INSIDE:• Ecotourism to the Chornobyl zone — page 2. • Ukrainian diplomats visit UNA headquarters — page 4. • The sacred music of Roman Hurko — page 13. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXX HE KRAINIANNo. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2002 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine U.S. sendsT mixed signals Uon Ukraine’s dealings with Iraq Kinakh choosesW to head government by Yaro Bihun that Washington had held discussions with Special to The Ukrainian Weekly the Ukrainian “regime” about proliferation rather than serve in Verkhovna Rada issues but declined to get into the specifics WASHINGTON — The U.S. govern- of the Iraqi case. by Roman Woronowycz factions over the formation of a political ment, in an official statement issued by the “As to Ukraine,” she said in response to Kyiv Press Bureau majority in the Verkhovna Rada. The Our State Department, discounted allegations Ukraine faction, the second largest in the a question following her speech at the KYIV – Prime Minister Anatolii Kinakh that Ukraine was illegally selling air Johns Hopkins University’s School for new Parliament, has suggested that a key defense systems to Iraq. announced on May 7 that he had decided to condition for a coalition with the dominant Advanced and International Studies, “I remain at the helm of the government and The president’s national security advisor, don’t want to comment on the specific United Ukraine faction (formerly the For a decline his parliamentary mandate. Condoleezza Rice, however, was more cir- example because there’s a lot that’s gone on United Ukraine election bloc) would be the Mr. Kinakh’s decision was one of several cumspect in her comments on the allegations. there and I don’t want to comment on what seat of prime minister for its leader, Viktor In a statement posted on April 29, the made in the last days by government offi- is really still an allegation. But I will say Yushchenko. State Department said the United States has cials who have been elected to the new that we have talked very seriously to the “I think you understand that with my seen “no credible evidence” that the Ukrainian regime about some of the issues Verkhovna Rada. Election law gave them political experience I am well aware of the Kolchuha system was transferred to Iraq. of proliferation that we are concerned about until May 7 to make a choice and to inform risk,” explained Mr. Kinakh, “but I firmly The allegations, which first surfaced in with the Ukrainian regime.” the Central Election Committee. While believe that the priority [focus] must remain Ukraine in March, were based on one of the While seeking good relations with admitting that he could not be certain that on the general national and social well- secret recordings made by President Leonid Ukraine, Dr. Rice said, “we have let the he would remain in his current post, Mr. Kuchma’s former body guard, Mykola being and the goals set by this government.” Ukrainian government know that the prolif- Kinakh said he felt a responsibility to carry Melnychenko. On the recording, the presi- Prime Minister Kinakh said he wanted eration issues are extremely important not on reforms. to continue to foster closer relations with dent allegedly discusses the proposed sale “Aware of the burden of personal respon- with the head of Ukraine’s arms export just in the war on terrorism, but, for the Verkhovna Rada to develop his pro- instance, in the Balkans, as well.” sibility for the country’s social and econom- gram against poverty and to secure a new agency, Valerii Malev. ic development and the need to ensure the “The Ukrainian government has stated “We’ve been very clear about that, and tax code for the country, which he called U.S.-Ukrainian relations will progress more effective work of state authorities, I have critical to the continued growth of the econ- that such a transfer has not and will not decided to give up the mandate of a national happen,” the State Department said. “We strongly when there’s some action on some omy, as well as to supervise pension and of those items,” she said. deputy in favor of government service,” agricultural reforms. expect Ukraine to continue to ensure no explained Mr. Kinakh in a written statement such transfer occurs.” The national security advisor said the Joining Mr. Kinakh in resolving to stay released to the press. That same day, when Dr. Rice was asked Bush administration considers its relations in government were Vice Prime Minister During a press conference later that day about the allegations, she acknowledged with Ukraine – a “huge” country “that bor- Volodymyr Semynozhenko and Minister of ders on extremely important countries like Mr. Kinakh acknowledged he was taking a Education Vasyl Kremen. While Mr. Russia” – to be “potentially extremely risk inasmuch as the post of prime minister Semynozhenko belongs to the For a United important,” especially to stability in south- was one