mutual respect for each Ukraine continues to take steps prohibits torture and inhumane treat- As of December 31, 1995, the UNA’s nation’s sovereignty.” toward replacing its 1978 Soviet ment of those arrested or imprisoned, ledger assets rose to $75,535,225 – an President Kuchma condemned the Constitution, such as the Constitutional the State Department says that police increase of $1,412,009 or 2 percent. This vote by the Russian Duma, pointing out Accord between the president and and prison officials “regularly beat” compares with an increase of only that, while it was not legally binding, “it Parliament accepted last June, the cannot be neglected from a social and report says. But while progress has (Continued on page 13) (Continued on page 5) political point of view.” 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

FOR THE RECORD NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Civic Congress calls for renewed union who recently visited Moscow and signed a number of political and economic docu- reacts to Russian Duma resolution KYIV — “To struggle for a renewal of ments with Russian President Boris the union on the territory stretching from Yeltsin, union between the countries, and Statement by the Ministry of Foreign countries that have been established on the White to the Black seas, from the especially Russia and Belarus, is dictated Affairs of Ukraine on the occasion of the the territory of the former USSR, and in Baltic to the Pacific Ocean,” that is the by the times and cannot be rejected. He adoption of the resolution of the State the development of the CIS at large. strategic task announced at the sixth con- said all reasonable political forces in Duma of the Russian Federation “On Ukraine condemns such actions as a ference of the Civic Congress of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus must work with the Deepening the Integration of the Peoples threat to peace and stability not only for as reported on March 17. Over 100 dele- presidents to correct past mistakes. Mr. Who Had Been United in the USSR, and these countries, but for the entire world gates gathered to listen to CCU chairman Lukashenka recommended that the the Abolition of the Resolution of the as well. Oleksander Bazyliuk, who announced that Belarusian Parliament look into ways of Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR of December Over four years have passed since in the past year alone, the party’s member- speeding up the integration process at its 12, 1991”(This statement was released in Ukraine has realized its right to self- ship had doubled. The CCU is now active next session, and said he would be willing Washington by the Embassy of Ukraine.) determination pursuant to universally in 20 oblasts of Ukraine, but, according to to attend the session if Parliament would recognized principles and norms of inter- Mr. Bazyliuk, the organization “does not support his proposals. On March 15, the On March 15, 1996, the State Duma of national law delivered in the Charter of strive for quantity, rather we need active former collective farm director comment- the Russian Federation adopted a resolu- the United Nations and the Helsinki Final and professional people.” Mr. Bazyliuk ed on the Russian Duma decision tion “On Deepening the Integration of Act. The will of the Ukrainian people to said the party supported the Russian State denouncing the 1991 Belaya Vezha the Peoples Who Had Been United in the create an independent Ukrainian state has Duma’s denunciation of the 1991 Belaya accords abolishing the USSR. Vezha accords, which created the USSR, and the Abolition of the achieved the highest form of legitimacy “Regrettably,” he told Russian Television, Commonwealth of Independent States. Resolution of the Supreme Soviet of the in the results of a nationwide referendum, “the former union cannot exist now.” Mr. Among other things, the CCU supports RSFSR of December 12, 1991.” The which took place on December 1, 1991. Lukashenka asserted that he would coop- the transformation of Ukraine from a uni- above-mentioned Resolution of the Almost 92 percent of the population erate with everyone favoring a new union tary to a federal state, and a nationwide Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR of voted for Ukraine’s independence. and that the shape of this union would referendum on state symbols and language December 12, 1991, had denounced the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of depend on the positions of the parliaments Ukraine is authorized to state that the prior to the adoption of a new constitution. agreement on the creation of the USSR. and presidents of the participating states. adoption by the State Duma of the In related news, Mr. Bazyliuk was elected With regard to the above, the Ministry He noted that the union could be even Russian Federation of the above-men- head of the Congress of Russian of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is autho- closer than before. (OMRI Daily Digest) tioned resolution does not entail any Organizations of Ukraine, a just-created rized to state the following. legal consequences for Ukraine, inas- umbrella organization of 35 ethnic ...while protesters denounce his policies In Ukraine, the adoption of this reso- much as it is an internal act of the Russian groups scattered throughout 19 lution by the State Duma of the Russian Russian Federation and cannot have oblasts. Among the member groups of the MIENSK — About 3,000 protestors Federation is assessed as an attempt by extraterritorial jurisdiction. In addition, KROU are the Movement for the Rebirth marked Belarus’ Constitution Day on certain political circles in Russia to the implementation of such a resolution of the Donbas, the Luhanshchyna March 15 by denouncing President revive the former USSR. Hopes of in fact would signify the withdrawal of Community of Don Cossacks and the Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s drive for reuni- reviving the former unitary state have Russia from the Commonwealth of Republican Party of the Crimea, all fication with Russia. Many carried the no juridical and no international legal Independent States with all its unpre- groups known for their pro-Moscow ori- white-red-white national flag introduced basis, and do not correspond to the real dictable consequences. entation.(Respublika) soon after the collapse of Soviet rule but political situation that exists, today in since replaced at Mr. Lukashenka’s urg- both the development of independent (Continued on page 12) Lukashenka favors Duma vote... ing. Three days earlier, in a televised debate on Belarusian Television, Syarhei MIENSK — Belarusian officials met at Kalyakin, general secretary of the Party of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s resi- Communists of Belarus, and Mikalai Kyiv-Mohyla Academy students dence on March 18 to discuss work on a Statkevich, head of the Social Democratic confederation agreement between Russia, Hramada, debated the merits of Mr. Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan that Lukashenka’s policies of tight integration hold Ukraine’s first careers fair is expected to be signed at the end of the with Russia. Mr. Kalyakin said he did not month or in early April, ITAR-TASS by Marta Dyczok chose the most prominent and prestigious reported. According to Mr. Lukashenka, (Continued on page 15) companies to participate this year.” KYIV – Students of the University of Students taking responsibility for their Kyiv-Mohyla Academy are once again own future is a very hopeful sign for setting new trends in Ukraine. On Ukraine. In the past, university students More on spelling it “Kyiv” February 21 they held the first-ever were placed in jobs by the government University Career Fair in Ukraine. upon graduation. The University of PRAGUE — Andriy Ozadovsky, fall ordered its representatives to appeal Twenty-five leading Western and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is the first uni- Ukraine’s ambassador to the Czech to governments and periodicals to Ukrainian companies and organizations set versity in Ukraine to completely break Republic, has appealed to the Open switch to the Ukrainian transliteration. up information booths in the main building with this pattern. Like in Western coun- Media Research Institute as well as Mr. Ozadovsky said the Ukrainian of the university advertising job opportuni- tries, it offers students an education, Czech officials and publications to government has formally appealed to ties for the coming year. Resumes in hand, charges tuition fees and does not expect refer to the Ukrainian capital as the United Nations to use Ukrainian students went from booth to booth looking its graduates to pay a debt to the state “Kyiv” rather than “Kiev,” reported transliterations of place names in offi- at the options open to them. through controlled employment. OMRI in a note to subscribers on cial documents and references. The Amid the buzz of excitement, To help students find jobs after gradua- March 17. U.N. has agreed to comply with this Kateryna Smahliy, one of the students tion, the university last year set up the first In an interview with OMRI, the request, according to OMRI. organizing the event, checked that every- University Job and Career Center in ambassador explained that a special As of March 15, OMRI has been thing was running smoothly. Last spring Ukraine. This center, with assistance from Ukrainian government commission last using “Kyiv” in its publications. Ms. Smahliy had spent a few months as the International Renaissance Foundation, an intern at the University of Alberta organized the Career Fair. The center has Career and Placement Center. Upon two full-time employees, and the rest of returning she decided to organize a the staff are students of the university, like FOUNDED 1933 Career Fair at her home university. Ms. Smahliy, who work part-time. “When in Canada I realized that students Perhaps not surprisingly, Ukrainian TAnHE English-languageUKRAINIAN newspaperWEEKL publishedY by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., can have a large impact on their university, employers were in the minority at the a non-profit association, at 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302. and I want my university to be world class Career Fair. The organizers admitted that Yearly subscription rate: $60; for UNA members — $40. as well,” she said. “I’m really pleased to it was difficult to explain the concept to Second-class postage paid at Jersey City, NJ 07302. see how successfully this Career Fair has Ukrainian companies and organizations, (ISSN — 0273-9348) turned out and that there are students lining which are not used to open recruitment up to speak to representatives of each com- and hiring policies. Also published by the UNA: Svoboda, a Ukrainian-language daily newspaper pany,” Ms. Smahliy added. The students, on the other hand, are (annual subscription fee: $100; $75 for UNA members). Among the participants were Arthur learning and using job search skills. The Weekly and Svoboda: UNA: Andersen, Ernst and Young, Coca Cola, Because of their attitude and abilities, (201) 434-0237, -0807, -3036 (201) 451-2200 Digital Computers, the European UKMA students are much in demand by Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Western companies working in Ukraine. Postmaster, send address Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Affairs of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Andriy Hraban, a second-year student changes to: Associate editor: Marta Kolomayets (Kyiv) telecommunications company UTEL. who attended the Career Fair, commented, The Ukrainian Weekly Assistant editor: Khristina Lew Serhiy Yevtushenko, another student “I came here to look at possibilities for P.O. Box 346 Staff writers/editors: Roman Woronowycz organizer, said, “I am sure that 100 compa- getting a job in the future. I talked to six or Jersey City, NJ 07303 and Andrij Kudla Wynnyckyj (Toronto) nies and organizations would have liked to seven companies and they were interested participate, but then the event would have in my CV, but they are looking for people The Ukrainian Weekly, March 24, 1996, No. 12, Vol. LXIV to be held in a sports arena. Since we could to start full-time right away. For me study- Copyright © 1996 The Ukrainian Weekly only accommodate limited numbers, we ing is more important right now.” No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 3 Vitaliy Keis on the state of Ukrainianization in the Donbas NEW YORK — Dr. Vitaliy Keis, professor of English at Rutgers University’s Newark campus and native of the Donbas region of Ukraine, recently returned from a semester-long teaching stint in Slavianske, a medium- sized city in the Donetske Oblast. Prof. Keis taught at the Slavianske State Pedagogical Institute, the leading teacher-training institution in the oblast and the center of Ukrainianization efforts in the heavily Russified Donbas. This interview was conducted by The Ukrainian Weekly editorial assistant Yarema A. Bachynsky. It also draws on material presented by Prof. Keis in January during his appearance before the Shevchenko Scientific Society in New York.

