www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• Ostroh Academy honors three U.S. Ukrainians— page 3. • Coalition meets with new U.S. envoy to Ukraine — page 5. • Special section on the UNA’s 36th Convention — pages 8-13. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIV HE KRAINIANNo. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2006 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine FirstT Lady KaterynaU Yushchenko Russophiles Wthroughout Ukraine protest addresses World Affairs Council Yushchenko’s domestic, foreign policies by Andrea Fylypovych effects of her husband’s dioxin poisoning to by Zenon Zawada Special to The Ukrainian Weekly the elimination of corruption in Ukraine. Kyiv Press Bureau Ukraine’s first lady made it clear, however, PHILADELPHIA – First Lady Kateryna that her main concern on this U.S. visit was KYIV – Ukraine’s Russophiles have Yushchenko of Ukraine was the honored to raise funds for improving health care in been rebelling against the domestic and guest on May 30 at the annual meeting of Ukraine, specifically for children. international policies of President Viktor the World Affairs Council (WAC) of The centerpiece of her program, called Yushchenko in recent months, posing a Philadelphia held at the stately Union Hospital to Hospital, is to build a state-of- threat to the nation’s long-term stability. League Club. the-art children’s hospital in Kyiv that The revolt began in Kharkiv on March The evening began with a traditional includes a research center for neonatal and 6, when the City Council voted to grant Ukrainian welcome of bread and salt on genetic testing. This pediatric center would the Russian language regional status. On an embroidered ritual cloth. Mrs. aid in combatting the lingering health May 29 thousands of Russophiles took to Yushchenko was ushered onto the stage problems associated with the Chornobyl the streets of Feodosiya to protest the by WAC President Buntzie Ellis Churchill accident that occurred over 20 years ago. presence of U.S. troops. and Ukrainian Human Rights Committee In addition, much-needed hospitals would The Crimean Parliament voted on President Ulana Mazurkevich. A pair of be built in each of Ukraine’s 25 oblasts. June 6 to declare the autonomous repub- youngsters dressed in embroidered A foundation has been set up in lic a “NATO-free territory” in opposition Ukrainian shirts greeted her with flowers. Ukraine to collect funds for this cause. to the military alliance created to defend Accompanying Mrs. Yushchenko were Telethons and sales of bracelets also have Europe against the Soviet Union. members of the Ukrainian diplomatic been used raise money. At a press conference the same day, corps headed by Dr. Oleh Shamshur, Mrs. Yushchenko noted that the con- President Yushchenko said the pro- Cutty Sark Co. ambassador to the U.S., and Mykola Russian votes are anti-constitutional and cept of philanthropy in Ukraine had dis- “I don't hold any illusions that Kyrychenko, consul general in New York. appeared after the Soviet Revolution in voiced his suspicion that forces within Congressman Curt Weldon (R.-Pa.) the Russian Federation were stoking the Ukrainian politics will be easy,” 1917. She stressed that volunteerism President Viktor Yushchenko told jour- offered a spirited introduction. Referring to needs to be revived and, in a barb tossed revolt. Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yushchenko, he “Everyone understands that this is a nalists on June 6, following a wave of at Ukraine’s new ultra-rich class, sug- pro-Russian acts by Ukrainian citizens. noted that “dynamic leaders need our sup- gested that “possibly illegally gained mine placed with one goal: to stop our port.” He also praised Mrs. Yushchenko’s profits” should be channeled to charity. progress and to show that Ukrainians are Holovatyi announced that all attempts to “special commitment to children.” A non-profit foundation is also being set unable to conduct themselves with soli- declare a regional language were uncon- The program continued with a ques- up in the United States. Ms. Churchill of darity,” Mr. Yushchenko said. stitutional. They violate Articles 10 and tion/answer dialogue between Ms. the WAC offered to have her organization “Groups are doing this well with for- 92 of the Constitution of Ukraine that Churchill and Mrs. Yushchenko. act as a necessary go-between for donors. eign money,” he later added. “I can’t Mrs. Yushchenko responded to questions even name the political groups. But make Ukrainian the exclusive language on a variety of topics ranging from the after- (Continued on page 5) that’s life, and I don’t hold any illusions in all government dealings, both national that Ukrainian politics will be easy.” (Continued on page 24) Pro-Ukrainian leaders view the revolt against the Ukrainian language more seriously than the anti-NATO protests National University of Ostroh Academy: because they pose a more serious threat Verkhovna Rada to the nation’s stability and unity. “The goal is to provoke instability in a Ukrabyi Zenonnian Zawada diaspora