UPCOMING ELLISON CENTER EVENTS

APRIL 9: 11th Annual REECAS-NW Conference MAY 1: Czeslaw Milosz and the Future of Poetry Reed College, Portland, OR Acclaimed poets Edward Hirsch and Adam Zagajewski will offer a “Politicsevents/conf2005/regconf05.html and Culture in the Post-Communist World.” joint presentation on the poetry of Nobel Prize winner Czeslaw 9:00 am–4:45pm. See p.15 or http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/ Milosz, touching upon the significance of Polish poetry and experi- REECASJACKSON SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL NE STUDIES,W UNIVERSITYSLETTER OF WASHINGTON SPRING 2005 for more information. ences of being lost in translation. Kane Hall, Walker Ames, 7:00pm.

APRIL 11: The Donald W. Treadgold Memorial Lecture MAY 5–8: Islam, Asia, Modernity Conference “Remaining Relevant after Communism: The Role of the Writer in The symposium will consist of a public lecture by Ziauddin Sardar, a Eastern Europe, 1989–2004.” Andrew Wachtel, Dean, The Graduate leading writer on the future of Islam, two days of panel discussions School, Northwestern University. Parrington Hall Forum, 3:30pm. that examine how the changing practices and politics of Asian Islam The Languages of ’s A reception will follow. are studied, documented, taught and represented in the academy BY LAADA BILANIUK and the media and how these practices affect society, politics, art and culture in Asia. For more information, go to This past fall, the people of Ukraine APRIL 13: Hot Spots in Our World http://depts.washington.edu/asiaismo. carried out a revolution. Making news “Kosovo Final Status: Independence or Something Less.” Frederick around the world, hundreds of thousands Lorenz, Adjunct Professor, JSIS, UW. 7:00–8:30pm. For more of people took to the streets in and MAY 19: Ellison Center Speaker Series information and to register, please call 206-897-8939 or visit other cities throughout Ukraine to “Afghan Communities in Post-Soviet Central Asia: Case Study of http://extension.washington.edu/ext/special/Jackson. protest the widespread fraud that gave Uzbekistan.” Natalya Khan, Visiting Scholar at the University of the run-off presidential election win to British Colombia. Communications 226, 3:30pm. APRIL 26: International Classroom Teachers Workshop Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych, Prime A three-part workshop on Russian Politics, Daily Life and Education, Minister at the time, was favored by the Whitworth College, Hixon Union Building, 4:00–7:00pm. MAY 19 – JUNE 12: Seattle International Film Festival regime of incumbent President Kuchma, See http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/events to register. www.seattlefilm.com for information on film schedules and tickets. and publicly backed by Russia’s President Putin and the Kremlin. His opponent, APRIL 30: Chechnya Roundtable and Film Seminar JUNE 28–29: Summer Seminar for Teachers , promised to eradicate Dr. Mikhail Alexseev, Assistant Professor at UC San Diego; Albina “Mystics, Eccentrics, Visionaries and Revolutionaries: People Who the widespread political and economic Digaeva,Chechnya. Chechen Refugee; and Raisa Talkhanova, director of the Changed the Course of History.” Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, , to promote BBC Documentary Inside Chechnya will discuss the history and University of Washington, Seattle Campus, 9:00 am–5:00pm. democracy and to integrate Ukraine 1 current situation in Chechnya. Their comments will follow the See p.23 for more information and registration. more closely with Europe. showing of 3 documentaries about the region, including Inside During several research stays in Ukraine VERBOVSKYY © YURIY Smith Hall, Room 205, 10:00 am–2:00pm. For more information on these and other events, go to the Ellison over the last decade, I found many people The fifth day of protests in Kiev Center website: http://depts.washington.edu/reecas. pessimistic about the possibility of elimi- nating the corruption in the political and dissenters in the state-run media was having conveyed previous untrue state- economic systems in their country. In sign-language interpreter Natalya ments.3 Many other journalists and fact, protests occasionally occurred. For Dmytruk, who instead of conveying news reporters in the state-run media also example, in 2000, demonstrators called of Yanukovych’s supposed victory, told refused to report the government- Non-profit Org. for President Kuchma’s ouster when hearing-impaired viewers not to believe dictated falsities and joined the demon- U.S. Postage REECAS NEWSLETTER audio tapes allegedly implicated him in the rigged results, that in fact Yushchenko strations. Yushchenko’s once handsome P A I D 203B THOMSON HALL, BOX 353650 the murder of journalist and government was the true winner, and apologized for continued on page 2 Seattle, WA JACKSON SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES critic Georgii Gongadze. But these Permit No. 62 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON protests failed to have much impact, thus reinforcing the public’s general sense of SEATTLE,WA 98195-3650 INSIDE THIS ISSUE disempowerment. Furthermore, socio- logical research showed that a large New Program in Prague ...... 5 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED portion of Ukraine’s population remained politically noncommittal.2 Observing the October Election in Belarus ...... 6 The Donald W. Treadgold Papers ...... 9 In the fall of 2004, things changed. The Indispensible Knowledge: Rebuilding Russian Studies ...... 10 manipulation of the November 21st Islam, Asia, Modernity Symposium...... 11 election was too blatant. Internet news A Summer in Tajikistan ...... 12 sites, and two television stations that had Nicholas Poppe Symposium on Inner/Central Asian Studies Call for Papers...... 15 held out against government control, were key in disseminating news of the REECAS Northwest Conference ...... 15 large discrepancies between the official Nine Months Later: Lithuania in the EU ...... 16 results and exit polls. They also reported Ellison Center News ...... 18 instances of disappearing ink, ballot Exploring Chornobyl’s Complexities On-Site and in the Classroom ...... 19 stuffing, people bussed station to station Visiting REECAS Scholars ...... 22 to vote multiple times and other electoral Summer Seminar for Educators ...... 23 process transgressions. One of the first Upcoming Ellison Center Events ...... 24 university of washington the henry m. jackson ELLISON CENTER seattle, washington school of international continued from page 1 studies, outreach centers face, disfigured by the attempt on his life Despite frigid temperatures, the protesters as well as western cities. Moreover, Kyiv, by dioxin poisoning in September, was a were festive and defiant. the site of the most massive public poignant symbol of what was at stake: As the world watched, the massive protests support for Yushchenko, is in the very the choice between a more open and fair and political negotiations ultimately center of the country, and is difficult to government versus the existing trend of prevailed against the fraudulent election characterize with simple linguistic or Soviet-style control of information, and a new, more carefully monitored cultural labels. including efforts to eliminate problematic election was held on December 26th. The issue of language affiliation, which dissenters such as Gongadze and Yushchenko won this election by a com- has been the focus of my research, bears Yushchenko. fortable 8% margin, and was inaugurated closer discussion, as it has been a key 2005 summer seminar for educators of grades 6 and up Popular musicians joined the call to President on January 23, 2005. This win dimension of political controversy. break people from their complacency was a triumph for the democratic process During Soviet times in Kyiv, it was rare to towards the increasingly authoritarian and a major challenge to authoritarian hear anything but Russian. Even now, regime and to demand human rights. regimes throuhout the post-Soviet Kyivans use Russian in public more often Mystics, Eccentrics, Visionaries A rap song, “, nas ne region. But support for Yushchenko was than Ukrainian, although the use of podolaty” (together we are many, we will not unanimous, and one of the biggest Ukrainian has been on the rise since and Revolutionaries not be defeated) resounded among the challenges of the new government will be independence.5 Ukrainian has begun to protesters, and became recognized as mediating the social divisions within lose its previous connotations of the “Hymn of the Orange Revolution.” Ukrainian society. backwardness as it has been promoted in People Who Changed the Course of History Middle-aged people even confessed to Why did so many —44% of education, the media, state institutions learning to like rap during the all voters in the December 26th election, and popular culture. This rise of 4 June 28–29, 2005 demonstrations. mostly in the east and south of the Ukrainian has been facilitated by the During the days of the protest, a friend country—vote for Yanukovych? Analysts 1989 legislation, reaffirmed in the 1994 Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, from Kyiv wrote that in contrast to the in the press quickly latched onto a constitution, which made it the sole state University of Washington, Seattle Campus usual cynical mood regarding politics, simple explanation: the controversy over language of the country. It was inevitable she saw faces beaming with hope and the election was a case of East versus that the promotion of Ukrainian would optimism for the first time. She even felt West. Yushchenko’s supporters were encroach on what had been exclusively The Outreach Centers at The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies invite you to attend the annual Summer herself swept into the atmosphere of West-oriented, Ukrainian-speaking, Russian spheres, which some people saw Seminar for educators, June 28–29, 2005. This year’s seminar, “Mystics, Eccentrics, Visionaries and Revolutionaries”, will as threatening to the dominant status of generosity and goodwill among the western Ukrainians, and Yanukovych’s bring scholars and master teachers together to focus on individuals from around the world whose unique outlook Russian. Yanukovych hoped to capitalize people in the streets of the city. Vivid supporters were Russophilic, Russian- changed the world as we know it. Over a dozen speakers will focus on these extraordinary people who were able to see the against the black and white wintry land- speaking, eastern Ukrainians. While on any misgivings Russophones may scape, the orange color of Yushchenko’s based on historic regional differences, have, by promising to make Russian a world in a different light, and then to take action to bring their vision to pass. campaign was visible everywhere in this simplification was misleading. There second , just as the ribbons, flags and anything orange that were significant public showings of incumbent president Kuchma had Registration deadline: June 21, 2005. We expect this event to fill quickly, so please register as early as possible. people could find to wear or display. support for Yushchenko in some eastern promised. Kuchma had not carried Registration fee: $80 includes parking/bus vouchers, coffee and morning pastries, lunch and 16 WA state clock hours (you must attend the entire seminar to receive clock hours). Please make checks or money orders payable to the University of Washington. Travel stipends are available for teachers from 75+ miles away.

Stephen E. Hanson, Director and Program Chair, ELLISON CENTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Registration validation: Registration can only be accepted by mail and must include payment in full. EMAIL: [email protected] ELLISON CENTER Michael Biggins, Head Librarian Mail form to: Center for West European Studies, University of Washington, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98195. Questions or 203B Thomson Hall, Box 353650 Marta B. Mikkelsen, Associate Director and Slavic and East European Section, UW Libraries inquiries, please call: 206-543-1675 or contact [email protected]. You will receive a confirmation packet with a University of Washington Outreach Coordinator Galya Diment, Professor and Chair Seattle, WA 98195-3650 EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures receipt, map, driving and parking directions and program details. PHONE: 206-543-4852 Carrie O’Donoghue, Program Secretary Katarzyna Dziwirek, Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures REECAS on the Internet: Carrie Dyk, Newsletter Editor James R. Felak, Associate Professor registration form http://depts.washington.edu/reecas EMAIL: [email protected] Department of History Laura Dean, Outreach and Website Assistant Stephen E. Hanson, REECAS Director and EMAIL: [email protected] Chair; Associate Professor Name ______Department of Political Science Mailing address ______Glennys Young, Editor, Treadgold Papers Beth Kolko, Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Technical Communication Daytime phone ______Email ______John Mason, Managing Editor, Treadgold Papers Judith Thornton, Professor School ______Grade level ______EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Economics Do you wish to receive clock hours? ______Travel stipend? ______Seattle bus fare? ______

2 23 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

Visiting REECAS Scholars Russia. Many people, especially in eastern Ukraine, have familial ties in Russia. BY CARRIE DYK After decades of open borders between the Soviet republics, Yanukovych’s Cholpon Turdalieva, visiting Kyrgyz Scholar promise of instating dual Ukrainian- Russian citizenship appealed to those who Cholpon Turdalieva returned to the Turdalieva’s previous visit to the University of Washington had found crossing post-Soviet, inter- University of Washington to research in 2002, she affirms, gave her both the research skills that she national borders onerous. the travel accounts of Westerners needed as well as the initial information about foreign travelers, Yanukovych, even with his criminal depicting the Kyrgyz people. As a which provided a foundation for her current project. record of assault and robbery, represented Fulbright Visiting Scholar, she will be From her research, Turdalieva hopes to help educate her people a comforting familiarity to many here for the duration of the academic about their heritage by giving them another, non-Soviet, Ukrainians. For entrepreneurs, doing year, expanding previous research on perspective. She hopes that reprinting of the travel accounts, business with Westerners often meant this topic to include both a more the creation of internet resources and the organization of prioritizing efficiency and impartiality, extensive geographic scope as well as a international projects will provide the tools necessary for her and doing away with the Soviet/Slavic broader historic window, including the and her colleagues to be more educated about their cultural social rituals through which mutual entire 19th Century and the beginning traditions. Upon completion of her research, Turdalieva will understandings were established and of the 20th Century. She is particularly interested in what these return to her position as head of the Cultural Studies VERBOVSKYY © YURIY business dealings were personalized. accounts reveal about gender. Her work is part of the Central Department at the I. Arabaev Pedagogical University in Yushchenko with Yulia Tymoshenko Openness to the West and western Asia Research Initiative (CARI) project of the Open Society Bishkek, Kyrgistan. products had coincided with drastic Institute. through with his campaign promise; it Why, then, did so many eastern and economic instabilities for many people. was easier to leave the controversial issue southern Ukrainians vote for Yanukovych? Yushchenko’s platform of striving for that would entail constitutional amend- Part of the explanation may lie in the further integration with Europe was seen ments aside, allowing language dynamics restricted and manipulated flow of Irina Selezneva, visiting Russian Scholar by some as leading to further erosion to work themselves out at lower levels. information to eastern regions. Where of a familiar way of life. there were “so many nice things,” as one Irina Selezneva, PhD of the Siberian While Yanukovych tried to appeal to Washington, which she looks forward to analyzing upon her Crimean woman said about Yanukovych In late November, when politicians in the Branch of the Russian Institute of Russophones, the protesters of the return to Omsk. Selezneva expects these resources, along with a on state-controlled television and southeastern Ukrainian regions recog- Culturology in Omsk, conducted Orange Revolution spoke and carried greater understanding of research methodology and theoretical newspapers, there were likewise rumors nized that Yushchenko’s presidential bid research at the University of signs in both languages. Language did frameworks for analyzing her results, will lend to new in both Donetsk and that might be successful and thus threaten Washington under a grant from the not appear to be a divisive issue among interpretations of the data gained from her field research in Yushchenko was doing America’s bidding their access to power, they attempted to National Council for Eurasian and them. Yushchenko himself is from a Siberia. Selezneva also looks forward to sharing what she has and would close down Ukrainian mines capitalize on regional differences by East European Research as a Carnegie northeastern Ukrainian city, Sumy, 40km gained from her time at UW with her students at the Omsk in order to store American toxic waste.6 proposing a move for regional autonomy. Fellow from September through State Agriculture University, where she is a Senior Lecturer. from the border with Russia. His most Soviet-era fears of American malicious A meeting of about 4,000 local councilors December 2004. Her research project, visible campaign supporter, Yulia Marveling at the access to information provided at the UW intentions are apparently still alive. from southeastern Ukrainian regions in “Popular Forms of Islam in Siberia” Tymoshenko, now appointed as Prime Donetsk oblast was also attended by libraries, Selezneva laments having only four months in Minister, grew up speaking Russian in Another segment of support for is part of a larger project examining which to complete her research. This was her first visit to the Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov, who popular forms of religion around the world. the southeastern city of Dnipropetrovsk Yanukovych was more opportunistic. In referred to the pro-Yushchenko “Orange United States. and reportedly did not speak Ukrainian a system where favors and connections Under the guidance of Professor Daniel Waugh, Selezneva said Revolution” as “The Sabbath of witches until after independence. While play a significant role in administrative that she had found a wealth of resources at the University of who have been fattened up with Yushchenko was against legislation appointments at every level, there were oranges.”9 Many Ukrainians saw Russia’s granting official status people who feared that they might lose support of separatism (through Luzhkov) alongside Ukrainian, he made a point of their jobs and their influence if as an effort to divide and to conquer, occasionally speaking publicly in Russian Yushchenko should win and subsequently aided by regional politicians who wanted Dr. Ashirbek Muminov, visiting Uzbek Scholar 7 to emphasize his acceptance of this crack down on corruption. Pensioners to maintain their influence. In the end, Dr. Ashirbek Muminov, Chair of the Seattle for the first two weeks of his stay. Professor Muminov language as part of Ukrainian life. and workers in southeastern Ukraine the threat of separatism fizzled, lacking Department of Islamic Studies at has remained in Seattle in order to study English and to collect The simplistic presentation of an East- were given raises shortly before the both grass-roots support and economic Tashkent State University of Oriental materials for the compilation of a new textbook about West split as explanatory of the divide election. While some saw this as a blatant viability.10 Studies, is conducting three months of comparative religion—the first of its kind to be written in effort at bribery, others believed that this between supporters of Yanukovych versus Unquestionably, the gross characteriza- research as a visiting scholar at UW. Uzbek. This textbook will be used in his university as well as Yushchenko was also politically was evidence that their local candidate, This marks the midpoint in a three- the four other Uzbek educational institutions participating in Yanukovych, cared about their interests, tions of eastern versus western Ukrainian misleading; it reduced the opposition regional identities do have some truth year grant project aimed at developing the project. between the candidates to a regional- and that they should vote for him to educational programs for the study retain these benefits.8 based in historic circumstances. Eastern Professor Muminov hopes that in addition to his book, his cultural difference, diverting attention and central Ukraine experienced Russian of comparative religion in Uzbekistan, students and colleagues will be able to gain an understanding away from the legitimate political issues. In addition to the opportunism, a project partnering UW with three dominance for centuries within the of comparative religion at the UW Resource Center in Yanukovych represented a corrupt misinformation and wild rumors, , and then in the USSR. Universities and two Academic Tashkent. This center includes a research library and English autocracy (continuing the status quo of support for Yanukovych in the southeast Institutions in Uzbekistan. The eastern regions in particular saw language classes. A recent book drive by UW’s NELC and Kuchma’s regime), while Yushchenko of the country also stemmed from an much immigration from Russia and Four of Dr. Muminov’s colleagues, Rectors from each of the REECAS programs furnished the center with an extensive represented a promise of democratic ideological preference for Slavic unity, in other parts of the USSR as mining and other partner institutions in Uzbekistan, accompanied him to collection of scholarly materials. reform. particular with powerful neighboring continued on page 4

22 3 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER continued from page 3 industry developed. Western Ukraine was Thirteen years after independence, the favoring Ukrainian, a language that under Austro-Hungarian and Polish rule, public and institutional use of Ukrainian Tsarist and Soviet ideologies repressed but never under Russian control. It did has expanded significantly, but Russian and designated for extinction. The not become part of the continues to be widely used. In Kyiv, Orange Revolution has given people in until after WWII. Crimea had much of people can now usually feel comfortable Ukraine the hope that their voices will its Crimean Tatar population deported at speaking either language in public, be heard, that they can have a say—in the end of WWII, and only joined although Russian is still the dominant, Ukrainian or Russian—about their Ukraine in 1954, becoming a premier less marked, choice. Ethnolinguistic country’s future. ◆ vacation spot of the Soviet elite. These tensions have not disappeared entirely. historic demographic circumstances My friend in Kyiv, who generally prefers Laada Bilaniuk is an Assistant Professor in the UW Department of Anthropology, mean that there are more people who to speak Ukrainian, wrote that with specializing in language ideologies, cultural consider themselves Russian, or Russian people speaking Russian, she switched to politics, gender and popular culture in Russian so as not to risk angering them their native language, in the south and Ukraine. Her book on language politics in east than in the west. But the East-West against Ukrainians or against “the orange Ukraine, entitled Contested Tongues, is or Russian-Ukrainian oppositions ones” (Yushchenko supporters). She felt

forthcoming in fall 2005 from Cornell ASSOCIATION obscure a more complex cultural and that it was still a safer bet to use Russian University Press. linguistic dynamic. For example, there publicly in Kyiv, as she had during the are many Ukrainian citizens who prefer Soviet period. She tended to begin to speak Russian, but want closer ties interactions in Russian with people she 1My thanks to Dominique Arel, compiler of the