CONCLUSION

At the Shevchenko Scientific Society talk, you cited a part of President Leonid Kuchma’s most recent Independence Day commemoration speech. You mentioned that, according to Mr. Kuchma, it is very important that the government support the development of Ukrainian language and culture, but that it be done on a regional level. You stated that perhaps the president may not really understand how this support is carried out. That paragraph, where he spoke about how only Prof. Vitaliy Keis (center) with first-year students of the philology section at the Slavianske State Pedagogical oblasts should deal with the culture/language questions, Institute. even saying that in Soviet days the central government took care of this sphere with well-known results, this ity. At that school of 1,100 students, Prof. Horbachuk has many Ukrainian-teaching instructors are using Prof. strikes me as rather odd. Perhaps now is the time for been permitted to cobble together two advanced (lyceum) Taras Hunczak’s history text, to my pleasant surprise. some affirmative action vis-á-vis the Ukrainian lan- 11th grade classes, where all instruction is in Ukrainian. Even in the villages, when you take a two-hour train guage. Perhaps we should interfere to set things right. Because there are not enough qualified teachers at the ride and visit some obscure place, even there the Yes, the president’s logic is sort of odd, saying essen- school, professors and graduate students from the institute Ukrainian-language instructors are using new texts tially that, well, now that Russian is in place in Ukraine, teach these two classes. And since they have created funded, quite often, by the diaspora. but some of those we should not interfere. these, some of the other classes have of their own volition students at School No. 5, the prestigious school men- But that is not why I cited that paragraph. I did it to gone over to Ukrainian. This is all being done without and tioned previously, told me that there they still use the show how this “Ukrainianization” operates. There is a in spite of official directives. old Soviet history and other texts. The principal is the “cult of the director” in the Ukrainian educational sys- Prof. Horbachuk also entices students to the institute by wife of the ex-Communist Party boss for the Slavianske tem. Every subordinate fears and imitates his or her setting up advanced 11th grade classes at the institute region. overseer or superior. Because of this, they tend to listen itself. These are open only to those competent in all facets What percentage of students in Slavianske attend to Kyiv, but if the order is weak or indefinite, its inter- of the Ukrainian language and are in effect a way of school with Ukrainian as their language of instruc- pretation will be according to the subordinate’s personal securing guaranteed admission to the Institute. For people tion? Is this percentage increasing? Decreasing? whims, desires and prejudices. So, if the order comes to like Prof. Horbachuk and others this is the only way to Staying the same? have a Ukrainian-language school within a certain dis- continue advancing Ukrainianization. He is also not with- tance of another Ukrainian-language school, some out sympathizers at higher levels, for instance, Maria Slavianske is a city with, according to the 1989 census, school is picked, given official status as a “school with Bilokobylenko, the chief methodologist for the Slavianske 70 percent ethnic Ukrainian composition. There should Ukrainian as the language of instruction.” region and an instructor at the institute. So a net of be, at the minimum, two schools with Ukrainian as the But what does this really mean? Let us look at Ukrainianizers exists, but government intransigence and language of instruction to every one Russian-language School No. 4 in Slavianske, officially designated a even active interference does not help the process. school. Of 21 schools, none are Ukrainian-language of school with Ukrainian as the language of instruction, Who decides from what sources and what books instruction. True there is School No. 4, which is a cynical and recommended to me as such by the head of the to order? Are texts delivered, are they printed in laugh at the law on language. In Pidlisne, a nearby village, regional (raion) educational department A. Kachulin. Ukraine? Who sets the curriculum for government there is a Ukrainian school but the principal speaks not a There are 32 classes and 913 students; of the 32 only 10 schools in Slavianske and the Donbas area? word of Ukrainian. Now let’s look at the Slavianske classes are taught in Ukrainian, while 22 are taught in region. It is 80 percent ethnically Ukrainian. Of 19,023 Russian. So a mere 246 out of 913 students ever actual- There is a huge problem with textbooks. First of all students only 1,096 learn in Ukrainian as their language of ly take courses in the Ukrainian language [other than the book budget is always limited. This applies also to instruction, i.e., less than 6 percent of all students. the minimal study of Ukrainian as prescribed by the periodicals. I personally subscribed the institute for $200 Even when parents sign petitions calling for the Ministry of Education for Russian language-of-instruc- of Ukrainian periodicals; for Americans $200 may not opening of Ukrainian-language schools, these calls fall tion schools; see chart, in Part I of this interview]. The seem like much, but in Ukraine this money has some on deaf ears. Neither Mr. Zhyltsov nor Mr. Kachulin rest all learn in Russian. And this is officially a school meaning. As to the textbooks they are ordered from the allow our children to learn in their native language. I with Ukrainian as the language of instruction. Donetske Oblast department of the Ministry of know Mr. Kachulin well from an end-of-semester Moreover, it used to be that in order to compromise Education. You order a certain amount of Ukrainian school holiday ceremony. A student forgot to play the the teaching of the Ukrainian language, the qualifica- texts and Donetske sends you Russian-language versions national anthem, as required by law, at ceremony’s end. tions for becoming a Ukrainian-language teacher were or different texts altogether. One weird example: There The rector tried to remind the student, but Mr. Kachulin set very low, as was the teachers’ pay. Although this is is a math textbook, originally written in Ukrainian, by an literally jumped in front of the rector, who was standing no longer done through party diktat, the system contin- author whose last name is Bohdanovych. This book was next to me and prevented it. In this manner Mr. ues under the “cult of the directors.” specially translated into Russian for use in Donetske Kachulin and others seek to stop Ukrainianization and I met a teacher of Ukrainian literature, Tetiana Oblast schools. The original is in Ukrainian, but for the development of Ukrainian patriotism. Hlushchenko, who speaks no Ukrainian herself and who Donetske it is put into Russian. Another fine example of Ukrainophobia: a Rukh was very surprised when I questioned how she could teach An even stranger example exists. Slavianske activist in Slavianske asked Hertruda Halantsova, princi- Ukrainian literature without knowing the language. She Kindergarten No. 5 (“Kvitonka”) is the only fully pal of Slavianske School No. 12, to at least consider said, in a very angry tone, that “Yes, we read Lesia Ukrainianized such facility in the entire city. After a obeying the law on language. Her response was a curt Ukrainka in Ukrainian and discuss it in Russian. What’s long struggle, a Ukrainian as language of instruction first “Over my dead body.” Such hatred and lunacy are wide- the difference if we understand everything. These are fra- grade was added to the kindergarten. A Ukrainian alpha- spread throughout the Donbas. For example, in the Kirov ternal languages!” She could not comprehend my dismay. bet primer was ordered. Instead, the facility received region there are 23,057 students enrolled in 25 schools, And there are many such teachers around. Prof. Russian alphabet primers printed in 1993. Yet this was with not a single Ukrainian school to serve them. Only Horbachuk is slowly placing his students (institute grad- Ukraine in 1995. So one may conclude that the Donetske 236 students learn in Ukrainian language of instruction uates) and replacing some of these hacks. But he cannot Department of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine classes. This is about 1 percent of all the students in that just fire these people, because the regional educational orders its textbooks from Moscow, not from Kyiv. region. And yet some 42 percent of the population classi- department and Mr. Kachulin will react mercilessly. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, fied themselves as Ukrainians there in the 1989 census. The head of the Slavianske City Council, Oleksander some six months ago, ordered that newly printed How did people react to your presence in their Zhyltsov and Mr. Kachulin, both Ukrainophobes of the texts on Belarusian history, language, culture etc., be first order, were put in place still in Gorbachev’s time. midst? Were you considered a foreigner/outsider? thrown away and replaced with the old Soviet-era An American? Ukrainian? Something else? As long as people of their attitudes remain in place, the texts. This proved impossible because the Soviet battle of the minds will continue. Messrs. Zhyltsov and texts had been destroyed following independence An interesting question with two answers. On the one Kachulin stifle Prof. Horbachuk whenever possible. and so Mr. Lukashenka tucked tail between legs and hand, as Prof. Horbachuk said to me, for them I was like Prof. Horbachuk gets around such problems by contact- denied ever having issued such a decree. Do you a man form Mars. At the institute no one knew anything ing individual schools directly, and he finds willing col- know of any similar directives given by Donbas significant about the diaspora nor had they made any laborators among some of the principals and teachers. For authorities, e.g. the disposal of new texts (approved strong diaspora contacts. On the other hand, people said example, he has influenced the principal of Slavianske by Kyiv) and the reinstatement of Soviet texts? to me that the fact my roots are from the Donbas was a School No. 1 to start self-Ukrainianizing, even though the school is officially a Russian language of instruction facil- I did not hear of that sort of stuff. All over the place, (Continued on page 14) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

An evening rally on March 20 organized by the Kyiv City Organization of the Ukrainian Laborers’ Union Russian(Continued Duma... from page 1) drew a few hundred workers demanding an end to country that borders Ukraine to the north and east. Ukraine’s reforms and calling for the restoration of the Although the vote has no legal force (it is a resolution, Soviet Union. The participants of the rally, held near the not a bill), it has perturbed the democrats in Russia, as Arsenal factory, expressed support for the Russian well as democratic forces in other former Soviet republics. Duma decision on the denunciation of the Belaya Vezha “You cannot turn back history; history cannot be accord of 1991 and urged the Ukrainian Parliament to rewound like a tape in a recorder. Ukraine decided its support the Russian deputies’ initiative. fate and confirmed its independence in a referendum,” During his visit to Kyiv on March 19, U.S. Secretary said Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma on the day of of State Warren Christopher pointed out that the the vote in Russia. Duma’s vote “had a certain quality of intimidation,” a His predecessor, Leonid Kravchuk, who signed the ploy reminiscent of old Soviet tactics. Belaya Vezha accord along with Russian President Even Parliament Speaker Oleksander Moroz told Boris Yeltsin and Belarusian leader Stanislau reporters on March 15 that the State Duma in Russia Shushkevich, said the action could signal “the begin- “has taken a purely political decision, which is null and ning of the collapse of the Commonwealth of void for Ukraine. This is an internal affair for Russia.” Independent States,” a weak body of 12 former Soviet “We should not draw any conclusions from this deci- republics. sion, or take any steps,” he stated, reaffirming that Rukh leader Vyacheslav Chornovil agreed that the Ukraine is guided by the outcome of the national refer- denunciation of the Belaya Vezha accord may lead to endum of December 1991, in which more than 90 per- the dissolution of the CIS, adding that the vote reaf- cent voted for independence. firmed the 1922 treaty on the formation of the Soviet However, the speaker, who is also the leader of the Union. Socialist Party in Ukraine, said that Russia’s political “Rukh has always been against the CIS, an imperial- decision may have an impact on a certain part of type superstructure. And, we [the people of Ukraine] Ukraine’s population. have exercised our right to self-determination, as out- Natalia Vitrenko, a former leader of the Socialist Party lined by the Soviet Constitution, by opting for indepen- who was expelled from its ranks earlier this year and sub- dence in 1991,” he noted, putting a positive spin to the sequently formed the Progressive Socialist Party of recent events in Russia. Ukraine, voiced her disapproval of the Duma vote. “If the “We must look towards Russia’s president, who has point at issue is a revival of the USSR the way it once Ukrainian Parliament Chairman Oleksander Moroz considerable constitutional powers, including dissolution existed, I am against it, since power was then dominated (left) with Gennadiy Seleznyov, chairman of the of the Duma,” said Mr. Kravchuk, who also called on by Russia. Ukraine shall not be a province,” she noted. Russian State Duma, during the latter’s visit to Kyiv “constructive and healthy forces in Parliament to unite Political forces on the Crimean peninsula pointed out on February 26. and prevent Ukrainian leftists from going on a rampage.” that the Duma vote may exacerbate the domestic situa- tion in Ukraine – between Ukraine and the Crimea, as Russian President Yeltsin, who is scheduled to arrive sion will not further activate pro-Communist and pro- in Kyiv in early April for a state visit, condemned the well as bilateral relations between Ukraine and Russia. Serhiy Kunitsyn, chairman of the Union in Support Russian forces in the Crimea. move in the Duma, calling it “scandalous” and “irre- Calling the Duma’s action “political madness,” sponsible.” of the Republic of Crimea Party, told Interfax-Ukraine that “the situation in the Crimea will be aggravated by Volodymyr Yavorivsky, the chairman of the The Duma’s vote heightened tensions in Moscow Democratic Party of Ukraine, said he does not see the during this presidential election year, and its reverbera- far more than in Ukraine, since certain political forces action as a threat to Ukraine. tions have been felt throughout former Soviet territory. will try to capitalize on it and again spark action to hold Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry also responded immedi- “As the guarantor of the Constitution, I will not stand a referendum on the status of the Crimea.” ately to the action by the Russian Duma, issuing a state- any attempts to undermine the basics of Russian state- Serhiy Shuvainikov, chairman of the Russian Party ment on March 15, which states that the resolution has hood and destablize the situation in the country,” said of the Crimea, told the news agency that the Russian no impact – political or legal – in Ukraine (see full text Mr. Yeltsin. He released a statement on March 16 and State Duma decision “stands no chance of practical on page 2.) instructed Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeniy implementation and cannot serve as a basis for the The statement notes that the adoption of such a deci- Primakov to notify foreign states and international insti- restoration of the USSR.” He added that the resolution, sion implies that Russia is withdrawing from the tutions that the Duma’s vote does not alter Russia’s sta- in his opinion, was a political move aimed at gaining Commonwealth of Independent States – a move that tus, and is not legally binding. additional political dividends for Mr. Zyuganov. carries unpredictable consequences. This, in turn, can President Kuchma criticized the Duma vote, saying it “This action will serve no useful purpose for the peo- was “not to Russia’s benefit and improper.” He recalled ple of Russia. The Communists are not the force that cause a destablization that will affect not only the CIS that Duma members in Kyiv last month – Speaker can uphold the interests of the Russian people, includ- countries, but the world community. Gennadiy Seleznyov and Gennadiy Zyuganov – had ing those in the Crimea,” he concluded. The Duma’s action had prompted President Eduard told Ukrainian leaders “that they had no intention of But Crimean Communist Party leader Leonid Hrach Shevardnadze of Georgia to suggest calling an emer- disturbing the past.” called the March 15 decision “an important political gency CIS summit to discuss the issue of the Duma He noted that the resolution has “no legal conse- decision at this time,” adding that “time will prompt a vote. quences for Ukraine,” but underscored that “the decision to move toward a military and political union.” “No one should think that only Russia is concerned supreme legislative body of Russia has clearly shown its Mr. Hrach’s colleague in the Crimean Parliament, over this matter. The point at issue is a comeback of vision for the future.” Vasyl Kyselev, chairman of the Druzhba Narodov totalitarianism, which affects the interests of all inde- Although most Ukrainian politicians agree that the (Friendship of Nations) agricultural firm, who supports pendent states of the Commonwealth,” he said in Russian Duma vote will not threaten Ukraine’s indepen- the creation of a union of Slavic states, noted that “the Moscow on March 19. dence, many do see it as a way to activate left-wing restoration of the USSR is a dream,” and that the move Interfax-Ukraine reported on March 21 that the next forces in Ukraine, such as the Communist Party. by the Russian Duma was a “bold political step.” CIS summit will be held in Moscow as scheduled on For example, a rally held on March 17 in Kyiv to Mustafa Jemilev, chairman of the Crimean Tatar May 17, and that CIS heads of state will then discuss mark the fifth anniversary of the referendum on the Mejlis, told reporters in Symferopil that the Duma deci- the Duma resolution of March 15. preservation of the USSR urged the Ukrainian Parliament to denounce the Belaya Vezha agreement, reported Interfax-Ukraine. The participants of the meet- ing, including Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro Symonenko, passed a resolution stating that “the Russian State Duma decision on the de facto denunciation of the accords is a joyful event for all the working people.” “We see no violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty in it, since the working people have nothing to divide,” noted the statement. It also called for the “restoration of the full powers of the soviets and a course of socialist development.” Mr. Symonenko, who hosted Mr. Zyuganov on February 26 in Kyiv on the pretext of a parliamentary exchange, told close to 1,000 meeting participants (a fig- ure reported by Interfax-Ukraine) that over the five years since the referendum, the “Soviet nations” have been “abused and humiliated” and have lost their social rights. “In fact, Ukraine is now under the administration of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and its emis- saries,” he told the crowd. Ukrainian Deputy Volodymyr Moisienko, also a Communist Party member, urged the rally participants to “extend a hand to the peoples of Russia,” echoing statements made by Mr. Zyuganov during his visit to Efrem Lukatsky Kyiv, when he told reporters at a press conference that the “dissolution of ties between Russia and Ukraine is Petro Symonenko (left), chairman of Ukraine’s Communist Party, with Gennadiy Zyuganov, head of the an anomalous phenomenon.” Communist faction in the Russian Duma, during a press conference in Kyiv on February 26. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 5