shugeuc globalces databases st ofo researchry sources. Ukraine, stop its democratic develop- adjourns session Kyiv Press Bureau The cylindrical library complements cozy ment and movement toward Europe, and cottages, where about 50 teachers currently create conditions to return Ukraine to the until June 14 OSTROH, Ukraine – Few diaspora reside, as well as the renovated classrooms bosom of its so-called elder brother,” projects in Ukraine have been as success- and halls in the 22,800-square-foot renovat- said Yurii Kliuchkovskyi, an Our RFE/RL Newsline ful as the investment Americans and ed main building originally constructed Ukraine national deputy. Canadians have made in the National between the 16th and 18th centuries. Following Kharkiv, the city councils KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada gath- University of Ostroh Academy. How Dr. Pasichnyk was able to reha- of Sevastopol, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk ered on June 7 to resume its first session, Its 270,000-square-foot campus is bilitate the historic Ostroh Academy into and Luhansk voted to grant the Russian which opened on May 25, Ukrainian among the most attractive in Ukraine, and a top-rate Ukrainian university in a mat- language regional status. media reported. The Yulia Tymoshenko its 2,500 students receive a liberal arts ter of 12 years is an example of how the The oblast councils of Luhansk, Bloc, Our Ukraine and the Socialist education that competes with the curricu- Ukrainian diaspora can have a signifi- Donetsk and Mykolaiv also followed Party requested a recess in the session la offered at universities in Kyiv or Lviv. cant, positive influence in Ukraine. suit, suggesting the revolt was a well- until June 14 in order to conclude their When becoming rector in 1994, Dr. Leaders of the Ukrainian diaspora inter- organized effort by Russian forces, with talks on forging a majority coalition. Ihor Pasichnyk was surprised to see one ested in reviving Ukraine’s oldest institu- the help of their allies within Ukraine. The motion was endorsed by 227 of Ukraine’s most historic sites had dete- tion of higher education established rela- “Without a doubt, the Party of the votes, after which Our Ukraine lawmak- riorated from Soviet neglect. tions with Dr. Pasichnyk, who was recom- Regions also was involved, along with er Mykola Katerynchuk, who presided “It was a ruin in the full understanding of mended for the university’s top post by separate forces that didn’t make it into over the sitting, closed the debate. the word, and nobody wanted to come work Shevchenko Literature Institute Director Parliament.,” Mr. Kliuchkovskyi said in Lawmakers from the Party of the here,” Dr. Pasichnyk said. “There wasn’t a Mykola Zhulynskyi and Viacheslav an indirect reference to Natalia Regions and the Communist Party tried table, there wasn’t a chair, there wasn’t a Briukhovetskyi, the rector of the National Vitrenko’s People’s Opposition Bloc. to prevent the vote by breaking the elec- book or a teacher. There was nothing.” University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. “Unfortunately, it’s quite well coordi- tronic voting system in the session hall In October, the National University at In 1996 Dr. Myron B. Kuropas nated, which is obvious from how it’s but were not quick enough. Ostroh Academy will open a three-story, launched exchange programs for Ostroh being done simultaneously,” he added. The three allies in the 2004 Orange 19,300-square-foot library that will house professors to study at Northern Illinois The legislation passed in the councils Revolution had adjourned the session 370,000 books and hundreds of periodicals. University. Soon after, Dr. Lubomyr provides for use of the Russian language two weeks ago, citing the need to work The first virtual library at a Ukrainian Wynar of Kent State University initiated in government offices and on documents, out a coalition accord. It was hoped that university will occupy the building’s sec- street signs and outdoor business signs. the coalition agreement would be con- ond floor, offering students access to a (Continued on page 23) In early May, Justice Minister Serhii cluded by June 7. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2006 No. 24 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS U.S. Navy stopover sparks Orange allies still differ with the president could contribute to resolving major disagreements. He predict- anti-NATO protests in Ukraine KYIV – National Deputy Anatolii ed that if the three forces signed a coalition Matviyenko of Our Ukraine told journalists accord by the planned resumption of the by Jan Maksymiuk ministers over the Feodosiya incident. in Kyiv on June 7 that Our Ukraine has not parliamentary session on June 7, a parlia- RFE/RL Newsline But Foreign Affairs Minister Borys agreed to the demand of the Socialist Party mentary recess would be prolonged for Tarasyuk on May 31 denied that the gov- of Ukraine (SPU) that its leader, “working out other important issues.” Ukrainian opposition lawmakers have ernment had breached the law.