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INSIDE: • “CHORNOBYL: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY” Special section — pages 4-10.

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Vol. LXIX No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 $1/$2 in Ukraine HE YuschenkoKRAINIAN government hangsEEKLY on, for now U.S.T grants asylum U W by Roman Woronowycz Rada, which last week submitted 237 law- Kyiv Press Bureau makers’ signatures in support of the propos- to Melnychenko, al. A simple majority of 226 signatures was KYIV – The government of Victor needed to table the proposal. The parlia- Yuschenko was left hanging by a thread on mentary session accepted the motion on Myroslava Gongadze April 19 after Ukraine’s Parliament voted in April 17 prior to a report by Prime Minister by Roman Woronowycz support of a resolution criticizing the work Yuschenko on the progress made in 2000 Kyiv Press Bureau of his Cabinet in 2000 as unsatisfactory. on implementation of the government’s The lawmakers decided to schedule a vote KYIV – The wife of Heorhii Gongadze, economic revival plan, called “Reforms for on a motion of no confidence within a the missing journalist feared dead who is at Well-Being.” week, which if passed would lead automati- the center of a huge political crisis in Kyiv, The Social Democrats (United), Labor and a former presidential bodyguard who cally to the dissolution of the government. Ukraine and the Democratic Union are con- produced tape recordings that seemingly The stormy session was marked by a sidered the bastions of the business oli- implicate the president in the disappearance near tragedy as National Deputy Lilia garchs and are led respectively, by Viktor have received political asylum in the United Hryhorovych of the Rukh faction doused Medvedchuk, Viktor Pinchuk and States, revealed the U.S. State Department herself with an unspecified liquid believed Oleksander Volkov. on April 16. to be gasoline minutes before the vote. She Mr. Yuschenko strove determinedly in The decision to extend political asylum, was whisked away before she set herself the 16 months since President Leonid particularly to Maj. Mykola Melnychenko, afire. Kuchma appointed him to head the govern- formerly of the Security Service, of The same factions who successfully car- ment, to bring the economy out of the shad- Ukraine, who made hundreds of hours of ried the resolution condemning the work of ows. He ended most barter operations and digital tape recordings while assigned to the Cabinet of Ministers by a vote of 283- brought sectors that have existed at the edge 65, namely the Communists, the Social guard the president and his offices, shocked of market conditions, such as the energy Yaro Bihun Democratic Party (United) Labor Ukraine, sector, under stricter government regula- Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine’s Ministry of Victor Yuschenko Foreign Affairs issued a statement in also drove the petition for a vote of no con- tion. While achieving a good amount of response to the announcement expressing fidence. The Democratic Union faction success, he also developed political ene- now facing – some political experts said the its “deep astonishment” at the development. (formerly Revival of the Regions) also sup- mies among the oligarchs whose cozy and prime minister successfully had steered “[The U.S. decision] is viewed by ported the petition-signing campaign, as did shady business dealings he disrupted. away from a political crisis and predicted Ukraine as failing to correspond to the spirit members of the Green faction, although In the days before Mr. Yuschenko gave he would survive a vote of no confidence. of the Ukrainian American partnership and members of these two factions split on the his report on the state of government Now the outlook is not so clear. as creating obstacles in the way of a crimi- vote condemning the government. reforms – which he had agreed to do a year Earlier President Kuchma had given nal investigation,” read a statement issued The motion itself came from the ago in return for a one-year moratorium on by the ministry. Communist Party faction in the Verkhovna just the sort of vote of no confidence he is (Continued on page 17) On August 16, ministry officials request- ed the appearance of U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pascual to explain the U.S. action. Fifteen years after Chornobyl: new issues Officially the U.S. government has attempted to make clear that the decision by by Roman Woronowycz the fourth reactor, the clean-up of the energy-producing lost with the shut- its Immigration and Naturalization Service Kyiv Press Bureau irradiated surrounding area, including a down of Chornobyl, the president said was an independent act of that particular cooling pond and the most acute cur- he was disappointed with the way U.S. agency and not meant to be a political KYIV – Today the Chornobyl rent problem, the relocation and worker retraining and relocation was statement on the Gongadze case in Ukraine. nuclear power station is out of com- retraining of the thousands of proceeding. State Department spokesman Richard mission, fifteen years after a test proce- Chornobyl workers. Unemployment in Slavutych – the Boucher said in Washington on April 16 dure in the fourth reactor went awry. It is the last issue that is causing city hastily built to house the that Mr. Melnychenko’s application was The resulting explosion sent a huge much consternation among Ukrainian Chornobyl workers after the 1986 dis- received and processed as any other, and radioactive cloud over northern Europe politicians. Four months after a worker aster left Prypiat, their home until then, that the decision was “based on standard and contaminated a good portion of the at Chornobyl flipped the toggle switch uninhabitable – today stands at 21 per- international practice and international pro- territories of Ukraine and Belarus. The that halted the last functioning reactor cent, a figure that will continue to rise. cedures and criteria.” last Chornobyl reactor was idled on there is an uneasy feeling here that the The tidy factory town about an hour’s Two days later, Ambassador Pascual December 15, 2000, but that does not world, having attained its objective to ride northeast of the doomed nuclear explained in Kyiv that the granting of polit- mean that the last of the problems have close the hazardous complex, is quick- plant is threatened with obsolescence if ical asylum did not mean a change in U.S. been resolved. ly forgetting that while the plant may it doesn’t find a further reason to exist policy towards Ukraine. In closing the nuclear power plant be out of service Ukraine continues to and, most importantly, a commercial “The U.S. is still committed to working the government in Kyiv rid itself of need help with the aftereffects. base. closely with Ukraine as a partner in Central both internal and external political Ukraine’s President Leonid Kuchma Ukraine and the West have put Europe. We are still committed to a vision pressure. It fulfilled promises it had traveled in March to the site of the together a nine-point plan for saving of an independent, democratic and market- made to the West to mothball the world’s worst nuclear accident to Slavutych, which did not even exist oriented Ukraine,” said Mr. Pascual. nuclear complex by the beginning of review the situation himself. prior to 1987, but a year later had a He said the procedure for extension of the second millennium. It also silenced Afterwards he reminded journalists population of more than 15,000 inhabi- political asylum is “described in law and is those within the country who main- that much still needs to be done. tants. tained that the power plant could very specific as to how it applies.” “I am not all that satisfied with the The main thrust of the redevelop- remain a safe and effective electricity National Deputy Oleksander Zinchenko pace of the closing,” said President ment plan is the retraining and reloca- generator for this energy-hungry coun- of the Social Democratic Party (United), Kuchma, who has pledged to take the tion of Chornobyl workers. The upside try for another decade. which has supported President Leonid plight of the workers under his patron- of this effort is that the work force is Today the clean-up operation has Kuchma in the political crisis that has con- age and not allow for a single man to considered among the most highly begun. It involves not only de-commis- sumed Kyiv, said the U.S. could support its go unemployed. skilled in Ukraine. The downside is sioning the plant – the removal of thou- words with actions and show good faith by In addition to citing the West’s fail- that most have a very specialized skill sands of nuclear fuel rods and their ure thus far to approve financing to “bringing Mr. Melnychenko to justice for within a very specialized industry. The reprocessing, a process that will take support the completion of two new stealing state secrets,” and obtaining the hope is that a good portion of the another seven years – but also the nuclear reactors – one at Khmelnytskyi original digital recordings and returning rebuilding of the crumbling cover over and the other at Rivne – to offset the (Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 17) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

INTERVIEW NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS President Kuchma speaks Gongadze’s wife says Kuchma responsible (approximately $300,000 at the time) credit it received from a state bank in 1996. Radio KYIV – Myroslava Gongadze said on Kontinent Director Serhii Sholokh said his with RFE/RL correspondent April 17 that, until investigators find the station will appeal the decision, which he Below is the conclusion of a live tele- Has the tape case brought anything people responsible for the disappearance said is politically motivated. The independ- phone interview given by President Leonid positive to you personally? and presumed murder of her husband, ent Radio Kontinent has original music pro- Kuchma of Ukraine to RFE/RL’s Heorhii, she will consider President Leonid grams but rebroadcasts news from Ukrainian Service on April 3. Part I was The positive thing is that I’ve seen who Kuchma guilty. Reuters reported that speak- Deutsche Welle, the BBC and the Voice of published in the previous issue. is who. I’ve seen people who work with ing at a press conference in Warsaw, Ms. America. (RFE/RL Newsline) me, not only in my closest entourage. First Gongadze said: “If the people who have Leonid Danylovych, don’t you think of all, those on Pechersky Pahorby where been accused – the president and his PM: Cabinet’s ouster may impair economy there is a tiny chance that Heorhiy the offices of the government, the entourage – had wanted, then I think this Gongadze is alive? Parliament and the presidential administra- investigation would have been more effec- KYIV – Prime Minister Viktor tion are located. tive.” Ms. Gongadze said prosecutors still Yuschenko on April 12 said the possible I have always believed in this chance. are denying her access to information about ouster of the current Cabinet following a I’d like this chance to be a reality, I give Does this mean that the case some- the beheaded corpse that was found in no-confidence vote in the Parliament will you my word of honor. You know, I was what helped you to introduce order in November 2000, which many believe to be negatively affect the country’s economy, glad when [lawmaker Serhii] Holovatyi the realm of presidential security? her husband’s. (RFE/RL Newsline) Interfax reported. Asked about the prospects made public the results of German genetic of a possible new Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. tests saying that [the tested samples] were No, I’ve never placed my security Kyiv criticizes U.S. asylum decision Yuschenko said: “It is hard to forecast, but I not from Gongadze’s body. God willing, above all other issues. I’ve never paid any don’t see anything good [in such a develop- this may be true, there have already been attention to that. The protection service of KYIV – Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs ment] either for the economy or social poli- [similar] examples. It was reported by our the Ukrainian president is perhaps the least Ministry called U.S. Ambassador Carlos cy, or in terms of the harmonization of neighbors that a person disappeared and numerous not only in Europe but also in Pascual on April 14 to demand an explana- political forces [in Ukraine].” Interfax was found later. (Ed. note: Possibly, the post-Soviet area. It is not I who should tion for the granting of asylum to Maj. reported that as of April 12, 238 deputies Kuchma’s referring to the disappearance handle [my own] protection. There is a Mykola Melnychenko and the wife and had signed a motion to hold a no-confi- of former National Bank Chairwoman service that should protect and be account- twin daughters of Heorhii Gongadze, and to dence vote in the Yuschenko Cabinet (226 Tamara Vinnikava in Belarus, who subse- able. They handled it badly, and I fired the express its “deep amazement regarding the votes are necessary to dismiss it). (RFE/RL quently emerged in Great Britain.) God head of the state protection service. This decision,” the Associated Press reported. Newsline) willing, this may be true, then a lot of was made [not for the sake of showing my The Procurator General’s Office said that problems could be resolved. authority], this was an example that one Mr. Melnychenko has been charged with Communist-oligarchic majority in Rada? needs to carry out one’s duties conscien- libel and forgery, and that the decision to And what, in your opinion, must be tiously. grant him asylum “runs counter to the spirit KYIV – Viktor Pynzenyk, leader of the specifically done in the Gongadze case of Ukrainian-U.S. partnership.” (RFE/RL Reforms and Order Party, said a new parlia- in order to unravel this mystery? Did you plan to oust [former Security Newsline) mentary majority of “Communists and oli- Service head Leonid] Derkach and [for- garchs has already become an obvious First and foremost, it is necessary to mer Internal Affairs Minister Yurii] Thousands rally to support Yuschenko fact,” Interfax reported on April 12. Mr. stop speculating on the Gongadze case. Kravchenko, or was [their sacking] the Pynzenyk noted that the motion to hold a You know, there have actually been a lot result of some emergency situation in KYIV – Some 2,000 people demonstrat- no-confidence vote in the government was of mysteries since the first day. I don’t Ukraine? Are they responsible for what ed outside the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv on jointly signed by lawmakers from the want to dwell on them, journalists dwell happened? April 17 to show support for embattled Communist Party, the Social Democratic on them in their investigations very Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko, Party (United), the Labor Ukraine Party, the often. The Security Service is responsible for RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reported. Mr. Democratic Union and the Yabluko parlia- As regards the authorities. ... You know that. It is unambiguous. Yuschenko, who was to issue a report to the mentary group. At the same time, Mr. that we have invited FBI [experts]; some Parliament on the government’s work later Pynzenyk added that the fate of Prime Responsible for what? independent groups from Russia are also in the day, faces a vote of no-confidence Minister Viktor Yuschenko’s Cabinet “does later this month. Some 217 national working in Ukraine. We are fully open, For what. ... If such things take place. not depend on the Parliament but on the you’re welcome, let’s investigate the case deputies signed a petition last week calling president’s decision.” (RFE/RL Newsline) ... This is state security, this is national for the government to be removed. A no- together instead of doing what we have security, [Melnychenko’s deed was] prac- done thus far: blackmailing; psychological confidence vote by 226 deputies is needed Opposition leaders under threat? tically at the level of [state] treason, at the for the government to be ousted. Prime warfare against Ukraine, against the state. level of spying. I do not accuse Maj. The point is not [personally] with Kuchma Minister Yuschenko is regarded favorably KYIV – Oleksander Skrypnyk, [Mykola] Melnychenko, or former major, by the West because of his attempts at spokesman of the Security Service of – you should realize that – but with the to be exact. I do not accuse [him], I [only] president of a country, and with Ukraine reforming the country’s economy. (RFE/RL Ukraine (SBU), said the SBU is checking say that these are traits [of his anti-state Newsline) on information that unidentified assailants herself. Many do not want to understand activities]. These traits should be evaluat- that. are plotting attempts on the life of ed in court. But that was a concern of the Radio Kontinent may be saved Ukrainian opposition leaders Yulia But do you have specific grounds to Security Service. If the president feels Tymoshenko, Taras Chornovil and KYIV – The German news agency DPA believe that there is a chance that discomfort in this issue, then the Security Oleksander Turchynov. The news came via reported on April 13 that President Kuchma Gongadze is alive? Service failed in its role, didn’t it? That the Internet from the Aleksandr Zhilin was their duty. If the president was eaves- instructed the National Council for Russian Analytical Center, which claims In general, as long as the tests are dropped on in actual fact, then was that Television and Radio to make a second that the alleged killings will subsequently inconclusive, hope is the last to die. I not a concern of the Security Service? review of the debts of Kyiv’s Radio be blamed on President Leonid Kuchma in always proceed from this [premise]. Kontinent before rescinding its broadcast- order to provoke mass anti-presidential Apart from Melnychenko, was any- ing frequency. Earlier in the day, Mykyta protests in Ukraine, oust Mr. Kuchma, and This is grounded only in your feel- body else eavesdropping on you in your Poturaiev, the vice-chairman of the council, install Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko as ings, not in some specific. ... office? declared that Radio Kontinent’s frequency president and Socialist Party leader would be given to another station because I have no grounds [to believe other- I don’t know of anybody else. I have the station has failed to repay a 400,000 hrv (Continued on page 25) wise]. When Russian expert Ivanov great doubts that it was Melnychenko who announced that there is a 99 [percent of eavesdropped [on me]. In my view, certitude that the body found is Melnychenko was a tool who was used Gongadze’s], I said I’m a man who deals and subsequently thrown out, that’s all. FOUNDED 1933 with certitudes, therefore I cannot doubt HE KRAINIAN EEKLY [Ivanov’s finding, I cannot assume] that Mr. President, I simply couldn’t T U W believe when I read an announcement An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., such an expert as Ivanov may resort to a a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. falsification. Because this is [his] profes- that Mr. [Volodymyr] Radchenko, head Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. sional domain, in which he will never of the Security Service of Ukraine, is willing to meet with Melnychenko. Is Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. allow himself to act against his ethics. (ISSN — 0273-9348) I have begun [to think that Gongadze this true? may be alive] after some people told And why not? I said on several occa- The Weekly: UNA: investigators in Lviv, Vinnytsia, [and] the Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Volyn region that they saw him after [his sions that we guarantee Melnychenko’s security and that he may come back, but disappearance]. Particularly since those Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz statements were made by people who he will be held accountable under The Ukrainian Weekly Editors: Roman Woronowycz (Kyiv) studied with him. Were those statements Ukrainian law. But if [Radchenko] is will- 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 Ika Koznarska Casanova deliberately [falsified], or what? Up until ing to meet with Melnychenko, let them Parsippany, NJ 07054 now they have not withdrawn [their state- meet. The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com ments]. Second, the German experts ques- Incidentally, are you willing to meet tioned [the identity of the discovered with Melnychenko? The Ukrainian Weekly, April 22, 2001, No. 16, Vol. LXIX corpse]. God willing, [Gongadze may be Copyright © 2001 The Ukrainian Weekly alive]. Let’s hope for something anyway. (Continued on page 20) No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 3

ANALYSIS: As Kyiv goes, so goes the East The article below appeared in The formal “special relationship” with NATO. authoritarian, one-man rule throughout the face deep. What Kuchmagate reveals is Wall Street Journal’s European edition But it is also quite clear that, with the region. Meanwhile, the threat to Central that Ukraine is burdened by the same fun- on March 30-31 under the headline “As exception of the Baltic states, for the time Asia from Islamic rebels has translated damental transition problems stemming Kiev Goes, So Goes the East.” Reprinted being the new Europe will stop at the bor- into increased dependency on Russian from Sovietization as are its neighbors with permission of The Wall Street ders of the old Soviet Union. The key military support, which, of course, comes Belarus, Moldova and Russia. Journal © 2001, Dow Jones & Co. Inc. question for European security is whether with a political pricetag. For instance, Ukraine has an unrecon- All rights reserved. this will be a temporary or permanent And then there is Russia itself, where structed and thoroughly Soviet ruling elite state of affairs. the Kremlin, apart from all else, seems that is equally comfortable under condi- by Roman Solchanyk Even a cursory glance at the old Soviet unable to cope with one basic reality: tions of “communism” and “democracy,” A pesky investigative journalist who neighborhood reveals why Western policy Russia is no longer the Soviet Union. The and that continues to excel at what it criticized the president found decapitated. planners believe Ukraine will either be the frustration that comes with being unable knows best – namely, manipulating the Concealed tapes that seem to implicate the solid keystone in a regional arch, or to realize global ambitions on a national levers of state power for the sole purpose president in political murder. A clumsy become the place where the curtain on the budget that is less than what the depart- of self-aggrandizement. It has a splintered attempt by authorities to stonewall a crim- East may come down for good. ment store chain Kmart takes in annually and ineffective national democratic oppo- inal investigation. Opposition parties Belarus, which like Ukraine shares bor- from American shoppers leaves Moscow sition that has proved unable to mobilize demanding the president’s resignation. ders with both Russia and Europe, is run playing the role of international spoiler. either its national or democratic compo- Demonstrators and police clashing in the by an outspokenly anti-Western leader The latest example is the resumption of nents. It has a mass of citizenry that, after streets. And, most alarmingly, Soviet-style who has threatened to redeploy nuclear arms sales and nuclear know-how to Iran. 10 years of pseudo-reforms, largely preventive arrests of student activists. weapons on its territory in response to Against this background – and com- equates democracy and free markets with These are the main ingredients of NATO enlargement. Miensk and Moscow pared to most of the other post-Soviet impoverishment. Kuchmagate, a political scandal named have been moving toward reunification, a states – Ukraine has had all the markings Ultimately, what Kuchmagate reveals after Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma decision that makes little economic or of a more or less “normal” country. Since is that it is time for the Western allies to that has grown into a full-blown political political sense except in terms of a pointed its declaration of independence in 1991, undertake a long-overdue review of their crisis in a country of 50 million that the warning to the West. Neighboring Ukraine has held three presidential elec- policies toward Ukraine and, indeed, the West has come to view as a linchpin of Moldova has largely been dysfunctional tions, all of which witnessed the peaceful region as a whole. It is in their own inter- stability and security in an otherwise pre- since gaining its independence because of and constitutionally sanctioned transfer est to move beyond sound bites like carious zone between Russia and the rest the Russian-supported separatist move- of power. Parliamentary elections were “strategic partnership” and on to some- ment in its Transdniester province. Last held in 1994 and 1998, and they too thing that more closely approximates poli- of Europe. With Europe steadily shifting month’s parliamentary elections there wit- passed without incident – no boycotts by cies that promote, dare I say it, nation- its borders eastward and Russia deter- nessed a first in the so-called post-Soviet the opposition and no tanks in the streets. building. mined to assert its great power ambitions, space – a near total victory for the Although corruption is rife and economic Washington in particular needs to the future of this geostrategic post-Soviet Communists, who want to bring Moldova reform is painfully slow, last year GDP understand that nation-building – includ- state may determine the future frontiers of into the Russia-Belarus union state. increased by 6 percent after a decade of ing the nurturing of civil and legal socie- Europe itself. The three Transcaucasian states – decline. Western financial institutions ty, institutions and democratic norms – is The U.S. has led the way in providing Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan – have expect further economic growth this not the same as peacekeeping. Nation- both financial and political support to all been shaken by intermittent and violent year. building, as the concept is well under- Ukraine. Kiev has long been the third- domestic crises, and all are embroiled in The country has not fallen apart along stood in Europe, is what can make peace- leading recipient of American aid, after ethnically fueled territorial conflicts with regional, ethnic and linguistic cleavages, keeping unnecessary. Israel and Egypt. It is the only former no end in sight. Armenia is locked into a as was widely predicted in the West after The alternative here is to contemplate Soviet republic besides Russia that has a tight political and military alliance with 1991. Ukraine is an enthusiastic partici- the possibility that Ukraine will go the Moscow. Until recently, most of Central pant in NATO’s Partnership for Peace way of Belarus and Moldova, which Dr. Roman Solchanyk is an internation- Asia was able to avoid the ethnic strife Program, and its official policy is aimed at means the consolidation of an unstable al security policy analyst in Santa Monica, and political volatility characteristic of integration into European political, securi- gray zone on the periphery of Europe that Calif., and the author of “Ukraine and many of the other former Soviet republics. ty and economic structures, including we can imagine in terms of a “New Russia: The Post-Soviet Transition” But the price for this apparent stability has membership in the European Union. Eastern Europe.” Moscow has already (Rowman & Littlefield, 2001). been the progressive institutionalization of This “normalcy,” however, is only sur- made its choice.

