Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXII HE No.KRAINIAN 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine Pro-democracyT “FriendshipU Train” PresidentialW contenders square off encounters antagonism, roadblocks in lively debate on national TV by Andrew Nynka Mr. Yanukovych. by Andrew Nynka of the debate. “You must not steal things. Kyiv Press Bureau “We wanted to help carry the demo- Kyiv Press Bureau You must not steal factories. You must not cratic spirit throughout Ukraine,” said steal votes. And when 3 million votes are KYIV – A procession of approximate- Mr. Khudariavets, 34, a native of Lviv. KYIV – Prime Minister Viktor stolen – and you know very well that in ly 50 cars – dubbed the “Friendship “This is not a political action. We found Yanukovych and Our Ukraine party Donetsk after 8 p.m., when the election fin- Train” – drove throughout Ukraine’s there were many other people who also leader Viktor Yushchenko squared off in ished half a million votes were stolen.” southern and eastern regions hoping to wanted to help us carry this spirit to a lively exchange on national television On the other hand, Mr. Yanukovych “spread a spirit of democracy and free- regions of Ukraine that we thought need- in what was widely hailed by members of asked his opponent repeatedly to join him dom” to places that their organizers said ed to know about this.” both camps as a landmark presidential in some form of political compromise have seen little of either, though the The procession, which left Kyiv on debate. Mr. Yanukovych repeatedly asked regardless of the outcome of the looming group has encountered a number of December 14, stopped in the industrial that the two candidates work together Ukrainian run-off election, which is antagonistic roadblocks and setbacks. city of Zaporizhia on December 20 and after the election, while Mr. Yushchenko scheduled December 26. Mr. Yanukovych With their cars covered in presidential passed through the city of directly accused his rival of stealing some was not clear on what he had in mind, candidate Viktor Yushchenko’s trademark Dnipropetrovsk the following day, before 3 million votes in the run-off election. though he repeated the phrase “let us do orange campaign color, organizers of the driving toward Ukraine’s Donbas region, In a starkly different format from the this together” throughout the event. procession – who spoke with The Mr. Yanukovych’s largely Russian-speak- last debate, which took place on November “If you win, I will recognize [your Ukrainian Weekly via mobile phone dur- ing political bastion. 15 and did not allow the two candidates to victory], if I win – you will,” the prime ing their trip – said the goal was not But the procession encountered sever- interact, both Messrs. Yushchenko and minister said. “And then, you and I will political. al roadblocks put up by Mr. Yanukovych spoke directly to one another, work together to form a normal govern- “We are not supporting any one spe- Yanukovych’s supporters. On December posing and answering each other’s ques- ment of national accord,” said Mr. cific candidate,” claimed Vasyl 19 organizers cancelled their visit to the tions during the 104-minute nationally tele- Yanukovych, according to a transcript Khudariavets, one of several people who Crimean city of Sevastopol, fearing inci- vised event on December 20. provided by the UNIAN news agency. worked to arrange the approximately dents with more than 200 of Mr. “You’re a religious person, right?” Mr. But Mr. Yushchenko, wearing his 2,300-mile trip. Yanukovych’s supporters who blocked Yushchenko asked his rival. trademark orange tie and pocket hand- Mr. Khudariavets was among the thou- the city’s main square in the morning. “Thou shalt not steal ... And then you kerchief, cast Mr. Yanukovych’s propos- sands who camped out in the tent city on Local media reported that Mr. stole 3 million votes ... Perhaps the als aside, saying the prime minister was Ukraine’s Independence Square in the Yanukovych’s supporters damaged sever- Supreme Court is lying and you are telling not answering his questions and was aftermath of the November 21 run-off al cars decorated with Mr. Yushchenko’s the truth?” he asked, referring to the instead trying to avoid giving concrete election. He said his time there inspired orange campaign color on December 19 Ukrainian Supreme Court’s decision to answers to specific questions. “I asked him and other organizers of the in Sevastopol. One woman was slightly annul the results of the falsified November you a question, and you tell me about the Friendship Train to plan their trip. injured when a pro-Yanukovych crowd 21 run-off election on December 3. It was weather,” he said. The group has shown video footage threw bottles and attempted to overturn a a theme that Mr. Yushchenko returned to Mr. Yanukovych continued to say that the solution to Ukraine’s political crisis and pictures of the demonstrations that vehicle. frequently during the debate. took place throughout Kyiv last month to “Viktor Fedorovych, one must not would be found in some sort of unity gov- Ukrainians in areas considered to favor (Continued on page 12) steal,” Mr. Yushchenko said toward the end ernment, and he depicted Mr. Yushchenko’s policies as threatening to divide the country. Addressing his rival using the patronymic, Mr. Yanukovych said, “I can say with confidence, Viktor Time names Viktor Yushchenko Andriyovych, that if you win and you become the president of Ukraine you among ‘People Who Mattered’ will become the president of a part of PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Ukrainian presidential candidate Ukraine. I do not want this – I want us to and leader of the “Orange Revolution” Viktor Yushchenko unite Ukraine. This is my goal.” has been named by Time magazine as one of the “People In response, Mr. Yushchenko said, “Let’s Who Mattered 2004.” recall that Ukraine has been united since the The newsmagazine’s citation reads: “Even more than his period of St. Volodymyr. It lived united rousing words, it was the disfigured face of Ukraine’s through the times of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, opposition candidate – caused by dioxin poisoning – that Ivan Mazepa, Skoropadsky. Let’s consider spoke volumes about the high stakes of that country’s pres- the unity of Ukraine, its integrity, to be idential race. Yushchenko, here in his Kiev [sic] office, also sacred, which must be appreciated by every survived rigged elections, standing up to authoritarian politician. That is why I’m confident that the powers with the help of demonstrations by supporters. value of Ukraine is in its unity, and its terri- With a new vote scheduled for the day after Christmas, he torial integrity cannot be broken up today.” may soon become the face of a more democratic Ukraine.” As he has done since he lost the support The photo accompanying the text above was of Mr. of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma Yushchenko standing in his office. The photo by Yuri after the run-off vote, Mr. Yanukovych Kozyrev spanned two pages in the magazine. cast himself as the opposition candidate Time magazine named 16 people (or groups of people), and said that he and his campaign team plus one horse, as “People Who Mattered.” Mr. have “become witnesses that the power Yushchenko was sixth on the list, following Nancy Reagan represented by Leonid Kuchma, together and her son Ron; Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, chair with representatives of the so-called and vice-chair, respectively, of the 9/11 Commission; ‘orange putsch,’ adopted illegal positions Efrem Lukatsky Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry; San that were aimed against the Ukrainian Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom; and Eliot Spitzer, New Presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko addresses a rally nation and against the voters, who, with York state’s attorney general. in Kyiv on September 18, upon returning from Vienna, this decision, were, in fact, deprived of The biggest distinction, Person of the Year, went to where he was treated for poisoning. “You will not poison us. their right to vote in the second round.” President George W. Bush, whose portrait appears on the You do not have enough bullets and KamAZ trucks. You Mr. Yanukovych referred to illegalities cover of Time’s December 27, 2004/January 3, 2005, issue. cannot break us,” he stated. (Continued on page 13) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS The next step in Ukraine: NEWSBRIEFS Peacekeepers headed to Syria Rada to probe sacking of SBU deputy meeting the governance challenge KYIV – President Leonid Kuchma has KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada on signed a decree on sending some 200 December 21 set up an ad hoc commission by Christopher Walker the election law to address two of its peacekeepers to the United Nations to investigate the circumstances under RFE/RL Newsline most glaring deficiencies. First, the total Disengagement Force separating Syrian which President Leonid Kuchma recently number of absentee voter certificates per- and Israeli forces in the Golan Heights in dismissed Security Service of Ukraine The peaceful, civic response to the mitted will be reduced from 4 percent of Syria, Ukrainian news agencies reported (SBU) Deputy Director Volodymyr Satsiuk, flawed second round of Ukraine’s presi- total eligible ballots to 0.5 percent. on December 18. The decree still Interfax reported. Media reports have sug- dential election has been an impressive tes- Second, mobile (“at home”) voting will requires the approval of the Verkhovna gested that presidential candidate Viktor tament to the democratic determination of be circumscribed to prevent the sort of Rada. Since 1992 Ukraine has participat- Yushchenko, who is suffering from dioxin the Ukrainian people. Should Viktor extensive abuses that occurred during the ed in a dozen international peacekeeping poisoning, might have ingested poison at Yushchenko ultimately prevail in the repeat first and second rounds. These reform operations around the world. Ukraine’s Mr. Satsiuk’s dacha on September 5, where of the run-off election on December 26, as measures and others, if implemented and largest military contingent – some 1,600 he meet with Mr. Satsiuk and SBU chief polls indicate, it will open a new chapter in followed, should have a salutary impact troops – has been in Iraq since August Ihor Smeshko for dinner. “If the president Ukraine’s post-independence politics. on the December 26 ballot, as well as on 2003. (RFE/RL Newsline) wanted to prevent the [illegal] combining of To a large degree, however, the truly positions [by Satsiuk, who was simultane- the administration of future elections. Rada approves new chairman of NBU difficult work will begin after the “third But beyond these immediate steps relat- ously a legislator], that’s one thing,” said round,” when Ukrainians will need to ing to the election process, there are sever- KYIV – Lawmakers in the Verkhovna National Deputy Vasyl Havrylyuk, head of translate the past weeks’ “people power” al key institutions to keep in mind, whose Rada voted on December 16 to appoint the newly created commission. “But if into meaningful institutional reform and development is essential and which should Volodymyr Stelmakh as National Bank of Satsiuk was involved in Yushchenko’s poi- more responsive, democratic governance. serve as a barometer of Ukraine’s demo- Ukraine chairman, Interfax and RFE/RL’s soning, then the reason behind his dismissal Ukraine’s legacy of unresponsive and cratic progress in the post-election period. Ukrainian Service reported. Mr. Stelmakh, might be different. We need to sort this out.” corrupt governance will pose a consider- Ukrainian news media, which suffered 65, served in the position in 2000-2002. Some experts have claimed that Mr. able reform challenge for the government under systematic intimidation and manipu- He was replaced by Serhii Tyhypko, who Yushchenko’s symptoms developed too that follows 10 years of outgoing lation during the Kuchma years, is one such resigned last month to pursue a more soon to have been the result of poisoning on President Leonid Kuchma’s leadership. institution. The system of “temnyky,” active role in politics. (RFE/RL Newsline) September 5. Mr. Yushchenko told journal- Some of the first, critical steps, deal- theme directives that instructed editors on ists in Kharkiv on December 17 that he has ing with election reform, have already news coverage, was emblematic of the non- Agriculture minister resigns no proof that he was poisoned during a din- been taken. The members of the Central transparent and controlling environment in ner with Messrs. Smeshko and Satsiuk. “I Election Commission were dismissed KYIV – Agriculture Minister Viktor which media were forced to operate. would not like to say that I’m now making after the Supreme Court ruled that the Slauta has tendered his resignation, Ukraine’s judiciary is another key direct accusations [or have] direct suspicions November 21 ballot was fraudulent, and Interfax and korrespondent.net reported on institution. Beset by corruption and about the involvement of these people in my the new commission’s composition will December 16. Mr. Slauta had been combin- heavy influence from the executive, poisoning,” he said. “I can only say what feature more balanced membership. ing his work as a Cabinet minister with Ukraine’s courts have in the past not met I’ve already said from the Verkhovna Rada In advance of the December 26 repeat serving in the Parliament. Mr. Slauta has a standard that would enable the country rostrum: It was doubtless a political assassi- of the second round, Parliament amended served in the position since January. Before to advance toward the West. Legal proce- nation [attempt]. ... I’m not mentioning any his election to the Verkhovna Rada from a names, I’m only saying that I was poisoned dures more often have been used as a district in the Donetsk Oblast, he served as Christopher Walker, director of studies tool to protect the government’s interests by the authorities.” (RFE/RL Newsline) at Freedom House, is co-editor of Freedom a deputy to then Donetsk Oblast Chairman rather than that of its citizens. Viktor Yanukovych. (RFE/RL Newsline) Two oblast chairmen resign House’s survey of democratic governance, The shape and capacity of Ukraine’s “Countries at the Crossroads.” He served political opposition will also be impor- Top SBU official is dismissed KYIV – The chairmen of the Lviv and as an election observer of second-round tant. The absence of a credible, responsi- Kharkiv oblasts have resigned, Interfax and voting on November 21 in Ukraine’s presi- KYIV – Ukrainian President Leonid UNIAN reported on December 15. Lviv dential election. (Continued on page 17) Kuchma has issued a decree dismissing Oblast Chairman Oleksander Sendeha told Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) First reporters in Lviv that he sent a letter of res- Deputy Chairman Volodymyr Satsiuk, the ignation to President Leonid Kuchma fol- Yushchenko is convinced Ukrainska Pravda website and the opposi- lowing a meeting with the Lviv Oblast leg- tion Channel 5 reported on December 15. islative assembly the previous day. Mr. According to the website, Verkhovna Rada Sendeha said many baseless criticisms were he was poisoned by authorities Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn announced lodged against him at the meeting and he the information about Mr. Satsiuk at a meet- does not want his name “soiled,” according by Ron Synovitz The Austrian physicians say it is ing with judges in Kyiv. Mr. Satsiuk had to Interfax. Kharkiv Oblast Chairman RFE/RL Belarus and Ukraine Report impossible for them to determine exactly been combining his positions in the SBU Yevgenii Kushnariov told reporters in when Mr. Yushchenko ingested the poi- and as a legislator in the Verkhovna Rada, Viktor Yushchenko said he wants Kharkiv on December 15 that he is resign- son. But one of those physicians, Dr. which is illegal. According to Mr. Lytvyn, ing in order to participate actively in the Ukraine’s procurator general to determine Michael Zimpfer, said on December 12 the decree was backdated so that a Kyiv the truth about how he was poisoned. presidential campaign for Prime Minister that he suspects dioxin was put into court decision on December 14 requiring Viktor Yanukovych. He also announced his But the 50-year-old opposition candidate something Mr. Yushchenko ate. Mr. Satsiuk to be relieved of his parliamen- for president said that the investigation, intention to leave the National Democratic “It would be quite easy in fact to tary post would not have to be implement- Party and create a new party. According to which was reopened on December 19 administer this amount [of dioxin] in a ed. Opposition presidential candidate Viktor should be delayed until after a repeat of Mr. Kushnariov, the National Democratic soup that contains cream because of the Yushchenko dined with Mr. Satsiuk and the Party has split, with one side supporting Mr. Ukraine’s presidential election on December issue of fat solubility,” Dr. Zimpfer said. latter’s SBU superior, Ihor Smeshko, at Mr. 26. Mr. Yushchenko said he doesn’t want Yanukovych and the other Mr. Yushchenko, “As relates to the circumstances regarding Satsiuk’s summer house around the time according to UNIAN. (RFE/RL Newsline) the findings to influence the election. a criminal investigation, this doesn’t fall that Mr. Yushchenko contends he was poi- “I am convinced that this [poisoning] within our purview. We have made a final soned. (RFE/RL Newsline) (Continued on page 26) is the work of those in power. Absolutely diagnosis, as well as an additional diagno- convinced,” Mr. Yushchenko said. “Time sis that we suspect a cause triggered by a is now needed for the investigation. A lot third party. There is the suspicion of third- FOUNDED 1933 of the circumstances are already known. I party [outside] involvement.” think that if the procurator general’s Mr. Yushchenko and his American- HE KRAINIAN EEKLY office acts according to Ukraine’s laws, born wife, Kateryna (née Chumachenko), TAn English-languageU newspaperW published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., both the country and the world at large have said in recent weeks that he began a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. will soon know who did this.” to feel ill a few hours after he ate dinner Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. Mr. Yushchenko was speaking late on with the chief of the Security Service of Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. December 12 after returning to Kyiv Ukraine, Igor Smeshko, and his deputy, (ISSN — 0273-9348) from Vienna, where doctors confirmed Volodymyr Satsiuk. that his blood contains about 1,000 times The dinner was served at Mr. Satsiuk’s The Weekly: UNA: the normal amount of dioxin. countryside cottage in early September. Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 On December 13, Ukraine’s Parliament The menu included at least one creamy reopened its own investigation into the dairy product – a dish of fermented Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz matter. mare’s milk called “koumiss.” It also The Ukrainian Weekly Editors: 2200 Route 10 Andrew Nynka Mr. Yushchenko said the evidence of included sushi, crayfish, rye bread, dioxin poisoning has made it essential P.O. Box 280 Ika Koznarska Casanova (part time) watermelon, sweet cakes, wine, cognac, Parsippany, NJ 07054 that investigations be continued. and home-distilled vodka. “I think what was said at the clinic, I Mr. Yushchenko has told journalists that The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] mean establishing that poisoning in fact he developed a headache several hours after took place, changes the case,” Mr. eating the dinner and was struck by a severe The Ukrainian Weekly, December 26, 2004, No. 52, Vol. LXXII Yushchenko said. “I therefore welcome Copyright © 2004 The Ukrainian Weekly the step taken by the procurator-general.” (Continued on page 16) No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 3

OSCE observer mission is largest ever KYIV – The OSCE’s Office for sisted of 12 international experts, 45 Democratic Institutions and Human long-term observers, and some 600 short- ELECTION WATCH Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has extended its term observers. Having been expanded Opposition fears ‘counterrevolution’ Yanukovych’s team to influence the vot- election observation mission in Ukraine for the repeat vote, the mission now has ing procedure and prepare a counterrevo- to follow the repeat of the second round 25 international experts and 55 long-term KYIV – National Deputy Mykola lution.” Mr. Tomenko also said the pro- of the presidential election scheduled for observers who will be joined by more Tomenko, a member of opposition presi- Yushchenko camp will resume rallies on December 26. Over 1,000 observers will than 1,000 short-term observers prior to dential candidate Viktor Yushchenko’s Independence Square in Kyiv on follow election day proceedings, making election day. election staff, suggested to journalists on December 22, one month after they this the largest OSCE/ODIHR mission As in the first two rounds, the mission December 21 that presidential rival began in the wake of the fraudulent ever. will continue to monitor the electoral Viktor Yanukovych, who is on leave November 21 vote. (RFE/RL Newsline) “After the flawed elections of process to assess compliance with com- from his post as prime minister, is Yushchenko on relations with Russia November 21, amendments were made to mitments to the Organization for preparing two scenarios aimed at under- mining the December 26 presidential the electoral legislation and administra- Security and Cooperation in Europe KYIV – Our Ukraine bloc leader and vote, Interfax reported. “Yanukovych’s tion to reduce the potential for electoral (OSCE), other international standards presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko team has two scenarios today: a legal and violations. This is important. However, it for democratic elections and national said on Ukrainian Radio on December 21 a counterrevolutionary one,” Mr. is the commitment to democracy of all legislation. It will analyze the election that cooperation with Russia is of strate- Tomenko said. “Under the legal scenario, those involved in the electoral process campaign, respect for fundamental free- gic interest for Ukraine, Interfax report- Yanukovych’s staff will question the con- countrywide that will determine the sig- doms, the media, the legislative frame- ed. Mr. Yushchenko was commenting on stitutionality of the Supreme Court’s rul- nificance of these changes,” said work, the election administration and the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state- ing [ordering a repeat vote] and will Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, head resolution of election-related disputes. ment earlier the same day that the latter insist that the [December 8] amendments of the OSCE/ODIHR mission. On election day, short-term observers sees “no problem” in cooperating with to the law on presidential elections led to “To meet the challenge of holding an will follow voting procedures, counting Mr. Yushchenko if he is elected president several violations [during the vote]. The election within the time given, the elec- of the ballots and the tabulation of of Ukraine. “We will always have a tion administration will require the full results at all levels. second scenario provides for the use of support of the state authorities. The The OSCE/ODIHR mission, together policemen and army servicemen by (Continued on page 18) media also have a crucial role to play in with four parliamentary delegations, will ensuring that voters throughout the coun- issue a statement of preliminary findings try have access to impartial information,” and conclusions on the day after the elec- Ambassador Ahrens added. tion. A comprehensive final report on the UNA’ers do their part for free election The observation mission originally election will be released approximately PARSIPPANY, N.J. – As the people of The funds will be distributed to 10 young deployed for the first two rounds of vot- six weeks after the completion of the Ukraine prepare to vote in the repeat of activists who are members of the UNA and ing on October 31 and November 21 con- electoral process. the presidential run-off election, two active in Ukrainian community life. The executive officers of the Ukrainian money, $500 each, will be used to help National Association are off to Ukraine defray the costs of their airfare to Ukraine. to serve as election monitors. In a letter to the UCCA, UNA UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj of New Treasurer Roma Lisovich noted “the Wrzesnewskyj travels to Ukraine, again Jersey and UNA Director for Canada Al colossal effort of the UCCA in the organ- by Christopher Guly Uprising” as he calls it – which has Kachkowski of Saskatchewan will be in ization of election observers for the next swept across his ancestral homeland and OTTAWA – As Ukrainians prepared Ukraine among the thousands of election round of elections” and the involvement made opposition leader Viktor monitors being sent from various parts of of youth in “protest actions, demonstra- to vote in a presidential election for the Yushchenko a globally recognized hero third time in as many months, Canadian the world to observe the December 26 tions and fund-raising efforts” as well as for freedom, would lead to a lasting election. Mr. Kaczaraj is traveling to their readiness to serve as election Liberal Member of Parliament Borys democracy in that country. Wrzesnewskyj was getting ready to Ukraine at his own expense; Mr. observers in Ukraine. Mr. Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Center, Kachkowski is a member of the delegation Ms. Lisovich underscored: “We com- make his sixth visit to Ukraine since Ontario) is among 500 Canadians who August. being sent from Canada. mend them for their ardent passion and will serve as official observers when In addition, the Executive Committee their efforts in ensuring that the democratic This time the 44-year-old grandson of Ukrainians vote in the second presiden- Ukrainian immigrants hoped the so- of the Ukrainian National Association process in Ukraine is upheld. We are espe- called Orange Revolution – or “Orange (Continued on page 21) decided to donate $5,000 in support of cially proud that many of these young young election observers who will be activists are also UNA members. ... We are traveling to Ukraine as part of the group proud of our young people and commend organized by the Ukrainian Congress them for their commitment and support of Australia’s Ukrainians also headed for Ukraine Committee of America. Ukraine in its fight for democracy.” ESSENDON, Australia – Thirteen how strongly many of Australia’s members of the Ukrainian Australian Ukrainians feel about ensuring a free and Roman Woronowycz leaves community this week traveled to Ukraine fair democracy prospers in Ukraine. to be a part of the election monitoring “It’s a measure of commitment that The Ukrainian Weekly process for the December 26 presidential these people are paying their own way to election. get to Ukraine to monitor the election Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. He The chairman of the Australian process and help ensure that freedom and began his new job, which is based in Federation of Ukrainian Organizations democracy really does come to Ukraine,” Kyiv, on December 6. (AFUO), Stefan Romaniw, said that the Mr. Woronowycz had served as The delegation represents a great example of (Continued on page 21) Weekly’s Kyiv Press Bureau chief since August 1997. Prior to that he was a staff writer/editor at The Ukrainian Weekly’s home office in Parsippany, N.J., and was the paper’s Kyiv correspondent AFUO leader meets with minister from December 1993 through June MELBOURNE – Minister for status of Australia’s presence by sending 1994 and August 1996 through July Multicultural Affairs Peter McGauran Australia’s ambassador to Ukraine, 1997. He covered the Atlanta Olympic and the chairman of the Australian Leslie Rowe, to represent the govern- Games for The Weekly in 1996. Federation of Ukrainian Organizations ment. Mr. Romaniw said the AFUO sup- During his time at the Kyiv Press (AFUO), Stefan Romaniw, met on ports this position and considers them as Bureau he covered many epochal Friday, December 17, in Melbourne to being positive steps. events in Ukraine, including presiden- discuss the current situation in Ukraine in Previously, the AFUO had protested to tial and parliamentary elections, the relation to the presidential election, the foreign minister that the designation 2001 papal visit and the 10th anniver- Australia’s involvement in the monitor- of one election monitor from the sary of Ukraine’s independence. ing process and the activities of Australian government (an officer from In his new position Mr. Australia’s Ukrainian community. the Foreign Affairs Department at Jeffrey Wills Woronowycz is responsible for dissem- The minister congratulated the commu- Australia’s Embassy in Moscow) was not Roman Woronowycz against the inating information to the press and nity for its activity and offered his support sufficient to demonstrate Australia’s backdrop of the throngs gathered in coordinating public relations activities and thanks to the community for its work commitment to democracy in Ukraine. Lviv for the visit of Pope John Paul highlighting USAID programs in three in highlighting Ukraine’s struggle in seek- Minister McGauran wished the AFUO II in June 2001. countries, which includes projects on ing democracy. Mr. Romaniw thanked the delegation traveling to Ukraine as moni- democracy, civil society and mass minister and his staff for their support in tors a safe journey and commended them PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Roman media development; economic growth; contacting the minister for foreign affairs in for their commitment. Woronowycz, an editor at The and health matters, including the fight seeking a stronger position by the Australia Issues of community development, immi- Ukrainian Weekly since June 1992, has against tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. government in the monitoring process. gration and foreign affairs were also dis- left the newspaper for a new position Editor Andrew Nynka of The Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander cussed during the meeting. The minister as head of public information for the Weekly staff has been temporarily Downer on December 16 announced indicated his support for the Ukrainian U.S. Agency for International assigned to the Kyiv Press Bureau. He $30,000 funding to support two monitor- Australian community and said he looked Development regional office for will remain there through mid-January. ing agencies in Ukraine and upgraded the forward to working with it in the future. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

