www.ukrweekly.com

INSIDE: • New series on the post-Soviet generation in – page 3. • “Generation Uke”: hockey, film and more – pages 10-11. • Kiril Kulish stars on Broadway in “Billy Elliot” – page 13.

THEPublished U byKRAINIAN the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW associationEEKLY Vol. LXXVII No.9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 $1/$2 in Ukraine Former chief of staff to Yushchenko Economic crisis deepens; says voters will opt for new leadership protests reported in Ukraine by Zenon Zawada Tymoshenko to revise the 2009 budget, she Press Bureau has declined to do so, stating her preference for more effectively using current funds, as KYIV – As the dysfunctional Ukrainian well as those derived from local taxes. government scrambled to put out economic “It’s absolutely correct that it’s better not fires, the hryvnia slid further against the U.S. to review the budget, which we’re planning dollar this week, leading thousands of to examine in May, as much as any review to organize protests and demand of the budget is a reduction in revenues, not the resignation of President Viktor a supplement,” she told a February 25 meet- Yushchenko. ing of oblast council chairs at the Cabinet of On February 24, Kyiv street kiosks were Ministers. offering 9.20 hrv per $1 as the value of the Hampering the government’s efforts to Ukrainian currency fell about 10 percent form a plan and cope with the crisis was the from the prior week. February 12 resignation of former Finance Sharing the frustrations of common Minister , who has yet to be Ukrainians were global bankers, who held replaced. back the second tranche of a promised $1.9 Meanwhile, the controversial chair of the billion loan from the International Monetary , Volodymyr Fund (IMF), citing the ongoing conflict Stelmakh, who was supposed to return from Yaro Bihun between the Presidential Secretariat led by his vacation on February 23, decided to discusses the political and economic crises in Ukraine as it looks President Yushchenko and the Cabinet of extend it to March 9. The vacation began on forward to changing its leadership in the 2010 presidential elections. Sitting next Ministers led by Prime Minister Yulia January 15. to him is the discussion moderator Markian Bilynsky, vice-president of the U.S.- Tymoshenko. Subsequently, the Ukrainian government Ukraine Foundation. “The political situation is becoming less has yet to draft any crisis plan, not only and less positive in light of the upcoming resulting from the lack of consensus, but by Yaro Bihun Minister ; how the presidential election,” Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, also because conditions are changing rapidly the IMF mission head to Ukraine, said on Special to The Ukrainian Weekly president’s ratings would be one-tenth of and unpredictably, political observers said. what they were then and that he would be February 26. “Above all, the government is currently WASHINGTON – President Viktor fifth in the polls for the coming presiden- “And until quite recently, domestic eco- resolving the immediate problems of filling Yushchenko’s former chief of staff Oleh tial election; and that he – Mr. Rybachuk nomic indicators are more and more compli- the budget and making payments, particu- Rybachuk said that the Ukrainian people – would be speaking not as an Orange cated and serious. In light of such conflicts, larly Gazprom and pensions,” said will opt for new leadership when they go politician but as an independent. it’s more and more complicated to avoid the Volodymyr Fesenko, a political expert with to the polls in the next presidential elec- “Economically, Ukraine is doing very consequences of the financial-economic cri- the Penta Center for Applied Political tion in 2010. badly,” Mr. Rybachuk said. “On top of sis,” she said. Research in Kyiv. “But there hasn’t been a Speaking at the U.S.-Ukraine that we have a political crisis,” which has Political consensus between the certain consensus or agreed-upon view of Presidential Secretariat and the Cabinet is Foundation headquarters here on February been there since the Orange Revolution. what a crisis plan should be, even within the needed to meet the key IMF demand that 24, Mr. Rybachuk said that Ukraine’s cur- Adding the global economic crisis to the Tymoshenko team, which Pynzenyk’s resig- Parliament pass a revised 2009 budget that rent three major political figures – mix, he said, the situation has become nation was proof of.” is more realistic than what was approved in President , former “really threatening.” Instead the Cabinet led by Ms. December 2008, particularly cutting the 3 Prime Minister and There is a very low level of public Tymoshenko is attempting to extinguish Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko – are percent deficit. seen by the public as sharing responsibili- (Continued on page 22) While Mr. Yushchenko has urged Ms. (Continued on page 8) ty for the major economic and political problems the country now faces and have little chance of being elected. Kyiv warns Russian envoy about disparaging remarks Since Ukraine’s independence, Mr. Rybachuk has served with Mr. by Zenon Zawada Yushchenko at the National Bank of Kyiv Press Bureau Ukraine and in the top positions in the prime minister’s and presidential offices, KYIV – Tensions flared between but now considers himself an indepen- Ukraine and the Russian Federation dent. after Foreign Affairs Minister He came to Washington last week in Volodymyr Ohryzko warned Russian his capacity as the chairman of the Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Suspilnist Foundation, which promotes Chernomyrdin about disparaging Ukraine’s participation in Euro-Atlantic remarks he made concerning President structures. Viktor Yushchenko and the Ukrainian Mr. Rybachuk recalled that when he people. visited Washington five years ago, during At a February 17 meeting at the the Orange Revolution presidential elec- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. tion campaign that brought President Ohryzko cautioned Mr. Chernomyrdin Yushchenko to power, he could not have that further remarks, such as those pub- imagined how five years later he would lished on February 11 in the pro-Russian be explaining how things did not work daily newspaper Komsomolskaya out the way they had planned for Ukraine; Pravda, could lead to a persona non how Mr. Yushchenko today has a better grata declaration, making him liable to Maria Masich Zenon Zawada expulsion from Ukraine. relationship with his presidential oppo- Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine nent Mr. Yanukovych than with his (Continued on page 4) Viktor Chernomyrdin. Volodymyr Ohryzko. Orange Revolution partner, Prime 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS EU foreign ministers discuss Kyiv to have new emblem, flag citizenship. A total of 233 national deputies backed the measure. According to amend- KYIV – Ukraine’s capital city will get a ments to this document, foreigners and indi- Eastern Partnership initiative new emblem and a new flag for this year’s viduals without citizenship would be able to Day of Kyiv (celebrated in May), the depu- by Ahto Lobjakas common platform for issues of mutual leave Ukraine for countries of their origin ty chairman of the Kyiv City State or other countries not only with valid pass- RFE/RL interest such as energy security, is the way Administration, Serhii Rudyk, stated on forward.” ports, but also with certificates of foreigners BRUSSELS – Next month, the European February 20, during a meeting of the work- or individuals without citizenship if these The final shape of the project will ing group that is preparing the design for Union is expected to offer six countries an emerge at an EU summit on March 19-20. documents are recognized in accordance upgrade of its European Neighborhood the emblem and the flag. The Kyiv City with Ukraine’s international agreements on It is clear at this stage already that the part- Council had decided back in 1995 to adopt Policy in a new arrangement it is calling the nership offer will not include EU member- readmission. (Ukrinform) Eastern Partnership, an initiative tailored as a Kyiv emblem, but at present it has only a ship. The partners will be offered eventual description of the capital’s main symbols. More peacekeepers for Afghanistan a response to growing Russian assertiveness free trade, visa-free travel and close energy in what EU officials used to call “the shared And, despite the fact that the figure of St. cooperation – assuming they harmonize Michael the Archangel is used in all of KYIV – Ukraine’s Defense Ministry neighborhood.” their laws with those of the EU’s, reform announced plans to increase the number of After a meeting on February 23 in Kyiv’s official symbols, to date there is no their economies and demonstrate democrat- single, approved design for Kyiv’s emblem its peacekeepers in Afghanistan, Defense Brussels of EU foreign ministers, EU ic progress. Minister Yurii Yekhanurov said on February External Relations Commissioner Benita and flag. Thus, the working group “has a The EU will engage its partner countries concrete task: to develop renewed and mod- 23. “I think we will shortly propose a small Ferrero Waldner said Russia’s recent spats in a “give and take,” Ms. Ferrero Waldner group of specialists to work in Afghanistan,” with Georgia and Ukraine have forced the ern graphics of Kyiv’s emblem and flag and said. “Like [I] always said, it offers incen- to submit them for the approval of the Kyiv he said. According to Mr. Yekhanurov, the EU to react. tives to perform and to reform. It’s more for military command from Lithuania had “I think that after the [Russian]-Georgian Council,” said Mr. Rudyk. Earlier, the chair- more.” man of the Kyiv City Council’s Culture and approached Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense war and the Russia-Ukraine [gas] crisis we with a proposal to augment the number of Cautiously looking fast Tourism Commission, Oleksander see that there is a clear imperative [of] step- Ukrainian specialists in Afghanistan. Mr. ping up our game in the Eastern neighbor- Bryhynets, had said that projects of another The EU will throw in an extra 600 mil- Kyiv symbol, its anthem, would be consid- Yekhanurov noted that the matter does not hood and, therefore, we have a crucial inter- lion euros ($770 million) for its Eastern involve dispatching a military contingent, est in political and economic stability ered in February. “We continue receiving neighbors between 2010 and 2013. Between songs. This year, the song ‘My Kyiv,’ but only military experts. Currently there [there],” she said. 2007 and 2013, the EU has earmarked 11.2 are 10 Ukrainian military specialists in The Eastern Partnership targets six of the [Kyieve Mii] was submitted by the author’s billion euros for its Eastern and Southern relatives, who own the intellectual property Afghanistan with the International EU’s immediate eastern neighbors – neighbors. Two-thirds of the 11.2 billion Assistance Force in Afghanistan (IAFA). Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, rights. I hope it will be considered,” Mr. will be spent in the South, one-third in the Bryhynets noted. (Ukrinform) Ukrainian peacekeeping personnel are part Azerbaijan and, provisionally, Belarus. East. This reflects the balance of power of the Lithuanian group for reconstruction Czech Foreign Minister Karel within the EU, where member-states inter- Medvedev congratulates Yushchenko of the Afghan province of Ghor. Schwarzenberg, speaking for the current ested in closer links with the south have so (Ukrinform) EU presidency, said after the meeting that KYIV – Russian President Dmitry far dominated. the first formal discussion of the concept Medvedev congratulated his Ukrainian Secretariat comments on hryvnia rate Draft documents seen by RFE/RL ahead had produced an agreement on its basic counterpart Viktor Yushchenko on the occa- of the February 23 meeting suggest tensions aspects. sion of his 55th birthday, according to the KYIV – The Presidential Secretariat linger within the bloc between proponents “There’s been a general consensus that press service of the Ukrainian president. believes that the current exchange rate of of the East and South. Not all are keen on the concept of an Eastern Partnership is via- “Russia wants to see Ukraine as a stable, the national currency is unfounded, said the full free trade with the Eastern partners, ble,” he said, “and [that] the concluding of democratic and prosperous country with first vice-chairman of the Secretariat, predominantly fearing agricultural competi- association agreements, deep and compre- which we are ready to develop cooperation Oleksander Shlapak. “I am sure that the hensive free trade areas, and creating a (Continued on page 21) on a mutually beneficial and pragmatic dollar rate of 9 hrv is groundless. This is basis. I am confident that such an approach most probably caused by the uncertainty the meets the vital interests of our nations,” the whole of Ukrainian society is experiencing, press service quoted Mr. Medvedev as say- both politically and economically, as well ing in his February 23 telegram. as program ambiguity. I am convinced that NATO ministers seek to keep (Ukrinform) if we managed to take a common stand and pass an action plan, we would calm down Bill on legal status of foreigners passions. Otherwise psychological factors door open to Ukraine, Georgia will be exerting pressure, as is the case KYIV – The on RFE/RL defense and security structures. We are now,” he stated. Mr. Shlapak also empha- February 20 approved a bill on amending sized that there are no economic grounds determined to continue to develop this Article 26 of the Ukrainian law on the legal Talks by NATO defense ministers at an strategic partnership.” informal gathering in Poland have focused status of foreigners and individuals without (Continued on page 12) on ways to keep alive the membership Aftermath of August war hopes of two former Soviet republics: During talks at the NATO-Georgia Ukraine and Georgia. Commission, Georgian officials and Ukrainian Defense Minister Yurii FOUNDED 1933 NATO defense ministers discussed the THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Yekhanurov, speaking to reporters in aftermath of the war last August between Krakow, pleaded for NATO to keep its An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Georgia and Russia. Those talks also door open to new members. a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. focused on NATO’s recovery assistance to “We feel that it is extremely important Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. Georgia, as well as on the issue of Russian for all of us that we maintain the principle Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. military bases on Georgian territory. of NATO’s open door, which gives each (ISSN — 0273-9348) In the face of Russian opposition to separate country not only a chance to membership for Kyiv and Tbilisi, NATO The Weekly: UNA: guarantee its security within the network so far has held back on offering the two Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 of the collective security system but – countries formal invitations to join the what is even more important – divide alliance. Moscow sees NATO’s eastward Postmaster, send address changes to: mutual responsibility for its formation and expansion as an encroachment in what it The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz guarantee,” Mr. Yekhanurov said. considers its historic sphere of influence. 2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew Dubas The talks on February 20 included However, NATO has offered to increase P.O. Box 280 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) Parsippany, NJ 07054 meetings of the NATO-Ukraine military and political cooperation to help Commission and the NATO-Georgia both Kyiv and Tbilisi achieve their goal of The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] Commission. The commissions include eventual membership. defense ministers from NATO’s 26 mem- Mr. de Hoop Scheffer noted that Russia bers, as well as their counterparts from and NATO continue to be at odds over The Ukrainian Weekly, March 1, 2009, No. 9, Vol. LXXVII Kyiv and Tbilisi. issues linked to the war between Georgia Copyright © 2009 The Ukrainian Weekly NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop and Russia. But Mr. de Hoop Scheffer Scheffer, speaking before talks at the says those differences will not stop NATO NATO-Ukraine Commission, addressed from continuing to meet with Russian Kyiv’s bid to join NATO. officials under the auspices of the NATO- ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA “We have today a timely opportunity to Russia Council. review Ukraine’s defense and security “We’ve seen the recognition [by Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 sector reform efforts, and consider ways Moscow] of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. e-mail: [email protected] in which the alliance can continue to sup- We see the intention of establishing Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 port its preparations for NATO member- [Russian] bases there. We still have the e-mail: [email protected] ship,” Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said. “NATO problems of the access to Abkhazia and Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 remains ready to assist Ukraine in under- e-mail: [email protected] taking comprehensive reforms in its Continued on page 21) No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 3 The post-Soviet generation: a roundtable with Luhansk university students by Zenon Zawada failed to establish any order in society Kyiv Press Bureau and government. Even Stalin did some good things, she The post-Soviet generation: This year’s said. “Stalin introduced policies in which college freshmen, most of whom were there wasn’t parasitism, everyone worked, born in 1991, represent the first genera- there was no alcohol, there weren’t amor- tion of Ukrainians to have never known al deeds, because there was very great the . The Weekly conducted punishment for this,” she said. roundtable interviews with freshmen in Some of Ms. Savenkova’s views of Luhansk, Kyiv and Lviv to examine their Stalin were influenced by her grandmoth- views, acquired mostly from family, er, who has nothing but praise for the school and the mass media. Soviet dictator responsible for the murder and starvation of untold millions of LUHANSK, Ukraine – The Soviet Ukrainians. Union shouldn’t be condemned and nei- “She still has photographs and portraits ther should the monuments of its leaders of Stalin,” she said. “Stalin was very be removed, said Yulia Chernyk, an important for her, because he was like a angel-faced freshman who was born three father to her. And when I say that I don’t months before Ukraine’s declaration of agree that the Soviet Union was a very independence on August 24, 1991. proper state, she very often punishes me.” Rather, the names of streets and In revealing this, however, Ms. neighborhoods ought to remind Luhansk Zenon Zawada Savenkova contradicted a prior statement residents of Soviet heroes, said Maria A supporter of the Communist Party Yulia Chernyk, 17, read that Joseph that the Soviet Union should serve as a Kovaliova, a 17-year-old classmate born of Ukraine, Artem Sorokin, 17, believes Stalin might not have even known model of “order and organization” for the nearly four months after Ukrainian inde- the was “technically neces- about the Holodomor, and that it was current government – further evidence of pendence. sary, from an economic point of view.” a “mistake” by the Soviet government. social pressures in eastern Ukraine to “These people are worthy of us remem- hold contradictory thoughts. bering them in our everyday life, at least Mr. Sorokin’s grandparents also admire on street names,” she said rather confi- Stalin, “and at this time, I agree with their dently. “And even when we walk to col- pride of Stalin to a certain extent,” he lege and see some monument and remem- said. “He was truly a strong personality ber that our people won the war, they and a strong leader.” deserve us remembering that.” While even the most anti-Communist Such veneration for the Soviet Union Ukrainians acknowledge certain accom- is the norm among freshmen law students plishments in the Soviet system, particu- at Luhansk Polytechnic College, poten- larly in medicine and education, the tially the future generation of leaders in Luhansk students revealed disturbing Ukraine’s easternmost oblast, which owes opinions that blatantly distort well-estab- its industrial development to the Soviet lished historical facts and degrade the experiment, as well as its . value of human life. This year’s freshmen at Ukraine’s col- For instance, Ms. Dobrytska said the leges and universities, most of whom Holodomor was an unintended conse- were born in 1991, represent the first gen- quence of Stalin’s genuine attempt to eration of Ukrainians who never knew the improve the Soviet economy. Soviet Union. “In the Holodomor of 1932-1933, A one-hour discussion with the Stalin conducted such a policy, as grab- Luhansk freshmen revealed that the stu- bing bread from the hands of his own dents have views of the Soviet Union that people and sending it to others, in order are representative of the Donbas region, to put the Soviet Union in an influential both nostalgic and full of admiration: Freshman law student Maria Freshman law student Alyona position in international relations and • “It’s not worth condemning the help others,” she said. Soviet Union. Better that our government Kovaliova, 17, said it’s not worth re- Savenkova, 17, said the Soviet govern- naming streets or removing monuments ment served as a model of order and Her high school in Stanychno-Luhansk learn to instill the order and organization didn’t teach about the mills, grindstones of that era,” said Alyona Savenkova, 17, because Luhansk residents should be organization that current Ukrainian reminded daily of their Soviet heroes. leaders ought to follow. and millstones confiscated by Soviet offi- born about one month before Ukrainian cials to prevent Ukrainians from even independence. feeding themselves, with no economic • “The Soviet Union was good, but are either forgotten, ignored or not They acknowledge that massive perse- gain to be achieved for the Soviet state. examining it in depth, there were very allowed to overshadow the Soviet Union’s cutions, deportations and starvations Nor did she learn about the Soviet offi- many negative nuances,” said Maria economic and industrial accomplishments occurred during the Soviet era, especially cials who looked to see if smoke was Dobrytska, 17, born about one month and the need to avoid tensions with the under the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. emerging from chimneys as a sign of before independence. Russian people. Many people suffered, they agreed. cooking food, which required confisca- • “The collapse of the Soviet Union set “Agreed, there were quite enough neg- “Stalin incorrectly treated people who tion. Ukraine back by several decades,” said ative events, but far more positive ones,” were scientists, writers and poets,” Ms. In the view of Mr. Sorokin, the Ms. Chernyk, 17. Mr. Sorokin stressed. “People lived calm- Savenkova said. “He oppressed their Holodomor was even necessary. While central and western Ukrainians ly without worrying about the future. activity because they spoke like freedom- “In essence, it wasn’t genocide since it have begun the process of consolidating a They had free education and medical loving people. He eliminated them, sent reached the residents of the Povolzhia Ukrainian identity, language and culture care. Certainly, cultural leaders, academ- them to Siberia because they threatened (Volga region), so you can’t say that a that regards the Soviet era as destructive ics and intellectuals suffered, died and his government. I don’t think this was genocide was directed against a single to the Ukrainian nation, the discussion in were repressed. But that was the main very good.” people,” he said. Luhansk revealed that eastern Ukrainians disadvantage of that era.” At the same time, Stalin’s sins “It can’t be called genocide at all. Even have developed a wholly different view, The young generation of eastern shouldn’t negate his accomplishments or from a certain angle, from an economic significantly influenced by the Party of Ukrainians has little regard for the the social progress the Soviet Union angle, it was technically necessary. But Regions of Ukraine and Communist Party and culture, and a achieved in the post-Stalinist era, the stu- they ‘broke the stick,’ ” he said, using the of Ukraine, which dominate local poli- distorted view of Ukrainian history, often dents said. Russian phrase meaning the Soviet gov- tics. disturbing, that echoes the lies used by “Of course, there was some oppression ernment “went overboard.” The concept of Ukrainian identity the Party of Regions and the Communists of the Ukrainian people, particularly the That statement drew the comment, defined by the Luhansk students consists to keep their constituents in an ideologi- smartest and the most intelligent, but I “That’s correct. It didn’t work out,” from of close relations and integration with the cal fog that ensures their votes and sup- don’t believe the Soviet Union was bad,” the group, simultaneous with Ms. Russian Federation, the supremacy of the port. said Ms. Kovaliova, essentially stating Chernyk’s nod of agreement and sugges- , and viewing the Soviet “I’d vote for the Communist Party that killing the intelligentsia doesn’t make tion that the Holodomor was likely a era as an integral part of Ukraine’s prog- because I believe we don’t need social for a bad society. “mistake.” ress and development that is worth honor- changes primarily,” said Mr. Sorokin. “As In a case of cognitive dissonance, or “I read, and many sources report, that ing and preserving in the culture. the top priority, we should advance indus- holding two contradictory thoughts simul- Stalin didn’t even know what happened “Regarding the Soviet Union, the word try and the economy, because that is the taneously, Ms. Kovaliova said the on Ukraine’s territory, particularly the ‘strength’ immediately comes to mind,” foundation for everything. Social security Holodomor was genocide, but not against Holodomor,” said Ms. Chernyk, a native said Artem Sorokin, 17, born nearly two comes afterwards.” the Ukrainian people. She didn’t identify of Markivka, a town near the oblast’s months after independence. “Only posi- For starters, perhaps a sigh of relief who could have been targeted, if not the northern Russian border. tive words come to mind with regard to could be breathed that the six students in Ukrainian people. Her statement revealed the radical fal- the Soviet Union.” the roundtable discussion acknowledged In her assessment of the Soviet Union, sification of history that the Communist In this view, historical facts that expose that mass starvation occurred during the Ms. Savenkova said it ought to serve as a Party and other pro-Russian political the genocidal and hostile nature of Soviet Holodomor, which wasn’t the result of model for today’s Ukrainian politicians, government toward the Ukrainian people poor weather or a bad harvest. who are constantly fighting and have (Continued on page 16) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9 Ukraine’s instability weakens its candidacy for NATO, EU, warns report Council on Foreign Relations back concrete steps toward membership as well as Ukraine’s potential member- political year. ...Washington must ensure until Kyiv achieves consensus on this ship in NATO. absolute clarity in Kiev as to how much NEW YORK – Ukraine’s political point. “The Kremlin believes that an unstable support Kiev can expect if it gets into a infighting and tensions with Russia “What happens to Ukraine will matter Ukraine is in its interest. Such instability confrontation with Moscow.” threaten its path to stability and integra- to Washington,” according to the report, makes Ukraine an unattractive political • Targeting technical assistance to pro- tion with the West, warns a new Council sponsored by CFR’s Center for Preventive model for as well as an unat- mote economic opportunities in Special Report released by the Council on Sevastopol – “Drawing on the United Foreign Relations. Action (CPA). It stated that the U.S. tractive candidate for NATO or the administration, “should maintain the goal European Union,” said Mr. Pifer. States’ experience with military base clo- “A more divided Ukraine would be sures, U.S. assistance should help to gen- less able to formulate a coherent foreign of Ukraine’s development as a stable, The report encourages the Obama independent, democratic and market-ori- administration to adopt a strategy that erate economic and business opportuni- policy course with which the U.S. gov- ties in Sevastopol so that the local econo- ernment could engage; it could even be ented country, increasingly integrated into includes: European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.” • Restoring regular high-level dialogue my does not face potential devastation by driven to reorient itself on a more the Black Sea Fleet’s withdrawal.” Moscow-focused course,” says the Ambassador Pifer analyzes the coun- – “The administration should restore a try’s difficulties related to domestic con- high-level channel with Kiev [sic]. ...This • Increasing technical assistance to report’s author, Steven Pifer, a visiting promote energy security – “Ukraine’s fellow at the Brookings Institution’s ditions, such as fractious politics, a deep- could ensure that bilateral problems are ly divided public opinion and economic resolved in good time and offer a channel energy dependency on Russia creates a Center on the United States and Europe major vulnerability. Washington should and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. recession. He also examines Russia’s to convey candid, even tough, political increasingly assertive foreign policy, messages.” target technical assistance to help Kiev On the crucial NATO question, the adopt transparent arrangements for pur- including issues related to the continued • Counseling Ukrainian leadership – report, “Averting Crisis in Ukraine,” chasing and transiting natural gas, expand presence and eventual withdrawal of “Washington should quietly counsel urges the United States to support contin- domestic sources of energy production, ued Ukrainian integration with the alli- Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Ukrainian and [President Viktor] Yushchenko on choos- ance, though it recommends waiting to European dependence on Russia’s energy, ing his fights with Russia in a difficult (Continued on page 21)

