Weekly TV program in Ukraine to focus on diaspora communities

24 Pages·2011·6.88 MB·English

ХРИСТОС НАРОДИВСЯ!
CHRIST IS BORN!
The Ukrainian Weekly
Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association
Vol. LXXIX No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 $1/$2 in Ukraine
Tymoshenko urges opposition forces European Union declines to initial
to unite for parliamentary elections Association Agreement with Ukraine
“The government will provoke conflicts,
clashes of interests and play off contradic-
tions within the opposition,” said Volodymyr
Fesenko, board chairman of the Penta
Center for Applied Political Research in
Kyiv. “For there to be less of that, the largest
opposition forces need to restrain their
emotions and on many issues and consider
not only their own egotistical party inter-
ests.”
Lacking unity, the opposition forces to
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych
grew even more divided after the parlia-
mentary opposition voted on November 17
to support the scandalous election law,
www.tymoshenko.com.ua which was tailored by the parliamentary
Yulia Tymoshenko in a photo taken dur- majority to keep the authoritarian govern-
ing her March visit to Brussels. ment intact.
Critics said that by offering their sup-
port, the opposition deputies surrendered
by Zenon Zawada their moral authority in contesting or inval-
UNIAN/Vladimir Gontar
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly idating the election results, which most
President Viktor Yanukovych is flanked by Herman van Rompuy (left), president of
KYIV – Imprisoned opposition leader political experts expect will be skewed by the European Council, and Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission,
Yulia Tymoshenko released a December 20 “adminresurs” (abuse of government resourc- during a press conference after the European Union-Ukraine Summit held in Kyiv on
letter in which she called upon Ukraine’s es) and possibly be tainted by falsification. December 19.
“A loser psychology drives the actions of
fractured opposition to unite for the sake of
the 2012 parliamentary elections, propos- the Ukrainian opposition,” declared the by Zenon Zawada five years working on the Association
i
an sgi ndgrlaes ptiacr mty.e Sahsue raels os urecjhe catse dm sepregcinugla tiniotno fzrinoen,t dpeapgicet ionfg tthhee Ulekardaeirnsi aonf BWaetkeikv smchaygnaa- Special to The Ukrainian Weekly nAigfriceaenmte sntte, pw ihni cUhk wraoiunled’ sh EavUe- ibnetengr a tsioign-
about her own party’s division. and the Front for Change (Front Zmin) par- KYIV – It was St. Nicholas Day on efforts. The Agreement’s Deep and
The letter came amidst growing divi- ties as servants.(The populist Front for December 19 but the European Union (EU) Comprehensive Free Trade Area (FTA) was
siveness throughout opposition forces that Change party is widely viewed as the suc- offered no presents, abstaining from initial- completed in October after almost four
will likely lead to the Party of Regions of cessor to the pro-NATO, pro-EU Our ing its Association Agreement with Ukraine years of negotiations.
Ukraine retaining power. That would also Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense Bloc.) – an event that had been hoped for months The politically motivated imprisonment
imply Ms. Tymoshenko staying in prison Indeed it’s the widely held view among and whose failure was deemed by the of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko
longer, hurting not only her political pros- pro-Western Ukrainians that the parlia- opposition as a foreign policy catastrophe had derailed the Ukraine-EU Association
pects but also those of her Batkivschyna mentary opposition – consisting of the for the Ukrainian government. Agreement, as confirmed in a communiqué
party, experts said. (Continued on page 22) Ukrainian diplomats had spent nearly issued in Brussels on December 19 by the
Europe on Council and the European
Commission.
“EU leaders underline the necessity of
all-encompassing reforms of Ukraine’s
Weekly TV program in Ukraine to focus on diaspora communities judicial system and measures against a
politically motivated and selective judicia-
TORONTO – On December 17 in Toronto, ry,” the communiqué stated.
the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) Ukrainian diplomats held out hope the
signed a memorandum with Ukraine’s pact could be initialed as early as January.
Channel 5 TV in Ukraine and IMB+ Records Yet that’s not nearly as important has getting
in Canada to launch a new weekly television it signed, which would require far greater
news journal, “Ukrayinska Hromada” concessions from the administration of
(Ukrainian community). President Viktor Yanukovych, namely, the
The program, to be aired on Channel 5, release of imprisoned opposition leaders
will showcase the activities of Ukrainian Ms. Tymoshenko and Yurii Lutsenko, the for-
communities beyond the borders of mer internal affairs minister.
Ukraine, as well as world events directly In the same December 20 statement,
affecting Ukrainians. Vice-Minister Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin
In the early stages of the project, claimed the initialing was delayed for tech-
Channel 5 will broadcast video footage nical reasons and required linguistic and
under the heading “Ukrayinska Hromada” legal review, avoiding the primary reasons
during its daily news programming courte- offered by the EU communiqué the prior
sy of the UWC and its member-organiza- UWC day.
