The Ukrainian Weekly 2010, No.22

24 Pages·2010·5.47 MB·English

INSIDE:
• Medvedev’s second visit pulls Ukraine closer to Russia – page 3.
• Complete results of elections at the UNA Convention – page 4.
• Reporter’s Notebook: Asking “Why?” in Zaporizhia – page 13.
T U W
HE KRAINIAN EEKLY
Published by the ukrainian National association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association
Vol. LXXVIII No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 $1/$2 in Ukraine
Ukrainian National Association holds 37th Convention
by Roma Hadzewycz
KERHONKSON, N.Y. – The Ukrainian
National Association held its 37th Regular
Convention here at the Soyuzivka Heritage
Center on May 20-23, re-electing the vast
majority of incumbents to positions on the
fraternal organization’s General Assembly.
Re-elected by acclamation were four
Executive Committee members, President
Stefan Kaczaraj, National Secretary
Christine E. Kozak, Treasurer Roma
Lisovich and Director for Canada Myron
Groch; and all three Auditing Committee
members, Slavko Tysiak (chairman), Gene
Serba and Dr. Wasyl Szeremeta. (Mr. Serba,
elected in 2006 as an advisor, had been
appointed to the Auditing Committee to fill
the vacancy created after the death of Dr.
Vasyl Luchkiw.)
Also elected by acclamation were the two
other members of the six-member Executive
Committee, First Vice-President Michael Roma Hadzewcz
Koziupa (previously the second vice-presi- Elected by acclamation at the UNA’s 37th Regular Convention were (from left): Director for Canada Myron Groch, First
dent) and Second Vice-President Eugene Vice-President Michael Koziupa, National Secretary Christine E. Kozak, President Stefan Kaczaraj, Treasurer Roma
Oscislawski (previously an advisor). Lisovich, Second Vice-President Eugene Oscislawski and Auditors Gene Serba, Dr. Wasyl Szeremeta and Slavko Tysiak.
Delegates to the quadrennial convention,
who arrived at Soyuzivka from across the York), Oleh Palaschenko (Ohio), Olya also served the UNA as an auditor, and the second time the UNA was holding its
United States and Canada, also elected 11 Czerkas (Florida) and Luba Poniatyszyn Advisor Al Kachkowski, who also held the convention at Soyuzivka, which he
advisors to serve on the General Assembly: Keske (California). Messrs. Futey, Osidacz, office of director for Canada. described as the American Carpathian
Maya Lew (New York state), Andrew Futey Szul and Palaschenko, and Ms. Keske are The convention was opened with a brief Mountains. An opening prayer was offered
(Ohio), Ewhen Osidacz (Quebec), Nicholas newcomers to the General Assembly. ceremony at the heritage center’s monument by Dr. Holubec.
Fil (New York), Stephanie Hawryluk (New Two members of the 2006-2010 General to Taras Shevchenko, where participants
Afterwards, the women members of the
York), Gloria Horbaty (Connecticut), Lubov Assembly announced they were retiring: heard welcoming remarks from President
Streletsky (Pennsylvania), Andrij Szul (New First Vice-President Zenon Holubec, who Kaczaraj. Mr. Kaczaraj noted that this was (Continued on page 4)
ukraine in danger: an end SBU attempts to pressure rector
to citizens’ monitoring of police? of Ukrainian Catholic University
by Zenon Zawada by Marta Kolomayets inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs of
any planned student actions or unrest,
Kyiv Press Bureau
CHICAGO – In tactics reminiscent of
recalled Father Gudziak.
Ukraine in danger: Ukraine’s civil soci- the Soviet era, a Lviv representative from “I was not an informant during the days
ety has begun to report on authoritarian the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU, the of the Soviet Union,” said Mr. Marynovych,
successor to the KGB) paid a visit to the
policies and rights abuses by the adminis- who was a prisoner of conscience and spent
rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University
tration of President Viktor Yanukovych. This seven years in Perm’s labor camps and
on May 18.
article, the third in this series, examines three years in exile in Kazakhstan. “And
The rector of the Ukrainian Catholic
threats to citizens’ monitoring of govern- I’m not about to start in an independent
University, the Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak,
ment. Ukraine,” he had noted.
was asked to sign a letter presented by the
Nine years ago, the SBU presented the
SBU. Although he did not read the text of
KYIV – When Internal Affairs Minister Rev. Gudziak with a veiled threat of depor-
the letter and did not sign anything (see
Anatolii Mohyliov met with German tation, but pressure from the news magazine
memorandum below), the Rev. Gudziak
Ambassador to Ukraine Hans-Jurgen The Economist and then U.S. Ambassador
said he assumes it was in the same vein as
Heimsoeth in late March, he assured the to Ukraine Carlos Pascual put an end to
the message delivered during a 2001 visit
diplomat that his changes to the country’s actions of the overzealous police.
from the SBU.
police department “would only support the This week once again (May 23) the
In March 2001 the Rev. Gudziak and his
improvement of controls to ensure human Economist published a piece on the “spooks
fellow vice-rectors, including Myroslav
rights.” of Russia and Ukraine,” noting that “given
Marynovych, were visited by officials of
Yet, by then Mr. Mohyliov had already the way the SBU has been behaving of late,
the SBU, who were disturbed by student
taken swift measures to severely reduce the the difference between its tactics and those
Zenon Zawada protests hoping to bring down then
ability of Ukrainian citizens to monitor the of the Russia’s FSB seems to be narrow-
Yevhen Zakharov of the Kharkiv President Leonid Kuchma. The campaign,
activity of their own police, who have a ing.”
Human Rights Group said Ukraine’s known as “Ukraine without Kuchma”
well-established record for corruption and The students of the Ukrainian Catholic
new police chief, Internal Affairs began soon after the slaying of Ukrainian
abuse of the law. University, which reopened in Lviv more
Minister Anatolii Mohyliov, has dis- journalist and investigative reporter Heorhii
Within a week of assuming office, than 15 years ago (it had been closed down
missed respected human rights activists Gongadze.
(Continued on page 10) from monitoring the country’s police. In 2001 the SBU asked the rectorate to (Continued on page 9)
2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 No. 22
ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS
The FSB returns to Ukraine
Biden speaks with Yanukovych (PRU) is planning to table in Parliament
next week a bill on basic languages in
by Taras Kuzio undertake this activity. Foreign siloviki are WASHINGTON – The White House
Ukraine so that the Verkhovna Rada can
Eurasia Daily Monitor banned from undertaking “operative-search” Office of the Vice-President on May 24
adopt it before the end of the current ses-
activities on Ukrainian territory. issued the following “Readout of the Vice
After the second round of Ukraine’s 2010 Former SBU Chairman Valentyn President’s Call with Ukrainian President sion, faction member Vadym Kolesnichenko
elections, Russia demanded that President Nalyvaichenko has pointed out that the Viktor Yanukovych.” The full text of the said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine
Viktor Yanukovych undertake measures to 2000-2009 stationing of FSB officers in release read: “Vice-President Joe Biden and on May 25. “It [the bill] will put everything
improve relations between both countries. Sevastopol was illegal under Ukrainian law. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in place and enshrine Ukraine’s commit-
Moscow demanded that Mr. Yanukovych “The protocol signed in 2000 whereby FSB spoke today by telephone. They discussed ments to the Council of Europe on the
re-admit the Federal Security Service (FSB) units were stationed in Crimea never was in the steps Ukraine is taking to put its econo- Charter for Regional or Minority Languages,
to the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and “end all conformity with Ukrainian legislation,” Mr. my on a stable path to recovery. They also ensuring the right of territorial communities,
cooperation with the Central Intelligence Nalyvaichenko revealed, meaning that discussed issues of bilateral and regional and most importantly, the right of all people
Agency” (Kommersant Vlast, February 22). President Leonid Kuchma had agreed to the importance, including Ukraine’s progress in to use their own language within the powers
The Yanukovych administration has agreed stationing of the FSB by violating Ukrainian forging closer ties with the United States that will be provided by law,” he said. Mr.
to most of these demands, which are benefi- law (Komersant-Ukraina, May 12). and Europe.” A spokesperson for the Office Kolesnichenko noted that the document
cial to Russian, not Ukrainian, national secu- The 2000 agreement was annulled by Mr. of the Vice-President told The Ukrainian would be based on a bill drafted by former
rity. Nalyvaichenko and the officers withdrew in Weekly no further information was avail- PRU National Deputy Yevhen Kushnariov,
One of the Russian demands was for the December 2009 (EDM, July 14, 2009). The able. (Office of the Vice-President) who died in 2007, adding that Mr.
return of FSB officers to the BSF based in FSB re-located to Novorosiysk (www.korr- Kushnariov’s bill had been reviewed by
Sevastopol. On May 19-20 in Odesa, fol- Pope may visit Ukraine in 2012 European experts and undergone a serious
spondent.net, December 1, Ukrayinska
lowing President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit revision. Mr. Kolesnichenko said that the
Pravda, December 10, 2009).
KYIV – The Holy See has accepted an
to Ukraine two days earlier, Security Service issue concerned not only the use of the
The first group of FSB officers returned
invitation for Pope Benedict XVI to visit
of Ukraine (SBU) Chairman Valeriy Russian language. “Why only Russian?
to Ukraine ahead of the signing of the new
Ukraine in 2012, it was reported on May 26.