which he returned to Gazprom to serve on this issue, like very many other issues, cer- the world.” Kyiv warns... the directors’ council. tain political forces in Ukraine act entirely Demonstrating the Yulia Tymoshenko (Continued from page 1) Although his wealth is unknown, some undignified.” Bloc’s new election strategy to win over “[Minister] Ohryzko expressed his pro- political observers said Mr. Chernomyrdin In particular, the Party of Regions didn’t voters in eastern and southern Ukraine, its test regarding unfriendly and utterly undip- could well be a billionaire following his share Mr. Ohryzko’s disgust over the leaders offered no rebuke to the Russian lomatic assessments, commentaries and extensive experience in Russia’s energy degrading remarks about the Ukrainian ambassador. Instead, party boss Oleksander expressions towards Ukraine and its leader- industry. Since 2001 he has led the Oil and people and their president, and instead Turchynov said “we have the pretext to ask ship,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Natural Gas Industry Council of Russia. demanded the foreign affairs minister’s res- the foreign affairs minister his motivation announced in a February 17 statement. In his response to Mr. Chernomyrdin’s ignation. for such statements.” Those commentaries appear to have been comments, President Yushchenko quoted “Ohryzko has brought quite a bit of dam- Meanwhile, Mr. Ohryzko was indignant the straw that broke the camel’s back for the the Russian ambassador’s own famous age to Ukraine’s image and his petty state- when asked by reporters at the February 18 Foreign Affairs Ministry, which has tolerat- phrase: “We wanted better, but it turned out ments can’t be justified during a crisis,” Cabinet of Ministers meeting what caused ed rude statements from Russian diplomats, as always.” said Hanna Herman, a top party spokes- his response. particularly Ambassador Chernomyrdin, The Ukrainian president defended Mr. woman, somehow overlooking the damage “You should pose the question different- throughout the Yushchenko presidency. Ohryzko, stating he acted within the bounds to Ukraine’s image Mr. Chernomyrdin ly – what caused such remarks from the The interview in which the 60-year-old of international law in defending Ukraine’s incurred. Russian ambassador to Ukraine?” the for- Mr. Chernomyrdin offended President honor and status. “We should have a common plan with eign minister said. “And that would have Yushchenko was conducted in a casual, Mr. Yushchenko said he didn’t think the Russia for an exit out of the crisis, and not been your civic role. Unfortunately, you conversational format, in which he let his Russian ambassador wanted to harm worsening relations, through unconsidered don’t have one. Please read Komsomolskaya guard down, offering readers an informal Russian-Ukrainian relations, however, “it’s statements, with our closest partner and Pravda and then ask the appropriate ques- view of Russian-Ukrainian relations. unacceptable for a diplomat, residing in the neighbor, to whom our prime minister is tions.” “You know, he didn’t just fall from the country of tenure, to say things which could traveling with a request for credit,” she The day after the Foreign Affairs sky,” he said of President Yushchenko. “By be perceived improperly by the nation, the said. Ministry’s warning, Ambassador his appearance, he looks as though he’s a government or the people as a whole,” Ukraine’s independence means it must Chernomyrdin said he would remain in his normal guy.” President Yushchenko said. defended its own interests and doesn’t have post, sharing more of his poetic eloquence. “He’s that type – paints, collects shards. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Chernomyrdin had a to stoop down before any other state, Mr. “We frightened a baba with high heels,” slightly more favorable view of Party of He can walk around some kind of tree Palii said. Unfortunately, however, “the he said, quoting a rude Russian proverb Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych. When stump for three hours and examine it, fanta- impression is that certain political forces essentially meaning that he couldn’t care asked by Komsomolskaya Pravda reporter size. At home, he’s collected quite a bit – don’t defend their own voter, who lives in less. “I am not concerned. I’m not at that Aleksandr Gamov whether he’s “that guy mills, millstones and gigantic [ones]! He eastern or southern Ukraine,” he said. level to be frightened.” we need,” the ambassador replied, “It’s hard put up windmills in Kyiv. And this person “They defend the interests of completely He added, “I never did and won’t do to say. It’s possible to negotiate with him. suddenly turned out to be this way. Not at different voters, who live in other regions of anything to harm Ukraine.” all similar. Kill me, but he’s not capable of But no one can be trusted.” this at all. However, he’s doing it. Someone President Yushchenko wasn’t the ambas- is helping him.” sador’s only source of discontent. In the latter part of his remarks, Mr. Mr. Chernomyrdin said the Russians Scholar speaks about Lviv’s Greek heritage Chernomyrdin appeared to be referring to don’t know how to win over the U.S. in President Yushchenko’s conduct in recent Ukraine, where Americans have established months, particularly in warring with Prime more than 2,000 funds, given out grants and Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. offered free scholarships to study in the The reporter asked: Who is helping him? U.S. “I would say, but I don’t know,” the ambas- Americans sit in Ukraine’s Ministry of sador replied. “Maybe someone close, or Defense, which long ago signed on to maybe someone further away. But some- NATO. Ukraine will “get away” from one!” Russia, Mr. Chernomyrdin warned. That someone is widely suspected to be “Some among us still say, ‘Can Ukraine Presidential Secretariat Chair , get away from us?’ It’ll get away! For sure! who has led the Secretariat on an offensive Do you think those Ukrainians who work in against Ms. Tymoshenko ever since he took Russia respect us? With great love for us? over in September 2006. Look at what conditions they live in here As for President Yushchenko’s relations [Ukraine]. They are degraded, they curse with Ms. Tymoshenko, “they claw at each us. They have nowhere else to go – so they other, curse one another, in the open, on travel to us out of hopelessness,” he said. television,” the Russian diplomat said. It’s the Ukrainian government’s respon- “Look please, she signed a necessary [natu- sibility to monitor the mass media and prop- ral gas agreement] for Ukraine, and now he erly react to violations of diplomatic ethics, is nagging – where’s the money, babe?” and its foreign policy interests as a whole, WASHINGTON, – Dr. Ihor Lylo (right), who teaches history at Ivan Franko The Russian government appointed Mr. said Oleksandr Palii, an expert at the National University in Lviv, described the evolution of that city’s Greek heritage Chernomyrdin its Ukrainian ambassador in Foreign Policy Research Institute of the during a presentation at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington on February 20. May 2001, since then he has gained the rep- Diplomatic Academy at the Foreign Affairs The evening’s sponsor was the Washington branch of the Shevchenko Scientific utation of a gruff, straight-talking diplomat. Ministry in Kyiv. Society, whose chairman, Dr. Boris Hlynsky (left), introduced the guest and pre- He built his career in the Communist “No tensions with Russia are needed for sided over the discussion that followed the presentation. In addition to his aca- Party, starting out as a factory mechanic and Ukraine,” he said. “But, nonetheless, we are demic career, Dr. Lylo is also a journalist, director of two political radio talk shows rising to become the managing director of supposed to clearly defend our honor and and the author of best-selling travel guides to Ukraine and Lviv. He came to Gazprom between 1989 and 1992. He dignity, and the dignity of our own country. Washington as a Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at the National Endowment served as the Russian Federation’s prime We want friendly relations, but mutual trust for Democracy. minister between 1992 and 1998, after is needed for friendship. Unfortunately, on – Yaro Bihun No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 5 FOR THE RECORD: Keynote speech at Harvard’s Holodomor conference Below is the text of the keynote speech by Nicolas officials in various administrations that clearly show that Werth, research director at the Institute for the “secret” Famine was not secret at all. These docu- Contemporary History (IHTP) of the National Center ments sometimes conveyed simple, but straightforward, for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris, which was statements. For example, a report written in May 1933 by delivered at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute’s a Central Executive Committee official managed to sum international conference on “The Great Famine in up, in just two forceful sentences, the impact, and the suc- Ukraine: Holodomor and Its Consequences, 1933 to the cess, of the Lenin-Stalin principle “He who does not work Present” on November 18, 2008. [in a collective farm] neither shall he eat” in the following He is the author or co-author of 14 books on the politi- terms. “In most villages, the molchanka [the ‘conspiracy cal and social history of the Soviet Union, many of which of silence’ whereby peasants had completely stopped talk- have been published in translation in the United States, ing to the authorities] has been broken. People once more England, Germany, Italy and Russia. His latest publica- speak at meetings, even though it is only for a moment, tions include “Cannibal Island” and “La Terreur et le and they do so only to ask for bread or to promise that if Désarroi: Staline et Son Système.” His forthcoming book they are fed they will work properly.” This echoes is “Repenser la Grande Terreur, 1937-1938” (2009). Kosior’s report to Stalin two months earlier: “ The unsat- isfactory preparation for sowing in the worst affected CONCLUSION areas shows that hunger has not yet taught many collec- Thanks to the important research in the archives, led tive farmers good sense (‘umu-razumu’). by Ukrainian colleagues, we now have a precise daily Perpetrators’ reports convey a remarkably aloof vision chronology from the summer of 1932 onwards. It maps in which the enemy victims are degraded into non-per- out the escalation of the repressive measures that reveal sons. “Enemy provocations” were abundant, and the the increasingly resolute instrumentalization of hunger non-burial of corpses, for example, was one of them. as a weapon to crush the resistance of the Ukrainian When mentioning cannibalism, high-ranking officials in peasantry and to a degree the Ukrainian officials (a the GPU reported in the detached manner of an ethnolo- “knock-out blow,” in Stalin’s words). gist describing the “savage customs” of a “primitive The thorough analysis, by Valerii Vasylyev and Yuri tribe.” “One might say that cannibalism has become a Shapoval, of the missions of Kaganovich and Molotov habit. There are many elements who were suspected of to the Kuban and Ukraine during the fall of 1932, vivid- cannibalism last year and who are now backsliding ly elucidates the political and ideological arguments again, killing children, acquaintances, even strangers on Nicolas Werth advanced by Stalin’s envoys and the crucial steps taken the street. In the numerous villages that are affected by to intentionally aggravate the Famine: cannibalism, every passing day strengthens these peo- assume, for it establishes the only normative legal basis • November 18, 1932: Peasants ordered to return the ple’s belief that it is perfectly acceptable to eat human available, even though it offers a much narrower defini- meager advances over the new crop they had received in flesh” (Rozanov, head of the Kyiv GPU, to Balytskyi). tion than the one Lemkin originally proposed. recompense of their work. The GPU reports also reflect a dread of and obsession For Lemkin, the Famine was the third – and main – • December 29, 1932: Annulment of the resolution with potential mass uprisings by starving peasants. As prong (together with the elimination of Ukrainian elites previously passed by the Ukrainian Communist Party Famine was raging, the powers of GPU troiki were further and the destruction of the Church) of what he considered stipulating that only Regional Soviet Executive expanded and “grandiose plans” (in the words of Yagoda) as “the classic example of Soviet genocide, its longest Committees could authorize, in special circumstances, were laid for the deportation of hundreds of thousands of and broadest experiment in Russification – the destruc- the confiscation of kolkhoz seed stocks and their inclu- “kulaks, counterrevolutionaries and other socially harmful tion of the Ukrainian nation.” sion in mandatory State procurements. elements.” These documents also shed light on another Two fundamental issues need to be considered when • January 22, 1933: Stalin’s secret circular ordering the major phenomenon already noted in the remarkable Italian defining – or not defining – the Ukrainian Famine of closure of the Ukrainian and Northern Caucasus borders diplomatic reports uncovered by Andrea Graziosi – mobi- 1932-1933 as a genocide along the guidelines set by the to peasant emigration on the conspiracy theory grounds lization of the urban population to work in the fields, December 1948 U.N. Convention: first, intentionality, that the starving “peasants” (with inverted commas) exo- many of whom were simply caught up in vast police and secondly, the ethnic-national targeting of the group dus “in search of bread” was organized by enemies of the sweeps, to ensure the next harvest would be successful in (since Article II of the Convention recognizes only Soviet power. This measure reflected Stalin’s growing areas devastated by the Famine, before the arrival of colo- national, ethnic, racial and religious groups, not social or concern over the political impact of the Ukrainian peasant nists from other parts of the USSR. political). In the case of Ukraine and Ukrainian- migration and singled it out for special treatment precisely The reports also hint at the incredible regression and populated areas of the North Caucasus, sufficient evi- because of his “national interpretation of the 1932 grain brutalization that accompanied the hunger and starva- dence exists to prove intention. As Roman Serbyn has requisition crisis.” This interpretation had been fully artic- tion. They talk about the rapid rise in rural banditry, convincingly argued, the secret resolution of January 22, ulated a month before, when the Politburo decrees of exploding violence, the lynching of thieves and even 1933, signed by Stalin, ordering the blockade of Ukraine December 14 put an end to the “korenizatsiya” policy – children caught trying to pinch a few vegetables, dealt and the Kuban, which fundamentally worsened the the Ukrainization program applied since 1923. It was with in forums known as “samosudy” (summary judg- Famine, does constitute sufficient proof of intent. now being condemned for allegedly dangerously trans- ments). They mention tortures, exactions of all kinds, Whether Stalin targeted, persecuted and viewed the forming the overwhelmingly Ukrainian peasant popula- mass child abandonment, not to speak of such transgres- peasants of Ukraine and the Kuban as peasants or as tion of Ukraine and the Kuban into Ukrainians conscious sions as cannibalism and necrophagia. The most extreme Ukrainians – which is indeed the key to justifying use of of their national identity. violence committed by the regime and its representatives the term genocide – is a matter on which scholars still This interpretation had, in fact, been maturing for against the population ended up in contaminating the disagree. However, I think it is important to remind our- some time, and one can follow its development from the victims themselves. selves of an essential point: for Stalin – who considered trail of Stalin’s correspondence: one of the best examples Historiography on the Soviet famines, and especially himself, and was also considered in Bolshevik leading of this is the now famous August 11 letter to Kaganovich on the Ukrainian Famine, has produced considerable circles, as the “nationalities expert” – the Ukrainian singling out Ukraine as a “unique” national republic, results over the past years. Concurrently, the earlier peasant question, a topic of which he had been keenly whose party had been infiltrated by Ukrainian national- silence over this mass crime has been replaced by heated aware since the civil war years, was “in essence, a ists and Petliurites, who were in turn serving Pilsudski’s controversies over its characterization. Dr. Graziosi, in a national question, the peasants constituting the principal ongoing project of exploiting in very lucid and objective analysis, has summed up the force of the national movement” (Stalin, 1925). order to annex Ukraine. The desperate Ukrainian exodus arguments of the supporters of the genocide thesis and of By crushing the peasantry with the weapon of hunger, in search of food (already regarded as “suspect” by their opponents. I have nothing to add to his analysis and Stalin was annihilating the most – and only – powerful Stalin by June 1932) played an important role in trigger- I fundamentally agree with his conclusions. national movement capable of opposing and derailing the ing the “national interpretation” of the Famine. My own interpretation of the Ukrainian Famine has construction of the Soviet empire. As Famine killed at We probably know more about the political escalation changed over the 10 years since my contribution to the least 15 percent to 20 percent of the Ukrainian peasants at the end of 1932 and the beginning of 1933 than we do “Black Book of Communism.” In that publication, I (millions of others remaining deeply traumatized by this about what was actually happening in the starving stressed the fact that Ukrainian peasantry was “the princi- devastating experience), other policies were implemented Ukrainian countryside, in the first instance because of pal victim” of the 1932-1933 famines. But I had consid- to subdue Ukraine and to crush its identity as a nation – in the blockade. In this respect, the testimonies of survivors ered these tragic events as a whole and essentially con- particular the mass repression against Ukrainian elites, remain a fundamental source (and I would like at this cluded this to be “the last episode in the confrontation and cultural long-term de-Ukrainization of Ukrainians liv- point to mention the huge amount of work carried out by between the Bolshevik state and the peasantry which had ing in the North Caucasus region and the Kuban. the late Volodymyr Maniak and Lidia Kovalenko, among begun in 1918-1922.” For the Ukrainian translation of There will always remain a strong tension between many others, in collecting the last witness accounts). this book, which was published a few months ago, I wrote history, which tends towards distinction and differentia- Other important sources, produced by the perpetrators, an addendum, in which I take into account new evidence tion, and law, which tends towards inclusion and juridi- have been discovered, but they are scarce, however, and and new arguments which have convinced me that there cal generalization. This is why a political scientist like we know why. In a highly revealing document, the chief was a strong, qualitative, specificity to the Ukrainian case Jacques Sémelin, who created the Internet-based project of the GPU in Ukraine, Vsevolod Balytskyi, instructed his and that the answer to the question, “Was the Holodomor “The Encyclopedia of Mass Violence,” pleads for histor- subordinates only to “Provide information on the food a genocide?” can only be a resounding “yes.” ical research to be free from “the yoke of legal defini- problems solely to the first secretaries of the Party There are many problems in the field of comparative tion” and to keep it away from “the competition of vic- Regional Committees, and only orally, after carefully genocide scholarship. There is barely any other field of tims.” I agree with him entirely. Kazakh herdsmen, checking the reports. This is to ensure that written notes study that enjoys so little consensus on defining princi- Russian peasants of the Volga region, deportees from all on the subject do not wander around the apparatus, where ples, such as the definition of genocide, typology, the over the Soviet Union (let us remember that 15 percent they might cause rumors ( …) Do not write specific application of a comparative method and time frame. of the so-called “special settlers” died of hunger and epi- reports for the Ukrainian GPU. It is sufficient for me to be Scott Strauss has counted no less than 21 different defi- demics in 1933 alone) were not victims of a genocide. informed by personal letters addressed to me directly” nitions of genocide. In view of this “bewildering array of But they died, massively, in silence and total oblivion. It is interesting to compare the scarce GPU sources definitions” (in the words of Leo Kuper), the UN For many different reasons, no one to this day stands up with other, more loquacious internal reports written by Convention on Genocide is the only reasonable option to for them. They, too, should not be forgotten. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9