tistics as of December 1995 to state will be sent to all new secretaries and While at Soyuzivka the vice-presi- UNA executives... authorities: 61,126 members with a total secretarial aspirants, Mrs. Lysko added. dentess said she had the opportunity to (Continued from page 1) of $164,967,525 in insurance. In compar- In January, three long-time exemplary see the Q-Cafe for the first time. “It $531,794 a year earlier, noted Mr. ison, in 1994 the UNA claimed a mem- branch secretaries passed away. Their looks great. Hopefully, it will be in full Blahitka. bership of 62,301 with insurance in force obituaries were posted in the UNA’s operation by this summer,” she noted. of $145,088,257, said the UNA secretary. newspapers. Peter Pitner, the secretary of On premium income of $4,720,553 President’s report from the UNA’s insurance operations in As has already been reported, over the Branch 231 for 16 years, died on January 1995 netted a profit after dividends of last 10 years there has been a steady 5; Stephen Evannitsky, secretary of Mrs. Diachuk began her report by $1,246,711. However, fraternal expenses, decrease in members, while the amount Branch 276 for 33 years, died on January focusing on organizing matters. She although reduced, amounted to a deficit of insurance has been increasing. This 11; and Peter Babych, who was the secre- underlined that life insurance sales in the of $1,691,451. This compares with sales year’s membership attrition is less than tary of Branch 115 for 40 years, passed United States and Canada amounted to of $5,292,190 and net profit of $958,486 what had occurred in recent years. In away on January 22. $18 million in 1995 — with that total 1995, membership declined by 895 mem- for 1994, and a deficit of $2,618,488 for As of December 31, 1995, Mrs. Lysko nearly evenly split between the two bers, whereas in 1993 and 1994, the fraternal expenses. reported the following figures for UNA countries. UNA experienced a loss of over 1,000 As of the end of 1995, the UNA had a membership: Juvenile – 9,099 certificates In the United States, 844 life insur- members. surplus of $8,664,912. Therefore, there is for $32,130,159; Adult – 19,234 certifi- ance certificates were issued for a total While still cause for concern, this considerable improvement in the UNA’s cates for $74,497,945; ADD – 4,981 cer- of $9,365,544 of life insurance coverage. reduced attrition is an encouraging devel- bottom line, noted the UNA treasurer. The tificates for $24,905,000; Active Total – In all, 229 branch organizers enrolled opment, Mrs. Lysko noted. The UNA is final statistic is a loss in surplus of only 33,314 certificates for $131,533,104; 699 new members insured for continually searching for new ways to $881,158, compared with $2,969,134 in Paid-up total – 27,812 certificates for $3,308,544; 145 members insured for curtail the loss of members. One possible 1994 and similar losses in the past two $32,155,660. $6,057,000 were signed up by nine pro- solution, which is beneficial to both the years. More than half of the loss in sur- fessional organizers. The latter also sold UNA and its members, is the Additional Report of Canadian director plus, he added, was due to the building 72 annuity certificates for a sum of Insurance Program (AIP), which has operation, which showed a loss of Dr. Savaryn reported that he had writ- $1,261,678. been implemented since September 1995. $447,209 for the year 1995. ten an article on the UNA to all In Canada, 187 new members were Since that time to the end of January of Annuity sales declined by approxi- enrolled — 144 of them, or 77 percent, by this year, 923 members with paid-up Ukrainian-language newspapers in mately $200,000, and bond interest the UNA’s five professional organizers policies have exchanged these policies Canada. He also noted that he is in the declined by about $600,000, due to who work out of the Toronto office. The for new single premium insurance plans, process of searching for younger persons decreasing interest rates. Mortgage loan to take on the responsibilities of branch other 18 members were enrolled by for a total of $2,380,733 of insurance. branch organizers, among them Tekla interest, on the other hand, increased by From this amount the UNA has received secretaries, and is actively looking for approximately $100,000 due to increased ways to promote the UNA in Canada, for Moroz, Branch 465, who signed up seven $240,800 in new premiums plus members; and Alexandra Dolnycky, volume. $851,894 in cash reserves on the old poli- example by running advertisements in Interest received from the building various publications and anniversary Branch 434, who had six new members. cies. For the month of February the UNA If one looks at the statistics for both corporation decreased to $880,051 from gained 176 additional policies for the books. $888,861 a year earlier. Even though the Canada and the United States, Mrs. face amount of $456,885, and total pre- Reports of vice-presidents Diachuk continued, it is clear that the building operation had a loss of miums of $203,426. Of this amount, $447,000, as reported earlier, the build- Mr. Olesnycky noted that since the last UNA’s 15 professional insurance sales- $45,800 represents new premiums and meeting of the UNA Executive persons are successful: they sold 289 ing corporation did credit the UNA with $157,626 is the existing cash reserve, more than $800,000 of investment Committee, as legal counsel he had been certificates for insurance coverage of Mrs. Lysko added. involved in both the merger negotiations $12,237,914. This means that a full 28 income, Mr. Blahitka pointed out. This At the end of December 1995, the with the Ukrainian National Aid percent of new certificates and 65 per- does not include the $440,000 the newest class of term insurance was Association of America and the cent of the total amount of life insurance Ukrainian National Urban Renewal Corp. approved by all appropriate state authori- Ukrainian Fraternal Association, and in are sold by professional organizers. paid to UNA members on their promisso- ties, reported the secretary. This new examining the brokerage agreement for Among branch organizers in the U.S., ry notes. product will interest the younger genera- the UNA headquarters building, which the following were the top organizers: The UNA showed a deficit of approxi- tion because of its extremely competitive has been put on the market. Miron Pilipiak, Branch 496, who enrolled mately $300,000 in its Soyuzivka opera- premiums, and Mrs. Lysko is now As well the vice-president noted that 36 members; and Auditor William tion, compared to a deficit of about preparing materials to inform the branch he had participated in the first meeting of Pastuszek and Michael Turko, Branch 63, $400,000 a year earlier. secretaries and our membership about the UNA’s newly organized investment with 25 members each. Between 10 and In 1995, the treasurer reported, the these new term insurance products. committee. 20 new members were enrolled by Paul UNA had a loss of $106,000 on the pub- In response to the requests of many lication operation with a subsidy of only Ms. Dydyk Petrenko reported that she Shewchuk, with 18; Christine Gerbehy, branch secretaries, a brochure detailing 15; Advisor Stefanie Hawryluk, 13; and $542,884, compared to a profit of the Universal Life Insurance offered by had attended a meeting of the Chornobyl $26,000 with a subsidy of $1,046,326 for Challenge ‘96 committee held at the Joseph Chabon, Anna Haras and Dr. the UNA since 1992 is now available in Atanas Slusarchuk, 12 each. 1994. Ukrainian. All branch secretaries will Embassy of Ukraine in Washington. The UNA paid its members a dividend Many issues were discussed, including Maritime Life, with whom the UNA is receive this brochure as an addition to the affiliated in Canada, is pressuring the of $503,873 in 1995, compared to costs involved with the planned com- bimonthly newsletter, which is due in UNA to increase the number of new cer- $1,019,720 in 1994. memorative concert scheduled for the March. tificates to 2,000 per year. Mrs. Diachuk As regards the UNA’s headquarters Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The UNA secretary reported the fol- said she had met on March 5 with the building, Mr. Blahitka reported that total featuring the Odessa Philharmonic, a lowing mergers: UNA’s Director of Insurance Operations revenue from the building decreased by national ecumenical service, rally and a In Canada, Branches 480 and 426 have Bob Cook in order to prepare a three- $37,032, or 1.07 percent, in 1995. candlelight vigil, plus topical confer- joined with Branch 461; in the United year plan. An earlier meeting was held in Total operating expenses also ences. States, Branch 191 has merged with 13; Toronto on January 30, with the partici- increased by approximately 1.74 percent, On February 21 the vice-presidentess Branch 504 with 341; Branch 151 with pation of Mr. Cook, Maritime Life repre- mainly due to incurred payments of real attended a banquet sponsored by 137; Branch 454 with 412; Branch 502 sentatives and Mrs. Diachuk to review estate brokers’ commissions for leasing Freedom House honoring the president of with 444; and Branch 23 with 67. Branches the enrollment figures for the past year. in 1994 and 1995. Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, which was 250 and 501 have been dissolved due to As regards the UNA’s publishing Due to the success of the UNA’s held at the Mayflower Hotel in lack of minimum membership. operations, the president reported that aggressive leasing program, the building Washington. (She did not attend the ban- Mrs. Lysko expressed sincere thanks the year-end figures showed income of is 97 percent occupied. However, a full- quet as a UNA representative.) to all branch secretaries who have given $1,168,182, and the UNA subsidized the floor tenant, Mayer & Schwietzer, will not Ms. Dydyk went on to note that on years of dedicated service to the UNA publications to the tune of $502,289. be renewing its lease in 1996. This may be March 2-3 she traveled to Soyuzivka to and its members. Additional praise and Together this amounts to $1,670,471. In a blessing in disguise, Mr. Blahitka said, meet with Resort Manager John Flis and thanks go out to all those branch secre- comparison, in 1994, income was since the UNA had wanted a longer-term Office Manager Sonia Semanyshyn taries who have ensured a legacy of last- $784,719, and the UNA added $908,866 tenant to benefit its rent roll and this has a regarding summer 1996 entertainment ing leadership by recruiting a new gener- — a total of $1,774,585. large impact on the sales price of the programming. The trio discussed various ation to service. Income from subscriptions to Svoboda building. The UNA now has the capacity possibilities, viewed promo videos and lis- In addition to continually working was $486,154, which was an increase of to lease this space for a long term and at a tened to audio cassettes of groups interest- with branch secretaries and recruiting $287,441, or 145 percent more than in higher rate, he added. ed in performing at Soyuzivka. Several new secretaries in branches where the 1994. Subscriptions to The Ukrainian Mr. Blahitka said three real estate bro- acts and bands have been booked, while current secretary is no longer able to per- Weekly amounted to $240,674, an kers had been interviewed in order to others are still under consideration. form his or her duties, Mrs. Lysko said increase of $102,951, or 75 percent more ascertain the market rate and terms for a one of her primary concerns is the train- “It’s a juggling process and will take building the size of the UNA headquarters. ing of new personnel. On February 17- several more weeks to complete, but we (Continued on page 12) In keeping with the General Assembly’s 18, a workshop was held in the Home hope to have a varied and entertaining directives, the sale of the building is pro- Office for professional insurance sales- program for our guests and still keep ceeding, and the UNA is simultaneously men and branch secretaries with profes- within our budget,” said Ms. Dydyk- looking for a new building, the treasurer sional licenses. Ten secretaries who are Petrenko. Addendum reported, adding that the sales price of the either in the process of completing A strong show is planned for the sea- In the February 11 issue of The Weekly, UNA building would be enhanced if the licenses or who are already licensed were son opener (July 4-7) with three of the the page 10 article on the New York City UNA could vacate its space and lease it in attendance. The workshop was con- most popular bands providing the music: meeting with Ukrainian Minister of Youth long-term prior to the sale in order to ducted by Mrs. Diachuk, Joe Binczak, Tempo, Fata Morgana and Burlaky from and Sport Valeriy Borzov omitted mention increase the building’s rent roll. Mrs. Lysko and Lon Staruch. Montreal. A teaser ad will appear in of the Ukrainian National Association’s Secretarial courses, which are offered April. Dates for all the camps have been donation of $10,000 to the National Secretary’s report to all new secretaries, will be held in set, and those ads are already running in Olympic Committee of Ukraine, made at The UNA reported the following sta- June at the Soyuzivka estate. Invitations the UNA’s papers. the February 4 fund-raiser. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

