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INSIDE: • Borys Tarasyuk: moving forward in U.S.-Ukraine relations – page 7. • Holodomor anniversary marked in Morris County, N.J. – page 8. • Shevchenko Scientific Society archives on the Holodomor – page 11.

THEPublished U byKRAINIAN the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW associationEEKLY Vol. LXXVI No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 $1/$2 in Ukraine Ukraine moves Verkhovna Rada ousts Yatsenyuk by Illya M. Labunka to stabilize Special to The Ukrainian Weekly KYIV – Ukraine’s Parliament plunged financial system into deeper instability as Verkhovna Rada leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk was voted out of by Pavel Korduban the Verkhovna Rada in a tense session Eurasia Daily Monitor highlighted by shouting matches, fistfights Ukraine has secured a big loan from and broken glass. the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in On November 12, 233 members of order to stabilize its finances amid the Parliament out of the 350 registered in the global crisis. To qualify for the loan, par- legislature’s main chamber ousted Mr. ties in the Verkhovna Rada agreed to set Yatsenyuk as chairman of the continuously aside their differences and pass stabiliza- troubled Verkhovna Rada. tion laws proposed by President Viktor Due to the recently formed alliance Yushchenko. Thanks to this, Ukraine man- consisting of the Party of Regions of aged to stabilize its currency, the hryvnia. Ukraine (PRU), the Volodymyr Lytvyn The government also persuaded the Bloc, the Communist Party of Ukraine owners of two problem banks, (CPU) and Single Center, a spin-off fac- PromInvestBank and Nadra, to sell them. tion of the Our Ukraine – People’s Self- Both may fall under Russian control. Defense (OU-PSD) bloc, the 34-year-old As the global crisis erupted, the hryvnia Mr. Yatsenyuk was removed as leader of plunged by over 20 percent against the Ukraine’s Parliament. As a result, 175 national deputies of the U.S. dollar. Several Ukrainian banks that UNIAN were heavily dependent on foreign loans PRU, 20 from the Lytvyn Bloc, 27 of the Verkhovna Rada Chair Arseniy Yatsenyuk votes on the evening of November 11 faced default. PromInvestBank, the coun- CPU, 10 representing the OU-PSD bloc on whether he should be dismissed from his position. That vote failed; however, try’s sixth largest bank, had to turn to the and one member of the YTB, namely Ihor the Rada chair was ousted after a second vote the next day. National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) for sta- Rybakov, voted for the removal of Mr. bilization loans and to call in NBU man- Yatsenyuk. In Resolution No. 3357, introduced by unite the political forces, as well as a reac- agers. Mr. Rybakov is considered to be one of the chairman himself, Mr. Yatsenyuk tem- tion to the adoption of a whole range of The government of Prime Minister the catalysts behind this past summer’s porarily limited his authority in order to anti-crisis packages, and, ultimately, it was Yulia Tymoshenko appealed to the IMF demise of the democratic coalition in quell all possible accusations that he did probably a reply to my independent posi- for assistance. In order to qualify for IMF Parliament, as well as an ally of Presidential not want to resign. He had submitted his tion in the Ukrainian Parliament,” Mr. financing, Ukraine’s Parliament passed a Secretariat Chairman Viktor Baloha, who resignation after the democratic coalition Yatsenyuk commented. package of stabilization measures on is an arch rival to Prime Minister Yulia collapsed back in September, but stayed on The session that deposed Mr. Yatsenyuk October 31. This was the first big piece of Tymoshenko. as acting chairman. was not without incident, as members of legislation since the summer, when the Chairman Yatsenyuk’s ultimate ouster The initial vote to limit the chair’s power the YTB and the PRU clashed with words ruling coalition of Mr. Yushchenko and actually came as little or no surprise to the was passed. Later that same day another and fists in their attempts to gain control of Ms. Tymoshenko broke apart. The pack- Verkhovna Rada leader himself, as exem- vote removed Mr. Yatsenyuk as chairman the Parliament’s electronic voting system age, drafted by the president was approved plified by the fact that during the early of the Rada. called “Rada.” Members of the YTB con- by 243 deputies, who represented the par- stage of the morning plenary session Mr. Following his ouster, Mr. Yatsenyuk said sider Mr. Yatsenyuk an ally and therefore ties of Mr. Yushchenko and Ms. Yatsenyuk had already temporarily been he did not consider the outcome of the vote opposed the attempt to oust the speaker by removed by vote as chairman of the plena- a personal tragedy. “Most likely such a (Continued on page 16) ry session for a period of two days. result was a response to my proposals to (Continued on page 19) Philadelphia community remembers the 10 million PHILADELPHIA – Com- 1932-1933 in Ukraine” proclaimed the memorative concert and exhibit mark- large banner hanging outside the ing the 75th anniversary of the church. The commanding sign attract- Holodomor took place on October 26 ed Philadelphians and visitors to the at the Episcopal Church of the Holy concert and to the exhibit. Trinity. The Holodomor concert was opened The event summoned the memory by Ulana Baluch Mazurkevich, chair- of the tragedy with the highest quality person of the Community Committee of performance and reflected its emo- to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary tional depth with elegance. It was of the Holodomor and also the mis- hailed by community leaders here as tress of ceremonies for this event. one of the most successful events in Ms. Mazurkevich welcomed the the history of Philadelphia’s Ukrainian crowd of close to 1,000 to the community. “Remembering 10 million Victims The Philadelphia Community Concert.” She recalled that in 1986 the Committee to Commemorate the 75th U.S. Congress established the U.S. Anniversary of the Famine-Genocide Commission on the Ukraine Famine, in Ukraine organized the solemn con- of which she was a public member. cert and exhibit. The venue was the The commission’s final report, which prestigious Church of the Holy Trinity was submitted and adopted by Ihor Fedoriw located on Rittenhouse Square. Congress, concluded that “the Famine Members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and the Voloshky Ukrainian “Remembering the 10 Million Dance Ensemble outside the Church of the Holy Trinity. Victims of Famine-Genocide (Continued on page 13) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS

There’s little hope in Moscow Snap elections may be rescheduled change the course our country is follow- ing,” he said. At the same time, Mr. for breakthrough in relations with U.S. WARSAW – Ukrainian President Yushchenko said he does not consider the Viktor Yushchenko said on November 12 PRU to be only Russian-oriented and that he refuses to hold snap elections to by Pavel Felgenhauer opposed to Ukraine’s integration with the fighting terrorism. Ms. Gottemoeller the Parliament in December, but believes Eurasia Daily Monitor believes that even before officially taking European Union. He said that the Our they could take place in 2009. “There’s Ukraine party is a 100 percent pro-Europe- November 6 office, Mr. Obama must reach out to the no point in holding the elections during Russian military and press the Pentagon to an political force in Ukraine, while the holidays at the end of the year,” he told Communist Party is exclusively an anti- There seems to be a serious desire in invite Russian naval commanders to stop journalists in Warsaw while on a visit to Washington to try to improve faltering over at Central Command in Florida to European party. Other parties, in his opin- Poland. “We’re doing all we can to bring ion, have both pro-European politicians relations with Moscow, which were “discuss urgent issues that are engaging the package of anti-crisis measures and strained by the Russian invasion of both navies, such as the piracy running and those with opposite views. “The same the budget for 2009 in line with clauses is true of the Party of Regions. It is not a Georgia in August. It is expected that the rampant off Somalia.” The Russians will on the financing of the early elections,” new U.S. administration will try to show be returning home after exercises off the group devoid of the feeling of patriotism,” Mr. Yushchenko said. On October 29 the Mr. Yushchenko said, commenting on its ability to parley and achieve results coast of Venezuela in mid-November Verkhovna Rada refused to support a bill where the administration of George W. (Moscow Times, November 1). what could happen if pro-Russian forces, on funding the snap elections. particularly the PRU, gain power in the Bush failed. The START nuclear arms Such an invitation might indeed be a (Ukrinform) control treaty, which was negotiated before smart PR move, but naval commanders do country. He said that the PRU has a lot of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, not decide Russian defense or foreign pol- President denies revival of coalition entrepreneurs doing their business not only will end in December 2009. Without icy. At present, the Russian military does in Russia, but also in the European Union WARSAW – Ukrainian President Viktor START and its mutual verification and on- not have any representation and little and the United States. “The majority [of Yushchenko said on November 12 that he site inspection regimes, strategic nuclear influence in the country’s top leadership. national deputies] in this party also do not believes the only way out of the current arms control will end. There seems to be nothing wrong in mak- want to return to the past,” Mr. Yushchenko ing additional efforts to placate the top political crisis in the country caused by a said. (Ukrinform) Rose Gottemoeller served in President split of the coalition comprising the Yulia Bill Clinton’s administration as director brass, but friendly gestures toward a mili- President on Yatsenyuk’s dismissal tary that recently invaded a small neigh- Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB) and the Our for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia at the Ukraine – People’s Self-Defense National Security Council and as deputy boring nation and still occupies part of its KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada’s deci- territory will surely frighten other Russian (OU-PSD) bloc back in September is to sion to sack Parliament Chairman Arseniy undersecretary of energy, responsible for hold pre-term parliamentary elections. In nuclear nonproliferation programs. For the neighbors that believe they themselves Yatsenyuk destabilizes the political situa- may be threatened by Russian armed forc- an interview with the Polish newspaper tion, President Viktor Yushchenko said at last few years, she has been the director of Rzeczpospolita, Mr. Yushchenko accused the Carnegie Center in Moscow but is now es in the future. a November 12 briefing. “I do not The outgoing Bush administration is Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of cre- approve of what has happened in leaving for Washington in hope of receiv- ating the political crisis due to her alleged ing an important position, most likely con- putting in a last-ditch attempt to reach an Parliament,” he said, stressing that he understanding on arms control with attempts to form a broad coalition with the trusts Mr. Yatsenyuk and that is precisely nected with Russia and arms control/ Party of Regions of Ukraine (PRU). nuclear nonproliferation, in a new Russia. Moscow and Washington have why he had recommended him for the agreed to resume talks in mid-November “There is only one possible response to the post of Rada chair. “I recommended him, Democratic administration. permanent crisis in our country triggered Ms. Gottemoeller believes that, as U.S. on renewing START in Geneva (Interfax, and I am sure it was not a mistake,” Mr. October 18). The U.S. ambassador in by the prime minister: holding new parlia- president, Barack Obama and Russian Yushchenko emphasized. A total of 233 Moscow, John Beyrle, has expressed mentary elections,” he said. The president President Dmitry Medvedev may form a national deputies voted on November 12 hope that Moscow and Washington would also denied the possible revival of the good and friendly relationship as men of a to dismiss Mr. Yatseniuk from the chair- come to an agreement on replacing or coalition between the YTB and OU-PSD. new generation born in the 1960s. Russia man’s post: 175 from the PRU, 27 from amending START before January 2009, “Today, there is no possibility of returning OU-PSD, and one from the YTB. The and the U.S. have common interests in to the old coalition,” he said. Mr. president is chiefly responsible for the arms control, nuclear nonproliferation and (Continued on page 22) Yushchenko also said that Ms. dismissal of Mr. Yatsenyuk, Prime Tymoshenko, trying to form a coalition Minister Yulia Tymoshenko told journal- with the PRU, wanted to change the strate- ists, also saying, “This dismissal would gic goal of Ukraine’s integration with the be impossible without the president’s Medvedev tests new U.S. president European Union in favor of more active direct order,” as some of the pro-presi- cooperation with Russia. “A discussion is dential OU-PSD members backed the continuing in Ukraine on which direction dismissal. The president said he did not on the morning after his election our state should follow – either to return to wish to comment on the reasons that Our the past or move toward Europe. In fact, Ukraine – People’s Self-Defense bloc by Vladimir Socor regard to Georgia, that is, “the criminal this dilemma triggered the break-up of the members and representatives of some Eurasia Daily Monitor adventurism of the Tbilisi regime.” The previous coalition when one of our allies [YTB] tried to form a broad coalition and (Continued on page 14) November 6 message was that regime change in that country remains a Russian goal, as well as The forecast during the U.S. presidential something to be used as part of trade-offs election campaign by Sen. Joseph Biden, with the United States. now the vice-president-elect, that Russia Mr. Medvedev unwittingly damaged his THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY FOUNDED 1933 would challenge a President Barack Obama case, however, indicating that any such soon after he would be elected has come trade-off would not be the end, but only the An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., true even sooner than could be expected. beginning of troubles with Russia. Listing a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev the “Russian values” that inspire Russia’s Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. attacked the United States, its policies and foreign policy, the president mentioned the Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. some of its closest allies in his state-of-the- “protection of small nations; and in this (ISSN — 0273-9348) nation address to a special session of the regard, the recognition of Abkhazia’s and The Weekly: UNA: bicameral Russian parliament on November South Ossetia’s independence is an exam- Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 5 (Rossiya Television, November 5). ple of such protection.” Mr. Medvedev’s address had originally The implication is that Russia has arro- Postmaster, send address changes to: been scheduled for an earlier date but was gated to itself a right to “protect” popula- The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz rescheduled to be held one day after the tions beyond its borders using any means, 2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew Dubas U.S. elections on November 4. In effect, it including de facto annexation through mili- P.O. Box 280 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) was a salvo across the president-elect’s tary intervention, as long as the global Parsippany, NJ 07054 bow. The speech seemed almost to ignore power balance shifts against the United Western Europe, however. States and the regional balance shifts corre- The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] Mr. Medvedev opened the address by spondingly in Russia’s favor. attacking the United States as part of his Indeed, the speech projects confidence The Ukrainian Weekly, November 16, 2008, No. 46, Vol. LXXVI assessment of the international situation that such a shift has set in, globally and Copyright © 2008 The Ukrainian Weekly and reprised this theme in several sections regionally: “A fundamentally new geopolit- of his speech. He indicted the United States ical situation has taken shape. The August from the outset for Georgia’s “barbarous crisis merely precipitated the moment of aggression against South Ossetia,” for the truth. We demonstrated in practice, to those ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA “global financial crisis [in which] the U.S. who sponsored Georgia’s present regime, economy dragged down the financial mar- that we are able to defend our citizens [and] Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 kets of the entire planet” and for “imposing our national interests.” e-mail: [email protected] American anti-missile systems on Europe In other words, Russia sees itself in a Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 in an accelerated manner, which will natu- position to exploit this strategic opening e-mail: [email protected] rally lead to Russia’s response.” around its perimeter. Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 The address reserved disproportionate e-mail: [email protected] space and disproportionate vehemence with (Continued on page 22) No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 3 The Holodomor 75 years later: The Donetsk Oblast by Zenon Zawada Kyiv Press Bureau The Holodomor in the Donetsk Oblast DONETSK – As Ukrainians starved in surrounding villages, Donetsk factories 105,000 known casualties * hummed in full gear and the mines churned out coal. 12,000 known survivors still alive * Donbas was fulfilling Joseph Stalin’s ideal vision of a Soviet, industrialized The editorial group of the Donetsk Ukraine, which is why some present-day Volume of the Holodomor Victims residents, particularly the elder National Memory book was unable to Communists and their sympathizers, can’t estimate how many population centers fathom that their oblast was devastated by were affected, and how many mass the Holodomor. graves exist in the oblast, said Stanislav “They say there was no famine since Blyednov, the chief editor. we built this mine, or that factory, and developed industry, and extracted coal * These figures are gross underestimations and ore and smelted metal,” said Viktor and researchers are still working to establish Prokopchuk, a 69-year-old Soviet veteran accurate numbers. who regularly debates the Donbas Communists. “But the Ukrainian village (Viktor) Yushchenko,” Mr. Blyednov told was practically destroyed.” an October 20 academic conference. Indeed, the Holodomor ravaged the Zenon Zawada “This was officially recognized in 1990 Donetsk countryside, which was compre- Soviet Army veteran Viktor Prokopchuk Prof. Volodymyr Nikolskyi learned that not only that it was a famine, but that it hensively documented in “Hirka Pamiat” regularly debates Donbas Communists the Soviets destroyed most Communist was man-made.” (“Bitter Memory”), a 614-page anthology on the Holodomor’s veracity. Party documents in Donetsk. Though Donetsk is heavily Russified, containing oblast testimonies, scholarly populated by transplants from throughout research and Soviet documents. for the region’s scholars. authorities ordered all the oblast’s the former Soviet Union, the oblast’s It was compiled by the Donetsk Although the book reported that archived Communist Party documents native Ukrainian residents, who trace Oblast’s top Holodomor researchers, “almost 100,000” Donetsk Oblast resi- destroyed, Dr. Nikolskyi said, with the their ancestral roots to the local villages, including Prof. Volodymyr Nikolskyi, dents perished in the Holodomor, Mr. exception of a few samples of reports, bear vivid stories of the Holodomor that Assistant Prof. Mykola Troian and editor Blyednov noted that estimate is based notes and certificates that were preserved were passed down from their parents and Stanislav Blyednov, who published the only on the information currently known in local Party Control Commission Fund. grandparents. anthology with financial support from the and that a precise figure has yet to be Research efforts have been hampered Donetsk native Oksana Khatalakh Donetsk State Oblast Administration and remembered how her “babusia” (grand- the Donetsk Oblast Council. determined. also by the active Donbas Communists, Nor have researchers confirmed how who have led a campaign in its newspa- mother) described a “terrible famine” in Among the evidence were documents her native village of Yelizavetivka, know- affirming that more than 9,000 villagers many mass graves exist in the oblast and pers and radio programs trying to con- where. vince the locals that the Holodomor is an ing full well it was man-made long before were convicted during the Holodomor for anyone from the diaspora was even violating Joseph Stalin’s August 1932 Donbas Holodomor researchers are American fiction imported to Ukraine. severely hindered in their efforts because Their efforts are merely political dema- allowed to speak in Ukraine. “Five Ears” order that criminalized the Upon hearing her babusia’s stories of theft of just five ears of wheat from col- a large portion of the oblast state archives, goguery, in Mr. Blyednov’s view, consid- particularly the birth and death records, ering that the Central Committee of the the Famine, Ms. Khatalakh tried finding lective farms. Most received prison sen- information in her eighth-grade textbook. were lost during World War II, Dr. Communist Party of Ukraine acknowl- tences of five to 10 years, and some were It was 1982 and the only mention was a Nikolskyi said. edged in a January 26, 1990, decree that executed. phrase, “There were minor rationing To protect them from the invading the Famine of 1932-1933 was a staged Meanwhile, some 600 collective farm problems in certain villages.” administrators in the Starokaranskyi Nazis, the Soviet authorities loaded the criminal act committed by Joseph Stalin documents onto a train in October 1941 She asked her teacher why the text- District of Donetsk were imprisoned or and his cohorts. book made no mention, drawing a long executed for refusing to fulfill Stalin’s to Russia, where they eventually burned “This was not invented today, not by genocidal collectivization policies. inside the train car, he said, citing as his President (Leonid) Kuchma nor President (Continued on page 16) While “Bitter Memory” is a landmark source a colleague who worked in the effort in collecting Holodomor evidence state archives. in the Donbas region, much work remains Then, sometime in the 1960s, Soviet A look at Donbas high school OPIC to return to Ukraine students’ views of the Holodomor Embassy of the United States development in new and emerging markets; by Zenon Zawada complements the private sector in managing KYIV – The U.S. government and the Kyiv Press Bureau risks associated with foreign direct invest- government of Ukraine signed a ment; and supports U.S. foreign policy. DONETSK – In her report to an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on OPIC has been absent from Ukraine for November 10, laying the foundation for the October 20 conference on the Holodomor, several years over the failure to resolve an return of the U.S. Overseas Private Donbas high school student Viktoriya insurance claim dating from the 1990s. The Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Ukraine. Charkina referred to the Holodomor as a William Taylor, U.S. ambassador to MOU signed on November 10 paves the crime of the Communist regime, but Ukraine, and Ukraine’s Minister of way for a resolution of that issue. avoided the term genocide. Economy Bohdan Danylyshyn acted as the The American Chamber of Commerce Meanwhile, high schooler Alina signing parties of this agreement. (AmCham) in Ukraine and the U.S.-Ukraine Denysova said Ukrainians weren’t the only Ambassador Taylor said he believes the Business Council (USUBC) welcomed the targets of the Holodomor. signing of the MOU is an important step news. “Russians and Belarusians died during toward securing OPIC’s return to Ukraine AmCham President Jorge Zukoski said the Holodomor, and the recognition of and an important sign of the faith the United he is pleased that concrete steps are being genocide only against the Ukrainian peo- States has in Ukraine and the Ukrainian undertaken to re-establish the operations of ple confuses me,” Ms. Denysova said. economy. Once the steps specified in the OPIC. Mr. Zukoski noted that the MOU “Ukraine was not the only suffering coun- memorandum are fulfilled, over $500 mil- signing sends a positive signal to the busi- try. Though the Holodomor of 1932-1933 lion of new investments that will be made in ness community that Ukraine is open for was artificially created, it’s very hard for Ukraine in the next 12 to 18 months with business, and that it will assist in attracting us to understand its true aim.” OPIC’s help, he said. additional strategic investment into the mar- Such ambiguity and confusion about Zenon Zawada Ambassador Taylor underscored that ketplace. the Holodomor is widespread among the Donbas high school student Alina OPIC’s return, like the International “One of the top priorities of the U.S.- youth of the Donbas, where pro-Russian Denysova said she is confused as to Monetary Fund’s support package and other Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) the politicians use the mass media to convince why the Holodomor is considered positive economic news such as the widely past few years has been to support the return residents it wasn’t genocide against genocide against Ukrainians only. unheralded recent passage of a Joint Stock of OPIC’s outstanding business and eco- Ukrainians – contrary to the accounts of Company Law, is evidence Ukraine can nomic development programs to Ukraine.” living witnesses, researchers and declassi- and peasantry who posed the biggest threat take steps to improve the economic and said Morgan Williams of SigmaBleyzer, fied documents that prove otherwise. to the Soviet government and that the investment climate if the leadership of the who serves as president of USUBC. Ms. Denysova said she is convinced it Holodomor was hatched to destroy major political forces work together for the “USUBC members certainly welcome the was genocide (against Soviet peasants), Ukrainian identity, language and culture. good of the country. signing of the MOU and hope all issues will and it was “absurd” for the Soviet govern- She also couldn’t recognize that the OPIC was established as an agency of be resolved quickly so OPIC can once again ment to view the intelligentsia as a threat. deaths of Russians and Belarusians, much the U.S. government in 1971. It helps U.S. support U.S. businesses doing business with However she wasn’t able to make the businesses invest overseas, fosters economic Ukraine.” link that it was the Ukrainian intellectuals (Continued on page 10) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 NEWS ANALYSIS: Yushchenko uses SBU against former Orange allies by Taras Kuzio Mr. Yushchenko). Thirdly, the Presidential Secretariat is March 1997, also has dual Israeli-Ukrainian Eurasia Daily Monitor There are four facets to the campaign. challenging the citizenship of naturalized citizenship. Firstly, the Presidential Secretariat com- Ukrainians, such as Davyd Zhvania, a busi- Finally, YTB and PSD deputies have The Security Service of Ukraine (known piled a 350-page dossier of accusations of nessman who provided funding for the Pora been accused of “corruption.” The president by its Ukrainian acronym as SBU) is target- “treason” against Ms. Tymoshenko and pre- (It’s Time) youth NGO and Orange has claimed that the deputies were involved ing the president’s former Orange ally, the sented it to the Procurator’s office in August. Revolution protests in 2004 and the People’s in contraband in collusion with “organized Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB), as part of a The SBU spent from July to September Self Defense Party in 2007. Mr. Zhvania is a crime.” Significantly, the SBU’s investiga- strategy to undermine Ms. Tymoshenko’s investigating the accusations. Two days after deputy in the PSD wing of OU-PSD, which tion is targeting only deputies from YTB popularity ahead of the January 2010 presi- the Secretariat presented its “evidence,” the has de facto aligned itself with the YTB in and the pro-Tymoshenko wing of OU-PSD. dential elections. The campaign uses meth- Procurator’s office announced that it had the inter-Orange quarrels. Mr. Zhvania One of the accused is the deputy head of ods similar to those used by former found no “concrete criminal infringements became a Ukrainian citizen in 1999 after the PSD, Gennadiy Moskal, who is vice- President Leonid Kuchma. of the law” by the government and that the renouncing his Georgian citizenship. The chair of the parliamentary committee to The concerted campaign aims at smear- dossier included nothing that could be used Procurator’s office and courts rebuffed the combat organized crime and corruption. It is ing the YTB, Ms. Tymoshenko and pro- to launch criminal charges against Ms. Presidential Secretariat’s challenge that the unlikely a coincidence that Mr. Moskal sub- Tymoshenko defectors from the erstwhile Tymoshenko (Ukrayinska Pravda, citizenship had been received “illegally” mitted a request on October 21 to the supporters of the president’s Our Ukraine – November 6). and that he had kept his Georgian citizen- Procurator’s Office to investigate how the People’s Self-Defense (OU-PSD) bloc with Secondly, they are besmirching the prime ship, although Ukraine does not recognize biggest castle in Central-Eastern Europe in accusations of “corruption” and other abus- minister’s reputation by linking Ms. dual citizenship. Mukachiv, an important symbol in es of office. The biased nature of the cam- Tymoshenko’s position as CEO of United Pro-Yushchenko oligarch Igor Hungarian history, was transferred until paign is similar to those in the Kuchma era, Energy Systems in the mid-1990s to then- Kolomoisky, CEO of the Privat group, 2056 to Vysokyi Zamok, a small private insofar as the campaign ignores loyal politi- Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko. Messrs. openly admitted in an interview that he had company owned by family members of the cal forces (pro-regime centrist parties and Yushchenko and Kuchma are trying to have Israeli and Ukrainian citizenship but has not Presidential Secretarial chief Viktor Baloha oligarchs under Mr. Kuchma and the pro- Mr. Lazarenko extradited from the United been investigated (www.pravda.com.ua, (Zerkalo Nedeli/Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, October Yushchenko wing of OU-PSD) and poten- States, where he is serving a jail term on March 28 and 31). Party of Regions Deputy 18). tial coalition allies (the Communist Party money laundering charges, after seeking Yukhym Zviahilsky, who fled to Israel in A YTB statement rejected accusations under Mr. Kuchma, Party of Regions under political asylum there in 1999. November 1994 but returned to Ukraine in made by the SBU as merely part of a cam- paign to “blacken whomever Yushchenko sees as his main enemy – the government, its head and team” (www.YTB.com.ua, November 6). The YTB warned that acting SBU Chairman Valentyn Nalyvaichenko would face consequences for “the privatiza- tion of the SBU on behalf of certain private persons, the degradation and discrediting of the Security Service, and its transformation into a directorate of the Presidential Secretariat for black PR” (www.YTB.com. ua, November 6). As Ukraine approaches the fourth anni- versary of the Orange Revolution beginning on November 21 and the pros and cons of what has changed for the better are being analyzed, one area that remains negative is civil-military relations (see Eurasia Daily Monitor October 21). One important ele- ment of this is the continued practice, inher- ited from the Kuchma era, of politicizing the SBU. The decline and growth of the SBU’s politicization are related to how the presi- dent is faring in the opinion polls; it always increases and becomes most acute when the president feels under threat from his domes- tic opponents. In the Kuchma era the SBU became politicized during his second term following the November 2000 “Kuchmagate” scandal and climaxed during the 2004 elections. Under Mr. Yushchenko the SBU’s re-politi- cization, after a short respite following the Orange Revolution, increased quickly start- ing in the middle of his first term. The SBU’s re-politicization has taken place for three reasons. First was the appointment of SBU Vice- Chairman Valentyn Nalyvaichenko as acting chairman after Parliament refused to support his candidacy, which was proposed, as per the Constitution, by the president. Mr. Nalyvaichenko has seemingly agreed to act as the head of a politicized SBU, unlike SBU Chairman Ihor Smeshko, who acquit- ted himself in a positive manner during the Orange Revolution. Rumors that Mr. Nalyvaichenko was to be replaced because of his unpopularity in Parliament were leaked by an SBU officer to the newspaper 24 (November 6). The position was offered to a Party of Regions deputy who turned it down. Mr. Nalyvaichenko is reportedly to be trans- ferred to the Presidential Secretariat or National Security and Defense Council. Secondly, the president’s approval ratings collapsed in 2006 from a very high point in his first year in office. They recovered brief- ly in 2007 and then collapsed again in 2008 to below 5 percent. A recent poll showed that the lack of confidence in the president among Ukrainians has gone up from an (Continued on page 20) No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 5 “Welcome to Ukrainian New York” kicks off at the Ukrainian Institute by Irina I. Gvozd Ukrainian Airlines, Meest, Ukrainian Self-Reliance Federal Credit Union and NEW YORK, N.Y. – “Welcome to The Ukrainian Weekly, as well as several Ukrainian New York,” a new fund-raising smaller local and out-of state Ukrainian- and networking event, took place at the owned enterprises. In addition, the event Ukrainian Institute in New York City on was sponsored in part by Anheuser September 27. The inaugural “Welcome” Busch, and the trendy Village Voice pub- surpassed all expectations of its organiz- lished an article covering the event for ers and was attended by several hundred the general New York City audience. individual attendees and over 25 local Representatives from New York Time area businesses and organizations. Out Magazine and BBC Ukraine attended The idea behind the event was born a as well. few months ago when a group of young and ambitious professionals from Stimulating participation in the social Ukraine, led by a Ukrainian Canadian, and cultural life of the Ukrainian commu- Terence Filewych, approached the nity in New York was event’s other major Ukrainian Institute of America (UIA) goal. An opportunity to showcase them- with an initiative to bring local Ukrainian- selves proved to be an effective tool to owned businesses and Ukrainian organi- recruit new members for many Ukrainian zations together to increase the awareness organizations, particularly the Ukrainian of and promote their activities in the Institute of America. Others, including Ukrainian community in the Greater New the Ukrainian National Association, The Alex Labunka and Eugenia Kuzmowycz-Blahy, representatives of Self Reliance York Metropolitan area. Ukrainian Museum, and the Ukrainian New York, at the networking event. Jaroslaw Kryshtalsky, UIA president, American Bar Association, also attracted quickly saw the value and potential of significant interest from the guests in such a networking event and immediately attendance who were interested in learn- offered the institute’s help and support in ing about the objectives of those organi- organizing it. Thus, a new forum for zations. social and business networking among Greater participation in community the Ukrainians of the Big Apple was cre- affairs actively promoted by these well- ated. established and prominent Ukrainian As the preparations were under way, organizations, such as the UIA, has often various major Ukrainian, Ukrainian facilitated social interaction between var- American and New York companies and ious segments of Ukrainian community. organizations expressed interest in sup- Recently this has been particularly evi- porting the initiative and sponsorship dent in the UIA’s activities aimed to opportunities. Among the most notable bridge the gap between the Ukrainian sponsors of the event were such recog- diaspora in the United States and the new nizable names in the Ukrainian commu- wave of Ukrainians settling in this coun- nities throughout the country as Aerosvit try. In the past the UIA organized and