© NATHANIEL TRUMBULL © NATHANIEL did not know, while Ukrainian was electronic Ukraine List (UKL), and Roman Senkus, © WORLD NUCLEAR with Europe than with Russia. Polls who distributed many of the sources referred to in this Diagram of the damaged Unit 4 reactor building Nathaniel Trumbull in front of damaged Reactor 4 showed that 20% of ethnic Russian reserved for friends or people she heard article electronically. Ukrainians, who tend to be Russophones using Ukrainian. Paradoxically, she can 2 Riabchuk, Mykola. “Ambivalence to Ambiguity: Why (but no longer exclusively so in the years be characterized as a Ukrainophone who Ukrainians Remain Undecided?” Paper presented at Reflecting upon this incredible study controversy that questions the most desirable development to advance conference, “L’Ukraine et le monde exterieur dix ans since independence), supported oppo- contributes to Russian dominance in aprËs l’independence” at the Centre d’Etudes et de tour, I found myself asking more misrepresentation of the situation discussion and knowledge of these sition leader Yushchenko.11 There are also public spaces of the city. Yushchenko’s Recherches Internationales [Paris] 5 Apr. 2002. questions and feeling I understood less of involves the victims themselves. The important issues. ◆ Ukrainophones who reject the West, are victory will likely make it more 3Vasovic, Aleksandar. “State Controlled Media Turning the Chornobyl accident and its impacts overly-demanding appeals for continued nostalgic for the USSR, and would rather comfortable for her and others like her, More Critical.” Seattle Times 1 Dec. 2004. than before the tour. Study of the aid by survivors seem to evidence to Nathaniel Trumbull is Co-Director of the build east Slavic unity. Since most people who would prefer to speak Ukrainian in 4Wagstyl, Stefan and Tom Warner. “Dancing in the accident will remain critical for future some that they are “professional victims”.5 Transboundary Environmental Information Streets as ‘a Nation Is Born.’” Financial Times Agency, based in St. Petersburg. He taught in Ukraine are bilingual to some degree, public, to do so. 4 Dec. 2004. generations of students who specialize in The Ukrainian government has likewise the REECAS-sponsored course Natural and many actively use both languages in 5 In 2002, I worked with Hanna Zalizniak of the Kyiv been accused of exaggeration of the Families and friendships were bitterly the region of the former Soviet Union. Resource Use and Management in Russia their daily life, it is problematic even to City “Hromads’ka Dumka” Center for Sociological The collection of data from those present global environmental threat Chornobyl divided by their support of different Research to organize a survey of 450 people and the NIS during fall 2004. try to divide people according to language candidates in the last election, but few representative of the city of Kyiv, which included a at the accident and those who poses in order to attract increased as the press often did. people wanted to see Ukraine split in question asking respondents to identify the percentage participated in its clean-up poses one of Western funds for cleanup. A final point of people on the streets of Kyiv speaking Ukrainian. Russian and Ukrainian are closely related, two.12 Earlier analysts had faulted the most obvious continuing challenges of debate is voiced by experts who lament 1 This includes the still poorly known Kyshtyn accident This added some statistical data to my own in 1957 in the Urals. but significant phonological and lexical Ukrainians for being politically non- impressions of increased public usage of Ukrainian. to researchers of the Chornobyl accident. the negative effect Chornobyl has had on The Definitive History of the Chornobyl Catastrophe. 2 Darwell,Exclusion. John. Legacy: Photographs From the Chornobyl committal,13 but it may be that the pen- On average, respondents answered that 36% of people Compilation of a methodical and public acceptance of the nuclear power differences impede mutual comprehen- in Kyiv spoke Ukrainian in public. 2001, Mould, Richard F. Chornobyl Record: sion if a speaker does not already have chant for “having it both ways” worked rigorous survey of the impacts of the industry—something they see as a real No Breathing Room: The Aftermath of Chornobyl 6Mulvey, Stephen. “Ukraine’s Loyal Industrial Heart.” accident may in fact never be possible as practical effort to mitigate global 2000, Medvedev, Grigori. The Truth About Chornobyl, some exposure to both languages. In to bring together Ukrainophones and BBC News [Donetsk] 3 Dec. 2004 and Trofimov, and 6 Chornobyl & Nuclear Power in the USSR. Ukraine, however, almost everyone has Russophones—and those who do not fit Yaroslav. “Yushchenko’s Formidable Challenge.” a result of the large geographic distribu- warming. Medvedev, Zhores A. The Legacy of Chornobyl and Wall Street Journal 20 Dec. 2004. had exposure if not schooling in both neatly into either category—to join tion and resettlement of Chernobyl The legacy of Chornobyl will be long- 7Melnyk, Oleksandr. “Why Does the East and South accident victims and liquidators. Yet, 3 FOCCUS is a non-governmental non-profit corporation languages, leading to widespread bilin- under the orange banners to fight Vote Yanukovych?” Electronic letter posted to The lasting. A recent incident in Saratov, more information will undoubtedly be whose goals are to support populations and communities gualism. People who cannot or choose for their human rights. In a speech to Ukraine List #263. 13 Nov. 2004. where residents overdosed on iodine pills severely affected by the Chornobyl disaster and to not to speak both languages are for the protesters in Kyiv, Yushchenko argued 8Meek, James. “Divided They Stand.” The Guardian revealed as scientists and health specialists as a result of rumors of a nuclear promote public awareness of the disaster and its most part passively bilingual, that is, they that all Ukrainians should know [UK] 10 Dec. 2004. continue to tackle the challenging task consequences. FOCCUS has been working with accident at the nearby Balakovo Nuclear Chornobyl community centers for the past 7 years. To 9Maksymiuk, Jan. “Will Ukraine Split in Wake of of examining the political, social and bio- can understand the other language. It Ukrainian, Russian, English, French and Power Plant, underscores the importance learn more about FOCCUS, visit www.foccus.org. Divisive Ballot?” RFE/RL Newsline Vol. 8, No. 223, logical impacts of the accident. has become very common, both in public German, so that Ukraine may return to Part II, 30 Nov. 2004. of understanding the lessons of 4A Russian acronym for Reactor Bolshoi Moschnosti Kanalynyi “Channelized Large Power Reactor.” interactions and in television and radio the level of international connections 10 Blinova, Ekaterina and Maksim Glinkin. “Too Many Controversy over Chornobyl continues, Chornobyl. The legacy of Three Mile Times programs, for people to carry on non- and respect it had in centuries past.14 Ukrainians: A Titular Nationality Dominates in the in both traditional and novel forms. The Island and Hanford bring similar issues 5A similar phenomenon has been observed among some Eastern Regions of Ukraine that Allegedly Supported victims of the Armenian earthquake. See The Seattle reciprocal bilingual conversations: each Yushchenko’s multilingual vision may Yanukovych.” Nezavisimaia Gazeta [Moscow] Western media continue to decry the home to US students. Students in the 30 Jan. 2005. person speaks their preferred language, not be within reach for most Ukrainians, 4 Dec. 2004 and Schwabe, Alexander. “The Leeches local authorities’ mismanagement of the REECAS course “Natural Resource Use 6 King, Sir David, “Chornobyl Created a Negative View of but both understand each other. This but he expresses a pluralistic ideal that of Ukraine.” Spiegel Online International [Germany] Nuclear Technology,” The Independent 17 Jan. 2005. 3 Dec. 2004. situation, such as Belarus’ recent refusal and Management in Russia and the NIS,” practice has defused the potentially may be the best bet for forging a demo- 11 Riabchuk, Mykola. “The Ukrainian Fault-Line: Citizens to permit children from Chornobyl- I taught last fall, found themselves explosive issue of language choice. While cratic future in Ukraine. Any simple Versus Subjects.” Berliner Zeitung 3 Dec. 2004. affected zones to participate in visits to struggling over these same issues. some people bemoan that this allows the solution in favor of only Ukrainian or 12 Ibid. the United Kingdom. Similarly, many Opportunities for REECAS students and once dominant Russian language to Russian is bound to fan ethnolinguistic 13 For example, Riabchuk 2002. internet surfers have been moved by others to participate in their own on-site continue to dominate, the acceptance of tensions. But in the end, the idea that all 14 Wynnyckyj, Mychailo. “Yushchenko Redeemed.” photo journals about the region, but visits of environmentally degraded sites non-reciprocal bilingualism has in many Ukrainians should know Ukrainian, Electronic letter posted to The Ukraine List #297. some question the motives that frame in the former Soviet Union, many of 2 Dec. 2004. ways also facilitated the spread of along with other internationally powerful the images. Another example of this new which only recently opened, would be a Ukrainian. languages—is already a huge step

4 21 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

continued from page 19 sight of one another are classified as reactors had continued to operate safely residential building in Pripyat’ and a different zones and thus receive signifi- and effectively since 1986. 200-foot high guard tower overlooking the “graveyard” of radiated and “dirty” cantly different levels of government aid. As we toured the ghost town of Pripyat’, clean-up equipment (consisting of New Program in Prague The nature of our study tour allowed for where the plant is located, we photo- helicopters, trucks, buses and earth- many opportunities to converse with graphed extraordinary scenes of school moving equipment), would have elicited This past summer, the Department of Slavic Languages Theatre and a concert by the Prague Philharmonic villagers. We asked about how and when classrooms evacuated unexpectedly on immediate shock to any Western tour and Literatures and the International Programs and Orchestra. After their intense study, students returned to they evacuated and how they viewed the April 26, 1986, complete with lesson operator and especially their insurer. Exchanges (IPE) office launched a new C-term program Seattle enthusiastic and impressed by the depth and variety government and international assistance plans and calendars left open to that date. in Prague. of their experience. Organizers hope that the program they received. We also inquired into the We also stopped to take pictures of an Conversations with our accompanying The program creators designed it for students who have will continue to grow and to attract students from other long-term effects they had observed in amusement park and Ferris wheel radiologist and the local residents, who universities. their own health from the accident. The abandoned 20 years ago. Despite the open have returned to live within the exclusion completed one year of Czech; so shortly after Intensive last question was problematic in that few access we had in Pripyat’, camera use zone, proved highly illuminating. As the Summer Czech ended, eight students boarded a plane for Thanks go to Czech lecturer Jaroslava Soldanova, Fulbright residents knew exactly which of their proved to be a controversial point radiologist described the daily schedule a three-week language and cultural immersion experience scholar Jitka Ryndova and the dedicated staff at the IPE health problems could be directly throughout much of the tour. Locals of being “at war”, we clearly saw that the in one of Europe’s loveliest cities. Students spent three for their hard work in putting this program together. Deep attributed to the accident. We did learn, repeatedly told us that we could only take last two decades had left an indelible days a week studying the Czech language. When not in gratitude also goes to Wayne Jehlik, a Slavic L&L alum, for however, that despite the terrible stories pictures of the CNPP and Reactor Four effect on her physically and emotionally. class, they explored Prague’s many churches, museums, creating the Jehlik Scholarship fund. This scholarship of delays in evacuation immediately after from certain angles. Those angles proved She did not dwell on the fact that she had castles and other historical monuments. They visited the awarded $1,500 to a C-term in Prague student. Michelle ◆ the accident, children had indeed been hard to describe. Consequently, at least a cancerous thyroid glad removed in historical town of Kutná Hora, the medieval Karötejn Foshee helped with publicizing the new program. among the first to be evacuated. Later, one of our group’s members had to recent years—a scar from the operation castle and the concentration camp TerezÌn. An exciting when the adults were also relocated, rewind and erase his video tape. Threat still visible on her neck. She told many and unusual part of the program was a guest lecture We are currently accepting applications for the 2005 C-term families were reunited. of terrorism appeared to have been the stories of the personal tragedies that she series, which included talks by luminaries such as history in Prague. First priority given to applications received by motivating concern for our guide, had witnessed day after day during the professor M. Homerova, Civic Forum activist Dr. Ivan July 8th. To learn more, please visit our website: The exclusion zone is the most clearly http://courses.washington.edu/learncz. although that clarification only came later. cleanup. In addition to workers from Rynda and acclaimed writer Ivan Klima. Evening excur- delineated of the contaminated zones; its other Soviet sates, some Pripyat’ residents sions included a performance of Faust at the Black Light access is by permit only. Despite the The images we were able to capture of had volunteered to help with the cleanup name and the official rules, we observed the ghost town of Pripyat’ gave evidence for the express purpose of saving their a large number of residents and day to the lives that were disrupted by the own property. The government forbade visitors crossing into the zone. Those evacuation. Their fears seem to have been most former residents from returning to workers included about 5,000 Chornobyl warranted as our Geiger counters, even Pripyat’ after the evacuation. Nevertheless, Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) employees, so many years later, showed high readings. selected permission to enter and even who live in the 19-year-old town of Although they were particularly high at unauthorized looting have been common Slavutich, built outside the exclusion CNPP, the readings peaked over an area in the months and years following the zone for resettlement and for employees of moss at Pripyat’s deserted amusement accident. working daily at the CNPP. park. The moss had obviously accumu- lated radioactive particles. Our Geiger Our visits with villagers now living Despite Slavutich’s attractive neighbor- within the exclusion zone raised serious hoods and special medical facilities, it counter readings remained so elevated during our two-day visit to the exclusion questions as to the long-term effect of essentially operates as a one-company the accident on human health. The vast town to provide support for the CNPP. zone that they indeed sparked much discussion and at least initial concern. majority of them appeared to be The closing of the last Chornobyl reactor pensioners and continued to drink water in 2001 in effect tolled the death knell of We soon forgot the radiation threat and climbed stairwells in Pripyat’ with large from wells and to grow their own the town’s industry and therefore employ- vegetables within the exclusion zone. ment for many workers in Slavutich. accumulation of dust and stood only a few hundred yards from the sarcophagus The fact that they lived in villages that The town’s workforce is now retooling officially were not recognized by govern- itself for the long period of closing and above Reactor Four during brisk winds that visibly cycled dust into the air. ment authorities meant they had no securing the CNPP. (Indeed, as the access to mail, bank or other regular example of clean-up at Hanford suggests, Even our accompanying radiologist government-provided services. On the this work will require a large workforce expressed surprise that our tour guide other hand, those residents did have and last decades if government and inter- would so obviously subject us to the electricity and phone service in their national agencies provide the needed apparent threat of contamination. Our homes, suggesting that the categorization sums.) We heard from more than one tour guide repeatedly and cavalierly of the exclusion zone as strictly prohi- resident of Slavutich that the decision to dismissed our concerns, explaining that bited to any residence is not without close all the reactors had been largely she and other guides had been visiting exception. Indeed, the hotel in which we politically motivated. Those three reactors the site for years without any apparent overnighted, within 10 miles of CNPP, remaining, they argued, presented health impact. Nevertheless, she did later also stood well within the exclusion zone. no more danger today than any other agree that visits to Chornobyl constituted Electricity powered the hotel as well as RBMK4-type reactors in Ukraine or a form of “extreme tourism”. In addition, the nearby café (the owners assured us Russia. Only Reactor Four had been at least two of the sites we climbed for a that the food came from outside the damaged beyond repair; other CNPP better view, the open roof of a 15-story exclusion zone).

20 5 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER Observing the October Election in Belarus Exploring Chornobyl’s Complexities On-Site and BY SARAH ISAKSON in the Classroom One month prior to the start of Ukraine’s participating states in Europe, Central the day after arrival. The somewhat BY NATHANIEL S. TRUMBULL Orange Revolution, international and Asia and North America. Last year, they uneasy relationship between the OSCE local observers called into question the observed elections in Kazakhstan, Serbia, and the host country made for a parti- The 1986 Chornobyl accident served as a results of neighboring Belarus’ election. Macedonia, Ukraine as well as the US cularly cautious briefing in Minsk. “We catalyst of unrest for the Soviet Union’s Many aspects of the Belarus election presidential election. have never been under so much scrutiny,” citizens towards their government. For a 1 evidenced serious irregularities. Ye t Short-term observers, like myself, only cautioned an OSCE senior staff member. public already skeptical of its government’s unlike events in Ukraine, no massive spend about a week in the country, just The local media had recently published concern for citizen health and safety, the street protests occurred, and the official enough time to observe the actual voting personal attacks against OSCE staff, accident played no small role in the Soviet results gained acceptance despite observer’s and counting process. Long-term alleging bias in favor of the opposition, Union’s ultimate demise. Although other and reports of fraud and misconduct. observers, however, had been in Minsk among other things. Therefore, they nuclear accidents in the Soviet Union Although not a presidential election, the for several weeks prior to our arrival, emphatically warned us to be on our were larger,1 the Chornobyl accident October 17th election in Belarus still held monitoring the election administration, best behavior. The government’s official holds an undisputed place among the great potential in determining the course legal framework, media environment welcome of the OSCE contradicted the world’s greatest environmental disasters. of the country’s future. After the call for and the general conditions surrounding Lukashenko regime’s clear antipathy Secondary accounts of the event the parliamentary election for deputies the election. As usual, OSCE/ODIHR toward the West. continue to be supplemented by more to Belarus’ House of Representatives, adeptly orchestrated our transportation Due to the tense climate, everything at recent interpretations of the causes of the 2 President Aleksandr Lukashenko added as well as provided us with all the the highly diplomatic briefing required accident and its aftermath. a referendum to the ballot that needed materials and information for close attention and some reading Today, new first-hand opportunities for overshadowed the entire election. This the mission. OSCE also arranged for an between the lines in order to decipher students of environmental issues of the referendum would eliminate the two- interpreter, driver, observing partner what had actually been occurring. My former Soviet Union to learn about the notes from the briefing include mention Chornobyl accident exist. They include of “disappearances of prominent political TRUMBULL © NATHANIEL the excellent Chornobyl Museum in Kyiv, Abandoned signs for 1986 May 1st celebration people”—all members of the opposition the opportunity to travel and to meet —and the “government’s recent liquida- directly with villagers and others affected and eloquently. The museum’s building concerns, though, as our Geiger counters tion of the main opposition party.” Yet, by the accident and even to visit the itself reinforces the tragedy of the event vividly reminded us. they failed to emphasize or to comment exclusion zone at the Chornobyl accident as visitors enter the museum through Nineteen participants comprised our upon these events, as if these were the site. This zone comprises a 30km radius, a central staircase with “no entry” slashes most normal and uninteresting of the within which special permission must be study tour group, including a radiology similar to those on road signs to the specialist from the closed city of Seversk pre-election data. gained to enter. Last summer, I took villages and towns within the exclusion advantage of these opportunities on a who had worked at the cleanup site After the briefing, everyone eagerly zone. during the two-year period immediately clamored around lists posted in the hotel tour organized by Friends of Chornobyl Centers US (FOCCUS).3 The day we visited the museum, a number following the accident. Before heading to lobby to see to which of Belarus’ six of Ukrainian soldiers and officers also the exclusion zone, we had the opportu- regions they would soon be departing. The Ukrainian National Chornobyl attended. We found it difficult to ignore nity to visit a total of six villages and OSCE assigned Ivan, the lone Croatian Museum in Kyiv is a world-class institu- their disparaging comments and pointed towns within the affected Chornobyl zone. on the mission, and me to the city of tion. Through its display of formerly questions to the museum tour guide The government has officially recognized Gomel, Belarus’ second largest city, in secret documents, equipment, photo- about the Soviet leaders’ delayed response the eastern corner of the country near graphs and a number of other visual that residents of these special zones live to the accident in the first days of the in conditions adverse to their health and the borders with Ukraine and Russia. presentations directly related to the acci- tragedy. Also illuminating about those their standard of living falls below the According to city information we dent, the Chornobyl Museum delivers the first weeks after the accident, a number national average. The special zones were received, 18 synagogues once stood in haunting legacy of the disaster simply of memoranda and documents gave