COMMENTARY THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Volodymyr Ivasiuk, 1949-1979 Holodomor: Lessons not learned by Oleksander Kramarenko Thus it is with the Holodomor. March 4 marks the 60th anniversary of the birth of one of Ukraine’s brightest lights: Representatives of other nationalities died composer Volodymyr Ivasiuk, who will forever be remembered for his beautiful songs Our “post-genocidal society” (accord- in Ukraine only because they had the inspired by his love of Ukraine and its heritage. And, this year also marks the 30th ing to terminology used by James Mace) misfortune of living next to Ukrainians, anniversary of his tragic death – an unsolved murder that took place sometime hardly pays attention to the biggest trage- against whom the Bolshevik act of geno- between April 24, 1979, when he disappeared, and May 18, 1979, when his mutilated dy in the history of not only Ukraine, but cide was purposefully implemented. body was found hanging from a tree in a restricted forest near Lviv. His death was all of humanity – the Holodomor. It’s worth pointing out that the popula- ruled a suicide. Ukrainians, however, saw the hand of the KGB. The theme of the Famine-Genocide tion of Ukraine’s rural areas – where the Ivasiuk was killed at the height of his popularity at a time when Soviet author- becomes leading news in the Ukrainian Holodomor occurred – was up to 95 per- ities saw the love of things Ukrainian as a danger to the USSR. Those were the mass media for only a few days per year, cent ethnic Ukrainian. Only a pathologi- days of Volodymyr Shcherbytsky, who as first secretary of the Communist Party only to be forgotten again for a year, until cally incorrigible pedant or a dishonest of the Ukrainian SSR brutally suppressed dissent and fiercely promoted the next Holodomor Victims politician speaks of multi-ethnic victims Russification policies. Remembrance Day. among Ukraine’s population in Speakers at Ivasiuk’s funeral – attended by more than 10,000 mourners – and at a The day was established by Leonid 1932-1933. subsequent memorial service were persecuted by Soviet authorities; at least one writer Kuchma at the end of November, The Holodomor’s consequences for was blacklisted and two Ukrainian Helsinki Group members were arrested. although the peak of casualties from star- Ukrainians also cannot be compared to Nonetheless, his gravesite in Lviv’s famous Lychakiv Cemetery became a place of pil- vation in Ukraine in 1932-1933 was dur- the consequences for other nationalities grimage, where fans, admirers and Ukrainian patriots placed flowers and other tributes. ing the first half of 1933. that found themselves in the zone of this Ivasiuk, whose legacy includes over 100 songs, has been honored by Ukrainians can be seen as a crime against humanity. the world over. In his native Ukraine, 10 years after his death – at the time of glasnost “Soviet man” to the core. Spring abounds While many further generations of and perebudova () – the first Chervona Ruta Festival of Ukrainian music with joyful Soviet holidays, such as Ukrainians suffered as a nation, only the was held in Chernivtsi; 15 years after his death he was posthumously awarded the March 8, May 1, Astronauts Day, Lenin’s small diaspora of other nations suffered Taras Shevchenko State Prize, Ukraine’s highest award in the arts and letters; 19 years birthday, Victory Day and days honoring in Ukraine and their main ethnos after his death he was recalled at a large-scale memorial concert in Kyiv; on the 20th workers such as journalists. So why over- remained intact beyond the borders of our anniversary of his death Ukraine released a commemorative postage stamp. shadow them and please the nationalists country. “Volodymyr Ivasiuk gave much-needed new direction to Ukrainian lyrical music with a day in the spring to recall such a Furthermore, for the Bolsheviks to during the Communist era of ‘stagnation.’ He infused a patriotic message into music, as morose event as the Holodomor? destroy only the Ukrainian part of the vil- did Vasyl Symonenko into literature and Alla Horska into art – none of which were to All this is nothing other than indirect lage, while not touching, say, the Greek Moscow’s liking. However, Ivasiuk not only left beautiful music, but also showed how evidence that, contrary to other well- or Russian part, would have only meant to be true to one’s national roots, and how to draw inspiration from the treasures of known genocides in world history, the speeding up Nuremburg Trials for com- one’s culture,” wrote Halyna Kotovych of the Ukrainian Music Society of Alberta in Holodomor was directed by its idealogues munism by several decades. The Ukrainian Weekly in 2004, on the 25th anniversary of Volodymyr Ivasiuk’s death. at our present day. Death by starvation, distinct from other Now, 30 years after Ivasiuk’s murder, the Procurator General’s Office has reopened The Holodomor decimated the causes of death, at first deforms its vic- an investigation into the case, having been prodded to do so by a group of Ukraine’s Ukrainian nation to such an extent that tims morally and mentally. It has more national deputies, according to a February 11 report by Radio Liberty. RL noted that the most fundamental research on this than enough time to do that, which is why documents of the case had been stamped secret and were reportedly held in Ukraine’s tragedy is the work of non-Ukrainians. death by starvation is considered the most Internal Affairs Ministry and in the Moscow archives of the KGB; many documents It’s not possible to imagine the leading horrific death. are believed to have been destroyed. Holocaust scholars to be non-Jews or the Only death by starvation can overpow- Dare we hope that 30 years later the truth about the murder of Volodymyr Ivasiuk – top researchers of the slaughter of er a woman’s maternal instinct. A mother whose music touched Ukrainians around the globe – will be revealed and his perpetra- Christians in Turkey in 1915 to be non- is capable of sacrificing herself for the tors punished? Surely, it is time. Armenians. sake of rescuing her child by jumping Is this not proof of a complete loss of into flames or water, or under the wheels national self-identification and interest in of trains and tanks, risking her very own the history of one’s own ethnos among life. But mothers during the Holodomor March the absolute majority of Ukrainians? in Ukraine frequently couldn’t stop them- Turning the pages back... Without this, the process of uniting soci- selves from eating their own children. ety around a national idea and building a Therefore, it’s not hard to imagine that competitive state become problematic, before the maternal instinct entirely dies 2 which is exactly what we are observing in within a starving mother, she loses all her Last year, on March 2, 2008, Russian President-elect Dmitry Ukraine today. human and personal qualities – character, Medvedev easily won the Russian presidential election. The fol- The national consciousness of the intellect, Christian morals, patriotism and 2008 lowing day, on March 3, 2008, President Viktor Yushchenko con- majority of Ukrainians in the south and others. gratulated the former prime minister of Russia. east of our country is not at the zero level The same happened with Ukrainian “I am certain the fact that you have been elected as president of – it’s at a minus. Throughout the city and men who in 1933 ate their wives and chil- friendly Russia will ensure good neighborly relationships between our two countries will be oblast of Luhansk, for example, it’s pos- dren, whom they genuinely loved before dynamic and strong, based on our mutual hopes and for the benefit of our nations. Such sible to meet people at every step who the Holodomor. developments are in congruence with the strategic character of Russian-Ukrainian relations, will tell you that many of their relatives In the USSR at that time, Ukrainians which have existed over a long period of time,” Mr. Yushchenko stated in his greeting. were shot for cannibalism and only in Political analysts in both Ukraine and Russia were less optimistic. died in the Holodomor. And these very same people will obstinately argue that rare cases were they sent to labor camps. Vadym Karasiov, director of the Institute of Global Strategies in Kyiv, said, “An increase According to the world-renowned histori- in economic, energy and cultural pressure on Ukraine – these will be the consequences we the Famine of 1932-1933 can’t be consid- ered a genocide of Ukrainians since it an Dr. Robert Conquest, 4,000 cannibals can expect following the election of Russia’s new president, Dmitry Medvedev,” from Ukraine and the Kuban region Moscow will actively attempt to control Ukrainian commerce and banking through supposedly happened in other republics and since people of other nationalities labored on the White Sea canal alone. But Russian businesses in Ukraine, particularly with respect to privatization, Mr. Karasiov this was only a small fraction of all the added. perished in Ukraine. From this example alone, we can see Holodomor cannibals. Cannibalism was If Kyiv does not comply, Moscow will exert pressure in the energy sector by trying to observed in practically every Ukrainian take control of the gas-transit system in Ukraine, in order to establish alternate routes of the far more destructive psychological inheritance of the Holodomor. village. energy delivery, said Mr. Karasiov. It was not by chance that the There will be two centers of influence in the energy sector, according to Volodymyr To demonstrate with facts that other Communists choose the Holodomor to re- Fesenko. “As a result, the Ukrainian government will now be compelled to deal with both peoples of the USSR suffered famine in educate Ukrainians. Only in this way Mr. Medvedev and [Vladimir] Putin,” he added. 1933, but not a Holodomor, as Stanislav could they change their mentality as self- A pro-Russian cultural expansion will be focused on the ideology of “defending the rights Kulchytskyi brilliantly did, would require sufficient peasants to that of collective and interests” of those who in Moscow are known as the “Russian-speaking members of the an article much longer than this one. farm workers. And it’s worth noting that population,” Mr. Fesenko added. To prove that the Greeks, Germans and the Bolsheviks succeeded in doing this – Taras Chornovil, member of the Party of Regions of Ukraine, even before the election, Russians of Ukraine were merely tangen- moreover, for several generations that said on February 29, 2008, “We underestimate Mr. Medvedev. We have to treat him as a tial victims of the Holodomor, similar to followed. Even today the absolute major- serious politician. As president of Russia, Mr. Medvedev will have a tougher policy that innocent bystanders in a typical murder, ity of Ukrainians don’t farm their own Russia’s current President Putin.” is easy. land parcels and speak nostalgically of Lviv University historian Yaroslav Hrytsak commented that, despite the fact that the Imagine that a random witness found the collective farm. results in Russia came as no major surprise to anyone, it is still somewhat difficult to predict himself caught amidst the killing of a What happened to national conscious- what the election’s ramifications will be – both for Russia and the world. For now, the elec- politician and also died from the assas- ness is quite apparent in the example of tion results in Russia should be viewed as yet another in a series of attempts to create and sin’s bullet. And, imagine that afterwards the Kuban, where 75 percent of the popu- develop an economic utopia in the country, but without democracy. “Ukraine is too close to the mass media and witnesses didn’t call lation was Ukrainian, according to the Russia, and Russia’s successes or failures will undoubtedly reverberate in Ukraine,” noted this crime a murder of that politician, but 1926 census (nearly the same ratio as in Prof. Hrytsak. the killing of someone else. Ukraine today). During the famine at the end of 1932 Source: “Yushchenko congratulates Russia’s president-elect; Observers uncertain what Oleksander Kramarenko is a Luhansk (not to be confused with the Holodomor), Medvedev presidency will bring,” by Illya M. Labunka, The Ukrainian Weekly, March 9, journalist and researcher of the 2008. Holodomor. (Continued on page 22) No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR faces and places by myron b. kurpoas our dreams. But then again, our expectations Faces and Places Texts from Ukraine were not realistic. In many instances our vision of independent Ukraine was based on inflated by Myron B. Kuropas “edited for clarity” and unwarranted illusions of a country that is still being run by the former Communist appa- Dear Editor: ratchiks. None of these “bandits” went to jail The Ukrainian Weekly is always an interest- as Viktor Yushchenko, while a candidate for Who shot Col. Sushko? ing read. But may I make one observation? In president, promised during the heady days of the Orange Revolution. The “bandits” and he It was 1944, a bitterly cold January however, Borovets reportedly claimed that the recent letter by President Viktor night in Lviv. Col. Roman Sushko, a on July 7, 1943, OUN(B) insurgents dis- Yushchenko to President Barack Obama, The are still in charge of the country. But there is a silver lining in any bad situa- member of the Leadership of the armed him and OUN(M) leaders, eventu- Weekly’s introduction stated that the English- Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists ally killing some of the commanders. language letter had been “edited for clarity.” I tion if one looks hard enough for it. Today’s bad news about politics in Ukraine might be (Melnyk wing) was returning to his apart- The funeral of the popular Roman think we would be doing Ukraine a much ment in Lviv following a New Year’s Day Sushko, was a national day of mourning greater service by seeing, in their original state, good news in a long run. The nature and the intensity of the warfare between powerful oli- luncheon. Ascending the dimly lit stairs, led by Bishop Nykyta Budka, vicar gener- letters that require “clarity” and perhaps by the colonel was felled with a single bullet al of the Lviv Archeparchy. Family mem- reacting to that lack of clarity. garchic clans and politicians that represent them suggest that oligarchic rule in the country to the spine. The assassin escaped without bers, OUN associates, personal friends, It is unfortunate that English-language a trace. veterans, Sichovi Striltsi veterans carrying information originating in Ukraine, official is collapsing in a cataclysmic spasm and that Born in Remeniv, a village near Lviv, wreaths and the colonel’s many military letters from Ukraine, and official websites in we might be seeing the end of it. As the discord in 1894, Sushko commanded the famed decorations, and thousands of individuals Ukraine, are so often written by people with a at the latest NSDC meeting indicates, the oli- Ukrainian Sich Riflemen during the first holding Ukrainian flags and OUN ban- limited knowledge of English. Surely there are garchs are no longer capable of governing the world war, steadily rising through the offi- ners, were part of the funeral cortege sufficient native English speakers in Ukraine country. And that is good news. cer ranks from company to division com- which extended from St. George Cathedral by now who could ensure that letters by Unlike their leader, the majority of people in mander. In 1919 he earned the rank of col- to the Lychakiv Cemetery. The male choir Ukraine’s top government officials, and their Ukraine never carried Communist Party cards onel and spent the next two years com- Surma, led by Omelian Pleshkevych, par- English-language websites, are written in cor- and are decent, honest and brave people capa- manding a brigade. One of the founders of ticipated in a solemn panakhyda. rect English. ble of great sacrifices as the events during the the Ukrainian Military Organization Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky’s rep- The use of incorrect English jeopardizes the Orange Revolution demonstrated. With the (UVO) after the war, Col. Sushko was in resentative, Father Leontij Kunytsky, read credibility of a message, as the reader focuses collapse of oligarchic rule in Ukraine their day Vienna in 1929 as one of the founders of a letter from the archbishop which con- on the faulty use of language rather than the might be coming. That is the silver lining. the Organization of Ukrainian demned murderers. “A person who spills message. Ukraine’s government cannot afford Ihor Lysyj Nationalists. the blood of his political enemy is as evil to have that happen with its communications. Austin, Texas Sushko visited the United States during We do not help Ukraine by being too polite to as the person who murders for money,” the 1930s to touch base with the activities the letter read. “But the person who kills bring this to the attention of those who might of the Organization for the Rebirth of correct the situation. one of his own, risks losing eternal salva- Ukraine, an OUN affiliate in which my tion.” Irena Bell father played a leading role. A portrait of Which brings us to our original query: Ottawa School textbooks Evhen Konovalets hung in our living Who killed Col. Sushko? His granddaugh- room. ter, Khrystyna Owad, asked that question EDITOR’S NOTE: We at The Ukrainian must be monitored I met Col. Sushko in 1938 when I was in her recently published Ukrainian- Weekly have struggled with this question: to a skinny kid who disliked breakfast. The Dear Editor: language book, “Colonel Roman Sushko.” edit or not to edit? However, when we see two colonel was staying at our house in Four possibilities emerge. In order of versions of a letter, communiqué, speech, state- A lot of attention has been accorded lately, Chicago and used to take walks around probability they are: the Gestapo, Polish ment, etc. – one in English and the other in and rightfully so, to Ukraine’s genocide, the the block bright and early every morning. partisans, the NKVD and OUN(B). Ukrainian, one poorly written and in some Holodomor of 1932-1933, and some inroads Hoping to rev up my appetite, my mother The Gestapo killed openly, during the cases unintelligible, and the other well-written have been made in this respect. Recently, talked the OUN leader into taking me day, rarely at night. The Germans were and comprehensible – we cannot, in good con- however, I was reminded of another lingering along on his morning military regimen. losing the war in 1944; they had more science, use the very faulty translations provid- issue – the falsified treatment of Kyivan Rus’. He agreed. Later, we did calisthenics momentous issues on their plate than ed by Ukraine’s officials. Our aim in such My grandson, who is attending high together. OUN(M). cases – as is the case with all articles submit- school in Armonk, N.Y., is now studying At the end of his stay, Col. Sushko pur- The Poles also were unlikely candi- ted to The Weekly – is to have our readers 10th century Eastern Europe. I was dismayed chased an “army” for me – toy soldiers, dates. Polish partisans killed Ukrainians understand what is being written. At the same that even now, 18 years after the proclama- tanks, airplanes – the works. A gift of that for sure, but there was no Ukrainian mili- time, we have brought this matter to the atten- tion of Ukraine’s independence, the falsified magnitude during the depression was a tary contingent in Lviv. At the time, tion of Ukraine’s diplomatic corps in this coun- Russian version of history is being taught in grant from heaven. He saluted me and told Ukrainians presented no immediate threat. try. our school system, and Kyivan Rus’ is being me to use my army as a training tool. It’s a different story with the Soviets. A Thank you to our letter-writer for bringing equated with Russia. According to the text- “When you grow up,” he said, “you will Bolshevik killed . In the up this crucial issue. We continue to hope that books and other educational materials, it was be a Ukrainian general and help liberate Russian version of his book, Sudoplatov Ukraine and its leaders see fit to hire fully Russia that accepted Christianity in 988, and Ukraine.” claimed that OUN(B) assassins killed qualified translators who understand the Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise OUN was a threat to Joseph Stalin, Jaroslav Baranowsky, Mykola Sciborsky, nuances of both the language in which some- were rulers of Russia. who personally ordered Pavel Sudoplatov, Omelian Hribiwsky and Sushko, all thing is written and the language into which it I am certain that that my grandson’s school a Soviet agent who had infiltrated OUN, OUN(M) leaders. It is possible that the is translated. is not an exception but rather the rule on how to kill Evhen Konovalets. A bomb killed OUN(B) assassins were actually NKVD Ukraine’s early history, and Ukraine’s histo- the OUN leader in 1938. A year later, agents, but if this were true, assassin ry in general, is being presented. My grand- OUN representatives came to Rome and Sudoplatov, who proudly admitted killing son tried to point out the inaccuracies, but he settled on Col. Andrij Melnyk, a relative Col. Konovalets and UPA leader Roman is not an authority, so his explanation was of the slain OUN leader, as their new Shukhevych, would have bragged about it Dysfunction, crises, leader. When the followers of Stepan dismissed. I wrote a letter to the Social in his memoirs. Bandera created OUN(B) in 1940, Sushko Studies Department of the school, with cop- In her book Mrs. Owad includes a May and a silver lining remained loyal to Melnyk, his Sichovi ies to the principal and superintendent, but 20, 1943, declaration by the UPA high Striltsi comrade-in-arms. Both OUN(M) realize how inadequate this is. We need the command urging “Ukrainians to eschew Dear Editor: and OUN(B) courted Nazi Germany in involvement of a scholarly institution – not cooperation with the Gestapo, the NKVD hopes of establishing an independent In two excellent and well-researched articles an individual response. and “various ‘atamanchiks,’ anarchists Ukraine with German assistance and both, (“Political dysfunction, economic crisis lead to The question I ask myself is this: What can and political groups and parties who, fol- unfortunately, had been infiltrated by the shifting alliances in Ukraine” and “Accusations be done about it? Who is responsible for mon- lowing Gestapo and NKVD directives, NKVD. fly, as president and prime minister continue to itoring and correcting these inaccuracies? wish to destroy the Revolutionary Front... Once Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, battle” (February 10) – Zenon Zawada illumi- What Ukrainian institutions are or should be Do not allow yourself to be seduced by an OUN(M) cadre was able to establish nated the dark and dirty corners of Ukrainian responsible for doing this? Why are we allow- the so-called ‘Melnykivtsi’ who are work- itself in Kyiv. A national council was cre- politics and displayed a gallery of crooks that ing this falsified treatment of historical facts to ing for the Gestapo (Sushko and others) masquerade as Ukrainian politicians. ated in September 1941, quickly declaring continue being taught to new generations of and are continuing the work of Polish pro- As he reports, the verbal exchanges between Ukraine’s independence. Schools and uni- Americans, including our own children? vocateurs... These decrepit lackeys ‘orga- the leaders of the country at a recent meeting versities were reopened, and a union of This is an important issue for our commu- nize’ partisans in certain areas in order to of the National Security and Defense Council writers was created. By December, how- nity, and we should not let it pass. Something turn them over to the German police... (NSDC) went far beyond minimal norms of ever, the Gestapo had brutally murdered needs to be done about it. The problem is too Chase away these provocateurs, drunks, civilized behavior. These exchanges between most of the OUN(M) leadership in Kyiv. big for our children or individual parents to vagrants and crooks who steal the best the president and the prime minister at the Both OUN(M) and OUN(B), which had handle. We need the involvement of the sons of Ukraine... death to these trespass- NSDC meeting were simply shameful. And also suffered atrocities by the Nazis, went Ukrainian community, especially our scholarly ers and their agents...” they had nothing to do with either security or underground. institutions. The death of Roman Sushko remains a defense. It was all about competition for shady OUN(M) became associated with mystery. For some Ukrainians, however, profits from the operation of a gas pipeline. Maria Kiciuk, Ph.D. Ukrainian partisans led by Taras (Bulba) the above directive speaks for itself. It is not surprising then that many of us in Yonkers, N.Y. Borovets who attempted to establish a diaspora are disappointed and disillusioned united front with OUN(B) forces against with independent Ukraine of today. This is not The letter-writer is former director of the the Germans and Soviets. A tentative Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is what we expected from the great country of School of Ukrainian Studies in Yonkers. agreement was reached. In his memoirs, [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9 Concert in NYC pays tribute to the late Alexander Slobodyanik NEW YORK – An overflow audience Laryssa Krupa, the famed pianist’s attended a concert tribute to the late widow, also performed, opening the second Alexander Slobodyanik held on January half of the concert with Rachmaninoff’s 31 at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall. Etudes-Tableaux in E-flat major. Mr. Slobodyanik died at age 66 on Radio personality Robert Sherman August 10, 2008, of bacterial meningitis. hosted the concert, interviewing the per- He was known as one of the world’s fin- formers to elicit their memories of their est Romantic piano virtuosos. late colleague. In the upstairs gallery of The concert in his honor featured a Merkin Hall an exhibit of photos prepared cast of well-known pianists – Mr. by Ms. Krupa showed her late husband at Slobodyanik’s longtime friends and col- various stages in his illustrious career. leagues – playing works by Bach, Haydn, A special feature of the evening was a Schubert, Schumann and Chopin. video clip of Alexander Slobodyanik Performers included world-renowned playing a Chopin prelude. The audience pianist and conductor Vladimir Feltsman, applauded for several minutes after view- who organized the concert, as well as ing the clip, reported Mike Tschappat of Alexander Toradze, Alexander Korsantia, the Daily Record. “It was the conclusion Susan Starr, Eteri Andjaparidze and of an emotional concert, a tribute by Sergei Babayan. friends and colleagues for Slobodyanik, Mr. Slobodyanik’s son, Alex, made a who lived in Morristown, but had a repu- special appearance, flying in from Moscow tation that was global,” he wrote. for the memorial concert. He gave a mov- Ms. Krupa commented to Mr. ing rendition of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in Tschappat: “All the performers were very G major. “My dad absolutely loved the uplifted after the concert. Someone made prelude,” he told the Daily Record of the remark that only Alexander could ©2009 Peter Vidor Morris County, N.J. bring everyone together like that.” Alexander Feltsman pays tribute to his friend and colleague Alexander Slobodyanik, pausing before a poster of the late pianist.

