INSIDE:• Ukrainians carol near Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree — page 4. • Reflections of election observers — pages 10-11. • Archaeological dig at Baturyn continues — page 12. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIII HE KRAINIANNo. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2005 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine In about-face, European Parliament votes T U Yushchenko’sW inauguration to give Ukraine ‘clear European perspective’ by Vasyl Pawlowsky in a timetable for Ukraine’s accession to scheduled for January 23 Special to The Ukrainian Weekly the EU. EC spokeswoman Françoise Le Bail, stated that changing the plan for KYIV – As most Ukrainians both here Ukraine’s entrance into the EU was not and abroad awaited the decision of on the agenda at the current time, but Ukraine’s Supreme Court on Viktor added, “The plan may be renewed and Yanukovych’s final legal appeal against discussed with the new government.” the Central Election Commission’s decla- Both Brussels, where the EU is based, ration of Viktor Yushchenko as the win- and Strasbourg, home to the Council of ner of Ukraine’s presidential election, the Europe, have been hesitant to act too European Parliament took a 180-degree quickly on Ukraine moving closer to turn in its attitude towards Ukraine. On Europe, but with Mr. Yushchenko sched- January 13 the European Parliament uled to address the Parliamentary voted 467 to 19 in favor of a resolution Assembly of the Council of Europe calling for Ukraine to be given “a clear (PACE) during its next sitting in European perspective” and the possibility Strasbourg on January 24-28, these dis- of entering the European Union. cussions are certain to begin. Such good news from Brussels has Oleh Rybachuk, who headed Mr. been long awaited, and local media have Yushchenko’s campaign team, told avidly reported developments regarding Stolychni Novosti that a special commit- Europe’s reactions to the new reality in tee would be formed in order to push for AP/Sergei Chuzavkov Ukraine. It is clearly an about-face from Ukraine’s accession to Europe. Mr. an attitude held by Europe for some time National Deputies Mykola Katerynchuk (left) and Petro Poroshenko (right) hold Rybachuk stated that he plans to head the official newspapers declaring Viktor Yushchenko Ukraine’s president-elect. – and particularly the position of former committee. European Commission President The vote of the European Parliament Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Romano Prodi, who at one time said that election. The Supreme Court’s decision is not the only signal that is being sent. noted “the complainant’s demands as to the Ukraine had as much chance as New EU Trade Commissioner Peter KYIV – Viktor Yushchenko will be Zealand of joining the European Union. unlawfulness of actions and decisions by Mandelson said on January 17: “I want to inaugurated on Sunday, January 23, as the Central Election Commission in estab- The European Commission stated, Ukraine’s third president since the coun- however, that there would be no change (Continued on page 9) lishing the results of the repeat vote in the try declared independence in 1991. Ukrainian presidential election on The inauguration date was set by the December 26, 2004, and violations of his Former Peace Corps volunteers Verkhovna Rada on Thursday, January rights have not been proven” and ruled that 20, when 309 of the national deputies the appeal should be rejected. present in Parliament voted that the cere- In announcing the Supreme Court’s urge more U.S. support for Ukraine mony should be held that Sunday. decision, the presiding justice, Anatolii The Rada vote came in the wake of the Yarema, said, “The decision is final and Supreme Court’s rejection just before cannot be appealed.” by Ken Bossong programmatic and policy support.” dawn that day of the final appeal by Mr. The letter argues that “increased fund- Earlier, on Tuesday, January 18, the WASHINGTON – In a letter delivered Yushchenko’s challenger, former Prime Supreme Court had approved the publica- ing for targeted programs that have been Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraine’s on January 18, 78 former U.S. Peace demonstrated to be particularly effective tion in Uriadovyi Kurier and Holos Ukrainy Corps volunteers, who earlier served in top court had begun hearing the appeal – – the official newspapers, respectively, of in helping Ukraine to make the transition which argued that there were numerous Ukraine, urged President Geroge W. from a former Soviet republic to a the government and the Parliament – of the Bush and members of Congress to procedural violations in the third round official protocol of the presidential election Western democracy [is] not only appro- of voting in Ukraine’s presidential elec- increase federal support for a cross-sec- priate but absolutely essential.” results released by the Central Election tion of programs designed to reinforce tion – on January 17. Commission. The