© SARAH ISAKSON created to designate the various degrees Gomel. Today only one remains. The testimony to the involvement of inter- of contamination and, due to that, their Observation team after the election in Gomel locals I asked while there, however, did national aid organizations, including a level of government aid. There are four not know its location or even if it still number of US firefighters. term constitutional limit, thereby and supplies in advance. Upon arrival, existed. The city’s proximity to Chernobyl different zonal categories, with varying allowing himself to run for a third term I assembled with the other short-term constituted Gomel’s other main point In addition to the museum, tourists have levels of social aid and financial support. in 2006. observers in the capital city of Minsk. of interest among the observers. In fact, been allowed to visit the exclusion zone The zones were not determined simply at Chornobyl since 2003. Undoubtedly, I went to Belarus as a short-term election There we en masse checked in and out NGOs such as Chernobyl Children’s by their distance from the Chornobyl of hotels, got on and off buses, went to Project still take children from Gomel to both a desire to increase public under- explosion, but rather by estimated fallout observer, along with about 270 other ASSOCIATION standing and a need for tourist revenue observers from 38 different countries. and from meals and attended briefings as live with host families in Ireland and levels. Apparently, the fallout distribution led to the decision to permit tourist The Organization for Security and instructed. elsewhere for a summer of “fresh air”. pattern from the accident was highly access. Given the small numbers of Cooperation in Europe and their Office As usual for OSCE programs, we attended Yet, everyone said that today there were uneven. Still, many find classification of tourists, however, this is likely a niche for Democratic Institutions and Human a one-day briefing covering the particu- no problems living in Gomel, as long as villages and their corresponding © WORLD © WORLD NUCLEAR market. Government approval does not Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) routinely moni- lars of the election, the campaign one did not venture into the contami- subsidies from Ukrainian government mean that there are no longer safety tors elections throughout the OSCE’s 55 environment and observation procedures nated zones. When I discussed this with Map of Chornobyl and surrounding regions difficult to comprehend as villages within continued on page 20

6 19 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

ELLISON CENTER NEWS Tatyana, our interpreter born and raised We then set out in teams of four, On election day, the pace quickened. We in Gomel, she said, “It is not advisable to including interpreter and driver, armed raced from polling station to polling live in Gomel.” She did not elaborate. with lists of polling stations and observa- station, observing about 30 minutes in JAMES FELAK, Associate Professor in the the entire Russian Federation. The intent cal content knowledge, content, student tion forms. During my first time each, completing the standardized forms Upon my return to the US, I was able to History Department, has been accepted of the project is to enhance teachers’ needs and expectations into alignment. observing elections in Montenegro, a and faxing our findings to the mission do more research about the effects of as a participant in the Christianity in abilities in using information and headquarters in Minsk. At some polling Chernobyl on this region. I learned that Danish colleague told me two camps of Eastern Europe Project, organized by communication technologies in the stations, the officials happily answered Winter Quarter 2005, REECAS and the a resident scientist and former rector of people went on these missions: those Bruce Berglund of Calvin College and classroom; to create resource centers to passionate about electoral rules and regu- our questions; at others, they appeared Brian Porter of the University of Michigan. train and to support teachers; and to Institute for Global and Regional Security Gomel Medical Institute, Yuriy lations and those interested in traveling unnerved by our presence and refused to The project is aimed at specialists in East create libraries of electronic curriculum Studies at the UW jointly sponsored a Bandazhevsky, conducted research and seeing new places. Regardless into provide the information that constitutes European history who wish to become and learning materials. groundbreaking class “Non-Proliferation demonstrating that 1.5 million people and Atomic Energy as Global Issues: A a routine part of OSCE missions. Such more familiar with the methodologies refusals on the part of local election and interpretative approaches of religious Russian Perspective.” The instructors, Senior Lecturer, DIANA PEARCE, has officials surprised many of us, who and church history. It begins with a work- Professors Gennady Pshkakin and Victor been nominated to the Senior Specialist expected to find the effusively warm shop this June, at which East Europeanists Sosnin, are visiting scholars from Fulbright roster. It is expected that she hospitality we had experienced at other will read works of scholarship in the Obninsk State University for Atomic will be invited to Tashkent, Uzbekistan elections—especially in the Balkans. Well broader field of church history, critique Energy. The principal text for this course to lecture at several universities and to past midnight, after the election ended each other’s projects and engage with is Russia’s first textbook on nuclear non- act as an educational consultant on and the counting was completed, OSCE specialists in church history from other proliferation, edited by Pshakin and developing Social Work curriculum. workers in Minsk compiled the faxed regions of the world. His contribution to containing chapters written by Sosnin. There is currently no formal professional observations from every region for the the project will be his research on some It was published by the Russian Ministry education in this field within Uzbekistan. following day’s press conference. of the basic conflicts between the Catholic of Education and Science in December Church and the state in in the 2004 and is available to students in both Other observers echoed most of our immediate post-World War II period. ALI IGMEN successfully defended his Russian and English (funded by Pacific experiences during a post-election PhD dissertation entitled, “Building Northwest National Laboratory). This briefing in Minsk. In the OSCE’s official Soviet Central Asia, 1920-1939: Kyrgyz course complements other courses report, many of the problems with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs Houses of Culture and Self-Fashioning funded by IGRSS at the UW, which deal election occurred prior to the actual and Professor in the College of Education, Kyrgyzness” in December 2004. Dr. with international security, arms control voting. Police raided campaign offices, STEPHEN KERR, has recently published Igemen previously received his MA from and weapons of mass destruction. detained a candidate, campaign workers three works. The first two chapters were UW’s NELC department and has sub- and opposition observers and prevented “Demographic Change and the Fate of sequently spent time teaching in Osh and large numbers of opposition candidates Russia’s Schools: The Impact of Popu- This year marked the inaugural year of from even registering to run in the Bishkek as well as presenting numerous the Budlong and Boba Summer Research lation Shifts on Educational Practice and © OSCE election. No independent electronic papers and offering classes at UW. An Fellowships. The Budlong Fellowships are Policy,” and “The Experimental Tradition Pollworkers preparing to count ballots media originated inside Belarus and the article about Kyrgyz culture and history awarded to REECAS and History in Russian Education” in the collection, he authored was recently featured on the electoral coverage overwhelmingly gave Educational Reform in Post-Soviet Russia: graduate students to travel to Russia. still lived in areas contaminated by which camp one falls, the mission gets support to Lukashenko. The OSCE front page of Vecherniy Bishkek, a regional Likewise, the Boba Summer Research Legacies and Prospects, edited by Ben Chernobyl. His research showed evidence particularly interesting when one begins report also mentioned problems with the newspaper. He is currently teaching a Fellowships enable REECAS students to Eklof, Larry E. Holmes, Vera Kaplan of illness, birth defects and deaths trace- crisscrossing the city to check polling actual voting and counting procedures. course for the History Department on travel to Eastern Europe or Central Asia (Frank Cass, 2004). He also co-authored able to the nuclear disaster. Moreover, he stations. As observers, we wandered into Several polling stations refused observers Central Asia in the Stalin period. for the summer. Priority was given to an additional chapter, “Russia: Struggling documented the authorities’ neglect of remote schools, factories and hospitals admittance. A few observers saw evidence those conducting research or holding with the Aftermath,” with Mary Canning, addressing these problems. He has been looking for polling stations and met of ballot stuffing. Others saw ballots internships in these regions, but partici- his collaborator on the third World Bank MICHAEL BIGGINS’ translation of the in prison since 1999, serving an 8-year teachers, factory workers and doctors completed prior to voting, and many of pating in advanced language training was Russian education loan, which appeared 1938 Slovenian novel Alamut, a cult classic sentence for allegedly accepting bribes. working in these stations. We also drove us experienced difficulty in getting also considered. Both fellowships provide in Iris C. Rotberg’s (Ed.), Balancing in Slovenia during the independence- There is currently a campaign by Amnesty around a region about which we had answers to our questions. Finally, there awards up to $1000. Change and Tradition in Global Education driven 1980s, was published in November International to raise awareness about little prior knowledge, with the luxury were reports of coercion and pressure on Reform, (Scarecrow Education, 2004). by Seattle-based Scala House Press. The his case; musicians such as The Cure and of our very own driver and interpreter. voters to vote, perhaps contributing to book was publicized through the the 90% turnout.2 The OSCE press release In addition, “E-Learning Support FLORIAN SCHWARZ, who is currently at others have recently signed petitions for In Belarus, however, our obligations left sponsorship of a week-long series of concluded only, “Universal principles Project” World Bank Loan was finally the Ruhr University (Germany), will join his release. little time for sightseeing. Early voting Slovenian cultural events, entitled, “State and constitutionally guaranteed rights signed by all the relevant ministries and the UW faculty in September 2005 as a Once in Gomel, our group of 16 took place the week prior to election day, of Art”, which was held in Seattle from of expression, association and assembly the World Bank’s representatives in early professor of Middle East history. He has observers, from 12 different countries, so time that on other missions could November 19–24, 2004. were seriously challenged.”3 December 2004. Professor Kerr has been extensive experience teaching about received a quick briefing from the two have been spent at cafes and scenic drives serving as a member of the design and Islam and the Middle East and is a long-term observers already there. They was consumed by hunting down polling The official results contradicted those advisory team for this project, and KLAUS BRANDL with Margie Lawrence prominent expert on early modern went over election day procedures, stations and observing as much of the acquired through a Gallup exit poll. The recently attended the launch of the pro- will soon publish a paper, “Aligning in Central Asia. His research includes books restaurant recommendations (mostly early voting as possible. One afternoon exit poll showed 48% of voters supported ject in Moscow this winter. The initial Foreign Language Instruction,” in on numismatics and Sufism in 16th- pizza) and threw in a few stories about we did take a quick break to stroll along the referendum, while the official results tranche for $100 million will be Aligning for Learning, edited by Donald century Transoxiana; his current book being followed by the secret police (still the river in Gomel’s leafy downtown were 77%.4 The passage of this referen- disbursed over four years and involve H. Wulff (Anker Publishing Co, 2005). project is a broad history of Islamic refered to as the KGB). They told us to park, stopping for mushroom blini— dum cleared the way for Lukashenko to seven pilot regions; the second tranche This research project focused on how intellecutral networks in the 17th and expect to be followed, “They’ll do their the culinary highlight of my week in run for a third term in 2006. With the for $200 million will extend the project to language instructors can bring pedagogi- 18th centuries. job, while we do ours.” Belarus. success of the neighboring Orange continued on page 8

18 7 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER 5

continued from page 7 anticipated. Hence, the EU-15’s fears of a massive East European “invasion” proved unfounded. EU membership has also brought about some unwelcome changes in Lithuania’s relations and trade regimes with its neighbors to the east, including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. According to some estimates, imports to Lithuania from these three countries are 5.9% more expensive than before. This increase is due to adjustment to the EU’s common visa and border regime and tougher border controls against non-EU members. Furthermore, Lithuania’s membership in the EU has complicated the country’s relations with the Russian region of Kaliningrad. Often referred to as an

historic and geographic oddity, VYSNIAUSKAS © TOMAS

© SARAH ISAKSON Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave separated Celebrating the opening of Europa Square Minsk’s Old town Across the Svislock River from mainland Russia by Poland and Lithuania. Traditionally, Lithuania served Kaliningrad, Ukraine and Belarus has and capable player in regional and Revolution, a new question arises: Could several days against the Belarus election and middle-aged population disliked as the main avenue for the transit of become a main objective of Lithuania’s international politics. On the other hand, Minsk in 2006 look like Kiev in 2004? results, albeit in small numbers. The Lukashenko, but feared speaking out people and goods between mainland new foreign policy. As stated in much more time must pass before we can Lithuania’s current foreign policy agenda, The Washington Post reported that some government violently suppressed these against him. Russia and Kaliningrad. Upon grasp the full impact of EU membership Lithuania now aspires to become, jointly of the most enthusiastic protesters protests on October 19th, the day we left integration into the EU, however, on any of the newly admitted countries. As we all packed to leave Minsk for with Poland, “the front runner” in camped outside in Kiev actually came Minsk, with several beatings and the Lithuania met requirements to impose So far, Lithuanians themselves remain cheerier locations, there seemed to be a regional politics by advancing proposals highly enthusiastic about the EU and, from Zubr, a Belarus youth group. In a detention of about 40 protesters, strict border controls along the feeling of resigned hopelessness in the to the EU on developing cooperation according to Eurobarometer data, remain brutally clear example of the difference including several prominent members Kaliningrad border and to institute visa air. That was a month before Ukraine’s with eastern neighbors. the biggest supporters of the EU among between the neighboring countries, of the opposition. regulations for Kaliningrad residents. successful revolution. Does Lukashenko’s new member states. As the poll shows, Belarusian authorities stopped several of Even though the EU and Russia reached In pursuit of these objectives, recently, On our last morning in Minsk, I took a increasingly tight grip rule out a similar about 69% of the respondents in these activists on their way home from an agreement governing the rules of Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus stroll near the hotel through the scenario for Belarus or does it merely Lithuania support their EU membership, Kiev, taking them off the train, beating transit of people and goods to and from along with Poland’s President Aleksander immaculate, somber streets. I wondered reveal fear of such a possibility? Either while only six percent view it in a and detaining them. Kaliningrad through the territory of Kwasniewski mediated the conflict in if the serious-faced men in leather jackets way, the question of Belarus’ future in 5 Lithuania, the currently operating system Ukraine’s “Orange Revolution” and negative light. Let us hope that these standing on various street corners would 2006 remains, and I expect the world will ◆ Even before Ukraine’s street protests, does not satisfy either party. Lithuania helped to negotiate a peaceful settlement trends will continue in the future. find a lone American with a camera be watching closely. ◆ Lukashenko’s regime did not seem to continues to look for means of between the two sides. Interestingly, the suspicious. Consequently, I came home Ieva Butkute is a second-year REECAS MA take any chances. In the weeks before the Sarah Isakson is a second-year REECAS MA strengthening access and engagement initiative taken by President Adamkus without any pictures of the most striking, graduate student. Originally from Lithuania, election, the Ministry of Information student at UW. She is currently working on with this traditional trading partner. and his Polish counterpart angered visible reminders of Belarus’ recent Ieva came to the US in 2003 on a Fulbright suspended a dozen independent print her thesis on protest movements in Serbia European Parliament President Josep scholarship. Ieva is very interested in issues history: the gigantic Lenin statues still Since joining the EU and NATO, pro- media outlets. On election day, Pavel during the 1990s. She has served as an Borrell, who likened the pair to a “Trojan related to the enlargement of the European standing in Gomel and Minsk. Overall, elections observer in Montenegro, Kosovo moting dialogue between the EU and Sheremet, a journalist from Russia’s horse” for the United States. The remark Union and is currently working on her Master’s and Belarus. Channel One known for his criticism of Soviet monuments in Belarus have not echoed French President Jacques thesis about the effects of the European Lukashenko, was beaten and hospitalized. been toppled. If one had just arrived in Chirac’s suggestion two years ago that Union’s migration policies on Lithuania. Minsk or Gomel from another planet, In December, a top opposition politician 1 OSCE / ODIHR “Election Observation Mission, Republic Eastern Europe had missed an Ieva is also the Lithuanian language TA in who had run against Lukashenko in the one might assume that Belorussians of Belarus October 17, 2004 Election Final Report” opportunity to “shut up”, after Central the Department of Scandinavian Studies. past received a five-year prison sentence. celebrated Lenin as either their much- www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2004/12/3951_en.pdf. and East European countries supported He was charged with stealing US gov- loved hero or their current leader. 2 “OSCE Final Report.” the US invasion in Iraq.4 In this regard, 1 “New Europe Is Doing Well” The Economist ernment property, despite US Embassy 3 “Belarus Elections Fell Significantly Short of OSCE even though a full member of the EU, One of the last conversations I had in 6 Jan. 2005. Commitments.” OSCE [Minsk] 18 Oct. 2004. many West Europeans still consider protests that American officials donated Minsk with a young member of the 2 Eurostat. http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ 4 This has been widely reported including: Diehl, the property to Mikhail Marinich. Few opposition, working as a translator for Lithuania naive and even an obstruction ITY_PUBLIC/2-03122004-BP/EN/2-03122004-BP- Jackson. “Battle for Belarus.” The Washington Post EN.PDF. sources reported that opposition the OSCE, affirmed my suspicions. She 3 Jan. 2005. to decision-making in the sphere of protesters demonstrated in Minsk for told me that the majority of the young foreign policy. Implicitly, EU heavy- 3 “Lithuanian Prices Rise After EU Entry” weights thus encourage Lithuania to leave www.eubusiness.com/afp/040608084909.at1ou5cv. 4 Paulikas, Steven. “A House Divided; The Orange this area to more seasoned members. Revolution Is Carving New Fault Lines between Old and Overall, since admission to the EU, New Europe that Have Nothing to Do with War in Iraq” Newsweek 24 Jan. 2005. Lithuania has not yet experienced the 5 Eurobarometer. http://europa.eu.int/comm/ © CALGUARD.CA.GOV economic benefits of membership in full public_opinion/archives/eb/eb62first_en.pdf. Kalniningrad Region and has yet to find its niche as an active

8 17 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER Nine Months Later: Lithuania in the EU Announcing the New Embodiment of Treadgold Papers: BY IEVA BUTKUTE Treadgold Studies On the eve of the European Union’s EU accession day. Called Published in Conjunction with UW Press “Big Bang” expansion on May 1, 2004, “Europa Square,” Vilnius’ hundreds of thousands of “new modern downtown Europeans” flooded the streets to cele- serves as a symbol of brate the long-awaited countdown to this the new era for both the historic enlargement. In Lithuania, the capital city and the southernmost and the largest of the three entire country. Baltic States, fireworks lit up the sky. Despite the dynamic People switched on all their lights and economy and ever started fires across the country in brighter signs of Western preparation for a satellite picture docu- modernization, the menting Lithuania as the brightest economic and social country to join the EU. Voters in gap between Lithuania Lithuania had given their overwhelming and the EU-15 countries support to join the EU in a national remains evident in referendum a year before, with 91% of Vilnius. According to voters approving the accession. Since some studies, it might Lithuania broke away from the Soviet take as many as 30 years Union more than 13 years ago, for Lithuania to con- re-establishing ties with the West has verge on the West become a strategic objective of this Baltic European level of eco- country. Despite frequent changes in the nomic development. government, there has been consensus Lithuania’s current GDP regarding integration into the EU and per capita equals only NATO amongst all major political parties 46% of the EU-25 throughout the 1990s. This foreign policy average.2 In this regard, line found support not only from the even though Lithuania elite, but also the majority of the popula- stands as one of the most VYSNIAUSKAS © TOMAS tion. For Lithuania and the other formerly successful transitional Fireworks above Gediminas Castle Hill Communist countries that joined the economies of the former EU last May, membership seemed to Soviet Union, it remains among the Lithuanian transit companies. Because guarantee their country’s security, poorest in the enlarged EU. While many of the reduced waiting time at the political stability and economic growth. expect membership in the EU to borders, goods can now be transported With these initial assumptions in mind, stimulate the economy greatly and to more quickly and thus fewer workers are it is interesting now to look at what help Lithuania catch-up with the other needed to meet the orders. Lithuanian changes, if any, have occurred in members, no significant increase in the companies, that produce exclusively for Lithuania since the festivities last Spring. country’s relative economic performance the Lithuanian market have faced losses According to the Economist, the first 8 has occurred since last May. as well. This is due to the fact that a new months have been good for business In fact, since Lithuania became part of flow of cheap goods from neighboring “almost everywhere” within the newly the EU, the economic situation of some countries has created a more competitive admitted EU and NATO members.1 Lithuanians has grown worse. A jump in market. Lithuania, with a population of three prices constituted the most visible, In an attempt to find better employment and a half million, experienced the negative change for consumers. In May opportunities, a number of Lithuanians greatest growth of 7.2% in the enlarged 2004, for example, consumer prices in took advantage of the EU right of free EU in 2004. Yet, this figure falls below Lithuania shot up 1.5%, the biggest rise movement of labor and emegrated to that of the previous year’s growth. in more than four years.3 The prices West European countries immediately Economic growth is perhaps most visible continued to climb for several months following May 1st. The majority went to in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, where new after the accession. Furthermore, because Great Britain, since it, unlike most other hotels, shopping malls and spa centers of their membership in the EU, several EU-15 countries, chose not to implement For information about earlier issues, visit our website: http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/dwt/dwt.htm have sprung up over the last year, and new groups in Lithuania faced unemploy- transitional arrangements to restrict East where the first commercial skyscraper ment. A large number of custom officials Europeans’ access to its labor market. Orders for earlier issues should be directed to: Managing Editor, The Donald W. Treadgold Papers in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, district in Lithuania has taken root. lost their jobs as Lithuania removed The overall labor emigration from Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98195-3650. Tel: 206-221-6348, Fax: 206-685-0668, Rising several times higher than any of control posts along borders with EU Lithuania, like that of all 10 new member E-mail: [email protected]. the old town’s churches and castles, the neighbors. Changes in the border control states, was much smaller than originally Submissions are welcomed. For submission information, contact Glennys Young, Editor, at the above address. skyscraper district formally opened on system also negatively affected some