©2009 Peter Vidor ©2009 Peter Vidor Alex Slobodyanik, the late pianist’s son, and Laryssa Krupa, Alexander ©2009 Peter Vidor Slododyanik’s widow, on stage at Merkin Concert Hall. A view of the packed concert hall and stage during the Slobodyanik tribute.

Institute of Sociology (KIIS) between traunche. accepting the debit cards of Nadra, one of Economic protests... February 6 and 15. Furthermore, Ukrainian politicians could Ukraine’s largest banks, which received the (Continued from page 1) As a result, thousands of residents of provoke a default for political gains, HSBC largest chunk of the first IMF tranche. economic blazes that crop up on a daily Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine’s third largest city, financial expert Oleksander Morozov told The financial turmoil has led to thousands basis, such as factory workers demanding went without heat for days in mid-February the EUobsever Internet site. “In such a case, of Ukrainians taking to the street in protest. unpaid wages, residents freezing because because they collectively only paid 32 per- Tymoshenko wouldn’t be able to fulfill her Protesters under the banner of “Distaly!” their heat was cut and pensioners complain- cent of the energy costs through their month- obligations to her electorate in paying (Had Enough!) took their cars and trucks to ing of only partial payments. ly utility bill, resulting in a 93 million hrv wages, pensions and so forth,” he said. clog Kyiv’s Hrushevsky Street, where both The Kharkiv Aviation Factory, for exam- ($12 million) debt. Far worse than a default are destructive the Parliament and Cabinet are situated, to ple, informed government officials it would Around the same time, heat was cut to measures the government could take to voice their contempt for the government by Donetsk residents because they paid only 65 avoid a default, said Rostyslav Ischenko, shut down by the end of February without honking their horns and disrupting traffic. percent of their heating bills, creating a 122 president of the Center for Systemic the promised government aid. Thousands of truck drivers are striking During the February 25 Cabinet of million hrv ($15 million) debt for the city’s Analysis and Prognosis in Kyiv. heat provider, Donetskmiskteplomerezha, to “In its attempts to avoid default, the gov- throughout Ukraine with demands for inter- Ministers meeting, an irritated Ms. est moratoriums on their loans throughout Tymoshenko said funds were earmarked for cover before its natural gas suppliers. ernment will start to simply print currency, the crisis period, extending loan terms and the factory in the 2009 budget, then firmly On February 24 the Kherson state water and then we will return to the situation in the easing financial burdens overall. rebuked Industrial Policy Minister supply company cut service because of early 1990s, when we first killed ourselves Volodymyr Novytskyi for not transferring accumulated debts owed to electricity pro- with our own economy and ended up Another movement, “Het Usikh!” them. viders that resulted from unpaid bills. More defaulting afterwards anyhow,” Mr. (Everyone Out!) has set up tents on Kyiv’s “What chains on your legs prevented you than 100,000 city residents, 23 nurseries and Ischenko said. maidan (Independence Square) to protest from transferring 40 million hrv to the 17 educational institutions lost their water “For as much as I can follow the govern- new taxes and fines imposed on motorists Kharkiv Aviation Factory the day after the supply. ment’s steps, it has gone down this very that are intended to raise government reve- measure was passed?” the prime minister While the KIIS poll showed that 90 per- path. It’s trying to avoid the practically inev- nues. shouted at Mr. Novytskyi, creating a dra- cent of Ukrainians said they were affected itable default by pumping unsecured hryvni Thousands of Communists organized matic scene in front of television cameras. by the crisis in some way, Ms. Tymoshenko on the domestic market,” he added. their own February 23 protest on the other “Am I supposed to babysit ministers 24 has been directing special attention to the Tracking the Ukrainian economy won’t side of the maidan under the slogan, hours a day?” nation’s 13 million pensioners. A reliable be so simple after Ms. Tymoshenko ordered “Yushchenko-Suitcase-America,” demand- The final decision on financing was source of votes, she assured them their pay- the State Statistics Committee to cease ing the president’s resignation. approved three weeks ago, Mr. Novytskyi ments wouldn’t be disrupted throughout the releasing economic data on a monthly basis Joining the chorus was former President replied, only further upsetting Ms. year, pointing out the State Pension Fund and switch to a quarterly schedule instead. , who told a live national Tymoshenko, who said that holding wages received all its revenues in February. Meanwhile, Ukrainian banks continued television audience on February 24 that for even three weeks is a crime. “Maybe I “I turn to pensioners – don’t listen to the to fall like dominoes. After Nadra Bank and President Yushchenko was failing to uphold hysterics and misinformation on television,” Kyiv Bank required government interven- will simply make a decision through a spe- his constitutional obligations as president in cial decree to deny wages to ministers who she said, responding to claims by rival tion, shareholders of Rodovid Bank voted dealing with the financial crisis and even handle their responsibilities as such, and re- that the pension fund is on February 26 to sell majority control to profiting from it. direct them to the Kharkiv Aviation bankrupt. the Ukrainian government. Factory.” Amidst the turmoil, speculation rose that That didn’t help depositors of those “I see only one exit – pre-term presiden- Such delays in wages, coupled with mass the Ukrainian government might default on banks, who were unable to make withdraw- tial elections,” Mr. Kravchuk said. “The layoffs in factories and companies that have its debts before its foreign creditors, which als from their automated-teller machines majority of people demand this. Allow us to failed altogether, have resulted large num- would seal the nation’s economic collapse. (ATM) in recent weeks. remember that I agreed to pre-term elections bers of Ukrainians unable to pay their basic Experts at Commerzbank reported that Not only have Kyiv Bank’s and Nadra’s in my time. Did I want to do it? Of course utility bills. the likelihood of a Ukrainian default is 90 ATMs failed, but the banks haven’t been not. The true patriotism of a president, About 44 percent of Ukrainians reported percent, citing a 26 percent decline in indus- returning savings on accounts whose terms Viktor Andriyovych, lies in analyzing a situ- some decline in their income, according to a trial production, the hryvnia’s plunge and have expired. ation, one own’s position and making the poll conducted by the Kyiv International the IMF’s hesitance in offering the second Retailers and supermarkets are no longer appropriate decision – resigning.” No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 9 IMF withholds second tranche of emergency loan to Ukraine by Yuriy Onyshkiv legislation. Special to The Ukrainian Weekly The National Bank of Ukraine didn’t disclose which banks received the loans, KYIV – The International Monetary but observers believe it earmarked a sig- Fund (IMF) is still withholding the second nificant portion to Nadra Bank, which tranche of a $16.4 billion emergency loan failed anyway and required government aimed at recapitalizing Ukraine’s banking intervention. sector after the government fell behind in Ms. Tymoshenko and other political implementing stabilization measures need- opponents of Nadra Bank’s owner, Dmytro ed to receive the aid. Firtash, alleged that he plundered most of “Among the outstanding issues is on the the finds he received. fiscal side, where we need to find agree- “There are many questions regarding the ment on how to contain the government transparency of the IMF aid,” said Yurii deficit in 2009,” said David Hawley, the Butsa, a deputy director at the Kyiv office senior advisor at the IMF external relations of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, raising the department, during an early February press possibility of shady deals behind the bank briefing in Washington. refinancing from the first tranche. Specifically, the IMF wants the 2009 Mr. Butsa said he had no doubt that post- budget’s 3 percent deficit eliminated, and a ponement of the second IMF tranche was second package of anti-crisis reforms adopt- due to Ukraine not abiding by the condi- ed before it issues a second tranche of an estimated $1.9 billion. tions in a memorandum signed between At a February 26 meeting with the Kyiv and the IMF, namely, liberalization of ambassadors of the Group of Seven coun- exchange rate policy and adoption of a non- tries in Kyiv, President Viktor Yushchenko deficit budget. said he would meet the next morning with Oleksander Zholud, an economist at the Ms. Tymoshenko, Verkhovna Rada Chair International Center for Prospective Studies Volodymyr Lytvyn, National Bank of in Kyiv, said the IMF tranche deferral is Ukraine (NBU) Acting Chair Anatolii directly linked to a well-balanced budget. Shapovalov and opposition leader Viktor The European Bank for Reconstruction Yanukovych to reach compromise on the and Development (EBRD), another interna- IMF terms. tional financial organization created to build President Yushchenko and Prime market economies and democracies in the Minister Yulia Tymoshenko have been former Communist bloc, said it is willing to unable to agree on numerous conditions offer Ukraine credit of 500 million euros demanded by the IMF, including revising (about $640 million U.S.) to recapitalize the the 2009 budget, which Ms. Tymoshenko banking system. said would only result in reducing desper- Since cooperation with the IMF is an ately needed revenues. essential indicator of a country’s reliability, “This is an inadequate, dead-end position experts said the EBRD money is comple- which needs review,” the president told the mentary to the IMF loan. ambassadors. “I think I will find arguments , chair of the NBU to convince the government.” board of directors, said cuts to further fund- In November 2009 Ukraine received ing would have “devastating” consequences the first tranche, or $4.5 billion, of an IMF for European economies and could heavily stand-by loan brokered after the Verkhovna damage European banks with huge stakes Rada approved a package of anti-crisis in Ukrainian banks. Quotable notes “Last month Gazprom launched a massive and aggressive misinformation cam- paign against Ukraine. … I had hoped that this propaganda war was over. Therefore, I was surprised to read in your newspaper (“Russia denies Ukraine gas system move,” February 4) groundless allegations about Ukraine’s gas transport system (GTS). “Surely, Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian ambassador to the European Union, was aware of the European Commission’s Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States program conclusions, published in 2007, that the Ukrainian GTS was in a satisfactory technical condition? Surely, Mr. Chizhov was aware of the offi- cial data of the Russian and Ukrainian ministries of emergencies: while Ukraine had three accidents in its transit pipeline network, the biggest in Europe, in 2006 and one in 2007, Russia had 37 in 2006 and 43 in 2007. … “... Ukraine is conscious that its GTS, like any other continental infrastructure facil- ity, needs ongoing modernization. To this end we are investing our own resources as well as cooperating with interested parties to ensure upgrading of our GTS and improve its security. On March 23 we will host a special investment conference in Brussels devoted to this topic. … “By cutting gas off and attempting to place Ukrainian operators in breach of operational procedures, Gazprom committed an act of technological aggression. Its ploy did not work because Ukraine has modernized the system and was able to continue operating. “Europe needs cooperation, not accusations.”

– Viacheslav Kniazhnytskyi, counselor on energy issues, Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, in a letter to the editor published in the February 11 issue of the Financial Times.

Wherever you are, The Ukrainian Weekly can be there with you Check out THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY online at www.ukrweekly.com 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9 GENERATION UKE Edited and compiled by Matthew Dubas and Yarema Belej New York Kozaks Hockey Club vs. Montreal Ukes – a rivalry renewed by Yarema Belej MONTREAL – Guys will do nearly anything to win favor with nice Ukrainian girls, regardless of where they live. This was the case in 1989, when a young native New Yorker was often traveling to Montreal to visit with a young Ukrainian flight attendant. The trips that Taras Odulak would often make to Montreal would usually include hanging out with other local young Ukrainians at functions or at local bars. One fateful weekend, with a couple of friends in tow, discussions of athletic prowess took center stage and the com- mon link of hockey was recognized. The New Yorkers had been skating for a cou- ple of years and the Montrealers for more than a decade. A challenge was extended over drinks and along with plenty of pride. Less than a year later the New Yorkers were set to travel up to Montreal to lace ‘em up and Mary Hrywna slap it around. The New Yorkers branded The equally matched New York Kozaks and the Montreal Ukes. themselves the New York Kozaks and the Montrealers became the Montreal Ukes. games, the friendly rivalry between the Although they were well aware of the New York Kozaks and the Montreal Ukes huge task at hand, the Ukes were well- was re-ignited and a match was set for seasoned in hockey. “They knew how to Saturday January 24 of this year. This skate backwards, forwards and how to lift time around, both teams were fairly even- the puck,” said Andrij Sonevytsky of New ly matched. York. The New Yorkers were finding it The New York Kozaks play in a regu- difficult to even skate a full team, and the lar league, Division 3 at the Chelsea first game saw them play with a few Piers, and as a result their team has extras. reached a very high skill level. They have This first match saw the Montreal Ukes competed near the top of their league for take it to the Kozaks. The game was quite some time now. So when this game played at Montreal’s McGill University was on the horizon, the “all-generation with over 100 attendees, who helped to team” of the Kozaks knew it would have raise over $1,000 for the local Ukrainian something to show on the ice. school. Even though they played hard, the Coinciding with the Montreal Malanka, teams celebrated into the night and struck the hockey game between the two old up new friendships. clubs had a full weekend to serve as a A re-match was scheduled for the fol- backdrop for their highly anticipated lowing year in New York. This game was game. “Shortly after we arrived we went billed as a fund-raiser for the Ukrainian to the pub night at a local bar put on by American Youth Association and Plast the McGill Ukrainian Students associa- Ukrainian Scouting Organization and was tion,” said Mark Howansky, captain of witnessed by more than 200 people. More the New York Kozaks. “Montreal was than $2,000 was raised. This game saw a also hosting NHL All-Star weekend, so similar result, but the New York Kozaks there were some related attractions down- had recruited a good number of players town, like life-sized frozen ice sculptures and their skill level was on its way up. of players. But, of course, we were the Through the next few years games real all-stars in town.” were played in Montreal, Toronto and This fun disposition was soon put to the Detroit as more Ukrainian teams rose to side as the two teams played a hard and the challenge and played for pride and determined game to vanquish the opposi- sportsmanship as they took it all out on tion. With some deflections, the Ukes went Yuriy Holowacky the ice. The New York Kozaks attempt to even the score. After several years of no organized (Continued on page 11)

Yuriy Holowacky Mary Hrywna The Montreal Ukes prepare for a face-off near their net. The New York Kozaks form a new strategy between periods. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 11