OBITUARY: Leader of underground Ukrainian Church, Bishop Pavlo Vasylyk having achieved a measure of visibility, was able to religious service in the village of Nadorozhna. After repeat- attract international attention, especially that of the ed lengthy and difficult interrogations, he was sentenced to press, to the plight of the Church. Bishop Vasylyk played five years of imprisonment for “inciting interconfessional an active role in the many actions working toward the tensions” and for possession of an undetermined amount of legalization of the UGCC during the Soviet period. “anti-Soviet literature of a religious character.” An offer of Bishop Vasylyk was born on August 8, 1926, in the having the charges against him dropped was proferred dur- village of Boryslavets, near Peremyshl. He studied at the ing the interrogation, contingent upon his joining the gymnasium (high school) in Peremyshl (1942-1943), Russian Orthodox Church. He rejected the deal. and began his preparation for the priesthood at the semi- Father Vasylyk served his term in a camp in nary in Peremyshl. With the closing of the seminary in Mordovia, where he met the future Ukrainian Cardinal November of 1945, he, together with his family, was Josyf Slypyj, the Lithuanian priest Alfonsas Svarinskas, deported to the village of Barysh in the Ternopil region. and many other Lithuanian, Polish and Latvian priests That same year he was in Lviv, where he was who were serving sentences there. involved with helping the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He Upon his release in 1964, as he could not receive a was arrested on April 1, 1947, and sentenced, to a 10- permit to reside in any Ukrainian city or town, he trav- year prison term for “the betrayal of the fatherland” and elled from village to village. His pastoral ministry in the for engaging in “anti-Soviet propaganda.” He served his neighboring villages of Schwarwechko, near the Polish sentence in various prisons and camps in 1947-1955, border, included organizing an underground theological among them: Lonski Prison, Lviv; Cheliabinsk in the seminary and a cloistered community. southern Urals; Ufa, Tatarstan (1949); Dzhezkazhan, Three years later, in 1967, he was again confronted by Kazakh SSR (1950); Spaskiv Camp, Kazakh SSR (1951- the authorities, with the result that his identity card and his 1952); Olzheras Camp, Kemerovo western Siberia residence permit were taken away; he referred to his itin- (1953); and Omsk Russia (1953-1955). erant status, as a “free man.” He was on the move, cau- He was ordained a deacon on January 1, 1950, at the tiously continuing his pastoral ministry until 1974, when Bishop Pavlo Vasylyk in a 1988 photo. prison camp in Dzhezkazhan by Bishop Hobikova- he obtained a permit to reside in the region of Buchach, in by Ika Koznarska Casanova Makovsk. Repeatedly punished for his pastoral work in the village of Borich, where his mother lived. the camps, the future bishop was released in 1955 and That year, on May 1, 1974, he was consecrated a PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Bishop Pavlo Vasylyk of the sent into exile in the village of Novoaleksandrivka in the bishop by Bishop Yosafat Fedoryk, OSBM. Upon learn- Eparchy of Kolomyia-Chernivtsi passed away on Krasnoyarsk region, where he found work on a farm. ing of the consecration a year later, the authorities inter- Sunday, December 12, at the age of 79. Bishop Vasylyk He was able to return to Ukraine only in June of rogated Bishops Vaslylyk and Fedoryk. A harsh public was an underground priest for four decades for the 1956. Undeterred in his pastoral work, he was ordained campaign was launched against Bishop Vasylyk, and Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC), which was a priest in Lviv on November 11, 1956, by Bishop subsequently against the first priests he had ordained, formally dissolved in Ukraine in 1946 and annexed by Mykola Charnetskyi. the brothers Mykola and Hryhorii Simkailo. force to the Russian Orthodox Church. As a member of In 1956-1959 he was engaged in active underground On August 4, 1987, for the first time since 1946, 23 the Eastern Rite Ukrainian Catholic Church he, like pastoral work in villages in Halychyna and Zakarpattia, giv- Ukrainian Greek-Catholic priests, headed by Bishop committed others of his religious brethren, remained ing catechism lessons, celebrating liturgy and administering Vasylyk, and 150 laypeople, signed an official petition faithful to Rome despite harsh suffering and persecution. the Sacraments – all the while forced to avoid detection and addressed to Mikhail Gorbachev, general secretary of As one of the bishops of the underground UGCC, arrest. His luck ran out in 1959 when he was arrested for a the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Bishop Vasylyk came out into the open in 1987 and, second time in Ivano-Frankivsk, after having celebrating a Soviet Union, and Pope John Paul II, respectively, ask- ing the Soviet authorities to legalize the Ukrainian Catholic Church and calling on the pope to give his full support to the UGCC in the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: November The reaction of the authorities, as noted in the article titled “The Adventures of An Outlaw Bishop,” by Amount Name City Irene Brykajlo Clifton, N.J. Tommaso Ricci (30 Days, May 1989), was to launch an $300.00 Irene Komarynsky Stamford, Conn. Zwenyslava Clem Miami, Fla. anonymous letter campaign against the petitioners, $145.00 M. Mackin San Diego, Calif. Basil Fedorowicz West Warwick, R.I. which was publicly circulated. $100.00 M. Brigg Leavenworth, Kan. Michael Hotz Watertown, Mass. Roma Temnycky Manlius, N.Y. William Kataryniak Bayonne, N.J. On July 16-17, 1988, Bishop Vasylyk, with five other $55.00 Askold Melnyczuk Medford, Mass. Laryssa Krupa Morristown, N.J. priests, publicly celebrated the Millennium of the Tanya Vena West Orange, N.J. Larysa Kurylas Kensington, Md. $50.00 Halyna and Stan Brick, N.J. Andrij Leshchyshyn Columbia, Md. (Continued on page 20) Jakubowycz Cathy Longinotti New York, N.J. Andrew Maleckyj Toronto, Ontario Steven Macko Hoffman Estates, Ill. Oksana Zakydalsky Toronto, Ontario Olga Manasterski Aliquippa, Pa. $40.00 Jurij Kuzycz Glen Ellyn, Ill. Dmytro Nesterenko Savannah, Ga. $30.00 John Smarsh Mississauga, Ontario Irina Oryshkevich Princeton, N.J. Eugene Harasymiw, Walter Sosiak Colonia, N.J. Mary Pendzola New York, N.Y. $25.00 Sviatoslav Bozhenko San Francisco, Calif. Boris Schulha Trabuco Canyon, Calif. UCCLA activist, dies George Buk Las Vegas, Nev. Roman Semczuk Amsterdam, N.Y. EDMONTON – Eugene Harasymiw, a leader within Mykola and Marion Manchester, N.J. Olga Semeniuk Amherstburg, Ontario Holinaty Orest Shegda St. Catharines, Ontario the Ukrainian community who was active in the Eugene and Irene Houston, Tex. Ia Striyska Gimnas Stryi, Ukraine Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association Kuchta Helen Tatarsky Warren, Mich. (UCCLA), passed away on October 2, at the age of 63. Bohdan Kuczwarskyj Brooklyn Park, Minn. $5.00 Andrew Barys Baltimore, Md. As Edmonton representative of the UCCLA, Mr. Alexander Kuzma Glastonbury, Conn. Bohdanna Bihun Novato, Calif. Harasymiw was actively involved in the campaign of Peter Myskiw Phoenix, Ariz. Andrew Danchuk Livingston, N.J. such UCCLA issues as seeking a made-in-Canada solu- Neonila Sochan Morristown, N.J. Boris Danik North Caldwell, N.J. tion to the prosecution of war criminals in that country, (in memory of Svetlana Dubinin Haskell, N.J. Wolodymyr Zyla) Alexandra Hrycak Portland, Ore. and government recognition and redress for the intern- Roman Stachiw Etobicoke, Ontario Merle and Bonnie Toledo, Ohio ment of Ukrainian Canadians during World War I. Ihor Vitkovitsky Silver Spring, Md. Jurkiewicz Peter Goldring, member of Parliament, who worked Andrew Zakrewsky Middle Village, N.Y. Orest Koropecky McLean, Va. on behalf of these issues, paid tribute to Mr. Harasymiw $20.00 Ihor Ambroziak Vancouver, Wash. John Kost St. Petersburg, Fla. in the House of Commons on October 14. In his com- John Bortnyk Forked River, N.J. Harry Kowalcheck West Newton, Pa. memorative statement. Mr. Goldring referred to Mr. L. Cymbalisty Edmonton, Alberta Adrian Krawczeniuk Old Greenwich, Conn. Roman Galysh Huntsville, Ala. Alexander Malycky Calgary, Alberta Harasymiw as a “devoted family man and a steadfast Eugene Nedilsky Lima, Ohio Dan Marchuk Winnetka, Ill. proponent of civil rights and liberties.” Jurij and Marta Ozga Naperville, Ill. B. Marchuk Hinsdale, Ill. In a eulogy delivered at the funeral, fellow UCCLA Iwan Sierant New York, N.Y. Alexander Odarchenko Elizaville, N.Y. activist Taras Podilsky noted: “Yevhen’s [Mr. Michael Sofiak Chesterton, Ind. Paul Rosynsky Oakland, Calif. Harasymiw’s] activism began in the 1980s when he vol- Yuriy and Irene Stasula Chicago, Ill. Myron Saldyt Carrales, N.M. unteered to join the UCCLA in response to the Federal Michael Wawryshyn Toronto, Ontario Jurij Savyckyj Riverside, Conn. government’s creation of the Deshesne Commission. Gregory Woloszyn Forest Hills, N.Y. Michael Scyocurka Laguna Woods, Calif. $15.00 Olha Balaban Worthington, Ohio Michael Scyocurka Laguna Woods, Calif. Yevhen was determined that any Canadian who was Myron Buryk Astoria, N.Y. Eleanor Tutka Taylor, Pa. accused of war crimes would not fall victim to injustice. Gregory Hywel Mansfield Township, N.J. $2.00 Eastern Economist Chicago, Ill. In the months preceeding his demise, Mr. Harasymiw Lubomyr Miz Oak Forest, Ill. was involved with writing a book on Canada’s war Miroslava Moriak Iselin, N.J. crimes policy. The UCCLA has set up a trust in Mr. Elias Petryk Perkasie, Pa. TOTAL: $2,097.00 Harasymiw’s memory to ensure that the work-in- Alexandra Rakowsky Wading River, N.Y. progress be completed and published. Wasyl Sosiak Forest Hills, N.Y. Sincere thanks to all contributors Mr. Harasymiw is survived by his wife, Natalie; two Orest and Judy Tataryn San Jose, Calif. to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. Ihor Tomkiw Toronto, Ontario sons, Adrian and Andriy; a brother, Bohdan, with his Olena Wawryshyn Toronto, Ontario The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the wife Elaine; nephew, Peter; niece, Theodora; as well as Eugene B. and Natalia M. Short Hills, N.J. only fund dedicated exclusively to supporting numerous other relatives and close friends. Zmyj Funeral services were held on October 8, at St. John $10.00 Marko Bodnaruk Brecksville, Ohio the work of this publication. Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Interment was at St. Stephen’s Cemetery. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 5 And what about the economy? Presidential candidates blame each other by Andrew Nynka cal crisis, and have forced economists at announced in the second week of tion “in case of the next aggravation of Kyiv Press Bureau the International Center for Policy December that the government had the political situation in the country.” Studies to revise their forecast for the decreased its forecast for GDP growth in Mr. Yanukovych said his government KYIV – With each candidate in country’s economic development in 2005 from 8.6 percent to 6.5 percent. would overcome any negative effects to Ukraine’s presidential race blaming the 2004-2006,” said Mr. Blinov, a specialist And while the county’s GDP was the economy because the government he other for what they say is a slumping in monetary, financial and government dropping, its inflation has been on the heads created a “rather strong mecha- economy, a number of the country’s non- economic policies, as well as a specialist rise, Mr. Azarov said. He estimated that nism” to handle such situations. “We governmental organizations and economic in privatization, investment climate and the rate for 2004 would reach at least managed to survive this blow to the specialists have said that political turmoil economic forecasts. 10.5 percent. economy,” he said. here will slow the growing economy. A colleague of Mr. Blinov’s at the cen- Mr. Poroshenko said the increase in Speaking to the All-Ukrainian Forum Presidential candidate Viktor ter also painted a negative picture. “The inflation rested squarely with the govern- of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Yanukovych, who is on leave from his nationwide political strike, calls for sepa- ment. “The current pace of inflation was Kharkiv on Friday, December 17, Mr. post as prime minister, announced last ratism that are impacting negatively on caused by the amateurish policy of the Yushchenko stressed that his administra- week that street protests led by members domestic production chains and the state incumbent government and will remain tion counts among its main tasks the of Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine budget, and the inadequate functioning of for 3 to 4 months at a minimum,” he said. reduction of taxes and the adoption of a political bloc, that had helped stall government bodies are likely to cause a Before leaving for a campaign trip to new tax code. national government and stop Mr. sharp decline in economic growth,” said eastern Ukraine, Mr. Yushchenko Mr. Yushchenko said that taxation of Yanukovych’s inauguration as Ukraine’s Oksana Remiga, an economist with ICPS announced that, in order to bolster the corporate income in Ukraine currently next president, would negatively affect and a specialist in strategic planning and economy, he was in favor of restructuring exceeds 65 percent, while a common Ukraine’s 2005 budget. regional and fiscal policies. Ukraine’s regional free-trade zones. “Our limit in many other countries is closer to Speaking to students at Mykolaiv But the ICPS noted on its website that work is to revise the work and effective- 40 percent. This fact, the presidential State University on December 15, Mr. “statements about economic recession ness of economic zones and create real candidate said, is a reason that so much Yanukovych said next year’s budget [are] premature.” terms of competitiveness for businesses of Ukraine’s economy works in the shad- could lose as much as 3 billion to 4 bil- “Most enterprises are continuing to operating in these zones,” he said during ows. lion hrv (approximately $600 million- work in a normal mode, and no sharp a press conference in Kyiv. “That’s where the nature of shadow $800 million). “But we have a chance to decline in export-import operations has Mr. Yanukovych echoed this point economy originates,” said Mr. earn this money with the current eco- been registered yet. A noticeable decline while vacationing in Odesa earlier in the Yushchenko, who also noted that, under nomic dynamics. We believe that the in budget revenues and slipping confi- month. “As far as I am concerned, I am the current system, corporate taxation in effects of the crisis will be overcome by dence in domestic banks are causing the in favor of [greater] economic autonomy Ukraine is characterized by high rates mid-2005,” he said. most serious concern at this time,” the for our regions,” he told Interfax. and a narrow tax base. “What should we However, Mr. Yushchenko asked his website notes. But other sectors of the Ukrainian aim for? Low taxes and a broad base,” he rival during the presidential debate on “The short-term political crisis is government have also said the economic said, answering himself. December 20 why a draft budget for unlikely to bring any radical changes to situation in the country is under control But changing the tax code would 2005 submitted by the current prime the positive economic trends Ukraine has and would not suffer because of the polit- require “colossal trust between authori- minister, included the largest deficit in been registering for five consecutive ical situation. ties and business,” the one-time chief of seven years when the country’s gross years,” Mr. Blinov said during the press The acting chairman of the National the national bank said. He added that domestic product (GDP) was estimated conference. He also noted that the politi- Bank of Ukraine, Arsenii Yatseniuk, told foremost among his policies, if he were to grow by 12 percent in 2004. “Is this cal situation in Ukraine had dropped the journalists on December 14 that his bank elected president, would be to eliminate professionalism? What kind of a paradox center’s forecast of Ukraine’s GDP by is ready to implement “adequate and special preferences given to businesses is this?” he asked Mr. Yanukovych. 0.5 percent from 12.5 percent to 12 per- effective measures” to stabilize the situa- by government bodies. Mr. Yushchenko also said several cent for 2004. weeks ago that a large pension payout by Ukraine’s GDP grew by 9.9 percent in the Ukrainian government was a cam- November alone, and 12.4 percent in the paign tactic that will hurt the Ukrainian period from January to November, the “Orange Revolution” as viewed economy in the long run, unless other country’s State Statistics Committee measures are put in place to counter the announced on December 15. by an academician from Lviv move. However, Petro Poroshenko, a mem- Andriy Blinov, deputy director and ber of Mr. Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine by Dr. Orest Popovych the core of the Orange Revolution that senior economist at the International political bloc and the head of the has swept Ukraine in recent weeks, Center for Policy Studies in Kyiv, said Verkhovna Rada’s Budget Committee, NEW YORK – He used to have seri- admitted Dr. Oleh Romaniv in his during a press conference on December said Ukraine’s GDP could grow by 8-9 ous doubts about the state of patriotism address to the Shevchenko Scientific 20 that the political situation in the coun- percent in 2005 if a new government of today’s youth in Ukraine, but his mind Society (NTSh) here on December 15. try had affected the country’s economy. revises its approaches to economic man- was changed suddenly by the tens of The guest speaker from Lviv was wel- “Developments in Ukraine are evolv- agement and stops restraining growth. thousands of students and other young comed by NTSh Vice-President Dr. Orest ing according to a risky scenario, a politi- Acting Prime Minister Mykola Azarov people who made up the avant-garde and Popovych, who introduced Dr. Romaniv as president of NTSh in Ukraine, secre- tary-general of the World Council of NTSh, professor, member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and above all, a true Ukrainian patriot. Tackling his announced theme “Ukraine Today: The Renaissance of a European Nation,” the academician from Lviv described the reaction to the falsified results of the November 21 Ukrainian election in his city, which has received almost no publicity, compared to the demonstrations in Kyiv. An esti- mated crowd of 300,000, including some 30,000 students, took to the streets. Approximately 100,000 demonstrators at a time, most of them young people, circulated from western Ukraine to the massive protest gathering in Independence Square in Kyiv, where the Highlights from the UNA’s 110-year history combined participation reached the order of two million, according to Dr. A special yearlong feature focusing on the history of the Ukrainian National Association. Romaniv. In what developed into an unprecedented historic pilgrimage, peo- Delegates to the Ukrainian National Association’s 34th Convention held on ple from all regions of Ukraine intermin- May 19, 1998, traveled to Canada for the conclave, which was held in Toronto for gled in Kyiv for a period of 17 days. This the first time in the fraternal organization’s history. Toronto was described by peaceful Orange Revolution, said Dr. Romaniw, was brilliantly organized; it UNA President Ulana Diachuk in her report to the convention as “a vibrant cen- was a political carnival that often (Continued on page 19) assumed the characteristics of a youth festival, complete with rock and hip-hop music, making young people feel right at home. (Continued on page 14) 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

FOR THE RECORD THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY “A people longing to be free” Writer Yuri Andrukhovych’s As this issue of the paper goes to press on December 23, during an abbreviat- ed holiday week, all eyes are on Ukraine, which is set to vote on Sunday, address to European Parliament December 26 (the date of this issue), in the rerun of the presidential election’s Below is an English translation of an of countless “little Ukrainians,” who, similar run-off. invited speech delivered by Yuri to the “little Hungarians” in 1956, the “little Over 12,000 election monitors have descended upon Ukraine from abroad to Andrukhovych to the European Parliament Czechs” of 1968, or the “little Poles” of watch what is now being referred to as “the third round” of the presidential vote, on Wednesday, December 15, in Srasbourg. 1980 rose up in defense of their own dignity. among them 1,300 short-term observers of the International Election (The translation is by Michael Naydan.) In 2004 a miracle occurred in Ukraine: Observation Mission, a joint undertaking of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic its society, which over the course of an Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: entire decade seemed to be feeble, pas- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as the parliamen- I first and foremost venture to bring to sive and disunited, suddenly mustered up tary assemblies of the Council of Europe and NATO, and the European your attention an entirely personal vision. a collective, non-violent and wonderful Parliament (and that’s in addition to the 55 long-term observers who have been The hero of one of my novels, Stanislav feat. The “little” Ukrainians turned out to in the country since mid-September). Perfetsky, when he delivers a lecture before be considerably bigger than their – and A large force of observers has been sent also by the Ukrainian Congress a no less worthy audience than the one here, not just their – authorities thought they Committee of America and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, with the UCCA roughly says the following: “My task is not were. They counterposed their creative securing accreditation for some 2,000 monitors from the United States and other one of the easiest, and not without grounds I poetics against banal geopolitics. countries. Most of these volunteers are paying their own way. Why? Because am abundantly fearful that I will be unable The orange poetics is a quite dynamic they believe in the cause: democracy for Ukraine. And, because they can do to manage to deal with it as one should. And argument against the “zone of grayness,” something tangible to promote it. It must also be noted that there is some person- the fact of the matter isn’t that I don’t have into which for over a decade Ukraine’s al risk involved, as there continues to be concern about possible violence on and anything to say. It’s quite the opposite – I incompetent and dislikable leaders have around election day. Thus, our election volunteers must be praised for their gen- have so much to say about everything, that striven to drag Ukraine. For them it has erosity, dedication, selflessness, and bravery. the allotted time for listening to me today been about a dreary country, deprived of its Speaking of promoting democracy, we had an opportunity to watch the wouldn’t even be enough, and not even own face, invisible to the world. They “con- “Washington Journal” program on C-SPAN on December 22, featuring two would, I venture to assure you, the remain- structed” it as a figure, in conformity with members of a congressional delegation that had just returned from Ukraine, Rep. ing days and nights allotted by Providence their own gray faces and secret needs. In his Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.). These two for the human race.” But all the same, in fol- aesthetic validations it is not for nothing extraordinary members of Congress demonstrated yet again what true friends the lowing the hero of my novel, I will try at that Mr. [Leonid] Kuchma admits that he people of Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans have in the Congressional Ukrainian least to outline something for you. doesn’t like the color orange because it is Caucus. The drama that is occurring today in “not Ukrainian.” Perhaps Mr. Kuchma real- “We can be proud that we are on the side of a free election,” Mr. Rohrabacher Ukraine in no way fits into any of the polit- ly turned out to be “un-Ukrainian.” Orange stated on C-SPAN, adding that “all people who believe in democracy and free- ical science models prepared beforehand became the color of the breakthrough of all dom” should support those who share that belief around the world. In response to for it. The situation is not a clash of imaginable blockades – the color of human a caller who asked about the millions of U.S. dollars allegedly spent to help the Ukrainian-language Ukrainians against ignition in people. Over the course of 17 candidacy of the opposition’s presidential contender, he stated unequivocally that Russian-language ones; even more so not days of active resistance on Independence the U.S. has not used its funds to influence the election, “but to make sure it’s a the opposition of the “pro-European” West Square in Kyiv it turned out to be the victo- free election. That isn’t trying to influence the outcome of the election – there is of our country vs. a “pro-Russian” East; ry of the people over all the technical means nothing for us to apologize about.” and not the settling of scores of certain at the disposal of the authorities. A disturbing trend emerged in some of the questions as a couple of callers financial groups or clans with others. To be This is also the victory of Europe as an asked who is financing the protesters in Ukraine and questioned the protesters’ fair, I should note that all these conflicts are ethical system of values. My Polish friend motivation. It is a theme that has begun emerging also in other media sources – a partially present, they are, what they call, Andrzej Stasiuk writes about it in a mar- theme that seeks to downplay the depth of the people’s feelings in Ukraine and “in play,” but it is not they that define the velous essay as follows: “Great things are that reveals a bias against the people of Ukraine, as if they are somehow less essential make-up of what is happening. happening in the East. Ukraine has lifted worthy and, therefore, less likely to want freedom and justice, and a better First and foremost, a universal historical itself up from its knees. In these last, cold tomorrow for themselves and their children – all those things that we as jaded drama is taking place. It is a clash between and snowy days of November the heart of Americans take for granted. a society, which, in considerable and its Europe is beating right there, in Kyiv, on the The truth, however, is eloquently simple. As Congresswoman Kaptur put it, additionally most active, most conscious, Square of – appropriately called – what is happening today in Ukraine is a concrete example of “a people longing most enlightened part, wants democracy, Independence. It is right there in Kyiv that to be free.” It is our sincere hope that this longing, this hope, will be fulfilled on prosperity and a nation of laws, against a the battle for basic European values is being December 26. power that with all its strength is trying to honed, that in the West those values are save an authoritarian, neo-totalitarian form understood as something, comprehensible in of government, so successfully and so cyn- and of themselves, something granted once ically embodied in reality by all the suc- and for always.” Andrzej Stasiuk titled his Dec. cessor Soviet Communist regimes in all of essay “Europe, You Have Become Bigger.” Turning the pages back... the post-Soviet territories (with the excep- Europe has become bigger by the sum of tion of the Baltic countries). the Ukrainian regions where Victor 28 Thus, the question can be posed as the Yushchenko won. After the 26th of following bottom line: Is democracy possi- December – and I really truly believe this – 1999 Five years ago, on December 28, 1999, Acting Foreign ble at all? Thus, if you try to distill this prob- it will become bigger by all of Ukraine. Affairs Minister Borys Tarasyuk said Ukraine’s integration lem to its most profound essence: Is it possi- Those Ukrainians who vote for Yushchenko into European structures and its close cooperation with the ble to break this vicious circle? Is it possible are really voting for freedom, a country of United States and the Russian Federation would be the main to save a “cursed land?” Is the embodiment laws and tolerance, without thinking in the directions of Kyiv’s foreign policy in the year 2000. of human expectations possible? Is the vic- least about the fact that these values are “Our foreign policy will be focused on three main directions: integration into the tory of good over evil possible? European – it is enough for them that these European Union and development of cooperation with both the United States and Everything else – that, which is on the are their values and for the sake of them Russia,” Mr. Tarasyuk told journalists at a news briefing, presenting a review of the surface, but less essential – comprises the they are prepared to stand not only days and Foreign Affairs Ministry’s activity in 1999 and prospects for the coming year. political machinations, the play on the lin- nights in the December cold or to walk with Mr. Tarasyuk, whose appointment as foreign affairs minister in the new Ukrainian guistic, religious differences and the differ- flowers in their hands up to the special government headed by Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko was still unclear, said the ences in mentality in Ukrainian society, the forces units armed with loaded weapons. It year’s results had proven that Ukrainian foreign policy was stable and effective. “hand of Moscow,” the Russian geopoliti- is in these people that I see what one can “(We) have confirmed the European choice of our country,” Mr. Tarasyuk said. cal “Yanukovych project,” the essence of underscore as the European future of “This path was supported by the Ukrainian people during the presidential elections which in its alternative, openly formulated Ukraine. And that future has already begun. when Leonid Kuchma was re-elected to a second term in the office.” Integration into by the highest state officials of our large But since that meaningful word the the European Union is the “Ukrainian strategic target,” according to Mr. Tarasyuk. He Northeastern neighbor is: “Either a split, or “future” has resounded, what can we expect said Ukraine was striving to achieve associate membership in the union and added civil war.” Despite the elegance of the for- right now? To say it more simply: What can that the recently adopted EU strategy for Ukraine was the key step toward that status. mulation I believe in the fact that we will “we” expect from “you”? First and fore- The European Union adopted a strategy on December 10, 1999, for developing not give the authors of this project either most, honored ladies and gentlemen, the dis- relations with Ukraine for the next four years. The strategy stopped far short of map- the former or the latter satisfaction. tinct refutation of what for an entire decade ping out EU membership for Kyiv; it merely acknowledged Ukraine’s European aspi- There is so much disinformation (in less the propaganda machine of Mr. Kuchma has rations, welcomed its “pro-European choice” and outlined the basis for cooperation “parliamentary” talk we can call it lies), so been drilling into us: that no one is waiting between Kyiv and the EU. European Union leaders declined to say what prospects many scare tactics, physical threats, moral for us in Europe. A refutation of what Mr. Ukraine had of becoming part of the EU’s enlargement plans, which then included the torture, as well as other dioxins, so much has [Viktor] Yanukovych has built his entire three Baltic states and seven other Eastern European countries. been dropped on Ukrainian society before campaign on: that in Europe no one likes us Despite the EU’s cautious approach, Mr. Tarasyuk said he believed Ukraine had a and during this election campaign – this is and scorns us, that we are alien to Europe. good chance to attain associate membership in the European Union next year. an unprecedented dramatic experience, that Honored ladies and gentlemen, I am is worthy of a separate “Book of Memory” convinced that Kuchma and Yanukovych Source : “Ukraine to focus on European Union, U.S. and Russia in 2000,” by tens of thousands of pages long, in which have been telling us a lie. I – just a writer Pavel Polityuk, The Ukrainian Weekly, January 2, 2000, Vol. LXVIII, No. 1. forever there will be fixed each citizen’s actions, each gesture invisible to the world (Continued on page 22) No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 7 PERSPECTIVES Faces and Places by Myron B. Kuropas BY ANDREW FEDYNSKY

