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Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIITHE UNo.KRAINIAN 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBERW 12, 2004 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine A day on the presidential campaign trail MovementRukh marks hastened 15th demise anniversary of USSR by Roman Woronowycz development of a multi-party system. with candidate Viktor Yushchenko Kyiv Press Bureau “Several political parties developed from the Rukh Movement, some of KYIV – The National Rukh of which remain today, and some of which Ukraine Party commemorated 15 years have become part of history,” explained since it was created as a civic organiza- Mr. Tarasyuk. “The fact remains that tion on September 8, 1989 – an event Rukh laid the foundation for a national that historians believe hastened the political consciousness.” demise of the Soviet Union and the He said the National Rukh movement establishment of an independent could claim credit for raising national Ukrainian state. consciousness and then carrying out a Rukh, which registered as a political peaceful and tolerant “velvet revolution” party in 1992 after Ukraine achieved inde- in Ukraine in 1990-1992. pendence, was the uniting and driving The former foreign affairs minister force behind a multi-faceted movement of explained that the national movement various social and political forces whose was a driving force in developing a unit- common element was the desire to create ed country and gave as a concrete exam- a sovereign and independent Ukraine. ple the organization of a human chain Since then it has suffered its ups and from Lviv to Kyiv in July 1991. He noted downs, among them its inability to capital- that since independence the party had ize on its early successes and take the reins worked toward developing Ukrainian of state power in its hands in 1992 after the society and raising the standard of living. Soviet Union collapsed. It has also gone “Many of the ideas put forward by through several internal schisms, most Rukh over the years have been usurped notably in 1999, just prior to the death of by the current state leadership. its most prominent member and longtime Unfortunately, they have been used for leader, Vyacheslav Chornovil, which left the party depleted and disorganized. their own benefit and not the benefit of Roman Woronowycz However, the last two years have seen society,” noted Mr. Tarasyuk. Viktor Yushchenko addresses a campaign rally in Borodianky, Kyiv Oblast. a Rukh resurgence in its fortunes, as the Mr. Tarasyuk expressed general dis- party has found new strength in current satisfaction with state authorities for dis- by Roman Woronowycz and hugged grandmothers as he leader Borys Tarasyuk, a former minister regarding attempts by Rukh officials to Kyiv Press Bureau walked the 200-yard distance from the of foreign affairs and a close associate of have the 15th anniversary celebrated as a street to a stage constructed at the site. nationwide holiday. KYIV OBLAST – For members of Viktor Yushchenko, leader of the Our Dressed in blue jeans and a plain blue, Ukraine movement, of which Rukh is a Official ceremonies were to have the presidential election team of Viktor open-collar sports shirt, Mr. taken place at the historic Teacher’s Yushchenko, August 30 turned out to primary member. Yushchenko ascended the stage and Speaking in Kyiv at Rukh Party head- Building in Kyiv on September 12. Mr. be a normal day on the campaign trail. then played to the crowd. He thrust his Tarasyuk pointed out that, while the It began with traffic cops pulling the quarters, Mr. Tarasyuk emphasized that, hands into his pockets, jutted his while the party could take the blame for Rukh leadership thought the main hall of press van over minutes after it had prominent jaw towards the micro- the building too small for such a large pulled out of the parking lot of party some of the problems it has had over the phone, shook his head a bit and celebration, the government had been headquarters in Kyiv to inquire where years, it remained undeniable that the showed people that he wasn’t the dry, state authorities had engaged in a pro- unwilling to provide a more suitable and the group was headed after noting that intellectual talking head that some tracted battle aimed at the destruction of prominent venue. the vehicle had made an illegal left made him out to be: “These Vyshhorod the Rukh Party. “Our attempts to make it nationwide turn. The day ended with members of residents, they’re different. It’s a “Inasmuch as Rukh poses a threat to led nowhere,” said Mr. Tarasyuk. “The Mr. Yushchenko’s security detail man- Monday morning, the beginning of the the state authorities, they have tried to authorities wouldn’t even give us an handling a member of the Bratstvo work week, and they decide they want divide