INSIDE:• Ukrainian avant-garde art on exhibit in Chicago — page 4. • Photo journal: Ukrainian fans at the World Cup — page 11. • Summertime at Soyuzivka = camps for kids — centerfold. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIV HE KRAINIANNo. 30 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2006 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine UkraTine’s CabinetUAnti-Crisis Coalition nominatesW Yanukovych for PM by Zenon Zawada adopts draft bill Kyiv Press Bureau KYIV – With the initial shock of the on UPA veterans Anti-Crisis Coalition’s emergence hav- by Zenon Zawada ing simmered down, Ukrainians are Kyiv Press Bureau adjusting to the fact that a Russian-ori- ented coalition, in all likelihood, will KYIV – The Cabinet of Ministers on rule their government. July 19 adopted a proposed bill that At its July 18 session, Verkhovna would recognize Ukrainian Insurgent Rada Chair Oleksander Moroz declared Army (UPA) veterans and grant them that 241 members of Parliament now government benefits, including higher comprise the ruling coalition govern- pensions and public transportation dis- ment, including six defectors from the counts. Our Ukraine and Yulia Tymoshenko “For the first time in 15 years of inde- blocs. pendence, the Ukrainian government “Now that the birth of our coalition examined this matter and reached a posi- was formally affirmed again today, I tive decision,” said Viacheslav believe we’ve removed all obstacles that Kyrylenko, the acting vice prime minis- were before the president to quickly ter for humanitarian affairs. bring before the Parliament the candida- “I believe this is a significant contribu- cy of Viktor Yanukovych for prime min- tion of President Viktor Yushchenko’s ister,” said Yevhen Kushnariov, a Party policies, which are oriented toward rec- of the Regions national deputy. onciling all veterans who fought for our That same morning, 235 national homeland’s freedom.” deputies of the coalition voted to support Mykola Soroka No more than 15,000 UPA veterans Mr. Yanukovych’s nomination, which Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Pora activists fill Kyiv’s Independence Square with and their family members are still alive, now sits on President Viktor tents as they demand a dismissal of Parliament and new elections. Mr. Kyrylenko said. At least half of them Yushchenko’s desk for his approval. receive the appropriate government bene- While, according to the Constitution, However, Mr. Yushchenko will try to have the Our Ukraine bloc join on the fits granted by local city governments in Mr. Yushchenko can’t reject Mr. everything at his disposal to avoid hav- condition that the coalition selects a dif- western Ukraine, he said. Yanukovych’s nomination, he has the ing Mr. Yanukovych become his prime ferent candidate for prime minister, said The bill, “On social security for the right to dismiss the Verkhovna Rada and minister, Dr. Taran said, which would be Dr. Taran, a member of the Pora party. participants of the national-liberation call new elections, an option being firm- an immense political and even personal After a July 20 afternoon meeting struggle between 1939 and 1956 to ly advocated by Yulia Tymoshenko. defeat. “For Mr. Yushchenko, this is his achieve Ukraine’s independence,” will with President Yushchenko, Mr. Her political bloc and the youth-ori- last chance to prove he is a highly influ- Yanukovych said he saw a lot in com- immediately be submitted to the ented Pora Citizens Party have been ential person,” he said. Verkhovna Rada for passage. mon with his former nemesis and viewed waging a heavy public campaign urging To leverage the Anti-Crisis Coalition it as possible that Our Ukraine would Mr. Kyrylenko said he didn’t foresee the president to dismiss the Rada. into withdrawing Mr. Yanukovych’s any problems passing the bill, given that Supporters have set up dozens of tents nomination, Mr. Yushchenko could agree (Continued on page 8) there is a “patriotic majority” in on Kyiv’s Independence Square where Ukraine’s Parliament. they give out campaign literature and T- Despite his optimism, the Communist shirts by day and camp out at night. and Socialist parties of Ukraine are sure Immense banners draped along the Brooklyn Ukrainian Group true to its mission to fiercely oppose the historical rehabili- maidan read, “New Parliament for by Yarema Belej about their group to anyone willing to tation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army – Ukraine!” Special to The Ukrainian Weekly listen. Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists Once again, Ms. Tymoshenko holds It has been this foursome of young (OUN-UPA). Mr. Yushchenko’s destiny in her hands, NEW YORK – Over borsch and Ukrainian ladies that has driven BUG It’s unclear how Party of the Regions political experts said. varenyky in the East Village Ukrainian past a small group of friends and into national deputies will vote. However, If she agrees to unite her political bloc Restaurant, two young women openly the fabric of the tri-state (New York- some Ukrainian political experts said the with Our Ukraine in possible new elec- party is willing to compromise on the discussed and answered questions New Jersey-Pennsylvania) Ukrainian tions, then Mr. Yushchenko would seri- about a growing Ukrainian arts group community and well beyond. In fact, issue. ously consider dismissing Parliament, On May 12, pro-Russian youth in that has grown significantly since its Ruta and Maya Lew were very excited said Dr. Serhii Taran, chair of the Kyiv- inception over two years ago. to tell The Ukrainian Weekly that they Crimea demonstrated at the building of based Socio-Vymir Center for the president’s permanent representative With membership nearing 80 peo- recently added a member each from, Sociological and Political Research, against UPA recognition. They burned ple, the Brooklyn Ukrainian Group’s England and Odesa. which is financed by Ukrainian private German National Socialist (Nazi) Party (BUG) mission “is to support each Their motivation in creating this firms. flags, alongside OUN banners. other in artistic endeavors, to raise entity was to “create something for Without the Tymoshenko Bloc’s sup- “UPA rehabilitation is the equivalent funds for charitable causes and to pro- Ukrainian artists and craftspeople, port, Our Ukraine will perform poorly in of rehabilitating fascism,” said Nadiya mote Ukrainian arts and culture within because there aren’t really any organi- pre-term parliamentary elections because Poliakova, a leader in the pro-Russian the Ukrainian diaspora and beyond.” zations that work specifically with it has largely lost the public’s support, Proryv youth organization. “Its rehabili- BUG has held true to this mission these kinds of people,” said Ruta Lew, experts said. tation on the government level, as pro- privately and publicly at various events a New York City school teacher. “Also, In new elections the Tymoshenko posed by the president, is an outrage for and locations, such as the Soyuzivka we wanted to create something differ- the whole civilized world.” Bloc stands likely to gain votes from the estate in upstate New York, the St. ent, because many of the organizations On October 14 of last year, which is Socialist Party of Ukraine and the Our George Street Festival in Manhattan, out there are politically involved, so the anniversary of the UPA’s founding, a Ukraine bloc, and Pora would have a various film openings and concerts. we wanted to create something com- government commission accepted the chance of getting into Parliament. The group’s very energetic co- pletely different.” expert conclusions of a report submitted So far, President Yushchenko has founders, Roxy Toporowych, Olesia This is perhaps the most intriguing by historians at the Institute of History at given no indication that he is willing to Lew, Ruta Lew and Maya Lew, are dismiss Parliament, and he has until July always willing to spread the word (Continued on page 19) (Continued on page 9) 25 deadline to make a decision. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2006 No. 30 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS With Parliament divided, NEWSBRIEFS Parliament distributes committees Tymoshenko said. (RFE/RL Newsline) Ukraine on brink of chaos KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada adopted a Our Ukraine: script ‘written abroad’ resolution on July 18 that distributes parlia- by Roman Kupchinsky President Yushchenko is postponing mentary committees among caucuses, KYIV – The Our Ukraine bloc in the RFE/RL Newsline any decision on what to do next by call- Interfax reported. According to the resolu- Verkhovna Rada issued a statement on July ing on Parliament to elect a new tion, which received 285 votes in favor, the 13 claiming that the formation of the Anti- With Parliament hopelessly divided Constitutional Court before he nominates Party of the Regions will head eight com- Crisis Coalition followed a scenario scripted into the pro-Russian Party of the Regions anyone for the position of prime minister. mittees; the Socialist Party, three; the from abroad, presumably implying Russia. aligned with the Socialists against the He has also said that any new prime min- Communist Party, three; the Yulia “Our impression is that the authors of these West-leaning Our Ukraine and the Yulia ister must be a moderate with no “busi- Tymoshenko Bloc, seven; and Our Ukraine, scenarios are seeking to destabilize Ukraine, Tymoshenko Bloc, there are no signs of a ness interests.” He clearly wants to five. The Economic Policy Committee is to that they need a cheap show ahead of the G- viable government on the horizon. exclude Mr. Yanukovych but may have be headed by Our Ukraine lawmaker 8 summit,” being held in St. Petersburg, President Viktor Yushchenko is threat- in mind Rynat Akhmetov as a compro- Volodymyr Zaplatynski, who has joined the Russia, on July 15-17. Ukraine’s Foreign ening to call new parliamentary elections mise candidate.