16 9 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

Indispensable Knowledge: Rebuilding Russian Studies DEPARTMENT OF NEAR EASTERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT OF NEAR EASTERN LANGUAGES AND CIVILIZATION AND CIVILIZATION for the 21st Century Conclusions from “The Russian Studies Symposium: Keeping the Doors Open in the 21st Century” Seventeenth Annual Nicholas Poppe Symposium Uzbek and Uighur Language BY STEPHEN E. HANSON AND BLAIR RUBLE inner/central and Culture Programs A slow erosion of US expertise on Russia growing budgetary problems, from US small but well-trained group of younger June 20 – August 19, 2005 and its neighbors threatens to undermine and Russian businesses frightened by Russian specialists who entered the field asian studies our country’s understanding of this vital the implications of the YUKOS affair or in those years now occupy positions of CALL FOR PAPERS region at a crucial turning point in world from the still-divided community of leadership in academia, government and This summer, Intensive Advanced Uzbek and Elementary Uighur history. A combination of misguided Russian émigrés. To convince skeptics the NGO sector. This cohort has managed will be taught as well as a Translation Workshop. Under the SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2005, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM attacks on “area studies” within academia, that Russian Studies is worth supporting, to build upon the intellectual heritage of guidance of Dr. Muhammad-Ali Akhmedov, distinguished Writer DENNY HALL 215 AND 215A the retirements of a number of leading moreover, we must admit the need for Soviet Studies, using new theoretical of Uzbekistan, and Professor Ilse D. Cirtautas, students will work Russia specialists trained during the greater efficiency, clearer measures of tools, previously-unavailable archival Papers from students and faculty pertaining to Inner or Central on translations of Uzbek and Uighur literature and historical texts. Cold War and the contemporary priori- impact and the development of a materials and personal connections with Asia are being solicited. Please submit abstracts (250 words A wide selection of Uzbek and Uighur films and documentaries tization of the Middle East and China in maximum) by April 22, 2005 to: will be available for viewing. Selected translations will be read to an invited audience of faculty, students and members of the foreign policy circles has left Russian Ilse D. Cirtautas Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association. The most outstanding studies with very few vocal advocates. Yet Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization translation will be awarded with the Nicholas Poppe Prize for the the study of Russia remains as critical Denny Hall, Box 353120, University of Washington, 98115 Best Translation of Oral or Written Central Asian Turkic Literature. today as ever, given its pivotal geopolitical Phone: (206) 543-9963 / Fax: (206) 686-7936 e-mail: [email protected] position and central role in the global FELLOWSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE war on terrorism; its huge arsenal of ORGANIZED BY the UW Central Asian Studies Group (subgroups: Uzbek Circle weapons of mass destruction; its growing and Kazakh and Kirghiz Studies Group) For information, contact: importance as an energy exporter; the SPONSORED BY the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilization; the Ellison Ilse D. Cirtautas, Director of the Central Asian Turkic Program, Center and Middle East Studies in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. dangers posed by the spread of infectious Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilization, diseases and the trafficking of drugs and For information about attending the conference, you may also 229 Denny Hall, DH-20, University of Washington, Seattle, WA people through the country; and the contact Dr. Cirtautas. 98115; tel: (206) 543-9963; e-mail: [email protected] opportunities stemming from Russia’s economic rebound and continuing role as a leader in world science and culture. If Russian Studies represents an indi- THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL RUSSIAN, EAST EUROPEAN AND CENTRAL ASIAN STUDIES spensable asset for the United States, and, NORTHWEST CONFERENCE simultaneously, is endangered by a © UW PHOTOGRAPHY complex set of psychological factors, Left to right: Carol Saivetz, George Kolt and Frank Russell what needs to be done to change attitudes and reinvigorate the field? To answer this coherent grand strategy for the field as a Russian colleagues to adapt Russian Politics and Culture question, the Herbert J. Ellison Center whole. Our discussions in Seattle generated Studies for the 21st century. The field of for Russian, East European and Central many exciting suggestions in this regard, Russian Studies, despite all the difficult Asian Studies at the University of revolving around three critical priorities challenges of the post-Soviet era, has in the Post-Communist World Washington’s Jackson School of Inter- for Russian Studies today: inspiring young thus maintained its tradition of national Studies and the Woodrow people to explore Russia’s great history excellence to the present day. But unless Saturday, April 9, 2005 Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute for and culture; expanding the new networks current trends are reversed soon, the Advanced Russian Studies convened that bind Russian and American citizens future of Russian Studies does not look 8:30AM–5:00PM, REED COLLEGE, PORTLAND, OREGON leaders in the field representing academia, as well as academic and non-academic bright. In the near future, faculty government, the business community specialists together in sustainable partner- retirements and academic budget cuts SESSION 1 (9:00–10:30AM) SESSION 3 (2:00–3:30PM) and non-governmental organizations to ships; and nurturing the next generation will result in a serious further down- Language, Literature and Culture: Russia versus the West Russian Literature set out what should be done next. The of Russia specialists who can lead the sizing of the field. And as we learned on Legal Reform in Russia Identity, Representation and Trade in Central Asia three-day meeting at the University of field in the decades to come. the tragic day of September 11, 2001, the Washington from November 18–20, In the early 1980s, the administration of loss of the nation’s capacity to under- SESSION 2 (10:45–11:45AM) SESSION 4 (3:45–4:45PM) 2004 included an inventory of the field’s President Ronald Reagan, with the stand the politics, society and language Comparing Strategies for Environmental Protection Religion & The Sacred Under Communism and Post-Communism accomplishments as well as assessment sup-port of leaders in the US Congress of a major world culture can have critical History and Legitimacy: Soviet Symbols Then and Now Property Rights and Migration in the European Union of broad trends and needs. and influential foundations, launched a consequences for US security. As in the Some of our main conclusions were major drive to stem a serious decline in days of the Reagan administration, we LUNCH and PLENARY SESSION (11:45AM–1:45PM) CLOSING RECEPTION (4:45–6:00PM) negative. The leadership necessary to enrollments in programs specializing need visionary leadership and careful Politics and Culture in the Post-Communist World rebuild Russian Studies will likely not in Russian language, history and politics. strategizing to rebuild Russian Studies to come from academic institutions facing As a result of that visionary initiative, a meet the challenges of the new century. ◆ For more information or registration, please go to http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/events/conf2005/regconf05.html

10 15 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

continued from page 13

© BRYAN AVERBUCH © BRYAN A typical evening in Dushanbe Panjkent Bazaar upbeat assessment of the direction the Asian art. His particular expertise was I turned east and headed back to country is headed since the huge turn- the Silk Road city of Panjikent and its Tajikistan, toward the vast mountains around after the civil war. Perhaps the ancient residents, the Sogdians. The local and the lush green valleys with their most commonly cited problem is curator is trying to have Panjikent added quiet villages, delicious melons and corruption, the hydra that plagues most to the list of UN World Heritage Sites. amazingly hospitable people. I had only of the former Soviet Union. I had seen The remarkable wall paintings and another 20 days in Dushanbe before problems with corruption before in Haiti, objects of art that have been discovered starting home. Like so much of the North Africa, Mexico and the Middle would certainly suggest that Panjikent world, Tajikistan and the Tajiks are trying East, but Tajikistan’s corruption problem deserves more resources for preservation to come to grips with changes, epic in appeared to be especially prevalent. I was and research. scale and profound in character, that surprised to be accosted by the Militsia After about three weeks of hard and swept through their mountainous land for bribes a mere two blocks from the fascinating work, I traveled onward to in the 20th century. The revolutions that Presidential Palace. I quickly learned that Samarqand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan. transformed Tajikistan from Emirate the only escape was either to feign total These ancient cities, renowned for their state, to Tsarist possession, to Soviet incomprehension or to show them a Timurid architecture, artistic, political, showcase, to independent nation, lay just diplomatic card and suggest they discuss religious and commercial heritage, attract below the surface of nearly all that I the issue with the embassy. In spite of perhaps more tourists than any other observed this summer. The changing these problems, my difficulties in place in Central Asia. They held a characters of this drama’s many sets Dushanbe were minor, and the wonderful loomed large around me, but none of friendliness of the people more than particular fascination for me; many of the literary lights that I had come to them larger or more lasting than the compensated. ◆ know through the Persian language had mountains. Shortly after the passes opened, I headed lived, worked, loved and died in these two Bryan Averbuch is a second-year MA student to Panjikent in one of the ubiquitous old cities. The cities are still fascinating, and in the Department of Near Eastern Languages Soviet Ladas, which may break down now, inextricably intertwined with their and Cultures at the University of Washington. often, but are easy to repair—hence their rich medieval heritage is their Soviet His fields of study include , Persian popularity. The roads were terrible, but legacy. I met travelers who decried what and Islamic Cultural History. He plans to the route was stunning and scenic. Snow the Soviets had done to these places, graduate in the spring of this year. covered peaks marched against the turning the old monuments into backdrop of a blue sky, and alpine valley museums and building over medieval meadows lay meekly at their feet. Small 1 Iranian Farsi and Afghan Dari constituting the neighborhoods. I sympathized, but other two. villages lined the way, and no attractive wondered: Did the Emirs of ages past not riverbank lacked a chaykhana (teahouse) 2 The Anzob Pass north of Dushanbe is the division preside over slums? Were some of these between the northern and southern regions in the inviting passers-by to stretch and to enjoy high minarets and turquoise domes not western half of the country. a relaxing cup of tea and conversation. built by slaves? The writings of early 3Sporadic violence continued until circa 2000. Upon arrival in ancient Panjikent, I met Tajik Soviet authors like Sadruddin Aini 4 At the time, it was unclear who was responsible for the murdered of Alimpour and others. Since that time, Dr. Boris Marshak, curator of the give the impression that not all the locals I do not believe anyone has been brought to trial for Hermitage and a specialist on Central were sad to see things change. these crimes.

14 11 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

A Summer in Tajikistan expatriate, a veteran UN Tajikistan represented in Dushanbe stores. A new Dushanbe and there were gun battles in employee, was fond of telling me about Iranian investment bank had also just the streets, but his students still met to BY BRYAN AVERBUCH the days when there was a curfew in opened in the capital. “The Iranian work on physics problems. Another Dushanbe at night, and when the safest government now sees Tajikistan as a professor said that despite the many The Tajikistan Airlines Tupolev 154M place to go drinking was the basement business opportunity,” one diplomat told comforts and subsidies of the Soviet era, passenger jet began its descent into of the Indian Embassy. Things have me. Turkish, Indian and Chinese he enjoys his new intellectual freedom. Dushanbe just before dawn on June 3, indeed improved; Dushanbe and even companies all seemed to be expanding The lack of resources to carry out 2004. On the starboard side of the some other towns are full of outdoor their business ties with the country. Still, research or to provide adequate facilities aircraft, I could see snowcapped moun- restaurants and beer gardens. Internet I was not particularly surprised to see to students and scholars continues to tains in the darkened sky, with the moon cafes dot the landscape, sometimes children begging outside of the airport plague them. “Back in those days, when floating above them. To port, the rising sprouting in rather surprising places. on my first morning in Dushanbe, or to there was bread, we had no teeth,” he sun illuminated another expanse of For those who can afford it, life is not so hear that shortages of medicine and said, quoting a Persian Central Asian towering peaks. Full of anticipation, bad. That percentage, however, is still medical supplies were commonplace. poet, “Now we have teeth, and there’s I fidgeted as the young flight attendant rather low. no bread!” gave instructions in Persian, Russian and During my first month in the country, Poverty remains the greatest problem Other areas of scholarship have likewise English. I had little idea what to expect I concentrated on studying Tajik language facing Tajikistan. Despite recent estimates suffered. A particularly acute problem is in the coming months in a country just and literature with professors from the that there has been a dramatic decrease in the need to preserve Tajikistan’s cultural beginning to emerge from one of the Tajik National State University. the number of people living in poverty, heritage, which extends back three darkest periods in its history. Dr. Azim Baizoyev and Dr. Abdushukur-i- © MAP-ZON.NET life is still a struggle for many Abdusator were my principal guides on millennia and includes Hindu, Buddhist, The University of Washington provided Map of Tajikistan and surrounding regions Zoroastrian, Manichaean and Islamic a grant for me to study abroad in elements. In July, I journeyed over the Tajikistan, and my plan was two-fold. eastern sections.2 Traversing many of the speaker at the University of Washington, Anzob Pass to Panjikent in the Zarafshan The first part of the trip would center country’s passes by road in the winter or was murdered.4 We had listened to valley, where a team of experts from both around studying Tajik – one of the three even in warmer weather after an avalanche Alimpour’s broadcasts in my Persian the Hermitage of St. Petersburg and the major dialects of Persian.1 The second can be virtually impossible. These language classes as a sample of modern Tajik Academy of Sciences has been half of the trip would consist of an geographic divisions helped to create Tajik, and I had read much about his life excavating since the 1950s. I had planned archaeological dig at the ancient Sogdian distinct dialects throughout the country. and death in Monica Whitlock’s The an earlier departure from Dushanbe, but city of Panjikent. In spite of limited time Broadly speaking, there is a northern and Land Beyond the River. He was one of the Varzob River had flooded after heavy and many uncertainties, I also had high a southern dialect in the western part of many victims of a vicious campaign of rains, rendering about 40km of the high- hopes of traveling either to the primarily the country, and deep in the Pamirs of the assassination that claimed the lives of way impassable. It was a fine illustration Persian-speaking cities of Samarqand and eastern part of the country, a number of many of Tajikistan’s intelligentsia. of the problems facing this young nation. Bukhara in Uzbekistan, or to the remote other non-Persian Iranian languages can Between 1996 and 1997, a coalition of The only North-South highway was blocked, leaving anyone who wanted to Pamir mountains in Eastern Tajikistan. be heard. In addition to dialectical interested countries helped the warring travel in those directions with three Initially, however, I would have to get diversity, the majority of the country factions to reach a peace agreement. A options: flying to Khujand; making a the lay of the land. follows Sunni Islam, but the Pamir region government was established that brought roundabout journey through Uzbekistan; is primarily Shiite Ismaili. These southern the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) At the age of 13, the newly independent or waiting out the weather. I settled on worshippers follow the spiritual leader- parties into the Russian-backed govern- state of Tajikistan has had a rough the third option and I continued to focus ship of the Agha Khan. ment of Imam Ali Rahmanov as legitimate adolescence. Soviet planners in Stalin’s on my Tajik language studies. During the opposition. Despite this reconciliation, time drew the highly arbitrary borders The difficulty of holding these regions interlude, I increasingly met more Tajiks of Tajikistan according to the whims of together became apparent when a tragic years of instability and economic hard-

© BRYAN AVERBUCH © BRYAN and, of course, the small expatriate circles ship followed as the country struggled Moscow. Purposefully ignoring both civil war with both ideological and ethnic in the city. At the better restaurants in from the brink of collapse. By the time I The Anzob Pass, Tajikistan ethnic and linguistic geography, the dimensions engulfed the country from Dushanbe, I saw many of the foreign 3 arrived in the summer of 2004, things Soviets separated the culturally prominent 1993-1996. More than any other Soviet of Tajikistan’s six million citizens. The a journey that encompassed everything factions struggling to gain or to retain had improved greatly. Lonely Planet was centers of Bukhara and Samarqand from republic, Tajikistan depended on subsi- geographic position of the country as from newspaper articles and provincial influence in this poor but strategically to publish a book later that summer what is now Tajikistan, while at the same dies from Moscow to maintain its well as regional political problems have dialects to Soviet novelists and 10th- important country: Iranian businessmen, time isolating a primarily Uzbek-area infrastructure; economic collapse swiftly happily announcing that Tajikistan was isolated Tajik markets and limited both century poetry. Dr. Azim Baizoyev, a Chinese diplomats, French airmen, within the new republic. This policy of followed the removal of this support in “Safe, stable and spectacular.” imports and exports. This too, however, specialist on the differences and similari- Russian officers, UN staff, journalists “divide and rule” made all of the Soviet 1991 and the nation fell into a state of During my first days in Dushanbe, I had was changing fast by the time I arrived. ties between Tajik and Farsi, had recently taking a break from Afghanistan, republics heavily interdependent. And civil unrest. An estimated 50,000 Tajiks a number of surprises. The city was The land border with China had just published a Persian textbook which I missionaries and employees of more after independence would prove cata- lost their lives in the fighting, and per- remarkably attractive and relaxed. The opened; new bridges were under con- would venture to say is the best one than two dozen NGOs flocked to the strophic for Tajikistan. Although the haps as much as 10% of the population lazy avenues, abundance of trees and struction to span the river separating available, easily surpassing books con- restaurants and cafes that lined Rudaki country is blessed with abundant water was internally displaced or fled as refugees. greenery, buildings with beautiful early Tajikistan and Afghanistan; and a tunnel centrating on Farsi and Dari. The Avenue after hours. From speaking with and fertile valleys, over 90% of its terri- The civil war in neighboring Afghanistan 20th-century facades, pleasant fountains is being built under the mountains that enthusiasm and dedication of the scholars them, I developed a reasonable picture of tory is mountainous, and Tajikistan further aggravated Tajikistan’s problems, and parks with children eating ice cream will allow year-round road travel between I met were remarkable, particularly in current affairs in Tajikistan, at least, possesses little in the way of easily- burdening the over-extended state with contradicted most of the stories I had the north and south of the country. At the light of the hardships that many of from a foreigner’s perspective. After long exploitable natural resources. Towering additional refugees. It was during this read about it. “Things have improved one Tajik/Uzbek border crossing, I them had endured during the war. One discussions about Tajikistan’s myriad mountain ranges divide the country into time that a famous Tajik journalist, here 200%,” said the manager of an Indian witnessed long lines of trucks carrying theoretical physicist told me of days economic, social and political problems, very distinct northern, southern and Muhieddin Alimpour, formerly a guest restaurant to me one night. Another Iranian merchandise, which were well when there was little bread to be had in I found that many of them have a rather continued on page 14