Eugene and Maria Oscislawski of the Ukrainian National Association.

hosted a number of events with the par- unique cultural experience – Ukrainian ticipation of prominent figures from New York. Ukraine, raising the awareness of the Members of the organizing committee Ukrainian diaspora about the social life, expressed their gratitude to all sponsors, trends and developments in modern organizers and volunteers who contribut- Ukraine. ed their ideas, energy and effort to make “Welcome to Ukrainian New York” this project possible. Special thanks went created a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere to Mr. Kryshtalsky and the UIA. and all where Ukrainians from all walks of life – of those in attendance. business leaders, artists, students, young Members of the organizing committee professionals and the members of the dip- included: Mr. Filewych, Irina Gvozd, lomatic community – could interact and Olena Khrystyuk, Dmytro Kudlyak, discuss topics of interest over wine and Natalie Trojan, Ulana Bardyn and Anna Yuri Pylyp and Tania Wedmid at the Brooklyn Ukrainian Group’s table. cheese and immerse themselves in a Shpook.

National Deputy Andriy Shevchenko addresses New York community by Michele Hu conditions in Ukraine, where the political cross-party individual candidate votes. Ukramerezha), organized and hosted the and Yuri Omelchenko system remains in a state of flux and Mr. Shevchenko acknowledged the afternoon event, which brought together where the economy is adversely affected importance of these issues, emphasizing some well-known faces in the East NEW YORK – Why has the Ukrainian by the global economic crisis. He spoke the upcoming 2010 oblast and local elec- Village’s Ukrainian American communi- government ignored basic necessary of the global financial pinch affecting tions as an opportunity to bring more ty, with diaspora press, university stu- medical services in the rural areas while Ukraine, driving lower investment flows adequate representation and legislative dents and professors from upstate New spending hundreds of millions of hryvni into the country and lower prices for power to the local regions. York to as far away as California. on medical buildings in Kyiv? What is commodity exports. Mr. Shevchenko arrived in the United Self-Reliance New York Federal Credit the near-term prognosis for the parlia- While the current situation remains States at the invitation of Yale University Union co-sponsored the public meeting mentary elections in Ukraine? How can grim, Mr. Shevchenko noted that Ukraine as a World Fellow. He stated that Ukraine with USA/USA, a program of the Ukrainians studying abroad return to find is experiencing the beginnings of a con- trails behind other nations in the number Coordinating Committee to Aid Ukraine. employment in Ukraine? solidation of the political landscape and of students representing the country at the While some key questions remained These questions, along with others, that Ukraine has the tools for the creation university. He also identified further ave- unanswered, the open dialogue between a were posed to Andriy Shevchenko, a of a solid political structure that would be nues of cooperation between Yale and deputy and the public, with attendees national deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, effective in implementing necessary Ukraine, particularly in HIV/AIDS exchanging ideas at the reception before who came to the East Village in New reforms – especially those badly needed research and patient care projects. and after the event, created a sense of sol- York City on November 1 for a commu- in the legal system. Dr. Bohdan Oryshkevich, founder of idarity in purpose. As one attendee noted, nity meeting at St. George Ukrainian Grievances and questions, some heated, the Ukrainian Student Association in the “Free speech is really practiced here. Catholic Church. dominated the open question-and-answer United States of America (USA-USA/ There should be more meetings like this.” Mr. Shevchenko, a former journalist at session that followed Mr. Shevchenko’s Channel 5, noted for its unbiased cover- speech. Among these were of the govern- age of the Orange Revolution, offered ment’s seemingly hypocritical stance To subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly: observations that drew from his years as against land privatization, corruption, a Ukrainian journalist and a lawmaker. unfair distribution of funding, and the bloc call 973-292-9800 x 3042. Mr. Shevchenko described the current voting system that does not allow for 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY defense shield – many original EU mem- Barack Obama’s first bers who rely heavily on Russian gas The Holodomor: telling our story foreign-policy exam seem to favor appeasement and would Ukrainians around the world are marking the solemn 75th anniversary of the probably want the United States to termi- Holodomor, the genocidal famine that killed, according to various accounts, 7 million Dear Editor: nate the program. On the other hand, for- to 10 million of our brethren. The true figure will never be known due to the cover-up mer Soviet satellite countries, such as engineered, with great success, by Soviet authorities and their collaborators. These During the presidential campaign, Sen. Poland and the Czech Republic, embrace millions of innocents – a third of them children – were deliberately killed by forced Joseph Biden predicted that the new pres- the missile defense program even though starvation in the years 1932-1933. At the height of the Famine-Genocide some 25,000 ident would be tested by an adversarial they too are dependent on Russian energy. people died each day – that’s more than the population of many of our towns here in foreign power within the first six months (Maybe they know something the other the United States. Think about it: it’s as if a town a day simply vanished. of his administration. Everyone probably European states do not.) One can, with The Holodomor was not a drought, it was not crop failure, it was not even some assumed that such a test would emanate reasonable certainty, anticipate that bizarre accident that befell the people of Ukraine. It was premeditated murder on the from the Middle East or some terrorist Russia will attempt to further intimidate grandest scale directed from Moscow by Joseph Stalin. Indeed, the only term that can Islamic group after Barack Obama was the EU with a barrage of threats and properly define what happened on Ukrainian lands in those fateful years is genocide – sworn in as president. It now seems as if saber-rattling on the subject, calculating a word coined only in the late 1940s and a crime codified in “The Convention on the initial exam will be administered by that Mr. Obama, as president, will heed Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” adopted by the U.N. in 1948. Russia well before Inauguration Day. the anxiety of the softer EU members. What the Ukrainian community is trying to do as part of its commemorations of the One day after Sen. Obama’s historical During the campaign, Sen. Obama’s Holodomor anniversary is tell the story of the Ukrainian genocide to a world that for election, Russian President Dmitry position on the European missile defense far too long has remained ignorant or has been deceived about the facts. Medvedev vehemently blasted the United system seemed to be supportive of the This year, it seems our Ukrainian American community is reaching out to the States in an 85-minute state of the nation program but was not definitive. If he broader American public more than ever and enjoying some measure of success in speech. He blamed America for the inter- reverses position or waivers on the sub- disseminating the truth about the Holodomor. national financial crisis, for agitating ject, many, especially those in Central Georgia and possibly others into war in For example, this week’s front page features a story about the Holodomor com- and Eastern Europe, will deem this capit- the Caucasus, and sternly warned that, if memoration in Philadelphia, where the Ukrainian community succeeded in holding a ulation to Russian intimidation and this the United States continues with its plan memorial concert and exhibit in the landmark Church of the Holy Trinity. A large ban- may substantially diminish American to deploy a missile defense system in ner outside the Episcopal church proclaimed: “Remembering the 10 Million Victims prestige and influence in the region. Poland and the Czech Republic, Russia of Famine-Genocide 1932-1933 in Ukraine.” Inside this issue, readers will see a story The new president will need to find the would deploy short-range missiles on about the three-day commemorations held at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center appropriate answer to his first foreign- of New Jersey. It is significant that the events included an ecumenical prayer service, Europe’s border aimed at those countries. In his speech, Mr. Medvedev conspicu- policy exam. We’ll see how the new pres- in English, at which area clergy of various churches officiated. Also worth noting is ident is graded. that it was at the UACCNJ that the community first heard Gov. Jon Corzine’s procla- ously not only failed to congratulate Sen. mation of “Ukrainian Genocide Remembrance Day.” Obama on his historic victory, but didn’t Myroslaw Smorodsky Among last week’s top stories was one about an educational conference on teach- even mention him by name. Only after Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. ing about the Holodomor that was held by Kean University. Here was an excellent his speech did Mr. Medvedev send a con- example of how the Holodomor has become known outside our community. It is note- gratulatory telegram to the president-elect worthy that the Holodomor is now regularly taught at Kean as part of the program on with an overt signal that relations with We welcome your opinion the United States would improve if the Holocaust and genocide studies. And, this is a case in which the initiator of a The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters Holodomor event was not the Ukrainian community. United States abandoned its European to the editor and commentaries on a vari- Coming up are two significant events in the Boston area – one organized by the missile shield program. European leaders ety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian local Ukrainian community and the other by students at Boston College – that go immediately expressed “strong concern” American and Ukrainian Canadian com- beyond the bounds of our community to raise awareness of the Holodomor. On at the announcement of Russia’s missile munities. Opinions expressed by colum- November 15 the Boston branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America deployment on their borders. nists, commentators and letter-writers are will hold a memorial service at the Paulist Fathers’ Center off the historic Boston The Russian Foreign Ministry stated their own and do not necessarily reflect Common. On December 4 the Ukrainian Students Society at BC, a renowned Jesuit these “strong concerns” would be allevi- the opinions of either The Weekly edito- ated if the U.S. missile defense program rial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian university, will sponsor the Rev. Edward Evanko’s one-man presentation of songs and National Association. writings about the Holodomor. was abandoned. This “carrot and stick” approach was echoed on November 9 at a Letters should be typed and signed (anon- And so, we Ukrainians surely are making progress in telling the story of the ymous letters are not published). Letters are Ukrainian Genocide. It is a story all of us must pledge to disseminate as we bow our foreign ministers’ meeting in Egypt. accepted also via e-mail at staff@ukrweek- heads in memory of the millions lost. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ly.com. The daytime phone number and expressed hope that the Obama adminis- address of the letter-writer must be given tration would take a “more constructive for verification purposes. Please note that a approach” to this issue. daytime phone number is essential in order This situation presents the future for editors to contact letter-writers regarding Nov. Turning the pages back... administration with a diplomatic Gordian clarifications or questions. knot. The European Union seems to be Please note: THE LENGTH OF LETTERS divided on the issue of the U.S. missile CANNOT EXCEED 500 WORDS. 19 Last year, on November 19, 2007, in a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government of the 2007 Russian Federation accused President Viktor Yushchenko of using the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a tool for political gain. Polish American Congress urges Obama “We’d like to state that the theme of the 1930s famine in the Soviet Union, the victims of which were people from many nationalities, including Ukrainians, Russians, Kazakhs and other peoples of the USSR, is to be fi rm in reacting to Russian threat becoming yet a bigger subject for speculation on behalf of certain political circles in WASHINGTON – Polish American from Hitler’s Germany to Saddam Ukraine,” the ministry said. Congress President Frank Spula on Hussein’s Iraq, after World War II Poland’s The statement arrived just five days before Ukrainians annually commemorate the friendship was betrayed by a cynical real- Holodomor in Ukraine on the last Saturday in November. November 7 called on President-elect politik that meant for it half a century of “Declaring the tragic events of these years as an ‘act of genocide’ against the Ukrainian Barack Obama to act with firmness and being tied to the Soviet gulag.” people is a one-sided twisting of history in agreement with contemporary conjectural politi- vision in what looks like the first foreign “We call on President-elect Barack cal-ideological arrangements,” the Russian government’s statement said. policy crisis the new administration will Obama, who has deservedly earned the “Moreover, this offends the memory of victims of other nationalities who died in the face: Russian threats against Poland for respect, affection and support of peoples 1932-1933 Famine throughout the former Soviet Union.” standing firm in favor of the NATO alli- around the world, to stand firm in favor of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that determining the Holodomor as a ance. the United States’ most steadfast ally in genocide against the Ukrainian people was no longer an issue. “Even before they were elected, Vice- Eastern Europe,” he said. Activists with the Union of Eurasian Youth, a radical Russian organization, attacked a President-elect Joe Biden warned that the Mr. Spula noted that the Polish Holodomor exhibition on Moscow’s Ukrainian Cultural Center on November 17, 2007. The new administration would likely be tested American Congress (PAC) was born at the activists voiced their protest against the exhibit and when guards arrived to remove the pro- in its first days,” Mr. Spula said. “News end of World War II with the mission not testers, a brawl erupted, resulting in the successful destruction of the exhibit’s photos stands reports from Poland and Russia, echoed only to inform the American public about and displays, said Valeriy Korovin, a leader of the Union of Eurasian Youth, in an interview by major U.S. media such as National the tragic situation in Poland, but also to with the radio station Echo of Moscow. Public Radio and MSNBC, have this week instruct the Americans of the dangers in “The fight at the exhibit occurred because the activists weren’t given the opportunity to pointed to the likelihood that that test will voice their position regarding attempts by the regime of President Viktor Yushchenko to use be fought out over Poland’s unwavering continuing to placate a menace that it con- the Holodomor theme to drive a wedge between the Russian and Ukrainian people,” Mr. commitment to its democratic allies.” sidered as bad as Nazi Germany – Soviet Korovin said. Unfortunately, Mr. Spula added, “even totalitarianism. “I would advise our Russian colleagues, as friendly advice, to read history books,” said though Poles and Polish Americans have As World War II was coming to a close, Mr. Spula pointed out, American Polonia Andrii Deschystia, spokesman for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Smashing dis- since the foundation of the Jamestown felt “deceived” by President Franklin D. plays is not an approach. An approach is reading about history and drawing conclusions.” colony [the first Poles arrived in Virginia Roosevelt for having created the impres- in 1608] been at the forefront of the fight sion that Poland would be free within its Source: “Russia accuses Ukrainian president of using Holodomor for political gain,” by for liberty on American soil and allied Zenon Zawada, The Ukrainian Weekly, December 2, 2007. with the United States against tyranny, (Continued on page 22) No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 7

NEWS AND VIEWS crosscurrents Moving forward in relations by andrew Sorokowski between the U.S. and Ukraine by Borys Tarasyuk George W. Bush, and they had a negative RFE/RL impact on the development of bilateral Ten-twenty relations. Last summer, a couple of curious inci- In fact, it had already done so in 1924, I would like to congratulate Sen. Barack A sort of uncertain stagnation lasted dents rippled the placid waters of Ukrainian though that decree applied only to the Obama on his decisive victory in the U.S. until the 2004-2005 Orange Revolution, Church life. First, on June 19 CWNews Orthodox Church in Poland. presidential election. His marathon cam- after which cooperation really did move reported that Bartholomew I, the ecumeni- Apparently seeking to head off this latest paign, which lasted 21 months, met with onto a new and substantive plane. During cal patriarch of Constantinople, had threat, the Moscow Patriarchate sent well-deserved success. I would also like to the Bush years, Ukraine was granted mar- approved of Cardinal Lubomyr Husar’s Metropolitan Kirill (Gundyaev), long- give his opponent, Sen. John McCain, his ket-economy status. We joined the World proposal of “double unity” for Ukraine’s standing head of its Department of External due. In my opinion Sen. McCain did not Trade Organization. We received invalu- Greek-Catholics. “Double unity” means re- Church Relations, to Kyiv. According to succeed largely due to the disenchantment able U.S. support in our efforts to have the establishing ties with Constantinople while one report, Kirill offered to grant the of Americans with the present administra- 1932-1933 Famine in Ukraine recognized retaining allegiance to Rome. It is a bold Ukrainian Orthodox autocephaly, and even tion. as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian and controversial idea, though not unprece- to accept the break-away Ukrainian Since gaining its independence 17 years people. ago, Ukraine has had bilateral relations dented. On July 5, however, Patriarch Autocephalous Orthodox Church, under with the United States. Both Republicans Hopes for the future Bartholomew officially denied this report certain conditions. But all this was in vain, (International Christian Relations, July 8). and when Patriarch Bartholomew arrived and Democrats have played roles in those Today the entire world is engulfed in a relations. But what does the future hold He restated the traditional Orthodox posi- he not only expressed support for a united deep financial and economic crisis. At the tion that Greek-Catholics, like other Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but declared for U.S.-Ukraine relations as a new admin- same time, the ghosts of the Cold War istration settles down in Washington? Uniates, were welcome to return to the that Ukraine was the canonical territory of haunt Europe. Under these circumstances, Orthodox Church. the Ecumenical Patriarchate (see Zenon If you ask any serious Ukrainian politi- Ukraine and the United States are in a cian whether a Democrat or a Republican Earlier, on April 26, Cardinal Husar, Zawada, “Patriarch Bartholomew I of position to build upon their strategic part- widely regarded as Greek-Catholic patri- Constantinople makes historic visit to U.S. president is better for Ukraine, he or nership to their mutual benefit and to the she will reply that ultimately there is really arch of Kyiv and Halych, had made an Ukraine,” The Ukrainian Weekly, August 3, benefit of others in the international com- appeal for unity to the synod of the pp. 1, 19; Anatolii Babynskyi, “Pro iuvilei, no great difference. And this is the truth. munity. Aside from the confusion surrounding Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow rozkoly, kanony ta Khrysta…,” Patriiarkhat Below, I would just mention a few are- Patriarchate. The Synod rejected it, point- No. 5 [408], September-October 2008, pp. President George H.W. Bush’s 1991 nas for expanded cooperation, and I hope “Chicken Kiev” speech, which most likely ing out that any local “union” was an out- 5-8). the new president of the United States will dated and unacceptable concept, particular- These two developments exemplify two was prompted by a desire to buck up hear my message. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev rather ly in the light of the joint Catholic- major issues of Ukraine’s Church life: First, I applaud Sen. Obama’s intentions Orthodox theological discussions at Orthodox unity and ecumenism. Ecumenism than a deep conviction that Ukraine should to bring the conflict in Iraq to an end and Freising (1990) and Balamand (1993). The – the movement for Christian unity – has not be independent, the United States has thus free up U.S. foreign-policy resources upshot of those meetings was that while the various points of departure. On the one always been aware of Ukraine’s strategic for other challenges. I agree with those Uniate Churches had a right to exist and hand, there is the view that there is only one importance in terms of the democratiza- analysts who say the current threats in the even to participate in ecumenical talks, the true Church, and the others are mere schis- tion of the post-Soviet space. This aware- Middle East pale in comparison with the concept of union upon which they had been matics. This attitude, while logically consis- ness has been convincingly demonstrated potential dangers that arose within the founded was no longer acceptable. The tent, is not likely to bring many back into time and again during the last 17 years. Eurasian space during the course of the Orthodox have long been suspicious of the fold. At the other end of the spectrum is It happened that bilateral relations night of August 7-8 in South Ossetia. Roman “salami tactics,” by which the the notion that all Churches are equally developed most dynamically during the Ukraine is ready to again contribute to Catholic Church has allegedly sliced away valid, and that they have only to overcome administration of Democratic President an international security framework for parts of the Orthodox community through a their differences and unite. The problem Bill Clinton. This is only natural: our the continent. It is no secret that Ukraine series of local church unions. As far as the with this is that it abdicates the very princi- young country was embarking on a new and the United States have worked closely UOC-MP Synod was concerned, Greek- ple of a true Church. Somewhere between path of independent development. We on aspects of an effective antimissile sys- Catholics should either re-join the Orthodox these poles is the Catholic position, which were laying the foundations for reform in tem that would be a key defensive mecha- Church or, if they insist on remaining holds that the Church of Christ “subsists” in all spheres, and the support of the most nism within the Euro-Atlantic collective- Catholic, should join the Roman Church the Catholic Church, yet is also “present powerful country on Earth was very security space. (“UHKTs-UPTs: ideia iednosti pozbavlena and operative” in the separated Orthodox important. In addition, our common interests kanonichnykh pidstav?” Patriiarkhat no. 5 Churches, which possess “elements of sanc- A pivotal moment came when Ukraine demand further and deeper coordinated [408], September-October 2008, p. 12). tification and of truth,” have a valid priest- voluntarily agreed to give up its nuclear action in implementing the Treaty on Meanwhile, preparations were under hood and valid sacraments, and are indeed weapons in exchange for security guaran- Conventional Forces in Europe; strength- way for the summer’s second ecclesiastical “sister Churches” (Congregation of the tees from the United States, Russia and the ening international nonproliferation curiosity: the celebration of the 1,020th Doctrine of the Faith, “Responses to Some United Kingdom (later from Germany and regimes; improving global nuclear securi- anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’, slated Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the France as well). The 1993 trilateral decla- ty; and combating the threat of nuclear, for July 25-27. Even for a people obsessed Doctrine on the Church,” June 29, 2007). ration of the United States, Russia and the chemical and biological terrorism. United Kingdom, and the 1994 Budawpest with anniversaries, this was a strange one But what does ecumenism mean for Among European countries, Ukraine is memorandum (signed by the United to pick out for special attention. The idea Ukraine? Is it a matter of the various the largest contributor of personnel and States, Russia, the United Kingdom, reportedly emanated from Moscow, where Churches sharing in the Eucharist? Or resources to U.N. peacekeeping opera- Germany and France) would have been the Russian Orthodox Church had long would it require a formal, structural merger tions. We are the only European country impossible without strong U.S. support. been struggling to re-affirm the unity of of Greek-Catholics with Orthodox into a that is currently participating in every sin- Even now, despite the aggressive Rus’ (that is, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine). single national Church, something like gle such mission. De facto, Ukraine is behavior of one of the signatories, those President Viktor Yushchenko duly invited what was contemplated in the 1620s, and doing more today in the area of peace- documents continue to play a serious and Moscow Patriarch Aleksii II, who after all what some Ukrainian churchmen and poli- keeping than some NATO members. But positive role in the region. has authority over Ukraine’s largest ticians advocate today? That could serve as this work provides us with valuable expe- During the 1990s, the work of the Church, to Kyiv. He then invited Patriarch the first link in a chain leading to full rein- rience and boosts the international author- Kuchma-Gore Commission was a power- Bartholomew. Mr. Yushchenko’s motives tegration of East and West. But it would ity of our country. ful impetus driving political and economic could be guessed, for he has long supported also be seen as an instance of “Uniatism,” No discussion of security would be relations. Unfortunately, this work was a united, autocephalous (independent) an ecumenical anachronism which both the complete without mention of energy. halted by domestic problems in Ukraine Ukrainian Orthodox Church – preferably Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches Ukraine already hosts a vast network of stemming from President Leonid under Constantinople, not Moscow. have rejected. energy-transport infrastructure. Now the Kuchma’s authoritarian regime, including For the Russian Church, this would What obstacles remain on the road to Odesa-Brody-Plotsk pipeline and the incriminating recordings made in the pres- mean a repetition of the Estonian scenario unity? The Eastern and Western Churches White Stream natural-gas pipeline are also ident’s office by his bodyguard and the of 1995-1996, when a number of parishes must resolve questions – too complicated in development. These projects – built on sale of a Kolchuha radar system to left it jurisdiction and returned to that of the to discuss here – about Roman primacy, Ukraine’s key transit location and with the Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. These develop- Ecumenical Patriarchate. In Ukraine, how- papal infallibility and conciliarity. As for participation of the EU, the United States, ments coincided with the beginning of the ever, it would be much worse, for Moscow Ukraine, there are two major hurdles. First, and European and U.S. companies – will administration of Republican President could lose something like half its parishes. its three Orthodox Churches must unite. realistically secure the diversification of It was not the first time that And second, the Greek-Catholic Church energy supplies and transit routes for Constantinople had dropped hints about must attain real as well as formal patriar- Borys Tarasyuk is a former foreign Western Europe. re-establishing its direct jurisdiction over chal status. For if an autonomous, patriar- affairs minister of Ukraine. A serving As the global economic crisis unfolds Ukraine’s Orthodox. In the spring of chal Kyivan Church could thrive within a member of Parliament, he is currently and food prices continue to rise, Ukraine – 2005, the late Archbishop Vsevolod Universal Church as an equal partner, what chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s a key exporter of agricultural products – is (Majdansky) reported that the Ecumenical would prevent an Orthodox Patriarchate European Integration Committee. He in a position to restore its onetime glory as Patriarchate had deemed its 1686 transfer from joining it? also heads the Rukh political party. The the breadbasket of Europe. If Ukraine is of the Kyivan Orthodox Metropolitanate views expressed in this commentary are able to create and implement an effective the author’s own and do not necessarily to Muscovite jurisdiction uncanonical Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at reflect those of RFE/RL. (Continued on page 22) (The Ukrainian Weekly, April 17, 2005). [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 Morris County Ukrainians commemorate the Holodomor by Roma Hadzewycz WHIPPANY, N.J. – The local Ukrainian community commemorated the 75th anni- versary of the Holodomor with a series of events – a religious service, an exhibit and a monodrama – held Friday through Sunday, November 7-9, at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACCNJ). The events began with an ecumenical prayer service on Friday evening, November 7. Officiating were local clergy, led by the Very Rev. Roman Mirchuk, pas- tor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church. Also participating were: the Revs. Leonid Malkov and Taras Swirchuk, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Newark, N.J.; the Rev. Daniel Staniskis, Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Whippany; the Rev. Donald Mossa, First Presbyterian Church of Whippany; and Deacon Victor Lupi, Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, Whippany. “Let us pray for the 7 million Ukrainians who perished in the Great Holodomor – the Christine Syzonenko Genocide-Famine of 1932-1933…, Let us The Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble performs the solemn dance “One More Seed.” pray for all the children of Ukraine who “Vichnaya Pamiat” (Eternal Memory). languished in pain and suffering because of Afterwards there was a presentation by hunger and starvation…, Let us pray for all filmmaker Damian Kolodiy of raw footage the mothers who had to watch their children of interviews recently conducted with sur- and loved ones die…,” intoned the clergy. vivors of the Holodomor as part of an oral “Let us pray that people the world over may history project initiated by community be protected from persecution, wars, activists in New Jersey. oppression and blatant genocide because of On Saturday, November 8, the Arts, race, ethnic origin, religious beliefs or polit- Culture and Education Committee of the ical convictions…” UACCNJ and the Morris County branch of Responses were sung by members of the the Ukrainian Congress Committee of parish choir assisted by other Ukrainian America held the official opening of a his- community members, while the children of torical poster exhibit provided by the the parish sang “Otche Nash” (Our Father). Ukraine 3000 International Charitable Fund, The choristers, and many attendees, were whose supervisory board is headed by attired in embroidered Ukrainian shirts and Ukraine’s first lady, Kateryna Yushchenko. Roma Hadzewycz blouses. Readings were done by two young The program was opened by Leonard Leonard Mazur (at microphone) opens the Holodomor exhibit; with him (from men from the local community, Alex Mazur, president of the Ukrainian American left) are Damian Olesnycky, Alexa Kryzaniwsky, Consul Bohdan Movchan and Syzonenko and Mykola Hlushko. Professionals and Businesspersons Michael Koziupa. A moving moment during the service Association of New York and New Jersey was the congregation’s lighting of candles and a board member of the UACCNJ. Mr. dictator Joseph Stalin; Viacheslav Molotov, arranged in the shape of a cross in memory Mazur provided a brief introduction about head of the Soviet government; Lazar of the millions who perished in the the Holodomor commemorations and Kaganovich, special envoy to Ukraine Proclamation Holodomor. acknowledged the presence of Consul charged with monitoring grain confiscation; The program that evening began with a Bohdan Movchan of Ukraine’s Consulate- Stanislav Kosior, leader of the Communist by the governor solemn dance, titled “One More Seed” and General in New York. Party of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist performed by members of the Iskra Two young community members, Alexa Republic; Pavel Postyshev, major initiator Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, that symbol- Kryzaniwsky and Damian Olesnycky, read and direct manager of terror and repression of New Jersey ized the Holodomor’s devastation on the a well-prepared historical overview of the in Ukraine; Stanislav Redens, head of the people of Ukraine. The number was cho- Holodomor. Their readings were inter- Wheras, 75 years ago, under the secret police in the Ukrainian SSR; leadership of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet reographed by Andrij Cybyk, artistic direc- spersed with eyewitness accounts read by Vsevolod Balytsky, initiator of cases against tor of Iskra. Holodomor survivor Rostyslaw Wasylenko. regime committed an act of genocide starving peasants and key figure in the against the Ukrainian nation by starv- The ecumenical service ended with the Their presentation ended with accusa- repression of the Ukrainian intelligentsia; ing and systematically murdering up to distribution of bread to all participants, the tions leveled against “the chief perpetrators 10 million innocent men, women and mournful tolling of a bell and the singing of of the Famine Genocide in Ukraine”: Soviet (Continued on page 14) children; and Wheras, this genocidal tragedy is an extreme example of the use of food as a weapon of mass murder, and Wheras, hundreds of recently released KGB archival documents reveal the Soviet government’s ruth- less plans to murder millions of Ukrainians as a result of a calculated inhuman policy designed to punish Ukrainians for their resistance and opposition to the Soviet Union’s politi- cal and economic oppression; and Wheras, even at its height, when the Famine-Genocide claimed the lives of 17 people per minute, or 25,000 vic- tims per day, the Soviet government denied the existence of this genocide, rejected all offers of external aid and continued to conceal the evidence of this massacre; and Wheras, the United States Congress Commission on the Ukraine Famine confirmed that the government of the former Soviet Union in 1932-1933 consciously used the brutal policy of forced famine to repress the Ukrainian Roma Hadzewycz Roma Hadzewycz people, and concluded in 1988 that Youth of the of the community light candles in memory of Holodomor survivor Rostyslaw Wasylenko and Damian (Continued on page 14) the Holodomor’s victims. Olesnycky after the placement of a memorial wreath. No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 9 Ukrainian Technological Society honors Ukrainian of the Year PITTSBURGH – The Ukrainian her work in establishing Adoption Technological Society (UTS) of Consultants International and facilitating Pittsburgh presented its 2008 Ukrainian the adoption of 50 orphaned Ukrainian of the Year Award to Daniel W. Pituch, children by families in the United States. D.M.D., M.D., at its 39th annual award Roksana Korchynsky, Ph.D., president ceremony and dinner-dance, held on of the UTS executive board, welcomed Saturday, November 1, at The Club at the award recipients and guests and pro- Nevillewood in Pittsburgh. vided a brief history of the Society – one Dr. Pituch was honored for his profes- of the longest continuously active sional achievements as an internationally Ukrainian organizations in the tri-state recognized oral and maxillofacial sur- area. geon, and expert on issues affecting both She also highlighted the meaning of medicine and dentistry. He was also rec- the society’s Ukrainian of the Year ognized for his humanitarian efforts in Award, which recognizes people of local, providing state-of-the art, life-altering national and international stature who corrective surgeries to individuals with- have contributed to the Ukrainian com- out access to such treatments. munity or Ukrainian scholarship, or who Dr. Pituch is a native of Pittsburgh and have demonstrated significant achieve- received his dental education from the ment which brings recognition and pres- University of Pittsburgh School of Dental tige to the Ukrainian community. Medicine. During the course of his edu- Past recipients include Metropolitan cation, Dr. Pituch was a UTS scholarship Mstyslav; Patriarch Josyf Slipyj; dissi- Marlies B. Murphy, 2008 Friendship Award recipient, and Dr. Daniel W. Pituch, recipient. He went on to complete four dent, poet and activist Nadia Svitlychna; 2008 Ukrainian of the Year Award recipient years of medical education at the historians Dr. Wasyl Jaszczun and University of Pittsburgh School of Andrew Gregorovich; Judge Bohdan Medicine and continued his training in Futey; the first elected president of a re- Dr. Pituch accepted the award and 2008 Friendship Award recipient, and Mr. oral and maxillofacial surgery at the born Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk; and the thanked the UTS for this honor. In his Kotow made the award presentation. Mr. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. current president of Ukraine, Viktor acceptance remarks he reflected on the Honchar read the award proclamation Dr. Pituch currently holds the unique Yushchenko. influence of his Church and family on his aloud in English, with Ms. Pavlyshak position of chief of the Division of Oral Before presenting this year’s award life, education and chosen profession. He reading the proclamation in Ukrainian. and Maxillofacial Surgery at three recipients, Dr. Korchynsky noted the also recognized the teachers and mentors Mrs. Murphy accepted the award and Pittsburgh-area hospitals. He has held passing this year of one of the society’s who shaped his beliefs about medicine thanked the UTS for this honor. She leadership positions in local, state and four founders, Michael Sydir Tymiak, a and his role as a surgeon. Dr. Pituch acknowledged the vital role played by her national professional associations, and friend and colleague to many in atten- spoke of his desire to continue to advance husband, Dr. Patrick Murphy, in all her has been featured in a number of publica- dance at the awards ceremony. and improve the field of oral and maxillo- endeavors on behalf of Ukraine, orphaned tions for his work in high-profile surger- Dr. Korchynsky made the nomination facial surgery, and to instill this desire in Ukrainian children and the Ukrainian ies as well as for his humanitarian efforts. address honoring Dr. Daniel W. Pituch as the young professionals that he mentors. American community. The UTS also presented its 2008 the 2008 Ukrainian of the Year, and Dr. Pituch especially thanked his wife, Mrs. Murphy shared the story of her Friendship Award. This award is made Nickolas C. Kotow, UTS executive board Diana, and three children, Alina, Alexa father’s experiences as a POW in Kyiv periodically by the society to a non- secretary, made the award presentation. and Daniel, for their steadfast support and and Lviv during the war, and said that he Ukrainian individual who has made a The award proclamation was read aloud devotion. credited his survival to the kindness of significant contribution to the Ukrainian in English by Dr. Korchynsky and in George Honchar, UTS executive board the Ukrainian people. community. This year’s Friendship Award Ukrainian by Iryna Pavlyshak, a 2008 vice-president, made the nomination was presented to Marlies B. Murphy for UTS scholarship recipient. address honoring Mrs. Murphy as the (Continued on page 21) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 New program in Toronto will promote the study of modern Ukraine TORONTO – The Petro Jacyk The program will be headed by Dr. tional collaboration in scholarship and universities, with whom we have many Program for the Study of Modern Yaroslav Hrytsak, professor of history at education, primarily between Ukraine and cooperative agreements that promote Ukrainian History and Society was Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Canada. This will be done by supporting research and learning opportunities for launched on September 23 in Toronto. and at the Ukrainian Catholic University the research work of promising younger faculty and students.” The program was made possible by a in Lviv. historians and their education in Ukraine The inauguration of the program was donation of $500,000 from the Petro An internationally acclaimed authority and Canada. also a signal event for Nadia Jacyk, presi- Jacyk Education Foundation (Toronto) to in his field, Dr. Hrytsak will cooperate “This gift will strengthen the role of dent of the Petro Jacyk Education the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian with scholars at CIUS in identifying and CIUS,” said its director, Dr. Zenon E. Foundation, who has followed in her Studies (CIUS) at the University of researching problems of modern Kohut, “as the leading scholarly and edu- father’s footsteps as a successful busi- cational institution in the West that pro- Alberta. Ukrainian history and society, including nesswoman, a generous donor to vides objective information about Ukraine President Indira V. Samarasekera of the Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933, Ukrainian studies and a promoter of his the University of Alberta announced at Ukraine’s role in World War II and the and Ukrainians, influences international educational agenda. the inauguration that the foundation’s dissident movement in Soviet Ukraine. public opinion, and serves as a bridge “This new program is exciting,” said generous gift is to be matched immedi- In the near term, the new program is to between Ukraine and the rest of the ately from the Alberta government’s take over sponsorship of Ukraina world.” Ms. Jacyk, since it serves as “an example “Access to the Future Fund.” Moderna, the most important Ukrainian President Samarasekera noted that the of the continuation of the mandate and The new program will enable the Peter historical journal in this field. The pro- donation is also a significant incentive for legacy of the Petro Jacyk Education Jacyk Center for Ukrainian Historical gram will also make use of a major Lviv the University of Alberta “to continue and Foundation into the next generation.” She Research at CIUS to devote part of its collection of oral history recordings for broaden [its] leadership role…[and] expressed confidence that her dedication activity to the study of modern Ukraine, work on 20th century Ukrainian history. advance important international activities to philanthropy will continue to make a with an initial focus on key issues in 20th In the intermediate and longer term, of the University of Alberta through the global impact and contribute to a better century Ukrainian history. the new program aims to foster interna- funding of joint ventures with Ukrainian understanding of Ukraine.