UCCLA delegation meets Ukrainian Canadians welcome Restitution Act TORONTO – Canada’s Ukrainian community • compensation that will have universal benefit has welcomed the tabling of a private member’s by creating a world-class policy and research center with Canadian opposition leader bill, C-331, the Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act, dealing with Ukraine to ensure a better understand- OTTAWA – A delegation of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil by Inky Mark, member of Parliament for Dauphin- ing of its unique role in global peace and security; Liberties Association met on March 28 with Stockwell Day, Swan River Manitoba, in the House of Commons • compensation that will serve all Canadians by leader of the Canadian Alliance and of the Official Opposition in on April 4. creating chairs of multiculturalism at post-second- the House of Commons. Commenting on the bill, the chairman of the ary levels including internment study in history, Mr. Day was briefed on the Ukrainian Canadian community’s Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, civil societies, justice and human rights studies, and calls for an official recognition of the injustice of Canada’s first John B. Gregorovich, said: “A few elderly survivors developing products for the public including docu- national internment operations and for an accounting of what of Canada’s first national internment operations are mentaries, exhibits, literature, national/international happened with that portion of the internees’ confiscated wealth still alive. Passing MP Mark’s bill would ensure commemorative prizes; never returned by the government of Canada. that the nation remembers what they needlessly • compensation that will serve Ukrainian The UCCLA’s director of research, Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, and endured. By providing for historical markers at all Canadians by enhancing the well-being and growth Calgary’s Roman Zakaluzny of Calgary provided a historical of the internment camp sites and for the develop- of Ukrainian Canadians through creation of a fund overview of the traumatic impact of the internment operations on ment of educational materials and a permanent for public programming, heritage language pro- Canada’s Ukrainians and other Europeans. museum recalling this unfortunate episode in grams, and funding research of the contributions of Mr. Day was also told that the UCCLA endorses the Ukrainian Canada’s history, this act would resolve our com- the Ukrainians to Canada; Canadian Restitution Act introduced by Member of Parliament munity’s calls for acknowledgment and restitution • compensation that will serve the individual by, Inky Mark (Dauphin-Swan River, Manitoba), a Canadian and do so in a timely and honorable fashion. We wherever possible, providing the option to the sur- Alliance member. vivors or their relatives to receive some compensa- Listening carefully to the delegation’s presentation, Mr. Day call upon the Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien, who in 1993 promised his personal tion. promised to review the submitted materials and to respond with a The UCPBF president wrote: “We are very clear statement of where the Canadian Alliance stands on the support and that of the Liberal Party of Canada for redress to the Ukrainian Canadian community, to pleased that finally there is some action on this Ukrainian Canadian community’s requests. Mr. Day was also item. The Ukrainian Canadians have been making reminded how the Chrétien, while himself still leader of the support Mr. Mark’s initiative. We also ask all MPs in the House of Commons to recognize that the pas- Canada the success story that it is today for nearly Opposition, in June 1993 promised his personal support and that 120 years. They felt that the government has failed sage of this act will help make certain that no other of the Liberal Party of Canada for redress. The delegation urged them for nearly a century in this matter. We hope Canadian ethnic, religious or racial minority ever Mr. Day to seek all-party support for Mr. Mark’s bill. that the government will support the Ukrainian suffers as Canada’s Ukrainians once did.” Commenting on this meeting – the first between the leader of Canadian Restitution Act.” the Opposition and the Ukrainian Canadian community – Mr. “Passing Mr. Mark’s bill would finally bring clo- Zakaluzny said: “Mr. Day was generous with his time in meeting sure to our calls for the righting of this historical the delegation. He listened attentively, reviewed the briefing injustice,” the UCCLA chairman underlined. notes and asked questions that were on point. The Ukrainian Canadian Professional and The Calgary activist also noted that the Canadian Alliance Business Federation also expressed support for Bill HE KRAINIAN EEKLY leader seemed to appreciate UCCLA’s endorsement of Mr. C-331. President Oksana Bashuk Hepburn noted T U W Mark’s Ukrainian Canadian Restitution Act. “He said he would that “It is important for the government of Canada Visit our archive definitely give us a clear statement of what his party’s position to bring closure to this long-standing injustice.” on our requests is, sooner rather than later. While he could not, On March 1, the UCPBF wrote to Minister of on the Internet at: obviously, commit himself without more consideration of the Heritage Sheila Copps about this matter, calling http://www.ukrweekly.com/ issues, we were encouraged by the forthright, sympathetic and upon the government to initiate a restitution pack- intelligent style with which he responded to our presentation.” age that includes: 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Remember Chornobyl

The 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear accident, it seems, is being commemo- rated rather quietly in Ukraine and in the diaspora. Five years ago there was much activi- ty in conjunction with the 10th anniversary, while today ... well, most of the commemo- rations are low-key: a memorial service here, a conference there ... But that should not affect how we respond to the needs of the victims of the world’s worst nuclear accident, a “disaster of global proportions,” as it has been called. Five years ago, Dr. Yuri Shcherbak, a physician and writer who at the time was Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. (and today is its envoy to Canada) cited Ministry of Health and Greenpeace statistics indicating that 8,000 to 32,000 people have died as a result of Chornobyl. He explained the wide discrepancies as “not maliciousness, but a result of the exceptional complexity of the disaster, multiple factors and unpredictability.” At the same time, Dr. David Marples, who has extensively studied and researched Chornobyl and its aftermath, noted: “The disaster ... contaminated an area of about 100,000 square miles. This area encompassed about 20 percent of the territory of Belarus; about 8 percent of Ukraine; and about .5 to 1 percent of the Russian Federation.” Dr. Marples went on to note the dramatic rise in thyroid cancer among chil- dren in Ukraine and Belarus, as well as the severe health problems affecting the “liquida- tors,” as Chornobyl clean-up workers are known, and the generally poor state of health of the populace of Ukraine and Belarus. Attempting last year to sum up what we know about the Chornobyl accident, Alex Kuzma, executive director of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, wrote: “We know that the accident released more than 185 million curies of radiation over a heavily popu- lated area. We know that thyroid cancer among children has exploded to levels 10 times higher than normal in Ukraine, and in some areas, more than 80 times higher than nor- mal. We know that the accident has caused significant chromosome damage and that birth defects have doubled since 1986.” All sobering statistics. But, he added, there is much we do not know about the aftereffects of Chornobyl. “The debate over Chornobyl’s effects will continue for many years to come,” he noted, adding that some “experts may cling to the fantasy that the current health crisis in Ukraine and Belarus is nothing more than a symptom of a failing economy.” As a result, as Dr. Marples pointed out in a speech prepared for the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, “there is no consensus on the impact of Chornobyl on health, ... there is no widely accepted study on the health consequences of the accident. There is no agreement on the number of victims. ... The populations of both republics [Ukraine and Belarus] have fallen to disquieting levels.” Perhaps the best approach then is the one advocated by Mr. Kuzma, who argued: “Whether a birth defect or child’s cancer is caused by Chornobyl or by some other envi- ronmental factor is a secondary issue. What is undisputed and far more relevant is the fact that here in the West we have the resources, the know-how and financial clout to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of Ukrainian youngsters and their families.” And that, dear readers, is precisely where we come in. It is surely within our power, as we solemnly observe the 15th anniversary of the nuclear calamity known around the globe simply as “Chornobyl,” to support institutions and organizations that strive to help the people of Ukraine deal with the medical and social crises they face on a daily basis, to help ease their very real pain, to help give new generations a better tomorrow. Indeed, that would be the best way for all of us to continue to remember Chornobyl. Scene from a 1992 protest in Kyiv calling on the public to remember April 26, 1986.

“Seventeen minutes and 40 seconds were now left before the explosion – a long April time, practically an eternity. A historic eternity. Thought travels at the speed of light. Turning the pages back... Throughout those 17 minutes and 40 seconds one could think back over an entire life- time, over the whole history of mankind. Unfortunately the workers at Chornobyl had 25-28 time only to unleash the explosion.” “The Truth About Chernobyl,” by Grigori Medvedev. USA: Basic Books, Inc., 1986 Several books have been published about the Chornobyl 1991. nuclear accident since the tragic explosion 15 years ago. Below is a montage of passages from three such books * * * describing the events leading up to and immediately follow- “On April 28, 1986, at 21:00 hours, Radio Moscow made a terse announcement: ing the catastrophe. “ ‘An accident has occurred at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant – one of the “It all began on Friday, April 25, 1986, with an experiment on the fourth unit at the atomic reactors has been damaged. Measures are being undertaken to liquidate the Chornobyl nuclear power station. Its purpose was to improve safety – more precisely consequences of the accident. Those affected are being given aid, and a government to insure a constant supply of electricity to the pumps that circulated cooling water commission has been created.’ around the reactor’s uranium fuel rods. Should these pumps’ normal electricity source “The announcement came about eight hours after Swedish officials discovered high – the reactor’s turbine generators – fail, the water would stop circulating, and the fuel levels of radiation on the monitoring equipment at a nuclear power plant near rods would overheat, melt and explode. Ironically, an experiment designed to avoid Stockholm. such an event actually caused it to occur.” “... The USSR Council of Ministers statement was reported in the major Kyiv- based newspapers, but not in positions of prominence. Pravda Ukrainy placed it at the “The Chernobyl Disaster: The True Story of a Catastrophe – An Unanswerable foot of page three, beneath an article about two sickly pensioners who were trying to Indictment of Nuclear Power,” Viktor Haynes & Marko Bojcun. London: The Hogarth acquire a telephone in their homes. Robitnycha Hazeta gave the statement a similar Press, 1988. location, this time below the Soviet soccer league tables and reports about a chess * * * competition. “In the evening TASS made a second announcement which gave the following “At 1 a.m. on April 26, 1986, as a result of crude pressure from the deputy chief details: an accident had occurred at the Chornobyl nuclear plant, which is located 130 engineer, Dyatlov, the power of the reactor in No. 4 unit had been stabilized at 200 kilometers north of Kyiv; a government commission, headed by Borys Shcherbyna, megawatts (thermal). The reactor continued to be poisoned by decay products; a fur- deputy chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, had been established, which ther increase in power was impossible; the operational reactivity reserve was far included ‘heads of ministries and departments.’ The accident had occurred ‘in one of below the level prescribed in the rules and, as I have pointed out, stood at 18 rods, the areas of the fourth power-generating unit and resulted in the destruction of part of according to Toptunov, the senior reactor control engineer. Those figures were provid- the structural elements of the building housing the reactor.’ Two people had been ed by the Skala computer 7 minutes before the AZ (emergency power reduction) but- killed during the accident. The remaining three reactors had been shut down, and the ton was pressed. residents at the reactor site [Prypiat] and three neighboring population points had been “At this time, of course, the reactor was out of control and in danger of exploding. evacuated.” Thus, pressing the AZ button at any of the moments remaining until the historic point X would have led to a fatal uncontrollable power surge. There was no way of influ- “Chernobyl & Nuclear Power In the USSR,” by David R. Marples. New York: St. encing the reactivity. Martin’s Press, 1986. No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 5

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE RECORD: President Kuchma on the shutdown of Chornobyl Following is the text of the address by whose lives the greatest technological wrecked reactor and contaminated radioac- completely turned over. Chornobyl’s cata- President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine on catastrophe of the 20th century also has left tive zone, or thousands of kilometers away. clysms remain, but they have been trans- the occasion of the closure of the its ominous mark. An area that is desolate, silent and hos- ferred into a new dimension. Chornobyl nuclear power station on Fate and history have decreed that our tile to all that is living and normal, located Beyond the turn of the centuries and mil- December 15, 2000. (The English-language state has to bear its Chornobyl cross mostly several dozen kilometers away from the lenniums there is a new era awaiting us, a text, released by the Embassy of Ukraine in by itself, dealing alone with its difficulties Ukrainian capital is the real picture – not new one in the post-Chornobyl sense as Canada, was edited for clarity by The and trials. one created by one’s imagination or by well. Yet, it raises more questions than Weekly.) The total economic expenses related to computer – of what could happen to the gives answers. Before us is the great, complicated and I address the Ukrainian people, heads of long task of bringing the station out of oper- states, governments and parliaments of for- What is Chornobyl for Ukraine? ation and transforming it into an ecological- eign countries, and the whole world com- ly secure system with a “shelter” above the munity in connection with an event that has It is nearly 3.5 billion people affected by damaged fourth energy unit. milestone significance for mankind, for • Before us are social security issues – everyone who lives and will live on our the catastrophe and its consequences. ensuring the well-being of the station’s Earth. workers who are being dismissed and the Today, on December 15, 2000 years after • It is almost 10 percent of the territory members of their families, determining and the birth of Christ, I issued an instruction to planning the future of the city of Savutych stop the third power unit, the last of those affected by direct radiation. where they all live. functioning at the Chornobyl nuclear power Not one of these people, not a single station. • It is 160,000 people from 170 localities, family, is to be abandoned. This signifies the closure of the facility who had to abandon their homes and move All of this requires great funds that that entered history as the [site of the] Ukraine at the moment does not have at its biggest and the most horrible catastrophe. disposal. Fifteen years have passed since the day to other places. We, as both a state and a nation that have when the fire at the destroyed nuclear reac- suffered the most from the Chornobyl tor illuminated a new phase in civilization, catastrophe and its consequences, have the which in all languages was dubbed the the catastrophe at the Chornobyl station planet if people lack reason and caution in right to rely on the support of the interna- “post-Chornobyl” era. have already totaled $130 billion. their conduct with the achievements of sci- tional community – the support of interna- Since April 26, 1986, the name of this We are compelled to further expend ence and technology. tional assistance programs that are of vital small town in Polissia lost its original, geo- enormous material and financial resources, The Chornobyl firefighters and liquida- importance as well as of human compas- graphical meaning and obtained a global first of all, to protect the affected population tors have shielded mankind from such a sion and an understanding of the problems political and ecological sense. and rehabilitate the natural environment. possibility – as their predecessors from we face. It joined the symbolic list of tremendous In some years such expenses reached 12 Kyivan Rus’ safeguarded Europe at the Firstly, the decision on the Chornobyl and devastating cataclysms that entered his- percent of the state budget – a sum that con- dawn of the Renaissance from alien incur- nuclear power station has been adopted and tory as the distinctive marks of their siderably exceeds budget allocations for sions. epochs: Pompei, Guernica, Hiroshima. science and culture. I would like all of you implemented under the guarantees of such Today’s act, having eliminated the assistance – first and foremost on the part of The words “Chornobyl nuclear power to pay attention to this. delayed-action nuclear mine in the heart of station” epitomize a new phenomenon: I would like the following fact to be con- G-7 member-states. Europe, is the beginning of relief from the Secondly, there is a need, that increases nuclear energy that went out of control, a sidered as well. Ukraine is losing the Chornobyl syndrome in Ukraine as well as practical materialization of the threatening Chornobyl nuclear power plant at a time with each passing day, for mankind to unify globally. The sword of Damocles that all all efforts for safe existence in harmony warnings that nature had sent many times to when its economy with its extremely these years has been hanging above us is humankind for their frivolous, thoughtless deformed structure and vast power con- with nature, in preventing technogenic passing into oblivion. catastrophes of global and regional scales, and felonious treatment. sumption has just started to recover after a At the same time, this dreadful page of For Ukraine the act of decommissioning long crisis in difficult conditions in the modern history cannot be considered to be (Continued on page 6) the Chornobyl nuclear power station is, realm of fuel and energy and in the winter from many points of view and without period. exaggeration, an event of epochal impor- To these factors extremely adverse tance. weather conditions were added, and on In so doing we, first of all, pay tribute to extensive territories this has become a kind the memory of those who died of the dis- of natural disaster. eases caused by this catastrophe while elim- Thus, to lose a minimum of 5 percent of inating the consequences of the disaster. generating capacities means being ready, Secondly, we confirm once more that we not only for significant additional losses, are fully committed to our obligations to the but also for considerable risk – especially world. since after its closure the Chornobyl nuclear Thirdly, we are finally parting with the power plant is transformed from a producer totalitarian legacy and its tyranny, indiffer- of electric power to a consumer. ence and cruelty to human beings, society All of that is true, but Ukraine is taking and nature. this step consciously and voluntarily, in And fourthly, we reiterate our intention accordance with the highest priority inter- to build our future responsibly, guided by ests of our people and the international our European choice, as well as concern for community. the future generations of the Ukrainian peo- We realize that Chornobyl is a threat to ple and the whole of humanity. the entire world. Consequently, we are This decision was conceived by the har- ready to sacrifice a part of our national rowing experience of the previous 15 years. interests for the sake of global safety. Ukraine has to pay bills it has not signed The implementation of the decision on and to do penance for sins it has not com- the Chornobyl plant’s closure that was mitted. declared in the beginning of the 1990s and Its citizens were the first to step into the confirmed five years ago in the Ottawa fire and into the invisible yet murderous memorandum is the second unprecedented field of radiation with the aim of protecting good will act by the Ukrainian state. Before the whole planet from the disastrous fire at that came the renunciation of the world’s the cost of their own lives. third largest nuclear arsenal. And by their experience they paid the I hope the world appreciates the impor- most expensive price in order to give tance and humanity of such approaches – mankind the key to solving such unprece- and is assured of our transfer of nuclear dented problems. security problems from the sphere of decla- What is Chornobyl for Ukraine? rations to the level of real, practical actions. It is nearly 3.5 billion people affected by I emphasize this with regard to another, the catastrophe and its consequences. probably the most dreadful and tragic, It is almost 10 percent of the territory Chornobyl consequence. affected by direct radiation. This is the constant fear of the people for It is 160,000 people from 170 localities, their lives and health, for the fate of their who had to abandon their homes and move children and grandchildren, for the ecology to other places. of the lands and forests, seas and rivers, Efrem Lukatsky By quoting these sad statistics we do not subterranean waters. The fear that exists The sarcophagus that covers Chornobyl’s reactor No. 4, destroyed as a result of forget about other countries and peoples on regardless of where they live – near the the April 26, 1986, disaster, is seen in this file photo taken on November 16, 2000. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY ANALYSIS: Chornobyl’s shutdown was a symbolic end by Jeremy Bransten exclusion zone around the plant. Many still them are expected to die prematurely of and prompting several European countries RFE/RL Poland, Belarus and Ukraine Report face long-term health consequences. thyroid and other cancers. to rethink their nuclear power strategies. According to government figures cited in In addition to the medical consequences, But Hans Friederich Meyer, spokesman for PRAGUE – In the early hours of April Kyiv in December 2000, more than 4,000 hundreds of thousands of people have been the U.N.’s Vienna-based International 26, 1986, technicians at the Chornobyl people who took part in clean-up work have uprooted from their homes. More than Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that, nuclear power station – 135 kilometers died to date from Chornobyl-related illness- 150,000 people were evacuated from the paradoxically, the accident also had a bene- north of Kyiv – were running a test of the es. Another 70,000 have been disabled. immediate radiation fallout zone in ficial impact, leading to new international plant’s No. 4 reactor. They disregarded United Nations Secretary General Kofi Ukraine; another 130,000 people across the safety conventions. safety procedures as they proceeded. Anan noted recently that according to U.N. border in Belarus were forced to relocate. “The Chornobyl accident was really a Within minutes, fuel rods in the reactor’s specialists, 3 million children in Ukraine, The Chornobyl accident changed percep- big event and in the field of nuclear safety, core experienced a sudden loss of cooling Belarus, and Russia require treatment as a tions of nuclear power around the world, it created a new awareness and, from our water. The meltdown had begun. At 1:23 result of radiation exposure, and many of reinforcing public fears of atomic energy point of view, from the point of view of the a.m., the chain reaction in the reactor spun International Atomic Energy Agency, in the out of control, causing explosions and a longer run, a real improvement in the safety fireball that blew off the building’s roof. culture,” Mr. Meyer told RFE/RL. A plume of radiation gradually swept Although the design of the Chornobyl north of the plant, across the rich farmlands plant is considered less safe than the layout of northern Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic of plants operating in Western Europe, states into Scandinavia. Despite Soviet many countries, including Germany, have President Mikhail Gorbachev’s newly pro- now adopted plans to gradually phase out claimed policy of “glasnost,” or openness, their reliance on nuclear power. Among the Moscow continued its past practice and ini- European Union’s 15 member-states, only tially kept silent about the accident. France remains fully committed to the tech- It was only when heightened radiation nology. levels triggered alarms at a Swedish nuclear Despite their announced intentions, Mr. power plant that the Soviet leadership Meyer noted that Western European coun- admitted that something was amiss. Two tries will have a difficult time weaning days after the accident, Soviet television themselves off nuclear power, at least in the finally announced that an accident had short term. For the moment there are few occurred at Chornobyl. Despite the spread non-polluting alternatives that can provide of radiation, outdoor May Day parades in sufficient supplies of electricity nearby Kyiv went ahead. A decision to “If we look to the global warming ques- evacuate people living within a 30-kilome- tion and climate change, it is very difficult ter radius of the plant was not made until for European countries to close down a the next day great number of their nuclear power plants. Slowly, over the next two weeks, infor- One must take into account that in many mation about the scale of the disaster began Western European countries, the share of to trickle through government censors. Mr. nuclear electricity is quite high,” he noted. Gorbachev did not appear on television to President Leonid Kuchma’s order to shut discuss the disaster until May 15. All the down Chornobyl put a symbolic end to a while the stricken reactor continued to spew plant that had become a byword for catas- radiation into the atmosphere. trophe. “The world will become a safer To slow the outflow, fire-fighting units place. People will sleep in peace,” Mr. made up of men called “liquidators” ran Kuchma said during a ceremony marking relays onto the plant’s mangled roof, dump- the shutdown on December 15, 2000. ing shovelfuls of hot graphite into the gap- But this is not the end of nuclear power ing hole. After two weeks the opening was not yet. What will happen to similar plants closed. Eventually, the entire reactor was in other post-Soviet states that continue to sealed within a 300,000-ton concrete and operate – among them the Ignalina power metal sarcophagus. station in Lithuania – remains unresolved. Thirty-one people died in the immediate In an ironic final twist to the Chornobyl aftermath of the accident, of acute radiation saga, technicians had to restart the plant’s poisoning. But over the next four years last operating reactor on December 14 – it more than 600,000 people took part in had been shut down due to a minor mal- clean-up efforts inside the 30-kilometer function – so that President Kuchma could order the cessation of operations. Nuclear Jeremy Bransten, is an RFE/RL jour- safety is one thing, but losing face is quite nalist based in Prague. “Ukraine Without Chornobyls” says a card issued in 1990 by environmental activists. another.

