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INSIDE: • Ukraine’s most livable cities — page 3. • Work begins on film about William Kurelek — page 11. • LvivArt promotes Ukraine’s artists online — page 13. HE KRAINIAN EEKLY T PublishedU by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW association Vol. LXXVI No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 $1/$2 in Ukraine Parliamentary Assembly Verkhovna Rada in political deadlock, again by Danylo Peleschuk Rendering government opera- of OSCE approves Kyiv Press Bureau tion impossible just days before the Verkhovna Rada’s scheduled sum- KYIV – Another political dead- mer recess, the blockade prevented Holodomor resolution lock emerged last week as national the review of the 2008 budget deputies from the Yulia ASTANA, Kazakhstan – The amendments, as well as the govern- Tymoshenko Bloc (YTB) obstruct- Parliamentary Assembly of the ment’s statement on budget alloca- ed the rostrum in Ukraine’s Organization for Security and tions throughout the past six Parliament on July 7, amid serious Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on July 3 months, a request made by the concerns that the Party of the adopted a resolution on the Famine of PRU. Regions (PRU) faction was plan- 1932-1933 in Ukraine that “strongly Speaking about the sudden polit- ning to topple the current govern- encourages all parliaments to adopt acts ical upheaval, Rada Chairman regarding recognition of the Holodomor.” ment. Arseniy Yatsenyuk said during a The resolution states, in part: “The While YTB lawmakers argued press conference last week that OSCE Parliamentary Assembly pays trib- that their priority was to review and there are, in fact, enough votes in ute to the innocent lives of millions of amend the 2008 budget, the opposi- Parliament to dismiss the current Ukrainians who perished during the tion claimed the blockade was a government, and not enough to Holodomor of 1932 and 1933 as a result move to delay the PRU’s proposed make the requested amendments to of the mass starvation brought about by vote of no confidence in the the budget. the cruel deliberate actions and policies Cabinet of Ministers. Ms. “That is why the [Tymoshenko] of totalitarian Stalinist regime.” Tymoshenko and other leaders say, faction blocked the parliamentary The Holodomor resolution was passed however, that the Party of the rostrum,” Mr. Yatsenyuk said, during a plenary meeting of the assem- Regions faction lacks the majority “demanding first to adopt the budg- bly’s 17th annual session held on June vote to do so. et amendments, realizing at the 29-July 3 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Oleh “They do not have enough votes same time that the incumbent gov- Bilorus, chairman of Ukraine’s delegation to dismiss the government,” said ernment may be dismissed.” to the Parliamentary Assembly, authored Our Ukraine bloc leader Viacheslav Mr. Yatsenyuk invited both fac- UNIAN the resolution. Kyrylenko. “If they did, a new tions to discuss a compromise late The measure was passed over objec- coalition would have been in place, last week, but opened and closed Verkhovna Rada Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk tions from Russia and Kazakhstan, which and we would have heard nomina- parliamentary sessions on July 8 attempts to open a parliamentary session on July 9 insisted that the Ukrainian people were tions for a new prime minister and as members from the Yulia Tymoshenko faction not the only ones affected by the tragedy. even a new speaker.” (Continued on page 16) block the rostrum. The speaker of the Russian Federation Council, Sergey Mironov, called the reso- lution acknowledging the Famine “com- plete nonsense.” Ukraine boosts value Uncertainty looms over Euro 2012 in Ukraine Russian delegate Natalia Karpovich said, “We should acknowledge that the by Danylo Peleschuk hatch a back-up plan. Holodomor was not only in Ukraine; of hryvnia to U.S. dollar Kyiv Press Bureau The president of the Union of European Russians, Poles, Kazakhs and other peo- Football Associations (UEFA), Michel ples suffered in the tragedy.” by Zenon Zawada KYIV – After the chair of Europe’s pre- Platini, urged Ukraine on July 3 to snap Kasymzhomart Tokaev, speaker of the Special to The Ukrainian Weekly mier soccer federation visited Kyiv last into shape and make several “small guar- Kazakhstani Senate, agreed with Ms. week, doubts were revealed about antees” to expedite construction on its sta- KYIV – For the first time in more than Karpovich. France also did not support Ukraine’s ability to adequately prepare for diums, which for months has been lagging three years, Ukraine’s top banking officials the resolution. the Euro 2012 soccer championships, behind schedule. The resolution was passed by a majori- agreed on July 4 to boost the value of the sparking concerns that it may lose its bid ty of votes and was met with indignation national currency, this time by 4 percent to to host the games and forcing organizers to (Continued on page 16) in Moscow, reported Kommersant. 4.85 hrv per $1. “History will avenge,” Mr. Mironov stat- The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) ed. first voted to boost the hryvnia’s value on Members of the U.S. Helsinki May 21, but its supervisory council, led by Commission, who were part of the U.S. billionaire businessman Petro Poroshenko, delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary vetoed the move, arguing the decision Assembly, co-sponsored the Holodomor needed further review and that Ukrainian resolution. exporters would suffer. The resolution also “supports the ini- The July 4 agreement to appreciate the tiative of Ukraine to reveal the full truth hryvnia, allowing it to float 4 percent in of this tragedy of Ukrainian people, in either direction, is aimed at stemming particular, through raising public aware- Ukraine’s inflation, which has been the ness of the Holodomor at international highest in Europe last year and this year. and national levels” and “invites the par- “If today’s situation remains in place, liamentarians of the OSCE participating our actions prevented the growth of infla- states to participate in the events com- tion by 3 percent,” NBU Board Chairman memorating the 75th anniversary of the Volodymyr Stelmakh told the Ukrainian Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.” Parliament in May after the first attempt to Speaking at a news conference, Mr. boost the hryvnia-U.S. dollar exchange rate. Bilorus said the Ukrainian delegation, Although Ukraine’s banking officials are when formulating the draft resolution, trying to stifle inflation using monetary pol- “adopted a reasonable considered posi- icy, economic experts criticized the tinker- Official Website of Ukraine’s President tion and characterized the Holodomor as ing with the hryvnia-dollar exchange rate, Michel Platini (right), president of the Union of European Football Associations, (Continued on page 16) (Continued on page 4) meets in Kyiv with President Viktor Yushchenko. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS

GUAM summit notes adverse trends Yanukovych awarded Russian order Valentyn Nalyvaichenko told the Segodnia newspaper on July 3 that the criminal is a on energy and frozen conflicts KYIV – Viktor Yanukovych, leader of resident of Luhansk, Ukraine, who was the Party of the Regions of Ukraine, has temporarily staying in Miami. “The crimi- been awarded the Russian Order of nal was arrested and interrogated thanks to by Vladimir Socor that country, on whose authority and on Alexander Nevsky, first degree, for his close cooperation between the SBU and the Eurasia Daily Monitor what mandate. Russia’s so-called peace- prominent achievements and significant FBI, and respective legal proceedings are keeping operation is preventing the contribution to strengthening economic and Leaders of the GUAM group of coun- being instituted against him,” Mr. return of hundreds of thousands of cultural cooperation between Ukraine and tries – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Nalyvaichenko said. The question of repa- expellees, while forcing the remaining Russia, the party’s press service reported on Moldova – and of GUAM Partner coun- triation of the Ukrainian citizen is currently population to link their future with the July 9. The Russian National Committee of tries (Lithuania, Poland, Romania and presence of Russian troops” (Baltic News Public Awards made the decision to honor being considered. (Ukrinform) Czech Republic) held the annual GUAM Service, July 2). Azerbaijan’s President Mr. Yanukovych. (Ukrinform) summit on July 1 in Batumi, Georgia. Ilham Aliyev also expressed strong sup- Pirates release ship’s crew Under the motto, “GUAM: Integrating port for Georgia in that context (Trend, 1,020th of Christianization of Rus’ KYIV – All the crewmembers, including Europe’s East,” a signal that the July 2). KYIV – On the initiative of President citizens of Ukraine, of the German vessel European Union could not miss, this The summit registered “deep concern Lehmann Timber, which was seized by year’s summit registered adverse trends about the threats caused by the protracted Viktor Yushchenko, in July and August Ukraine will host festive events dedicated to Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on May on the issues of uppermost concern to conflicts and armed separatism” 28, were released late on July 8, the press GUAM countries: secessionist conflicts (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Karabakh and the 1,020th anniversary of the conversion of Kyivan Rus’ to Christianity. Presidential service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and Caspian energy transit. Transdnistria). It called for resolving Secretariat Vice-Chairman Yurii Bohutskyi said on July 9, citing information received In the backdrop to the GUAM summit, those conflicts on the basis of “territorial announced plans for major events during a by Ukraine’s Consulate General in Russia accelerated the seizure of integrity and inviolability of the interna- briefing on July 4. “The Ukrainian president Hamburg, Germany. According to the press Abkhazia from Georgia by force – the tionally recognized borders of the states, service, the vessel is currently heading to a reintegration of the uncontrolled territo- hopes that these events will favor the unifi- first instance of seemingly successful safe port, where sailors will be given the ries into the states that they are a part of, cation of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, including Russian territorial revisionism in the necessary aid. Relatives of the sailors have return of forcibly displaced persons, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the post-Soviet era and potentially repeatable already been informed about their release. development of civil society, restoration Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv elsewhere. In his speech at the summit, The release of the Ukrainians became possi- of destroyed infrastructure on these terri- Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Autocephalous Orthodox Church,” Mr. ble thanks to a number of measures taken noted the parallels with the situation in tories,” and mobilization of international support toward that end (summit commu- Bohutskyi said. He added that there is a his- by the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry Europe during the late 1930s. toric opportunity for such a unification, and international governmental and non- European Union leaders, however, had niqués, July 1). Stagnation of Western-led pipeline and which lies in the recognition that the state governmental organizations, several coun- failed to raise this issue at the EU-Russia should have a single local Orthodox tries and the special anti-crisis headquarters summit on June 26-27, despite multiple overland transport projects through the region is the other issue of concern to Church. It has been confirmed that a delega- working for the release of hostages. Somali appeals by Georgia and countries friend- tion headed by Ecumenical Patriarch pirates seized the ship, with 15 people ly to the EU. GUAM countries. The group is appealing to the EU to revitalize these projects, par- Bartholomew will arrive in Kyiv in order to aboard. The captain of the vessel is a In the wake of that EU failure, ticularly the long-planned trans-Caspian participate in the celebrations. “This is a Russian citizen; four crewmembers are Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus transport links, “without which GUAM’s momentous event which demonstrates that Ukrainians, one is Estonian and nine are told the GUAM summit, “Georgia and transit potential could not fully develop, the ecumenical patriarch highlights initia- from Myanmar. The pirates demanded a the whole of Europe need clear answers tives of the Ukrainian president related to ransom for the release of the hostages. about what an alien army does in this or (Continued on page 18) the celebration of the 1,020th anniversary of (Ukrinform) baptism of the Kyivan Rus’,” said Mr. Bohutskyi. He reported that President Kyiv hosts talks on free trade zone Yushchenko had sent invitations to the KYIV – The third round of talks on cre- anniversary events to the heads of all the ating a free trade zone between Ukraine and Poland, Sweden breathe new life Orthodox Churches of the world. the European Union started in Kyiv on July (Ukrinform) 7, the Economics Ministry press-service into Eastern neighborhood President threatened via e-mail reported. During the course of five days, the parties are to discuss trade in goods and by Ahto Lobjakas cal” enhancement of the ENP. KYIV – The Security Service of Ukraine services, protective trade activities, intellec- RFE/RL “We in Poland make a distinction (SBU) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of tual property protection, customs coopera- between the southern dimension and the Investigation (FBI) have found a 20-year- tion and trade facilitation, rules of origin BRUSSELS – Poland and Sweden eastern dimension [of the ENP] and it old citizen who was sending threatening e- and other issues. (Ukrinform) have floated a plan for the European consists in this – to the south, we have mail messages to Ukrainian President Union to set up a new “Eastern neighbors of Europe, to the east we have Viktor Yushchenko. Acting SBU Chief (Continued on page 14) Partnership” for Ukraine, Belarus, European neighbors,” Mr. Sikorski said. Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and He said that this constitutes “a big dif- Azerbaijan. ference. These are countries – Belarus, The initiative, unveiled at an EU for- Ukraine, Moldova – whose entire territo- FOUNDED 1933 eign ministers meeting in Brussels, seeks ries lie in Europe, and by the provisions THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY to reinforce the bloc’s ties with its eastern of the [EU’s founding] Treaty of Rome An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., neighbors – with a view to putting at least they all have the right one day to apply, to a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. some of them on the path to Europen fulfill the criteria [for EU membership] Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. Union membership. and, perhaps, to become members.” Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. It also reflects growing concerns Meanwhile, the EU’s southern mem- (ISSN — 0273-9348) among the EU’s newer member-states ber-states have secured two-thirds of the that the bloc is neglecting its eastern 12 billion euros ($18.9 billion U.S.) avail- The Weekly: UNA: neighbors. able to the ENP between 2007 and 2013 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Speaking ahead of the EU foreign min- for North African countries – although isters meeting at the European Policy they have already been deemed ineligible Postmaster, send address changes to: Center on May 26, Polish Foreign Affairs for EU membership. France is spearhead- The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said closer ing efforts to set up a “Mediterranean 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas ties with countries like Ukraine and Union” to coordinate EU cooperation P.O. Box 280 Parsippany, NJ 07054 Moldova are hampered by what he called with the southern neighbors. Mr. Sikorski said the Eastern “enlargement fatigue” within the EU. The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] The EU’s current European Partnership would be one of the main pri- Neighborhood Policy (ENP) makes no orities of the EU’s Polish presidency in The Ukrainian Weekly, July 13, 2008 No. 28, Vol. LXXVI distinction between the bloc’s eastern and 2011. But the initiative is likely to kick Copyright © 2008 The Ukrainian Weekly southern neighbors. (ENP participants off even sooner. include Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra told journalists as he Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, arrived at the Brussels meeting that the ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Czech EU presidency in 2009 will also Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, work to “balance” the EU’s eastern and Tunisia and Ukraine.) Crucially, the ENP Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 southern dimensions. e-mail: [email protected] is designed to remain noncommittal about “We support this Polish-Swedish initia- Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 countries’ future membership prospects. tive very much,” Mr. Vondra said. “It e-mail: [email protected] This is a circumstance Poland wants to goes in the same direction that we want. Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 change. Mr. Sikorski said Warsaw and e-mail: [email protected] Stockholm are looking for an “ideologi- (Continued on page 18) No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 3 NEWS ANALYSIS: Moscow ready for major confrontations with Georgia and Ukraine by Pavel Felgenhauer visa regime.” Mr. Ivanov added, “More structure on its own Black Sea coast to that is impossible, a separation of Crimea Eurasia Daily Monitor than 30 million Russians live outside house the Black Sea Fleet, and building the and eastern and southern Ukraine (with Russia, and we are morally responsible for needed facilities will require lots of time Mykolaiv), where millions of Russian In the past Russia strongly protested the them” (RIA-Novosti, June 14). and money. What is worse, Russia does not speakers may either want to join Russia or expansion of NATO to include Central Russian officials connect Ukraine’s possi- have adequate military shipbuilding or ship- form an allied protectorate. European states that were Soviet clients and ble future NATO membership with the fate maintenance facilities on the Black Sea to The situation is different in Georgia, former Warsaw Pact members during the of the Black Sea Fleet. Mr. Ivanov keep a large fleet. where a vast majority voted to join NATO in Cold War, as well as the Baltic republics announced, “It is hard to imagine the The flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the a referendum on January 5. There is no hope that were part of the Soviet Union. In the Russian Black Sea Fleet without its main cruiser Moskva, has been repaired and in Moscow that any anti-NATO pro-Russian end, however, Russia backed down and base; the fate of Sevastopol matters for all modernized in Mykolaiv in Ukraine at a forces may come to power in Tbilisi, and accepted the inevitable shrinking of its those who lived in the Soviet Union, it is our naval shipyard where in Soviet times all the military action in support of separatists in effective sphere of influence. Now the city.” Ukraine’s call for the withdrawal of aircraft carriers were built. Russia has man- Abkhazia and South Ossetia is being seri- rulers in Moscow seem to be ready for a the fleet from Crimea is perilous, because “it aged to build several relatively small naval ously contemplated (see Eurasia Daily major confrontation that includes the threat is dangerous to play not only with fire but ships since 1991 (frigates and coastal patrol Monitor, June 12). The Russian Foreign of military force against the pro-Western also with history” (ITAR-TASS, June 14). boats) in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, Affairs Ministry has officially announced governments in Georgia and Ukraine, Mr. Ivanov’s rhetoric matches other but not enough to replace its rapidly aging that Moscow refuses to discuss with Tbilisi which aspire to join the alliance. recent official statements. Russia’s perma- navy. Without access to the Mykolaiv yard, the legality of the deployment of additional After a recent meeting between nent representative to NATO, Dmitry there may not be much fleet left to with- troops and armaments in Abkhazia, because Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and draw from Sevastopol (Nezavisimoye the troops “prevented a Georgian blitzkrieg” Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia in St. Rogozin, said in a TV interview: “The Black Sea Fleet simply does not have any Voyennoye Obozreniye, June 12). (www.mid.ru, June 17). Petersburg, Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei At present Moscow is using threats that When substantial talks are essentially Lavrov told journalists, “We told the other home; no Russian politician will agree for the fleet to leave Sevastopol, and this Ukrainians will suffer if their country joins stopped while additional troops are Georgians that their desire to join NATO NATO or if the Russian fleet is ousted from deployed, it’s more than just a threat of the will not help solve the problems of will not happen” (Vesti TV June 12). A rejection both of Ukraine’s NATO accession Sevastopol. At the same time, Russia has use of force. Abkhazia and South Ossetia; it will lead to The article above is reprinted from and the possible future withdrawal of the been supporting pro-Russian separatist feel- renewed bloodshed” (RIA-Novosti, June 6). ings in Crimea and making territorial claims Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission Russian fleet from Crimea after 2017, when Later Mr. Lavrov added in a radio inter- on Sevastopol. Moscow needs a pro- from its publisher, the Jamestown the present lease of the Sevastopol base view, “We will do anything not to allow Moscow allied government in Kyiv or, if Foundation, www.jamestown.org. Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO” (Ekho expires, are today part of Russia’s official Moskvy, April 8). foreign policy. Speaking in June in Sevastopol in Western assurances that Sevastopol will Crimea, the main base of Russia’s Black not be used as a NATO naval base after the Sea Fleet, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Russians withdraw are not taken seriously. Ukrainian, Austrian presidents meet Sergei Ivanov warned Ukraine that joining But there is a lot of time until 2017 and the NATO would have serious consequences: Ukrainian NATO accession may not be “A complete disruption of military-industri- swift, since today the majority of al ties between Russia and Ukraine is Ukrainians are against NATO membership inevitable, as well as the reduction of other and the government in Kyiv has promised a trade and economic ties and an introduction national referendum to decide on member- of a visa regime.” Mr. Ivanov implied that ship (RIA-Novosti, June 16). NATO would “force Ukraine to introduce a Russia does not at present have the infra-