Khoroshkovsky and FSB Chairman Why don’t we talk about Hungarian or
documents in Odesa. They were preparing
The date for the visit is currently being set,
Oleksandr Bortnykov signed documents Romanian? Why is everything linked only
joint anti-terrorism manoeuvres with the
said Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki at
permitting the return of the FSB officers to the Russian language in our country? We
SBU (Ukrayinska Pravda, May 12). Mr.
the fourth working meeting of Ukrainian
(Eurasia Daily Monitor, March 12). The have 13 regional languages. We have a suf-
Nalyvaichenko argued, as he did in 2009,
Catholic bishops. In 2012, the 600th anni-
agreement will reinstate the same level of ficient number of communities, and the state
that the SBU has sufficient resources to
versary of the transfer of the capital of bish-
SBU-FSB cooperation that existed between pledged to defend their right to use their
counter any kind of threats to the BSF. The
ops from Halych to Lviv will be marked in
2000 (when Vladimir Putin was first elected own language,” he said. He added that the
SBU offered to provide full security for the
Lviv. The predecessor of the current pontiff,
as Russian president) and 2009 (marking the bill proposed by the PRU was aimed at pro-
fleet through a new SBU, “powerful coun-
the late Pope John Paul II, paid an official
point that the FSB were withdrawn from ter-intelligence unit in Symferopol, visit to Ukraine in June 2001. This was the tecting the rights of regional minorities. Mr.
Ukraine). One possible difference would be Sevastopol and other cities of Crimea.” This first visit by a pope to independent Ukraine. Kolesnichenko said that after the adoption
that the officers in question would have to unit would be ideally suited to protect the (Ukrinform) of this law, regional communities would be
be agreed with Ukraine, representing only a BSF, he added (Nezavisimoy Gazete, June able to use their native languages in educa-
formality (Ukrayinska Pravda, May 12). 15, 2009). The SBU could deal with law and Crimean Rada’s new (old) name tion, office work and the judicial system.
The numbers of FSB officers would be order, and counter terrorism, “We do not (Interfax-Ukraine)
proportionate to the BSF personnel. This SYMFEROPOL, Ukraine – The Crimean
need assistance or the physical presence of
could be problematic, as Russia has always Parliament on May 26 introduced amend- Kyiv authorities want curfew
foreign secret services,” Mr. Nalyvaichenko
provided conflicting data on the number of ments to the Constitution of the Autonomous
said (Nezavisimoy Gazete, June 15, 2009). KYIV – By the end of May, the capital
its naval troops stationed in Ukraine. A more Republic of Crimea, according to which the
The first deputy head of the State Duma city’s state administration will submit a bill
controversial question is whether the FSB name of the Crimean Parliament when used
Committee on the CIS, Kostiantyn Zatulin, to the Verkhovna Rada proposing to set a
officers, who belong to its counter-intelli- in text in the Russian language is changed
stressed the importance of the FSB presence curfew for children and teenagers, it was
gence department, would be given the right from the Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council
in Crimea to counter terrorism. Mr. Zatulin reported on May 9. Earlier, similar restric-
to undertake “operative-search” activities on in Ukrainian) of the Autonomous Republic
claimed the FSB is involved in countering tions regarding children’s presence on the
Ukrainian territory. Russian legislation per- of Crimea to the Verkhovnyi Soviet
terrorism on a wide scale and, therefore, has streets in the evening and at night were
mits such activities wherever the FSB are (Supreme Council in Russian). This deci-
greater practical experience than the SBU introduced in several cities. Kyiv authorities
stationed, but Ukrainian law outlines the sion was supported by 76 out of 94 mem-
propose in their bill amendments to the
domestic “siloviki” units who have a right to (Continued on page 22) bers of the Crimean Parliament registered
Administrative Code that will stipulate par-
for voting on May 26. Four members voted
ents’ responsibility for their children staying
against. (Interfax-Ukraine)
on the street when it is not permitted. It is
Yanukovych rejects Putin’s proposal PRU preps bill on languages expected that children up to 8 years of age
KYIV – The Party of Regions of Ukraine (Continued on page 14)
for Gazprom-Naftohaz Ukrainy merger
T U W
by Pavel Korduban TV interview (ICTV, May 12). Mr. Boiko he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933
Eurasia Daily Monitor went to Moscow on May 13 to discuss Mr.
Putin’s offer with Gazprom CEO Alexei
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met Miller, but no agreement was reached. An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc.,
a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.
with his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor The Ukrainian president, speaking to
Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45.
Yanukovych, for the seventh time this year, Ekho Moskvy on May 13, said that a merger
in Kyiv on May 17-18, but contrary to gen- would be possible on the parity principle Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices.
(ISSN — 0273-9348)
eral expectations no new gas agreements only. “If I had been there,” he said half-jok-
were reached. Ukraine rejected Russian ingly, meaning in Prime Minister Mykola The Weekly: UNA:
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s April 30 Azarov’s place during his meeting with Mr. Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
offer to merge the national oil and gas com- Putin on April 30, “I would have extended
pany, Naftohaz Ukrainy, with Gazprom. my hand to Mr. Putin saying ‘I agree on a Postmaster, send address changes to:
Kyiv’s position is that such a merger is 50/50 share.’” Mr. Yanukovych noted that The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz
impossible in principle as it would mean the modernization of gas pipelines was more 2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew Dubas
Naftohaz’s takeover by Gazprom, given the important for him than a merger. He reiterat- P.O. Box 280 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv)
fact that the latter is much larger. Instead, ed that Russia should drop its South Stream Parsippany, NJ 07054
Kyiv may agree to a joint venture between pipeline project bypassing Ukraine and help
Naftohaz and Gazprom. Mr. Medvedev sig- to upgrade its pipelines instead, which The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected]
would be a cheaper option.
naled his readiness to discuss this option.
Kyiv’s reaction to Mr. Putin’s proposal In another interview, on May 13, Mr. The Ukrainian Weekly, May 30, 2010, No. 22, Vol. LXXVIII
Yanukovych said in clear terms that there
has been cautious from the outset. In early Copyright © 2010 The Ukrainian Weekly
would be no merger. Russia would not agree
May, Kyiv indicated that it would proceed
to a 50/50 Gazprom-Naftohaz merger given
from national interests as far as Mr. Putin’s
Naftohaz’s small size compared to Gazprom,
offer was concerned (Eurasia Daily Monitor, ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA
he explained. “However, a merger on any
May 12). As the opposition and the expert
other condition is impossible,” said Mr. Walter Honcharyk, administrator [phone], ext. 3041
community stepped up criticism of the
Yanukovych (BBC Ukrainian Service, May e-mail: [email protected]
merger offer, the government also became
13). Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager [phone], ext. 3040
more outspoken. Ukrainian Fuel and Energy
Serhii Pashynsky, former advisor to fax: [phone]
Minister Yurii Boiko was the first top offi-
Yulia Tymoshenko on energy matters, sug- e-mail: [email protected]
cial to rule out a “simple” merger of
gested that Kyiv would prefer the creation Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions [phone], ext. 3042
Naftohaz and Gazprom as it would be
e-mail: [email protected]
“unprecedented in scale,” he stated during a (Continued on page 22)
No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 3
NEWS ANALYSIS
Russian president’s second visit pulls Ukraine closer to Russia
by Vladimir Socor been Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s gested. Ukraine would choose “based on
Eurasia Daily Monitor outright denial (during a NATO meeting) Moscow exploits a the national interests” (Interfax-Ukraine,
that anything worthy of concern was May 19).
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s occurring between Russia and Ukraine triple opportunity: This has been Mr. Azarov’s position all
May 17-18 visit to Kyiv capped a (Voice of America, April 22). along, not shared to the same extent, if at
Ukraine’s regime
10-week campaign to lay the basis for Moscow is in a hurry to capitalize on all, by other Donetsk industrialists and
“reintegrating” Ukraine with Russia. It its perceived free hand in Ukraine while politicians. Many in that group, however,
change, the lack of
was Mr. Medvedev’s seventh meeting the opportunity lasts. It cannot be certain lack a clear definition of national interests
with Ukraine’s new leaders since early how long it will last and seeks to advance any coherent West- as distinct from business and group inter-
March, not counting Russian Prime the process of reintegration quickly, ests. The economic crisis has increased
Minister Vladimir Putin’s similar number beyond the point of no return. ern policy toward the gravitational pull of Russia’s market
of meetings with them. Mr. Medvedev’s Heading a governmental and business and raw-material base vis-à-vis Ukraine.
previous visit to Ukraine, on April 21, delegation to Kyiv, President Medvedev Ukraine and the Mr. Medvedev offered to represent from
had produced the agreement to extend the proposed a wide-ranging program of now on the positions of Ukraine and other
economic crisis af-
basing of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on industrial joint ventures with Russian CIS countries at G-8 and G-20 summits.