tions. Ultimately, the intent is to produce a At the signing of a memorandum about the launch of a new weekly television pro- The avoidance of an initialing ceremony
separate program under the same name. gram called “Ukrayinska Hromada” (from left) are: Channel 5 Editor-in-Chief confirmed that EU leaders were left with a
Volodymyr Mzhelskyi, Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij and IMB+
(Continued on page 6) Records President Bohdan Mouzitchka. (Continued on page 20)
2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 No. 52
ANALYSIS
Ukraine loses fight against corruption Yanukovych says he wants to release Yulia Ms. Tymoshenko’s arrest was illegal and
that it should be cancelled. “If this decision
Ebuyr aPsaiav eDl aKiloyr Mduobnaitnor
lmbaeasertnk eyrdeo aufortri n treheltayrt a sitnwoinelegrn et. hFienu utnendnesmd depidsloa ypteopd e hahreaevldpe ofenr eKDnYecIceVe tm–h aPbtre herse 2i di1se inantt eVhriekss tytoeerd aY riaennn tudhk epo rvreeylscesha scseoa niod-f trsoeta mttheae ip ncrsuo rcvruaerlniadtt, o Cirtr, iiwmn iitlnlu arblne P, asra ocicdrei mdthuear,t”e, haCceoc dsoaeri,d diit.n iAgs
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Ukrainians launch their own businesses former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko not illegal to choose another measure of
has detained a fire inspector for soliciting a after losing their jobs, and it has been virtu- like no one else. “I would not mind if Ms. restraint for a person against whom several
$44,000 bribe from a company that was ally impossible for companies to qualify for Tymoshenko was released under certain criminal cases were opened. On December 8
involved in the construction of a new stadi- compensation for creating jobs without conditions stipulated by law. Moreover, I the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv
um for the Euro-2012 soccer championship kickbacks. Mr. Halytsky has been charged would like this case to be completed as soon concurred with a motion by an investigator
in Kyiv (www.ssu.gov.ua, November 24). with embezzling money from a fund which as possible. I’m interested as no one else. I of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to
Just two days later the chief of the State was set up to help companies create jobs for want it to happen,” Mr. Yanukovych empha- arrest Ms. Tymoshenko, who was already
Employment Service, Volodymyr Halytsky, former coal miners. The companies in ques- sized. “I became a hostage of this situation arrested in the gas case and has been held in
and several of his subordinates were tion reportedly had to pay 15 percent to 20 and when the Europeans came to us – Jose prison since August 5, as part of the UESU
detained on suspicion of corruption. Cash percent kickbacks. The newspaper alleged Manuel Barroso and Herman van Rompuy – case. (Ukrinform)
and valuables totaling $7.5 million were that Mr. Halytsky paid protection money to I said, if you know what is the way out of
confiscated during a search of their offices national deputies from the Popular Party this situation, tell me, what is the practice, European court to fast track Yulia’s case
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Segodnya which is linked to the ruling Party chairman of the state commission for finan- Court confirms legality of Yulia’s arrest problems.” The court’s press service also
of Regions reported on November 29, quot- cial markets, Vasyl Volha, has been in custo- noted that Ms. Tymoshenko’s application is
ing its sources. Mr. Halytsky, who apparently dy awaiting a court verdict since last July, KYIV – Kyiv’s Court of Appeals on based primarily on Article 3 (prohibition of
did not belong to any of these groups, had when he was arrested on suspicion of brib- December 21 upheld a ruling by the degrading treatment or punishment), Article
been warned that he could face problems ery. Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv 5 (right to liberty and security) and Article
but he just could not stop, according to the There is a perception in Ukrainian society regarding the arrest of former Ukrainian 18 (limitation on use of restrictions on
sources. that these arrests appear to be only the tip Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in the rights) of the European Convention on
Since 2003 Mr. Halytsky had chaired the of the iceberg and that many officials linked case concerning United Energy Systems of Human Rights. The statement also says that
Employment Service, which pays unemploy- to the very top go unpunished. For example, Ukraine (UESU). At the beginning of the notice of the application has been given to
ment benefits and finances companies to it is still not clear who owns the estate in a court session, presiding Judge Olha the Ukrainian government, which is request-
create jobs, with a break immediately after natural reserve area near Kyiv, where Yefimova read out an application by Ms. ed to submit observations. The Pechersk
the Orange Revolution in 2004-2005. Thus, President Yanukovych established his resi- Tymoshenko, in which she asked the court District Court of Kyiv found Ms.
he worked in this position in all the govern- dence (Ukrayinska Pravda, September 5). to hold a session in her absence. Earlier, a Tymoshenko guilty of abuse of office when
ments under three Ukrainian presidents. Chornomornaftohaz, a subsidiary of the lawyer for the former prime minister, Serhii signing gas contracts with Russia in 2009
During this period, the service’s social state-owned oil and gas company Naftohaz Vlasenko, said that a ruling issued at a visit-
protection system was transformed into a Ukrainy, reportedly overpaid millions of dol- ing session of the district court regarding (Continued on page 14)
system of organized plunder, according to lars for an oil rig to an obscure company
the weekly Zerkalo Nedeli. Funds ear- (Continued on page 9)
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one-year anniversary of the bloody Meanwhile, the economic situation has Postmaster, send address changes to:
December 19, 2010, election-night crack- deteriorated, causing suffering for all The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz
down in Belarus, which swept up more Belarusians.” 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas
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No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 3
NEWS ANALYSIS
New election law benefts government-backed candidates
by Pavel Korduban example is the relatively new liberal party, but may not clear the 5 percent barrier, far-right Svoboda, according to
Strong Ukraine, whose leader, Vice Prime called the new law “a conspiracy,” and said Batkivschyna Deputy Chairman
Eurasia Daily Monitor
Minister Sergey Tigipko, decided to merge that a party whose leader was imprisoned Oleksander Turchynov. He said in an inter-
On December 8, Ukrainian President the party with the PRU (see Eurasia Daily by the authorities should not have sided view with LIGABiznesInform that it was a
Viktor Yanukovych signed the law on par- Monitor, September 20). with the government on election rules realistic goal to put forward joint candi-
liamentary elections, which the Verkhovna Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr (www.klichko.org, November 17). dates from the opposition in every single-
Rada passed on November 17. The new Lytvyn has also indicated on several occa- This was aimed at Batkivschyna whose mandate district (www.liga.net, December
law should allow the ruling Party of sions that his People’s Party could merge leader, Yulia Tymoshenko, was sentenced 6).
Regions of Ukraine (PRU) to win the elec- with the PRU. in October to seven years in jail for exceed- Meanwhile, a fresh opinion poll by the
tions scheduled for October 2012, despite Mr. Lytvyn’s party has been a junior ing her authority in preparing a gas deal Kyiv-based pollster KMIIS has shown that
its declining popularity. partner in the pro-government coalition with Russia in 2009. It is widely believed trust in the mainstream parties is falling,
The elections law raises the threshold with the PRU and the Communist Party. that she was punished for her opposition so the well-established parties changed
parties must cross to win seats, thereby The new law was supported by the to Mr. Yanukovych. the rules just in time to discourage possi-
eliminating many rivals, and re-introduces absolute majority of 366 national deputies FZ leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk has ble new challengers.
