Congressional subcommittee hears Ambassador-designate for

32 Pages·2008·3.25 MB·English

INSIDE:
•Kuchma honors Castro — page 2.
•Slavutych and Batkivschyna to participate in OpSail — page 4.
•Mittenwald and Berchtesgaden students hold reunions — centerfold.
THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY
Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association
Vol.LXVIII No. 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 $1/$2 in Ukraine
Congressional subcommittee International conference in Kyiv focuses on trafficking issue
by Roman Woronowycz public awareness on the techniques and
hears Ambassador-designate
Kyiv Press Bureau lures utilized by those who profit from
the international smuggling of women
KYIV – In a concerted effort to pro-
for Ukraine Carlos Pascual and children for prostitution and forced
mote more effective cooperation and
labor. They discussed what needs to be
information-sharing among law enforce-
byMichael Sawkiw Jr. done to protect the victims, to re-integrate
ment officials on the growing problem of
them back into their own societies and to
Ukrainian National Information Service trafficking in women and children, the
more effectively prosecute the criminals.
United States and Ukraine hosted an
WASHINGTON – Ambassador-desig- Representatives came from countries
international conference in Kyiv on June
nate for Ukraine Carlos Pascual, as well as where many of the victims are forced to
21-22.
three other nominees for envoys to Croatia, work, such as Israel, Germany, Turkey,
The conference, announced during
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, appeared Italy, Greece and the Netherlands, and
U.S. President Bill Clinton’s visit to
before the European Affairs Subcommittee countries through which they are trans-
Ukraine on June 5, has been in the works
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ported, such as the Czech Republic,
since last year and is the result of an ini-
on June 21. Poland, Albania, Hungary, Romania and
tiative from the U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral
During the confirmation hearing, Sen. Commission, chaired by Ukraine’s Moldova.
Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), chairman of the President Leonid Kuchma and U.S. Vice- Ukraine has become a key source for
European Affairs Subcommittee, empha- President Al Gore. The commission has trafficked women in the last decade, as
sized that much progress has been made in been addressing problems related to the young women with little money and scant
Melanne Verveer, chief of staff to the
Ukraine since its independence, though issue since 1997. prospects for employment are lured and
U.S. first lady, keynote speaker at the
complaints from American businessmen Trafficking in women is one of the fooled into illegal forms of employment
conference on trafficking in women
about corruption remain prevalent. world’s fastest growing criminal enter-
(Continued on page 2) and children.
Ambassador-designate Pascual began prises and has reached epidemic propor-
his testimony by acknowledging that tions in Central and Eastern Europe, with
CIS summit participants agree
Ukraine faces many challenges on its road Ukraine especially heavily affected. The
to reform, but most importantly, Ukraine region has displaced Latin America and
“must overcome its Soviet legacy to Southeast Asia as the major source of to establish free trade zone
achieve these goals.” Mr. Pascual added supply for the criminal gangs that exploit
that outreach to the Ukrainian population women and children for profit.
on a grassroots level will be a key to his “Trafficking in women is a transna-
work in Ukraine, while simultaneously tional problem that countries must by Roman Woronowycz er, after the Russian delegation added an
remaining in direct contact with the address through both domestic policies Kyiv Press Bureau amendment that stated that terms for
Ukrainian American community. and coordinated international efforts. It is KYIV – The heads of government launching the zone shall not be stipulated
“Advances in democracy, the rule of law, critical that countries of origin, transit attending the Commonwealth of in the document.
and destination work together,” explained Ukraine has spearheaded the drive to
relationship with NATO and other Independent States (CIS) summit in
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer turn the CIS region into a free trade zone,
European countries,” continued Mr. Moscow agreed on June 20 to a compro-
during his opening address. efforts initiated by Mr. Yuschenko’s prede-
Pascual, are signs of progress in Ukraine mise that foresees the establishment of a
Attendees from 12 countries and vari- cessor, Valerii Pustovoitenko. Russia has
that must be sustained. trade zone across the territories of mem-
ous European organizations heard speak- been opposed to the move because much
ber-states by the end of 2001.
(Continued on page 4) er after speaker talk of the need for more of the trade between the countries of the
“The free trade zone within the frame-
CIS has centered upon it, anyway, and
work of the Commonwealth of
believes that it may be economically hurt
Independent States may be ready for
Foreign investors bullish on Ukraine if the member-states draw away from it
implementation on January 1, 2002,” said
with increased trade among themselves.
Belarusian Prime Minister Vladimir
But, as Mr. Yuschenko explained dur-
Yermoshyn, the new chairman of the CIS
Government’s reform efforts earn a passing grade ing the meeting, trade within the CIS has
Heads of Government Council.
fallen drastically since the Soviet Union
Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor
by Roman Woronowycz and meets annually, expended much of fell apart. He said that in the last eight
Yuschenko, last year’s chair, who was
years mutual trade dropped from 80 per-
Kyiv Press Bureau its efforts in the first years to addressing elected vice-chairman of the council for
cent of gross trade to 27 percent, while
specific complaints by foreign investors,
this year,said the forum had made a legal
KYIV – Major foreign investors in most of them today resolved. Council trade with countries outside the CIS has
decision to adopt procedures for the levy-
Ukraine gave the government’s reform members said this year’s meeting was the risen from 24 percent to 73 percent.
efforts an overall passing grade during a most productive yet and expressed opti- ing of taxes within the principles of the He compared the situation in the CIS
meeting with President Leonid Kuchma mism that Ukraine had finally turned the free trade zone agreements already signed. with that of the European Union and
onJune 14, but pointed out that deficien- tide in its fight to lift the economy. According to Interfax-Ukraine, of particu- underscored that the EU’s internal trade
cies still exist, while emphasizing that the “There was an atmosphere not just of lar concern were taxes on trade goods in comprises a steady 63 percent of the gross
president and the government must stay hope but of positive expectations, said the country of destination. He also of member-states. He noted, however, that
the course. Many agreed that the busi- Patrick Bracken, country director for the announced that the list of goods that in the first quarter of this year,commodity
ness and investment climate in Ukraine is Cargill Corp., a U.S.-based multinational would be excluded from free trade provi- exchanges within the CIS had risen by 47
the best it has ever been. agricultural corporation. sions had been reduced by a quarter. percent over the same period in 1999.
“This is the best time yet since inde- The investors praised not only He said that the Russian side, which The free trade zone issue has been cen-
pendence,” said James Temerty, presi- President Kuchma and the Ukrainian has shown the most resistance to the tral to how relations between the 15 mem-
dent of Northland Powers, a Canadian government led by Prime Minister Viktor establishment of a free trade zone, had ber-states would continue to develop.
energy production firm based in Toronto. Yuschenko for the changes that have expressed a “strict readiness” to cut the Before a CIS meeting last year, Ukraine’s
Northland Power is one of 23 foreign taken place in the investment climate, but list of commodity groupings of exports to President Leonid Kuchma had all but
corporations which, along with represen- also the Verkhovna Rada, whose new Ukraine that would still be subject to taxa- written off the organization as dead.
tatives of the Ukrainian government, tion. Mr. Yuschenko did not list what
majority coalition has begun to move key Events in the last year, including progress
make up the Foreign Investment goods would still be included.
pieces of needed reform legislation for- on the free trade zone issue, and the elec-
Advisory Council (FIAC) chaired by “It’s a pretty great victory,” said Mr.
ward. tion of a new CIS executive secretary,
President Leonid Kuchma. Yuschenko.
Yurii Yarov of Russia, have given him
The FIAC, which was formed in 1997 (Continued on page 3) The agreement signed by the CIS mem-
bers was left intentionally vague, howev- (Continued on page 4)
2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 No. 26
Kuchma honors Castro for Cuba’s NNEEWWSSBBRRIIEEFFSS
assistance to children of Chornobyl
Germany: NATOneeds Russia’s consent anti-human crimes of Stalin’s regime. ...
by Roman Woronowycz One of the first economic agreements
Let Kharkiv be a sacred place for both
Kyiv Press Bureau they signed is for Ukraine’s Pivden Mash TALLINN – Walter Kolbow, state sec-
nations, ... a monument and warning for
Tractor Plant to supply Cuba with tractor retary of the German Defense Ministry,
KYIV – Ukraine’s President Leonid the future,” Reuters quoted Mr.