Ukrainian territory in return for Russia capital in Ukraine. Apart from gas, the Russia would “lobby,” he said, to ensure
fecting Ukraine.
subsidizing Ukraine’s gas consumption. focus is on the steel, chemical, nuclear, that decisions taken at those summits (on
Moscow exploits a triple opportunity: aviation and ship-building industries. The anti-crisis measures, meet the interests of
Ukraine’s regime change through overall concept involves Russian acquisi- “our friendly neighbors”) (Russia Today,
Donetskization of the executive power in tion of stakes in Ukrainian industries, with Ukraine’s leading industrialists at the May 17; www.kremlin.ru, May 19). Such
Kyiv; the lack of any coherent Western tempting the crisis-hit Ukrainian owners business forum, in Mr. Medvedev’s pres- a promise reflects Moscow’s goal to act as
policy toward Ukraine; and the economic with the prospect of guaranteed Russian ence. At the forum, Mr. Yanukovych leader of a Eurasian bloc of countries and
crisis that disables Ukraine and the West markets for the proposed joint enterprises. remarked on Russia’s apparent capacity to speak to the world on those countries’ col-
from resisting, but not Moscow from pur- Overall, Mr. Medvedev proposed that invest in Ukraine during the economic cri- lective behalf.
suing Ukraine’s economic absorption. Russia and Ukraine “synchronize the sis, even as “the crisis showed the vulnera- As Russian analyst Fedor Lukyanov has
Previewing his visit for Ukrainian development of their socio-economic bility of the U.S. and EU economies” remarked (Center TV, May 18), Russia
media, Mr. Medvedev remarked: “As relations” (speech at Kyiv State (Interfax-Ukraine, May 18). looks more interesting from Ukraine’s per-
soon as any vacuum emerges, the tempta- University, Interfax-Ukraine, May 18, 19; In a post-summit interview with spective because the country itself is actu-
tion arises to fill this vacuum with some- www.kremlin.ru, May 19). Russian and Ukrainian media, Ukraine’s ally interested in Ukraine, whereas the
thing. ... This is why Europe and NATO Mr. Medvedev and Ukrainian President Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, expressed European Union is apparently not. Within
showed an absolutely calm reaction to Viktor Yanukovych co-chaired a session his readiness to consider the possibility of days of President Medvedev’s Ukraine
our agreement with Ukraine to extend the of the bilateral Interstate Commission, Ukraine’s accession to the Single visit, the United States is scheduled to host
presence of Russia’s naval base in which had been dormant in recent years, Economic Space of Russia, Belarus and him, hoping for Russian support on multi-
Sevastopol. This is wise” (Russia Today, but will henceforth convene twice a year Kazakhstan. He described this grouping ple U.S. predicaments. Downgraded on the
May 17). at the presidential level. The session con- as a potential market of some 200 million list of Western priorities, Ukraine’s current
During this 10-week period, the only sidered a raft of investment projects, to be people (including Ukraine’s 46 million), decision-makers must feel that they lack a
reaction from Brussels was that of EU submitted in July of this year to both gov- where Ukrainian industries could enjoy strategic option other than Russia at this
Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, ernments for quick action. It also decided guaranteed access for their products. stage.
stating that a takeover of Ukraine’s gas to order the drafting of a 10-year program Ukrainian steel and chemical producers
transit system would be a purely bilateral for the expansion of socio-economic rela- can join forces with their Russian coun- The article above is reprinted from
matter between Ukraine and Russia tions (Interfax-Ukraine, May 18, 19; terparts in the Single Economic Space, Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission
(European Union press releases, May 3, www.kremlin.ru, May 19). instead of competing against each other from its publisher, the Jamestown
6). Washington’s only reaction thus far has Those investment projects were broached on international markets, Mr. Azarov sug- Foundation, www.jamestown.org.
Non-bloc status covers Kyiv’s shift to Russian-vector orientation
by Vladimir Socor happy to open the door for you, and wel- compartmentalized agreements. The pub- wake of Mr. Medvedev’s visit, telling the
Eurasia Daily Monitor come you into our ranks” (Website of the lic announcement singles out “economic media: “If we see that some really impor-
President of the Russian Federation, May and industrial counter-intelligence, as tant issues cannot be resolved without
Opening, alongside Russian President 19). well as protection of Russian and being a [full] member and without ratify-
Dmitry Medvedev, the Interstate Mr. Medvedev’s reference to CSTO’s Ukrainian technologies on the internal ing the charter, we will consider this, of
Commission’s session, Ukrainian
open door sounds like a taunt to NATO’s markets [of the two countries]” (Interfax- course” (Interfax-Ukraine, May 19).
President Viktor Yanukovych turned the
eponymous but failing policy in Ukraine. Ukraine, May 19).
This statement typifies the new
clock back to 1990. Invoking that year’s
In a concluding statement on European This aspect of cooperation seems relat-
declaration of Ukraine’s state sovereignty Ukrainian authorities’ proclivity to put
security, Mr. Yanukovych joins Mr. ed to the planned entry of Russian capital
(still within the USSR), Mr. Yanukovych leverage in Moscow’s hand, in advance
Medvedev in pledging to promote a new into Ukrainian industries and creation of
selectively underscored the document’s of any negotiation, by displaying their
security system for all states in the Euro- joint enterprises there. Mr.
stipulation of “non-bloc status” for sense of Ukraine’s vulnerability. Thus,
Atlantic space, along the lines of the Khoroshkovsky himself has had long-
Ukraine. The country can now “finally Mr. Yanukovych and his government
Russian president’s 2009 proposals to standing connections with Russian busi-
achieve this goal,” he declared (UNIAN, have advertised their fear of Gazprom’s
create a structure superordinate to NATO. ness in the metallurgical and energy sec-
May 17). As a distinct feature related to Ukraine, tors. South Stream pipeline project, inviting
This statement implies more than repu-
the joint statement includes a call for A separate protocol, signed at the same Russia’s entry into Ukraine’s gas transit
diating the hypothesis of NATO member-
security “guarantees to non-bloc coun- meeting, provides for the return of system, as a price for lifting South
ship. Ukraine’s new authorities have
tries and those that voluntarily gave up Russian FSB military counter-intelligence Stream’s alleged bypass threat.
already done that, both declaratively and
their nuclear arsenals” (Interfax, May officers to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Emboldened, Prime Minister Vladimir
by disbanding the two state commissions
17). Crimea (Interfax-Ukraine, May 19). Putin and Gazprom have raised the pres-
that used to handle Ukraine-NATO coop-
This seems to presage Kyiv’s own con- Those officers’ presence had all along sure by demanding an outright “merger,”
eration programs. Going back to 1990,
however, implicitly overrides Ukraine’s tribution to promoting Moscow’s propos- contravened CIS-wide agreements that rather than shared control. Similarly,
existing Constitution, which dropped the als from now on. Relegated to a grey prohibit FSB operations on the territories President Medvedev felt emboldened in
“non-bloc” clause, so as to open the way zone between NATO and Russia, the of member-countries of the Kyiv to raise the prospect of a shift from
toward joining NATO. Mr. Yanukovych’s Ukrainian government can from its own Commonwealth of Independent States. In Ukraine’ non-bloc status to entry into the
statement also reflects Moscow’s and his perspective feel justified supporting 2009 Ukraine ordered FSB officers CSTO.
own government’s view, that “non-bloc” Russia’s proposals to create a structure attached to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to By all appearances, the Ukrainian pres-
is fully compatible with hosting Russia’s above NATO, if those proposals would on leave Ukraine’s territory. ident and government feel that they must
Black Sea Fleet on Ukrainian territory for paper “guarantee” the security of “non- Ukraine is one of the founding coun- deal with Russia one-on-one, in the
decades to come. bloc” Ukraine. tries of the CIS, but has never ratified
absence of Western involvement, which
Moscow apparently regards Ukraine’s Following the summit, Russia’s procedure of the CIS charter and is thus
could steady the Ukrainian authorities’
“non-bloc” position as applying only Federal Security Service (FSB) and not a full-fledged member. The new gov-
nervous hand. Far from the anticipated
toward NATO, but not toward the Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) initiat- ernment’s minister of foreign affairs,
two-vector policy, Kyiv has drifted far
Collective Security Treaty Organization ed an unprecedented program of joint Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, has stated more
into a single-vector policy toward Russia.
(CSTO). In his speech at Kyiv State activities. Meeting on May 19 in Odesa, than once since taking office that Ukraine
University, Mr. Medvedev declared that the chairmen of the FSB and the SBU, can participate in CIS activities without
Ukraine’s non-bloc position was perfectly Aleksandr Bortnikov and Valerii ratifying the charter and therefore, does The article above is reprinted from
acceptable to Russia at present. “But life Khoroshkovsky, respectively, signed a not intend to do ratify it. The ministry’s Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission
does change, and if Ukraine decides to framework document for cooperation on new spokesman, Oleh Voloshyn, howev- from its publisher, the Jamestown
join the CSTO in the future, we would be a wide range of issues, to be detailed in er, retreated from that position in the Foundation, www.jamestown.org.
