Experts at D.C. conference hail Ukraine's democratic development ...

Inside:• Post-election news analyses – pages 3 and 4.• Dr. Orest Subtelny speaks about the Trawniki guards – page 11.• Ukraine and Ukrainians at the XXI Winter Olympics – page 13.The Ukraini a n WeeklyPublished by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit associationVol. LXXVIII No.8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010$1/$2 in UkraineExperts at D.C. conference hailUkraine’s democratic developmentby Yaro BihunSpecial to The Ukrainian WeeklyWASHINGTON – Viktor Yanukovych’svictory in the February 7 presidential electionis yet another indication that democracyis developing in Ukraine. It was not necessarilya victory for Moscow, which backedthe victor, or a turning away from Europeand the United States, which were seen asbacking his opponent Yulia Tymoshenko.And it does not spell an end to the OrangeRevolution, whose political leadership wentdown in defeat.Those were some of the assessments ofthe meaning of the election and its possibleimpact both domestically in Ukraine and onits relations with Russia and the West asexpressed by two panels of experts participatingin a post-election review conferenceorganized by The Washington Group(TWG), an organization of UkrainianAmerican professionals.The conference was held here onFebruary 13, less than a week after the election,at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel.Among the discussants were current andformer U.S. government officials, expertsfrom Washington and research institutions,as well as representatives of leadingUkrainian American organizations longactive in developing U.S.-Ukrainian ties.Some of them had just returned fromUkraine, where they served as official electionmonitors.The first speaker, following the initialgreetings by TWG President Andrew Bihun,was Ukraine’s ambassador to the UnitedStates, Dr. Oleh Shamshur, who highlightedsome aspects of the presidential election thatYaro BihunUkraine’s ambassador to the U.S., OlehShamshur, addresses The WashingtonGroup conference assessing Ukraine’spresidential election.subsequent speakers later expanded on.Ambassador Shamshur said the electionwas proof that Ukraine was, if not a“mature” democracy, then at least a “maturing”democracy. Ukraine’s new presidentfaces some very important challenges, thefirst among them primarily domestic: overcomingthe economic crisis and conductingconstitutional, legal, energy sector and otherstructural reforms. And success in thesereforms, he added, “holds the key to meetingadequately the foreign policy challenges.”Ukraine’s domestic developmentsJudge Bohdan Futey of the U.S. Court ofFederal Claims who was a UkrainianCongress Committee of America (UCCA)election observer during the second round ofthe election opened the first panel, whichdealt with the domestic aspects of the electionsresults.While there were some irregularitiesand violations, he said it was questionablewhether they were sufficient to overturnthe Yanukovych victory. He cited instancesof “merry-go-round” (also known as “car-(Continued on page 17)Western leaders congratulate Yanukovychbefore official announcement of election resultsby Zenon ZawadaKyiv Press BureauKYIV – Vladimir Putin called to congratulateViktor Yanukovych on his 2004presidential election victory the same daythe Orange Revolution erupted, and thatbecame one of the more embarrassingchapters of the Putin presidency.This time around, U.S. PresidentBarack Obama congratulated Mr.Yanukovych on February 11, days beforeresults were officially established andfinal court appeals reviewed. Recognitionfrom EU President Herman Van Rompuyand NATO Secretary General AndersFogh Rasmussen soon followed.The gestures surprised the campaignof Yulia Tymoshenko, as well as someamong Ukraine’s diplomatic community,who expected Western governments toabstain until appeals were exhausted, orat minimum until official results wereestablished by Ukraine’s Central ElectionCommission.“Why this was done is a big questionfor us all,” said Dr. Grigoriy Perepelytsia,a professor of international relations atShevchenko National University in Kyiv.“As tradition, presidents are congratulatedafter inauguration when they legallyCEC declares Yanukovych winner,Tymoshenko claims election fraudOfficial Website of Yulia TymoshenkoYulia Tymoshenko speaks with the press on February 16 as she launches a courtbattle to overturn the results of the presidential election.by Zenon ZawadaKyiv Press BureauKYIV – Prime Minister YuliaTymoshenko launched a court battle onFebruary 16 to overturn the results of theFebruary 7 presidential runoff elections,assume presidential authority. Westernleaders rushed to recognition when therewas a result without the legal basis.”The Central Election Commissiondeclared on February 14 that Mr.Yanukovych won the February 7 presidentialrunoff by a 3.5 percent marginagainst Prime Minister Tymoshenko. Thedifference was about 888,000 votes.The night of President Obama’sannouncement, former Foreign AffairsMinister and lifelong diplomat BorysTarasyuk, a firm supporter of Ms.Tymoshenko’s campaign, said the gesturewas “unethical,” since official resultshadn’t yet been established. “In themajority of cases, leaders avoid congratulationson election victories and congratulate‘success,’ as demonstrated by[Russian] President Dmitry Medvedev,who was careful in these elections.”Indeed, Mr. Medvedev on February 9became one of the first leaders to congratulateMr. Yanukovych, limiting hispraise to the “completion of the electioncampaign, which received a high evaluationfrom international observers, andwith success, achieved at presidentialelections.”(Continued on page 9)claiming her campaign had uncoveredfive forms of systemic falsifications thattipped the scales in favor of ViktorYanukovych.“We are convinced that there was asystemic, fundamental, wide-scale andall-encompassing falsification of electionsin the second round,” she toldreporters after delivering the complaint tothe Higher Administrative Court, whichwas surrounded by Mr. Yanukovych’ssupporters, who tried to stop her fromentering.The Tymoshenko campaign’s appealwas filed two days after the CentralElection Commission (CEC) establishedits official results declaring Mr.Yanukovych the winner by 3.5 percent, orabout 888,000 votes.Parliament voted on the same day herappeal was filed to set Mr. Yanukovych’sinauguration for February 25.Ms. Tymoshenko’s appeal is unlikelyto succeed, most observers said, citingreasons ranging from the intricacy of theelection law to the alleged bias of theHigher Administrative Court, which is thefinal arbiter in the appeals process.Chief Justice Oleksander Paseniuk hasclose ties to the Party of Regions, variousUkrainian media confirmed, and isunlikely to give Ms. Tymoshenko’sappeal a fair ruling.“The door is pretty much closed forTymoshenko,” said Ivan Lozowy, presidentof the Kyiv-based Institute ofStatehood and Democracy. “A recountwon’t give her anything meaningful sincethe Donetsk clan has probably made surethat its falsifications are covered in all theelection commission protocols.”The Tymoshenko campaign said itwants the Higher Administrative Court to(Continued on page 9)

2THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8ANALYSISNew Russian military doctrineopposes NATO enlargementby Roger McDermottEurasia Daily MonitorAfter several delays, the long-awaitednew Russian military doctrine was finallyapproved by President Dmitry Medvedevon February 5. The document did notinclude the rumored lowering of the nuclearthreshold, despite recent public commentson the issue to the contrary made bythe Security Council’s secretary and deputysecretary, respectively, NikolaiPatrushev and Yuri Baluyevskiy (EurasiaDaily Monitor, February 8).However, it defined NATO’s eastwardenlargement as the main external militarydanger facing Russia: “The efforts toimpart global functions, which are implementedin violation of the norms of internationallaw, to the force potential of theNorth-Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO), bring the military infrastructureof NATO member-countries closer to theRussian borders, including by way of thebloc’s enlargement,” adding that U.S. ballisticmissile defense plans might undermineglobal stability, as well as referringto the militarization of space and thedeployment of non-nuclear high-precisionweapons. “Territorial claims to the RussianFederation and its allies, as well as interferencein their internal affairs,” are alsolisted among military threats to Russia.These threats appear to be growing, linkedto the proliferation of weapons of massdestruction (WMD), missiles and missiletechnology (www.kremlin.ru, February 5).The doctrine lists multiple potentialthreats to Russian security, ranging fromstates building up their military deploymentsin close proximity to Russia andattempts to use violence to change the constitutionalorder in the country, or violateits sovereignty and territorial integrity.Reference is made to illegal armed groupsoperating on its territory (in the NorthCaucasus) while the potential for regionalconflict is highlighted.Some of Russia’s neighbors aredescribed, without identifying them, whoapparently demonstrate military forcecapabilities during exercises close to theRussian border, and other states with eitherpartial or full mobilization. The implicationis that Russia is surrounded by potentiallyhostile powers and its leadership isaware of the risk posed by “frozen conflicts,”where some actors might choose touse force to resolve these disputes. “Theexisting international security structure,including its international law mechanism,does not provide equal security for allstates,” clearly underscoring the need forother states to take seriously Mr.Medvedev’s European security initiative(www.kremlin.ru, February 5).Ruslan Pukhov, the director of theMoscow-based Center for Analysis ofStrategies and Technologies (CAST),regards the new doctrine as realistic andnot provocative: “We never know how theworld will look like in 10 years. There areseveral states that claim part of Russia’sterritory to be their national territory – forinstance, Japan. Also, the border has notbeen demarked with some of Russia’sneighbors, so we cannot exclude that aninternational alliance might use armedforce against Russia.”Other Russian analysts, such asAlexander Nikitin, the director of theCenter for Euro-Atlantic Security of theMoscow State Institute of InternationalRelations, highlight the future risk posedto Russia by instability in Afghanistan andPakistan (Russia Today, February 5)Russia’s new militarydoctrine hasdefined NATO’seastward enlargementas the mainexternal militarydanger facingRussia.In terms of its conventional forces posture,the doctrine outlines the priorities fortheir future development. This includesmaintaining the ratio between permanentreadiness formation formed in 2009 andthe reserve, improving the quality of combattraining, as well as refining cooperationbetween the branches and arms of service,which was exposed as an enduringweakness during the Russia-Georgia warin August 2008. It also states that the supplyof modern military hardware andweapons must be ensured, as the armedforces are modernized (www.kremlin.ru,February 5).This element only makes sense whenread against the background of the ongoingmilitary reform, though there are elementsand aims of the reform that remainmore opaque. It makes provision for peacesupport and other types of conflict resolutionthrough the Collective Security TreatyOrganization (CSTO) and its newlyformed Collective Operational ReactionForces (CORF), and potential future participationin operations with a UnitedNations mandate.Viktor Zavarzin, the head of the StateDuma Defense Committee, explained thekey political driving force underlyingRussian defense reform, referring to themilitary doctrine, saying that enhancingthe country’s military capabilities was theonly way to prevent NATO expansion anddeal with other security threats. Mr.Zavarzin noted the potential enlargementof the alliance and the growth of its interests,combined with threats stemming fromthe proliferation of extremism and terrorismas necessitating its military build-up toprotect the country’s territorial integrity(ITAR-TASS, February 6).The new doctrine declares Russia’sright to use military force beyond its borders“for the purpose of the protection ofthe interests of the Russian Federation andits citizens, as well as the maintenance ofinternational peace and security.”Downplaying the provision, whichPresident Medvedev had previously signedinto law, Mr. Pukhov stressed that the U.S.and France also reserve the right to protecttheir citizens abroad, and asked, “whyshould Russia not do the same?”Moreover, the doctrine prioritizesRussian international military cooperation,and lists these in order of importance:• Belarus: promoting interoperabilityand the Union State.• CSTO: consolidating collectivedefense and strengthening joint militaryforces.• CIS: ensuring regional and internationalsecurity, with an emphasis on peacekeepingoperations.• Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO): consolidating efforts to confront(Continued on page 22)Rada sets inauguration dateKYIV – The swearing-in ceremony ofUkraine’s new president has been set forFebruary 25. The decision came after 238national deputies in the Verkhovna Radavoted on February 15 for the relevant resolution.The resolution was authored by RadaChairman Volodymyr Lytvyn. (Ukrinform)Kravchuk comments on election resultKYIV – Ukraine’s first president, LeonidKravchuk, an election agent of PrimeMinister Yulia Tymoshenko in the 2010presidential election, said on February 15that the Ukrainian people turned out to beunready to accept Ms. Tymoshenko’scourse, which is based on Ukraine’sEuropean choice and democracy. Speakingon the Inter TV Channel, Mr. Kravchukforecast that it would be hard for PresidentelectViktor Yanukovych to work as he doesnot have an “overwhelming majority” ofthose who support his course, as well asbecause of the small gap between the votescast for the two presidential candidates inthe runoff. Mr. Kravchuk also said that,“unfortunately,” violations had been recordedin the election. He said that if the winnerwas behind “a number of violations,” thiscould cast a shadow on the legitimacy of thepresident-elect, both in the eyes of thosewho voted for him and those who supportedhis opponent. The Central ElectionCommission on Sunday, February 14,announced that Party of Regions leaderViktor Yanukovych was the winner of thepresidential election. He garnered 48.95 percentof the vote to Ms. Tymoshenko’s 45.47percent. (Ukrinform)Tymoshenko appeal cites fraudKYIV – Prime Minister YuliaTymoshenko on February 16 officially challengedthe Central Election Commission’sprotocol on results of the presidential electionin the Supreme Administrative Court.She said that the proceedings that will beheld in the Supreme Administrative Courtare necessary, not only for 11.5 million ofthe people who voted for democracy, but“primarily for Viktor Yanukovych and thosepersons who voted for him.” Ms.Tymoshenko said that her appeal sets outNEWSBRIEFSTh e Uk r a i n i a n We e k l y FOUNDED 1933An 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.Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45.Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices.(ISSN — 0273-9348)The Weekly:UNA:Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900Postmaster, send address changes to:The Ukrainian WeeklyEditor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew DubasP.O. Box 280Zenon Zawada (Kyiv)Parsippany, NJ 07054The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: staff@ukrweekly.comThe Ukrainian Weekly, February 21, 2010, No. 8, Vol. LXXVIIICopyright © 2010 The Ukrainian WeeklyADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODAWalter Honcharyk, administratorMaria Oscislawski, advertising managerMariyka Pendzola, subscriptionsfive technologies that were used during votingin the second round of the election onFebruary 7. The claim is supported by concretefacts and video and photo materials.She said that at some electoral districts inCrimea a recount showed that returns wererigged by 3 to 5 percent in favor of heropponent. Ms. Tymoshenko also accusedthe Procurator General’s Office of puttingpressure on judges. (Ukrinform)Court launches proceedingsKYIV – The Higher Administrative Courtof Ukraine on February 17 opened proceedingsinto the lawsuit filed by presidentialcandidate Yulia Tymoshenko against theCentral Election Commission. The case willbe considered by a board of all judges of thecourt except for those absent for valid reasons.