www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE: • Demjanjuk defense begins closing arguments – page 4. • U.S. envoy: Why democracy is important for Ukraine – page 8. • Newark Plast branch marks 60th anniversary – page 19. THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal Wnon-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXIX No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011 $1/$2 in Ukraine Critics say Ukraine’s minimum wage ‘Khamokratiya’ rules in Ukraine, not enough for people to live on say observers of government by Zenon Zawada by Zenon Zawada Kyiv Press Bureau Kyiv Press Bureau KYIV – Serhii Chyzhov of Zaporizhia KYIV – Let them eat cake. That was tried living on 907 hrv, about $113, for essentially the position of Prime Minister one month, with little success and much Mykola Azarov on the subject of surging suffering. food prices, including vegetables that are “Only food, transportation and taxes,” 40 percent more expensive than a year he said, listing what he could afford. “Not ago in a country that’s supposed to be the a penny was spent on clothes or even breadbasket of Europe. shaving. You’re removed from life – no “Why are traditional Ukrainian values communication, not meeting anyone, not being forgotten?” he asked rhetorically at loving anyone. That month was simply an April 13 Cabinet of Ministers meeting. empty for me.” “There’s no need to whine. You need to Mr. Chyzhov participated in an experi- take a shovel and feed your family,” he ment conducted by the National Forum of said, implying that Ukrainians ought to Labor Unions of Ukraine, which chal- grow their own vegetables to deal with lenged its countrymen to live on the gov- rising prices. ernment’s official minimum living stan- Various terms have surfaced to refer to dard of $113 a month, which serves as the Azarov government, such as “ban- dokratiya,” or rule of gangs, coined by Dr. the basis for its minimum wage, as well Zenon Zawada as fines, fees and payments. Oleh Soskin, and “Azarovschyna,” a term Zenon Zawada Food, transportation and taxes were all The minimum wage now equals the coined by National Deputy Inna Social critic Oksana Zabuzhko coined he could afford when trying to live on official minimum living standard, which Bohoslovska which she defined as “distrib- the phrase “khamokratiya,” or the rule Ukraine’s official minimum living stan- was raised to $114 a month on April 1. uting state funds as if they were your own.” of boors, in 2007 to describe the dard of $114 a month, said Serhii About 15 million Ukrainians, including One of the most poignant terms was Ukrainian social-political scene. Other Chyzhov, a resident of Zaporizhia. pensioners, must survive on such money, offered in 2007 by contemporary writer critics find the phrase especially rele- Oksana Zabuzhko, who declared that vant today. said Myroslav Yakibchuk, president of which many believe have declined since Ukraine was ruled by a “khamokratiya” the Labor Unions Forum. Another 2 mil- President Yanukovych took power. destroys prospects for the future. And it’s lion don’t even get the minimum, he said. (rule of boors) in her novel “Notre Dame During the campaign, he promised to d’Ukraine.” She described “khamokrati- no coincidence that the well-known Among the slogans most often raise the minimum pension to 1,200 hrv ‘twice not-convicted’ Ukrainian citizen declared by President Viktor Yanukovych ya” as a societal attitude based on “the ($150) a month and average pension to had the nickname ‘kham’ in prison,” he during his 2010 presidential campaign cult of your own self.” 2,000 hrv ($250) a month, stealing the noted. was “Ukraine for People” and “Khamstvo [boorishness] is the abso- votes of hopeful pensioners. Yet the 2011 lute religion of your own ‘I,’ so it’s not Among the most notorious khamocrats “Improving Life Today.” He criticized his budget pegged the minimum and average strange that its main sensual dominant is Minister of Science, Education, Youth Orange predecessors for mishandling the pensions at $100 and $138 a month, economic crisis, and the Party of Regions has to be hate – for everything that is ‘not and Sports Dmytro Tabachnyk. respectively — or barely any increase. I,’” she wrote. of Ukraine portrayed itself as a team of To add insult to injury, the Extending his insults beyond his usual pragmatists and experts who could reju- Numerous political observers – such as target – western Ukrainians – he foolishly Yanukovych administration intends to journalist Serhii Hrabovskyi – have used venate the economy. boost the minimum retirement age for took aim at his ministry’s own constitu- Yet Ukrainians haven’t seen any the term “khamokratiya” to describe ents, the nation’s 500,000-plus teachers. women by five years to 60. Ukraine’s current political culture. improvement in their living standards, On March 22, more than 7,000 teach- As a result, the poll standings of Mr. “The khamocrat doesn’t recognize a