4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 No. 22
THE 37th CONVENTION OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
The uNa General assembly for 2010-2014
Below are the complete results of both the primary elections and the final balloting oFFIce/caNDIDaTe PRIMaRY FINaL
for offices on the UNA General Assembly. The names of candidates for office
appear in the first column; the results of the primary, which is conducted as a AUDITORS
write-in vote, appear in the second column; and the final election results are in the Slavko Tysiak 76 ACCLAMATION
third column. Eugene Serba 73 ACCLAMATION
Wasyl Szeremeta 73 ACCLAMATION
After the results of the primary were announced, nominees could accept or decline Eugene Oscislawski 1
to run; no more than three candidates for each position could run in the final elec- Andrij Szul 1
tion (i.e., three candidates could run for each of the six executive officers’ positions,
nine persons could run for the three auditors’ slots; and 33 could run for the 11 ADVISORS
advisors’ positions). Nicholas Fil 68 59
Maya Lew 65 66
The names of those elected to office appear in bold. Officers who ran unopposed in Stephanie Hawryluk 64 59
the final election were elected by acclamation. The new General Assembly begins Andrew Futey 63 64
its term on July 1. Gloria Horbaty 62 59
Ewhen Osidacz 60 60
Lubov Streletsky 58 58
oFFIce/caNDIDaTe PRIMaRY FINaL
Olya Czerkas 56 43
Michael Luciw 47 37
PRESIDENT Oleh Palaschenko 44 47
Stefan Kaczaraj 73 ACCLAMATION Andrij Szul 42 50
Andrij Skyba 21 22
1st VICE-PRESIDENT Al Kachkowski 12
Michael Koziupa 66 ACCLAMATION Bohdan Doboszczak 9
Zenon Holubec 2 Tamara Kuropas 8
Eugene Oscislawski 1 Stefan Lysiak 6
Andrij Skyba 1 Nestor Olesnycky 3
Markian Hadzewycz 2
2nd VICE-PRESIDENT Luba Keske 2 40
Eugene Oscislawski 72 ACCLAMATION Raymond Komichak 2
Michael Koziupa 1 George Soltys 2
Maya Lew 1 Andrii Andriyevsky 1
Oleh Palaschenko 1 Andrij Gavdanovich 1
(No first name) Holovata 1
DIRECTOR FOR CANADA Halyna Kolessa 1 30
Myron Groch 67 ACCLAMATION Oksana Koziak 1
Ewhen Osidacz 2 Gloria Paschen 1
Ulana Prociuk 1
NATIONAL SECRETARY Irene Pryjma 1
Christine Kozak 73 ACCLAMATION Bohdana Puzyk 1
Roma Lisovich 1 Myron Pylypiak 1
Anna Slobodian 1
TREASURER Oksana Stanko 1
Roma Lisovich 74 ACCLAMATION (No first name) Schultz 1
Stephan Welhasch 1
UNA holds... ously 300 and above) for the maximum
four delegates. UNA recognizes
(Continued from page 1) During the four days of sessions, dele-
gates also had an opportunity to attend a
General Assembly placed flowers before the longtime branch secretaries
Secretaries Course, to get advice from the
statue of the Rev. Hryhory Hrushka, first
UNA’s top organizers, and to hear a presen-
editor of Svoboda and founder of the
Ukrainian National Association. tation about how the UNA’s insurance and The following UNA branch secretaries Alexandra Dolnycky 38 years
The convention heard reports by the annuities products can be used in funding a were honored at the 37th Regular UNA Janet Bardell 38 years
UNA’s executive officers, auditors and advi- child’s college education. Convention for their longtime service. Gloria Paschen 37 years
The keynote address at the convention
sors, as well as the editor-in-chief of The
banquet was delivered by Petro R. Michael Sawkiw 37 years
Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda, Roma 50 or more years of service to the UNA
Stawnychy, president of the U.S. national Mary Hnatyk 36 years
Hadzewycz. Following an extended session
executive board of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Bohdan Hryshchyshyn 36 years
for questions and discussions regarding the Nicholas Bobeczko 60 years
Organization. Ukraine’s consul general in
reports, the UNA Auditing Committee pro- New York, Serhii Pohoreltsev, delivered Oleksa Prodywus 58 years Olga Pishko 35 years
posed a vote of confidence for the outgoing Marguerite Hentosh 34 years
greetings to “the strongest organization of Peter Serba 56 years
officers, which was accepted by the dele- Teodor Duda 34 years
Ukrainians in America.” Mary Sweryda 53 years
gates with a round of applause. The convention was conducted by Fedir Petryk 52 years Katherine Sargent 34 years
Convention participants also voted on
Nestor Olesnycky, chairman, and Vera Napora 33 years
reports delivered by the Secretaries Petro Pytel 50 years
Raymond Komichak and Roman Peter Leshchyshyn 33 years
Committee, Petitions Committee, Finance
Hawryluk, vice-chairmen, who were
Stephan Chorney 32 years
Committee and Resolutions Committee, assisted by Dr. Szul as parliamentarian. 25 or more years of service to the UNA
which were composed of convention dele- Peter Hawrylciw 32 years
The secretaries who recorded the minutes
gates and General Assembly members. Dmytro Galonzka 49 years Eugene Makar 32 years
of the sessions were Lada Bidiak and
In addition, delegates accepted two of Larissa Raphael (dubbed by Mr. Olesnycky Gloria Tolopka 48 years Myron Groch 31 years
the four amendments to the UNA By-laws
as the “Minutewomen”). In addition, the Ana Twardowska 47 years Irene Oliynyk 31 years
proposed by the By-Laws Committee: the proceedings were recorded on video by Michael Bilyk 47 years Tatiana Miskiv 29 years
positions of UNA president and treasurer Vlodko Artymyshyn and crew.
Genet Boland 46 years Myron Kramarczuk 28 years
will now be referred to, respectively, in Instrumental in the convention’s success
Ukrainian as “prezydent” (formerly “pred- was the Convention Committee chaired by Emilia Smal 44 years Natalia Shuya 27 years
sidnyk”) and “skarbnyk” (formerly Oksana Trytjak, the UNA’s national orga- Michael Zacharko 44 years Stephanie Hawryluk 27 years
“kasyr”); and the threshold for the mini- nizer. Committee members were: Mr. Fil, Olga Dudish 43 years Rev. Myron Stasiw 27 years
mum number of members needed for a Mr. and Mrs. Hawryluk, Maxine Hayden, Roman Kuropas 43 years Annabelle Borovitcky 26 years
branch to qualify for its own convention Ms. Lew, Sonia Semanyshyn, Anna
Semen Hasiak 40 years Barbara Chupa 26 years
delegate was lowered from 75 to 65. For Slobodian, Mr. Tysiak and Nestor Paslawsky
Joseph Chabon 40 years Jurij Danyliw 25 years
additional delegates branches must have: (general manager of Soyuzivka).
between 130 and 194 members (previously Holding voting powers at the convention Olga Maruszczak 40 years Lubomira Szeremeta 25 years
150-224) for two delegates; 195-259 mem- were 60 delegates of UNA branches, as well Pete Kohut Sr. 39 years Anna Burij 25 years
bers (previously 225-299) for three dele- as 17 members and one honorary member Stephan Shilkevich 38 years George Pollyniak 25 years
gates; and 260 or more members (previ- of the General Assembly.
No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 5
THE 37th CONVENTION OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Roma Hadzewycz
Participants of the 37th Regular Convention of the Ukrainian National Association.
Dr. Zenon Holubec, honored for his ser-
UNA Advisors are sworn into office (from left): Oleh Palaschenko, Luba Poniatyszyn Keske, Gloria Horbaty, Dr. Andrij vice as first vice-president and auditor,
Szul, Ewhen Osidacz, Andrew Futey, Lubov Streletsky, Stephanie Hawryluk and Nicholas Fil. (Missing, because they had to with National Secretary Christine E.
leave earlier: Maya Lew and Olya Czerkas.) Kozak and Treasurer Roma Lisovich.
Peter Serba is congratulated by Christine
E. Kozak after being recognized for 56 Members of the convention’s Election Committee (from left): Stefan Zacharko, Andrij Gavdanovich, Markian Hadzewycz,
years of service as a UNA branch sec- Sofia Derzko, Dr. Andrew Hrechak (chairman), Motria Milanytch, Dr. Zenon Holubec, Ulana Prociuk, Anna Slobodian and
retary. Tamara Kuropas. (Missing from the photo: Eli Matiash.)
6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 No. 22
WINDOW ON EURASIA
T U W
HE KRAINIAN EEKLY
Closing Soviet archives: “Ukrainians know
UCU takes a stand
all they need to know about their past”
The May 18 meeting between an agent of the Security Service of Ukraine
(SBU) and the rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Rev. Dr. Borys
Gudziak, is the latest disturbing evidence of authoritarianism returning to by Paul Goble of the so-called ‘fatherland’ one, that is,
Ukraine under the administration of President Viktor Yanukovych. the Soviet vision of history” – yet another
The decision of new Ukrainian
The request made of UCU’s leadership – that students “should be warned by example of the way in which Ukraine like
President Viktor Yanukovych to declare
the university administration that those involved in any illegal activities will be many other post-Soviet states shifts direc-
that the Terror-Famine was a mass mur-
prosecuted” – is nothing less than an attempt by the SBU to recruit university tion after each change in power rather
leaders into intimidating students from taking part in anti-government protests. der in which Ukrainian peasants suffered than continuing to develop as a national
There is no need for university leaders to tell their students that doing some- alongside Russian and Belarusian ones school.
thing illegal will lead to prosecution. That’s a basic lesson in civics that one rather than a Moscow-orchestrated geno- The internal contradictions of that
learns in elementary school. cide directed against the Ukrainian nation approach, Mr. Kabachiy continues, can be
What the SBU really needs is for those annoying young people – with all their has attracted a great deal of attention in seen in the names of streets and squares
childish notions of democracy, justice and a fair and prosperous nation – to keep Ukraine, Russia and the West. in Kyiv itself. Thus, a half-kilometer from
their ideas to themselves while the neo-Soviet oligarchs who run Ukraine contin- But a far more serious development is the monument to Mykhailo Hrushevsky
ue cutting deals and reaping their profits. the decision of one of the Ukrainian lead- is a monument to Vladimir Lenin, who
Father Gudziak handled the incident well. Not only did he decline to read the er’s aides to re-close Soviet-era archives wanted to destroy the state Hrushevsky
letter offered by the SBU agent, let alone sign it, but he also immediately made because in his words, “that truth which it sought to build.
public the details of the incident in a well-documented account widely distributed was necessary to bring to the Ukrainian Moreover, a street named for Symon
in the news media and on the Internet. people has already been brought to its Petliura, the otaman of that state, “ends at
Perhaps foolishly, the SBU decided to make its request on the eve of the attention,” a policy and a statement with a monument to Nikolay Schors,” the
General Assembly of the Federation of European Catholic Universities that was much more far-reaching consequences Soviet commander of that time who
hosted by UCU on May 20-22. More than 50 prominent university administrators (www.polit.ru/institutes/2010/05/06/ fought against him. And while a large
from throughout the world are now aware of the neo-Soviet tactics of the memory.html). central square in the Ukrainian capital is
Yanukovych administration. Moreover, the incident received attention in the In a comment posted online on May 6, named for Russian writer Lev Tolstoy, the
online political publications of prominent political magazines, such as The Roman Kabachiy, the editor of the history small one named for Ukrainian poet Taras
Economist and the National Review. section of Kyiv’s “Ukrainskyi tiyzhden,’” Shevchenko is on the northern edge of
It must be hard spinning public relations for Mr. Yanukovych’s SBU. says that this action by Valerii the city.