(Ukrinform)Yanukovych: I won’t weaken UkraineKYIV – Party of Regions of Ukraine(PRU) leader Viktor Yanukovych, who wasdeclared by the Central ElectionCommission as the winner of Ukraine’spresidential election, said on February 16that his presidency will not weaken Ukraine.He was commenting on Ukrainian PresidentViktor Yushchenko’s statement thatUkraine’s course will change underPresident Yanukovych and that the countrywill switch to policies not based on nationalinterests. “I can say only one thing to thosewho expect that my presidency will weakenUkraine – you won’t see that,” Mr.Yanukovych said in a statement publishedon the official website of the PRU. “I willhave enough strength and consistency todefend Ukraine’s national interests in relationswith all partners and with all neighborsof Ukraine. My every step will be aimed atstrengthening Ukraine’s independence anddeveloping a strong state with high standardsof living for the people. This is mygoal and this is a main goal in my life. Allother things currently being discussed bypoliticians are just mechanisms for achievingthis goal.” Mr. Yanukovych said that as anew president, he would “conduct a weightedand pragmatic policy” and that nationalinterests will take precedence. (Ukrinform)(Continued on page 14)(973) 292-9800, ext. 3041e-mail: ukradmin@att.net(973) 292-9800, ext. 3040fax: (973) 644-9510e-mail: adukr@optonline.net(973) 292-9800, ext. 3042e-mail: ukrsubscr@att.net

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 20103NEWS ANALYSISUkrainian President-elect Yanukovych resurrects gas consortium schemeby Vladimir SocorEurasia Daily MonitorThroughout the electoral campaign,Viktor Yanukovych promised to seek aspecial deal with Russia on natural gas:Russia would supply Ukraine with gas atdiscounted prices and, in return, would beallowed to take over an ownership sharein Ukraine’s gas transit system, which isnow fully state-owned (Interfax-Ukraine,January 15, 19, 22, February 5, 7; InterTV [Kyiv], February 7).Mr. Yanukovych proposes to share theownership through the vehicle of a gasconsortium that would include: the stateownedUkrTransGaz (Ukrainian transitsystem’s operator), Russia’s Gazprom assupplier and third-party consumer participation.He suggests that each participant(the Ukrainian state, Gazprom and theconsumer side) would hold one-third ofthe shares in the gas transit systemthrough Ukraine.The German E.ON Ruhrgas and Gazde France are being mentioned as possibleshareholders on the consumer side.Gazprom would clearly be the dominantforce in such a consortium; and theEuropean presence would be windowdressingin this configuration.The “third-force” presidential candidateSergey Tigipko, who has emerged asthe front-runner for the post of primeminister, proposes that Ukraine retain a50 percent ownership of the transit system,allowing Gazprom and the consumerside to acquire 25 percent each(Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 10).Following Mr. Yanukovych’s victory,RosUkrEnergo co-owner and Centragasbeneficiary Dmytro Firtash is also layingclaim to an ownership stake – hypothetically9 percent – in Ukraine’s gas transit system,in the event of its being shared out.Mr. Firtash is one of the main financialbackers of Mr. Yanukovych’s Party ofRegions. His Centragas together withRosUkrEnergo (in which Centragas holds50 percent interest) claim that YuliaTymoshenko’s government expropriatedfrom them 11 billion cubic meters (bcm)of stored gas. Mr. Yanukovych’s electionhas apparently emboldened Mr. Firtash toseek compensation in the form of ownershipshares in the country’s transit system(Kommersant, Interfax-Ukraine, February9).Apart from such unforeseen complications,the consortium proposal dates backto a 2002 memorandum signed byVladimir Putin, Leonid Kuchma andGerhard Schroeder (the Russian andUkrainian presidents and German chancellor,respectively, at that time). Thenon-binding agreement envisaged creatinga consortium of UkrTransGaz,Gazprom and Ruhrgas to take overUkraine’s transit system. By all accountsfrom that period, Mr. Kuchma signedwithout intending to deliver.The Orange regime change seemed tohave buried the consortium idea. In 2006,however, Mr. Putin boldly went publicwith a proposal for shared control ofUkraine’s gas transit system. Mr. Putin’soverconfidence apparently stemmed fromPresident Viktor Yushchenko’s rapprochementwith the Kremlin and Gazprom,resulting in RosUkrEnergo’s entry intoUkraine and Mr. Yushchenko’s relationshipwith Mr. Firtash at that time.Mr. Putin’s move triggered a politicalstorm in Ukraine. The opposition leaderat the time, Yulia Tymoshenko, authoredlegislation banning any alienation ofUkraine’s gas transit system (all possibleforms of alienation being listed asbanned). The Ukrainian Parliament adoptedthat legislation overwhelmingly, withthe Party of Regions also voting in favor.At present, Mr. Yanukovych offersthree main arguments for resurrecting theconsortium proposal. First, he claims thatUkraine cannot afford European marketlevelgas prices, as stipulated in theJanuary 2009 agreement signed by Ms.Tymoshenko’s and Mr. Putin’s governments.Mr. Yanukovych calls explicitlyfor negotiating a different agreement withMoscow, involving in practice anexchange of ownership shares for lowpricedgas.Second, Mr. Yanukovych expressesoutright alarm over Gazprom’s SouthStream pipeline project, which bypassesUkraine via the Black Sea. Mr.Yanukovych professes to believe thatSouth Stream can replace Ukraine’s transitsystem as the main conduit for Russiangas to Europe. To stave off that prospect,his solution is to make Gazprom a coownerof the Ukrainian system, alsoincentivizing the Russian company tofinance the Ukrainian system’s modernizationthrough the proposed consortium.Mr. Yanukovych’s third stated goal isto “guarantee” a transit volume of at least100 bcm of Russian gas through Ukraineannually; and to increase that volumeeventually to the full capacity of theUkrainian transit system at 140 to 145bcm per year. The annual transit volumeshad averaged some 115 bcm in recentyears, with a high of 119 bcm in 2008, adrop to 95 bcm in the recession year2009, and 116 bcm planned (though byno means guaranteed) by Gazprom for2010 (Interfax-Ukraine, February 5).For his part, Mr. Tigipko does not callfor discounted prices on Russian gas, apparentlyaccepting European-level prices.While Mr. Yanukovych calls for re-negotiatingthe agreement with Russia (in practice,for a new agreement), Mr. Tigipkowould only “review” that agreement todetermine whether it conforms to Europeanstandards on setting gas prices and transitfees; and re-negotiate if it does not.Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenkostrongly defended Ukrainian ownershipof the transit system during the presidentialelection campaign. Ms. Tymoshenkois confident that the March 2009 agreement,signed by her government with theEuropean Commission, can form thebasis for European technical assistanceand investment in modernizing Ukraine’sgas transit system, without requiring ashared control with Gazprom. The Partyof Regions and industrial interests behindit would have to amend the 2006Tymoshenko-authored legislation in orderto change the Ukrainian transit system’sownership.The article above is reprinted fromEurasia Daily Monitor with permissionfrom its publisher, the JamestownFoundation, www.jamestown.org.Yushchenko facilitates Yanukovych’s election, buries the Orange Revolutionby Taras KuzioEurasia Daily MonitorTwo major myths promoted by PresidentViktor Yushchenko in Ukraine’s 2010 presidentialelection were that there was no differencein policies between the two maincandidates, Viktor Yanukovych and YuliaTymoshenko, and that both were “pro-Russian.”These myths helped defeat Ms.Tymoshenko by 3 percent in an electionwhere every vote counted.Several pieces of evidence point to theYushchenko-Yanukovych alliance thatfacilitated Mr. Yanukovych’s election –for instance, the lack of criticism by Mr.Yushchenko of Mr. Yanukovych precedingthe elections (Ukrayinska Pravda,February 10). Mr. Yushchenko never criticizedMr. Yanukovych’s pro-Russianpolicies on energy (gas consortium, returnto