“Orange Chronicles” signs domestic and foreign distribution deals by Matthew Dubas Documentary” at the Garden State Film Soviet policies of Russification and the Festival, and “Honorable Mention” at the Holodomor of 1932-1933, which killed PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The feature-length Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. millions of Ukrainians. Commenting on documentary “The Orange Chronicles” by Mr. Kolodiy said he hopes to screen the his experience filming the historic events, Damian Kolodiy and Peter Zielyk was film in Chicago and other cities and hopes he stated: “It was an amazing time and I recently signed to two non-exclusive distri- that the film will be integrated in educational feel very fortunate to have been able to bution deals. The film will be distributed by spheres. Attempts made by the film team in participate in the way I did. … In any case Journeyman Pictures (www.journeyman.tv), Ukraine for television exposure were unsuc- I’m glad the film has stimulated your inter- a London-based boutique distributor that cessful, and the film was pulled from the est in the region. Ukraine will play a key specializes in current events documentaries, 2007 Human Rights Watch film festival in component in the geopolitics between the and Forward in Time (www.forwardintime. Ukraine’s eastern cities. West and the increasingly aggressive and com), an educational distributor of films to Daniel Fernandez-Davila, a seventh grade imperialistic Russian government that con- universities in North America. social studies teacher in Wayland, Mass., tinues to manipulate truth, especially to Since the documentary on the Orange wrote Mr. Kolodiy a letter about his person- their people.” Revolution is available to the world, rather al connection with the film and his students’ Mr. Kolodiy also shared a letter he than sitting on his shelf, Mr. Kolodiy said he reaction to the film. Originally from Peru, received from Prof. John E. McLaughlin, feels free to focus his energies on new proj- Mr. Fernandez-Davila saw the rise of associate professor of English at Utah State ects and goals, including conducting inter- Alberto Fujimori, who is credited with fight- University, and a 2007-2008 Fulbright views with Ukrainian survivors of the ing terrorism through popular unrest and the Scholar in the Romance and Germanic lan- Holodomor of 1932-1933 who live in the restoration of democracy in Peru. His stu- guages department at Rivne State New York tri-state area. Mr. Kolodiy added dents provided their thoughts on a webpage Humanities University in Ukraine. Prof. that he is looking forward to some non- created by Mr. Fernandez-Davila. McLaughlin’s wife, a Russophone from Ukrainian related projects, specifically Questions posed to the class included: Dnipropetrovsk, saw the film and upon music-related and a documentary around the What have you learned about Europe that viewing the footage said, “They never recent presidential inauguration. (For more you did not know before? Why is language showed us that on television!” … “I had no information, readers may visit www.pid- crucial to define the identity of people? Why heart of the identity of a people. “Without a idea there were so many people there, we films.com.) do Ukrainians want to be part of the common language there is no common never knew, we never were told!” A school- After screening the film for over two European Union and not part of Russia? Is nation,” as one student commented. Other teacher in Dnipropetrovsk during the contro- years in all parts of the world, the film was Europe really united or very fragmented? answers tended to not foresee the EU versial election of 2004-2005, her school awarded the “Audience Award” at the Do you think Russia will be part of the embracing Russia, and many students com- was a polling center and she worked 36 Phoenix Film Festival, “Best Feature European Union some day in the future? plimented the Ukrainian leaders for not hours straight sealing ballot boxes. Documentary” at the Boston International Many answers from the students suggest- resorting to violence during the Orange Mr. Kolodiy is a freelance documentary Film Festival, “Best International ed that they believe that language is the Revolution. producer, cameraman and editor. Among his In reaction to the comments made by works are pieces for Voice of America and the students, Mr. Kolodiy revealed that Current TV. Mr. Zielyk is a New York-based when editing the film the team had a editor/director, whose work includes music The New York Times features young audience in mind that wasn’t famil- videos, commercials, documentaries and iar with Ukraine. In helping the students reality programming. understand the underlying divisions in For more information, readers may visit Areta Trytjak’s Papushka Vintage Ukraine, Mr. Kolodiy briefly explained the www.OrangeChronicles.com. PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Papushka made the gold jewelry stand out. Vintage, a costume jewelry business start- Ms. Trytjak sells her artwork, special- ed by Areta Trytjak, 33, was featured on izing in designer vintage wear from the the front page of the Thursday Styles sec- turn of the 20th century to the 1970s, at tion of The New York Times on February the Brooklyn Flea Market. PHOTO OF THE MONTH 5. Her display of 1960s jewelry on black- For more information, readers may visit and-white glamour photographs effectively www.brownstoner.com/brooklynflea/.

Robert Wright for The New York Times Papushka Vintage’s 1960s costume jewelry at the Brooklyn Flea Market.

also on the team. New York Kozaks... While the teams run by the Kozak club (Continued from page 10) are competitive in their divisions, team up on the score sheet 2-1. With a venerable camaraderie is at the core of the club. onslaught of last-minute heroics, the There is the regular club and the “old Kozaks tied the game up. The final score boys” Kozak team. For a little more his- of 2-2 was deemed fitting as the two teams tory and flavor of the club, go to http:// played evenly and matched each other in kozakshockey.multiply.com/ nearly every aspect of the game. The New York Kozaks play in their After cleaning up and putting on their league every year and are always looking finer garments, the players all celebrated at for sponsorship opportunities. To inquire the Montreal Malanka. The music was by about game dates, how to join or to con- Zolota Bulava, whose drummer Yuri Mytko tact the team about sponsorship, readers Danyo Hentisz is the captain of the Montreal Ukes and may e-mail [email protected] An ice sculpture of the Ukrainian American Youth Association emblem at the UAYA accordionist/keyboardist Stefan Holowka is or call 917-678-4168. debutante ball, held on February 14 at the Parsippany Sheraton in New Jersey. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9 No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 13 Kiril Kulish, 14, stars in Broadway musical “Billy Elliot” by Helen Smindak Kiril declared that he really appreciates Special to The Ukrainian Weekly “this incredible opportunity to play such an important role and – hopefully – leave NEW YORK – With his wide, dimpled a mark on this show.” smile, bashful demeanor and impeccable “Getting this part is a wonderful step manners, young Kiril Kulish charms to performing for the rest of my life,” he everyone he meets. said. Like Billy, he dreams of being a Introduced as an acclaimed actor in the professional ballet dancer and/or chore- fabulously successful Broadway musical ographer; he already has his eyes on the “Billy Elliot,” the fair-haired teenager Royal Ballet of England and the American also impresses everyone he meets. Ballet Theater as possible venues for his Fourteen-year-old Kiril of San Diego ambitions. has reached a momentous point in his life: he’s playing the title role in “Billy A very musical family Elliot: The Musical,” the long-running Kiril credits “my wonderful family London hit that recently opened at the and my amazing dance teachers” for help- Imperial Theater in Manhattan. ing to develop his skills. He points out Kiril is one of three teenage boys cho- that he comes from “a very musical fami- sen to play the part of Billy Elliot, a role ly, and taking piano lessons from my so demanding that the producers use three mother has helped me a lot with my musi- dancers in rotation: Kiril, New Yorker cality.” Trent Kowalik, 13, and Canadian David His mother, Raisa Kulish, a native of Alvarez, 14. The boys are on stage for Chernivtsi in western Ukraine, is a pri- David Scheinman most of the two-and-a-half hour show. vate piano teacher and former concert Kiril Kulish onstage as Billy Elliot. Each of the boys takes his turn at being pianist who relates with pride that her Billy, unless an actor is unable to go on, father, Kiril Kulish, a resident of rehearsed and trained, and learned the in which case one of the two stand-by director noted his expertise and called his Chernihiv province in north-central musical’s choreography. performers takes over. ballet teacher. Ukraine, is kin to the famous 19th century “Once we came back from London, we While enacting Billy, the boys perform Ukrainian writer, critic, poet, folklorist Among 1,500 boys started perfecting our training,” Kiril all manner of stage work: ballet, tap and and translator Panteleimon Kulish. says. street dancing, singing, acrobatics, float- During a cross-country search by The family, which includes two older Although he’s done numerous stage ing above the stage in a flying harness, “Billy Elliot” producers, Kiril was among children, Victor, 30, a musician, and performances as far away as Japan, “Billy acting and speaking with the accent indig- 1,500 boys in eight major American cities Beata, 27, both born in Ukraine before Elliot” is his first Broadway musical. enous to north England’s Durham the family moved to San Diego in 1989, who auditioned for the role of Billy. The yearlong project narrowed down the field New York rehearsals started in June and County. uses Raisa Kulish’s maiden name as the previews in October, taking up all his The role is said to be the largest child’s family name. to 15 finalists, concluding with the selec- tion of Kiril, Trent and David for the time, but he has no regrets about missing role in musical theater and one of the Kiril’s father, Phil Akselrud, who, Kiril favorite sports activities. He says ballet is largest roles of any age. said, “supports me 100 percent,” lives in rotating role. The trio spent an intensive 10-day as hard as any sport; it requires strength, Billy is an 11-year-old lad in an the nearby community of Oceanside. stamina and flexibility. English mining town who, unlike his Described by a music critic as a multi- workshop, called a callback process, in New York with the other Billy Elliot At home in San Diego, Kiril was able peers, prefers ballet slippers to boxing talented dynamo, Kiril has been dancing to engage in sports he liked, especially hopefuls, learning acrobatics, singing and gloves. Despite his father’s strong disap- up a storm since the age of 3, when his football, basketball, soccer, tennis and dialect, with the choreographer and direc- proval and the initial reaction of family sister discovered he was able to follow all skateboarding. Now his daily schedule is tor Mr. Daltry working individually with friends and the local all-female ballet the steps to a choreography routine she filled with performances, rehearsals, class, Billy continues to strive toward his was working on in college. each boy. Months later, Kiril received stand-by duties, piano studies and school goal – a scholarship to the Royal Ballet At age 5, Kiril began serious training word that he was one of the three teens work, but he says performing in the musi- School – in the face of such adversities as and started winning prizes in ballet and chosen to portray Billy. cal makes up for all of it. “It’s really fun a miners’ strike, his father’s unemploy- ballroom competitions. At 7, he was a In preparation for the role, he made a to be in ‘Billy Elliot’ – it’s very exciting!” ment and his older brother’s injuries, sus- student at Hillcrest’s Champion Academy trip to London for a month, attended the “Putting everything together can be tir- tained during a clash with the riot police. Ballroom. He danced with the San Diego English version of “Billy Elliot” twice, ing, but dancing is what I enjoy most. Billy’s efforts are supported by Mrs. Academy of Ballet’s junior company for and worked on mastering Billy’s work- Wilkinson, the town’s dance teacher. eight years. ing-class accent. Kiril, Trent and David (Continued on page 22) Adapted by director Stephen Daldry By the time he was 12, he had danced and writer Lee Hall from their Oscar- off with the grand prize in the Youth nominated 2000 film “Billy Elliot,” with America Grand Prix International World choreogrphy by Peter Darling and tunes Ballet Competition (YAGP) for two con- by the celebrated pop songwriter Elton secutive years and had twice beome John, the musical has been a smash hit in National Ballroom Dance Champion in London’s West End since 2005 and has the Junior Division. won eight Best Musical Awards. In New He is also an accomplished concert York, tickets for “Billy Elliot” are pianist and made his international debut snapped up by theater-goers eager to in Cordoba, Spain, and has appeared in attend this heart-warming, humorous and several television commercials. highly entertaining show. Kiril told me he was discovered for Chatting with me in a backstage lounge “Billy Elliot” during a national ballet at the Imperial Theater one afternoon, competition in New York, where a casting

Carol Rosegg David Scheinman Billy times three (from left): Kiril Kulish, Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez. Kiril Kulish shows off his dance skills. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9

gic neighbor. “At the same time, we would NEWSBRIEFS like the diplomatic circles of our neighbor CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) to be tactful in speaking about our state and for the rapid growth of the value of the dol- our nation,” he underscored. (Ukrinform) TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292-9800 x 3040 lar to the hryvnia. He voiced hope that if U.S. envoy comments on Chernomyrdin OR E-MAIL [email protected] talks with the International Monetary Fund are resumed, the situation will stabilize. KYIV – U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine “But, if things [continue to] go as they do, William B. Taylor described the statements SERVICES PROFESSIONALS inflation will be the highest in the last 10 of Russia’s Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor years and the dollar value will also grow,” Chernomyrdin as “amusing.” Speaking to he added. As of February 23, the rate at the news media on February 19 in reaction exchange offices of Ukrainian business to Mr. Chernomyrdin’s comments to the banks was 8.35-8.7 hrv per $1 (U.S.) and newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda in sale rate was 8.8-9.2 hrv per $1. By Ukraine, Mr. Taylor said, “I like listening February 25 the value of the hryvnia had to Ambassador Chernomyrdin speaking fallen to more than 9.2 hrv per $1 (U.S.). very much, it looks funny sometimes.” On February 23 the National Bank of Commenting on the Russian diplomat’s Ukraine had set the official hryvnia rate at statement in the interview that Mr. Taylor 7.7 hrv per $1. (Ukrinform) is a spy, the U.S. envoy underlined that Mr. Chernomyrdin knows his biography very Ohryzko on Chernomyrdin’s comments well and, in particular, that he was in the KYIV – The reaction of the Foreign service in the 1960-1970s. “Since then I Affairs Ministry of Ukraine to statements have been working at the U.S. Department by Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor of State for a long time, and Chernomyrdin Chernomyrdin was quite adequate and is well aware of that,” Mr. Taylor stressed. timely, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister He also expressed confidence that this dip- Volodymyr Ohryzko said on February 18. lomatic incident between Ukraine and “A foreign ambassador cannot make state- Russia cased by Mr. Chernomyrdin’s state- ments like that in the country of his post- ments will be solved “in a friendly man- ing. If Ukraine’s Ambassador to the ner.” (Ukrinform) Russian Federation [Kostyantyn] Ukraine ready for dialogue with Russia Gryshchenko said anything of the kind, he would be sent back to Kyiv in 10 minutes,” KYIV – Ukraine is ready to continue its Mr. Ohryzko emphasized. “The warning dialogue with Russia at the highest level, was made, and the rest will depend on Mr. the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s MERCHANDISE Ambassador,” Mr. Ohryzko said. According press secretary, Vasyl Kyrylych, said at a to Ukraine’s foreign affairs minister, the February 23 briefing while commenting reaction of any citizen of Ukraine would be on a statement by Russian Ambassador to similar if he read Mr. Chernomyrdin’s Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin that there interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda, in are no grounds for the Ukrainian and which he said Ukraine’s leaders “have no Russian presidents to meet soon. Mr. brain.” Asked if he had discussed his com- Kyrylych said that Ukraine had consistent- ment with the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. ly supported and continues to support its Ohryzko said “each minister works within dynamic and constructive cooperation with the framework of his responsibilities and Russia based on principles of mutual ben- implements his own functions. The Foreign efit and equality. He also said that the Affairs Ministry of Ukraine warned Mr. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry had Chernomyrdin that he could be declared proposed joint working meetings at the persona non-grata in Ukraine. During a FOR SALE high and highest levels with their Russian meeting with the Russian diplomat, Mr. counterparts. “The Ukrainian Foreign Ohryzko protested his unfriendly and very Affairs Ministry expresses its readiness to For sale in Kerhonkson: Brick raised ranch on undiplomatic appraisals, comments and prepare for and hold another meeting of 1.24 acres. 4 bed 3.5 bath, large living/dining expressions about Ukraine and its leaders. the Ukrainian-Russian interstate commis- room w hdwd flrs. Upstairs/downstairs kitchens, He drew the Russian ambassador’s atten- sion headed by the presidents,” he said, deck, family room, office, laundry, garage. Big tion to the fact that the aforementioned adding that this meeting should be preced- closets, 1 cedar. (2656 sq.ft.) $245,000. actions could become grounds for applying ed by a meeting between the foreign min- 607-273-2919 provisions of Article 9 of the Vienna isters of both countries, as well as con- Convention on diplomatic relations of April cerned secretaries of the Ukrainian- 18, 1961. The convention provides, among Russian commission. Mr. Kyrylych said OPPORTUNITY other things, that the head of a diplomatic that the bilateral political dialogue contin- mission could become a persona non grata ues to develop consistently and dynami- due to violations of the norms of diplomat- We are Finnish farmers and we need cally. He said that a meeting between ic ethics and, therefore, his presence would Ukraine’s First Vice Minister of Foreign workers to pick berries about 2-3 months be inadmissible in the country of his post- in summer 2009. The picking period is Affairs Volodymyr Khandohiy and his from July to September. Accommodation is ing. (Ukrinform) Russian counterpart, Alexander Grushko, free. If you’re interested in working on our President supports Ohryzko’s view is scheduled for early March. The subject farm, we would need the following informa- of their meeting will be Ukrainian-Russian tion: name, birthdate and the working peri- KYIV – Statements by Ukraine’s cooperation in various spheres, he said. od you’re ready to be on farm. The infor- Foreign Affairs Minister Volodymyr Mr. Kyrylych also said that talks between mation should be sent ASAP via e-mail: Ohryzko regarding Russian Ambassador to Ukrainian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs [email protected] Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin are in line Yurii Kostenko and the Russian Foreign with international law, Ukrainian President Affairs Ministry’s State Secretary Grigory Viktor Yushchenko stated on February 19. Karasin are planned for early April. “The matter exclusively concerns interna- (Ukrinform) tional law, where it is unacceptable for an WANT IMPACT? ambassador in the country of his posting to PromInvestBank gets second tranche Run your advertisement here, say things that might be accepted incorrect- KYIV – In accordance with its financial in The Ukrainian Weekly’s ly by the nation, the authorities and the recovery plan, PromInvestBank received CLASSIFIEDS section. people as a whole,” Mr. Yushchenko said. the second tranche of a long-term credit in He underscored that the Ukrainian foreign the amount of $325 million (U.S.) from affairs minister in this case stood up for VneshEconomBank of Russia, the bank’s “the honor and status of our state.” At the press service reported on February 23. The same time, the president expressed his con- first tranche of $390 million (U.S.) came viction that Mr. Chernomyrdin did not on February 10, and the third tranche in the intend to damage bilateral Ukrainian- amount of $285 million is expected on Russian relations. “We are two great March 20. According to the National Bank European states, and we have to be more of Ukraine, the largest stockholders of tactful in our relations,” Mr. Yushchenko PromInvestBank are the Russian state cor- said, emphasizing that diplomats especially poration VneshEconomBank, which owns should avoid emotional statements. The 75 percent of the stock, and LLC Signus president confirmed once again that rela- (daughter company of Austrian Slav AG). tions between Ukraine and Russia are built (Ukrinform) on the spirit of partnership and that Ukraine regards the Russian Federation as a strate- (Continued on page 15) No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 15

