www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• Plast holds its first worldwide jamboree in Ukraine — page 3. • Soyuzivka has two new Miss Soyuzivkas — page 4. • How many Ukrainians are there in the United States? — page 9. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXX HE No.KRAINIAN 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2002 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine T U Kuchma surprisesW nation with talk New Jersey’s Gov. McGreevey hosts of changing Ukraine’s political system 1,300 Ukrainians on Independence Day by Roman Woronowycz parliamentary majority forms the coali- Kyiv Press Bureau tion and is responsible for it.” President Kuchma said the changes KYIV – President Leonid Kuchma should take place in stages with the for- made an unexpected appearance on tele- mation of a stable parliamentary majority vision as the country celebrated coming first, which he would then Ukrainian Independence Day on August authorize to form a government and 24, to announce that he was calling for a appoint a prime minister. That having change in the political system that would been done, the Verkhovna Rada would give the Parliament responsibility over then make the needed constitutional the government. changes to give it permanent authority However, several days of negative over the government. The current political feedback from key political Constitution of Ukraine reserves that players suggested that the issue was far power exclusively for the president. from resolved. Mr. Kuchma also said he was ready to Stating that it was time to move from a support a new electoral law that would “presidential-parliamentary” system to a have Ukraine’s lawmakers elected on a “parliamentary-presidential” system and strictly proportional (by-party) basis. The allow lawmakers to form a majority that president had vetoed similar bills would run the government, Mr. Kuchma approved by the Parliament in the year said the change was needed to stimulate prior to the March elections on four sepa- Jen Caruso/N.J. Governor’s Office and sustain economic and political rate occasions. New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey (right) prepares to raise the change that would help Ukraine move In a 15-minute speech that began with Ukrainian flag with (from left) Ukrainian diplomats Volodymyr smoothly towards European integration. an emphasis on revitalizing the health Yatsenkivskyj and Valeriy Kuchinsky, Archbishop Antony and “I am convinced there is no need to and education sectors of Ukraine, initiate Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka. build a uniquely Ukrainian bicycle,” a war on poverty and start extensive pen- explained the Ukrainian president. “The by Andrew Nynka Patel, the governor’s deputy director of sion reform, the president also indicated mechanism has long existed. It consists that it was time to give municipalities ethnic and minority affairs, said it was of a coalition government that is based PRINCETON, N.J. – In a turnout that the largest group Gov. McGreevey had on a stable parliamentary majority. The (Continued on page 15) some state officials called a surprise, hosted during his term and added that her Ukrainians came out in droves for a his- office had not been aware of such a large toric flag-raising ceremony at the New Ukrainian community in New Jersey. Jersey governor’s mansion on August 24. Nevertheless, some guests were disap- Ukraine marks 11th anniversary of independence The event marked the first time the flag pointed with the turnout and said the of free Ukraine flew at the governor’s majority of those present were older. Dr. by Roman Woronowycz on July 27. Drumthwacket residence since the coun- Steciuk added that the turnout did not Kyiv Press Bureau “We ask forgiveness for the several try gained its independence 11 years ago. truly represent the Ukrainian community. tragedies of the last years that the armed KYIV – While the size and excitement Officials at Gov. James E. “I would have liked to have seen more forces failed to prevent,” said Gen. of the crowds on the Khreschatyk for this McGreevey’s office counted approxi- youth at the event,” she said. Shkidchenko, speaking from the main year’s Independence Day Parade mirrored mately 1,300 guests at the event and said During the two-hour program the gov- reviewing stand with President Leonid those of years past, it was a relatively sub- the attendance made a significant impact ernor noted Ukraine’s long struggle for Kuchma standing at his side, and the 60- dued celebration that Kyivans viewed on on the governor’s awareness of the freedom and self-determination, and meter-high column of independence with August 24, even as marching bands added a Ukrainian community in New Jersey. commended its citizens and the diaspora lady liberty perched atop it looming in the new twist to the event. Guests, like Zenia Brozyna of for upholding that fight for so many background