RFE/RL Romanian-language service to close PRAGUE – After nearly 60 years of Afghanistan and the Central Asian providing uncensored news and informa- republics. tion to the people of Romania, Radio “As the threat of communism recedes Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Romanian- in Europe, RFE/RL’s mission is chang- language service will cease broadcasting ing,” said BBG Governor Jeffrey to Romania on August 1. Hirschberg. “The latest threat to democ- However, Romanian-language broad- racy and free expression is authoritarian- casts to Moldova and the Transdniester ism. That’s why RFE/RL is directing its region will continue. resources so heavily to places where “During the course of nearly six repressive rulers deny their people access decades, hundreds of RFE/RL journalists, to free and independent media.” researchers and analysts displayed Since Romania’s accession last year to extraordinary bravery, dedication and the European Union, media competition Official Website of Ukraine’s President commitment to a free and independent has increased dramatically and VIENNA – Presidents Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine and Heinz Fischer of Austria press in Romania, often at great risk to Romanians now have access to more (seen above) met in Vienna on July 8. At a joint news conference following their themselves and their families” said than 70 daily newspapers, 300 private meeting, the two presidents said they focused on Ukraine’s European integration. RFE/RL President Jeffrey Gedmin. FM radio stations, cable TV and the Mr. Yushchenko stressed that Austria’s support of key points in concluding a new “Their contributions to the collapse of Internet. enhanced agreement between Ukraine and the European Union is of great impor- communism and in helping to pave the In 2005 Romanian filmmaker tance for Ukraine. Mr. Fischer said that his country backs Ukraine’s Euro-integra- way for a democratic Romania’s entry Alexandru Solomon released his docu- tion in every way possible. “Ukraine-EU relations should become closer from year into institutions such as NATO and the mentary, “Cold Waves,” a fascinating to year. And, as regards Austria, we’ll make all efforts for that,” Mr. Fischer stated. EU, will never be forgotten.” behind-the-scenes look at the RFE/RL (Ukrinform) The Romanian Service began experi- Romanian service’s struggle against mental broadcasting on July 14, 1950, Communist Dictator Nicolai Ceausescu and was fully operational by May 1, during the Cold War. 1951. For years, its broadcasts were a Mr. Solomon wrote in the film’s syn- Magazine lists Ukraine’s most livable cities thorn in the side of Romania’s opsis: “I grew up with it. Every evening, Ukrinform example, Dnipropetrovsk was in 44th Communist rulers who, according to a in an underground atmosphere, my father place, Donetsk, 46th, Kharkiv, 50th, KYIV – Ukrainians are moving 2006 Romanian government report, may listened to Radio Free Europe as anyone and Zaporizhzhia, 55th (last place). more often in search of a better life. have been responsible for the deaths of else did. It meant more than information. Kyiv remains the most attractive three RFE/RL Romania service directors. While Ceausescu’s propaganda had less Regional residents move to the capital to get high wages, while Kyiv resi- city for both investors and tourists. It In a 2006 address to Parliament, and less to do with reality, Free Europe’s has the lowest level of unemployment Romanian President Traian Basescu paid Romanian section provided – apart from dents rent their apartments and move to outlying areas to live a quiet life. and the highest wages. The major part homage to the RFE/RL journalists who, news – some hope.” of budgetary funds is spent for every he said, “fought with altruism and pas- What are the best places to live in *** Kyiv resident. The capital has the high- sion for the knowledge and utterance of Ukraine? For two years running, Focus magazine has analyzed living condi- est migration increase. the truth... Their unforgettable [Radio] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty tions in 55 of Ukraine’s biggest cities Kerch leads in infrastructure devel- Free Europe broadcasts were the moral (RFE/RL) is an independent, internation- utilizing 10 parameters. Chernivtsi is opment. Chernihiv was named the conscience of Romanians.” al news and broadcast organization recognized as the top city, Kyiv ranked most ecologically clean city. Kolomyia The Broadcasting Board of Governors whose programs – radio, Internet and tel- second, the resort city of Yalta ranked has the lowest crime rate. Symferopol (BBG), an independent U.S. government evision – reach influential audiences in third. provides the cheapest housing and agency that oversees all U.S. internation- 21 countries such as Russia, Iran, Iraq, The top 10 cities are mainly western communal services. Sudak has the al broadcasting, is closing the Romanian Afghanistan and the republics of Central municipalities; large industrial centers greatest concentration of historical and service as RFE/RL focuses its broadcast- Asia. RFE/RL is funded by the U.S. appeared at the bottom of the list, for cultural sites. ing efforts in places such as Iran, Iraq, Congress. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28 Rep. Levin introduces resolution on Holodomor’s 75th anniversary WASHINGTON – Rep. Sander M. Levin (D-Mich.) and communist occupation; Whereas in May 1934, former Congressman on June 26 introduced a resolution “remembering the Whereas the Soviet government deliberately confis- Hamilton Fish introduced a resolution in the House of 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of cated grain harvests and starved millions of Ukrainian Representatives (House Resolution 399 of the 73d 1932-1933 and extending the deepest sympathies of the men, women and children by a policy of forced collec- Congress) which called for the condemnation of the House of Representatives to the victims, survivors and tivization that sought to destroy the nationally conscious Soviet government for its acts of destruction against the families of this tragedy.” movement for independence; Ukrainian people; The measure has 21 co-sponsors: Robert E. Andrews Whereas Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin ordered the Whereas the United States Commission on the (D-N.J.), Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.), Howard L. borders of Ukraine sealed to prevent anyone from Ukraine Famine, formed on December 13, 1985, con- Berman (D-Calif.), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Jim Costa escaping the man-made starvation and preventing any ducted a study with the goal of expanding the world’s (D-Calif.), Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Lincoln Diaz- international food aid that would provide relief to the knowledge and understanding of the Ukrainian Famine- Balart (R-Fla.), Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.), Jim Gerlach starving; Genocide of 1932-1933 (Holodomor), and concluded (R-Pa.), Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), Maurice D. Whereas Canadian wheat expert Andrew Cairns visit- that the victims were “starved to death in a man-made Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), James R. ed Ukraine in 1932 and was told that there was no grain famine” and that “Joseph Stalin and those around him Langevin (D-R.I.), Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-Mich.), “because the government had collected so much grain committed genocide against Ukrainians in 1932-1933”; Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Michael R. McNulty (D- and exported it to England and Italy,” while simultane- Whereas on May 15, 2003, in a special session, the N.Y.), Candice S. Miller (R-Mich.), Steven R. Rothman ously denying food aid to the people of Ukraine; Ukrainian Parliament acknowledged that the Ukrainian Whereas nearly a quarter of the rural population of (D-N.J.), Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-Pa.), Timothy J. Walz Famine-Genocide was engineered by Joseph Stalin and Ukraine was eliminated due to forced starvation, while (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party-Minn.) and Henry A. the Soviet government deliberately against the the entire nation suffered from the consequences of the Waxman (D- Calif.). Ukrainian nation; prolonged lack of food; House Resolution 1314 has been referred to the Whereas with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Whereas the Soviet government manipulated and archival documents confirmed the deliberate and pre- House Committee of Foreign Affairs. censored foreign journalists, including New York Times The full text of the resolution follows. meditated deadly nature of the famine, and the Soviet correspondent Walter Duranty, who knowingly denied government was exposed for its atrocities against the * * * not only the scope and magnitude, but also the exis- Ukrainian people; and tence, of a deadly man-made famine in his reports from Remembering the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Whereas on October 13, 2006, the president of the Ukraine; United States signed into law Public Law 109-340, Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 and extending the deep- Whereas noted correspondents of the time were casti- est sympathies of the House of Representatives to the authorizing the construction of a memorial in the gated by the Soviet Union for their accuracy and District of Columbia to honor the victims of the victims, survivors, and families of this tragedy, and for courage in depicting and reporting the Famine-Genocide Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, in recognition of the other purposes. in Ukraine, including Gareth Jones, William Henry upcoming 75th anniversary of the genocide in 2008: Whereas in 1932 and 1933, nearly 10 million Chamberlin and Malcolm Muggeridge, who wrote, Ukrainian people perished at the will of the totalitarian “[The farmers] will tell you that many have already died (Continued on page 16) Stalinist government of the former Soviet Union, which of famine and that many are dying every day; that thou- perpetrated a premeditated famine in Ukraine in an sands have been shot by the government and hundreds effort to break the nation’s resistance to collectivization of thousands exiled”; Ukraine boosts... (Continued from page 1) The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: June arguing it would have minimal success because Ukraine’s inflation is largely due to poor budgetary policy and gov- Amount Name City Lapic ernment instability. $200.00 Maria Briggs West Hartford, Conn. $10.00 Jaroslaw Bilyj Grand Island, N.Y. “In Ukraine, inflation does not have a monetary factor,” $150.00 Zenon Masnyj New York, N.Y. Walter and Mary Eastpointe, Mich. said Vasyl Yurchyshyn, director of economic programs at $100.00 Roman Lysniak Hempstead, N.Y. Dobush the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center for Economic and Don Zalucky Wilton, Conn. Ann Goot New York, N.Y. Political Studies, which is financed by Western grants. $55.00 John Husiak New York, N.Y. Christine Hotra Troy, Mich. “Inflation is related to fiscal factors, with high social Ed Kaminskyj Flushing, N.Y. Makar Kopanycia Trenton, N.J. payments that were not always rational, and unclear agri- Irene Kushnir Philadelphia, Pa. Bohdan and Lydia Clifton, N.J. cultural policies which created deficits on certain markets. George Lewycky Milltown, N.J. Kramarchuk Currency markets have very little influence in controlling Askold Melnyczuk Medford, Mass. William Maruszczak Wayne, Pa. inflation,” he noted. Wolodymyr Wolowodiuk Chatham Township, N.J. Bohdan Pestrak Whitestone, N.Y. Standard & Poor’s analysts offered a similar assessment, Zenon Zubrycky Los Gatos, Calif. Natalie Skorupa Cardington, Ohio blaming the inflation on government wages that Prime $50.00 Chrystyna and Mykola Livingston, N.J. Mykola and Irena Silver Spring, Md. Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s government increased nearly Baranetsky Stawnychy 50 percent in the first quarter. Irene Sarachmon Woonsocket, R.I. Irene Szymanskyj Schiller Park, Ill. Despite such criticisms, inflation indeed slowed follow- (in memory of Francis Roman Tresniowsky Ann Arbor, Mich. ing the announcement of the new exchange rate in late Shatynski) $7.00 Pauline Sokolski Wilmington, Del. May. Inflation was only 0.8 percent in June and 15.5 per- Tunia and Ted Shatynski Pennington, N.J. $5.00 Areta Akerstrom Cary, Ill. cent year-to-date, slowing from a pace that had reached an Inia Yevich-Tunstall Annandale, Va. Andrej Bachynsky Montreal, Quebec alarming 13.1 percent year-to-date pace in April. Oksana Zakydalsky Toronto, Ont. Robert Beck Lubbock, Tex. Critics of Ms. Tymoshenko continue to blame her for $45.00 George Jaskiw South Euclid, Ohio Wasil and Eleanor Parma, Ohio accelerating Ukraine’s inflation when her first move after Roman Klodnycky East Peoria, Ill. Chmilak becoming prime minister in late December 2007 was to Roman Okpysh Dana Point, Calif. Don Stefan Fontana Pittsburgh, Pa. return billions in payments to Ukrainians who lost their W. Rybak Dixon, Ill. Katherine Gagnon Goffstown, N.H. bank savings during the Soviet Union’s collapse. $30.00 Mark Dushnycky Brooklyn, N.Y. Christine Kaczmar Media, Pa. Meanwhile, Ms. Tymoshenko blames the government of Ihor Makarenko Yonkers, N.Y. Harry Kasha Clark, N.J. her predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, for creating the infla- $25.00 Silvia Bilobron Clifton, N.J. O. Kowerko Chicago, Ill. tion she inherited. Michael Komichak McKees Rocks, Pa. Michael Krywulych Amsterdam, N.Y. When Mr. Yanukovych was prime minister in 2007, Marta Kowal Florham Park, N.J. Myroslaw Kulynych Jackson Heights, N.Y. Ukraine’s inflation reached 16.6 percent – the highest in Paul Melinyshyn Elk Grove Village, Ill. Taras Laszyn Trenton, N.J. seven years. Roman Procyk Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Andrew Lewczyk Washington, D.C. Ukraine’s biggest businessmen, often referred to as oli- T.F. and L.W. Stock Arlington, Va. Mary Pelechaty Toledo, Ohio garchs, oppose a stronger hryvnia because their exports Oksana Sydorak Hillsborough, Calif. L. Petlura Stoney Creek, Ont. become more expensive and difficult to sell. $20.00 Ted Kowalchyn Scotch Plains, N.J. Larissa Sawka Des Plaines, Ill. For example, Mr. Poroshenko exports Roshen choco- Roman and Stacy Farmington, Conn. Michael Scyocurka Laguna Woods, Calif. lates and candies to Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Leskiw Gertrude Tkachyk Tucson, Ariz. states and North America. Victor Pinchuk sells steel pipes Stephen Lukasewycz Duluth, Minn. Bohdan Turczeniuk Elkins Park, Pa. to Europe through Interpipe Corp., and Rinat Akhmetov’s W. and S. Terleckyj Philadelphia, Pa. Zenon Wozny Chicago, Ill. Metinvest exports millions of tons of iron ore annually. Florence Welsh Oklahoma City, Ok. Sophia Zaczko North Haven, Conn. The last time the NBU appreciated the hryvnia was on Edward Zetick Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Lubomyr Zobniw Binghampton, N.Y. April 22, 2005, from 5.25 to 5.05 hryvnia per U.S. dollar; $15.00 Bohdan Czmola Verona, Pa. Zoriana Zobniw Silver Spring, Md. the move was regarded as a gain for average Ukrainians Ihor and Luba Dekajlo Flushing, N.Y. whose purchasing power was increased. Nicholas Gevas Granger, Ind. TOTAL: $2,097.00 Mr. Yurchyshyn of the Razumkov Center said he expects I. Horodyskyj Culpeper, Va. the hryvnia’s appreciation to be temporary and predicted it Alexandra Kochman Chicago, Ill. Sincere thanks to all contributors to would depreciate back to 5.05 hrv per dollar by the year’s Liliana and Bohdan The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. end. Kotys Several economic factors will cause the hryvnia to Kendall Park, N.J. The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only fund depreciate, including Ukraine’s increasing trade deficit, ris- Genevieve Kufta Bayonne, N.J. dedicated exclusively to supporting the work of this ing energy prices and the expected strengthening of the U.S. dollar in the fall, he explained. John Kytasty Livonia, Mich. publication. John R. and Natalie Elverson, Pa. “I recommend not selling the U.S. dollar, because it’s appreciating,” Mr. Yurchyshyn said. No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 5

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM Delaware woman donates $150,000 to church in Dobromyl region by Matthew Dubas PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Catherine Husak, 86, of Wilmington, Del., visited Ukraine many times, stop- ping at her village of Kniazhepil in the Dobromyl region of Ukraine, but she was troubled by the state of disrepair of the village church. In 2006, with the counsel of her family and friends, she decided to support the building of a new church in her village. It was a daunting task for the woman, but Mrs. Husak diligently sent more than $150,000 to ensure the speedy construction of the church. Prior to the completion of the church, Mrs. Husak also commis- sioned an icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God. credit On August 28, 2007, the new Catherine Husak with the certificate of recognition she received for donating church was blessed by Bishop more than $150,000 toward building a church in her native village in Ukraine. Dionisii Liakhovych assisted by area clergy. In attendance were many Association. Advisor Gene Serba, who first alerted faithful, including some from surround- It was the branch secretary, Peter The Weekly to the remarkable gen- ing villages. Following the inaugural Serba (who has served in that post erosity of a true fraternalist, Mrs. The village church in Kniazhepil, Dobromyl liturgy, a banquet was held at which Mrs. since 1954), and his son, UNA Husak, to the village of Kniazhepil. region of Ukraine. Husak received a certificate recognizing her support of the church. Accepting the certificate, Mrs. Husak said she had never experienced such joy and satisfaction in her entire life. She explained that it seemed the entire vil- lage was born again with the blessing of the new church. Born to a religious family of five sis- ters and one brother, Mrs. Husak fondly recalled attending services as a child in the village church – in particular, servic- es she attended in April for the Mayivka feast in honor of the Blessed Mother. During the second world war, the fam- ily was caught between the advancing Nazi and Red armies, but, Mrs. Husak recalled, their faith gave them hope that things would get better. Mrs. Husak was taken to work as a slave laborer in a fac- tory in Germany. In 1946 she married her friend, Yevstakhiy Husak, and soon her prayers were answered when the American forces liberated Nazi Germany. In 1949 the couple left for America to the unknown city of Wilmington, where they settled down. Mr. Husak passed away in 2005. Since the couple had no children, Mrs. Husak wanted to share what she had via good works. She said the donation to her vil- lage church was her way of giving back to the homeland she left so many years ago. Mrs. Husak is a member of Branch 173 of the Ukrainian National

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THE UNA: 114 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