Holodomor researchers attended the the forest was the Ukrainian people that A look at Donbas... October 20 conference, “Holodomor had to be cut.” (Continued from page 3) 1932-1933: Ukraine Remembers,” which Aside from labeling it a genocide lower proportions, doesn’t negate that it was initiated by the Institute of Post- against the Ukrainian people, some stu- was genocide against Ukrainians. Graduate Pedagogical Education in dents avoided using the term “genocide” Making Donbas residents conscious of Donetsk. altogether in describing the Holodomor, such facts would pose a threat to the Party Its goal was to learn what students and instead calling it a “crime.” of Regions and the Communist Party of teachers found in their research and their Ms. Charkina, a high school student, Ukraine, who aim to keep Donbas residents conclusions, said Nataliya Olkhina of the observed in her interviews that the older set in their confused identity of simultane- institute, and the conference’s findings and generation of Donbas residents are more ous allegiance to Ukraine and Russia, said reports will be used to offer a clear defini- likely to refer to the Holodomor as geno- Iryna Mahrytska, a Donetsk native and tion and “give the processes a name.” cide, compared to the next generation of Luhansk researcher of the Holodomor. “You see the distortions we have. Was high school students. Although it promotes itself as an all- there a Holodomor? Was it a genocide or This testifies to the effectiveness of Mr. Ukrainian party, Ms. Mahrytska views the not?” she said. “So let’s decide with these Putin’s Holodomor fabrication propaganda, Party of Regions as merely a post-Soviet definitions. And to decide, we must hear all which dominates local television and radio, version of the Communist Party, similar to sides and do it from an academic point of Ms. Mahrytska said. Vladimir Putin’s Unified Russia. view and with publications.” This cognitive dissonance, in which The October 20 academic conference at Though Ms. Olkhina acknowledged that Donbas residents are ready to accept cer- the Krupska Universal Academic Oblast “certain political forces” attempted to pres- tain historical facts but reject others Library in Donetsk showed that Donbas sure the institute into presenting a particu- because they are not comfortable, reveals high school students indeed accept the lar view of the Holodomor, she said her Zenon Zawada itself in other ways. Holodomor as an artificial famine hatched colleagues resisted such attempts, instead Donbas high school student Viktoria While the high school students criticized by the government of Joseph Stalin, a mark encouraging teachers to tolerate diverse Charkina found that older Donbas res- Soviet policies that they acknowledge mur- of educational progress from the Soviet views, echoing Western trends of moral idents are more willing to call the dered millions, they hesitate to condemn era, when many didn’t even know of the relativism in education. Holodomor genocide. the Soviet Union, insist the Soviet legacy is Holodomor. “No one places strict barriers upon worth cherishing and don’t criticize the But the students also demonstrated that teachers, who teach according to their con- regional programs are in the pipeline and local Communists who slander the pro-Russian forces have manufactured a science,” said Iryna Rybak, director of the under preparation. Holodomor. unique eastern Ukrainian view of the Institute of Post-Graduate Pedagogical Doubts of ethnic genocide are particu- In the view of Ms. Khatalakh, the con- Holodomor, which rejects that it was geno- Education in Donetsk. “Different points of larly poignant in the Donetsk Oblast ference proved that a new generation of cide against the Ukrainian people. views have the right to exist.” because it is Ukraine’s most ethnically Ukrainians has emerged without stereo- Eastern Ukrainians tend to characterize This is the standard approach taken by diverse region, which Ms. Olkhina types of the Holodomor. “These students the Holodomor as a “crime against human- Donbas educators, who have to balance the acknowledged is a possible factor in the calmly perceive and carefully analyze ity” that targeted not ethnic Ukrainians, political interests of Ukrainians, Russified unique Donbas view. information rather than blindly swallowing but the entire peasant class throughout the Ukrainians and a large minority of ethnic German, Bulgarian, Serb and Greek vil- it,” she said. former Soviet Union, which is the view Russians. lages in the Donbas also perished in the Yet the students’ ability to analyze large- promoted through mass media by the gov- Although Donbas schools conform to a Soviet terror-by-starvation campaign, ly depends on their access to objective ernment of Russian Prime Minister national academic program on the Donetsk scholars confirmed. information, which the local political forces Vladimir Putin. Holodomor that is determined in Kyiv by “The Holodomor was oriented primarily are denying them. More than 150 students, scholars and the Ministry of Education, Ms. Rybak said against the peasant population,” Oksana The Party of Regions, for example, Khatalakh of the Institute of Post-Graduate blocked Ms. Mahrytska’s book “Rescued Pedagogical Education in Donetsk said in a Memory” from reaching bookstore shelves carefully phrased explanation that is typical in Luhansk and censored a screenplay her for the Donbas. husband wrote for a documentary film “However, we need to take into account about the Holodomor in the Luhansk that the majority of Ukrainians lived in vil- Oblast. lages. That’s why we say the Famine espe- Meanwhile another documentary film cially affected the Ukrainian ethnos. on the Holodomor, produced by a local Germans and Greeks and Bulgarians television station and broadcast in the remember the Famine, but the majority of Donetsk Oblast, somehow managed to the Ukrainian population lived in villages, squeeze in several references to the and that’s why we place such an accent.” “German fascists occupiers,” but made no The destruction of other ethnic groups mention of the Communist ideology and does not contradict or discredit the fact that Soviet officials responsible for the the Holodomor was a genocidal campaign Ukrainian genocide. against the Ukrainian people, which is what Western values of tolerance can’t be Donbas students ought to be learning, in applied to Soviet history, Ms. Mahrytska the view of Ms. Mahrytska. said, just as Nazism isn’t tolerated in the For example, an estimated 6 million West. However, it’s this tolerance of a non-Jews were killed in the Holocaust genocidal regime that is flourishing in along with the estimated 6 million Jews, Donbas. she said. Yet the Holocaust is synonymous “This must be approached with toler- with Jewish suffering. ance, with our souls and with moving for- “Stalin had a saying, ‘Woodchips fly ward in mind, and to stop standing in one when cutting a forest,’ ” Ms. Mahrytska place,” Ms. Olkhina said rather uncon- said. “While other ethnic groups perished, vincingly. No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 11 Shevchenko Scientific Society opens its Holodomor Archive by Svitlana Andrushkiw farmers in the streets of Kharkiv, the capi- tal of Soviet Ukraine at that time. NEW YORK – To commemorate the In 1953, under the auspices of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor, or Ukrainian Congress Committee of Famine-Genocide of 1933, which led to the America (New York), Dmytro Solovey death of 7 million to 10 million Ukrainians, published “Golgotha of Ukraine: the Shevchenko Scientific Society Library Eyewitness Accounts of the Famine.” The and Archives of America located in New library also contains the now classic “The York City at 63 Fourth Avenue, has made Harvest of Sorrow: Soviet Collectivization available to all researchers, historians and and the Terror Famine” by Robert students its archive – “Collectivization docu- Conquest (Edmonton: University of ments: Kamianskyi Region, Krynychanskyi Alberta, 1986. 412 pages), as well as his Region, Solomianskyi Region, Vasylkivskyi “Man-Made Famine in Ukraine,” Region of the Dnipropetrovsk District, (Washington: DC, 1984. 39 pages). 1928-1935 (Artificial Famine documents).” In 1999 the Ukrainian Canadian This body of material has been placed Congress (Toronto) published “Famine on the Shevchenko Scientific Society Genocide in Soviet Ukraine 1933.” Among website at www.shevchenko.org and is other sources it includes famine resources open to all. that are available on the Internet. In 1988 The Collectivization Archive consists the United States Government Printing of 372 documents spanning the years Office in Washington, published the find- 1928-1935. The archive encompasses ings of the U.S. Commission on the materials documenting activity of admin- Ukraine Famine, “Investigation of the istrative and Communist Party authorities Ukrainian Famine 1932-33: Report to in four regions of the Dnipropetrovsk dis- Congress” (524 pages). trict. They document events related to the In order to fill a void in English- forced collectivization of Ukrainian farm- language materials about this very impor- ers in the eastern regions of Ukraine and tant topic, the Shevchenko Scientific show the harsh realities of the social and Society commissioned Cheryl Madden to economic upheavals of this era, which compile a bibliography on this subject. In A lice-infested famine victim on the streets of Kharkiv in 1933 in a photo from resulted in the Great Famine of 2002 Ms. Madden prepared “Ukrainian the Shevchenko Scientific Society’s archives. 1932-1933. Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-33 and The documents are divided into origi- Aspects of Stalinism: Annotated nals, typed and handwritten copies. A The Shevchenko Scientific Society tion and destroying the Ukrainian political, Bibliography in English,” (Providence, good number have official government Library houses one of the largest collec- cultural and national rights.” R.I., 99 pages). stamps with appropriate text. The archive tions of books and other materials dealing In a 1935 German work by Ewald This is just a sampling of the rich consists of eight folders that contain docu- with the Famine-Genocide. Under the sub- Ammende “Muss Russland Hungern?” resources on this topic found at the ments on matters dealing with provisions ject “Famine, 1933” it lists over 240 (Must Russia Hunger?), published by Shevchenko Scientific Society Library and of orders, procurement circulars, minutes entries in Ukrainian, English and German. Wilhelm Braumuller Universitat (355 Archives in New York City. The library’s of meetings, information concerning the The oldest document is a 35-page page), book we find ample documentation e-mail address is: library@shevchenko. fulfillment of the agricultural production German brochure published in 1933 in of the Famine, as well as a series of rare org. Readers should feel free to consult the plan for 1931-1935, questionnaires, depo- Berlin under the title “Bruder in Not” photographs from 1933 of dead and dying library. sitions, loss of voting rights and so on. (Brother in Need) by the Evangelischer Of special interest is the Book of Pressverband fur Deutschland. It contains Mortality from 1933 of the village of information from various sources about Romankovo, in which local authorities the ongoing famine, including excerpts Now at a special price! recorded the causes of death of its inhabit- from letters of German colonists living in ants. This document presents a clear pic- Ukraine. ture of the starvation factor in the village. Another German-language source, On the basis of the Vasylkivskyi region of “Hungersnot!” (Famine Calamity) by the district of Dnipropetrovsk, which Cardinal Theodor Innitzer, dated approxi- encompassed between 15 and 20 villages, mately 1934 and published in Vienna by with each document a sequence of events Buchdruckerei Karl Stolik, consists of eye- unfolds that presents a picture of mass witness accounts of German nationals – starvation of innocent victims. This religious leaders as well as businessmen – archive was purchased by the Shevchenko who were in Ukraine at that time. It also Scientific Society in 1952 from Hryhorii includes a map of the Famine-afflicted Makhiv of Birmingham, Mich. areas of Ukraine. The two-volume “Ukraine: A Concise Encyclopedia,” This archive has not yet been fully In 1934 the United Ukrainian researched; therefore, it may serve as orig- Organizations of the United States pub- an essential reference work published inal material for a master’s or a Ph.D. dis- lished a 32-page brochure titled “Famine for the Ukrainian National Association sertation. in Ukraine,” which includes the May 28, 1934, House Resolution No. 399 on the by the University of Toronto Press. Svitlana Andrushkiw is director of the Famine. It condemns the government of research library at the Shevchenko the USSR for using the Famine “as a Scientific Society in New York City. means of reducing the Ukrainian popula- Volume I (1963): General Information; Physical Geography and Natural History; Population; Ethnography; Language; History; Culture; Literature.