Today, I would like to reiterate the idea declared during As we approach the shutdown of the Chornobyl nuclear President Kuchma... the 1997 session of the United Nations General Assembly – power plant, we are renouncing even the most basic neces- (Continued from page 5) the idea of establishing the Ecological Security Council of sities. We are not awaiting applause, but constructive atten- in [halting] proliferation of nuclear technologies. the United Nations, the International Ecological Court and tion and cooperation. We demand not tips or alms, but Chornobyl is the most obvious, but not the only, evi- the International Ecological Bank. equality, respect and understanding. dence of such a necessity. I believe the time has come to put this proposal on a We are convinced that the solidarity of nations and states, The consequences of accidents at civilian and mili- practical foundation. That would enable us to act together, and the humanism of contemporary civilization will not tary nuclear facilities, chemical and other enterprises, do in a concerted and coordinated manner, to concentrate the abandon Ukraine without assistance. We are grateful in not recognize any state borders. The danger emanating costs and resources when some countries are not able to advance to all who will render it. from them is common to all of us, as is our living envi- cope on their own with the consequences of natural and Mankind approaches the future while looking back to the ronment. technogenic disasters. past. This is the unchanging law of history. Let us remember that globalization and other post-indus- Ukraine stands up for signing the convention on the What has already happened cannot be changed. But, at trial realities make the present world still tighter and more creation of an international mechanism of ecological mon- the same time, it cannot be forgotten. interconnected. This world does not end with the threshold itoring and control, and for the implementation of a range Then let the word “Chornobyl,” in the name of coming of our houses and the boundaries of our states. of other measures that would guarantee healthy and clean generations, become an instant and severe reminder of According to one scientist/physicist, we have the only living conditions for all people in every corner of the responsibility for all that is created by wisdom and made by copy of the Universe, which we cannot experiment with. world. hands. Let us repeat – paraphrasing great thinkers – that wisdom On our part, we are ready to freely and generally transmit Let December 15, 2000, be taken by the world as one of is the daughter of experience. to the international community our unique, although very the clear manifestations of this responsibility. And experience testifies that the content and conse- bitter, experience gained over the years of elimination of the Let us listen to the words of the Holy Scriptures that quences of technogenic disasters rise above scientific and consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe. came to us from the deepness of the ages: “A wise person political, and other differences. They demand the employ- We propose that the nuclear power plant that is being knows his own path ...” ment of all channels of international cooperation, so that shut down and the territory adjacent to it be used as a To conclude this message I express confidence and hope nowhere, never and under no circumstances should a man- test ground for an international scientific-research center that states and peoples – all mankind – will have enough made disaster happen on our planet. to work out technologies of nuclear safety improvement, wisdom, will and responsibility to keep moving ahead on a And that, in my mind, is the main lesson of Chornobyl. alleviation and elimination of the consequences of catas- reasonable and well-thought-out path free of such ominous The lesson is sad, painful and tragic. Nevertheless, we trophes at nuclear plants, and rehabilitation of the envi- landmarks as Chornobyl. must learn it. ronment. Let it be so from now on and forever. No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 7

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund streamlines its life-saving mission by Andrew Nynka SHORT HILLS, N.J. – Fifteen years after the disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding convention and continues to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine’s needy. According to CCRF co-founder and board of directors liaison Nadia Matkiwsky, the fund’s initial plan was “to help with the immediate health risks” that were directly associated with the fallout of radiation from the reactor’s meltown. The initial response was formed as a result of a “very emotional reaction on the part of CCRF towards the environmental catastrophe.” When asked about the change in focus of CCRF’s work during its 10-year-plus peri- od of existence, Mrs. Matkiwsky stressed that “as the years progressed and medical problems increased, we’ve become more focused towards what our needs are, more focused on neonatology and more focused and streamlined as we realized the problem in Ukraine, specifically with infant mortality.” She added that CCRF’s efforts are now aimed at “dealing with new- CCRF founders Dr. Zenon and Nadia Matkiwsky with neonatologists from all oblasts of Ukraine at a medical conference born infants who have suffered from the organized by CCRF in 1999 in Kyiv. radiation fallout.” at the Lviv Regional Specialized Pediatric Experts have realized that the full Clinic in Ukraine. extent of the tragedy would only come to As an organization receiving donations light over time. CCRF’s efforts now have from the public, CCRF wants to dispell the “shifted from the aftermath in Chornobyl to myth of corruption. “Just as in a marriage all of Ukraine – helping all of the relocated between two individuals, partners must victims who have spread out across all of choose wisely,” Mrs. Matkiwsky said. It is Ukraine.” Mrs. Matkiwsky explained. Mrs. Matkiwsky stressed that “Ukraine the responsibility of the organization to is a modern, progressive and well- educated carefully evaluate its beneficiaries to ensure country, but is struggling with an inade- that aid given is used in an honest manner. quate infrastructure.” She added that She emphasized: “We carefully select our Ukraine is not in need of simple donations aid recipients.” of second- or third-hand items, but of quali- CCRF’s founders have testified as expert ty equipment that is necessary in order to witnesses before Congressional hearings implement the current Western medical and United Nations forums on the after- instruction its professionals have been math of the Chornobyl disaster. They were recieving since the country gained inde- the first U.S. citizens to receive Ukraine’s pendence in 1991. Presidential Medal of Honor and were the Mrs. Matkiwsky underlined the role winners of the 1995 New Jersey CCRF now plays in improving the med- Governor’s Volunteer Award. ical and societal infrastructure in Ukraine When asked about the future, Mrs. through activities such as installing the Matkiwsky replied that CCRF is looking first U.S.-built magnetic resonance imag- for interested individuals or large corporate ing (MRI) system in Ukraine (at the Kyiv sponsors who could help Ukraine develop Emergency Hospital and Trauma Center), the infrastructure it badly needs through modernizing seven neonatal intensive care contacts or donations of modern, high-qual- units with respirators, transport incubators ity equipment and supplies in order to con- Joseph Sywenkyj and pulse oximeters, and establishing a tinue its work for children throughout A newborn receives medical care at the Volyn Oblast Children’s Hospital in Lutsk, state-of-the-art blood diagnostic laboratory Ukraine. which has been supplied with equipment sent by CCRF.

Allocation of funds CCRF’s track record • 95 percent of CCRF’s expenses are allocated for medical programs, humanitarian • Twenty-six major airlifts and nine sea shipments with medical aid valued at $45 aid and health education. million delivered to Ukrainian hospitals, maternity centers, clinics and orphan- • Only 5 percent of total expenses are allocated for administrative support services. ages in 14 oblasts (provinces). • Innovative programs to correct life-threatening birth defects. PROGRAM SERVICE 95% • Delivery of life-saving medication and surgical supplies for hundreds of chil- 25% 20% dren with thyroid cancer and blood disorders. SUPPORT SERVICES 5% • The finest regional biochemistry laboratory in Eastern Europe certified in 1997. • The best-equipped treatment center in Ukraine for children suffering from leukemia and various blood disorders. • The first MRI system in Kyiv serving over 10,000 patients. • Model neonatal centers in Dnipropetrovsk, Lutsk, Lviv and Chernihiv. 25% 25% Since 1990, CCRF has maintained a very high standard of cost-efficiency. For • Physicians’ training program for specialists in neonatology, pediatrics, cardiac every $1 in donations received, CCRF has delivered $14 worth of in-kind prod- and orthopedic surgery, radiology and other specialties. ucts (medicines, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, hospital supplies) and • State-of-the-art cancer screenings for over 6,000 patients. voluntary services. For information contact: Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, 272 Old Short • Publication of health booklets and community outreach programs to educate Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078; telephone, (973) 376-5140. young mothers on proper prenatal care. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY Chornobyl An appeal to the Ukrainian American community chronology Fifteen years ago, on April 26, 1986, the world experienced examined a wide range of issues to improve nuclear safety and the worst nuclear catastrophe in history. On that day, the explo- security. We agreed to continue our bilateral and multi-lateral 1986 sion at the Chornobyl nuclear reactor No. 4 brought untold dev- cooperation with Ukraine in this field.” – Statement by G-7 astation to thousands of families across Ukraine. It spread radi- leaders, Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 20, 1995. April 26: At 1:23 a.m., an experiment ation and contamination as far as the Nordic countries, northern The MOU calls for major international financial organiza- goes catastrophically awry at the V.I. Lenin England, and parts of the United States, including coastal tions to assist Ukraine in closing down the Chornobyl nuclear Atomic Electrical Station near Chornobyl, Alaska and northern California. power plant. International experts have concluded that the some 60 miles north of Kyiv. Reactor No. 4 When the fourth reactor at the Chornobyl nuclear power aggregate costs of closing Chornobyl, which entails the devel- explodes and catches fire, spewing a vast plant exploded, it spewed radiation into the atmosphere. A opment of non-nuclear energy sources, is estimated at $4 bil- cloud of radioactive fallout throughout deadly silence followed the explosion. As the radiation silently lion. As of today, Ukraine has only received a fraction of the Belarus, Ukraine and most of Europe. permeated the atmosphere, the ground below it and everything promised assistance. April 27: A full 36 hours after the explo- living, a second silent killer – an information vacuum – was While the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America sion, evacuations begin at Prypiat, a town effectively imposed by Gorbachev and Soviet authorities. The (UCCA) and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council built to house Chornobyl workers. Soviet deception had begun. (UACC) welcomed the closure of the Chornobyl nuclear power Residents are given time only to pack Now, 15 years later, the environmental and human conse- plant, we would like to stress the need for continued humanitar- enough belongings for a “short trip” and are quences are still being calculated. Even by the most conserva- ian assistance, including medical, environmental and social aid told they will return in a matter of days. tive estimates, the nuclear explosion at Chornobyl released more programs. Since this disaster, the Ukrainian American commu- April 28: A terse, four-sentence radiation than 90 Hiroshima-sized bombs. While most of this nity has contributed hundreds of hours, and millions of dollars announcement by TASS, the official Soviet fallout blanketed heavily populated areas of northern Ukraine, in assisting the victims of the Chornobyl tragedy. Nonetheless, news agency, that an accident has occurred the damage to Ukraine’s leading water supply, the Dnipro River, Ukraine still needs our help to alleviate the dreadful conse- at Chornobyl is the first acknowledgment has also affected other vastly populated regions of Ukraine. quences of that disaster for the Ukrainian nation. by the USSR government of the disaster. As the world observes the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl As we mark the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear The TASS report makes no mention of the nuclear disaster, Ukraine has repeatedly reaffirmed its commit- power plant explosion, the UCCA and the UACC appeal to the nature of the accident, nor of the enormous ment to the G-7 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Ukrainian American community to continue to provide assis- amount of radiation released. signed on December 20, 1995. tance to those afflicted by this disaster. Let us honor the memo- May 1: Ignoring internal and Western ”We (the leaders of the seven major industrial nations (G-7) ry of the victims by helping those who are still afflicted. reports confirming the severity of the radia- and the President of the European Commission) met on April Christ is Risen! tion release, Soviet officials stage the annu- 20, 1996, with President Kuchma of Ukraine and together Indeed He is Risen! al May Day parade; hundreds of Kyiv schoolchildren march down the city’s con- Michael Sawkiw, Jr. Ihor Gawdiak taminated streets as the Communist elite President President sends its offspring to safe havens. Several Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Ukrainian American Coordinating Council days later, panic-stricken parents swamp Moscow-bound trains with their children. November 17: Construction of a 195- foot-high steel and concrete “sarcophagus” Western Union donates to CCRF fund for Odesa clinic is completed at reactor No. 4. Pravda reports the containment vessel will last “for MONTVALE, N.J. – Newborn infants in of children confronting the human legacy of respond to the growing needs of Western centuries,” but the hastily built structure Odesa will have a fighting chance to beat the world’s worst environmental disaster.” Union consumers around the world. starts sinking and develops cracks almost the odds against neonatal complications, The organization’s efforts were brought to Through the program, Western Union immediately following its completion. thanks in part with help from Western the attention of Western Union by world- assesses the needs of different communities Union. The company recently donated champion skater Viktor Petrenko and the and provides assistance to immigrant 1988 $9,400 for the purchase of medical equip- donation was made at the recent “Viktory groups in a variety of areas, ranging from ment and supplies, including an infant for Kids” charity program at the education to health. This donation is the April 26: More than 500 people march warmer, to the Children of Chornobyl International Skating Center of Connecticut. second gift the Western Union Helping along the Khreshchatyk. They hold a Relief Fund. The contribution is part of the “The Western Union Helping Hands pro- Hands program has made to the people of demonstration protesting the cover-up of Western Union Helping Hands initiative, a gram was established to further the compa- Ukraine in 2001. the Chornobyl disaster and advocating the worldwide community relations effort, and ny’s commitment to our customers,” said Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a discontinuation of nuclear power genera- will help to equip the Viktor Petrenko Alexander Gomellya, assistant marketing subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: tion and the transformation of Ukraine into Neonatal Intensive Care Clinic in Odesa. manager, Eastern European Region. “Odesa FDC), is a worldwide leader in consumer a nuclear-free zone. Sponsored by the In the years since the 1986 nuclear disas- is home to many of our customers who reg- money transfer services with 101,000 agent Ukrainian Culturological Club (UCC), the ter, children in the regions affected by ularly send money to friends and family locations in more than 185 countries and protest is the first ecologically oriented Chornobyl have suffered a variety of med- there, and it seemed a natural step to team territories. Famous for its pioneering tele- demonstration in Kyiv. ical ailments, including cancer, birth with a reputable organization, like the graph service, the original Western Union November 13: An officially sanctioned defects, high infant mortality rates and birth Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, to pro- dates back to 1851 and introduced electron- ecological demonstration attended by complications. The Children of Chornobyl vide this much-needed medical support.” ic money transfer service in 1871. Western 10,000 people in Kyiv calls on the Soviet Relief Fund is a non-profit organization Created in 1999, the Western Union Union is celebrating its 150th anniversary in government to tell “All the Truth about dedicated to “protecting and saving the lives Helping Hands initiative was designed to 2001. Chornobyl.” The rally is cut short by authorities after speakers start addressing questions of political freedom. Twenty demonstrators are detained.

1990

February 10: First shipment of humani- tarian aid by the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund arrives at Kyiv-Boryspil aboard the “Ruslan” Antonov-124 transport aircraft. July 13: The United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization adopts a resolution appealing for worldwide cooper- ation on aid to mitigate the consequences of Chornobyl. The action comes after the USSR, the Ukrainian SSR and the Byelorussian SSR formally request help from the international community.