suspended at 427 general educational become Ukraine’s “advocate,” adding, “I signed in 2005. Shelton has bored one oil NEWSBRIEFS schools of the country – 2 percent of the have no doubt that Ukraine will become a well (Biriuchia No. 1) in the Azov Sea, (Continued from page 14) total number of educational establishments European Union member after fulfilling its however, it appeared to be dry. Vikentii Khvoika Museum opens in Ukraine. Some 172,600 students – 3.8 homework.” (Ukrinform) ChornomorNaftogaz is carrying out work percent of all students in the country – are on the development of the Ukrainian part of KYIV – The Vikentii Khvoika Museum, not attending school. (Ukrinform) Criminal proceedings against pastor the shelf in the Black and Azov seas. which will be a branch of the regional KYIV – The militia has instituted crimi- (Ukrinform) archeological museum, has been opened in Roman Catholics get their church back nal proceedings against the pastor of the Kyiv 46th in real estate prices the Kyiv region. According to Vice- DNIPROPETROVSK, Ukraine – Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God, Chairman of the Kyiv Oblast State Ukraine’s Supreme Economics Court ruled Sunday Adelaja, on suspicion of fraud, it KYIV – Kyiv ranks 46th among cities Administration Rostyslav Yerema, the that a U.S. company has no right of owner- was reported on February 5. The Nigerian with the most expensive real estate, accord- opening of a museum dedicated to Vikentii ship to a Roman Catholic church in pastor is actively supported by Kyiv ing to the annual rating of the International Khvoika, a pioneer and founder of Dnipropetrovsk, it was reported on February Mayor Leonid Chernovetskyi, who is one Information-Analytical portal Global Ukrainian archeology, is a significant event. 20. Catholics in Dnipropetrovsk welcomed of his parishioners. According to the depu- Property Guide. The average price for one “One of his most well-known achievements the decision, as a legal battle over owner- ty chair of the Internal Affairs Ministry’s square meter of real estate is $3,500 (U.S.). in archeology is uncovering artifacts of the ship of the building has gone on for more Main Investigation Department, Viktor Analysts note that if it were not for the eco- ancient agricultural Trypillian culture of the than 10 years. The U.S.-registered company Ilchuk, Mr. Adelaja is currently considered nomic crisis, Kyiv would be in the top 10 4th-3th millennium B.C. He made a great Dugsbery bought the building in 1998. a witness and is under written orders not to most expensive cities of the world. “Before contribution to studying Ukraine’s culture Local Catholics have challenged the build- leave the country. The pastor has been sus- the crisis, the price for one square meter of and showed that the Ukrainian nation has ing’s ownership since then, saying that the pected of involvement in machinations of the capital’s real estate in the central dis- rather deep historical roots.” The museum church belongs to the parish. The church the King’s Capital financial group. The tricts of the city was about $6,000 (U.S.),” is located in a historic house built in 1872. was built in 1890 with money donated by group’s heads, U.S. citizen Robert Fletcher noted the director of the Investment- It was here that the well-known researcher the Catholic community. (RFE/RL) and Ukrainian Oleksander Bandurchenko, Development Company Global Solutions, lived. Having lived in Czechia for 26 years, are currently in custody, and the Serhii Tumasov. (Ukrinform) he moved to Ukraine and became known Ukraine to ease gun restrictions Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv thanks to his scientific achievements. Most would vote for Yanukovych KYIV – Ukraine’s Internal Affairs has prolonged the term of their custody Khvoika (1850-1914) discovered the Ministry on February 20 announced a plan until April. Messrs. Fletcher and KYIV – According to a survey carried Trypillian culture, early Slavonic archeo- to ease restrictions on the purchase of guns Bandurchenko were arrested in late out by the Research & Branding Group, the logical cultures on Ukraine’s territory and that fire rubber bullets, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian November 2008 for two months. Hundreds leader of the opposition Party of Regions, artifacts of ancient Kyiv, and started a new Service reports. The draft law allows any of people who invested money were vic- Viktor Yanukovych, would get the largest scientific epoch in studying the Paleolithic Ukrainian citizen age 18 or older who has tims of the King’s Capital financial pyra- number of votes if the presidential elections era of Ukraine. He also discovered several no criminal record and is psychologically mid. According to tentative data, King’s were held in mid-February. Just over 21 per- Paleolithic sites, primarily the Kyrylivska stable to buy such guns. Experts fear that Capital earned between $100 million and cent of respondents said they would cast site that became the sample Paleolithic such guns can be easily turned into regular $200 million (U.S.) on those wishing to their votes for him. Prime Minister Yulia monument for the Middle region. guns. The head of the License Board at the make a quick buck. (Ukrinform) Tymoshenko would be supported by 17.7 Thus far, the remains of over 2,000 settle- Internal Affairs Ministry’s Civil Security percent, ex-Chairman of the Verkhovna ments of the Trypillian culture have been Canadians may develop oil/gas shelf Department, Valentyn Vedmid, told RFE/ Rada Arseniy Yatseniuk by 11 percent, Rada found, revealing a highly developed civili- RL that criminals mainly use unregistered KYIV – The Shelton Canada Corp. oil Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn by 4.5 percent zation at that time on the territories of mod- guns, adding that of last year’s 311 gun- and gas company jointly with the state joint and Communist Party leader Petro ern Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and related crimes, only 34 were committed stock company ChornomorNaftogaz could Symonenko by 4.5 percent of voters. Only Romania. (Ukrinform) with registered guns. (RFE/RL) carry out exploration and development of 2.3 percent of Ukrainians would like to re- Moody’s to review Ukraine’s ratings the Arkhangelsk area in the western part of elect President Viktor Yushchenko. At the Ministry to ID Holodomor survivors the Crimean peninsula in shallow waters of same time, 13.6 percent of respondents said KYIV – Moody’s Investors Service has KYIV – Ukraine’s Justice Ministry has the Black Sea shelf. An agreement about they would vote “against all,” and 10.2 per- put the following ratings of Ukraine under set up an interdepartmental working group joint activities envisages that the Shelton cent would not go to the polls. In addition, review for possible downgrade: the foreign to identify survivors of the Holodomor of share in the project would be 50 percent. 32.7 percent of respondents positively and local currency government bond ratings 1932-1933. The procedure of identifying Currently the agreement is undergoing a appraised activities by Mr. Yatseniuk. Mr. (B1) and the foreign currency country ceil- these people will be carried out with the registration process with relevant authori- Lytvyn’s activities were positively appraised ings for bonds (Ba3) and bank deposits goal of granting them the status of those ties. The agreement concerns an area of 87 by 25.8 percent, Ms. Tymoshenko’s, 23.6 (B2). “The rating action reflects concerns affected by the Famine. (Ukrinform) square kilometers, approximately 25 kilo- percent, Mr. Symonenko’s, 19 percent, and about how persistent political uncertainty meters from the seashore with depths of Mr. Yushchenko’s, 7.1 percent. The presi- clouds the prospects for an orderly resolu- Germany for Ukraine’s Euro-integration about 45 meters. A license for exploration dent was negatively appraised by 77.2 per- tion of banking problems, in the context of was renewed in early 2008 and is in effect cent of respondents, the prime minister by a severe economic downturn,” reads a KYIV – Germany will further support through 2038. Shelton’s portfolio of proj- 57.3 percent, followed by Mr. Yanukovych, February 24 statement. Moody’s last rating Ukraine on its way to integration with the ects includes a 45 percent share jointly with 53.9 percent, Mr. Symonenko, 53.5 percent, action with respect to Ukraine occurred on European Union, Minister of State of the the UkrNafta enterprise on development of Mr. Lytvyn, 39.1 percent, and Mr. October 20, 2008, when the outlook on all German Foreign Office Gernot Erler told a the Leleliaki oil field in the Donetsk-Dnipro Yatsenyuk, 37.7 percent. The survey was major sovereign ratings was changed to sta- conference in Berlin on the occasion of basin with a production level of over 350 conducted on January 20-30 in all the ble from positive. Moody’s also lowered the10th anniversary of the German- barrels a day, proved reserves of 2.6 million regions of Ukraine and in Crimea; 2,077 Ukraine’s national currency deposit rating Ukrainian Forum. “The fact that we cele- barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and a total respondents participated; the poll’s margin from Baa1 to Ba1. (Ukrinform) brate the 10th anniversary of the forum at potential of 30 million boe. The cooperation of error did not exceed 2.2 percent. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates agreement between the companies was (Ukrinform) Trade unions warning of strikes how important German-Ukrainian relations are for us,” Mr. Erler underscored. He KYIV – The National Forum of the assured that Germany remains a “friend and Trade Unions of Ukraine on February 24 defender” of Ukraine. “We are convinced warned of the threat of an uncontrolled that Ukraine is a deeply European state and strike movement. Forum Chair Myroslav our direct neighbor,” he said. Germany sup- Yakibchuk said the situation at various ports the early signing of the Agreement on enterprises is being monitored and that such Association between Ukraine and the monitoring had shown the critical condition European Union, Mr. Erler noted. In addi- of hired labor. He added that the inaction of tion, Berlin supports the Czech Presidency Ukraine’s authorities enables company of the EU in preparing for and holding a owners and employers to systematically summit of European Union countries and violate laws and collective treaties. the “Eastern Partnership” on May 7 in “Currently, the work collectives of over Prague. Mr. Erler recalled that the Polish- 1,000 enterprises are ready for radical Swedish initiative approved by the European actions,” Mr. Yakibchuk noted, adding, Union last June provides for the develop- “They have been demanding payment of ment of closer cooperation with the EU’s arrears, higher wages and an end to layoffs Eastern neighbors – Ukraine, Moldova, for more than one month, and the absence Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, as well as of any reaction on the part of authorities with Belarus on condition of the country’s and employers encourages them to use democratization. As Mr. Erler explained, tough methods to fight for their rights.” The The Eastern Partnership provides for inten- National Forum is demanding from sification of the existing neighborhood poli- Ukrainian authorities an effective dialogue cy on the principle of differentiation, that is, with trade unions and employers to outline EU relations with each of these states will a common strategy to resolve the crisis. develop differently, depending on how well (Ukrinform) they carry out necessary reforms. “We are 427 schools closed due to flu interested in an independent, stable and democratic Ukraine,” he underscored. The KYIV – As of February 23, according to president of the German-Ukrainian Forum decisions of local authorities and due to and Parliament’s president of the Saxony- children ill with acute respiratory viral Anhalt Federal State, Dieter Steinecke, infections and influenza, studies have been expressed hope that Germany would again 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9

revealed the failure of local schools to not would be joyful if I commanded the Mr. Sorokin, an ethnic Russian, said The post-Soviet... only present accurate information about Ukrainian language well.” his ancestors didn’t starve during the (Continued from page 3) history, but also raise a new generation of Sounding like a sound byte from the Holodomor because they lived in the city groups are carrying out in eastern Ukraine Ukrainian citizens with even an elemen- Party of Regions, her phrase echoes the of Luhansk at the time – likely a factor in through their control of the local mass tary knowledge of their own history, lan- double-pronged strategy played by the his view that it was “technically neces- media, preventing Ukrainians from learn- guage and culture. party to suppress the Ukrainian language sary.” Though Luhansk streets, statues and ing the truth about their own history. Of the six students interviewed, only in any way – Party of Regions politicians city wards are named in honor of geno- The region’s two dominating parties two felt comfortable enough with their claim it’s unfair to impose the Ukrainian language on eastern Ukrainians who cidal murders of Ukrainians – such as have created a hostile environment for knowledge of Ukrainian to use it through- out the hour. Two students didn’t bother never had the opportunity to learn it. Stanislav Kosior, Yona Yakir and Klyment Ukrainian-language speakers and ethnic at all while two began speaking Ukrainian At the same time, the party denies any Voroshylov – nobody thought the streets Ukrainians, as demonstrated when Party but eventually switched to Russian out of support for Ukrainian language instruc- should be renamed or monuments of Regions lawmaker Artem Klichayev comfort. tion in schools, denouncing such efforts removed. assaulted Luhansk resident Serhii Maya Makarivska, born three months as forced Ukrainianization. “In my opinion, there’s no need to Melnychuk after a radio show in which before Ukrainian independence, respond- As evidence of its hypocritical poli- change the names of streets because they they traded views on ed to all questions in the Russian lan- cies, Party of Regions leader Viktor are named in honor of heroes,” Ms. and identity. guage (as did Mr. Sorokin). Yanukovych alleged in October 2008 that Kovaliova said. “And in whose honor Meanwhile, Luhansk Oblast State When asked whether being Ukrainian Donbas elementary school children were would we name them now?” Administration Chair Oleksander Antipov meant not only knowing the Ukrainian crying and hated going to school because When offered the suggestion of Kozak attempted to censor Iryna Mahrytska’s language, but actually using it in daily they were forced to study in the Ukrainian hetmans, or writers as documentary film about the Holodomor life, she said she wasn’t able to learn it language. worthy heroes, she ignored it, only repeat- in the region, prohibiting its broadcast on well enough in her school in Rovenky, a These students then grow up to be like ing what she said earlier. local television. Local Party of Regions Donbas mining town. Ms. Makarivska, who enter college with- “It’s not worth changing, because this officials also forbid distribution of her “I believe the Ukrainian language is out knowing Ukrainian, using the excuse is memory, and these people are worthy,” book, “Rescued Memory,” revealing the very nice, but I didn’t have the possibility that it wasn’t offered in the schools. Ms. Kovaliova said, clearly unaware of truth about the Holodomor in the oblast. to learn it perfectly,” she said. “Everyone Besides politics and education, another the crimes against humanity committed (See The Weekly, November 8, 2008). around me, including my parents and likely factor in the students’ views is that by the figures she admired. In the roundtable discussion, the teachers, speaks Russian and that’s why I none said they had a relative either killed Of course, in order to rename a street Luhansk Polytechnic freshmen also learned Russian and not Ukrainian. I or persecuted by the Soviet government. in honor of Vyacheslav Chornovil, a lead- er of the Ukrainian independence move- ment, Luhansk residents would have to know who he was in the first place. While claiming to be patriots of Ukraine, the Donbas students revealed that their preference for the Russian lan- guage and Soviet culture came only at the expense of Ukrainian language and cul- ture, not in complement. Most of the students didn’t know who Chornovil was, again demonstrating the failure of Luhansk Oblast schools to mold citizens who are conscious of even basic Ukrainian history. “He was a political activist,” offered Ms. Chernyk, adding that he was active about 10 to 15 years ago and he’s still alive. As for the Holodomor, Ms. Makarivska estimated about 100,000 or 200,000 per- ished. Ukrainians didn’t have passports at the time and “not even census figures,” Ms. Kovaliova stated, which is why it’s unclear just how many millions perished. In another strange interpretation of his- tory by these future lawyers, Ms. Savenkova said Ukrainian independence was a result of the relative weakness of former Soviet Premier (1955-1964) Nikita Khruschev, compared with his iron-fisted predecessor Stalin. “Khrushchev was in power, who was softer in character compared to Stalin,” she explained. “And the opportunity for independence emerged, and Khrushchev’s government possibly didn’t suit someone. It’s possible that’s precisely why Ukrainians chose independence.” For all his praise of Soviet industry, Mr. Sorokin couldn’t name what hap- pened in 1986 or 1937. That might explain his administration for the Soviet government – an utter ignorance of its crimes. To their credit, the freshmen knew that Vasyl Stus, their fellow Donbas native, was a writer. They weren’t sure how he died or where, and were unaware of any of his works. The Luhansk law students demonstrat- ed that any hope that those born in 1991 would be conscious of their Ukrainian history, culture and language might have to be postponed for at least one more gen- eration. Trapped in a cave of disinformation and ignorance, they revere the Soviet tor- mentors of Ukrainians, largely ignorant of the real heroes. And they will vote for those politicians who honor the oppres- sors – three of the six students support the Party of Regions – while treating the free- dom fighters with contempt. “Without history, there is no future,” Ms. Kovaliova said. Rather convincingly. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 17

BOOK NOTES New collection of articles about the Ukrainian language “Prychynky do Istoriyi Ukrayinskoyi language, including issues of East European leading center in working out such a termi- Movy” (Contributions to the History of the linguistic unity, a variety of documents, his- nological system for the Ukrainian lan- Ukrainian Language), by Michael Moser. torical variants of Ukrainian such as “prosta guage. Drawing attention to the language Kharkiv, Ukraine: Kharkiv Historical and mova” (“plain” Ruthenian) and “yazychi- policy of the former USSR, which sought Philological Society, 2008. 832 pp. hard- ye” (a bookish western Ukrainian language to bring that country’s languages closer to bound. of the 19th and early 20th centuries), old the structure of Russian, Prof. Moser notes Ukrainian translations, the “Synopsis” of that they are still at risk and emphasizes the In 2008 the Kharkiv Historical and 1674, and regional aspects of the language, need for active linguistic development in Philological Society published an extensive mainly those associated with Galicia and the newly independent successor states. collection of articles on the Ukrainian lan- Transcarpathia (Zakarpattia) during the Publications on the Ukrainian language guage by Michael Moser, associate profes- period of Habsburg rule. and linguistics supported by CIUS have sor of linguistics at the Institute of Slavic Given the shift in the political context of included works by such authors as Borys Studies, University of Vienna. The publica- scholarship that took place after the collapse Antonenko-Davydovych, Bohdan tion of “Prychynky do Istoriyi Ukraïnskoyi of the Soviet Union, it should be noted that Strumiński, Mykola Pavliuk and Dr. Movy” (Contributions to the History of the Prof. Moser’s work helps undermine the Shevelov. Ukrainian Language) was jointly supported notion of a “common Old Rus’ language,” Prof. Moser, who is fluent in Ukrainian, by the Kowalsky Program for the Study of which remains dominant in Russian linguis- has worked with the institute on a number Eastern Ukraine at the Canadian Institute of tics. Prof. Moser follows the prominent of projects. He began as a specialist in Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) and the Natalia Ukrainian linguist and literary scholar German philology, and his work on the George Y. Shevelov (1908-2002) in sub- comparative and historical aspects of that Danylchenko Fund of the Shevchenko stantiating the concept of a “linguistic and subject led him to take an interest in the Scientific Society in the United States. dialectal zone” out of which the Ukrainian, Slavic languages, most notably Ukrainian. The Kowalsky Program, supported by Russian and Belarusian languages devel- Dr. Shevelov’s works proved a major stim- the Michael and Daria Kowalsky worked with the Kowalsky Program on oped. ulus in the development of that interest. Endowment Fund at CIUS, promotes the other projects. The Austrian scholar is the first to ana- These collected articles, which feature study of eastern Ukraine and the revival of The 27 articles making up this collection lyze in detail five Galician documents from meticulous analysis, numerous examples, its scholarly, cultural and educational poten- were originally written in several languages the turn of the 15th century that contain and historical and comparative parallels, are tial. This publication project benefited – German, English, Polish, Russian and unique linguistic forms and illustrate the of particular value to linguists exploring the greatly from Prof. Moser’s longstanding Ukrainian. They stress the international intensity of Polish-Ukrainian contacts dur- history of the Ukrainian language. They collaboration with scholars from Ukraine, importance of the Ukrainian language and ing that period. Further on, he scrutinizes will also be useful to specialists in other especially Prof. Serhii Vakulenko of make a significant contribution to the field the efforts of 19th-century Galician (especially Slavic) languages, as well as to Kharkiv University, the editor and principal of linguistics. The articles deal with a broad Russophiles to represent Russian as the historians, literary and cultural scholars, and translator of the collection, who has also range of historical aspects of the Ukrainian region’s sole literary language and treat the all those interested in the history of the local “Rusyn” language as one of its dia- Ukrainian language and culture. “Prychynky lects. do Istoriyi Ukraïnskoyi Movy” (ISBN A well-developed linguistic terminology 978-966-1630-01-6) can be purchased by Study of women’s social activism is a significant indicator of the growth of contacting the Kharkiv Historical and national consciousness. In this respect, the Philological Society via e-mail at ist_fil_ “Women’s Social Activism in the New author recognizes Habsburg Vienna as a [email protected]. Ukraine: Development and the Politics of Differentiation,” by Sarah D. Phillips, Indiana University Press, 2008. ISBN: 97 8-0-35164-7/978-0-253-2199-3.232 pp. $24.95.