repair kits. Since 1972, Ukraine has pro- said on June 19 in the Estonian capital that
Kuchma on June 16-18 made his first Yuschenko as saying. (RFE/RL Poland,
vided Cuba with more than 100,000 trac- Russia’s consent is needed before NATO
visit to Cuba, where he awarded Fidel Belarus and Ukraine Report)
tors, many of which stand idle today expands further, the BNS press service
Castro the Yaroslav the Wise medal in
because spare parts once supplied by the reported. The visiting German official said Cabinet submits draft of new tax code
recognition of Cuba’s treatment of chil-
Soviet Union are no longer freely avail- that although Russia has no veto on the
dren affected by the radiation aftereffects able. Talks were also held on the con- process, its opposition to enlargement KYIV– The government has submitted
ofthe Chornobyl disaster. struction of a Ukrainian repair depot. needs to be overcome before that process a new tax code draft to the Verkhovna
The honor, named for Prince Yaroslav The two sides also agreed to form a proceeds. “We must make it clear to Rada, the Eastern Economist daily report-
of Kyivan Rus’, is one of the highest joint stock company for the Ukrainian Russia that NATO is a guarantor of collec- ed on June 20. State Tax Administration
Ukraine can bestow upon an individual. processing of Cuban cane sugar, in which tive security and has no aggressive plans head Mykola Azarov called the document
“Small Cuba does things that others the two countries will hold equal shares. toward any country,” he said. Unwilling to “revolutionary.” If the code is passed,
fail to do,” said Mr. Kuchma according The Ukrainian interest will be in an inter- predict the outcome of the next NATO Ukraine would have the lowest tax rates in
to Uriadovyi Kurier, the official newspa- national sugar consortium, composed of summit, Mr. Kolbow said the result of that Europe. The draft proposes lowering
per of the Cabinet of Ministers. Ukrainian, Austrian and German firms. meeting depends on “developments in the value-added tax to 17 percent in 2001 and
In the last 10 years Cuba has financed Ukraine and Cuba, once bound by candidate countries and Russia.” Mr. to 15 percent in 2002. The proposed cor-
the cost of treatment for some 18,000 their relationships to the Soviet Union, Kolbow’s visit came on the heels of porate income tax for 2001 is 25 percent
Ukrainian children at its Tarara Health have slowly drifted apart in the last 10 President Vladimir Putin’s visit to (currently 30 percent), dropping to 20 per-
Center near Havana in a program called years, although some of the old ties con- Germany, where the Russian president cent in 2003. Personal income tax is cur-
“Children of Chornobyl.” The program tinue today. In Havana Mr. Kuchma strongly criticized enlarging NATO to rently within the 10 to 40 percent bracket
was initiated by Chairman Castro in pointed out that Cuba supported include the Baltic states. (RFE/RL and is to drop to 10 to 20 percent. Julian
1990. At any given time about 200 Ukraine’s election to the United Nations Newsline) Berengaut of the International Monetary
Ukrainian children, many with their par- Security Council as a non-permanent Fund, who is currently visiting Kyiv, has
Cemetery of NKVD victims opened
ents, can be found at the medical center member last year and recently sponsored warned that the proposed new code would
being treated for various illnesses that its observer status in the organization of KHARKIV – Prime Minister Jerzy reduce budget revenues too sharply. The
can range from leukemia to thyroid dis- non-aligned countries. Buzek of Poland and his Ukrainian coun- Associated Press reported that he urged the
orders. While the delegations and the presi- terpart, Viktor Yuschenko, attended a government to study the changes more
“We bow our heads in gratitude,” said dents discussed trade, another member of June 17 ceremony opening a Polish mili- carefully. (RFE/RLNewsline)
Mr. Kuchma, adding that Ukrainians will the Ukrainian delegation, Kyiv Mayor tary cemetery in Kharkiv. The cemetery
never forget the aid of the Cuban people. Oleksander Omelchenko visited a unique contains the remains of some 3,800 EBRD to help Kyiv close down Chornobyl
He announced that he would take the memorial in Havana: a monument to the Polish officers imprisoned after the KYIV – The European Bank for
medical center under his official patron- Ukrainian bard Taras Shevchenko. The Soviet aggression against Poland on Reconstruction and Development on June
age with an initial donation of $100,000 statue was erected last year at a cost of September 17, 1939. In the spring of 16 pledged funds to help Ukraine close the
to help finance the hospital’s continued 200,000 hrv with financing provided by 1940, following a decision by the Soviet Chornobyl nuclear plant, but tied its aid to
efforts. the Kyiv city administration, and sculpt- Politburo, the NKVD murdered Polish
reform in the country’s energy sector,
While the president’s visit to the ed by two Ukrainians, Ruslan army officers and border guards who had
Interfax reported. Acting EBRD President
Tarara Health Center was the emotional Kukharenko and Mykola Orlenko. been imprisoned in a camp at Starobelsk.
Charles Frank said the $180 million aid
highlight of his two-day stay in Havana, Mr. Castro and Mr. Kuchma The remains of some 5,000 Ukrainian
package would go toward completing two
delegations from both countries also held announced at the conclusion of the visit victims of the Stalinist genocide are also
nuclear reactors at the Rivne and
extensive discussions on strengthening that the Cuban leader had accepted an at the cemetery in Kharkiv. “We are
trade relations. invitation to visit Kyiv in the near future. standing at a place which witnessed the (Continued on page 15)
ders. In May,the ministry created a sepa- Even when the victims are ready to aid women in poverty and the cooperation of
International conference...
rate department on the fight against traf- in the prosecution, that does not mean non-governmental organizations who
(Continued from page 1) ficking in humans. that the criminals will receive their due. reach out to women.
by devious agents for criminal gangs. The goal of the workshop in Kyiv was Too often laws on trafficking are too The Ukrainian government has begun
While neither Vice Prime Minister to further develop international programs vague, do not address the crime or simply to implement some of these methods with
Mykola Zhulynsky nor Minister of initiated by the United Nations and the do not exist. Even then lax penalties in support from Winrock International and
Organization for Security and many countries cannot ensure that the
Internal Affairs Yurii Kravchenko, who La Strada, two NGOs that are addressing
Cooperation in Europe. guilty spend time behind bars or do not
gave presentations at the two-day semi- the issue of trafficking in women in
“We want to take the OSCE action return to their criminal enterprises.
nar, could give exact figures on how Ukraine.
plan and the U.N. protocol and give it As Melanne Verveer, chief of staff to
many Ukrainian women have been forced Ms. Verveer added another tool to fight
life, to develop specific proposals,” U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton and the
into illegal prostitution, sweat shop labor the problem at the initial stages when she
explained Anita Botti, deputy director of keynote speaker, explained, “In a world
and domestic servitude, officials admit announced a $500,000 program of the
President Clinton’s Inter-Agency Council where the rule of law must prevail, too
the numbers are in the tens of thousands. U.S. Labor Department to develop legal,
on women. Ms. Botti said the three keys many victims must question why so many
The most common ploy used is to regulatory and enforcement mechanisms
to resolving the problem of trafficking in criminals go unpunished.”
promise women and teenagers work as women are prevention, protection and The easiest and least costly way in to ensure that women aren’t discriminated
salesgirls, waitresses or cabaret dancers in prosecution. which to resolve the problem of illegal against in the workplace, which will be
exotic destinations, where they will A major concern in Ukraine and in trafficking is to educate women on how to administered by the International Labor
receive pay far higher than what they can
other parts of the world is to develop a avoid falling into the traps of criminal Organization and the U.S. government.
hope for in Ukraine’s debilitated econo-
proper witness protection program for gangs. That means widespread informa- The program hopes to make it easier for
my.
those who have escaped or have been tion and educational campaigns, social women to find good-paying jobs in
Once in the new country, the victim’s
freed from this modern-day form of white and economic initiatives to support Ukraine.
passports are confiscated and they are
slavery. Most victims fail to cooperate
forced to execute the will of their captors
with international law enforcement offi-
at no pay, often with the explanation that
cials to provide evidence against their
FOUNDED 1933
they must compensate for the cost of their captors, which has led to a disturbingly
THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY
travel and their lodging. Lost in a foreign small number of convictions throughout
country and with no identification, the the world. An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc.,
victims are too frightened to run away or There are myriad reasons for this, anon-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
turn to law enforcement officials. including international norms for the Yearly subscription rate: $50; for UNAmembers — $40.
Ukraine has begun to make some immediate deportation of illegal immi-
Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices.
inroads in its fight with criminal groups, grants, which leaves local police with no
(ISSN — 0273-9348)
reported Mr. Kravchenko. He explained first-account witnesses; and social ostra-
that the Procurator General’s Office has cization by their friends and families The Weekly: UNA:
handled 24 such cases recently, with 12 because of the activities that many of the Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
still before Ukrainian courts. Of the 24 women were forced to undertake, which
cases, six were initiated in the Donetsk makes them want to forget what they Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz
Oblast, four each in the Crimea and Kyiv, have experienced and leads them to The Ukrainian Weekly Editors: Roman Woronowycz (Kyiv)
and two each in the Kherson and refuse to cooperate with authorities. The 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 Irene Jarosewich
Cherkasy oblasts. A total of 55 individu- women also are intimidated by the threats Parsippany, NJ 07054 Ika Koznarska Casanova
als have been charged in these matters. of death or injury their captors often make
In addition, the Ministry of Internal while they are imprisoned, even after they The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com
Affairs has 14 international agreements are free.
The Ukrainian Weekly, June 25, 2000, No. 26, Vol. LXVIII
on trafficking in humans and the illegal “If there is no protection it is difficult
Copyright©2000 The Ukrainian Weekly
transit of people across international bor- to prosecute,” said Ms. Botti.
No.26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 3
U.S.-Ukraine joint commission
Ukraine receives $1 million in damages
discusses cultural heritage issues
Award result of cooperation by U.S. and Ukrainian law enforcement bodies
Embassy of Ukraine other issues, such as new laws dealing Embassy of Ukraine years through the workings of the
with preserving cultural heritage – Kuchma-Gore Commission,” stated
WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Ukraine WASHINGTON – Ambassador
including the repatriation of cultural Ambassador Gryshchenko.
Joint Cultural Heritage Commission Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Ukraine’s
assets taken from Ukraine – as well as It was found that the McCormick
(CHC) on May 17 held its third plenary envoy to the United States, on June 1
highlighting and preserving Ukrainian Distilling Co. had unknowingly done
meeting in Kyiv and discussed a broad accepted a check for $1 million from the
culture in cooperation with museums and business with organized crime mem-
range of issues important to both sides, U.S. government for restitution and dam-
universities in the United States. bers who improperly labeled alcohol
including national legislation to protect ages caused by the U.S.-based
U.S. Ambassador Steven Pifer meant for human consumption as
cemeteries from development, progress McCormick Distilling Company, Inc.
encouraged both sides to continue to industrial cleaning products. This liq-
in the restitution of religious communal This past April, McCormick pleaded
properties, and efforts to document the make progress on cultural issues of guilty in Newark, N.J., to a misdemeanor uid was then smuggled for sale on the
condition of cemeteries, massacre sites common concern, including Ukraine’s charge of falsifying liquor export docu- black market. McCormick fully cooper-
and synagogues throughout the country. adoption of a “transparent and non-dis- ments. ated with U.S. law enforcement offi-
Vice Minister of Culture and Arts criminatory process” for returning prop- The check was presented to cials and court documents state that the
Leonid Novokhatko represented Ukraine. erties seized from religious groups. He Ambassador Gryshchenko at the company never knowingly did business
Also present were officials from the also expressed the commitment of the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington by with organized crime. The company
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State U.S. government to provide support to James Robinson, deputy attorney general was charged with a misdemeanor
Ukraine in its democratic and economic
Committee for Construction and of the United States, and Murray Stein, record-keeping violation and was
transformation.
Housing, and the Jewish community, chief legal advisor of the Foreign Office requested to compensate the govern-
The meeting also provided a venue to
including Chief Rabbi of Kyiv and of the Department of Justice, who had ment of Ukraine for $1 million.
Ukraine Yaakov Bleich. announce the publication of a catalogue been working closely with the Embassy “The United States and Ukraine have a
Commissioner Irving Stolberg led the of Jewish cultural artifacts in Ukraine. and the Procurator General’s Office of good legal basis for cooperation through
American delegation, which included The two sides discussed future plans for Ukraine. a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that
Prof. Harry Reicher of Agudath Israel of publishing an extensive survey of the “The awarding of this check has been was recently ratified by the Parliament of
America, Andrew Fedynsky, director of condition of other religious properties. made possible by the close cooperation Ukraine. In addition, it is anticipated that
the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Plans were made for the fourth meeting, between law enforcement officials of our two countries will soon finalize an
Cleveland, Dr. Samuel Gruber and which will be held in Washington and Ukraine and the United States, which has extradition treaty,” stated Ambassador
Christopher Hill. Connecticut in the spring of 2001.
been significantly enhanced in recent Gryshchenko.
