www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• Survivor recalls the Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 — page 8. • Photo report: summer fun continues at Soyuzivka — centerfold. • Kharkivites in Ohio to study aquaculture — page 19. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXI HE KRAINIANNo. 33 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2003 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine Latest twist in Gongadze case: deceased officer, Ukraine’sT NationalU Bank chairman W in D.C. for talks with IMF, World Bank apparently a key witness, speaks in last testament by Yaro Bihun by Roman Woronowycz decline over the last year and that he had Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Kyiv Press Bureau been hospitalized previously, reported WASHINGTON – The head of the Interfax-Ukraine. KYIV – National Deputy Hryhorii The Procurator General’s Office said it National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Serhii Omelchenko stated on August 8 that the Tyhypko, spent the better part of the last could not comment on the events because last testament of a recently deceased for- they were still being investigated. week in July in Washington lining up the mer Ukrainian state militia officer, Ihor next series of International Monetary Mr. Honcharov was arrested last Honcharov – in which he allegedly con- August on charges that he was involved Fund and World Bank credit packages fessed that he was the former head of a for Ukraine and conferring with U.S. with a criminal gang that had operated in special militia force responsible for the Kyiv, kidnapping at least a dozen indi- officials. murder of journalist Heorhii Gongadze – At the conclusion of his four-day visit, viduals and murdering them even after is authentic, as confirmed by the late offi- ransoms were paid. Mr. Tyhypko said he was satisfied with cer’s parents. After Mr. Honcharov’s death, the the results of what he characterized as “Honcharov’s parents categorically Institute of Mass Information, a non- “very constructive” talks. As he reported profit media watchdog organization, during a press conference at the stated that the letters are written in the announced that it had in its possession a Ukrainian Embassy on May 31, the IMF style of their son,” asserted Mr. document from the ex-colonel with the will announce its decision on a $750 mil- Omelchenko after a meeting with them. imprint, “Open after my death.” It noted lion stand-by credit package for Ukraine He added that he would have the docu- that in the testament, Mr. Honcharov in mid-October, after the Ukrainian gov- ments verified by handwriting experts. wrote that he was in good health, had no ernment resolves a few problem areas, Mr. Honcharov, an ex-colonel in the Serhii Tyhypko, chairman of the plans to commit suicide and did not including the passage of a budget for state militia and a member of Kyiv City National Bank of Ukraine. expect to die soon. 2004. Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime An excerpt from the diary-like writ- He said that while Ukraine really does Task Force, died while in pre-trial deten- access to necessary credit in order to ings, which were posted on the IMI web- not need the IMF stand-by credits now, tion on August 1, which his parents and work effectively. Mr. Tyhypko, who site stated: having them approved serves as a good lawyers claim came as a result of severe heads the pro-government Trudova “Despite the psychological pressure indicator for investors. And, he added, if beatings he received while in confinement. Ukraina party, also stressed the need for that I am experiencing from the investi- Ukraine’s financial situation should Mr. Honcharov was hospitalized on July political reform in Ukraine, the absence gators of the Procurator General’s Office, worsen, Ukraine then could avail itself of 30. His body was cremated only two days of which “threatens the future develop- despite the death threats from inmates – I that assistance. after his passing, with no autopsy and no ment of the country” – regardless of who do not intend to commit suicide as many Mr. Tyhypko said that, while a few explanation as to the cause of death. is elected the next president of Ukraine. are hoping I will – I would like to inform years ago, when its reserves were down Characterizing President Kuchma’s Mr. Honcharov’s attorney admitted to $300 million, Ukraine’s discussions political reform package as a non-starter, that his client’s health had been in (Continued on page 15) with the IMF were a matter of fiscal “life he suggested that the Verkhovna Rada or death,” the situation today is very dif- tackle the problem using the opposition’s ferent – its reserves are up to $1.5 bil- reform proposal as a base. lion, the trade balance is $1.8 billion in “Why?” he asked. “Because, like it or the black, and other economic indicators not, we have to get 300 votes in Ukraine’s Armed Forces detail point to a strong economy. Parliament. And judging by the reaction Ukraine also expects to receive to the president’s reform proposals, I plans for extensive military reform approval of a $250 million loan package think we can discount it.” by Roman Woronowycz ‘On Democratic Civilian Control over from the World Bank to help cover any He added, however, that the opposition Kyiv Press Bureau the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement possible budget deficits, Mr. Tyhypko package should be amended to satisfy Organs of the Country.’ ” said. World Bank Vice-President for both the majority and the opposition with KYIV – Ukraine’s Armed Forces have The plan – which would make the mil- Europe and Central Asia Johannes F. respect to parliamentary elections and undertaken extensive and specific mili- itary more accountable to the Ukrainian Linn, with whom he met while in the presidency. tary reform to bring it under civilian con- citizenry – was developed by the Washington, assured him that the bank While in Washington, Mr. Tyhypko trol and in line with NATO requirements. Ministry of Defense after Yevhen would make its decision on that package also had meetings with Deputy Assistant The changes will include an extensive Marchuk took charge there in June. Mr. after the IMF announces its decision in Secretary at Treasury Nancy Lee, Deputy reduction in positions requiring the rank Marchuk, who previously served as sec- October. Assistant Secretary for European and of general and a shift toward a non-mili- retary of the National Security and Asked about the current grain crisis in Eurasian Affairs Steven Pifer and Daniel tary leadership within the Ministry of Defense Council, has been a prime sup- Ukraine, Mr. Tyhypko said that it was Fried, senior director for European and Defense. porter of Ukraine’s entry into NATO caused by bad weather, of course, but in Eurasian Affairs at the National Security The reform plan calls for full imple- since the Ukrainian government declared a more fundamental way, by the lack of Council. mentation by the end of 2005. Some its intention to go that route in May 2002. agricultural reform. While these discussions covered nor- NATO experts believe that in 2006 Mr. Khaliavinskyi noted that the goal “There is no food crisis in Ukraine,” mal economic and political issues, he Ukraine will have its first real window of is for non-military personnel to hold at he stressed. The problem was in rising said, Daniel Fried brought up the case of opportunity to receive an invitation to least 40 percent of all leadership and prices, which can be remedied with two American non-governmental organi- join the defense alliance. department posts within the Ministry of increased production and with assistance zations – the National Democratic “The most important and serious Defense by the end of this year, which to those companies that can achieve it, Institute and the International aspect of the reform package is to make would increase to 80 percent by 2005. he explained. “And the guarantee that Republican Institute – who have found it society, the Verkhovna Rada and its com- Requirements that only personnel with this situation will not be repeated in a impossible to register their democratiza- mittees more readily aware of our prob- the rank of general could hold specific year or two is continued agricultural tion projects in Ukraine. lems,” explained Capt. 2nd Class Ihor positions would be eliminated in nearly reform,” Mr. Tyhypko said. Trudova Ukraina had cooperated with Khaliavinskyi, press spokesperson for the 70 percent of such cases, which corre- “And by this I mean, first of all, the NDI in the past and found them to be Ministry of Defense, in an exclusive spondingly should result in a large-scale private ownership of land,” he added. straightforward and constructive, Mr. interview with The Weekly on August 14. reduction of that rank within the military. The Ukrainian farmer can produce wheat Tyhypko said. “I think that we should not The changes were approved by The changes will include a rebalancing President Leonid Kuchma on July 28 as for about half of what it costs on the be afraid of such efforts,” Mr. Tyhypko of administrative, political and military international market, he said, but the part of a 13-page document, titled ‘Plan government must help the farmer get (Continued on page 20) for the Realization of the Ukrainian law (Continued on page 17) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2003 No. 33 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS OSCE condemns legislative proposal Russia dismisses talk of apology by Iraqi forces from the roofs and win- dows of nearby buildings. The shelling in Ukraine to curtail journalistic freedom KYIV – Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russia’s killed Mr.