Harvard to host premiere Volume II (1971): The Law; The Ukrainian Church; Scholarship; Education and Schools; Libraries, Archives, Museums; Book of documentary “The Living” Publishing and the Press; The Arts; Music and Choreography; Theater and Cinema; National Economy; Health and Medical CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – As part of its He was approached by Kateryna Service and Physical Culture; The Armed Forces; Ukrainian ongoing commemorations of the 75th Yushchenko’s Ukraine 3000 International anniversary of the Holodomor, the Charitable Fund to direct a feature docu- Abroad. Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute mentary on the Holodomor for its 75th (HURI) will host the premiere New anniversary. The film will be presented England showing of a feature documen- in person by the director, Mr. Bukovsky Now offered at a clearance price of $37.50 for each volume, tary “The Living” (Zhyvi) by director and by the producer, Victoria Bodnar, his plus $5.00 postage. Serhiy Bukovsky in conjunction with the wife. Ukrainian Film Club of Columbia The film will be shown in the Tsai University. Auditorium (S-010) of CGIS-South – To order, send check to: Mr. Bukovsky is internationally recog- Center for Government and International nized as one of the best documentary Studies, 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, Svoboda Book Store filmmakers in Ukraine today. In 2002 he MA 02138 on Wednesday, December 3, was awarded the prestigious Shevchenko 2008 beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission 2200 Route 10 National Prize of Ukraine for his nine- is free and open to the public. For further Parsippany, NJ 07054. part TV documentary series ”War, A information call the Ukrainian Research Ukrainian Account.” Institute at 617-495-4053. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 13 Philadelphia... (Continued from page 1) which occurred in Ukraine and took mil- lions of lives was the result of deliberate policies of the government of the Soviet Union.” The report noted that “This man- made Famine is truly an act of genocide by the Soviet government against the Ukrainian people.” The solemn ceremony at the Church of the Holy Trinity was opened with the pre- sentation of a “Wreath of Remembrance” carried by the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of the Holodomor victims by a survivor of the Famine- Genocide. The invocation was delivered by Auxiliary Bishop John Bura of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who urged those present never to forget the horrors of the Famine- Genocide and always to stand up to injus- tice around the world. The bishop also extended greetings on behalf of Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka. The Camertone Ensemble of the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church in Philadelphia performed a poignant musi- cal selection under music director Liuba Leo Iwaskiw Vasylkiv. This ensemble of girls and boys The performers and Akkolada Chamber Choir with some members of the Holodomor Committee. In the front row (from in Ukrainian embroidered shirts and left are) Nila Pawluk, Larissa Stebly, Yara Snylyk, Ulana Mazurkevich, Bishop John Bura, Chrystia Senyk, violinist blouses contrasted the youth and hope of Solomiya Ivakhiv, soprano Marta Zalizniak and Akkolada music director Bohdan Henhalo; in the third row (second from the future with the horror of the left) is committee member Ihor Kushnir. Holodomor. tears. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Consul Bohdan Movchan followed the host and rector of the Church of the with remarks on behalf of the Ukraine’s Holy Trinity, the Rev. Alan Neale, who Consulate General in New York. He noted that two famous journalists, ended his remarks with the greeting, Englishman Malcolm Muggeridge and “Slava Ukrayini” (“Glory to Ukraine”). Welshman Gareth Jones, traveled to the Pastor Ivan Kovalchuk of the Soviet Union during Stalin’s “Great Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church Terror” of the 1930s and wrote the truth delivered a brief prayer, ending with a about what was taking place in Ukraine at supplication for God to bless Ukraine and that time. the United States of America. In ending he said, “We all share the The Akkolada Chamber Choir, under horror of this event in Ukrainian history. music director Bohdan Henhalo, per- As an Englishman I am in solidarity with formed the final musical pieces of the my countrymen who exposed this trage- concert. The repertoire included dy. As human beings we reach to our Leontovych’s “Seagulls Lament” and brothers and sisters in distress and “Prelude” followed by Mykola Dyletsky’s remembrance.” “O Holy God.” The closing prayer was The accomplished and renowned vio- delivered by the Rev. Volodymyr Khanas, linist Solomiya Ivakhiv, accompanied by pastor of Pokrova Ukrainian Orthodox Jungeun Kim on the piano, brilliantly Church in Philadelphia. performed three selected pieces: Sonata The “Memorial Concert for the 10 in C Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, Million” concluded with the combined the soulful “Lament” (Holosinnia) by choirs Akkolada and the Youth Choir of Stanislav Liudkevych and the final mov- the First Ukrainian Baptist Church sing- ing tribute to Holodomor victims, ing the prayer for Ukraine, “O Great and “Melodia” by the contemporary composer One God” (Bozhe Velykyi Yedynyj”). Myroslav Skoryk. Prior to the concert the committee held Consul Olexander Alexandrovych, a weeklong exhibit of documents, period minister-counselor of the Embassy of photographs, eyewitness accounts and Ukraine in the United States, addressed archival material related to the Chrystia Senyk the participants of this commemoration. Holodomor compiled by the Ukraine Violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv performs at the Church of the Holy Trinity. He stated, “the more we spread and deep- 3000 International Charitable Foundation, en the knowledge of the Holodomor, the which is chaired by Ukraine’s First Lady, greater the world’s understanding of the Kateryna Yushchenko. The graphic docu- terrifying scope, consequences and geno- mentation was displayed in the Church of cidal nature of this tragedy.” the Holy Trinity on easels with individual Mr. Alexandrovych also informed lighting of every poster. Informative bro- those gathered that the Ukrainian govern- chures on the Holodomor were presented ment under the leadership of President to attendees of the exhibit. Viktor Yushchenko is working tirelessly Hundreds viewed the Holodomor to have the Famine-Genocide recognized exhibit, which was open daily. Most who internationally. He also highlighted the came had their eyes opened for the first recent approval bu the U.S. government time to this historic tragedy. Some knew of a site in the nation’s capital for a that Stalin was a despotic madman but Holodomor memorial. were unaware of the Famine-Genocide The youth choir of the Ukrainian that he orchestrated in Ukraine. It was Baptist Church under music director Ivan interesting to note that among those who Velenchuk movingly performed Sergei viewed the exhibit were many of Rachmaninoff’s “Today We Sing To You” Ukrainian descent, who had long ago left and Mykola Leontovych’s “Praise the behind their heritage but were now drawn Name of the Lord.” to the exhibit by the signs at the church. Marta Zalizniak, a young and talented One woman, whose grandfather had soprano accompanied by pianist Oksana literally walked from Ukraine to France Harlamova, sang Ihor Sonevytsky’s “By during the Holodomor, remarked “I am Your Grace,” “Oksana’s Song” by Semen not saddened by the exhibit, I am happy Hulak-Artemovsky and “The Candle” by to see that his memory and the memory Leo Iwaskiw Maestro Myroslav Skoryk. Her rendition of the millions who died is alive in what People gather for the commemorative concert, while others view the exhibit, of the three selections moved many to you are doing here today.” seen on right side. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46

advertising campaign on the CNN televi- NEWSBRIEFS sion network. The first wave of the cam- CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) paign, which started on CNN International other parties and blocs voted for the Mr. on November 10 and will last seven TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292-9800 x 3040 Yatsenyuk’s dismissal. He emphasized weeks, is devoted to Ukraine’s tourist OR E-MAIL [email protected] that none of the national deputies repre- potential and provides for 300 releases of senting the Our Ukraine party supported the advertisement “Ukraine. Beautifully the resignation of the Rada chair. Yours.” Hennadii Kurochka, managing SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Commenting on Ms. Tymoshenko’s state- partner of CFC Consulting (the exclusive ment accusing the president of sacking representative of CNN International in the Rada chair, Mr. Yushchenko called it Ukraine), said the information campaign a “cynical lie.” (Ukrinform) opens a new era of Ukraine’s presence in the global information space. Yatsenyuk to form political force Commenting for CNN International, Ukraine’s Culture and Tourism Minister KYIV – Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the dis- Vasyl Vovkun said: “While launching our missed chairman of the Verkhovna Rada joint project with CNN, we would like and national deputy of the Our Ukraine – wholeheartedly and sincerely to invite the People’s Self-Defense (OU-PSD) bloc is whole of the world to visit us and deepen planning to form his own political force. “I the sense of beauty.” (Ukrinform) will form my political force and I’m already doing that,” he said at a briefing Sandarmokh victims commemorated on November 12, following his dismissal. GEORGE B. KORDUBA SANDARMOKH, Russia – While on a Counsellor at Law He expressed confidence that his political force would “receive support from the working visit to the Republic of Karelia Emphasis on Real Estate, Wills, Trusts and Elder Law majority of Ukrainians.” Mr. Yatsenyuk (Russia), Kostiantyn Gryshchenko, Ward Witty Drive, P.O. Box 249 had signed a statement of resignation on Ukraine’s ambassador to Russia and first MONTVILLE, NJ 07045 deputy secretary of the National Security Hours by Appointment Tel.: (973) 335-4555 September 17, following the break-up of the coalition comprising the Yulia and Defense Council of Ukraine, partici- Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB) and OU-PSD. pated in a commemoration of the He said at a briefing on November 11 that Ukrainians killed in the 1930s in the the goal of a vote on the Rada chair’s dis- Karelian village of Sandarmokh. A requi- missal is either to dismiss Yulia em for the victims of Stalin’s regime took Tymoshenko from the post of Ukraine’s place on November 11 near the stone prime minister or to have new grounds for cross “To the Killed Sons of Ukraine.” holding snap elections to the Parliament. Attending were members of the Ukrainian (Ukrinform) community of Karelia and local govern- ment representatives. Following the Ukraine launches ad campaign on CNN memorial service, Larysa Skrypnikova, KYIV – Ukraine has launched an (Continued on page 15)

up” of the Famine-Genocide, and “the Morris County... Holodomor deniers,” who claim this geno- (Continued from page 8) cide did not happen. and the Communist Party of the both the The weekend of Holodomor commemo- Ukrainian SSR and the USSR. rations culminated with the presentation on Later in the program, after a prayer led by Saturday evening, November 9, and Sunday the Rev. Mirchuk and the laying of a com- afternoon, November 10, of the solo drama “Sin of Starvation” (Holodnyi Hrikh), based OPPORTUNITY memorative wreath, Mr. Wasylenko spoke movingly about his experiences at the time on Vasyl Stefanyk’s novel “Novyna.” The play was performed by Oleksander MERCHANDISE of the Holodomor. Michael Koziupa, a member of the New Formanchuk of the Ivan Franko National EARN EXTRA INCOME! Jersey Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council, Academic Theater of Kyiv, and directed by Oleksander Bilozub. It was a powerful The Ukrainian Weekly is looking read a proclamation issued by Gov. Jon Corzine that declared November 22 as depiction of the story of Hryts Letiuchy, a for advertising sales agents. Ukrainian Genocide Remembrance Day in poor and desperate single father of two chil- For additional information contact the state. dren and the horrible consequences they Maria Oscislawski, Advertising Mr. Mazur concluded the short program suffer during extraordinarily harsh times of Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, by inviting all to also view the display set up famine. (973) 292-9800, ext 3040. by the Ukrainian National Women’s League The monodrama was sponsored by the of America to show some of the Ukrainian UACCNJ’s Arts, Culture and Education community’s attempts to tell the American Committee, which is chaired by Dr. Marta leaders and the public about the Holodomor Lopatynsky. Event chair Mykola as it was happening. Darmochwal was assisted by a large group of In closing, he underscored that he would volunteers who worked on several subcom- add to the list of indictments related to the mittees, from reception and hospitality to Holodomor The New York Times, which ticket sales, public relations and political liai- engaged in “a conscious, deliberate cover- son, as well as other facets of the endeavor.

future, and Proclamation... Wheras, the United States condemns (Continued from page 8) all atrocities, crimes against humanity “Joseph Stalin and those around him and genocide, and the citizens of the committed genocide against Ukrainians United States highly value and defend in 1932-1933;” and human rights; Wheras, on November 28, 2006, Now, therefore, I, Jon S. Corzine, gov- Ukraine’s Parliament adopted a bill rec- ernor of the State of New Jersey, do here- ognizing the Soviet-era forced famine – by proclaim November 22, 2008, as known in Ukraine as Holodomor or death Ukrainian Genocide Remembrance Day by starvation – as an act of genocide in New Jersey and urge all citizens to join against the Ukrainian people, resulting in in commemorating this tragic episode and the murder of almost one-third of its pop- rededicate their efforts to eliminate tyran- ulation at the time; ny from our world. Wheras, dozens of countries have rec- Given, under my hand and the Great ognized and acknowledged the Ukrainian Seal of the State of New Jersey, this Famine of 1932-1933 as genocide; and twenty-second day of November in the Run your advertisement here, Wheras, it is necessary that this geno- year two thousand eight, the two hundred Insure and be sure. in The Ukrainian Weekly’s cide against the Ukrainian nation be rec- thirty-third year of the Independence of CLASSIFIEDS section. ognized as such by the global community the United States. Join the UNA! and be remembered as a heinous crime in Jon S. Corzine order to prevent similar tragedies in the Governor No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 15

a wider Euro-Atlantic community. It is a cozy offices.” He continued, “My dear Zhevaho, ranked ninth and was the NEWSBRIEFS very clear message from both candidates. friends and associates, we are now facing youngest politician on the list of billion- (Continued from page 14) I now see no changes in the position of even more difficult and responsible tasks. aire politicians. His assets were estimated chairwoman of the Ukrainian Culture Sen. Obama after he has been elected We need to take into our hands the desti- at $3.4 billion. (Ukrinform) president of the United States,” Mr. ny of the state being destroyed by the Society Kalyna, spoke about the work of Stupka named best actor researchers who found a mass grave of Volker said. He also commented on the irresponsibility and lack of professional- political prisoners. She stressed that prospects of Ukraine being extended a ism of the incumbent power. And we will KYIV – Ukraine’s most famous actor, almost one-third of 6,000 interred there NATO Membership Action Plan and the do so. We will unite the country, fill the Bohdan Stupka, received the Silver were Ukrainians. It is most important, she possible outcome of a meeting of foreign gaps of mistrust and take Ukraine to new Award for Best Actor in the film “With A underscored, for us and our children to ministers of the alliance’s member-states life.” The PRU website notes that there Warm Heart” by Polish film director remember these horrible crimes and pre- who will consider this question in are over 11,600 party organizations in 27 Krzyzstof Zanussi. The award was pre- vent them in the future. Ambassador December. Mr. Volker said that the ques- regional departments. However, the web- sented at the Award Winners Photocall Gryshchenko noted that it is impossible tion of a MAP for Ukraine should be site includes no concrete information during the third Rome International Film about party members. (Ukrinform) to move forward “without realizing the addressed to NATO as a whole, since all Festival in Italy. (Ukrinform) 26 member-states of the alliance must tragic pages our fathers and grandfathers CPU calls for national political strike experienced.” The Ukrainian diplomat reach consensus to take this step. “The Number of marriages up United States has always supported KYIV – Communist Party Leader thanked Karelia for keeping alive the KYIV – During the period of July- Ukraine’s desire to participate in the Petro Symonenko on November 11 called memory of the tragic events that took October of this year, twice as many mar- NATO Membership Action Plan. But we on “everybody who is not indifferent to place in Sandarmokh. (Ukrinform) riages took place in Ukraine as compared also know the position of some of our the fate of Ukraine” to start preparing for to the previous quarter of 2008. According Ukraine honors Brzezinski, Pifer allies.” He added, “As for the long-term a national political strike. “The time has direction of the U.S. policy, it seems to to the Justice Ministry, over 106,000 cou- WASHIINGTON – On November 8 a shown that these authorities – the authori- me that it is obvious: we strongly support ples were married in July-October, while solemn awards ceremony was held at the ties of the ‘Orange team’ and oligarchs – Ukraine and its aspiration to become part the figure for April-June was 48,000 cou- Embassy of Ukraine in the United States cannot and do not want to fulfill their of the Euro-Atlantic community,” Mr. ples. In general, the ratio of divorces to in honor of Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski and duties and work in the interest of the pub- Volker said. (Ukrinform) lic. The almost zero level of confidence marriages was up 36 percent over the Ambassador Steven Pifer. Dr. Brzezinski, third quarter of 2008. The best marriage/ chief advisor and member of board of in the president and his supporters is evi- Yatsenyuk congratulates Obama dence of this,” he said, speaking from the divorce ratio has traditionally been noted directors of the Center for Strategic and in the western regions of Ukraine: the KYIV – Verkhovna Rada Chairman Verkhovna Rada rostrum. Mr. Symonenko International Studies and co-chairman of Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Arseniy Yatsenyuk on November 7 con- said that the Communist Party is calling the U.S.-European Union joint committee Lviv and Rivne regions, where there was gratulated Sen. Barack Obama on his on workers and those who are concerned on Ukrainian affairs, was awarded the one divorce for each three to four mar- election as president of the United States. about the fate of Ukraine to start prepar- order of Yaroslav Mudryi, third degree. riages. The worst ratio, one divorce for “I am confident that traditionally strong ing for the strike. “If the authorities can- Mr. Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to almost each marriage, was recorded in the political and economic relations between not protect the people, if the state defends Ukraine and current chairman of the Kirovohrad and Chernivtsi regions. A Ukraine and the United States will deepen the interests of only a small group of bil- working group on political and economic total of 38,437 couples in Ukraine dis- during your presidency that will help us lionaires, I’m confident the people should reforms of the U.S.-EU joint committee solved their marriages during the third tackle global challenges,” read his letter replace authorities of this kind,” he said. on Ukrainian affairs, was presented the quarter of the year. (Ukrinform) Order of Merit, second degree. of congratulations. Mr. Yatsenyuk (Ukrinform) Addressing the ceremony, Ukraine’s expressed hope that both countries, which Ukrainians among world’s wealthiest Three new Polish consulates Ambassador to the U.S. Oleh Shamshur share democratic values, would continue thanked Messrs. Brzezinski and Pifer for maintaining close cooperation for the KYIV – Two Ukrainian citizens, KYIV – By the end of 2009 Ukraine their significant contributions to strength- sake of peace and stable development. He Verkhovna Rada National Deputies Rinat will have eight consulates general of ening and developing Ukraine-U.S. ties. wished President-elect Obama good Akhmetov and Kostiantyn Zhevaho, are Poland, Ambassador Extraordinary and (Ukrinform) health and success in his responsible among the world’s 10 richest politicians, Plenipotentiary Jacek Kluczkowski told a political and social activities. (Ukrinform) the newspaper Delo reported on October press conference on November 10. Poland U.S. supports Ukraine’s NATO bid 29. Mr. Akhmetov of Donetsk, the owner seeks to open new consulates in Ivano- PRU celebrates 11th anniversary of System Capital Management Group, Frankivsk, Vinnytsia and Sevastopol. BRUSSELS – The United States will was in sixth place, with assets estimated Currently there are Polish consulates in continue supporting Ukraine’s Euro- KYIV – The leader of the Party of at $7.3 billion (U.S.). A co-owner of the Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Kyiv. Atlantic aspirations after the U.S. presi- Regions of Ukraine (PRU), Viktor Finance and Credit Group, Kostiantyn (Ukrinform) dential election, U.S. Permanent Yanukovych, called on his fellow party Representative to NATO Kurt Volker told members to take Ukraine’s destiny into journalists in Brussels, during a festive their hands. In his November 6 message ceremony on November 5 dedicated to of congratulations issued on the 11th the announcement of the election results. anniversary of the PRU, Mr. Yanukovych The U.S. diplomat noted that both Barack noted that the party had become one of Obama and John McCain had clearly the leading political forces in Ukrainian expressed their support for Ukraine dur- society. “The party’s work in the opposi- ing the election campaign. “They would tion was a real test of stability and brav- like Ukraine to achieve success in democ- ery, devotion to principles and convic- racy, the introduction of reforms, the tions, and civic stand,” Mr. Yanukovych strengthening of democratic institutions emphasized. He added that the party had and improvement in the economy. They gotten rid of the ballast, those “who under both would like to see Ukraine as part of its banners wished to take warm seats in