Orange: the color for all seasons The Orange re-birthing About the time the old Soviet apologist A mobile force of Kozaks patrolled the The Orange Revolution has taken over Associated Press, moreover, Secretary of Vladimir Pozner was on ABC’s “Night steppes, ever on the alert against enemies. my life. Like most Ukrainian Americans, State Colin Powell rejected Russian Line” explaining how Russians see In 1648, an obscure Kozak captain, I’m watching and waiting, fearing the charges of Western political manipulation Ukraine the way Americans view Texas, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, set out to redress a worst, hoping for the best. in Ukraine’s electoral process and suggest- and that Russia, therefore, has “a legiti- personal wrong. To his astonishment, an During these unprecedented times in ed that Moscow was acting in bad faith by mate interest” in swaying the Ukrainian army of farmer-warriors rose up from their our Ukraine, I’ve been on an emotional retaining military forces in George and election, Viktor Yushchenko was on his fields and villages. It became a revolution. roller-coaster. Feelings change from hour Moldova. The AP wrote: “As for the state way to a Vienna hospital which soon con- Can we see shadows of that era – this time to hour, day to day. I read everything I of democracy inside Russia, Mr. Powell firmed that he had been poisoned during peaceful ones – in the spontaneous uprising can, listen to and watch the news, and said the United States is bothered by devel- the presidential campaign. Well, Mr. of young people who gathered in Kyiv’s call family and friends in Ukraine. opments ‘affecting freedom of the press Independence Square when the nation was Pozner is not the first Russian to argue My emotions run the gamut. There is and the rule of law.’ United States officials threatened by the November election fraud? that Ukraine is part of Russia, and Viktor angry disgust at the unholy trio of Putin, have been particularly concerned about the The year 2004, ironically, is the 350th Yushchenko is not the first Ukrainian Kuchma and Yanukovych for their absence of independent television news anniversary of the Treaty at Pereiaslav, leader to be targeted for assassination. appalling behavior and criminal indiffer- outlets in Russia.’ ” which Hetman Khmelnytsky and Tsar The two phenomena are sadly related. ence to the will of the people. At the same Reflecting, no doubt, the beliefs of the Aleksei subsequently struck in the midst As Mr. Pozner and many others point time I am immensely proud of Ukraine’s Bush administration, House Speaker of Ukraine’s war with Poland. Ever since, out, Ukrainians and Russians go way back. students, who led the revolution and Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) declared that “in Russian nationalists have been nostalgi- Russians maintain their nation began in refused to back down in the face of what order for democracy to flourish, citizens cally harkening back to Kyivan Rus’, pro- Kiev [sic] more than 1,000 years ago. appeared to be overwhelming odds. must be able to exercise their votes freely, moting the agreement as the “Reunion of Ukrainian history also starts with Kyiv. I look at the before and after photos of fairly and without intimidation. Hopefully, two Fraternal Peoples.” Vladimir Putin Indeed, engravings of ancient Kyivan rulers Viktor Yushchenko and feel compassion Ukraine’s election [on December 26] has certainly trumpeted the Pereiaslav adorn Ukrainian currency; 11th century and sorrow for the physical and psycholog- won’t experience the rampant voting Treaty, making it the theme of his policy buildings grace the Ukrainian capital. ical pain he is suffering in his quest to pull problems, reports of fraud, and allegations toward Ukraine: for him, Ukraine is part The Ukrainian and Russian versions of Ukraine out of Moscow’s craven clutch. of campaign corruption that marred last of Russia; Russia has legitimate interests history, of course, are no more mutually I have also experienced deep disap- month’s contest. Ukrainians have the right there; everyone else should butt out. Like exclusive than are French claims to the her- pointment, especially with Patrick to be heard and their votes accurately earlier Russian rulers, Mr. Putin found itage of Charlemagne or German ones to Buchanan, a forthright defender of John counted at the ballot box.” Karl der Grosse. Indeed, this 8th century willing collaborators among Ukraine’s Will the Bush administration get any governing elite to not only frustrate the Demjanjuk, and now an unwitting apolo- ruler of the Franks was the same person. gist for Vladimir Putin. A confirmed iso- credit for its deft handling of the situa- Over time, West Francia became modern- will of the electorate in the 2004 presiden- tion in Ukraine? Probably not. tial campaign, but to also work to reverse lationist, Mr. Buchanan has charged the day France and East Francia the modern United States with meddling in Ukraine’s The most uplifting emotion for me, state of Germany. Though they claim a the 1991 independence referendum. however, is the realization that the Only the Ukrainian people didn’t buy affairs, providing ammunition, thereby, common national hero, anyone who’s sam- for the Mr. Yanukovych forces who argue Orange Revolution was much more than pled French cheese or German sausage will into it. So that’s where coercion and assas- “a political rally, part rock concert, part sination came into play. Ukrainian history that a Yushchenko victory means a CIA tell you the two peoples are not the same. takeover of Ukraine. In a recent column, fireworks display.” Writing in the Wall This year, both Russia and Ukraine held is littered with the bodies of those who Street Journal, Adrian Karatnycky tried to lead their people to independence Mr. Buchanan accused the United States presidential elections. Both were fundamen- of “imperial arrogance and blind stupidi- described it as a “religious experience” as tally flawed, yet the responses of the respec- only to fall victim to the empire’s obses- well. “On weekends,” wrote Mr. sion with a mystical unity that prevailed ty” for supporting the Orange Revolution tive peoples appear to reflect profound dif- and repeats a canard that appeared in the Karatnycky, “religious leaders held litur- ferences in national character. Provoked by a under Kyiv a thousand years ago. gies, prayer services for Orthodox Poisoned by dioxin, Mr. Yushchenko Guardian, a left-wing British gazette, that manipulated media, election fraud and Pora is an illegitimate student group Christians (whose adherents represent creeping authoritarianism, the Russian peo- asks people to look at his once-handsome, more than 60 percent of the population) now-ravaged face, and invites them to see established and financed by Washington. ple accepted their plight as they always Writes Mr. Buchanan: “Our most criti- Eastern Rite Catholics (10 percent) have, without resistance or complaint. in its devastation the tragic ruin of his Protestants, evangelicals, Jews and country’s history. Instinctively, people cal relationship on earth is with the Similarly provoked by an election that was Muslims.” Patriarch Filaret of the understand. Even if they don’t know the world’s other great nuclear power, crudely stolen, the Ukrainian population Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv story of rebel leader Ivan Gonta and the Russia, a nation suffering depopulation, rose up spontaneously and stayed in the Patriarchate and Patriarch Lubomyr Russian regiment that seized him in 1768 loss of empire, break-up of its country frozen streets of their capital and dozens of Husar – who described the Kuchma to turn him over to tortures and dismem- and a terror war. That relationship is far other cities and towns until they took it back. regime as “an immoral regime which has berment that went on for days, they under- more important to us than who rules in Looking toward national proclivities is deprived the Ukrainian people of their stand. They may not know how Symon Ukraine.” Mr. Buchanan feeling sorry for an unsure business, hearkening back as it legitimate rights and dignity” – and vari- Petliura was shot on a street in Paris in Russia? If I didn’t know better, I could does to a collective unconscious formed in ous Protestant and Jewish religious and 1926, how Mykola Skrypnyk and Mykola swear that those comments were penned the mysterious era when people believed in by the editorial staff of The New York community leaders were part of Ukraine’s Khvyliovy were forced into suicide in re-birthing process. The one exception gods and demons, fairies and nymphs. Still, 1933, how a bomb in Rotterdam ripped Times, and not a long-time conservative by looking at the superstitions, prejudices, I’ve admired for years. Shame on you, was the Russian Orthodox Church, the through Yevhen Konovalets in 1938, how largest religious denomination in stereotypes and even perhaps, national culi- Stepan Bandera was killed by a vapor gun Mr. Buchanan. You’ve been seduced by nary preferences, we can dredge some the superficialities of the 1970s when Ukraine, which blatantly campaigned for at the door to his apartment in Munich in the election of Viktor Yanukovych. Small murky insights into why one nation stoical- 1959, but they understand: assassination “détente” was “the hope of the world.” ly accepts the status quo while a neighbor Remember? We were led to believe that wonder that so many Ukrainians still of Ukrainian leaders who aspired toward view the Russian Church in Ukraine as rises up in righteous indignation. independence has been routine. we had common interests with the Writing in his brilliant book about Russians, that both they and we were Vladimir Putin’s Trojan Horse. Poor Viktor Yushchenko. In his cam- Many weeks ago, our pastor told us Russian culture, “The Icon and the Axe,” paign, he promised people Europe and it superpowers with governments that James Billington – now the Librarian of wanted to live in peace and security. It about the thousands of Ukrainian proved to be a winning message. That’s why Catholics who were mobilized by Congress – points to the dense forests of someone tried to kill him and, failing that, was rubbish then; it’s rubbish now. the north as a formative environment for I don’t get it. Bush-bashers in our Patriarch Husar to hold prayer vigils 24 organized a fraudulent election. And that hours a day for a fair election in Ukraine. the Russian national character. There, the spawned a revolution. In the process, Mr. community have been screaming that very landscape forced people to subordi- President George W. Bush is ignoring Father Alex Kuzma asked us to pray and Yushchenko became a man of destiny. Now fast as well, and for his part, celebrated a nate themselves to group interests, first his life is no longer his own. It belongs to Ukraine and that a “Chicken Kiev” II is to clear the land of trees and then to work happening before our eyes. One liturgy for the people of Ukraine every the millions who look to him to validate the night for weeks. Other parishes through- together on communal farms (the “mir”). idealism that brought them into the streets Ukrainian American activist, a long-time Could a communal mindset, explain why Washington hand with an obviously out the United States prayed as well, I’m on behalf of freedom. It’s been magic, but sure, and it looks like all our prayers Russians seem more apt to engage in soon the mundane task of building democra- exaggerated opinion of the significance were answered. With God’s help, we group-think and accept authority? cy and prosperity will have to begin. That’s of our community in American political have overcome. Ukraine is free at last. Ukrainians, in contrast to Russians, were when the friends of freedom everywhere affairs, even called me and demanded In this season of peace and good will people of the steppes. Game and fish will have to reach out their hand to help. that, as head of Ukrainian Americans for towards men, what better gift can our abounded; fabulously fertile land was there Who knows? Ukraine’s success might well Bush/Cheney, I had a moral obligation to people have received than this: a free, for the taking. All a farmer had to do was gather into a wave so mighty, that it crashes openly condemn the Bush administration sovereign and independent Ukraine. A scatter seed and then in the fall harvest against the hardened walls of the Kremlin for its “ignorance.” I refused, of course, very blessed Christmas, dear reader, to bounties of grain, vegetables and fruit. There itself. If Mr. Putin’s smart, he’ll get himself and he hung up in anger. you and yours. was no need to live communally and no an orange tie and wear it every day. Now we discover that the Bush adminis- interest in doing so. To protect themselves, tration has been quietly funneling millions Ukrainians established a stronghold – the Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is: of dollars to various institutions in Ukraine Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is: Sich – amidst the rapids of the Dnipro River. [email protected]. to promote democracy. As reported by the [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

NEWS AND VIEWS CIUS election monitoring project in Ukraine makes an impact by Bohdan Klid mented in a letter dated September 20 by reports of the parliamentarians who wit- Yaroslav Davydovych of Ukraine’s nessed serious electoral law infractions EDMONTON – When the Canadian Central Election Commission. leading up to and during the run-off vote Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) However, direct monitoring of the itself. undertook the Ukraine Transparency and election process by Canadian UTEMP UTEMP also focused part of its activi- Election Monitoring Project (UTEMP) it observers turned out to be of crucial ties and resources on informing the was not clear what kind of an impact it importance, especially on the second Canadian media about the presidential would have in Ukraine, or if it would round of voting on November 21. Several election in Ukraine, especially the irregu- succeed in raising the awareness of of them made long-term commitments in larities. The project’s media director, John Canadians about the upcoming presiden- Ukraine from September on, spending Mraz, penned the sensational article “In tial election there. most of their time in regional centers out- the shadow land of lies,” that appeared in UTEMP was officially launched on side of Kyiv. As the election campaign the November 18, 2004 issue of The September 10 of this year when Borys unfolded, they documented many elec- Globe and Mail. The article was based on Wrzesnewskyj, a member of Parliament toral law violations. Eventually, the a clandestine meeting with officers of and Toronto businessman, visited CIUS to Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled on Kharkiv’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, in present a $250,000 check on behalf of his December 3 that the run-off election on which they described electoral law viola- family’s charitable foundation called November 21, was invalid. tions leading up to and during the first Dopomoha Ukraini – Aid to Ukraine. Of particular importance were the round of voting perpetrated by govern- James Jacuta headed the project for CIUS, observer missions of Canadian members ment authorities in support of their while the non-governmental organization of Parliament supported by UTEMP, anointed candidate, Viktor Yanukovych. Community Energy Foundation was which included Bernard Bigras In cities across Canada, local newspa- CIUS’s partner in Ukraine. (Montreal Rosemont – Bloc Quebecois), pers also carried articles on the election. UTEMP sent 26 people – a good num- Peter Goldring (Edmonton East – In Edmonton, many articles appeared in ber of them high-profile Canadians – to Conservative), David Kilgour (Edmonton the Edmonton Journal, which either fea- James Dmytro Jacuta, director of the Ukraine under the auspices of the proj- Mill Woods-Beaumont – Liberal), Judy tured or mentioned the activities of Ukraine Transparency and Election ect. Some, such as Gordon Ashworth, the Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North – New Canadians in Ukraine and the UTEMP Monitoring Project. former national campaign director for the Democrat) and Mr. Wrzesnewskyj project. Liberal Party of Canada, were involved (Etobicoke Center – Liberal). The Orange Revolution in Ukraine, tured an extensive interview with in designing and delivering seminars on Another UTEMP-sponsored parlia- which was triggered by the massive elec- Toronto businessman Jack Rabinovitch, election laws, policies and procedures for mentarian who went to Ukraine as an toral fraud perpetrated by pro- founder of the prestigious Giller Prize in local election officials and scrutineers. observer was Sen. David Smith. On the Yanukovych officials, intensified the Canadian literature, who also went to Training sessions were held in Kyiv, eve of the November 21 vote, he, Mr. spotlight of the world’s media on Ukraine as an observer under the aus- but also in regional centers like Sumy, Wrzesnewskyj and Mr. Kilgour co-wrote Ukraine. Canadian MPs Wrzesnewskyj pices of UTEMP. Luhansk, Kharkiv, Poltava and the article “Don’t stuff Ukraine’s ballot and Goldring were featured several times Although events are still unfolding, it Kirovohrad. To complement the training boxes,” published in the National Post in national TV broadcasts by both the is not too soon to conclude that the seminars, project staff also designed an newspaper – distributed nationwide – in CBC and CTV networks from Kyiv. A UTEMP project made a solid contribu- informative website, and printed and dis- which they highlighted cases of election one-page interview with the UTEMP tion to the international monitoring tributed an Election Newsletter for fraud and abuse. project director, Mr. Jacuta, headlined “A effort. More importantly, its role in rais- observers and others. The Canadian government’s swift and ‘Grotesquely Corrupted’ Result,” was ing the awareness of Canadians to what UTEMP was involved with training decisive announcement not to recognize published in the December 6, issue of the was taking place in Ukraine was substan- over 1,000 local Ukrainian observers. the officially announced results of the widely read Maclean’s magazine. The tial, and spanned the entire country by This was useful and needed, as docu- November 21 vote was in part due to the CBC Radio program “The Current” fea- way of the broadcast and print media. Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine marks 25th anniversary, continues its work

by Walter Bodnar myths created about Ukraine’s final strug- print and broadcast media. Russia’s AHRU. in a telephone call on November 5 gle for independence. In fact, the vacillat- President Vladimir Putin was allowed to from Jim Heller, human rights officer at Twenty-five years ago, in May 1979, ing government of Ukraine in place during invest large sums of money ($600 mil- the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine the Moscow “putsch” in 1991 was not sure lion) in the presidential election campaign Mr. Heller reported that Ambassador (AHRU), was established. Seven trustees if it would join new independence activists in Ukraine, and his visits to Ukraine were Herbst was grateful to receive a letter – William Bahrey, Walter Bodnar, Michael or continue to support the old Soviet guard. used to support Viktor Yanukovych. from an American constituent (Ms. Chaikivsky, Daniel Marchishin, Ihor Lists of individuals to be arrested were pre- AHRU reached its peak of activity in Olshaniwsky, president of Americans for Olshaniwsky, John Oryniak and Ewhen pared in advance – just in case the the 1980s – the period of its most inten- Human Rights in Ukraine) dated October Perejma – met in attorney Ted “putsch” failed and the Soviet Union con- sive and productive activism. Due to attri- 24, which pointed out violations of human Romankow’s office and signed the articles tinued to exist as before. A small group of tion of membership and a lessening of rights in the presidential campaign in of incorporation, making the organization dissidents and human rights activists financial support, the volume of its work Ukraine, prompting him to take action. legal and valid, on December 4, 1980. became fragmented and weakened, and has diminished, however, its sense of pur- Mr. Heller also related that most of the The articles of incorporation, among ultimately fell short of imbuing the popula- pose has not. The most recent events in Pora students were released from prisons other things, stated that: “The purposes tion of Ukraine with ideals of freedom, Ukraine prove that there is much work to with the exception of several in Chernihiv. for which this incorporation is formed are democracy and respect for human rights. be done in Ukraine and violations of The AHRU letter stated: “We are to establish a human rights organization After that propitious event in 1991, a human rights in Ukraine continue. alarmed and extremely upset about the capable of recognizing human rights number of individuals advised AHRU to Human Rights Ombudsperson Nina turn of events in Ukraine – especially problems in USSR in general and in the dissolve – stating that all of the human Karpachova reported recently that occurrences on October 22, that could Ukrainian SSR in particular, identifying rights problems in Ukraine would now be approximately 12,000 people in 2002 only be categorized by the name ‘Black and assisting the efforts of the Kyiv-based solved. We wished it were true. In our were subjected to torture and suffered ill- Friday.’ The attacks by the police on stu- Ukrainian Public Group to Promote and naivete and euphoria, we rejoiced for treatment in the prisons of Ukraine. dents from the group Pora in western, Implement the Helsinki Accords and to Ukraine, but the legacy of the 74 years of AHRU has received numerous appeals southern and eastern Ukraine, an explo- identify the aspirations of and to assist in Soviet domination lingered on. for help from individuals in Ukraine who sive device thrown into the office of the achievement of human rights for all Today, after 13 years of independence, have been beaten, falsely arrested, denied Prosvita in Lviv, amassing of armed forces persons and communities in Ukraine.” Ukraine still is beleaguered by a multitude due process of law, and persecuted by in Kyiv, appear as acts of aggression and This was a tall order and an ambitious of seemingly insurmountable problems, police and procurators, instead of being persecution of civilians by police whose plan. For the past 25 years AHRU has such as denial of human rights, lack of protected by them. job is to protect the people of Ukraine.” In fulfilled its promise. freedom of the press, persecution and mur- In the face of this reality, AHRU vows her letter to Ambassador Herbst, Ms. Since then, much water has flowed ders of members of the press, government to continue its work whenever and wher- Olshaniwsky also pointed out torture in from the Dnipro into the Black Sea. media control, corruption, a stagnant econ- ever it is needed. As in the past, AHRU prisons of Ukraine and intimidation and There have been cataclysmic global omy and unemployment of major propor- will continue writing letters in the defense coersion of voters to vote for the establish- events such as the Chornobyl disaster, the tions – causing large segments of the popu- of the mistreated and will appeal to peo- ment candidate Viktor Yanukovych. fall of the Berlin wall and, ultimately, the lation to seek employment abroad, traffick- ple of good will to assist in this endeavor. Similar letters were also sent by AHRU fall of the “evil empire.” Out of that seis- ing of women and children to foreign slave to: presidents (Ukraine and U.S.), the sec- * * * mic convulsion, Ukraine surfaced as an markets, and the spread of AIDS. retary general of the U.N., ambassadors, independent nation. Perhaps the rebirth There are other problems: a lack of Prior to the October 31, presidential consuls, political candidates and U.S. sen- of its independence came too easily, and meaningful U.S. support in the political election in Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to ators and representatives. Since the Ukraine was not prepared for it. and economic arenas, as well as a lack of Ukraine John Herbst warned numerous “Orange Revolution” started in Ukraine, There were no battles, no heroes and no European support, seriously flawed elec- representatives of Ukraine’s government AHRU wrote a series of other letters per- tions and intimidation of voters, attempt- to stop their violations in the election cam- taining to current events in Kyiv and the Walter Bodnar is a leading activist of ed assasination of political opponents, and paign. This information was conveyed to necessity and advisability of U.S. Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine. continuation of Russification through Bozhena Olshaniwsky, president of involvement in the mediating process. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