Participants discussed implementation In addition to attending the meeting,
of a July 1998 executive order which delegation members visited a historic
BUSINESS IN BRIEF
took steps toward preserving burial sites Jewish cemetery in Berdychiv, which had
of all religious groups throughout been threatened by development, dedicat-
Ukraine. The American side commended ed a Holocaust memorial at a massacre
efforts by the government of Ukraine to site in Zhytomyr, and met with regional
consider national legislation to protect officials. They also spent time working
these sites and agreed to provide its with local youths to clear brush and Sponsors support Ukraine’sOlympians
advice as that process moves forward. debris from gravesites at the municipal
KYIV – Ukraine is in the top 10 most successful countries out of 200 in terms of
The two sides also discussed several cemetery in Kyiv.
implementation of Olympic projects. The list of major sponsors now includes UMC
(Ukrainian Mobile Communications), Coca-Cola, Adidas and Samsung. More than
European Bank for Reconstruction and 230 Ukrainian athletes competing in 26 sports will represent Ukraine during the
Foreign investors... Development. Olympic Games in Sydney, which will be held September 15 through October 1,
(Continued from page 1) “There is too much interference in the which is springtime in Australia. (Eastern Economist)
private sector, too much regulation. The tax
In a 15-minute address to FIAC mem- Rada ratifies railway loan with EBRD
collectors at the local level do not perform
bers, Mr. Kuchma emphasized that every-
in a way that is consistent with our under- KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada in early June ratified an agreement signed last
thing possible is being done in Ukraine to
standing of the tax regulations in Ukraine or December 7 between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the
make it “one of the most attractive countries
the law in Ukraine,” he added. UkrZaliznytsia Railway administration whereby the EBRD extends a $51.88 million
for investment in the world.”
Mr. Seton was alluding to drastic steps (U.S.) loan to modernize the Kyiv-Zhmerynka-Lviv railway. The loan will be backed
He explained that there is legislation in
taken by the government in the last two by government guarantees at the standard EBRD interest rate for a term of 15 years
the works for new land, tax, customs and
years to increase tax revenues. Determined with a four-year grace period. Under the project, 400 kilometers of track, automatic
civil codes, and that major overhauls are
to find badly needed funds for its coffers in control, telemechanics and communications systems will be replaced, repaired or
under way in the agricultural and energy
acountry whose businessmen have become modernized. These facilities have been in operation for 30 to 40 years and are obso-
sectors. He pointed out that the Ukrainian
experts at avoiding astronomically high tax lete. The loan will also fund the installation of an automatic traffic control system that
economy is sprouting to life and gave fig-
levels, it has released an army of “tax meets international standards. (Eastern Economist)
ures to support his assertion: a more than 10
police” who aggressively pursue and often
percent increase in manufacturing produc- Sea Launch receives space award
tion in the first five months of this year; a harass businessmen into paying what is
5.4 percent rise in GDPin the first quarter owed. COLORADO SPRINGS – Sea Launch received the Gen. James E. Hill Space
of 2000 over the same period of last year; a In another criticism, Mr. Temerty of Achievement Award “for outstanding demonstration of the possibilities for interna-
70 percent increase in foreign investments Northland Power said the government often tional commercial collaboration in the post-Cold War space industry.” The Space
in the first quarter over the same period of has moved too haphazardly on reforms and Foundation presented the award to the president of Sea Launch, Will Trafton, at the
last year. needs to concentrate on consistency and opening ceremony of the National Space Symposium. Sea Launch includes compa-
Although admittedly taken by Mr. steadiness in its current efforts. He gave as nies from the United States, Ukraine, Russia and Norway. Previous recipients of the
Kuchma’s words, some of the businessmen an example the electricity sector, in which award include the NASA/Boeing International Space Station Team and Apollo 13
said more still needs to be done. Mr. reforms took place several years ago but Commander James Lovell. (Eastern Economist)
Bracken emphasized that the discussions were followed by more changes earlier this
300,000 vehicles imported last year
with the president were “frank, open and year, leaving his company uncertain about
honest,” but noted as well that the foreign whether to proceed on a power-generation KYIV– Over 300,000 automobiles were imported into Ukraine in 1999, stated the
businessmen were not bashful in telling the project for Kyiv, which has been long director of auto consulting, information/analysis group, Oleh Omelnytskyi. He added
Ukrainian president that conditions are still planned and is ready to go. that 300,000 automobiles is the amount necessary to respond to supply pressure on
far from the best. “In my own project a major problem that the internal market and maintain the continued decrease in prices for used cars. There
One of the main concerns expressed by is holding us up is that the government is was a decrease in the re-sale of cars on the internal market in 1999. According to the
some was that the reformers are buckling to tinkering with reforms. Until we see that experts, this is caused by the increase in the importation of parts for car assembly. Mr.
pressure and failing to ensure that the they are done, we can’t move forward,” said Omelnytskyi stated that 67,000 cars, or 21 percent of the total number imported last
changes are properly implemented. Ukraine Mr. Temerty. “Ukraine needs a steady hand year, were new vehicles; 108,000 vehicles were used; while another 107,000 cars
faces mounting opposition to key reforms at the wheel right now.” were imported temporarily.(Eastern Economist)
as it moves into the most difficult phase of Mr. Bracken of Cargill said he is satisfied
the process with the privatization and reor- with reforms in the agricultural sector thus Sponsorship improves corporate image
ganization of the energy sector and the far, but called the changes merely the begin-
KYIV – “Corporate sponsorship is rapidly developing in Ukraine, though it
effort to make land a commodity in the agri- ning. While admitting that the ideal tax for
receives very low coverage in the mass media,” said the executive director of
cultural sector. Prominent lawmakers and an investor is no tax, he said the govern-
Innovations and Development Center, Oleksander Sydorenko. According to research
influential businessmen whose private inter- ment must develop a tax policy that will not
conducted by the center in 1999, 28 percent of the companies involved in sponsorship
ests are in conflict with the intent of the beaburden on them. Without such legisla-
consider it to be a good form of advertising, and 24 percent say it’sgood for improv-
reforms are offering strong resistance to tion he said Ukraine would have a difficult
ing a company’s image. Activity among Ukrainian firms and especially government
many of the efforts. time drawing foreign businessmen and their
organizations is much lower. Mr. Sydorenko also commented on low coverage of
“There is a general feeling that the exec- money to the country.
charity and sponsorship projects in mass media. According to his research, only 27
utive government in Ukraine and the func- Nonetheless, he explained that he is bull-
articles on this issue were published in the press within a sample period of three
tion of implementing policies and reforms is ish on Ukraine and believed that it would
months. (Eastern Economist)
not functioning properly” said FIAC mem- become “one of the most competitive agri-
ber Andrew Seton, country director for the cultural providers in the world.” (Continued on page 18)
4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 No. 26
Ukrainian naval vessel to participate in Fourth of July festivities
byRoman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau
KYIV– AUkrainian naval vessel will enter U.S. ter-
ritorial waters for only the third time ever when the staff
ship of the Ukrainian navy, the Slavutych, arrives in
NewYork on July 3 to take part in Fourth of July cele-
brations.
The ship will be part of the International Naval
Review 2000, which is being organized in New York in
special millennium year celebrations that will also
include a visit by the Operation Sail 2000 flotilla. The
flotilla is currently, sailing up the Eastern Seaboard of
the United States.
After the July 4 ceremonies, which are expected to be
attended by U.S. President Bill Clinton, the staff ship
will remain docked in New York until July 9. On July 5-
9 the ship’s crew will take part in cultural and sporting
events in the area.
The Slavutych will join two other private Ukrainian
ships in New York Harbor for the grand Fourth of July
festivities that will include a parade of ships and a tall
ships exhibit, besides the annual New York City fire-
works display near the Brooklyn Bridge. The other two
vessels are the 27-meter schooner, the Batkivschyna,
which is currently on the East Coast, with the OpSail
2000 flotilla, and the racing yacht, Ikar, which is sched-
uled to arrive in New York after a cross-Atlantic regat-
ta.
The Slavutych voyage is part of ongoing joint-coop- The Slavutych, the staff ship of Ukraine’s naval forces.
eration programs between Ukraine’s Ministry of
Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. ranking officer on board will be Maj. Gen. Anatolii the Azore Islands before arriving in New York. It will be
The 106-meter-long frigate is the main administra- Pakhlia, who is the second-in-command of the the first visit to the United States for the Slavutych. In
tive vessel of Ukraine’s relatively small Black Sea Ukrainian navy. 1996 the Hetman Petro Sahaidachny, the flagship of the
Fleet based in Sevastopol. It will be carrying a crew The Slavutych left Sevastopol on June 2 and will Ukrainian navy, and the troop deployer, the Kostiantyn
of 129 sailors led by 1st Capt. Ihor Taniukh. The make ports-of-call in Gibraltar and Ponta Delgada in Olshansky, traveled to Norfolk, Va.
Batkivschyna sails northward along East Coast CIS summit...
(Continued from page 1)
by Roma Hadzewycz York to serve as one of the Batkivschyna’s time to lower the sails. The ship was buffet-
more reason to be optimistic that the com-
honorary captains and liaison officers. ed by winds so powerful that the crew
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The reports of Operation Sail 2000, billed as the largest feared the sails would tear and the mast monwealth will be more than a token
their ship being lost at sea are greatly exag- gathering in history of sailing ships, began would break. At least the strong winds pro- umbrella organization for the countries
gerated (apologies to Mark Twain), and the in Puerto Rico on May 25, then proceeded pelled the ship to make record time, Mr. once under Moscow’s rule as part of the
Ukrainian schooner Batkivschyna is suc- to U.S. points northward. When the Vashchyk quipped, as the schooner traveled USSR.
cessfully participating in OpSail 2000, the Batkivschyna was a no-show at the festivi- at an amazing 15 knots per hour (when 9 On June 21, after his own series of
meetings with the other presidents, he
mega-parade of tall ships from around the ties in Puerto Rico and Miami, fears were knots is the norm and 11 knots is the maxi-
waxed absolutely optimistic.
globe that is heading up the East Coast. raised that the ship was lost at sea. Anxious mum for this particular vessel).