a mixed system under which it should be in the 450-seat legislature, including many claimed that the new law was “a victory The Party of Regions is still in the lead,
easier for government-backed candidates oppositionists who participated in drafting for the opposition,” since it “will eliminate but support for it fell from 13.5 percent in
to win. the bill. These included members of election fraud.” He announced that his June to 12.5 percent in November, accord-
The new rules should also prompt the Batkivschyna and FZ, who explained their party would start talks to form a joint list ing to the poll. The rating of Batkivschyna
consolidation of the fragmented opposi- cooperation with the authorities by con- for single-mandate districts with fell from 10.9 percent in June to 10.2 per-
tion. The two largest opposition parties, tributing provisions aimed to prevent Batkivschyna, adding that a higher election cent, and the rating of Front for Change fell
Fatherland and the Front for Change, or vote-rigging. They said that, had they not barrier gave the opposition a chance to from 7.7 to 7.0 percent. Yet, support for the
Front Zmin, have started talks to agree on backed the bill, the PRU, using its numeri- unite (Ukrayinska Pravda, November 18). communists rose from 4.0 to 5.1 percent,
joint candidates for single-mandate dis- cal strength, would have pushed through He urged other opposition parties to and for UDAR from 3.1 to 4.4 percent. The
tricts. Parliament an even worse bill. join, saying that those not siding with the- share of those who would vote against all,
Under the new rules, the 100 percent Apart from introducing the same mixed Batkivschyna-FZ alliance would support were undecided or would abstain, totaled
proportional system, where by Parliament system and raising the election barrier, a the government (Channel 5, November 50 percent, rising marginally compared to
was elected from party lists, is replaced bill written solely by the Party of Regions 28). This was a change of stance, as last June (www.zn.ua, November 29).
with a mixed system, where 50 percent of would have also provided the government summer Mr. Yatsenyuk insisted it was
national deputies will be elected from with incentives to falsify election results by unnecessary for opposition parties to The article above is reprinted from
party lists according to the same propor- making it possible to vote at home without unite ahead of the election. Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission
tional system, and the other 50 percent medical certificates and eliminating oppo- Fatherland and FZ expect several small- from its publisher, the Jamestown
from first-past-the-post constituencies. sition candidates on formal grounds such er opposition parties to join, including the Foundation, www.jamestown.org.
This is a boon for the ruling party. In the as typos in income declarations
late 1990s and early 2000s, when a similar (Segodnya, November 18; UNIAN,
system existed in Ukraine, pro-govern- November 17).
ment candidates usualy defeated their The pro-opposition website Ukrayinska Quotable notes
rivals in the first-past-the-post constituen- Pravda said the consensus in Parliament “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Vaclav Havel, the Czech
mcieasy, obresc, acuosuen tchiel ym weemreb esursp paonrdt erdic bhy bloucsai-l opna rtthie sn eawga einlesctt isomn alalwl p waratsi e“as .”c oTuhpe o nf ebwig Republic’s first democratically elected president and leader of the Velvet Revolution.
nessmen, who were, as a rule, linked to the rules may lead to a three-party system His death is a loss for the Czech Republic and for human rights defenders around the
ruling elite. consisting of the PRU, Batkivschyna and world. He was an inspiration to me and I was proud to call him a friend. He once said
The threshold for parties is raised from FZ, the website predicted (Ukrainska that his hope was for history to remember him as having done something useful.
3 percent to 5 percent, and blocs of parties Pravda, November 18). President Havel spent his life removing chains of oppression, standing up for the
are not allowed to participate in elections. Unsurprisingly, UDAR (Punch), a new downtrodden, and advancing the tenets of democracy and freedom. When commu-
This complicates the task for small parties, party headed by the boxing champion nism threatened the peace and prosperity of our world and covered Eastern Europe
both opposition and pro-government. Vitali Klitschko, which opinion polls show in a cloud of hopelessness, he wrote plays so powerful they changed the course of
Several of them are likely to disappear. One is the third most popular opposition party history and created new democratic opportunities for millions. And when the people
of the Czech Republic were finally allowed to express themselves freely, they over-
whelmingly chose a man who never wanted to be in politics.
“He did something more than useful – he did something extraordinary, and history
will remember it. Today, a black flag hangs over the Prague castle in honor of his life
Unifcation efforts and commitment to a better world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, the
people of the Czech Republic, and all those who are committed to advancing human
of UOC-KP and UAOC fail rights.”
– U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a press statement issued on
other bishops laid down the condition of December 18.
Religious Information Service of Ukraine
resignation of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and
KYIV – The unification process All Rus’ for the unification. This condition “Vaclav Havel’s words of freedom resonated throughout Europe and helped us
between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was also laid down during the second build a free continent. The Velvet Revolution he led was more than inspiring to us. It
– Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the attempt of dialogue in autumn, 2005,” paved the way for a Europe whole and free.”
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox reads the statement. – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Audronius
Church (UAOC), which began last autumn, The bishops of the UOC-KP said they Ažubalis, as quoted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on
failed, it was reported on December 14. cannot accept these conditions by any December 18.
According to the UOC-KP, the clergy- means as they view Patriarch Filaret as
men of the UAOC are to blame for the fail- the hierarch with the biggest experience “Vaclav Havel was a true hero of the human rights movement. As a founding mem-
ure of the dialogue. Representatives of the of the bishop’s ministry. In addition, they ber and first spokesman for the Charter 77 movement, whose reports the Helsinki
UOC-KP particularly accuse Metropolitans consider the dismissal of Patriarch Filaret Commission published, he demanded his government implement the Helsinki Final
Mefodii and Andrii, who laid down an to be “the dream of the Moscow Act and other human rights commitments it had freely undertaken. He remained
unacceptable condition: the resignation of Patriarchate of many years,” which they constant to his ideals – prison and persecution notwithstanding. As a dissident, he
Patriarch Filaret. On December 13, in Kyiv, now try to fulfill “through the mentioned exemplified the ‘power of the powerless,’ as he called it, the ability of ordinary people
the bishops of the UOC-KP gathered at representatives of UAOC.” to l“iIvte i sfo tre strtiumtho nany dto b hyi ds oeinndgu sroin fagc dee dvowtionn a t roe hguimmea bnu riilgt hotns ltiheast. one of his last public
their Synod in Kyiv passed a statement The Synod of the UOC-KP recalled that messages was an expression of solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus. …”
explaining their position in this regard, many representatives of the higher ranks – Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, as quoted in a commission
reported the website of UOC-KP. of clergy of UAOC were once part of the press release on December 19.
The bishops noted in the document Kyiv Patriarchate but left that Church due
that the two Churches made repeated to conflicts. “Even after becoming president, Vaclav Havel continued to serve as the conscience
attempts to unite. “Metropolitan Mefodii in 1995 was the of the continent, warning presciently in 1993 that the treatment of Roma was ‘a lit-
“The first attempt to unite was made in administrator of UOC-KP, Metropolitan mus test’ for post-Communist civil society. He remained a tireless defender of the
2000-2001, when Symphoniticon was Andrii was a permanent member of the unjustly persecuted whether they were Czech, Cuban, or Tibetan. And, in 2009, as a
signed at the residence of the Ecumenical Holy Synod in 1992-1995. Most of the committed trans-Atlanticist, he joined other statesmen and women from Central
Patriarch in Constantinople, and later present bishops of the UAOC are former Europe in calling for a renewal of that relationship. Vaclav Havel’s leadership and
agreements were reached at a meeting in priests of the Kyiv Patriarchate who left integrity will be sorely missed.”