alongside a huge blue-and-yel- In part, the toned-down atmosphere was Woodridge, N.J., said they came in sup- years. “We must remember to support a low trident. in response to the several tragedies that the port of Ukraine on its Independence Day. free and independent Ukraine,” the gov- “All will be done in the next years to country had suffered in the last two months, Mrs. Brozyna, a longtime resident of ernor said. “The battle for Ukrainian return the faith that had been accorded the including an air disaster and several coal New Jersey, added that, “this was the first independence will not end on this armed forces of Ukraine and to quicken the mine explosions, which had resulted in hun- time I could celebrate this important date anniversary celebration or any future pace of military reforms,” added the head of dreds of deaths. Also, organizers could not together with the governor of my state.” anniversary celebration. That battle will Ukraine’s military. have hoped to exceed the hoopla of the 10th And, by the account of many guests, always be there.” After his address, 3,500 soldiers, cadets anniversary celebrations of the previous the governor showed himself to be well- The governor added that Ukrainians in and plebes from the country’s military year and the awe at the site of military hard- informed and concerned about Ukraine. New Jersey played a strong role in installations, academies and lyceums ware. “It was obvious that he took the time to upholding a heritage and culture that dates marched up the Khreschatyk and past Nonetheless, Ukraine in general spared find out about Ukrainians and the prob- back over a millennium and said his Independence Square where a banner pro- nothing as it celebrated its 11th year of inde- lems Ukrainians have had. But he also administration would continue to uphold claimed the official slogan of this year’s cel- pendence on August 24, with commemora- seemed knowledgeable about the things that community. He said New Jersey’s ebrations: “Ukraine Has Happened – Today tions held across the country in major towns Ukraine still needed to do. He seemed education curriculum would now offer and Forever.” and cities. very personally involved and interested students the ability to learn about the As the high-stepping soldiers walked off Perhaps the most notable moment of this in Ukrainian issues,” another of the Ukraine Famine of 1932-1933 through his down the street, marching bands filled the year’s traditional Khreschatyk military guests, Katherine Steciuk, said. famine curriculum and added that the state area before the main review stand – 29 in parade came at the onset, when Minister of Guests called Gov. McGreevey well- ethnic committee would have a Ukrainian all, comprising more than 1,000 military Defense Volodymyr Shkidchenko, a general informed and a dynamic speaker who representative. musicians – and gave a 30-minute concert of the army, during the annual address to the gave hours of his time for Ukrainians. But the governor also focused on of classical and marching music, with citizens, troops and state leaders gathered Mrs. Brozyna said she was “very sur- Ukraine’s future. “Let us not be fooled,” President Kuchma, Prime Minister Anatolii on Ukraine’s most renowned thoroughfare, prised by the depth of his knowledge of he said, “we need to understand what will Kinakh and other state and government apologized for the Ukrainian military’s Ukraine.” secure a strong, independent Ukraine is leaders appreciatively clapping. One official at the governor’s office involvement in several accidents over the Afterwards, the president presented commented on the large turnout. Toral (Continued on page 21) course of the last years, notably the airshow disaster at the Sknyliv Aerodrome in Lviv (Continued on page 21) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2002 No. 35 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS Why Ukraine does not have NEWSBRIEFS Kuchma calls for broad reforms... against the authorities,” Mr. Kostenko added. “All efforts by Our Ukraine to a human rights movement? KYIV – In a televised address to the secure economic growth until the presi- nation to mark the 11th anniversary of dential elections [in 2004] have run by Taras Kuzio Committee) or gender, rather than all Ukraine’s independence on August 24, against the counteraction of oligarchic RFE/RL Newsline human rights as such. They operate inde- President Leonid Kuchma said the coun- clans that influence the position of the pendently of each other because they pre- try needs to move to a different political head of state,” Mr. Kostenko said, adding Ukraine has a poor human rights fer to obtain access to Western funds for system – a parliamentary-presidential that these words primarily refer to record, which the attainment of sover- their own NGOs rather than through an republic and added that the country’s activists of the Social Democratic Party eignty has not resolved.