1NS1DE: - NATO chief visits Ukraine - page 3. 9 Ukrainian American veterans seeks federal charter - page 6. - Millennium musings, from a philatelic angle - centerfold. Г- v THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Published by the Ukrainian National Association inc., a fraternal non-profit association vol. LXVIII No. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2000 Ф1.25782 in Ukraine Davos economic forum Center-right majority elects Pliusch as new chairman of Rada marred by allegations of Kyiv's misuse of funds by Roman Woronowycz Kyiv Press Bureau KYiv - Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma traveled to Davos, Switzerland, on January 28-30 for the annual World Economic Forum to talk about the begin- ning of serious economic reforms in Ukraine and to cajole foreign investment for the country. His effort was sidetracked, however, as allegations surfaced that mem- bers of his administration had bilked the international Monetary Fund out of more than a half billion dollars in credits in 1997. As the president arrived at the economic forum, the respected London newspaper the Financial Times on January 28 was report- ing accusations leveled by Pavlo Lazarenko, a former prime minister of Ukraine, that cronies of President Kuchma had embezzled and then laundered S613 million dollars of 1MF money in December President Leonid Kuchma (right) speaks with the newly elected chairman of the verkhovna Rada, ivan Pliusch (second from left), 1997. who is flanked by his two deputies, Yiktor Medvedchuk (left) and Stepan Havrysh. Mr. Lazarenko, who has been indicted by Roman Woronowycz of the Soviet era. majority in declarations he made during on charges of financial improprieties in Kyiv Press Bureau The lawmakers also reasserted their his re-election campaign, greeted the intent to remove Soviet era symbols from election of a new parliamentary leader- (Continued on page 3) KYiv - The political rupture within the facade and interior of the verkhovna ship as "an outstanding event." Ukraine's verkhovna Rada continued on Rada building. February 1 as the center-right majority Ukraine's Parliament has been in crisis Speaking after his election, Mr. Pliusch elected a former chairman to lead it once since January 21, when a newly formed told a group of well-wishers that the time UNA lowers rates again, while the leftist minority barricaded majority coalition of 11 parliamentary for change had come. "After 16 million itself in the Parliament and vowed not to factions overwhelmingly ousted voters said they supported the course of give up the building. Chairman Oleksander Tkachenko and his on insurance policies, reforms presented by Leonid Kuchma, we A majority coalition of lawmakers, now first deputy chair, Adam Martyniuk, for decided that we had no choice but to form numbering 259, once again met at a venue grave and persistent breaches of parlia- a majority, and that the verkhovna Rada introduces new plans outside the regular verkhovna Rada session mentary rules of procedure. can no longer be controlled by a minori- hall, where they opened what they claimed The decision to remove Mr. Tkachenko ty," said Mr. Pliusch. by Martha Lysko to be the legitimate spring session of came after he had ignored a majority ruling UNA National Secretary Ukraine's legislature. President Leonid Kuchma, who They elected ivan Pliusch, who previ- spurred the formation of the center-right (Continued on page 6) PARS1PPANY, N J. - Beginning the ously held the Parliament's chairmanship in new millennium, the Ukrainian National 1991-1994, as their new chairman and Association has published a new rate approved 21 new committee leaders. The book and lowered premiums between 20 majority coalition, which maintains that all New envoy to U.S. confers with Ukrainian Americans and 40 percent on most insurance plans, its actions have been taken with an eye on depending on the age of the insured and by Yaro Bihun House on February 3. He was then sched- the class of insurance. constitutional propriety, voted unanimously Special to The Ukrainian Weekly uled to return to Brussels for one or two to give the chair to Mr. Pliusch, who ran in the current revision of its rate book, weeks to close out his affairs there. unopposed. Three national deputies did not WASHINGTON - Ukraine's new the UNA has responded to the changing Between his State Department and vote and one abstained. ambassador to the United States arrived in needs of its members. Recognizing the White House meetings, Ambassador Washington last week, presented his cre- fact that members live longer, the UNA Along with Mr. Pliusch, who is a Hryschenko on February 2 hosted a meet- dentials to the U.S. government and held a extended most insurance plans to age 85 member of the National Democratic fac- ing at the Embassy with representatives of and to age 90 on Whole Life Single tion, the deputies agreed on viktor get-acquainted session with representatives 10 major Ukrainian American organiza- Premium. Preferred rates for