of the objects of the negotiations Tymoshenko claims ern Europe.” currently under way between parliamentary (Continued on page 15) she’s been cleared Shevchenko arrives in Miensk; Belarusian-Ukrainian relations begin new chapter by Roman Woronowycz Kyiv Press Bureau Special to The Ukrainian Weekly KYIV – Yulia Tymoshenko announced MIENSK – The unveiling in Miensk of a statue of Taras on May 8 that a Kyiv district court had Shevchenko and the opening of an exhibition of his paintings and exonerated her and her husband, and dis- sketches has crowned a memorable week in the life of missed all charges against them. Ukraine’s Ukrainians in Belarus and attested to an upturn in relations Procurator General’s Office rejected the between two neighboring Slavic nations, at least in the cultural assertion the same day and stated that its sphere. investigation into the couple’s business The statue of the great bard by the sculptor Viktor Lypovka dealings was continuing. was unveiled in the Belarusian capital on April 22 by the mayors The court made its decision after an of Kyiv and Miensk in a small park located near the Embassy of appeal from the Tymoshenkos to review Ukraine in central Miensk, only a hundred yards away from the and resolve the criminal matter, a tactic that U.S. and Russian embassies. The unveiling marked the formal Ms. Tymoshenko explained is allowed by opening of a series of cultural events organized as part of a Days Ukrainian law, but an assertion the of Kyiv festival in Miensk and what has been declared the Year Procurator General’s Office contests. of Taras Shevchenko in Belarus. “The court ordered all charges, without The statue is a fairly traditional one of the poet standing with exception to be dropped,” explained Ms. his arms folded and seemingly lost in thought. Consequently, Tymoshenko during a news conference. when on the bright Monday afternoon after the official ceremony Generally acknowledged as the richest was over, a Ukrainian folklore ensemble from Kyiv named woman in Ukraine, Ms. Tymoshenko Berehynia appropriately performed “Dumy Moyi” many among recently won election to the Parliament at the top of the slate of the Tymoshenko the 300 or so people present who understood the words and senti- Bloc, a center-right oriented political organ- ments and grasped the significance of the occasion were visibly ization that consists of politicians and par- moved. ties that are in opposition to the administra- At a reception in the Ukrainian Embassy, an impressive mod- tion of President Leonid Kuchma. The par- ern building in central Miensk opened in 2000, the celebrated liamentary mandate gives her immunity Belarusian writer Nil Gilevich and his colleagues paid tribute to from criminal prosecution. the influence that Taras Shevchenko has had on Belarusian liter- Ms. Tymoshenko, today the president’s ary life and them personally. most outspoken critic, has accused state and “Shevchenko, as a champion of freedom remains an inextin- law enforcement officials of persecuting her guishable source of inspiration for our brotherly peoples,” stressed Mr. Gilevich. and her family over her political stance. The newly unveiled monument to Taras Shevchenko in In February 2000, merely weeks after (Continued on page 3) the capital of Belarus. (Continued on page 14) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2002 No. 19 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Travel agent in Ukraine offers Kinakh chooses Cabinet over Rada legislatures of “destroying the unity of Slavic states.” Ms. Vitrenko, who was pre- ecotourism to Chornobyl zone KYIV – Prime Minister Anatolii Kinakh, sented as the Popular Opposition leader who was elected to the Verkhovna Rada during the Progressive Socialist Party’s by Jeremy Bransten meters away. On the platform there is a from the For a United Ukraine election list, May Day rally, said President Kuchma and RFE/RL Newsline model of the sarcophagus [which encloses has announced that he will give up his par- U.S. President George W. Bush combined the destroyed reactor]. They are shown a liamentary mandate and continue to work in efforts in order to have “America’s favorites Sixteen years ago today, the world’s video. They can also meet with specialists the government, UNIAN reported on May worst civilian nuclear accident turned – Viktor Yushchenko, Yulia Tymoshenko working in the zone. They visit the dead 7. Mr. Kinakh told 1+1 Television the previ- and Oleksander Moroz” elected to the new Chornobyl into a byword for disaster. The city of Prypiat. They enter the apartment ous day that he sees his role in the govern- images broadcast on television appeared Verkhovna Rada. Ms. Vitrenko’s party buildings, climb up on the roofs. ment in consolidating the country’s rate of failed to overcome the 4 percent voting hur- like scenes from a terrible war against an Everything depends on the visitors’ wish- economic development, which he called invisible enemy.