12 13 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

A Summer in Tajikistan expatriate, a veteran UN Tajikistan represented in Dushanbe stores. A new Dushanbe and there were gun battles in employee, was fond of telling me about Iranian investment bank had also just the streets, but his students still met to BY BRYAN AVERBUCH the days when there was a curfew in opened in the capital. “The Iranian work on physics problems. Another Dushanbe at night, and when the safest government now sees Tajikistan as a professor said that despite the many The Tajikistan Airlines Tupolev 154M place to go drinking was the basement business opportunity,” one diplomat told comforts and subsidies of the Soviet era, passenger jet began its descent into of the Indian Embassy. Things have me. Turkish, Indian and Chinese he enjoys his new intellectual freedom. Dushanbe just before dawn on June 3, indeed improved; Dushanbe and even companies all seemed to be expanding The lack of resources to carry out 2004. On the starboard side of the some other towns are full of outdoor their business ties with the country. Still, research or to provide adequate facilities aircraft, I could see snowcapped moun- restaurants and beer gardens. Internet I was not particularly surprised to see to students and scholars continues to tains in the darkened sky, with the moon cafes dot the landscape, sometimes children begging outside of the airport plague them. “Back in those days, when floating above them. To port, the rising sprouting in rather surprising places. on my first morning in Dushanbe, or to there was bread, we had no teeth,” he sun illuminated another expanse of For those who can afford it, life is not so hear that shortages of medicine and said, quoting a Persian Central Asian towering peaks. Full of anticipation, bad. That percentage, however, is still medical supplies were commonplace. poet, “Now we have teeth, and there’s I fidgeted as the young flight attendant rather low. no bread!” gave instructions in Persian, Russian and During my first month in the country, Poverty remains the greatest problem Other areas of scholarship have likewise English. I had little idea what to expect I concentrated on studying Tajik language facing Tajikistan. Despite recent estimates suffered. A particularly acute problem is in the coming months in a country just and literature with professors from the that there has been a dramatic decrease in the need to preserve Tajikistan’s cultural beginning to emerge from one of the Tajik National State University. the number of people living in poverty, heritage, which extends back three darkest periods in its history. Dr. Azim Baizoyev and Dr. Abdushukur-i- © MAP-ZON.NET life is still a struggle for many Abdusator were my principal guides on millennia and includes Hindu, Buddhist, The University of Washington provided Map of Tajikistan and surrounding regions Zoroastrian, Manichaean and Islamic a grant for me to study abroad in elements. In July, I journeyed over the Tajikistan, and my plan was two-fold. eastern sections.2 Traversing many of the speaker at the University of Washington, Anzob Pass to Panjikent in the Zarafshan The first part of the trip would center country’s passes by road in the winter or was murdered.4 We had listened to valley, where a team of experts from both around studying Tajik – one of the three even in warmer weather after an avalanche Alimpour’s broadcasts in my Persian the Hermitage of St. Petersburg and the major dialects of Persian.1 The second can be virtually impossible. These language classes as a sample of modern Tajik Academy of Sciences has been half of the trip would consist of an geographic divisions helped to create Tajik, and I had read much about his life excavating since the 1950s. I had planned archaeological dig at the ancient Sogdian distinct dialects throughout the country. and death in Monica Whitlock’s The an earlier departure from Dushanbe, but city of Panjikent. In spite of limited time Broadly speaking, there is a northern and Land Beyond the River. He was one of the Varzob River had flooded after heavy and many uncertainties, I also had high a southern dialect in the western part of many victims of a vicious campaign of rains, rendering about 40km of the high- hopes of traveling either to the primarily the country, and deep in the Pamirs of the assassination that claimed the lives of way impassable. It was a fine illustration Persian-speaking cities of Samarqand and eastern part of the country, a number of many of Tajikistan’s intelligentsia. of the problems facing this young nation. Bukhara in Uzbekistan, or to the remote other non-Persian Iranian languages can Between 1996 and 1997, a coalition of The only North-South highway was blocked, leaving anyone who wanted to Pamir mountains in Eastern Tajikistan. be heard. In addition to dialectical interested countries helped the warring travel in those directions with three Initially, however, I would have to get diversity, the majority of the country factions to reach a peace agreement. A options: flying to Khujand; making a the lay of the land. follows Sunni Islam, but the Pamir region government was established that brought roundabout journey through Uzbekistan; is primarily Shiite Ismaili. These southern the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) At the age of 13, the newly independent or waiting out the weather. I settled on worshippers follow the spiritual leader- parties into the Russian-backed govern- state of Tajikistan has had a rough the third option and I continued to focus ship of the Agha Khan. ment of Imam Ali Rahmanov as legitimate adolescence. Soviet planners in Stalin’s on my Tajik language studies. During the opposition. Despite this reconciliation, time drew the highly arbitrary borders The difficulty of holding these regions interlude, I increasingly met more Tajiks of Tajikistan according to the whims of together became apparent when a tragic years of instability and economic hard-

© BRYAN AVERBUCH © BRYAN and, of course, the small expatriate circles ship followed as the country struggled Moscow. Purposefully ignoring both civil war with both ideological and ethnic in the city. At the better restaurants in from the brink of collapse. By the time I The Anzob Pass, Tajikistan ethnic and linguistic geography, the dimensions engulfed the country from Dushanbe, I saw many of the foreign 3 arrived in the summer of 2004, things Soviets separated the culturally prominent 1993-1996. More than any other Soviet of Tajikistan’s six million citizens. The a journey that encompassed everything factions struggling to gain or to retain had improved greatly. Lonely Planet was centers of Bukhara and Samarqand from republic, Tajikistan depended on subsi- geographic position of the country as from newspaper articles and provincial influence in this poor but strategically to publish a book later that summer what is now Tajikistan, while at the same dies from Moscow to maintain its well as regional political problems have dialects to Soviet novelists and 10th- important country: Iranian businessmen, time isolating a primarily Uzbek-area infrastructure; economic collapse swiftly happily announcing that Tajikistan was isolated Tajik markets and limited both century poetry. Dr. Azim Baizoyev, a Chinese diplomats, French airmen, within the new republic. This policy of followed the removal of this support in “Safe, stable and spectacular.” imports and exports. This too, however, specialist on the differences and similari- Russian officers, UN staff, journalists “divide and rule” made all of the Soviet 1991 and the nation fell into a state of During my first days in Dushanbe, I had was changing fast by the time I arrived. ties between Tajik and Farsi, had recently taking a break from Afghanistan, republics heavily interdependent. And civil unrest. An estimated 50,000 Tajiks a number of surprises. The city was The land border with China had just published a Persian textbook which I missionaries and employees of more after independence would prove cata- lost their lives in the fighting, and per- remarkably attractive and relaxed. The opened; new bridges were under con- would venture to say is the best one than two dozen NGOs flocked to the strophic for Tajikistan. Although the haps as much as 10% of the population lazy avenues, abundance of trees and struction to span the river separating available, easily surpassing books con- restaurants and cafes that lined Rudaki country is blessed with abundant water was internally displaced or fled as refugees. greenery, buildings with beautiful early Tajikistan and Afghanistan; and a tunnel centrating on Farsi and Dari. The Avenue after hours. From speaking with and fertile valleys, over 90% of its terri- The civil war in neighboring Afghanistan 20th-century facades, pleasant fountains is being built under the mountains that enthusiasm and dedication of the scholars them, I developed a reasonable picture of tory is mountainous, and Tajikistan further aggravated Tajikistan’s problems, and parks with children eating ice cream will allow year-round road travel between I met were remarkable, particularly in current affairs in Tajikistan, at least, possesses little in the way of easily- burdening the over-extended state with contradicted most of the stories I had the north and south of the country. At the light of the hardships that many of from a foreigner’s perspective. After long exploitable natural resources. Towering additional refugees. It was during this read about it. “Things have improved one Tajik/Uzbek border crossing, I them had endured during the war. One discussions about Tajikistan’s myriad mountain ranges divide the country into time that a famous Tajik journalist, here 200%,” said the manager of an Indian witnessed long lines of trucks carrying theoretical physicist told me of days economic, social and political problems, very distinct northern, southern and Muhieddin Alimpour, formerly a guest restaurant to me one night. Another Iranian merchandise, which were well when there was little bread to be had in I found that many of them have a rather continued on page 14

12 13 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

continued from page 13

© BRYAN AVERBUCH © BRYAN A typical evening in Dushanbe Panjkent Bazaar

upbeat assessment of the direction the Asian art. His particular expertise was I turned east and headed back to country is headed since the huge turn- the Silk Road city of Panjikent and its Tajikistan, toward the vast mountains around after the civil war. Perhaps the ancient residents, the Sogdians. The local and the lush green valleys with their most commonly cited problem is curator is trying to have Panjikent added quiet villages, delicious melons and corruption, the hydra that plagues most to the list of UN World Heritage Sites. amazingly hospitable people. I had only of the former Soviet Union. I had seen The remarkable wall paintings and another 20 days in Dushanbe before problems with corruption before in Haiti, objects of art that have been discovered starting home. Like so much of the North Africa, Mexico and the Middle would certainly suggest that Panjikent world, Tajikistan and the Tajiks are trying East, but Tajikistan’s corruption problem deserves more resources for preservation to come to grips with changes, epic in appeared to be especially prevalent. I was and research. scale and profound in character, that surprised to be accosted by the Militsia After about three weeks of hard and swept through their mountainous land for bribes a mere two blocks from the fascinating work, I traveled onward to in the 20th century. The revolutions that Presidential Palace. I quickly learned that Samarqand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan. transformed Tajikistan from Emirate the only escape was either to feign total These ancient cities, renowned for their state, to Tsarist possession, to Soviet incomprehension or to show them a Timurid architecture, artistic, political, showcase, to independent nation, lay just diplomatic card and suggest they discuss religious and commercial heritage, attract below the surface of nearly all that I the issue with the embassy. In spite of perhaps more tourists than any other observed this summer. The changing these problems, my difficulties in place in Central Asia. They held a characters of this drama’s many sets Dushanbe were minor, and the wonderful loomed large around me, but none of friendliness of the people more than particular fascination for me; many of the literary lights that I had come to them larger or more lasting than the compensated. ◆ know through the Persian language had mountains. Shortly after the passes opened, I headed lived, worked, loved and died in these two Bryan Averbuch is a second-year MA student to Panjikent in one of the ubiquitous old cities. The cities are still fascinating, and in the Department of Near Eastern Languages Soviet Ladas, which may break down now, inextricably intertwined with their and Cultures at the University of Washington. often, but are easy to repair—hence their rich medieval heritage is their Soviet His fields of study include Arabic, Persian popularity. The roads were terrible, but legacy. I met travelers who decried what and Islamic Cultural History. He plans to the route was stunning and scenic. Snow the Soviets had done to these places, graduate in the spring of this year. covered peaks marched against the turning the old monuments into backdrop of a blue sky, and alpine valley museums and building over medieval meadows lay meekly at their feet. Small 1 Iranian Farsi and Afghan Dari constituting the neighborhoods. I sympathized, but other two. villages lined the way, and no attractive wondered: Did the Emirs of ages past not riverbank lacked a chaykhana (teahouse) 2 The Anzob Pass north of Dushanbe is the division preside over slums? Were some of these between the northern and southern regions in the inviting passers-by to stretch and to enjoy high minarets and turquoise domes not western half of the country. a relaxing cup of tea and conversation. built by slaves? The writings of early 3Sporadic violence continued until circa 2000. Upon arrival in ancient Panjikent, I met Tajik Soviet authors like Sadruddin Aini 4 At the time, it was unclear who was responsible for the murdered of Alimpour and others. Since that time, Dr. Boris Marshak, curator of the give the impression that not all the locals I do not believe anyone has been brought to trial for Hermitage and a specialist on Central were sad to see things change. these crimes.

14 11 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

Indispensable Knowledge: Rebuilding Russian Studies DEPARTMENT OF NEAR EASTERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT OF NEAR EASTERN LANGUAGES AND CIVILIZATION AND CIVILIZATION for the 21st Century Conclusions from “The Russian Studies Symposium: Keeping the Doors Open in the 21st Century” Seventeenth Annual Nicholas Poppe Symposium Uzbek and Uighur Language BY STEPHEN E. HANSON AND BLAIR RUBLE inner/central and Culture Programs A slow erosion of US expertise on Russia growing budgetary problems, from US small but well-trained group of younger June 20 – August 19, 2005 and its neighbors threatens to undermine and Russian businesses frightened by Russian specialists who entered the field asian studies our country’s understanding of this vital the implications of the YUKOS affair or in those years now occupy positions of CALL FOR PAPERS region at a crucial turning point in world from the still-divided community of leadership in academia, government and This summer, Intensive Advanced Uzbek and Elementary Uighur history. A combination of misguided Russian émigrés. To convince skeptics the NGO sector. This cohort has managed will be taught as well as a Translation Workshop. Under the SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2005, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM attacks on “area studies” within academia, that Russian Studies is worth supporting, to build upon the intellectual heritage of guidance of Dr. Muhammad-Ali Akhmedov, distinguished Writer DENNY HALL 215 AND 215A the retirements of a number of leading moreover, we must admit the need for Soviet Studies, using new theoretical of Uzbekistan, and Professor Ilse D. Cirtautas, students will work Russia specialists trained during the greater efficiency, clearer measures of tools, previously-unavailable archival Papers from students and faculty pertaining to Inner or Central on translations of Uzbek and Uighur literature and historical texts. Cold War and the contemporary priori- impact and the development of a materials and personal connections with Asia are being solicited. Please submit abstracts (250 words A wide selection of Uzbek and Uighur films and documentaries tization of the Middle East and China in maximum) by April 22, 2005 to: will be available for viewing. Selected translations will be read to an invited audience of faculty, students and members of the foreign policy circles has left Russian Ilse D. Cirtautas Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association. The most outstanding studies with very few vocal advocates. Yet Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization translation will be awarded with the Nicholas Poppe Prize for the the study of Russia remains as critical Denny Hall, Box 353120, University of Washington, 98115 Best Translation of Oral or Written Central Asian Turkic Literature. today as ever, given its pivotal geopolitical Phone: (206) 543-9963 / Fax: (206) 686-7936 e-mail: [email protected] position and central role in the global FELLOWSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE war on terrorism; its huge arsenal of ORGANIZED BY the UW Central Asian Studies Group (subgroups: Uzbek Circle weapons of mass destruction; its growing and Kazakh and Kirghiz Studies Group) For information, contact: importance as an energy exporter; the SPONSORED BY the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilization; the Ellison Ilse D. Cirtautas, Director of the Central Asian Turkic Program, Center and Middle East Studies in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. dangers posed by the spread of infectious Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilization, diseases and the trafficking of drugs and For information about attending the conference, you may also 229 Denny Hall, DH-20, University of Washington, Seattle, WA people through the country; and the contact Dr. Cirtautas. 98115; tel: (206) 543-9963; e-mail: [email protected] opportunities stemming from Russia’s economic rebound and continuing role as a leader in world science and culture. If Russian Studies represents an indi- THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL RUSSIAN, EAST EUROPEAN AND CENTRAL ASIAN STUDIES spensable asset for the United States, and, NORTHWEST CONFERENCE simultaneously, is endangered by a © UW PHOTOGRAPHY complex set of psychological factors, Left to right: Carol Saivetz, George Kolt and Frank Russell what needs to be done to change attitudes and reinvigorate the field? To answer this coherent grand strategy for the field as a Russian colleagues to adapt Russian Politics and Culture question, the Herbert J. Ellison Center whole. Our discussions in Seattle generated Studies for the 21st century. The field of for Russian, East European and Central many exciting suggestions in this regard, Russian Studies, despite all the difficult Asian Studies at the University of revolving around three critical priorities challenges of the post-Soviet era, has in the Post-Communist World Washington’s Jackson School of Inter- for Russian Studies today: inspiring young thus maintained its tradition of national Studies and the Woodrow people to explore Russia’s great history excellence to the present day. But unless Saturday, April 9, 2005 Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute for and culture; expanding the new networks current trends are reversed soon, the Advanced Russian Studies convened that bind Russian and American citizens future of Russian Studies does not look 8:30AM–5:00PM, REED COLLEGE, PORTLAND, OREGON leaders in the field representing academia, as well as academic and non-academic bright. In the near future, faculty government, the business community specialists together in sustainable partner- retirements and academic budget cuts SESSION 1 (9:00–10:30AM) SESSION 3 (2:00–3:30PM) and non-governmental organizations to ships; and nurturing the next generation will result in a serious further down- Language, Literature and Culture: Russia versus the West Russian Literature set out what should be done next. The of Russia specialists who can lead the sizing of the field. And as we learned on Legal Reform in Russia Identity, Representation and Trade in Central Asia three-day meeting at the University of field in the decades to come. the tragic day of September 11, 2001, the Washington from November 18–20, In the early 1980s, the administration of loss of the nation’s capacity to under- SESSION 2 (10:45–11:45AM) SESSION 4 (3:45–4:45PM) 2004 included an inventory of the field’s President Ronald Reagan, with the stand the politics, society and language Comparing Strategies for Environmental Protection Religion & The Sacred Under Communism and Post-Communism accomplishments as well as assessment sup-port of leaders in the US Congress of a major world culture can have critical History and Legitimacy: Soviet Symbols Then and Now Property Rights and Migration in the European Union of broad trends and needs. and influential foundations, launched a consequences for US security. As in the Some of our main conclusions were major drive to stem a serious decline in days of the Reagan administration, we LUNCH and PLENARY SESSION (11:45AM–1:45PM) CLOSING RECEPTION (4:45–6:00PM) negative. The leadership necessary to enrollments in programs specializing need visionary leadership and careful Politics and Culture in the Post-Communist World rebuild Russian Studies will likely not in Russian language, history and politics. strategizing to rebuild Russian Studies to come from academic institutions facing As a result of that visionary initiative, a meet the challenges of the new century. ◆ For more information or registration, please go to http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/events/conf2005/regconf05.html