Kuchma and Moroz present THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY The Russian Duma speaks its mind Constitution to Parliament by Marta Kolomayets democratic state, we are the last to adopt Let’s just say it right off the bat: The Russian Duma’s resolution of March Kyiv Press Bureau a constitution,” he noted. 15 — which attempts to turn the clock back by stating that the break-up of the Calling the draft constitution “European Soviet Union in December 1991 was illegal — is dangerous. KYIV – In yet another historic step in spirit, Ukrainian in tradition,” Mr. Though it is merely a resolution, not a bill, and thus is not legally binding, it the co-chairmen of the Constitutional Kuchma said he hoped the Parliament nonetheless gives the world reason to pause and ponder the developments in Committee, President Leonid Kuchma would begin reviewing the draft document “democratic” Russia — not to mention its destabilizing effects regionally and and Parliament Chairman Oleksander within 10 days. Moroz presented the draft constitution to worldwide. Mr. Moroz noted that he would like to members of the legislative branch during The Communist-dominated Duma of the Russian Federation on March 15 voted see Ukraine adopt a new constitution in a special meeting on March 20. overwhelmingly — 250-98 — to abrogate the Russian SFSR Supreme Soviet’s May. The meeting, in the plenary session resolution of December 12, 1991, which denounced the 1922 agreement on the “Our situation demands that we con- hall of the Supreme Council building, USSR’s formation. (This is just a preview of what could happen if the Communists stantly look for compromises, that we was broadcast live on Ukrainian televi- come to full power — if their candidate wins the presidential election in June.) have the desire and the ability to listen to The resolution in effect renounces the Belaya Vezha accord signed on the out- sion and radio, underscoring the signifi- cance of this event. one another, and at least a minimal skirts of Brest by Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in December 1991. That “Slavic degree of trust toward our opponents,” summit” declared the end of the USSR “as a subject of international law and a The co-chairmen addressed members of Parliament and, although the two lead- said Mr. Moroz during his opening state- geopolitical reality,” and it proclaimed the formation of a community of three ment. He added that the “current states, which today is the 12-member Commonwealth of Independent States. ers have not agreed on all points outlined Parliament is politically unstructured, Ukraine immediately denounced the Russian Duma’s action in a statement in this substantive document, both agreed unstable, an amorphous majority and issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “In Ukraine, the adoption of this res- that Ukraine needs a constitution by no minority which makes adopting any deci- olution by the State Duma of the Russian Federation is assessed as an attempt later than this summer. sions, especially those of a political by certain political circles in Russia to revive the former USSR,” that state- However, as late as Wednesday morn- nature, very difficult.” ment notes. “Ukraine condemns such actions as a threat to peace and stability ing, after more than two days of debate not only for these countries, but for the entire world as well.” It goes on to on how the draft constitution would be “Unfortunately there is a deficit of underscore that almost 92 percent of the population (of Ukraine) voted for presented to Parliament, it was still trust – among the polar forces in the Ukraine’s independence” and states that the Russian Duma’s vote is “an inter- unclear how the ceremony would look. Parliament, among the branches of power nal act of the Russian Federation and cannot have extraterritorial jurisdiction.” The fact that such an apparently simple and among the electorate toward these Nonetheless, as President Leonid Kuchma pointed out, the Russian Duma matter of procedure caused so much powers,” noted Mr. Moroz, as he harshly resolution cannot be ignored from “the social and political point of view.” He commotion does not bode well for the criticized both the national democrats in told U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, while he was visiting Kyiv work of this legislative body in adopting Parliament, as well as the president and just four days later, “I think you understand that Ukraine requires political sta- this document. his advisors. bility as never before.” In his opening remarks, President Although he underscored the fact that a Mr. Christopher, in turn, tried to assure Ukraine: “Last week’s vote in the Kuchma described the meeting as an fundamental law, the constitution, is Russian Duma to reconstitute the Soviet Union was highly irresponsible. It was “extraordinary event in the socio-politi- needed in Ukraine, he also pointed out as disturbing to us as I know it was to Ukraine. ... Ukraine and other countries of cal life of Ukraine.” He said, “The con- that a procedure to adopt it has not yet the former Soviet Union are independent and sovereign nations. Any unilateral stitution is a preamble to the foundation been worked out by the Parliament. Thus, attempt to change their status should be rejected by the international communi- on which we can build the legal base for it remains unclear whether it will be ty.” He later added, that the vote “had a certain quality of intimidation,” and our state, a promising way to overcome adopted by the Parliament by a two-thirds therefore, “it seemed prudent to make known our views in advance.” all problems and crisis situations, a guar- majority, a simple majority, a national Prudent, indeed. The Russian Duma’s action sent a collective shudder antee of stability in the state, and a way referendum or some other means. through member-states of the CIS who are looking to shore up the region’s sta- to strengthen trust throughout the world “I support the adoption of the constitu- bility while building normal bilateral and multilateral ties among themselves, community.” tion of Ukraine – on a legal basis – as well as the neighboring Baltic states. Estonian Foreign Minister Siim Kallas “Although we were among the first because there should be no doubt in any- characterized the vote as “an intention to recreate the USSR, which would pose republics of the Soviet Union to adopt a one’s mind about the legitimacy of our a threat to the entire world. The world should be concerned, not just us.” declaration on state sovereignty in 1990, country’s fundamental law,” said Mr. Indeed, it should. And it should not be content to accept Russian President and began building an independent, Moroz. Boris Yeltsin’s assurances that “this resolution is nonsense and nothing will come of it.” Instead it should contemplate the words of warning expressed by Mr. Yeltsin’s press secretary, who said “The possible internal and international conse- quences of this decision could be of an unpredictable and explosive nature.” Shevchenko anniversaries: a recollection from the past by Roman Sawycky were selling and wishing to chat with March students from the college. (The poet’s TurningTurning the pagespages back... back... The Shevchenko anniversaries residence was not too far away from the observed in 1961 and 1964 brought wide town of Middlebury.) 29 acceptance of Ukraine’s bard and genius. That very afternoon the illustrious poet New English translations of his poetry appeared at the bookstore. Having checked 1864 were stirring North America at that time. out the shelves with his collections of The Ruska Besida was a Ukrainian cultural educational club And when the Shevchenko monument poetry, Frost spoke a few words with a stu- formed in Lviv in 1861 to provide a forum for social interac- was approved for erection in Washington, dent and then shuffled towards the exit. tion and develop a program of literary and musical evenings, this freedom fighter become a subject of I accosted him just a few yards from lectures and concerts. official government publications. the door and politely introduced myself In early 1864, the club subsidized the creation of Ruska Besida Theater, the first Around this time the distinguished nov- as a student of Ukrainian parentage. Ukrainian professional touring theater. On March 29 of that year, the company staged elist Ernest Hemingway was widely quot- Keeping Steinbeck’s sympathies in mind, the first Ukrainian language theatrical performance in Lviv, Hryhoriy Kvitka- ed as saying that he considered “Taras I popped the question to his contempo- Osnovianenko’s “Marusia.” Bulba” by Mykola Hohol to be one of the rary, Frost: “What do you think of Taras As it continued its activity, the RBT was occasionally sponsored by the Galician 10 greatest books of all ages. This rating Shevchenko?” Almost immediately I Diet (parliament), and staged productions throughout Galicia and Bukovyna and was most welcome, especially since the noticed a certain reaction on the wrinkled toured Poland. After the ban on theater performances was lifted in Russian-ruled spirits of Hohol and Shevchenko have face. The gray and bushy eyebrows tight- Ukraine in 1881, the RBT became instrumental in the development of modern theater been associated throughout past decades, ened, but this suggested dissatisfaction over the entire country. and both embodied a kind of energy rarely rather than mental effort. Having begun with a Ukrainian repertoire in populist-realistic style (Ivan found in literary circles. Turning away from me and heading Kotliarevsky, Mykola Kropyvnytsky, Panas Myrny), in 1890s the company began Another famous American author, straight for the door, Robert Frost mut- staging Ivan Franko’s realistic dramas and works by Western European playwrights, namely John Steinbeck, added his voice tered: “I don’t give out opinions on mod- such as Friedrich Schiller, Georg Hauptmann, Henrik Ibsen, August Strindberg as to the proceedings, a voice entirely sym- ern poets.” I stood alone now in the middle well as that of Russian dramatists Anton Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy, Maxim Gorky and pathetic to Shevchenko’s “oeuvre” and of the bookstore watching him depart. “I Mykola Hohol (Gogol). convictions. don’t do that,” he added emphatically, as The RBT branched out into opera, offering performances of Charles Gounod’s The presidential inauguration of John the exit door thumped after him. “Faust,” Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes Hoffman,” and George Bizet’s “Carmen.” F. Kennedy (January 1961) featured the On recollecting this little adventure, I In 1911, it began performaces of Volodymyr Vynnychenko’s psychological dramas. contemporary national poet Robert Frost. became convinced that the aging and Many prominent actors appeared on its stage, but none more so than Les Kurbas, I recollect that in the summer of that hard-of-hearing Frost had confused the arguably Ukraine’s best actor and director. year, 1961, while pursuing my studies at sound of the name “Shevchenko” with After a hiatus caused by the first world war, the company resurfaced under the Middlebury College in Vermont, one sul- that of the modern Russian poet name Ukrainska Besida Theater, and in 1921-1924 it became a resident theater in try afternoon I visited a local bookstore Yevgeniy Yevtushenko. Lviv. It merged with the Lviv Ukrainian Independent Theater in 1924. in town. This establishment was really And we’ll never know what Robert Source: “Ukrainska Besida Theater,” Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Vol. 5 (Toronto: University “on the map,” as it was frequented by Frost’s thoughts were on our bard and of Toronto Press, 1993) Frost, desiring to know how his books genius. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AANNADAADA OOURIERURIER Balkanization of Canada or its aftermath. CC CC Re: “objectivity” As for Ukrainians being labeled by Christopher Guly “unprincipled” by Mr. Primak (February of war crimes book 7), I would suggest that he was speaking Dear Editor: on his own behalf and not for Ukrainians collectively. Re: “Book on alleged war criminals He certainly did not speak for me. creates controversy in Canada” (February A Ukrainian by a different name 18): The author of “War Criminals in Stephan Pasternak Apparently, Saskatchewan Premier rience when we met the queen,” recalled Canada,” Mr. J. McKenzie, claims to be Brossard, Quebec Roy Romanow likes to have fellow Lieutenant Governor Wiebe. “We were “objective,” yet he made no attempt to Ukrainian Canadian friends in high only allotted 20 minutes with her, but, contact any Ukrainian Canadian organiza- places. this Prairie boy must be fairly long-wind- tion with respect to the obviously still-con- You can’t compare From 1988 to 1994, medical physicist ed, because we spent over 35 minutes troversial issue of bringing alleged war Sylvia Fedoruk occupied the lieutenant with her majesty. It was like the three of criminals in Canada to justice. Hardly an governor’s chair in the Prairie province us sitting there in front of a fireplace Halychyna, Quebec of 1 million people. Since 1994, it has talking.” example of research skills at play. Dear Editor: And since he thanks Sol Littman and been John Edward Neil Wiebe. What did the crown’s Saskatchewan the Wiesenthal Center for their support he In a letter of February 11, D.H. Struk Although Canada’s prime minister rep talk about with the queen? can hardly claim to be unaware of the fact wrote about “similarity between actually recommends the vice-regal “We’re not allowed to talk about what that there was an organized and, thankful- Quebec’s plight in Canada and that of appointment to the queen – since the we discuss privately with the queen out- ly, effective response to the “grossly exag- Ukrainians in Halychyna under Poland.” lieutenant governor is constitutional rep- side of Buckingham Palace,” said gerated” claims made by some Jewish As the editor-in-chief of the resentative of the crown – a provincial Lieutenant Governor Wiebe. “So, of organizations on this subject. Encyclopedia of Ukraine, D.H. Struk premier is expected to put forward a course, realizing that, as soon as we got As for the cartoons that Mr. McKenzie should know better. Under the Polish rule name. Old pals from their days at the to our hotel room, I went and wrote laces his tract with, they are not only mis- between the two world wars, Halychyna University of Saskatchewan, Premier everything down that I could remember, leading (by implying guilt, as the one of never had the prerogatives of Canadian Romanow and Lieutenant Governor and now have it stored in a safety deposit the late Mr. Kupyak does) but crude. provinces. It had no provincial legislature, Wiebe have known each other for a long box. After the queen passes away, and The fact also remains that the publish- no executive entity, and was not permitted time – and they knew of their Ukrainian enough time has passed, my [three] er, Detselig Enterprises, did receive a to hold a referendum to choose its political bond. grandchildren will be able to know what grant from the Department of Canadian status. The Ukrainian language had no The name, Fedoruk, like Romanow, is their grandpa talked to the queen about.” Heritage to publish a work of remarkably standing in the government, unlike the an easy clue to heritage. With “Wiebe,” it Despite his position of diplomatic neu- poor quality that does identify, stereo- French in Canada, much less any claim to took some digging on the part of trality, Lieutenant Governor Wiebe type and defame the good name and primacy. The Polish government, to its eter- Saskatchewan’s 18th lieutenant governor admits he’s sympathetic to Queen character not only of individual nal shame, permitted only one or two to uncover the Ukrainian connection. Elizabeth’s latest headaches over the Ukrainian Canadians but of our commu- Ukrainian secondary schools to exist for the Already, the word is out. divorce settlement involving the couple nity as a whole. Ukrainian Canadian tax- entire Halychyna. An analogy to the status When Ukraine’s new ambassador to who were originally supposed to assume payers may well wonder how their hard- of Quebec is egregious, and also foolish. Canada, Volodymyr Furkalo, presented the throne. “I’m a strong family person, and believe a family is the richest bless- earned dollars are being spent. Boris Danik his diplomatic credentials to Governor About the only “positive” comment ing an individual can ever have. It’s North Caldwell, N.J. General Romeo LeBlanc on February 14, one can make is that, typically, the prod- Mr. LeBlanc was quick to point out the always very sad when you see a family uct of Mr. McKenzie’s pen and frenzied presence of the Ukrainian Canadian lieu- break up such as this. The queen herself imagination is of such a low quality that tenant governor from Saskatchewan in must be facing enormous personal pres- it is very unlikely that anyone will take it Time to get involved, the audience. sure and strain. I think it’s probably seriously. Except, of course, for those In a telephone interview from his because of her influence that the mar- self-styled “Nazi hunters” who continue become empowered office in Regina, Lieutenant Governor riage stayed together for as long as it to insist that their are lots of bad lads Dear Editor: Wiebe said he knew of his Ukrainian did.” amongst us. But then they must, if they roots ever since he was a child growing After going to London to visit the are to go on collecting their salaries for We Ukrainian Americans have, are up in Herbert, a town in southwestern queen and going to Wales to visit some being “Nazi hunters.” and will contribute to America by active- Saskatchewan. Eight years ago, he ancestral places claimed by his wife, ly taking part in democracy; I am proud learned a lot more about those roots Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Wiebe Lubomyr Luciuk to actively serve in the Republican Party plan to make a heritage pilgrimage to Kingston, Ontario when he found his great-grandfather’s as a precinct delegate and encourage passport collecting dust in an attic. Ukraine in the next 18 months. The writer is director of research of everyone to consider becoming one. We As far as he can determine, the 59- But even before he goes, Lieutenant the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties are the people who have contributed and year-old lieutenant governor’s paternal Governor Wiebe is already talking like a Association. are contributing to a better community, great-great-grandfather, Jacob Wiebe, a proud Ukrainian son. city, state and America. Mennonite, left Holland for southern “Ukrainians are the second-largest eth- We need to further our commitment for Russia in the late 1790s. He had received nic group in Saskatchewan after the a better world by using our strongest a parcel of land as a part of a settlement Germans,” he boasted. “With the English Halychyna-Quebec weapon – our vote. We need everyone. incentive from Catherine II. Jacob Wiebe and French at the bottom of the Become a precinct delegate. Form a married a Russian woman and raised a province’s ethnic groups by population, I comparison ludicrous Ukrainian American Republican/or family in the town of Molochanks. would dare say Saskatchewan is the most Dear Editor: Democratic coalition. Get people to Jacob’s son, Jacob A. Wiebe, left the multicultural province in Canada.” understand that we need one another by The letter to the editor by D.H. Struk area and moved to the Crimea around maintaining our heritage, religion, organi- (February 11) contains, in my opinion, 1850. zations and freedom to be all that we can his personal and biased interpretation of “Today, the region where Jacob Wiebe be for each other. history rather than facts. lived is part of Ukraine,” said Lieutenant Get involved. Let’s empower ourselves! For example: his view on Ukrainian- Governor Wiebe. French relations in Quebec and the Polish Roman Kuropas Eventually, the Wiebes left the Crimea minority in Halychyna. To equate the situ- Warren, Mich. for Kansas, where they lived before set- ation in Quebec between French-speaking tling in Saskatchewan at the end of the Canadians and Quebec minorities, to that 19th century. of Halychyna’s native Ukrainians and the After taking courses in arts, science Polish colonists who were specifically About Ukrainian and business administration at the resettled into Halychyna, is ludicrous. University of Saskatchewan, the future French-speaking Canadians who attitudes and Quebec lieutenant governor married a Welsh arrived on this continent somewhat earlier Dear Editor: Canadian, Ann Lewis, in 1961. The two than many of us, should not, in my opin- It is interesting to note that before 1991 became farmers. ion, have the right to impose their will on the Ukrainian community often compared “Although the Wiebes were always the rest of Quebec’s population any more Ukrainian nationalism and Quebec nation- farmers, neither my paternal grandfather than the rest of Canada to impose its will alism. Since Ukraine is now independent, nor my father worked in farming. I on the province of Quebec. Quebec is compared to the Crimea. picked up the ball,” said Lieutenant It is high time that the politicians of For Quebecers/nationalists it was some- Governor Wiebe. the English and French side of the equa- what ironic to see how eager the Canadian From 1971 to 1978, he served as a tion got together and worked out a solu- government was to recognize Ukrainian Liberal member of the Saskatchewan leg- tion beneficial to both communities independence, while remaining refractory islature for the Morse constituency, throughout Canada. to the fact, as D.H. Struk mentioned which incorporates Herbert. On May 31, Why is it that the remaining third of (February 11), that “the French are a dis- 1994, Mr. Wiebe became his home Canadians of neither English or French tinct people, a nation within Canada.” province’s lieutenant governor. origin have not up to now figured in this Getting to that office involved meeting debate? Francine Boulet Queen Elizabeth II. John Wiebe, lieutenant governor of I, for one, would not wish to see the Inverness, Quebec “My wife and I had a wonderful expe- Saskatchewan. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