Hailed as “a pioneering work in the study of Ukrainian femininity” by Marian Rubchak of Valparaiso University, Sarah D. Phillips’ work analyzes the impact social activism has in Ukrainian society, especially as it pertains to women. According to the author, the work is an ethnography of the lives of 11 women NGO leaders in Kyiv (whom she fol- lowed over a two-year period during 1998-1999). According to Dr. Phillips, since its shift from socialism to democracy Ukraine has developed new expectations for citizens and has increasingly “differ- entiated” categories of citizens, resulting in an increased instance of social inequal- ity. During the “perestroika” era of and the subsequent from Wake Forest University with a collapse of the USSR, the government degree in anthropology and Russian, and scaled back its contributions to civil soci- completed her master’s and doctoral ety, while non-governmental organiza- degrees in anthropology at the University tions cropped up all over Ukraine. As the of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is Soviet mothers’ benefits diminished, the an assistant professor of anthropology at women once protected by the Soviet Indiana University, Bloomington. Her “working mother contract” became a lia- area of specialization is Central and bility for private business, making women Eastern Europe and the former Soviet less desirable employees. Union, especially Ukraine and Russia. This change in social welfare caused According to her university profile, her women to take up the causes of other mar- areas of interest include: post-socialist ginalized groups no longer supported by a transformations, civil society and NGOs, government welfare system, such as the globalization, development, gender stud- disabled and the elderly, through NGOs. In ies, medical anthropology, post-Chornob- their attempts to help themselves and oth- yl health and healing, folk medicine, and ers, they work in this low-paying and disability studies. In addition to this work, unprestigious sector, labeled by a new she has also produced an ethnographic “self-reliant” society as beggars. As time video on Ukrainian folk healing, “Shapes progresses, some women are able to use in the Wax: Tradition and Faith among what they learned running NGOs to be Folk Medicine Practitioners in Ukraine.” successful entrepreneurs or bureaucrats, Copies of this book may be obtained while others remain marginalized activists. by logging on to www.amazon.com, Dr. Phillips began her fieldwork for directly from the publisher by calling this scholarly work in Ukraine in the late 1-800-842-6796, or by logging on to 1990s. She graduated magna cum laude http://iupress.indiana.edu. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9 NEWS AND VIEWS: The blessing of a new church in Seattle by Orysia Bilyk Earhart managed to find the right building. It was blue, previously a Protestant Church and SEATTLE – On the beautiful sunny sadly neglected, but it did have fantastic day of October 26, 2008, Bishop Richard potential and was in a solid, quiet, work- Stephen Seminak of the St. Nicholas ing-class neighborhood. We finally Eparchy of Chicago blessed our humble bought it and signed the papers on Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of Our October 19, 2007. We did not get posses- Lady of Zarvanycia in Seattle. It was a sion of it until December 1, 2007. That is day that was a long time in coming. when we really saw the full extent of the Ever since the Ukrainian Catholic challenges before us. Mission parish formed at St. James The ceiling and walls needed paint. Cathedral on November 15, 1959, we Lighting and electricity had to be updat- have longed for own Ukrainian Catholic ed, and rugs needed to either be sham- Church. pooed or thrown out. So many things In 1962, the Rev. Chehovsky, who needed improvement that some doubted came down from Victoria, British the church would be ready by Christmas. Columbia, suggested that the name of our Our parishioners refused to give in to parish be named in honor of the Mother despair. Like Rosie the Riveter in World of God of Zarvanytsia, the miraculous War II, they pitched in and repaired the icon in the village of Zarvanytsia, cracks in the popcorn ceiling, repainted Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine. In 1963 the the walls and took out the carpet. parish in Seattle (which uses the spelling Vasyl Krip, a founding member of our The exterior of the newly blessed Church of Our Lady of Zarvanycia. “Zarvanycia”) became a part of the parish, built the new iconostas. Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Chicago Downstairs, our women took it upon added vespers every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Chicago Eparchy’s finance director; and under Bishop Jaroslav Gabro. themselves to gut the kitchen down to the and on holy days at 7 p.m. the Rev. David Pratt of St. Martin’s Over the decades, our priests continued cement floor and take out walls. The men God has blessed us through all our dif- University in Lacey, Wash. to conduct services in the side chapel of St. put up plasterboards, electricity and ficulties. We are proud to have such won- After the beautiful service, we had a James Cathedral. The number of parishio- plumbing, as well as new cabinets and derful and dedicated parishioners who dinner for the bishop, his guests and all ners grew, especially with the influx of the new lighting. Seventy-year-olds worked give so unstintingly of themselves and our parishioners who made our dream Fourth Wave of Ukrainian immigrants, who alongside young adults. The church was brought a whole new meaning to the word possible. added their voices to the search for a new ready for our first service: Christmas “stewardship.” Yes, we still need to keep building the building. Everyone agreed that it was time. divine liturgy. At our dedication in October 2008, church, but the spirit and love of our But it was not until the arrival of the Since that time, the people, with their among the guests were not only Bishop parishioners for our priest and our parish Rev. Abraham Miller, permanently own hands, continued to repair the Seminak, but also Mother Anastasia with is strong. With God’s guidance and grace, appointed by Bishop Seminak in 2005, church, renovating bathrooms, replacing some of her sisters from Holy Theophany as well as the intercession of Our Lady of that the momentum to find our own place windows, floors and heating. Monastery in Olympia, Wash.; Sister Zarvanycia, our church will continue to took on a new energy. Now our liturgy is celebrated every Christine Aviso from Providence Mount, grow, not only physically, but also spiri- Weeks turned into months until we Sunday at 10 a.m. and Father Miller has St. Vincent; Jerry Hankewych, the tually.

Rochester Ukrainian Collection established at University of Rochester by Christine Hoshowsky endowed chairs of Ukrainian studies. Prof. Pylyshenko and his wife, Irma, have donated a sub- ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Since the earliest time of recorded stantial collection of folk costumes and folk art objects to history, members of society have collected the items most The Ukrainian Museum in New York City. As avid travel- precious to themselves to leave in memory for their children ers, they have visited Ukrainians living in Russia, Poland, and grandchildren. These epitaphs bequeath a living spirit the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia and Germany. that binds generations together and strengthens them through Prof. Pylyshenko was invited to speak at the third adversity and achievements. International Congress of Ukrainian Diaspora Scholars at For Ukrainians in the diaspora, each community where the Institute for Ukrainian Diaspora Studies at Ostroh Ukrainians settled during the last hundred years is facing the Academy in Ostroh, Ukraine, on September 9-10. He spoke challenge of documenting its Ukrainian heritage. Members on the topic of, “The Ukrainian Diaspora: Issues in of these communities need to satisfy our intellectual curiosi- Collecting Archival Materials.” ty and cultural desire to know and share their ethnic identity Of special significance is the news that the Ukrainian and its meaning for America, Ukraine, and the world. Rochester Collection has been transferred to the Department Ukrainian communities in America have been invigorat- of Rare Books and Special Collections at the Rush Rhees ed through four distinct waves of immigration. These Library of the University of Rochester. University officials include: the first wave coming at the turn of the 20th centu- were pleased to accept the Ukrainian archives and said they ry; the second wave coming during the inter-war years; the will house and preserve the collection. They will also list the third wave following World War II; and, most recently, the Ukrainian collection in a register on the department’s web- fourth wave, which began arriving in the 1980s. site and make these sources available to archivists, historians The field is rich for research, yet it requires an individu- and researchers. The ultimate value of such a collection lies al’s devotion to study and determination to persevere. Logo of the Ukrainian Rochester Collection. not merely in its possession, but in the use. The librarians at Fortunately, there are people for whom such inquiry is Rush Rhees library encourage local historians and research- immensely appealing, among them Wolodymyr “Mirko” community in Rochester, N.Y. ers worldwide to utilize these resources. Pylyshenko, a third-wave Ukrainian American from Most of the funds for this project came directly from Mr. The task is to bring these data and documents to life Rochester, N.Y., who has given generously his time and Pylyshenko. Other sources included financial support from a through interpretation and evaluation. The principles of his- effort to initiate and compile the Ukrainian Rochester Documentary Heritage Grant from the New York State toriography need to be applied, analytical questions raised, Collections Archive. Department of Education for 2005-2006 and the Ukrainian data categorized, case studies reviewed, statistical analysis The collection is drawn from individual and organiza- Federal Credit Union Library, which provided storage and evaluated, inferences made, conclusions drawn and critiques tional sources derived from Ukrainian community life dur- copying services for the project. addressed. ing the last 100 years. It includes pages culled from books, According to Prof. Pylyshenko, “This collection provides That work now falls on the shoulders of the sons and magazines, periodicals and newspapers; family histories, only partial documentation of the Rochester Ukrainian com- daughters of Ukrainian immigrants who built our communi- personal memoirs, photographs and fliers; and separately munity. Many questions remain to be researched and added ties throughout the United States. Such noble inquiries illu- archived subcollections of materials from Ukrainian institu- to the collection. New documents are always being discov- minate the nature of ethnic adaptation and contribute texture tions in Rochester such as sports clubs, art groups, churches ered. Older generations are opening up and telling their sto- to the Ukrainian legacy here in America. and Sunday schools social clubs, Saturday schools, and fra- ries.” Inquiries regarding research should be directed to: Nancy ternal organizations. Prof. Pylyshenko is the chair emeritus of the department Martin, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Reproductions, abstracts and lists of the materials collect- of art and art history at the State University of New York The River Campus, University of Rochester, N.Y. ed have been recorded and preserved in the Credit Union college at Brockport. He is also a charter member of the 14627-0055. Opinion, a quarterly publication of the Ukrainian Federal Western Monroe Historical Society, a trustee of the Individuals may contribute additional documents, photos Credit Union that first appeared in l955 and, since then, has Irondequoit Public Library and the director of the Ukrainian and biographical sketches by writing to Prof. Pylyshenko at documented the major happenings within the Ukrainian Credit Union Library. 915 Winona Blvd., Rochester, NY 14617. His Ukrainian affiliations include memberships in the The website of the University of Rochester Department Christine Hoshowsky, Ph.D., is president of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Shevchenko of Rare Books and Special Collections at the Rush Rhees Rochester Ukrainian Group; director of the Bilingual Scientific Society and the Ukrainian American Association Library is located at www. library.rochester.edu/rbk. Academy; and a member of the Taras Shevchenko of University Professors. He has served on the boards of Donations are always welcome at the Ukrainian Scientific Society and Ukrainian National Women’s directors of The Ukrainian Museum in New York City and Rochester Collections Archives, c/o Ukrainian Federal League of America Branch 120. as chair of the Rochester Fund for Harvard University’s Credit Union, 824 Ridge Road East, Rochester, N.Y. 14621. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 19

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Ansonia parish celebrates “Schedryi Vechir” by Frank F. Stuban everyone with prayer and blessed the tra- ditional meal of over 12 meatless courses. ANSONIA, Conn. – Ukrainian tradi- During the distribution of “prosfora” tions were kept alive during the Christmas (blessed bread with honey) by the pastor season here at Ss. Peter and Paul and parish president, several members of Ukrainian Catholic Church. Despite the church choir sang English and inclement weather – snow, sleet, rain and Ukrainian carols. icy conditions – over 75 parishioners Folk dancing, singing, prayers, poems attended the parish’s annual “Schedryi and greetings were presented by parishio- Vechir” celebration on January 18. ners age 3 to 24 under the direction of The program included prayers, greet- Miroslaw Klapyk, Stephanie Dytko, ings, blessings, carols, dancing, Christmas Volodymyr Jatsiv and Frank F. Stuban, poems and New Year’s wishes. The fes- with Susan Monks serving as announcer. tivities began with a warm welcome by At the conclusion of dinner parishio- Richard Koalchic, president of the parish. ners could choose from more than 20 dif- Msgr. John M. Terlecky, pastor, greeted ferent desserts.

Some of the performers at Ansonia’s “Schedryi Vechir”: (front row, form left) Andrij Jatsiv, Joe Szewczyk, Alec Woyciesjes, Alexander Jatsiv, Patrick Monks, Svitoslav Kit, Ivan Kit, Bridget Monks, Peter Monks, Catherine Dimon, Mike Szewczyk, (second row) Paul Monks, Miroslaw Klapyk, Stephanie Dytko, Volodymyr Jatsiv, John Dytko and Frank F. Stuban.

“Prosfora” is distributed at the beginning of the “Schedryi Vechir” celebration; from left are Richard Koalchic, Msgr. John M. Terlecky, Mary-Ellen Koalchic and Marilyn Michel.

Clifton parish hosts yoga lessons CLIFTON, N.J. – A circle of Ukrainian step toward improved health. Attendance is ladies at St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian growing (beginners are welcome) and class- Orthodox Church in Clifton, N.J., decided a es are held mostly on Wednesday evenings. year ago that it was time to stop complain- Profits made from the classes are donated to ing about achy backs, fatigue and creaking the church for repairs. joints, and start moving. St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox One year later, a fitness-starved group of Church is located at 81 Washington Ave., in acquaintances meets weekly at the church Clifton, NJ 07011. hall, under the instruction of Delana Ryan, For more information, readers may owner of YogaCentric studio in Clifton, to contact Silvia Bilobron by e-mail, sil- exercise, stretch and take at least one small [email protected]. DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF UNA BRNACHES OF DETROIT, MI

announces that its Ukrainians on North Port’s calendar ANNUAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING will be held on NORTH PORT, Fla. – The official cal- plex; St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM endar of the City of North Port located in Church and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian At the Ukrainian Cultural Center Florida near the Gulf of Mexico, features Religious and Cultural Center; members 26601 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI several photos of the local Ukrainian of Ukrainian American Veterans Post 40 American community. laying a wreath during Veterans Day cer- The young city, which this year cele- emonies in Veterans Memorial Park and Obligated to attend the annual meeting as voting members are District brates its 50th anniversary, is one of the post officers during installation ceremo- Committee Officers, Convention Delegates and two delegates state’s largest cities in terms of area, but nies; and the famous Warm Mineral from the following Branches: is only 10 percent populated, notes the Springs pond, which local Ukrainians call city’s official website. Since 1980 North the “Kalabania.” 20, 82, 94, 165, 174, 175, 292, 341 Port has grown by 120 percent, making it One of the most active Ukrainian one of the fastest growing cities in groups in the area, UAV Post 40 led the All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting Florida. Ukrainian contingent that participated in Three Ukrainian Americans serve on North Port’s anniversary parade on the North Port Anniversary Committee: February 28. This year in October the MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY: Atanas Kobryn, who writes a column for post, which is celebrating its 10th anni- the North Port Sun; Daria Tomashosky, versary, will play host to the 62nd nation- Anatole Doroshenko - Honorary Member of the UNA General Assembly president of the Ukrainian American Club al convention of the UAV. of Southeast Florida; and Nancy Wosny, According to Jerry Zinycz, public rela- DISTRICT COMMITTEE president of the Republican Club of North tions officer of the UAV post, the Dr. Alexander Serafyn, District Chairman Port. Ukrainian community of North Port is Roman Lazarchuk, Secretary The anniversary calendar includes pho- composed mainly of snowbirds, who tos of the entrance to St. Andrew’s come to Florida for the winter, and retir- Michael Shumylo, Treasurer Ukrainian Village condominium com- ees. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION HOME OFFICE IS SEEKING MEMBERS WHOSE ENDOWMENTS HAVE MATURED In accordance with state regulations, all monies from UNCOLLECTED matured endowments must be escheated (turned over) to their respective state. The UNA is therefore asking our membership at large for assistance in locating these members. For information, please contact your branch secretary or the UNA Home Office at (800) 253-9862. Thank you for your assistance.

Last Name, First Certificate No. Branch Last Name, First Certificate No. Branch

ALUZZO ORYSIA A189392 240 MATKIWSKY LYDIA M A190955 027 ANDRUSHKIW PAVLO M J098921 172 MC ARTHUR DAVID A190160 316 ARSENAULT S J A167318 445 MC LAIN MARIAN K A134776 005 BEGEJ MARKO D J101052 216 MELNYK C A A190100 414 BINKOWSKI III JOHN C J102349 067 MIHAYCHUK LYDIA J100833 233 BONK MYRON A180579 432 MONTGOMERY LISA ANN A189999 409 BOURAK A A181364 412 MORAN CHRISTINE A A192354 016 BOYD DANIEL JAMES J101750 381 MORYKON NATALIA A192275 465 BUBNICH CHRISTOPHER J099129 307 MUDRY JANET A A190293 067 BUBNICH KATE M J099701 307 MYERS ERIKA M J100891 367 BYC MICHAEL B J100170 194 MYERS THOMAS E A192633 367 CHOLAK WASYL A192457 234 MYKIJEWYCZ ROMAN M J100671 397 CHOMA KRISTINE A192293 194 NAVARETTE DANAE M J100782 013 CHUCK D R J098146 362 NELSON JR LLOYD A190602 113 CHUMAK ALEXANDER A163036 401 NESTERCZUK CHRISTOPHER J098698 194 CHURNETSKI-BASTUK LAUREN M J099390 343 NEWBERRY AMANDA R J099064 217 COTCH ERIK D J100338 057 NOWAK IRENE A190996 125 COTTRELL ANNA G J101437 432 O CONNELL JENNIFER A190273 171 COVERT JESSICA L J099213 349 O CONNELL MICHAEL A189395 171 COVERT MATTHEW L J099214 349 ORLANDO C J J098459 020 CZABANIUK CHRISTINA H A190896 163 OSIDACH ROMAN B A190219 083 CZUCHNOWSKY MARIA L A159432 341 PAWLIUK L A190150 445 D’AVIGNON TANIA M A183052 055 PELENSKY ANDREA M A191628 059 DA CONCEICAO MICHELLE A189610 155 PINEDO PADOCH SOFIA M J100389 194 DASZCZYSZAK SHANNON A J099063 217 PORTER KATHERINE A A190097 362 DAVIDSON ROBERT A J100243 083 RACHOWSKY MARY J099253 221 DE LUNA MARIA OLHA A190450 083 RAKOWSKY CHRISTINE H A189737 112 DE VASSAL NINA E J102005 083 RAKOWSKY CORNELIUS Y A189787 112 DERZKO LARYSA J098124 445 RAKOWSKY JEREMY A189788 112 DOBCZANSKY JURIJ W A191947 414 RAKOWSKY MARKO N A189789 112 DOBCZANSKY ROMAN W J099432 414 RITENIS STEVEN A190977 316 DUMYCH IAN M J099319 171 ROMAN HALEY E J098925 423 DZIUBA-MYERS MARY A192632 367 ROMAN HEATHER M J098924 423 FEDIN MARY A J098728 397 ROZOK MYCHAJLO A106634 379 FINNEGAN MICHAEL A191945 206 SALVO MARY C A190941 267 FOSS KATHLEEN P A190355 367 SANDERS MICHAEL R J099124 217 FRANCHUK MARTIN D A190489 367 SANDOVAL MICHAEL A J201476 292 FUTERKO MICHAEL R J098559 267 SENIW OLGA J203536 028 GREER THOMAS J A192285 267 SERBA GREGORY P J100226 173 GUARINI ALYSSA KACHMAR J098774 083 SHAWALUK MARYANN P A192413 083 HANDZY NESTOR Z A192097 088 SHEWCHUK BETHILDA G A189634 216 HANKEWYCZ IWANNA D A191967 016 SHMOTOLOCHA JOHN A191818 086 HAWRYLUK A A171077 465 SIROIS HALINA A A190757 206 HERMAN MICHAEL A056277 005 SLIVINSKI KATHRYN J102185 216 HORBOWYJ ROXOLANA I A192419 216 SOZANSKI PARASKEWIA A192223 432 HRAB MICHAEL J A189813 039 STACHIW A M J098541 059 HUDYMA ANDREW BOHDAN A191761 055 STAWNYCHY DEANNA J099300 353 HYNANSKY JOHN A189735 173 STAWNYCHY STEFAN J099301 353 JANOWSKI JOHN A058541 358 STEFANYSZYN GEORGE R A191006 153 JAREMKO WILLIAM J J099564 304 STOROZENKO STEPHEN P J100175 339 KACHOROWSKY TARAS P A191707 387 SUGANO KYMBERLY MICHELLE J101251 486 KAPTANOWSKY SCOTT E J100037 082 KARAWUL JAROSLAV A182522 172 TACHUK MARC JAN J097525 155 KARPOWICZ MARY A071783 200 TEPER MICHAEL S J101229 206 KERNISKY JOHN ROBERT J100712 096 TYMCHUK 0STAP J202096 162 KLEIN DAVID JOSEPH J098418 452 TYSOWSKY THOMAS A J100744 461 KOHUT DANA M J099681 372 UIHLEIN JENNIFER ANNE J098209 327 KOHUT ZENON E A181203 015 UIHLEIN KRISTINA A A189747 327 KOLASA EDWARD M A191759 356 VANDEWINCKEL REBECCA A J099125 217 KONCHAK JOHN J J100607 083 WEREZAK M J A148562 444 KORDUBA ADRIAN B J099711 042 WLADYKA MICHAEL T J099630 364 KOSUBAL-ELLMAN VICTORIA E J101396 008 WODZICKY MARIA A195098 777 KOWCZ ADRIANA J200216 112 WYNNYK LYDIA A182641 194 KOZAK JOSEPH P J100867 083 WYSCHYNSKYJ STEFAN A191563 083 KOZAK STEPHANIE E J100868 083 YAWORSKI WALTER A188325 461 KOZULAK JR WILLIAM E J098867 267 ZAVIYSKY NATALIA A188845 155 KOZULAK SR WILLIAM E A190940 267 ZWARYCH ANDREW M J102362 083 KOZULAK JUDY B A190939 267 ZWARYCZ VICTORIA A J102558 194 KRAUS TANIA M A192246 039 HUZVWA D A085410 083 KRUCZLNICKI KRISTEN M J099937 013 LABOYKO VOLODYMYR A039547 096 KRYKEWYCZ ROMAN A130037 397 LYSIANSKA LUBOW A088027 397 KUPCZYN CHRISTINE A J100200 116 MACKNO ANNIE W A082759 059 KUZYK VOLODAR R A190768 245 MOULTHROP MARY A061339 414 LECHMAN ROMAN JAROSLAV J101184 452 MYSAK JOHN A075217 412 LEGGE JESSICA M J098740 161 PETLOWANY ANASTASIA A071100 358 LISCHAK MARIA V A191571 015 SHEMERDIAK MARY A047401 114 LITEPLO MATTHEW P J101289 005 SHESTAK STEPHEN A060718 027 LOMAGA BARBARA S A191013 267 SOLOMACHA IVAN A107770 267 LUCHKAN SVIATOSLAW A192244 012 TOLOCZKO STEFANIA A093453 221 LUKNICKI ROMAN E J100838 397 WASILENKO SAM A059604 175 LUSZCZYK DANIELLE A J101866 194 YADLOW MICHAEL A056165 025 MARTYNETZ MARKIAN J102158 172 ZABLOCKY ANNA A063426 094 MARTYNIUK A A122969 434 ZABLOCKY ANNA A086392 094 No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 21