NEWS AND VIEWS THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Check us out online Ukraine and Russia: the empire strikes again Earlier this year, in late February, The Ukrainian Weekly unveiled its new website by Taras Hunczak latest encroachment on our interests and at www.ukrweekly.com. Whereas, previously, visitors to our website saw text only, our dignity has noticeably unified the now they can view stories laid out on pages just as they appeared in the printed ver- CONCLUSION people of Ukraine. “Tuzla is clearly serv- sion of the newspaper, with photos, charts, etc. These pages can be viewed in either of ing to consolidate the Ukrainian political Despite the Russians’ diplomatic fail- nation. But such methods of consolida- two formats, pdf or DjVU (readers select which they prefer by clicking on a link at the ure of 1993, the idea of “imperial top right of the homepage; DjVU is recommended for faster viewing). To view the list tion, despite their effectiveness, are not grandeur” did not die out in Russia. This our choice. We would like to consolidate of stories contained in a particular issue, simply click on the date and then scroll is eloquently attested by the declaration down; to view the entire issue, double-click on the date and then proceed from one and we will be consolidating on a differ- of Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister ent, calmer and more creative foundation page to the next by clicking on the arrows next to the page number. Andrei Kozyrev, issued a few years later, – on the basis of the peaceful develop- Now available in this new format are all issues for the years 2006 and 2007, as well in which he proposed that a “Russian ment of our statehood, on the basis of as the issues for the current year. Previous years’ issues, beginning with 1996, are also Monroe Doctrine” be formulated and dis- mutual concern for economic growth,” available on our website, under the rubric of “Archive,” for the time being as text only. seminated in the “near abroad,” i.e., in all emphasized the Ukrainian president.4 In addition, the “Special Issues” portion of the website includes annual “year in the territories of the former Soviet Shortly afterwards Russia halted the review” editions, plus issues devoted to special topics such as the Famine-Genocide of Union. Mr. Kozyrev’s proposal made a dam construction, and by the end of the 1932-1933 and the Chornobyl disaster, as well as issues of great historic importance, strong impact on the political views of year a temporary truce was struck such as the declaration of Ukraine’s sovereignty, the proclamation of Ukraine’s inde- Russia’s citizens. This is borne out in between Ukraine and Russia. But even pendence and, later, its affirmation via nationwide referendum. particular by a sociological survey con- this time the respite was short-lived. Explore a little further and you will find a “Special Features” section that includes ducted in Moscow in 1999, in which 85 The brief lull was interrupted by the information on the first man-made famine in Ukraine (1921-1923), the Holodomor, percent of Russians supported the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest. Since the defamation of Ukrainians and the campaign to revoke Walter Duranty’s Pulitzer restoration of the “great empire,” with Ukraine is a candidate country for the Prize. Click on “The Ukrainian Weekly Index,” and you will find the tables of con- only 7 percent disagreeing.1 military alliance’s Membership Action tents for all issues from the years 1933-1946 and 1977-2006. (We’re working on fill- The next challenge in Ukrainian- Plan (MAP), a wave of imperialist hyste- ing in the gaps.) Russian relations emerged on September ria, threats and condemnation erupted in A very attractive – and most interesting – new feature is the pdf version of our two- 29, 2003, when Russia failed to inform Russia in connection with this. volume publication “The Ukrainian Weekly 2002,” which contains “the most signifi- Ukraine that it had started building a dam On April 7 the Russian newspaper cant news stories and commentaries published in The Ukrainian Weekly” (Volume I: from the Taman Peninsula in the direc- Kommersant reported that, during a 1933-1969; Volume II: 1970-1999). tion of the Ukrainian island of Tuzla. closed session of the Russia-NATO Of course, the website also contains information about subscriptions and advertis- This act, which put Ukraine’s use of the Council, President Vladimir Putin threat- ing, and a section called “About Us” that tell readers about our newspaper and its Kerch Strait at risk, infringed on ened that if Ukraine joins NATO, that staff. In the planning stages is a section called “Community Events,” that will allow us Ukrainian rights in the Sea of Azov and step could mean the end of its existence to list the major happenings in our community well in advance – this, in an effort to cast doubt on Ukraine’s sovereignty over as an independent state. In particular, help our organizations and community members with their scheduling and planning. Tuzla, sparked a swift and strong reac- Russia could annex Crimea and the east- All this, Dear Readers, is currently available for you to peruse at will (an added tion from Kyiv. ern part of Ukraine. In order to prevent plus is that the site is searchable) and, for a limited time only, at no cost. Already by October 10, 2003, NATO from reaching Russia’s borders, We are working hard to make every single issue of The Ukrainian Weekly pub- Ukrainian military boats, planes and Mr. Putin “promised to apply adequate lished since its founding in 1933 available online for the benefit of our readers and our heavy weapons appeared in the vicinity measures.” community, not to mention researchers and the general public. This achievement is of the island. A decisive stand in defense Speaking to U.S. President George W. possible thanks to The Ukrainian Weekly’s and Svoboda’s digital archives project, of Ukraine’s borders was made by Bush, Mr. Putin took the liberty of which has received the generous support of two community institutions: the President Kuchma, who declared that “if remarking, “Ukraine is not even a state! Shevchenko Scientific Society (which gave us a grant of $15,000 earmarked for the Russia is building a dam in our territorial What is Ukraine? Part of its territory is project) and Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union (which donated $50,000). waters, [then] we should use force.” On Eastern Europe, but part of it – a consid- We invite you to visit and see what The Weekly has to offer. With our online ver- their part, 369 parliamentarians in the erable part – was gifted by us!”5 sion, wherever you are, The Ukrainian Weekly can be there with you! Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution con- The Russian president’s declaration demning Russia’s actions as “unfriendly sparked a flurry of statements from acts that are forcing Ukraine to re-exam- Russian journalists and politicians, who ine its current relations with the Russian attacked Ukraine’s sovereign right to for- July Federation.”2 mulate its own policies. In an interview Turning the pages back... The war of words continued. The with the Ekho Moskvy radio station, October 21, 2003, issue of the Kyiv- Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov based Russian-language newspaper said that his country would “do every- 14 Stolichnye novosti contained an item thing to prevent Ukraine and Georgia Fifteen years ago, on July 14, 1993, Ukraine’s Parliament about the statement made by Aleksandr from joining NATO and to avert the dras- 1993 voted 316-3 to adopt a resolution in response to the Russia Voloshin, the head of Russia’s tic worsening of relations with the Parliament’s decision on July 9, 1993, to declare Sevastopol a Presidential Administration, who said alliance and its members, and the neigh- Russian city. The resolution directed President Leonid Kravchuk, that “Russia will never leave the Strait of boring countries of the RF [Russian the Ukrainian government and the Ministry of Defense to conduct Kerch to Ukraine... and, if necessary, will Federation] which would be inevitably negotiations and reach a decision concerning naval units in Crimea that had raised St. 6 do everything possible and impossible in connected with this possible decision.” Andrew’s flag, the ensign of the Russian Imperial Navy. “These are foreign armies on order to defend its position... If neces- Far worse threats were made by Yurii Ukrainian territory,” the resolution stated. sary, we will drop a bomb there!”3 Baluevsky, the head of the General Staff “The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposes that the Russian Duma and the Congress of An interesting conversation about the of Russia’s Armed Forces, who said, People’s Deputies of the Russian Federation cancel their resolution, which is capable of Ukrainian Russian confrontation took “Russia will definitely implement actions shaking the solid foundation of the centuries-old history of brotherly relations between the place between Boris Pasternak, the politi- aimed at ensuring its interests near the Ukrainian and Russian peoples,” continued the resolution state borders. These will be not only mil- President Kravchuk condemned the Russian act as “a gross violation of the principles of cal correspondent of the Russian newspa- per Izvestiia, and President Kuchma of itary measures; these will be measures of international law.” another character.”7 Political analysts said that the actions by the Russian Parliament reflected the tensions Ukraine. “We understand,” the Ukrainian leader said during the discussion, “that In response to the crazy uproar unfold- between Russia and Ukraine. “The battle among Russian leaders has now crossed over into ing in the Russian press and among high- some people in Russia have a thirst for Ukrainian-Russian relations,” said Dmytro Pavlychko, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s ranking officials around the question of imperialistic self-affirmation... It is awk- Foreign Relations Committee. “This action can be viewed as tantamount to a declaration of Ukraine and NATO and to the insane ward to talk about the ordinary empire war,” continued Mr. Pavlychko. “When one state makes decisions about the territory of threats of Gen. Baluevsky, the Ukrainian that everyone remembers very well, so another state this is the only way this can be interpreted.” Foreign Affairs Ministry issued the fol- people have begun talking about a ‘liber- Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who attempted to quell fears among the Ukrainians, lowing statement dated April 12: al,’ ‘democratic’ one.” said, “The problems of the Black Sea Fleet and the city where it is based must be solved “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Referring to the impact of these events both calmly and gradually.” Ukraine is very disturbed by the recently on Ukrainian society, President Kuchma Mr. Kravchuk stated: “It seems to me that the Russian Parliament, during the past year, publicized statements of Russian has done everything possible to worsen relations between Ukraine and Russia, to sow ani- noted that “as could be expected... the Federation officials concerning Ukraine. mosity between our peoples. However, I do not think that the Russian Parliament reflects “The statements made by high-ranking the interests of the Russian people, of Russian democratic circles. And I hope they will not Dr. Taras Hunczak is professor emeri- officials of the Russian Federation have support the decision of the Russian Parliament.” tus of history at Rutgers University. The an overtly anti-Ukrainian character, ques- Mr. Kravchuk and the Ukrainian Parliament called for the world community to support article above was translated from the Ukraine’s territorial integrity, as guaranteed by international law. The Russian Parliament, original Ukrainian by Marta Olynyk. (Continued on page 20) he continued, is violating its international responsibilities, which emerge from Russia’s membership in the United Nations and participation in the Conference on Security and 1 Solchanyk, “Ukraine and Russia,” pp. 71- 4 Ukrainska Pravda, October 27, 2003. Cooperation in Europe, as well as bilateral agreements signed with Ukraine. 73. 5 NEWSru.ua: Ukraine, April 7, 2008, Forty countries, as of July 9, 1993, condemned the Russian Parliament’s actions. 2 Roman Woronowycz, “Russian- 13:48. Roman Popadiuk, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, noted: “The United States notes Ukrainian dispute over Tuzla escalates,” The 6 www.pravda.com.ua, April 8, 2008, Ukrainian Weekly, October 26, 2003. 19:57. (Continued on page 7) 3 UNIAN, October 21, 2003. 7 UNIAN, April 11, 2008. No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 7

IN THE PRESS Russia loses hold on youth; the Kremlin and Ukraine by Andrew Sorokowski “The East Looks West,” by Owen cal mentality more than anything else. Matthews, Newsweek, June 9: “If the Kremlin’s anti-Western para- A usable famine noia continues and its Eurasian fantasy Are we simply commemorating the thus to the prevention of similar phenom- “The Kremlin may act triumphant, of allying with China lasts another 10 to victims of the Great Famine of 1932- ena in the future. Besides, a law punish- but Russia is losing its hold on the youth 15 years, Russia will end up seeing 1933, or are we cynically exploiting that ing Holodomor denial would differ from of former Soviet states. China swallowing its Far East and tragedy for our own purposes? Is it current European bans on denying, mini- “ …All across the former Soviet Siberia. Indeed, the weakened Russia wrong to “use” a human catastrophe? Is mizing, justifying or approving of the Union, thousands of students are making that will be [Vladimir] Putin’s legacy there a distinction between “use” and Holocaust, which aim chiefly at intoler- the same choice – embracing English will then also lose the Northern Caucasus “abuse” of the Holodomor? ance and xenophobia. rather than Russian, and Western educa- and the Volga region to their growing As has been recognized since Van Such a law would obviously fly in the tion standards. ‘Our students want to Muslim populations. Wyck Brooks coined the term “usable face of human rights and civil liberties. integrate into the European Community “The remaining lands would then have past,” everyone “uses” history in one Last year’s European Union statute pro- rather than keep up with their Russian,’ no other choice but to attach themselves way or another. Here are several ways in hibiting the incitement of violence by says Anatoly Bourban, a professor at one to Ukraine, which should by then have which we use the Holodomor. The reader “denying or grossly trivializing” geno- of Ukraine’s leading universities, Kiev’s become a successful member of the can judge whether they are legitimate. cide, crimes against humanity and war [sic] Mohyla Academy, where courses European Union. For Ukrainians worldwide, the crimes is essentially optional and defers are taught in Ukrainian and English only. “After 1,000 years, Russia will have Holodomor is a symbol of the nation’s to national laws as well as to freedom of Azerbaijan’s leading private university, come full circle, returning to Kievan victimization, much as the Holocaust Khazar University in Baku, teaches speech. A Ukrainian ban on Holodomor Rus’ after wandering on the roads of the symbolizes Jewish suffering. It has been denial would have to be either similarly mostly in English and offers U.S.-style Mongol hordes, the Russian Empire, suggested that we come up with a single M.B.A. courses. So do the Georgian toothless – or repressive. Moreover, it Soviet communism and farcical figure for the number of victims, like the would lend its target the allure of a for- American University and Black Sea Putinism.” Jews’ 6 million. A recent editorial in the University in Tbilisi, as well as the bidden fruit. Kyiv Post called on Ukrainians to “Agree American University of Central Asia, The Holodomor may also be “usable” “Finding Common Ground with on a Number” (May 15, 2008). But this based in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek. as a basis for litigation. But who would Russia,” by Henry A. Kissinger, The is not easy – not only because we are Several of these also offer Western syl- bring the indictment, and against whom? Washington Post, July 8 (© 2008 quarrelsome (no more so than the Jews), labi and standardized tests – in part so The chief perpetrator, Joseph Stalin, died Tribune Media Services Inc.): but because no one really knows the their students can pursue their studies in 1953. Few of his accomplices, if any, number, and most of us are too honest to abroad. Prof. Charles Fairbanks from the remain. Criminal liability does not pass … Conventional wisdom treated just guess. Fact-based estimates range Washington-based Hudson Institute to successors. A civil action for compen- [Dmitry] Medvedev’s inauguration as from 3 or 3.5 million to 7.5 million and teaches a course on great books at Ilia sation for mass killing might lie against president of the Russian Federation as a even 10 million victims. Figures of 15 to Chavchavadze State University. ‘Now the successors of the Communist Party continuation of President Vladimir 20 million have also been proposed. only one third of my students can read and the Soviet Union. But the chances of Putin‘s two terms of Kremlin dominance While no one will admit to measuring Russian,’ he says. ‘The majority commu- prevailing would be slim. and assertive foreign policy. But after patriotism by the size of one’s death nicate and read fluently in English.’ Are we using the Holodomor as a recently visiting Moscow, … I am con- count, there has been something of a “The implications of this shift extend political weapon? Yuri Fedotov, Russian vinced that this judgment is premature. “competitive martyrology,” including a far beyond the classroom. The language ambassador to Great Britain, thinks we … transparent (though deniable) attempt to and culture in which people educate their are. In a June 27 letter to the Times, he In many ways, we are witnessing one out-do the Jews’ 6 million victims by young say a lot about the world they writes that “The tragedy is being distort- of the most promising periods in Russian expect their kids to grow up in. For many asserting 7 million. For a judicious dis- ed deliberately to drive a nationalist history. Exposure to modern open soci- members of the elite in Ukraine, Georgia cussion of this issue, advocating a figure political agenda in Ukraine, driving a and the Baltic states—and to a lesser eties and engagement with them is more of between 7 million and 10 million, see wedge between the Russian and extent Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and prolonged and intense than ever before – the article by Ukrainian World Congress Ukrainian people.” Kyrgyzstan – the cultural center of gravi- even in the face of unfortunate repressive President Askold S. Lozynskyj (The Mr. Fedotov does not explain why ty is no longer Moscow. …” measures. The longer this continues, the Ukrainian Weekly, May 11). classifying the Famine as a genocide of more it will impact Russia’s political A recent Internet discussion elicited the Ukrainian people should drive a “Why the Kremlin is So Scared of evolution. some acerbic comments about wedge between them and the Russians. Ukraine,” by Andrei Piontkovsky, vis- … Three issues dominate the political Holodomor minimalists. Weekly colum- No one is suggesting that the Russian iting fellow at the Hudson Institute in agenda: security; Iran; and the relation of nist Orysia Tracz observed that “there is people are responsible for the Washington, The Moscow Times, July Russia to its former dependents, especial- an unofficial group of Ukrainians Holodomor. 3 (© Project Syndicate): ly Ukraine. … (including some academics) who try to Opponents of the Ukrainian genocide The issue of Ukraine goes to the heart find anything negative, who pick up thesis point out that Russians, too, “…Ukraine does present a threat, but of both sides’ perceptions of the nature of every rock and inspect the underside – starved in 1932-1933. But this does not not to Russia’s security, as Kremlin pro- international affairs. America sees the sit- it’s as if they want to find what is not disprove that thesis. In fact, in a recent pagandists claim. The real threat is to the uation in terms of overcoming a potential good or correct... I’m all for accuracy, debate between Ukrainian Holodomor Putin model of a corporate, authoritarian military threat. For Russia, the question honesty, etc., but… bending over back- expert Stanislav Kulchytsky and Russian wards ain’t the way.” state, unfriendly to the West. For the of relations with Ukraine is, above all, historian Viktor Kondrashin (The Day, Why, indeed, do some scholars prefer Kremlin it is a matter of life and death about coming to terms with a painful, June 10; Ukraine List No. 428), Dr. a low estimate? Are they repelled by the that countries that were once part of the historic upheaval. Kulchytsky suggested that in addition to bombastic hyperbole of the politicos? Soviet Union but chose a different model Genuine independence for Ukraine is Stalin’s genocide of the Ukrainians, there Are they afraid of being associated with of development – Ukraine being the chief essential for a peaceful international sys- may have been a genocide of Russians in right-wing nationalism and losing all example – should never become attrac- tem and must be unambiguously support- Russia. By citing the existence of hope of tenure? Does academia naturally tive to ordinary Russians. … ed by the United States. Creating close Russian victims as evidence of multiple draw neurotic self-doubters and minimal- “Ukraine’s success will mark the polit- political ties between the European Soviet genocides rather than none, sup- ists? Or are they merely being scrupulous ical death of Putinism – the squalid and Union and Ukraine, including EU mem- porters of the Ukrainian genocide thesis with facts and conclusions? bankrupt philosophy of ‘KGB capital- bership, is important. But the movement would deprive their opponents of their Naturally, a single figure for the num- ists.’ If Ukraine succeeds in its European of the Western security system to the chief argument. choice, if it is able to make it work, it can approaches to Moscow brings home ber of victims would have impact. But to choose it arbitrarily smacks of the cyni- But aside from these symbolic, legal, settle the question that has bedeviled Russia’s decline in a way that is bound to historical and alleged political uses, why Russian culture for centuries – Russia or generate emotions that will inhibit the cal calculation of the public-relations stunt. There is nothing dishonorable in do we commemorate the Holodomor? the West? So the best way to help Russia solving of all other issues. With NATO Naturally, we seek truth and justice. But today is to support Ukraine’s claim that it accepting the principle of Ukrainian admitting that until all the archives are opened, we cannot be sure of the toll. the root of our motivation is our moral belongs to Europe and its institutions. membership, there is no urgency to revulsion at the deliberate starvation of This will influence the Kremlin’s politi- accelerate the implementation. … Meanwhile in Ukraine, some would make the Holodomor an obligatory tenet human beings. of civic loyalty. President Viktor That suggests a course of action once the anniversary observances are over. ing to strain that relationship. The United Yushchenko has proposed a law making Turning the pages... Holodomor denial, along with Holocaust Deposit the remaining money into a fund States supports the territorial integrity of in memory of the victims. Pay the inter- (Continued from page 6) all boundaries under the Helsinki denial, punishable by law. Such bans tend to reinforce a single, officially est to a famine aid organization. For our President Kravchuk’s statement on the Accords. Sevastopol is an integral part of tribute to the Holodomor victims will not Ukraine.” approved version of events. It is debat- Russian Parliament’s action concerning able whether the social and ethical bene- be worthy until we have fed at least one Sevastopol. President Kravchuk has made Source: “Claim on Sevastopol con- fits of legislative chilling of free starving child. clear his intentions concerning good bilat- demned as Russian ‘act of aggression,’” by Holocaust discussion in Europe have out- eral relations with Russia. This is no time Marta Kolomayets, The Ukrainian Weekly, weighed the attendant harm to a genuine Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at for the Russian Parliament to be attempt- July 18, 1993. understanding of the Third Reich, and [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