non-market subsidized prices andrevival of the corrupt RosUkrEnergo);Russian as a state language; the extensionof Black Sea Fleet basing in Crimeabeyond 2017; opposition to NATO membership;and the Party of Regions alliancewith Russian extremist nationalists inOdesa and Crimea. Mr. Yushchenko andthe Presidential Secretariat leveled dailyabuse at Ms. Tymoshenko, accusing herof “treason” and vetoed a record numberof government policies.Moreover, a draft agreement was leakedin December 2009 by a staff member in thePresidential Secretariat that revealed plansfor a Yushchenko-Yanukovych alliance(UNIAN, December 25, 2009; EurasiaDaily Monitor, January 5, 6). The Ukrainianmedia discussed the issue of Mr. Yushchenkobecoming prime minister under PresidentYanukovych (www.comments.com.ua,December 4, 2009).In the event of an Our Ukraine-People’sSelf-Defense (OU-PSD) and Party ofRegions grand coalition being formed,Yushchenko loyalist Yurii Yekhanurov mightbe offered the post of prime minister(Ukrayinska Pravda, February 8-10). Mr.Yekhanurov, as prime minister and OurUkraine leader, led the negotiations with theParty of Regions after the March 2006 electionsfor a grand coalition that collapsed.Mr. Yekhanurov was the head of the StateProperty Fund in the 1990s and the oligarchsare his creation.The Party of Regions and the OU-PSDfaction, together with the Communists andthe Volodymyr Lytvyn Bloc, sought toremove pro-Tymoshenko Internal AffairsMinister Yurii Lutsenko. The vote was supportedby OU-PSD Deputy PetroYushchenko. Similarly, between the first andsecond runds of the presidential election,President Yushchenko vetoed the Cabinet’sDecember 16, 2009, decree appointingGeneral Hennadii Moskal as Crimea’spolice chief (UNIAN, February 2). Mr.Moskal, who is a deputy in the pro-LutsenkoPeople’s Self-Defense group in OU-PSD,was praised for halting election fraud infavor of Mr. Yanukovych in Round 1. “TheParty of Regions, which is as thick asthieves with Mr. Yushchenko, controls theadministrative resources on the peninsula,”Mr. Moskal said (www.zik.com.ua, February11). The Tymoshenko campaign found evidenceof fraud in Crimea in Round 2 (www.vybory.tymoshenko.ua, February 10).Meanwhile, between Rounds 1 and 2President Yushchenko removed the Kharkivand Dnipropetrovsk governors who hadexpressed support for Ms. Tymoshenko andhad refused to provide administrativeresources for the Yanukovych campaign.Mr. Yushchenko also removed six ambassadorswhere there had been few votes for himin Round 1 (Ukrayinska Pravda, February10).The Tymoshenko campaign will contestin the courts the election results in Crimea,Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk(www.vybory.tymoshenko.ua, February 10).Only five days before the second round,the Party of Regions, the pro-Yanukovychwing of OU-PSD and the Communists,passed changes to the election law. PresidentYushchenko quickly signed the law, ignoringa plea to veto it by the Committee ofVoters of Ukraine (www.cvu.org.ua,February 4), independent experts, and Ms.Tymoshenko (Ukrayinska Pravda, February3, 4).These changes were widely condemnedbecause they changed the electoral rules inthe middle of the election. If the changeswere deemed to be so important, they shouldhave been demanded by Mr. Yushchenkoprior to the first round. Mr. Yushchenko’sactions proved that he had forged an alliancewith Mr. Yanukovych, said Kyiv expertVolodymyr Fesenko (www.politdumka.kiev.ua, February 4).What was left of Mr. Yushchenko’s reputation,in Ukraine and abroad, was effectivelydestroyed by his support for the electorallaw changes, because they undermined hisrole as the constitutional guarantor of freeelections and his election campaign sloganof having brought democracy to Ukraine,said Kyiv expert Ihor Zhdanov (www.politdumka.kiev.ua,February 4). OleksanderTretiakov, a long-time ally, resigned fromthe Our Ukraine party of which Mr.Yushchenko is its honorary chairman.Most controversially, between the twoelection rounds Mr. Yushchenko signed adecree giving hero status to Organization ofUkrainian Nationalist leader Stepan Banderaand another honoring members of variousUkrainian national liberation movements ofthe 20th century (www.president.gov.ua,January 28). The decrees, immediately condemnedby Russia, helped to additionallymobilize pro-Yanukovych voters in easternand southern Ukraine. Prof. MyroslavPopovych claimed the decrees “disoriented”eastern-southern Ukrainian voters and mobilizedthem against the “Orange” candidate,Ms. Tymoshenko (Ukrayinsky Tyzhden,January 29-February 4).The timing of the two decrees was odd,as they were not issued prior to Round 1,when they could have given Mr.Yushchenko additional nationalist votesfrom supporters of Svoboda leader OlehTiahnybok. The decrees could have beenissued at any time during Mr. Yushchenko’spresidency, as was the case with anOctober 2007 decree giving hero status toUkrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) leaderRoman Shukhevych (EDM, October 23,2007). A decree in honor of the SichRiflemen, a Ukrainian unit in the Austrianarmy in World War I, was issued onJanuary 6, before the first round.Finally, Yurii Shukhevych, the son of theUPA commander, led a campaign in Lvivwith other nationalist leaders in support ofYushchenko’s call to vote against both candidatesin Round 2. Evidence was providedby Ms. Tymoshenko in an appearance onInter television (February 5) that theseappeals were published in Lviv newspaperswith financial assistance from the Mr.Yanukovych campaign.Anti-Semitic leaflets appeared in Lvivand Ivano-Frankivsk (witnessed by thisauthor) urging voters “Do not vote for thatJew” – a reference to Ms. Tymoshenko’sfather’s alleged ethnicity (the leaflet wasreproduced on www.rferl.org, February 3).The irony of Ukraine’s 2010 electioncampaign is that the nationalist candidate,(Continued on page 22)

4THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8NEWS ANALYSIS: Democracy is real winner of Ukraine’s electionby Brian WhitmoreRFE/RLReports of the death of the OrangeRevolution have been greatly exaggerated.At first glance, the all-but-final victoryof pro-Moscow opposition leader ViktorYanukovych over Prime Minister YuliaTymoshenko in Ukraine’s presidentialelection appears to signal a reversal of thedemocratic pro-Western “colored revolutions”that swept the former Soviet spaceover the past decade.Mr. Yanukovych, after all, was the archvillain of the Orange Revolution narrative:the Kremlin-backed candidate whowas exposed falsifying the 2004 election,sparking massive street protests, and thenlosing a court-ordered re-vote to pro-Western challenger Viktor Yushchenko.So, does Mr. Yanukovych’s resurrectionin the February 7 runoff signal theend, not just of Ukraine’s OrangeRevolution, but of the pro-democraticKYIV – The Election ObservationMission (EOM) of the Canada UkraineFoundation (CUF), in association withthe Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC),deployed 50 observers in six oblasts,which were chosen in cooperation withthe CANADEM Observer Group so that24 of the 25 oblasts, plus Kyiv andSevastopol, were covered by Canadianinternational observers. In addition, asubstantial number of experienced CUFobservers were part of the 200-personCANADEM observer delegation for theFebruary 7 runoff of Ukraine’s presidentialelection.The CUF and the UCC had deployed 65experienced and trained Canadian electionobservers in six oblasts for the first roundof the election held January 17.On balance, in the oblasts under observation,there was an adequate attempt tomeet internationally accepted standardsfor free and fair elections. However, thereremains an overriding concern that theinstitutionalization of free and fair electionsrequires a greater exercise of politicalwill at the highest levels.The EOM noted drawbacks and madeseveral recommendations, contained inthe Preliminary Observation Report presentedin Kyiv on February 9. The highlightsinclude:wave that swept through Georgia,Kyrgyzstan and Moldova, as well? Is aresurgence of Russian influence, and theauthoritarian politics that come with it,lurking on the horizon?Not so fast, say politicians, observersand analysts across the region. What mattersmuch more than the result is the factthat Ukraine has pulled off what is widelyseen as the cleanest election the post-Soviet space has ever seen, one in whichthe sitting president and prime ministerwent down in defeat.