“We are for the widest integration, first
That news was reaffirmed on June 21 by e-mails were exchanged during the last The ship arrived in Norfolk on June 5 –
and foremost with Russia and all of the
two of the ship’s crew members, Petro week of May by people closely watching more than a week early. There the crew was
CIS countries,” said Mr. Kuchma. To
Vashchyk of Rivne, first mate for cultural the ship’s journey. greeted by OpSail organizers and Ukrainian
make clear that his words referred only to
affairs (and Kozak) and Viktor Povorozniuk According to Messrs. Vashchyk and community members, including Olena
economic cooperation, he added,
of Kyiv, helmsman. The two sailors arrived Povorozniuk, the trip, which began in Kyiv Boyko, a sailing enthusiast whom the crew
“Ukraine has its first and last chance to be
at The Weekly escorted by Taras Szczur, on April 7, started out uneventfully. Then, in calls its admiral, Olha Cehelska and others.
independent. We will not lose that.”
commander of Ukrainian American the Mediterranean, from Sicily to Gibraltar, As these lines are being written, the ship
The Ukrainian delegation signed a total
Veterans Post 301 of Yonkers, N.Y., who the ship encountered a week’s worth of is on its way to Wilmington, Del., and then
of 13 political and economic documents
was tapped by OpSail organizers in New storms. Nonetheless, the Batkivschyna
on to Baltimore, where it is scheduled to be
in Moscow, five with provisos attached,
arrived safe and sound, and
from June 25 to 29 at the Canton-Baltimore
including a strategic plan for CIS devel-
on time, in Cadiz, Spain,
Marine Center. The 89-foot vessel will visit
opment through 2005 and a joint anti-ter-
where it represented
New York on July 2-9 and is expected to be
rorism program through 2003 that
Ukraine at the tall ships fes-
docked at Pier 84, just north of the Intrepid,
includes the establishment of an anti-ter-
tival.
the U.S. aircraft carrier that now serves as a rorism center. The provisos, for the most
The crew of 15 then left
sea, air and space museum. The parade of part, stipulate that Ukraine’s participation
for Puerto Rico on May 5.
tall ships and fireworks in New York harbor is conditioned by Verkhovna Rada
Once the ship was in the
will be held on July 4. approval or subordination to the national
Atlantic Ocean, its short
The schooner’s U.S. trip is only the first laws of Ukraine.
wave radio broke (earlier
leg of a journey dubbed “Discover Ukraine did not sign several agree-
the ship had lost contact via
Ukraine,” whose goal is to sail the globe ments, including one on the establishment
two computers and a satel-
and inform the world about Ukraine. of a headquarters for joint military coop-
lite link provided by a
Aboard the ship are 20 panels depicting the eration. Ukraine is not a signatory to the
school in Wilmington, Del.),
history of Ukraine from the Scythian period CIS agreements on joint military coopera-
leaving it with no communi-
to the present, as well as art work, photo- tion within the CIS framework.
cations capability. Then, lit-
graphs, videos and souvenirs.
erally in the middle of the
Atlantic, the ship met strong And what’snext? Messrs. Vashchyk and
headwinds, forcing it to tack Povorozniuk said the “Discover Ukraine” Congressional subcommittee...
in order to remain on journey would continue, probably into
(Continued from page 1)
course. It was clear the ship Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then, if things fall
would not make it in time into place, into the Great Lakes region and, Mr. Pascual was nominated earlier this
for events in Puerto Rico or perhaps, the West Coast. year by President Bill Clinton to be the
Miami, so the captain, Both men noted the generousity of the fourth ambassador to Ukraine. The present
Dymytrii Birioukovitch, Americans and Ukrainians with whom U.S. ambassador, Steven Pifer, is scheduled
decided to alter course and they’ve thus far come in contact and who to return to the United States in July.
head for Norfolk. have provided the Batkivschyna with food, Ambassador-designate Pascual is famil-
Some 800 miles before fuel and other supplies. For information, or iar with Ukraine, having worked at the U.S.
Norfolk at about 1 a.m. (the to offer assistance, interested persons may Agency for International Development
sailors could not recall the send e-mail to [email protected]. (USAID) in the European and New
exact date) with the ship at Information is available on the Internet at Independent States (ENIS) bureau, and
Roma Hadzewycz full sail due to good winds, [email protected]. having served as director for Russia,
First Mate (and Kozak) Petro Vashchyk and Helmsman astorm struck – so suddenly And, all are welcome to visit the Ukraine and Eurasian Affairs at the
ViktorPovorozniuk during theirvisit to The Weekly. that the crew did not have Batkivschyna as it makes its ports of call. National Security Council.
No.26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 5
THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM
A thank-you from the UNA Executive Committee
Former scholarship recipients, where are you?
to contributors to the Aid to Ukrainian Miners Fund
by Ulana Diachuk Convention reports started to mention
UNAPresident scholarship grants, and continuing
through the year 1999 – the UNAgranted
The UNA’s two official publications, Svoboda (March 24, page 5) and The The recent deadline for submission of
monetary aid to close to 4,500 students.
Ukrainian Weekly (March 26, page 1) published an appeal from the UNAExecutive scholarship applications for academic
The total amount paid out in non-refund-
Committee for donations to assist families of miners killed in a tragic accident in year 2000-2001 was on June 1. In the
able scholarships has reached almost
Krasnodon, Luhansk Oblast, as a result of which these families lost husbands, fathers first day of June the UNA Home Office
$1,780,000. There is no other Ukrainian
and sons, and were left without a means of support. was inundated with 130 applications that
organization that can match this out-
UNAmembers and readers responded very generously and by the end of May had will have to be processed and submitted
standing program.
donated nearly $10,000. The UNAExecutive Committee hereby extends its gratitude to to the UNA Scholarship Committee for
The UNA is proud to have been able
all contributors for their understanding of the tragedy that befell 81 families. These review and approval.
to support the scholastic efforts of so
donations will be forwarded shortly to each family as follows. According to official lists, Among the various fraternal activities
many outstanding and bright young
the bereaved families include 73 wives, 12 mothers, one father, one aunt (living with the that the UNA has supported over many
members who with its help have become
miner’s family) and 84 children under age 18 – a total of 171 persons. The total amount years, aid to bright and needy student
collected will be divided into 171 equal portions and each family will receive a sum members in the form of a scholarship professional people, business owners and
appropriate to the number of persons in the family. This means that a family with more program was always a priority.The UNA highly productive citizens of the United
members will receive a higher amount of assistance, while a smaller family will receive always considered the education of its States and Canada.
asmaller sum. Areport on the delivery of this assistance will appear in the press. juvenile members to be of great impor- The UNA would like to continue its
Once again, a sincere thank-you to all contributors. tance – not only to their parents, but to scholarship program into the future. But,
in order to continue supporting it as to
Ulana Diachuk the well-being of the whole Ukrainian
date the UNA needs more members and
UNAPresident community.
more income from their insurance premi-
Over the years the UNAalso support-
ums. If you, your children or any mem-
ed students and educational facilities in
List of donations for Aid to Ukrainian Miners Fund Ukraine. As early as 1907 UNA records ber of your family have ever benefited
show a donation to help young students from the UNA Scholarship Program, we
in Lviv, and in 1912 the UNAbegan sup- ask you to increase your insurance cover-
Name City Amount porting various “Ridni Shkoly” (schools age or to take out new coverage with the
of Ukrainian studies) with a first dona- UNA. Encourage your family members,
Samotowka MD, Michael Huntsville, Ala. $1,000.00
tion of $2,500 – a very generous amount children, grandchildren and friends to
Kunasz, Ihor and Zenovia Collegeville, Pa. $1,000.00
for that time. In more recent years, the join the UNA and to take advantage of
UNAofficers, auditors and employees Parsippany, N.J.
Diachuk, Ulana $100.00 UNA, through its Fund for the Rebirth of the new low insurance premiums recently
Kaczaraj, Stefan $100.00 Ukraine, helped many students from introduced. Your premiums paid to the
Lysko, Martha $100.00 Ukraine to obtain scholarships to study at UNAwill help other bright young people
Hadzewycz, Roma $50.00 several prestigious American universi- attain their goals in life, as did you, your
Derzko, Mark $25.00 ties. children or grandchildren.
Hawrysz, Stefan $25.00 But to a great extent the scholarship For further information regarding
Kozak, Christine $25.00 program was always designated for UNA UNA insurance kindly contact your
Kuzmowycz, Olha $25.00 members only and it remains so to this branch secretary or ask for Steven Woch
Pastuszek, William $25.00 day. Over a span of 53 years – beginning at the Home Office, [phone] ext.
Serafyn, Alexander $25.00 with the year 1946, when UNA 3013.
Trytjak, Oksana $25.00
Welhasch, Stephan $25.00
Derzko, Sofia $20.00
Galechko, Raissa $20.00 UNAsends books to Ukraine
Semegen, Daria $20.00
Banach, Joseph $10.00 With the help of volunteers, Dr. Ivan by experts from Siena College
Bilchuk, Nina $10.00 Pelech, Volodymyr Dzingala and Ihor (Loudonville, N.Y.) to lead training semi-
Casanova, Ika $10.00 Zayets, the Ukrainian National nars for English teachers, to coordinate
Ferencevych, Chrystyna $10.00 Association has been sorting, packing the library of the center and provide
Haluszczak, Marijka $10.00 and shipping English books to various activities for readers.
Honcharyk, Walter $10.00 libraries and schools in Ukraine. Some of The lack of teaching materials and
Jarosewich, Irena $10.00 these books were donated to the UNA English books still plagues many of our
Kaploun, Valentina $10.00
and others were in the Svoboda book-
schools in Ukraine. But, thanks to you,
Khmelkovsky,Lev $10.00
store. These books have found welcome
our teachers and students have a great
Oscislawski, Maria $10.00
readers.
Pokladok, Orest $10.00 opportunity to read these interesting
UNAPresident Ulana Diachuk recent-
Salabay,Nadia $10.00 books. They find them enjoyable. Our
ly received a letter from the town of
Shewchuk, Wasyl $10.00 children are fond of reading. And the
Kovel in Volyn, from a resource center
Woch, Christine $5.00 greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is
run by English teachers in Ukraine.
Woch, Steven $5.00 inexpensive, it consoles, it distracts, it
MYUD/ODUM Minneapolis, Minn. $500.00
excites, it gives us knowledge of the
Dear Ms. Diachuk:
UNANew York District Committee New York, N.Y. $300.00
world and experience of a wide kind. It is
Dudiak, Dr. Stephen and Olha Madison, Wis. $200.00 As a director of the English Teachers’ moral illumination.