FOR THE RECORD U.S. must beware of Russian energy sector’s opaqueness by Roman Kupchinsky Prior to his election, Dmitry Khodorkovsky, who opted to run a clean shop and refused to bow to President Testimony before the Senate Foreign Medvedev, the new president of Russia, Russian organized Vladimir Putin’s will, wind up in prison. Relations Committee Hearing on was the chairman of the board of One gas trading intermediary compa- “Russian Energy Sector Opaqueness” Gazprom, which supplies 25 percent of crime, with the ny, RosUkrEnergo, based in Zug, delivered on June 12. Europe’s natural gas. Was Mr. Medvedev aware of Gazprom’s alleged links to tacit support of Switzerland, is owned 50 percent by Gazprom and 50 percent by two Today I want to address the question organized crime? Many observers the Kremlin, is of criminality and the lack of transparen- believe that he was and chose to remain Ukrainian businessmen who hid their cy in the Russian energy sector. silent about it. playing a signifi- identities for years and who are alleged The reason for this is that in the near I also believe that it is inconceivable to be linked to Russian organized crime. future the United States will become for him not to have known the facts. cant role in This is a classic case study of how the more dependent on LNG (liquefied natu- The nexus of organized crime and Kremlin and Gazprom conspired to pro- ral gas) imports from Russia. Last year government in Russia is not a new phe- expanding the tect what was believed to be a criminal Gazprom executives stated that they nomenon, but today it has taken on an enterprise. intend to supply up to 20 percent of the important geopolitical role. Kremlin’s econom- President Putin, was directly involved U.S. LNG market by 2015. And while Russian organized crime, with the ic hegemony in creating this company along with for- this will help America meet its energy tacit support of the Kremlin, is playing a mer Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma needs, the LNG business needs to be significant role in expanding the throughout the in July 2004, and has publically defend- fully transparent and in compliance with Kremlin’s economic hegemony through- ed RosUkrEnergo on a number of occa- American law. out the former USSR and the Warsaw former USSR and sions, saying: “Believe me, we don’t Unfortunately, persistent opaqueness Pact countries. know the identities of the hidden in the Russian oil and gas sectors, along In Romania, the aluminum business the Warsaw Pact Ukrainian owners” [of RosUkrEnergo]. with a number of murky schemes created was taken over by Russian-owned com- Mr. Putin’s statement raises an impor- by Gazprom, the Russian state-owned panies using suspect means and there are countries. tant issue; is it common practice for gas monopoly, has lowered Russia’s serious questions about how that coun- Gazprom, the world’s largest gas compa- business reputation to the point where try’s gold mining industry is being ny, to sign multi-billion dollar contracts many Western companies are loath to bought up by companies from Central of which spout stridently anti-American with individuals whose names they do trust their Russian partners, and are Asia who are friendly to the Kremlin and propaganda), as well as provide for their not know? How can this state-owned forced to deal with them mostly out of who appear to have a working arrange- own personal needs. company possibly conduct due dili- necessity. ment with some high-level Romanian Gazprom, with the silent support of gence? There is a great deal of evidence officials. the Kremlin, has set up 50 or so middle- To make matters worse, Gazprom which suggests that Russian organized In the Baltic states, the Kremlin has men companies, silently linked to vehemently denied allegations in the crime has been involved in the Russian deliberately done everything in its power Gazprom and scattered throughout world press that its partners, whose energy business – with the full knowl- to isolate and punish the Lithuanians, Europe – such as the Centrex group of names they claimed not to know, were in edge and quiet approval of the Russian Latvians and Estonians for standing up companies and the Gazprom Germania league with Russian organized crime fig- leadership – both past and present. I will to Russia by spending billions of dollars network – which do not add any value to ures. Later when the public evidence describe some of these scheme’s in my in order to ensure that energy supplies the price of Russian gas being sold on became overwhelming, Gazprom and testimony. destined for Europe circumvent these European markets. Yet, they earn enor- Mr. Putin accused the Ukrainian govern- countries via the Nordstream pipline. mous sums of money which appears to ment of “forcing” the Russian side to Roman Kupchinsky was the director of In Hungary, shady companies with simply vanish through shell companies accept the Swiss-registered company the Ukrainian Service of Radio Free suspected links to organized crime and to in Cyprus and in Lichtenstein. into the Ukrainian-Russian gas contract Europe/Radio Liberty in 1989-2002. He Gazprom seek to control large segments Last year the CEO of Germany’s signed in 2006. is currently a partner in the risk-analysis of the domestic gas distribution and largest gas company E-ON Ruhrgas, Who can believe that Ukraine can firm AZEast Group. He immigrated to power generation business. Burghard Bergmann, who is the only force Russia to do whatever it wants? Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1949 from a refugee Within the Kremlin there are compet- Westerner on the board of directors of To achieve its ends, Gazprom shut off camp in Austria; served in the U.S. Army ing clans who want to maintain the flow Gazprom, told the chairman of the board, gas supplies to Ukraine in January 2006 as a rifle platoon leader in Vietnam in of cash through little-known middleman Mr. Medvedev, that Gazprom Germania – and to Europe – until its terms were 1968, and earned a B.A. in political sci- companies in the gas trade in order to and a Swiss-based middleman, met. The Ukrainian prime minister at the ence from Long Island University. finance various political projects (many RosUkrEnergo, should be disbanded. Mr. time, Yuriy Yekhanurov, stated that one Bergmann also complained that Russian of Gazprom’s main demands during the state-backed gas schemes in Hungary negotiations was that the Swiss-based were opaque and tarnished Russia’s rep- RosUkrEnergo be included in the con- utation. tract. Commerce secretary: U.S. is bullish on Ukraine The Gazprom board rejected Mr. One of the managing directors of Bergmann’s request. Part of the reason RosUkrEnergo was Konstantin Following are excerpts of a speech by American Chamber [of Commerce] for could well be that Russia does not have a Chuychenko; three weeks ago the new U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. 16 years of promoting U.S.-Ukraine Foreign Corrupt Practices Act – the Russian president, Mr. Medvedev, made Gutierrez delivered at the American commercial ties. With a membership of Kremlin and Russian law enforcement him a key advisor in his new administra- Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Commercial 600, you are a key resource for the busi- agencies tend to close their eyes on how tion. Service Meeting, in Kyiv on June 5. Mr. ness community, and you’re a powerful Russian energy companies – be it the pri- Can any of Gazprom’s statements be Gutierrez was the first U.S. secretary of voice for the benefits of a market econo- vate oil company Lukoil or the state- taken at face value? commerce to visit Ukraine. my. You are living proof of what the mar- owned oil company Rosneft or Gazprom What next? ket economy does for the population, for – conduct business abroad. Gazprom is currently seeking to list … We can look at countries on a map, the country as a whole. These energy deals are closely linked on the New York Stock Exchange and read all kinds of things, but not until … As President Bush said, Ukraine is to Russian foreign policy. (NYSE). This is something Congress you get on the ground do you start devel- a friend, and it has demonstrated its com- “Pipeline diplomacy” practiced by should support in principle – it makes oping a clear picture. mitment to democracy and to free mar- the Kremlin is dominated by a small economic sense to have the world’s …I understand this is the first visit by kets. The U.S.-Ukrainian Trade and group of individuals and what we are in largest gas company listed on the NYSE. a U.S. secretary of commerce, and I can Investment Cooperation Agreement, fact witnessing is the large-scale privati- At the same time, it is imperative that assure you this will not be the last. This signed in April, provides a framework for zation of foreign policy by the Russian we do not reward Gazprom management, is an area with an amazing history, rich, further expanding our commercial part- elite. which often acts as a tool for Russian extraordinary, and a people whose love nerships. With AmCham’s help, U.S.- Some American experts downplay the foreign policy, for its opaque ways of for liberty has persevered. What a great Ukrainian bilateral trade and investment lack of transparency and the dubious conducting business. view throughout many centuries. is strong and growing. methods used by Russian state-owned It is not enough for the NYSE to state The great Ukrainian poet and national- In 2007 our two-way trade exceeded companies to conduct business by saying that everything is in order with ist, Taras Shevchenko, wrote of the $2.5 billion, with U.S. exports up more “Companies in the U.S. and Europe also Gazprom’s bid to list without a thorough “great, new family of the free,” and that than 77 percent, which is well above our do crooked things” and pointing to the due-diligence investigation into its has been, based on my limited knowl- average and at the top of the list of export Enron affair and recent accusations of European operations and its strong-arm edge, a dream of Ukrainians for many, growth in terms of countries. wide-scale bribery by the German com- tactics within Russia. I believe the many generations. And these are not just consumer prod- pany Siemens. The argument is that Department of Justice should oversee Our two nations, as President [George ucts like we saw yesterday, these are American “Russophobes” are holding this due diligence investigation in order W.] Bush said, have built our friendship exports like agricultural machinery, high- Russia to a higher standard. to insure its accuracy. on our love of liberty, and our love of tech machinery, machinery for construc- The difference, however, is that the In the long run, Congress must take all freedom, and our love of independence. tion, products that will help efficiency, U.S. and Germany arrests and prosecutes appropriate measures it can to assure the I’m here today to talk about expanding productivity, it will help infrastructure, it criminal behavior while in Russia the nation that the U.S.-Russia energy rela- trade and investment as cornerstones of will help the country. We’re very pleased crooks not only go scot free – they are tionship is free of uncertainty and ques- free and democratic societies. … awarded state medals for their actions, tionable practices in order to protect the I’d like to begin by thanking the (Continued on page 20) while individuals like Mikhail energy security of the United States. No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 9 Holodomor specialist speaks at the Library of Congress WASHINGTON – Dr. Stanislav Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, Kulchytsky, a noted Ukrainian historian presented in his absence by Dr. Jeremy and deputy director of the Institute of Adamson, director for collections and serv- Ukrainian History in Ukraine, gave a lec- ices. Dr. Billington acknowledged the ture on the Holodomor on May 30 at the availability of information about the Library of Congress. Famine after the collapse of the Soviet The lecture was part of the events sur- Union. He stated, “With a free Ukraine has rounding the Holodomor Remembrance come freedom of information.” Torch’s arrival at its last U.S. stop, Dr. Billington continued, saying, Washington. The mayor of the city, Adrian “Scholars, researchers and the public now M. Fenty, proclaimed that day to be have access to material about the special “Holodomor Torch Relay Day.” horror of this famine, discovering in-depth The occasion was marked by long- what happened three quarters of a century sought recognition of the atrocity. Written ago.” statements of solidarity were issued by Dr. Billington noted that the Library of Sens. John McCain and Hilary Clinton, Congress has been aiding research about House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and the Famine since the 1980s and that it holds Reps. Robert Casey and Lincoln Diaz- a number of archival materials relating to Balart. In addition, the council of the the Holodomor. One hundred ten selections District of Columbia passed a resolution from these materials, published in a variety recognizing the Famine of 1932-1933 and of languages, were on display in the recognizing May 30, 2008, as the official European Reading Room during the lec- 75th anniversary of the Holodomor. ture. The Library also provided a six-page credit The lecture at the Library of Congress reader’s guide compiled by Jurij Dr. Stanislav Kulchytsky presents the latest book of archival documentation on was sponsored by its European Division Dobczansky and Regina Frackowiak, the Holodomor to the Library of Congress. and its Professional Association’s which highlighted some of the Holodomor- Ukrainian Language Table, as well the related material at the Library of Congress. affairs, U.S. State Department. Holodomor eyewitnesses Maria Halych- Embassy of Ukraine in the United States. Dr. Billington’s statement also noted Dr. Dr. Dobriansky spoke briefly, noting that Dutkevych of Windsor, Ontario, and One of the key organizers, Ukraine’s Kulchytsky’s contribution to public aware- by remembering those lives lost at the Tetiana Pavlichka of Philadelphia were Ambassador to the United States Oleh ness of the Holodomor and invited all to hands of Soviet leaders, present totalitari- unexpectedly honored with the ceremonial Shamshur, in his remarks to the audience return to use the wealth of resources at the an-driven genocide can be prevented. task of carrying the Holodomor gathered in the Library’s European Library of Congress. Dr. Kulchytsky then delivered his lec- Remembrance Torch from the European Reading Room, credited the U.S. Congress Among distinguished members of the ture, which was followed by a question and Reading Room to the Southwest Pavilion, with helping to end the silence surrounding Ukrainian community in attendance was answer session. (The full text of the lecture where the Ukraine 3000 Fund had organ- the truth about the Famine. Dr. Shamshur and Dr. Paula Dobriansky, appears below.) ized a display of 34 Holodomor-related The event began with a statement by undersecretary of democracy and global At the conclusion of the event, posters.

The Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933: a case of genocide Following is the text of a lecture deliv- planned economy. injected into history papers is a blow to the efficiently to break farmers’ opposition, ered by historian Stanislav Kulchutsky of As a rule, our opponents present the fol- genocide theory. But one should not jump to Stalin could afford to order from February Ukraine at the Library of Congress on May lowing three arguments, which they claim conclusions. 1933 the feeding via collective farms of 30. (The text has been edited for clarity by deflate the interpretation of the Holodomor I believe that genocide can take two those who were able to work. In other Jurij Dobczansky, senior cataloguing spe- as genocide. First, people of different forms: direct ethnic purges or terror through words, the government first robbed the peo- cialist and recommending officer for the nationalities were starved to death in famine. Genocide against the Jews is a typi- ple of all food to eliminate the possibility of Ukraine, Central and East European Ukrainian villages. Second, nobody perse- cal example of ethnic purge. Can the an uprising, starved millions of them to Languages Team, Social Sciences cuted Ukrainians based on their nationality. Holodomor qualify for the same definition? death and only then started to hand-feed Cataloguing Division at the Library of Third, they refer to the large-scale food aid Many in Ukraine call the Holodomor those who still survived. Congress.) program in 1933 organized by the Soviet “the Ukrainian Holocaust.” One can agree Based upon testimonies of former government and targeting specifically the with this statement when we compare the Ukrainian citizens, Robert Conquest, in his Interpretation of the Ukrainian population of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist scope of both tragedies. On the other hand, book “The Harvest of Sorrow,” stated that Holodomor of 1932-1933 differs in contem- Republic and the Kuban region. these tragedies are very different. Ethnic the terror was aimed at Ukrainians. In his porary Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian The argument about the death of people purge is in most cases “purging” the territo- “Economic History of the USSR,” Alec Parliament adopted a law that defines the of different nationalities in the Ukrainian ry for another nation. Nove wrote that Stalin’s strike was aimed at Holodomor as genocide. When this bill was countryside is apparently not very persua- In this regard, the Nazis used the term peasants, among whom there were many under consideration in the Verkhovna Rada, sive. Stalin’s strike was aimed at rural areas “living space” (“lebensraum”) and devel- Ukrainians, rather than at Ukrainians, the Institute of History of Ukraine submitted of Ukraine. It is obvious that not only oped the so called “Ost” plan aimed at among whom there were a lot of peasants. to national deputies a convincing array of Ukrainians inhabited the villages. cleansing the territory of Eastern Europe as Even today scholars still argue about whom evidence. The second argument, at first glance, far as Crimea of the local population in the Stalin was trying to purge – Ukrainians or The genocidal character of this crime looks rather convincing. Ukrainians were name of creating a Greater Germany. peasants? perpetrated by Joseph Stalin was highlight- not killed just for the fact that they were The Holodomor should be viewed as ter- But that is the wrong question to ask. ed in our publications of the early 1990s, yet born Ukrainians, i.e., as an ethnic group. ror by famine. This form of terror falls with- The Holodomor of 1932-1933 was the our Russian colleagues blame the Institute But at the same time, ethnic Ukrainians in the purview of the U.N. Convention on consequence of a combination of specific for allegedly distorting the facts at the gov- were the so called “titular nation,” i.e., rep- the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime circumstances of time and place. ernment’s request. resentatives of their own state with vast con- of Genocide. The Convention defines geno- During 1918-1920 the Bolsheviks suc- Let us leave aside the issue of whether stitutional rights. cide as complete or partial elimination of a ceeded in laying down the foundations of one should consider as genocide the death Whom was Stalin trying to destroy? group of people. Any form of terror aims to the command economy. Beginning in 1929 by famine of hundreds of thousands of peo- James Mace was the first to state that the repress a part of the population in order to Stalin started another “breakthrough,” try- ple in different regions of the USSR, includ- terror targeted not the people of a certain terrify the whole. Terror in its different ing to finish the business that Vladimir ing Ukraine, because of mandatory govern- ethnicity or occupation, but the citizens of forms was the chief method of building Lenin could not finish: to force millions of ment grain procurement requisitions. the Ukrainian state that emerged for a few communism in the Soviet Union. farmers into communes. This resulted in a Let us remember another: the death of brief years after the collapse of the Russian The Kremlin confiscated all food from social upheaval in the first quarter of 1930. millions of people caused by the confisca- empire, quickly suffered its own demise and the starving Ukrainian village in order to Stalin had to pull back and suspend overall tion of all food under the procurement pre- was reincarnated in the form of the Soviet prevent social upheaval. This action was “collectivization” for half a year. One may think that the story of collec- text. Until the last months of 1932, people Ukrainian state. The algorithm of execution meant to aggravate the hunger to the fullest tivization is well-known. But from the doc- in Ukraine, as well as in other regions, were by starvation of Ukrainians as representa- extent, because a starving person is inca- uments published by Russian historian dying because their bread was taken away. tives of the state nation is presented in Dr. pable of active protest. Stalin understood Victor Danilov in his five-volume work However, starting from November 1932 Mace’s report to the first academic confer- that in 1921. At that time, the Terror Famine “Tragedy of the Soviet Village,” one can they were dying because all other food was ence on the Holodomor of 1932-1933, held was used in Ukraine to deal with the alleged draw an unexpected conclusion. In 1930- taken from them – not only bread. in Montreal in 1983. “banditry of farmers.” 1932 the state did not differentiate between This carefully disguised crime staged Finally, our opponents say that the fact It was organized by extorting the rest of collective farms and state-owned farms: against the backdrop of famine in other that the Famine-Genocide was man-made is the grain from farmers in the Southern everything produced on these farms was parts of the Soviet Union had its own rea- at odds with the fact that food aid was pro- provinces who were already starving. expropriated. State farm workers received sons. This crime was different from the vided to the victims. Indeed, some food was Originally, the hunger was caused by severe wages, while collective farm workers were hunger in the rest of the USSR caused by provided, but at a later stage of the drought that hit the entire south of Ukraine, left with whatever they produced on their the forced pace of industrialization and Holodomor. the Northern Caucasus and the Volga own personal plots. Stalin’s resolve to make the collective farm One may think that this information on region. system an integral element of the centrally food aid for starving farmers of Ukraine So, having used the weapon of famine (Continued on page 10) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