this is an ongoing relationship. And it is a NATO ministers... relationship that we are pursuing both (Continued from page 2) bilaterally and within the framework of Quotable notes South Ossetia – part of Georgia, by the our NATO allies.” However, German Defense Minister Question: Will you still move as strongly on NATO expansion as the previous way. Let me reiterate those principles. administration, Ukraine and Georgia? And it is crystal clear that we do not agree Franz Josef Jung expressed skepticism that Ukraine and Georgia are ready to join Answer: Well, I mean, we’ll be – we will be looking at various issues. I mean, with Russia there. We fundamentally dis- we’re still committed to improving and strengthening NATO’s relationship with agree,” Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said. NATO. He said he does not see conditions in either country that would justify the both Ukraine and Georgia through the NATO-Georgia Commissions and the “Does that mean that this measured re- NATO-Ukraine Commissions, so that hasn’t changed. But I don’t want to get engagement with Russia should stop for launching of NATO Membership Action Plans, formal paths toward inclusion in ahead of where we may, at some point, go. And leave it at that. that reason? There my answer is, ‘No it the alliance. should not.’ Because we should use the NATO defense ministers also discussed Question: So wait, the State – the U.S. – the administration supports Ukraine NATO-Russia Council not only as a fair- the issue of reforming the alliance. and Georgia’s admission to NATO or them getting the MAP? weather institution, but also to discuss NATO has faced criticism that it could Answer: We’ve been on the record as – if you remember the April, you know, these things where we fundamentally dis- be losing its relevance in a world that is Bucharest declaration, it’s very clear that those two countries will be members of agree,” he added. vastly different from the post-World War NATO. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates II and Cold War reality when it was creat- told journalists that more work needs to ed 60 years ago. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer has Question: But that was almost a year ago and there was a different adminis- be done to overcome divisions within been calling for a new “strategic concept” tration in place. Ukraine over its NATO membership bid. that would help NATO face 21st-century Answer: Well – “There needs to be greater unanimity of threats of terrorism, climate change and view in the Ukrainian government itself cyberattacks. Question: Is there any change that you know of? about the next steps, not to mention the The NATO gathering is considered an Answer: To my knowledge, there hasn’t been any change. And as I said, this resources for modernization of Ukraine’s unofficial meeting. That allows the minis- administration will be working with its other NATO allies to try to strengthen military,” he said. ters to gather behind closed doors and those relationships with Ukraine and Georgia through those commissions… ‘Ongoing relationship’ craft the agenda for an upcoming summit of NATO heads of state. – Excerpt of the daily press briefing by the acting spokesman of the U.S. State Mr. Gates also said both the United Department, Robert Wood, February 9. States and NATO would continue to Copyright 2008, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted expand cooperation with Georgia, despite with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ opposition from Moscow. Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, However, given the political turmoil in “We have a continuing security rela- Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org. Ukraine's instability... Kiev and allied reluctance to approve a tionship with Georgia. We are involved in See http://www.rferl.org/content/NATO_ (Continued from page 4) membership action plan (MAP),” the training. We are involved in military Ministers_Seek_To_Keep_Doors_Open_ and allow energy prices within Ukraine to reform in Georgia,” Mr. Gates said. “So To_Ukraine_Georgia/1496731.html administration should wait to support rise to market levels to promote conserva- Ukraine’s MAP until it achieves “a great- tion and greater domestic energy produc- er degree of internal coherence on the tion.” NATO question, and [also builds] support The EU’s foreign and security policy • Supporting NATO integration – “The among the elite and broader population.” EU Foreign... chief, Javier Solana, visited Belarus on Obama administration should continue to For full text of the report, readers may February 18-19 in the latest of a series of (Continued from page 2) support Ukraine’s integration into NATO. log on to www.cfr.org/ukraine_report. tion. recently revived high-level contacts Apart from the South-East division, a between Brussels and Minsk. Diplomats cleavage has emerged between member- say Mr. Solana told EU ambassadors after states on the issue of opening their borders returning from Minsk that Mr. Lukashenka Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com to visa-free travel. The draft document says had made it clear Minsk is “looking towards there is “general agreement that mobility the EU,” and had expressed great concern must take place in a secure environment” – about what he had said is growing Russian shorthand for the requirement that the coun- pressure. tries must tighten their border controls and Mr. Lukashenka reportedly told Mr. commit themselves to accepting any Solana that Belarus’s relations with Russia migrants arriving in the EU illegally from had been better under former President their territories. ’s reign than under Putin. The draft makes it clear the EU will dis- According to EU sources, Mr. Solana said courage “excessive expectations” among he believes the EU should invite Mr. the Eastern partners with respect to the free Lukashenka to Prague on May 7 with the movement of workers. This, the document other Eastern leaders. notes, remains an area where EU member- Some EU officials have indicated that states are free to take their own individual much will depend on whether Belarus will decisions. bow to Russian pressure and recognize In another sign of caution, most member- Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states agree no new institutions will be cre- countries. Mr. Lukashenka told Mr. Solana ated for the Eastern Partnership. Institutions the issue of recognition is a legislative mat- with a permanent staff and a dedicated bud- ter, with the Parliament scheduled to debate get line are commonly seen within the EU it in May – possibly after the meeting as being a prerequisite for a project’s long- Prague. term survival. Czech Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg also warned Minsk that were it to recognize The Minsk question Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the current The question of whether to include consensus within the EU to include it in the Belarus promises to be the most controver- Eastern Partnership could founder. “It is sial aspect of the launch of the Eastern natural that Belarus [has] a sovereign Partnership. Minsk has been long excluded Parliament and the parliament of Belarus from the European Neighborhood Policy has its own decision [to make],” he said, (ENP) owing to its lack of democratic “but if they would recognize South Ossetia development. But there are signs now the and Abkhazia it would create a very, very EU thinks Minsk has done enough in recent difficult situation for Belarus.” months for President Alyaksandr The EU, too, walks a very fine line over Lukashenka to be invited to a special EU Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The main summit with Eastern neighbors in Prague backers of the inclusion of Belarus in the on May 7. Eastern Partnership believe the stakes are Belarus continues to fall short of the too high for the bloc to baulk even if Minsk democracy benchmarks set for the were to recognize Abkhazia and South Neighborhood Policy. But many officials Ossetia. and diplomats in Brussels believe any Others fear this could cause Georgia to upgrade to the ENP aimed at counterbalanc- pull out from the project. ing growing Russian influence will fall flat if Minsk is not a participant. Copyright 2008, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted The bloc is also keen to reward and with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ encourage a string of relatively minor con- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, cessions made by Minsk since September Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org. See 2008, which include the release of political http://www.rferl.org/content/EU_Foreign_ prisoners and easing of restrictions on the Ministers_Discuss_Eastern_ media. Partnership/1497826.html. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9

comedian Rosie O’Donnell and her weakens our international position and Kiril Kulish... Broadway Kids act. Former chief of staff... policy to the extent that it becomes (Continued from page 13) With teenage stars and a bevy of tal- (Continued from page 1) embarrassing,” he added. Performing gives me a lot of electricity ented youngsters from age 7 to 18 in the confidence in the national government – This, along with Europe’s inability to and power,” he said. 51-person cast, the musical could be con- the presidency, Parliament and the speak to Russia with one voice, has given To get around the impracticality of sidered a special attraction for children. National Bank of Ukraine, as well as in Moscow a kind of veto power over some attending school, he is being home The producers, however, advise parental the rest of the banking system. of Europe’s goals, such as NATO enlarge- schooled by his mother and takes an exam discretion for children under eight, point- Mr. Rybachuk said it was hard to say ment, he said. every month. “Things are going good,” ing to some rough language and violence as yet who will be the major presidential As for who might emerge as the new he responds to a question about his home in the play. candidates, but the voters will be looking , Mr. Rybachuk said work. He said he hopes to complete high Performance times are 8 p.m. Tuesday for someone who will change the system, the choice is very limited. “We don’t have school requirements by the time he turns through Saturday, 2 p.m. Wednesday and which they see as being corrupt – and national-scale politicians at this point Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. 15. increasingly so. The successful candidate meeting the demands and expectations of A few tips on buying tickets for “Billy During his stay in New York, Kiril and will have to show that he or she is “finan- the people.” People are very skeptical and Elliot,” which quickly sell out. Call the his mother are making their home in a cially clean,” and that his or her team and more demanding, he explained, and they box office at 212-239-6200, or stand in high-rise apartment building on 42nd backers are equally so. are looking for a new face. line outside the Times Square TKTS Street, not far from the theater. He expects the next president to be Two years ago Internal Affairs Minister booth at Broadway and 47th Street. You pro-European and pro-Western. “There is Yurii Lutsenko appeared as a possible Poised, balletic fluidity can’t be sure, however, that Kiril will no way that somebody in Ukraine can new face in a future presidential race, he appear in that day’s performance, since said, and more recently, former chairman Since last October, when previews win the campaign on the slogan ‘Back to the name of the actor who plays Billy is of the Verkhovna Rada Arseniy Yatsenyuk began, Kiril and his co-stars have been the USSR’ or on the nostalgia of the ‘glo- not made public until two hours before a has attracted some attention. the subjects of feature articles in a num- rious past,’” he said. performance, when a signboard in the Asked if democracy will survive in ber of leading magazines, Vogue and New Ukraine has missed a lot of opportu- theater lobby reveals the actor’s name. Ukraine, Mr. Rybachuk answered with a York magazine among them. Writing in nites for developing closer relations with Your best recourse is to purchase tick- forthright “Yes.” Vogue, Adam Green said that each dancer the European community and NATO, Mr. ets and cross your fingers that Kiril will Rybachuk continued. “And we messed up “We have a very mature, very active, has a personality, style and appeal of his be on stage for the performance you’ve in our policy with Russia,” which he very demanding civil society,” he own. Describing Kiril’s swept-back hair, chosen. Or, if you can be at the theater, called Ukraine’s biggest challenge, both stressed. The Ukrainian people “are pre- high cheekbones and regal bearing, he located at 249 W. 45th St., at 6 p.m., and internationally and domestically. pared to defend their basic rights, their said Kiril “brings a more poised, balletic Kiril’s name has been posted on the sign- “And the fact that Ukraine is not freedoms,” he added, pointing out that in fluidity” to the show and “may be the board, you can try to buy tickets for that speaking clearly in one voice, not only the major elections since independence most accomplished Billy of the bunch.” performance at the lobby box office. with the Europeans but with Russians, they have voted for the opposition. The three Billys have appeared on pop- If your attempts fail, hike over to the ular talk shows such as “Oprah” and “The stage door on West 46th Street around 11 View.” Introduced on the latter show by p.m. (or 5 p.m. for a matinee) after you Whoopi Goldberg, Kiril danced an learn that Kiril is in that day’s perfor- and ferocity began to dominate in their incredible solo from “Billy Elliot” – the mance. The Imperial’s stage door is Holodomor: Lessons... place.” ethereal number “Electricity,” spinning directly behind the theater’s West 45th (Continued from page 6) But that’s not all. As Ukrainian peas- effortlessly through endless pirouettes, Street location. You can’t miss it. There entire Kozak villages (stanytsi) of Kuban ants were surviving by any means possi- then soaring high above the stage. will be a throng of excited fans waiting residents rebelled against forced ble, having been reduced to the state of Invited to join famous celebrities who patiently for Kiril to emerge, flash his Russification, and the Communists re- starving animals, they clearly saw how took part in NBC’s Rockefeller Center wide dimpled smile, and start autograph- settled these entire stanytsi to Siberia. their torturers from the local authorities Christmas tree lighting show last ing dozens of theater programs eagerly Following the Holodomor of 1933, were stuffing themselves – all those December, Kiril proudly introduced handed to him. they not only stopped protesting against Communist and Soviet activists, police- Russification but even volunteered in the men and Chekhists. next census to report themselves as After the Holodomor all authority Russians and rewrote their ancient Kozak remained with this group of rulers and surnames accordingly – Harbuz became supervisors. Villagers understood that Garbuzov, Zozulia became Zozulin, their own membership in that group was the single guarantee of not repeating the Shamrai became Shamrayev. So it should horror of death by starvation. Which is come as no surprise that, according to the why, after the Holodomor, the cult of last census of the Russian population, power became dominant in raising chil- only 6 percent of the Kuban’s population dren in Ukrainian villages. reported themselves as Ukrainian. It’s no accident that a saying was wide- These are the obvious consequences of spread among soldiers in the Soviet army: the Holodomor. But there are deeper and “A khokhol [derogatory term for more disastrous ones for the Ukrainian Ukrainians] would sell his dear mother nation and Ukraine’s statehood. for a badge of rank on his shoulder strap.” It’s well-known that the elite of any But those who served in this army nation, except the United States, is pri- remember well that this saying in no way marily formed from two sources: the applied to draftees from Ukrainian cities nobility (or the national intelligentsia as and western Ukraine as a whole, the pop- its derivative) and the peasantry. To speak ulation of which wasn’t affected by the of the Ukrainian nobility at the start of Holodomor. the 20th century as a source of our nation- Those from the villages of so-called al elite is impossible. It was partially inte- Great Ukraine (Velyka Ukraina) arrived grated into the imperial (Russian) elite, in our cities en masse and made for them- and partially transformed into the selves the most successful careers, despite Ukrainian national intelligentsia, the the fact that their education was far lower activity of which was recorded in history in quality than that of their urban peers. as the famous national-cultural rebirth of But the latter didn’t have that parental Ukraine in the 1920s. To the very last upbringing in the cult of power, as a result person, the Communists destroyed this often falling off their career ladders and intelligentsia that amounted to about often with the help of these stubborn and 37,000 people. That is to say, the fully mobilized villagers. Bolsheviks simply physically destroyed I offer the following as evidence of the one source of our national elite. objectivity of these observations. In Regarding the peasantry, such meta- Ukraine the urban population has come to morphoses occurred within this class after exceed the rural by two to four times in the Holodomor that it was transformed just 50 years’ time. Nonetheless all three from a source of our national elite to a of our presidents are from villages. So source of our current pseudo-elite. In the were six of the seven chairs of the post-genocidal Ukrainian village, entirely Verkhovna Rada. To this day, the average different moral values began to predomi- national deputy was born and raised in a nate, as compared with those prior to the village. Holodomor. Because our post-genocidal villagers “In the conditions of the mass destruc- completely lost their potential, instead of tion of the Ukrainian people, such pri- the national elite today we have this crew, mordial traits of its ethics such as cordial- well-known to everyone, that can be ity, kindness, respectfulness and consider- called a pseudo-elite only with caution. ation were left to the past,” wrote the And we have observed during the last world-famous Holodomor researcher Dr. two decades in our day-to-day lives what Mace in characterizing the transformation a nation without a national elite and ideas of the Ukrainian mentality. “Indifference has to show for itself. No. 9 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 23 OUT AND ABOUT

March 7 Film screening, “A Kingdom Reborn: Treasures Ottawa from Ukrainian Galicia,” St. Paul University, March 14 St. Patrick’s Day celebration and Comedy Night, www.akingdomreborn.com Whippany, NJ Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, [email protected] March 7 Ski races, Carpathian Ski Club (KLK), Hunter Hunter, NY Mountain, [email protected] March 14 Pysanka workshop, Ukrainian National Women’s Kenmore, NY League of America – Branch 97, St. John the March 7 Tango and Art Auction, featuring performances, Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chicago contest and lessons, Ukrainian Institute of Modern [email protected] Art, 773-227-5522 March 16 Lecture by Volodymyr Kulyk, “Language Policy and March 7 Taras Shevchenko program, San Francisco Main Cambridge, MA Linguistic Attitudes in Ukraine,” Harvard San Francisco Public Library, 415-557-4400 University, 617-495-4053

March 7 Lectures by Leonid Kondratiuk, “Ukrainians in the Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Boston U.S. Armed Forces,” and Leonid Polyakov, “Role of advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Ukraine in European Security,” Ukrainian Catholic from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Parish House, 978-254-5070 and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

March 8 Taras Shevchenko Children’s Program, Ukrainian San Francisco School of the East Bay, St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church Hall, 650-794-1005 or [email protected] Attention Debutante Ball

March 8 Taras Shevchenko Program, St. Mary Ukrainian North Port, FL Catholic Church, 941-613-5923 Organizers!

March 9 Lecture by Tamara Hundorova, “The Populist Cambridge, MA Movement (Narodnytstvo) in Ukrainian Literature As in the past, The Ukrainian Weekly and Popular Culture,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053 will publish a special section devoted to the Ukrainian March 9 Presentation by Steven Pifer, “The Trilateral community’s debutantes. Washington Process: Washington, Kyiv, Moscow and the The 2009 debutante ball section Removal of Soviet Nuclear Weapons From Ukraine,” Ronald Reagan Building will be published on April 5. and International Trade Center, 202-691-4000 The deadline for submission of stories and photos is March 15. March 12 Lecture by Karl Qualis, “Sevastopol: The Making of Stanford, CA a Russian City in Ukraine,” Stanford University, 650-723-3562 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2009 No. 9

THE UKRAINIAN MUSEUM PREVIEW OF EVENTS Saturday, March 7 “The Populist Movement (Narodnytstvo) invites its members in Ukrainian Language and Popular NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Culture,” will be held at 4 p.m. in Room and the Ukrainian community Society (NTSh) jointly with the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences (UVAN) S-050 (Concourse Level), CGIS Building to a and the Harvard Ukrainian Research South, 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, Institute (HURI) invite all to the 29th MA 02138. This event is free and open to annual conference honoring Taras the public. For more information call Shevchenko. The featured speakers will 617-495-4053 or e-mail [email protected]. GALA CELEBRATION be: Dr. George Grabowicz (Harvard edu. University), Stepan Zakharkin (Kyiv) and Saturday-Sunday, March 14 -15 Dr. Tamara Hundorova (Kyiv). The pro- OF SPRING gram will take place at the NTSh building, NEWARK, N.J.: St. John the Baptist 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th Ukrainian Catholic Church will hold its streets) at 4 p.m. (please note that this is Pre-Cana Conference at 719 Sanford Ave., Saturday, March 21, 2009, 8:00 p.m. an earlier start time). For additional infor- Newark, NJ 07106. St. John’s Pre-Cana mation call 212-254-5130. offers presentations by the pastor, a psy- chologist, a physician, an attorney, a finan- Monday, March 9 The Ukrainian Museum cier and others. Participating couples CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard engage in group discussions and activities 222 East 6th Street Ukrainian Research Institute will host a for enhanced mutual understanding, and a New York, NY 10003 lecture given by Tamara Hundorova, head healthy perspective of married life. The 212.228.0110 of the department of literary theory at the program is offered to couples getting mar- Institute of Literature, National Academy ried in Ukrainian Catholic churches in of Sciences of Ukraine, and Petro Jacyk New Jersey but all are welcome. For fur- $125 per person Distinguished Research Fellow at the ther information or to register call the par- Evening attire Ukrainian Research Institute. Her lecture, ish office at 973-371-1356. CELEBRATE SPRING WITH FRIENDS! PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Gala cocktail party Musical entertainment: Askold Buk Trio - jazz Preview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is a Marian Pidvirny - violin service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Wine/champagne, hors d’oeuvres, Ukrainian community. Viennese table, auction To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English, written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief paragraph that includes the date, place, type MARK YOUR CALENDARS! of event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations involved, Details to follow. and a phone number to be published for readers who may require additional information. Items should be no more than 100 words long; longer submissions RSVP by March 13, 2009 – Tel. 212-228-0110 are subject to editing.

Information should be sent to: [email protected] or Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, 973-644-9510. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments; simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. “Heritage Day Camp” at Soyuzivka This day camp program is designed for children from 4 – 8 years of age. The children participate in music, dance, story time, games, arts & crafts, all the time learning about their Ukrainian Heritage.

The dates for the camp are: Week one: July 19th – 24th, 2009 Week two: July 26th – 31st, 2009

Applications and additional information may be obtained at Soyuzivka’s web site: www.soyuzivka.com

1933 issues needed

The Ukrainian Weekly is searching for original issues of this newspaper published in 1933 in order to scan them for our digital archives.

If you have original copies of newspapers from 1933, please contact the editorial staff at 973-292-9800, ext. 3040, or staff@ ukrweekly.com.