Spokeswoman Maryna Ostapenko claimed her agents were merely explaining to Khoroshkovskyi, the new head of the Thus it can be seen, he says, that “the
the Rev. Gudziak “that involving students in illegal activity, in possible mass dis- Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Ukrainian powers that be have sought to
turbances, is against the law.” In her brief statement, she neglected to mention means that “the memory [of the Ukrainian support a compromise, not wishing to
the letter that the SBU wanted signed. And her claim raises another question: people has been again] stolen.” appear especially radical as has been the
What rector of a university with Western standards would involve himself in According to Mr. Kabachiy, “Soviet case in Latvia and Estonia.” But “the
controlling the nonviolent, political activity of his students? The Rev. Gudziak archives again are returning to their cus- paradox is that even such small steps in
has far more relevant matters to deal with. tomary status – closed to outsiders. One the direction of the de-Sovietization of
In supporting UCU since its revival in 1994 (as the Lviv Theological can understand the new head of the SBU: the history [of Ukraine] has infuriated
Academy), the Ukrainian diaspora has made one of its wisest investments in the popularization of history cannot be Moscow and its fifth column in
Ukraine. With its bold stance in defense of Western values such as freedom of the basic direction of the work of that Ukraine.”
association and freedom of assembly, UCU remains a solitary beacon of promise organization. But if earlier there existed As a result, Mr. Kabachiy says, “now,
amidst a Ukrainian university community that all but folded to the Yanukovych when Viktor Yanukovych and his com-
a small chance of state enlightenment in
administration’s suppression of civil liberties and opposition activity. mand achieve power, those small achieve-
the historical sphere, now it will be
As the Rev. Gudziak acutely pointed out, no other university has yet to speak ments which Ukraine’s humanitarian pol-
blocked.”
out about the SBU campaign, despite the likelihood that they’ve all been visited icy had achieved will be liquidated in
“More than that,” the historian says,
and have signed on, particularly in Lviv. This includes otherwise well-regarded rapid fashion.” Indeed, the historian says,
“the de-Sovietization [of the history of
universities such as Ivan Franko National University in Lviv and Lviv the current and future disasters them-
Ukraine] will be changed in the direction
Polytechnic University. Unlike its counterparts, UCU hasn’t forgotten the sacri- selves reflect the mistakes of Viktor
fices of those who shed their blood and died in the Soviet gulags for a free and Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko.”
democratic Ukraine that has integrated Western values. Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on That can be seen in the history of the
In declining to comply with the SBU – which refused to even provide a copy ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia Ukrainian Institute of National Memory,
of the letter it wanted signed – UCU’s leadership demonstrated it will defend who has served in various capacities in the a body that took its name from the Polish
against any slide towards authoritarianism and a neo-Soviet Ukraine where civil U.S. State Department, the Central analogue but that was fundamentally dif-
rights and liberties would be suppressed. Intelligence Agency and the International ferent. The Polish institution took pos-
This would not have been possible without the support of the Ukrainian com- Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the session of and processed thousands of
munity that is thriving in the Western world, which has given us economic Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/ feet of archival materials; the Ukrainian
opportunity and freedom. The Rev. Gudziak asked for our prayers and support, Radio Liberty and the Carnegie one remained dependent on the SBU and
and we must rally to support the university’s principled stance and help defend it Endowment for International Peace. He did not secure a law to protect itself.
against any future attempts to pressure or persecute the university’s leadership. has also been director of research and pub- Consequently, immediately after Mr.
We must send the message – to the Ukrainian government and to the world – lications at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Yanukovych’s election, the new vice
that we won’t give up what has been gained in the last five years and we won’t Academy, vice-dean for the social sciences prime minister for humanitarian ques-
allow Ukraine to slide into a neo-Soviet system of governance. We will stand and humanities at Audentes University in tions, Volodymyr Semynozhenko called
alongside the Ukrainian Catholic University to ensure that any such attempts will Tallinn and a senior research associate at for defining new rules for “the future
be strongly repulsed. the EuroCollege of the University of Tartu function” of this institution and its subor-
in Estonia. Mr. Goble writes a blog called dination to the State Archives Committee,
“Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- which was headed by a representative of
woneurasia.blogspot.com/). This article
May above is reprinted with permission. (Continued on page 11)
Turning the pages back...
31
ACTION ITEM: Intimidation by the SBU
1997 Thirteen years ago, on May 31, 1997, Presidents Boris By now, many Ukrainian Americans have learned that the current regime of Ukraine
Yeltsin and Leonid Kuchma signed the Treaty on Friendship, is trying to intimidate free expression by students, academics, clergy and others. The
Cooperation and Partnership at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv. Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, received
The agreement outlined Russia’s formal recognition of the a visit from a representative of the SBU (former KGB) who wanted him to sign a letter
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which for centuries was the centerpiece concerning possible future student protest activities. Father Gudziak was told he could
of the Russian Empire and later, the Soviet Union. not have a copy of the letter even if he signed it. He therefore refused to even read the
This was President Yeltsin’s first visit to Ukraine, and his seventh attempt at a state letter, let alone sign it.
visit to Kyiv. “I could not come to Kyiv until we had an agreement on the Black Sea A massive campaign protesting these types of Soviet scare tactics has begun. Please
Fleet,” he said. “Ukraine is an independent country, and we will hold this premise keep up the pressure on your representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress to pro-
sacred,” President Yeltsin stated, adding that Russia “does not lay claim on any part of test in the strongest language to the Embassy and Consulates of Ukraine here in the
Ukraine or on any of its cities.” United States, as well as to President Viktor Yanukovych that such actions are unac-
During the signing ceremony, the two leaders also signed a statement on the Black ceptable in a modern democratic state.
Sea Fleet and an agreement of cooperation in the development of a common space Below is a sample letter constituents may write to their senators and representatives.
industry.
A similar message urging President Barack Obama to express his administration’s
The treaty had an original life of 10 years, but has been automatically extended
objections to such undemocratic behavior in an ally may be telephoned to the White
unless either side calls for its cancellation. The treaty called for far-reaching coordina-
House comments line: 202-456-1111. (This line is staffed by volunteers during week-
tion in areas of military, political, cultural and economic relations on the basis of “non-
days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; callers need not leave their names if they do not wish to,
(Continued on page 18) (Continued on page 11)
No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 7
NEWS AND VIEWS
Monuments and memory
The politics of appeasement
by Askold S. Lozynskyj international educational-practical confer- by Jurij Dobczansky she’s lulled asleep, and awaken her amid the
ence titled ‘The history, status and future flames they set…” These words remain
Russian muscle flexing in Georgia in Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych
development of Ukrainian studies in ominously relevant today.
August 2008 and more recently in recently starred in several hilarious You
Russia’... On November 26, 2009, V. Mr. Yanukovych and his sinister gang
Ukraine, installing its lackeys as rulers, Tube clips. On inauguration day the doors of
Semenenko represented the FNCA UR were not sore losers sitting idly since the
has caught the attention of the interna- the Parliament practically close on him as he
and presided over an event commemorat- 2004 election. They immediately began
tional community. However, the reaction enters the building. In a record-breaking
ing ‘the victims of the Holodomor and planning their takeover strategy. And they’re
has been to acquiesce with little manifest most frequently viewed clip, he is attacked
killings of Ukrainians in the 30s,’ which now playing for keeps. With the velocity of
indignation and no protest. by a wreath at Kyiv’s Tomb of the
was organized in support and to honor the the well spewing oil into the Gulf of
What is largely unknown is how the Unknowns. This blockbuster clip has taken
victims with ‘an eternal flame’ and a doc- Mexico, the Yanukovych gang has begun to
Kremlin internally has directed police on a life of its own – reminiscent of the 2004
umentary-artistic exhibit about the reverse the gains of Ukraine’s fragile democ-
tactics against its ethnic communities in egg-throwing incident in Ivano-Frankivsk.