non-smok- Medvedchuk of the Social Democratic of Ukrainian American organizations. tions. During that hourlong session, ers are now offered on all insurance (United) faction as the first vice-chair- Kostiantyn Hryschenko, who came to according to participants' accounts, he plans. While giving policyholders credit man and Stepan Havrysh of the recently Washington from Brussels, where he had highlighted some of the items on his agen- for a healthy lifestyle, the UNA passes formed Regional Rebirth faction as the served as Ukraine's ambassador to the da as Ukraine's representative here and, in the savings on to its members in the form second vice-chairman. Benelux countries (Belgium, the turn, heard about the agenda and plans of of lower premiums. The national deputies, acting with no Netherlands and Luxembourg) and headed Ukrainian Americans. The UNA has also reduced its rates on opposing voices and little debate, also Ukraine's mission to NATO, replaced By all accounts, the new ambassador term insurance, since this type of insur- decided to dub the current assembly of Anton Buteiko, who was recalled in made a favorable impression. ance coverage is often preferred by the verkhovna Rada as its third convoca- December after one year at his Washington "1 think the consensus was positive," younger members. As well, the UNA has tion. Even though Ukraine attained inde- post. Federal Claims Court Judge Bohdan Futey introduced new annuity plans for those pendence in 1991, the three democrati- The new ambassador arrived here on said following the meeting. Since members contemplating retirement and cally elected Parliaments since then - the February 1, presented his letters of cre- Ukraine's independence, Judge Futey has looking for ways to best meet their 12th, 13th and 14th convocations - had dence to the State Department on February been helping Ukraine reform its judicial continued to be numbered as a continua- 2 and was scheduled to present his creden- (Continued on page 4) tion of the Ukrainian Supreme Councils tials to President Bill Clinton at the White (Continued on page 7) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6,2000 No. 6 ANALYSIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Subduing the Parliament with a referendum Pliusch wants to avoid early elections initiated by the executive in order to intro- by Jan Maksymmk tions, if answered in the affirmative, could duce a dictatorship. According to Mr. KYiv - Following his election as chairlir - entail essential changes in the Constitution. " Moroz, President Leonid Kuchma is look- RFE1RL Newsline man of the verkhovna Rada, ivan Pliusclchn The first question is on a vote of no confi- ing for a motive to dissolve the verkhovna told supporters of the right-center majority Russia resolved its parliamentary crisis dence in the current Parliament. Ukrainians ^ Rada, hold early elections and form a sub- who had gathered in front of the Ukrainiaian in 1993 with tanks. Ukraine, facing a simi- will also be asked to give the president the missive legislature. Mr. Moroz added that Home, that the majority was formed "to enncdi lar situation in 1999, opted for a referen- right to disband the Parliament if it fails to the activities of the parliamentary majority any confrontation, assume responsibilitІІ y dum. Nonetheless, the verkhovna Rada form a majority within a month or adopt a У are punishable under the Criminal Code. and follow the path voted for by the peoю - fiercely opposes this choice. That's how the budget in three months; to abolish lawmak- " The president may disband the Parliament ple." He added that Ukraine will soon expe3e - pro-presidential Kyiv-based Segodnia ers' immunity from criminal prosecution; " if it fails to convene a legitimate session newspaper commented on President rience "positive changes." Later that dayаУ', within a 30-day period. (RFE7RL Newsline) to reduce the 450-seat Parliament to 300 Mr. Pliusch told journalists that the Leonid Kuchma's decree to hold a consti- seats; to create a second chamber; and to tutional referendum on April 16, which verkhovna Rada must do everything possiisi- Lazarenko: Ukraine misused 1MF funds provide for the possibility to adopt the ble to avoid early parliamentary elections. may result in the ouster of the current ns. Constitution via a referendum. President Leonid Kuchma commented that uncooperative legislature. bat PRAGUE - The January 28 issue of the All Ukrainian commentators tend to the election of the Parliament's new leader - Financial Times reported that former The implication of the comment is obvi- er agree that President Kuchma will win the ship is a "momentous" event. He added tha^ t Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo ous: Ukraine is far more moderate than at referendum on all points, including the the government will seek cooperation witjh Lazarenko is preparing to testify before the Russia regarding its choice of methods for r m question about a bicameral Parliament, the legislature to show Ukrainians that the U.S.