1991

May 21: A report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency attrib- utes all medical conditions from the Chornobyl disaster to psychological prob- Erenay L. Jackson of Western Union speaks at the VIP reception held in conjunction with the “Viktory on Ice” show. Looking on (from left) are Col. Charles Hardesty of the U.S. Department of State, Viktor Petrenko, Ukraine’s Acting Consul General (Continued on page 10) in New York Serhiy Pohoreltzev, Alexander Kuzma of the CCRF and Natalie Korsheniuk Pollock, a community activist. No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 9

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY Living in the “exclusion zone”: a tale from Novyi Myr by Danylo Kulyniak NOVYI MYR, Ukraine – Beyond the rivers and marshes, beyond the beaver dams, lost in the pre-Chornobyl forest, hides an ancient Polissian village with a rather pretentious name: Novyi Myr. (New World). Actually it was once known as Barany, but the campaigns of the 1930s of renaming locations left their mark and Barany became Novyi Myr. After the Chornobyl disaster, the vil- lage’s inhabitants were evacuated to points far removed as this land fell with- in the exclusion zone. Exclusion – from what and from whom? These are painful questions that demand an answer. Novyi Myr would have become a ghost town, devoid of people and home to beavers, wild boars, wolves, bison and other fauna, if not for one resident, Volodymyr Liudvihovych Zhankovskyi. Long past his 60th birthday, he has lived the better part of his life in Novyi Myr. He is, in his own words “the presi- dent’s representative in the village of Novyi Myr” – the one who guards his village from all matter of mishaps, “until the people grow smarter and return to their native lands.” He is certain this will happen, and when it does, it will be the happiest day of his life. But until that day Volodymyr Zhankovskyi of Novyi Myr, located in Polissia, with one of his fellow residents. arrives, Mr. Zhankovskyi lives here as and no grizzled geezer either, as he now that was a true holiday and there Mr. Zhankovskyi expects that some of the good spirit of these parts, the king of exudes strength and energy. He loves were plenty of tears of joy all around as a the former residents will return, and so he the forest. He is master of this land and lives company and is always ready to wel- result of the rendezvous, he recalls. waits. His hearth and orchard are in here thanks to everything that this unique come guests. Among the visitors were Mr. order, the household is tidy. and unbelievably beautiful land gives After dusk settles, Mr. Zhankovskyi Zhankovskyi’s wife, daughters and Beyond the forests, rivers and marsh- back to him. He resides in harmony with sings songs of his own creation about his grandchildren. The visitors implored him es, life goes on 15 years after the his natural surroundings and with his life these days. He has even dedicated to leave with them for greener pastures, Chornobyl disaster in the old and unique mares Kalyna and Zorya, two dogs, a one song to his former fellow villagers. but parting was difficult. And how could village of Novyi Myr, shrouded in mists cat, a tamed fox, and the 10-year-old pig After the Easter of 2000 many of these Novyi Myr be left without its presidential and immersed in the scents of the forests Borys, which surely weighs nearly half a people visited their ancestors’ graves – representative? and bogs of Polissia. ton. Oh, and let’s not forget the storks in the linden trees and the beavers in the BOOK REVIEW: A fictional account of survival lake and river – it was the beavers that built a dam on the ditch-like slope beside “The Sky Unwashed” by Irene effects. What areas needed to be evacu- village grew into a small community of the road leading into the village and Zabytko. Chapel Hill, N.C.: Algonquin ated, and what levels of radiation were 15 people. thereby created the lake. The forest pro- Books of Chapel Hill, 2000. 263 pp., acceptable for human habitation? Most interesting and tragic was the vides Mr. Zhankovskyi with berries and $22.95 (hardcover). Being close to the plant, the village last day of Marusia’s life. The author mushrooms; the waters with fish; the of Starylis was deeply contaminated sets the scene: air was dry and the sun’s garden with passable potatoes and other and for that reason the Soviet govern- scorching rays shone down. It was so by Wolodymyr T. Zyla vegetables. ment announced an evacuation, promis- dry that even the animals’ tongues hung And so, life goes on in this communi- Reading Irene Zabytko’s “The Sky ing “Don’t worry, you will be compen- from their mouths twitching for invisi- ty, this place “where the devil says good Unwashed” is like viewing a slide show sated. You will be back in a few days.” ble water. night.” Life is at its toughest here when as images flash before our eyes and we But this never happened. The author ends the novel by sadly the winter snows blanket everything. The watch closely, fascinated. But, as fasci- On the contrary, strict orders were saying: “Now that her prayers were nearest human neighbors live in Vilcha, nated as we are by the frequently chang- issued that the evacuees were not answered, her knowledge complete, her located 15 kilometers from Novyi Myr. ing images on the screen, we also occa- allowed to go outside the hospital last breath coupled with the still air.” There you will find a few dozen employ- sionally wish that we could move closer because they “could infect Kyiv.” In the The characters of the novel are fasci- ees of Chornobyl Lis, police, customs, a and slow down the pace of the projector, meantime, hundreds of children of nating – especially the tenacious old railway station – by local standards it is learn more about each slide, and make Soviet officials were leaving Kyiv women, “babusi,” who endure so much almost a capital. But even Vilcha is connections between the images. The because of radiation. hardship in their lives. Their strength almost a ghost town today, since its for- novel thus captivates the reader and is Marusia, the main character of the shines through as they perceive radia- mer residents were resettled in the well worth reading. Indeed, it is hard to novel, whose grandchildren had already tion poisoning as just another hurdle of Kharkiv Oblast. believe that “The Sky Unwashed” is left for Moscow and whose son Yurko their lives that must be overcome. From time to time Mr. Zhankovskyi Irene Zabytko’s first book. died from radiation, decided that she had Marusia dominates the narrative goes forth to the people, meaning he The novel starts with a portrayal of no other alternative than to return to the from the beginning to the end. She is comes to Vilcha and from there by rail to life in a small Ukrainian village, the contaminated Starylis. The problem was pious, sincere and courageous; she Ovruch. There he sells his simple wares factional Starylis, on the outskirts of money for a train ticket. She waited in defies the Soviet regime on many occa- and products: birch and linden brooms, Chornobyl, which will be etched forev- line all night and registered again as a sions. She is a widow, a dedicated mushrooms and berries. There he buys er into human history. It is the scene of new evacuee at the hospital. They gave mother and a grandmother who loves all that he needs. There he downs a mug a man-made disaster – the full implica- her a new blanket, a pillow and six rubles. her family. of beer and shoots the breeze with tions of which are still not known. Getting to Starylis was not easy; no The novel itself is shocking, clever, whomever he comes across. There he Exactly what happened on April 26, one wanted to help Marusia. They ironic and in some cases heart-break- sees and is seen by others. There he buys 1986, for some time remained a mys- called her crazy and told her that ing. Mrs. Zabytko is a very capable a fresh newspaper, for he lives in Novyi tery, but when the Soviet Union broke “nobody goes there anymore.” But she writer who reproduces with great inge- Myr as if on an island, without radio and apart in 1991, the people of Ukraine got there, despite physical ailments. nuity the small isolated tragedies that television (as there is no electricity). were free to talk about what they knew. When her physical misery subsided, lie at the core of the novel and are a Mr. Zhankovskyi’s thirst for news is The horror of the Chornobyl accident she was plagued by loneliness. significant part of this work. nearly unquenchable, and his love for and the mishandling of the situation by Alone in this deserted place, Marusia “The Sky Unwashed,” without a books know no bounds: he has read all the Soviet government were disturbing. struggled up into the church belltower doubt, is a unique piece of art in which the books left behind in Novyi Myr There was considerable speculation to ring the bells twice every day, just in the legacy of Chornobyl will live forev- after the evacuation and is now working about the levels of radiation, the num- case someone else had returned. And er, despite the closure of the infamous his way through the textbooks he has ber of deaths and the severity of other the “babusi” did – one by one. Soon the atomic energy station. found. He is an intellectual, no doubt, 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

CHORNOBYL:: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

1995 a Chornobyl Pledging Conference organized by the United Chornobyl chronology States as that year’s chairman of the G-7. Thirteen countries (Continued from page 8) July: A G-7 summit in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the sug- pledged $36.25 million for the rebuilding of the sarcopha- lems among an ignorant and misinformed population. gestion of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, agrees to hold a gus encasing reactor No. 4. October 29: The Ukrainian Parliament votes to shut summit in Moscow on nuclear issues, including the shut- 1998 down the Chornobyl plant completely by the end of 1993. down of the Chornobyl plant. December 11: The Ukrainian Parliament passes a reso- December 13: The United Nations General Assembly July 23: Vice President Al Gore visits the Chornobyl lution demanding the prosecution of Soviet leaders for the designates April 26, 1996, as International Day in Memory nuclear power plant, becoming the highest ranking U.S. Chornobyl cover-up. Among those named are Soviet of Chornobyl and seeks improved international cooperation government official to ever visit Chornobyl. President Mikhail Gorbachev, Prime Minister Nikolai on providing aid to Chornobyl’s victims and studying its Ryzhkov, former Ukrainian Communist Party First aftermath. 1999 Secretary Volodymyr Shcherbytsky and Ukrainian Health December 20: Ukraine’s Minister of the Environment Minister Anatoliy Romanenko. Yuriy Kostenko, visiting Ottawa, signs a Memorandum of April 19: The Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund honors Understanding with Sheila Copps, Canada’s vice-premier First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton with its Lifetime 1992 and secretary of the environment, acting on behalf of the G- Humanitarian Achievement Award during a special ceremo- 7. Members of the G-7 are to provide $2.3 billion to close ny at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York. Mrs. April 22: The Ministry of Chornobyl releases a state- down Chornobyl by 2000. No funds are allocated for the Clinton receives a 14-inch bronze sculpture of the ment estimating deaths attributable to the Chornobyl disas- second sarcophagus. Berehynia (protectress) in recognition of her commitment to ter at 6,000-8,000. improving the health of women and children in Ukraine. 1996 1993 2000 April 21: At the G-7 summit in Moscow, President Leonid Kuchma reaffirms the decision to shut Chornobyl December 15: While hundreds of representatives of the October 21: In the midst of a severe energy shortage, down. G-7 countries promise to study ways to replace the international diplomatic community watch at the Ukraina with widespread, daily brownouts common, Parliament cracking sarcophagus, but make no new commitments of Palace concert hall, President Leonid Kuchma gives the votes to keep Chornobyl open and to lift the moratorium on financial assistance. command to shut down Chornobyl’s last functioning reactor construction of new nuclear plants. April 26: This day Ukrainian communities worldwide once and for all. The audience views the control room of commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl reactor No. 3 via a live feed on a large monitor at the con- 1994 nuclear disaster. cert hall, while an engineer at Chornobyl throws the switch that halts the huge turbine. July 8-10: The Group of Seven summit in Naples 1997 pledges $200 million in grant aid to strengthen Ukraine’s (Based on a compilation by Yarema A. Bachynsky updat- energy sector and close down Chornobyl. November 20: President Leonid Kuchma participates in ed by The Weekly staff.)

laid with TACIS, the European Union’s aid organization, abandoning Ukraine, but re-gearing to continue to help. Fifteen years after... and with the U.S. Agency for International Development, “The resettled population needs long-term economic (Continued from page 1) but thus far there has been little follow through. support. International help is still needed,” said workers will relocate to the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi “We need plans to be activated, to be realized. We European Commission General Secretary Andre von areas and work at newly finished reactors there, if they need credits – not tranches” explained the frustrated Hauerben in remarks at the opening of the conference. mayor. Zygmund Domaretsky of the International Atomic ever do get completed. At a conference of the International Federation of Energy Agency added that the focus of Western aid must Others are looking for work outside Ukraine, in Chemical Energy and Mine Workers held in Kyiv on shift. “The Chornobyl accident is usually discussed in Russia, Iran, India and China. The last three countries April 9, Raina Hurki, representative of the trade union, technological terms. Rarely is the human element con- have dynamically expanding nuclear industries and said the West may be suffering from “Chornobyl sidered: the farmer who can no longer farm his land; the have a shortage of skilled labor. However, for Ukraine fatigue” as donor countries of the West have been satu- mother whose child has thyroid cancer,” explained Mr. such relocation means an unwanted brain drain, which rated with the issue of Chornobyl over the last year and Domaretsky. authorities are hoping to prevent. need some respite before re-engaging in Chornobyl sup- It is this sort of paradigm shift that will be required if The Slavutych redevelopment plan also calls for con- port activities. He also said there is a feeling among Slavutych is to avoid the fate of Prypiat, the city that structing a state university and an extensive international some nations that Ukraine continues to present an end- housed the Chornobyl workers before the man-made research institute on the medical aspects of nuclear radia- less shopping list, which intimidates them. disaster occurred, and which today sits barren of human- tion. It foresees the development of a fund to finance the “You need to show the West that you are working,” ity and with no future. final phase of the already existing International Mr. Hurki told the audience of Ukrainian nuclear power Mayor Udovychenko is guardedly optimistic that his Chornobyl Center as well as a $100 million credit line to industry workers. town will avoid Prypiat’s fate and 10 years hence it will develop 5,000 jobs in Slavutych. In 2000, even before Another international conference, focused on a continue to be a thriving community. Chornobyl closed, Slavutych lost 1,000 residents, review of what the world has learned from Chornobyl “I hope there will be security here, that we will no although 585 were replaced with new arrivals. and held in Kyiv in the run up to 15th anniversary com- longer be considering Hamlet’s refrain: ‘To be, or not to Another no less immediate problem is a much- memorations, echoed that sentiment, with several be.’ We are sure the answer is ‘to be,’ ” Mr. Udovychenko reduced municipal revenue base after the closure of Western organizations confirming that they are not underscored. Chornobyl. This year the city expects a 60 percent drop in revenues from 40 million hrv to 17 million hrv. Volodymyr Udovychenko, the fast-talking, upbeat and outspoken mayor of Slavutych, told The Ukrainian Weekly on April 13 that the city needs to reform its infrastructure immediately to absorb the financial hit it is taking. “The city has more social support structures than it can afford today,” said Mr. Udovychenko. He also said officials need to undertake an analysis to determine what types of employers the city might attract. Mayor Udovychenko said Slavutych has a pow- erful tool to attract commercial firms in its designation as a free trade zone. In the last few months alone it has created 284 new jobs. Currently there are five commer- cial projects underway, which would provide up to $30 million in new investments and 1,770 additional jobs if they are completed. Although that number would not fully replace the more than 5,000 jobs that will be lost, the mayor acknowledged that it would go a long way towards securing the city’s future. He admitted that outside investment has been slow in coming, mainly because foreigners seek more guaran- tees than the government is willing to provide, includ- ing the desire to own the land on which their businesses stand. Nonetheless, the mayor criticized the West for its timidity and its failure to follow-up with promised financing programs. “Even the micro-crediting program is not going for- Efrem Lukatsky/AP ward,” said Mr. Udovychenko, referring to a plan to offer In 1996, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, a boy lights a candle at a monu- small-credits to potential small business entrepreneurs. ment erected in Slavutych to the 30 firefighters and workers who died while trying to contain the fire at the He said that a dialogue continues and plans have been Chornobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 11

NEWS AND VIEWS New UNA By-Laws: Is this the answer? TheThe thingsthings wewe do...do... by Orysia Paszczak Tracz by Alexander Chudolij the problems we were having would be taken care of by a professional sales force It is now time for all the delegates to and by other measures. the previous convention of the Ukrainian What I find interesting is that many of Pysanky from Shevchenko’s homeland National Association to piece together all those same people who now urgently of their thoughts and make an honest deci- For unrepentant and certifiable pysan- implore us to change our present gover- vide straight facts. Mr. Mytsyk discusses sion on the proposed changes to the UNA nance system are the ones who had no ka nuts (yours truly being a prominent the ceramic pysanky from medieval By-Laws based primarily upon what they problem with it even into the 1990s. Some member), the appearance of a book on Kyivan times uncovered in archaeologi- have read in The Ukrainian Weekly and of them were not vocally against our cur- pysanky is truly a major event. New cal digs in regions on both banks of the Svoboda written by a handful of authors, rent system even through the last conven- books are not that common, and not all Dnipro. These pysanky contained a bead as well as what they have heard at their tion, where many of them were re-elected published are really worthwhile. Just inside and were used as rattles to make local UNA district meetings. by the current rules. because someone has amassed a collec- noise for spring [Slava Gerulak of New The problem with this is that there has I have always believed that it does not tion of pysanky or has come up with a York had recreated some of these quite a been no way for the delegates to fully dis- matter as much what type of system we “new” explanation of what the symbols few years ago]. The author gives other cuss their views among themselves. What use to elect our UNA leaders, but that it mean does not make a book noteworthy. examples of this ritual noise-making. are the chances that a delegate from matters whom we elect and what For me at least, there needs to be that He mentions the work of Danylo Canada or Florida will really be contact- resources they have to get the job done. connection to the origins of pysanky and Scherbakivsky, the ethnographer, archae- ing a delegate from New Jersey to discuss Does anyone really think that all of our the beliefs surrounding them, and the ologist and museologist who committed the proposed by-laws changes? problems will turn around if we elect a respect for what they have meant to suicide in 1927 as a protest against the But, in the same hall at the convention, board of directors? Ukrainians over the millennia. I’m not desecration and destruction of Ukrainian distances are bridged and everyone can be There has not been any statement of necessarily a traditionalist in this case, and art and artifacts by the Soviets. In exam- heard by everyone else at the same time. how or why a board of directors with a am in awe of someone like Tania Osadca, ining pysanky from this region, Mr. Anything less than this becomes an ineffi- CEO elected by six to 11 votes (of the Oksana Liaturynska or Nadia Nowytski, Scherbakivsky had written that “the most cient system where communication is in board) and his or her appointed, not elect- or the younger pysanka writers (some archaic examples of pysanky come from, bits and pieces and the delegates are seg- ed, staff will be in any better position to exhibited last year at The Ukrainian of course, Pravoberezhia [the right bank regated – kept apart from each other. increase the UNA reserves, improve our Museum in New York). These original of the Dnipro].” Unfortunately, because of lack of time membership base, bring Soyuzivka back artists take the essence of our precious Mr. Mytsyk notes that the totalitarian at the previous convention in 1998, we to prosperity and be fraternally beneficial folk art to a new, higher level, and do it so ideology of Communism caused great now have community activists like Dr. well because they understand its roots. harm to pysanka writing. “Beginning with Myron Kuropas saying that “the UNA is to our fraternal organization. The quality of the board will be a critical factor (but Last month, I received as a gift the the 1930s through the 1980s, pysanky at a crossroads” and Taras Szmagala Jr. book “Pysanka” by Vadym Mytsyk and were spurned by the official government as warning that “we cannot wait any longer.” not the only one) in determining how good a CEO its members choose. The Oles Fysun, published by Rodovid in something connected to the Christian reli- If this is the case, then why didn’t the pre- 1992 in Kyiv (60 pp., $9 U.S.). This is a gion. Many folk artists were forced to vious UNA executives involved in prepa- CEO will then appoint a team that he or she can work with well. small book about the pysanky of the abandon their art.” But not all. It is ironic ration of the convention agenda make sure Cherkasy Province, the land where that the pre-Christian pysanka became that these proposed by-laws changes were How does this give the UNA member- ship more of a voice in the UNA? Under Shevchenko was born and spent his child- such a “danger” to the Soviets. This at or near the top of the agenda? hood. This book is the first regional publi- writer’s theory is that it is not so much the I have to conclude that it is because the current system at least we elect dele- gates who directly represent the member- cation about this miniature of Ukrainian Christian symbolism that threatened the they did not really want to have this topic folk art, and covers pysanky from the Russians, although that played a role. discussed freely at a convention. An ship and are able to attend meetings and caucuses, and actually listen to candidates times of Kyivan Rus’ to the present. It is Because the Russians do not have pysanky exchange of ideas among convention del- the result of extensive, lengthy research in their tradition, this was one folk art that egates is, in my opinion, the best, fairest who may be running the organization in the coming term, as well as directly elect and presents the talents, worldview, and they could not claim as their own, the way and most democratic way for any or all of love of their homeland’s beauty of the they have done with so much of Ukrainian the delegates to be heard – both leading many more members of the General Assembly who, although rather power- people of Shevchenko’s land. heritage. But, “folk art, including pysanka up to and during the actual vote. Every Someone hoping to find a collection of writing, is a living thing. It cannot be delegate is in attendance and already sit- less, still have the opportunity to voice their views as well as those of the mem- ornate, super intricate pysanka designs stopped, just as you cannot stop the flow ting in the same convention hall. It is the will be disappointed. Those pysanky are of water.” Mr. Mytsyk explains. perfect setting for an exchange of views, bership at the General Assembly’s annual meetings. Very good recommendations not the Hutsul ones, or the even more As the book “Pysanka” underscores, opinions and understanding of the issue at intricate North American ones (some- “Small in size, but deep in meaning, the hand. In fact, it’s exactly what conven- are often made within the General Assembly; resolutions and proposals are times pysanka writers do not know when Ukrainian pysanka became the personifi- tions are for! to stop, and think that the busier the cation of the image of the world and of I had previously stated that I was unde- passed which can help the organization. However, it is the Executive Committee design is, the better it is). No, the the folk artist and her world view.” cided about which way to vote on this pysanky from the central regions of issue of whether to change to a board of that turns these General Assembly resolu- * * * tions into mere pipe dreams. Ukraine, including Cherkasy, are much directors governance system or to retain simpler in design, with fewer colors. And Rodovid Publishers, owned by Lida the historic way the UNA has chosen its I can certainly see amending the UNA By-Laws to give more teeth to the the lines are not even always straight! Lykhach, publishes the journal Rodovid, leadership, that is, by directly electing the But these pysanky are truly traditional which features scholarly articles on new (or re-electing the previous) execu- General Assembly so that it can do the job it is being asked to do. This can be done – from the time when it was the symbol Ukraine’s cultural history as well as com- tive officers and the General Assembly. I on the shell that was important, and not mentary on historical and cultural prob- am now ready to contribute my thoughts under the current structure, which allows for more representation. The General the fineness of the lines. The color plates lems and projects. to this topic. are arranged by the pysanka writer, with Among the fine books published by I can understand the arguments made Assembly should exercise the right to impeach an executive officer if it finds a separate list of names and locations. Rodovid are: “Ukrainian Folk Icons from by both the proponents and opponents of Mr. Fesun, an artist living in Kyiv, is the the Land of Shevchenko,” “Sviatynia” (a this proposal. However, the first question I that a member of the executive is having a detrimental impact on the well-being of compiler and illustrator of the pysanky popular history of Kaniv Hill, the loca- found myself having to answer is not reproduced in the book. tion of Shevchenko’s grave and muse- whether to vote yes or no, but to deter- the organization. There’s your power in the current system. He writes: “Through the language of the um), “Transformation in Civil Society: mine what exactly is the real problem at pysanka, countless creators have brought An Oral History of Ukrainian Peasant hand. What is causing the difficulties the The UNA’s convention delegates now are the ultimate “board of directors” for to us, through time, the genetic memory of Culture in the 1920-1930s” (in UNA is currently experiencing and has the Ukrainian people, visibly preserving Ukrainian), “Kholmschyna i Pidliashia” been experiencing for many years, ever the UNA. They have the right to directly elect or reject any or all of the members of [our ancestors’] thoughts about the world (ethnographic description, in Ukrainian), since our reserves started to erode and and their ancient faith. After having ana- and “Vyshyvka Kozatskoyi Starshyny membership goals became more and more the Executive Committee and the General Assembly every four years. Under the lyzed for over 20 years the wealth of 17-18 Stolit” (Embroidery of the Kozak difficult to achieve? Are these problems pysanka riches, I have often thought that in nobility of the 17-18th centuries in due to the system of leadership with proposed board of directors system, the delegates to the convention, for the first these wondrous lines we may be able to Ukrainian; this work to be published in which the UNA was born and had worked uncover the pre-Slavic or even the earliest English in the future). There is a possibil- so well up to a point in time? If so, then time in UNA history, would not have the right to elect the UNA’s chief executive Ukrainian written language.” ity that “Pysanka” also will be published the system should have been changed The author of the seven-page text is in English. many years ago. Why wasn’t it changed? officer, treasurer, national secretary, etc., nor any of the critical personnel responsi- Mr. Mytsyk, an ethnographer who writes The webpage of this publishing house Up until the past two conventions, the that “the Ukrainian pysanka is sunlight is www.rodovid.net. Orders may be governance structure was never even ble for the UNA’s day-to-day operations. We would elect 11 board members, all and the world of the soul, the breath of placed through the U.S. office, or mentioned as being a problem. The sys- heaven and the soul of the earth, the through Kyiv – information is given on tem we had apparently was just fine, and of whom would have only a periodic, part-time responsibility of overseeing pos- genius of our people. From the pysanka, the webpage. The American address is: sibly the only person whom they would as from the unattainable Yaitse-Raitse of 18000 S. Mullen Road, Belton, MO Alexander Chudolij is an advisor of the elect – the CEO. They will not elect the folktales, there flows an endless stream 64012; fax, (816) 322-4228; e-mail, Ukrainian National Association and a other full-time officers – they would only of creative power of our folk artists.” [email protected]. In Kyiv, the address member of the UNA By-Laws Committee “approve” of the CEO’s decision to hire These quotes are from the page giving is: vul. Ivana Mazepy 29, Kyiv 01015; and the General Assembly’s Standing the two authors’ photographs. Within the fax, (380-44) 254-3237 or 290-2931; e- Committee on Soyuzivka. (Continued on page 19) text, they no longer wax poetic, but pro- mail, [email protected]. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16 Телефонуйте додому За НИЖЧИМИ цінами

pf rj;ye pf dcî lpd“yrb ljlfnrjde lj 10 [dbkby [dbkbye

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Пропозиція дійсна в більшості кодових зон 1-800-540-3598 No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 13