Torontoby Oksana Zakydalskyconcert toeternal commemorate river, the eternal book through anniversaryThe memorial concert will of also Chornobylmark disaster whose pages, year after year, century the 20th anniversary of the Lysenko TORONTO – The oratorio “Sacred after century, flows our history...We – Opera Chorus. Founded in 1974 as the Dnipro,” composed by Valeriy Kikta Slavs, Ukrainians – came here and stayed Canadian Ukrainian Opera Choir, the with libretto by Sofia Majdanska, will by the Dnipro because it was here that we choir changed its name to the Lysenko form the central part of the program for found the pure bottomless source of life, Opera Chorus in 1990. One of the the Chornobyl memorial concert in wisdom and power; here we became con- founders of the choir, and its conductor Toronto. The concert is being presented scious of ourselves as a people, as a from the beginning, is Volodymyr by the Canadian Ukrainian Opera nation. Without the Dnipro, we as a Kolesnyk. Association and will feature the Lysenko nation would not exist and neither would The first work staged by the choir, in Opera Chorus of Toronto, the Dnipro Ukraine.” December 1975, was Semen Hulak- Choir of Edmonton and members of the Ms. Majdanska quotes an 18th centu- Artemovsky’s “Zaporozhian Kozak Toronto Symphony Orchestra. ry French traveler who said that Ukraine, Beyond the Danube.” Since then, the “Sacred Dnipro” was commissioned a land of milk and honey, attracted choir has been one of the most important by the Dnipro Choir of Edmonton and everyone like a magnet attracts iron. Yet, given its world premiere in 1993. Mr. factors of Ukrainian musical culture in notes the poet, the magnetic power of Kikta, who lives in Kyiv, was born in North America and has brought many Ukraine has also proved to be the source 1941 in Donetske Oblast and was a stu- masterpieces of Ukrainian music to its of the country’s tragedies as it attracted dent and protegé of the noted Ukrainian audiences. the death-bearing iron swords of the composer Stanislav Liudkevych. The Opera Choir presented the North horde, the cannons of both Poles and The Canadian Ukrainian Opera American premieres of Anatole Russians, and the machine guns of the Association noted in a press release: Vachnianyn’s opera “Kupalo” (1979) and Soviets. “The main traits of his style are a clear Dmytro Bortniansky’s opera “Alkides” melodism, individual harmonic lan- The 11 parts of the oratorio are united by (1992) as well as the world premiere of guage, rhythmic inventiveness and mas- the development of the main theme – that Denys Sichynsky’s “Roxolana” (presented terful instrumentation. Steeped in classi- of the sacred river Dnipro – the spiritual in concert in 1991). cal principles, Kikta incorporates con- symbol of the nation. Each part of the ora- The Opera Choir took part in the inau- torio deals with a different era in Ukrainian gural concert of Toronto’s Roy Thomson temporary compositional techniques Volodymyr Kolesnyk with good taste and uses them for his history and speaks in the language of the Hall in 1982, staging the North American artistic ends.” time. The author uses quotes from contem- premiere of Liudkevych’s symphony- The librettist, Ms. Majdanska, is a porary works, such as the chronicle cantata “The Caucasus” and the world 1984 and Orchestra Hall in 1988), Ohio graduate of the Lviv Conservatory of “Litopys Ruskyi” and the epic poem premiere of Canadian composer George and Michigan. Music. She began to write poetry as a “Slovo o Polku Ihorevi.” She begins the Fiala’s Symphony No. 4 “The Ukrainian The Opera Choir has taken part in student and has had many works pub- work with a quote in Latin from Teofan Symphony.” Both these works were also several gala Ukrainian celebrations, such lished in Ukraine. She has written libretto Prokopovych’s “Ode to Dnipro,” ending it presented in 1984 at New York’s as the Millennium of Christianity in and scripts for special celebrations such with the same excerpt in Ukrainian. Carnegie Hall with the American Ukraine, staging the world premiere of as the Chervona Ruta Festival (1989) and Appearing throughout the oratorio is Symphony Orchestra to mark the 90th George Fiala’s Cantata for Piano and the Zolotyi Homin poetry festival (1990) the heroine, our contemporary, who, anniversary of the Ukrainian National Choir at the Millennium Concert held in held in Kyiv. writes Ms. Majdanska, “is not there to Association. November 1987. The libretto for “Sacred Dnipro” is comment on the historical events nor to In addition to its many appearances in The Chornobyl Memorial Concert is called an “oratorio-chronicle in 11 parts” judge them. She longs to immerse her- Toronto and other Canadian cities – being staged by the Canadian Ukrainian and presents the sweep of Ukrainian his- self, as a living drop of water, into the Ottawa, Hamilton, Montreal – and its two Opera Association under the sponsorship tory around the central theme of the eternal flow of the river and to experi- appearances in Carnegie Hall (the second of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee Dnipro River. In outlining her subject, ence with her nation everything from the was in 1981), the choir has traveled to and will be held on Sunday, April 28, at Ms. Majdanska writes, “Dnipro – the very beginning.” Illinois (Chicago Lyric Opera theater in 3 p.m. at Massey Hall in Toronto.

ty shelter – the sarcophagus,” he added. requires political stability as never U.S. secretary of state... “When the G-7 met in Naples in before,” Mr. Kuchma told the U.S. diplo- For the record: (Continued from page 1) 1994, they did not take into considera- mat. was also a topic of discussion that day tion the position of Ukraine,” he contin- Mr. Christopher noted, “We admire Christopher in Prague during lunch, when the U.S. delegation ued. “At the summit in Moscow on the steps Ukraine has taken on the path of of 12 and Ukrainian officials such as April 19-20 on nuclear safety we want economic reform, and I found of great In his speech on March 20 to a to talk about the real problems of interest the discussions now taking place gathering of Central and East National Security Adviser Volodymyr Horbulin and Foreign Minister Udovenko Chornobyl. Last year we lost an entire in Ukraine with respect to constitutional European foreign ministers in year on talks – and this ended only on reform.” Prague, Secretary of State Warren discussed this topic. “We will reinforce our cooperation December 20, with the signing of a The American leader discussed the Christopher had this to say about memorandum. Lastly, Ukraine cannot new constitution with Parliament Speaker Ukraine’s position in the U.S. with NATO and NATO member-states,” Mr. Udovenko told journalists later, independently solve the financial Moroz, who noted that, “to ensure vision of the emerging integration aspects of closing down the station; we domestic stability in Ukraine, which of Europe: adding that Ukraine is an active member of the Partnership for Peace program and need substantial aid,” he noted. impacts external stability, a democratic We are determined to keep faith is part of NATO operations in Bosnia. Mr. Christopher told reporters that the constitution is necessary with a clear sep- with the nations of this region, to Mr. Christopher said the U.S. “sup- Ukrainian government had extended an aration of powers.” The Socialist Party open the door that Stalin shut when ports Ukraine’s growing ties to the West invitation to Vice-President Al Gore to leader emphasized that the version of the he said “no” to the Marshall Plan. No and European institutions, including the attend 10th anniversary commemorations constitution presented to the Parliament nation in Europe should ever again Partnership for Peace.” in Ukraine on April 26. However, he does not meet this criterion. be consigned to a buffer zone issued “a small word of warning, stating Mr. Moroz also said, “Ukraine’s fore- Chornobyl issues raised between great powers, or relegated to that because it is an election year in the most need is not economic aid, but another nation’s sphere of influence. The problems of Chornobyl were U.S., the campaign may preoccupy both mutally beneficial cooperation.” “The To achieve that end, President brought up by the U.S. delegation during the president and vice-president.” world stands to gain from stable and eco- Clinton has advanced a broad-rang- meetings with Ukrainian officials, However he did note that the U.S. would nomically powerful Ukraine, hence sup- ing strategy for European security. It including Foreign Minister Udovenko donate $10 million in medical aid and a port for Ukraine is in the best interests of includes a revitalized NATO, ready and Prime Minister Marchuk. mobile laboratory to monitor radiation. the international community.” for the missions and roles of the next Mr. Marchuk said, “Ukraine proposes The secretary of state also paid a brief In turn, Mr. Christophers said “the century. It includes support for deep- that a comprehensive agreement be visit to Pediatric Hospital No. 14, where U.S. is aware of Ukraine’s role in the er and broader European integration. signed to settle the issue of the closure of children believed to be suffering from the world and will support it in every way It includes a strong and productive the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Until effects of radiation from Chornobyl are possible, including financially.” relationship with Russia. ... now, the memorandum and other agree- treated. Mr. Christopher told reporters he Among the members of Mr. Ukraine’s integration is espe- ments signed between the two countries was “immensely moved” by the viist. Christopher’s delegation were Nicholas Burns, State Department spokesman; Jim cially important to stability and contained only common approaches.” Constitution’s influence security in this region. That is why Foreign Minister Udovenko told jour- Collins, senior adviser to the ambassador we value Ukraine’s participation nalists that “a political decision was During his meeting with Secretary at large to the NIS states; Tom Donilon, in the Partnership for Peace, why made by the president of Ukraine and the Christopher, President Kuchma observed Secretary Christopher’s chief of staff; we want NATO and Ukraine to government of Ukraine to decommission that “events are now under way in and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine build a strong relationship, and the plant.” Ukraine which will influence not only William Green Miller. why we will participate in a major He explained that closing down the Ukraine,” explaining that these include The Ukrainian delegation included military exercise in Ukraine this plant, however, is only one step in a com- the adoption of a new constitution. He Minister of Environment and Nuclear Safety summer. Yesterday in Kyiv, I reaf- plex process, because decommissioning added that there are also events in neigh- Yuriy Kostenko, Defense Minister Valeriy firmed America’s commitment to Chornobyl will not solve the problems of boring countries that will influence the Shmarov and the Minister of the Cabinet of Ukraine’s freedom, independence safety at the station. situation in Ukraine, such as the elections Ministers Valeriy Pustovoytenko, as well as and prosperity.” “The most important problems include in Russia. Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Yuri what to do with the reactor and the facili- “I think you understand that Ukraine Shcherbak. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 9

by Helen Smindak DATELINE NEW YORK: Experimental theater from Lviv The 174-seat theater building at 3 Les full-fledged actors. Although the state pays for the actors’ change the old repertoires and stereotyped Kurbas St. in Lviv, near the Ethnographic With them on the U.S. trip, in charge of subsistence, funds for set decoration, methodologies still prevalent in Ukraine. Museum in the center of the city, is the lighting and sets, is set designer Andriy lighting, costumes and other theatrical “Whether it’s Grotovski [in Italy] or professional home of an intrepid group of Humeniuk. At home in Lviv are 10 assis- expenses must be found elsewhere. Vasiliev [in Russia] or Anne Bogart [of the actors, drama students and production tants who work behind the scenes. Financing is required for the company’s New York-based, Saratoga International assistants who have been staging unique As I chat with my guests – the direc- current project to mark the 125th Theater Institute] or the Yara Arts Group productions for the past eight years under tor, bearded, dark-eyed; the poetic-look- anniversary of the birth of poetess Lesia [in New York], all these exchanges of the direction of Volodymyr Kuchynsky. ing Mr. Vodychev, shoulder-length hair Ukrainka, specifically “The Sky-Blue knowledge and experience are important,” The company has been experimenting framing a sensitive face; and the slender Rose” and “The Stone Master,” both Mr. Kuchynsky declares. “This knowledge with new methods and drama techniques Ms. Polovynka, her elegant features already in rehearsal. can be amassed in Ukraine so that young to achieve a close relationship between highlighted by high cheekbones – I learn What keeps the company alive and func- people who work in our theater and other actors and audience. To do this, it that the company developed from a small tioning is the assistance proferred by orga- theaters can benefit from it.” employs a number of elements – dance, group and began life as the Lviv Youth nizations like the Soros Foundation (which For Ms. Polovynka and Mr. Vodychev, gesture, movement, sound, light, texture Theater-Drama Studio in March 1988. It financed the U.S. trip), and donations from the workshops conducted by the Les and audience participation. was officially designated the Les Kurbas individuals, business firms and organiza- Kurbas Theater are extremely vital, and For the second time since the group’s Theater in October 1990. tions (in the U.S., the Ukrainian they offer their views on this subject. founding in March 1988, Mr. Kuchynsky “That was like a reward that was given Journalists’ Association and the Ukrainian Mr. Polovynka observes that the training and fellow members of the Les Kurbas to us by the authorities; the name is Language Society). For the U.S. sojourn, workshops which are part of the theater’s Theater are spending several weeks in renowned, and we felt highly honored,” Ukrainian Americans are providing accom- activity (workshops, rehearsals, perfor- New York, this time under the auspices observes Mr. Kuchynsky. Les Kurbas is modations, meals, transportation, contacts mances) provide a way “to achieve some of the Harriman Institute and Columbia the brilliant Ukrainian theater director and other assistance. Company members kind of dramaturgy, to find oneself as an University’s Oscar Hammerstein II who worked in Kyiv in the 1920s and say they are particularly grateful to Olha actor and as an individual, and also to find Center for Theatre Studies. 1930s; he perished in a Soviet concentra- Kuzmowycz and Yuriy Tarnawsky. a common language with actors from other Heralded as one of the most innovative tion camp sometime after 1937. Their spirits are uplifted, report the theaters. Training workshops enable us to and acclaimed drama groups in Ukraine, the For the first two years, the company actors and director, by the response of audi- associate on an international level.” company presented “Games for Faust” at had no quarters. Sometime after the ences everywhere, in Ukraine, Russia, Mr. Vodychev adds his evaluation: Columbia’s Miller Theater last month. (See group settled in the theater it now calls Poland and the U.S. Mr. Vodychev “Workshops are necessary both for the review in The Weekly, March 17.) The home, it learned that the building had remarks. “We have fans in Kyiv, and we working actors, to check on the develop- play, based on Dostoyevsky’s novel “Crime served the famous Les Kurbas Theater are very popular in Kharkiv; they’re await- ment of their own interpretations and and Punishment,” won awards for best play Company. It is a fitting coincidence, for ing our next visit. The public was expressions and to determine whether at the Khersones Games International there are distinct parallels between the entranced by our performance of ‘The they are still on the right course, as well Festival in Sevastopil in 1994 and the Kurbas and the Kuchynsky concepts and Court of Henry III’ and sat through four as for the development of the young Golden Lion International Festival in Lviv treatment of theater. hours without anyone leaving the theater.” actors who come to our theater.” in 1995. The company itself was voted the The new company has been troubled Language poses no barrier to under- A final question from me, about the best Ukrainian theater at the 1995 interna- by two major problems: censorship and a standing the productions of the Les future of the Les Kurbas Theater, brings a tional Les Kurbas Conference in Kyiv. lack of funds. Its premier production in Kurbas Theater, according to Mr. thoughtful answer from Mr. Kuchynsky: This weekend, after a sequence of 1988, “The Garden of Non-Dissolving Kuchynsky and his colleagues. “The future of the theater depends on how workshops, rehearsals and performances Sculptures,” based on two works by lead- Theatergoers who respond to the mood serious we are, how responsible we are, that took this avant-garde troupe around ing contemporary poet Lina Kostenko, and atmosphere of a performance, listen- how we apply ourselves to build a theater New York City, to Soyuzivka, was forbidden because it had not been ing “with heart and soul,” seem to under- that is a living culture.” Philadelphia and some New Jersey centers, previewed by censors, as Soviet rules stand the plot and characterizations better As I leave the conference room, I over- the group returns to the Columbia campus dictated. To get around the ban, the com- than Ukrainian-speaking patrons who hear the threesome discussing a newly with a performance of “Grateful Erodiy” pany refunded money to ticket holders absorb every word of dialogue. scheduled engagement – a performance of (March 22, Miller Theater, Broadway at and invited the public to attend perfor- Participation by the company in annual “Games for Faust” in Maplewood, N.J., on 116 Street). The play is a staging of a para- mances billed as “rehearsals.” festivals and international projects bring March 31. ble by the 18th century Ukrainian philoso- Later that same year, there were some rewards. Prizes and awards are earned for I stop to jot a memo in my notebook, not pher Hryhoriy Skovorada, dealing with the problems in presenting unpublished works outstanding performances, and there are the Maplewood date (I’ve already seen issues of proper upbringing, altruism and of the dissident poet Vasyl Stus. opportunities to exchange ideas and learn “Faust”) but a reminder to myself: “Drop in the true nature of happiness. Theatergoers insisted on seats for Friday’s new teaching methods that can be used to at 3 Les Kurbas St. on next trip to Lviv.” Ballet, music, recitation, lighting, performance (the company stages produc- color and art figure prominently in the tions on weekends only), refusing to buy production. Costumes are by Nina tickets for Saturday and Sunday perfor- Lapchyk of Kyiv, whose textile designs, mances because (they explained) the as it happens, are on display at The authorities would most certainly prohibit Ukrainian Museum through April 14. any Stus work after the first night. Mr. Kuchynsky and two of the actors, Once Ukraine became independent, it Natalka Polovynka and Andriy Vodychev was possible to undertake Dostoyevsky or (who gave sensitive performances in any work the company wished to stage. “Games for Faust”), found time recently “Now only our financial problems smother to meet with this writer and share some us,” Mr. Kuchynsky declares with a sigh. insights into their work. Soft-voiced, eyes Company members shrug off any sug- bright with intensity, they spoke in mel- gestion that actors are worse off than other lifluous Ukrainian as they described their citizens, pointing out that life is difficult abiding passion: the Les Kurbas Theater for everyone in economically depressed of Lviv. Ukraine. As a professional theater compa- The company consists of eight actors, ny, the Les Kurbas Theater receives sup- all in their 30s; all but two are natives of port from the regional administration, Lviv or the Lviv region. although this is minimal and just enough Ms. Polovynka, a graduate of the Lviv for the theater to continue to exist. Music Conservatory, was born in the The company feels it is a pity that civic Vinnytsia region; Mr. Vodychev comes authorities and the Ministry of Culture do from the Crimea and studied at the not have the means to assist a group that Kharkiv State Theater actors’ studio. officially represents the Ukrainian theater. Mr. Kuchynsky, the artistic director, Mr. Kuchynsky explains: “Our theater worked as an actor at the Sumy Theater is the only Ukrainian-speaking theater that of Musical Comedy and Lviv’s represents Ukraine at international festi- Zankovetska National Theater, and stud- vals. From that aspect, it would be desir- ied acting with Anatoliy Vasiliev in able for us to produce more plays. We Moscow. He co-founded the theater with stage one production each year or every a fellow member of the Zankovetska one-and-a-half to two years. We simply Theater, Oleh Drach, a dynamic actor do not have the money to do more. When who has won best actor awards at two we are invited to a festival, the costs of international theater festivals. our trip are financed by the government. Their colleagues are Tetyana Kaspruk, We go to the festival, we perform, we an alumna of the Zankovetska Theater return, and that’s the end of it.” who joined the Les Kurbas Theater in He says he believes “something 1988, and Oksana Tsymbal, Yurko should be done so that groups that repre- Mysak and Oleh Tsiona, who were mem- sent Ukraine might have the means to Yuriy Tarnawsky bers of the Les Kurbas Theatre drama work at full strength and stage first-rate Andriy Vodychev (Raskolnikov) and Oleh Drach (Svidrigaylov) in a scene from studio before joining the company as productions.” “Games for Faust.” 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