al republics called “korenizatsiya.” The The Ukrainian Famine... term came from the word “korin” (root), (Continued from page 9) and the purpose of the campaign was to In April 1930 the law on grain procure- introduce Soviet power and mentality ment was adopted: collective farms had to deep into the roots of non-Russian soci- give to the state from a third to a quarter of eties. Korenizatsiya in Ukraine soon went their gross output. The lion’s share of the beyond the scope of a bureaucratic cam- harvest was to be distributed among the paign and became an instrument of peasants. national renaissance. After the population Was to, but was not. census of 1926, Ukrainian leaders persist- The world crisis of 1929-1930 resulted ently raised before the Communist in a slump in the prices of industrial equip- Party’s Politburo the issue of joining to ment. Soviet trade organizations were buy- Ukraine the neighboring territories of the ing up everything they could get at reduced Russian Federation (like the Kuban prices. It turned out that food prices plum- region) where ethnic Ukrainians consti- meted even lower. The Soviet Union was tuted the overwhelming majority. These not able to get any long-term loans until it petitions were not successful, but they did agreed to pay off tsarist Russia’s debts. result in obtaining the Kremlin’s consent The only way to earn hard currency and for the Ukrainianization of these territo- pay the bills was to sell more grain. Grain ries. The Kuban region soon transferred procurement plans had no realistic limits. all administrative correspondence, mass The state confiscated all of the harvest from media and schools from the Russian to collective farms in order to increase export. the Ukrainian language to reflect the pop- Realizing that the government was tak- ulation’s needs. The Kremlin watched ing away all grain, farmers in collective this process with increasing concern. A totally Ukrainian Kuban would end up farms started to work in a slipshod fashion. becoming the territory of the Ukrainian The harvest was damaged by weeds Soviet Socialist Republic, which would because nobody cared. Over-ripe grain fell mean increasing even more the great to the ground and was lost because it was human potential of Ukraine within the not harvested in a timely manner. Harvest USSR. For that reason, Stalin labeled losses increased due to badly managed Ukrainianization outside the borders of the transportation. Ukrainian SSR as “Petliurivska” – after In short, harvest losses were the conse- Ukrainian national leader Symon Petliura. quence of farmers’ economic disinterest. Hence, on December 14, 1932, a resolu- But the Kremlin explained away the disas- tion was passed by Soviet authorities trous decreases in grain procurements as demanding an immediate switch from the organized sabotage, grain concealment and Ukrainian to the Russian language of all the theft. Soviet and cooperative bodies’ administra- Hence, on August 7, 1932, Stalin person- tive correspondence, as well as all newspa- ally wrote the resolution of the USSR pers and school curriculum throughout the Central Executive Committee “On the pro- Ukrainianized regions of the Northern tection of state property at enterprises, col- Jurij Dobczansky Caucasus. lective farms and cooperatives.” According A view of the audience in the European Reading Room at the Library of Therefore, the second part of 1932 to the document, a person who stole collec- Congress during the lecture by Holodomor historian Dr. Stanislav Kulchytsky. became a point at which two crises crossed tive farm property could be shot dead or and overlapped – one in social economic imprisoned for at least 10 years. Stalin’s repressions also focused on the states. policy and the other in national policy of By this time the economic crisis had Communist Party of Ukraine, whose half a Soviet statehood is a very complex con- the Kremlin. Stalin was very afraid of worsened. The Kremlin had to cut its mili- million members were eventually reduced cept, both in its original Russian dimension social upheaval in starving Ukraine. tary budget and capital construction by 50 percent. The party’s leadership was and in its derivative national aspect. The Therefore, repressions were aimed both at expenses. Specially created grain procure- exterminated completely in 1937. That was pan-Soviet center neither associated itself Ukrainian peasants (Terror Famine) and at ment commissions were urgently dis- the beginning of the persecution of the with Russia (which would have run counter the Ukrainian intelligentsia (individual ter- patched to the main grain-producing Ukrainian intelligentsia as punishment for to the Constitution of the USSR), nor did it ror on a mass scale and the “purging” of the regions (Ukraine, the Northern Caucasus, having taken part in the national liberation endeavor to create in Moscow a competitive ranks of the Communist Party of Ukraine). the Volga region) during the autumn of movement. center of Russian power. The concept of On the one hand, the main thrust of 1932. The activities of these commissions Stalin’s often quoted letter to Lazar “together and equal” introduced at the time repressions was aimed not at people of a led to the famine not only there, but also in Kaganovich of August 11, 1932, was of the USSR’s creation by merging the particular ethnic group, but against citizens the grain-consuming regions that were par- revealed in the year 2000. Alarmed by Russian and Transcaucasian Federations, of the Ukrainian state. On the other hand, it tially withdrawn from the centralized sup- developments in Ukraine, Stalin intended to Ukraine and Belarus, hiccupped decades was clear that the large majority of those ply. appoint Kaganovich as secretary general of later during the confrontation in 1990-91 were those same Ukrainians. Even in the Official propaganda depicted “food the Communist Party of Ukraine. Stalin between the pan-Soviet center (the straitjacket of a Soviet republic, the mere complications” as a consequence of the also planned to send the deputy chief of the Kremlin) and the Russian Federation existence of Ukrainians posed a threat to kulaks’ (wealthy peasants) sabotage on the OGPU (predecessor of the KGB), Balytsky, (Moscow). This confrontation eventually the Kremlin. collective farms. But the government knew to Ukraine. Explaining these personnel re- tore the Soviet Union apart. When we say that the state pushed the the causes of the crisis perfectly well. On adjustments, Stalin said: “Without these and Until the constitutional reform of Ukrainian peasantry into total dependency January 19, 1933, another resolution was similar actions [economic and political con- Mikhail Gorbachev, Soviet power was a by confiscating all the food reserves, our adopted by the Communist Party: “On solidation of Ukraine and its frontier combination of the Communist Party dicta- opponents demand: Show us a document. obligatory grain supply to the state by col- regions in the first place] we may lose torship and the administrative authority of They claim: If there is no document, there lective farms and private households.” Ukraine.” Soviet councils and their executive commit- was no genocide. Could one document drastically change Recently OGPU reports to the Kremlin tees. This authoritative tandem was dual. Holodomor survivors and witnesses tell the relations between the leaders of the have been made known to the public. The For that reason, the Bolsheviks succeeded many stories about special brigades that country’s economy and the farmers? It situation was difficult everywhere, but in revamping the centralized empire in the conducted requisitions in farmers’ house- surely could and here is an example: the Stalin singled out Ukraine – a national form of a conglomeration of independent holds, taking away all the food supply. decision to switch from so-called food dis- republic with tremendous economic and (since 1923 – allied) states. Soviet constitu- Dozens, hundreds and thousands of testi- tribution (prodrozkladka) to the food tax human potential at the border of Europe. He tions did not even mention the existence of monies from people of different settlements (prodpodatok) marked the beginning of a did not forget that it took three attempts to the party with its chiefs’ dictatorship. and communities, when put together, create new economic policy. The regulation of conquer Ukraine in 1917-1919. He remem- What was so dangerous about this dual an integral picture. This picture brings us to January 19, 1933, stipulated that the bered also that in the spring of 1920 the authority at the time of transition from the only possible conclusion: those who amount of food to be taken by the state in Ukrainian Communist Party conference Soviet statehood in the Kremlin to national searched the households must have been the form of a tax should be known in rejected the list of Central Committee mem- statehood? The people’s councils, or the guided by a special order even if that order advance, even before the beginning of the bers recommended by Lenin and elected soviets, including national ones, concentrat- was not fixed on paper. Yet they still year. other leaders according to its own wishes. ed real executive authority and gave the demand a written document from us. The tax character of the supplies meant Stalin did not forget March 1930, when party its legitimacy by affiliating its mem- Well, it is possible to present some writ- that the grain seeded on collective farms collectivization in Right-Bank Ukraine had bers within the administrative structure. ten evidence. In November 1932 Stalin sent belonged to farmers. For the first time, the to be suspended because of social upheaval. There was no threat of the USSR’s disinte- the afore mentioned emergency grain pro- state acknowledged the farmers’ and collec- Our opponents underestimate the nation- gration as long as this authority was under curement commission to the Ukrainian tive farms’ property rights to the raised har- al background of the crisis that took place at the Kremlin’s direct control. But as soon as SSR under the guidance of his close crony, vest. the beginning of 1930s. For them, a starving the control shifted to regional structures Molotov. Molotov drafted the texts of two Why did Stalin not confine himself to Ukrainian peasant remains just a peasant (when the central authority went into crisis), party regulations; the final texts were these reasonable economic measures to and not a citizen of the Ukrainian state. the danger of collapse became real. The signed by Stalin. These regulations contain overcome the crisis but instead added the They consider the Soviet Union as a group biggest challenge for the Kremlin was asso- articles about fines-in-kind – by confiscat- terror campaign against Ukrainian regions? of republics deprived of any rights. But it ciated with Ukraine – a republic with strong ing meat and potatoes. To answer that question, it is important to became such only after the famine of 1932- traditions of non-Soviet-type statehood. On January 1, 1933, Stalin sent a remember that the Terror Famine was 1933 and the terror of 1937-1938. Prior to After the USSR was created, the aimed not only at Ukrainian peasants. that, the Soviet Union was an alliance of Kremlin started a campaign in the nation- (Continued on page 11) No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 11 Filmmaker Halya Kuchmij begins work on ‘William Kurelek: The People’s Painter’ ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Award-win- who battled his personal demons to ning filmmaker Halya Kuchmij has become one of Canada’s most beloved recently begun work on a feature length and successful artists. He is perhaps best documentary film about Ukrainian known for his paintings depicting every- Canadian artist William Kurelek (1927- day life among many of the ethnic groups 1977). that settled in Canada, whether they were The film, titled “William Kurelek: The Ukrainian, Polish, Jewish, Irish, Inuit or People’s Painter,” has received initial French Canadian. Kurelek’s art had a raw funding from Bravo Television and the intensity that reflected his own life and Canadian Television Fund for research the ritual of family life among the found- and development. The film’s producer is ing peoples of Canada. Winifred (Winn) Kuplowsky, best known Kurelek was awarded with the Order for her work with Help Us Help The of Canada in 1976. By the time of his Children, a project of the Children of premature death in 1977, he had pro- Chornobyl Canadian Fund and duced over 2,000 paintings as well as “Chornobyl 20 Memorial Concert” numerous books and autobiographies. (2006). His works can be found in prominent col- The Kurelek film project has received lections at The National Gallery of the support of Jean Kurelek, the artist’s Canada, The Museum of Modern Art and widow, and her family and Av Isaacs, the Art Gallery of Ontario. He is a Kurelek’s art dealer. Canadian icon, renowned not only The production of this documentary nationally but also internationally. film is the initiative of Ms. Kuchmij, who “William Kurelek: The People’s has received the recognition of her peers Painter” will be shown in theaters as well as an accomplished documentary produc- as on television; DVDs will be made er and director. With 30 years’ experience available for personal and educational at the CBC and the National Film Board, sales. Three language versions will be she has won over 50 awards nationally made – English, French and Ukrainian. and internationally. In 2006 she received Filming will take place in Canada the Media Award from the Ukrainian (Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario), Canadian Professional and Business Club England, Mexico and Ukraine, following (Toronto) in recognition of her outstand- the trajectory of Kurelek’s life story. ing body of work and in particular, films Completion is slated for early 2010. dealing with Ukrainian subject matter. The project currently is in the pre-pro- Kurelek’s story is inherently dramatic, duction phase, which requires the sum of being that of a young impoverished $80,000. Donations in any amount will be prairie farm boy of Ukrainian ancestry, greatly appreciated. Each donor will receive a credit in the film, as well as a charitable tax receipt from the Taras Shevchenko Foundation. Checks should be made out to “Shevchenko Foundation–Kurelek” and mailed to the film’s producer :Winn Self-portrait by William Kurelek. Kuplowsky, 6 Vancho Crescent, Etobicoke, ON. M9A 4Z2 CANA- “Millennium,” “Chernobyl: The Legacy,” victims of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster DA. More information is available by “Pierre le Canadien” and “The Fullness of and to children living in Ukrainian contacting Ms. Kuplowsky at Time: Ukrainian Stories from Alberta.” orphanages. [email protected] Ms. Kuchmij has worked for the CBC Ms. Kuplowsky has produced fund- Ms. Kuchmij is a well-known for the past 25 years and prior to that was raising events and galas, the most recent Ukrainian Canadian director, who a director at the National Film Board of being a world-class Chornobyl memorial has worked in film and television Canada. She has two university degrees concert at Roy Thompson Hall (2006). for the past 30 years winning many (Honors B.A., Bachelor of Fine Arts) and For the past 25 years, she has also national and international awards, also graduated as a “director fellow” worked in a number of interdisciplinary among them the Genie, eight Gemin from the American Film Institute. fields, among them education, creative nominations, the Gabriel award, the Ms. Kuplowsky is well known in the production and volunteerism. Anik, eight Chris awards, the New Ukrainian Canadian community as a Born in Scotland of Irish parentage, York Film and Television award and community activist, organizer and fund- she is married to Walter Kuplowsky, a the Sovereign award. raiser. She is a founding member of Help Ukrainian Canadian lawyer with Some of her films dealing with Us Help the Children as well as a direc- Mitchell, Bardyn and Zalucky. They have Ukrainian subject matter are: “The tor and second vice- president with the three sons. Ms. Kuplowsky has two uni- Strongest Man in the World,” Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund, a versity degrees (Honors B.A., Bachelor Filmmaker Halya Kuchmij “Laughter in My Soul,” volunteer organization that brings aid to of Education).

