The Ukrainian Weekly 2001, No.33
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www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• Ukraine’s steps“TEN to independence: YEARS OFa timeline INDEPENDENT — page 7 UKRAINE” • Academic and professional perspective: an interview — pages 8-11 • Kyivans comment on independence — pages 12-13 Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXIX HE KRAINIANNo. 33 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2001 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine MajorT MelnychenkoU denies Ukraine launchesW anniversary celebrations by Roman Woronowycz Semynozhenko, who is the vice-chairman United States cooperation Kyiv Press Bureau of the organizing committee, admitted dur- ing a press conference on August 15 that by Yaro Bihun into account the country’s national inter- KYIV – Although the dust is still set- relations between the two, which devel- ests. tling and the concrete and asphalt is not oped quickly in the first years after inde- WASHINGTON – Major Mykola The Wall Street Journal reported on quite dry, the first guests are on the way, Melnychenko, whose secret taping of pendence, have cooled considerably and August 10 that Major Melnychenko, who and so – ready or not Ukraine – let the fes- must be reinvigorated. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma’s has received political asylum in the United tivities begin. office conversations erupted into a major “Our interaction with the world States, was cooperating with the Justice After six months of construction, government scandal, denied press reports Ukrainian community was closer in the Department, that his recordings were sub- restoration and preparation, on August 18 that he has been cooperating with U.S. first years when we were laying the new poenaed by a federal grand jury in San Ukraine began a series of much anticipated investigators about Ukrainian money-laun- structure of the Ukrainian state. We will Francisco that indicted former Ukrainian celebrations and commemorations of ten dering activities in the United States. renew that cooperation in a dynamic matter years of independence and statehood, Appearing at a news conference at the prime minister Pavlo Lazarenko on money- beginning with this forum,” said Mr. which will culminate on the country’s National Press Club on August 14, Major laundering charges, and that officials of the Semynozhenko. birthday, August 24, with a colorful mili- Melnychenko added that while he is Justice Department and the Federal Bureau He said he hopes that the delegates and tary parade in Kyiv followed by concerts more than willing to work with law of Investigation have questioned him and guests address the issue of globalization and a grand fireworks spectacle. enforcement agencies in fighting corrup- listened to some of his tapes. Strangely, the and that they consider how the diaspora can Most of the action will be in Kyiv, the tion wherever it occurs, this cooperation report was filed by the Journal’s correspon- gain more access and in turn become more capital city, which has undergone a major should be done through official dent in Almaty, Kazakstan. accessible to civic and political organiza- facelift in anticipation of the birthday bash Ukrainian channels, which would take “Personally, I have not given any materi- tions located in the villages, towns and als to anyone, except to the committee,” (see story below), but other Ukrainian cities regional capitals of Ukraine. Major Melnychenko stressed, referring to will also hold celebrations and parades. Six hundred delegates, half from the Verkhovna Rada interim committee One of the central events of the week- Ukraine and half from the major diaspora charged with investigating the disappear- long commemorations began on August 18, communities of the world, along with Former Nazi-era ance and presumed killing of journalist when some 5,000 Ukrainians from all over another 600 guests and 100 distinguished Heorhii Gongadze. On one of the record- the world descended on Kyiv to take part persons, will take part in the three-day laborers in Ukraine ings President Kuchma allegedly asks that in, or at least observe, the proceedings of affair, which will include an opening the journalist be gotten rid of. the Third World Forum of Ukrainians. The address by President Leonid Kuchma and a Also participating in the news confer- enclave of leaders and representatives of plenary session the first day. receive compensation ence was the deputy chairman of that com- Ukrainian political and civic organizations The 300 foreign delegates will also trav- by Marina Makhnonos mittee, Viktor Shishkin, who said he was world-wide, which meets irregularly in el to all 25 oblast capitals of Ukraine in Special to The Ukrainian Weekly visiting the United States to clear up some Kyiv in the days before Ukrainian inde- groups of up to 30 persons to develop busi- factual matters with Major Melnychenko, pendence celebrations, is meant to spur ness and political ties with local politicians