INSIDE:• Violence during Ukraine’s election campaign is detailed — page 3. • U.S. releases report on trafficking in persons — page 5. • UNWLA honors nine Young Women Achievers — page 13. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIII HE KRAINIANNo. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2005 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine YanukovychT appearsU for questioning by police, Tycoon seeksW compromise accuses administration of political persecution over control of Kryvorizhstal by Olga Nuzhinskaya He emerged after more than three by Olga Nuzhinskaya Special to The Ukrainian Weekly hours of questioning, repeating that he Special to The Ukrainian Weekly has nothing to fear “because I don’t con- KYIV – Former Prime Minister Viktor sider myself guilty of anything.” KYIV – Powerful Ukrainian tycoon Yanukovych finally showed up for police No charges were filed against him, Viktor Pinchuk said he had proposed a questioning on June 6 in connection with though Mr. Yanukovych acknowledged compromise with the new government the alleged mishandling of government that he could be summoned again “at any that would allow him to keep control funds, but not without taking the oppor- time, on any day.” over the country’s biggest steel mill, tunity to attack the current administration The former prime minister had which many say was privatized illegally. for what he said was political persecu- ignored two previous summonses, com- Mr. Pinchuk refused to give any tion. plaining that the first was issued via the details about his proposals to hang on to Mr. Yanukovych, who lost the media. He didn’t explain why he didn’t the Kryvorizhstal mill, but said the gov- Ukrainian presidential election to Viktor appear for the second summons, but this ernment had not replied. Ukrainian Yushchenko, was summoned to testify as time Internal Affairs Ministry officials media have reported that the proposal a witness before anti-organized crime sent the notice to Mr. Yanukovych’s involves paying additional money to set- investigators about last year govern- lawyer and to the headquarters of his tle out of court and retain control of the ment’s transfer of 4.8 million hrv political party, the Party of the Regions. business. ($950,000 U.S.) from the state budget for Mr.Yanukovych lost a bitterly contest- Kryvorizhstal was sold last year to the overhaul of the airport in his home- ed presidential election last year after the Mr. Pinchuk, the son-in-law of former town of Donetsk. Ukrainian Supreme Court annulled his President Leonid Kuchma, and fellow He turned up more than half an hour victory on the grounds of massive fraud tycoon Rynat Akhmetov for $800 million late for his scheduled questioning, enter- and ordered a revote that was won by Mr. (U.S.). The sale went through despite ing the police building with his lawyer, Yushchenko. higher offers from major steel bidders in Olena Lukash. President Yushchenko, who was inau- the United States and Russia, sparking “Authorities use such methods to dis- gurated in January, has pledged to crack outrage in Ukraine and abroad. tract society’s attention from the growing down on corruption and government President Viktor Yushchenko, who problems in our country,” Mr. links to organized crime that plagued the was elected in January, has characterized AP/Sergei Chuzavkov Yanukovych told reporters as he entered decade-long administration of President the mill’s privatization as theft and the building, adding that he considered Viktor Pinchuk just before his press his summons “a political order.” (Continued on page 25) (Continued on page 3) conference in Kyiv on June 2. Ukrainian National Women’s League of America holds 27th convention by Tamara Stadnychenko ductory remarks by Renata Zajac, who Anya Dydyk-Petrenko. Each of the on Saturday, May 28. Members of the noted that “when women present news, speakers presented highlights of her pro- national board gathered in traditional ALBANY, N.Y. – The Ukrainian news is different” because it becomes fessional history and an overview of the embroidered blouses or dresses and National Women’s League of America more people-focused, more useful and challenges and opportunities associated processed into the meeting hall. hosted its most recent triennial conven- more relevant. Ms. Zajac then introduced with work in the mass media. UNWLA President Kurowyckyj lit the tion on May 27-30 in Albany, N.Y., with the panel of speakers, which included The evening also featured a guest first candle of the convention candelabra, the participation of more than 250 Albany-based Channel 13 co-anchor appearance by Rep. Maurice Hinchey of a ceremonial act that has become a hal- UNWLA members from all regions of Lida Kulbida, Brama’s co-founder and New York who represents the 22nd lowed tradition over the decades. The the United States. chief operating officer and UNWLA Congressional District in the U.S. House remaining candles were lit by Honorary The four-day event included an inten- webmaster Hanya Krill, and Voice