combines two points. The second point was the whole of Ukraine. This map can serve as antry, it would have had to be regarded as The Ukrainian Famine... addressed to all those who ignored the proof in any court. sociocide. Such sociocide was the campaign (Continued from page 10) requirement of the first one and did not give Stalin did not confine himself to confis- throughout the entire Soviet Union to telegram to the former capital of Ukraine up all grain. How could one determine indi- cation of food. On January 22, 1933, he per- “exterminate kulaks – wealthy farmers – as – the city of Kharkiv – telling his govern- viduals who were hiding grain? Only by sonally – there is a document with his origi- class.” However, Stalin’s blow was directed ment there “to inform broadly through conducting house-searches. In this way nal signature – wrote a directive to the not only against Ukrainian farmers, but also village councils, collective farms, collec- Stalin’s telegram was an implied order for Central Committee of the Communist Party – in a different form – against the Ukrainian tive and individual farmers that: a) those, searches. and the Council of Peoples’ Commissars, intelligentsia as the carrier of the national who hand over voluntarily to the state the Holodomor survivors report that during ordering the leaders of neighboring regions liberation movement of 1917-1920, and previously stolen or hidden grain will not the searches, not only potatoes and meat, to seal the borders with Ukraine and the against members of the Communist Party of be subject to repressions; b) the collec- but actually all food was taken away from Kuban region. Ukraine as the carrier of constitutionally farmers as envisaged in the resolutions on After the Holodomor and mass repres- tive farms, collective and individual enshrined national statehood. fines-in-kind. In this way, the telegram sions of 1937-1938 Ukraine lost its potential farmers that persistently continue to con- Stalin himself admitted that “the peasant points directly to the person – Stalin – who for rebellion (with the exception of its west- ceal grain stolen and hidden from regis- issue” was one kind of “nationality issue.” issued the order that clearly meant a repres- ern regions that became a part of the USSR tration, will suffer the most severe penal- That is why he used the most horrible ty measures envisaged by the regulatory sive campaign on expropriation of food and in 1939). weapon against farmers – the Terror document of the Central Executive on organization of the Terror Famine. Stalin’s powerful blow was targeted Famine. This terror aimed at creating condi- Committee of August 7, 1932.” At present, the Ukrainian Institute of specifically against Ukrainians within the The above telegram looks strange. Never National Memory is finalizing its work on a borders of Soviet Ukraine as representatives tions incompatible with physical existence before did Stalin address farmers of the commemorative book of Holodomor vic- of the “titular” nation, and against the (total expropriation of food, sealing of bor- Soviet republics with direct threats. Besides, tims. One of its chapters consists of testi- Ukrainians of the Kuban region who dared ders, ban on recognition of the famine) is he knew very well that Ukraine did not have monies of Holodomor survivors regarding to implement “Ukrainianization à la well-documented. This compendium of any more bread because searches conducted the confiscation of all food. This means that Petliura” with the purpose of joining the facts proves clearly that the Ukrainian by special police units in December 1932 the government deliberately created condi- national republic and thus obtaining also the Holodomor ought to be qualified as geno- produced minimal results. The content of tions incompatible with survival. Hundreds status of the “titular” nation. cide on the basis of nationality, in accor- this document becomes clear when one of testimonies from different locations span If that blow had targeted only the peas- dance with the U.N. Convention. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28 No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 13 LvivArt gallery’s online counterpart has worldwide reach by Taissa Bushnell Special to The Ukrainian Weekly LVIV – Culture and art are no strangers to this historical and picturesque western Ukrainian city. And one might think that the opening of yet another art gallery here would just be business as usual. Not nec- essarily so. A new gallery, LvivArt, did open its doors there on May 31; it has an important distinction: not only does it have a physical location, but it also boasts an online counterpart that allows Lviv artists to promote their works worldwide. The online version of the gallery – LvivArt.com – allows visitors to its web- site, both in Ukraine and abroad, to browse and, if they so desire, purchase any piece of art displayed there. Unique to the site also is a feature that pre-calculates for a potential buyer the shipping cost and applicable taxes and/or duties for any desired item. Buyers make their payments, as they would in many other online stores, through U.S.-based PayPal, which also accepts regular credit cards. And, the site Courtesy of LvivArt is fully operational in Ukrainian and A display at the LvivArt Gallery of some of Orest Skop’s Kozak Mamai paintings. English. One more noteworthy feature – the online part of LvivArt did not originate in nephew of Orest’s, Roman, who had Communication under such circum- cient online environment. Lviv. Rather, it was the brainchild of Jurij struck me with his IT-savvyness. Also, stances must have been a daunting task. At best, these sites would offer a Hiltajczuk, a Ukrainian American living in Roman had a sister, Julia, and although I It was indeed. From my end, everything prospective buyer the possibility of con- Alexandria, Va., who conceived the idea had not met her at the time, I knew she had to be communicated by e-mail, tacting artists by e-mail and making pur- after a trip to Ukraine following the had an art background and connections because it wasn’t a situation where we chase arrangements that way. Not exactly Orange Revolution. within the local artistic community. could all gather in front of one computer the most enticing or promising way to do I spoke to Mr. Hiltajczuk shortly after However, I could not bring myself to screen and brainstorm. So we basically business. simply pick up the phone and ask them the opening of the “physical” LvivArt communicated our ideas and suggestions So, you and your partners set out to what they would think about creating a Gallery, for which he traveled to Lviv. amongst each other, then to the firm, the fix these deficiencies. website for Lviv artists together. Frankly, I *** firm then did some design and program- was worried that they would think that ming work, and we would react to it by In order to have a viable site we had to. was too outlandish of an idea. So I went either approving what had been done or it The first thing we knew we had to do was The question that begs itself – how back to Ukraine in November of that same to connect with artists from one geograph- did you come up with the idea that was back to the drawing board for all of year to present them with my proposal in us. ical location. The second was – we knew would allow Lviv artists to promote and person. I still don’t know whether they we had to set up a site that was fully func- sell their works online? took me seriously that day, but they got on Having been born in the diaspora – tional in Ukrainian and English. And the I think all of us in the diaspora, at one board. did you encounter any language barri- third was to offer users a safe, one-stop- er? point or another, wanted to do something How does one build a website with shop environment in which artwork could for Ukraine. For me that opportunity pre- you on one side of the Atlantic and your I’m fortunate to be quite comfortable in be purchased online. sented itself after a trip my wife, our chil- partners on the other? both English and Ukrainian, but, yes, there What do you mean by one-stop- dren and I took to Ukraine in the summer was some computer terminology I had to shop? of 2005. Part of that trip was a visit to Very slowly. First, we developed a very catch up on. Fortunately, many of the Lviv. rough concept of what the site would offer, terms are adaptations from English. One-stop-shop means that we carry the Although I had been there before, I and then we started looking for a local buyer through the entire purchase process. What was it that you set out to cre- never had had enough time to look up web design firm that would be capable of If someone likes, let’s say, a painting by a ate? And how did you want your site to some distant relatives I knew lived in the creating what we had envisioned. particular artist on our site, all he or she be different from ones that might have city. We had known about each other, but We had to stay local because probably needs to do is to select their country of res- already been in existence? we had never met. That summer I was no design firm in the U.S. would have idence and follow the ensuing steps. In determined to change that and, in the been up to the task of creating a fully func- Indeed, there were sites promoting that process, the user will find that our site process, it turned out that I was actually tional bilingual – Ukrainian and English – Ukrainian artworks already in existence, is programmed to pre-calculate for each related to a family with a good amount of site, and even if there had been one, the but in my view they had three major defi- potential buyer the shipping cost and artistic talent – which is ironic since I cost of creating such a site in the U.S. or ciencies. Many were set up by individual applicable duties and/or taxes involved in myself am unable to draw a straight stick any other western country would probably artists rather than by groups of artists; few the purchase of any item on our site. If a figure. have been prohibitive. had an English version; and just about all trans-national purchase takes place, duties Part of the encounter was an evening Luckily, we found a company in Lviv of them offered no mechanism for a of varying amounts are imposed by just spent at the apartment of one of my rela- that was willing to take on the challenge at prospective buyer to purchase a piece of about by every destination country. These tives, painter Orest Skop. He is best an affordable price. art in a safe, easy-to-understand and effi- duties have to be collected and paid known in Ukraine and abroad for his beforehand to ensure customs clearance. series of depictions of “Kozak Mamai” – Hence, they are included in the purchase almost iconic images in Ukrainian folk art price. representative of the resilience of the Only U.S. buyers of Ukrainian paint- Ukrainian people and their long-fought ings by contemporary artists are fortunate struggle for independence. in that they may be imported into the U.S. After I saw these works in his apart- duty-free. ment – dozens of them – I came to the sad realization that he had no way of sharing What countries do you ship to? the magnificence of these pieces unless he We ship within Ukraine, to European invited somebody to his apartment, put out Union countries, the U.S., Canada, a catalogue or held an exhibit. And I also Australia and New Zealand. For shipments asked myself – how many apartments like to other countries we can make special his are there in Lviv, filled with master- arrangements. pieces that hardly ever see the light of day? Who does the shipping and are ship- ments insured? So just this realization gave rise to the idea of creating LvivArt.com? International shipments are done by UPS and insured for an amount equivalent Well, it was not until a few weeks after to the value of the shipped item. Within I had left Lviv that I started thinking about Ukraine, we are in the process of switch- that. While in Lviv I had also met a Courtesy of LvivArt ing from UPS to a company called TNT – simply because the latter offers insurance Taissa Bushnell is adviser to the LvivArt colleagues (from left): gallery manager Mykhailo Skop, gallery artistic and UPS does not, not in Ukraine at least. mayor of Lviv for cultural heritage man- director Julia Skop, LvivArt web project founder Jurij Hiltajczuk, artist Orest agement. Skop and gallery financial director Roman Skop. (Continued on page 20) 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28 NEWSBRIEFS CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) Ukrainians say Rada’s work is poor TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 or e-mail: [email protected] KYIV – According to a poll conducted by the Sofia Center for Social Studies on June 21-29, 82.6 percent of Ukrainian citi- SERVICES zens said the Verkhovna Rada’s work is poor. A total of 2,020 respondents over A SPECIAL OFFER: age18 from all Ukrainian regions participat- ed in the survey; the poll’s margin of error Volumes I and II of does not exceed 2.2 percent. The Parliament’s work was rated negatively by “The Ukrainian Weekly 2000” 46.4 percent of those polled; 36.2 percent and “Ukraine Lives!” said it was somewhat negative; 10.3 percent – somewhat positive; 2.4 percent – positive; FOR ONLY $25! and 4.7 percent – undecided. 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It does not set the goal of subordinating and usurp- ing a democratic idea.” Mr. Baloha also underscored, “This political force shares the program of activities of President Viktor Yushchenko and will assist the head of state THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY in its implementation in every way possi- ble.” (Ukrinform) ATTENTION, MEMBERS OF THE Gongadze defendants lose appeal UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION! KYIV – The Kyiv Appeals Court’s sen- Do you enjoy your subscription to tence in the murder of Heorhii Gongadze PROFESSIONALS The Ukrainian Weekly? will stand, as a panel of judges of the Why not share that enjoyment with a friend? Supreme Court of Ukraine on July 8 turned LAW OFFICES OF ORDER A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION down the appeals of the three defendants. TO THE WEEKLY Mykola Protasov, Valerii Kostenko and ZENON B. MASNYJ, ESQ. Oleksander Popovych were found guilty in at the member’s rate of $45 per year. the journalist’s murder back on March 15 and were sentenced to between 12 and 13 In the East Village since 1983 To subscribe, write to The Ukrainian Weekly, Subscription Department, years of imprisonment. Gongadze disap- 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, peared on September 16, 2000; soon after- Serious personal injury, real estate Parsippany, NJ 07054; wards a headless body, believed to be the for personal and business use, rep- or call (973) 292-9800. journalist’s was found in a forest near Kyiv. resentation of small and mid-size (Ukrinform) businesses, securities arbitration, PERSONAL Ukraine-Hungary talks in Kyiv divorce, wills and probate. KYIV – Kyiv hosted extended talks (By Appointment Only) Ukrainian man, 26 years old, would like to WANT IMPACT? between Ukraine and Hungary within the meet a lady who is a ready to start a fami- Run your advertisement here, framework of a visit of the Hungarian pres- 157 SECOND AVENUE ly. If you are serious, please send photo in The Ukrainian Weekly’s ident to Ukraine on July 7. The negotiations NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10003 and write to: [email protected] Tel: 612- were chaired by two countries’ presidents, CLASSIFIEDS section. (212) 477-3002 599-3701 (Continued on page 15) No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 15

opened about 200 religious and scientific Inflation forecast at 15.3 percent the FOM-Ukraine company, Oleksander NEWSBRIEFS establishments in Ukraine and supported the Bukhalo, at a July 2 press conference. The KYIV – The Cabinet on July 2 changed (Continued from page 14) Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. On April 8, 1709, sociologist noted that since early 2008 the Mazepa signed a military-political alliance its forecast for inflation for 2008 from 9.6 Viktor Yushchenko and Laszlo Solyom. Mr. percent to 15.3 percent. According to the number of those dissatisfied with the eco- with the Swedish King Charles XII. On Yushchenko characterized Ukrainian- State Statistics Committee informed, infla- nomic situation grew from 28.7 percent to October 9, 2007, Ukrainian President Viktor Hungarian relations as stable and positive. tion was up 1.3 percent from April to May; 67.4 percent. “This is a direct reflection of Yushchenko signed a decree on celebrations “We are greatly content with the dynamics it was 31.1 percent higher than in May of the evaluation and, accordingly, of Yulia of the 300th anniversary of events related to of political, economic, trade and other rela- 2007. The consumer price increase was Tymoshenko’s activity rating as a prime tions,” he said. The Ukrainian president the military-political actions of Mazepa. 13.1 percent during the period of June minister,” he commented. “At present, 57.6 noted the considerable strengthening of (Ukrinform) through April of this year. (Ukrinform) percent of respondents find her economic cooperation in the sphere of European and Poland may open another consulate policy negative and 33.6 percent of those Euro-Atlantic integration and pointed out Few see good economic situation polled approve of her activities.” The sur- that the foreign trade volume with Hungary KYIV – The Polish Foreign Ministry is KYIV – About 8.8 percent of Ukrainians vey was carried out June 14-28 in 160 set- was over $2.7 billion (U.S.) in 2007, a 39.9 studying the possibility of opening another consider the economic situation in Ukraine tlements; some 2,000 respondents over age percent increase from 2006. Hungarian Consulate General in one of the cities of to be positive, said the director general of 18 were interviewed. (Ukrinform) President Solyom stated during a joint press western Ukraine, Polish Consul General conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Wieslaw Osuchowski told a press confer- that Hungary supports Ukraine’s Euro-inte- ence in Lviv on July 4. He said this is relat- gration and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Mr. ed to the fact that the Consulate General in Solyom stated that his country would make Lviv is not able to satisfy the needs of resi- maximum efforts so that a consensus is dents for visas. An additional consulate may reached on Ukraine’s accession to NATO be opened in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Ivano- during the NATO summit in December. Frankivsk or Ternopil. Poland currently has (Ukrinform) two consulates in western Ukraine – in Historian cites Mazepa myth Lutsk and Lviv. (Ukrinform) KYIV – Scholar and journalist Serhii World War II mine found in Crimea Pavlenko said in Chernihiv on June 24 that KYIV – On June 25 the Emergency the idea that Ukrainians did not support Hetman Ivan Mazepa (1639-1709) and the Department of Crimea detonated a German Ukrainian-Swedish alliance against Russia ground mine found by vacationers on the is a myth invented by Russian historians. beach in Heroyivske, near Kerch, in The hetman, accused of many misdeeds by Crimea. According to the Emergency historians from the Russian Empire and Situations Department, the mine was detect- later from the USSR, had been called a ed 10 meters from the shore. Officials iden- “traitor” by Russia. According to Mr. tified the object as a 1939 German anti-boat Pavlenko, Ivan Mazepa had the support of mine. The decision was made to destroy the the Ukrainian population. The historian mine due to the complexity of the fuse. cited the people’s participation in Hetman According to deputy head of the Main Mazepa’s many battles. Furthermore, Emergency Department in Crimea, according to historian Dr. Taras Chukhlib, Volodymyr Ivanov, this is not the first Mazepa pursued a policy aimed at preserv- German mine found on Ukrainian soil. ing the Ukrainian state system and the These mines were widely used during Ukrainian Kozaks. Another historian, Dr. World War II and since the beginning of Yurii Mytsyk, stressed that Mazepa was 2008 alone, over 3,000 mines from that era known for cultural development as well; he were detonated in Crimea. (Ukrinform)

The following article about the late Dr. George Peter Sendeckyj’s pro- fessional career with the U.S. Air Force is reprinted from the AF Wright Aeronautical Laboratories’ annual AFWAL Fellows awards presentation which took place a few years ago.

stereo x-ray radiography technique that has been widely adopted by the scientific community for studies of damage accumulation process- es in composite materials.

Dr. Sendeckyj has edited a book and written three book chapters and over 50 papers on elasticity theory, micromechanics and struc- tural integrity of composite materi- als. In addition to many awards within AFWAL, he received the ASTM Award of Merit, achieved Dr. George Sendeckyj the rank of ASTM Fellow, and AFWAL Fellow received the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award Dr. Sendeckyj is recognized as an from the Dayton Affiliate Societies international authority and leader Council. in the field of structural integrity of advanced composite materials. His He is a member of many govern- interests in the fundamental nature ment/non-government boards, of the behavior of materials led to committees and review groups and his developing methods for model- has been invited to present semi- ing their behavior, techniques for nars at MIT, Case Western studying the damage accumulation Reserve and other leading univer- process, and analysis methods for sities. predicting their behavior. Dr. Sendeckyj received his His significant research contribu- Bachelor’s degree from Cooper tions to the durability of composite Union and his Master’s and materials included residual Doctoral degrees from strength degradation fatigue mod- Northwestern University. His hob- els, fatigue data analysis proce- bies include photography and lis- dures, and a penetrant enhanced tening to classical music. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

case Ukraine should lose its bid. Polish officials claim Parliamentary Assembly... Uncertainty looms... their country will have at least six stadiums ready come (Continued from page 1) (Continued from page 1) 2012. scientists and historians do.” Both President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister “We expect that Poland and Ukraine will jointly host “We proceeded from particularly humanistic positions Yulia Tymoshenko assured Mr. Platini that Ukraine would the games as planned, but it’s necessary to take into emphasizing that we blame neither modern Russia, nor be ready to host the series. account the risk factor and prepare a reserve plan,” said modern states, but we, first of all, defend the honor and “We will do everything – even the impossible – so that Polish Minister of Sports and Tourism Miroslaw Drzewiecki. dignity of 10 million innocent victims who died as a this becomes a beautiful celebration for the entire world,” The UEFA executive committee will meet in Bordeaux, result of the Holodomor in the USSR republics,” Mr. Ms. Tymoshenko said. France, on September 23 to review Ukraine’s progress, Bilorus said, according to Ukrinform. But the unacceptable state of some of Ukraine’s facili- Mr. Platini said. The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE comprises ties, especially Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, is causing Poland’s host cities include Chorzow, Gdansk, Krakow, 320 parliamentarians from 56 European and North growing concerns for Mr. Platini and the UEFA. Ukraine’s Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw. relatively underdeveloped infrastructure has also played a American countries. Joao Soares of Portugal was elected Ukraine and Poland won joint hosting privileges for role in raising doubts, as the cities set to host the games – the new president of the Parliamentary Assembly, suc- Euro 2012 through a vote in April 2007. Held every four Kyiv, Lviv, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk – have yet to ceeding Goran Lennmarker of Sweden, who had served years since 1960, the European Football Championship is renovate facilities such as hotels and airports, and about the maximum two years. among the world’s most renowned sporting events, and 2,600 miles of roadway. one of Europe’s most popular, second only to soccer’s Although officials in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk have Sources: Ukrinform, Kommersant, U.S. Commission FIFA World Cup. on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Parliamentary announced that their brand new arenas – both named Assembly of the Organization for Security and National Stadium – will be finished within a year, Kyiv Cooperation in Europe. and Lviv have been sluggishly renovating their dilapidat- ed stadiums and infrastructure. First opened in 1923, Kyiv’s Olympic Stadium lacks major amenities, including Verkhovna Rada... modern bathrooms and appropriate seating. (Continued from page 1) Rep. Levin introduces... Lviv’s Ukraina Stadium, which was opened in 1992, is and 9 after both sides remained in disagreement and the undergoing a $110 million renovation to boost its capacity rostrum remained blocked. (Continued from page 4) from 28,000 to 32,000. YTB national deputies huddled around Mr. Yatsenyuk in Now, therefore, be it Kyiv’s biggest obstacle has been demolishing the an intimidating fashion as he stood at the podium attempt- Resolved, that the House of Representatives – newly built Troyitsky shopping center adjacent to its stadi- ing to address the Verkhovna Rada. They kept the podium (1) solemnly remembers the 75th anniversary of the um, which, officials claim, would block emergency exits blocked throughout the night on July 8, and vowed there- Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 and extends and foster further security threats. The Kyiv City State after to take turns occupying the Parliament hall around the its deepest sympathies to the victims, survivors and Administration and State Affairs Department only recently clock. families of this tragedy; reached an agreement with the center’s developer, With neither faction meeting its goals and without any (2) condemns the systematic violations of human Yudzhyn LLC, to knock it down, thereby freeing up space clear compromise between them, it seems likely that the rights, including the freedom of self-determination and around the stadium, which is to host the final match of the Parliament will recess for the summer and return in freedom of speech, of the Ukrainian people by the European soccer championship. September still deadlocked – a situation against which Soviet government; “[The government] has a clear anti-crisis plan for President Viktor Yushchenko warned the Parliament. (3) encourages dissemination of information regard- resolving the most problematic question in Ukraine’s “We have inflation of 15.5 percent in six months. This ing the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in order to expand preparations for Euro 2012: the reconstruction of the obliges, first and foremost, the government and, secondly, the world’s knowledge of this man-made tragedy; and Olympic Stadium,” said Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister the Parliament and all politicians to compensate for the (4) supports the continuing efforts of Ukraine to Ivan Vasiunyk. “We are confident this plan will be suc- spending to poor people and review pensions and salaries,” work toward ensuring democratic principles, a free- cessfully implemented.” Mr. Yushchenko said during a July 9 joint press conference market economy and full respect for human rights, in Although Mr. Platini admitted to not having a clear-cut in Kyiv with Maltese President Edward Fenech Adami. order to enable Ukraine to achieve its potential as an back-up plan, the UEFA has urged Poland, co-host of the Mr. Yushchenko stated that the Parliament has no right to important strategic partner of the United States in that European championship in 2012, to pick up the slack and recess before it passes the budget amendments requested by region of the world. prepare all eight stadiums necessary to host the games in the Tymoshenko Bloc. No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 17

NOTESNOTES ONON PEOPLEPEOPLE

Romankow’s office oversaw the investi- County prosecutor gation and subsequent arrests of 23 members of the Latin Kings, who were receives award estimated to be doing up to 400 retail ELIZABETH, N.J. – Theodore J. drug transactions a day with a street Romankow, the prosecutor of Union value of as much as $400,000 a week. County, N.J., made a pledge when he In 2007, one of New Jersey’s main took office in 2002 – to make the war on heroin and cocaine suppliers, Wilson drugs his personal priority. Valdez, pled guilty to racketeering and “Drugs are the underlying cause of so other first-degree crimes, and was sen- many crimes,” said Mr. Romankow, who tenced to 20 years. Mr. Valdez’s convic- estimates 60 percent to 70 percent of all tion was the result of a 2005 wiretap crimes are driven by illegal drug activity. investigation headed by Mr. “If we can stop the supply of illegal Romankow’s office, which became one drugs into this country, we can cut the of the largest wiretaps in New Jersey law crime rate across the board.” enforcement history. The wiretap led to True to his word, Mr. Romankow has another indictment, that of Mr. Valdez’s consistently fought to stem the drug trade supplier, Colombian drug lord Alejandro in Union County. His success was hon- Cleves, who is still at large in Colombia. ored on June 5 when the New Jersey In an attempt to formulate a plan for Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow (second from left) and his col- Narcotic Enforcement Officers Mr. Cleves’ arrest, Mr. Romankow leagues, (from left) Assistant Prosecutor Tim Isenhour, Special Agent in Charge Association presented Mr. Romankow accepted an invitation from the of New Jersey Gerald McAleer and Sergeant Tony Pino, outside the Office of the with its first-ever “Prosecutor of the Colombian attorney general, Dr. Mario Attorney General in Colombia. Year” award, praising his “commitment German Iguaran Arana, to visit to narcotic enforcement and education as Colombia. The attorney general assured illegal drugs from reaching U.S. shores.” are determined to put these criminals out well as his tireless support of the him that every effort would be made to While in Colombia, Mr. Romankow of business.” NJNEOA.” arrest and extradite Mr. Cleves for trial in and his staff took part in three days of He was also pleased by the size of the His office has succeeded in routing the U.S. intensive briefings regarding drug traf- U.S. commitment to assist the Colombian drug dealers of every stripe – from the In March, Mr. Romankow and several ficking organizations and the joint efforts government, noting that the war on drugs street-level pusher to the organized gang- members of his office’s Narcotics Strike of the DEA and Colombian officials to is “too overwhelming for one country to level wholesaler. Mr. Romankow’s office Force ventured southward for a first- eradicate production and distribution of handle alone.” has been involved in over 16 major drug hand look at the drug interdiction efforts cocaine and heroin. Mr. Romankow said When he returned to the United States takedowns in Union, Essex, Morris and of the U. S. Drug Enforcement he was impressed by the commitment of in mid-March, Mr. Romankow said he Somerset counties in New Jersey. Administration (DEA) and the the Colombian government to stopping was relieved to be home and humbled by The most recent success for the Union Colombian government. “Colombia is the drug trade. “The Colombian Attorney the enormity of the task that faces the County Prosecutor’s Office was the on the front lines of this war,” Mr. General, the prosecutors and investiga- government of Colombia. “It gave us destruction of the Elizabeth branch of the Romankow said. “It’s important to tors fight the drug lords at great personal renewed energy and resolve,” Mr. Latin Kings, a violent, multi-national understand where the drugs originate to risk to themselves and their families,” Romankow said of his experiences in street gang. This past April, Mr. formulate a policy that can help us keep said Mr. Romankow. “Despite risk, they Colombia.