CONCERT NOTES UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ANNUITY RATES An eclectic tribute to Taras Shevchenko by Helena Lysyj Melnitchenko without the bandura and Ms. Kutsevych EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2001 played the complex many-stringed WASHINGTON – The Washington instrument expertly and sang together Single & Flexible Premium Annuities Ukrainian community paid a musical with Ms. Hrabovsky. The two young tribute to the bard of Ukraine on his the women, in traditional Ukrainian dress, First year rate (new money) 187th anniversary of his birth, which fell have delicate voices well-suited to the (rate locked in for one year) this year on Friday, March 9. The concert intimate setting of the Rosslyn Spectrum 7.00% took place on Monday, March 5, a day Theater, which was three-quarters full on on which two feet of snow were predict- this cold March night. The concert began ed in Washington – snow that did not Single & Flexible Premium Annuities with Shevchenko’s well-loved poems set materialize here, but which made the (EXISTING) to music, among them “Princess,” performers coming from New York late. “Lament of Yaroslavna” and “Lilea,” and $100,000.00 and over Under the auspices of The Washington 6.00% progressed to three Italian opera pieces, Group, a group of Ukrainian profession- as well as Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” The als, and in cooperation with the Embassy classical music was performed by tenor $50,000.00 - $99,999.99 of Ukraine, this was the fourth in a series Roman Tsymbala and soprano Anna of five concerts sponsored by TWG’s (EXISTING) Bachynska, accompanied by the pianist 5.75% Cultural Fund which is raising money for Volodymyr Vynnytsky. musical instruments for the Lviv After the intermission, the Ukrainian Conservatory. The three preceding con- $100.00 - $49,999.99 ambassador to the United States, certs concentrated on classical music; the Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, who was (EXISTING) tribute to Taras Shevchenko was an 5.50% accompanied by his wife, spoke briefly eclectic mix of folk and classical music. in both English and Ukrainian about It featured four performers from Lviv: Taras Shevchenko as “a unifying hero.” Flexible 10 Annuity Alla Kutsevych, Anna Bachynska, Appreciative applause greeted Ms. Roman Tsymbala and Volodymyr (Year 2) Hrabovsky and Ms. Kutsevych when 6.00% Vynnytsky, as well as Ludmilla they opened the second half with Hrabovsky from Rivne. Shevchenko’s well-known, plaintive Stop playing with your retirement. The bare stage was dominated by a “Poplar,” accompanied by the bandura. grand piano and an image of a severe The stock market may go up and down, Shevchenko’s poems set to the music of Taras Shevchenko, a copy of Ilya the bandura are uniformly sad with their but your retirement should be secure Repin’s famous portrait painted a year themes of loneliness, orphanhood and before Shevchenko’s death in 1861. No from such fluctuations. A UNA annuity offers safety early death. Ms. Hrabovsky’s declama- tribute to “The Great Bard” is complete tion of the second stanza gave depth to and guarantees constant growth. the early poem. For information on UNA Annuities call toll free: “The Sun, Low in the Sky,” a solo from Lysenko’s operetta “Natalka Andrukhovych recites Poltavka,” was sung by Mr. Tsymbala, 1-800-253-9862 ext. 3013 whose voice, both strong and expressive, belongs in grand concert halls. Indeed, at Library of Congress he has performed at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Tsymbala followed this popular Ukrainian aria with Puccini’s challeng- ing “Nesun Dorma,” from Turandot. The To The Weekly Contributors: concert closed with a duet from Hulak- Artemovsky’s operetta “Kozak Beyond We greatly appreciate the materials – feature articles, news stories, press clippings, let- the Danube,” sung by Ms. Bachynska ters to the editor, etc. – we receive from our readers. In order to facilitate preparation of and Mr. Tsymbala. The operatic experi- The Ukrainian Weekly, we ask that the guidelines listed below be followed. ence of both artists was evident in their ® performances, which were notable not News stories should be sent in not later than 10 days after the occurrence of a given event. only for their strong, well-schooled voic- ® All materials must be typed (or legibly hand-printed) and double-spaced. es, but for their expressive emoting. ® The accompanying pianist, Mr. Photographs (originals only, no photocopies or computer printouts) submitted for Vynnytsky, is a musician in his own publication must be accompanied by captions. Photos will be returned only when so requested and accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. right, a winner of the Thibault ® Full names (i.e., no initials) and their correct English spellings must be provided. International Piano Competition in Paris ® in 1983 and was featured in the first con- Newspaper and magazine clippings must be accompanied by the name of the publi- cert of this series. He was appropriately cation and the date of the edition. ® and graciously recognized each time by Information about upcoming events must be received one week before the date of both soloists. His skill was evident in his The Weekly edition in which the information is to be published. ® seemingly effortless performance. Persons who submit any materials must provide a daytime phone number where A reception followed the concert. The they may be reached if any additional information is required. ® varied nature of the concert was com- Unsolicited materials submitted for publication will be returned only when so request- mented on in both Ukrainian and ed and accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. English. That eclecticism, nevertheless, WASHINGTON – Yuri Andrukhovych had a theme. All the better-known com- (above), a leading Ukrainian poet and posers, both Ukrainian and Italian, were writer, recited his poetry at the Library Shevchenko’s contemporaries and it can of Congress on March 9. The literary be surmised that he was familiar with Volume I and II their music. Taras Shevchenko was not program, sponsored by the European You can obtain both volumes for only $130.00 only Ukraine’s greatest poet, as well as a Division of the Library of Congress, Including Postage painter, but also Ukraine’s bard. His col- included actor Michael Bernosky, who lected works are titled “Kobzar” – the ORDER NOW read some of Mr. Andrukhovych’s poet- term for a wandering musician who sings Fill out the order blank below and mail it with your check or money order ry and prose, which was translated by his own poems. Like all great artists, he Prof. Michael Naydan of Penn State had music in his soul. To: UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Inc. University. Mr. Andrukhovych, currently These high-quality benefit concert 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 a Fulbright scholar in residence at series are a great showcase for contem- I hereby order Ukraine: A Concise Encyclopaedia Penn State, is compiling and translat- K K K porary Ukrainian musical talent. The last Volume I — $75.00 Volume II — $75.00 Volume I & II — $130.00 ing an anthology of American poetry of event in the series on April 23 will fea- the 1950s and 1960s. ture New York City Opera soprano NJ residents: add 6% sales tax – Yaro Bihun Oksana Krovytska. Enclosed is (a check/M.O.) for the amount $ ______Please send the book (s) to the following address:

Name THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY No. Street Visit our archive on the Internet at: http://www.ukrweekly.com/ City State Zip Code 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

THE ARTS Ukrainian-born soprano Stefania Dovhan to perform in Washington

STEVENSON, Md. – Stefania Dovhan, a 21-year-old Ms. Dovhan was awarded the Rosa Ponselle Gold Arts, Recital Hall, 712 Cathedral St., 2:30 p.m.; Ukrainian-born soprano, will perform in a series of Medallion in the year 2000 “Young Classical Singers” • Sunday, May 20: The University of Maryland, recitals and memorial masses in Washington, and competition. Her recital program has been prepared College Park; Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, throughout Maryland to commemorate the 20th with Maestro Igor Chichagov, a Ponselle colleague of Guildenhorn Recital Hall, 4 p.m.; anniversary of the death of the legendary American over 30 years and music director of the Rosa Ponselle • Sunday, May 27: special Memorial Weekend high soprano, Rosa Ponselle. Foundation. The program will include works by Handel, mass to be held in the Basilica of the Assumption, Mozart, Schubert, Bellini, Rossini, Glinka, Poulenc, Cathedral and Mulberry streets; celebrated by Msgr. Leoncavallo, as well as Ukrainian art songs. Ms. James Hobbs, with the chorus of the basilica under the Dovhan’s accompanist will be Pin-Huey Wang. direction of Malinda Lachica, and guest soloists former Ms. Dovhan joins the ranks of two previous Ponselle Rosa Ponselle Competition Gold Medalist Kenneithia Gold Medalists, who now enjoy major international Mitchell and Ms. Dovhan. careers, American soprano Deborah Voight and Russian mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina. * * * Ms. Dovhan was born in 1979 in Kyiv, into an artis- The Connecticut-born Rosa Ponselle made a historic tic family. As a youngster she took piano lessons and operatic debut on November 15, 1918, at age 21 oppo- was accepted to the Youth Choir at the Kyiv State site Enrico Caruso in the Metropolitan Opera’s premiere Conservatory, where she sang for nearly 12 years. In of Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino.” Although at her 1991-1992 she lived and studied in Munich, Germany, debut she had no previous formal vocal training nor and subsequently emigrated to the United States in operatic experience and had seen only one opera in her 1995, where she attended the Baltimore School for the life, her unique, natural talent and unparalleled beautiful Arts studying vocal performance with Joyce Hubbard, voice – described by critics as “molten gold” – estab- and graduated as salutatorian. lished her instantly as “a Caruso in petticoats.” Ms. Dovhan is a member of the Ukrainian National Ponselle was an acclaimed vaudevillian from age 16 Association and in 1998, was crowned Miss Soyuzivka. and was appearing in a sister act at the Palace in New Currently she is a student at the University of York City with her own real life sister, Carmela, when Maryland College Park School of Music on a full per- she was discovered by Caruso and brought to the forming arts scholarship. Her vocal teacher is Martha Metropolitan Opera just five months later as his leading Randall, who received the Rosa Ponselle Teacher of the lady in his own debut in “La Forza del Destino.” Year Award in 2000. Ms. Dovhan has been a recipient Because she became the first American opera singer to of various awards, including first prizes in the local and sing a major role at the Met without the benefit of regional National Association of Teachers of Singing European training or experience, she is credited with competitions in 1999 and 2000. opening the doors of the Met to the American trained Ms. Dovhan will appear as guest recitalist in the fol- singer and, thereafter, was dubbed the foundress of our lowing concerts and celebratory masses; the public is American operatic heritage. invited to attend each of the programs without charge. Retiring at age 40, while still in her vocal prime, she • Saturday, May 12, The Dumbarton Church, married and moved to Baltimore’s Green Spring Valley. Dumbarton Avenue off Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, Founding an opera company, she was to launch or 7 p.m. The recital is jointly sponsored under the patron- coach generations of notable young talents in their age of the Rosa Ponselle Foundation and The careers. They included Beverly Sills, Spiro Malas, Washington Group Cultural Fund, and with the coopera- Sherrill Milnes, Placido Domingo, Leontyne Price, tion of the Embassy of Ukraine. Samuel Ramey, William Warfield and Raina Soprano Stefania Dovhan • Thursday, May 17: The Baltimore School for the Kabaivanska. World-class cimbalom player entrances audiences in Cleveland

by Nadia Tarnawsky and Michael Flohr a child he studied in Kolomyia and in time Orchestra. This collaboration brought Mr. Moldovan and Gypsy. Featured on the went on to study tsymbaly performance Fedoriouk to New York’s Carnegie Hall. album are the band Harmonia as well as CLEVELAND – A plaintive melody is with Georgy Agratina, national artist of Through his varied performances, Mr. special guests like Vasyl Heker, the spectac- heard from a tylynka ... soon the soft tremo- Ukraine, at the Kyiv State Conservatory. Fedoriouk has promoted the music and ular violinist from Ukraine. lo of the cimbalom supports the shepherd’s Mr. Fedoriouk also “learned a lot of reper- instruments of his homeland. It may have To obtain a copy of “Cimbalom call ... within moments a fiery Hutsul dance toire” by playing for weddings in the been unimaginable to him on the foothills Traditions,” please send $17 ($15 for the ensues. This scene comes straight out of the Carpathians. Keeping to Hutsul tradition, Carpathian mountains ... or does it? of the Carpathian mountains, but here in the CD and $2 for shipping) to Folk Sounds Mr. Fedoriouk also learned how to make art galleries of Cleveland and the clubs of Records, P.O. Box 609067, Cleveland, Alexander Fedoriouk, a world-class cim- and repair instruments. “Since my father balom player effortlessly creates this sound- New York, there are endless possibilities. OH 44109; make checks payable to: used to make cimbalom sticks for me, I His first solo album, “Cimbalom Alexander Fedoriouk. For further infor- scape. learned wood craft from him,” he states. Tonight, an audience filled with hip Traditions” presents the traditional folk mation, check out Mr. Fedoriouk’s web- “Then I started making pan flutes and folk music of Eastern Europe. The works select- site at http:/ /listen.to/cimbalom or e-mail young people at an art gallery near down- flutes.” With this wealth of experience town Cleveland is transported to the ed reflect the varied cultures of the region [email protected] behind him, Mr. Fedoriouk began playing Carpathians, and they are screaming and and the multiple cultures which utilize the Mr. Fedoriouk will perform in concert with the Ukrainian folk ensemble Cheres. applauding as if it were a rock concert. cimbalom such as the Ukrainian, with the folk band Harmonia, at INSIDE Eventually the leader of Cheres arranged for Peggy Latkovich of the Cleveland Free Romanian, Hungarian, Rusyn, Slovak, gallery in Cleveland on April 26 and 27. a tour of the U.S. for the ensemble. Times said of his performance “things real- With Cheres, now based in New York ly got cooking when Mr. Fedoriouk took City, Mr. Fedoriouk has performed in the hammers to the cimbalom. His fiery playing General Assembly Hall of the United was jaw-droppingly fast, evoking gasps Nations as well as prominent cultural festi- from the audience.” While Mr. Fedoriouk is vals. He also plays cimbalom with the well known among many Cleveland and Eastern European folk band, Harmonia, New York audiences, it is time to introduce based in Cleveland. With this ensemble he the greater Ukrainian community to this tal- has brought the music of Ukraine and ented performer on the eve of his first solo Eastern Europe to audiences at the Kennedy album. Center for the Arts in Washington as well as Mr. Fedoriouk was born in Novy Rozdil, other high profile performances in the Ukraine, but spent most of his life living United States. and working in Kolomyia. He chose to play One of his most notable collaborations the tsymbaly (cimbalom) over the trumpet has been with jazz flutist Herbie Mann at or violin at the age of 6, setting his life on a the Blue Note in New York City and on path that would cross continents to folk fes- Mann’s latest release, “Eastern European tivals, jazz clubs, concert halls and appear- Roots.” Besides performing jazz on his cim- ances on over 17 albums and two films. As balom, Mr. Fedoriouk has made appear- ances with symphonic orchestras on many Nadia Tarnawsky is an ethnomusicol- important works. He recently performed ogist and professor at the Cleveland with the world renowned Cleveland Institute of Music. Michael Flohr is a Orchestra at Severance Hall for Kurtag’s pianist and member of the American “Grabstein für Stephan” in addition to serv- Federation of Musicians. The couple ing as soloist for Kodaly’s “Hary Janos resides in Cleveland. Suite” for the Cleveland Orchestra’s Youth Alexander Fedoriouk, a world-class cimbalom player. No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 15