“We can only envy how the electoralsystem works in Ukraine. We envy theirfreedom of speech,” says Russian oppositionleader Boris Nemtsov. “We envytheir competitive elections without massivePutin-style falsification.”“This is a grandiose success story forUkraine. It is the result of the OrangeRevolution that nobody will be able tochange,” he said.Joao Soares, president of the Organizationfor Security and Cooperation in EuropeCanadian observers find flaws,recommend electoral reforms• It is disappointing to find that theCentral Election Commission did not registeror accredit a single observer fromGeorgia for the second round, despitevarious attempts by the Georgian EOM toregister its observers.• If Ukraine wishes to build a strongcivil society, and strong and durable democraticinstitutions that have the respectof the citizenry, it is very important tomaintain the right of civil society organizationsto monitor presidential electionsas an important safeguard for the transparencyof the election process.• CUF recommends the creation of apermanent election civil service at thedistrict and local election committeelevel. It is our recommendation thatUkraine reform its election laws and processand address the partisan nature of theelection commissions at the national, districtand local levels.• An additional item of electoral reformmust be the financing of elections. It iscommonly known that the current presidentialelection cost each side over $500million. As recommended by some membersof the European Parliament, Ukraineshould bring forward a set of legislativeamendments to limit the amount of spendingby any candidates to a predetermined,more modest maximum level.(OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, calledUkraine’s election “an impressive display”and “a victory” for democracy.Matyas Eorsi, head of the Council ofEurope’s Parliamentary Assembly electoralobserver delegation, said “democraticelections in Ukraine are now a reality.”And despite the air of triumphalism inofficial Moscow – the daily Izvestiya onFebruary 8 featured a headline reading“Orange Sunset” – this is a precedent thatmay not be welcome among the Kremlinelite, which treats elections as heavilychoreographed and tightly stage-managedaffairs in which pre-selected candidatesare essentially coronated.A most positive legacyRussia, analysts say, may have won atactical victory with Mr. Yanukovych’svictory over the Western-leaning Ms.Tymoshenko, who is widely seen as thearchitect of the Orange Revolution. Butthe democratic precedent it reinforcedcould turn out to be a strategic defeat inthe long run.Analysts across the region praised outgoingPresident Yushchenko, who waseliminated after coming in an embarrassingfifth place in the January 17 firstround, for putting democratic valuesahead of his own political fortunes.A Minsk-based political analyst,Andrey Federau, says that as a result ofthe election, Ukraine has established genuinepluralism and escaped a situationwhere power is concentrated in a fewhands, as is the case in Belarus andRussia.Tbilisi-based political analyst SosoTsiskarishvili says Ukraine has set anexample that other countries in the post-Soviet space would do well to emulate --including Georgia, where PresidentMikheil Saakashvili has been criticizedfor backsliding on democratic principlessince leading the Rose Revolution in2003.“Despite the unfortunate end of hispolitical career, Mr. Yushchenko has leftbehind a most positive legacy, not onlyfor Ukraine but for the entire post-Sovietspace, due to the real steps he took todevelop democracy,” Mr. Tsiskarishvilisays. “You won’t find one example inpost-Soviet history where a president wonelection amid such excitement, who thenwent on to lose two parliamentary electionsand then failed to win re-election.”Likewise, Leila Alieva, director of theBaku-based Center for National andInternational Studies, says the February 7runoff “demonstrated to the whole worldthat Ukraine is capable of holding a cleanelection” – and that such democratic practiceshave become embedded in Ukraine’spolitical culture.“In Ukraine, it will be difficult toreverse this process,” Ms. Alieva says.“The past 20 years, this transition period,has not passed in vain. There was a veryintense expansion of democratic institutions.In contrast to other post-Sovietcountries there was not a rollback of civilliberties, and it will be difficult to rollthem back now. Mr. Yanukovych will notbe able to reverse the gains of the revolution.”A model to aspire toSo will Ukraine’s democratic exampleresonate elsewhere in the post-Sovietspace? Will it provide encouragement topro-democracy activists in neighboringBelarus, who continue to battle theregime of authoritarian PresidentAlyaksandr Lukashenka? Will the praisebeing lavished on Ukraine resonate withquasi-authoritarian regimes, like inArmenia?“One hopes that what we’ve seen inUkraine will be seen as a model to aspireto,” says Steven Pifer, a former U.S.ambassador to Ukraine who is now a visitingfellow at the Brookings Institution.“That is the kind of democratic electionthat we would like to see become morecommon in the post-Soviet space.”One place to watch closely is Georgia,which is due to hold key local elections inMay that are widely viewed as a dressrehearsal for the 2013 presidential votethat will choose a successor to PresidentSaakashvili. Critics are already accusingMr. Saakashvili of attempting to assurethat a loyal and handpicked successortakes over the presidency when his termexpires.Mr. Saakashvili has also come undercriticism at home and abroad for undulyattempting to influence Ukraine’s election.The Georgian leader, a close friendand ally of Mr. Yushchenko, sent numerouselectoral “observers” to Ukraine –many of them beefy wrestlers with littleexperience in election monitoring – duringthe January 17 first round, a movewidely seen as an attempt at voter intimidation.The Georgian president, who clearlyfavored Ms. Tymoshenko in the secondround, has since praised the vote, saying,“Ukrainian democracy has won” andpledging to work with Mr. Yanukovych.Looming disappointment in Moscow?Analysts do say they expect a shift inUkraine’s foreign policy toward Moscow,but most stress that it will not be a wholesaleabandonment of Kyiv’s goal of integratingwith Europe. Ukraine’s NATObid, which had scant public support, willlikely be shelved. But its bid to join theEuropean Union will probably remain ontrack.“As for those Russians who now thinkthat this is Ukraine reversing course andcoming back toward Moscow, I suspectthat in the end they are going to be disappointed,”Ambassador Pifer says. “Therewill be less tension between the twocountries. But my sense is that the bulk ofthe Ukrainian elite and a large segment ofthe population still want to see Ukrainefully a part of Europe.”Mr. Pifer and other analysts also pointout that it was former President LeonidKuchma, who served from 1994 to 2004and was viewed as pro-Moscow, who initiatedUkraine’s NATO bid.Likewise, observers say that radicalchanges are unlikely in Ukraine’s policiesin places like Moldova’s pro-Russiabreakaway province of Transdniester.Since 2006, Kyiv has been conductingjoint European Union-Ukrainian customspatrols on the Ukrainian side of theTransdniester border. The policy, an effortto combat illegal smuggling and armstrafficking, was opposed by Moscow,which called it a blockade ofTransdniester. Despite Mr. Yanukovych’spro-Russian leanings, observers say thepolicy is likely to remain in place.“Ukraine has its own national interests,which are to strengthen the state andeliminate risks at the border. In this sense,the Transdniester conflict is one of officialKyiv’s priorities, regardless of the‘color’ of those in power,” says Chisinaubasedpolitical analyst Eugen Revenco.RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani, Belarus,Georgian, Moldovan and Russian servicescontributed to this story.Copyright 2010, RFE/RL Inc.Reprinted with the permission of RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC20036; www.rferl.org. (See http://www.rferl.org/content/A_Vote_Of_Confidence_Democracy_Is_Real_Winner_Of_Ukrainian_Election/1953202.html.)