bred that was fed on the choice grass of and the Ukrainian people, and the cause And our diaspora wants an acknowledg- Has Yushchenko popular support and high aspirations of of freedom and justice in Ukraine that Mr. ment of the Holodomor? From America justice and law, and than ran all the way Yuschenko is working so courageously to maybe, eventually; but from Russia – never! to become ... a feeble pony? advance. As Ukrainians say, “Hanba!” sabotaged himself? Andrew M. Senkowsky Dear Editor: Mr. Yushchenko will probably still Natalie and Ihor Gawdiak Van Etten, N.Y. I always thought that there was a lot of win the December 26 election, providing Columbia, Md. truth in the popular joke which states that a that honest elections take place, but the camel is actually a horse designed by a real question remains. Is he going to be committee. I am certain many of us know able to govern effectively and bring Kuzio too hasty from our own experiences that whenever a about real changem in this, democracy- Let’s support large group of opposing thinkers get vs.-totalitarianism, EU-vs.-Russia-torn in critique of deal together for a discussion, at the end of it, in country or has he already sabotaged his Dear Editor: own future presidency? people of Ukraine order to break a prolonged stalemate, the Dear Editor: The usually astute Taras Kuzio may have parties involved will come up with a com- been too hasty in his sharp critique of the Alex Kozhushchenko Democracy does not come easy for promise that “satisfies” both sides and does Ukraine after three generations of Soviet compromise agreement accepted by Viktor Wilmington, Del. not “offend” anyone. Of course, some time Russian subjugation. Communism still Yushchenko in negotiations with Leonid later the vast majority will admit that the exists in Russia and has again shown its Kuchma, facilitated by European Union compromise brought more complications ugly head in Ukraine as well. However, the emissaries. If Mr. Yushchenko was than solution. Thus, the horse becomes the Jews in Ukraine events of the past weeks clearly demon- “trapped,” as Dr. Kuzio suggested, the ques- camel; it does not really run, but it moves, strate that the Ukrainian majority wants a tion is: Trapped by whom? By the presi- and one can still ride it, well, sort of. not monolithic entity Western form of government and rejects dents of Poland and Lithuania? Not likely. I think a similar, “horse to camel,” com- Dear Editor: the fraudulent, demeaning, inhumane prac- Certainly not by Mr. Kuchma, who earlier promise was reached in Ukraine just a few We know that we are not alone in tices of Russia’s form of governing. this year floated somewhat similar (but far days ago when Viktor Yushchenko began adding our voices to that expressed in the Russian President Vladimir Putin has less favorable to the opposition) proposals. shaking hands with the “godfathers” of recent letter of distinguished young histo- repeated his call for the crisis in Ukraine A more plausible explanation, favored political genocide in Ukraine and even rian John-Paul Himka in which he takes to be resolved without international by cooler heads, goes as follows. signed with them a pact of so-called politi- offense at the most recent shameless gen- intervention and that the dispute should Part I: If no agreement had been reached, cal reforms. Indeed, many of us who were eralization Myron Kuropas levels at the be settled without outside interference. the government could arbitrarily falsify the hoping to gallop the mustang of change Jewish community in Ukraine (“Jews for Look who’s talking! Russia has been results of the upcoming December 26 re- into the Ukrainian government’s rotten Yanukovych,” October 31). Like any interfering in Ukraine’s destiny for cen- run election, as it did in the run-off on pigsty found that the “Orange Smarty other group, the Jews in Ukraine are most turies. The end is near – let’s support the November 21, even if the job would be Jones” has stalled right in the middle. certainly not some vast monolithic entity. Ukrainian people who simply want to be more difficult this time. Condemned again by international observers, the fate of the Unfortunately, the opposition began On December 9 of this year, Viktor free and independent. run-off would again land on the Supreme compromise negotiations with the Yushchenko accepted an invitation to Long live Ukraine! Court’s shaky scales. Could the opposition regime; it began shaking hands with mur- Kyiv’s Central Synagogue, where he lit again master the people power of 500,000 derers of journalists and jailers of protest- the first Menorah candle, and he and his Paul S. Ewasko for two weeks in a January freeze? And ing students, it began smiling for the wife received a standing ovation. Many in Glenburn Township, Pa. how would the court decide that time? cameras together with European media- the crowd wore orange scarves, orange Wouldn’t another statement or even blood- tors on one side, and a criminal from ribbons or Yushchenko “TAK” campaign shed be among possible outcomes? Dnipropetrovsk (Leonid Kuchma) and buttons. According to the Canadian Jewish Part II. The compromise agreement one from Donbas (Viktor Yanukovych) News (http://www.cjnews.com/view arti- Putin’s intentions will not make a president-elect power- on the other side. Not exactly a pretty cle.asp?id=5135), Yuschenko praised the less. He will have full powers before the picture one would hang on the wall. Jewish people and likened their struggle quite transparent constitutional change takes effect in But why such pessimism, one might for independence to Ukraine’s struggle. He Dear Editor: ask? Was not there a good bill passed mak- In 1991 Ukraine declared its independ- September or December 2005 (depend- also noted that Ukraine “should respect the ing on future provincial reforms) – ing fraudulent elections much harder to diversity of our world with different voic- ence and proved its “good will” by giving stage? Yes, that is true, but at what cost was up the world’s third largest nuclear arse- enough time for a substantial clean-up. es” and added that, when president, he will When the modified form of govern- this “great victory” achieved? And what nal. This apparently was inadequate for “always support different nationalities liv- ment takes effect, the president will large- did the opposition gain at the end? One of Comrade Vladimir Putin, a hard-line ing in Ukraine.” ly control the Foreign Affairs and Defense the demands was to fire the whole govern- Stalinist whose objective is to recreate a The Canadian Jewish News reported ministries and the intelligence service, ment, this demand was not met, the only new, albeit smaller Soviet Union – with that “Many Jewish voters had said they and appoint oblast chairmen. He will also person who has left the office thus far is “spheres of influence” of the past. supported Yanukovych because they have veto power. The Rada would need a Procurator General Hennadii Vasiliev. The One can clearly see what Mr. Putin feared the anti-Semitism associated with two-thirds vote for an override. rest of the gang is still there, at their old, has done, and is doing in Russia today. some nationalist groups that are mem- Finally, future constitutional changes He obviously has no intention of democ- now un-blockaded warm offices. bers of Yushchenko’s coalition,” but are also possible – with the elements of ratizing Russia, now, or in the future. As Moreover, the important governmental Eduard Dolinsky, executive director of uncertainty weighted in favor of Mr. positions will, from now on, have to be the United Jewish Community of a former Russian general, T. Lebed, stat- Yushchenko (if he is elected). approved by the majority in the quasi- Ukraine umbrella organization noted that ed before his tragic helicopter accident As for the December 26 election itself, democratic Parliament which, as recently “This visit demonstrated Yushchenko’s and death “Russia is, was, and always with the electoral reform in place, the oppo- as a few days ago, wanted to recall its human and political position and his will be an empire.” sition has greatly improved its chances of own vote to dismiss Mr. Kuchma’s gov- respect toward the Jewish community.” Russia is an enormous country with an winning by official protocol, even though ernment. So much for their “decisive- This is not the first time that Mr. elaborate nuclear arsenal – clearly it needs Viktor Yanukovych may still spring some ness.” That makes Ukraine’s future minis- Yushchenko has received praise regarding no “spheres of political or military influ- surprises. Mr. Kuchma, humbled but not ters more faithful to the dominant majori- his attitude towards Jews in Ukraine. In ence” for its safety. Thus, when it attempts humiliated by the agreement, is apparently ty party in the Rada rather than to the May of 2000 Jewish organizations, led by to “rig elections” forcefully and even to resigned to sulking at his dacha and saying president and the people of the country. Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Yakov Bleich, assassinate outspoken candidates and jour- he is no longer for Mr. Yanukovych. The This is a dangerously irresponsible move, hosted then Prime Minister Yushchenko on nalists, this is no longer “Ukraine’s prob- smart money (including the oligarchs’ com- especially considering the fact that Mr. Capitol Hill and, at a ceremony in the U.S. lem – but a worldwide concern.” ponent) is now riding on Mr. Yushchenko. Yanukovych’s party, Party of the Regions, House of Representatives, awarded him a Few remember the Nazi-Soviet pact As for Mr. Yushchenko’s “poor nego- is still very sizeable at 61 deputies, com- beautiful silver chalice for his attitude of 1939. This was not merely a non- tiating skills,” as asserted by Dr. Kuzio bine that with the 59 Communist deputies towards Ukraine’s Jews. Mr. Yushchenko aggression alliance – it was a 10-year and others, such an assessment reminds and 33 deputies of the Social Democratic said on that occasion. “You will not find accord by means of which Stalin sup- one of Monday-morning quarterbacking. Party – United – the party of ex-President anti-Semitism at the state level in Ukraine. plied the Nazis with goods and war Mr. Yushchenko probably got the best Leonid Kravchuk, gives a total of well I am committed to fighting anti-Semitism material during the Allied blockade of deal he could without risking violence at above the number of pro-Yuschenko’s and in our country” (National Committee for Germany. Some recent archives even some point, with an uncertain outcome. pro-Tymoshenko deputies together. Soviet Jewry, newsletter, May 5-9, 2000). claim that Stalin and Hitler may have The Internal Affairs Ministry troops Furthermore, these deputies just In his December 12 column titled “Go actually met in Lviv personally to seal guarding the president’s offices stayed increased their term, through the same orange!” Dr. Kuropas champions the cause their accords and secret protocols. loyal to the regime. (This is the single political compromise, from four years to of Viktor Yushchenko and Ukraine’s youth After partitioning Poland and execut- remnant of the ex-Soviet KGB, the tool five. If this is not a Pyrrhic victory, then for their initiative, but in his earlier col- ing 15,000 Polish officers in Katyn of mass terror that must be disbanded we must all be blind! Perhaps that is why umn he does not note, as does the Forest, Stalin nevertheless cut a deal ASAP.) And, lest it be forgotten, the the European Commission for Canadian Jewish News, that Jewish with President Harry S. Truman – opposition camp itself had long favored Democracy through Law, also known as Ukrainians were also among the demon- exempting the Soviet Union of all past a balanced parliamentary system to the Venice Commission, was rather criti- strators for Mr. Yushchenko in Kyiv. crimes against humanity while damning replace the present one with its vast pres- cal of this “deal” that vests “supreme Moreover, he apparently does not realize the Nazis “for following orders.” idential power that invites autocratic executive powers” with the Cabinet of that such columns as he has written about And yet, to date, all Soviets charged ambitions and corruption, as it did for Ministers appointed by the very same Jewish-Ukrainian relations can harm not with past war crimes have been exonerated President Kuchma. shady and largely corrupted Parliament. only his own reputation but that of the because they did, in fact, follow the orders And that is the true story of the young Ukrainian National Association, as well as of the Communist Party of the Soviet Boris Danik and promising orange-colored thorough- relations between the Jewish community Union. What a contradiction of terms! North Caldwell, N.J. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

Klitschkoby Stephen Banderabrothers make no secret of their political preferencesagainst Danny Williamsin Ukraine in Las Vegas. He did appear in television ads support- KYIV – The crowd of over 100,000 ing Mr. Yushchenko in the last week of the Ukrainians went wild when Vladimir campaign, and local newspapers reported Klitschko took the stage in Kyiv’s that the elder Klitschko would step into the Independence Square. It was the third ring against Mr. Williams wearing orange day of the “Orange Revolution,” a and Mr. Yushchenko’s campaign logo. nationwide protest movement against “I want to express my support to those rigged presidential elections in Ukraine. defending their civil rights and freedom of Mr. Klitschko was wearing a bright choice and who are now on the streets of orange scarf and tie to show his support Ukraine participating in protest against falsi- for Viktor Yushchenko, the front-running fication and supporting Viktor Yushchenko, candidate who fell victim to widespread who is the true president of Ukraine,” reads falsification and violations during the an interview with Vitalii Klitschko on the November 21 run-off election against the Klitschko brothers’ website, “I watch close- pro-government candidate, Prime ly the events in Ukraine, and will only say Minister Viktor Yanukovych. this – my heart and my soul are with you ... I “Just as in sports, political battles are am confident that a victory in fought according to clearly defined rules. (the upcoming) fight will give you motiva- If an athlete breaks those rules, then he is tion to continue your struggle.” disqualified and the results are In an effort to help the protesters’ annulled,” Mr. Klitschko told the crowd. cause, the Klitschkos enlisted the help of He went on to refer to Mr. Yushchenko sports and music stars in Germany and the as “President Yushchenko” and the crowd United States, who recorded messages of went wild. Official election results had support to the Ukrainian people. The list announced the other candidate was presi- includes Sting, Chris de Burg, Joe Cocker, dent. Mr. Klitschko’s appearance provided On stage at Kyiv’s Independence Square during the Orange Revolution: presi- Boris Becker and Franz Beckenbauer. a significant moral boost to protesters many dential candidate Viktor Yushchenko with boxing champion Vladimir Klitschko Beyond boxing and the ongoing bout and award-winning singer Ruslana. of whom braved the cold to pitch more than for democracy, the Klitschkos are known 300 tents on the capital city’s main street. for their humanitarian activities. They both The heavyweight boxer joined Mr. hold Ph.Ds in sports sciences and philoso- Yushchenko on stage later that evening phy, speak four languages and co-authored Entertainment industry professionals when the candidate appealed to the police the best-seller “Our Fitness” in Germany. and army to join the demonstration and They established a special foundation, defy orders to put an end to the protests. Sports – XXI Century, to promote healthy speak out for free election in Ukraine Kyiv resident Oleh Vitvitsky, an avid lifestyles and support athletic programs for HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Academy of those professionals who work in Klitschko fan and protester who has not young people and are official UNESCO Award-winning actor Jack Palance, Ukrainian television, radio and media been at home for two weeks since the spokesmen for the United Nations’ Academy Award-winning director Robert who refused to mouth further propaganda protests began, was surprised to see Mr. “Education for Children in Need” pro- Wise, television star David Duchovny and who took a stand on behalf of free- Klitschko appear before the protesters. gram. In Ukraine, they are also involved in and RKO Studios President Paul Speaker dom of speech and freedom of the press “I don’t think Ukrainians expected the campaigns against drug use and for AIDS are among the 130 names gathered on a and who, with great courage, supported Klitschkos to get in the middle of these awareness, using their super-star status to petition calling for a free election in the ideals that are so important to a free politics,” Mr. Vitvitsky said, “Everyone deliver messages of social responsibility. Ukraine and supporting the pro-demo- society and the creative process. We also knows that the brothers run businesses in The two young men were born in the cratic demonstrations that have thronged commend our fellow artists in Ukraine in Ukraine, and if Yanukovych wins, they far east of the former USSR. Their parents, Kyiv following serious irregularities that the recording, sports and performing arts might face obstacles.” Wladimir, a retired colonel of the air force surfaced in the presidential run-off elec- fields who suffered prolonged hunger The city was buzzing with the news and helicopter pilot, and Nadezhda, trav- tion of November 21. and freezing cold to stand up for democ- that Mr. Klitschko appeared at the pro- eled with their two sons across the Soviet The Hollywood Trident Foundation racy and to entertain and support the pro- Yushchenko rally. “Which one?” an eld- Union before settling in Kyiv in 1985. (HTF), formed under Mr. Palance’s lead- democracy demonstrators. erly woman asked a man who had just But there is no doubt that the two broth- ership to facilitate contact among profes- We call on our brothers and sisters in shared the news. “I don’t know, I think ers consider themselves to be Ukrainian. sionals working in the entertainment the media industry worldwide to recog- the younger one,” the man replied. And their supporters have no doubts either. industry who are interested in Ukrainian nize that the pro-democracy movement in World boxing champion Vitalii, who “They proved that they are true affairs, initiated the petition. The founda- Ukraine is embraced by the vast majority is five years older than his brother, also Ukrainians and have strengthened my tion is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organiza- of people living in Ukraine, whether they wanted to come to Ukraine, but was too faith in our ultimate victory,” Mr. tion registered with the Internal Revenue speak Ukrainian or Russian, whether busy preparing for his December 11 fight Vitvitsky, the young protester, said. Service. The petition has been sent to they are Orthodox, Catholic or Jewish, Ukraine to be shared with demonstrators and whether they live in Eastern or still on the streets of Kyiv, as well as Western Ukraine. The Ukrainian nation with others through the local news is united in its desire for freedom and Ukrainian Institute of America media. democracy. The HTF petition calls on “all foreign We call on all foreign governments, to honor Klitschko brothers governments, especially Russia, to especially Russia, to respect Ukrainian PRNewswire respect Ukrainian sovereignty and to sovereignty and to immediately stop Vitalii Klitschko retained his World interfering in the Ukrainian elections. Boxing Council heavyweight title by immediately stop interfering in the NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Ukrainian elections.” It also calls “for a We call on all governments and all peo- defeating Danny Williams in Las Vegas ple of good faith throughout the world to Institute of America (UIA) will honor on December 11. Vladimir Klitschko fraud-free re-run of the second-round Vitalii and Vladimir Klitschko with its elections to allow the people of Ukraine support the independent democratic won Olympic gold for Ukraine in process in Ukraine. 2004 “Persons of the Year” Award, the Atlanta in 1996. to make their choice fairly and honestly Institute announced on December 13. ... and for a fair, transparent and fully We call for a fraud free re-run of the Besides their athletic achievements, second round of elections to allow the The official awards ceremony, with the internationally monitored re-run election the Klitschko brothers have become people of Ukraine to make their choice in Klitschkos in attendance, will be held on December 26.” goodwill ambassadors for Ukraine. a fair and honest process. We call on all in early 2005 in New York City, at a Publicly proud of their Ukrainian her- The petition reads as follows. governments to refute all attempts to sub- date to be announced. itage, the brothers – who hold Ph.D. * * * vert the democratic process through the The decision to honor the boxing degrees – are active in a variety of use of delay tactics and legalistic maneu- brothers was an obvious choice, charitable endeavors in Ukraine, and Let Freedom Ring in Ukraine for the vers. Freedom delayed is freedom according to Walter Nazarewicz, UIA are spokespersons for UNESCO New Year! denied. president. “Not only are Vitalii and (German Commission). We, the members of the media and We call for a fair, transparent and fully Vladimir world-class athletes and They were honored by UNESCO in entertainment industry in Hollywood and internationally monitored re-run election champions in the boxing ring, they are 2002 as “Heroes For Kids” for their around the world, hereby express our sol- on December 26, 2004. passionate advocates for the rights of dedication to helping children in need idarity with our fellow professionals in Let freedom and democracy for all Ukrainian citizens to a fair and free worldwide. Ukraine who support the democratic Ukrainians be our gift to the world this election,” Mr. Nazarewicz said. Previous UIA Person of the Year electoral process. holiday season. “They work tirelessly with charities award recipients include Oscar award We are moved by the hundreds of to help those less fortunate than them. winner Jack Palance, U.S. Gen. thousands of people who braved the Jack Palance, chairman of the This year, we would like to salute the Nicholas Krawciw and international freezing cold both day and night for more Hollywood Trident Foundation two brothers who have contributed to financier George Soros. than two weeks to demand fair and hon- Elaine Palance, producer Ukraine’s international renown not only Founded in New York in 1948, the est elections. We salute and support each Peter Borisow, president of the in the world of professional sports but Ukrainian Institute of America is a non- and every person who raised a voice for Hollywood Trident Foundation also through their philanthropic and profit organization dedicated to showcas- freedom and democracy in Ukraine. (Followed by the names of 127 signa- civic-minded endeavors,” he added. ing Ukrainian culture and achievements. We especially commend the courage tories). No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 11 Hartford rally draws hundreds in support of Orange Revolution in Ukraine by Natalie Korsheniuk Pollock Committee. Sen. Harris told the crowd how inspired he was to see young people HARTFORD, Conn. – On Saturday, leading the non-violent reform movement December 11, a crowd of about 200 in Ukraine, and he assured the crowd that demonstrators gathered on the steps of the it would be much more difficult now for Connecticut State Capitol and called for the Kuchma-Yanukovych-Putin gang to fair and free elections in Ukraine. Despite derail the December 26 election. a thick fog and cold mist, the enthusiastic Quoting the chant from the 1968 throng waved Ukrainian flags and bright Democratic Convention, Sen. Harris told orange scarves and banners to show their the crowd: “The whole world is watch- support of the pro-Western presidential ing!” He and Sen. Fonfara pledged that candidate Viktor Yushchenko. The rally the State Capitol will be flying the attracted a diverse crowd of participants, Ukrainian flag on December 26 to show mostly from the Greater Hartford area, but Connecticut’s solidarity with the people also including supporters from as far away of Ukraine as they go to the polls. as New Haven, New Britain, Oxford, The rally was organized under the aus- Colchester, Danbury and Bridgeport. pices of the Council of Ukrainian American The keynote speaker was Dr. Lawrence Organizations of Greater Hartford. It DeNardis, former five-time congressman attracted extensive press coverage from the from the 5th District, as well as president Hartford Courant, with a front-page photo- Schoolchildren from the Ukrainian studies school at St. Michael’s Ukrainian emeritus and tenured professor at the graph and article in the Sunday local sec- Catholic Church in Hartford gather on the steps of the Connecticut State University of New Haven. Dr. DeNardis tion, and reports on each of the state’s Capitol to demand decocracy for Ukraine. served as an election monitor in Kherson ABC, CBS and NBC news stations and spoke passionately about the fraudu- (Channels 8, 3 and 30, respectively). deepest human values that unite us all.” Catholic Church in Hartford joined their lent tactics he witnessed in the days lead- Alex Kuzma, a Ukrainian American The demonstrators waved Ukrainian parents and grandparents at the rally soon ing up to the November 21 vote. He said, activist and master of ceremonies for the flags, placards and banners that read: after classes ended. “Any notion of freedom of speech or rally, was quoted as saying, “Today is a “Yes, Yushchenko!”; “Stay strong, The rally ended with the singing of assembly was non-existent in what was day when all Americans and people of all Ukraine!” and “Hey, Putin! Keep your the Ukrainian national anthem. Among supposed to be a free country.” nationalities can rejoice in the renais- KGB nose out of Ukraine” – a reference the key organizers were Irene Oleksiak, Other speakers included State Sen. sance of freedom in Ukraine. We are here to Russian President Vladimir Putin who Natalie Korsheniuk Pollock, Myron John Fonfara of Hartford, State Sen. to tell our friends in Kyiv’s Independence has been sharply criticized for his inter- Kolinsky, Mr. Kuzma, Ihor Rudko and Jonathan Harris of West Hartford, and Dr. Square that we stand with them, and we ference in the Ukrainian elections. Many Ivan Kebalo, with logistical support pro- Elona Vaisnys of Yale University, a mem- want them to know how very proud we schoolchildren from the Ukrainian stud- vided by Rostyk and Ulana Slabickyj, ber of the Lithuanian National Executive are of their passionate commitment to the ies school at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Moki Kokoris and Ihor Stasiuk. Selfreliance Ukrainian American Credit Union plays key role in Chicago actions

by Theodora Turula President Bohdan Watral chaired the Chicago gathering, assuring the attendees CHICAGO – “Together we are many – that “Working together, united, Ukraine we cannot be defeated” is the rallying cry will succeed in its quest for freedom. It of the “Orange Revolution,” the movement will continue to flourish as a country to further democracy in Ukraine. It could with equality, liberty and freedom for all just as easily be the motto of Ukrainian and serve as a beacon of democracy for American credit unions, which believe that all of Central Europe.” working together, we can support relatives Dr. Yuri Melnyk, one of the chief and friends in Ukraine achieve their dream organizers of the rally, delivered an of a free nation, and help our Ukrainian impassioned call to all freedom-loving diaspora community to prosper. people to support the actions of the peo- On Saturday, December 4, the ple of Ukraine in their efforts toward Decision 2004 Committee of Chicago, greater democracy. The rally was attend- chaired by Dr. Yuri Melnyk, organized a ed by a number of Chicago politicians, rally in Pioneer Court, adjacent to the and was the subject of newscasts and Tribune Tower, in support of the Orange articles by all the major Chicago area Revolution in Ukraine. Selfreliance print and broadcast outlets that evening Ukrainian American Federal Credit and the following day. Selfreliance post- Union played an integral part in prepara- ed information on the rally and informa- tions for this event. The credit union pro- tion about the situation in Ukraine on its vided space at its facility for organizers sister website: UkrainianChicago.Com. to prepare for the rally and buses to The Ukrainian National Association of Congressman Luis Gutierrez addresses crowd flanked by organizers Dr. Yuri transport Ukrainian Village residents, Savings and Credit Unions appealed to Melnyk and Bohdan Watral. young and old, to Pioneer Court. the residents of Kyiv to help by providing Selfreliance Ukrainian American FCU accommodations for credit union mem- cancelled fees for wire transfers to bers participating in the rally in Kyiv, Ukraine so members can more easily send realizing it is important to make certain funds to their families. Two accounts that the voice of the people is heard and were opened at Selfreliance Ukrainian that their votes count. Selfreliance’s sister American FCU at the Chicago office for website, UkrainianChicago.Com also pro- contributions that are being channeled to vided information for wire transfers Ukraine in support of the Orange whereby Ukrainian citizens can provide Revolution. As of December 14, over financial support to the movement in their $356,000 has been contributed to own country. accounts Nos. 104040 and 104015; of this A declaration of support from amount $285,000 has been transferred to UNASCU’s administration is also posted Ukraine as humanitarian aid through Our on the UNASCU website. President Ukraine. A detailed report of all contribu- Petro Kozinets called on the Supreme tors to and disbursements from these Court of Ukraine to invalidate the results accounts will be prepared. Ukrainian of the second round of elections, stating credit unions in the U.S. and Canada are that although credit unions, as financial actively supporting the democratic efforts institutions, have traditionally maintained and should be contacted individually to neutrality in political issues, the current determine how each institution can trans- situation, with serious and indisputable fer money to the effort in Ukraine. doubts raised as to the validity of the Students of the local “Ridna Shkola” and electoral process, could lead to destabi- other schools of Ukrainian studies partici- lization of the financial sector, of which pated in the rally, marching with signs and credit unions are an integral part. energetically chanting the campaign slogan UNASCU has 133 member-credit unions and the last name of the reform candidate representing all regions of Ukraine, with for president, Viktor Yushchenko. 300,000 members and over 200 million Selfreliance Ukrainian American FCU UAH (nearly $40 million U.S.) in assets. A view of the throng of demonstrators in Chicago. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

UKRAINE’S ORANGE REVOLUTION BEGETS ORANGE WAVE IN THE DIASPORA

YONKERS, N.Y. – On Sunday, December 5, the Yonkers SUM Krylati men’s soccer team donned new orange uniforms in a show of support for the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. The game was a Round of 16 New York State Cup SAN DIEGO – A rally for free and fair elections in Ukraine was held on Friday, match against Brooklyn-based FIAO Torretta of the Italian-American Soccer November 26, in front of Superior Court in downtown San Diego. Over 100 League. The game was played in Yonkers, N.Y., and Krylati won 3-0 to the protesters came from all over San Diego County and Los Angeles to show delight of the home fans. The Yonkers SUM Krylati men’s soccer team partici- their support of democracy in Ukraine. The rally was covered by all the local pates in the Eastern District Soccer League and currently leads the first divi- television stations. sion with a record of five wins and one loss. – Vera Skop – Mark Howansky