ers came to the Cabinet of Ministers Yanukovych and the Party of Regions moral hierarchy and higher values. He have plummeted. Only 17 percent of destroys everything. Most importantly, he (Continued on page 4) Ukrainians would have voted for Mr. Yanukovych in April, compared to 35 percent in January 2010, according to the Razumkov Center in Kyiv. Observers Yanukovych intends to sign warn of civil unrest that could ignite at any moment. In the view of Ihor Zhdanov, director law on Soviet victory flag of the Open Politics Analytical Center in Kyiv, an “uncontrolled social eruption Ukrinform symbol of victory.” with radical consequences for the govern- KYIV – President Viktor Meanwhile Foreign Affairs Minister ment is entirely realistic for Ukraine.” Yanukovych said on May 4 that he is Kostyantyn Gryshchenko last week “We could have either quiet apathy or going to sign amendments to the law on said Embassies of Ukraine on Victory the opposite reaction – an uncontrolled commemorating the Great Patriotic War Day, which is celebrated May 9, will eruption,” said Iryna Bekeshkina, director that refer to the display of the Soviet fly only the national flag of Ukraine. of the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic flag of victory, as soon as the bill comes According to the minister, the national Initiatives Fund in Kyiv. to the Presidential Administration. symbols that Ukraine presents in the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov report- Speaking during a visit to the international arena must be uniform. ed in early March that the average month- Ukrainian State Medical and Social As reported, the Verkhovna Rada on Ukraine’s minimum wage should be no ly salary in Ukraine was $287.50, which Centre for Veterans in the village of April 21 adopted by 260 votes a law lower than $294.50 a month (currently is only an 11 percent increase from the Tsybli near Kyiv, Mr. Yanukovych mandating that the Soviet flag of victo- it is $114), said Myroslav Yakibchuk, average wage in February 2010. Just over said, “I believe that the flag which was ry be flown together with the Ukrainian the chair of the National Labor Unions half of Ukraine’s population earns less flying over the Reichstag in 1945 is a national flag on Victory Day. Forum of Ukraine. (Continued on page 4) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011 No. 19 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS Tymoshenko’s prosecution: Yanukovych: No. 1 enemy of press million). “Why didn’t they clamor in 2008 when an enslaving agreement with Russia an internal political tool KYIV – Ukrainian President Viktor was signed, which took us all by the Yanukovych has headed the rating throat... where did they get a basic price of by Vladimir Socor tration courts (Interfax-Ukraine, UNIAN, “Enemies of the Press 2010” compiled by $450 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas?” the Eurasia Daily Monitor April 11, 15, 18, 20). the Institute of Mass Media and the Kyiv president commented. According to Mr. The criminal prosecution is moving Independent Media Trade Union. Yanukovych, Ukraine then was hostage to Ukrainian authorities have launched a faster against the jailed Mr. Dubyna. The “Yanukovych became the No. 1 enemy of that agreement, and the government has fresh criminal investigation against former prosecution seeks to build a case that Ms. the press in 2010,” the head of the com- been trying to rectify the situation ever Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, along Tymoshenko ordered him to sign the mittee of the Kyiv Independent Media since. (Interfax-Ukraine) with the criminal prosecution of Oleh January 2009 agreement. Thus, she is Trade Union, Yuriy Lukanov, said at a Dubyna, head of Naftohaz Ukrainy under clearly the main target in this case – the press conference in Kyiv on May 3. He 56 M hrv for Independence Day parade Ms. Tymoshenko’s premiership. Both are third initiated against her since the current explained that in 2010 the presidential charged with exceeding their powers and guard repeatedly prevented journalists KYIV – The Defense Ministry of authorities came to power in early 2010. Ukraine will provide 56 million hrv for inflicting massive economic damage on For a case orchestrated by circles from from performing their professional duties, the parade to mark the Independence Day Ukraine by concluding the January 2009 the Party of Regions, it may seem ironic and footage containing criticism of the of Ukraine from the budget funds gas supply agreement with Russia’s that charges against Ms. Tymoshenko president was withdrawn from broadcast- assigned for this purpose, a source in the Gazprom, allegedly in breach of Ukrainian include disobeying negotiation guidelines ing. Some 12 cases in which journalists’ ministry told Interfax-Ukraine on May 2. laws. from the then president, Viktor rights were violated by the presidential “No additional funds will be provided for Technically, Mr.