DATELINE NEW YORK: Spring arrives in Little Ukraine by Helen Smindak

The coming of spring was officially marked in New York’s Little Ukraine on April 8 with a charming and sensitive presentation of Ukrainian songs known as “vesnianky,” ritual folk songs sung by girls in combination with ceremonial dances and games from early spring until the Feast of the Holy Trinity in June. Bird calls and joyous melodies that used to echo through Ukrainian villages in the springtime breezed airily through the Ukrainian National Home on Second Avenue as a mixed chorus and an ensem- ble of wreath-crowned young women welcomed spring with songs and ritual circle dances, and youngsters zig-zagged through the audience handing out bird- shaped cookies, recreating ancient cus- toms of Ukraine. The delightful program was the brain- child of bandura teacher Alla Kutsevych, who brought together the Promin vocal ensemble, members of the recently formed Branch 125 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (composed of Fourth Wave émigrés) and their children for the time-honored spring celebration. Close to 45 young people in regional costumes, including a dozen Yaroslav Kulynych youngsters age 7 to 12, performed lilting A celebration of spring held at the Ukrainian National Home in New York City. airs and humorous tunes from eastern regions of Ukraine – Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, dzivky” sung at Eastertime by young men tours for school groups, and students from Folk Artists of Ukraine. She has been Zhytomyr and Chernihiv – then turned of the Yavoriv region, saw male perform- the Parsons School of Design who attend- demonstrating her art for years at muse- their attention in the program’s second ers bowing low to the women while ed several workshops created some very ums, festivals, craft fairs and department half to the regions of Volyn, Ternopil, singing about Easter Day and a worried beautiful pysanky. stores and on TV (NBC’s “Today” show Stanyslaviv and Yavoriv in western partridge. A late March workshop on Ukrainian and ABC’s “Home” show, among others). Ukraine. A fanciful mural featuring long- Clad in white, Chrytsia Gorski took Easter traditions, directed by Lubow Her Easter eggs are on permanent display legged storks in flight, flowers, vines and center stage as Lady Spring for a circle Wolynetz, with Christina Pevny assisting, at New York’s Ukrainian Museum and the ribbons, the work of artist Erica Slutsky, dance performed with flower wreaths by offered anyone over the age of 16 a Embassy of Ukraine in Washington. A formed an engaging backdrop. the women, and later in the program exe- chance to learn about the unique customs traveling exhibit of 250 Zielyk pysanky Although the terms “vesnianky” and cuted a dreamy ballet sequence. Ms. and lore of Ukrainian Easter and partake has toured throughout Ukraine. “hayivky” (“hahilky”, “yahilky”) are Gorski, a member of the Syzokryli in the hands-on baking of traditional Photographs of her work are prominently often used interchangeably, vesnianky are Ukrainian Dancers, was partnered by Ivan Easter breads. featured in the books “Festivals of the sung from the Annunciation to the Makar, attired in an all-white Kozak cos- Ms. Zielyk, currently readying ostrich- World: Ukraine” (Times Editions) and Pentecost, while hayivky represent only tume, in idyllic, slow-moving dances egg pysanky for the Ukrainian street festi- “Decorative Eggs” (Crescent Books) as those spring songs sung during the Easter from the Chernihiv and Podil regions. val on May 18-20, led a two-hour pysanka well as in her bilingual book “The Art of holiday. Some community residents, Ms. Kutsevych, active in New York’s workshop at St. John the Divine Cathedral the Pysanka,” published in Ukraine in believing that vesnianky/hayivky should Ukrainian cultural scene since coming to in upper Manhattan on March 25, teach- 1993. not be sung before Easter, refused to New York in 1996, produced a theatrically ing the batik-decorating method to a Farewell to KTI attend the event, but a sizable crowd of staged “Vertep” (manger scene) last group of fascinated would-be decorators. onlookers was on hand nevertheless to January that featured a live baby in the On April 9, at the invitation of the Skipping from the National Home to cheer the performers enthusiastically. crèche. The founder and director of the Ukrainian Students’ Club at Pace The Ukrainian Museum, I was brought up Ms. Kutsevych served as artistic direc- girls’ bandura ensemble Vyshyvanka at University, she explained the history, leg- short at 157 Second Ave., the premises of tor and performed in many of the songs the Ukrainian Music Institute in New ends and symbols of pysanky and demon- Kobasniuk Travel Inc. I had heard that the and dances, at one point leading a chain York, she has become well-established in strated her craft for interested Pace travel agency had been closed, but the of performers that captivated the audience the community as a bandurist, bandura University students. reality had not seeped in. Seeing the dark, as it wove its way up and down the aisles teacher and Promin singer. Ms. Kutsevych A native New Yorker who learned the iron-grated windows, the dim interior before entering on stage. Several num- has a special knack for drawing together traditional craft from her mother, Ms. devoid of movement, brought home the bers, like “The Willow Tree,” performed performers from varied community organ- Zielyk has been accepted as a full-fledged by Ms. Kutsevych, a mezzo-soprano, and izations and religious faiths into a genial member of the prestigious Association of (Continued on page 16) alto Iryna Hrechko, and “The Cuckoo,” cultural entity. sung by a quintet of women, serenaded The Easter parade birds, the harbingers of spring, in distinc- tive village style with the use of bilyi holos (white voice). The clear tones of A few blocks north of the National Oksana Charuk Bodnar’s soprano voice Home, The Ukrainian Museum continues rang out in the repertoire of the Promin to create beautiful displays and exhibits ensemble, directed by Bohdanna that instruct and elucidate on Ukrainian Wolansky, and in solo pieces like “The folk arts. For this Easter season, director Green Grass” and “The Princess.” Tania Maria Shust and museum staffers mount- Turikova, Natalia Lemishka and Ludmilla ed another exquisite showing of pysanky, Hrabovska, Branch 125 president, were grouping decorated eggs from each region the soloists for additional vesnianky. of Ukraine in separate glass cases. A large Centered around the ritual portrayal of case displays pysanky from all regions of plant growth and farm work, many vesni- Ukraine, with fine strings stretched taut anky hailed cucumbers, violets, millet and between each egg and its corresponding the oak on the hill. To salute the beetle, location on a map of Ukraine outlined on performers and members of the audience, the back wall of the case, clarifying and standing in two parallel rows, joined arms pointing up the wide diversity of patterns. at the shoulders in a constantly renewing Three weekend workshops in March line that enabled 5-year-old Theodore and April provided opportunities for Bodnar to walk along a raised path from adults and children to learn the art of one end of the auditorium to the other, making pysanky, using dyes, beeswax and while 3-year-old Katrusia Woloshyn a kystka (stylus); a demonstration by scampered through the tunnel below. experienced artisans Sofia Zielyk of New Participating in several songs and dances York and Anna Gbur of Irvington, N.J., were youngsters like Lydia and Gabriella ran continuously during museum hours on Oros, Lviv’s Chereshenky duo, who con- April 7, together with a showing of tributed a song about the pastor’s oak tree. Slavko Nowytski’s award-winning film Al Seib Other vesnianky, like the special “ryn- “Pysanka.” As always, there were special Juggler Viktor Kee from Ukraine performs with Cirque du Soleil. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

Shumeyko’s death. Who will take over the Spring arrives... building, and for what purpose? My rever- CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 15) ie was interrupted by a honking car horn, TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 and I resumed my walk solemnly. stark fact. The hand-lettered sign on the Cirque du Soleil door – Travel Agency “ceased” doing business – put the final stamp on the mat- SERVICES ter. Despite the black-lettered name on the A few days before Easter, I took a trip window that reads “Kobasniuk Travel Inc. to the end of the rainbow. Starting at the Est.1920” and the words below “Air World Trade Center, I boarded a PATH Cruises Tours, Individual & Group Travel train headed for New Jersey, traveled ECONOMY AIIRFARES Arrangements,” KTI was no longer a through the Hudson River “tubes” and + tax viable, living institution. disembarked at Exchange Place in Jersey (round trip) It is sad to contemplate the end of the City, where I transferred to the automated NYC/Kyiv $459 + tax one way $339 80-year-old Ukrainian institution estab- Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Service for a + tax lished by the Kowbasniuk family on the short ride to Liberty State Park station. A (round trip) Lower East Side, the third oldest NYC/Lviv $529 + tax five-minute shuttle bus ride brought me to one way $399 Ukrainian business in the United States. the blue-and-yellow striped tent city that Stephan Kowbasniuk, an immigrant from houses the world-renowned Cirque du Fregata Travel Kolomyia, and his wife, Stephanie Soleil’s new live production “Dralion,” a 250 West 57 Street, #1211 New York, NY 10107 Starzynska Kowbasniuk, both school- two-hour circus-art spectacle of irides- Tel.: 212-541-5707 Fax: 212-262-3220 teachers, founded the agency in 1920 to cent-colored costumes, a fantastic metal- * Restrictions apply provide travel services for the Ukrainian lic-glinting decor, music that is a fusion of American community. It soon broadened sounds from around the world and often into much more. It became an information thunders with beating drums, and multi- center for Ukrainian immigrants, an office talented performers with a variety of high- that helped with correspondence, translat- caliber acts. ed official documents, handled foreign Included among the acts – teeterboard, remittances of funds and offered support ballet on lights, hoop diving, bamboo and encouragement – a hub of warm poles, single handbalancing, double tra- humanity to which immigrants gravitated peze and skipping ropes – is the mar- in their need to find knowledgeable, hon- velous skill of a juggler from Ukraine. est and responsible people to guide them. Viktor Kee is not your common, everyday Vera Kowbasniuk Shumeyko, who said juggler, keeping a few balls aloft in the air Insure and be sure. she used to help out as a youngster “by with his hands. A lean, muscular athlete, stuffing envelopes and licking stamps, Mr. Kee gives a breathtaking performance Join the UNA! running errands to consulates and enter- that combines amazing balance and grace “KARPATY” HANDYMAN taining clients in the office by reciting with sinuous movement as he juggles PAINTING • RENOVATION • REPAIRS Ukrainian poetry,” became chief executive balls with his head, his torso and his toes. INTERIOR/EXTERIOR officer in 1953. She continued her parents’ PROFESSIONALS Mr. Kee is an Adonis, a matinee idol, a Quality work! Reasonable rates! hard work, skill and dedication, so that the charmer. With his short hair dyed red, and Quick turnaround! agency achieved an enviable position in wearing a flesh-toned body suit that Free estimates. No job too small. the American and international travel and makes him appear to be naked except for Vasili Cholak Michael P. Hrycak, Esq. tourist industry. The name Kowbasniuk red knee guards and a matching G-string Attorney at Law Tel. (718) 937-6821; Beeper (917) 491-6150 Travel was streamlined to Kobasniuk cover, he rolls around a raised stage like CRIMINAL AND CIVIL MATTERS Travel, Inc., often referred to as KTI. an acrobat, balancing and juggling balls TO TRIAL AND APPEAL, COMPUTER LAW Member of Bar: NJ, NY, CT, DC The postwar flood of new immigrants on his head and his back, balancing his 316 Lenox Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 to the United States turned Kobasniuk whole body on one hand. Finally, when ÇÄêäÄ ÅÄóàçëúäÄ Office: (908) 789-1870, (732) 627-0517 Travel into a center for processing immi- his contortions and juggling come to an èðÓÙÂÒ¥ÈÌËÈ ÔðÓ‰‡‚ˆ¸ gration documents, translating records, end, he drops out of sight through the Á‡·ÂÁÔ˜ÂÌÌfl ìçë reuniting families and providing job infor- stage floor with a dramatic swoosh. BARBARA BACHYNSKY mation. In the early 1960s the agency Watching his performance is worth the Licensed Agent ATTORNEY processed over 15,000 displaced persons price of admission, I feel, even though Ukrainian National Ass’n, Inc. applications and more than 70,000 docu- there are many more acts in this Canadian 101 East 16th St., Apt. 2E JERRY ments from Ukraine and Poland. circus spectacle. New York, NY 10003 Group tours to Ukraine were instituted Members say that touring with the cir- Tel.: (212) 533-0919 KUZEMCZAK in 1960, soon growing to 21 a year, cus 52 weeks a year can be a trying exis- enabling tens of thousands of Ukrainians tence – it’s moving from city to city, per- • accidents at work in the United States and Canada to visit forming the same taxing stunts night after • automobile accidents their ancestral homeland and meet family night, keeping the costumes clean and the members and relatives in Ukraine. With sets safe. The people who work on the cir- MEEST AGENCY • slip and fall We will pick up parcels from your home • medical malpractice tour groups came the annual tour reunions cus operate out of trailers and eat and 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk. FIRST CONSULTATION IS FREE. at Soyuzivka, where hundreds of KTI share apartments together. But there are The lowest rates to Ukraine alumni and tour escorts gathered on a mel- benefits: the cast and crew are fed three Tel.: (973) 460-4302 or (888) 633-7853 Fees collected only after low autumn weekend to show slides of delicious meals daily from Cirque du personal injury case is successful. their trips and share reminiscences about Soleil’s kitchen, which has five chefs, and travel experiences in an atmosphere of they can learn three languages (French, ÑêìäÄêçü ALSO: music, fun and comfort. English and Mandarin) free, with Berlitz COMPUTOPRINT CORP. DWI The names and friendly faces of long- paid by the circus to go on site. Established 1972 • time KTI staffers come to mind – office In addition to Dralion, six other real estate å Ä ê ß ü Ñ ì è ã ü ä – ‚·ÒÌËÍ • manager Olga Kowbasniuk Stella, tour Cirques exist around the world. Fourteen • criminal and civil cases department manager Barbara Bachynsky, Ukrainian artists are curently touring with ÇËÍÓÌÛπÏÓ ‰ðÛ͇ðҸͥ ðÓ·ÓÚË • traffic offenses staff members Olya Shuhan, Halia Hirniak Cirques in Japan, Europe and Australia, matrimonial matters and Marta Danyluk, and Mariyka Helbig, while another 21 are performing with two O ÍÌËÊÍË • general consultation who left KTI after several years to start permanent Cirque shows in Las Vegas and O ÊÛð̇ÎË • O ·ðÓ¯ÛðË her own successful business, Scope one permanent show in Orlando, Florida. O ÍÓ‚ÂðÚË, ͇̈ÂÎflð¥ÈÌ¥ ‰ðÛÍË WELT & DAVID Travel, in New Jersey. These people are For the dates of shows, log on to Cirque’s O ‚¥ÁËÚ¥‚ÍË 1373 Broad St, Clifton, N.J. 07013 still with us, but Anthony Shumeyko, who website cirquedusoleil.com. O ‚Âҥθ̥ Á‡ÔðÓ¯ÂÌÌfl ̇ ð¥ÁÌËı ÏÓ‚‡ı had joined the company as its insurance Dralion opened at Liberty State Park in (973) 773-9800 broker, died in 1995, and Mrs. Shumeyko early April and will run through June 3, 35 Harding Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011 passed away last year after a serious ill- moving next to Chicago, with another tel.: 973 772-2166 • fax: 973 772-1963 ness. Mr. and Mrs. Shumeyko are remem- year of traveling to go. Ticket prices range e-mail: [email protected] LAW FIRM bered for their friendliness and warmth from $63 to $85 for adults and $43.75 to Connors & Sullivan, P.C. and their community dedication, for gen- $59.50 for children. Information: by Attorneys at Law erous contributions to Ukrainian phone (800) 678-5440; on the web, 20 years of experience, 15 lawyers specializing in: Churches, the Ukrainian Studies Chair at cirquedusoleil.com. Travel by car via the • Wills, Trusts and Estates Harvard, The Ukrainian Museum, Plast, Holland Tunnel and the New Jersey • USA or International Financial and Tax Planning SUM-A, the Ukrainian National Women’s Turnpike Extension I-78, follow my route • Business Law and Immigration League of America, the School of or use the New York Waterway’s ferry Ask for Elena Bandura in New York and other cultural service from the World Financial Center We speak Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, Italian and Spanish. institutions. in Lower Manhattan (the fastest route), Call us or write: I stood there quietly, wondering: What but don’t miss Dralion and Viktor Kee. 444 E. 86th Street, New York, NY 10028 will happen now with Shumeyko Tel.: (212) 737-2700 • Fax: (718) 238-2616 Insurance, which has been operated by Helen Smindak’s e-mail address is Andriy Lastowecky since Mr. HaliaSmindak@aolcom. No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 17

government, and what form it should take. Yuschenko government... The prime minister has found support (Continued from page 1) among the center-right parties that many CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS indications that he was satisfied with his politicians, including President Kuchma, TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 prime minister’s work. But that changed blame for destroying the previous majori- when he told journalists last week that Mr. ty coalition in the Verkhovna Rada in Yuschenko must overcome his problems their attempts to force the president’s res- MERCHANDISE with the Parliament and find the compro- ignation over his alleged role in the dis- appearance of journalist Heorhii Ukrainian gifts mises and consensus to continue to govern. woodcuts, Easter eggs That half-hearted backing by the president Gongadze. and embroideries. firmed up support for the ouster attempt Those parties, which include the two Rukhs, the Reforms and Order, 708-687-8924 among many members of the Labor WEST2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ARKA Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 www.ukrainiangift.com Ukraine faction who had been wavering. 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However, the prime The effort to put pressure on the e-mail: [email protected] www.westarka.com Call for a free catalog minister did not sound hopeful that he Parliament to keep Mr. Yuschenko was could reach an agreement. highlighted by another petition-gathering 1-800-265-9858VISA - MASTERCARD - AMEX ACCEPTED “I would say that the chance to do so effort – this one of supporters of the prime FAX ORDERS ACCEPTED (514) 630-9960 does not lie with the government,” minister, which resulted in 3.4 million sig- BOX 325, BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC explained Mr. Yuschenko. “I am sure that natures. The 50 odd boxes containing the CANADA - H9W 5T8 this government needs to be saved because petitions were placed before the of its value and effectiveness. But I also Parliament’s main rostrum minutes before believe that it will not be saved. My feeling Prime Minister Yuschenko gave his report is that Ukraine and its leaders believe they to the lawmakers on April 19. As he spoke, Advertise do not need this type of government.” another 3,000 or so supporters listened in the most important Mr. Yuschenko has waged a political before speakers placed outside the struggle for the last two months with the Verkhovna Rada Building. FIRST QUALITY Ukrainian newspaper, three faction leaders who represent the busi- During his speech Mr. Yuschenko UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE The Ukrainian Weekly ness oligarchs, as well as with Serhii emphasized that 2000 was the most dynam- to place an advertisement or for ad rates Tyhypko of Labor Ukraine, over their ic year of economic development and MONUMENTS call Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager, demands that he turn his Cabinet into a reform in independent Ukraine’s 10-year SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES at (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040. coalition government. The lawmakers have history. 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(Continued from page 1) Viktor Yuschenko, couldn’t resist staying Long Island City, NY 11103 them to Ukraine. out of the political fray in Kyiv and said that (718) 721-5599 VACATION RENTAL Ukrainian officials, who have desperate- if the prime minister is forced to resign she We can convert your video from European could not envision returning to Ukraine. system to American and vice versa 2 ml. from Soyuzivka, Kerhonkson, NY. ly sought Mr. Melnychenko since he Secluded cottage, fully equipped. announced through opposition lawmakers Ms. Gongadze also said that, until some- 3 bdrm/2bath, LR, eat-in-kitchen, in Ukraine’s Parliament that he had in his one else is convicted, she would hold $525/wk, $1,800/mo. $3,500/season. possession tape recordings made with a dig- President Kuchma responsible for the mur- Deadline for all time share requests May 15. ital recorder placed under a couch in the der of her husband. Call Taras (201) 964-9224. president’s office, have charged the former “If the people who have been accused – HE KRAINIAN EEKLY the president and his entourage – had want- T U W bodyguard with “illegal taping” and ATTENTION, MISCELLANEOUS ed, then I think this investigation would “revealing state secrets.” MEMBERS OF THE UKRAINIAN have been more effective,” said Ms. At the beginning of April, the new head NATIONAL ASSOCIATION! of the Security Service of Ukraine Gongadze, according to Reuters. Volodymyr Radchenko, expressed concern She has repeatedly expressed her frustra- Do you enjoy your subscription to St. Vladimir’s College Inc. tion with Ukrainian government officials Grades 9-12 about the extent of the state secrets the for- The Ukrainian Weekly? Ukrainian Catholic Private Boarding School mer employee had recorded, and suggested over the way she maintains they have Why not share that enjoyment P.O. Box 789, Roblin, Manitoba R0L 1P0 a meeting to simply determine what he dragged their feet and covered up the inves- with a friend? Tel.: (204) 937-2173 Fax: (204) 937-8265 knew. Mr. Melnychenko has been in hid- tigation. She also has complained about Website: www.stvlads.net• ing somewhere in Europe since the tape being manipulated and refused access to ORDER A GIFT scandal broke. It is not known where he is evidentiary materials, which she says she or whether he has accepted the asylum has the right to view because a Kyiv court SUBSCRIPTION OPPORTUNITY offer. has extended her “victim” status. TO THE WEEKLY Myroslava Gongadze, the 28-year-old Recently, however, some of the exten- at the member’s rate sive fighting spirit she had shown in the wife of the missing reporter today thought of $45 per year. EARN EXTRA INCOME! to be dead, left Ukraine on the eve of the seven months since her husband disap- announcement. She turned up in Warsaw on peared seems to have been replaced by a The Ukrainian Weekly is looking April 17 where she gave a press conference. desire to go on with her life. In recent To subscribe, write to for advertising sales agents. The Ukrainian Weekly, For additional information contact She said she still has not decided whether to comments made to The Weekly, she said Subscription Department, accept the offer of asylum for herself and she now cares mostly that she and her 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Maria Oscislawski, Advertising her two children. twin daughters stop being repeatedly Parsippany, NJ 07054; Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, Ms. Gongadze, who is the press traumatized by the events that continue or call (973) 292-9800. (973) 292-9800, ext 3040. spokesman for the Reforms and Order to swirl around her. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16 No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 19