Olha Hodovanets, a member of the pro- Pro-democracy... cession. Family among 30 observers from Britain (Continued from page 1) “We need protection to go to Donetsk, by Tony Leliw going under the auspices of the Ministry Participants in the tour have included and we are negotiating about that with of Foreign Affairs. approximately 180 artists, musicians, law enforcement agencies,” Natalia LONDON – A man who was one of “We might encounter some verbal journalists and political activists. Damian Shypovalova, a journalist traveling with the driving forces behind demonstrations abuse from people who are strongly sup- Kolodiy, a Ukrainian American from the procession, told the Associated Press in London calling for fair elections is portive of their candidate,” he said, New Jersey who was traveling with Mr. on December 20. Two days later the heading for Ukraine this week. adding that his main fear was that the Khudariavets, said on December 21 that group had not received an answer to its Bohdan Ciapryna, a 56-year-old semi- criminal element might be used on its the group was stopped on the outskirts of letter but decided to proceed toward the retired surgeon, is taking his family to the own population – to intimidate them not Donetsk, considered hostile territory by city nonetheless. Odesa region to act as independent, impar- to vote. the group and a political stronghold of “We were concerned that they would tial election observers in Ukraine’s crucial A former member of Plast Ukrainian the prime minister. be more aggressive because of our presidential re-run on December 26. Scouting Organization, but now on the Various Ukrainian media reports con- arrival,” Ms. Hodovanets, a journalist His wife, Iryna, 52, a teacher, and their SUM (Ukrainian Youth Association) firmed that the group had made it to the with Ukraine’s Channel 5 television, said children, Natalia, 23, Christina, 22, and committee, Mr. Ciapryna, said it was outskirts of Donetsk, but would not travel about the incident. Myron, 19 – all medical students will be heartening that there was a strong youth- to the city center, where several thousand However, the group was stopped a little packing their bags. ful element represented in the party. His more than a mile from the city limits by Only their youngest, Stepan will of Mr. Yanukovych’s supporters had daughter Natalia heads the London gathered to burn life-sized effigies of some 250 cars adorned with Mr. be unable to go because of his age. “He branch of SUM. Yanukovych’s blue and white campaign col- is extremely disappointed because his Viktor Yushchenko, Petro Poroshenko People expected to travel from Britain and Yulia Tymoshenko. ors. With the Yanukovych cars honking their 18th birthday is in February,” said his will include not just diaspora Ukrainians, horns and his adherents shouting at their sister Natalia. The Interfax news agency later con- but Poles, some English and a West Indian. firmed that a rally of some 5,000 opponents, Mr. Yushchenko’s procession The family will be part of a group of Mr. Ciapryna, who is originally from Yanukovych supporters burned full-size decided to skip a trip to the center of town. more than 30 people from Britain flying Vermont, but came to England as a stu- dolls made to represent the three mem- The trip, which has been largely out this week to serve as election monitors dent 32 years ago, called the elections a bers of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the financed by Ukrainian small businesses whose duties will include watching the defining moment in Ukraine’s town’s central square. The news agency sympathetic to the cause, headed instead ballot papers being counted and making history, saying that quite a few of his also said that another group of 4,000 for the town of Kharkiv, where they hoped sure that people don’t vote more than once. friends from New York and Chicago Yanukovych supporters gathered in a sep- to find a warmer reception. In one instance, Mr. Ciapryna, who is financing the trip were also going. arate square near the town’s Youth Palace. according to Mr. Khudariavets, the group – himself, said there were no guarantees “They are part of my generation – “We can’t let the orange horde into whose membership seemed to grow by the for their security, although they would be people I grew up with,” he noted. Donetsk,” one Yanukovych backer, day – was fed for free in Kherson by a man Andriy Koloiko, told the Associated named Oleh Zaichenko. Press on December 22. “It was 3:30 in the morning and this FOR THE RECORD: Statement by Rep. Andrews Mr. Kolodiy, 27, speaking by mobile man fed nearly 200 of us,” Mr. phone from the western fringe of Khudariavets said. Following is the text of a December 17 tion, this former Soviet republic has Donetsk on December 21, said he could But the reception was colder in other statement on developments in Ukraine by embraced the ideals of democracy. In calling see around him a number of cars draped towns. In Odesa the procession encoun- Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D-N.J.) for their civic rights to be respected and in Mr. Yanukovych’s blue and white tered Yanukovych supporters who spit at upheld, the citizens of Ukraine have ensured campaign colors. “They’re not aggres- them and threw eggs at their cars. Mr. After weeks of unrest, the citizens of that their voices will be heard, and that they sive,” he said. “They’re just riding next Kolodiy said the group waited for Ukraine have emerged victorious in their alone shall determine the fate of their nation. to us – kind of guiding us.” approximately four hours before police call for justice. Recent developments I am hopeful that each and every eligible cit- Mr. Kolodiy, who rode with Mr. arrived to open a corridor so the group have been both promising and severely izen in Ukraine will embrace their right to Khudariavets in a yellow Romanian- pass safely and continue the trip. disturbing, as the Ukrainian Supreme vote on December 26, and ensure that the made Dacha, sat in the passenger seat “They were very aggressive,” Mr. Court annulled the results of the flawed will of the people is done. while 26-year-old Silver Meikar drove. Kolodiy said. “There was some pushing presidential election held last month, and In addition to ensuring that a free and Mr. Meikar told The Weekly he was a and shoving, but over all there was no the suspected poisoning of opposition fair election is held later this month, it is member of the Estonian Parliament but violence.” In leaving Donetsk, the group leader Viktor Yushchenko was confirmed. also imperative that the details of Mr. lost his membership when he chose not was pelted with eggs and rocks, and had I praise the Ukrainian court for its deci- Yushchenko’s poisoning be exposed, and to return to his country. The Estonian to stop a number of times to change flat siveness in favor of democracy, and look those responsible be brought to justice. said he also stayed with protesters in the tires, the result of nails being thrown forward to a peaceful and fair election Democracy must never be undermined by tent city in the Ukrainian capital after he onto the road, Mr. Kolodiy said. being held on December 26, 2004. In coercion or violence, and a precedent must first arrived in Ukraine as an election By the afternoon of December 22, the addition, I call upon the authorities in be set now to ensure that the political sys- monitor for the October 31 and group was in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine to ensure that a thorough investi- tem in Ukraine, and throughout the world, November 21 elections. where the Friendship Train arrived to a gation is conducted to determine the is never again manipulated in this manner. The AP reported that, in a letter to Mr. varied, though peaceful, reception. details of Mr. Yushchenko’s poisoning. Again, I offer my congratulations and Yanukovych, organizers of the road show “Driving in was a mixture of fingers This election has tested both the support to the people of Ukraine. Their urged Mr. Yanukovych “to influence his and waves, but there are a lot of support- Ukrainian people and their political system, defense of democracy has been an inspi- supporters to grant us free passage to the ers for Yushchenko here,” Mr. Kolodiy and it has been proven that, without ques- ration to us all. city and refrain from aggression,” said said. “I saw more waves than fingers.” No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 13

during his closing remarks. “I am calling ness for calling them ‘goats,’ and later in what appeared to be a veiled reference Presidential contenders... on all politicians to keep one thing sacred: ‘orange rats’?” Mr. Yushchenko asked. to Mr. Yanukovych’s two previous crimi- (Continued from page 1) Let no ideas of splitting Ukraine, no ideas “Whether it concerns half a million peo- nal convictions. several times throughout the debate. He said of any federalization, be considered now.” ple or if the matter concerns 10 million With only seven minutes left on his that, in reforming the election law to limit Mr. Yushchenko raised the issue of pen- people, these are all Ukrainians you time clock, Yurii Melnychyk, the debate the number of absentee voter certificates, sions, saying that his administration would insulted. Why do you denigrate them?” moderator and a television journalist with politicians who supported the measure – ensure that retirees continue to receive pen- asked Mr. Yushchenko, standing behind a the state-owned UT-1 TV channel, had to passed recently by the Verkhovna Rada and sion money at the current level and asked clear glass lectern but jabbing his right warn Mr. Yanukovych that he was near signed by President Leonid Kuchma – had his opponent whether the move to increase index finger toward Mr. Yanukovych. his allotted time limit. adopted measures he called unconstitutional. pension payouts a month before the “I’d like to say that I beg for pardon if Though the campaign has grown The two candidates sparred over the October 31 election was a tactic used by the I emotionally hurt or insulted anybody. increasingly contentious throughout the issue of the absentee certificates, seen by prime minister to help his campaign. And if I said something, I beg your par- country, both sides pressed for a peaceful many international monitoring organiza- Mr. Yanukovych, 54, responded, his don,” Mr. Yanukovych said, though earli- resolution and both candidates agreed tions as the basis for much of the falsifi- arms dangling at his sides throughout er in the debate he referred to the that if there were to be any disputes in the cation in the previous round of voting. much of the debate: “I say with confi- moment when he called Mr. Yushchenko aftermath of the December 26 vote they Mr. Yanukovych said the new law, which dence that my government has fulfilled its and his supporters “goats.” He explained should seek a resolution by legal means. limits the number of people who can vote task, and tangibly increased the level at in Ukrainian that the Bible refers to a According to RFE/RL, nearly half of using the country’s home voting system to which people are living their lives during goat as a traitor and he meant to use this Ukraine’s 48 million citizens tuned in to only the most severely handicapped, would these two years. In 2003, as well as in reference when he used the word “goats.” the UT-1 Ukrainian national television work to the benefit of Mr. Yushchenko. 2004, we increased salaries, pensions, Mr. Yanukovych explained that he channel to watch the debate. Other sta- “We have to change the injustice in the grants-in-aid, and you know that the social spent a portion of his time in preparing for tions such as the popular Channel 5 also law on presidential elections so that our peo- orientation of my government allowed me the debate in church praying before an covered the event and carried several ple – invalids and veterans who were hurt by to enjoy this huge support in the Ukrainian icon, a description he turned to several hours of post-debate commentary. this new law – are able to vote. I do worry society, which we received in the second times during the event, saying that he was Viktor Nedozhenko, a noted Ukrainian about this issue,” said Mr. Yanukovych, who round. I’ve said, and will continue to say, an honest man and he apologized if his political scientist, said the event set a went over his allotted time limit seven times that the government will pay the rate that terminology was interpreted as derogatory. new trend in Ukrainian campaigns as an throughout the debate. was announced.” “I have made an offer to Mr example of excellent political debate. Mr. Yushchenko responded by saying that When the debate moved from econom- Yushchenko – I hope he will think about it The mood in Kyiv after the event was the old system cost his side more than a mil- ic themes toward the role of Ukraine’s – to join our efforts and make sure that the subdued, though many people said it lion votes. “Viktor Fedorovych, do you real- reigning political elite, Mr. Yushchenko election campaign is peaceful, and to see appeared Mr. Yushchenko had won the ly believe that in Mykolaiv Oblast 35 per- said corruption had hampered the coun- the New Year in peace. I would also like debate. Members of both parties, however, cent of voters voted at home? No! It was a try’s progress. to apologize to you all for any incorrect- claimed victory for their candidate. And public theft of votes,” said Mr. Yushchenko, “The main problem for the development ness there has been during my election while there were moments when the dia- 50, his tone growing stern as he spoke. of Ukraine is the criminal power of campaign. I hope there will be no feeling logue grew heated, the two candidates “Dear friends, they tried to steal our [Leonid] Kuchma, [Viktor] Medvedchuk, of anger lingering after the election, and shook hands when it ended and maintained future,” Mr. Yushchenko said during the five [Viktor] Yanukovych. There is enough evi- that our society will come out reinvigorat- a controlled tone for much of the session. minutes allotted for opening remarks. “And, dence of this thesis,” Mr. Yushchenko said. ed after this, and that we see the New Year Valerii Konovaliuk, a member of the most importantly, this is why, thanks to the “We have enough opportunities to with our families and children,” said the Verkhovna Rada and Mr. Yanukovych’s Parliament, thanks to the Supreme Court, we have the most modern European market prime minister, who has been on a sabbati- Party of the Regions, the controlling won a political and legal decision and put an here. Why are investors afraid? They are cal from his government post during the political party in the Donbas, said the end to these falsifications.” In the end, “I can afraid of the criminal power. I stress, I course of the run-off campaign. level of the debate was extremely high. say that the truth triumphed,” he added. speak about the power – not about the Mr. Yanukovych first raised the issue of Petro Poroshenko, a member of In what many analysts and political opposition, and not about the people – campaign finance, asking his rival if he Ukraine’s Parliament and Mr. experts said was Mr. Yushchenko’s the criminal power. Today, they invest was willing to limit the amount of money Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine bloc, agreed. strongest moment, the one-time National into Russia $3 billion, and $7 billion into being channeled into Ukraine from “Tonight Ukraine saw real debates. There Bank of Ukraine chairman leader seemed Poland, and hardly $600 million into us.” Western countries to support pro-democra- were questions, and there were answers. to speak to Ukrainians who fear that he is Mr. Yanukovych – at points during the cy movements here. Some politicians in Ukrainian citizens in the Donetsk and a radical Ukrainian nationalist. debate appearing apologetic while at oth- Ukraine have speculated recently that this Luhansk oblasts were finally able to see “Nobody will close a single Russian-lan- ers unyielding in his actions as the current money was used illicitly to support Mr. the faces of both candidates,” said Mr. guage school. Nobody will divide head of government – conceded that cor- Yushchenko, though The New York Times Poroshenko, who watched the debates on Ukrainians into three minds, as it was said ruption is a large problem in Ukraine. “I reported on December 22 that Russia out- a large screen at Mr. Yushchenko’s cam- on the banners hung in Kyiv and across cannot disagree with Viktor Andriyovych spent Western nations in Ukraine. paign headquarters together with a num- Ukraine by the pro-government forces. that very often it happened that a group of “Do you agree that we should adopt a bill ber of other prominent supporters. Crimea will always belong to Crimeans and organized people worked for itself, often that would regulate the interference of for- Mr. Konovaliuk, switching between the to Ukraine, rather than to any single ethnic forgetting about the Ukrainian nation. eign non-governmental organizations into Russian and Ukrainian languages, said the group. Viktor Fedorovych, nobody will But, nevertheless, we built our economics our internal affairs?” Mr. Yanukovych asked. debate would not change the political map fence Luhansk and Donetsk off with barbed with common efforts,” Mr. Yanukovych Mr. Yushchenko, raising his hands in Ukraine. “The country will remain split wire. You are a serious person. Don’t repeat said in Russian. [Mr. Yanukovych switced before Mr. Yanukovych and the television into two colors,” he said on Ukraine’s these myths,” Mr. Yushchenko said. between Ukrainian and Russian through- cameras, said: “These hands never stole Channel 5 TV following the debate. “It hurts me today when someone out the debate; Mr. Yushchenko spoke in anything. I never took things that did not People in America also got to watch somewhere says … that Ukraine should be Ukrainian.] belong to me. I know that in this life we the two candidates square off. On a federation, or that a southeastern republic “Are you ready today to look into the have to pay for sins. I was not convicted, December 22, C-SPAN aired the debate in should be created,” Mr. Yushchenko said eyes of the people and beg their forgive- my life is honest,” said Mr. Yushchenko its entirety with simultaneous translation. CALL TO ACTION: Christmas trees should celebrate Julian Christmas also

by Olena Turkalo struggle for democratic justice in Ukraine. January 7 is Christmas and many the Washington area and the absence of Just this past week a historic decision Ukrainians will be celebrating with their the tree is felt by many thousands of peo- For many years, Ukrainians in the was made in New York. An e-mail cam- families in their homes. “In respect to ple. But it is also a national tree. New York area who celebrate the Julian paign generated by this writer brought current events in Ukraine, perhaps you Wouldn’t it be genuinely appreciated Calendar Christmas in January have many thoughtful, supportive and heart- would be willing to celebrate with us out- by hundreds of thousands, if not mil- been disappointed by the absence of the felt letters to the Property Management doors instead!” one supporter said. lions, of people nationwide, that the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas Offices of Rockefeller Center. The response to the campaign was so White House acknowledges its Eastern Tree. Why is it removed prior to the On December 17, the effort was moving that we were inspired to bring European population by keeping the arrival of Christmas? rewarded with a note from Peter Dillon, that spirit to the tree that we worked White House tree illuminated in celebra- Ukrainians are not alone in their cele- director of marketing at Rockefeller hard to keep standing. The majority of tion of Christmas on January 7? bration and observance of Christmas on Center Tishman Speyer Properties: participation came from non-Ukrainian Readers are asked to send letters to January 7. Bulgarians, Greeks, Serbians, “Due to your inquiry, along with several friends, which is truly telling. It clearly President and Mrs. George W. Bush Belorusians, Armenians and Russians all others, we are making arrangements to shows that people care about Ukraine, requesting that the White House tree be left celebrate in January as well. The extend the tree’s presence through the and that this is not merely the voices of standing annually through the end of Rockefeller Center tree is the very symbol end of the day on January 7. We consid- an ethnic minority group speaking. Christmas on January 7. The tree is current- of Christmas for all New Yorkers. It should er the tree at Rockefeller Center to be Please join us in thanks by creating a ly scheduled to be dismantled on January 2. remain proudly standing and happily illu- the world’s tree and we are happy to try lasting impression on the management of The White House supports countries minated for Christians from all Eastern and accommodate as many perspectives Rockefeller Center, as well as all New struggling for democracy. Your assistance European heritages just as it does on and beliefs as we can.” Yorkers. Christmas exists in January. We in support of Ukraine is appreciated. This December 25. And this year it is especially In honor of this decision, many of us would like this to be a decision that stays is a choir of voices from all walks of life, important and precious to Ukrainians liv- will be meeting for a peaceful celebrato- firm for all future Christmases. (Please of all ages, from all ethnic and religious ing outside Ukraine, observing the current ry candlelight gathering on Friday, bring your own candles.) backgrounds – all are invited and encour- January 7, at 7 p.m., at the Rockefeller The New York City campaign has now aged to participate. Please send your let- Olena Turkalo, a designer by profes- Center Christmas tree. People of all cul- gone from a local effort to a national one. ters to one or both of these two e-mail sion, is a first-generation Ukrainian tures are welcome to join together to The White House tree joyfully symbol- addresses: [email protected] American and a native New Yorker. celebrate and acknowledge Christmas. izes and supports the holiday season in and [email protected]. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

FOR THE RECORD: Orest Deychakiwsky comments on Ukraine’s election Following are excerpts of remarks by possible consequences. In the East, voter turnout in the second Ukrainian, including those on the front Orest Deychakiwsky, staff advisor to the These mass expulsions contributed to round increased by 9 percent. For exam- lines protesting, it’s not principally, if at Commission on Security and Cooperation an air of confusion throughout the after- ple, in Donetsk Oblast there was 96.65 all, about geo-politics; not about Russia in Europe, delivered on November 30 at a noon and into the night. Some polling percent turn out compared to 78 in the vs. West. It’s about corruption versus forum on Ukraine’s election sponsored by station chairmen were not allowing first round (and 96 percent voting for Mr. reform, democracy versus authoritarian- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. polling station commissioners back on Yanukovych). But in Western Ukraine, ism, trust versus lies, a brighter future even after they had been reinstated. In the turn out grew only by 1.5 percent. In versus prolonging the status quo. It’s not When Martins Zvaners contacted me one case, we accompanied a woman some precincts in Donetsk, turnout about the sometimes oversimplified East- to invite me to this forum a few weeks whose case my colleague Mr. McNamara reportedly exceeded 100 percent. This West divisions in Ukraine. There have ago, little did I, or I suspect most of us, had heard back to her polling station, would point to ballot box stuffing, which been few public protests on behalf of Mr. think that the subsequent events would where the reception towards her was used to be a widespread technique in Yanukovych and some of his supporters turn out to be as dramatic, momentous cold, and I strongly suspect the only rea- Communist times in order to reach very seem to get co-opted when they came to and, indeed, historic as has been the case, son they let her back in was because high voter turn out. ... Kyiv to demonstrate for their man. and how they would garner the world’s there were international observers pres- Ukraine’s democracy, for all of its (Reports of Messrs. Yushchenko and attention. ... I returned from Kyiv last ent. Another polling station we observed obvious flaws as illustrated by these elec- Yanukovych supporters in Kyiv intermin- Tuesday night [November 23]. ... had only opened up at 4:10 p.m. as eight tions, and its civil society is further devel- gling, and even embracing and kissing ... You’ve seen the numerous expres- out of the 18 members of the polling sta- oped than any other in the CIS. It is no each other). Rallies in support of Mr. sions of concern by senior U.S. officials tion commission simply failed to show accident that the Putins and Lukashenkas Yushchenko have not been limited to and many other governments, interna- up to open the station in the morning, of the world are watching this election western and central Ukraine – they are tional institutions, NGOs both within and thus potentially disenfranchising hun- carefully (And, by the way, the chutzpah also being held in cities in eastern outside Ukraine, including the Ukrainian dreds of student voters at the technical of the Russians when they accuse the U.S. Ukraine. American community, and the interna- university. The other polling station and Europe of interfering in these elec- And even though Mr. Yanukovych tional media. ... Only the CIS observers, workers finally had to break into the safe tions and subsequent developments is won resoundingly in some of the eastern who never met an election in the CIS in order to obtain the ballot papers and something to behold. Just imagine the oblasts (and would have even despite the they didn’t like, gave these elections the other materials so that the voters – mostly outcry if President George W. Bush falsifications), one wonders what the thumbs up. Their conclusions might be students – could exercise their right to would have visited Ukraine several times results would have been if you would aptly labelled as “eyes wide shut.”... vote. (You also saw “hanger-ons” and and actively supported one of the candi- have had the UT 1, 1+1 and Inter TV and The bottom line is that the elections heads of PECs not even knowing who dates, pumping hundreds of millions, or if other channels reporting objectively dur- were stolen. The independent and they were representing). Mr. Bush would have twice congratulated ing the electoral campaign. ... respected Committee for Voters of At the count we attended, a pro- a candidate even before he was pro- Or if you wouldn’t have had the use of Ukraine (CVU) asserted that at least 2.8 Yushchenko observer was forced to leave nounced the official winner in Ukraine). “administrative resources” and pressure million ballots were rigged in favor of right before the count commenced. I I should add that the democratic move- and intimidation on behalf of Mr. [Viktor] Yanukovych. Violations are too spoke with this woman and it became ments in Belarus, Russia, and the CIS are Yanukovych. numerous to enumerate. clear that the reasons for her being also watching developments intently, as Or if you didn’t have a campaign of They were extensive and they were thrown out were specious at best. Others which way Ukraine goes will shape so-called black PR – vicious lies flagrant, and what happened in Donetsk had been thrown out earlier in the week. Russian and CIS moves towards democ- designed to portray Mr. Yushchenko as a in terms of “getting out the vote” and the Despite this, the counting process seemed racy. (For example, Belarusian democrats radical nationalist American stooge; positive vote for the “right” candidate to go relatively smoothly, and Mr. have been demonstrating in support of Or if his poisoning wouldn’t have pre- was reminiscent of the electoral zealotry Yushchenko emerged victorious with the Orange Revolution and some who of Soviet times. My colleague from the 1,221 votes to Mr. Yanukovych’s 725. Or had been in Kyiv were detained and vented him from losing valuable time Commission Ron McNamara and I were so we thought. roughed up at the Ukrainian-Belarusian campaigning. in Kirovohrad, in the center of Ukraine – After our return to Kyiv the next day, border). Indeed, the authorities’ campaign to on the dividing line between the northern we learned that the Territorial Election I think the following quote by divide, and not unite, represents one of and western oblasts that voted for Viktor Commission had reported that in that par- Zbigniew Brzezinski sums it up perfectly the lowest of the many low points in the Yushchenko and the eastern and southern ticular precinct, Mr. Yanukovych “won” and more articulately than I can: “The campaign. regions that went for Mr. Yanukovych. by 1,670 to Mr. Yushchenko’s 276. A Ukrainian struggle for democracy is the Countless people, from the members On election day and night, we were in reversal of the count, with a vengeance! struggle for the future of Russia. If of the Ukrainian national and local gov- the infamous Territorial Electoral At the polling station where my col- Ukrainian democracy prevails, Russia ernments, to the military and members of Commission (TEC 100), where problems league Ron observed the count in has no choice but to go that way and be a the security forces; to the Ukrainian were legion during the first round on Kirovohrad and where Mr. Yushchenko democracy. If Ukrainian democracy fails, diplomats in the Embassy here in October 31. Unfortunately, we weren’t won by nearly a three-to-one margin, Russian imperial ambitions are reawak- Washington demanding that the elections disappointed. While at some polling sta- there were 312 unmarked ballots missing, ened and there is a temptation of an alter- reflect the will of the people; to the jour- tions, the voting process was orderly and which meant that the results were not native future which is imperial and nalists – both independent and now normal, at others it was highly problem- accepted. And this is just the tip of the authoritarian.” increasingly those working for the state atic. Pro-Yushchenko polling station iceberg in Kirovohrad alone. Clearly, what is happening in Ukraine channels who broke state-imposed cen- commissioners had been thrown off the Group voting with the notorious has very important geo-political implica- sorship; to the protesters old and young commissions, but many were pushing absentee voter certificates organized by tions. Russia would like to separate alike braving the cold; to the ordinary, back. The local court was crowded with state-owned and some private companies, Ukraine from the West and make it co- and yet very extraordinary women in those dismissed seeking reinstatement. was one of the major violations that sig- dependent, possibly with a view towards Kirovohrad fighting for their rights, all We hurried to the court where we spoke nificantly altered the results (nearly 5 an eventual restoration of empire. It’s are displaying remarkable courage and with people, some crying, who recounted percent, according to OSCE), or, some- also about oil and gas pipeline politics, determination. They are taking risks, their frustration and disbelief at this thing which has gotten less attention, the with its intersection of geo-politics and because there are no guarantees of how injustice. (We heard from some of them, high numbers of people who participated money. However, there are also many things will come out. ... as from so many others in Ukraine – “we in mobile voting (i.e., voting at their Russians who are very uncomfortable But there is one thing that I believe is just want to live in an honest, decent homes or hospitals), which is ripe for with their government’s heavy-handed beyond dispute: the people of Ukraine country”). We met with some of the fraud, in certain oblasts compared to the involvement in the Ukrainian elections, are determined to achieve their rights in a judges who were reinstating these people first round. And, of course, pressure on including some in their independent peaceful manner and to live in a demo- as polling commission members, clearly state employees to produce the right press. cratic, free and independent country. It’s displaying courage in doing so given the results or vote the right way. But I think that for the average an idea whose time has come!