‘Holodomor 1932-1933 genocide of the racy – a democracy that allowed for their
Russia. Russia has never manifested However, a clip of Mr. Yanukovych’s
Ukrainian nation,’ which opened in Kyiv coming to power. Hastily setting up an ille-
much love for its non-Russian population, April visit to Washington’s Taras
on November 25, 2009.” gitimate coalition, Ukraine’s “guarantor of
but recent steps have become brazenly Shevchenko Monument illustrates the
The Russian law on Public the Constitution” brazenly violated the very
hostile, yet with seemingly no protest pathetic nature of the current administration
Associations provides: foundation for the rule of law.
from international structures in which of Ukraine. It calls to mind Shevchenko’s
“Article 42. Suspension of Public On the night of the inauguration, the page
Russia is a member. 1847 poem “Meni odnakovo...” – roughly
Associations’ Activity. If a public associa- documenting the Holodomor Genocide of
Clearly emboldened, Prime Minister translated as “I am indifferent to it all.”
tion violates the Constitution of the 1932-1933 was removed from the presiden-
Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry After watching someone else lay the
Russian Federation, or the legislation of tial website. The Security Service of Ukraine
Medvedev have taken on the Ukrainians wreath at the foot of the Shevchenko statue,
the Russian Federation, and if it performs closed its archives department, which had
in Russia. According to leaders of President Yanukovych appears clueless. He
actions, contradicting the statutory goals, earlier released documentation of Stalin’s
Ukrainian community organizations in chats about the lovely warm weather, his
the federal body state registration or its crimes, including the Famine. Speaking
Russia, since 2004 Ukrainian culture in three grandchildren and his own singing
corresponding territorial body, or the before the Council of Europe in Strasbourg
Russia has felt undue pressure, particular- voice. How quaint! “Why am I here?” he
Mr. Yanukovych declared the Famine was
procurator general of the Russian
ly in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Surgut, must have wondered.
not genocide. Tossing historical memory to
Federation or the corresponding public
Voronezh and Ufa. The library of Unexpectedly he presents a bandura to
the wind, the president of a post-genocidal
prosecutor, subordinated to him, shall
Ukrainian literature in Moscow was the meager gathering and says absolutely
nation shamelessly prostrated himself before
make a presentation on the above-said
cleansed of “Ukrainian nationalists”; the nothing of significance. Are we supposed to
the leaders of the Russian Federation, who
violations to the leading body of the given
Ukrainian educational center at Middle take turns playing a bandura belonging to no
stubbornly refuse to recognize the facts of
association and shall fix a time term for
School No. 3124 in Moscow closed its one in particular? He might have announced
history.
their elimination. If these violations are
doors. The Russian Justice Ministry con- the opening of a school of bandura in
Liberty and independence require vigi-
not eliminated within the fixed time term,
ducted an audit and suspended the activi- Donetsk.
lance. As the Ukrainian saying goes: No
ty of the leading Ukrainian federal struc- the body or the official person, which Poor Mr. Yanukovych! His PR handlers
sense in closing the stable doors – when the
ture called the Federal National Cultural (who) made the corresponding presenta- are trying so hard to pass him off as Shrek,
horses have run off. Shortly after the Orange
Autonomy of Ukrainians in Russia. The tion, shall have the right to suspend by its the lovable ogre. They didn’t bother to brief
Revolution, Ukraine was lulled asleep in a
Ministry’s directive relied on the com- (his) order the activity of the public asso- him on the significance of Shevchenko.
false sense of security and well-being.
plaint of a third party which alleged the ciation for a term of up to six months. But joking aside, don’t let the Shrek
President Viktor Yushchenko’s administra-
following: The decision on the suspension of the image fool you. Shevchenko’s brief poem
tion mandated the documentation of the
“V.A. Semenenko, representing the activity of a public association may be concludes: “Still, while I live, I cannot bear
Holodomor, but little was done to ensure the
Ukrainian non-governmental organiza- appealed to the courts before the courts to see wicked people rob Ukraine, while
preservation of these materials in Ukrainian
tions in Russia in the name of the Federal consider an application for its liquidation
libraries and abroad. By contrast, many
National Cultural Autonomy of or for the prohibition of its activity.
years earlier the U.S. government routinely
Ukrainians in Russia (FNCA UR), regu- “Article 43. Consequences of the Jurij Dobczansky is a member of the
distributed the Famine Commission’s publi-
larly participates in events organized by Suspension of the Activity of a Public Shevchenko Scientific Society, Washington,
foreign non-governmental structures – the Association. If the activity of a public D.C., chapter. (Continued on page 22)
‘Ukrainian World Coordinating Council’ association is suspended, its rights as a
(UWCC), the ‘Ukrainian World Congress’ founder of the mass media shall also be
(UWC) on ‘matters concerning the suspended, and it shall be prohibited from LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Ukrainian nation.’ The leaders of those organizing and holding get-togethers,
organizations act from a position of meetings, demonstrations, processions,
nationalism and separatism…The activity picketing and other kinds of mass actions Let’s all protest should instill in their children the rules of
of V.A. Semenenko... is aimed at propa- or public events...” civility and explain what peaceful protest
ganda glorifying the Ukrainian nation... Incredibly, it would appear that under one flag means. What better example than the
The FNCA UR aims to discredit the cur- Russian law supports the actions taken by Orange Revolution?
rent activity and the political course of the ministry and the court. Yet, even with Ukrainians in the diaspora, as well as in
Russia uniting nationalities and in its such legislation in force, Russia remains Dear Editor: Ukraine, are a very diverse group with many
activity constitutes a danger to the exist- a respected permanent member of the different political convictions. Ukrainians
On May 3 I took part in a protest in front
ing constitutional order...” United Nations Security Council, a mem- of Ukraine’s Mission to the United Nations have many organizations that believe faith-
The allegations are striking even for ber of the Council of Europe and the first in New York City against President Viktor fully that their past leaders were the best.
Russia, since they manifestly contradict addition to what was once the G-7. Yanukovych’s treasonous agreements with While convictions vary, all share their love
international civilized norms for ethnic In May 1945 a delegation from the Russia and other anti-Ukrainian policies of for Ukraine and they hope and wish that
minority activity, the rights of association Ukrainian community in the United States his government. We were a small group Ukraine remains an independent and demo-
and assembly. The UWCC is legally reg- (the Ukrainian Congress Committee of from Philadelphia and were joined by others cratic country. We protested many times in
istered in Ukraine and the UWC is legally America) met with D. C. Poole, associate from New York and from New Jersey. It front of the Soviet Embassy in Washington
registered in Canada. The Ukrainian com- public liaison officer of the United States was then that someone brought a large red- against Soviet tyranny and domination with
munity sought judicial redress. However, delegation to the San Francisco and-black flag of the Organization of one voice, united under the Ukrainian flag.
on May 12, the Moscow regional Tversky Conference. The delegation remarked that Ukrainian Nationalists. The protest on May 3 started as such, but
court supported the position of the Justice the United States was the champion of After protesting in front of the soon changed when the red-and-black flag
Ministry and went on to affirm the liqui- oppressed people and that they felt confi- Ukrainian Mission we marched toward the appeared. After seeing the photos on the
dation citing three violations of the sus- dent of American official interest in the Russian Mission. However, we were not Internet, I saw that the red and black flag
pension: cause of Ukrainian independence. Mr. allowed near their building. Three young was between the Ukrainian and American
“On October 29, 2009 V. Semenenko Poole answered that the interest of the boys, age 10, 12 and 13, threw eggs at its flags at the head of the procession. This
in the name of the Ukrainian community American people in all who felt oppressed entrance and were arrested. The story was gives the false appearance that this was not
participated in a public event of Radio was well-established in history. However, that the boys did it on their own initiative an all-Ukrainian protest but only that of the
Liberty... On November 11-12, 2009 co- he pointed out that it was necessary above and that one of the boys had dreamed organization represented by this flag.
chairs V. Babenko and V. Semenenko all to work out a friendly accommodation about doing this since the egg incident If any organization plans to lead a protest
organized and hosted in Moscow an with the USSR and that nothing should with Mr. Yanukovych prior to the Orange with its flag, they should inform everyone in
advance so that people are not misled and
be done to disturb that effort. Little or Revolution. Most of us did not know the
may decide whether they want to partici-
Askold S. Lozynskyj is an attorney nothing was done for almost half a centu- exact location of the Russian Mission
pate. I hope that when we feel impelled to
based in New York City. He is a former ry. building so it is interesting that these
protest against injustices in Ukraine in the
president of the Ukrainian World One can only pray that today we live youngsters knew exactly where to throw
future, it will be under one flag, with one
Congress. in a different world. the eggs. The applause after one child
voice, peacefully and civilly without any
reappeared with his mother hours later was
acts from children or adults that will reflect
not a sign of approval or admiration, but of
badly on us and of which we all should be
relief that this child was all right and had
ashamed.
Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com been released by the police. These boys’
parents should not feel any pride over this Marianna Wakulowska
act of vandalism and hooliganism, and Philadelphia
8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 No. 22
Philadelphians continue to support Ukrainian Catholic University
by Marta Kolomayets “Rome is the center of world Catholicism
and, thus, the Ukrainian Catholic University
PHILADELPHIA – The “city of
in Rome is the window to Europe and a for-
Brotherly Love” is no stranger to the
midable education and academic factor in
Ukrainian Catholic University; its citizens
education for students in Ukraine and the
have supported the institution since the
diaspora,” commented Dr. Rudnytzky, presi-
1960s, when Patriarch Josyf Slipyj revived
dent of the St. Sophia Association.
the university in Rome and called on the
During a Sunday afternoon, April 25,
Ukrainian diaspora to help cultivate the
benefit dinner held at the Ukrainian
future leaders of the Ukrainian Catholic
Educational and Cultural Center in
Church.
Jenkintown, Pa., more than 175 people gath-
Over the years, Philadelphia has been fer-
ered to listen to former political prisoner
tile ground for fostering a close relationship
Myroslav Marynovych, vice-rector of UCU,
between the Church and its brethren. Such speak about “Ukraine as a Fledgling
community leaders as the late Dr. Romana Democracy: The Ukrainian Catholic
Nawrockyj and the late Prof. Myroslav University Perspective.”