Attorney named to state commission TRENTON, N.J. – Attorney Helen Oscislawski was appointed by Gov. Jon Corzine to the New Jersey Health Information Technology Commission, which is geared toward preparing New Jersey for a statewide regional health information organization or RHIO, on May 13. Ms. Oscislawski was appointed to the commission along with five other New Jersey state residents. Ms. Oscislawski contributed the cover article to the June issue of Advance for Health Information Executives, a trade magazine for healthcare providers and IT executives. Her article, titled “Business Value of RHIOs,” dealt with the mone- tary as well as practical benefits of RHIOs for private practices and hospi- tals. She stated that despite initial expenses, RHIOs will save money in the Helen Oscislawski long run by eliminating duplicate med- ical testing, as well as reduce errors and and crisis center in Princeton, N.J. inefficiency in the practice of medicine. Ms. Oscislawski is a corporate health Ms. Oscislawski is known for her care attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in work relating to the Health Insurance Princeton. She graduated Phi Beta Portability and Accountability Act or Kappa with a B.A. from Rutgers HIPAA. She created the New Jersey University and then graduated with hon- State Public Sector Law Review of ors from the Rutgers School of Law. HIPAA Privacy and its related Privacy In the early 1990s, Ms. Oscislawski Crosswalk. She also writes a legal blog danced with Roma Pryma- dealing with HIPAA and health informa- Bohachevsky’s Syzokryli dance ensem- tion sharing, which includes electronic ble and performed during the troupe’s sharing. 1992 tour of Ukraine. Ms. Oscislawski is also on the board She and her husband, Daniel of directors for the Corner House Oscislawski, M.D., are members of Foundation, a charitable organization Ukrainian National Association Branch that raises money for the teen counseling 234.

“Notes on People” is a feature geared toward reporting on the achievements of members of the Ukrainian National Association and the Ukrainian community. All submissions should be concise due to space limitations and must include the person’s UNA branch number (if applicable). Items will be published as soon as possible after their receipt. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

within the bloc, the EU’s external rela- GUAM Secretary-General Valeri Poland, Sweden... tions commissioner, Benita Ferrero- GUAM summit... Chechelashvili and IRU Secretary- (Continued from page 2) Waldner, said on May 26 that she does (Continued from page 2) General Martin Marmy presented the And we see that the next year, we need to not think it is a good idea to introduce and the bridge between Europe and Asia concept to the summit participants. It balance. This year, it is a Mediterranean distinctions between the eastern and could not be created,” as the Azerbaijani envisages the formation of the Europe- southern neighbors. Caucasus-Central Asia transport corridor year. So, the next year would be the east- presidency noted when handing over the Instead, Ms. Ferrero-Waldner said the for freight services and passenger traffic, ern year.” reins to Georgia in Batumi (Ministry of Eastern Partnership initiative would need along the historic Silk Road. Trans-Black Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, “Report on Grand bargain within EU to show it can “add value” to the existing Sea and trans-Caspian ferryboat links for GUAM during the Azerbaijani Neighborhood Policy. “In Eastern motor vehicles are key elements in this Diplomats say the EU’s larger mem- Presidency,” July 2008). Europe, indeed, there are some issues project (Statement by the GUAM Heads ber-states – who often oppose the smaller Some projects are being realized which can suitably be addressed at a of State, July 1). NELTI might become incrementally and on a relatively small “new” states over issues related to the for- regional level – for instance, on energy, one component in the overall Europe- mer Soviet space – are supportive of the transport networks, maybe cooperation on scale, primarily through the efforts of Caucasus-Central Asia transit corridor, Eastern Partnership initiative. France, trafficking, [cooperation] against illegal GUAM countries themselves and short of originally promoted as TRACECA which will take over as the next EU presi- immigration,” she said. the strategic scale that Brussels and (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus- dency in July, is motivated by the need to Ms. Ferrero-Waldner appeared particu- Washington had envisaged before drop- Asia) by EU authorities in Brussels, but build support for its Mediterranean strate- larly concerned the new plan could inter- ping the flag. then relegated to the back burner of EU gy among the eastern member-states. fere with the EU’s “Black Sea Synergy” During the Batumi summit, Presidents policy. Germany traditionally takes a close inter- scheme announced last year – which also Saakashvili and Aliyev symbolically lit Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of GUAM est in the EU’s eastern policy, while involves Russia and Turkey. the gas stove in a Batumi apartment, (June 2007-June 2008) proved to be the Britain is traditionally one of the Polish Foreign Affairs Minister inaugurating the flow of gas from most efficient and dedicated chairman- staunchest supporters of continued Sikorski also stressed the importance of Azerbaijan to this part of Georgia. ship in GUAM’s institutional history. It enlargement. practical cooperation, but in a subtly dif- Energy Ministers Natig Aliev of collected and published for the first time It also appears the Polish-Swedish ini- ferent sense. He said Ukraine, Moldova Azerbaijan and Alexandre Khetaguri of the full record of GUAM documents and tiative is part of a grand bargain within and, eventually, Belarus would be well- Georgia, Economics Minister Eka activities, from the organization’s incep- the EU that has seen Lithuania formally advised to follow the example of the Sharashidze of Georgia and Transport tion in 1997 to date. It hosted three goal- drop its objections to an EU-Russia Visegrad group, which was set up by Minister Serik Ahmetov of Kazakhstan oriented, project-based international con- strategic partnership deal. EU foreign Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, discussed plans to increase oil deliveries ferences in Baku, and published the pro- ministers have agreed that the long- and Hungary to pursue regional coopera- along the direct corridor from ceedings with full-scale policy recom- delayed talks with Russia can begin at the tion before those countries were granted Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan and Georgian mendations concerning protracted con- EU-Russia summit at Khanty-Mansiisk entry into the EU. Black Sea ports, for further shipment to flicts, energy development and trans- on June 26-27. Mr. Sikorski noted that while eastern Ukraine and into the projected Odesa- portation (“Basic Principles for the Significantly, Poland and Sweden led membership hopefuls “cannot change the Brody-Plock-Gdansk route. The energy Settlement of Conflicts on the Territories the EU mediating effort earlier this month rules of accession, they can change the summit held in Kyiv in May launched an of GUAM States,” April 2008; “GUAM when Lithuania first stepped in to veto perceptions” in the EU if they demon- updated, expanded version of this proj- Transit,” April 2008; and “GUAM the talks. Vilnius’s concerns – ranging strate an ability to work together and ect. Development Strategy,” May 2008). from trade complaints, the status of crimi- reform. This, in turn, could stand them in The Georgian-led GUAM Secretariat These contributions have laid the basis nal investigations and Russia’s recent good stead when the EU “catches its and the International Road Union (IRU) for a “GUAM acquis.” They also form a aggressive moves in Georgia – are now to breath” and recovers from the current announced the creation of a partnership basis for GUAM’s incoming Georgian be addressed in the course of the EU- enlargement fatigue. at this summit. The IRU, an overarching chairmanship to move forward. Russia negotiations. organization representing trucking, bus The Polish-Swedish initiative is Copyright 2008, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted and other forms of the motor transporta- The article above is reprinted from unlikely to bring with it an immediate sea with the permission of Radio Free tion business, has launched a New Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission change in the EU’s eastern policy. Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Eurasian Land Transport Initiative from its publisher, the Jamestown Reflecting the weight of the consensus Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. (NELTI) involving the GUAM countries. Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 19

Ukrainian pro hockey update by Ihor Stelmach 2007-2008 NHL season saw some 25 Ukrainian skaters Conclusion Vishnevski’s ice time dwindled through the fired and the team imploded. Haydar quick- when Turk Broda and the Bruneteau broth- course of the season, ending with him ly got sent back down to Chicago (AHL) ers traveled down from Winnipeg to try out UNDERACHIEVERS: Lee Stempniak watching Devils action from the press box. where he led the Wolves into the Calder for the Detroit Red Wings, the trio sought (St. Louis), Travis Zajac (New Jersey), ALEXEI ZHITNIK’s underachieving Cup championship round. Ironically, one of sleeping quarters at the local YMCA. Since Ruslan Fedotenko (N.Y. Islanders), Brad campaign ended a lot sooner than the rest his running mates was Motzko. they were stretched for funds, the boys Lukowich (Tampa Bay), Darcy Hordichuk of his teammates. Zhitnik (65-3-5-8-58) Finally, there’s Konopka, a high-scoring could only afford one room. There was bed (Nashville), Jeff Woywitka (St. Louis), was banished to the press box as a healthy center who likes to mix it up in the corners space for only two of them. One of the Vitaly Vishnevski (New Jersey), Alexei scratch after a loss to Carolina on March 5. and even drop the gloves. Once a decent brothers, Modere, better known as “Mud,” Zhitnik (Atlanta). The club did not take him along on their prospect with Anaheim, he tried Europe for lived up to his nickname by losing the coin It just might be a tad unfair to list the final road trips. Due $3.5 million in 2008- a brief while, then returned to Portland flip and being relegated to sleep in the following two youngsters as underachiev- 2009, GM Don Waddell will do all in his (AHL), only to be traded to Columbus in a bathtub... There was a story in The New ing forwards for the recently completed power to move this salary during the off- minor league swap. He is the type of player York Times about Ty Gretzky (Wayne’s 2007-2008 hockey season. Any experi- season. It promises to be a hard sell. If who could be the last man on the Blue son) in which his famous father was quoted enced sports observer could easily write off Zhitnik does some serious soul-searching Jackets’ roster or the first call-up. as saying, “By no means does he think he’s the second full seasons for LEE STEMP- and dedicates himself the way he can, going to be the next Sidney Crosby.” Let’s *** NIAK (80 game,13 goals, 25 assists, 38 there’s one more hope with a new club. If get this straight: Wayne Gretzky is saying points and 40 penalty minutes) and not, it might be time to return to the FINAL UKRAINIAN UTTERINGS: his son is not going to be the next Next TRAVIS ZAJAC (82-14-20-34-40) as per- Russian League. Senators owner Eugene Melnyk surprised One? Right, okay, we get it... fect examples of a young player’s sopho- FUTURE ACHIEVERS: Ryan Potulny the Canadian troops stationed in Kandahar, Speaking of the “Great One,” there’s a more slump. This frequent second-year let- (Philadelphia), Johnny Boychuk Afghanistan, when he showed up with new wine labeled No. 99 – Wayne Gretzky down comes when a rookie exceeds projec- (Colorado), Jonathan Filewich (Pittsburgh), $50,000 worth of street hockey equipment, Estates. Now, don’t call him the “Grape tions in his first year, which is then com- Joe Motzko (Atlanta), Darren Haydar Ottawa Senators jerseys and Tim Horton’s One” just yet, but Gretzky now has his own pounded by higher expectations in year No. (Atlanta), Zenon Konopka (Columbus). (a donut chain) gift certificates. Melnyk line of wines. There’s the WGE 2006 2. To Stempniak’s and Zajac’s credit, both This last grouping of Ukrainian hockey went to visit the troops after watching a Merlot: a dry, smooth vintage featuring played their team’s full schedule of games players seeing action on NHL rinks in couple of his horses race in nearby Dubai... grapes from five vineyards around Niagara- – neither was benched for poor play or 2007-2008 can be sub-divided into two An interesting did you know: Tampa Bay’s on-the-Lake, Ontario. If you prefer white, exiled to the press box to learn by observ- separate categories: prospects and spares. Brad Lukowich was informed he had been try Gretzky’s WGE Unoaked Chardonnay ing. Zajac’s continued development was Potulny, Boychuk and Filewich are all 24 traded to the Lightning on his wedding 2006, a table wine with a fruity aroma. definitely hindered by a change in coaching years old or younger, still considered day... From the Ukrainian pro hockey Nothin’ like watching the game with a nice philosophy. Maybe they were both achiev- potential NHLers. Motzko, Haydar and archives: Walter “Ants” Atanas is the cold bottle of...wine... ers, but based on point totals from their Konopka all will be 28 or older this year. owner of one dubious NHL record. During That’s it for hockey for a while. Next rookie year, we prefer to be strict with our Their future hopes are to catch on as inex- the 1944-1945 season, his only year in the puck drops in early October. This writer player ratings. Go get ’em next year! pensive extra players that can skate on a big-time, he scored two goals for the New will be in Ottawa for the 2008 NHL entry As we’re into pairing up our Ukrainian fourth line or replace an injured teammate. York Rangers. But, get this, he also scored draft, keeping tabs on Ukrainian hopefuls NHL stars into parallel situations, under- RYAN POTULNY saw action in seven two inadvertent own-goals for the opposing like Zach Boychuk, Greg Neisz, Neal achievers RUSLAN FEDOTENKO (67- games for the Flyers, spending the majority Montreal Canadiens in a 2-2 tie... Going Prokop and some others from next genera- 16-17-33-40) and BRAD LUKOWICH of his season with the American Hockey further back in the Uke archives to 1934, tion of Ukrainian pro hockey stars. (59-1-6-7-20) had lots in common this past League’s (AHL) Phantoms. He was actual- season. Both found themselves on new ly with the big club for 35 games in 2006- teams, though for Lukowich it was a home- 2007 when he tallied seven goals and 12 coming of sorts in Tampa Bay. Both were points. Shows how much the parent very much sidelined by leg injuries, limit- Philadelphia squad improved this season. ing their ability to suit up for action. Potulny could stick with the Flyers in Fedotenko was one of several late Islanders 2008-2009. signings as part of a last-ditch effort to field They say it takes a little longer for a a full roster of NHL players. Lukowich was young defenseman to mature and learn the brought back to help anchor a porous ropes of the NHL. Twenty-four-year-old defense corps of predominantly young legs. JOHNNY BOYCHUK has had a couple of How Fedotenko managed even 16 goals decent training years in the AHL, finally with the cast of characters he was lined up getting a quick cup of coffee with Colorado with is an unknown. Yet he’ll still be (four games) this season. He’s a big, hard- searching for another new home this July. nosed physical defenseman climbing up the Quite frankly, DARCY HORDICHUK depth chart. (45-1-2-3-60) is fortunate to still be on an AHL All-Star JONATHAN FILEWICH NHL roster. His role of shift also sipped some big-time coffee this year disturber/enforcer has mostly been elimi- in Pittsburgh, joining the Stanley Cup final- nated since the league’s re-enforcement of ists for a five-game injury replacement gig. obstruction rules. Today’s NHL player can The 6-3, 205-pound right wing’s scoring still fight, intimidate and bodycheck, but has dipped a little, so he must add some also should be able to skate, score an occa- nastiness and grit to his game if he wants to sional goal and exhibit restraint and self- make it as a third-or fourth-liner. Two years discipline. Hordichuk could learn from ago he was named the fastest skater at the teammate Jordin Tootoo, who has evolved AHL All-Star Classic. into an all-round player the past couple of A packed suitcase should always be years. The fact that Hordichuk dressed for nearby for poor JOE MOTZKO. A perenni- barely half of his team’s games is an indi- al AHL All-Star, this poor right winger has cator of his near-extinct species. gone from Anaheim to Washington to St. Louis defenseman JEFF WOYWIT- Atlanta in less than two years. Prior to KA (27-2-6-8-12) was Philadelphia’s first- being dealt to Atlanta late this season, round draft pick (No. 27 overall) in the Motzko got into eight games for the 2001 entry draft. The Blues are Jeff’s third Capitals, managing two goals and four team in the past four years, Edmonton hav- points. This is one of those borderline ing taken him from the Flyers before pass- minor leaguers who just needs a good ing him along in a deal to the Blues. It’s fair chance. Let’s hope he gets it. to offer the evaluation that this young man Speaking of perennial All-Stars, let’s not has not come close to meeting his potential. forget 2006-2007 AHL MVP DARREN Ever since the retirements of defense- HAYDAR (16-1-7-8-2) and. the well-trav- men Scott Stevens and Ukrainian Kenny elled ZENON KONOPKA (three games Daneyko, the New Jersey Devils have with Columbus). Coming off his MVP hon- searched for quality defenders to plug into ors the Thrashers had no choice but to give its team defense system of shutting down Haydar a spot in their line-up at the start of opponents. The latest search saw VITALY 2007-2008. After all, the minor league scor- VISHNEVSKI (69-2-5-7-50) arrive to man ing champion had little left to prove on the one of those blueline roles. Though still farm. He didn’t disappoint with his eight one of the league’s best bodycheckers, points in 16 games, but then the coach was 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