being hailed world-wide as a unique soci- tion; 3) the Orthodox Church of the In case of the expected victory by Viktor “Orange Revolution”... ety whose people know what they want. Moscow Patriarchate, which issued cal- Yushchenko in the repeat of the run-off (Continued from page 5) Indeed Ukraine has become a European endars displaying a picture of Viktor election on December 26, Ukraine will The authorities, who had expected nation. Yanukovych among its saints; 4) the have gained a charismatic leader, assisted their falsification of the election results to Dr. Romaniv said he was impressed Communists, who oppose any idea of by some very capable people of be accepted with the usual docility, were also by the transformation of the people Ukrainian nationhood; 5) Russia, which European orientation, such as Yulia as well as the business community of counteracts any movement of Ukraine Tymoshenko, Oleksander Zinchenko and positively shocked by this massive dis- Kyiv and vicinity who embraced the toward democracy or Euro-Atlantic Mykola Tomenko, among others, said Dr. play of people power in action, continued democratic revolution by offering their integration. Romaniv. Dr. Romaniv. They were used to a assistance and hospitality to the demon- Very positive in the recent Ukrainian Finally, NTSh, which historically has Ukraine inhabited by the species homo strators, providing food, clothing, shelter crisis, in Dr. Romaniv’s view, was the always stood in the forefront of the Sovieticus, devoid of national spirit and and moral support. direct involvement of the European defense of Ukrainian language and cul- civil society, where democratic mecha- Dr. Romaniv warned, however, that Union and the more subtle influence of ture, must play a more assertive role in nism existed as a mere formality. Instead, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine still the U.S., the latter exercised through the the aftermath of the present democratic they were confronted by children who faces some formidable opponents: 1) timely and firm pronouncements by Sen. revolution, as many scholarly institu- grew up during the 13 years of Ukraine’s the Party of Regions, which represents Richard Lugar and Secretary of State tions in Ukraine, starting with the independence, becoming young adults the interests of the economic elites of Colin Powell. National Academy of Sciences, are in unimpaired by the fear and restraints that eastern Ukraine; 2) the Social A renaissance of the Ukrainian nation dire need of reform, concluded Dr. used to hobble their parents’ generation, Democratic Party of Ukraine, which is has taken place and it represents a fantas- Romaniv. in other words, they were de-Sovietized. run by Viktor Medvedchuk, head of tic development, regardless of what hap- The lively discussion that ensued was Now, thanks to their initiative, Ukraine is President Leonid Kuchma’s administra- pens next, opined the speaker from Lviv. chaired by Prof. Vasyl Makhno. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 15 Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s Ukraine journal: plant liberty where it seeks to root

by Rep. Marcy Kaptur checked back into the hospital 12 days later with severe back pain. At the time, doc- tors inserted a tube into his upper spine to administer pain-killing drugs. December 17: a ring and the promise of youth On his first admission, he complained of becoming very ill after about two hours after ingesting food on September 5 stating his first symptom was headache, nausea EN ROUTE TO EUROPE – Finishing up last-minute details before leaving for and internal pain, later experiencing tremendous pain in his back. Mr. Yushchenko had Ukraine as part of a six-member delegation of members of the U.S. Congress, I came had dinner with the deputy director of the Security Service of Ukraine, who recently across a small, shiny box that I had set aside on my desk in Washington. Inside the has been stripped of his parliamentary immunity and is the subject of an investigation. box was a finger ring with a most unusual azure-blue polished stone that I had When Dr. Zimpfer could not find the cause of the illness early in September, he and received earlier this year from Mikhail Volynets, now one of the new, younger mem- Mr. Yushchenko’s wife suggested the cause may not be know to civil medicine. They bers of the Ukrainian Parliament. began looking for potential biological or chemical causes and involved the Vienna Mikhail had told me that the ring had come from his mining region and that it pos- Forensic Institute. sessed special healing powers. He gave it to me as a token of friendship. I decided to During the weeks after initial examination in September, Dr. Zimpfer noticed in wear the ring on this trip for good luck and to remind me of the enormity of the strug- news reports that severe facial lesions, chloracne, began to appear on Mr. gle that ordinary people like Mikhail face in transforming the politics of their country. Yushchenko’s face. Later examination showed the lesions all over his body. He called Mikhail was first elected earlier this year from the rough and tumble coal mining Mr. Yushchenko and urged him to come back to the hospital for further examination. region of Donetsk, notorious for its corruption. He has been arrested many times and More scans were taken and the blood samples sent to Amsterdam where dioxin confir- beaten, and the lives of his family threatened. The presidential candidate from the rul- mation was first made. Three separate labs have now confirmed dioxin. ing party, Viktor Yanukovych, hails from this same tough mining region, where recent elections results appear to have been especially corrupted. December 19: from independence to liberty I had befriended Mikhail on my many trips to Ukraine before he was elected. I KYIV – We spent the day in the capital of Ukraine, meeting with high-level gov- gained admiration for him as I learned how he has spent the last two decades of his ernment officials, including President Leonid Kuchma, but first with U.S. life in a most dangerous pursuit – organizing the first independent trade union in the Ambassador John Herbst, a career diplomat and a very fine one at that. Indeed, during mines of Ukraine, the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine. Ukraine’s difficult transition to democracy, the United States has sent a long list of Miners in Ukraine often go to work for no pay. The conditions under which they excellent ambassadors. work are prehistoric. Hundreds die in explosions and mine collapses each year. I Thousands of election observers will converge on Ukraine, and also from within asked Mikhail once if he wasn’t afraid of being killed for his efforts to organize the the country, to prevent the abuses that characterized the marred election, particularly union and to engage in politics in that region in particular. He told me after working in manipulation of mobile voting stations and absentee voting. Parliament has passed the underground mines for so many years, he had lost the fear of death. Safety prac- legislation to avoid these pitfalls, but the election observers will still be critical in tices are non-existent and catastrophes occur on a regular basis. As I watched him assuring a free and fair vote. become more and more tense and burdened with the danger and scope of the task he is Ambassador Herbst said the presence of hundreds of thousands of demonstrators about, I gave him some motherly advice and asked him to promise me he would take had helped stave off military intervention and loss of life during the political crisis. better care of his personal health. There were also countless phone calls to President Kuchma and high-ranking officials When he visited Congress this year, he came to thank me and let me know he really in the military and the interior. The ambassador also described for us the types of had listened to me. He looked so much better. Some of the stress lines had softened. intimidation that were used against voters. For example, some Russian Orthodox He had begun to do breathing exercises to help calm his nerves. He was so grateful to churches told their members they would be denied communion for two months if they me, but I know I am even more grateful to him for reminding me what youthful voted for Mr. Yushchenko. courage and self- sacrifice mean. President Kuchma spent over an hour with our delegation. It was a very open and pos- The momentum of the opposition party in Ukraine is with the young. They crowded itive meeting. We prevailed on him to do everything in his power to assure a fair revote into the streets of Kyiv. They blazed a trail on e-mail. They are building a new future and thanked him for accepting the decision of the Supreme Court to nullify the vote. He for Ukraine and this election cycle has been a transformational moment for them. admitted the decision had eased a crisis and we spent a great deal of time discussing As I think about what is ahead, one e-mail I received from a young man in Ukraine progress Ukraine has made over this past decade of independence in civic life, economic keeps inspiring me. It was sent by e-mail at the height of the demonstrations in Kyiv’s growth, seeking accession to NATO, and openness to assembly and free speech. main square: I extended an invitation to the president to visit Toledo, Cleveland and Detroit to Dearest Mercy!!!!!!!!!!!! deliver major addresses on Ukraine’s transition to a functioning republic. Members We love you!!!!!! We love USA!!!!!!! complimented the president on adhering to the Constitution’s stipulation to serve only December 18: the poisoning – probing the truth two terms. Mr. Kuchma expressed interest in setting up a foundation to encourage young Ukrainians to study but to remain in Ukraine, as there continues to be a serious VIENNA – The alleged poisoning with dioxin of Ukraine’s leading opposition brain drain. presidential candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, has brought worldwide attention to this I raised with him the issue of property land reform and the need to implement legisla- breadbasket nation tucked neatly below Russia’s heavy underbelly. Press reports are tion and systems to create a functioning real property system. He admitted Ukraine had stating that Mr. Yushchenko’s blood levels contained 100,000 units of dioxin per gram a long way to go on this, and that he had vetoed bills that were inadequate. He said the of blood fat, one of the two highest levels ever recorded in a human. This incident fol- agricultural land titling remains an unfinished task and he urged the Verkhovna Rada’s lows on many other politically motivated acts of violence in Ukraine. From nations of reform efforts in this task. Mr. Kuchma also urged the delegation not to see Ukraine the world, Ukraine ranks among the highest for assassinations of its parliamentarians, through the prism of Russia, but that is a remark frequently made to U.S. visitors. nearly two dozen since its independence 12 years ago. As we made our way back from President Kuchma’s summer home on the outskirts In 2000, independent investigative journalist Heorhii Gongadze was beheaded, of the capital (his office in the center of Kyiv was still inaccessible due to the demon- apparently for his probing efforts to reveal corruption in Ukraine’s hierarchy. strators), I pondered how much Ukraine has changed in my lifetime. When I first Ukraine’s alleged illegal Kolchuha radar shipments to Saddam Hussein’s Iraq caused drove into the nation in 1973, I had the road to myself, except for military vehicles. serious rifts in its relationship with the U.S. Today, though far from an open society, Ukraine is making major strides toward Our delegation visited the Rudolfinerhaus clinic, where the dioxin studies on developing liberty’s institutions. Yushchenko were performed. We wished to learn more about how the results were I also thought about the inspirational effect this episode in Ukrainian history has verified and ascertain the nature of his condition and the likely causes. Doctors at had on young people. There is enormous fervor among the young people. Their free Rudolfinerhaus confirmed Mr. Yushchenko had been poisoned with dioxin. Dr. assembly is allowed in many regions of the nation. Michael Zimpfer, president of the privately run hospital, said there was “no doubt” All our efforts to plant liberty where it seeks to root – efforts in the Ukrainian Mr. Yushchenko’s disease was “caused by a case of poisoning.” American community, in communities throughout the world, and certainly within the Dr. Zimpfer explained though dioxin is not an ordinary household chemical, it can nation itself – have at long last begun to bear fruit. be ordered by any lab. They can ship it to a customer. It contains up to 100 ingredi- ents. Certain chemical blueprints may lead the investigators back to the original pro- ducer. He stated that dioxin, however, may have been used because until recently it could not be detected in the human body. Members of the delegation suggested perhaps those seeking to harm Mr. Yushchenko may only have wanted to severely harm him, or to disfigure him in that his handsome appearance was popularly received. Or they may have believed the large dosage administered to him would result in death with an undetectable cause, not knowing scientific procedures had been developed to track dioxin poisoning. Two years ago tracing methodologies were developed using blood samples. Dioxin adheres to body fat, and there is fat content in the blood that makes it detectable. A lethal dose in rats is 30 micrograms/kilogram. Dioxin has a seven-year half-life in the human body. It interferes with the lipid metabolism and increases the risk of arteriosclerosis. It is not considered to be carcinogenic. Dr. Zimpfer expressed grati- tude for offers of assistance from around the world, including the Poison Control Center in Washington. Dr. Zimpfer said Mr. Yushchenko first came to see him on September 10 in terrible pain with internal esophageal and stomach lacerations. He stayed eight days at Rudolfinerhaus during that first visit and then returned to the campaign trail, but

Marcy Kaptur is an 11-term member of Congress from northern Ohio. A Ukrainian American whose maternal great-grandparents are buried in Ukraine, Rep. Kaptur has traveled extensively in Ukraine since 1973. Kaptur drafted the Rada-Congress Agreement and created the Anastasia Fund – named after her mother – a foundation Rep. Marcy Kaptur (standing) and some of her fellow congressional delegation for underprivileged Ukrainians. members with students in Kyiv’s tent city. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52 CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS Kyiv Chamber Choir TO PLACE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 to be featured on radio

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TILES, CONCRETE, BRICK WORK, STUCCO, POINTING, SUBSCRIPTION WATERPROOFING, ROOFING, GUTTERS AND WELDING Works performed by the Kyiv 2255 yyearear experience TO THE WEEKLY Chamber Choir were written by • FREE ESTIMATES • at the member’s rate 47-22 44TH STREET, WOODSIDE, NY 11377 Ukrainian composers such as Dyletsky, TEL.: (718) 937-1021; CELL: (718) 791-0096 of $45 per year. Zubytsky, Turchaninov, Stepurko and VASILI CHOLAK Stankovych. To subscribe, write to The Elmer Iseler Singers performed The Ukrainian Weekly, works by fine Canadian composers, The PROFESSIONALS Subscription Department, including Willan, Somers, Raminsh and LUNA BAND 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Hurko. Music for weddings, zabavas, Parsippany, NJ 07054; festivals, anniversary celebrations. or call (973) 292-9800. OLES KUZYSZYN phone/fax: (732) 636-5406 LAW OFFICIES OF e-mail: [email protected] ZENON B. MASNYJ, ESQ. REAL ESTATE Yushchenko is convinced... 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Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, (973) Mr. Yushchenko could be debilitated for CLASSIFIEDS section. 292-9800, ext 3040. long periods as a result of his continued Join the UNA! use of prescription pain medication. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 17

questions about the manner of collection from its relationship with NATO and the easy. The incoming government should The next step... of fines from officials accused of corrup- EU, something that should be kept in look to fashion a focused and manage- (Continued from page 2) tion or embezzlement during the mind as international policy-makers look able reform agenda, in which the ble, and accountable opposition voice Shevardnadze era. to help the consolidation Ukraine’s Ukrainian people can see concrete suc- will neither advance the success of a new (In a number of these instances, these democracy. cesses in the near to medium term. government’s program, nor serve the former officials have paid substantial Of course, in Ukraine the first priority In a speech delivered in Brussels on country’s overall democratic maturation fines as part of the resolution of their is the holding of free, fair, and lawfully December 8, U.S. Secretary of State Colin process. Candidate Mr. Yushchenko has cases. More than $50 million is believed administered elections on December 26. Powell observed, “We know that democ- indicated that he would not be a vindic- to have been collected in this fashion. Should the favored Mr. Yushchenko racy depends on certain attitudes and insti- tive victor. In fact, during the weeks of This enforcement method has raised win, the euphoria of successful demo- tutions that don’t arise overnight.” protest and election-related tumult, Mr. questions about the soundness of a cratic change will give way to the reality Ukraine in these short weeks has come a Yushchenko has worked assiduously to process by which lump-sum contribu- of governing. Then, the biggest challenge long way toward changing attitudes at send reassuring messages to all corners tions paid by a suspect can be transferred for Ukraine’s incoming leadership may home, and abroad, about its dedication to of Ukraine and to expand his political to the Georgian treasury, or if criminal be management of high expectations, as democracy. Positively changing its institu- coalition. This sort of inclusive politics charges can actually be dropped on the has been the case in other such political tions will take similarly firm dedication would stand in stark contrast to the divi- basis of this sort of payment.) transitions. and patience from the Ukrainian people, sive and exclusive politics that has been Georgian media, which faced consid- Keeping the momentum that has and steadfast support from abroad, in the hallmark of the Kuchma era. erable obstacles during the Shevardnadze gained strength during the remarkable order for Ukraine to consolidate its place period, are apparently facing pressure There should be no doubt that parts of multi-phased election process will not be as a normal, European state. under a Saakashvili administration as the old guard who will form the political well. opposition under a Yushchenko presiden- Serbians used flawed elections in cy will seek to operate according to old With deep sorrow we announce that on Wednesday, September 2000 as a basis for protesting practices. Nevertheless, a fundamentally December 8, 2004, our beloved mother, grandmother and aunt the results and ultimately jettisoning for- magnanimous leadership posture, which mer President Slobodan Milosevic from enables responsible political opposition, office. Confronting a corrupt system of would be a very welcome development governance and a raw, post-conflict envi- in Ukraine. HERMINA KERDA ronment, the post-Milosevic government Given the duress under which news entered into eternal rest. that took office in January 2001 sought media, the judiciary and political opposi- to implement an ambitious reform pro- tion have been operating, embedding Born on August 8, 1917, in Yaroslav, Ukraine. gram. In the last four years, some steps reform will be a tough challenge. But She was a long time resident of Maplewood, N.J., and a member of St. John’s have been taken to consolidate democrat- there are signs of promise on which fur- Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J. ic practice, but many Serbs still perceive ther reforms can be built. their democratic progress as falling far Viewing was held at the Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA., Since the November 21 ballot, the short of expectations. A high level of on Sunday, December 12, 2004. beginnings of a transformation have corruption is among the biggest sticking already been set in motion in the Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, with Divine Liturgy points. Ukrainian media. The civic engagement at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, Washington, D.C., In Slovakia, parliamentary elections in that followed the flawed vote paved the followed by burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD. September 1998 enabled opposition way for Ukraine’s media to report more democratic forces to defeat the HZDS Surviving are: freely and in an unbiased manner. party of former President Vladimir Son Stephen with wife Nusia Woch Television news broadcasts, including on Meciar and open the door to re-engage- Granddaughter Nusia 1+1, Inter and UT-1, which regularly ment with Europe and the trans-Atlantic Nieces and Nephew Anna Jarowyj with family denied access to the political opposition, community. Slovakia’s poor image Mary Owad used the civic action as a basis to begin abroad and lackluster governance at Myron Owad to report on issues in a more open and home were hallmarks of the corrupt and dramatically different manner. During insular Mr. Meciar regime. The coalition In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to: the campaign, only Channel 5, a pro- government that followed President Ukrainian American Youth Association – Chapel Fund at Oselia CYM in Ellenville, N.Y. opposition channel, consistently offered Meciar was dealt a difficult hand, facing, 136 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003 coverage of the Yushchenko campaign among other challenges, a system of or Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family and the protests in the aftermath of the widespread cronyism and corruption. 4250 Harewood Rd., NE, Washington, DC 20017 November 21 vote. Today, it is easy to lose sight of the The judiciary has also seized the fact that at the time of the pivotal 1998 opportunity and asserted its independ- elections, Mr. Meciar had taken Slovakia ence. It was on the basis of the Ukrainian off course, leaving it behind the other DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS Supreme Court’s invalidation of the sec- Visegrad countries in its aspirations for ond-round results that a repeat of the membership in NATO and the European to be published in The Ukrainian Weekly – in the Ukrainian flawed election was enabled. These deci- Union (EU). or English language – are accepted by mail, courier, fax, phone or e-mail. sions are admittedly only a first step, but Over the past five years, under new the court’s action – if it becomes the rule Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue. leadership Slovakia’s reform efforts have (The Weekly goes to press early Friday mornings.) rather than the exception – can lay the paid real dividends. Independent media groundwork for a new legal landscape and civil society have played an impor- Rate: $7.50 per column-inch. based on the rule of law. tant role in this transformation, which Information should be addressed to the attention of the Advertising Department Of course, positive developments in has resulted in a reorientation of the and sent to: The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 (NB: please the media and judicial spheres and the country’s politics, a consolidation of its do not include post office box if sending via courier), Parsippany, N.J. 07054; existence of a responsible political oppo- fax, (973) 644-9510; telephone, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040; key institutions, and membership both in e-mail, [email protected]. sition, should they emerge, would also NATO and the EU. help make headway against a scourge Slovakia’s speedier democratic Please include the daytime phone number of a contact person. that plagues Ukraine: entrenched, perva- advancement has undoubtedly benefited sive corruption. So what are the prospects for a posi- tive scenario to emerge in Ukraine after the political euphoria ends? Recent experience in other countries, while not exact replicas of the Ukrainian case, can help inform the reform chal- lenges Ukraine will confront. In Georgia, on the heels of a deeply flawed election in November 2003, “people power” opened the door for the removal from power of former President Eduard Shevardnadze. In the year since President Mikhail Saakashvili has come to power, he has sought to maintain the political momentum from a year ago. His reform program has made some real for- ward progress, including essential efforts to tackle Georgia’s massive corruption problem. But his government’s methods are not without its critics. Mr. Saakashvili, who has faced virtually no political opposi- tion, has been accused of cutting corners in the implementation of his reform pro- gram. This has included, for example, 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