Leftists mark 91st anniversary of October Revolution Ukrinform After rallying on the Khreschatyk, Kyiv’s main boulevard, supporters of KYIV – Ukrainian left-wing forces on the Communist Party of Ukraine con- November 7 marked the 91st anniversary tinued rallying outside the Presidential of the Great October Revolution. Secretariat building. In Kyiv they marched their tradi- tional route from Arsenal Square to Agents of the Security Service of Independence Square. A total of 5,000 Ukraine (SBU) that night arrested a participants rallied under such slogans group of individuals who tried to pour as “No Fascism,” “Down With the paint on Kyiv’s monument to Hero of Regime of Yushchenko-Tymoshenko- Ukraine Vyacheslav Chornovil, a co- Yatseniuk.” They wore red bows deco- founder of the National Rukh of rated with the images of Lenin and Ukraine. The SBU press center said the Stalin. agents confiscated cans of red spray There were no incidents, although paint from the group. the Communists’ opponents from the The detained individuals were stu- Svoboda All-Ukrainian Association dents of the city’s higher educational performed a street theater presentation establishments. They confessed that condemning communism. they had been offered money to pour DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS Several people dressed in blue and paint on the monument. Those who yellow polyethylene raincoats used ordered them to do so are being identi- Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue. brooms to banish a man dressed in a fied, said the SBU. Rate: $7.50 per column-inch. hat with ear flaps decorated with a red Leftists also held rallies to mark star and a raincoat with the inscription October Revolution Day in Donetsk, Telephone, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040; e-mail, [email protected]. “Communism is the plague of the 20th Sevastopol, Kherson, Poltava and other Please include the daytime phone number of a contact person. century.” cities in Ukraine. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46

“I was raised on Russian culture and The Holodomor... literature,” Mr. Stashenko said of his ado- (Continued from page 3) lescence in the Donbas. “When our stare in response. Ukrainians were removed, non-Ukraini- “Who told you?” her teacher asked. ans replaced them and they didn’t know “My babusia,” the young Oksana famine. They were given their share.” replied. Meanwhile, Ms. Khatalakh’s babusia “Buv. (There was),” her teacher said survived the Holodomor like many curtly. “Now go to recess.” Donbas Ukrainians did – by working the Afterwards, her parents promptly mines where she got her “payka” (ration). warned her not to bring her private family There she met her husband who was “roz- discussions to school. kurkulenyi,” or stripped of his rural prop- Robert Stashenko, a 70-year-old who erty. survived the 1946-1947 famine, was born In his debates with fellow Soviet veter- in Gorky, Russia, after his parents fled ans, Mr. Prokopchuk recalled elderly men their Donetsk Oblast village of who claimed there was no Famine because Stashenkiv, which was devastated by they ate anchovies during the winter of Stalinist repressions. 1932, which “saved them.” To which he Mr. Stashenko returned with his moth- responded, “Saved you from what?” er to his native land in 1948, only to find “Food is supposed to be diverse, and it devastated. Not only were ethnic then it gives the human organism some- Ukrainians replaced with Russians fol- thing vital,” Mr. Prokopchuk explained. lowing the Holodomor, but the village “But if it’s monotonous, that’s already a was renamed Sakkoivanzetti, a famine. I am a former Soviet officer, a Communist moniker to honor the two former Communist. I recognize that peo- anarchists, Sacco and Vanzetti, persecuted ple need to be told the truth – no matter by the U.S. government. how bitter it might be.”

moment and sell as many dollars as need- Ukraine moves... ed in order to stabilize the exchange rate” (Continued from page 1) (Inter TV, October 31). Tymoshenko plus the small centrist PromInvestBank’s stabilization was one Volodymyr Lytvyn Bloc – far more than of the IMF’s conditions, and the govern- the 226 votes needed. ment promptly moved to rescue the bank. The package provided for: the creation Mr. Yushchenko instructed the NBU and of a government stabilization fund to help Ms. Tymoshenko to change its ownership companies repay foreign debts and invest or to nationalize it. Ms. Tymoshenko was in domestic projects; the possibility of apparently in favor of nationalization, but nationalizing problem banks; attracting the NBU found the buyers. Slav AG, an loans from international financial organi- Austrian-registered company controlled by zations; and dropping the government’s the Klyuyev brothers, national deputies populist plan to increase minimum wages from the pro-Russian Party of Regions, acquired 68 percent of PromInvestBank (Ukrayinska Pravda, October 31). shares from the Matvienko family for an On November 5 the IMF executive undisclosed sum. The Klyuyevs pledged to board approved a two-year $16.4-billion invest 4.5 billion hrv ($770 million U.S.) standby loan for Ukraine – the biggest in the bank. They will also have to pay loan ever taken out by the country. The back a 5 billion hrv ($862 million) stabili- IMF praised Mr. Yushchenko’s financial zation loan that the NBU issued to stabilization package. PromInvestBank in early October “The authorities’ program, supported by (Kommersant-Ukraine, November 12). the two-year stand-by arrangement with The Klyuyevs do not have that much the IMF, aims to restore financial and mac- money, so they will have to take out loans roeconomic stability by adopting a flexible to recapitalize PromInvestBank. One of exchange rate regime with targeted inter- the brothers, Serhiy Klyuyev, denied the vention, a pre-emptive recapitalization of rumors that the bank had been bought for a banks, and a prudent fiscal policy coupled third party. He said several banks were with tighter monetary policy,” the IMF ready to help PromInvestBank with loans said (www.imf.org, November 5). (Delo, November 12). Ekonomicheskie With the arrival of the loan, the NBU Izvestia, a Kyiv-based business weekly, flooded the Ukrainian currency market with however, reported on November 12 that U.S. dollars for banks to buy and at the the Klyuyevs would re-sell same time introduced tougher restrictions PromInvestBank to Russia’s Sberbank. on currency trade. The hryvnia stopped fall- Apart from the Klyuyevs, several ing immediately, freezing at around 5.8 hrv Russian banks and Ukrainian businessman to the dollar, down from 4.6 hrv to the dol- Dmytro Firtash were interested in lar some three months ago, but up from PromInvestBank (Kommersant-Ukraine, almost 7 hrv several days earlier. November 12). Mr. Firtash eventually Following the IMF move, the United managed to buy another ailing financial States also indicated its readiness to help institution, Nadra, which is Ukraine’s sev- Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador William Taylor enth largest bank, reportedly for $200 mil- said that a group of financial experts would lion. Nadra faced difficulties in repaying arrive shortly in Ukraine to help the local $230 million in foreign debts, and the government tackle the crisis (Inter TV, NBU persuaded its owners to sell the bank November 7). (Kommersant-Ukraine, November 10). President Yushchenko said that the IMF Mr. Firtash is linked to Russia’s Gazprom. loan was needed to show that the NBU RosUkrEnergo, a joint venture set up by had the power to tackle a crisis. Verkhovna Gazprom and Mr. Firtash, until recently Rada Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who was the monopoly supplier of Russian gas briefly led the NBU in 2004, opined that to Ukraine. the IMF funds were a guarantee of stability but they would not be spent. “I believe this The article above is reprinted from credit will not be used,” he said. “This is a Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission signal to the world and Ukraine that the from its publisher, the Jamestown NBU can intervene in the market at any Foundation, www.jamestown.org.

Visit our archive on the Internet at: http://www.ukrweekly.com/ No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 17

sportsline

Soccer Association Youth World Boxing medal at the European Cup tournament in the championship. Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Kalithea, Greece, on October 24. The • Serhiy Rebrov is the top award-winning October 27. Ukrainian team won 11 out of 14 points. Swimming soccer player with the greatest number of Yana Klockova, a five-time Olympic championship titles, after his win for FC • Vitali Klitschko was awarded the Order • The Ukrainian men’s chess team, which medalist, decided to retire from the sport, as Rubin Kazan of the Russian Premier of Merit, first degree, by President Viktor included Anton Korobov, Valeriy Aveskulov, announced on October 24 by Andriy League. This was Rebrov’s 11th champion- Yushchenko on October 17. The Ukrainian Martyn Kravtsov and Yuriy Drozdovskyj, Vaskov, vice-president of the Swimming ship title. Rebrov, 34 won nine of his titles boxer, who recently regained his WBC won the silver medal in rapid chess at the Federation of Ukraine. Denys Silantiev, a with Dynamo Kyiv (1993-2000 and 2007) world super-heavyweight title, was recog- first Wild Mind Games in Beijing, China, 2000 Olympic silver medalist, also declared and one with Fenerbahce Istanbul in 2004. nized for his sports achievements, courage, on October 17. The Ukrainian women’s his retirement from the sport. Two more To his credit, Rebrov has 125 Ukrainian dedication to his work and to victory, and team, including Natalia Zdebska, Kateryna swimmers, Oleh Lyshor and Andriy premier league goals. honorably representing Ukraine on the inter- Dolzhykova, Tetiana Vasylevych and Serdinov, indicated they were thinking of national stage. Natalia Hryhorenko, won the silver medal retiring as well. • Dynamo Kyiv is in third place in Marathon in rapid chess as well. Ukraine tied for third Group G of the UEFA Champions League. place with Korea with two gold, four silver Shooting and three bronze medals, for a total of nine Dynamo has one win, two draws and two • Tetiana Mazentseva won the 13th • Oleksander Petriv, a 2008 Olympic medals. In addition to chess, events included losses with its last loss to Porto on International Marathon on October 27 in medalist, along with teammates Oleh bridge, go (Othello), draughts (checkers) November 5. Dynamo faces Arsenal on Ljuljana, Slovenia, with a time of 2 hours, Tkachov and Oleksandr Horokhovskyi, won and Xiangqi (Chinese chess). Kravtsov won November 25 and Fenerbahce on 37 minutes and 13 seconds. the silver medal in pistol events at the 43rd the gold medal in men’s individual blitz December 12. World Military Shooting Championship in chess and Viktoria Motrichko won gold in • Tetyana Byelovol, 39, won the Detroit Boden, Sweden, held on September 14-21. • Shakhtar is in third place in Group C, Free Press/Flagstar Marathon – the third the women’s 64-square individual draughts. Silver medalists included Drozdovsky in with one win, no draws and three losses marathon win of her career – on October 19. • The Ukrainian team won 19 medals and men’s individual blitz and Anton Korobov with its last loss against Sporting on She finished with a time of 2:40:17. finished in second place at the 2008 World in the men’s individual rapid chess. The November 4. Shakhtar faces Basel on Byelovol’s student, Anzhelika Averkova, Running Target Championships in Plzen, November 26 and Barcelona o December 9. won last year’s marathon with a time of Ukrainian men’s team won bronze in the Czech Republic, on October 20-25. Igor 2:34:50. In addition, Byelovol, who regular- team blitz, and Vasylevych and Aveskulov Matskevych and Aleksiy Vylyvanyy won won in mixed blitz chess. Serhiy Bilocheyev • Ukraine’s team for the UEFA ly coaches in Ukraine, has won the Hartford second and third place, respectively, in the won bronze in the men’s individual Women’s Euro Cup finished in second (Conn.) Marathon in 2007, and the men’s junior 50-meter running target event, 64-square draughts. place in Group 5 with 19 points after eight Marathon of the Palm Peaches in Florida in the Ukrainian junior’s team finished in sec- games played. The group included 2005. Byelovol told the press that she wants ond place, and the Ukrainian men’s team • Illia Nyzhnyk won the gold medal in Denmark, Scotland, Slovakia and Portugal. to return and set a new course record for the finished in third place. In men’s 50-meter Detroit marathon. the under-12 division at the European Youth running target mixed, Alexander Zinenko In the play-off round, Ukraine defeated Chess Championship in Herceg-Novi, Slovenia 3-0 on October 26 and 2-0 on finished in the third place, and Ukraine’s Biathlon Montenegro, on September 25. Silver med- junior team finished in second place. In October 30. Other teams that advanced als were awarded to Volodymyr Vetoshko include Denmark, England, Finland, The Ukrainian team won 21 medals at men’s 10-meter running target, Vladyslav and Yulia Osmak, and bronze medals were Prianishnikov won third place, and Ukraine France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the World Biathlon Championship in Plzen, awarded to Pavlo Vorontsov and Oleksandr Russia, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Czech Republic. Halyna Avramenko won won the gold medal in the team event. Bortnyk, all in the same under-12 age Ukraine’s men’s team finished in second four of the team’s eight gold medals. The group. Boxing team also won seven silver medals and six place in the 10-meter running target mixed. bronze medals. In the women’s division, Galina • Mykola Butsenko (48 kg), Viacheslav • Grandmaster Vasyl Ivanchuk won Avranmenko won gold in the 10-meter run- Hudenko (60 kg), Taras Makarov (69 kg) Chess second place at the World Blitz Chess ning target event, and Anastasiya Savelyeva and Volodymyr Savenko (75 kg) each won Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on titles at the Amateur International Boxing • The Kyiv Chess Club won the bronze November 10. Last year Ivanchuk won (Continued on page 18) The Svoboda Book Store is closing its doors. Everything must go!

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• A Voice from the Wilderness* J.M. Lazarenko 1.00 • The Saga of Ukraine: Age of Royalty Myron Kuropas 1.00 • An Orthodox Pomjanyk of Moshe Altbauer (ed.) 1.00 • The Saga of Ukraine: Age of Heroism Myron Kuropas 1.00 Seventeenth-Eighteenth Centuries* • Selected Short Stories * Volodymyr Vynnychenko 1.00 • Before the storm: Soviet Ukrainian George Luckyj 1.00 • The Truth About the Lie Roman Dublan 1.00 fictions of the 1920s* • Ukrainians Abroad Volodymyr Kubijovyc (ed.) 1.00 • Cataract* Mykhaylo Osadchy 1.00 • Ukrainians in North America* Myroniuk and Worobec 1.00 • Commission of Inquiry on War Hon. Jules Deschenes 1.00 • The USSR vs. Dr Mikhail Stern* August Stern (ed.) 1.00 Criminals Report, Part 1* • Was it really Russia that was Cardinal Myroslav Lubachivsky 1.00 • The Conquerors of the Prairies* Yar Slavutych 1.00 Christianized in 988? • Echoes of Glasnost in Soviet Ukraine* Romana Bahry (ed.) 1.00 • UNA Jubilee Book (1936) Luke Myshuha 1.00 • The Economic Factors in the Nicholas Chirovsky 1.00 / Пропам’ятна Книга УНС Growth of Russia* • Father Agapius Honcharenko* Theodore Luciw 1.00 • Ukraine: A Concise Encyclopedia, Vol. I UNA 37.50 • For a Better Canada* Senator Paul Yuzyk 1.00 • Ukraine: A Concise Encyclopedia, Vol. II UNA 37.50 • For them the bells did not toll* Oleksa Hay-Holowko 1.00 • Ukrainian-American Citadel: Myron Kuropas 20.00 • From Three Worlds* Ed Hogan (ed.) 1.00 The First One Hundred Years • Funny Tears Mykola Ponedilok 1.00 of the Ukrainian National Association • Glossary of Business Terminology* Y. Havrylyshyn and O. Karkoc 1.00 • The Hidden Nations: The People Nadia Diuk and Adrian Karatnycky 1.00 (*) indicates very limited quantities. Challenge the Soviet Union • Life in America 1.00 Prices do not include postage and handling. • The Man-Made Famine in Ukraine published by AEI 1.00 Postage and handling: $3.00 for up to 4 books, $5.00 for 5+ books. • Moses and Other Poems Ivan Franko 1.00 • Mykhailo Hrushevs’kyi Bibliographic Lubomyr Wynar (ed.) 1.00 To place an order please send a check to: Sources 1866-1934 • Report from the Beria Reserve* Valentyn Moroz 1.00 SVOBODA BOOK STORE 2200 Route 10 • Revolutionary Voices* Slava Stetsko (ed.) 1.00 Parsippany, NJ 07054. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 Actress Svitlana Vatamaniuk appears in a one-woman show in Toronto by Oksana Zakydalsky TORONTO – The Canadian Ukrainian Art Foundation gallery is not only a venue for art exhibits but also for cultural, musical and theatrical performances. On October 19, Svitlana Vatamaniuk, a well-known actress from Ukraine, offered her one-woman musico-poetic presentation “Foreign land.” The show included a theatrical rendition of the intimate love poetry of Lesia Ukrainka, selections from the letters of Olena Teliha and a montage from the play “... I will remem- ber...Americord,” which played in Kyiv at the Ivan Franko Theater at the beginning of the year. The latter is a dramatic piece about several Ukrainian women who have come to Italy to earn money. Ms. Vatamaniuk played a teacher who is fed up with her students and their lessons, the minuscule wages and the school atmo- sphere in general. Mrs. Vatamaniuk was born in 1958 and completed her studies at the Kyiv Institute of Theatrical Arts. She began her acting career in Khmelnytskyi and then worked in Moscow, finally returning to Kyiv to appear on the stage of the Kyiv Youth Theater. In the film “Neskorenyi” (The Undefeated) she played Roman Shukhevych’s wife, Natalia. Two years ago, Ms Vatamaniuk joined the Ivan Franko Theater, where she still appears on stage. Stefan Berezowsky also took part in the presentation, and Oksana Zakydalsky Svitlana Vatamaniuk as Lesia Ukrainka. pianist Maria Dolnycky opened and closed the program. Svitlana Vatamaniuk as a teacher in Italy.

