INSIDE:• Interview: Belarusian opposition leaders on Lukashenka regime — page 3. • Leonid Kravchuk analyzes Ukraine’s new Constitution — page 5. • An overview of Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations — centerfold. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXIV HE No.KRAINIAN 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 EEKLY$1.25/$2 in Ukraine KyivT celebratesU independence Ukraine launchesW monetary reform, with parades and concerts hryvnia to be put into circulation by Marta Kolomayets Hennadiy Udovenko in a flag-raising cere- by Marta Kolomayets DM. Buyers will require 3,000 Russian Kyiv Press Bureau mony on European Plaza, the newly Kyiv Press Bureau rubles to purchase 1 hryvnia. renamed Komsomol Square, located at the Ukrainian National Bank officials said KYIV — President Leonid Kuchma foot of the Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s central KYIV — The Ukrainian government they are considering pegging the hryvnia emphasized Ukraine’s shining future as avenue. announced on August 25, amid holiday to a hard currency or basket of curren- one of Europe’s leading nations and A blue flag, adorned with a circle of celebrations marking the fifth anniver- cies, and will apply for an international recalled its turbulent yet glorious past gold stars — the banner of the Council sary of Ukraine’s independence, that it credit rating in approximately 16 weeks. during a 70-minute celebratory address of Europe, was raised next to the blue- will introduce the long-awaited national In contrast to Russia’s monetary reform on Friday evening, August 23, marking and-yellow standard of Ukraine for the currency, the hryvnia, on September 2. of 1993, holders of the old Ukrainian cur- the fifth anniversary of Ukraine’s decla- first time. Mr. Tarschys warmly greeted Appearing on State Television, National rency will be allowed to exchange as much ration of independence. the small crowd of people gathered for Bank Governor Viktor Yushchenko and of it as they like, but sums over 100 million Ukraine’s emerging role as a stable the ceremony in front of the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Pynzenyk karbovantsi (about $600) will be trans- European player was further underscored Home, which was formerly — ironically informed Ukraine’s citizens that the hryv- ferred to special accounts rather than issued on August 24, when Council of Europe — the Lenin Museum. nia will replace the karbovanets, which in cash. In previous currency reforms in Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys joined “This flag flies all over Europe, and it is became legal tender in 1992 soon after the many former Soviet republics, people were Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister very good to see that it now flies in Kyiv. collapse of the Soviet Union. often given insufficient time to exchange Let it be a symbol of the determination of Both currencies will be in circulation their money, or faced limits on the amount the European people to work together to for a two-week period, from September 2 of bills they could exchange. realize a pluralistic democracy, rule of law to September 16, but this may be extended Ukrainian citizens initially met news of Ottawa diplomats and respect for human rights,” he said. if it proves to be an insufficient time frame the impending introduction of the hryvnia “Ukraine is now an equal partner in to complete the changeover, said Mr. with panic, scrambling to change their kar- Yushchenko. During this period, the kar- the Council of Europe,” he added, bovantsi to dollars, for fear that their bovanets will be exchanged for the new toast Ukraine’s explaining that it became a member in money would depreciate in value. Many currency at the rate of 1 hryvnia for November 1995. lined up at exchanges to buy out dollars, 100,000 karbovantsi. In effect, Ukraine’s This was just one of the many high- which were in short supply over the week- anniversary monetary reform does nothing more than lights of August 23-26, when Ukrainians end. Vendors at various open markets chop five zeroes off the karbovanets. by Christopher Guly not only in Ukraine but throughout the refused to take karbovantsi, also known world recalled the euphoria of August As karbovantsi have been selling at OTTAWA – The day before here as coupons, trading only for dollars. 24, 1991, when the Ukrainian Parliament 176,000 to the U.S. dollar for some time, Ukraine’s Independence Day, Uk- In Odessa, Ukraine’s major port city, declared Ukraine’s independence. the hryvnia will initially be pegged at 1.75- raine’s third ambassador to Canada, An evening assembly — addressed by 1.76 to the U.S. dollar and 1.18-1.20 to the (Continued on page 4) Volodymyr Furkalo, opened the President Kuchma, Secretary-General doors to his Ottawa residence to mark the fifth anniversary of Ukraine’s lib- Tarschys and United Nations Deputy eration from Soviet rule. Secretary-General Giorgio Giacomelli — at While diplomats attended the the recently renovated Ukraina Palace, fol- Ukraine’s Embassy in Washington August 23 evening reception in the lowed by a jubilee concert on August 23, city’s tony Island Park Drive district, kicked off the weekend of festivities that included a military parade, outdoor con- the Canadian government was repre- hostsby fifthR.L. Chomiak anniversaryThere was reception the receiving line headed by sented at Independence Day celebra- certs, arts and crafts shows, athletic events, and trade and commerce exhibitions. Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Ambassador and Mrs. Yuri Shcherbak, and tions in Kyiv by Manitoba Sen. Deputy Chief of Mission and Mrs. Valeriy Gildas Molgat, speaker of the Perhaps the biggest news marking the WASHINGTON – A record 30 days fifth anniversary of independence was the Kuchinsky. There were White House and Canadian Senate. While in Ukraine, of unseasonably cool weather ended in presidential decree signed on Sunday, State Department officials, diplomats from Sen. Molgat met with President Washington on August 23, and the usual August 25, announcing the introduction of other countries’ embassies, military Leonid Kuchma, Oleksander Moroz, heat, humidity and smog of the summer Ukraine’s new national currency, the hryv- attachés in their various uniforms, special speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, returned with a vengeance. That was the nia, which will make its debut on friends of the Ukrainian Embassy from all and Ukrainian Foreign Affairs day the Embassy of Ukraine celebrated September 2. walks of life, a few visitors from Ukraine, a Minister Hennadiy Udovenko. independent Ukraine’s fifth birthday, and Although the announcement was ini- Ukrainian singing group from Philadelphia Back in Ottawa, Foreign Affairs even the muggy atmosphere couldn’t tially met with unease, government offi- — and Ukrainian food, American wine, Minister Lloyd Axworthy congratu- intervene in the feast. (Efficient air con- cials began an extensive public relations French champagne, Scotland’s whisky, lated Ukraine for reaching its fifth ditioning in the historic but modernized campaign to calm citizens, promising England’s gin and Ukraine’s horilka. anniversary milestone. “Canada is building housing the Embassy helped to that they would not lose any money dur- And much conversation, congratula- proud to have supported Ukraine’s make the occasion festive for some 300 ing the transition period from the karbo- tions, and seemingly no one in the rooms transformation since gaining indepen- invited guests dressed to the T.) vanets zone to the hryvnia market. [See who would admit to harboring doubts three dence,” he said. “We are pleased to There are more than 100 embassies in story on page 1.] or four years ago that there would be a fifth celebrate Ukraine’s fifth anniversary Washington, so almost no week goes by A military parade, complete with 19 anniversary of independence. Lest anyone of independence and its success in without a National Day celebration at two implementing its political and eco- battalions and 4,000 Ukrainian servicemen, forget that this was the fifth, Ukrainian representing the army, navy, air force, or three of them. This was the fifth marked diplomats wore buttons on their lapels with nomic reform. Canada looks forward by the Ukrainian Embassy (the fourth one to an even closer relationship with national guard and border patrol, marched “5” prominently displayed. down the Khreshchatyk on Saturday morn- in the building in which George Melanne Verveer, whose grandparents Ukraine in the years ahead.” In Washington himself closed the deal on the October, Mr. Axworthy will travel to ing, August 24, past a reviewing stand that came from Ukraine and who now works included President Kuchma, commander in location of the American capital), and per- at the White House as deputy chief of staff Ukraine to lead a business delegation haps the nicest thing about it was how nor- for the first Canada-Ukraine Inter- chief of Ukraine’s armed forces; Prime to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Minister Pavlo Lazarenko, Parliament mal the event was – just like a Fourth of read a letter from President Clinton to governmental Economic Commission July celebration in an American Embassy and to forge a closer bilateral partner- Chairman Oleksander Moroz, Minister of President Kuchma that began with the Defense Oleksander Kuzmuk, as well as anywhere in the world, and the U.S. has “Dear Leonid” salutation. [For full text ship with Ukraine. been doing it for more than 200 years! Meanwhile, several embassies such distinguished guests as Secretary- see page 2.] General Tarschys and Deputy Secretary- It was relaxed and happy. No longer a “In its five years of independence,” the (Continued on page 11) novelty. A pleasant routine. Ukraine’s (Continued on page 9) diplomats have gotten the hang of it. (Continued on page 11) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1996 No.