fell 18 votes short of the 226 votes ing market-economy status, World Trade Meanwhile, Communist Party leader ELECTION WATCH required for approval. On December 8, in Organization membership and associate Petro Symonenko called for the creation (Continued from page 3) a move intended to overcome the politi- membership in the European Union. of a parliamentary commission to look strategic policy and political strategy for cal crisis over the flawed November run- (RFE/RL Newsline) into “U.S. financing of the election cam- off, the Parliament amended the presi- paign of one of the candidates for presi- Russia,” Mr. Yushchenko said. He also Yanukovych: supporters will come to Kyiv stressed that “our priority is integration dential-election law by limiting right to dent – Yushchenko,” ITAR-TASS’s Kyiv into Europe.” Asked what his first for- vote from home only to the disabled per- KYIV – Speaking to reporters in Kyiv correspondent reported. (RFE/RL eign trip would be if he were elected sons of “the first category.” Presidential on December 16, Viktor Yanukovych Newsline) candidate Viktor Yushchenko and his president, Mr. Yushchenko said he would warned that “a real danger exists that Rep. Paul demands an accounting go to Moscow. President Putin cam- supporters claimed that home voting and after December 26 Ukraine may be on paigned openly for Yushchenko rival absentee voter certificates were the main the brink of a full-scale crisis,” Reuters WASHINGTON – Rep. Ron Paul (R- Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in the tool for manipulating the last election reported. The previous day, he told sup- Texas) is demanding an accounting of run-up to the first two rounds of the pres- results by the camp of his rival, Prime porters in a speech in the city of Kherson U.S. funds that were sent to Ukraine and idential vote. (RFE/RL Newsline) Minister Viktor Yanukovych. (RFE/RL that his supporters might challenge rival benefited presidential candidate Viktor Newsline) candidate Viktor Yushchenko’s backers Yushchenko. Speaking at a hearing of the Pora unblocks presidential administration for control of the streets of Kyiv after Yanukovych endorses Russian language International Relations Committee of the KYIV – The radical youth organiza- December 26, the Los Angeles Times House of Representatives on December tion Pora (It’s Time) unblocked the main KYIV – Viktor Yanukovych reiterated reported. According to the daily, Mr. 7, Rep. Paul said: “We do not know entrance to the offices of the presidential in Odesa on December 18 that he would Yanukovych made similar remarks at exactly how many millions – or tens of administration in Kyiv on December 22, like to grant Russian official-language campaign stops in Mykolaiv and millions – of dollars the United States removing a barricade of motor vehicles status in Ukraine if he is elected presi- Sevastopol this week. In Mykolaiv, he government spent on the presidential and a cordon of young people that has dent, Interfax reported. Yanukovych also said, “As far as I understand, this process election in Ukraine. We do know that been in place for the past month, Interfax spoke against separatist calls in some cannot be stopped. I hope that it’s peace- much of that money was targeted to ful.” (RFE/RL Newsline) reported. Pora has left a picket in place in eastern regions that surfaced following assist one particular candidate, and that front of the building, however. (RFE/RL the November 21 presidential run-off. Yushchenko cites possible destabilization through a series of cut-out non-govern- Newsline) Mr. Yanukovych said those calls mental organizations – both American appeared to be a reaction to “the lawless- KYIV – Viktor Yushchenko on and Ukrainian – millions of dollars ended Ukraine to see 12,000 observers ness that people felt following second- December 16 condemned Viktor up in support of the presidential candi- date Viktor Yushchenko. He added: “it is KYIV – Ukraine’s Central Election round voting.” He added, “As far as I am Yanukovych’s remarks that his followers concerned, I am in favor of [greater] eco- will come to Kyiv on December 26 as none of our business who the Ukrainian Commission has registered 12,271 for- people select to be their president. And, if eign election monitors for the December nomic autonomy for our regions.” “unconstructive,” Interfax reported. they feel the vote was not fair, it is up to 26 repeat of the flawed late-November (RFE/RL Newsline) “This is an attempt by the former prime them to work it out.” Rep. Paul named presidential run-off, Interfax reported on minister to destabilize civil peace and the Yushchenko favors plebiscite on NATO the U.S. Agency for International December 22. That number includes political situation in Ukraine,” Mr. Development and the Poland-America- observes from the Commonwealth of Yushchenko said. The Our Ukraine KYIV – Answering a question about Ukraine Cooperation Initiative (PAUCI) Independent States. (RFE/RL Monitors) leader also called on Mr. Yanukovych to whether Ukraine under his potential pres- “calm down” and “accept his fate.” He as groups that sent funds which benefited Rada rejects home voting amendment idency would apply for NATO member- added, “If he simply wants revenge, Mr. Yushchenko to such entities as the ship, Viktor Yushchenko told journalists empty and aimless, he is sure to give Ukraine-based International Center for KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada on in Kharkiv on December 17 that a deci- birth to ideas of separatism and federal- Policy Studies, the Western Ukrainian December 21 rejected amendments to the sion on the country’s military alignment ization.” (RFE/RL Newsline) Regional Training Center and the Center presidential-election law allowing all cat- cannot be made without a nationwide ref- for Political and Law Reforms. Rep. Paul egories of disabled persons to vote from erendum, Interfax reported. Mr. Yushchenko enemies offered bribe went on to say: “I believe Congress and home in the December 26 presidential Yushchenko stressed that the country’s the American taxpayers have a right to NEW YORK – Top political consult- ballot, Interfax reported. The proposal top priorities in foreign policy are obtain- know. I believe we urgently need an ant Dick Morris, who worked on the investigation by the Government campaign of Viktor Yushchenko, revealed that he was offered a bribe from Accounting Office into how much U.S. supporters of Mr. Yushchenko’s Kremlin- government money was spent in Ukraine backed opponent, Viktor Yanukovych, and exactly how it was spent.” (House of reported the Newsmax website on Representatives) December 16. “I got an e-mail on Friday Rep. Towns wants investigation from a former Republican congressman who said he was passing on an offer from WASHINGTON – Rep. Edolphus Yanukovych to pay me $1 million in cash Towns (D-N.Y. ) on December 14 to switch sides,” Mr. Morris told ABC requested an investigation into an esti- Radio Network host Sean Hannity. “And mated $65 million in U.S. funds that he the e-mail said this would just be a down says were used to influence the outcome payment.” The attempt to get Mr. Morris of Ukraine’s presidential election and in to defect was just the latest attempt to support of the “Orange Revolution” undermine Mr. Yushchenko’s support. through allocations to organizations that “When he began to move ahead in the had a known preference for Viktor polls by 10 or 15 points, the authorities Yushchenko. “Information in the public tried to kill him,” Mr. Morris said, noting domain indicates that a significant por- that the poisoning was, in fact, the sec- tion of the reportedly $65 million spent ond attempt to murder his client during during the past two years, for such pro- the campaign. “First they tried to run him grams in Ukraine, may have been given off the road while he was driving,” Mr. to organizations with a known partisan Morris told Mr. Hannity. “His car was agenda in support of one of the presiden- totaled but he walked away.” The former tial candidates,” Rep. Towns wrote in a White House political consultant said letter to Andrew Natsios, administrator of that when he first signed on to the the U.S. Agency for International Yushchenko campaign he was warned, Development. The congressman further “If you go to Kyiv to work for this guy, asked for a complete accounting of the there is no risk of assassination – you funds sent by USAID to Ukraine, as well will be killed.” (Newsmax) as a list of the funds’ recipients and the Yanukovych team seeks probe of U.S. role projects they supported. Rep. Towns cited such groups funded by USAID as HAVE YOU HEARD? PURCHASE A PREPAID KYIV – Representatives of presiden- the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, which he 20-YEAR ENDOWMENT POLICY FROM tial candidate Viktor Yanukovych have said is associated with Mr. Yushchenko submitted a complaint to Ukraine’s by virtue of his wife’s role in the organi- THE UNA FOR $2,287.26* AND I WILL RECEIVE Central Election Commission requesting zation as a co-founder and former mem- A CHECK FOR $5,000** JUST IN TIME FOR an investigation into allegations that the ber of the board of directors. News of U.S. government financed Ukrainian Rep. Towns’ letter was circulated by MY COLLEGE EDUCATION. WHAT ARE YOU opposition candidate Viktor PRNewswire, with the notation: “This Yushchenko’s campaign, UNIAN report- material is distributed by DBC Public WAITING FOR? CALL THE UNA AT 1-800-253-9862 ed on December 15, quoting Nestor Relations Experts on behalf of Viktor F. AND LET’S GET STARTED. Shufrych, Mr. Yanukovych’s representa- Yanukovych, candidate for the office of tive to the commission. “The United president of Ukraine. Additional informa- States’ meddling in Ukraine’s internal tion is on file with the Department of * FOR AGES 0 THROUGH 3 1/2 YEARS OLD affairs is obvious,” Mr. Yanukovych told Justice, Washington, District of ** MINIMUM FACE AMOUNT OF $5,000 the Associated Press in a December 13 Columbia. Source: Viktor F. Yanukovych interview. “It is appearing as the financ- candidate for the office of president of ing of Yushchenko’s campaign.” Ukraine.” (PRNewswire) No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 19

Columbia U. and Harriman Institute offer Ukrainian courses during spring semester NEW YORK – Columbia University gious, class and gender) are reflected in con- instructor will be Dr. Maria Rewakowicz Ukrainian. Basic grammar structures are and the Harriman Institute will offer temporary Ukrainian literature, as well as (Ph.D., University of Toronto), Canadian introduced and reinforced with equal courses in Ukrainian literature and lan- whether or not works of literature influence Foundation for Ukrainian Studies Neporany emphasis on developing oral and written guage in the spring 2005 semester, which the formation of identities in post-Soviet Fellow; Harriman Institute; and visiting pro- communication skills. Special attention is begins on January 18. Descriptions of the Ukraine. Major literary trends in post-Soviet fessor, department of Slavic languages, paid to acquiring and using common vocab- courses are as follows (please note that Ukraine and the most representative texts of Columbia University. ulary. By the end of the course, students are dates and times are subject to change). the past decade from writers such as Oksana • Elementary Ukrainian I (W1102) is a expected to conduct short conversations Literature and Identities in Post-Soviet Zabuzhko, Yuri Andrukhovych and Mykola course for undergraduate and graduate stu- Ukraine (W4100) is an advanced undergrad- Ryabchuk will be examined. The course will dents with little or no knowledge of (Continued on page 27) uate seminar that considers how various be taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays at identities (national, ethnic, territorial, reli- 4:10-5:25 p.m. in 709 Hamilton Hall. The UKRAINIAN BUILDERS OF CUSTOM HOMES WEST COAST OF FLORIDA TRIDENT DEVELOPMENT CORP. Penn State offers web-based Ukrainian course • Over 25 years of building experience UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The cultural/international competency require- • Bilingual Pennsylvania State University is offering ments (GI), or can be used as an “other cul- • Fully insured and bonded a web-based course in Ukrainian culture, tures” course. It is suggested that prospective • Build on your lot or ours UKR 100, for the spring 2005 semester. enrollees contact their advisers if there are • Highest quality workmanship The 15-lesson, three-credit course will be questions about how this course can be used Ihor W. Hron, President Lou Luzniak, Executive V.P. taught by Roman Ivashkiv of Lviv. To in one’s particular program of study. (941) 270-2411 (941) 270-2413 date, the course already has an enroll- There are no specific classes that have ment of 55 students. to be taken before enrolling in UKR 100. Zenon Luzniak, General Contractor As noted in the introductory notes to the The course is done completely online. Serving North Port, Venice, South Venice and area course, “Ukrainian culture is a subject that Traditional exams have been replaced by a until recently was largely ignored in the creative final project. Enrollees should feel world. Ukrainians were thought to be ‘just comfortable navigating on the Internet. like Russians,’ their language was consid- They should also be self-starters who feel ered by many a mere dialect of Russian, and confident about reading to learn and be their country was frequently perceived as a comfortable working independently. region of Russia. After 1991, Ukrainians By taking an online course, students received an opportunity to openly tell the can learn beyond the traditional borders world their version of Ukrainian history, to of the classroom, and as part of a wider assert their uniqueness and their difference, and more diverse audience. Except for and to reclaim a lot of their cultural achieve- two chatroom discussions, there are no ments that for a long time were either preset meeting times. denied or portrayed as ‘Soviet.’ ” The online course will utilize Penn The course will acquaint students with State’s ANGEL system, and a combina- Ukrainian history and culture from the tion of text, web links, images and PDF origins of the Kyivan Rus’ in the Middle files as its class “lecture.” Students will Ages to the present. The course will communicate with the professor and fel- examine the many facets that make up low classmates through chat, e-mail and culture: history, politics, language, litera- threaded discussions within ANGEL. ture, folklore, religion, music and art. It Additional information on the course will place Ukrainian culture in the broad- structure, as well as on the specific tech- er context of the Slavic nations and peo- nological requirements and computer con- ples. Lectures and readings will all be in figuration, and registration information English. are found on the following website: The course meets the general education http://www.la.psu.edu/courses/ukr/UKR10 humanities requirements (GH) and the inter- 0public.html.

time, the Ukrainian National Association Highlights... has explicitly demonstrated its strength, (Continued from page 5) viability and, what is even more important, ter of the Ukrainian Canadian communi- its ability to swiftly reach out to help those ty, a city where over 120,000 Canadians in need. Through all these years, it has of Ukrainian descent reside.” cherished the Ukrainian national idea and Among the many greetings sent to the has been genuinely supportive of and high- delegates of the 34th Convention was ly instrumental for the processes leading to one from a national deputy of Ukraine, democratic changes in Ukraine.” Hennadii Udovenko, who was elected Mr. Udovenko concluded his message president of the 52nd Session of the by expressing his hope that the UNA United Nations General Assembly. “will continue to prosper for the benefit Mr. Udovenko, a former ambassador of of the Ukrainian community worldwide.” Ukraine to the United Nations, wrote: “The 100-year-long history of this organi- Source: Minutes and Reports of the zation, whose membership extends to 29 34th Convention of the Ukrainian states of the United States of America and National Association, Toronto (1998). to all provinces of Canada, is a tremendous The border used for this special feature is source for your pride and confidence. reproduced from a UNA membership cer- Having been in service for such a long tificate dated 1942. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

Volodymyr Viytyshyn, bishop co-adjutor of Leader of underground... the Kolomyia-Chernivtsi Eparchy, concele- (Continued from page 4) brating with numerous clergy. Christianity of Kyivan Rus’ with a pontifi- A hierarchial liturgy for the deceased was cal liturgy in Zarvanytsia, where despite a held at the church on December 15, with drenching rain, more than 10,000 people Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, primate of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, as the were in attendance and stayed on to pray principal celebrant. Also taking part were throughout the night. As noted in 30 Days, Bishop Ivan Yurkovych, the apostolic nun- the event had a historical dimension, given cio to Ukraine, bishops of the Roman that it had been nearly half a century that Catholic Church in Ukraine, over 250 “Ukrainian Catholics were able to show priests and numerous laymen of the UGCC. the strength of their Church to the authori- Also present were Mykhailo ties and to the public.” Vyshyvaniuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk The response of central political Oblast Administration, Vasyl Brus, head authorities to the illegal gathering of of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Council, as “unregistered believers” was the well as raion and city representatives. issuance, on July 28, 1988, of two In his homily Cardinal Husar, in refer- decrees by the Presidium of the Supreme ring to significance of the life and work Soviet of the USSR, that resulted in the of Bishop Vasylyk, offered an expression suppression of liturgy and public devo- of public acknowledgment and gratitude, tions of Ukrainian Catholics, and severe noting that it would behoove those pres- sanctions meted out against the clergy. ent to honor the memory of Bishop In 1987-1989 Bishop Vasylyk played Vasylyk not only in reflecting on the past an active role in the many actions work- but also on the future. ing toward the legalization of the UGCC. “Today we should resolve that his He was a leading member of a group of [Bishop Vasylyk’s] memory live on not representatives of the underground only in our hearts, but in our deeds. And 79 Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy who were if we keep to our resolve, then the memo- Á‡ ÙÛÌÚ¢ sent to Moscow on two official trips. ry of Bishop Vasylyk will be truly hon- During this time period Bishop Vasylyk ored and perpetuated as befits that of a also ordained priests for the West, some truly great man, a faithful son of his of whom are now serving in the United Church and his nation.” Ç Ì‡¯Ëı Íð‡ÏÌˈflı ÏÓÊ̇ Ôðˉ·‡ÚË ‡‚¥flÍ‚ËÚÍË ‚ ìÍð‡ªÌÛ States in the Stamford Eparchy. Ú‡ Á ìÍð‡ªÌË, ÁðÓ·ËÚË ‚¥ÁË ‰Ó ìÍð‡ªÌË. Also addressing the congregation was Bishop Vasylyk served as auxiliary bish- ÑÓ ‚Ë·ÓðÛ 99 ‚Á¥ðˆ¥‚ ıÛÒÚÓÍ! Bishop Yurkovych, who conveyed condo- íÂÎÂÙÓÌÌ¥ ͇ðÚÍË: 100 ı‚. ðÓÁÏÓ‚Ë ¥Á ìÍð‡ªÌÓ˛ Á‡ $10. op in Ivano-Frankivsk in 1989-1993 and as lences from Pope John Paul II in a mes- bishop of the newly formed Eparchy of sage expressing the pontiff’s deep-felt NEWARK, NJ CLIFTON, NJ PHILADELPHIA Kolomyia-Chernivtsi in 1993-2001. respect and recognition for the life and 688 Sanford Ave 565 Clifton Ave 1801 Cottman Ave Funeral services were held December 12 work of the deceased. Addressing the gath- and 13 at the Cathedral of Christ’s íÂÎ.: (973) 373-8783 TÂl.: (973) 916-1543 Tel.: (215) 728-6040 ering from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Resurrection in Ivano-Frankivsk, with – Kyiv Patriarchate was Patriach Filaret’s (888) 336-4776 Bishop Sofron Mudryi of Ivano-Frankivsk representative, Bishop Ivan Boychuk. and Bishop Iryney Bilyk of Buchach as At the conclusion of the service, a concelebrants. On December 14, with the funeral procession proceeded along the Need a back issue? transfer of the bishop’s casket to Kolomyia, streets of Kolomyia to the new cathedral, If you’d like to obtain a back issue of The Ukrainian Weekly, send $2 per copy (first-class postage included) to: services were held in the Church of St. currently under construction, for inter- Administration, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Michael the Archangel, with Bishop ment in the cathedral crypt. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 21

Ontario); Conservatives Peter Goldring temic and massive fraud” and which expect to be mainly welcomed with open Wrzesnewskyj... (Edmonton East) and Joy Smith received the unanimous consent of the arms, said Mr. Wrzesnewskyj, whose (Continued from page 3) (Kildonan-St. Paul, Manitoba); and House. family charitable foundation (Dopomoha tial run-off election on December 26. Hamilton Center MP David Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said that, while exit Ukraini – Aid to Ukraine), this year con- On December 16, Canadian Liberal Christopherson of the left-of-center New polls showed that Mr. Yushchenko was tributed $250,000 (about $203,000 U.S.) Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Democratic Party. the clear winner, pro-Yanukovych sup- to fund the Edmonton-based Canadian that former Prime Minister John Turner, Taras Zalusky, chief of staff to porters resorted to myriad intimidation Institute of Ukrainian Studies’ Ukraine also a Liberal, would head the Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff tactics – from posting dead people on Transparency and Election Monitoring mission – the country’s “largest-ever Regan, would also serve as “chief of voters’ lists to offering the heads of terri- Project (UTEMP). contingent of independent electoral staff” for the Canadian delegation, said torial electoral commissions $4,000 in “The amount of good will towards observers,” according to a news release Mr. Wrzesnewskyj. bribes and threatening voters. Canada is just phenomenal,” he said. He issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. Prior to departing on a charter flight In Luhansk a student was expelled explained that much attention was paid to The Canadian contingent – the first from Montreal to Kyiv on December 21, from university the day after being seen Ukrainian TV coverage of his Commons international mission organized by the observers from across Canada met in entering the Yushchenko campaign head- motion and many Ukrainians were Canada Corps at a cost of more than $3.5 Ottawa and were briefed by the Center quarters. encouraged by the concern raised in million (about $2.8 million U.S.) – con- for Intercultural Learning, which is part In Odesa more than 1,600 students liv- September by Andrew Robinson, sists of 112 observers assigned to the of the Canadian Foreign Service ing in residence were warned that if “a Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, that the Organization for Security and Institute. single vote appeared for Yushchenko” in country hold a “free and fair” election. Cooperation in Europe, said France Undoubtedly, they would all benefit their polling station, they would “end up Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said he believes Bureau, a spokeswoman for the Canadian by talking with Mr. Wrzesnewskyj, who on the street.” As Mr. Wrzesnewskyj that Ukrainians would be impressed by International Development Agency has already witnessed the rampant cor- noted: “When the ballot boxes were the size of the Canadian observer mission (CIDA), which oversees Canada Corps. ruption at work in Ukraine’s electoral opened, 100 percent of the votes were for – the largest from any country – and the The remaining 388 Canadian system this fall. Yanukovych.” fact that a former prime minister would observers report to Mr. Turner and are “You name it, you saw it,” he said in In one incident, a “BMW with tinted head it. attached to Ukraine’s Central Electoral an interview prior to leaving for Ukraine. windows” almost ran a car carrying “When I’d go out into crowds and Commission. “You have to remember this is a crimi- Canadian observers off the road. someone would say, ‘There’s a Canadian CANADEM, the CIDA-funded, nal and corrupt regime that’s enriched Still, the nearly 1,000 Canadians trav- parliamentarian,’ I’d get swarmed by Ottawa-based international peace and itself to the tune of billions of dollars. elling to Ukraine this week for what people saying ‘Please pass on a thank security organization that put out the call This [election] is it – the end game.” could be the final Yushchenko- you to the people of Canada’ or [they] for election observers, reported that more He explained that he had videotape Yanukovych electoral showdown can would start chanting ‘Ca-na-da.’ ” than 3,000 Canadians expressed interest from the first round of the presidential in volunteering their time over the election on October 31 that shows the Christmas weekend. Central Election Commission announc- Meanwhile, the Winnipeg-based ing on television the results from Ukrainian Canadian Congress selected Luhansk – an administrative territory in over 300 out of 1,100 applicants to serve eastern Ukraine that’s considered under as accredited election observers along the control of Kremlin-backed candidate with 200 Ukrainian Canadians living in Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych – Ukraine. before the votes had even been counted. As for the Canadian mission’s “The territorial electoral commission Parliament Hill contingent, Ms. Bureau was telling the poll commissioners what said that Ontario Liberal Sen. Jerry numbers to fill in so they would match Grafstein would participate. what was being announced through the Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said that at least Central Election Commission.” five of his colleagues from the House of Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said he had been Commons would join him in Ukraine. “naively optimistic” the situation would They include: fellow Liberals David improve when he returned as a monitor Kilgour, who represents the federal rid- for the November 21 run-off election. ing of Edmonton-Beaumont and happens But it didn’t, as illustrated by his to be Mr. Turner’s brother-in-law, and November 25 House of Commons Andrew Telegdi (Kitchener-Waterloo, motion, which cited “a concerted, sys-

the election is a great help and a great Australia’s Ukrainians... boost to the morale of all of those in (Continued from page 3) Ukraine and around the world who Mr. Romaniw said. believe that democracy can come to “After the first election was clearly Ukraine,” Mr. Romaniw noted. “It will rigged and then thrown out by the also go a long way to ensuring that cor- Supreme Court, Ukrainians all over the ruption and vote rigging does not plague world have been fund-raising, campaign- the second election on December 26.” ing and helping to ensure that this second Most of the Australian Ukrainian dele- vote is allowed to proceed in a fair and gation was to leave Australia on free manner, and is not rigged for a sec- Wednesday, December 22. ond time.” Mr. Romaniw said that a victory for the forces of democracy on December 26 would represent the final victory of democracy over communism in Ukraine. “This election is as important as it represents the last chance for Ukrainians to throw off the shackles of decades of Communist and oligarch dictatorship. The chance to establish and entrench a vibrant and thriving democracy is now on Ukraine’s doorstep and it can’t be simply passed by.” Mr. Romaniw also warned against complacency in Western nations, saying that those who rigged and forged their way through the last election are still in Ukraine and ready to do it all over again. “Democracy won’t just fall into Ukraine’s lap; it is going to have to be fought for. That is what the hundreds of thousands of people who are still rallying in Independence Square, Kyiv, under- stand, and that is what should be realized in the West.” “The commitment from the Canadian, U.S.A., Australian and European govern- ments to send observers and fund non- governmental organizations to monitor 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

Msgr. Michael Poloway honored as Pittsburgh’s Ukrainian of the Year PITTSBURGH – The Rev. Mitred Pittsburgh Folk Festival. Archpriest Msgr. Michael Poloway was Gene Ricciardi, president of the City honored as the Ukrainian of the Year by Council of Pittsburgh, personally read a the Ukrainian Technological Society at proclamation of the City Council pro- its 35th annual dinner-dance on Saturday, claiming November 2 as “Msgr. Michael November 20, at the Pittsburgh Athletic Poloway Day” in Pittsburgh and recog- Association in the Oakland area of nizing him as the Ukrainian of the Year. Pittsburgh. Proclamations were also received from Members and guests were welcomed by the offices of Thomas Murphy, mayor of President Debra A. Walenchok, who also Pittsburgh, and Dan Onorato, county recognized former Ukrainian of the Year executive of Allegheny County. Award recipients and former presidents of In his acceptance remarks, the Rev. the society, who were in attendance. Poloway thanked the society for selecting Michael Komichak, director of the him as the Ukrainian of the Year, and Ukrainian Radio Program in Pittsburgh especially thanked his brother priests in and society member, made the nomina- both the Ukrainian Catholic and tion of the Rev. Poloway, after which the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches for their award plaque, calligraphed in Ukrainian support and friendship over the years, as and English by Kathryn Boykowycz, was well as the parishioners of St. John the presented by President Walenchok and Baptist Church. Secretary Irene K. Grimm. The The Rt. Rev. George Hnatko, proto- Ukrainian text was read by executive presbyter of the Pittsburgh Deanery of board member Michael Korchynsky, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the while Mrs. Grimm read the English text. U.S.A., himself the recipient of the Msgr. Michael Poloway is flanked by Pittsburgh City Council President Gene Msgr. Michael Poloway was honored Ukrainian of the Year Award in 1975, Ricciardi and Ukrainian Technological Society President Debra A. Walenchok. for his 50 years as a priest in the brought special greetings to the Rev. Ukrainian Catholic Church; his 37 years Poloway from Metropolitan-Archbishop as pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Constantine and offered the invocation. with your help – countless steps toward Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, from which After dinner, the Rev. Archpriest Canon Writer Andrukhovych’s... mutual rapprochement, to denounce that he had just retired on June 30; and his Philip Bumbar offered the benediction. (Continued from page 6) “quarantine line” that divides one Europe service of 29 years as dean of the Central As dancing to the music of the Vitaliy – have my own particular hopes. I want from the other. Deanery of the Ukrainian Catholic Shcherbyak band began, many continued to distinctly hear from Europe that “My Europe” – that is the title of Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio. to congratulate the Rev. Poloway, who is Kuchma, Yanukovych and their spinmas- Andrzej Stasiuk’s and my joint poeto- As well, he was recognized for his still serving the Lord by celebrating holy ters are wrong, that Europe is waiting for graphic book. In conclusion, allow me founding in 1974 and hosting of the radio divine liturgy in the Parma area. us, that it cannot endure without us, that one more poetographic metaphor. It program, “Christ Among Us,” a program In recognition of the Rev. Poloway as Europe will not continue to be in all its floats out right away when you look over of liturgical music and homilies for shut- the Ukrainian of the Year, the Rev. Canon fullness without Ukraine. geographic maps. The maps all demon- ins each Sunday; for organizing and par- Michael Krupka, the current pastor at St. My fantasies, honored European par- strate one and the same thing to us: in ticipating in many ecumenical religious John the Baptist Church, who is continu- liamentarians, have no boundaries. I have Ukraine there is not a single drop of observances important to the Pittsburgh ing the “Christ Among Us” radio pro- a thousand projects for cultural partner- water that does not belong to the Atlantic Ukrainian community; and for continu- gram, played archival audiotape of the ship and a thousand friends throughout basin. This means that with all its arteries ous support of the participation of the very first program prepared by the Rev. all of Europe, with whom we can realize and capillaries it is stitched right to Western Pennsylvania Council of the Poloway, at the usual program time on these projects. We will make – I expect, Europe. League of Ukrainian Catholics in the WPIT radio on Sunday, November 21. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 23

