INSIDE: l Analysis: Why Yulia will remain imprisoned – page 2 l “Genocide Revealed” premieres in New York – page 5 l Travelogue: An Alaskan adventure – page 13 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXIX No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2011 $1/$2 in Ukraine Members of U.S. Congress UNA General Assembly meets at Soyuzivka condemn imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenko WASHINGTON – Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) led a bipartisan group of 10 members of the U.S. Congress in writing on November 4 to President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine to condemn the conviction and jailing of Yulia Tymoshenko, former Prime Minister of Ukraine and a leader of the opposition. “We write to express our grave concern with the recent conviction and sentencing of the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia T. Tymoshenko and respectfully ask for her immediate release,” the U.S. representatives wrote. “The charges brought against Ms. Tymoshenko and her conviction represent a step back for Ukrainian democracy. She was sentenced to seven years in jail for negotiating a natural gas deal with Russia that was done in her official capacity as prime minister at that time,” they noted. “We strongly object to this politically motivated decision that undermines the rule of law and interna- tional standards for a transparent judicial process. We respectfully urge you to immediately release for- mer Prime Minister Tymoshenko, and to reinstate her full citizenship rights and the right to run for Roma Hadzewycz public office,” it was stated in the letter. Members of the Ukrainian National Association’s General Assembly during their annual meeting at Soyuzivka. The letter was signed by Reps. Kucinich, John Kaczaraj, National Secretary Christine Kozak and Shimkus (R-Ill), John Conyers (D-Mich.), Sander by Roma Hadzewycz Levin (D-Mich.), Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.), Dan Burton Treasurer Roma Lisovich. All other General Assembly members, as well as the editor-in-chief of the UNA’s offi- (R-Ind.), Eliot Engle (D-N.Y.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.) and KERHONKSON, N.Y. – The Ukrainian National cial publications, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.). Association’s General Assembly convened at the had the opportunity to deliver addenda to their written It was sent to President Yanukovych via the Soyuzivka Heritage Center on Friday-Sunday, November reports. Embassy of Ukraine in Washington. 4-6, for its regular annual meeting to review the frater- Four committees were established to work during the In related news, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who nal benefit society’s activity for the past year and set the sessions: Organizing/Fraternal, Soyuzivka, Publications is a co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, stage for its further development and Financial. In a departure from the usual format, the met with Ukrainian Ambassador Olexander Motsyk Substantive reports were delivered by the three full- in Washington on October 26 to express deep con- time executive officers of the UNA: President Stefan (Continued on page 12) cerns regarding the imprisonment of Ms. Tymoshenko. Immediately after the announcement of the ver- dict against the former Prime Minister, Rep. Kaptur introduced a resolution condemning the verdict and Representatives of museums the unfair circumstances in which the trial took place. The resolution also called for Ms. Tymoshenko to be released from custody while the verdict against and archives confer in Cleveland her is on appeal. It also demands that the current by Andrew Fedynsky reality? How can we sustain our missions and fund-raise in Ukrainian government adhere to the principles of these difficult economic times? Are there things we can do democracy and rule of law, and respect human rights, CLEVELAND – Major Ukrainian American cultural orga- together to make a difference going forward? freedom of the press and freedom of speech. nizations, particularly museums and archives, came Facilitators Elaine Woloshyn and Tania Jarosewich led “The treatment of the former prime minister is together in Cleveland in mid-September to discuss their lively and candid sessions about management, non-profit exceptionally heavy-handed, particularly for a former shared missions of preserving and promoting Ukraine’s governance, fund-raising and community outreach. All of head of state,” Rep. Kaptur said. “At a minimum, Ms. national heritage. Brought together by Cleveland’s the organizations face similar issues and are seeking to Tymoshenko should be released while the appeal Ukrainian Museum-Archives (UMA), individuals from nine strengthen organizational structures, financial stability process moves forward.” other organizations across the United States took part in and community support. The facilitators shared best prac- “The Ukrainian community and international the conference. tices and encouraged discussions resulting in the sharing observers are rightly calling on the government in The UMA organized the two-day session to promote a of valuable information about each