Planning a trip to YEVSHANDistributor of fine Ukrainian products - Cassettes, Compact Ukrainian pro hockey update discs - Videos - Language tapes & Dictionaries - Computer UKRAINE? fonts for PC & MAC - Imported Icons - Ukrainian Stationery - Cookbooks - Food parcels to Ukraine by Ihor Stelmach

Personalized Call for a free catalog A great big deal to get there, and we did,” Gretzky said. Travel Service at “That was probably my best memory 1-800-265-9858VISA - MASTERCARD - AMEX ACCEPTED Speculation had swirled around here and something I’ll never forget.” Reasonable Rates FAX ORDERS ACCEPTED (514) 630-9960 Wayne Gretzky for several weeks and A nine-time MVP, Gretzky won four BOX 325, BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC the strain of worrying about his future CANADA - H9W 5T8 Stanley Cups with Edmonton before a •VISAS•HOTELS•MEALS• showed on the boyish face of hockey’s blockbuster deal sent him to the Kings. •TRANSFERS•GUIDES• greatest player. His arrival on August 9, 1988, sparked Finally, on February 27, it was over. hockey interest in southern California and •AIR TICKETS• The sport’s career-leading scorer was on ensured regular sellouts at the Forum. •CARS WITH DRIVERS• his way to the St. Louis Blues. Gretzky is credited with bringing two •INTERPRETERS• FLOWERS For days he politely gave the same NHL expansion teams to the state; getting answers to the same questions asked by •SIGHTSEEING• new rinks built to handle the explosion of packs of reporters, friends and fans. junior hockey teams; and spawning the in- “It’s mentally draining,” he said of the line skating craze. inquisitions. “Every city I went to, “We did a lot of great things here in LANDMARK, LTD Delivered in Ukraine hordes of people wanting to know what I eight years,” he said. toll free (800) 832-1789 1-800-832-1789 was doing.” Losing in the finals marked the begin- Gretzky rejected a contract that would DC/MD/VA (703) 941-6180 Landmark, Ltd. ning of a free-fall that hit bottom last fax (703) 941-7587 have allowed him to finish his career year before new ownership took over the with the Los Angeles Kings. financially strapped franchise. “In life, strange things happen, and Gretzky watched closely as close this is one of them,” he said. “No one has friend and former owner Bruce McNall FIRST QUALITY the answer on why it’s come to this.” was convicted of bank fraud, and he UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE The trade ended a turbulent period that cringed as his teammates’ paychecks began in early January when the Great bounced until Edward Roski and Phillip MONUMENTS One went public with his demands that Anschultz bought the team. SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES the Kings upgrade their talent, or he “These owners came in and had to OBLAST would consider leaving. clean up a lot of mess,” he said. “I felt It was a shocking stance for a man the brunt of that more than anyone, MEMORIALS known as hockey’s nicest player, on and because I knew more than anyone what P.O. BOX 746 off the ice. was going on.” 914-469-4247 “It’s been the hardest six weeks of my But even Gretzky didn’t know a trade BILINGUAL career,” he said. “It’s been unfair for me HOME APPOINTMENTS ARRANGED would come off when he departed an WEST2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ARKA Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 and my wife.” afternoon meeting on February 27 at the Gretzky, 35, leaves the city where he Forum, still undecided about signing a Gifts achieved all of his major NHL records, Ukrainian Handicrafts new deal. He was making $6.5 million FOR RENT including scoring his 802nd goal on this year and becomes a free agent this Art, Ceramics, Jewellery A. CHORNY COMFORTABLE, FURNISHED March 23, 1994, making him the game’s summer. Books, Newspapers APARTMENT IN LVIV, career scoring leader. Los Angeles offered a contract cover- Cassettes, CDs, Videos CENTRAL LOCATION. His only failure was not helping the ing the rest of his playing days, and then Embroidery Supplies TEL: (310) 645-7872 OR (818) 249-6741 Kings win the Stanley Cup – his greatest wanted to move him into a front office Packages and Services to Ukraine desire upon arriving from Edmonton role for an additional five to 10 years, nearly eight years ago. Tel.: (416) 762-8751 Fax: (416) 767-6839 Kings governor Bob Sanderman claimed. The Kings came close to a champi- Financial terms were not disclosed. TAX HELP! onship in 1993, losing 4-1 to Montreal in Individual, Corp. and Partnership “It was very difficult because they were Personal Service Year Round the finals, including three straight over- so classy to me,” Gretzky said. “It was a BILL PIDHIRNY, C.P.A. time defeats. (203) 656-2334 hard decision at home with my wife.” “In a lot of ways, it was as much fun In the end, the lure of playing under Days, Weekends and Evenings to get to the finals that year as it was CT, NYC, Westchester and Northern NJ Blues coach Mike Keenan and alongside winning four championships with Edmonton, because we weren’t expected (Continued on page 11) ìÇÄÉÄ! ìÇÄÉÄ! åÓÊÎË‚¥ÒÚ¸ Á‡ðÓ·ËÚË: åÓÚÂθ 20 Í¥ÏÌ‡Ú ÜËÚÎÓ‚Ëı ÔÓÏ¥˘Â̸ 8 UKRAINIAN 2,5 ÄêÄ ÁÂÏÎ¥ íÂÍÒ‡Ò 90 West ______íÂÎ.: (718) 738-9413 NATIONAL

ìÍð‡ªÌҸ͇ Ù¥ðχ ◊äÄêèÄíà” ASSOCIATION Complete Building Renovations Painting Brick, Pointing, Painting Decoration, Tiles, Roofing, Plumbing, Bathrooms, Electric and Welding Fully insured. Notice to publishers HOME FOR PURCHASE Tel. (718) 738-9413 Beeper (917) 644-5174 and authors OR REFINANCE It is The Ukrainian Weekly’s poli- LOAN SPECIAL FEATURES: cy to run news items and/or reviews PROGRAM* • Available Nationwide of newly published books, booklets Call now for immediate service • Single-Family Residence or Condominium and reprints, as well as records and and complete program details... • Conventional and Jumbo Loans premiere issues of periodicals, only • Fixed or Adjustable Rates after receipt by the editorial offices of • Fast, Efficient Service a copy of the material in question. (800) 253-9862 • Free Pre-Qualification News items sent without a copy of the new release will not be pub- lished. DR. OLHA SHEVCHUK O’QUINN Send new releases and informa- Nutritionist, Behavioral Consultant tion (where publication may be pur- Individual consultation and treatment for general health and well being, prevention of illness, weight control, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and digestive disorders. chased, cost, etc.) to: The Editor, The Office, easily accessible, located in pleasant midtown Manhattan Ukrainian Weekly, 30 Montgomery By appointment only St., Jersey City, NJ 07302. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 11

the next game. Pro hockey... But that was earlier in the season. (Continued from page 10) The combination of a surging Hrudey Brett Hull, and living in his wife’s home- and a struggling Dafoe has forced town of St. Louis won out. Robinson to alter what had been a con- “It wasn’t a financial issue,” he said. sistent rotation. Hrudey went through an “We felt it was probably best for the eight-game stretch in which his goals Kings, the city, the fans and myself that against average was 1.80 and his save percentage was 95.3. we head in this direction.” Meanwhile, Dafoe hadn’t won a game The Kings traded their franchise play- in a stretch of four appearances, going 0- er for rookies Craig Johnson, Patrice 3-0, and getting pulled twice. 1996 CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS AT SOYUZIVKA Tardif and young prospect Roman Robinson said he still has faith in TENNIS CAMP—SUNDAY JUNE 23 — THURSDAY, JULY 4 Vopat, in addition to a fifth-round draft Dafoe’s abilities. BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 12—18. FOOD AND LODGING UNA MEMBERS: $ 240.00 pick this year and a first-round selection “I still believe in both my goalies,” NON-MEMBERS: $ 290.00. TENNIS FEE: $ 75.00 in 1997. Robinson said. “Without them we INSTRUCTORS: ZENON SNYLYK, GEORGE SAWCHAK AND STAFF “These are their three best prospects wouldn’t even be close. (Goaltending) is LIMIT: 60 PARTICIPANTS! without a doubt. What we did was the best the farthest thing from my mind right for the Kings,” General Manager Sam BOY'S CAMP—SATURDAY JULY 6 — SATURDAY, JULY 20 now.” McMaster said. “The first-round draft RECREATION CAMP FOR BOYS AGES 7-12, FEATURING HIKING, SWIMMING, selection in 1997 is huge for the Kings.” UKRAINIAN UTTERINGS: In a GAMES, UKRAINIAN SONGS AND FOLKLORE. February 3 overtime win over the Isles, UNA MEMBERS: $ 160.00 PER WEEK; NON-MEMBERS $ 200.00 PER WEEK Hrudey joins Kings’ crease ADDITIONAL COUNSELOR FEE $ 30.00 PER CHILD PER WEEK the Caps’ Peter Bondra tallied four goals, LIMIT: 45 CHILDREN!! The weeks kept flying by, and sudden- including three in the third ly it had been six months between NHL period...Ukrainians making waves during GIRL'S CAMP—SATURDAY JULY 6 — SATURDAY, JULY 20 starts for 34-year-old Los Angeles Kings’ All-Star skills competitions included RUNS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOY’S CAMP Ukrainian goaltender Kelly Hrudey. Oleg Tverdovsky (fastest skater while SAME PROGRAM, FEES AND LIMITS APPLY. Hrudey finished last season facing a still with Anaheim) and Washington’s UKRAINIAN FOLK DANCE WORKSHOP — SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 —SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 barrage of Winnipeg Jets’ shots on May Peter Bondra (hardest shot and fastest skater)... The lowest-paid NHLer, TRADITIONAL UKRAINIAN FOLK DANCING FOR BEGINNERS, INTERMEDIATE 2, 1995, when the Kings won on the sec- Vancouver’s Jim Sandlak, making AND ADVANCED DANCERS. FOOD AND LODGING: UNA MEMBERS: $ 265.00 ond to last day of the season. His next $125,000 a year, was recently released NON-MEMBERS: $ 315.00. INSTRUCTORS' FEE: $180.00 start did not come until November 22, DIRECTOR: ROMA PRYMA-BOHACHEVSKY by the Canucks. It is doubtful Sandlak 1995, against the New York Islanders. LIMIT: 60 STUDENTS!! will see NHL rinks again. Mighty Ducks’ Hrudey suffered a torn ligament in the GM Jack Ferreira said much-improved THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ankle just before training camp, and his Oleg Tverdovsky used to be an equal rehabilitation turned into a nightmare as ANYONE BASED ON AGE, RACE, CREED, SEX OR COLOR. opportunity defenseman: “He’d create FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MANAGEMENT OF SOYUZIVKA. he was beset by numerous setbacks. chances at both ends of the rink.” “I didn’t realize it was six months, Ferreira said the 19-year-old is much ALL CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED ON A FIRST although it seemed like it at times,” said more consistent as a sophomore than he COME FIRST SERVED BASIS WITH RECEIPT OF $25.00 DEPOSIT PER CHILD!! Hrudey, who is in his 13th NHL season. was as an NHL rookie last season. ALL NECESSARY MEDICAL FORMS AND PERMISSION SLIPS MUST BE IN Hrudey’s return was a rocky one, a 5-2 Apparently Tverdovsky was so consis- NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO START OF CAMP! loss to the Islanders, in which he was tent this year, he was quickly traded to NO EXCEPTIONS!! victimized by his porous defense. The Winnipeg in early February. The Ducks Islanders outshot the Kings 39-18, and picked up super-scorer Teemu had two power-play goals; rookie Selanne...Wayne Gretzky was selected defenseman Aki Berg committed a major NHL Player of the Week for the 41st TO ALL UNA MEMBERS: blunder – a blind drop pass behind his time, but only the sixth since joining the own net on the Islanders’ third goal. Kings...One of the most over-looked sto- Kindly be reminded that your dues (premiums) for insurance coverage are “I was very happy the game hadn’t ries the past two seasons is Peter payable on the first day of the month, and not at the end, as some assume. passed me by, as far as speed and what- Bondra’s amazing scoring contribution to By paying promptly to your Branch Secretary, you will help him/her remit the not,” Hrudey said. “It wasn’t the result I the Washington Capitals. He led the monthly collection to the Home Office in a timely fashion. wanted, but nobody beat me with a straight NHL by a significant margin last season, shot – that’s one of the barometers for accounting for 25 percent of all HOME OFFICE OF UNA. whether I’m feeling comfortable.” Washington goals. Three players tied for For goaltender Byron Dafoe, one sub- second, scoring 19 percent of their par outing rarely kept him on the bench teams’ goals. In the first half of 1995- very long, as coach Larry Robinson 1996, Bondra upped his share to about promptly put him back in the crease for the 30 percent mark... Well-established dental office seeking partner Buffalo, N.Y. District Committee of the