Mackin, Mike San Diego, Calif. $200.00
Resource Center in Volyn Oblast, I You have brought the gift of knowl-
UNABranch 367, Zaporozka Sich Rochester,N.Y. $200.00
would like to thank you for your gener-
edge to teachers and children in Ukraine
Zakoworotny,John Winsted, Conn. $150.00
ous donation of many interesting books
Baley,Peter Canyon Country,Calif. $100.00 by your generous donation of books.
from the Ukrainian National Association.
Brundy, Mary Park Ridge, Ill. $100.00 Weare very grateful for your concern.
The purpose of our center is to apply
Gerun, Simon and Maria Tamarac, Fla. $100.00
new methods of English teaching, includ- Olena Valchuk
Cetenko, Wiaczeslaw Venice, Fla. $100.00
Koszman, Ihor and Maria Montgomery, Ala. $100.00 ing the experimental curriculum given us Center Director
Dzerovych, A. and I. Amherst, N.H. $100.00
Kuzmych, R. and C. Wheat Ridge, Colo. $100.00
Melinyshyn, John and Helen Norridge, Ill. $100.00
Melinyshyn, Paul Elk Grove Village, Ill. $100.00
Swyschuk, George and Christine St. Louis, Mo. $100.00
Jacula, Wanda Durham, N.C. $100.00
Stachiv, Dennis and Myra Middlesex, N.J. $100.00
Teleshefsky, Estelle Carrolton, Tex. $100.00
Voronka, Zirka Maplewood, N.J. $100.00
Mission Statement
Hupalowsky,Dan and Stefania Whiting, N.J. $100.00
UNABranch 130, St. Vladimir’s New York City, N.Y. $100.00
The Ukrainian National Association exists:
Holy Cross Catholic WarVeterans Flushing, N.Y. $100.00 nn
Krucylak, Catherine Manchester, Mass. $100.00 nn to promote the principles of fraternalism;
Leskiw, Alexander and Maria Daria Whitestone, N.Y. $100.00 nn to preserve the Ukrainian, Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian heritage and culture; and
to provide quality financial services and products to its members.
Wasynchuk DDS, Irene Houston, Tex. $100.00
As a fraternal insurance society, the Ukrainian National Association reinvests its earnings for the benefit
(Continued on page 14)
of its members and the Ukrainian community.
6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 No. 26
NEWS AND VIEWS
THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY
A Ukrainian Montessori preschool
Hear the silence
and a 180-degree turnaround
To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of Canada’s first national internment oper-
ations of 1914-1920, which came on June 20, 1920, with the closing of the Office of
Internment Operations two years after the end of the World War I, the Ukrainian by Lillianna Chudolij Olenka Makarushka-Kolodiy, the
Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA) appealed to all Ukrainian Canadians school’s director, was most gracious, kind
The arguments seemed to increase in fre-
to observe two minutes of silence on Tuesday, June 20, beginning at 11 a.m. The and tolerant of our inquiries. After explain-
quency daily. The frustration level had sky-
moment of silence was in memory of those killed or abused while interned in ing that the preschool is run as a Montessori
rocketed. Years of practice reading, speak-
Canadian concentration camps. class, all of the lessons are taught in
ing, taking him to Ridna Shkola Ukrainian
In 1914-1920 Ukrainians and other Europeans were categorized as “enemy aliens” Ukrainian, plus all students are taught the
School every Saturday, Plast Ukrainian
and subjected to internment, censure, the looting of their valuables and property, and English lettering system, we knew right
Scouting Organization every Tuesday, the
other indignities as a result of passage of the War Measures Act of 1914. Then, with then and there that this was indeed a prayer
Ukrainian American Youth Association
the adoption of the War Time Elections Act of 1917, they were disenfranchised. answered. If nothing else, our little boy
(SUM) every Friday, Ukrainian dancing,
All of this occurred needlessly and only because these Ukrainians were victims of would relearn how to speak Ukrainian, now
singing, concerts, “zabavy”, various festi-
circumstance: many of them had immigrated to Canada from Halychyna and because of both nature and nurture.
vals, functions, camps, etc. – all this effort
Bukovyna, lands in western Ukraine then under the control of Austria-Hungary. Some In September 1999 our son Peter
seemed to be for naught. Our son’s outside
of them were even born in Canada. There was not a shred of evidence of disloyalty on Chudolij was enrolled and attending St.
influences looked to be winning out over
the part of Ukrainians in Canada that could have even partially justified this heinous John the Baptist Ukrainian Montessori
the foundation we had thought was in place.
operation. Preschool of Newark, N.J., run under the
Typical Ukrainian American teenager syn-
In all, 8,579 enemy aliens – 5,000 of them Ukrainians – were interned in 24 camps auspices of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian
drome, right?
throughout Canada in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec Catholic Church.
Wrong. This was happening to our son at
and Nova Scotia, where they served as forced laborers, doing work that benefited the At first the frustration level for Petrus
age 4!
government and business sectors. Another 80,000 persons – the vast majority of them was still pretty huge for a 4-year-old. He
As two full-time working parents with-
Ukrainians – were forced to register as enemy aliens and to report to local authorities was sometimes sad after school because he
out the assistance of a “baba” or a “dido”,
on a regular basis. They were also required to carry identity papers with them at all couldn’t respond the way some of the other
we had to rely on outsiders to help with our
times. children could. This made him angry, too.
son. In the beginning, it was a bit frustrat-
In “ATime for Atonement,” published in 1998, Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk wrote: Believe me, the drive from Clifton to
ing to our caretakers to understand our son,
“Today, Ukrainian Canadians, in reminding the nation of what they suffered as a peo- Newark and then to work in Carlstadt and
who knew only Ukrainian. To us, his “bro-
ple in this country, are appealing to the government of Canada, asking that it publicly back again every day was long. But, like
ken English” sounded very pleasant.
acknowledge responsibility for the wrongs done to the Ukrainian Canadian communi- everything else, I got used to it. Soon even
By age 3 1/2 however, things were very
ty between 1914-1920 and that it compensate them for their losses. The meaningful Petrus’negative feelings became positive.
different. There was more English in his
and honorable redress now called for will help ensure that Canadians are never again In fact, the change was remarkable! Petrus
everyday speech than ever before, especial-
subjected to such a mass violation of their human rights and civil liberties. Although was again speaking “broken English” with-
ly after we sent him to American pre-K.
what happened can never be undone, a time for atonement has surely come.” in six weeks of school. By Christmastime,
Speaking Ukrainian in our home is a
Two Canadian prime ministers had promised to do the right thing. In his two terms it was as if he had been born again. It was
must; even the dog “speaks” Ukrainian. To
in office Conservative Brian Mulroney did nothing. Liberal Jean Chrétien, while still great!
have our son’s ability to communicate in
leader of the Opposition, also had promised that the government would honor its At home and at all of his other activities,
our language fade away in front of our very
promise to provide redress to victims of the internment operations. Two terms later, Petrus began to flourish. Everyone was
eyes was the unthinkable reality facing us.
his record is as bad as his predecessor’s: he’s done nothing to right this historic wrong. very happy with his scholastic achieve-
It became a bigger problem when his out-
In a March 16 commentary in the National Post titled “An apology long overdue,” ments, his social achievements and his cul-
side activities were more frustrating than
Ian Hunter wrote: “Most Canadians know about the injustice done to Japanese tural achievements – especially Petrus. Our
fun to attend. As an adult, I find it a bit
Canadians who were interned as enemy aliens during the second world war; the gov- little Kozak had blossomed into a proud,
intimidating when put in a situation where I
ernment of Canada has publicly apologized and made compensation. But few people self-assured, confident, well-educated, and
may understand everything that is said
know that Ukrainian Canadians suffered the same fate in the first world war; to date, positive being. Now he scolds us whenever
around me in another language, yet I cannot
the Canadian government has refused even to acknowledge this injustice.” we slip and don’t speak Ukrainian.
respond. Imagine what our son had felt all
“Ukrainian Canadians have not sought compensation, although they would like to The pièce de resistance came last Friday,
these times. He began to withdraw rather
have confiscated property returned to its rightful owners. Primarily they seek official June 2, when I was informed by Mrs.
than participate. Things were not looking
acknowledgment of an injustice done a very long time ago. This is not a partisan issue. Makarushka-Kolodiy that a Board of
good.
But it is a disgrace that successive Canadian governments, Conservative and Liberal, Education reviewer had considered our son
One evening in late May of 1999, I was
have only stonewalled,” Mr. Hunter underscored. as possibly needing the ESL(English as a
at the Ukrainian Center in Passaic attending
Commenting on why the UCCLAfelt compelled to proclaim the nationwide two Second Language) courses in kindergarten.
SUM and trading stories with other moth-
minutes of silence, project coordinator Walter Halchuk said: “These internment opera- And, it’s not that Petrus wasn’t able to
ers. Suddenly, one turned to me and said:
tions had a crippling legacy for the Ukrainian Canadian community – the effects of respond in English – he knows plenty. He
“There is a Ukrainian preschool in Newark.
which can still be measured. By understanding the harm done to our people in the past simply didn’t feel it was appropriate at that
Why don’t you take him there?” Wow! I
we hope to begin the process of accounting, healing and reconciliation that is essential time. In fact, he later inquired why that
couldn’t believe what I had just heard! Was
to recovery.” woman didn’t speak any Ukrainian.
this a prayer answered or what?!
We can only hope that on June 20 Ottawa heard the silence. You see, now he expected it, he looked
After asking a ton of questions, getting
for it, and he looked forward to it. Acom-
directions and the phone number of the
plete 180-degree turn!
woman in charge, my husband, son and I
June So if you’re like us, Ukrainian
made an appointment to meet the teacher
Americans who would like your son or
Turning the pages back... on June 5. We didn’t know what to expect,
28 but we did know that we were desperate! (Continued on page 19)
1997
Three years ago, The Ukrainian Weekly published an edi-
torial marking the first anniversary of the adoption of the new
Constitution of Ukraine. The piece appeared on the occasion
of Constitution Day, a national holiday in Ukraine. Following
are excerpts from the editorial.
* * *
Following a marathon session that stretched into the night of June 27-28, 1999, the
national deputies in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada succeeded, finally, in adopting the
independent state’s first Constitution.
The historic act came less than two months before Ukraine was to mark the fifth
anniversary of its proclamation of independence. Just a week earlier, national democrat-
ic deputies had said they had little hope this Verkhovna Rada could adopt a new
Constitution, and there was talk that President Leonid Kuchma might be forced to try
his hand at having the new fundamental law approved via national referendum. Indeed,
most observers credit the president with nudging the Parliament into action as he
decreed on June 27 that a national referendum would be held. Determined to show that
they were not superfluous in this process, the deputies vowed they would pass the
Constitution; they did so, working non-stop on June 27 through the morning of June 28.