10 15 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER Nine Months Later: Lithuania in the EU Announcing the New Embodiment of Treadgold Papers: BY IEVA BUTKUTE Treadgold Studies On the eve of the European Union’s EU accession day. Called Published in Conjunction with UW Press “Big Bang” expansion on May 1, 2004, “Europa Square,” Vilnius’ hundreds of thousands of “new modern downtown Europeans” flooded the streets to cele- serves as a symbol of brate the long-awaited countdown to this the new era for both the historic enlargement. In Lithuania, the capital city and the southernmost and the largest of the three entire country. Baltic States, fireworks lit up the sky. Despite the dynamic People switched on all their lights and economy and ever started fires across the country in brighter signs of Western preparation for a satellite picture docu- modernization, the menting Lithuania as the brightest economic and social country to join the EU. Voters in gap between Lithuania Lithuania had given their overwhelming and the EU-15 countries support to join the EU in a national remains evident in referendum a year before, with 91% of Vilnius. According to voters approving the accession. Since some studies, it might Lithuania broke away from the Soviet take as many as 30 years Union more than 13 years ago, for Lithuania to con- re-establishing ties with the West has verge on the West become a strategic objective of this Baltic European level of eco- country. Despite frequent changes in the nomic development. government, there has been consensus Lithuania’s current GDP regarding integration into the EU and per capita equals only NATO amongst all major political parties 46% of the EU-25 throughout the 1990s. This foreign policy average.2 In this regard, line found support not only from the even though Lithuania elite, but also the majority of the popula- stands as one of the most VYSNIAUSKAS © TOMAS tion. For Lithuania and the other formerly successful transitional Fireworks above Gediminas Castle Hill Communist countries that joined the economies of the former EU last May, membership seemed to Soviet Union, it remains among the Lithuanian transit companies. Because guarantee their country’s security, poorest in the enlarged EU. While many of the reduced waiting time at the political stability and economic growth. expect membership in the EU to borders, goods can now be transported With these initial assumptions in mind, stimulate the economy greatly and to more quickly and thus fewer workers are it is interesting now to look at what help Lithuania catch-up with the other needed to meet the orders. Lithuanian changes, if any, have occurred in members, no significant increase in the companies, that produce exclusively for Lithuania since the festivities last Spring. country’s relative economic performance the Lithuanian market have faced losses According to the Economist, the first 8 has occurred since last May. as well. This is due to the fact that a new months have been good for business In fact, since Lithuania became part of flow of cheap goods from neighboring “almost everywhere” within the newly the EU, the economic situation of some countries has created a more competitive admitted EU and NATO members.1 Lithuanians has grown worse. A jump in market. Lithuania, with a population of three prices constituted the most visible, In an attempt to find better employment and a half million, experienced the negative change for consumers. In May opportunities, a number of Lithuanians greatest growth of 7.2% in the enlarged 2004, for example, consumer prices in took advantage of the EU right of free EU in 2004. Yet, this figure falls below Lithuania shot up 1.5%, the biggest rise movement of labor and emegrated to that of the previous year’s growth. in more than four years.3 The prices West European countries immediately Economic growth is perhaps most visible continued to climb for several months following May 1st. The majority went to in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, where new after the accession. Furthermore, because Great Britain, since it, unlike most other hotels, shopping malls and spa centers of their membership in the EU, several EU-15 countries, chose not to implement For information about earlier issues, visit our website: http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/dwt/dwt.htm have sprung up over the last year, and new groups in Lithuania faced unemploy- transitional arrangements to restrict East where the first commercial skyscraper ment. A large number of custom officials Europeans’ access to its labor market. Orders for earlier issues should be directed to: Managing Editor, The Donald W. Treadgold Papers in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, district in Lithuania has taken root. lost their jobs as Lithuania removed The overall labor emigration from Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98195-3650. Tel: 206-221-6348, Fax: 206-685-0668, Rising several times higher than any of control posts along borders with EU Lithuania, like that of all 10 new member E-mail: [email protected]. the old town’s churches and castles, the neighbors. Changes in the border control states, was much smaller than originally Submissions are welcomed. For submission information, contact Glennys Young, Editor, at the above address. skyscraper district formally opened on system also negatively affected some

16 9 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER 5 continued from page 7 anticipated. Hence, the EU-15’s fears of a massive East European “invasion” proved unfounded. EU membership has also brought about some unwelcome changes in Lithuania’s relations and trade regimes with its neighbors to the east, including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. According to some estimates, imports to Lithuania from these three countries are 5.9% more expensive than before. This increase is due to adjustment to the EU’s common visa and border regime and tougher border controls against non-EU members. Furthermore, Lithuania’s membership in the EU has complicated the country’s relations with the Russian region of Kaliningrad. Often referred to as an

historic and geographic oddity, VYSNIAUSKAS © TOMAS

© SARAH ISAKSON Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave separated Celebrating the opening of Europa Square Minsk’s Old town Across the Svislock River from mainland Russia by Poland and Lithuania. Traditionally, Lithuania served Kaliningrad, Ukraine and Belarus has and capable player in regional and Revolution, a new question arises: Could several days against the Belarus election and middle-aged population disliked as the main avenue for the transit of become a main objective of Lithuania’s international politics. On the other hand, Minsk in 2006 look like Kiev in 2004? results, albeit in small numbers. The Lukashenko, but feared speaking out people and goods between mainland new foreign policy. As stated in much more time must pass before we can Lithuania’s current foreign policy agenda, The Washington Post reported that some government violently suppressed these against him. Russia and Kaliningrad. Upon grasp the full impact of EU membership Lithuania now aspires to become, jointly of the most enthusiastic protesters protests on October 19th, the day we left integration into the EU, however, on any of the newly admitted countries. As we all packed to leave Minsk for with Poland, “the front runner” in camped outside in Kiev actually came Minsk, with several beatings and the Lithuania met requirements to impose So far, Lithuanians themselves remain cheerier locations, there seemed to be a regional politics by advancing proposals highly enthusiastic about the EU and, from Zubr, a Belarus youth group. In a detention of about 40 protesters, strict border controls along the feeling of resigned hopelessness in the to the EU on developing cooperation according to Eurobarometer data, remain brutally clear example of the difference including several prominent members Kaliningrad border and to institute visa air. That was a month before Ukraine’s with eastern neighbors. the biggest supporters of the EU among between the neighboring countries, of the opposition. regulations for Kaliningrad residents. successful revolution. Does Lukashenko’s new member states. As the poll shows, Belarusian authorities stopped several of Even though the EU and Russia reached In pursuit of these objectives, recently, On our last morning in Minsk, I took a increasingly tight grip rule out a similar about 69% of the respondents in these activists on their way home from an agreement governing the rules of Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus stroll near the hotel through the scenario for Belarus or does it merely Lithuania support their EU membership, Kiev, taking them off the train, beating transit of people and goods to and from along with Poland’s President Aleksander immaculate, somber streets. I wondered reveal fear of such a possibility? Either while only six percent view it in a and detaining them. Kaliningrad through the territory of Kwasniewski mediated the conflict in if the serious-faced men in leather jackets way, the question of Belarus’ future in 5 Lithuania, the currently operating system Ukraine’s “Orange Revolution” and negative light. Let us hope that these standing on various street corners would 2006 remains, and I expect the world will ◆ Even before Ukraine’s street protests, does not satisfy either party. Lithuania helped to negotiate a peaceful settlement trends will continue in the future. find a lone American with a camera be watching closely. ◆ Lukashenko’s regime did not seem to continues to look for means of between the two sides. Interestingly, the suspicious. Consequently, I came home Ieva Butkute is a second-year REECAS MA take any chances. In the weeks before the Sarah Isakson is a second-year REECAS MA strengthening access and engagement initiative taken by President Adamkus without any pictures of the most striking, graduate student. Originally from Lithuania, election, the Ministry of Information student at UW. She is currently working on with this traditional trading partner. and his Polish counterpart angered visible reminders of Belarus’ recent Ieva came to the US in 2003 on a Fulbright suspended a dozen independent print her thesis on protest movements in Serbia European Parliament President Josep scholarship. Ieva is very interested in issues history: the gigantic Lenin statues still Since joining the EU and NATO, pro- media outlets. On election day, Pavel during the 1990s. She has served as an Borrell, who likened the pair to a “Trojan related to the enlargement of the European standing in Gomel and Minsk. Overall, elections observer in Montenegro, Kosovo moting dialogue between the EU and Sheremet, a journalist from Russia’s horse” for the United States. The remark Union and is currently working on her Master’s and Belarus. Channel One known for his criticism of Soviet monuments in Belarus have not echoed French President Jacques thesis about the effects of the European Lukashenko, was beaten and hospitalized. been toppled. If one had just arrived in Chirac’s suggestion two years ago that Union’s migration policies on Lithuania. Minsk or Gomel from another planet, In December, a top opposition politician 1 OSCE / ODIHR “Election Observation Mission, Republic Eastern Europe had missed an Ieva is also the Lithuanian language TA in who had run against Lukashenko in the one might assume that Belorussians of Belarus October 17, 2004 Election Final Report” opportunity to “shut up”, after Central the Department of Scandinavian Studies. past received a five-year prison sentence. celebrated Lenin as either their much- www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2004/12/3951_en.pdf. and East European countries supported He was charged with stealing US gov- loved hero or their current leader. 2 “OSCE Final Report.” the US invasion in Iraq.4 In this regard, 1 “New Europe Is Doing Well” The Economist ernment property, despite US Embassy 3 “Belarus Elections Fell Significantly Short of OSCE even though a full member of the EU, One of the last conversations I had in 6 Jan. 2005. Commitments.” OSCE [Minsk] 18 Oct. 2004. many West Europeans still consider protests that American officials donated Minsk with a young member of the 2 Eurostat. http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ 4 This has been widely reported including: Diehl, the property to Mikhail Marinich. Few opposition, working as a translator for Lithuania naive and even an obstruction ITY_PUBLIC/2-03122004-BP/EN/2-03122004-BP- Jackson. “Battle for Belarus.” The Washington Post EN.PDF. sources reported that opposition the OSCE, affirmed my suspicions. She 3 Jan. 2005. to decision-making in the sphere of protesters demonstrated in Minsk for told me that the majority of the young foreign policy. Implicitly, EU heavy- 3 “Lithuanian Prices Rise After EU Entry” weights thus encourage Lithuania to leave www.eubusiness.com/afp/040608084909.at1ou5cv. 4 Paulikas, Steven. “A House Divided; The Orange this area to more seasoned members. Revolution Is Carving New Fault Lines between Old and Overall, since admission to the EU, New Europe that Have Nothing to Do with War in Iraq” Newsweek 24 Jan. 2005. Lithuania has not yet experienced the 5 Eurobarometer. http://europa.eu.int/comm/ © CALGUARD.CA.GOV economic benefits of membership in full public_opinion/archives/eb/eb62first_en.pdf. Kalniningrad Region and has yet to find its niche as an active

8 17 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

ELLISON CENTER NEWS Tatyana, our interpreter born and raised We then set out in teams of four, On election day, the pace quickened. We in Gomel, she said, “It is not advisable to including interpreter and driver, armed raced from polling station to polling live in Gomel.” She did not elaborate. with lists of polling stations and observa- station, observing about 30 minutes in JAMES FELAK, Associate Professor in the the entire Russian Federation. The intent cal content knowledge, content, student tion forms. During my first time each, completing the standardized forms Upon my return to the US, I was able to History Department, has been accepted of the project is to enhance teachers’ needs and expectations into alignment. observing elections in Montenegro, a and faxing our findings to the mission do more research about the effects of as a participant in the Christianity in abilities in using information and headquarters in Minsk. At some polling Chernobyl on this region. I learned that Danish colleague told me two camps of Eastern Europe Project, organized by communication technologies in the stations, the officials happily answered Winter Quarter 2005, REECAS and the a resident scientist and former rector of people went on these missions: those Bruce Berglund of Calvin College and classroom; to create resource centers to passionate about electoral rules and regu- our questions; at others, they appeared Brian Porter of the University of Michigan. train and to support teachers; and to Institute for Global and Regional Security Gomel Medical Institute, Yuriy lations and those interested in traveling unnerved by our presence and refused to The project is aimed at specialists in East create libraries of electronic curriculum Studies at the UW jointly sponsored a Bandazhevsky, conducted research and seeing new places. Regardless into provide the information that constitutes European history who wish to become and learning materials. groundbreaking class “Non-Proliferation demonstrating that 1.5 million people and Atomic Energy as Global Issues: A a routine part of OSCE missions. Such more familiar with the methodologies refusals on the part of local election and interpretative approaches of religious Russian Perspective.” The instructors, Senior Lecturer, DIANA PEARCE, has officials surprised many of us, who and church history. It begins with a work- Professors Gennady Pshkakin and Victor been nominated to the Senior Specialist expected to find the effusively warm shop this June, at which East Europeanists Sosnin, are visiting scholars from Fulbright roster. It is expected that she hospitality we had experienced at other will read works of scholarship in the Obninsk State University for Atomic will be invited to Tashkent, Uzbekistan elections—especially in the Balkans. Well broader field of church history, critique Energy. The principal text for this course to lecture at several universities and to past midnight, after the election ended each other’s projects and engage with is Russia’s first textbook on nuclear non- act as an educational consultant on and the counting was completed, OSCE specialists in church history from other proliferation, edited by Pshakin and developing Social Work curriculum. workers in Minsk compiled the faxed regions of the world. His contribution to containing chapters written by Sosnin. There is currently no formal professional observations from every region for the the project will be his research on some It was published by the Russian Ministry education in this field within Uzbekistan. following day’s press conference. of the basic conflicts between the Catholic of Education and Science in December Church and the state in Slovakia in the 2004 and is available to students in both Other observers echoed most of our immediate post-World War II period. ALI IGMEN successfully defended his Russian and English (funded by Pacific experiences during a post-election PhD dissertation entitled, “Building Northwest National Laboratory). This briefing in Minsk. In the OSCE’s official Soviet Central Asia, 1920-1939: Kyrgyz course complements other courses report, many of the problems with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs Houses of Culture and Self-Fashioning funded by IGRSS at the UW, which deal election occurred prior to the actual and Professor in the College of Education, Kyrgyzness” in December 2004. Dr. with international security, arms control voting. Police raided campaign offices, STEPHEN KERR, has recently published Igemen previously received his MA from and weapons of mass destruction. detained a candidate, campaign workers three works. The first two chapters were UW’s NELC department and has sub- and opposition observers and prevented “Demographic Change and the Fate of sequently spent time teaching in Osh and large numbers of opposition candidates Russia’s Schools: The Impact of Popu- This year marked the inaugural year of from even registering to run in the Bishkek as well as presenting numerous the Budlong and Boba Summer Research lation Shifts on Educational Practice and © OSCE election. No independent electronic papers and offering classes at UW. An Fellowships. The Budlong Fellowships are Policy,” and “The Experimental Tradition Pollworkers preparing to count ballots media originated inside Belarus and the article about Kyrgyz culture and history awarded to REECAS and History in Russian Education” in the collection, he authored was recently featured on the electoral coverage overwhelmingly gave Educational Reform in Post-Soviet Russia: graduate students to travel to Russia. still lived in areas contaminated by which camp one falls, the mission gets support to Lukashenko. The OSCE front page of Vecherniy Bishkek, a regional Likewise, the Boba Summer Research Legacies and Prospects, edited by Ben Chernobyl. His research showed evidence particularly interesting when one begins report also mentioned problems with the newspaper. He is currently teaching a Fellowships enable REECAS students to Eklof, Larry E. Holmes, Vera Kaplan of illness, birth defects and deaths trace- crisscrossing the city to check polling actual voting and counting procedures. course for the History Department on travel to Eastern Europe or Central Asia (Frank Cass, 2004). He also co-authored able to the nuclear disaster. Moreover, he stations. As observers, we wandered into Several polling stations refused observers Central Asia in the Stalin period. for the summer. Priority was given to an additional chapter, “Russia: Struggling documented the authorities’ neglect of remote schools, factories and hospitals admittance. A few observers saw evidence those conducting research or holding with the Aftermath,” with Mary Canning, addressing these problems. He has been looking for polling stations and met of ballot stuffing. Others saw ballots internships in these regions, but partici- his collaborator on the third World Bank MICHAEL BIGGINS’ translation of the in prison since 1999, serving an 8-year teachers, factory workers and doctors completed prior to voting, and many of pating in advanced language training was Russian education loan, which appeared 1938 Slovenian novel Alamut, a cult classic sentence for allegedly accepting bribes. working in these stations. We also drove us experienced difficulty in getting also considered. Both fellowships provide in Iris C. Rotberg’s (Ed.), Balancing in Slovenia during the independence- There is currently a campaign by Amnesty around a region about which we had answers to our questions. Finally, there awards up to $1000. Change and Tradition in Global Education driven 1980s, was published in November International to raise awareness about little prior knowledge, with the luxury were reports of coercion and pressure on Reform, (Scarecrow Education, 2004). by Seattle-based Scala House Press. The his case; musicians such as The Cure and of our very own driver and interpreter. voters to vote, perhaps contributing to book was publicized through the the 90% turnout.2 The OSCE press release In addition, “E-Learning Support FLORIAN SCHWARZ, who is currently at others have recently signed petitions for In Belarus, however, our obligations left sponsorship of a week-long series of concluded only, “Universal principles Project” World Bank Loan was finally the Ruhr University (Germany), will join his release. little time for sightseeing. Early voting Slovenian cultural events, entitled, “State and constitutionally guaranteed rights signed by all the relevant ministries and the UW faculty in September 2005 as a Once in Gomel, our group of 16 took place the week prior to election day, of Art”, which was held in Seattle from of expression, association and assembly the World Bank’s representatives in early professor of Middle East history. He has observers, from 12 different countries, so time that on other missions could November 19–24, 2004. were seriously challenged.”3 December 2004. Professor Kerr has been extensive experience teaching about received a quick briefing from the two have been spent at cafes and scenic drives serving as a member of the design and Islam and the Middle East and is a long-term observers already there. They was consumed by hunting down polling The official results contradicted those advisory team for this project, and KLAUS BRANDL with Margie Lawrence prominent expert on early modern went over election day procedures, stations and observing as much of the acquired through a Gallup exit poll. The recently attended the launch of the pro- will soon publish a paper, “Aligning in Central Asia. His research includes books restaurant recommendations (mostly early voting as possible. One afternoon exit poll showed 48% of voters supported ject in Moscow this winter. The initial Foreign Language Instruction,” in on numismatics and Sufism in 16th- pizza) and threw in a few stories about we did take a quick break to stroll along the referendum, while the official results tranche for $100 million will be Aligning for Learning, edited by Donald century Transoxiana; his current book being followed by the secret police (still the river in Gomel’s leafy downtown were 77%.4 The passage of this referen- disbursed over four years and involve H. Wulff (Anker Publishing Co, 2005). project is a broad history of Islamic refered to as the KGB). They told us to park, stopping for mushroom blini— dum cleared the way for Lukashenko to seven pilot regions; the second tranche This research project focused on how intellecutral networks in the 17th and expect to be followed, “They’ll do their the culinary highlight of my week in run for a third term in 2006. With the for $200 million will extend the project to language instructors can bring pedagogi- 18th centuries. job, while we do ours.” Belarus. success of the neighboring Orange continued on page 8

18 7 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER Observing the October Election in Belarus Exploring Chornobyl’s Complexities On-Site and BY SARAH ISAKSON in the Classroom One month prior to the start of Ukraine’s participating states in Europe, Central the day after arrival. The somewhat BY NATHANIEL S. TRUMBULL Orange Revolution, international and Asia and North America. Last year, they uneasy relationship between the OSCE local observers called into question the observed elections in Kazakhstan, Serbia, and the host country made for a parti- The 1986 Chornobyl accident served as a results of neighboring Belarus’ election. Macedonia, Ukraine as well as the US cularly cautious briefing in Minsk. “We catalyst of unrest for the Soviet Union’s Many aspects of the Belarus election presidential election. have never been under so much scrutiny,” citizens towards their government. For a 1 evidenced serious irregularities. Ye t Short-term observers, like myself, only cautioned an OSCE senior staff member. public already skeptical of its government’s unlike events in Ukraine, no massive spend about a week in the country, just The local media had recently published concern for citizen health and safety, the street protests occurred, and the official enough time to observe the actual voting personal attacks against OSCE staff, accident played no small role in the Soviet results gained acceptance despite observer’s and counting process. Long-term alleging bias in favor of the opposition, Union’s ultimate demise. Although other and reports of fraud and misconduct. observers, however, had been in Minsk among other things. Therefore, they nuclear accidents in the Soviet Union Although not a presidential election, the for several weeks prior to our arrival, emphatically warned us to be on our were larger,1 the Chornobyl accident October 17th election in Belarus still held monitoring the election administration, best behavior. The government’s official holds an undisputed place among the great potential in determining the course legal framework, media environment welcome of the OSCE contradicted the world’s greatest environmental disasters. of the country’s future. After the call for and the general conditions surrounding Lukashenko regime’s clear antipathy Secondary accounts of the event the parliamentary election for deputies the election. As usual, OSCE/ODIHR toward the West. continue to be supplemented by more to Belarus’ House of Representatives, adeptly orchestrated our transportation Due to the tense climate, everything at recent interpretations of the causes of the 2 President Aleksandr Lukashenko added as well as provided us with all the the highly diplomatic briefing required accident and its aftermath. a referendum to the ballot that needed materials and information for close attention and some reading Today, new first-hand opportunities for overshadowed the entire election. This the mission. OSCE also arranged for an between the lines in order to decipher students of environmental issues of the referendum would eliminate the two- interpreter, driver, observing partner what had actually been occurring. My former Soviet Union to learn about the notes from the briefing include mention Chornobyl accident exist. They include of “disappearances of prominent political TRUMBULL © NATHANIEL the excellent Chornobyl Museum in Kyiv, Abandoned signs for 1986 May 1st celebration people”—all members of the opposition the opportunity to travel and to meet —and the “government’s recent liquida- directly with villagers and others affected and eloquently. The museum’s building concerns, though, as our Geiger counters tion of the main opposition party.” Yet, by the accident and even to visit the itself reinforces the tragedy of the event vividly reminded us. they failed to emphasize or to comment exclusion zone at the Chornobyl accident as visitors enter the museum through Nineteen participants comprised our upon these events, as if these were the site. This zone comprises a 30km radius, a central staircase with “no entry” slashes most normal and uninteresting of the within which special permission must be study tour group, including a radiology similar to those on road signs to the specialist from the closed city of Seversk pre-election data. gained to enter. Last summer, I took villages and towns within the exclusion advantage of these opportunities on a who had worked at the cleanup site After the briefing, everyone eagerly zone. during the two-year period immediately clamored around lists posted in the hotel tour organized by Friends of Chornobyl Centers US (FOCCUS).3 The day we visited the museum, a number following the accident. Before heading to lobby to see to which of Belarus’ six of Ukrainian soldiers and officers also the exclusion zone, we had the opportu- regions they would soon be departing. The Ukrainian National Chornobyl attended. We found it difficult to ignore nity to visit a total of six villages and OSCE assigned Ivan, the lone Croatian Museum in Kyiv is a world-class institu- their disparaging comments and pointed towns within the affected Chornobyl zone. on the mission, and me to the city of tion. Through its display of formerly questions to the museum tour guide The government has officially recognized Gomel, Belarus’ second largest city, in secret documents, equipment, photo- about the Soviet leaders’ delayed response the eastern corner of the country near graphs and a number of other visual that residents of these special zones live to the accident in the first days of the in conditions adverse to their health and the borders with Ukraine and Russia. presentations directly related to the acci- tragedy. Also illuminating about those their standard of living falls below the According to city information we dent, the Chornobyl Museum delivers the first weeks after the accident, a number national average. The special zones were received, 18 synagogues once stood in haunting legacy of the disaster simply of memoranda and documents gave