it or clone it,” explained Mr. appropriate assembly hall.” Party, which is fiercely anti- to get together for a talk.” Tarasyuk. “For example, there is Bohdan Yushchenko, for trying to disrupt a It was all very routine in compari- Boiko’s Rukh for Unity and more recent- campaign rally by chanting anti- son to other recent Yushchenko cam- ly Natalia Vitrenko’s Rukh for Reunion Yushchenko slogans and disseminating paign events – particularly a campaign with Russia and Belarus.” flyers critical of the leader of the Our swing through southern Ukraine earli- He explained that, in cloning it, state Ukraine political bloc. er in the month, during which Mr. In between, it was day on which Mr. Yushchenko’s campaign team appre- officials understood they would leave Yushchenko espoused a bright future hended two stalkers, who turned out to citizens confused and in that way diffuse for Ukraine if it succeeded in ridding be special agents of Ukraine’s Internal the party’s influence and strength. itself of the current oligarchic leader- Affairs Ministry secretly monitoring Mr. Tarasyuk noted that, nevertheless, ship and the corruption associated with the presidential candidate with cam- today the Rukh Party has 19 of its mem- it, and moved strongly to consolidate eras and listening devices. bers in the Verkhovna Rada, three of democracy, rule of law and free mar- That incident was followed by a whom are committee chairmen, and that ket principles. more serious confrontation the follow- its national deputies had sponsored 550 In Vyshhorod, a town on the north- ing day when the car driven by Mr. pieces of legislation since the last ern edge of Kyiv and one of the first of Yushchenko on his way back to Kyiv Parliament was elected two years ago. the day’s three campaign stops for Mr. nearly collided with a tractor-trailer, He also called attention to the fact that Yushchenko, a high school band which had suddenly swerved toward it the party was listed among the top five played John Philip Sousa music as the as the far smaller vehicle approached. political parties in Ukraine in most social Yushchenko motorcade pulled up to Mr. Yushchenko’s security staff, fol- surveys. the city’s central square. lowing in other vehicles, pulled the Mr. Tarasyuk underscored that among Looking the quintessential politi- the many contributions to Ukraine’s cian, Mr. Yushchenko kissed babies (Continued on page 4) development that Rukh could claim, one Yaro Bihun of the most prominent was its role in the Rukh leader Borys Tarasyuk 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 No. 37 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS People of Ukraine celebrate NEWSBRIEFS Verkhovna Rada opens session right [in doing so],” Interfax quoted Mr. Chernomyrdin as saying. He added that last independence day under Kuchma KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada opened the canal will bring economic benefits its plenary session in Kyiv on September not only to Ukraine, but also to Russia by Taras Kuzio “yes,” while 28 percent answered that they 7, Ukrainian news agencies reported. and other countries. (RFE/RL Newsline) Eurasia Daily Monitor would oppose independence. These figures Lawmakers approved an agenda for the are an improvement over 2002-2003 when session, which includes some 1,300 bills Over 200,000 travel to Zarvanytsia This year Ukraine celebrated the 13th only 47 percent responded in the affirma- and resolutions. The legislature rejected a anniversary of its independence from the tive and 34 percent were negative (Zerkalo supplement to the agenda proposing to ZARVANYTSIA – Love and USSR on August 24. The occasion is now Nedeli, August 21-27). hear a report by an ad hoc parliamentary Forgiveness, an international pilgrimage, regularly marked by a Soviet-style parade Two factors are behind this growing commission on its investigation into the took place on August 7-8 in the western and lengthy speeches elaborating national support for independence. First, the socio- murder of Internet journalist Heorhii Ukrainian village of Zarvanytsia in the “accomplishments.” Kyiv was draped economic situation has improved since Gongadze in 2000. (RFE/RL Newsline) Ternopil region. The Marian shrine was with Soviet-style posters and billboards 2000, and Ukraine now has the fastest visited by 220,000 pilgrims from eastern quoting President Leonid Kuchma and growing GDP in Europe. Second, the main Government raises minimum wage and western Ukraine, Poland, Denmark, famous writers. New this year were color party opposed to Ukrainian statehood, the the United States, England, Germany, the KYIV – Prime Minister Viktor posters of smiling children with the cap- Communist Party of Ukraine (CPU), is in Czech Republic, Kazakstan and other Yanukovych’s Cabinet of Ministers has tion, “I was born in independent Ukraine.” terminal decline.