Afterwards, President Kuchma thanked the deputies for their efforts during the
laborious process and asked them to accept his apology “for stimulating this process
in perhaps not the most conventional way.” “But,” he added, “this last event proved
Petrus Chudolij with Olenka Makarushka-Kolodiy, directorof St. John the Baptist
(Continued on page 15) Ukrainian Montessori Preschool of Newark, N.J.
No. 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 7
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FFaacceess aanndd PPllaacceess
champion received a tumultuous welcome.
More on legendary In his 40-year career, Mr. Piddubny by Myron B. Kuropas
never lost a single championship fight; he
Ivan Piddubny deservedly became known around the
world as “The Champion of Champions.”
Dear Editor:
In 1971 a museum in his honor was opened
I very much appreciate The Ukrainian in Yeisk (Kuban region of Russia) where he China’s Ukrainian “Hero”
Weekly’s “Notable Ukrainians” article on had died in 1949.
Ivan Piddubny by Danylo Kulyniak. Newly independent Ukraine did not for- The most prominent “hero” in tles with the Tatars and Turks, and sundry
Among Ukrainian sportsman, Ivan get this most illustrious and accomplished Communist China today is not native-born. other narratives focusing on Kozak
Piddubny has achieved such a legendary native son. In 1996, on the 125th anniver- He’s not even Chinese. He is a Ukrainian courage, loyalty, honor, wisdom, persever-
status that it’s sometimes difficult to sepa- sary of his birth, Ukraine Post issued a film actor from Kyiv named Andrei ance, compassion and other virtues that my
rate fact from fiction. There is no doubt, stamp (seen below) honoring Ivan Saminin. Can you believe it? father believed Kozaks personified. They
however, that he was one of the greatest Piddubny. He is shown wearing a champi- According to a recent story by Leslie were my super-heroes fighting for liberty
athletes to come from Ukraine and is cer- on’sash while overhead Victory extends Chang in the Wall Street Journal, Andrei and justice.
tainly worthy of being considered Ukraine’s her laurel wreath. is the star of a TV series about Pavel Later I learned about the Organization of
“Athlete of the 20th Century.” I would like Korchagin, “a mythical Soviet railway Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Aportrait of
Ingert Kuzych
to elaborate on some of Piddubny’s accom- worker who has been brought back by Col. Yevhen Konovalets hung in our living
Springfield, Va.
plishments that were not mentioned in The propagandists [in China] to preach strug- room. Provid (OUN leadership) member
Weekly’s article. gle and sacrifice to a new generation. In Roman Shushko stayed in our home while
Mr. Piddubny was born in 1871 in the an age of media overload, Pavel enjoys visiting Chicago.
obscure village of Krasenivka, in the border enviable recognition: 97 percent of young I came to admire American heroes in
region between present-day Cherkasy and people are aware of him, according to a elementary school. The United States was
Poltava oblasts. In his early twenties he recent poll and President Jiang Zemin is fighting the Axis and my friends and I were
traveled south to seek his fortune, stopping said to be a fan.” inspired by our brave marines at
in Odesa before moving on to Sevastopol. Based on “How the Steel Was Forged,” Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Iwo Jima, airmen
There he went to work as a stevedore for a a 1952 novel by Soviet Ukrainian author Edward “Butch” O’Hare, Jimmy Doolittle
local Greek shipping company by the name Nikolai Ostrovsky, the setting is Ukraine, and “Pappy” Boyington, infantrymen
of Livas. Mr. Piddubny’s natural strength from pre-revolutionary times to the Soviet Audie Murphy and Rodger Young,
and love of a good joke soon endeared him takeover. I read the novel years ago and Admirals Chester Nimitz and Ernest King,
to his fellow dock workers, who quickly resurrect the following passage to give the and Generals Douglas MacArthur and
dubbed him Ivan the Great. They would reader a sense of its Bolshevik flavor: “As Dwight D. Eisenhower. Today, these heroic
marvel at how he would effortlessly carry for the workers, they regarded the yellow- warriors are politically incorrect.
huge sackfulls of wheat that would break and-blue flags of the Petliura thugs with Every person, every nation needs
the back of an average longshoreman. Even suppressed hatred. They were powerless in heroes, outstanding men and women of
veteran stevedores would gape in admira- the face of this wave of Ukrainian bour- principle who in times of crisis offer hope,
tion as Mr. Piddubny would heave onto his geois chauvinism, and their spirits rose exemplify the noble character of the
shoulders a huge crate that normally would only when Red units, fighting fiercely nation, and inspire ordinary people to
be handled by three stevedores, straighten against the yellow-and-blues that were accomplish extraordinary deeds. Such a
to his full stature, and then walk up the bearing down on them from all sides, person was Winston Churchill, the subject
gangways, in no small way resembling an wedged their way into the town.” of a recent U.S. News and World Report
Atlas come to life! Chinese state-run television has promot- cover story by John Keegan titled “The
Mr. Piddubny’s conscientious, hard work
ed the series because of the heroism of the Last Hero.” Standing up to the power of
brought on the respect of his Greek Support freedom
main character who overcomes enormous Adolf Hitler who in May of 1940 brought
employers. They promoted him to head
obstacles and suffers greatly for his Great Britain to its knees, Winston defied
stevedore upon moving to new headquar- of expression Leninist convictions. The plan was to the odds. “He rejected surrender,” wrote
ters in the city of Feodosia. Mr. Piddubny
Dear Editor: imbue Chinese youth with the need for sac- Mr. Keegan. “He insisted that Britain
now had far more spare time than when he
rifice and perseverance in building a could fight on. In a series of magnificent
was an ordinary dock hand. So, to keep in First of all, I must thank the critics of Dr. Communist society. Has it worked? Not speeches, appealing to his people’s
trim, he turned to sport. He joined a circus
Myron Kuropas, for they called my atten- exactly. courage and historic greatness, he carried
as a wrestler in 1898 and toured in the
tion to his column. Since then, I regularly An obscure actor in Ukraine, Andrei Britain with him. The country rallied to his
Russian Empire (Moscow, St. Petersburg
read his columns, which previously I had was on a recent promotional tour in China call, held steady under a concentrated air
and Kyiv).
skipped over. From his writings I have and was mobbed by adoring fans wherever bombardment, manned the beaches Hitler
Throughout 1904 he trained thoroughly
gained knowledge and insight on the he went. “For a young audience fixated on planned to invade, and took strength in the
and set a new record in weightlifting. The
numerous topics he has discussed, not only consumerism and celebrity,” writes Ms. struggle of ‘the Few,’ Britain’s fighter
following year in Paris he was crowned as
from him, but also from letters presenting Chang, “Pavel has morphed into the pilots, in their eventually victorious battle
the new world champion over 140 other
knowledgeable and informed rebuttals. I newest star on China’s variety-show cir- against Hitler’s air power.”
wrestlers. Through 1909 he won the world
consider Dr. Kuropas to be a reasonably cuit, where the man who portrays him does Heroism in America is no longer in fash-
professional wrestling championship six
skilled and intelligent writer. Recently there interviews, plays the guitar, sings and ion. American schools devote little time to
times and competed (always successfully)
have been some letters criticizing him that dances.” the heroes of the past unless, of course,
in numerous other tournaments. Some of
his rivals feared him so much that they did not present any facts, but simply an Although the series is based on the orig- they’re Hispanic or African American. In
offered him “combinations” (a French emotional response that they did not agree inal Ostrovsky book, popular in China dur- 1995 the National American History
euphemism for bribes), but the impeccably with his opinion. I will not argue the right ing the 1950s, the TV version has been Standards project proposed a curriculum
honest Mr. Piddubny ignored the offers and or wrong or moral issues of either side, but changed to conform with China’s disparate that included Harriet Tubman and Mansa
just continued to win. it is very disturbing that these letters are blend of “Marxist capitalism.” “In today’s Munsa but excluded Paul Revere, Thomas
requesting, in essence, that Dr. Kuropas be Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jonas
Between 1925 and 1927 Mr. Piddubny materialistic society, we need spiritual
censored simply for the fact that they dis- Salk. There were 17 references to the Ku
traveled the United States in a sensational heroes,” said Han Gang, the show’s direc-
agree with his opinion. Klux Klan, 19 references to McCarthyism.
(and lucrative) tour. American audiences tor who rewrote about two-thirds of the
Need I remind readers that censorship The bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
were not familiar with the European Greco- original book for the TV version. “We’ve
was heavily practiced by the Soviet Union, was questioned, but there was no mention
Roman wrestling style, preferring instead watered down the class-consciousness and
and it prevented the free expression by of Japanese war crimes.
catch-as-catch-can wrestling in which all made him [Pavel] more of a human-rights
Ukrainians residing in Ukraine for many In post-modern America it seems that
holds and grips are allowed. Mr. Piddubny figure that everyone can relate to.”
years? I am proud to live in a country that the anti-hero reigns supreme: athletes,
quickly learned the new style and made a Interestingly, another hero in China is
allows the free expression of ideas, along coaches, artists, movie stars, singers, musi-
triumphal march across the country Bill Gates. According to a recent Chinese
with the discussion and debate of those cians and felons that become celebrities,
wrestling in all the major cities, including newspaper editorial, “To learn from Pavel
ideas. These freedoms are often taken for not because of their extraordinary contribu-
Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Los and Bill Gates is no contradiction. From
granted, especially by those who have tions or heroism but because of their “atti-
Angeles and San Francisco. When he Pavel we can understand the value of
always experienced them. Beware the pro- tude” and shock value, and, in the case of
arrived back home, the now 46-year-old human life and from Gates a spirit of
ponents of political correctness who would our public officials, their ability to parse
emphasizing science and technology.”
like to take away the freedoms guaranteed words and obfuscate meaning.
Strange. Capitalist Bill Gates is a hero
in this great country that allow us to express In his book “Profiles in Courage,” John
Correction in Communist China, but not in Capitalist
and debate our opinions, and replace them F. Kennedy wrote: “A nation which has
America. Our federal government has por-
with their dogma. Notice that their language forgotten the quality of courage which in
An incorrect headline appeared last trayed Mr. Gates as a modern-day “robber
contains subtle words of hatred to demonize the past has been brought to public life is
week (June 19) over a letter to the editor baron,” bent on destroying competition in
those who do not agree with them. I urge not as likely to insist upon or reward that
sent to The New York Times by Dr. Frank order to monopolize the computer market.