KYIV – Former Nazi-era slave labor- debate and consolidate ideas on the aims ers in Ukraine began receiving compen- and another member of the Verkhovna and business officials. Rada, Oleksandr Yeliashkevych, who last and direction of the Ukrainian nation here Before they leave for the regions, how- sation on August 6. The first recipients and in the diaspora. were 13 victims who accepted their pay- year was attacked and severely beaten after ever, the entire forum, including delegates he criticized the president publicly. This year the work of the forum will be and guests, will spend two days addressing ments in a ceremony held in the directed at increasing cooperation with the Privatbank in Kyiv. Mr. Shishkin stated that his committee a myriad of issues in 15 sections and round views money-laundering as one of the ille- world community of Ukrainians and the tables to be led by experts and scholars in The oldest of the group was 87-year- homeland. Vice Prime Minister of old Tetiana Moskalenko, who worked in (Continued on page 25) Humanitarian Affairs Oleksander (Continued on page 21) Germany’s industrial sector, and the youngest was Lilia Zhur, 60, from the Auschwitz concentration camp. Hundreds of thousands of Nazi vic- tims are eligible for compensation in Kyiv undergoes remodeling on the eve of 10th anniversary celebrations Ukraine, which lost about a quarter of its by Roman Woronowycz state funds. The mayor has explained that what others would like to see, everything population during the Nazi occupation Kyiv Press Bureau private concerns have either contributed is on schedule and will be ready,” said and in battles between German forces or invested their own finances into both Mr. Omelchenko after completing a and the Red Army. Two million more KYIV – Some are calling it the “new the private and public projects. review of the area. Kyiv.” The city’s Mayor Oleksander were sent to concentration camps or The city center has been most affected The square has been the center of con- Omelchenko has said it is the capital city became Ostarbeiters (workers from the by the changes, especially the city’s main troversy since the very beginning of the moving into the 21st century. There are east), Hitler’s main slave labor source. thoroughfare, the Khreschatyk. The reconstruction project. Oppositionist those Kyivans that are thrilled by the “Step by step, principles of humanity major cause of the disruption has been politicians had laid plans to use the plaza and respect for people start to dominate changes, while others are calling them a for demonstrations and strikes against the waste of money and materials in a coun- the six-month reconstruction of the city’s in our common European house,” Prime central plaza, Independence Square, administration of President Leonid Minister Anatolii Kinakh said at the cer- try where many of the citizens continue Kuchma this past February when the to eek out survival. which lies at one end of the one kilome- emony, according to the Interfax news ter long street, and summer-long devel- square was abruptly cordoned off and agency. Most city dwellers of this metropolis boarded up over their objections, with the of more than 2.7 million are simply opment and street improvements at the Former camp prisoners are to receive other end, near the Bessarabka Market. official explanation being that preparato- $6,800, factory workers $2,000, and happy that all the construction and ry work on the site was needed. remodeling that has taken place over the The main train station has also under- farm hands and children $700. Mr. gone an extensive facelift, as have many Soon after construction finally began Kinakh added that this is “a minimal last six months, and the associated road in April, engineers found the remains of closures and traffic jams that have put the historic buildings in the downtown area compensation” because nothing could as well as parks and squares throughout the ancient Lyadski Gates of 11th century compensate for health and moral losses. city into terminal gridlock, is drawing to the city. Kyivan Rus’. City engineers on a tight “No money can compensate what we a close as the city begins final prepara- deadline and archaeologists bent on sav- Independence Square, which will be at had to live through,” Polina Shevtsova, a tions for the 10th anniversary celebra- ing the remains found themselves at odds the center of the 10th anniversary activi- former slave laborer and concentration tions of Ukraine’s independence. over how to proceed. The compromise ties on August 24, will be completed in camp survivor, told the Fakty daily. Ms. What seems to please Mayor that resulted – save the central portion of Shevtsova was among the first 13 Nazi Omelchenko most, given that he has time, Mayor Omelchenko asserted on the gates, but destroy the outer extension victims who received compensation. proudly stated it several times over the August 14, dispelling rumors to the con- and limit the excavation work for arti- last months, is that the various projects trary.