Ukrainian National Association announces that its

ANNUAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING will be held on

SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 1996 at 1:00 PM

at the Ukrainian American Civic Center, Inc. 205 Military Rd., Buffalo, N.Y.

Obligated to attend the annual meeting as voting members are District Committee Officers, Convention Delegates and two delegates from the following Branches:

40, 87, 127, 149, 304, 360

All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting.

MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY:

Alexander G. Blahitka, UNA Treasurer

DISTRICT COMMITTEE

Roman Konotopskyj, Chairman Wasyl Sywenky, Secretary Maria Bodnarsky, Treasurer 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

conditions, the preservation of the close Ukraine’s Foreign... and multilateral ties that existed between Field & Olesnycky (Continued from page 2) the republics of the former Soviet Union, Attorneys at Law Ukraine, as a founding member of the and that the formation of the CIS pre- Commonwealth of Independent States, vented the spread of dangerous tenden- 11 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 100 from the very beginning of the CIS’s cies on the territory of the former USSR that could lead to general instability and East Hanover, N.J. 07936 existence has followed a course aimed at deepening and broadening equal and serious conflicts. (201) 386-1115 mutually advantageous cooperation with- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Fax (201) 884-1188 in the framework of the Commonwealth, Ukraine is forced to state that in the con- text of continuous strengthening and deep- (Three Miles North of Ramada Hotel, at Ridgedale Ave.) and consequently declares that the forms of its participation as well as its status in ening of bilateral as well as multilateral the Commonwealth of Independent ties within the framework of the CIS, cer- Representation of Small Businesses, States are determined in accordance with tain political forces in some of the mem- Wills, Estates and Asset Protection, Commercial and Corporate Law, legislative acts adopted by the Supreme ber-states of the Commonwealth have Council of Ukraine during the ratification taken steps that could substantively com- Real Estate and Family Law. plicate the situation in the CIS. It is pre- For the convenience of clients unable to travel to Morris County, of the agreement on the establishment of the CIS, and with relevant reservations. cisely in this manner that the above-men- will schedule conferences in Essex, Union and Hudson Counties. Ukraine will continue to act with the tioned decision of the State Duma of the understanding that the establishment of Russian Federation could be considered. Nestor L. Olesnycky Robert S. Field the CIS permitted, under new historical Kyiv, March 15, 1996

under way. The president noted that the UNA executives... UNA is part of the Chornobyl Challenge (Continued from page 5) ‘96 coalition indirectly, as a member- than the previous year. organization of the Ukrainian American PAUL G. HUNCZAK, ESQ. Income from advertising was Coordinating Council. $315,102, a figure higher by $13,931. • The first issue of the UNA’s bilin- Attorney at Law Donations to the press fund amounted to gual newsletter to members, called The $26,555, or $16,403 more than in 1994. UNA in Focus, has already been pre- Complete General Practice In general, expenses were lower in 1995 pared and will soon be mailed to all than in the previous year. The only excep- members whose current addresses are tion was the cost of postage. All expenses known to the Home Office. DWI/Traffic Violations Divorce and Family Law totaled $1,694,716, a sum $67,135 less • The UNA is preparing to set up a than in 1994. Notable decreases were seen homepage on the Internet. Two UNA Accidents and Injuries Wills and Estates in salaries ($67,578), correspondents’ pay- advisors, Stefko Kuropas and Nick ments ($9,335), newsprint/paper ($18,416), Diakiwsky, are heading the project. Business Law Real Estate and in the costs of printing ($9,155). • Dr. Myron Kuropas’s history of the Postage costs, grew to a total of UNA is nearly ready to be printed. The $564,116, an increase of $42,447. Postage photos for the book are now being pre- costs for one year’s subscription to Svoboda pared for publication. are $47.70; this means that in the case of a • The UNA president participated in a (201) 383-2700 single member’s subscription fee, a sum of meeting organized by the Central and only $27.30 is left over to cover all other East European Coalition with President Evening hours by appointment expenses associated with producing Bill Clinton. Svoboda. • The UNA president attended a recep- In terms of subscribers, the news tion hosted by Ukraine’s Ambassador Yuri about the newspapers was not as good, as Shcherbak in Washington to focus on the the number of Svoboda subscribers fell U.S. visit of President Leonid Kuchma. by 1,240, while the number of Weekly Executive Committee decisions subscribers decreased by 1,063 during the one-year period between February The Executive Committee reviewed 1995 and February 1996. information presented by Mrs. Diachuk Mrs. Diachuk also reported on the on four hotels in downtown Toronto that operations of Soyuzivka. In 1995, she could host the UNA’s 1998 convention. noted, the costs of accommodations was A decision was made to hold the conven- separated from the cost for meals and, in tion at the Hilton International. general, this has proved to be successful. As regards mergers with two Ukrainian Income increased by $76,000 and fraternal organizations, the UNA officers expenses decreased by $267,356. The reported that several meetings had been resort’s snack bar has been rebuilt at a held with the Ukrainian Fraternal cost of $82,000 and has been trans- Association and the Ukrainian National Aid formed into the Q-Cafe. Association of America and that negotia- Other developments reported by Mrs. tions are continuing. The discussion of con- Diachuk included the following: ditions for the mergers was off the record. • The UNA’s campaign to raise dona- Finally, the executives turned their tions for the National Olympic attention to the matter of selling the Committee of Ukraine has already yield- UNA headquarters building. Several ed $10,470, and a check for $10,000 was potential buyers had viewed the premis- presented in February to Valeriy Borzov, es, but no bid has been accepted. In the president of the NOC Ukraine and minis- meantime, the UNA is looking for a new ter of youth and sport. home, probably in Morris County in New • Nearly $25,000 has been raised for Jersey. the UNA Fund for the Rebirth of Ukraine At the conclusion of their meeting, the as a result of Christmas card sales among UNA officers voted to financially sup- Svoboda subscribers. port the two Florida concerts that will • Preparations for the 10th anniversary honor Ukrainian composer Mykola of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster are Kolessa.

Re: Mail delivery of The Weekly It has come to our attention that The Ukrainian Weekly is often delivered late, or irregularly, or that our subscribers sometimes receive several issues at once. We feel it is necessary to notify our subscribers that The Weekly is mailed out Friday mornings (before the Sunday date of issue) via second-class mail. If you are not receiving regular delivery of The Weekly, we urge you to file a complaint at your local post office. This may be done by obtaining the U.S. Postal Service Consumer Card and filling out the appropriate sections. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 13

dent and a new Parliament. As for the State Department... role of women in politics, the report (Continued from page 1) notes that they are well-represented on detainees and prisoners. Conditions of pre- the local and oblast levels and less so at IS YOUR CURRENT COMPANY trial detention “routinely fail to meet basic the national level, where there is one human rights standards,” the report says, woman of Cabinet rank and 16 deputies LOSING INTEREST IN YOU? but adds that prison conditions for convict- in Parliament. ed inmates “appear to comply fully with The Ukrainian Constitution prohibits minimum international standards.” discrimination based on sex, race and ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED AGENT The leadership of both the executive other such considerations. The report and judicial branches has supported the adds, however, that the government “has WHO NEEDS A CHANGE IN THE RIGHT idea of an independent judiciary, but not taken steps to effectively enforce” reforms of the existing system have not these prohibitions. Prosecutions for sexu- DIRECTION? been completed, the report says, and they al harassment or discrimination are are now pending adoption of the new con- unheard of, the report says, and dark- stitution. Neither has the Constitutional skinned young men who match the Court been appointed to resolve disputes Caucusus criminal stereotype are fre- If so the Ukrainian National Association is over new legislation, the report adds. quently harassed by the police. Many of Ukraine’s prosecutors and The State Department says the your answer. We have been offering quality judges were appointed in Soviet times Ukrainian government is publicly com- when, according to the report, political mitted to the defense of children’s rights life products to our clients for over 100 influence was the accepted norm. “It is and that there is no pattern of familial or unclear how free the judiciary is from societal abuse of children in Ukraine. years. influence and intimidation by the execu- On the rights of religious minorities, tive branch of government,” the report the report notes that Jews, the second We are currently seeking new representa- notes. On the regional level, it says, largest minority in Ukraine, “have judges, prosecutors and other court offi- expanded opportunities to pursue their tives for our Jersey City office, as well as for religious and cultural activities.” cials “appear to remain closely attuned to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and local government interests.” “The national government has protect- The State Department report found ed the rights of the Jewish community New York, to market our new product line. fault with the practice of having the pros- and speaks out against anti-Semitism,” ecutor, and not a judge, issue search war- the report states. “However, non-govern- We offer a strong compensation package rants, that the Security Service of mental manifestations of anti-Semitism Ukraine can conduct intrusive surveil- continue, exemplified by the growth of based on prior sales performance. Please lance and searches without any warrant, UNA/UNSO, an ultra-nationalist extrem- and that the police can stop vehicles arbi- ist group....” fax your resume to (201) 451-2093, Attn: J. trarily and without probable cause. On the positive side, the report points The report notes that a 1991 law pro- out that Lviv Oblast authorities, after Binczak, sales manager. vides for freedom of speech and the print several years of delay, have allowed the media, and criticism of the government is local Jewish community to erect a monu- tolerated. The broadcast media, however, ment at the site of a World War II remain under state ownership and man- German concentration camp and that the agement. government “made a major effort” to Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund together with our projects: Freedom of assembly is curtailed by a ensure that pilgrims of the Bratslav Help Us Help The Children, Nadiya/Dzherelo Rehabilitation Centre, law stipulating that permission for a Hasidic Jewish sect were able to visit the Ivankiv & Yasen Children’s Rehabilitation Centre demonstration must be obtained 10 days tomb of their founding rabbi in Uman on extends a very sincere thank you to all of our kind donors before a planned demonstration. The the occasion of the Jewish new year. for their continued moral and financial contributions. report also blamed elite Interior Ministry The report noted “only isolated cases We invite everyone in the community to join the CCCF troops for using “excessive force” in July of ethnic discrimination in Ukraine,” in it’s commemorative activities. 1995 in breaking up the funeral of thanks to the 1991 Law on National Patriarch Volodymyr in front of St. Minorities, which “played an instrumen- Sophia Cathedral. tal role in preventing ethnic strife by Also circumscribed “by an onerous allowing individual citizens to use their 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHORNOBYL DISASTER registration requirement” is the freedom respective national languages in conduct- of association, the report says. ing personal business and by allowing CHILDREN OF CHORNOBYL CANADIAN FUND Organizations must register with the gov- minority groups to establish their own ernment, and many government agencies schools.” APRIL 20 Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine with registration functions have, at one 7:00 p.m. Dr. David R. Marples, professor of history at the University of Alberta, time or another, abused them “to prevent complained about the increased use of and director of the Stasiuk Program on Contemporary Ukraine with the citizens from exercising their right of Ukrainian in schools and in the media, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies. A lecture “Chornobyl: Ten free association for purposes of which the report said, and in the Crimea, the Years Later”, with question and answer period following. the government does not approve.” Ukrainian and Tatar minorities “credibly Convocation Hall, University of Toronto. The report notes that there is no state complain of discrimination by the religion in Ukraine and that the govern- Russian majority and are demanding that APRIL 22-29 PHOTO EXHIBITION Ukrainian and the Crimean Tatar lan- ment has not interfered in the registration “Remember Chornobyl -10th Anniversary of Chornobyl disaster” of minority religions requested by guage be given equal treatment to Toronto City Hall rotunda Ukrainian citizens. Non-native religious Russian.” organizations, however, have had their As for human rights in Russia, the FRIDAY, APRIL 26 activities restricted by a law passed by State Department Human Rights Report the Supreme Council in December 1993. noted that, “while Communist totalitari- 7:00 p.m. Requiem Service Provincial Legislature, Toronto A citizen’s freedom of movement anism has been succeeded by electoral within the country is no longer restricted democracy, the future (there) remains 7:45 p.m. Candlelight procession to Convocation Hall, University of Toronto by law, the report says, but there is a uncertain.” 8:00 p.m. Commemorative programme featuring our children and youth in requirement for registering one’s resi- The reporting year 1995 “saw contin- song and verse, a short report “Status of Health in Ukraine today” dence and place of employment, without ued and widespread use of Russian mili- and greetings from Bishop Borecky and Bishop Yurij. which a person can be denied access to tary force against civilians in Chechnya, such social benefits as free medical care. the undermining of official institutions APRIL 28 CANADIAN UKRAINIAN OPERA ASSOCIATION PRESENTS Ukraine allows its citizens the right to established to monitor human rights, and change the government, and, the report the continued violation of rights and lib- 3 p.m. Concert commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Chornonyl Disaster — “Sacred Dnipro” adds, they have by electing a new presi- erties by security forces.” Massey Hall, Toronto ALL PROCEEDS TO CHILDREN OF CHORNOBYL CANADIAN FUND ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL PAID-UP MEMBERS APRIL 29 — MAY 5 PHOTO EXHIBITION “Remember Chornobyl — 10th Anniversary of the Chornobyl MAIL YOUR ADDITIONAL INSURANCE PROPOSAL TODAY Disaster” DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD Metro Hall rotunda DON’T BE UNDERINSURED SAY YES TO INCREASED INSURANCE NO MEDICAL, NO AGE LIMIT, PERMANENT UNA MEMBERSHIP To subscribe: Send $60 ($40 if you are a member of the UNA) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR AIP PROGRAM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE to The Ukrainian Weekly, Subscription Department, 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302. UNA HOME OFFICE 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