changed her mind and decided to run for New UNA By-Laws... re-election because she felt that it was too PLAST, Ukrainian Scouting Organization – USA (Continued from page 11) critical a time for the UNA to change Branch 2 – Baltimore, MD these other officers. To be sure, they paths and go with a new leadership. Can wouldn’t have to wait four years to fire an we now afford to change paths regarding officer, but what would be the contract our governance structure and risk giving payoff cost and practicality of actually fir- away our power to elect those who will be ing the CEO or even one of the other offi- in charge of running the UNA’s day-to- cers? I would not be surprised if the board day operations at a time when every day of directors were to decide to wait until a counts? If the new by-laws go into effect, convention anyway (or at least until con- after the convention ends you will not tract renewal time) to bring up any serious know who will be leading the UNA as concerns about a CEO and/or another your chief executive officer; you will not 50 years of PLAST in Baltimore, MD know if the UNA will be able to afford to UNA officer’s performance. We are proud and pleased to inform our members that the PLAST Group in pay the amount of money that a truly qual- Concerns have been raised about cer- Baltimore, Maryland, will celebrate its 50th anniversary. tain Executive Committee officers and/or ified CEO would demand in his or her the way that certain dominant cliques or contract. On Saturday, May 12, 2001, at 5:00 p.m., you are invited to join our PLAST factions have formed throughout many It seems to me that my colleague Taras Group in a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, administrations, but even at the four-year Szmagala Jr. has put a great deal of hard 2401 Eastern Avenue. intervals when the convention delegates work into drafting the proposed by-laws. have had the opportunity to make He did an amazing job (and continues to Afterwards, festivities will continue in the church hall. changes, very often change is viewed as do so on the standing committee charged Our symbolic campfire will ignite memories of shared PLAST experiences. unpatriotic. with drafting a plan for the UNA resort, So, who is responsible for the current Soyuzivka). However, I feel that it was problems and concerns of the UNA? We unfair to place Mr. Szmagala in the posi- all are. It is complacency at many levels tion of having to draft the complete by- of the organization that can be blamed. laws changes that were presented to con- St. Vladimir’s College However, it is the leadership that must vention delegates only via mail and the UNA’s newspapers – not in person at the a Ukrainian Catholic Boarding School set an example for the membership to fol- for young men in Roblin, MB low. In the same way that the majority of a convention. If we had been allotted the requires a UNA Executive Committee can run the time at the last convention to have an open show and do things its way, it is absolutely and constructive discussion then we Music Teacher /Choir Director would have already known whether we the case that the majority of a board of for the upcoming school year. directors also can run the show. There is will be electing executive officers or a nothing in the new by-laws proposal that board of directors a year from now, at the Your responsibilities include teaching music fundamentals and theory, would or could stop that. UNA convention in 2002. At the very directing the choir and various instrumental music groups, as well as The top officers of the UNA must not least the proposed by-laws might have aspects of a unique music and performing arts program. consider a critic to be an enemy. There is been tailored to address the concerns of You are a certified teacher and have demonstrated commitment to the nothing in the new by-laws that, in itself, the vast majority of the delegates. Ukrainian Catholic Faith and Catholic education. will change that. Censorship of the press As it now stands, it seems that this may An understanding of Ukrainian culture and religious traditions, as well reports, exclusion of the UNA’s own press prove to have been a tedious exercise that has taken away our attention from the real as instructional knowledge of Ukrainian Catholic liturgical music, is from covering quarterly meetings of the essential for this position. Executive Committee, and the executives’ issues impacting the UNA. And those tendency to assume that they know best issues are not whether we change the gov- Send resume by May 31, 2001, to: and that everyone else should just listen ernance rules as to how the UNA is run, St. Vladimir’s College Personnel Committee and fall into line all have contributed to but rather how we can get the UNA back Box 789, Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 the UNA being in the situation it is in to a positive, healthy prognosis. Our UNA Fax: (204) 937-8265 • E-mail: [email protected] today. There is nothing in the proposed treasurer has been able to do some posi- by-laws that addresses such attitudes. tive things regarding the UNA’s balance Elected officials forget who elects them sheet – and this was done without any much too quickly. The board of directors change in the by-laws. also is elected. Do we know why the It is people who make or break any directors’ memory of the election should organization. However, those people, be any different than that of the UNA offi- despite all their good intentions, must be cers elected the old-fashioned way? given the tools to do their jobs best. How Finally, some executives scold those of many of the executives have undergone us who do or say things that they construe formal training in executive management? as being damaging to the UNA. However, If none of them have such a background, the executives have been dismantling our how can they be expected to do things the fraternal pillars bit by bit for the past best way? Does the UNA have a personnel decade and more by reducing support for department – or even a personnel manag- fraternal activities and leaving branch sec- er? Not to my knowledge. So how can we retaries – many of whom see themselves expect to get the most productivity out of as without a purpose or means to commu- our work force and build morale? If man- nicate with their membership because of agement does not understand or know that the new direct-billing system – without such things are critical to the success of a anything more than a topical list of ideas, corporation, then they need to listen to with no clear plan of how to fraternally those who do and to address these matters. energize the local membership. If the local If they do know and still do nothing about membership were fraternally energized in enhancing their on-the-job effectiveness the first place, maybe we would be in bet- as managers and also the effectiveness of ter shape today. their work force, then they should be We are where we are because of deci- voted out of office. Do the new by-laws sions that were made and attitudes that require any training for the board of direc- existed or still exist, and they have noth- tors members? No. ing to do with the type of governance Let’s not use the UNA By-Laws issue structure we have or should have, or the any longer as a smokescreen to take atten- fact that we directly elect a president, tion away from what is really at the heart vice-president, national secretary, and so of it all. Let’s ask our UNA leaders what forth. This is a people problem. People their real plans are for improving the have attitudes. People make decisions. If UNA’s position in the future. If it’s purely they have bad attitudes or make bad deci- through lowering costs, then we will defi- sions, then the delegates have a right to nitely have fraternal atrophy and the elect someone else to take their place. organization will not continue to exist for So, will new by-laws ensure better the purpose envisioned by its founding times ahead. Not the way I see it. I wish I fathers. If we are to prosper by increasing could have been convinced otherwise. our revenues, then we should know more We must move forward, but we cannot about such a plan and be told how, this afford the luxury of time to try out a new time, we can be any more successful than way of doing things. We know that it will we have been in the recent past. take time to get this new corporate struc- That, my fellow UNA members and ture off the ground and working properly delegates, is the real issue on which we – if, indeed, that is ever possible. Just should be spending our time in discussion three years ago our UNA president and debate. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

new U.S. administration. But the foreign President Kuchma... minister has already paid a visit there. The We are experienced with (Continued from page 2) defense minister is also scheduled to visit No. I only want to look in his eyes, the U.S. There is an absolutely normal dia- because I don’t remember him. To look in logue under way. his eyes [to see] how they avoid looking in One more issue, Leonid Danylovych – Adoptions in Ukraine mine. I do not treat such people as humans. while taking advantage of your forbear- You know how he should be called. Ukraine especially welcomes parents of Ukrainian descent. ance with us – an important issue ... By the way, he claims that he swore Testimonies of happy adoptive parents available. I see that you want to do away with me allegiance not to the president but to on the birthday of my grandson. (Ed. note: Ukraine. Kuchma addresses the interviewer in sec- Do not oversimplify. Who swears alle- ond person singular, which is fairly infor- Call for more information. giance personally to President Kuchma? mal, if not unkind, in the Ukrainian lan- He swore to Ukraine. There is a law. Who guage on such occasions.) swears allegiance to [U.S.] President No, no, I don’t want to... [George] Bush? There is a law on state Adoption Consultants International protection, and clear-cut duties are written I will call you on the birthday of my 7729 Groton Road down in it. granddaughter. (Ed. note: Again, the address is in second person singular.) Bethesda, MD 20817 Derkach and Kravchenko quit the Phone: 301-469-9755 government, or more precisely, you This is a very important issue: Russia Fax: 301-469-9756 helped them quit. Are you planning fur- and Ukraine. Your opponents voice E-mail: [email protected] ther replacements? There are many fears that. ... rumors in Ukraine that Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko, [presidential staff And why don’t you listen to my sup- head Volodymyr] Lytvyn, [State Tax porters, why do you interview only my Administration Chairman Mykola] opponents? My supporters – I want to Azarov, and [Procurator General stress that – outnumber my opponents by Mykhailo] Potebenko will quit in the thousands to one. Now let us look at who same way. The list is very long. my opponents are. All of them have been asked [previously] to leave the govern- The opposition proposes [its own] list: ment: ministers, vice prime ministers, and everybody should quit, the opposition so on. should remain. But I want to ask the oppo- sition: Is it only power that you want? And Leonid Danylovych, you may not where is your program of what you want believe it, but your supporters do not [to do]? come to Radio Liberty for some reason, I announced more than once that I’m they are either afraid or ignore [the sta- not going to dismiss Yuschenko. If I had tion]. Let them come, and we will gladly wanted, I would have done this long ago. listen to them. As for replacements, you know the way Cabinet changes are made: the prime min- All of them will come. ister makes proposals, we confer on them, We will listen to them with satisfac- then we make decisions. In this way, the tion. minister of fuel and energy was recently replaced. I’m speaking seriously. Here is my Surely, there will be replacements in the press secretary sitting beside me, I’ll future as well. But this is a process, a sort instruct him to get in touch with you. Tell of creative process. Some [officials] are him whom he has to contact, a dialogue unable to cope with what they have to will be established without fail. cope with, others see that they are unfit for their jobs and quit the government of their Very well. Thank you. We are taking own will. This is a permanent process, you at your word. We will be reminding even though the change of personnel does Mr. [Oleksander] Martynenko (Ed. not contribute to stability in both politics note: Kuchma’s press secretary), Mr. and economy. Lytvyn, [Vice-Chairman of Parliament Viktor] Medvedchuk, and everybody Regarding [former Vice Prime else that you urged to come to Radio Minister] Yulia Tymoshenko. Only one Liberty. aspect. Can you imagine a woman rul- ing the Ukrainian state? You’re welcome. In the near future – no. I proceed from Thank you. the mentality of Ukrainians. Look at statis- tics: the attempts of women’s parties to I will instruct Lytvyn today, as to win parliamentary seats have failed every- Medvedchuk, I can only ask him, because where. Therefore, I rule out such [a devel- he is from a different power branch. opment] for the time being. There is no Still, I have a question. [Some] oppo- woman at the Olympus [of Ukrainian poli- nents say Ukraine is losing its independ- tics] who could draw attention to herself ence. Some even claim that you are per- with something positive, constructive, with sonally pushing Ukraine into Russia’s her work, devotion to Ukraine, and not embrace. Could you say a few words with her own interests. about this? Mr. President, what foreign trips are I can say this is absolutely untrue. you planning? I ask because there is an Untrue, as regards the loss of independ- opinion that many Western countries ence. I’m convinced today that [Russian have closed their doors to you. Your President Vladimir] Putin is not pursuing opponents claim that you personally are the goal of subordinating Ukraine to him- in isolation. self. They cannot manage it [even] with Absolute nonsense. First, I have [taken] Belarus, because of economic reasons. many trips in Ukraine. In June I am to be Besides, let us put things in their places. in Italy at a gathering of the Central Why should Ukraine – in whose trade European Initiative countries, in Naples. turnover Russia’s share has fallen to 40 And in the near future – there is a meeting or 39 percent – reject this [cooperation of countries of the Black Sea region in with Russia]? So why does all of Europe Romania. want to cooperate with Russia? Tell me, please. Leonid Danylovych, are you planning I will tell you. Because both Ukraine a trip to the United States? and Europe are consuming Russian gas, without which we cannot manage. You know, I don’t plan trips to the U.S., Russian oil, other Russian raw resources. it is the U.S. that plans those meetings. I don’t think Ukraine is a top priority for the (Continued on page 21) No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 21

Pittsburgh professionals elect officers PITTSBURGH – The Ukrainian Walenchok; Secretary – Kristina Kincak; Technological Society held its 32nd treasurer – Nickolas C. Kotow; immedi- annual general assembly and elections ate past president – Charles P. Kostecki; meeting on Sunday, February 25, at The Executive Board members – Marta University Club in the Oakland section Pisetska Farley, Irene K. Grimm, Stephen of Pittsburgh. Haluszczak, Dr. James G. Huha, Daria Charles P. Kostecki chaired the meet- Jakubowycz, Mark Jakubowycz, Michael ing and thanked all the members for their Korchynsky, Karl Skutski, and Olga support during his last three years as Perkun; and auditors – Peter G. president. The treasurer’s report for 2000 Hlutkowsky, Bohdan Hryshchyshyn, and was given by Nickolas C. Kotow, and the Ted I. Sywy. The appointed liaison to the Auditor’s report was made by Bohdan Federation of Ukrainian American Hryshchyshyn. Standing Committee Business and Professional Associations reports were received on the UTS was Halya S. Polatajko. Scholarship Program, the annual dinner- President Havryluk set the goals for dance, the Ukrainian of the Year Award the society in 2001: leading the and the UTS Newsletter. The society cre- Pittsburgh Ukrainian community’s plans ated a new Friendship Award in 2000 to for celebrating the 10th anniversary of recognize significant efforts by non- Ukrainian independence in August (ini- Ukrainians in support of the Ukrainian tial planning had begun under Mr. community. Kostecki, who will chair the new The following were elected to serve anniversary planning committee) and the society in 2001: president – Ihor improving the UTS Scholarship Havryluk; vice-president – Debra A. Program. Warren foundation offers scholarships

WARREN, Mich. – The Ukrainian Students must be of Ukrainian ancestry and American Center Foundation is now Michigan residents. accepting applications for scholarship Organizational financial grants are awards and organizational financial awarded to organizations that have valid grants for the year 2001. Ukrainian community objectives. They According to eligibility requirements, must be based in Michigan and prove student scholarships are awarded to full- financial need. time undergraduate students attending The Ukrainian American Center accredited colleges and universities and to Foundation must receive all completed doc- high school graduates who will be attending uments postmarked no later than June 30. institutions of higher learning in this calen- For additional information and appli- dar year. cation forms contact the Ukrainian YURI INTERNATIONAL Applicants are judged on the basis of American Center Foundation, P.O. Box YURI INTERNATIONAL financial need, scholastic performance, 1443, Warren, MI 48090-1443, 530 13 Royal Palm Dr., Cheektowaga, NY 14225 involvement in the community (Ukrainian Oxford Ct. Rochester Hills, MI 48307- TRADE, TRAVEL, PARCEL and/or American), and essay evaluation. 4527; telephone, (248) 852-1570. Tel.: (716) 685-1505 Fax: (716) 685-0987 first tapes, which were made public in the President Kuchma... Parliament by Moroz, is a gross falsifica- PARCELS, AIRLINE TICKETS, VISAS, MONEY TRANSFER, (Continued from page 20) tion, an absolute one. Unfortunately, [those FOOD PARCELS FROM AMERICA AND CANADA TO UKRAINE, recordings] do not include a lot of interest- RUSSIA, BELARUS, MOLDOVA, BALTIC COUNTRIES, POLAND, Moreover, [Russia] for Ukraine means a CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS market [for Ukrainian products]. What, ing issues that were discussed in my office and that I can recall. Or conversations with are we allowed into Europe [with our Parcels pick-up from home products]? Europe is closed for us. So, we the head of the Verkhovna Rada, with the should leave Russia. And go where? If head of the government and so on. I have Invitation to America • Visas to Ukraine • Extension of U.S. visas • DV Lottery doubts all the time as to what is on those one thinks seriously, if one is a serious Airport pick-up and assistance in Lviv, Kyiv, Moscow, New York and Toronto cassettes. Besides, I will say once again politician, one cannot put this question in Assistance with immigration papers for “Green Card” this way. that Maj. Melnychenko was incapable of National interests lie exactly in this. taping all that is publicized today. There Video Transfers PAL/SECAM - NTSC The EU countries are taking exactly the are some powerful forces that had the pos- Calls to Ukraine 19¢ per minute • Calls to Russia 19¢ per minute same positions, believe me. Ukraine sibility to tape that. But again, let us look should have good relations with Russia at the original tapes. For further information call: [for the sake of] regional security, Mr. President, I’d like to thank you for (716) 685-1505 European security and, in general, stabili- your interview. [As well as] for your con- E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] ty on the European continent. All of us sent and the time you devoted to meet are interested in a stable Russia, all of us with us. And I congratulate your grand- without exception, including Europe. So son [on his birthday]. I congratulate you let us proceed from this. I think we will and your family. My best wishes. not come back to the Cold War era, even though the EU borders are advancing on I’d like to add something as a conclu- us, so to say, every day. Therefore, it is sion. I’m always ready for a dialogue. If necessary today to realize [the need for] some problematic questions appear, I’m cooperation. ready to give an interview on any topic to any broadcaster, either by the phone or to a Mr. President, let us return to the cas- journalist beside me. And to answer Your Best Place to Save and Borrow sette case. As a conclusion, could you say frankly questions about the events that are a few words about the authenticity of taking place, to present my opinion on JOIN US those cassettes? these events. I think [that following such HIGH INTEREST SAVINGS interviews] there will be much more I will put it in the simplest way. Give LOW INTEREST LOANS/MORTGAGES me, please, original cassettes. I have no understanding between the Ukrainian more questions. Give me original cas- authorities and Radio Liberty, and this SHARE DRAFT/FREE CHECKING settes, then I will make conclusions, then means that we will have a broader view in the future. VISA CREDIT CARD conclusions will be made by the organs CHECK CARD/ATM CARD that can make them. By those that made We sincerely support your idea. Our conclusions regarding the first cassette, people from the Kyiv bureau [of CD’s and IRA’s where everything was doctored. You know, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service] will quite I haven’t listened to the cassettes, and I’m soon contact you, so do not turn them not going to listen to them. Because I said away. this was a provocation from the very beginning, this is the position I took and Agreed, I will not turn them away. I’m will stick to it. instructing my press secretary [in this I repeat once again: the material on the regard]. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16 No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 23 Western NIS Enterprise Fund relocates to Chicago area Ukrainian Folk Dance

CHICAGO – The Western NIS sionally managed companies. The fund’s Workshopsponsored by Enterprise Fund (WNISEF), a $150 mil- equity investments range from $1 million lion early-stage private equity fund that to $7.5 million and are used primarily for invests in small and medium-sized enter- restructuring and expansion. In addition, THE UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION prises in Ukraine and Moldova, the fund helps implement policies and pro- announced on February 20 that it is relo- cedures for good corporate governance cating its headquarters to the Chicago area and management, and arranges for experi- Monday, July 2 – Friday, July 6 from New York City. enced Western executives to work with The Western NIS Enterprise Fund, capi- local management to prepare and position 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. talized initially by the U.S. government, companies for growth. Beginner through advanced instruction; ages five and up was created to invest in small and medi- Some of the fund’s most prominent um-sized companies in Ukraine and investments in Ukraine include: at Moldova. Since 1995, the fund has com- • The fund’s portfolio company SBK, a mitted $80.5 million to 20 portfolio com- leading facade brick manufacturer that panies in Ukraine and five in Moldova, increased sales volume in 2000 by 79 per- The Ukrainian Homestead which employ close to 11,000 local work- cent, with sales totaling $3.5 million. ers. Both countries were part of the Soviet Today SBK produces 20 types of con- Rt. 209, Lehighton, PA Union until proclaiming their independ- struction, facade and special shape bricks ence in late 1991. used throughout the country. The fund’s move to the Chicago area • The fund’s AVK Confectionery, the GUEST INSTRUCTOR – ADVANCED CLASSES (the new headquarters is located at 150 N. second largest of Ukraine’s 28 chocolate DAVID WOZNAK Martingale Road, Suite 830, in producers, increased sales volume in 2000 (Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance, Parma, Ohio) Schaumburg) coincides with its efforts to by 28 percent and in November, the enter- increase involvement by Chicago and prise launched a new line of elite candies GUEST INSTRUCTOR – BEGINNER CLASSES other Midwestern-based businesses and “Talisman.” ANDRIJ DOBRIANSKY financial organizations in investments in • The fund’s portfolio company (New York City) Ukraine and Moldova. “EuroMart,” the leading cash-and-carry “We view our relocation to Chicago as supermarket chain in Ukraine, attracted coming ‘home.’ Chicago is home to one of additional equity investment from another For Information Call: the largest Ukrainian communities outside venture capital fund, enabling the compa- of Ukraine and is the sister city of ny to strengthen its position as the domi- (570) 708-1992 • (610) 377-7750 • (570) 622-8056 Ukraine’s capital Kyiv,” stated WNISEF nant supermarket chain in Ukraine. With Executive Vice-President and Chief five stores currently operating in the Partially funded by grants from Investment Officer Natalie Jaresko, herself Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts a Chicago native. Kharkiv and Zaporizhia, Euromart plans and the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts “We want to build upon the tremendous to expand its retail sites in 2001 by four through the Schuylkill County Commissioners synergies created by the Chicago-Ukraine and expects to open 20 new stores within connection by introducing Chicago-area the next four years. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 11 companies to investment opportunities in Ukraine firmly rebounded from the the region,” stated Ms. Jaresko. “We autumn 1998 financial crisis in the region believe that there are exciting ways for the and last year posted a 6 percent rise in fund to cooperate with local companies gross domestic product over the previous whether it be identifying investment year. Moldova posted a 1.9 percent rise in opportunities in Ukraine and Moldova, GDP last year. establishing partnerships with Ukrainian Ukraine’s food processing industry, a UKRAINIAN MEDICAL SERVICE LTD or Moldovan firms, or becoming cus- growing sector of the country’s emerging NY (718) 621-3666, Kyiv:+380 44 440-7355 tomers of the fund’s portfolio companies.” market economy and a focus of the The fund’s 11-member board of direc- fund’s early investments posted an annu- e-mail: [email protected] tors, which held its first meeting in al growth rate of 26.5 percent, while äéåèãÖäëçÖ åÖÑàóçÖ éÅëãìÉéÇìÇÄççü çÄ íÖêàíéêß∫ ìäêÄ∫çà: Chicago on February 6, is chaired by retail sales rose 6.9 percent compared to Dennis Johnson, former CEO of St. Paul the previous year. ä˪‚, 㸂¥‚, ß‚‡ÌÓ-îð‡ÌÍ¥‚Ò¸Í, ï‡ðÍ¥‚, ÑÌ¥ÔðÓÔÂÚðÓ‚Ò¸Í, ÑÓ̈¸Í, á‡ÔÓð¥ÊÊfl, èÓÎÚ‡‚‡, ãÛˆ¸Í, åËÍÓ·ª‚, é‰ÂÒ‡, ïÂðÒÓÌ, ëËÏÙÂðÓԥθ, 낇ÒÚÓԥθ, üÎÚ‡ Ú‡ ¥Ì¯. Bank for Cooperatives, and boasts promi- In 2001, the fund will expand its invest- nent Chicagoans among its members ment strategy to the information and tech- Ñãü ÇÄòàï ÅÄíúäßÇ, ÑßíÖâ, éçìäßÇ, ÑêìáßÇ ß äéïÄçàï including Patrick Arbor, former chairman nology industry, which is forecast to be a * ç‡ÈÍð‡˘¥ Υ͇ð¥ * çÂÓ·ı¥‰Ì¥ Î¥ÍË * ëÛ˜‡Ò̠ω˘Ì ÛÒÚ‡ÚÍÛ‚‡ÌÌfl. of the Chicago Board of Trade; Jaroslawa growth industry in the region. As improve- * KÓÏÙÓðÚ‡·Âθ̥ Í¥Ï̇ÚË ‚ ¯ÔËÚ‡Îflı Zelinky Johnson, partner, Altheimel & ments in the economies of Ukraine and * ÑÓ„Îfl‰ Á‡ β‰¸ÏË ÔÓıËÎÓ„Ó ‚¥ÍÛ Ú‡ ‰¥Ú¸ÏË – ÔðÓ„ð‡Ï‡ ◊HOME ATTENDANT“ Grey; and Jeffrey Neal, vice-chairman, Moldova continue and the governments’ 襉ÚðËχÈÚ ҂Ӫı ð¥‰ÌËı ¥ ·ÎËÁ¸ÍËı – ‚ÓÌË ÔÓÚðÂ·Û˛Ú¸ ˆ¸Ó„Ó! Investment Banking, Merrill Lynch. attention to fostering new business devel- “The 10-year transition of Moldova opment expands, the fund will continue to ÑÓÒÚÛÔÌ¥ ˆ¥ÌË. éÔ·ڇ ÔÓÒÎÛ„ ‚ ëòÄ ¥ ä‡Ì‡‰¥. from government-planned to free market add value to its portfolio companies to oriented economies has been difficult,” Mr. sustain their strong and continuing growth. Arbor said. “However, the fund’s strategy of capitalizing small private businesses run by entrepreneurs willing to play by interna- tionally accepted business rules is now paying dividends. The fund’s investments promote market competition and trans- parency, enabling these countries to more quickly complete their economic transition and rejoin Europe,” he continued. “We anticipate expanding the fund’s portfolio in Ukraine and Moldova and will be looking to the Chicago financial and business com- munities for partnership opportunities.” “The fund’s investment strategy has been to identify the best companies operat- ing in the fastest growing sectors of the region’s emerging economies,” Ms. Jaresko said. “This has brought the fund a strong competitive advantage over other financial investors in Ukraine and Moldova,” continued Ms. Jaresko, “and has helped stimulate business growth within each of the fund’s portfolio compa- nies.” The Western NIS Enterprise Fund pro- vides portfolio companies with capital and the necessary management tools to evolve from entrepreneurial ventures to profes- 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16 No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 25