of of Representatives. President Anna Krawczuk; the presidents sive schedule of seminars, working America international radio broadcaster Formal opening ceremonies took place of the UNWLA’s regional councils and meetings, elections and social events. As the liaison for branches-at-large; Lilia in previous years, members of the Hryhorovych, president of Soyuz UNWLA and others were recognized for Ukrainok of Ukraine, and Maria service to the organization and to the Shkambara president of the World Ukrainian community at large, as well as Federation of Ukrainian Women’s organ- for their individual accomplishments. izations (WFUWO). The convention officially opened with The first plenary session began with a national board meeting held on Friday, the verification of a quorum and a vote May 27. UNWLA President Iryna approving the program agenda and pro- Kurowyckyj opened the meeting with a cedural rules. Ms. Kurowyckyj spoke of request for a moment of silence to honor the grave responsibility of the delegates the memory of the late Barbara who would be making important deci- Bachynsky, the UNWLA’s Social sions during the convention – decisions Welfare Committee chair, who passed that would have an impact on the organi- away suddenly on May 10. Following a zation and its members. She discussed prayer for the success of the convention, issues of concern to the administration minutes of the preceding board meeting and announced that the UNWLA was were read and board members presented suspending the Milk and Roll Program their respective reports on work accom- that helps needy children in Ukraine. plished since the previous convention. A brief report was presented by Nadia The first of many interesting programs Cwiach, who has served the UNWLA as scheduled for all convention attendees financial secretary and as acting treasurer was held on Friday evening and featured Seen at the UNWLA’s 27th convention are (from left): Convention Committee since the resignation of the elected treas- a panel on “Ukrainian Women in the Chair Marianna Zajac, UNWLA President Iryna Kurowyckyj, Soyuz Ukrainok of Media.” The program began with intro- Ukraine President Lilia Hryhorovych and U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey of New York. (Continued on page 12) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2005 No. 24 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS Russia asks the Council of Europe NEWSBRIEFS Gas price for Ukraine may triple intends to sell in Western Europe in under- ground reservoirs in Ukraine during the to investigate ‘repression’ in Ukraine MOSCOW – The price of Russian gas summer to meet excess demand in the win- delivered to Ukraine might soar from the ter, Channel 1 reported. Mr. Ryazanov said by Taras Kuzio sion” in a neighboring country is unusual current $50 for 1,000 cubic meters to that Mr. Ivchenko offered no explanation Eurasia Daily Monitor in international affairs. However, $160 in 2006, RIA-Novosti reported on for what happened to the allegedly missing Moscow refuses to regard Ukraine as a June 6, citing a source close to ongoing Russian President Vladimir Putin jus- gas and that Gazprom is insisting on $1.25 truly foreign country. Therefore, Russia’s talks between Gazprom head Aleksei tified his policy of supporting Prime billion in compensation. Globalrus.com massive involvement in last year’s presi- Miller and Naftohaz Ukrainy head Oleksii headlined its coverage of Gazprom’s tough Minister Viktor Yanukovych in the 2004 dential election, although condemned by Ivchenko. According to the source, the Ukrainian presidential elections by stat- new stance “The Empire Strikes Back the United States, has never been seen as potential price hike is connected to an ear- Against Ukraine.” Mr. Miller also informed ing that it was Russian policy to work “interference” by Moscow. To do so lier agreement that, starting from 2006, only with the elected authorities, not with Mr. Ivchenko that Russia plans to increase would be to acknowledge that Ukraine is Russia and Ukraine will switch to cash the price of the gas it supplies to Ukraine the opposition. Russia has also declared part of the “far abroad.” While President payments (under European-level tariffs) that the election-monitoring missions from $50 per 1,000 cubic meters to $160 Yushchenko wants Ukraine to be dis- for Russian gas deliveries to and gas tran- next year. Mr. Miller argued that the joint sponsored by the Organization for tanced from Russia, Moscow has diffi- sit across Ukraine. (RFE/RL Newsline) Security and Cooperation in Europe Russian-Ukrainian-German gas consortium culty even accepting that Ukraine is part has not proven economically viable and (OSCE) are hopelessly biased. However, of the “near abroad.” Gazprom, Kyiv agree on new gas price both statements run counter to the actual should be phased out. (RFE/RL Newsline) Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ANKARA – Ukraine and Gazprom policies that Russia is pursuing toward (MFA) issued a strongly worded rebuttal ..