Ternopil. However, these agreements did our Church for the sake of obtaining the – Sen. Ben Cardin, co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, as quoted in a com-
not result in unification as the head of positions of the bishops,” the Synod’s mission press release on December 19.
UAOC, Metropolitan Mefodii and some statement points out.
4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 No. 52
Canadian government honors St. Petro Mohyla Institute
by Al Kachkowski
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – The gov-
ernment of Canada officially recognized
the St. Petro Mohyla Institute of
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as a National
Historic Site at an impressive public cer-
emony held at the institute on
September 24.
About 150 people gathered to witness
the program and the unveiling of the tri-
lingual bronze plaque that is now
mounted outdoors, near the institute’s
entrance. The proceedings coincided
with the celebration of the 95th anniver-
sary of the institute’s founding in 1916.
The master of ceremonies for the pro-
g r a m w a s A l l a n D u d d r i d g e ,
Saskatchewan member of the Historic
Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Judy-Anne Chabun
He introduced the Lastiwka Ukrainian
Steve Senyk, board president of the
Orthodox Choir, which opened the pro- A trilingual plaque is unveiled at the St. Petro Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon. Mohyla Institute, addresses the gathering.
gram with its trilingual rendition of “O,
Canada.” papers and periodicals collection for the conclusion of the formal program with Mohyla Institute’s history
Mr. Duddridge then brought greetings purpose of microfilming rare items for its rendering of “Otche Nash,” the Lord’s
The Mohyla Institute is named after
on behalf of the Historic Sites and the collection of the Canadian Institute of prayer.
Metropolitan Petro Mohyla, a leader of
Monuments Board. He pointed out that Ukrainian Studies. She realized then that Mr. Duddridge closed the program by
the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who
there are 2,000 commemorative plaques “everything I touched was Ukrainian thanking all who prepared for and
lived in the early part of the 17th century
placed throughout Canada by the Board. Canadian history.” She noted how the attended the program. A coffee recep-
in Ukraine. As metropolitan, the
Steve Senyk, president of the Mohyla institute, in its early years, was part of tion, visiting and viewing of displays
Ukrainian Encyclopedia notes, Mohyla
Institute’s board of directors, prefaced the “bursa” movement created by the concluded the afternoon.
improved the Church’s organizational
his greetings by stating that “This is truly Ukrainian intelligentsia in cities and The celebration of the 95th anniversa-
structure, set strict dogmatic guidelines,
an exciting day.” In the Ukrainian lan- towns. She also mentioned how the ry of the institute continued with an eve-
reformed the monastic orders and
guage, he welcomed all present. He paid Institute provided an interesting and ning banquet, program and dance at the
enriched the theological canon.
tribute to the visionaries who founded stimulating environment in which Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium in
For most of the Mohyla Institute’s his-
the institute. He especially thanked Dr. Ukrainian women could develop their Saskatoon.
tory in Saskatoon, it was named the P.
Frances Swyripa, historian of the skills. She also stated that individuals Guests were greeted at the door with
Mohyla Ukrainian Institute. When the
University of Alberta, for her work in surrounding Mohyla Institute provided music by the Ukrainian Connection. The
new building was opened in 1965, the
preparing the application for institute to the impetus for the formation of the auditorium was beautifully decorated for
name was streamlined to simply Mohyla
receive this award – a process that began Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada. the occasion.
Institute. After Metropolitan Petro
six years ago. The dignitaries then gathered around As guests enjoyed their dessert, John
Mohyla was canonized in Ukraine in
Mayor Don Atchison of Saskstoon
the covered plaque and unveiled it. The Stech, a jazz pianist from New York and 1996 by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
gave greetings and fondly remembered
trilingual plaque was then read to the an alumnus of the Mohyla Ukrainian – Kyiv Patriarchate, the board of direc-
the excellent meals served at Mohyla
assembled guests. Mr. Duddridge read Summer School, entertained by playing a tors of the institute renamed it the St.
Institute when he stayed there in the
the English and French, while Nadya number of tunes including his well- Petro Mohyla Institute.
1970s as a member of the University of
Foty read the Ukrainian. known “Kolomeyka Fantasy.” In his com- Over the years, the students of the
Saskatchewan Huskies football team
The inscription on the plaque reads as mentary, he recalled the time he played institute, always a co-ed residence, bene-
during their training camp. On a histori-
follows: “In 1916, the activities of a with the Dumka Ukrainian dance band of fited from an extracurricular program in
w
o
tpatcmtPIbM