Labunka, as well the tireless Prof. Leonid Mr. Marynovych offered news of the cur-
Rudnytzky have always kept the dream of rent political situation in Ukraine and
Patriarch Josyf alive through their support of answered the many questions posed from
the university, now reborn in Lviv. guests who are concerned by the activities
The Rev. Dr. Andriy Onuferko, the Rev. of the administration of President Viktor Benefactors are seen at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown,
Mykhailo Loza and Prof. Mykhailo Yanukovych. Troubled by the appointment Pa., during a fund-raising event organized on April 25 by the Philadelphia Friends of
Petrovych, native sons of Philadelphia, and of Dmytro Tabachnyk as the government’s the Ukrainian Catholic University.
alumni of the Ukrainian Catholic University Minister of Education, Mr. Marynovych
it only makes sense for it to
(UCU) in Rome, continue to work to edu- explained that he spearheaded a campaign
thrive in an atmosphere of free-
cate minds and shape souls for the benefit of of protest on the Internet, which was later
dom,” Mr. Marynovych told the
not only Ukraine, but for Ukrainians world- published in Ukrainian newspapers and
audience, adding that the stu-
wide. aired on Ukrainian television. UCU was
dents of UCU continue to take
Now, more than 40 years later, later joined by the National University of the
part in peaceful protests. They
Philadelphians are heeding that call again, Kyiv Mohyla Academy and Lviv State
have been advised by the
raising close to $70,000 to support the uni- University in denouncing the Soviet histori-
University’s leader that the cur-
versity – the only Catholic institution of an and Ukrainophobe.
rent government may try to pro-
higher learning on the territory of the former What was most shocking to Mr.
voke violent actions to put the
Soviet Union. Marynovych was the fact that a number of
students and the university in a
The lion’s share of these funds is ear- rectors (university presidents) from western
compromising situation.
marked for the 2010 academic programs at Ukraine went to Kyiv to greet Mr.
Citing recent statistics regard-
the UCU Rome Center and donated by the Tabachnyk in his new role. “It is shocking to
ing the political situation in
St. Sophia Religious Association of me that after almost 20 years of indepen-
Ukraine today, Mr. Marynovych
Ukrainian Catholics, Inc. dence and five years post-Orange
said that 55 percent of those sur-
During the past four years, the St. Sophia Revolution, we still have ‘homo-Sovieticus,’ Myroslav Marynovych, vice-rector of the Ukrainian
veyed said they believe that the
Association has contributed over $1.5 mil- ” said the founding member of the Ukrainian Catholic University (left), presents a gift to Taras
moral decline in Ukraine today
lion to the Rome affiliate of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group who continues to be a Lewyckyj, head of the Organizing Committee of
has led to the political chaos in
Catholic University and its Institute of St. staunch advocate of human rights. the Philadelphia Friends of UCU during the fund-
Clement Pope. “Our university was born of freedom, and (Continued on page 18) raising event on April 25.
No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 9
SBU attempts... the letter (much less sign). the beginning of the meeting, I called in the
The agent was evidently taken back by UCU Senior Vice-Rector Dr. Taras Dobko
(Continued from page 1) my response. It seemed that the situation for to whom the official repeated the SBU’s
in 1945 by the Soviet regime, which banned him was without precedent because in my concerns.
Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church), have presence using his mobile phone he called Besides noting the SBU’s solicitude for
always been civically conscious, often his (local) superiors to ask for instructions stability in Ukrainian society there are a few
peacefully protesting the lack of reform in on how to proceed. The superior refused conclusions to be drawn from the encounter
Ukraine. They were also very supportive of permission to leave me either the original and the proposals that were expressed:
the Orange Revolution, spending time in letter or a copy, saying that the SBU fears I 1. Signing a document such as the letter
Kyiv on Independence Square (the Maidan) “might publish it in the Internet.” I ques- that was presented for signature to me is
to see that justice prevail. Many of the stu- tioned this entire procedure and the need for tantamount to agreeing to cooperate (col-
dents have said they considered this peace- secrecy, and refused to look at the letter and laborate) with the SBU. The person signing,
ful revolution a “living course in democra- read its contents. The young official was in effect, agrees with the contents of the let-
cy.” disappointed and somewhat confused but ter and their implication. In KGB practice,
When President Viktor Yanukovych and did not exert additional pressure and did not getting a signature on a document that was
the Cabinet of Ministers led by Prime dispute my argumentation. drafted and kept by the KGB was a primary
Minister Mykola Azarov took power earlier Our conversation also had a pastoral method of recruiting secret collaborators.
this year, the students of the Ukrainian moment. I cautioned the agent of the fact 2. Such methods have no known (to me)
Catholic University and Lviv State that the SBU, as the former KGB with precedent in independent Ukraine in the
University were the first to speak out many employees remaining from the Soviet experience of UCU and of the Lviv
against Education Minister Dmytro times, has a heavy legacy of breaking and National University whose longtime rector
Tabachnyk, who wants to revert to a Soviet crippling people physically and morally, (and former Minister of Education,
style of education, going as far as rewriting and that he as a young married person The Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak 2008-2010) Ivan Vakarchuk I consulted
should be careful not to fall into any actions
modern Ukrainian history. immediately after the meeting. These meth-
President Yanukovych was scheduled to that would cause lasting damage to his own the public. I explained that the 211 mem- ods were well-known in the Soviet times.
visit Lviv on May 27. The Rev. Gudziak identity and shame his children and grand- bers of the International Federation of 3. The confiscation of the letter after sig-
children. I sought to express this pastorally
said he would gladly meet with him, but no Catholic Universities (IFCU) and the 45 nature makes the letter and signature instru-
as a priest. To his credit, he both acknowl-
invitation had been extended by the members of FUCE follow closely the devel- ments to be used at the complete discretion
edged the past and declared his desire to
Ukrainian president. opment of the only Catholic university in of the SBU.
serve the needs of Ukrainian citizens. He
the former Soviet Union. They will be mon- 4. The possible scenarios for the exploi-
*** also asked that I indicate to him if I feel that
itoring the welfare of UCU, especially since tation of such a document include the fol-
he is exercising improper pressure.
Below is the text of a memorandum in Japan in March at the annual meeting of lowing:
Finally, I expressed my and the general
regarding the visit to the Ukrainian the Board of Consultors of IFCU I had the a.) In case of the arrest of a student, the
population’s profound disappointment that
Catholic University of a representative of opportunity to describe some of our socio- SBU could confront the rectorate and
the work of the SBU is so uneven, that
the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) political concerns and the threats to the charge that the university was informed
security and police officers live lavishly on
responsible for contacts with Churches in low salaries because they are involved in freedom of intellectual discourse (imposi- of the danger to students and did not take
Lviv. The memorandum, dated May 19, is corrupt activities, and that the legal rights of tion of Soviet historical views, rehabilita- necessary measures to protect them from
from the rector of UCU, the Rev. Dr. Borys citizens and equal application of the law are tion of Stalin and Stalinism, to whom a new violence or legal harm. In this case, the
Gudziak. The SBU’s visit took place on May university administration could be
severely neglected. I gave the recent exam- monument was unveiled in Zaporizhia 5
18 at 9:50-10:34 a.m. charged with both moral and legal respon-
ple of my cousin, Teodor Gudziak, mayor May 2010) and new censorship of the press
sibility. A charge with legal ramifications
of Vynnyky, who in February 2010 (three and television that are incompatible with
At 9:27 in the morning Father Borys could become an instrument to try to
days after the election of the new president) normal university life.
Gudziak received a call on his private
was arrested in a fabricated case of bribery Subsequently, as had been arranged at (Continued on page 21)
mobile phone from a representative of the
that was set up by a notoriously corrupt
Security Service of Ukraine requesting a
political rival and former policemen through
meeting. The meeting was scheduled for 20
the regional and city police. Despite the fact
BACKGROUND: The SBU and UCU
minutes later at the rectorate of UCU. This
that two weeks before the fabricated affair
official had had contacts with the UCU rec-
the mayor, based on a vote of the Town
torate a year ago at the time of the visit to
Council, had given the SBU a video of SBU spokeswoman responds annual Dragon Capital-Korrespondent
the university of the then president of
plainclothes policemen breaking into his survey.
Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko. He had made In its response to the Ukrainian
office and safe in City Hall in the middle of Mr. Khoroshkovskyi is the largest
a visit to the rectorate in the late afternoon Catholic University rector’s statement,
the night and using town seals on various shareholder in Ukraine’s largest televi-
on May 11 with regard to a request of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)
documents, the SBU took no action. (The sion network, Inter, whose daily news
Ecumenical and Church History Institutes spokeswoman Maryna Ostapenko said
leadership of the Church, specifically programs cast the administration of
to sign an agreement to use the SBU the meeting with the Rev. Dr. Borys
Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, fears that by President Viktor Yanukovych in a posi-
archives. At that time members of the rec- manipulated association this case may be Gudziak conformed to the law and had tive light and offer little to no criticism,
torate were away from the office. He had, used as a device to compromise the rector the intent of “preventing violations of particularly from the opposition.
what Dr. Antoine Arjakovsky, director of of UCU and the whole institution which has the law.” Since taking the helm of the SBU in
the Institute of Ecumenical Studies, called a a unique reputation of being free from cor- “The norms of the law were March, the 41-year-old magnate has
“very good meeting.” ruption.) I also related that I had reliable explained to the rector, in particular, been accused of attempting to take over
Upon arrival on May 18, in a polite man- testimony and audible evidence that my that involving students in illegal activi- the broadcast licenses of TV networks
ner the agent related that certain political phone is tapped and has been for many ty, in possible mass disturbances, is committed to objective political cover-
parties are planning protests and demonstra- months. against the law,” Ms. Ostapenko told age, particularly the TVi network
tions regarding the controversial (and in The population of Ukraine continues to Deutsche Welle in an interview pub- owned by Russian exiles Vladimir
some cases inflammatory) policies of the fear and distrust both state security and lished on May 26. Gusinsky and Konstantin Kagalovsky.
new Ukrainian authorities. Students are to police personnel because of the woeful Radio Liberty report “The biggest problem of freedom of
be engaged in these protests. There is a dan- track record of law enforcement and speech in any country is when an oli-
ger that some of these manifestations may because of the diffuse practice of police In contrast to the UCU, the majority garch, who simultaneously leads the
be marred by provocations. He stated that, intimidation of honest politicians, journal- of Lviv’s university rectors signed the SBU, uses his government position to
of course, students are allowed to protest ists, common citizens and the wanton extor- SBU’s letter, Radio Liberty reported on pressure regulatory organs, and simul-
but that they should be warned by the uni- tion practiced by security institutions and May 25, citing “informed sources.” taneously tries to gain the licenses of
versity administration that those involved in police with respect to middle and small Additionally, Ihor Derzhko of the all other television networks in an ille-
any illegal activities will be prosecuted. business. I asked the young agent to convey Lviv Oblast State Administration, gal way, which we know is happening
Illegal activities include not only violent these concerns to his superiors. I had the which is controlled by the Presidential currently,” Vitalii Portnikov, a promi-
acts but also, for example, pickets blocking impression that personally he is open to Administration, denied placing a tele- nent Ukrainian journalist, said at the
access to the work place of government moral argument but that he also was simply phone call to the Rev. Gudziak, as lat- May 21 Stop Censorship Forum hosted
officials (or any protests that are not sanc- doing his job. It was clear to me that he was ter claimed, to find out how many stu- by the National University of Kyiv-
tioned by authorities). dutifully “following orders.” dents were participating in the May 11 Mohyla Academy. “That’s true
After his oral presentation the agent put During our conversation, the agent asked protest at the Verkhovna Rada. encroachment of freedom of speech
on the table between us an unfolded one- me about the imminent (May 20-22) The Lviv Oblast State Administration from oligarchic capital, which is in
page letter that was addressed to me. He General Assembly of the Federation of chair, Vasyl Horbal, told Radio Liberty power in Ukraine.”
asked me to read the letter and then European Catholic Universities (FUCE) he never gave such an order. “I gave no Among Mr. Khoroshkovskyi’s first
acknowledge with a signature my familiari- that will be hosted by UCU in Lviv. He one no commands, and my deputy Ihor moves as SBU head was to close the
ty with its contents. He stated that after I characterized it as an important event (it has Derzhko called this a provocation,” said organ’s archives, which were opened to
had read and signed the letter it would be received considerable publicity) and asked Mr. Horbal, a Lviv native and active the public by his predecessor, Valentyn
necessary for him to take the letter back. about the program and whether it is open to leader in the pro-presidential Party of Nalyvaichenko, in a campaign to
Since I could see that the document was the public. It was clear that he would have Regions. enhance freedom of information and
properly addressed to me as rector (I also been interested in participating in the pro- establish historical truth about the
THE SBU’s chief
noticed that it had two signatures giving it a ceedings. I said that the main theme, KGB and its deeds. “The truth has been
particularly official character) I replied “Humanization of society through the work The SBU is led by Valerii established,” Mr. Khoroshkovskyi said
calmly that any letter addressed to me of Catholic universities,” was announced in Khoroshkovskyi, one of Ukraine’s big- of his decision to close the archives.
becomes my property and should stay with a press release as will be the outcome of the gest oligarchs, whose wealth was esti-
me – at least in copy form. Only under deliberations. The working sessions of the mated at $223 million in 2009 by the – Kyiv Press Bureau
these conditions could I agree to even read university rectors, however, are not open to
10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2010 No. 22
Ukraine in danger... took office in early March. ate a Citizens’ Council on Human Rights and By then, the ministry announced that
They include physically aggressive and would appoint known human rights activists Eduard Bahirov would lead its newly creat-
(Continued from page 1) even violent tactics in dealing with demon- to lead it,” said an April 22 open letter to the ed Citizens’ Council on Human Rights.
strators and restrictions on citizens attending president, signed by leading activists. “We never worked with him,” said
Ukraine’s new police chief on March 18
political gatherings. Meanwhile suspected “We want to remind you that citizens’ Yevhen Zakharov, co-chair of the Kharkiv
signed a decree cutting 27 of the ministry’s
evidence of Ukraine’s notorious police bru- councils have already been working for four Human Rights Group and a veteran of
regional human rights monitors, after which
tality endures. years, and their leaders are chosen by the Ukraine’s human rights movement.
three citizens remained to keep track of a
In the latest case, a drunk university stu- citizens themselves – not by the department “Bahirov is a member of a great number
250,000-plus national police force.
dent in Kyiv, celebrating his 20th birthday, head. Besides that, all ‘known human rights of various citizens’ councils and calls him-
“As it turned out, the order to significant-
was sent to a local police station on May 17 activists’ already belong, or once belonged, self a human rights activist. But I don’t see
ly reduce the minister’s aides was already
and died in custody. The Internal Affairs to the citizens’ councils in the Internal the results of his work in human rights,” Mr.
‘secretly’ signed at the very time when the
Ministry claimed the student “fell several Affairs Ministry and its regional administra- Zakharov noted. “There were many com-
minister spoke with the German ambassa-
times, from which he suffered hemorrhaging tions,” they wrote. plaints about his actions.”
dor,” said Volodmyr Yavorsky, the executive
and traumas to his brain and skull.”
director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union for
The 1+1 television network reported that
Human Rights. “Human rights activists who
an ambulance was called four times to the
protested the minister’s decisions have yet London Ukrainians concerned
police station, but paramedics declined to
to receive a response to two open letters, one
take the student each time.
of which was signed by 250 citizens and
Students also claimed that police pres- about developments in Ukraine
organizations.”
sured them to state that the victim, identified
The ability of Ukrainian citizens to moni-
only as Ihor, had already suffered a broken
tor the police is critical, in the view of skull from fighting, prior to his arrest, the by Myroslava Matwijiwskyj • The increasing rapprochement with
human rights activists. 1+1 news report said. Russia, both economically and politically.
In 2008, following many years of cooper- Activists said it’s precisely such incidents LONDON – Ukrainians in London, • The denial of the Holodomor as an
ation with the police, they succeeded in of suspected police brutality that the Human including representatives from the act of genocide against the Ukrainian
establishing the Human Rights Monitoring Rights Monitoring Administration was Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches, people and the removal of the Holodomor
Administration, which worked within the established to prevent and, if necessary, began gathering at 6:30 p.m. on May 11 for page from the official website of the pres-
Internal Affairs Ministry, with the goal of investigate. a public meeting by the statue of St. ident of Ukraine.
ensuring a policy of openness and transpar- The administration also prevented such Volodymyr located outside St. Sophia. • The appointment of well-known
ency within Ukraine’s police force. Soviet-era practices as requiring the pur- The meeting was organized to express Ukrainophobes to key positions within
“Hundreds of common citizens who chasers of train tickets to provide identifica- the deepening concerns of Ukrainians liv- the government.
complained of the police’s illegal actions tion so that their names are printed on tickets ing in the United Kingdom, regarding the • The proposed reversal of National
received help from the administration’s and stored in computer databases. current political administration in Ukraine Hero of Ukraine titles.
aides,” stated a March 18 letter signed by 32 The Internal Affairs Ministry under the and, in particular, actions already taken Those present at the meeting then
leading human rights organizations. “With government of Yulia Tymoshenko refrained by President Viktor Yanukovych. It was made the short journey from outside St.
their help, serious police abuses were from re-introducing the practice, but Mr. planned to coincide with the demonstra- Sophia to the Embassy of Ukraine, where
revealed.” Mohyliov is now reportedly considering its tion on the same day in Kyiv, being led the resolution addressed to the president
“Obviously, without such an administra- re-implementation, reported human rights by the opposition movement in Ukraine. was handed over and accepted by a repre-
tion, it won’t be possible to build a contem- activists. The public meeting was presided over sentative of the ambassador.
porary European police that respects human While President Yanukovych publicly by Yuriy Tymoshenko. A resolution During the meeting, the Committee for
rights in its activity,” the statement said. admonished Mr. Mohyliov in late March for addressed to the president of Ukraine was the Defense of Ukraine’s Integrity and
Judging from his first months in office, liquidating the Human Rights Monitoring read out and endorsed by those present, Honor began the process of collecting
Minister Mohyliov has good reason to Administration, advising him “not to save which expressed the concerns of the signatures on a petition addressed to the
ensure that his police aren’t being monitored money on human rights,” nothing has Ukrainian community regarding: president of Ukraine that will also be sent
for abuses. Scores of Ukrainians have com- changed. • The disregard of democratic process- out nationally. This petition will be for-
plained of police abuses ever since the gov- “The recommendation was ignored, and es and the blatant disregard of the mally lodged with the Embassy of
ernment of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov instead the minister stated that he would cre- Ukrainian Constitution. Ukraine at a later date.