© SARAH ISAKSON created to designate the various degrees Gomel. Today only one remains. The testimony to the involvement of inter- of contamination and, due to that, their Observation team after the election in Gomel locals I asked while there, however, did national aid organizations, including a level of government aid. There are four not know its location or even if it still number of US firefighters. term constitutional limit, thereby and supplies in advance. Upon arrival, existed. The city’s proximity to Chernobyl different zonal categories, with varying allowing himself to run for a third term I assembled with the other short-term constituted Gomel’s other main point In addition to the museum, tourists have levels of social aid and financial support. in 2006. observers in the capital city of Minsk. of interest among the observers. In fact, been allowed to visit the exclusion zone The zones were not determined simply at Chornobyl since 2003. Undoubtedly, I went to Belarus as a short-term election There we en masse checked in and out NGOs such as Chernobyl Children’s by their distance from the Chornobyl of hotels, got on and off buses, went to Project still take children from Gomel to both a desire to increase public under- explosion, but rather by estimated fallout observer, along with about 270 other ASSOCIATION standing and a need for tourist revenue observers from 38 different countries. and from meals and attended briefings as live with host families in Ireland and levels. Apparently, the fallout distribution led to the decision to permit tourist The Organization for Security and instructed. elsewhere for a summer of “fresh air”. pattern from the accident was highly access. Given the small numbers of Cooperation in Europe and their Office As usual for OSCE programs, we attended Yet, everyone said that today there were uneven. Still, many find classification of tourists, however, this is likely a niche for Democratic Institutions and Human a one-day briefing covering the particu- no problems living in Gomel, as long as villages and their corresponding © WORLD © WORLD NUCLEAR market. Government approval does not Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) routinely moni- lars of the election, the campaign one did not venture into the contami- subsidies from Ukrainian government mean that there are no longer safety tors elections throughout the OSCE’s 55 environment and observation procedures nated zones. When I discussed this with Map of Chornobyl and surrounding regions difficult to comprehend as villages within continued on page 20

6 19 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

continued from page 19 sight of one another are classified as reactors had continued to operate safely residential building in Pripyat’ and a different zones and thus receive signifi- and effectively since 1986. 200-foot high guard tower overlooking the “graveyard” of radiated and “dirty” cantly different levels of government aid. As we toured the ghost town of Pripyat’, clean-up equipment (consisting of New Program in Prague The nature of our study tour allowed for where the plant is located, we photo- helicopters, trucks, buses and earth- many opportunities to converse with graphed extraordinary scenes of school moving equipment), would have elicited This past summer, the Department of Slavic Languages Theatre and a concert by the Prague Philharmonic villagers. We asked about how and when classrooms evacuated unexpectedly on immediate shock to any Western tour and Literatures and the International Programs and Orchestra. After their intense study, students returned to they evacuated and how they viewed the April 26, 1986, complete with lesson operator and especially their insurer. Exchanges (IPE) office launched a new C-term program Seattle enthusiastic and impressed by the depth and variety government and international assistance plans and calendars left open to that date. in Prague. of their experience. Organizers hope that the program they received. We also inquired into the We also stopped to take pictures of an Conversations with our accompanying The program creators designed it for students who have will continue to grow and to attract students from other long-term effects they had observed in amusement park and Ferris wheel radiologist and the local residents, who universities. their own health from the accident. The abandoned 20 years ago. Despite the open have returned to live within the exclusion completed one year of Czech; so shortly after Intensive last question was problematic in that few access we had in Pripyat’, camera use zone, proved highly illuminating. As the Summer Czech ended, eight students boarded a plane for Thanks go to Czech lecturer Jaroslava Soldanova, Fulbright residents knew exactly which of their proved to be a controversial point radiologist described the daily schedule a three-week language and cultural immersion experience scholar Jitka Ryndova and the dedicated staff at the IPE health problems could be directly throughout much of the tour. Locals of being “at war”, we clearly saw that the in one of Europe’s loveliest cities. Students spent three for their hard work in putting this program together. Deep attributed to the accident. We did learn, repeatedly told us that we could only take last two decades had left an indelible days a week studying the Czech language. When not in gratitude also goes to Wayne Jehlik, a Slavic L&L alum, for however, that despite the terrible stories pictures of the CNPP and Reactor Four effect on her physically and emotionally. class, they explored Prague’s many churches, museums, creating the Jehlik Scholarship fund. This scholarship of delays in evacuation immediately after from certain angles. Those angles proved She did not dwell on the fact that she had castles and other historical monuments. They visited the awarded $1,500 to a C-term in Prague student. Michelle ◆ the accident, children had indeed been hard to describe. Consequently, at least a cancerous thyroid glad removed in historical town of Kutná Hora, the medieval Karötejn Foshee helped with publicizing the new program. among the first to be evacuated. Later, one of our group’s members had to recent years—a scar from the operation castle and the concentration camp TerezÌn. An exciting when the adults were also relocated, rewind and erase his video tape. Threat still visible on her neck. She told many and unusual part of the program was a guest lecture We are currently accepting applications for the 2005 C-term families were reunited. of terrorism appeared to have been the stories of the personal tragedies that she series, which included talks by luminaries such as history in Prague. First priority given to applications received by motivating concern for our guide, had witnessed day after day during the professor M. Homerova, Civic Forum activist Dr. Ivan July 8th. To learn more, please visit our website: The exclusion zone is the most clearly http://courses.washington.edu/learncz. although that clarification only came later. cleanup. In addition to workers from Rynda and acclaimed writer Ivan Klima. Evening excur- delineated of the contaminated zones; its other Soviet sates, some Pripyat’ residents sions included a performance of Faust at the Black Light access is by permit only. Despite the The images we were able to capture of had volunteered to help with the cleanup name and the official rules, we observed the ghost town of Pripyat’ gave evidence for the express purpose of saving their a large number of residents and day to the lives that were disrupted by the own property. The government forbade visitors crossing into the zone. Those evacuation. Their fears seem to have been most former residents from returning to workers included about 5,000 Chornobyl warranted as our Geiger counters, even Pripyat’ after the evacuation. Nevertheless, Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) employees, so many years later, showed high readings. selected permission to enter and even who live in the 19-year-old town of Although they were particularly high at unauthorized looting have been common Slavutich, built outside the exclusion CNPP, the readings peaked over an area in the months and years following the zone for resettlement and for employees of moss at Pripyat’s deserted amusement accident. working daily at the CNPP. park. The moss had obviously accumu- lated radioactive particles. Our Geiger Our visits with villagers now living Despite Slavutich’s attractive neighbor- within the exclusion zone raised serious hoods and special medical facilities, it counter readings remained so elevated during our two-day visit to the exclusion questions as to the long-term effect of essentially operates as a one-company the accident on human health. The vast town to provide support for the CNPP. zone that they indeed sparked much discussion and at least initial concern. majority of them appeared to be The closing of the last Chornobyl reactor pensioners and continued to drink water in 2001 in effect tolled the death knell of We soon forgot the radiation threat and climbed stairwells in Pripyat’ with large from wells and to grow their own the town’s industry and therefore employ- vegetables within the exclusion zone. ment for many workers in Slavutich. accumulation of dust and stood only a few hundred yards from the sarcophagus The fact that they lived in villages that The town’s workforce is now retooling officially were not recognized by govern- itself for the long period of closing and above Reactor Four during brisk winds that visibly cycled dust into the air. ment authorities meant they had no securing the CNPP. (Indeed, as the access to mail, bank or other regular example of clean-up at Hanford suggests, Even our accompanying radiologist government-provided services. On the this work will require a large workforce expressed surprise that our tour guide other hand, those residents did have and last decades if government and inter- would so obviously subject us to the electricity and phone service in their national agencies provide the needed apparent threat of contamination. Our homes, suggesting that the categorization sums.) We heard from more than one tour guide repeatedly and cavalierly of the exclusion zone as strictly prohi- resident of Slavutich that the decision to dismissed our concerns, explaining that bited to any residence is not without close all the reactors had been largely she and other guides had been visiting exception. Indeed, the hotel in which we politically motivated. Those three reactors the site for years without any apparent overnighted, within 10 miles of CNPP, remaining, they argued, presented health impact. Nevertheless, she did later also stood well within the exclusion zone. no more danger today than any other agree that visits to Chornobyl constituted Electricity powered the hotel as well as RBMK4-type reactors in Ukraine or a form of “extreme tourism”. In addition, the nearby café (the owners assured us Russia. Only Reactor Four had been at least two of the sites we climbed for a that the food came from outside the damaged beyond repair; other CNPP better view, the open roof of a 15-story exclusion zone).

20 5 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER continued from page 3 industry developed. Western Ukraine was Thirteen years after independence, the favoring Ukrainian, a language that under Austro-Hungarian and Polish rule, public and institutional use of Ukrainian Tsarist and Soviet ideologies repressed but never under Russian control. It did has expanded significantly, but Russian and designated for extinction. The not become part of the Soviet Union continues to be widely used. In Kyiv, Orange Revolution has given people in until after WWII. Crimea had much of people can now usually feel comfortable Ukraine the hope that their voices will its Crimean Tatar population deported at speaking either language in public, be heard, that they can have a say—in the end of WWII, and only joined although Russian is still the dominant, Ukrainian or Russian—about their Ukraine in 1954, becoming a premier less marked, choice. Ethnolinguistic country’s future. ◆ vacation spot of the Soviet elite. These tensions have not disappeared entirely. historic demographic circumstances My friend in Kyiv, who generally prefers Laada Bilaniuk is an Assistant Professor in the UW Department of Anthropology, mean that there are more people who to speak Ukrainian, wrote that with specializing in language ideologies, cultural consider themselves Russian, or Russian people speaking Russian, she switched to politics, gender and popular culture in Russian so as not to risk angering them their native language, in the south and Ukraine. Her book on language politics in east than in the west. But the East-West against Ukrainians or against “the orange Ukraine, entitled Contested Tongues, is or Russian-Ukrainian oppositions ones” (Yushchenko supporters). She felt forthcoming in fall 2005 from Cornell ASSOCIATION obscure a more complex cultural and that it was still a safer bet to use Russian University Press. linguistic dynamic. For example, there publicly in Kyiv, as she had during the are many Ukrainian citizens who prefer Soviet period. She tended to begin to speak Russian, but want closer ties interactions in Russian with people she 1My thanks to Dominique Arel, compiler of the

© NATHANIEL TRUMBULL © NATHANIEL did not know, while Ukrainian was electronic Ukraine List (UKL), and Roman Senkus, © WORLD NUCLEAR with Europe than with Russia. Polls who distributed many of the sources referred to in this Diagram of the damaged Unit 4 reactor building Nathaniel Trumbull in front of damaged Reactor 4 showed that 20% of ethnic Russian reserved for friends or people she heard article electronically. Ukrainians, who tend to be Russophones using Ukrainian. Paradoxically, she can 2 Riabchuk, Mykola. “Ambivalence to Ambiguity: Why (but no longer exclusively so in the years be characterized as a Ukrainophone who Ukrainians Remain Undecided?” Paper presented at Reflecting upon this incredible study controversy that questions the most desirable development to advance conference, “L’Ukraine et le monde exterieur dix ans since independence), supported oppo- contributes to Russian dominance in aprËs l’independence” at the Centre d’Etudes et de tour, I found myself asking more misrepresentation of the situation discussion and knowledge of these sition leader Yushchenko.11 There are also public spaces of the city. Yushchenko’s Recherches Internationales [Paris] 5 Apr. 2002. questions and feeling I understood less of involves the victims themselves. The important issues. ◆ Ukrainophones who reject the West, are victory will likely make it more 3Vasovic, Aleksandar. “State Controlled Media Turning the Chornobyl accident and its impacts overly-demanding appeals for continued nostalgic for the USSR, and would rather comfortable for her and others like her, More Critical.” Seattle Times 1 Dec. 2004. than before the tour. Study of the aid by survivors seem to evidence to Nathaniel Trumbull is Co-Director of the build east Slavic unity. Since most people who would prefer to speak Ukrainian in 4Wagstyl, Stefan and Tom Warner. “Dancing in the accident will remain critical for future some that they are “professional victims”.5 Transboundary Environmental Information Streets as ‘a Nation Is Born.’” Financial Times Agency, based in St. Petersburg. He taught in Ukraine are bilingual to some degree, public, to do so. 4 Dec. 2004. generations of students who specialize in The Ukrainian government has likewise the REECAS-sponsored course Natural and many actively use both languages in 5 In 2002, I worked with Hanna Zalizniak of the Kyiv been accused of exaggeration of the Families and friendships were bitterly the region of the former Soviet Union. Resource Use and Management in Russia their daily life, it is problematic even to City “Hromads’ka Dumka” Center for Sociological The collection of data from those present global environmental threat Chornobyl divided by their support of different Research to organize a survey of 450 people and the NIS during fall 2004. try to divide people according to language candidates in the last election, but few representative of the city of Kyiv, which included a at the accident and those who poses in order to attract increased as the press often did. people wanted to see Ukraine split in question asking respondents to identify the percentage participated in its clean-up poses one of Western funds for cleanup. A final point of people on the streets of Kyiv speaking Ukrainian. Russian and Ukrainian are closely related, two.12 Earlier analysts had faulted the most obvious continuing challenges of debate is voiced by experts who lament 1 This includes the still poorly known Kyshtyn accident This added some statistical data to my own in 1957 in the Urals. but significant phonological and lexical Ukrainians for being politically non- impressions of increased public usage of Ukrainian. to researchers of the Chornobyl accident. the negative effect Chornobyl has had on The Definitive History of the Chornobyl Catastrophe. 2 Darwell,Exclusion. John. Legacy: Photographs From the Chornobyl committal,13 but it may be that the pen- On average, respondents answered that 36% of people Compilation of a methodical and public acceptance of the nuclear power differences impede mutual comprehen- in Kyiv spoke Ukrainian in public. 2001, Mould, Richard F. Chornobyl Record: sion if a speaker does not already have chant for “having it both ways” worked rigorous survey of the impacts of the industry—something they see as a real No Breathing Room: The Aftermath of Chornobyl 6Mulvey, Stephen. “Ukraine’s Loyal Industrial Heart.” accident may in fact never be possible as practical effort to mitigate global 2000, Medvedev, Grigori. The Truth About Chornobyl, some exposure to both languages. In to bring together Ukrainophones and BBC News [Donetsk] 3 Dec. 2004 and Trofimov, and 6 Chornobyl & Nuclear Power in the USSR. Ukraine, however, almost everyone has Russophones—and those who do not fit Yaroslav. “Yushchenko’s Formidable Challenge.” a result of the large geographic distribu- warming. Medvedev, Zhores A. The Legacy of Chornobyl and Wall Street Journal 20 Dec. 2004. had exposure if not schooling in both neatly into either category—to join tion and resettlement of Chernobyl The legacy of Chornobyl will be long- 7Melnyk, Oleksandr. “Why Does the East and South accident victims and liquidators. Yet, 3 FOCCUS is a non-governmental non-profit corporation languages, leading to widespread bilin- under the orange banners to fight Vote Yanukovych?” Electronic letter posted to The lasting. A recent incident in Saratov, more information will undoubtedly be whose goals are to support populations and communities gualism. People who cannot or choose for their human rights. In a speech to Ukraine List #263. 13 Nov. 2004. where residents overdosed on iodine pills severely affected by the Chornobyl disaster and to not to speak both languages are for the protesters in Kyiv, Yushchenko argued 8Meek, James. “Divided They Stand.” The Guardian revealed as scientists and health specialists as a result of rumors of a nuclear promote public awareness of the disaster and its most part passively bilingual, that is, they that all Ukrainians should know [UK] 10 Dec. 2004. continue to tackle the challenging task consequences. FOCCUS has been working with accident at the nearby Balakovo Nuclear Chornobyl community centers for the past 7 years. To 9Maksymiuk, Jan. “Will Ukraine Split in Wake of of examining the political, social and bio- can understand the other language. It Ukrainian, Russian, English, French and Power Plant, underscores the importance learn more about FOCCUS, visit www.foccus.org. Divisive Ballot?” RFE/RL Newsline Vol. 8, No. 223, logical impacts of the accident. has become very common, both in public German, so that Ukraine may return to Part II, 30 Nov. 2004. of understanding the lessons of 4A Russian acronym for Reactor Bolshoi Moschnosti Kanalynyi “Channelized Large Power Reactor.” interactions and in television and radio the level of international connections 10 Blinova, Ekaterina and Maksim Glinkin. “Too Many Controversy over Chornobyl continues, Chornobyl. The legacy of Three Mile Times programs, for people to carry on non- and respect it had in centuries past.14 Ukrainians: A Titular Nationality Dominates in the in both traditional and novel forms. The Island and Hanford bring similar issues 5A similar phenomenon has been observed among some Eastern Regions of Ukraine that Allegedly Supported victims of the Armenian earthquake. See The Seattle reciprocal bilingual conversations: each Yushchenko’s multilingual vision may Yanukovych.” Nezavisimaia Gazeta [Moscow] Western media continue to decry the home to US students. Students in the 30 Jan. 2005. person speaks their preferred language, not be within reach for most Ukrainians, 4 Dec. 2004 and Schwabe, Alexander. “The Leeches local authorities’ mismanagement of the REECAS course “Natural Resource Use 6 King, Sir David, “Chornobyl Created a Negative View of but both understand each other. This but he expresses a pluralistic ideal that of Ukraine.” Spiegel Online International [Germany] Nuclear Technology,” The Independent 17 Jan. 2005. 3 Dec. 2004. situation, such as Belarus’ recent refusal and Management in Russia and the NIS,” practice has defused the potentially may be the best bet for forging a demo- 11 Riabchuk, Mykola. “The Ukrainian Fault-Line: Citizens to permit children from Chornobyl- I taught last fall, found themselves explosive issue of language choice. While cratic future in Ukraine. Any simple Versus Subjects.” Berliner Zeitung 3 Dec. 2004. affected zones to participate in visits to struggling over these same issues. some people bemoan that this allows the solution in favor of only Ukrainian or 12 Ibid. the United Kingdom. Similarly, many Opportunities for REECAS students and once dominant Russian language to Russian is bound to fan ethnolinguistic 13 For example, Riabchuk 2002. internet surfers have been moved by others to participate in their own on-site continue to dominate, the acceptance of tensions. But in the end, the idea that all 14 Wynnyckyj, Mychailo. “Yushchenko Redeemed.” photo journals about the region, but visits of environmentally degraded sites non-reciprocal bilingualism has in many Ukrainians should know Ukrainian, Electronic letter posted to The Ukraine List #297. some question the motives that frame in the former Soviet Union, many of 2 Dec. 2004. ways also facilitated the spread of along with other internationally powerful the images. Another example of this new which only recently opened, would be a Ukrainian. languages—is already a huge step