tigation has started into the crane’s sudden April 9 told journalists after meeting his procuracy’s autopsy and forensic reports on Newsbriefs collapse. (United Press International) Slovak counterpart, Eduard Kukan, that the body discovered in Tarascha. “The (Continued from page 2) they had discussed, among other things, Committee to Protect Journalists fully sup- Ukraine agrees to restrict pipe exports Oleksander Moroz as the head of govern- “minimizing the consequences” of ports the initiative taken by Miroslava Slovakia’s expected accession to the ment. Russian analysts believe that the MOSCOW – After a 10-hour meeting Gongadze, Lesia Gongadze and their European Union on bilateral relations United States is an “ideological inspirer of with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail lawyers to obtain full access to the govern- between the two countries. Mr. Kukan said Ukrainian extremists” and that the current Kasianov on April 10-11, Ukrainian Prime ment’s autopsy and forensic reports on the that after the accession “it is possible that protests in Ukraine are being financed by Minister Viktor Yuschenko agreed to restrict body discovered in Tarascha,” said Alex the Schengen border will extend to the bor- Washington. Messrs. Turchynov and Moroz the export of Ukrainian metal pipes to Lupis, Europe and Central Asia Coordinator der with Ukraine. We take that into consid- commented that the news about the planned Russia without the imposition of anti-dump- for the Committee to Protect Journalists. eration and we want that border to be a killings is a provocation. Mr. Moroz sug- ing quotas, ITAR-TASS reported. Mr. “The government’s highly politicized inves- modern, European one, not to harm bilateral gested that it may have originated among Kasianov said that Russian producers will tigation into the corpse found in Tarascha relations and cooperation.” Mr. Zlenko pro- President Kuchma’s “image makers.” recover their losses from such imports dur- has only obstructed the truth surrounding fessed surprise at the Slovak position. The ing 2001. Mr. Yuschenko also said that the disappearance of Heorhii Gongadze. We (RFE/RL Newsline) two ministers also discussed the planned Ukraine agrees to a “zero option” approach believe that the government would be tak- construction of a gas pipeline from Russia Prosecutor says tapes include state secret to the division of Soviet-era assets and lia- ing a positive first step by releasing all of through Ukraine, a project in which bilities, the Russian news agency said. these reports to Miroslava Gongadze, Lesia Slovakia has said it is interested in partici- KYIV – Deputy Procurator General (RFE/RL Newsline) Gongadze and their lawyers.” (Committee Oleksii Bahanets said on April 12 that pating and investing. Mr. Zlenko was also to Protect Journalists) recordings made by Maj. Mykola Ivan Pliusch is hospitalized received by President Rudolf Schuster and Melnychenko, a former presidential body- Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, CTK Kuchma suggests moving on beyond crisis guard, include a state secret, Interfax report- KYIV – Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ivan reported. (RFE/RL Newsline) ed. “A part of these recordings includes a Pliusch’s health is “progressively improv- KYIV – President Leonid Kuchma called state secret, while another part deals with ing,” but he will continue to be hospitalized Kyiv to support Slovakia’s Ukrainians the political crisis in Ukraine a “well- over the Easter holidays, Interfax reported planned action” and added that the country confidential information that cannot be pub- BRATISLAVA – Ukrainian Foreign on April 11, quoting a hospital official. Mr. needs “to move on.” Asked about the drop licized,” Mr. Bahanets told journalists. It is Affairs Minister Anatolii Zlenko on April 10 Pliusch was hospitalized on March 2 and not clear whether Mr. Bahanets’ statement is promised moral as well as financial assis- in Ukraine’s image abroad due to the audio- diagnosed as suffering from radiculitis, the tantamount to an official acknowledgment tance to Ukrainians living in Slovakia, CTK tape scandal and the purported murder of inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve. that the Melnychenko tapes are authentic. reported. Michal Kalinak, a representative independent journalist Heorhii Gongadze, (RFE/RL Newsline) The official added that the tapes will now be of the Ukrainian minority, said Ukraine Mr. Kuchma said: “There is nothing to com- ment about, we need to stand up and go subjected to a “phonoscopic analysis.” The Ukraine, Hungary confer on floods should particularly subsidize the minority Internet newsletter Ukrainska Pravda sug- press, publishers and cultural associations. on.” (RFE/RL Newsline) gested that experts will now be trying to KYIV – Prime Minister Viktor Mr. Zlenko, who was on a two-day visit to President doubts Tymoshenko’s abilities find whether Mr. Melnychenko doctored the Yuschenko and his Hungarian counterpart Slovakia, was accompanied by 30 tape to include a state secret on it or whether Viktor Orban agreed in Uzhhorod on April Ukrainian businessmen seeking to boost KYIV – In a telephone interview with this secret was revealed by President Leonid 9 to set up a group of experts to work out a business cooperation between the two coun- RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service on April 3, Kuchma or one of his interlocutors. plan to prevent and fight floods in the tries. TASR reported that Ukraine’s current President Leonid Kuchma said he does not (RFE/RL Newsline) Carpathian region. UNIAN quoted Mr. share of Slovakia’s foreign trade is only 1.3 believe that former Vice Prime Minister Yuschenko as saying that both sides also percent. (RFE/RL Newsline) Yulia Tymoshenko, now his staunch oppo- Falling crane shuts Rivne N-plant agreed to organize a joint battalion by CPJ supports Gongadze relatives’ request nent, can lead Ukraine. “I rule that out as of KYIV – A construction crane fell on two October 1 to deal with consequences caused now. There is no woman on the Olympus transformers at Ukraine’s Rivne nuclear by natural and man-made disasters. NEW YORK – The Committee to [of Ukrainian politics] who could attract power plant on April 11, forcing the plant to (RFE/RL Newsline) Protect Journalists (CPJ) has recently attention with positive ideas, with a con- shut down, officials in Kyiv said. According Ukraine’s foreign minister in Slovakia become aware that Myroslava Gongadze, structive position, with her work, with her to the duty engineer at the Rivne power Lesia Gongadze and their lawyers have devotion to Ukraine, and not with her own plant, nobody was hurt in the incident and BRATISLAVA – Visiting Ukrainian filed a request with the Pechersk raion court interests,” Mr. Kuchma told RFE/RL. there was no increase in radiation. An inves- Foreign Affairs Minister Anatolii Zlenko on to obtain full access to the Pechersk raion (RFE/RL Newsline) 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16 No. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 27

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

(Continued from page 28) Ukrainian National Association Estate Wednesday, May 11 titled “Magic Space In-Between: Works on Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, New York 12446 Canvas and Paper” will be presented by Tel.: (845) 626-5641 • Fax: (845) 626-4638 TORONTO: The University of Toronto is Studio Montclair Inc. at the Montclair www.soyuzivka.com • e-mail: [email protected] Public Library as part of the Meet the Artist pleased to announce the Danylo H. Struk Series. An opening reception will be held Memorial Lecture, which will be delivered on Friday, May 4, at 6-8 p.m., with a slide by Prof. George G. Grabowicz, Dmytro presentation by the artist at 7 p.m. Cyzevskyi Professor of Ukrainian Literature, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Admission to the event is free. The exhibit Harvard University, titled “Taras Shevchenko will be on view at the Montclair Public as a National Poet: A Comparison with Library Gallery, 50 S. Fullerton Ave., from Pushkin and Mickiewicz.” The lecture will May 26-29, 2001 May 2 until May 26. For further informa- be held at University College, Room 140, at tion call Sharon Douglas at the library, 7 p.m. It will be followed by a reception at Room rate per night / double occupancy: (973) 744-0500 ext. 224, or see the artist’s the Croft Chapter House, University College, Standard $70; Delux $80; Jacuzzi room $90. website at http://members.home.net/aisaiev/ Room 183. Admission to the lecture and reception is free. Additional adult $10. Children free to age 16. Saturday, May 5 ADVANCE NOTICE The above prices include tax and gratuities CLEVELAND: The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC), conducted by Oleh Sunday, May 20 FRIDAY Mahlay, will present a “Concert of Sacred Music” at Holy Family Catholic Church of MINNEAPOLIS: As their season finale, Party in the Trembita Lounge from 9 til ?? * Free hors d’oeuvres * Parma, Ohio, at 8 p.m. (Holy Family is the Ukrainian American Youth Association Springfest Happy Hour, 11 p.m. - Midnight * All drinks discounted * located at 7367 York Road, near Pleasant Cheremosh Dance Ensemble will present a Cover Charge $5.00 at the door Live: Midnight Bigus Valley.) The concert, part of a sacred concert of Ukrainian folk dances that cap- music series, will feature the mystical ture the spirit of Ukraine. The concert, fea- SATURDAY sounds of Eastern Europe’s finest church turing the ensemble’s 71 dancers, will be music, including works by Berezovsky, held at the Ukrainian Community Center, Breakfast available at Main House Dining Room, served from 8 to 10 a.m. Dyletsky and Bortniansky, along with the 301 Main St. NE., at 4 p.m. Admission: $7, Delight in hiking, antique shopping and other fun activities sounds of the bandura. Admission: free- adults; $5, children age 12 and younger. BBQ at the Veselka Patio, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. will offering. For more information call For more information call (612) 379-1956, Happy Hour in the Trembita Lounge, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. All drinks discounted (440) 915-4127 or visit the website or e-mail [email protected] * * www.bandura.org. Dinner available at Main House Dining Room, served from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, June 20-24 10 p.m. – Dance featuring a Soyuzivka debut of VECHIRKA – $10 at the door LOS ANGELES: The Ukrainian-pro- duced film “The Undefeated,” directed by PHOENIX, Ariz.: The 36th Scientific SATURDAY Oles Yanchuk and starring Hryhoriy Convention and the 29th Assembly of Hladiy, will be screened at the University Delegates of the Ukrainian Medical Breakfast available at Main House Dining Room, served from 8 to 10 a.m. of California at Los Angeles at the Melnitz Association of North America (UMANA) Spend your afternoon at a winery or visiting local boutiques Hall theater (northeast section of the cam- will take place at the Arizona Biltmore BBQ at the Veselka Patio, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Resort and Spa in Phoenix. A continuing pus) at 2 p.m. The film deals with a seg- Happy Hour in the Trembita Lounge, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. All drinks discounted ment of modern Ukrainian history, focus- medical education course will be presented * * ing on the life of Roman Shukhevych, the for physicians, with Category I credit applied Dinner available at Main House Dining Room, served from 6 to 8 p.m. intrepid general who led the Ukrainian for attendance. The hotel, dubbed the “Jewel 10 p.m. – Dance featuring FATA MORGANA – $10 at the door Insurgent Army (UPA) from 1942 to 1950. of the Desert,” is characterized as having The screening is jointly sponsored by the Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced design; it MONDAY Ukrainian Students’ Club at UCLA, the offers many activities for both adventure- Savor morning coffee and danish in the Main House lobby from 8 to 10 a.m. Hollywood Trident Network and the some and sedate travelers. All interested Ukrainian Culture Center. Tickets, which medical professionals and their families are Brunch in the Main House Dining Room from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. may be purchased at the door, are $10; $5, invited to attend. Deadline: May 1. For more students. information, call 1-888-RX-UMANA. ALL MEALS, DANCES AND DRINKS ARE AT A PAY-AS-YOU-GO RATE.

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Ukrainian Relief Fund of Rochester To subscribe: Send $55 ($45 if you are a member of the UNA) to: The Ukrainian Weekly, Subscription Department, P.O. Box 60552, Rochester, NY 14606 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Tel.: (716) 723-3586 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 No. 16

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Wednesday-Friday, April 25-27 St., at 8 p.m. The concert is sponsored by Tania Krawciw and the Ukrainian Institute NEW YORK: World Information Transfer of America. Donation: $20; UIA members, Inc. will hold its 10th international confer- $15; senior citizens and students, $10. For ence titled “Health and Environment – additional information call the institute, Global Partners for Global Solution,” at the (212) 288-8660, or (973) 763-5730. United Nations headquarters. The confer- ence is co-sponsored by the governments of Saturday, April 28 Ukraine and Greece, and in collaboration with the Children of Chornobyl Relief NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Fund. The April 26 all-day session is dedi- Society is holding a presentation by Dr. cated to the 15th anniversary of the Olexander Ponomariv, Kyiv University, on Chornobyl nuclear disaster. The afternoon the state of orthography in present-day session on Wednesday, April 25, will cover Ukraine. The presentation will be held at the a range of topics on health and globaliza- society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between tion; the morning session on Friday , April Ninth and 10th streets), at 4 p.m. For addi- 27, will focus on youth and media. The tional information call (212) 254-5130. conference is free of charge; pre-registra- NEW YORK: tion is required. Contact World Information The Ukrainian Medical Transfer Inc., 451 Park Ave., S., 6th Floor, Association of North America Metro chap- New York, NY 10016; telephone, (212) ter will hold its general meeting at the 686-1996; fax, (212) 686-2172; e-mail: Ukrainian Institute of America, 2 E. 79th [email protected]. Separate lunch registra- St. (corner of Fifth Avenue) at 5 p.m. tion (at the UN Delegates Dining Room), Agenda will include election of officers and April 26-27, at $75 per lunch. For the regis- review of proposed chapter activities. tration with CCRF in Short Hills, N.J. call Refreshments will follow. For further infor- (973) 258 9464 or fax (973) 376-4988. mation call Dr. Lesia Kushnir, (860) 567- 0490, or e-mail [email protected]. Thursday-Friday, April 26-27 Sunday, April 29 CLEVELAND: Ukrainian cimbalist CARTERET, N.J.: Alexander Fedoriouk will perform in con- The United cert with the East European folk band Organizations of Carteret, N.J., will com- SUPPORT THE WORK Harmonia at INSIDE gallery, 2393 memorate the 15th anniversary of the Professor Ave., at 8 p.m. to mark the Chornobyl disaster with a memorial litur- OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY. release of his CD, “Cimbalom Traditions.” gy to be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 719 Send contributions to: The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund, The new album features performances of Roosevelt Ave., followed by a short pro- traditional music from a variety of East 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054 gram, including a film screening, with European cultures – Ukrainian, guest speaker Oles Kuzma of the Children Hungarian, Romanian, Slovak, Rusyn, of Chornobyl Relief Fund. Moldovan and Gypsy. Copies of the CD will be available for purchase at the show. NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific ANNOUNCEMENT Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert Society will hold the third in a series of begins at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15, adults; $10, workshops on current Ukrainian orthogra- The students of St. Vladimir’s College in Roblin, Manitoba, as part of their students. For reservations or additional phy geared for teachers, editors, writers, annual promotion-of-the-school-tour, will be performing at concerts in the information, call (216) 281-8727 or e-mail translators as well as students of Slavic following cities: [email protected]. Reservations are studies. The workshop, conducted by Prof. ­ highly recommended. Flin Flon, Manitoba – Wednesday, May 2, at 7 p.m., at the R.H. Oleksandr Ponomariv of Kyiv University, will be held at the society’s building, 63 Channing Auditorium; MATAWAN, N.J.: Ukrainian National ­ Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th Pas, Manitoba – Thursday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the Mary Duncan Women’s League of America Branch 98 streets), at 5 p.m. For additional informa- School. of Holmdel-Middletown, is sponsoring a tion call (212) 254-5130. panel discussion titled “Trafficking in In addition, the students will sing Masses: Women in Our Backyard” to be held at Monday, April 30 ­ 171 Main St. (rear of building) at 7:30 Pas, Manitoba – Friday, May 4, at 9 a.m., at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian p.m. NCB’s “Dateline” video, with Maria Catholic Church, 78 1st Street; CAMBRIDGE, Mass.: The Harvard ­ Shriver as commentator, will be shown. Russel, Manitoba – Sunday, May 6, at 9 a.m., at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Ukrainian Research Institute will present a Guest panelist will be Bozhena Catholic Church; lecture by Ivanna Ibragimova of the ­ Olshaniwsky. Due to limited seating, for Russel, Manitoba – Sunday, May 6, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Ukrainian Academy of Public reservations call Ms. Jacus, (732) 264- Catholic Church Hall – a Mini-Concert. Administration, Office of the President of 8820, or Ms. Mischenko (732) 671-1914. Ukraine. The lecture, titled “Administrative We encourage all parents and their children to attend these performances. Reform in Ukraine: Political Will and Saturday, April 28 Your attendance will not only support the honest efforts of these talanted Reality,” will be held in the institute semi- nar room, 1583 Massachusetts Ave., at 4-6 young Ukrainian students, but will help you consider St. Vladimir’s College NEW YORK: “Music at the Institute” pres- p.m. For more information contact the insti- as the school of choice for your children’s future High School education. ents “Reconstructing Beethoven,” with tute, (617) 495-4053. Jeffrey Solow, cellist, Mykola Suk, pianist and the Temple University Viola Quintet – Friday, May 4 Gabriela Mandescu, violin, Veronica Pellegrini, violin, Sorin Guttman, viola, MONTCLAIR, N.J.: An art exhibit and Braunwin Sheldrick, viola, and Sachino slide presentation by Alexandra Isaievych Tsinadze, cello. The concert will be held at WHAT? the Ukrainian Institute of America, 2 E. 79th (Continued on page 27) YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR OWN SUBSCRIPTION? PLEASE NOTE REQUIREMENTS: Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the To subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly, fill out the form below, public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($10 per submission) by The clip it and mail it to: Subscription Department, The Ukrainian Weekly, Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Payment must be received prior to publication. 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 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