The Ukrainian Weekly to continue to carry quality in its chosen leaders today.” Agood
Sysyn of the Peter Jacyk Center for If Bill Gates, a living embodiment of the
Dr. Kuropa’s column. I also suggest that the thought to remember as we approach the
Ukrainian Historical Research, Canadian American dream is not to be admired,
critics learn to practice the tolerance of elections.
Institute of Ukrainian Studies. The correct who is?
diversity that they so often preach.
headline is: “Jacyk Center’s director criti- When I was a toddler, my father regaled
cizes Times for affront to victims of Great George Kovall me with stories about the Ukrainian Myron Kuropas’e-mail address is:
Famine.” Fremont, Calif. Kozaky: Taras Bulba, life at the Sich, bat- [email protected]
8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 No. 26
UNWLAjubilee marked by New Jersey Regional Council
N.J. Regional Council:
NEWARK, N.J. – Festivities celebrating the 75th anniver-
sary of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America
an outline history
began in New Jersey on May 21 at St. John the Baptist
Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J., with a liturgy cele-
The UNWLA New Jersey
brated by the Rev. Leonid Malkov. Ajubilee luncheon was held
Regional Council was established
at the Ukrainian National Home in Irvington.
on October 11, 1959, in Newark,
UNWLA New Jersey Regional Council President Maria
N.J.
Polanskyj officially welcomed members and guests, and intro-
Its first president was Olena
duced mistress of ceremonies Ulana Kobzar. The UNWLA
Hordynska followed by Olha Hrab,
prayer was recited by the Rev. Bohdan Lukie.
Olga Saluk, Iryna Lewycka, Dora
Before the official program began, Bozhena Olshaniwsky
Rak, Irene Kindrachuk, Nadia
read the greeting received from Ukrainian National Women’s
Bihun, Olha Car, Olha Hnateyko,
League of Ukraine President Atena Pashko. This served to unite
Lidia Hladky, Iryna Chaikivska,
“soiuzianky” on both continents and reaffirmed their mutual
Olha Trytyak, Tetiana Rishko,
concern and love for Ukraine.
Maria Polanskyj, Jaroslawa Mulyk.
UNWLA Honorary President Anna Krawczuk was the
Since 1997 the New Jersey
keynote speaker. Her speech was dedicated to all UNWLA
Regional Council has been led by
members, focusing on their devotion and dedication to the
Ms. Polanskyj.
UNWLA’s causes and ideals. Ms. Krawczuk then shared her
The New Jersey Regional
thoughts about the five most influential women soiuzianky in
Council currently has 11 branches:
her life: founder of the UNWLAand Honorary Member of the
Branch 4, New Brunswick; 18,
UNWLAand WFUWO Mary V. Beck; Honorary UNWLAand
Clifton; 24, Elizabeth; 28, Luba Bilowchtchuk
WFUWO President Lidia Burachynska Rudyk; UNWLA
Newark; 65, New Brunswick; 70, UNWLAVice-President Maria Tomorug presents anniver-
Honorary Member Dr. Theodozia Sawycka; UNWLAHonorary
Passaic; 75, Maplewood; 86, sary certificate to New Jersey Regional Council President
President Ann Rozankowskyj; and, last but not least, her own
Newark; 92, Manville; 98, Maria Polanskyj.
mother, UNWLAHonorary Member Natalia Chaplenko.
Holmdel-Middletown; and 100,
She emphasized that the turbulent 20th century brought not
Carteret. Together with members- Afterwards Ms. Tomorug presented citations to New Jersey
only world wars, and technological and scientific progress, but
at-large it has approximately 300 Regional Council President Ms. Polanskyj and to all branch
also revolutionary changes in women’s rights in the United
members. presidents. UNWLA Vice-President Sophie Hewryk presented
States. At least by law, women enjoy rights equal to those of
Among the outstanding achieve- 50-year membership pins and certificates to UNWLAHonorary
men, but there are still barriers to cross in both the American
ments of the New Jersey Regional Members Irena Lewycka and Sophie Andrushkiw. Others
and Ukrainian America societies.
Council are the following. receiving the award were Zenovia Vorobec, Julia Polanska and
She called on women recently arrived from Ukraine to join
• In 1963 the Olena Hordynska Melanie Krywokulska.
the ranks of the UNWLA and ended with the exhortation:
Memorial Scholarship Fund for Branch photo exhibits decorated the hall along with publica-
“Let’s not forget our daughters, granddaughters and daughters-
women students of Ukrainian stud- tions by member authors: Camila Huk (Branch 18), Iryna
in-law! Let the two worlds of Ukrainian women – from the
ies was established. All New Jersey Dybko Fylypchak (Branch 70), Lubov Kolenska (Branch 86),
United States and Ukraine – join together and lead our organi-
branches of the UNWLA con- Ms. Chaplenko and Daria Jaroslawska (Branch 28). Also on
zation in the 21st century.”
tributed to this fund for 12 years. display were activity brochures on the UNWLA Scholarship
The second speaker was UNWLA Vice-President Maria
The fund set a precedent whereby Program by Ms. Krawczuk (Branch 86 and 98) and contest
Tomorug, who read President Iryna Kurowyckyj’s speech that
scholarship aid was centralized and booklets by Olha Trytyak (Branch 86).
focused on the history of the Ukrainian National Women’s
led to the establishment of the A photo exhibit of the UNWLA Scholarship Student
League of America from its beginnings in 1925 and the human-
UNWLA Scholarship/Student
itarian aid to Ukraine. (Continued on page 10)
Sponsorship Program.
• Since 1969 the UNWLA New
Jersey Regional Council has been a
member of the New Jersey State
Federation of Women’s Clubs and
has participated in its annual con-
ventions. The UNWLANew Jersey
Regional Council’s resolutions
regarding women political prisoners
in Ukraine (1977), the Chornobyl
nuclear disaster (1986) and, most
recently, trafficking in women
(1999) have been accepted and for-
warded to the International General
Federation of Women’s Clubs.
• Since 1981 the UNWLA
Scholarship/Student Sponsorship
Program Bureau has been located in
New Jersey. Since 1993 it has func- Bohdan Polanskyj
tioned under the leadership of Luba
New Jersey celebrants of the UNWLA’s 75th anniversary: (seated from left) Olena Melnychuk, Tetiana Rishko, Iryna
(Continued on page 10) Lewycka, New Jersey Regional Council President Maria Polanskyj, UNWLAHonorary President Anna Krawczuk,
UNWLAVice-President Maria Tomorug, Joanna Ratych, Olha Trytyak, Nadia Bihun and N. Onyshkewycz.
The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: May 2000
Amount Name City $15.00 Ted Konecky Carnegie, Pa. Alexander Serafyn Troy, Mich.
Joyce Morway Clark, N.J. Daniel Shepelavy Schenectady, N.Y.
$300.00 Anonymous
Joe Stecewycz Groton, Mass.
$10.00 Volodymyr Barahura Oviedo, Fla.
$100.00 Jaroslav I. Dutkewych Washington, D.C. Natalie Trojan New York, N.Y.
Bohdan Birakowsky College Point, N.Y.
William Pastuszek Swarthmore, Pa. Tamara Tymchyshyn Clearwater, Fla.
Mary Bodnar New York, N.Y.
Orest Zahajkewycz Cranford, N.J.
$50.00 John Krupinski Scranton, Pa Swiatoslaw Czartoryjsky Brooklyn, N.Y.
Vera Skop Greenwich, Conn. Ihor Dekajlo Flushing, N.Y. $5.00 Alice Gural Lakehurst, N.J.
Oksana Trytjak Plainfield, N.J. Dimitri Horbay Oakville, Ontario Merle Jurkiewicz Toledo, Ohio
Ed Kaminskyj Jackson Heights, N.Y. Ksenia Kolcio Redondo Beach, Calif.
$30.00 M. Chepesuik Toronto, Ontario
Roman Klaczany Binghamton, N.Y. Petro Kulynych Yonkers, N.Y.
$25.00 Yuri Cymbalisty Bensenville, Ill.
Helen Koivu Kalispell, Mont. Wasyl Matkowsky Fords, N.J.
Michael Kozak Minneapolis, Minn.
Boris Krupa Unionville, Conn. Sophia Zaczko North Haven, Conn.
Gerald Nestor Granger, Ind.
John R. and Natalie Lapic Elverson, Pa.
Mary Pressey Forest Hills, N.Y.
George Malachowsky Rochester, N.Y. Total: $1,210.00
Zenon Snylyk Berkeley Heights, N.J.
Eustachia and Motria Milanytch New York, N.Y.
Orest and Judy Tataryn San Jose, Calif.
Jeanette Murray Warrington, Pa. SINCERE THANKS TO ALLCONTRIBUTORS TO
$20.00 Lydia Baltarowich Warren, Mich. Ihor Mychkovsky New Market, Md. THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYPRESS FUND.
Steve Kohut Warren, Mich. Maria Odezynskyj Colorado Springs, Colo. THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYPRESS FUND IS THE SOLE
Oksana Sydorak Hillsborough Calif. Eugenia Podolak Philadelphia, Pa. FUND DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELYTO SUPPORTING THE
Stephen Wolownik Mount Laurel, N.J. O. Rybak Berlin, Md. WORK OFTHIS PUBLICATION.
No. 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 9
New York Regional Council celebrates UNWLA’s 75th anniversary
by Helen Smindak Mrs. Kurowycky said that action
taken by UNWLAdelegates at the April
NEW YORK – The women who
1986 conference of the International
spearhead much of the Ukrainian com-
Council of Women in London resulted in
munity’s cultural, educational and chari-
immediate passage of a resolution
table work in the New York metropolitan
against nuclear reactors.
area came together on Sunday, June 4, to
While fostering Ukrainian identity and
mark the 75th anniversary of their
gathering together women of Ukrainian
national organization, the Ukrainian
ancestry without regard to their religious
National Women’s League of America
faiths or political beliefs, the league has
(UNWLA).
created a Ukrainian elite in Poland,
Members and presidents of 15 local
Brazil and other countries through schol-
branches were joined by spouses, friends
arships, Mrs. Kurowycky said. Since
and honored guests at the Ukrainian
1976, 87 scholarship recipients have
National Home for jubilant ceremonies
become Ukrainian priests and many
celebrating the history and accomplish-
scholarship winners have taken vows as
ments of the largest and oldest independ-
nuns.
ent organization of Ukrainian women in
She added that assistance to Ukraine
the United States.
has included help for institutions like
The occasion was particularly auspi-
Ridna Shkola and Prosvita, aid for flood
cious because of the significance of New
victims in 1927-1928 and 1998, as well
York as the “cradle” of the league, which
as the creation of the Mother and Child
was originally founded by the joint The Ukrainian Women’s Society of New York (1926), which became one of the
fund, enabling a number of Ukrainian
action of five women’s societies in the founders of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America and its first branch.
widows with children to come to the
New York area. Their action, prompted UNWLABranch 1 remains very active to this day.