to trade, open to foreign ownership, are The artists themselves. Commerce secretary... the ones that are growing faster, they’re LvivArt... And to that you add a commission? (Continued from page 8) the ones that are creating more jobs, (Continued from page 13) that we get to be making contributions to they’re the ones that have higher per How, then, is payment rendered? Yes, it’s fixed at 40 percent of the price the development and growth of Ukraine. capita income, they’re the ones that are set by the artist, which, we are told, is very creating more prosperity for their people. In a secure environment called PayPal, reasonable by gallery standards. Ukraine is America’s second largest trad- which is completely separate from our site ing partner in the region, and U.S. firms That is a big challenge. It is how far You and your partners just opened a can we go toward openness, and will and used by countless online merchants have invested more than $1 billion in worldwide. gallery in Lviv. Had this been your Ukraine. I heard yesterday that the total there be a will to have confidence in intention all along? foreign direct investment last year was opening up the economy? And so far, What about the legal aspects of your close to $9 billion. … Ukraine has demonstrated that that is a endeavor? Are there legal entities for Not initially, but after we launched the We believe that as Ukraine continues direction in which you want to go. LvivArt both in Ukraine and in the website we came to understand that we its progress toward openness and reform, … We believe that Ukraine has great U.S.? needed some kind of physical presence – that everything will show results, that the opportunity. We believe that there are both for buyers who might not be comfort- Yes, basically, there are two legal enti- able enough to purchase art online, and for results will be tangible, and that it few countries that have the kind of ties cooperating with one another. There is demonstrates that we are just literally, lit- opportunity and future that can be boast- artists, many of whom prefer to deal with a LvivArt-Ukraine that is set up as what we physical rather than an online entity. erally getting started. ed by Ukraine, and we also believe – I in the U.S. call a small business, and a We believe that the key is openness, don’t think this is an exaggeration – that LvivArt-U.S. that operates as a limited lia- Are there any plans to expand and countries that have had the will to Ukraine can become one of the most bility company. The two interact on the beyond Lviv in terms of artists’ offer- open to ideas, open to investment, open attractive economies in the world. … basis of a number of agreements. The for- ings? mer primarily handles contacts with Lviv Yes, it’s something we’re actively think- artists, as well as orders and shipments ing about. It’s quite a complex endeavor PREVIEW OF EVENTS within Ukraine, while the latter handles from a logistical standpoint, but we think international orders and shipments. it’s something within reach, hopefully (Continued from page 24) MA 02138. For more information contact Can artists who promote their works within the next few months. Actually, we HURI at 617-495-4053 or log on to would like to take this idea even one step Building South at 7 p.m. The South http://www.huri.harvard.edu/calendar.html. through your site still sell them inde- Building of the Center for Government and pendently? further by being able to offer a promotion- Friday, August 1 al platform not only for artists in Ukrainian International Studies is located at 1730 Yes, we don’t have exclusive marketing Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02138. For CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard cities other than Lviv, but also for artists in more information contact HURI at 617- Ukrainian Summer Institute will host a rights. I don’t think any artist would enter the Ukrainian diaspora. 495-4053 or log on to http://www.huri.har- lecture given by Virko Baley, distin- into a relationship with us if we insisted on vard.edu/calendar.html. guished professor of music and composer- having such rights. All that we require is *** in-residence, University of Nevada, Las that when an artist gives away or sells a Thursday, July 31 The LvivArt Gallery is located at 21 Vegas. His talk is titled “Break, Blow, given piece of art that is displayed on our Lesia Ukrainka St. in the heart of old town CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Burn: Famine as Virtual Opera” and will site, that he or she notify us within 24 Ukrainian Summer Institute will host a film focus on the making of his original opera, Lviv. It opened with an exhibit of works hours so that we can take the given item by painter Orest Skop, a Merited Artist of presentation titled “Ukraine: A View from “Hunger: Red Earth.” The lecture will be off our site. the West.” Yuri Shevchuk will introduce the held in the Belfer Case Study Room (S- Ukraine. It is run by Julia and Roman film, “Import-Export” by Ulrich Seidl 020) of the CGIS Building South at 7 p.m. And who sets the price for artwork Skop, who also administers the (Austria 2007). This event, co-sponsored by The South Building of the Center for displayed on your site? LvivArt.com website. the Ukrainian Film Club at Columbia, will Government and International Studies is be held Belfer Case Study Room (S-020) of located at 1730 Cambridge St., the CGIS Building South at 7 p.m. The Cambridge, MA 02138. For more informa- South Building of the Center for tion contact HURI at 617-495-4053 or log clauses of the Russian Ukrainian Treaty Government and International Studies is on to http://www.huri.harvard.edu/calen- Ukraine and Russia... located at 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, dar.html. on Friendship, Cooperation and (Continued from page 6) Partnership. In particular, this treaty tion the territorial integrity of Ukraine entails commitments concerning mutual and are a direct interference in its internal respect of sovereign equality, territorial affairs. integrity, inviolability of borders, the “We emphasize once again: Ukraine is non-use of threats of force, and non- an independent state and independently interference in internal affairs. designates its own internal and external “In order to protect its sovereignty and policies, which are aimed at maintaining independence, Ukraine will apply all and protecting its national interests necessary measures that are envisioned in “The foundation of Ukraine’s foreign international law.” policy course is the strengthening of After the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs equal and partner relations with all coun- Ministry issued this statement, the situa- tries, above all with neighbors, in accor- tion calmed down somewhat, and dance with generally acknowledged Moscow arrived at an understanding with norms of international law, particularly Kyiv to initiate expert consultations on the Statute of the United Nations. In Ukraine’s intention to join NATO. relinquishing the third largest nuclear In the calmer atmosphere, Russia’s arsenal in the world, our state was gov- Foreign Minister Lavrov declared that “at erned by the desire to strengthen interna- the summit in Bucharest, Mr. Putin did not tional peace and security. On their part, say anything that would infringe on nuclear states, including the Russian Ukraine’s sovereignty.”8 Viktor Cherno- Federation, gave Ukraine security guar- myrdin, Russia’s ambassador to Ukraine, antees that are entrenched in the called the information that had appeared in Budapest Memorandum of 1994. the press about Mr. Putin not considering “It is absolutely unacceptable that the Ukraine a state “ravings.” “The president Russian Federation, as one of the signa- of Russia could never have said such a tories of this Memorandum and a perma- thing and will never say it. These are rav- nent member of the U.N. Security ings,” Mr. Chernomyrdin said.9 Council, which bears responsibility for The latest stage of relative calm has upholding international peace and securi- now appeared in Ukrainian Russian rela- ty, is resorting to unfriendly steps toward tions. Only time will tell how long it will Ukraine and questions its territorial last, and whether the new-old Kremlin integrity and sovereign right to make leadership will pass the test of political decisions about its own foreign policy wisdom and its proclaimed commitment choice. In this situation, it is becoming to the universal principles of peace and increasingly obvious that Ukraine’s democracy. Euro-Atlantic choice is the only way to It is difficult to say whether this will guarantee the security of our state. happen in view of Russia’s aggressive Therefore, Ukraine should integrate into policy toward Georgia, where in that NATO, which is the foundation of the country’s Abkhazia and Ossetia regions system of collective security. the Russians are infringing on the sover- “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of eign rights of Georgia’s territorial integri- Ukraine demands that the Russian side ty – actions that contravene international put an end to its practice of issuing laws. Such activity leaves little room for threats against Ukraine and uphold the trust and optimism.

8 UNIAN, April 15, 2008. maiachnia, shcho Putin obizvav Ukrainu ne 9 Ukrainska Pravda, “Chernomyrdin: tse derzhavoiu,” April 17, 2008. No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 21 OUT AND ABOUT

July 18 Richie Furay Band with The Midnight July 27 Ukrainian Seminary Day, St. Nicholas Picnic Whippany, NJ Ramblers, Ukrainian American Cultural Minersville, PA Grove, 570-874-1101 Center of New Jersey, 973-585-7175 July 28-August 1 Workshop on Ukrainian ceramics and July 18-20 Ukrainian Festival, Verkhovyna Mountain Jewett, NY pysanky, with Sofika Zielyk, Music and Art Glen Spey, NY View Resort, 845-856-1105 Center of Greene County, 212-674-6569 or 518-989-6479 July 19 Recital by violinist Nazarii Pylatiuk, Jewett, NY Music and Art Centerof Greene County, July 30 Film presentation, “Virko Baley,” a film 212-674-6569 or 518-989-6479 Cambridge, MA about Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, Harvard University, July 19 Membership reception, Ukrainian American 617-495-4053 Chicago Bar Association, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 239-775-3700 July 31 Film presentation by Yuri Shevchuk, Cambridge, MA “Ukraine: A View from the West,” Harvard July 21 Film presentation by Yuri Shevchuk, “An University, 617-495-4053 Cambridge, MA Unknown Oleksander Dovzhenko,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053

July 21 Lecture by Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern, Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to Cambridge, MA “Ukraine’s Anti-Imperial Choice: The Case events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome of Leonid Pervomaiskyi,” Harvard submissions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion University, 617-495-4053 of the editors and as space allows. Please note: items will be printed a maximum of two times each. Please send e-mail to July 22 Solo play by Halyna Stefanova, “Fieldwork [email protected]. Cambridge, MA in Ukrainian Sex,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053 ODUM RESORT CENTER, INC. July 24 Literary evening with Volodymyr Dibrova, Cambridge, MA “Andriyivkyi Uzviz (Andrew’s Way),” Notice of Shareholders’ Meeting Harvard University, 617-495-4053 A general meeting of all shareholders will be held on Sunday, July 27, July 26 Concert featuring the Music at the 2008 at 1 PM, the Hall at St. Andrew’s Center, Easton Avenue, So. Bound Jewett, NY Grazhda Chamber Ensemble, Music and Art Brook, NJ. The meeting shall ratify dissolution of the corporation and allo- Center of Greene County, 212-674-6569 or cation of its assets. All shareholders must pre-register with attorney Peter 518-989-6479 Piddoubny by July 20, 2008. Tel. 718-721-7600 Fax 718-721-9892. July 27 Pub night, featuring Chris Hillman and Herb Whippany, NJ Pedersen, Ukrainian American Cultural Anton Filimonchuk, President Center of New Jersey, 973-585-7175 Oleksij Shevchenko, Secretary 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28 UKEUKELLODEONODEON FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

St. George School and its students win awards in 2007-2008 NEW YORK – St. George School in the East Village enjoyed two great successes during the 2007-2008 school year. The school won a Golden Apple Award for recycling, and two of its students placed in a speech contest sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal benefit society. In June, the elementary school placed in the city’s 2008 TrashMasters! Super Recyclers con- test, which awards cash prizes to schools for implementing superior recycling programs. In

St. George’s student body after winning a Golden Apple Award.

addition to a cash prize of $1,500, St. George’s mandatory recycling in schools. will receive a Golden Apple Trophy and a cer- Additionally, two students, Marta Antoniv and tificate of achievement from the city of New Makasym Lozynskyj, placed second and third, York in a ceremony this fall. respectively in the Manhattan District 1 Speech District 1 speech contest winners, all of whom are The school placed second in the borough of Contest sponsored by Modern Woodmen of Ukrainian. From left: Marta Antoniv, Jolene Manhattan and fourth overall for the city of New America on April 22. Marta and Makasym gave Sysak (Immaculate Conception School) and York. The contest is sponsored by the city of speeches on the assigned topic, “An American Makasym Lozynskyj. New York to raise awareness about and expand Landmark.”

Plast members in Syracuse-Utica-Binghamton report successful year by Ivanka Temnycky returned to the main site, the cub and Kalyna Melnyk scouts went swimming in the large ITHACA, N.Y. – After another suc- pool below the falls, while the older cessful year, the Syracuse-Utica- members played volleyball. Binghamton, N.Y., branch of Plast The members ended their year with Ukrainian Scouting Organization met a formal ceremony in a beautiful field for its end-of-the-year closing cere- overlooking the park. They received monies at beautiful Buttermilk Falls the merit badges they had earned State Park in Ithaca, NY. throughout the year, such as pysanka- The members went for a three-mile making, “friends of birds” and skiing. hike along a path that follows Some of the participants also earned Buttermilk Creek. The hike began various Plast ranks. with the choice of a steep path or 610 The Plast branch has been very natural stairs, as Buttermilk Creek active throughout the year, participat- drops more than 600 feet over 10 sep- ing in various outdoor activities. In Syracuse scouts pose for a group picture after the closing ceremony at arate waterfalls and flows down the addition, the chapter holds regular Buttermilk Falls State Park. east side of the Cayuga Valley. A high- meetings, at which the participants light of the hike was Pinnacle Rock, a learn a lot about nature, wildlife and scouts went on a trip to the Burnett weather for Plast functions, no matter 40-foot pillar of shale formed by ero- being a Plast member. Over the 2007-2008 scouting year, Park Zoo in Syracuse, N.Y. In May, what the weathermen predicted. sion of the creek around it. the branch participated in six field- the S-U-B Plast branch had an outing Many of the branch’s members will After the hike, the members stopped trips. In the fall, they went horseback to Green Lakes State Park in be participating in summer Plast for lunch overlooking one of the beau- riding at Highland Forest State Park in Fayetteville, N.Y., where they went camps at “Vovcha Tropa” in East tiful waterfalls. When the hikers Fabius, N.Y. In January, the scouts rowing on the beautiful lake and then Chatham, N.Y., “Novyi Sokil” in Ivanka Temnycky, 13, will be an went skiing at Song Mountain in Tully, hiking through the woods. Buffalo, N.Y., and even in Seattle, eighth grader at Christian Brothers N.Y. In February, the members went Thanks to the head of the Syracuse- Wash. Academy in Syracuse, N.Y. Kalyna back to Highland Forest for a sleigh Utica-Binghamton Plast branch, Yurko Even though ours is a very small Melnyk, 14, will be a freshman at ride and sledding. They were given Temnycky, the branch enjoyed a very Plast branch, its members remain very Perry Junior High in New Hartford, rides around the park by two large productive and fun year. It seemed active. Isn’t that partly what Plast is N.Y. Clydesdale horses. In April, the that his amazing luck brought good all about? No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 23 198 students mark end of year at Parma Ukrainian school PARMA, Ohio – On Saturday, June 7, the Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies of St. Vladimir’s Cathedral concluded the 2007-2008 academic year with a prayer service (moleben) in the cathedral, followed by the distribu- tion of report cards and certificates of achievement in the parish’s cul- tural center. The school had 198 students, in 12 classes and a pre- kindergarten class. Ukrainian school staff included four clergy, who taught religion, and 21 lay teachers. The director of the school is Dr. Volodymyr Bodnar. Seen on the right are students and faculty of the school.

N.Y. Plast youngsters celebrate spring with a special outing HARTSDALE, N.Y. – Over 40 were the recipients of over 50 merit “novaky” and “novachky” (boys badges, which the cub scouts and girls age 6-11) from the New earned during the course of the York City and Yonkers, N.Y., con- year. The event was organized by tingents of Plast Ukrainian Lesia Lopatynsky, Roman Juzeniw, Scouting Organization held a joint Dianna Shmerykowsky and Ksenia “Sviato Yuriya” here on Sunday, Hentisz. Present were Oksana June 1. Participants (seen on the Kinal, president of the New York left) competed in games and sports, Branch of Plast and Ivan held a bonfire – whose topic was Shmotolocha, head of the Yonkers “Night in the Plast Museum” – and Plast Group. Mishanyna Summer is a great time to watch birds and enjoy their playful songs. This month, find the names of a few species of birds hid- den below. Then, find out which of these birds lives in your Boston children take up dance neighborhood. (Remember, look only for the capitalized words.) BOSTON – Children of the part of the commemorative pro- blue JAY HUMMINGBIRD SEAGULL Boston Ukrainian community par- gram, the 18 boys and girls, Canadian GOOSE MOCKINGBIRD SPARROW ticipated in a spring dance work- between the ages of 7 and 11 per- shop that culminated in a perform- formed two dances – a traditional CARDINAL OWL wild TURKEY ance at a community “Sviachene” “Pryvit” and a “Hopak” that CHICKADEE PELICAN WOODPECKER (Easter dinner) hosted by St. showcased dance routines mastered DUCK RAVEN WREN Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox over the nine-week workshop led GOLDFINCH ROBIN Church of Boston. The event, held by Vera Geba, Debra Luchanin and on May 18, coincided with the Roman Chicz, former members of arrival of the Holodomor the Mandrivka Ukrainian Dance Remembrance Torch escorted by Group. Seen below are the young Dr. Oleh Shamshur, Ukraine’s dancers of the Boston area at their ambassador to the United States. As May 18 performance.

Vsevolod Petriv 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 No. 28

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Soyuzivka’s Datebook Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20 Northwestern University. His talk is titled “Ukraine’s Anti-Imperial Choice: The Case CHICAGO: The Ukrainian American Bar Association is sponsoring a membership of Leonid Pervomaiskyi” and will be held July 10 - 13 – Soyuzivka Cultural August 2 – Roma Pryma in Room S-050 of the CGIS Building South Festival Weekend Bohachevsky Dance Camp 1 recital reception at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W. Chicago Ave., on at 7 p.m. The South Building of the Center – 2 p.m. for Government and International Studies is July 13 -18 – Heritage Camp Saturday at 5 p.m. The event will continue on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field as the located at 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, session 1 August 2 – Zabava with Svitanok White Sox battle the Royals. The UABA MA 02138. For more information contact has arranged a “patio party” that will start HURI at 617-495-4053 or log on to July 13 - 19 – Discovery / Cultural August 3 – 16 – Roma Pryma at 11 a.m. inside the stadium, where mem- http://www.huri.harvard.edu/calendar.html. Camp Bohachevsky Dance Camp session 2 bers can watch batting practice from a spe- Wednesday, July 30 cial area and enjoy unlimited food and July 20 - 25 – Heritage Camp August 9 – Exhibit: Rem drink. Tickets are $66. All attorneys of CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard session 2 Bahautdyn – paintings Ukrainian descent and guests are welcome. Ukrainian Summer Institute will host a lec- For information and tickets contact UABA ture and film presentation by Virko Baley, July 20 - 26 – Sitch Sports Camp August 9 – Zabava with Tempo President Stephen Grogoza at 239-775- distinguished professor of music and com- session 1 3700 or [email protected]. poser-in-residence, University of Nevada, August 9 – Crowning of Miss Monday, July 21 Las Vegas. His talk is titled “Valentin July 20 - August 2 – Roma Pryma Soyuzivka 2009 at midnight Silvestrov and the Mythopoetic CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard Imagination” and will be held in the Belfer Bohachevsky Dance Camp session Ukrainian Summer Institute will host a Case Study Room (S-020) of the CGIS 1; recital Saturday, August 2 August 9 -16 – Club Suzie-Q Week – seminar given by Yohanan Petrovsky- 25th Anniversary Shtern, assistant professor of history at (Continued on page 20) July 27 - August 2 – Sitch Sports Camp session 2 August 15 – Pete & Vlod at the Tiki PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES: Bar July 26 – Exhibit: Ducia Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. Hanushevska – ceramics August 16 – Roma Pryma It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per submission) by The Ukrainian Bohachevsky Dance Camp 2 Weekly to the Ukrainian community. July 26 – Zabava with Na Zdorovya recital – 2 p.m. To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English, July 27 - 31 – Adoptive Ukrainian August 9 – Zabava with Fata written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief paragraph that includes the date, place, Children and Parents Heritage Morgana type of event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations Camp session co-sponsored by involved, and a phone number to be published for readers who may require addi- Ukrainian Embassy August 17 - 23 – Joseph’s School of tional information. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Dance (Ballroom Dance Camp) August 1 – Pete & Vlod at the Tiki Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication. Items will be published only once, unless otherwise indicated. Please Bar August 23 – Ballroom Dance recital include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Also, senders are asked to include the phone num- August 2 – Exhibit: Kozak family – August 25 – September 1 – Labor ber of a person who may be contacted by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well paintings Day Week as their complete mailing address.

Information should be sent to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, 973-644-9510; e-mail, [email protected].

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Being Ukrainian means:

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