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 20105The Ukr a ini a n Nationa l Asso c iation For u mRochester-based credit unionsupports digital archives projectPARSIPPANY, N.J. – The UkrainianFederal Credit Union, whose home officeis located in Rochester, N.Y., has donated$100 toward the ongoing digital archivesproject of The Ukrainian Weekly andSvoboda.UFCU CEO Tamara Denysenko wrotein her letter addressed to the newspapers’editorial staffs: “We highly value thework that has already been done to preservethe historical information in thesenewspapers for future generations ofUkrainians in America.”The goal of the digital archives projectis to allow visitors to the websites ofSvoboda (www.svoboda-news.com) andThe Ukrainian Weekly (www.ukrweekly.com) to read all issues released since thenewspapers’ founding. Svoboda wasfounded in 1893, and The Weekly in1933.In addition, the Svoboda websiteincludes all the Almanacs of theUkrainian National Association and willsoon include all issues of the children’smagazine Veselka, both published bySvoboda Press.The Weekly’s website includes thetwo-volume compilation of the most significantstories published from 1933through 2000 titled “The UkrainianWeekly 2000” and the collection of articleschronicling Ukraine’s drive towardindependent statehood and the first 10years of its independence titled “UkraineLives!”Previous supportersof archives projectPrevious donors to the Svoboda/TheUkrainian Weekly digitization projectwere: the Shevchenko Scientific Society,U.S.A. ($15,000), Self Reliance NewYork Federal Credit Union ($50,000), theHeritage Foundation of 1st SecuritySavings Bank ($5,000) and SelfrelianceInsure and be sure.Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union($10,000), a donor who wished to remainanonymous ($10,000) and the BahrianyFoundation ($2,000), plus some individualdonors.Svoboda and The Weekly are seekingadditional donors for this project.Contributions may be sent to: Svoboda/The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10,P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.Donations are tax-deductible and checksmay be made out to the UkrainianNational Foundation (the UkrainianNational Association’s charitable arm),with the notation “Digital ArchivesProject.” For information readers maycall 973-292-9800, ext. 3049.Join the UNA!Amount Name City$500.00 L. and H. Mazur Mountain Lakes, NJ$225.00 Nestor and Ivanka Harrison, NJOlesnycky (in memoryof Volodymyr Diachuk,Dora Rak andSofia Bobrek$200.00 Anna Maluca$100.00 L. Chudolij Clifton, NJB. Chupa Fresh Meadows, NJM. Korlatowych Strongsville, OHB. Kurylko Darien, CTNicholas Melnik Fullerton, CA(in memory of Dr.Murray Senkus)Melanne Verveer Washington, DC$75.00 M. Stremba Baltimore, MD$55.00 Raymond Badynskyj Phoenix, AZJaroslav and Vera Forrest Hills, NYKryshtalskyGeorge Masiuk Alexandria, VAStefan Peleschuk Stamford, CTRoman and Chrystyna New York, NYScrobayZenon Stakhiv Fairfax Station, VAInia YevichSan Diego, CADaria ZacharRedondo Beach, CA$50.00 M. Farion Chicago, ILN. Scherbey Grand Rapids, MIN. Sluzar North Port, FLL. Truchly Chicago, ILJ. Wolosenko Brookline, MA$45.00 Steve Ilkiw Montreal, QCRoman Knysh Ellicott City, MDIhor PuhaczMacungie, PA$35.00 Orest Shegda St. Catharines, ON$30.00 T. Kozbur Buena Park, CA$25.00 A. Chervinsky Warren, MIR. Badynsky Phoenix, AZR. Barniak Baking Ridge, NJPeter BencakChicago, ILC. Bonacorsa Belleville, NJW. Boyd Lake Suzy, FLW. Bula Columbus, OHL. Buniak Fayetteville, NYM. Cyhan Chicago, ILM. Dushnyk Booklyn, NYH. Fedoriw Clifton, NJI. Gawdiak Columbia, MDDaria Halaburda-Patti Clifton, NJA. Harmaty Chatham, NJB. Hlushewsky Harrison, NYMykola A. and Manchester, NJMarion R.I. Hron Ospey, FLO. Karawan Inverness, ILT. Kardashinetz Berkley Heights, NJO. Karpenko Perrysburg, OHR. Kokolskyj Sicklerville, NJThe Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: JanuaryT. Krupa Morristown, NJI. Kucewicz Wheaton, ILM. Lewko Little Falls, NJB. Malaniak Glendale, CAE. Moroz Concord, MAChrystyna Nebesh Parma, OHR. Osadca Newton, NJR. Podpirka Whitestone, NYS. Pylyshenko Bethesda, MDS. Schmotolocha Thousand Oaks, CAJ. Semkiw Boiling Springs, PAP. Shylo Wheeling, ILO. Solovey Dearborn Heights, MIGregory Tkaczyk St. Catharines, ONA. Traska Keedysville, MDG. Walchuk Annandale, NJP. Wasylkevych Cary, NCM. Zarycky Warren, MIOlga ZeneckyYonkers, NYAnn ZinichBerwick, PA$20.00 Andrew Chubaty Lawrenceville, GAD. Cisyk Staten Island, NYMary Efremov New York, NYWalter G. and Renata Westfield, NJR. HanchukM. Hirniak Dulles, VAMaria Jarema-Ostapa Toronto, ONAlexander Kalinowski Fredericksburg, VAR. Kowcz Monroe, CTBohdan Malaniak Glendale, CALuba MelnykElmhurst, NYJerry PetryhaVan Nuys, CAR. Rasiak Williamsburg, VAPeter Romanyshyn Arvada, COMichael Savage Washington, DCBohdan Sybydlo Mississauga, ONC. Zynjuk Derwood, MD$15.00 W. Adamshik Perth Amboy, NJN. Babiak Silver Spring, MDS. Golub Minneapolish, MNAlbert KiraAllentown, PAWasyl and Stanislawa Stratford, CTKovachIhor Kowalysko Warren, MIR. Kucil Rochester, NYTheodore Kuzio Granby, CTTamara Marchuk-Farrell Mt. Kisco, NYStefan Nowozeniuk West Mifflin, PAP. Pryshepa Massillon, OHEugene Repeta Warren, MIKristina Zaluckyj Hugo, MN$13.00 H. Wright Springfield, MA$10.00 N. Haftkowycz Wethersfield, CTWolodymyr Hetmansky North Port, FLPaula Holoviak Sugarloaf, PAR. Iwanczuk Leesburg, VAOlga Karmazyn Aliquippa, PAR. Kernitsky Colts Neck, NJMyron Komarynsky Kirkwood, MOR. Korchynsky Pittsburgh, PAPeter LichaczMontreal, QCC. Longinotti Short Hills, NJLarissa Maciborska Aurora, COS. Macko Hoffman Estates, ILE. Mandzy E. Hanover, NJChristine Matiash Milton, FLR. Maziak Bloomfield Hills, MIM. Mycio Old Bethpage, NYJ. Panchuk Chicago, ILOksana Pawlyk Chicago, ILB. Petrina Yonkers, NYV. Petriv Malden, MAC. Petrykiw Darien, CTHelen Petryshyn Sarasota, FLMary Plaskonos Hamden, CTGeorge RubBelleville, MIM. Skorupa Cardington, OHR. Slysh Raleigh, NCB. Taran Norfolk, VAOksana Veryha Toronto, ON$5.00 V. Czartorysky Brooklyn, NYO. Danylyk Houston, TXC. Demidowich Livingston, NJL. Fontana Potomac, MDMary GabodaBelvidere, VTA. Goot Moretown, VTAlana HanksWashington, DCMerle and Bonnie Toledo, OHJurkiewiczBohdan Kryzaniwsky Warwick, NYM. Kuzma Rocky Hill, CTMykola and Nadia Sterling Heights, MILawrinJ. Maks Spring Hill, FLMary Malenczuk Syracuse, NYLeonid Mostowycz Ponte Vedra Beach, FLW. Pastuszek New York, NYDamian Platosh Branford, CTVictor Rosynsky Ortonville, MIBohdan Sklepkovych Rutherford, NJJohn Szpyhulsky Iselin, NJStephania Tatchyn Timonium, MDNadia TrojanWatertown, CTG. Welleck Austin, TXO. Wolchuk Cherry Hill, NJA. Zabijaka Silver Spring, MDTOTAL: $4,443.00Sincere thanks to all contributors to The UkrainianWeekly Press Fund.The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only funddedicated exclusively to supporting the work of thispublication.The UNA: 116 years of service to our community

6THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8Th e Uk r a i n i a n WeeklyFeb.222009The UNA is 116As the Ukrainian National Association celebrates its 116th birthday this Monday,February 22, the oldest and largest continuously active Ukrainian community organizationin North America is looking ahead to its 43rd regular convention. At that convention,to be held on May 20-23, representatives of the UNA’s branches throughoutthe United States and Canada will gather to chart the course for the organization forthe next four years and beyond. In doing so, they will have the goals and needs of thebroader Ukrainian community in mind, just as their predecessors, the delegates to theorganization’s previous 42 conventions, did.Founded as a fraternal benefit society on February 22, 1894, in Shamokin, Pa., theUNA became the first entity to organize Ukrainian immigrants in the United Statesand strengthen their identity as both Ukrainians and Americans. Ten years later, thefirst branches of the UNA were founded in Canada. The new organization quicklybecame the foundation of our community life.As Dr. Myron B. Kuropas notes in his essential and eminently readable book“Ukrainian-American Citadel: The First One Hundred Years of the UkrainianNational Association,” since its founding the UNA “has been involved in the establishmentof church communities, reading rooms and heritage schools. Its membersorganized athletic teams, sports rallies, social clubs and an international league forUkrainian youth in North America.”In addition to its newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, since itsinception the UNA has published and/or sponsored books and other informativematerials in both the Ukrainian and English languages, including the two-volume“Ukraine: A Concise Encyclopedia” (1963 and 1971), Dr. Robert Conquest’s“The Harvest of Sorrow” (1986) and the more recent curriculum guides about theHolodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.Through the years, the Ukrainian National Association has been the cornerstonefor many of our successes in North America, whether that was the unveiling of theTaras Shevchenko monument in Washington or the establishment of the WorldCongress of Free Ukrainians (today known as the Ukrainian World Congress), or thedefense of human and national rights in Soviet-dominated Ukraine. In addition, it hasbeen a patron of the arts, has supported student members with scholarships and hasengaged in diverse charitable activities.Dr. Kuropas underscores that, since its founding, “the UNA and the Ukrainiancommunity have been one. They are still inseparable. What happens to the UkrainianAmerican community happens to the UNA, and what is good for the UNA has generallybeen good for the community.”This symbiosis arises out of the fact that the UNA is a fraternal benefit society.And fraternal benefit societies, by definition, are organized and function solely forthe benefit of their members and their beneficiaries. The UNA’s members, of course,are part of the larger Ukrainian community, and many of them play leading roles inmyriad other organizations and institutions within our community. Thus, the UNAcommunityconnection runs deep.Fraternal societies also have a branch (or lodge) system and a representative formof government. That representative form of government is most clearly seen in theUNA’s case at its quadrennial conventions – the highest decision-making body of theUNA – where delegates elected by local branches represent their branches’ membership.Furthermore, all adult members of the UNA have the opportunity to be electedto office on the UNA General Assembly.The Ukrainian National Association’s 2010 convention, which will be the secondheld at the UNA’s own Soyuzivka Heritage Center, will soon be upon us. Currently,UNA branches are electing convention delegates, who, it is hoped, will be properlyprepared for the work ahead: the convention deliberations and committee meetingsthat focus on all aspects of the UNA’s multi-faceted activity within our community.As we celebrate the 116th anniversary of the UNA’s founding, we urge allUNA’ers to remember that the UNA and the community truly are “partners for life.”And we encourage non-UNA’ers to join this partnership for the benefit of us all.Turning the pages back...Lat year, on February 22, 2009, the Ukrainian NationalAssociation celebrated its 115th anniversary. “It is enough tosimply pronounce the number – one hundred fifteen – to realizethe significance of this jubilee,” noted Stefan Kaczaraj,president of the UNA.“The UNA is the oldest and largest Ukrainian organization in America,” Mr.Kaczaraj wrote in his greeting. “And we must underscore: not only can we give a positivereport on the UNA’s current status, we can also look confidently at the future,despite the fact that American and world economies today face trying times.”The UNA has been guided by the goal of developing the institution for the good ofthe Ukrainian people. In 2008 the UNA surpassed its goal for sales of annuities withmore than $10 million worth of annuities sold. Mr. Kaczaraj emphasized that thisremarkable achievement was due to the hard work of the UNA’s branches, theirrespective branch secretaries, its professional sales force and the UNA’s activists.This success, Mr. Kaczaraj wrote, is a testament to the triumphs of all previous generationsin the UNA and an accomplishment of the entire Ukrainian community.The UNA continues to develop Soyuzivka into a Ukrainian heritage center – hostingcamps for the younger generation, events for seniors, art and cultural exhibits, as wellas sporting events. In addition to its newspapers, The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda,which are fraternal benefits, the UNA sponsors a scholarship program, and has awardedmore than $2 million since the program was formalized.Source: “Greeting on the UNA’s 115th anniversary,” The Ukrainian Weekly,February 22, 2009.2010’s pragmatic choiceIt was not an inspiring presidentialcampaign, to say the least.While the 2004 presidential voteoffered Ukrainians their first seriouschance at Euro-Atlantic integration, thisyear’s runoff was widely viewed as apragmatic choice.“In contrast to the 1999 elections, whenthere were ideological wars of the pastversus the future, and in contrast to 2004,when there was a civilization choice ofwhich road – towards Europe or the East– would Ukraine settle on, these electionswere more pragmatic,” said AndriiYermolayev, director of the Sofiya Centerfor Social Research in Kyiv.“This time there was no discussion oflanguage, NATO or values. At the centeris, ‘Are we capable of changing the situationin the country this year?’ ”For many, it was a choice between thelesser of two evils. As journalist MykhailoDubynianskyi put it, Viktor Yanukovychis perceived as a jailbird, boor and embarrassmentfor the country who will pushUkrainians towards living by criminalrules.Yulia Tymoshenko is perceived as acareless “avantiuryst” (someone who pursuesrisky policies at the expense of others)and liar who ruined the economy andwould take power into her own handsinstead of establishing rule of law.Kyiv’s cultural defenders and authorsDmytro and Serhii Kapranov put it evenmore bluntly, describing the 2010 choiceas “between being potentially raped androbbed.”Though both vowed reforms in theircampaigns, both Ms. Tymoshenko andMr. Yanukovych failed to initiate any significantreforms when serving as primeminister, instead expending their energiesin the ruthless fight for power that dominatedthe presidency of ViktorYushchenko.Both campaigns dished out hollow slogansand outrageous promises unlikely tobe fulfilled.“This is a contest to see who can makethe more popular, but slightly-less-thancompletely-outrageouspromises in anattempt to win election sympathy,” Kyivpolitical expert Ivan Lozowy said in lateOctober 2009. “There’s a general cynicismthat it all feeds into. The campaignsdon’t really care who they take on board.It’s a blunderbuss approach. They don’thave a concerted strategy or tactic.They’re playing outside the bounds ofordered civilized Western society, andanything goes.”She worked, he listenedMs. Tymoshenko’s campaign was allabout her. “She’s working!” her billboardsand banners declared at the August 2009launch of her campaign. “They’re yapping,she’s working!” “They’re blocking,she’s working!” “They’re interfering,CorrectionIt was incorrectly noted in the February14 editorial that the Supreme Court ofUkraine is the final arbiter of the presidentialelection results established by theCentral Election Commission. In fact, theelection rules law approved by Parliamentin July 2009 established the HigherAdministrative Court in Kyiv as thevenue of final appeal.she’s working!” “They’re promising, she’sworking!”The ad campaign was an immediate hit,spawning imitations from small businesses– “She’s working, they’re resting” fromthe Pan Ukraine tourism agency – and parodiesfrom her critics – “She’s working,Ukraine is starving.”By October, the campaign adopted anew spin on the theme, declaring, “She’sworking. She is Ukraine!” It’s unclearwhether the ad campaign was intended totake that turn, or if it was altered after allthe parodies and jokes the original themespawned.Mr. Yanukovych’s ad campaign wasn’tnearly as amusing. “Ukraine for thePeople,” was the unimaginative sloganmost widely displayed on his billboards.