were defeated 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 by Sorana won three world titles as well. The men’s rings, and Maryna Kostiuchenko Sportsline... Cristea of Romania and Marina Erakovic of International Union on Kettlebell Lifting won bronze in the women’s vault at the (Continued from page 17) New Zealand. bestowed upon Svirnenko the rank of “mas- World Cup Grand Prix in Glasgow, and Valentyna Honcharova won second and ter of sports.” Scotland, on October 18. Alina Kozich won third place, respectively, in the junior com- • Serhiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine and the gold medal in the floor exercise and petition, with Ukraine finishing in first place Starace Potito of Italy won the Kremlin Cup • Ukraine’s men’s and women’s power- bronze in the women’s balance beam. in the junior team competition. The wom- men’s doubles on October 11 in Moscow. lifting teams won the World Powerlifting Valentyna Holenkova won silver in the en’s team swept the 10-meter running target The Ukrainian-Italian duo defeated Stephen Championships on November 10. In the women’s floor exercise. mixed, with Galina Avramenko in first, Huss of Austria and Ross Hutchins of Great women’s division, Tetiana Prymenchuk (56 Ballroom dancing Viktoriya Zabolotna in second and Kateryna Britain 7-6, 7-2, 2-6, 1-0, 10-6. kg) and Iryna Karpova-Yavorska won gold Samohina in third place. Anastasiya Motorsports medals and Larysa Solovyova-Vutsiyevska The Ukrainian junior dancers Vadim Savelyeva and Valentyna Honcharova won (67.5 kg) and Inna Orobets (+90 kg) won Baidak and Svetlana Kostenko, and Evegeni second and third place, respectively, in the Andriy Kruhlyk made history when he silver medals. Zhanna Ivanova (60 kg) won Taranuk and Anastasia Zvereva won second junior competition, and Ukraine’s junior finished in third place in the S1600 class at bronze. In the men’s division, Serhiy and third place, respectively, in the 14- to women’s team finished in the first palce. the European Touring Car Cup on the Pevyev (100 kg), Oleksiy Rokochyi (110 15-year-old group of the International Dance Austrian Salzburgring, a 2.63-mile perma- kg) and Oleksandr Shepel (125 kg) won Union World Championship in Tel Aviv, • Oleh Omelchuk won the gold medal in nent racetrack course, on October 19. gold medals. Israel, on October 28. Taranuk and Zvereva pistol at the ISSF World Cup in Bangkok, Kruhlyk raced in a Ford Fiesta ST car for won second place in the Latin competition, Fencing which included jive, paso-doble, samba, Thailand, on November 4. In the final for Team Lauderbach Motorsport and earned 14 rumba and cha-cha. In the standard category, 10-meter air pistol event, Omelchuk scored points. This was the first time a Ukrainian Ukraine’s men’s fencing team defeated dances included waltz, tango, Vienese waltz, 687.4 points. Artur Aivazian won silver in driver was a prize winner in an official FIA Russia in the final match and won the quick-step and slow foxtrot. In the 16- to the men’s 50-meter rifle (three positions) on (International Federation of Motorsports) European Fencing Championship in 18-year-old group, Anton Avramenko and November 4. event. Amsterdam on November 10. Ukraine’s Anna Kaplyi won second place in the Latin Tennis Weightlifting team included Rostyslav Hertsyh, Klod competition, and first place in the standard Yunes, Volodymyr Koltyho and Ihor category. In the over-19 age group, • The Ukrainian-Russian doubles team of • Vitaliy Svirnenko, an 81-year-old Revutsky. Alexander Yelizarov and Natalia Ivanova Maria Korytseva and Vera Dushevina fin- weightlifter from Kirovohrad Oblast, won Gymnastics won second place in the standard category. ished in second place at the WTA tourna- three gold medals at the European kettlebell ment in Luxembourg on October 26. They lifting championship in Russia. Svirnenko Oleksandr Vorobiov won silver in the – compiled by Matthew Dubas No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 19 Program at Chicago museum honors poet-dissident Vasyl Stus CHICAGO – The Ukrainian Institute 1985. Unfortunately, he did not survive of Modern Art (UIMA) and the Ukrainian the grueling years of imprisonment and Language Society on October 18 jointly died in exile in 1985. hosted an evening honoring the famous The literary evening commemorating Ukrainian poet, critic and member of the the life and work of Stus was centered Ukrainian Helsinki Group, Vasyl Stus. around several themes. Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko Vira Bodnaruk, president of the proclaimed 2008 the year of Vasyl Stus, Ukrainian Language Society, and head of commemorating what would have been the literary committee at the UIMA, his 70th birthday but for his untimely began the evening with a brief overview death in a Soviet prison in 1985 at the of the poet’s life, his creative process and age of 47. promising beginnings in Kyiv, and his Stus is remembered this year through- total commitment to the defense of poets out Ukraine not only in the Vinnytsia active in the 1960s for the freedom of region, his birthplace, or in Donetsk, speech. Despite relentless hardships, Stus where he lived and studied, but through- movingly wrote “My country, I will still out the Ukrainian diaspora. return to you,” and he did so posthu- His creative spirit and talent, as well mously in 1989 when his remains were as his strength of character under the dif- reburied in Kyiv. A collection of his ficult conditions of persecution and works totaling nine books was published imprisonment, garnered him a nomina- in 1999. tion for the Nobel Prize in Literature in Today his memory is preserved in Zeonid Modrycky conducts the Surma chamber choir.

sculptures in many Ukrainian cities, Zeonid Modrycky with co-concertmaster streets are named after him, and his works Halyna Smoszanyk performed several are studied throughout academia. songs, and well-known soprano Alla Attendees listened to an old recording Kyriltziv captured the audience with her of Stus reading one of his poems, and this solo rendition of “Rodymii Krai” and was followed by dramatic readings with “Blessed Virgin Rejoice” accompanied by musical accompaniment staged by Natalie pianist Oksana Pidrychnyj. Marchak. Joining her in this collage of Chicago artist Lialia Kuchma, chair of poetry readings and background music by the art committee at UIMA, created sever- Chopin and Beethoven were Rostylsav al vertical and horizontal panels depicting Hrynkiv and Vira Lesuk. photos of Stus with his parents and family, Other participants included Sergej and these created a fitting tableau on the Myhaliuk, Oleh Myzuka, Lina stage set in the institute’s main gallery. Mytnychuk, Yurij Soroka, Vira Lecyk, John Olshansky and Borys Bodnaruk Bohdan Bodnaruk and Ilona Soroka, who provided technical and sound assistance, highlighted critical moments in Stus’ life. along with other members of the UIMA The readings brought forth intense feel- and the Ukrainian Language Society. The ings, at times delicate, at times hateful, combined efforts of all of these individu- interspersed with cries of grief contained als contributed to a highly successful eve- in the poet’s moving words. ning as was evidenced by sustained The chamber choir Surma directed by applause from the appreciative audience.

Organizers and performers at the evening in honor of Vasyl Stus (1938-1985).

demise of her own government and posi- Christmas Greetings 2008/09 Verkhovna Rada... tion as prime minister. (Continued from page 1) President Yushchenko, however, refused Continue your tradition... vote, while PRU members have long been to comment on Prime Minister angling to depose Mr. Yatsenyuk as Rada Tymoshenko’s accusations. Instead he offered his views directly on what had Use the UNA’s publications to send holiday chairman. greetings and wishes of goodwill, prosperity As these two forces engaged in brawls, ensued in the Verkhovna Rada by stating members of the YTB also surrounded and that the decision adopted by the Parliament and the season’s blessings. Please note, to blocked the Rada presidium. Political pun- was aimed at destabilizing an already vola- accommodate all of our advertisers and the tile situation. The president underlined his dits noted that this was the first instance in many holiday obligations and deadlines, we a very long time when members of the trust in Mr. Yatsenyuk. “I recommended YTB blocked the presidium in direct sup- him, and I’m confident I did not make a must strictly observe the following deadlines... port of Mr. Yatsenyuk instead of hampering mistake in such a recommendation,” stated the now-deposed chair’s attempts to reach Mr. Yushchenko. PUBLICATION DATES & DEADLINES his seat in Parliament. Though he took his ouster in stride, Mr. No sooner had Mr. Yatsenyuk lost his Yatsenyuk nevertheless expressed concern Christmas Issue Advertising about the overall democratic process in leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, than the Publication Date Deadline blame game had begun as Prime Minister Ukraine. “Democracy, just as before, con- Tymoshenko voiced her complete dissatis- tinues to be threatened. As a result, the most faction with the events that culminated in important thing now is to make sure we The Weekly December 21 December 8 Mr. Yatsenyuk’s parliamentary demise. don’t bury democracy by means of elabo- “The dismissal of Arseniy Yatsenyuk rate funerals in Parliament,” he warned. indicates the desire to hammer the last nail In the wake of Mr. Yatsenyuk’s ouster, Svoboda December 19 December 8 into the democratic team, which is working each of the factions responsible for depos- in Parliament today, to finally destroy the ing the Rada chair are wasting no time in The Weekly January 4 December 20 hope for resuming the democratic coalition. positioning their own candidates for the It is an attempt to wipe out everything that post. The Single Center faction would like the people voted for in 2004,” stated Ms. to see three-time former Chair Ivan Pliusch Svoboda January 2 December 20 Tymoshenko. as their man at the helm, while the Party of Regions is hoping that Oleksander According to Ms. Tymoshenko, Mr. 1/16 page – $35; 1/8 page – $50; 1/4 page – $100; Yatsenyuk’s ouster is largely due to the Lavrynovych, who currently serves as vice- OU-PSD faction. “It’s absolutely evident chair, will take over. Volodymyr Lytvyn, 1/2 page – $200; full page – $400 for all politicians that such a dismissal of leader of the eponymous bloc, has had a the Verkhovna Rada chair could not hap- hard time hiding his ambition to return as pen without a direct instruction from the chair of the Verkhovna Rada. All advertising correspondence, reservations and payments should be directed president. The president is directly respon- When asked what he would do now that to Mrs. Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager, tel. 973-292-9800, ext. 3040, sible for Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s dismissal,” he no longer will serve as Rada chair, Mr. e-mail: [email protected] declared the prime minister. Yatsenyuk stated that he would continue to form his own political force. “They ousted Kindly make checks payable to The Ukrainian Weekly or Svoboda, as appropriate. Sources close to the prime minister Please send payment to The Ukrainian Weekly, or Svoboda, suggested that Mr. Yatsenyuk’s dismissal me so that I may return, but not to the same P.O. Box 280, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 may lead to pre-term elections, a scenario place,” he declared, harkening back to a that Ms. Tymoshenko vehemently oppos- now-famous statement by then-Prime es as such a situation could spell the Minister Yushchenko in 2001. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46 Hundreds participate in pilgrimage honoring Mother of God FOX CHASE MANOR, Pa. – Enjoying grims and Sisters joined for a candlelight the perfect October weather, over 700 pil- procession to the grotto for the Akathist to grims joined the Sisters of the Order of St. the Mother of God, celebrated this year by Basil the Great for their 77th annual pil- the Rev. Nestor Iwasiw from the Ukrainian grimage under the Protection of the Mother Catholic Holy Family Parish in Washington. of God. The cool autumn evening was made warm The pilgrimage, held on October 4 and 5, by the glow of brightly glowing candles and was blessed with two bright, crisp fall days. the exuberant spirit and enthusiasm of the The 2008 theme, “Nurturing Oneself in the nearly 50 young adults who chanted the Image of the Mother of God,” incorporated responses during the Akathist and the famil- caring, compassion, understanding, good iar ritual of the Blessing of the Water that works and prayer – which all make up the followed. fabric of unconditional love that is personi- After the service, the young adults in fied by and exemplified by the Mother of attendance gathered in the Basilian Christ. Spirituality Center to engage in a spirited In keeping with the theme, the event and inspirational dialogue guided by the opened on the evening of October 4 with a Rev. Michael Polosky from Ss. Peter and special program for young adults at the Paul Parish, Ambridge, Pa., and Sister Basilian Spirituality Center. At 7 p.m., pil- Markella Venher, OSBM.

Saturday evening services at the Grotto. On Sunday morning many pilgrims and a sparkling reflection of the attributes began the day with confession and a proces- inspired by the Mother of God. Many pil- sion to the Basilian Spirituality Center for grims seized the opportunity to walk to the bilingual hierarchical divine liturgy cele- Mother Helena’s gravesite, seeking guid- brated by Archbishop Stefan Soroka with ance, inspiration and intervention with Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten and Bishop their worldly troubles. John Bura. The response swere sung by the During the two-day event, Sister Laura seminarians of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Palka, OSBM, provincial superior, intro- Catholic Seminary of Washington, and the duced the newly established Mother Helena hymns rose on the voices of the children Langevych Society, whose members perpet- from Philadelphia’s St. Josaphat School. uate the legacy of Mother Helena by sup- The afternoon activities included a spe- porting her cause and by serving as a pray- cial children’s program conducted by Sister ing, healing and life-giving presence in the Lydia Anna Sawka at the Basilian lives of others. Spirituality Center and the much-anticipated Another highlight was the blessing of moleben celebrated by Bishop Bura at the religious articles brought by the pilgrims Shrine of Our Lady of Pochaiv. The Rev. and the blessing of the cars and buses that Wasyl Kharuk of St. Josaphat Seminary, were to take them home and, God willing, Washington, delivered a stirring homily, and bring them safely back for next year’s pil- Students of St. Basil Academy of Jenkintown, Pa., in procession for Sunday services. the choir of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic grimage. Church of Elizabeth, N.J., sang the moleben The Sisters of the Order of St. Basil responses, as pilgrims participated in the the Great are a worldwide religious com- healing and comforting Mystery of Holy munity. In leading uniquely effective and Anointing. innovative ministries in education, spiri- You are cordially invited One of the highlights of the pilgrimage tual direction, evangelization and lay col- to the grand opening was an exhibit dedicated to Mother laboration, they bring the rich traditions Helena Langevych, OSBM, the foundress and mysteries of the Eastern Church to of a new store of the Philadelphia monastery whose those they encounter. For more informa- motherly concern for the sisters, orphans tion readers may call 215-379-3998 or MS Gourmet and others under her care was legendary log on to www.stbasils.com. in Millburn, N.J.

A wide variety of traditional Ukrainian foods to choose from:

• borsch • varenyky • pyrohy Students of St. Josaphat Grade School of Philadelphia in procession for Sunday • holubtsi services. • blintzes and more The SBU’s re-politicization has brought Yushchenko uses... no real benefits to President Yushchenko in (Continued from page 4) terms of improved public support or greater 61 Main St., Millburn, N.J. already high 56 percent in January to a stag- security. If anything, the opposite has gering 82 percent in October (www.pravda. occurred as can be seen by the willingness 973-564-9600 com.ua, October 27). of the YTB to vote with the Party of Regions Thirdly, it is not coincidental that the on September 2 to change the law on the SBU’s re-politicization has taken place dur- SBU to make it accountable to Parliament ing the last two years under acting Chairman as well as to the president. Please visit us on November 15, 2008 Nalyvaichenko, while the Presidential for a free sampling of our products. Secretariat is headed by Mr. Baloha. Mr. The article above is reprinted from Baloha’s aggressive “in your face” defense Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from of the president has drawn on the SBU to its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, battle the president’s opponents. www.jamestown.org. No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 21 Philadelphia’s UECC convenes its 29th annual meeting by Andrea Zharovsky cial books, records, operations and finan- cial statements of the UECC. JENKINTOWN, Pa. – The 29th annual Representing the Audit Committee, meeting of the Ukrainian Educational and Roman Petyk reported that the committee Cultural Center was held Saturday after- is satisfied with its review and the UECC noon, October 25, in the UECC Gallery, financial report for the 2007-2008. with UECC members and delegates of According to the by-laws, the UECC Ukrainian member-organizations in atten- board of directors consists of 24 members dance. whose terms of service are staggered. All During registration, UECC members UECC board terms are for three years. viewed a photographic slide show featur- In the Nominating Committee report, ing this year’s events and programs of the Bohdan Mizak recommended two candi- center. dates to the board: Ihor Bilynsky and The Annual Report Committee, headed Orest Wirstiuk. Both were approved by a by UECC board member Laryssa unanimous vote. Krywusha, produced a stunning 72-page Mr. Mizak stated that the Nominating bilingual color annual report that was dis- tributed to attendees. Committee submitted and recommended The annual meeting began with a call the re-election of current board members to order by UECC President Borys including: Roman Cyhan, Borys Pawluk, Pawluk. Stefan Makuch, a former UECC Ivan Prasko, Maria Schwed, Borys Andrea Zharovsky board of directors member, led the open- Zacharczuk and Andrea Zharovsky. All Members of the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center register for the ing prayer. candidates for re-election were approved annual meeting. Mr. Pawluk opened his president’s by a unanimous vote. report with an explanation of how he Also elected were members of the prices has substantially increased during total of 52. Sixteen new individual/or approached his second year as president Nominating Committee and the Election that time. family members received full voting of the UECC and explained how he fine- Committee, both consisting of UECC The proposed amendment and resolu- rights this year compared to last year’s 12 tuned last year’s restructuring of the members and members of the UECC tion did not pass. At the time of voting on new members. operations and organization of the UECC. board of directors. Petrusia Sawchak, the by-laws amendments, there were The annual meeting adjourned with In his report and PowerPoint presenta- Marta Shyprykevych and Marta Taylikh 2,302 votes present (1,737 votes or 20 UECC members singing the Ukrainian tion, he focused primarily on the UECC were elected to serve on the Nominating percent of the total was needed for the national hymn. Members continued their Mission Statement, UECC organization, Committee for 2008-2009. Halyna amendment to pass). discussions over coffee and sweets. facility and office operations, and the Horajecka-Keller, Slava Bilas and Sophia The discussion during the annual meet- accomplishments of the five sectors, Gol were elected to serve on the Election ing centered on UECC membership. Ms. *** Zharovsky spoke of UECC membership including administrative, finance, build- Committee for the same term. The Ukrainian Educational and during the discussion in response to a ing and property utilization, program, and Mr. Petyk, representing the By-Laws Cultural Center, founded in 1980, is a Committee, proposed one amendment to question. Individual and family members communications. non-profit organization whose objective the by-laws: increasing from $250 to holding full voting rights during the Mr. Pawluk ended his report by is to preserve and promote awareness of $500 the contribution amount required to 2007-2008 year totaled 1,221 members, reminding those present that in the for- Ukrainian heritage throughout the secure additional votes for member-orga- up from last year’s total of 1,096. Their mative years of the UECC, the member Philadelphia community. The UECC is nizations, trusts and estates. The changes total number of votes is 7,587 with an organizations contributed 50 percent of located at 700 Cedar Road, in Jenkintown, revenue generated; today the number has would also reduce from 10 years to five average of 6.21 votes per member. PA 19046 and can be reached at been dramatically reduced to about 12 years the period of time for which such Member-organizations holding full voting 215-663-1166 or [email protected]; percent. He stated that this situation will additional votes would be granted. The rights during the 2007-2008 year totaled change and that the finance sector and the changes would apply only to votes 53 organizations, also up from last year’s website, at www.ueccphila.org. executive board will review the rental secured through new donations and contracts for organizations and readjust would not reduce the number or duration accordingly. of any votes currently held by member- The Audit Committee, consisting of organizations, trusts and estates. He noted three UECC directors who are not mem- that the $250 threshold currently in effect bers of the Finance Committee, met prior has not changed since the founding of the to the annual meeting to audit the finan- UECC in 1980, while the general level of Accordionfest slated for UACCNJ PARSIPPANY, N.J. – For over 20 be in attendance, Mr. Tatarenko noted. years Ukrainians have been going to For the first time ever, over a dozen Wildwood, N.J., to take in the sun and accordionists will be squeezing togeth- sand during the last weeks of summer. er on November 22 at the Ukrainian Out of this shared experience, a tradi- American Cultural Center of New tion began to emerge, which included Jersey in Whippany, N.J. Singers and songs sung by guests at the Park Lane anyone who wants to participate are and Crystal Beach motels. These sing- encouraged to attend, and participating ers were accompanied by accordionists, accordionists should wear Ukrainian including Stefan Tatarenko, Michael embroidered shirts. Koziupa, Stefan Kasyanenko and, more Accompanying the accordionists and recently, Matthew Dubas. singers will be George Hrab of Tempo Out of this spirit of group participa- on the drums. Myron Kukuruza will tion in music and song, Stefan direct the singers. Food and drink will Tatarenko, a former accordionist for be available and a $10 charge for those Tempo, began to organize an off-season without an accordion goes toward the event that would have that same feel, social club of the UACCNJ. but would attract more accordionists. For more information, contact Mr. So far, 13 have responded that they will Tatarenko at 973-777-4920.