4 21 ELLISON CENTER REECAS NEWSLETTER

Visiting REECAS Scholars Russia. Many people, especially in eastern Ukraine, have familial ties in Russia. BY CARRIE DYK After decades of open borders between the Soviet republics, Yanukovych’s Cholpon Turdalieva, visiting Kyrgyz Scholar promise of instating dual Ukrainian- Russian citizenship appealed to those who Cholpon Turdalieva returned to the Turdalieva’s previous visit to the University of Washington had found crossing post-Soviet, inter- University of Washington to research in 2002, she affirms, gave her both the research skills that she national borders onerous. the travel accounts of Westerners needed as well as the initial information about foreign travelers, Yanukovych, even with his criminal depicting the Kyrgyz people. As a which provided a foundation for her current project. record of assault and robbery, represented Fulbright Visiting Scholar, she will be From her research, Turdalieva hopes to help educate her people a comforting familiarity to many here for the duration of the academic about their heritage by giving them another, non-Soviet, Ukrainians. For entrepreneurs, doing year, expanding previous research on perspective. She hopes that reprinting of the travel accounts, business with Westerners often meant this topic to include both a more the creation of internet resources and the organization of prioritizing efficiency and impartiality, extensive geographic scope as well as a international projects will provide the tools necessary for her and doing away with the Soviet/Slavic broader historic window, including the and her colleagues to be more educated about their cultural social rituals through which mutual entire 19th Century and the beginning traditions. Upon completion of her research, Turdalieva will understandings were established and of the 20th Century. She is particularly interested in what these return to her position as head of the Cultural Studies VERBOVSKYY © YURIY business dealings were personalized. accounts reveal about gender. Her work is part of the Central Department at the I. Arabaev Pedagogical University in Yushchenko with Yulia Tymoshenko Openness to the West and western Asia Research Initiative (CARI) project of the Open Society Bishkek, Kyrgistan. products had coincided with drastic Institute. through with his campaign promise; it Why, then, did so many eastern and economic instabilities for many people. was easier to leave the controversial issue southern Ukrainians vote for Yanukovych? Yushchenko’s platform of striving for that would entail constitutional amend- Part of the explanation may lie in the further integration with Europe was seen ments aside, allowing language dynamics restricted and manipulated flow of Irina Selezneva, visiting Russian Scholar by some as leading to further erosion to work themselves out at lower levels. information to eastern regions. Where of a familiar way of life. there were “so many nice things,” as one Irina Selezneva, PhD of the Siberian While Yanukovych tried to appeal to Washington, which she looks forward to analyzing upon her Crimean woman said about Yanukovych In late November, when politicians in the Branch of the Russian Institute of Russophones, the protesters of the return to Omsk. Selezneva expects these resources, along with a on state-controlled television and southeastern Ukrainian regions recog- Culturology in Omsk, conducted Orange Revolution spoke and carried greater understanding of research methodology and theoretical newspapers, there were likewise rumors nized that Yushchenko’s presidential bid research at the University of signs in both languages. Language did frameworks for analyzing her results, will lend to new in both Donetsk and Crimea that might be successful and thus threaten Washington under a grant from the not appear to be a divisive issue among interpretations of the data gained from her field research in Yushchenko was doing America’s bidding their access to power, they attempted to National Council for Eurasian and them. Yushchenko himself is from a Siberia. Selezneva also looks forward to sharing what she has and would close down Ukrainian mines capitalize on regional differences by East European Research as a Carnegie northeastern Ukrainian city, Sumy, 40km gained from her time at UW with her students at the Omsk in order to store American toxic waste.6 proposing a move for regional autonomy. Fellow from September through State Agriculture University, where she is a Senior Lecturer. from the border with Russia. His most Soviet-era fears of American malicious A meeting of about 4,000 local councilors December 2004. Her research project, visible campaign supporter, Yulia Marveling at the access to information provided at the UW intentions are apparently still alive. from southeastern Ukrainian regions in “Popular Forms of Islam in Siberia” Tymoshenko, now appointed as Prime Donetsk oblast was also attended by libraries, Selezneva laments having only four months in Minister, grew up speaking Russian in Another segment of support for is part of a larger project examining which to complete her research. This was her first visit to the Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov, who popular forms of religion around the world. the southeastern city of Dnipropetrovsk Yanukovych was more opportunistic. In referred to the pro-Yushchenko “Orange United States. and reportedly did not speak Ukrainian a system where favors and connections Under the guidance of Professor Daniel Waugh, Selezneva said Revolution” as “The Sabbath of witches until after independence. While play a significant role in administrative that she had found a wealth of resources at the University of who have been fattened up with Yushchenko was against legislation appointments at every level, there were oranges.”9 Many Ukrainians saw Russia’s granting Russian language official status people who feared that they might lose support of separatism (through Luzhkov) alongside Ukrainian, he made a point of their jobs and their influence if as an effort to divide and to conquer, occasionally speaking publicly in Russian Yushchenko should win and subsequently aided by regional politicians who wanted Dr. Ashirbek Muminov, visiting Uzbek Scholar 7 to emphasize his acceptance of this crack down on corruption. Pensioners to maintain their influence. In the end, Dr. Ashirbek Muminov, Chair of the Seattle for the first two weeks of his stay. Professor Muminov language as part of Ukrainian life. and workers in southeastern Ukraine the threat of separatism fizzled, lacking Department of Islamic Studies at has remained in Seattle in order to study English and to collect The simplistic presentation of an East- were given raises shortly before the both grass-roots support and economic Tashkent State University of Oriental materials for the compilation of a new textbook about West split as explanatory of the divide election. While some saw this as a blatant viability.10 Studies, is conducting three months of comparative religion—the first of its kind to be written in effort at bribery, others believed that this between supporters of Yanukovych versus Unquestionably, the gross characteriza- research as a visiting scholar at UW. Uzbek. This textbook will be used in his university as well as Yushchenko was also politically was evidence that their local candidate, This marks the midpoint in a three- the four other Uzbek educational institutions participating in Yanukovych, cared about their interests, tions of eastern versus western Ukrainian misleading; it reduced the opposition regional identities do have some truth year grant project aimed at developing the project. between the candidates to a regional- and that they should vote for him to educational programs for the study retain these benefits.8 based in historic circumstances. Eastern Professor Muminov hopes that in addition to his book, his cultural difference, diverting attention and central Ukraine experienced Russian of comparative religion in Uzbekistan, students and colleagues will be able to gain an understanding away from the legitimate political issues. In addition to the opportunism, a project partnering UW with three dominance for centuries within the of comparative religion at the UW Resource Center in Yanukovych represented a corrupt misinformation and wild rumors, Russian empire, and then in the USSR. Universities and two Academic Tashkent. This center includes a research library and English autocracy (continuing the status quo of support for Yanukovych in the southeast Institutions in Uzbekistan. The eastern regions in particular saw language classes. A recent book drive by UW’s NELC and Kuchma’s regime), while Yushchenko of the country also stemmed from an much immigration from Russia and Four of Dr. Muminov’s colleagues, Rectors from each of the REECAS programs furnished the center with an extensive represented a promise of democratic ideological preference for Slavic unity, in other parts of the USSR as mining and other partner institutions in Uzbekistan, accompanied him to collection of scholarly materials. reform. particular with powerful neighboring continued on page 4

22 3 university of washington the henry m. jackson ELLISON CENTER seattle, washington school of international continued from page 1 studies, outreach centers face, disfigured by the attempt on his life Despite frigid temperatures, the protesters as well as western cities. Moreover, Kyiv, by dioxin poisoning in September, was a were festive and defiant. the site of the most massive public poignant symbol of what was at stake: As the world watched, the massive protests support for Yushchenko, is in the very the choice between a more open and fair and political negotiations ultimately center of the country, and is difficult to government versus the existing trend of prevailed against the fraudulent election characterize with simple linguistic or Soviet-style control of information, and a new, more carefully monitored cultural labels. including efforts to eliminate problematic election was held on December 26th. The issue of language affiliation, which dissenters such as Gongadze and Yushchenko won this election by a com- has been the focus of my research, bears Yushchenko. fortable 8% margin, and was inaugurated closer discussion, as it has been a key 2005 summer seminar for educators of grades 6 and up Popular musicians joined the call to President on January 23, 2005. This win dimension of political controversy. break people from their complacency was a triumph for the democratic process During Soviet times in Kyiv, it was rare to towards the increasingly authoritarian and a major challenge to authoritarian hear anything but Russian. Even now, regime and to demand human rights. regimes throuhout the post-Soviet Kyivans use Russian in public more often Mystics, Eccentrics, Visionaries A rap song, “Razom nas bahato, nas ne region. But support for Yushchenko was than Ukrainian, although the use of podolaty” (together we are many, we will not unanimous, and one of the biggest Ukrainian has been on the rise since and Revolutionaries not be defeated) resounded among the challenges of the new government will be independence.5 Ukrainian has begun to protesters, and became recognized as mediating the social divisions within lose its previous connotations of the “Hymn of the Orange Revolution.” Ukrainian society. backwardness as it has been promoted in People Who Changed the Course of History Middle-aged people even confessed to Why did so many Ukrainians—44% of education, the media, state institutions learning to like rap during the all voters in the December 26th election, and popular culture. This rise of 4 June 28–29, 2005 demonstrations. mostly in the east and south of the Ukrainian has been facilitated by the During the days of the protest, a friend country—vote for Yanukovych? Analysts 1989 legislation, reaffirmed in the 1994 Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, from Kyiv wrote that in contrast to the in the press quickly latched onto a constitution, which made it the sole state University of Washington, Seattle Campus usual cynical mood regarding politics, simple explanation: the controversy over language of the country. It was inevitable she saw faces beaming with hope and the election was a case of East versus that the promotion of Ukrainian would optimism for the first time. She even felt West. Yushchenko’s supporters were encroach on what had been exclusively The Outreach Centers at The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies invite you to attend the annual Summer herself swept into the atmosphere of West-oriented, Ukrainian-speaking, Russian spheres, which some people saw Seminar for educators, June 28–29, 2005. This year’s seminar, “Mystics, Eccentrics, Visionaries and Revolutionaries”, will as threatening to the dominant status of generosity and goodwill among the western Ukrainians, and Yanukovych’s bring scholars and master teachers together to focus on individuals from around the world whose unique outlook Russian. Yanukovych hoped to capitalize people in the streets of the city. Vivid supporters were Russophilic, Russian- changed the world as we know it. Over a dozen speakers will focus on these extraordinary people who were able to see the against the black and white wintry land- speaking, eastern Ukrainians. While on any misgivings Russophones may scape, the orange color of Yushchenko’s based on historic regional differences, have, by promising to make Russian a world in a different light, and then to take action to bring their vision to pass. campaign was visible everywhere in this simplification was misleading. There second official language, just as the ribbons, flags and anything orange that were significant public showings of incumbent president Kuchma had Registration deadline: June 21, 2005. We expect this event to fill quickly, so please register as early as possible. people could find to wear or display. support for Yushchenko in some eastern promised. Kuchma had not carried Registration fee: $80 includes parking/bus vouchers, coffee and morning pastries, lunch and 16 WA state clock hours (you must attend the entire seminar to receive clock hours). Please make checks or money orders payable to the University of Washington. Travel stipends are available for teachers from 75+ miles away.

Stephen E. Hanson, Director and Program Chair, ELLISON CENTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Registration validation: Registration can only be accepted by mail and must include payment in full. EMAIL: [email protected] ELLISON CENTER Michael Biggins, Head Librarian Mail form to: Center for West European Studies, University of Washington, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98195. Questions or 203B Thomson Hall, Box 353650 Marta B. Mikkelsen, Associate Director and Slavic and East European Section, UW Libraries inquiries, please call: 206-543-1675 or contact [email protected]. You will receive a confirmation packet with a University of Washington Outreach Coordinator Galya Diment, Professor and Chair Seattle, WA 98195-3650 EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures receipt, map, driving and parking directions and program details. PHONE: 206-543-4852 Carrie O’Donoghue, Program Secretary Katarzyna Dziwirek, Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures REECAS on the Internet: Carrie Dyk, Newsletter Editor James R. Felak, Associate Professor registration form http://depts.washington.edu/reecas EMAIL: [email protected] Department of History Laura Dean, Outreach and Website Assistant Stephen E. Hanson, REECAS Director and EMAIL: [email protected] Chair; Associate Professor Name ______Department of Political Science Mailing address ______Glennys Young, Editor, Treadgold Papers Beth Kolko, Associate Professor EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Technical Communication Daytime phone ______Email ______John Mason, Managing Editor, Treadgold Papers Judith Thornton, Professor School ______Grade level ______EMAIL: [email protected] Department of Economics Do you wish to receive clock hours? ______Travel stipend? ______Seattle bus fare? ______

2 23 UPCOMING ELLISON CENTER EVENTS

APRIL 9: 11th Annual REECAS-NW Conference MAY 1: Czeslaw Milosz and the Future of Poetry Reed College, Portland, OR Acclaimed poets Edward Hirsch and Adam Zagajewski will offer a “Politicsevents/conf2005/regconf05.html and Culture in the Post-Communist World.” joint presentation on the poetry of Nobel Prize winner Czeslaw 9:00 am–4:45pm. See p.15 or http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/ Milosz, touching upon the significance of Polish poetry and experi- REECASJACKSON SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL NE STUDIES,W UNIVERSITYSLETTER OF WASHINGTON SPRING 2005 for more information. ences of being lost in translation. Kane Hall, Walker Ames, 7:00pm.

APRIL 11: The Donald W. Treadgold Memorial Lecture MAY 5–8: Islam, Asia, Modernity Conference “Remaining Relevant after Communism: The Role of the Writer in The symposium will consist of a public lecture by Ziauddin Sardar, a Eastern Europe, 1989–2004.” Andrew Wachtel, Dean, The Graduate leading writer on the future of Islam, two days of panel discussions School, Northwestern University. Parrington Hall Forum, 3:30pm. that examine how the changing practices and politics of Asian Islam The Languages of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution A reception will follow. are studied, documented, taught and represented in the academy BY LAADA BILANIUK and the media and how these practices affect society, politics, art and culture in Asia. For more information, go to This past fall, the people of Ukraine APRIL 13: Hot Spots in Our World http://depts.washington.edu/asiaismo. carried out a revolution. Making news “Kosovo Final Status: Independence or Something Less.” Frederick around the world, hundreds of thousands Lorenz, Adjunct Professor, JSIS, UW. 7:00–8:30pm. For more of people took to the streets in Kyiv and MAY 19: Ellison Center Speaker Series information and to register, please call 206-897-8939 or visit other cities throughout Ukraine to “Afghan Communities in Post-Soviet Central Asia: Case Study of http://extension.washington.edu/ext/special/Jackson. protest the widespread fraud that gave Uzbekistan.” Natalya Khan, Visiting Scholar at the University of the run-off presidential election win to British Colombia. Communications 226, 3:30pm. APRIL 26: International Classroom Teachers Workshop Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych, Prime A three-part workshop on Russian Politics, Daily Life and Education, Minister at the time, was favored by the Whitworth College, Hixon Union Building, 4:00–7:00pm. MAY 19 – JUNE 12: Seattle International Film Festival regime of incumbent President Kuchma, See http://depts.washington.edu/reecas/events to register. www.seattlefilm.com for information on film schedules and tickets. and publicly backed by Russia’s President Putin and the Kremlin. His opponent, APRIL 30: Chechnya Roundtable and Film Seminar JUNE 28–29: Summer Seminar for Teachers Viktor Yushchenko, promised to eradicate Dr. Mikhail Alexseev, Assistant Professor at UC San Diego; Albina “Mystics, Eccentrics, Visionaries and Revolutionaries: People Who the widespread political and economic Digaeva,Chechnya. Chechen Refugee; and Raisa Talkhanova, director of the Changed the Course of History.” Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, corruption in Ukraine, to promote BBC Documentary Inside Chechnya will discuss the history and University of Washington, Seattle Campus, 9:00 am–5:00pm. democracy and to integrate Ukraine 1 current situation in Chechnya. Their comments will follow the See p.23 for more information and registration. more closely with Europe. showing of 3 documentaries about the region, including Inside During several research stays in Ukraine VERBOVSKYY © YURIY Smith Hall, Room 205, 10:00 am–2:00pm. For more information on these and other events, go to the Ellison over the last decade, I found many people The fifth day of protests in Kiev Center website: http://depts.washington.edu/reecas. pessimistic about the possibility of elimi- nating the corruption in the political and dissenters in the state-run media was having conveyed previous untrue state- economic systems in their country. In sign-language interpreter Natalya ments.3 Many other journalists and fact, protests occasionally occurred. For Dmytruk, who instead of conveying news reporters in the state-run media also example, in 2000, demonstrators called of Yanukovych’s supposed victory, told refused to report the government- Non-profit Org. for President Kuchma’s ouster when hearing-impaired viewers not to believe dictated falsities and joined the demon- U.S. Postage REECAS NEWSLETTER audio tapes allegedly implicated him in the rigged results, that in fact Yushchenko strations. Yushchenko’s once handsome P A I D 203B THOMSON HALL, BOX 353650 the murder of journalist and government was the true winner, and apologized for continued on page 2 Seattle, WA JACKSON SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES critic Georgii Gongadze. But these Permit No. 62 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON protests failed to have much impact, thus reinforcing the public’s general sense of SEATTLE,WA 98195-3650 INSIDE THIS ISSUE disempowerment. Furthermore, socio- logical research showed that a large New Program in Prague ...... 5 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED portion of Ukraine’s population remained politically noncommittal.2 Observing the October Election in Belarus ...... 6 The Donald W. Treadgold Papers ...... 9 In the fall of 2004, things changed. The Indispensible Knowledge: Rebuilding Russian Studies ...... 10 manipulation of the November 21st Islam, Asia, Modernity Symposium...... 11 election was too blatant. Internet news A Summer in Tajikistan ...... 12 sites, and two television stations that had Nicholas Poppe Symposium on Inner/Central Asian Studies Call for Papers...... 15 held out against government control, were key in disseminating news of the REECAS Northwest Conference ...... 15 large discrepancies between the official Nine Months Later: Lithuania in the EU ...... 16 results and exit polls. They also reported Ellison Center News ...... 18 instances of disappearing ink, ballot Exploring Chornobyl’s Complexities On-Site and in the Classroom ...... 19 stuffing, people bussed station to station Visiting REECAS Scholars ...... 22 to vote multiple times and other electoral Summer Seminar for Educators ...... 23 process transgressions. One of the first Upcoming Ellison Center Events ...... 24