court said the official The letter outlines a wide range of pro- A major focus of the Yanukovych appeal that country’s emerging democracy. grams that the signers believe should be results, which showed Mr. Yushchenko as The signers wrote that “12 years of was the alleged denial of voters’ rights dur- supported and expanded. These include ing the repeat run-off of the presidential (Continued on page 3) American investment, both public and pri- educational scholarship and exchange vate, in a wide variety of programs to train programs, professional and teacher train- and support Ukrainian students, teachers, ing programs, media development pro- government officials, business leaders, grams and Voice of America broadcasts, journalists, NGOs, and others ... con- trade and business development pro- Flag of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky tributed to the evolution of a strong and grams, environmental remediation pro- vibrant civil society in Ukraine that mani- grams, public health and social service fested itself recently in the successful on exhibit in National Historical Museum programs, and the Peace Corps program. by Tatiana Matviichuk Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv and Chyhyryn demands by its citizens for free, fair, and The letter further recommends that Special to The Ukrainian Weekly along with other ancient attributes of transparent elections. ... [T]hese invest- “the United States should be prepared to Kozak authority. ments in democracy were not only wise but strongly support Ukraine’s aspirations to KYIV – Over the course of the past Now the historic flag is in Kyiv once also effective; consequently, all Americans secure market-economy status from the 300 years, Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s flag, more. A solemn ceremony that unveiled can take pride in Ukraine’s success.” U.S. Department of Commerce, to end which for many symbolizes the begin- the flag took place at the entrance hall of However, they also noted that the the Jackson-Vanik Amendment restric- nings of Ukrainian statehood, has been in the State National Historical Museum of administration’s aid request for Ukraine tions and confer permanent most- Ukraine only twice. The flag is the prop- Ukraine on January 12. The flag will be for fiscal 2005 is less than $80 million, favored-nation trading status, and to join erty of the Stockholm Military Museum, on display here until the end of March, compared with $225 million per year in the World Trade Organization. Assuming where it is part of its collection of ancient together with the hetman’s bulava, or the late 1990s. Accordingly, they note, “it it is the wish of Ukraine’s elected leader- flags – considered the largest collection mace, which came to Kyiv two weeks is essential that the United States back up ship, the United States should also assist in Europe. ago from the Warsaw Military Museum its congratulatory statements [regarding Ukraine to further integrate into other Khmelnytsky’s flag traveled to in Poland. Ukraine’s] relatively free and peaceful major Western institutions such as NATO Ukraine for the first time March 5, 2002, presidential election with solid financial, and the European Union.” and it was exhibited in Kyiv, (Continued on page 3) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2005 No. 4 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS Poroshenko seeks Ukraine’s NEWSBRIEFS Court OKs publication of results tion. (RFE/RL Newsline) next post-election prize KYIV – The Supreme Court – while Yushchenko to speak in Strasbourg still considering the appeal by presiden- by Jan Maksymiuk vice prime minister in the Yushchenko tial candidate Viktor Yanukovych against KYIV – President-elect Viktor RFE/RL Newsline Cabinet in 2000; Mr. Kinakh was prime the victory of his rival, Viktor Yushchenko is scheduled to address the minister in 2001-2002; and Mr. Yushchenko – decided on January 18 to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman Pynzenyk served in the government as a lift its ban on publication of the official of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on Petro Poroshenko announced in early minister and vice prime minister in 1992- results of the December 26 vote. The January 25, Council of Europe press offi- January on Channel 5 that he is prepared 1993 and 1994-1997. court said the results may be published in cer Andrew Cutting reported. The same to accept the post of prime minister from As for Mr. Poroshenko, his most pres- Uriadovyi Kurier and Holos Ukrainy day, Mr. Yushchenko will hold a joint Viktor Yushchenko, whom the Central tigious public post to date has been his after January 19, thus clearing the way news conference with Georgian President Election Commission on January 10 leadership of the Parliament’s Budget for Mr. Yushchenko’s inauguration. The Mikhail Saakashvili, who will address declared the official winner of the Committee, which he has headed since decision is widely regarded as a signal the PACE on January 26.