wes“tcnhyhiMuaidtnflromt.ae aosasiel oclidCKDsade rsYy tcyzr cven oiemr oiMe dre tisia hod .fuMtn nseot cy ono fet hstSc csu cnotserdmohelKt oeiow alisracp,igh yuh one drms taeUrehnioelys fysad iansl atm okesfm atu mrwl.hyiS ”m1 guha rtnimSI earbia pa9edu net oagetiscrhiwetn7aern shsndn fkgzovri eunt,k0hiche.ni ,ainstia rnastastir mesygtd rhstnu, traeo infs eit ce cetstol clno r hdieoiptre hazarfenhu foe dmrue e altoma,e w sUulp . ovdvta gvenm.M hymaekOr afeodi eh eo lrnerto npu c eoahvrkn o ohcth iartniaw ei shbdhofneyatmdgnt eaenem ileneoetidaUt hda tnghrgtcto n ien a krh caeogeIt t dalryan dhehomrha dfMat ,s se gce aeuoionitmumt he nlo osaletiflecfatcio thi nautaihwfeahuteprayr nrnhehven toksdcslidryeaecst-f., cUdMUniUCdIwscsCilPlonenepuhyareakrhaso snontTlenror 1rtdtohimtotaiacahoiah9reote yfitimdeuirednwtnr 1neipurln,tanh at aia s8irLhtfeoi.asc paeholec.a,ae Iu n u nstlra,ieignsf cI n ap lpbeoU otnrdorsody cqispylod rkGtwen oluep tituigout grniuvmrteldeklahawrpteiuoel ertru anetiey ho t enaie otrdwiVeo n oC kzntdtihafwe taniguieha -ala cyheonUn O tdohnh stan i te sok i oirgonO rfel gtu batrtfne oi h dnhrha fphismnfy sLoartne iosea eao .hnr ”mca aeuegSlrurnedfoitskt tn aininl oaodoiesrhuoidns cbgd fstdoxasukeies luitp ixt uicnoeseaoc namaCd ao UcurstdaCn ,Rdgtheom vasmrsdk ehc e nitotuae wdrhenmuiobeoi.ndtraog sagorva ifcg.ui rnc,nr e Rtmn hiaehTne nctntinef s , ihseheahto oto tvisilnyeaeaesrt-f. eh1faMdwoeoEhitsScapniotavn itfiehro9dtaes o lesgasdbeSMonm4lCt tlhtnreipcatsaeh teto g0actyedo.g,tonendce Cnronsolvmiw grond in a g afm.naezftotrI omft idoshthehd naieonMoIfrim Snra dinaop ewasnrgwncmeangti s n’ the ha,ctcsn,atoati co o,na.t o thi Asycb er lvitfu ntEmd nodpokhahay.aulaeictbanenc ,ynmrm ietd emetsvcleiesb al dhu o ,SIhuitmo’r slou9dnr sloMdn a t heynkhta an5usasmsie uana r irtltfekit,rhso.ulr etesidth te uai taSyoeof a mxnp oum b tmotn pewmatlpolNlrgetueifnad rnbeioncl c hamacechia tnethtnoni tdeshtahus isria nih.mi snvhe widi o ednmaAsgni,aoerae n e danpostwrf2dv1pdo na sr.sidewae0t te9ornf eh lMtahohi a e0tc,nd3 cmgor gaHecphesrig aye s0 o cd.tp luiaeu srne g eigSosnsoetmgobtnscr,rte aref vedoi.floeaod adn yotib etp .Hcrnuno hiehyuetnotlinpdokyecsrtf 1tUeUwUtsp(skeUac
inspnudhothxinr9yrakuensupcresedioATst2rtrrdlieglie piaw adehac3leote,icwlinita iuniron , nlntmyd nergoktedsestgit aiedrinaedihafnaea etr alv a sg nirn n epaewatnUtetomae)iw dhm l o un ns ca fhgkcpo ie atriteidysewu cinoiradefe itrtsteido als yt tirtn erletgtdidncy lhtsi oswusneM rnu s deatarmarmKabgtgcidier uoynde iUatr ,heharo,etawec heh.uc ntn klymoubtnlnysnoiCa ea r onga,tltcygatCnctaelr naisealun)ga e oUinag n g dn salns .dhonbrnietakau ds itraokufuaoeadelcCnerae rsylrsndemulraSo esgauidoa.ao t ,a ra is rne n hsSl olniaotw c. sin “, tge c s(nh gfnika.Ttut e flrha U isetdonaehdTdhniwsnnhiytdksro rdle hcache lesmiylr i nyeinlghcu t e,dratlantu t shtehiobese s.rnwistasd o. ewn aoiea acorntiewlcn rlenehnehtancyrohass’fndeges”t-fl,
received a Certificate of Honorary mission of Ukrainian culture wherever
Membership in the Mohyla Institute and Ukrainians lived.
UUARC receives Humanitarian Award apnp arecckinatoiownl efodrg ethmeeirn rte sopf etchtiavne kcso natnrid-
traMinainngy aonf dt heex pleeardieenrcse, haatv tihneg irnescteitiuveted,
ARLINGTON, Va. – United Ukrainian State, Counterpart International, butions. went on the establish Ukrainian church
American Relief Committee (UUARC) Network America Lines, International The Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox parishes and local branches of Ukrainian
President Dr. Larissa Kyj and Services Corp, A.P. Inspections and 20 Choir and Orchestra performed several organizations.
Administrative Liaison Motrja Watters humanitarian aid organizations. folk songs for everyone’s entertainment. Currently, the Mohyla Institute is
on December 9 attended Counterpart Several organizations were honored Lastiwka has held its rehearsals at accepting the challenges provided by
International’s and the U.S. State for their work, among them the United Mohyla Institute since the choir’s incep- changed demographics in the rural areas
Department’s 2011 Small/Medium Ukrainian American Relief Committee, tion 28 years ago. and the forces of assimilation, and is
Transportation Program East Coast which received a Humanitarian Award in Celebrants of Mohyla Institute’s 95th engaged in preparing innovative pro-
Conference. recognition of “assistance to the less for- anniversary then danced the night away gramming to perpetuate knowledge of
Represented were the Department of tunate people of Ukraine.” to the musical renditions of the Ukrainian culture in accordance with its
Ukrainian Connection. mandate.
No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 5
THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM
The Ukrainian National Association’s Christmas tradition
most popular season to communicate these cards are designated for cultural and duce their work without financial reim-
with family and friends, to send pictures of educational projects at Soyuzivka. bursement – have contributed their tal-
an ever-growing family and in general, to Special thanks are due to all the artists ents to support the Ukrainian National
spread great holiday cheer. who have shared their Christmas-related Foundation. (This year’s Christmas cards
Unfortunately, the tradition of writing artwork with us. These artists – who over reflect previously contributed works
letters and sending handwritten cards is the years have allowed the UNA to repro- from the past several years.)
in danger of being substituted with the
various high-tech options. However, it is
estimated that 1.8 billion cards are sent
during the holidays in the U.S. alone. St. Nicholas Feast Day celebrated
Therefore, Christmas cards are going to be
around for a little while longer. at St. Michael’s Parish in Woonsocket
The Christmas season is a time to
reconnect with family and friends. It is
also a wonderful opportunity to promote
awareness for various charitable causes
and to encourage those around us to get
involved with the community and support
our cultural institutions.
Over the years, the UNA has aimed to
promote Ukrainian artists through its
One of the art works chosen for the UNA’s Christmas Card Project, which involves
Christmas card project is Jerome Kozak’s featuring their artwork on the covers of
“Madonna” (acrylic, 2009). holiday greeting cards. These cards are
then sent out to UNA members, who in
by Oksana Trytjak
turn share them with their friends and
UNA National Organizer families.