Rochesterians honor “Mirko” Pylyshenko èèããÄÄëëííééÇÇÄÄ for 50 years of service to the community After a dinner prepared by the ååÄÄããÄÄççääÄÄ Sisterhood of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the tributes to Prof. Pylyshenko began. 22000055 Local government officials, including Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo, Assistant County Clerk Justin Roy and èêàâÑßíú êéáÇÖëÖãàíàëü Town of Irondequoit Board Member Lydia Dzus, presented official proclama- á‡ÔðÓ¯ÛπÏÓ Ç‡Ò Ì‡ tions honoring Prof. Pylyshenko for his continued service and community involvement. President Michael Kohut and Manager ÇÖóßê áÄÅÄÇà Walter Sukhenko of the Ukrainian ¥ American Sports Club Poltava presented a plaque and a certificate of recognition åÄëäÄêÄÑà in appreciation for all the volunteer work, financial support and mentoring he flÍËÈ ‚¥‰·Û‰ÂÚ¸Òfl ‚ has contributed over the past half-centu- ry. ÒÛ·ÓÚÛ, 15 Ò¥˜Ìfl 2005 ðÓÍÛ Anne Kornylo, president of the Irondequoit Sister Cities Program took Metro Toronto Convention Centre the podium to “roast” Prof. Pylyshenko by comparing him to some famous, as Constitution Hall well as some infamous, personalities, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, ONT Wolodymyr “Mirko” Pylyshenko which had the attendees as well as the guest of honor chuckling. She also pre- ä‚ËÚÍË 110 ‰ÓÎ. ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Ukrainian sented him with a certificate of apprecia- ̇ ÔðÓ‰‡Ê Û è·ÒÚÓ‚¥È ÑÓÏ¥‚ˆ¥ American Sports Club Poltava of tion. Rochester, N.Y., sponsored its annual Church Council President Nick Tel.: (416) 769-9998 • fax: (416) 767-5277 dinner-dance with an added special fea- Andrijenko and Pastor Ihor Krekovetsky e-mail:[email protected] ture: a tribute to Wolodymyr of St. Mary’s Church lauded the honoree Pylyshenko, or “Mirko” as he is known for all of his numerous good deeds on éðÍÂÒÚðË by many, for half a century of service to behalf of the parish. the Ukrainian community. Tamara Denysenko, CEO of the ◊THE ORIGINAL STARSBAND AND LIBERTY SILVER“ Representatives and delegates from Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, deliv- the Rochester Ukrainian American com- ered a heartfelt presentation that centered ◊THE RON CAHUTE BAND“ munity and diverse organizations gath- on Prof. Pylyshenko’s volunteerism and èðÓÒËÏÓ „ÓÒÚÂÈ ÔðËÌÂÒÚË Ï‡ÒÍÛ ‚¥‰ÔÓ‚¥‰ÌÛ ‰Ó ‚˜¥ðÌ¸Ó„Ó Ó‰fl„Û ered to bestow various awards and com- the effects it had not only on the mendations on a very active and deserv- Ukrainian community at large, but on the ing member of their “hromada.” Ukrainian Credit Union membership. Mr. Pylyshenko, who was honored on Slavka Chomik, president of the Taras May 1 as the Rochester area’s Ukrainian Shevchenko Ukrainian Saturday School, of the Year, has been continually delivered a thank you gift to Prof. involved in the local community, sup- Pylyshenko for all his years of staunch porting numerous Ukrainian American support. initiatives. His contributions in the field The Plast Ukrainian Scouting of education, Plast, art, religion, youth Organization was represented by many programs and the credit union movement dignitaries, among them Nestor Kolcio have generated value-added benefits for and Hryhory Kostynyuk. They informed the community at large. guests about some surprising facts about He was one of the founding members of the Irondequoit Poltava Sister Cities the honoree’s life. Program. Currently, he is a volunteer Prof. Pylyshenko’s daughters, Orysia member of the board of directors at the and Katya, composed a poem that paint- Irondequoit Public Library and the ed a historic trail of his many accom- Ukrainian Federal Credit Union. He has plishments, as well as some of the hard- been instrumental in facilitating the ships in his life. It was a well-written weekly “Ukrainian Hour TV Program” tribute with a touch of humor. on ICAT cable. There were numerous letters of best In addition, he has been an officer of wishes read throughout the evening the World Council of Credit Unions; a including: messages from the faculty at member of the Ukrainian Academy of the State University of New York at Arts and Sciences and the Shevchenko Brockport, Merited Ukrainian Author Scientific Society, a founding member Ivan Drach, Brockport College and oth- and first president of the local organiza- ers. tion of Ukrainian American businessper- Natalya Shulga from the Rochester sons and professionals, a board member Ukrainian Group (RUG) made a presen- of both St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox tation to honor Prof. Pylyshenko for his Church and the Ukrainian Federal continuous dedication and hard work in Credit Union, and a volunteer for organi- the community. Oleg Pawluk presented zations as diverse as the Western Monroe the honoree with a spontaneous surprise Historical Society, The Ukrainian of good health – a huge garlic clove that Museum, the Ukrainian Rukh according to legend, would keep him in Organization and the Committee for the great health and free from bad spirits. Defense of Political Prisoners. After the award presentations and A faculty member of the State speeches concluded, there was a dance University of New York at Brockport, featuring the New Dimension Band. during the Cold War era he promoted and Later in the year, on October 24 at the hosted many Ukrainian folk ensembles, 110th anniversary celebration of the artists, film-makers and writers from Ukrainian National Association in Ukraine. Rochester, Oksana Trytjak, speaking on He has also served as a fund-raiser behalf of the UNA General Assembly, and supporting member of the following praised Prof. Pylyshenko, among other organizations and institutions: the U.S.- local UNA’ers, as a perennial activist and Ukraine Foundation, Ukrainian Studies supporter of the UNA. For many years Fund, Children of Chornobyl Relief Prof. Pylyshenko has been president of Fund and United Ukrainian American Branch 66, the Plast chapter of the UNA Relief Committee. in Rochester. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52 “Lisovi Mavky” sorority of Plast holds annual meeting at Soyuzivka

“Lisovi Mavky” gathered outside Soyuzivka’s Kyiv Villa.

by Halyna Kuzyszyn-Holubec growing in numbers. The young adult branch initiated many new recruits, KERHONKSON, N.Y. – A sea of including two from Ukraine, while the green “kyptars” descended on the senior branch (which renewed its activi- Soyuzivka estate on September 10-12. ties and Plast status just a few years ago) Over 50 members of the Plast sorority worked on plans to promote further “Lisovi Mavky” (Forest Nymphs) spent activities with young Plast members their annual meeting, or “rada,” weekend within their respective cities. at the UNA estate planning activities and Ukrainian folklore and traditions are agendas, welcoming new members and the basis of the Lisovi Mavky sorority. reacquainting. The Lisovi Mavky sorority is rapidly (Continued on page 25)

UNA estate is venue for conference of senior sorority of “Spartanky”

Members of the “Spartanky” sorority during their conference at Soyuzivka. by Lida Chernichenko from spending a year in Ukraine. A walk across the terrain of Soyuzivka followed, KERHONKSON, N.Y. – On Friday lead by Walter Nalywayko, Soyuzivka’s and Saturday, September 24-25 the sen- recreation director. ior Plast sorority of “Spartanky” held It was then time for the formal discus- their annual conference at Soyuzivka. sions of plans and projects for the Over 30 members attended. upcoming year. The start of the conference was a deli- Spartanky take an active part through- cious dinner prepared by Chef Andrij out the year in activities planned by Plast Sonevytsky, followed by a talent/hobby Ukrainian Scouting Organization’s night. Who knew that our members had so branches in New York, and Philadelphia many varied talents and hobbies? Included as well as in the towns of Newark and were displays/demonstrations of Ukrainian Passaic in New Jersey. Every summer the embroidery, pysanky, soaps, cocktails, group runs a weeklong preparatory camp cookies, house plans, restoration of art- for the youngest plastuny. work, jewelry, jokes, singing, piano play- During the year sorority members plan ing, accordion playing, Pilates and knitting. events and activities for both “novatstvo” Saturday began with breakfast and a and “yunatstvo.” The goal is to continue presentation of slides by Irene Bihun, a to organize and lead scouting activities member of Spartanky who just returned for Plast youths in our various locations. No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 25 Members of Plast’s “Hrebli” sorority meet at biennial conference at Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. – Members of United States, Canada and Ukraine. The the Ti Scho Hrebli Rvut (“Hrebli”) sorority sorority also has members in Australia. of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization Among the projects discussed was from various cities in the United States and compilation of materials related to the Canada gathered here at the Ukrainian upcoming 80th anniversary of the Hrebli National Association’s Soyuzivka resort on sorority, which was founded in Ukraine, October 11-12 for their biennial conference. and organization of a jubilee celebration. The conference included a meeting of Halyna Kutko was tapped to head the the sorority’s units for seniors and a get- anniversary preparations. together for its contingent of young The members also discussed aid for adults (“starshi plastunky”). Members Plast projects in Ukraine, such as the Sokil heard reports from the sorority’s leader- camp and a monument to Plast members ship and its branches in New York City, who died in the struggle for Ukraine’s New Jersey (centered in the Morris independence, as well as the development County area), Buffalo, N.Y., and Ukraine. of the sorority in that country. A special focus of attention was the The senior sorority elected a new lead- report regarding Plast’s 2004 Sviato ership headed by Marta Kuzmowycz. The Yuriya camporee held in East Chatham, executive board also includes Roma N.Y., under the leadership of the Hrebli Hadzewycz and Ms. Lebed, vice-presi- sorority and their partners in the project, dents; Oksana Bachynska, secretary; the Chornomorski Khvyli sorority. The Marta Salyk-Jacuszko, treasurer; Olenka camporee was one of the most successful Yurchuk, editor; and Dora Horbachevsky held in recent years judging by the num- and Malyna Dziuba, archivists. ber of Plast youths age 11-18 and their The next biennial joint conference of counselors who traveled from near and younger and senior members of the Ti far to participate, noted Lesia Lebed, a Scho Hrebli Rvut sorority has been slat- “Ti Scho Hrebli Rvut” sorority members at Soyuzivka. co-commander of Sviato Yuriya 2004. ed for the fall of 2006 at Soyuzivka. The During the conference the sorority weekend conference will spotlight the For information about the sorority, message to Ms. Kuzmowycz at mkuz- accepted 15 new members from the sorority’s 80th anniversary. interested persons may send an e-mail [email protected].

“Lisovi Mavky”... (Continued from page 24) The name Lisovi Mavky is based on the neo-romantic work of Lesia Ukrainka titled “Lisova Pisnia” (Forest Song). The lead character in Forest Song – the Mavka – was the protectress of the woods, whose loving soul earned her respect among all forest life. It is by her example that the sorority members conduct themselves and their activities. With the slogan: “Mayu v sert- si te scho ne vmyraye” (I hold in my heart that which will never die), the Lisovi Mavky sororities use the Mavka as an example, and hold dear her love of nature and exceptional character. Many of the sorority members are active in the U.S. National Plast Command and are counselors at numer- ous Plast camps and in their local Plast branches, where they lead groups of young Plast members. One of the key objectives of the Mavky sorority is working with young people and organizing events that high- light Ukrainian culture and folklore. In recent years, this has included staging Ivan Kupalo festivities at summer camps, publishing an issue of the Plast children’s magazine Hotuys (with plans to produce more issues) and organizing events like Andriyivskyi Vechir (St. Andrew’s Eve). Both branches of the Lisovi Mavky Plast sorority enjoy a tight camaraderie, enthusiasm for the Plast organization and its goals, as well as a long tradition of promoting Ukrainian culture. For the his- tory of the Lisovi Mavky sorority, as well as member information please visit http://www.geocities.com/lisovimavky/h ome.html.

Want to reach us by e-mail? Editorial materials: [email protected] Subscription Department: [email protected] Advertising Department: [email protected] Preview of Events: [email protected] 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

Ukraine is testimony to the likely disintegra- NATO postpones talks with Kyiv overpay by 36 percent?” Mr. Boiko asked. NEWSBRIEFS tion of the OSCE.” (RFE/RL Newsline) Queried about Naftohaz’s plans should (Continued from page 2) BRUSSELS – NATO on December 8 Turkmenistan insist on the higher price, Mr. ...but not resumption of Cold War called off a planned meeting between its Boiko said, “We’ll buy [gas] from Prosecutor resurrects case against Yulia foreign ministers and their Ukrainian coun- MOSCOW – According to Mikhail Gazprom or someone else at an acceptable MOSCOW – Chief Military Prosecutor terpart to distance itself from a government price.” He also noted that “Gazprom sup- Margelov of the Federation Council’s accused of election fraud, Reuters reported. Aleksandr Savenkov told journalists on International Relations Committee, a new ports our price position in Turkmenistan, December 8 that his agency has sent docu- The event had been scheduled for since a price increase will lead to a rise in Cold War between Russia and the United December 9. “NATO values its relationship ments to Interpol headquarters in Lyon, States will not develop, Komsomolskaya the transit price and the gas will become France, to support his case against Yulia with Ukraine. It does not support any can- uncompetitive.” Meanwhile, Gazprom Pravda reported on December 9. “We have didate, but it values free and fair elections,” Tymoshenko, a Ukrainian opposition a market economy and we are allies against Deputy Chairman Aleksandr Ryazanov told leader, whom he is accusing of financial NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Kommersant-Daily, “Taking into account international terrorism. To be in disagree- Scheffer told journalists. “We know from crimes, RTR and rbk.com reported. He has ment does not mean to be hostile,” he said. our expenses, we can permit ourselves to accused Ms. Tymoshenko, who was vice all observers that these elections were not purchase Turkmen gas at a price of $25 per Eurasia party head Aleksandr Dugin also free and fair.” A NATO source reportedly prime minister and head of Unified Energy told Komsomolskaya Pravda that “Russia 1,000 cubic meters.” Both Mr. Boiko and Systems in Ukraine in the 1990s, of told Reuters that the alliance will invite the Mr. Ryazanov noted that talks are ongoing, should increase its strength as the United foreign minister of “a new and legitimate involvement in the payment of bribes to States will be a friend only of a [country] but little time remains before the end of the government” in Kyiv to Brussels as soon as Defense Ministry officials to facilitate the like the Soviet Union.” Deputy Duma year. Turkmen negotiators recently suggest- possible and that it does not want to be seen signing at overvalued prices of contracts Speaker Sergei Baburin said: “Our relations ed that they would like to raise the current as legitimizing the existing government. with Ukrainian companies. In September with the United States cannot be called price of $44 per 1,000 cubic meters, paid (RFE/RL Newsline) Mr. Savenkov’s office opened a legal case friendly, but they are developing. Neither half in cash and half in kind, to $60 for shipments in 2005. (RFE/RL Newsline) against Ms. Tymoshenko and sent her file Iraq, nor Ukraine will lead us into a new Ukraine, Russia conduct gas talks to Interpol. On December 8 RTR and NTV Cold War.” Sergei Belkovskii, the director reported that an electronic dossier on Ms. of the National Strategy Institute, said: “We ASHGABAT – Turkmen President Bishop approves of ban on human cloning Tymoshenko was posted on Interpol’s are not moving toward a new Cold War. Saparmurat Niyazov met with Yurii KYIV – By the Ukrainian Parliament’s website. The dossier was reportedly The vast majority of the Russian elite has Boiko, head of the state-run Ukrainian oil decision to forbid human cloning in the removed the same day “for lack of suffi- accounts in U.S. banks and property and gas company Naftohaz Ukrainy, and country, the state “protected human dignity cient proof.” (RFE/RL Newsline) abroad, which could be damaged in the Aleksandr Ryazanov and Yuriy Komarov, and God’s law,” according to Bishop case of a Cold War.” (RFE/RL Newsline) deputy chairmen of state-run Russian gas Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk, auxiliary bishop Russians predict disintegration of OSCE ... company Gazprom, in Ashgabat on of the Roman Catholic diocese of Kyiv- Court reinstates former prosecutor December 12, Turkmen TV reported. The MOSCOW – Mikhail Margelov, the Zhytomyr. In his comments on December report indicated that price negotiations are chairman of the Federation Council’s 14, the bishop called the decision “essential- KYIV – Kyiv’s Pecherskyi District continuing on 2005 purchases of Turkmen International Relations Committee, told ly Christian” and “pro-Church.” The bishop Court on December 9 ordered the rein- gas. Earlier reports suggested that gazeta.ru on December 8 that he is satisfied explained that the Roman Catholic Church statement of former Procurator General Turkmenistan hopes to raise the purchase with the position taken by Russian Foreign in Ukraine followed the Verkhovna Rada’s Sviatoslav Piskun, Channel 5 reported. price from the current $44 per 1,000 cubic Minister Sergei Lavrov at the recent foreign consideration of this issue with great atten- The court reportedly concluded that Mr. meters to $60. (RFE/RL Newsline) ministers’ conference of the Organization for Piskun, who recently appealed his 2003 tion, concern and prayer, and expected that Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) dismissal, may take up the prosecutor’s Naftohaz head details Turkmen talks society would understand why the Church is held in Sofia, Bulgaria. “The OSCE is the post “immediately.” Meanwhile, a against human cloning. Two-hundred fifty- most senseless organization in Europe. Since spokesman for the Procurator General’s MOSCOW – Yurii Boiko, chairman of three national deputies voted on December the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact, the Office, Serhii Rudenko, told Interfax that Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftohaz 14 to prohibit reproductive human cloning in OSCE has transformed into a trough for President Leonid Kuchma has not notified Ukrainy, told Russia’s Kommersant-Daily the country. The law also prohibits import loafers and international officials,” Mr. his office as to whether he signed current on December 21 that if Turkmenistan raises and export on the territory of Ukraine of Margelov said. Writing in Izvestia on Procurator-General Hennadii Vasyliev’s the price of natural gas to $60 per 1,000 cloned human embryos. Persons guilty of December 8, commentator Nina Ratiani resignation. Mr. Kuchma told legislators cubic meters, Naftohaz might look for other violation of this law will bear civil, adminis- said: “The lack of a concluding political dec- in the Verkhovna Rada on December 8 suppliers. “If Turkmenistan sells the same trative and criminal responsibility under laration and the disagreement between that he had accepted Mr. Vasyliev’s resig- fuel at the same station to Gazprom for $44 Ukrainian law. (Religious Information Russia and the West over Moldova and nation. (RFE/RL Newsline) and to Naftohaz for $60, why should we Service of Ukraine) No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 27

University of Illinois and NUKMA establish partnership in public health CHICAGO – Back on August 31, Dr. memorandum of understanding between the next 18 months. The new UIC-NUKMA joint U.S.-Ukrainian audience at a recep- Susan Scrimshaw, Ph.D., dean of the their universities for faculty and student partnership in public health provides new tion at the Mariinskyi Palace on University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) exchange. opportunities for training the next generation September 1, “These academic partner- School of Health, and Dr. Daniel Dr. Hryhorczuk and Dr. Scrimshaw, of public healthleaders in Ukraine. ship programs have the full support of Hryhorczuk, professor and director of the together with Dr. Irena Griga, the dean of As Ambassador Herbst indicated to a the U.S. government.” Great Lakes Centers at UIC SPH, partici- the NUKMA program in public health, pated in the inauguration of Ukraine’s were successful in obtaining a highly first master’s program in Public Health at competitive grant from the Association the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Liaison Office for University Cooperation Academy (NUKMA). in Development in support of this partner- Dean Scrimshaw, past president of the ship. The partnership was strongly sup- American Association of Schools of Public ported by the USAID Mission in Ukraine. Health, delivered a welcome address from The new public health program has two UIC and joined the dais next to Dr. Ukrainian partners, NUKMA and the Viacheslav Briukhovetsky, president of Kyiv Institute of Post-Graduate Medicine, NUKMA, and Volodymyr Lytvyn, chair- and two foreign partners, UIC as the U.S. man of the Ukrainian Parliament. Dr. partner and the University of Maastricht in Hryhorczuk participated in the ceremony the Netherlands as the European partner. as a visiting faculty member of the new During their visit, Dr. Scrimshaw deliv- NUKMA School of Public Health. ered a lecture on “Behavior and Health,” UIC was invited to assist NUKMA in and Dr. Hryhorczuk delivered lectures on the development of this program by Dr. “Epidemiologic Study Design.” The ALO Briukhovetsky when he visited UIC last grant will support additional faculty and stu- year. UIC and NUKMA had signed a dent exchanges between these schools over

functional and stylistic differences in modern Ukrainian, including distinctions Dr. Viacheslav Briukhovetsky (left) with Dr. Susan Scrimshaw and Dr. Daniel Columbia... between Kyiv and Lviv literary variants. (Continued from page 19) Hryhorczuk. concerning daily life, read simple factual By the end of the course, students will be texts and write routine messages. The course able to use all major time frames and converse effectively in most formal and will be taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays at tic features. The course will enable students dents from New York University can regis- informal settings. The course will be 5:40-6:55 p.m. in 716A Hamilton Hall. The to discuss both general and special interest ter directly with their school for Ukrainian taught on Mondays and Wednesdays at topics, hypothesize and support opinions, language classes at Columbia, while Ph.D. instructor will be Dr. Yuri Shevchuk (Ph.D., 6:10-7:25 p.m. in 406 Hamilton Hall. and conduct independent field research in candidates and master’s degree students Kyiv State University), lecturer of Ukrainian The instructor is Dr. Shevchuk. the Ukrainian language. Classes are taught from universities which are part of the language and culture, department of Slavic • Advanced Ukrainian I (W3002) is a largely in Ukrainian. The course will be Columbia University Consortium (e.g., languages, Columbia University. course for undergraduate and graduate stu- taught on Mondays and Wednesdays at NYU, CUNY, The New School University) • Intermediate Ukrainian I (W1202) is dents who wish to develop their mastery of 4:10-5:25 p.m. in 716A Hamilton Hall. The can register for non-language courses by a course for undergraduate and graduate Ukrainian. Further study of grammar instructor is Dr. Shevchuk. obtaining appropriate approval from both students that begins with a review of includes patterns of word formation, partici- Many of these courses are open, not their home school and Columbia. grammar fundamentals and common ples, gerunds and declension of numerals. only to Columbia students, but also to stu- For further information, please contact vocabulary and that places emphasis on Original texts and other materials are drawn dents from other universities in the New Diana Howansky, Ukrainian Studies further development of students’ from classical and contemporary Ukrainian York metropolitan area, as well as to indi- Program at Columbia University, by communicative skills (oral and written). literature, press, electronic media and film viduals interested in non-credit continuing phone at (212) 854-4697, or by e-mail at Course materials introduce students to to familiarize students with varying linguis- studies. Undergraduate and graduate stu- [email protected]. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2004 No. 52

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Soyuzivka’s Datebook Friday, January 7, 2005 Deadline for ticket sales is January 15, 2005. PARMA, Ohio: St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian ADVANCE NOTICE December 31, 2004 February 4-6, 2005 Orthodox Cathedral, on the occasion of cele- New Year’s Eve Celebration and Church of Annunciation Family brating Christmas according to the Julian Saturday, February 5, 2005 Zabava with Fata Morgana Weekend, Flushing N.Y. Calendar, will sponsor its 17th annual LOS ANGELES: The California Christmas radio program for sick and shut-in Association to Aid Ukraine invites you to parishioners. The entire divine liturgy, cele- January 1, 2005 February 11-13, 2005 plan a weekend get away in sunny, southern brated by the cathedral’s clergy and with New Year’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.- Valentine’s Day Weekend California in February. CAAU will host the responses by both the Ukrainian and English 1 p.m., $14 per person annual Ball and Presentation of Debutantes February 19-20, 2005 catherdral choirs, will be broadcast live at 9- on Saturday, February 5, 2005, at the Hilton January 6, 2005 Family Winter Weekend and Ski Trip 11 a.m. over Radio Station WERE1300 AM. Hotel, in Glendale, Calif. All proceeds are Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve Great Complines and Matins will be cele- designated for the support of the brated in the cathedral on Christmas Eve, “Wheelchairs for Ukraine” program. The Dinner, 6 p.m., $25 per person March 5-6, 2005 Thursday, January 6. St. Vladimir’s Overnight Packages Available Plast Kurin “Khmelnychenky” formal affair includes cocktail hour, silent Ukrainian Orthodox Catherdal is located on auction, dinner and dancing to the music of Annual Winter Rada 5913 State Road; the parish office may be January 8, 2005 Vorony. Tickets: $95, adults; $85, students. contacted by calling (440) 886-3223. Mail your check for tickets to CAAU, c/o UNA Employee Christmas Party Marta Mykytyn-Hill, 1219 Via Arroyo, Saturday, January 22, 2005 Ventura, CA 93003. Lodging is available at CARTERET, N.J.: The St. Demetrius the hotel, subject to availability; call (818) Ukranian Orthodox Cathedral and St. Mary’s 956-5466 for reservations (please refer to Ukrainian Catholic Church are co-sponsoring group “CAAU”). With other inquiries call a New Year’s Eve dance or, Malanka, which Luba Keske, (818) 884-3836, or Shannon will be held at the St. Demetrius Community Micevych, (818) 774-9378. Center, 681 Roosevelt Ave. Music will be by Sunday, April 17, 2005 Fata Morgana. Tickets, at $40, include admission, choice of sirloin beef or stuffed NEW YORK: A luncheon is being planned capon dinner, beer, wine, soda, midnight hors to celebrate the life and achievements of d’ouevres and a champagne toast. There will Lydia Krushelnytsky, former actress, drama also be a cash bar. St. Demetrius Center is teacher and director of the New York-based located just blocks off of Exit 12, N.J. Ukrainian Stage Ensemble. The event, to be Turnpike. There is a Holiday Inn right off the held on the 40th anniversary of the ensem- exit for accommodations. Doors will open at ble’s founding, will take place at The Pierre, 6 p.m.; dinner will be served at 7 p.m., with New York’s landmark hotel on Central Park music starting at 8 p.m. For table and ticket and Fifth Avenue. Save the date! For addi- reservations, call Peter Prociuk, (732) 541- tional information contact Marta Kebalo, 5452. Tickets will not be sold at the door. (718) 291-4166.

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