western Ukraine, with its allegedly dif- Vitaliy Keis... ferent mentality? (Continued from page 3) Well, first I would always emphasize positive factor, because I was considered that I am a Ukrainian and naturally my one of “the locals.” I’m from Donbas and local roots. It is hard for me to give this they knew that. I was born only 32 kilo- sort of advice, because I am one of them meters outside of Slavianske. A (the Donbas people). I understand their Halychanyn (Galician) would not have psychology. My parents were from there, had the same reception or impact. On they spoke the same “surzhyk.” It is best television I always, as did they, highlight- to be understanding about the finer points ed my local origins. Even the Russian of the language issue. Speak Ukrainian all papers emphasized that my great-great- the time, but do not correct people when grandfather was from the Donbas. they use Russisms like “da,” as this is very Locals found my passionate patriotism confrontational. Remember that not all a bit novel and at times incomprehensi- Ukrainian speakers are Ukrainian patriots, ble. They are patriotic, but they were just as many Russian speakers are very totally amazed that someone who had patriotic Ukrainians. left so long ago would express such a Two days after arriving in Donetske, strong bond with and fervor for his coun- where, incidentally, I lectured for one try and people. They could not under- week at the university, I met an elderly stand why I acted like a “Halychanyn- Ukrainian man who spoke only Russian. Bandiora,” although I must say they He told me he spoke no Ukrainian because were very pleased with this. Second, his father had been ashamed of the lan- they were impressed that after 50 years guage; he in, turn, was ashamed of being abroad I spoke fluent and “normal” unable to speak it. But in his old age lan- Ukrainian. The students and youths were guages are not learned with ease or speed. particularly influenced by this. They So who is the real Ukrainian, this old would frequently ask me “Don’t you gentleman, or some knave with a last speak English over there?” And I would name ending in “-enko” but who writes respond that I speak Ukrainian much of that the Russian- speaking population is the time back in the U.S. This was a being threatened with forced wonder to them. Even a pro-Communist Ukrainianization and ethnic cleansing in journalist wrote that he believes I am the Donbas? Precisely for this reason, con- from the Donbas, because I have so frontation should be used only in those many relatives here, but that he cannot moments where blatant Russification or refute the possibility that I was sent here Ukrainophobia stare you in the face. And by the CIA. there confrontation must be resolute and Taking the above into account, what unwavering, regardless of whether you advice could you give to Ukrainian hail from the eastern or western parts of Americans spending time in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine, perhaps as part of the Now the last question, on a different Ukrainian National Association’s tack. Last summer Ostankino Russian Teaching English in Ukraine program, Television was relegated to a secondary taking into account the fact that most channel by the Ukrainian authorities. Ukrainian Americans have roots in What effect has this had on the viewing habits of Donbas residents? I can answer only based on anecdotal $$ NEED MONEY? $$ evidence. Most of the television pro- COME TO SELF RELIANCE NEW YORK grams are in Russian, while the radio is chiefly Ukrainian. So that’s good, espe- FOR ALL TYPES OF LOANS: cially the fact that radio broadcasts from Kyiv are listened to widely by the locals. MORTGAGE LOANS, NO POINTS Only a few hours of Donetske radio pro- RESIDENTIAL, HOUSE, CO-OP, CONDO grams break the Ukrainian dominance of COMMERCIAL LOANS FIRST AND SECOND MORTGAGES the spectrum. However, Ukrainian tele- vision programs are generally less inter- HOME EQUITY LOANS esting and/or of poorer quality than their Russian counterparts, with the result that AUTO LOANS — NEW AND USED both the local population and I (if I had the time to sit down and watch), would CONSUMER LOANS favor the Russian programming. But this SECURED BY SHARES SECURED BY CERTIFICATES is a problem that the Ukrainian govern- UNSECURED ment can and must solve, the sooner the better. STUDENT LOANS At this point I would like to thank sev- eral organizations which have contributed VISA CREDIT CARD significantly towards helping make my 11% ANNUAL PROCENTAGE RATE. stay in Slavianske a success and have No teaser rates. supported efforts to help Ukrainianization NO ANNUAL FEE continue in the Donbas area. I am espe- LOW, LOW RATES cially grateful to the League of Ukrainian Orthodox Sisterhoods in the U.S.A. for WIDE VARIETY providing scholarship/stipend funds for OF REPAYMENT SCHEDULES five students at the State Pedagogical Institute in Slavianske and four students at Donetske State University. Likewise, I DON’T DELAY. COME IN OR CALL US FOR DETAILS. thank from the bottom of my heart the WE HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE AND OFFER Coordinating Committee to Aid Ukraine FAST, FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE. for their funding of 64 Xeroxed copies of Ukrainian émigré literature texts and for funding the shipment of seven large SELF RELIANCE NEW YORK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION boxes of specialized literature to the insti- tute. NEW YORK OFFICE: In the near future I will be organizing 108 Second Avenue New York, New York 10003 an effort to provide donations of funds, Tel: 212-473-7310 texts and the like to the institute to sup- FAX: (914)) 473-3251 port, among other things, the production

KERHONKSON OFFICE: of a Ukrainian-language student periodi- 23 Main Street cal there, as well as to support the faculty Kerhonkson, New York 12446 and students of the Institute, with Prof. TEL: (914) 626-2938 Horbachuk at their helm, in their impor- FAX: (914) 626-8636 tant work of Ukrainianizing the Donbas – step by step and bit by bit. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 15

to pay their electricity bills, Reuters Newsbriefs reported. Mr. Shcheberstov said more than (Continued from page 2) 40,000 enterprises have outstanding bills feel that agreements recently reached amounting to $980 million, meaning that between the presidents of Belarus and 30 percent of electricity and 50 percent of Russia did not infringe on Belarus’ sover- heating has been supplied for nothing. He stressed that the Energy Ministry could eignty. Mr. Statkevich cautioned, howev- not “carry such a burden for very long.” er, that the creation of supranational struc- The country’s energy suppliers have been tures and the presence of foreign troops on under great strain because of unusually Belarusian territory, which are ignored by cold temperatures, a coal miners’ strike, the state-controlled media, do present a and Russia’s decoupling Ukraine from threat to the country’s sovereignty. their joint power grid after Ukraine began (Reuters) using more than its normal share of elec- Gas leak kills six in southern Ukraine tricity. (OMRI Daily Digest) ODESSA — A gas leak in a tower block ...as rent, utility subsidies face the axe killed six people on March 20 and left three KYIV — Deputy Prime Minister Viktor others in the hospital in this southern port Pynzenyk said Ukraine will cut subsidies city, officials said the same day. A civil for consumer rents and utilities by 20 per- defense spokesman said the six victims died cent, Ukrainian agencies reported on in their sleep. Emergency services had treat- March 12. He added that the government ed the others and taken them to the hospital. is planning to eliminate these subsidies The cause of the accident is under investi- altogether in 1997. (OMRI Daily Digest) gation. Accidents with gas pipes and other public utilities are common throughout the Sarcophagus to last 10-15 years territory of the former USSR as mainte- nance has declined sharply. (Reuters) KYIV — Ukrainian Minister of the Environment Yuriy Kostenko said the UT blaze ascribed to negligence steel-and-concrete tomb encasing the Chornobyl nuclear reactor will last only KYIV — The March 9 fire that caused another 10-15 years, reported UNIAN on major damage to Ukrainian Television March 16. That is half the time originally and Radio’s main studios here was appar- estimated, Mr. Kostenko said, and hastens ently caused by employee negligence, a the need to extract the damaged reactor’s special investigative team announced on remaining 200 tons of nuclear fuel and March 10. A Ministry of Internal Affairs 3,000 tons of water. The process of remov- spokesman said that a UT employee had ing the waste could cause some radioactive not followed fire prevention guidelines, leakage and threaten the Dnipro River. Mr. which may well have led to the fire. The Kostenko also said there was no sense in suspect’s name has not been released. continuing the resettlement of people still (Respublika) living in contaminated areas to other It’s lights out for 7,000 enterprises... regions because the radioactivity had decreased and government funds would be KYIV — Energy Minister Oleksiy better spent on clean-up, improved medical Shcheberstov on March 12 said power has care and applying alternative farming been cut to 7,000 factories that have failed methods. (OMRI Daily Digest)

Don’t let your ship sail without you! Too many people do not plan for the future. Don’t wait. Now is the time to plan for your retirement!!!

Call the UNA. We offer many ATTENTION retirement plans currently ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 93 3 4 Please be advised that Branch 93 will merge with Branch 206 as of April 1, 1996. earning as high as 5 / %*!! All inquries, monthly payments and requests for changes should be sent to Mr. Leon Hardink. Don’t miss the boat — Call today Mr. Leon Hardink P.O. Box 754 (800) 253-9862 Woonsocket, RI 02895 * deposits over $5,000 (401) 658-1957 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1996 No. 12

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Friday, March 29 Theater from Lviv in “Games or Faust,” Rescheduled due to weather conditions based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.” The matinee is at 3 p.m. NEWARK, N.J.: The Rukh Educational Tickets: adults, $12; children and seniors, Foundation of New Jersey hosts a forum $10. For reservations, call (201) 378-2133. with Prof. Vitaliy Keis of Rutgers Tickets are also available at Robin Hutchins University, who will speak on “The Donbas: Gallery, 179 Maplewood Ave., Maplewood, Neglected Battlefield for National Identity.” N.J. For directions call (201) 763-9124. Prof. Keis taught at the State Pedagogical Institute in Slavianske, Ukraine, during the CLIFTON, N.J.: The annual Easter Bazaar fall 1995 semester. The event, in the audito- will be held at Holy Ascension Ukrainian rium of St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, 635 Broad St., at 11 a.m.- starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 3 p.m. Come for the pysanky, egg-decorat- (201) 762-0211. ing supplies, breads, pastries, lunch and take-out. Free admission. For more informa- Friday - Sunday, March 29 - 31 tion, call (201) 777-4920. CLEVELAND: The Ukrainian Museum- Tuesday, April 2 Archives presents an Easter Bazaar at their premises, 1202 Kenilworth Ave. Pysanky EDMONTON: The Canadian Institute of and supplies, ceramics, artwork, pho- Ukrainian Studies and the Ukrainian tographs, jewelry, beadwork, books and Professional and Business Club invite all greeting cards will be available. A demon- to the 31st annual Shevchenko Lecture on stration and film on pysanka-making will be “Chornobyl: Its Health, Environmental shown. Museum hours: Friday, 7-9 p.m.; and Economic Impact on Ukraine.” The Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. lecture, by Dr. David Marples, professor, For further information, call (216) 781-4329. department of history and classics and director, Stasiuk Program, CIUS, starts at Sunday, March 31 7:30 p.m. at 2-115 Education North, NORTH WINDHAM, Conn.: Doryshka University of Alberta. A social follows the Ukrainian Dance Ensemble hosts a pan- lecture at the Faculty Club; cash bar. For cake breakfast on Palm Sunday, 8 a.m.- more information, call CIUS at (403) 492- noon at the Ukrainian National Home, 2972. Route 6. There will also be a bake sale and Thursday, April 4 raffles. Donation: adults, $3.50; children 12 and under, $2.50. For more informa- CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard tion, call (860) 423-9564. Ukrainian Studies Institute invites all to “Ethno-political Problems in WHIPPANY, N.J.: All are invited to the Contemporary Ukraine,” a lecture by Annual Easter Bazaar sponsored by the Serhij Rymarenko, Institute of Ethnic and UCCA, Morris County Branch, from 10:30 Political Studies, National Academy of a.m. at St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church, Sciences of Ukraine and visiting scholar at Jefferson Road and Route 10 East. For more the institute. The lecture starts at 4 p.m. at information, call (201) 989-1988. the seminar room, 1583 Massachusetts MAPLEWOOD, N.J.: The Burgdorff Ave. Free admission. For more informa- Cultural Center presents the Les Kurbas tion, call (617) 495-4053. ATTENTION ATTENTION AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN EXTRA INCOME

We are looking to expand our advertising clientele for our publications, “Assassination”NEW YORK — The Ukrainian screeningsYonkers, N.Y., at thecontinue Ukrainian Youth the Ukrainian-language daily Svoboda and English-language The Ukrainian Weekly. Congress Committee of America and Oles- Center, 301 Palisade Ave.; Film present screenings of “Assassination,” • Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m.— If you are a self-motivated, hard-working and bright individual, you can supplement your a film about the murder of Stepan Bandera, Newark, N.J., St. John Ukrainian Catholic income by referring customers to our advertising department. Your earnings will be based leader of the Organization of Ukrainian School, Sanford Ave.; on the amount of advertising you attract to our pages. Nationalists. The film, which has been • Sunday, April 21, at 4 p.m.— touring North America during the past Uniondale, N.Y., St. Volodymyr Parish Center, 226 Uniondale Ave. For details please write or call: Svoboda Administration months, will be screened in the following locations during the coming weeks: Advertising Department: Maria Szeparowycz 30 Montgomery Street • Saturday, March 30, at 6 p.m. — Passaic, N.J., at the Ukrainian Center, Correction Jersey City, NJ 07302 240 Hope St.; In The Weekly dated March 17, 1996, (201) 434-0237 • Sunday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m.— an incorrect telephone number was given Whippany, N.J., at St. John’s Church for where to phone to order the Bu-Ba- hall, Route 10 and Jefferson Road; Bu’s publication “Tvory.” The correct • Saturday, April 6, at 5 p.m.— number is (610) 539-8946.