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The art of sending The proceeds from this fund-raising
personal greetings dates back to the effort support the Soyuzivka Heritage
ancient Chinese and Egyptian cultures, Center through the Ukrainian National
when people shared goodwill messages Foundation (UNF), a not for profit founda-
with their friends and family on slips of tion with a 501 C (3) status. All donations WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Ukrainian National Association Branch 241 in
papyrus. In Europe, the custom of sending are tax-exempt as permitted by law. Woonsocket, R.I., hosted its annual St. Nicholas celebration for the children of
handwritten cards became very fashion- UNA members, loyal readers of its pub- St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday, December 4. Msgr. Roman
able when paper became mass-produced lications Svoboda and The Ukrainian Golemba and Janet Bardell, branch secretary, greeted the youngsters. Lydia Zuk
and readily available. By the late 1800s, Weekly, visitors to Soyuzivka and the com- Klufas and Lydia Kusma Minyayluk planned the event with poems, songs and
prefabricated cards started to make their munity members are encouraged to par- a short play. The parents prepared a delicious lunch. Yurij Minyayluk and John
appearance and sending invitations, birth- ticipate in this year’s Christmas Card proj- Tkach provided the musical entertainment. Of course, the highlight of the event
day greetings and holiday wishes became ect by purchasing a packet of 12 cards for came when St. Nicholas presented gifts to the eager children. Above, St. Nicholas
the norm. Today, Christmastime is still the $25. All the proceeds from the sale of is seen with the children and organizers of the event.
6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 No. 52
IN MEMORIAM: Jerome Shestack
The Ukrainian Weekly
dedicated champion of human rights
“From DP to DC”
The landmark exhibit “From DP to DC. Displaced Persons: A Story of
Ukrainian Refugees in Europe 1945-1952,” opened on November at the
Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago. (It remains on view through January 31,
2012.) The exhibit demonstrated that, indeed, displaced persons “have stories
that must be told,” as Orest Hrynewych, first vice-president of the UNM, had stat-
ed in an article that appeared in The Weekly. The “From DP to DC” exhibit in
Chicago must be hailed as a major step in that direction, and its organizers
deserve our praise and gratitude.
This newspaper’s readers first heard about the upcoming exhibit back in
February, in a story headlined “Ukrainian National Museum seeks artifacts for
DP exhibit.” The UNM at that time was asking the Ukrainian community to sup-
port its upcoming exhibit – whose aim was “to present the broad sweep of the
DP experience in an interactive setting” – by loaning DP camp artifacts to be used
in the display. As Mr. Hrynewych wrote in The Weekly, “The objectives of this
exhibit are to inform and educate the Ukrainian community, especially the
Fourth Wave immigrants, the general public and the youth in our community
about this chapter of post-World War II history.”
The opening weekend of the exhibit on November 4-6 was particularly nota- At a White House meeting (from left) are: Vice-President Walter Mondale, Ulana
Mazurkevich, Jerome Shestack, Orysia Hewka, Chrystia Senyk, Sam Dash and Vera
ble, with presentations by experts in their fields: Prof. Mark Wyman, author of
Andryczyk.
“DPs: Europe’s Displaced Persons, 1945-1951”; Dr. Lubomyr Y. Luciuk, author of
“Searching for Place: Ukrainian Displaced Persons, Canada and the Migration of
Memory”; and Dr. Myron B. Kuropas, author of “The Ukrainian Americans: Roots by Ulana Baluch Mazurkevich Every year without fail Jerome Shestack
and Aspirations 1898-1954.” Dr. Kuropas spoke on the topic “The Displaced would join the Ukrainian Human Rights
Persons Act of 1948: It almost didn’t happen.” (You can read the full text of his Ukrainians have lost a great friend. Committee in commemorating January 12
very enlightening presentation in The Weekly’s November 27 issue.) Philadelphia has lost a great man, a man as the Day of Solidarity with Ukrainian
A bilingual (English-Ukrainian) catalogue was published as a worthy compan- who demonstrated that the law and the Political Prisoners. Anytime a human rights
ion to the exhibit, which was arranged chronologically and by themes, such as pursuit of human rights were not mutual- activist was sentenced to a labor camp or
the diverse facets of camp life, and included a recreated DP camp room. A “Living ly exclusive. A man blessed with unlimit- “psychiatric hospital,” Mr. Shestack would
Memory” wall was a place for former DPs to write down basic information about ed humanity, a man blessed with bound- join the committee in demonstration,
themselves and their experiences. less compassion. Jerome Shestack (1923- always to raise awareness of what was
A story by William Hageman in the Chicago Tribune reported on this highly 2011) was a leading human rights activ- going on in the Soviet Union. He was pas-
successful exhibit: “Some quarter-million Ukrainians were left in Germany after ist. He was ambassador to the United sionately committed to the defense of
the war. About half ended up in the camps — converted army barracks and old Nations Commission on Human Rights, human rights and to human freedoms.
warehouses and buildings mostly — rather than return to Ukraine, where they president of the International League for Mr. Shestack wanted the White House to
would have been at the mercy of Stalin’s troops. The exhibit features an amazing Human Rights and president of the be informed of the Soviet Union’s denial of
collection of artifacts from the camps: embroidered blouses and shirts made American Bar Association. He passed human rights in Ukraine, and to that end he
from parachutes, a punch bowl that was repurposed as a sports trophy, a doc- away on August 18. organized a meeting of the Ukrainian
tor’s collection of equipment that he used to treat people in the camps. There’s I met Jerome Shestack at the Sakharov Human Rights Committee with Vice-
also a giant map noting about 100 camp locations.” hearings in Washington. This was during President Walter Mondale at the White
The artifacts are a concrete manifestation of the highly organized community the heyday of the Soviet Union, when the House. At this meeting the vice-president
life that flourished in the DP camps in less than ideal conditions. “They said one gulags were filled with poets, writers and was informed about the situation in
thing they can’t take away from you is what’s in your mind,” Mr. Hrynewych told dissidents of all stripes. The only “crime” Ukraine and the arrest of Mr. Lukianenko.
the Tribune. “So they pushed education. It was their mantra. They set up grade committed by these brave men and women When the nuclear accident occurred at
schools, high schools, a university.” The vibrancy of DP camp life and the resil- was demanding their basic human rights. Chornobyl, Mr. Shestack joined the commit-
ience of the DPs laid the groundwork for these refugees’ later success as émigrés Mr. Shestack spoke passionately and elo- tee in protesting the nuclear disaster; each
and citizens of the countries where they ultimately settled after World War II. quently on their behalf. year he would join us in observing this
The DP story is a proud one that deserves to be shared. We sincerely hope that When Mr. Shestack became ambassador anniversary date.