Unites States, and the 500 Fund, assist-
by the disbarment of Ukraine’s National
ing the wives of political prisoners. The
Council of Women from membership in
league’s newest action, dedicated to its
the International Council of Women (due
75th anniversary, is “Milk and Buns”
to Ukraine’s loss of independence) was
program for schoolchildren in Ukraine.
envisioned as a means of providing “new
Mrs. Kurowycky said the league has
windows” to the international world – a
proved to be an important factor in the
way to further the truth about the captive
Ukrainian community, becoming a co-
nation.
initiator of the Ukrainian Congress
Among esteemed guests were three
Committee of America and the United
members of Ukraine’s official delegation
Ukrainian American Relief Committee.
to a special session on gender equality at
In 1948 the league took the initiative of
the 23rd United Nations General
calling a world congress of Ukrainian
Assembly – Ukraine’s Minister of Justice
Suzanna Stanik; Dr. Laryssa women at which the World Federation of
Kobylianska, president of the League of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations was
Women Voters in Ukraine, and Ludmilla born.
Vynohradova – as well as Anna The president concluded with the
Kushniryk, Ukraine’s vice-consul in happy announcement that the UNWLA
New York, and Dr. Sorosh Roshan, presi- had been accepted as a member-organi-
dent of the National Council of Women zation of the Ukrainian World
of the U.S.A. Representatives of numer- Coordinating Council at the council’s
ous Ukrainian national and local organi- annual meeting in Kyiv on April 20.
zations were in attendance.
Supporting culture
Ivanna Rozankowsky, a former
UNWLA national president, and UNWLAmembers take great pride in
Kateryna Papuha, both of whom have many major accomplishments of their
served the organization for 50 years and national organization. In cooperation
were in the audience, were singled out with the Ukrainian community, the
UNWLAofficers elected at the First Congress of Ukrainian Women in the U.S.A.
for special citations. Citations were also league purchased a Ukrainian pavilion at
held in May 1931:(seated, from left) Anastazia Rybak, vice-president; Olena D.
presented to three members who served the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, decorat-
Lotocky, president; Aneta L. Kmetz, vice-president; (standing, from left) Stefa
as presidents of Branch 1: Lidia Magun,
(Continued on page 21) Abrahamowsky, treasurer; and Anastazia Wagner, secretary.
Olena Goy and Olha Slyvka.
In her address to the assembled
guests, UNWLA President Iryna
Kurowycky pointed to the dedicated
work of these women and to other New
York area members who have given
exceptional service to the league. Five of
the league’s 11 national presidents came
from the New York region: Julia
Shustakewych, Julia Jarema, Mrs.
Rozanowsky, Maria Savchak and Mrs.
Kurowycky. Among the six editors of the
organization’s official publication, Nashe
Zhyttia, three are from New York:
Claudia Olesnytsky, Ulana Liubovych
Starosolska and the current editor, Iryna
Chaban.
In defense of captive Ukraine
Citing the league’s work in defense
of captive Ukraine in the world arena,
Mrs. Kurowycky pointed to such
important events as protests against
pacification of Western Ukraine by the
Polish government in the 1930s, the
appeal to the American government in
the matter of the forced evacuation of
Ukrainians to Siberia, an appeal to
President Harry Truman in defense of
displaced persons, a meeting with First
Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to correct her
“mistaken understanding” about the
status of Ukrainian people under Soviet UNWLAbranch presidents at the organization’s 75th anniversary celebration:(from left) Luba Firchuk (Branch 113),
rule, and actions taken on behalf of Paraskewia Szpaczynsky (vice-president, 103), Anna Slobodian (89), Barbara Bachynsky (83), Halyna Bilyk (71), Olha Hirny
prisoners of conscience, especially (82), New York Regional Council President Nadia Sawczuk, UNWLAPresident Iryna Kurowycky, Emilia Rojowska (21), Luba
women. Pawlyk (35), Nadia Liteplo (30), Lidia Magun (1), Christina Nawrocky (64), Irena Mociuk (119), Ulana Kekish-Solodenko (123).
10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2000 No. 26
Ukrainian American artist participates
in CowParade public art exhibiton
WESTORANGE, N.J. – Aherd of over
25 colorful, life-size bovines painted by
artists hailing from New Jersey to the
Netherlands are on display grazing
SSUUMMMMEERR 22000000 throughout West Orange since June 23 as
part of a unique and off-beat summerlong
CowParade public art exhibition.
After its unprecedented success in
Saturday, July 1
Zurich, where it originated in 1998,
8:30 p.m. – concert – Barabolya, Toronto CowParade made its U.S. debut in
10 p.m. – dance – music by BURYA, ZABAVA Chicago in the summer of 1999 and has
spread to New York City, West Orange
Sunday, July 2 and Hartford, Conn., for the summer of
2000 where over 500 cows will be exhib-
8:30 p.m. – concert – Barabolya, Toronto
ited.
10 p.m. – dance – music by BURYA
The cows are sponsored by local busi-
nesses and will be auctioned to raise
Saturday, July 8
money for their favorite charities at the
8:30 p.m. – concert – Luba and Mykola Duo end of the summer. (Following the exhibit
10 p.m. – dance in Chicago, the auction raised $3.5 million
for charity, with the average bid on a cow
Detail of “Moo-net at Giverny,” designed
Saturday, July 15 nearly $25,000.)
by Christina Saj.
Among the several established local
8:30 p.m. – concert – Promin Vocal Ensemble
artists designing cows for the pasture in “Moo-net at Giverny” was unveiled,
10 p.m. – dance – music by BURLAKY
New Jersey is Montclair artist Christina along with the rest of the herd, on Friday,
Saj. June 23, at the Essex Green Shopping
Saturday, July 22
In her project titled “Moo-net at Center in West Orange where it will be on
8:30 p.m. – concert – Cheres Ukrainian Folklore Ensemble Giverny,” Ms. Saj choose to depart from display through Labor Day.
10 p.m. – dance – music by VODOHRAI her own style and demonstrate her skill “Moo-net at Giverny” is sponsored by
and mastery of technique by reinterpret- the Shauger Group of West Orange, which
Saturday, July 29 ing the work of the French Impressionist has designated the Boys and Girls Club of
artist, Claude Monet. Her vision was to Greater Essex as the beneficiary of “Moo-
8:30 p.m. – concert – Prometheus choir, Philadelphia
provide a decorative work that would net at Giverny” following the CowParade
10 p.m. – dance – music by MONTAGE
bring images of art usually found in auction, to be held in Spetember.
museums into a public space within the Ms. Saj regularly exhibits her work, and
Saturday, August 5 community. has shown throughout the United States
8:30 p.m. – concert In preparation for her project, Ms. Saj and Canada. Information about her work as
10 p.m. – dance – music by LUNA examined Monet’s paintings at The well as the West Orange CowParade can be
Metropolitan Museum in New York, found at http://www.artonline.net/
Sunday, August 6 closely studying the artist’s style. In her Among renowned artists designing their
project, she focused on creating loose white fiberglass bovines in CowParade
UNWLADay at Soyuzivka
brushstrokes, the carefull rendering of West Orange 2000 are architects Robert
areas of light and shade, and in composing M. Stern and Michael Graves, while
Saturday, August 12 a profusion of the artist’s favorite floral artist/actor Federico Castelluccion of “The
8:30 p.m. – concert – Dumka choir, New York images from his beloved gardens at Sopranos” has also envisioned a beautiful
10 p.m. – dance – music by TEMPO Giverny. bovine.
11:45 p.m. – CROWNING OF MISS SOYUZIVKA2001
ciation to all past presidents of the New
Saturday, August 19 UNWLAjubilee marked...
Jersey Regional Council and to members
8:30 p.m. – concert (Continued from page 8) with over 10 years of service in the coun-
UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS cil’s leadership. Social Welfare Chair
Sponsorship Program was presented by
“Soyuzivka’s Ukrainian Dance Workshop” Katrusia Wolowodiuk recognized Daria
10 p.m. – dance – music by SVITANOK Ms. Bilowchtchuk. She also recognized
Kolatalo (Branch 70) and Julia Polanska
Branch 86 with a certificate of apprecia-
(Branch 24) for their work.
tion for having the most sponsors and
Saturday, August 26 At the conclusion of the luncheon,
scholarship recipients in the last 20 years.
Ms. Kobzar, the mistress of ceremonies,
8:30 p.m. – concert – Solomiya Ivachiv, violin; Original paintings by UNWLA mem-
8:30 p.m. – concert – Christina Anum-Dorhuso, piano bers Wolodymyra Wasichko (Branch 86), thank everyone for coming and invited
10 p.m. – dance – music by VIDLUNNIA Christina Debarry (Branch 18), Christina them to pose for a group photograph.
Roland (Branch 98), and member-at-
September 1-3 large Alexandra Isaievych decorated the
hall and were admired by members and N.J. Regional Council...
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
guests alike.
(Continued from page 8)
After a program that included a per-
PLUS: Enjoy the sounds of Greg and Stefan every Wednesday at Hutsul formance by pianist Taissa Bohdanska Bilowchtchuk of Branch 4.
night at 6 p.m., starting June 28. (Branch 28 president) and recitations by • In 1986 New Jersey Regional
Ms. Melnychuk (Branch 24 president) Council was instrumental in collecting
Dance to the tunes of Vidlunnia every Friday evening starting July 14.
New Jersey Regional Council president artifacts and establishing the Ukrainian
Polanskyj presented certificates of appre- exhibit at the Museum of Immigration
on Ellis Island in New York. This was
quite an accomplishment at the time
when Ukraine still was part of the
USSR.
• In 1989 then UNWLA Education
Chair Ms. Trytyak founded what is now
called the Montessori Preschool at St.
John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic
Parish.
The New Jersey Regional Council is
proud of UNWLA Honorary President
Anna Krawczuk and UNWLAHonorary
members: Hanna Dmyterko-Ratych,
Natalie Chaplenko, Olha Mussakowska,
Sophie Andrushkiw, Olha Hnatyk, Iryna
Lewycka, Iryna Chaikivska, Joanna
Ratych and Ms. Trytyak. The New Jersey
Regional Council’s honorary members
are: Ms. Lewycka, Ms. Mussakowska
and Olena Melnychuk.