graphic artist Kathy Boykowycz. Ukrainian Technological... The Very Rev. Steve Repa, pastor of (Continued from page 9) Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox In closing, she urged those in atten- Church of Carnegie, Pa., gave the invoca- dance to remember the plight of orphaned tion. Following the dinner hour, musical children around the world, particularly entertainment was provided by The Fred those in Ukraine who continue to be in Yasnowsky Orchestra from Lordstown, need of adoption. Mrs. and Dr. Murphy Ohio. are the parents of Julia Louise Murphy To learn more about the UTS, the and Kevin Borys Murphy, both children Ukrainian of the Year Award, past recipi- adopted from Ukraine. ents of the award and other UTS activi- The beautifully designed awards for ties, readers may log on to www.utspgh. both recipients were created by Pittsburgh org or e-mail [email protected]. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46

the trans-oceanic alliance of democratic tiple nuclear warheads and will maneuver Polish American... countries, with the latest conflict with There's little hope... during reentry into the atmosphere to avoid (Continued from page 6) Russia just one more chapter in an ongo- (Continued from page 2) future U.S. missile defenses (Nezavisimoye pre-war borders, when in fact, months ear- ing effort at imperialist hegemony by the but he acknowledged that this would not Voennoye Obozreniye, October 31). lier, he and British Prime Minister Winston what remains of the former Soviet Union,” be easy (Interfax, October 21). Later Mr. Soviet-built SS-18s, SS-19s and SS-25s Churchill had already conceded Poland’s Mr. Spula concluded. “Russian threats of Beyrle complained that Cold War atti- are becoming old and being scrapped. The RS-24 and the single-warhead SS-27 are eastern territories to Stalin. aggression against Poland are dangerous, tudes were hampering progress (Interfax, and I believe directly related to the desper- planned to replace the aging ICBMs (RIA- After the war’s conclusion, Mr. Spula November 3). ate desire of the Kremlin to focus domestic Novosti, October 22). Without the RS-24 added, the PAC became one of the first The majority of the Russian public did attention away from the fact that the the number of land-based warheads not favor either Sen. Obama or his oppo- U.S. organizations to warn of the threat to Russian stock market has lost three-quar- deployed by the Strategic Rocket Force nent Sen. John McCain in the U.S. presi- peace and freedom posed by the Soviet ters of its value this year.” might be reduced to several hundred after dential election (RIA-Novosti, November Union, resulting in the United States He noted: “We fully support President- 2015. The Russian military fears that if an 1), but Russian diplomats and politicians adopting a principled set of foreign policy elect Obama as he looks to ways to reduce improved U.S. missile defense system is traditionally believe that it is easier for initiatives in NATO and the Marshall Plan, tensions and create democratic security deployed after 2015, Russia’s reduced stra- which dealt effectively with the Soviet throughout Eastern and Central Europe. Russia to deal with a Republican adminis- tegic nuclear deterrent might be seriously threat from the late 1940s until the USSR’s All the hallmarks of his successful elector- tration. In any event, Moscow will try to diminished (Nezavisimoye Voennoye collapse in 1991. al campaign – meaningful support for negotiate with the new U.S. government; Obozreniye, October 31). “In 1999, Poland was admitted to democracy and human rights, and the there will be talks on different issues, but it Simply extending the provisions of NATO as a full member, and has worked peaceful negotiation of differences – is will be hard to achieve progress anytime START seems to be unacceptable to hard, maybe harder than any other country, why we are confident he will protect soon. The Russian Foreign Affairs Russia, and a serious renegotiation process to prove itself worthy of membership in Poland in its hour of growing danger.” Ministry has ruled out any agreement on is inevitable. Moscow will seek changes rewriting START with the outgoing Bush that will allow it to deploy new ICBMs, administration and blamed the lack of while severely restricting the number of progress in nuclear arms control on deployable U.S. warheads to continue to time to formulate and articulate positions Washington (ITAR-TASS, October 31). keep the Cold War principle of Russo-U.S. Moving forward... on all of these issues. I am sure that, as The Russian military is, in fact, waiting equality and mutual assured destruction eagerly for START to expire in order to (Continued from page 7) president, he and his foreign-policy team (MAD) in the event of war. Finding a begin work on deploying a modified land-market system, opportunities for (among which are many of my old col- compromise solution will take time, which Topol-M (SS-27) land-based interconti- is strictly limited. As early as next sum- expanded cooperation in this area will be leagues and friends) will continue to dem- onstrate an interest in Ukraine and in coop- nental ballistic missile with multiple reen- mer, resumed fighting in Georgia might enormous. eration with Kyiv. After all, our interests try vehicles. The SS-27 is a modification freeze any attempts at detente (see Eurasia This list can be continued, but these are deeply intertwined. of the SS-25 ICBM and under START Daily Monitor, October 30). examples are sufficient to demonstrate the terms cannot be equipped with multiple importance and potential of strengthened Copyright 2008, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted reentry vehicles. The Russian military is The article above is reprinted from U.S.-Ukraine ties. Despite the many things with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ testing a land-based ICBM called the Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission clamoring for his attention over the last Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, RS-24 that is reported to be an SS-27 with from its publisher, the Jamestown two years, Sen. Barack Obama has found Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org. a modified third stage that will carry mul- Foundation, www.jamestown.org.

Wherever you are, Russia’s major breaches in practice. Medvedev tests... Moscow evidently hopes to entice Western The Ukrainian Weekly can be there with you. (Continued from page 2) Europeans into some special security NATO was barely mentioned in arrangements with Russia. Check out THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY online at President Medvedev’s address, which There was also a vague, passing remark included only a routine condemnation in in Mr. Medvedev’s speech about “broader www.ukrweekly.com one sentence about the alliance’s enlarge- and deeper cooperation within the ment; and another acid remark (elsewhere Collective Security Treaty Organization.” in the speech) that the Georgia crisis “was Departing from tradition and reflecting used as a pretext for deploying NATO war- Russia’s rising global ambitions, Moscow ships in the Black Sea” (no mention of that no longer defines relations with the CIS and mission’s short-lived character). CSTO as Russian policy priorities: Mr. Medvedev took personal credit for “Geography plays no part in this.” Other countermeasures to the planned deploy- countries, such as Germany or Turkey, that ment of U.S. anti-missile defense system entertain grand visions of bilateral strategic elements in Poland and the Czech partnerships with Russia, however, do not Republic. “I have made a decision,” he rate even a perfunctory mention here. said, to keep the missile-force division By the same token, Mr. Medvedev based in Kozelsk on combat duty (purport- stopped short of mentioning the conflict in edly reversing an earlier decision to scrap Iraq and Afghanistan, the clash over Iran’s it); to deploy the Iskander missile system nuclear program and the Arab-Israeli con- in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad flict, which constitute the top priorities cre- (in line with Moscow’s earlier threats to ated by the outgoing U.S. administration target countries that would host the U.S. and bequeathed to the incoming one. Mr. system); and to use Russia’s Baltic Fleet Medvedev merely hinted that Russia could for these purposes as well. play at mediation: “Problem countries, irre- The omission, or short-shrift treatment, spective of their location in the world, of major international actors was a striking should be engaged in dialogue, rather than feature of Mr. Medvedev’s address. The isolated. We are ready to facilitate the settle- European Union was mentioned almost as ment of any regional conflicts.” The hope perfunctorily as NATO in this speech. Mr. to continue exploiting the U.S. predica- Medvedev seemed to treat it merely as an ments in those conflicts by positioning element in global amalgamations when pro- Russia diplomatically in the middle seemed posing a “Euro-Atlantic space that unites sufficiently clear. Russia, the EU and the United States,” and The familiar Putinist verbiage about again when envisaging “diversified ties multi-polarity and “international law” was with member-countries of the CIS, of the still present, but in notably smaller doses. EU, China, India and other major Asian Mr. Medvedev added a stronger emphasis partners, while also [using] the opportuni- on creating a new global economic and ties that are opening up in Latin America financial system, with Russia as a full par- and Africa.” ticipant in the decisions and the ruble as one Yet Mr. Medvedev did sketch an over- of the global currencies, as a panacea to the ture to Western Europeans (not the EU as financial crisis for which Moscow blames such) by claiming, “The South Ossetia cri- the West. sis demonstrated the potential for produc- Listing Russia’s overall policy priorities tive European solutions; and we will deepen in the preamble to his address, Medvedev cooperation with Europe in the security ranked “re-equipping the armed forces and sphere. I am convinced that they have a navy” two slots ahead of “education, sci- good future.” ence and medical centers.” The overture is calculated not only to bypass NATO but also to portray the The article above is reprinted from French-brokered armistice in Georgia as Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission successful, which some Western European from its publisher, the Jamestown governments want to believe, despite Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 23 OUT AND ABOUT

November 21 The Washington Balalaika Society 20th anniversary November 22 Adult bandura workshop, instruction with Roma Rockville, MD concert, featuring Volodymyr and Natalya Lehighton, PA Dockhorn, Ukrainian Homestead, 570-708-1992 Marunych, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, or 215-235-3709 703-549-2010 November 22 Film screening, “Harvest of Despair,” Shirlington November 21 An evening of live music, featuring Yeezhak and Arlington, VA Library, 703-228-6545 Philadelphia Kruno Spisic, Ukrainian League of Philadelphia, 215-684-3548 November 22-23 Christmas Bazaar, Ukrainian Catholic National Washington Shrine of the Holy Family, 202-526-3737 November 21 Holodomor commemoration and screening of Phoenix, AZ “Harvest of Despair,” The Dormition of the November 23 Holodomor exhibit, “Holodomor: Genocide by Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, Toronto Famine,” League of Ukrainian Canadians, North 602-347-9267 York Civic Center, 416-516-8223

November 21 Book and film night, “In a Different Light,” Yara November 23 Christmas Bazaar, St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox New York Arts Group, The Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 Silver Spring, MD Cathedral, 301-593-5316 or 301-384-9192

November 22 Lecture by Marko Stech, “Where lies the boundary November 23 Exhibit, “Holodomor Through the Eyes of a Child: New York between Ukrainian Soviet literature and the Chicago The Famine Remembered,” Ukrainian Institute of literature of independent Ukraine? Studies of Modern Art, 773-227-5522 Ukrainian prose of the 1990’s,” Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 November 23 Presentation by Gwen Spicer, “Caring for Your New York Personal Collections and Family Heirlooms,” November 22 Ottawa Ukraina Soccer Team fund-raising banquet, The Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 Ottawa Ukrainian Community Center, [email protected] November 25 Lecture by Sen. Raynell Andreychuk, “The Famine Ottawa (Holodomor) and the Political Battle for Recognition,” November 22 Ukrainian Literary Reading, The Bowery Poetry Club, University of Ottawa, 613-562-5800 ext. 3692 New York 212-614-0505 November 28 Chornomorskyi Ball, Plast Ukrainian Scouting November 22 Concert with Nadia Shpachenko and the Biava String Whippany, NJ Organization Chornomortsi Fraternity, Ukrainian New York Quartet, Ukrainian Institute of America, American Cultural Center of New Jersey, 973-585-7175 212-288-8660 November 29 – Art exhibit, “Mysteries of Ancient Ukraine: The November 22 Washington Balalaika Society 20th anniversary March 22, 2009 Remarkable Trypillian Culture (5400 – 2700 BC),” Arlington, VA concert, featuring Volodymyr and Natalya Toronto Royal Ontario Museum, 416-589-8000 Marunych, Kenmore Auditorium, 703-549-2010 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Items will be pub- November 22 Ukrainian Accordionfest, Ukrainian American lished at the discretion of the editors and as space allows. Please note: Whippany, NJ Cultural Center of New Jersey, 973-777-4920 items will be printed a maximum of two times each. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 No. 46

Studies and York University, Toronto) titled Ukrainian Village neighborhood. For further PREVIEW OF EVENTS “Where Lies the Boundary Between information call 773-227-5522 or visit the Ukrainian Soviet Literature and the Literature website www.uima-chicago.org. Monday, November 17 Monday, November 17, at 9 a.m.-6 p.m. These of Independent Ukraine? Studies of Ukrainian will be followed by a concert with Virko Baley Sunday, November 30 CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Ukrainian Prose of the 1990s.” The lecture will take of selections from his opera “Red Earth Research Institute is pleased to announce the (Hunger)” held at the Swedenborg Chapel, 50 place at the society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Chorus Dumka premiere performance of selections from the Quincy St., at 8 p.m. Sessions 4 through 6 will (between Ninth and 10th streets), at 5 will usher in the Christmas season with a opera, “Red Earth (Hunger),” written by Virko be held on Tuesday, November 18, at 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For additional information call Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Baley. The concert, which will feature commen- p.m., with the keynote address being given by 212-254-5130. Cathedral, Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. The event is free and open to the tary by the composer, will be held at the Nicolas Werth, research director, National Center Sunday, November 23 Swedenborg Chapel, 50 Quincy St., at 8 p.m. for Scientific Research, Paris, at 8 p.m. All ses- public. For more information call This event is free and open to the public; howev- sions will be held at the Harvard Faculty Club, NEW YORK: Learn about preserving your 718-896-7624. family heirlooms such as photographs, art- er, seating is limited and available on a first- 20 Quincy St. This event is open to the public Saturday, December 13 come, first-serve basis. For more information with on-line pre-registration at http://www.huri. work, documents and handmade folk art visit the website http://www.huri.harvard.edum harvard.edu (where you can also find a detailed objects with conservator Gwen Spicer, who NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Chorus Dumka call 617-495-4053 or e-mail [email protected]. program). Note: Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. will present a lecture titled “Caring for Your will perform Christmas Music at 7 p.m. at edu. on the day of the conference. Coffee and tea pro- Personal Collections and Family Heirlooms.” Our Lady of Refuge Roman Catholic Church, Join us at 2 p.m. at The Ukrainian Museum, 2020 Foster Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210. Monday-Tuesday, November 17-18 vided. For more information contact HURI, 617-495-4053 or [email protected]. 222 E. Sixth St. Admission (includes refresh- The public is cordially invited. For additional CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Ukrainian ments): $15; $10 for museum members and information call 718-896-7624. Saturday, November 22 seniors; $5 for students. To make reservations Research Institute will host an international con- Saturday, December 20 ference “The Great Famine in Ukraine: The NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific call 212-228-0110 or e-mail info@ukrainian- Holodomor and Its Consequences, 1933 to the Society invites all to a lecture by Dr. Marko museum.org. For additional information, visit BETHESDA, Md.: The Taras Shevchenko Present.” Sessions 1 through 3 will be held on Robert Stech (Canadian Institute of Ukrainian www.ukrainianmuseum.org. School of Ukrainian Studies will host a Sviatyi Mykolai Show and Holiday Bazaar. CHICAGO: The Ukrainian Institute of Students will present a St. Nicholas program Modern Art opens its final exhibit of the year at noon and Sviatyi Mykolai (St. Nicholas) commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the will then meet with each grade/age group. Holodomor at noon-4 p.m. The exhibit, The Heavenly Office will be open at “Holodomor Through the Eyes of a Child: 9:15-11:45 a.m.; please bring only one item The Famine Remembered,” reflects the per child ($2 fee) and have it clearly labeled Soyuzivka’s Datebook Famine as interpreted through the hearts and (child’s full name and grade/age). The bazaar, hands of over 400 young students in Ukraine. scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to noon, will include November 27 – Thanksgiving The artwork was collected from schools in home-baked goods, varenyky and vushka dinner; rooms available in over nine cities and from grades 9-11. At the (frozen), books, gift items, etc. Location: Main House building only opening of the exhibit, students from the local Westland Middle School, 5511 Massachusetts Ukrainian schools will read the poetry and Ave., Bethesda, MD 20816. For further infor- essays collected with the artwork. The exhibit mation visit www.ukieschool.org or contact will run through January 18, 2009. The UIMA Lada Onyshkevych, [email protected] or is located at 2320 W Chicago Ave. in the 410-730-8108. PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the To book a room or event call: (845) 626-5641, ext. 140 Ukrainian community. 216 Foordmore Road P.O. Box 529 Kerhonkson, NY 12446 Information should be sent to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 E-mail: [email protected] Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, 973-644-9510; e-mail, Website: www.Soyuzivka.com [email protected]. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments; simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message.