the Chicago organizers of “From DP to DC” take this exhibit on the road to other to the Commission on Human Rights at the Mr. Shestack continued to be a good
major cities where it can educate even more segments of the public about this United Nations, he was one of the first to friend to Ukraine. After Ukraine’s indepen-
important historical episode. raise names of the imprisoned with Soviet dence and the Orange Revolution, Mr.
officials. Prior to that, no public official ever Shestack and I spoke about honoring
raised a specific name of a political prison- President Viktor Yushchenko with the
er. This was the first time that Ukrainian Philadelphia Liberty Medal. As a highly
Dec. Turning the pages back... political prisoners were named. Among respected member of the board of the
those mentioned were Mykola Rudenko Philadelphia Liberty Medal Committee, Mr.
and Levko Lukianenko. Shestack persuaded the board to award the
30 Fifty-five years ago, on December 30, 1956, approximately Mr. Shestack spoke for the poets, for the Liberty Medal to Mr. Yushchenko, contrary
3,000 protesters gathered at Manhattan Center in New York to writers, for all those who were silenced by to the wishes of some on the board who
1956 protest the Soviet occupation of Ukraine. Organized by the the brutal regime. He was their voice. He wanted the medal to be presented to Bill
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the protest featured gave them a face. He gave them a name. An, Clinton. The following year, former
addresses by U.S. Secretary of Labor James P. Mitchell, U.S. Sen.- above all, he gave them hope. They were Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush
elect Jacob K. Javits (D-N.Y.), U.S Rep. Michael Feighan (D-Ohio); not forgotten. shared the Philadelphia Liberty Medal.
and a statement by incumbent Sen. Herbert H. Lehman (D-N.Y.) was read by Stephen The Ukrainian Human Rights Committee Mr. Shestack’s commitment to Ukrainian
Jarema, UCCA executive secretary. worked with Mr. Shestack on many proj- causes will be greatly missed, as will his
Mr. Mitchell, in his address, said: “Recently two highly significant documents found their ects. His office and his home were always steadfast dedication to the cause that all
way to the free world, disclosing the most appalling conditions in forced labor camps. These open to us. Through him we met many human beings have God-given rights that
documents were written by two Ukrainian political prisoners at the gigantic Soviet forced important dignitaries who would work no power on earth could be permitted to
labor camp complex located in Mordovia, about 400 miles southeast of Moscow. with us in raising awareness of the situa- take away.
“The original Ukrainian texts, dated September and October 1955, are painstakingly tion in Ukraine. Mr. Shestack and I would I will always remember Jerome Shestack
written on pieces of linen cloth that may have been torn from the lining of coats. Bit by bit, write op-ed pieces for the Philadaelphia as the epitome of the tireless and passion-
through secret means, they have found their way to the free world. These documents are Inquirer, to give light to the thousands lan- ate champion of universal human rights
particularly significant because they show that despite the promised elimination of forced guishing in labor camps. He decried those who once said, in speaking of the denial of
labor camps after the death of Stalin (forced labor camps which incidently had never been who remained silent in the face of atroci- human rights, “It is only a short step from
acknowledged to exist); despite this promise, these documents show that the concentra- ties. silence to complicity.”
tion camp system still remains a basic institution in the Soviet economy.”
Michael Piznak, master of ceremonies and UCCA executive treasurer. noted that the
fight for Ukraine’s freedom from the Soviets continues, as it did with the Ukrainian three organizations.
Insurgent Army (UPA), the Ukrainian underground, and the partisans and students whose Weekly TV program... “This memorandum is an important
rebellion in Kyiv incited Moscow to send in and fire tanks on the protesters.
(Continued from page 1) step in informing Ukrainians living in
Dmytro Halychyn, president of the Ukrainian National Association and the Ukrainian Ukraine and beyond its borders about the
Congress Committee of America, stated that reports from Ukraine showed that UPA fight- The memorandum was signed by UWC social, national-cultural, educational and
ing units, in their fight against Soviet Russian troop and MVD detachments, were able to President Eugene Czolij, Channel 5 Editor- informational activities of the over 20-mil-
derail Soviet troop trains and blow up bridges used by the Soviets to quell the Hungarian in-Chief Volodymyr Mzhelskyi and IMB+ lion-strong Ukrainian diaspora and the
uprising, and pointed to the fact that Ukrainians, proud and unconquerable in spirit, Records President Bohdan Mouzitchka in Ukrainian World Congress,” stated UWC
(Continued on page 22) the presence of representatives of all President Czolij.
No. 52 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 7
IN THE PRESS: Havel,
Putin and Yanukovych
“Vaclav Havel, living in truth,” edito- Czechoslovak ‘Velvet Revolution,’ when
rial, The Washington Post, December the sight of massive crowds gathered in
19: Prague’s Wenceslas Square prompted a rot-
“… [Vaclav] Havel pionered an entire- ting Communist bureaucracy to colapse, Our Arab brethren
ly new form of political revolution — one proved that Mr. Havel’s strategy could work.
that is as relevant in the tumultuous year It also helped to establish a model that has Actually, they are not just Arabs. They Baghdad and Cairo, Alexandria and Mosul.
of 2011 as it was when he first spelled it spread around the world — to Serbia and include Persians, Egyptians, Ethiopians, So what are these Eastern Christian
out in the mid-1970s. His simple but Ukraine, Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan, and Greeks and other peoples in the Middle East Churches? Their number and variety are
extraordinary idea was that the most now — in another landmark year of rev- and Northeast Africa. And in this instance I bewildering. They fall into several ritual
effective way to defeat a totalitarian olution — Tunisia and Egypt. …” am not speaking of the Muslims. Rather, I traditions: besides the Byzantine rite with
regime was for citizens to reject its lies have in mind the millions of Eastern which we are familiar, there are the
and ‘live in truth.’ That meant, first of all, “Putin’s Black Eye and Yanukovych’s Christians in troubled countries like Iraq, Armenian, Chaldean (or East Syrian),
telling the truth in answer to official pro- Beauty Sleep,” by Alexander J. Motyl Egypt, Syria and Ethiopia. Most Christians in Antiochian (or West Syrian), Coptic and
paganda, but also behaving as if funda- on his blog, “Ukraine’s Orange Blues,” those countries are either Orthodox or Ethiopian rites. Most of their followers
mental human rights — which most dic- on the World Affairs website, Eastern-rite Catholic. They are thus the inhabit lands that were Christian before
tatorships claim to respect — could be December 16: brethren of Ukrainian Orthodox and the Arab and Turkish conquests.