organization, its spe- Kyiv to ensure maximum transparency in this case,” nationwide conversation, not only about mutual issues cialized collections, exhibits, upcoming events and goals Rep. Kaptur explained. “It was very important to not faced by the organizations, but to identify opportunities for for the future. only introduce a resolution condemning the overtly collaboration. The conference was officially opened by As a result of the conference, several steps will be pur- political nature of the prosecution of Ms. Tymoshenko UMA Board President Daria Kowcz-Jakubowycz. sued in partnership. The first goal is to create an informal as well as several other former Ukrainian leaders, but During the conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Cleveland’s network of Ukrainian museums and archives across the to continue to speak directly to the current govern- historic downtown Arcade, those attending participated in nation that can share information about missions and col- ment’s representatives in Washington.” lively discussions and expressed common challenges and concerns: How do we remain relevant in the 21st century (Continued on page 9) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2011 No. 46 ANALYSIS Why Yulia Tymoshenko Ukrainian content on TV, radio cut Self-Defense factions were against the adoption of the law. During the vote, they KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada has reduced chanted “Shame.” (Interfax-Ukraine) will remain imprisoned the share of Ukrainian – audio and video content on television and radio to 25 per- New internal affairs minister appointed rational, educated response to domestic by Taras Kuzio cent. A total of 238 national deputies out of and foreign policies and reaching com- Eurasia Daily Monitor the 414 registered in the Parliament’s ses- KYIV – President Viktor Yanukovych on promise. sion hall on November 3 voted for a bill of November 7 signed a decree appointing Western policymakers and Ukrainian amendments to the law on television and former Chair of the State Tax Service Vitalii of Regions political culture is machismo experts are perplexed as to why radio broadcasting. The law envisages a 25 Zakharchenko as Ukraine’s internal affairs in promulgating• Machismo: Theand reactingDonetsk to clan/Party domestic President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to percent quota for Ukrainian audio and minister. Under another decree, the head of and foreign policies. Donetskyi machis- the court quickly sentencing Yulia video content in the total share of national state dismissed Internal Affairs Minister Tymoshenko on October 11 to a seven- mo culture is prevalent in attitudes broadcasts. Previously, the law envisaged a Anatolii Mohyliov, who has held the post year sentence, a three-year ban from toward women and, therefore, has an quota of 50 percent. The author of the bill, since March 2010. Mr. Yanukovych nomi- political life and a fine of 1.5 billion hrv inability to deal with Ms. Tymoshenko. the first vice-chair of the parliamentary nated Mr. Mohyliov for the post of chair- ($190 million). The “7+3” charges ban Mr. Yanukovych refused to debate with Committee on Freedom of Speech and man of the Crimean Council of Ministers, Ms. Tymoshenko from the next two pres- Ms. Tymoshenko during the second Information, Olena Bondarenko (Party of and the Crimean Parliament voted in favor idential and three parliamentary elec- round of the 2010 elections stating that: Regions), said: “The quota for Ukrainian of Mr. Mohyliov shortly afterwards. From tions. “women’s place should be in the kitchen.” music at 25 percent will provide listeners March 2010 to August, this post was occu- The sentence, refusal to heed the flood The government of Mykola Azarov is the with the freedom to choose and help bring pied by Vasyl Dzharty, who died of a seri- of Western criticism and the new charges first of 14 Ukrainian governments with- Ukraine closer to European standards. This ous illness. In the opinion of the leaders of against Ms. Tymoshenko only one day out a single woman in the Cabinet. is the average figure for Europe, and this is the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Mr. later led the European Union to cancel a percentage that will help develop Dzharty was the only Crimean leader who the October 20 visit to Brussels by Mr. Donetsk clan/Party of Regions seeks Ukrainian radio. It does not suppress it, but in the past 20 years had started to really Yanukovych. The Security Service of political• Power: and The economic political monopolization culture of the helps it breathe.” She added, “The current address the problems of the Crimean Ukraine (SBU) has launched two new and to ensure that power is never relin- quotas for music are draconian, the highest Tatars. In 2007, Mr. Mohyliov headed the charges against Ms. Tymoshenko related quished. Threats to their power need to in Europe. Radio stations cannot stand Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry’s main to when she was CEO of United Energy be removed as being out of power is dan- them, and they are becoming similar to office in Crimea, and later he was appoint- Systems in 1995-1997 and the assassina- gerous.