taken for granted. “Regardless of how the current post- Catholics in a special sense, and despite dif- The Orthodox Patriarchate of
“This was a peaceful strategy but also election protests in Russia turn out, the ferences of geography, language and culture. Constantinople is based in officially secular
one that required enormous courage. many thousands of ordinary Russians In the political turmoil that has shaken but overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey, where
After writing his seminal essay ‘Power of who took to the streets to demand their the predominantly Muslim countries they Christians number less than 0.2 percent of
the Powerless’ in 1978, Mr. Havel spent rights deserve three big cheers. Their inhabit, these Christians often end up as the population. The largest Christian com-
nearly five years in prison, where his courageous behavior has dispelled a few victims. munity in the Middle East, on the other
health was badly damaged. For 16 years myths about Russia and sent a powerful On October 31, 2010, for example, 42 hand, is in Egypt, with more than 10 percent
afterward he suffered incessant monitor- signal to all post-Soviet dictators. Christians, two of them priests, were fatally of the population. Of these, about 95 percent
ing and harassment from the secret “… The mostly young and middle-class shot by terrorist gunmen in Our Lady of are Coptic Orthodox. To the south, Ethiopia,
police of Czechoslovakia, the most coldly demonstrators have effectively squashed Salvation Cathedral in Baghdad. Last the world’s oldest Christian state after
repressive regime of the Soviet bloc. … January 1, as parishioners of the Coptic Armenia, experienced the anti-religious pol-
“The stunning success of the 1989 (Continued on page 19) Church of the Two Saints in Alexandria, icies of the Marxist Derg regime between
Egypt, were leaving a New Year’s Eve mass 1974 and 1991. Today, Orthodox Christians
shortly after midnight, a bomb planted in a make up 43 percent of the population.
car parked at the church entrance exploded, About 10 percent of the inhabitants of Syria,
Kremlin leaves Havel tributes to others killing at least 21 people. (Touchstone, or 2 million people, are Christian, of which
March/April 2011, p. 10). Last March, thou- about half belong to the Antiochian Orthodox
by Heather Maher “Vaclav Havel, a man who embodied sands of Islamic extremists set fire to 59 Church. In Lebanon, the Maronite Catholic
the strength of personality and talent in churches and at least 28 homes in and minority, with over a million and a half faith-
RFE/RL
the face of totalitarianism... was a rare around Asendabo in western Ethiopia, kill- ful, retains its historic influence. A mix of
Leaders from all corners of the world model of politics in which consistent ing at least one person believed to belong to Christians, mostly Greek Orthodox, officially
have paid tribute to Vaclav Havel – dissi- defense of, and loyalty to, principles and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Over 4,000 constitutes 6 percent of Jordan’s population.
dent, revolutionary, playwright, and the ideals is above all else. Havel will remain people were displaced in the violence, after In Iraq, dictatorship and war have contribut-
first president of the Czech Republic – forever in our memory as a brave and Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating ed to the steep decline of the Christian com-
who died on December 18. uncompromising fighter under a totali- the Qur’an. (Touchstone, May/June 2011, p. munity. Since the Iranian revolution of 1979,
But from the Kremlin there has been tarian regime, against which he was able 10). Just last October 9, police and armed most of Iran’s Christians have emigrated to
only silence. to build honesty and human dignity. forces at Maspero in Cairo attacked demon- the West. Israel’s Christian minority num-
Neither President Dmitry Medvedev, “Unfortunately, the president of the strators protesting the burning of churches. bered nearly 20 percent at the creation of
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, nor Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev Twenty-seven people, most of them the Jewish state. Over a third was lost when
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has pub- has found it unnecessary to express con- Christians, were killed. Anxious about their the Palestinians fled in 1948-1949. Today,
licly commented on Mr. Havel’s death. Mr. dolences to the Czech nation. More future in a post-Mubarak Egypt where the Arab Christians – predominantly Melkite
Muslim Brotherhood may gain control, Greek-Catholics – constitute some 2 percent
Medvedev did, however, offer a swift important for the Kremlin was the death
many Coptic families are emigrating. (David of Israel’s population. Further emigration
reaction to the passing of North Korean of DPRK leader Kim Jong Il.
Ignatius, “Cairo’s Christians Worry about could eliminate the Palestinian Christian
dictator Kim Jong Il, who died one day “We understand that mutual relations
Egypt’s Next Chapter,” The Washington presence in the Holy Land. While Saudi
earlier but whose death was announced between Russia and the Czech Republic
Post, November 8, 2011). Christians officially do not exist, the king rec-
one day later. The Russian president sent were sometimes strained, but that does
But why, aside from ordinary compassion ognizes that many expatriates in Saudi
his condolences to Pyongyang almost not apply to relations between our and (in some cases) common faith, should Arabia are Christian. (“Christians in the
immediately. nations... Ukrainians take a special interest in the fate Middle East,” cited below.)
As reported by website Czechposition. “We share the grief of loss that the of these Eastern Christians? From a theological perspective, the pic-
com, the Russian Embassy in Prague told Czech Republic is currently experiencing, First, we have common problems and ture is complex. The Assyrian Church of the
the CTK news agency on December 20 and we express our deep condolences to experiences. Many of these Churches’ histo- East goes back to the 5th century, when it
that it had sent an official letter of condo- the relatives of the Czech nation and of ries resemble ours, marked by foreign con- rejected the Council of Ephesus of 431. The
lence in the name of the “Russian leader- Vaclav Havel.” quest, schism, decline, reunion and revival. Oriental Orthodox Churches arose from dis-
ship” to Czech President Vaclav Klaus. (It It ends with several hundred signa- Some have experienced the pressures of agreement with the Council of Chalcedon of
was reported on December 21 that tures and an invitation to readers to add Latinization. Like Ukrainians after World 451. More familiar to Ukrainians are the
Russia will send Vladimir Lukin, the their own thoughts of sympathy. War II, many Northeast African and Middle Eastern Orthodox Churches. Several of the
country’s ombudsman, to the funeral on Mr. Havel wrote his last commentary Eastern Christians have been driven from Orthodox Churches have Uniate counter-
December 23.) for Novaya Gazeta, on December 9, about their homelands by hostile regimes, war parts which, like the Ukrainian Catholic
Mr. Havel’s hatred of communism and the disputed Russian parliamentary elec- and revolution. Thus, for example, while in Church, represent Orthodox who at some
symbol as a democratic reformer put tions days earlier. “There can be no talk 1932, one in five Iraqis was Christian, today point re-u