“I will hear everyone,” declared otherbillboards, asking citizens to call a hotlineand register their concern, as if Mr.Yanukovych had the time to listen to all ofthem.Journalists revealed the real motivebehind this campaign. Upon calling thehotline, young girls informed callers,“Viktor Yanukovych can’t speak with youright now. For that you need to leave yourinformation: surname, name, patronymic,address, home phone, mobile phone...”While his campaign slogans were dull,his campaign promises were unrealistic –boosting the population to 50 million in adecade, a tax holiday for small- and medium-sizedbusinesses for five years, andboosting the minimum pension to $150 amonth and average pensions to $250 amonth.Mr. Yanukovych vowed to triple stateexpenditures on health care to 10 percentof GDP, as well as remove the moratoriumon agricultural land sales, although hisparliamentary faction has consistentlyvoted against canceling it, most recentlyvoting in December to extend the moratoriumuntil 2012.Ms. Tymoshenko offered voters herown share of fantasies, such as creating“the most modern system of medicine, scienceand education in Eastern Europe,”“the highest level of state energy independence”and joining the world’s top 30nations in the Human Development Indexcompiled annually by the United Nations.Ms. Tymoshenko might want to workon Ukraine joining the Top 80. In 85thplace, Ukraine ranks below Colombia,Albania and Cuba.Paid press (as opposed to free press)President Viktor Yushchenko oftenboasted that Ukraine’s free press wasamong the biggest accomplishments of hispresidency. However, media access wasnot free, but paid for, and quite expensiveat that.The Inter television network, believedto be owned by mega-millionaires ValeriiKhoroshkovskyi and Dmytro Firtash, andthe Ukrayina television network, ownedby industrial kingpin Rinat Akhmetov, brazenlytilted their news coverage in favor ofMr. Yanukovych and against Ms.Tymoshenko.These two networks also host Ukraine’smost popular political talk shows – “GrandPolitics” with Yevgeny Kiseliov and“Shuster Live” with Savik Shuster – whichregularly laid wreaths at the feet of Mr.Yanukovych and took aim at Ms.Tymoshenko. (Mr. Kiseliov is an admitted(Continued on page 8)

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 20107NEWS AND VIEWSRewriting history:An evidentiary perspectiveby Askold LozynskyjOne of the greatest tragedies of theUkrainian people is that because of theirlong-time status as stateless and oppressed,their history has been written in mostinstances by the oppressor and/or his agents.Ukraine has been independent for almosta score. Still, certain states, i.e., the RussianFederation, which has proven to be a legitimatesuccessor in interest to both tsaristRussia and the USSR, have not been able tocome to grips. Still others who have sincebefriended Ukraine, i.e., Poland, refuse toedit its prejudicially written original account.And even those agents who themselves formany years were stateless and oftenoppressed, i.e., the Jews, continue to seekout new demons to escape blame for a notso-blamelesspast and to keep the fire ofremembrance burning for their own tragedies.On October 28, 2008, the RussianFederation’s Permanent Representative tothe United Nations Vitaly Churkin held apress conference at the U.N. in New York toboast about Russia’s success in thwartingUkraine’s attempts to place the GreatFamine of 1932-1933 on the agenda of the63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly.He proceeded to denounce “attempts byUkraine to politicize the Great Famine of1932-1933.” In the course of his denunciations,he gratuitously proffered evidence ofUkraine’s contemporary political mindsetclaiming that “Ukraine is today rehabilitatingnotorious Nazi collaborators like thegeneral of the Ukrainian Insurgent ArmyRoman Shukhevych.”On May 5, 2009, the Permanent Missionof the Russian Federation to the UnitedNations held a briefing titled “The Outcomeand Lessons of World War II and thePresent” at the U.N. headquarters in NewYork. The event was opened and presidedover by Ilya Rogachev, deputy permanentrepresentative of the Russian Federation tothe U.N. In his opening remarks Mr.Rogachev said:“Despite the tragic lessons of World WarII, we oftentimes witness the revival of practicesconducive to the escalation of modernforms of racism, racial discrimination andxenophobia. Unfortunately, a number ofcountries have recently been pursuing andundisguised policy of presenting as heroesthose who participated in Nazi crimes.“... Quite recently, we have witnessed theprofane action or inaction by the Ukrainianauthorities… Open glorification of… theUkrainian Insurgent Army fighters, whotainted themselves with the crimes againstthose who fought in the ranks of the anti-Hitler coalition, declaring notorious NaziRoman Shukhevych as a hero of Ukraine,demolition and desecration of monuments toSoviet soldiers are all links of the samechain of practices aimed at re-writing thehistory of World War II and inculcating blatantlypro-fascist ideology in the minds ofthe current and future generations.”On January 25 of this year, theInternational Council of RussianCompatriots met at the U.N. to conferencetheir achievements and address their problems.The proceedings deteriorated intomudslinging against Russia’s neighbors, inparticular Latvia, which had the audacity toinsist on a working knowledge of Latvian asa prerequisite for citizenship, and Ukraine,where Russians have experienced a diminishingof Ukrainian government funding ofAskold S. Lozynskyj is a New Yorkattorney and former president of theUkrainian World Congress.their cultural and linguistic resources.Gratuitously, the compatriots from Ukrainesmeared Stepan Bandera, Shukhevych, theOrganization of Ukrainian Nationalists(OUN) and the UPA as fascist Nazi collaboratorswhom the Ukrainian government isattempting to rehabilitate with honors.In November 2009, John Himka. a historianfrom the University of Alberta submitteda paper to the 42st national conventionof the American Association for theAdvancement of Slavic Studies in Bostonon “The Ukrainian Insurgent Army and theHolocaust.” Prof. Himka organized hispaper with a discussion of his sources andmaterial about the Ukrainian InsurgentArmy’s (UPA) “involvement in the murderof Jews.” To his credit Prof. Himka didacknowledge that his paper was paid forwith a fellowship from the HolocaustMemorial Museum. This goes to motive.Simply put, for his remuneration Prof.Himka had to produce one or more demons.On February 7, Prof. Himka’s colleaguefrom the University of Alberta DavidMarples published an article in TheEdmonton Journal on Ukraine’s honoring ofnationalist leader Bandera in which quitesuddenly and with no substantiation or referencehe asserted: “Members of the OUN-Bspearheaded pogroms in Lviv in the summerof 1941 when about 4,000 Jews werekilled.”And, most recently (February 12), thenotorious journalist Mark Ames, knownequally well for his work in the UnitedStates and in Moscow, wrote an article inThe Nation. His purpose was to criticize theoutgoing orange president of Ukraine,Viktor Yushchenko, and included amongstthe president’s sins the honoring of Bandera.Mr. Ames wrote, “Bandera’s forces participatedin the mass killings of Jews in Lvivand other parts of Western Ukraine whereJews once thrived.”For those unfamiliar with Mr. Ames, hisloyalties are brought to light in previouswritings, among them an analysis of the2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia.Mr. Ames sided with Russia.Do you discern a pattern here?Inasmuch as, of all the aforesaid, onlyProf. Himka has attempted to substantiatehis assertions, let’s deal with some of hiswork in the area of Bandera, Shukhevych,the OUN and the UPA. In passing I shouldmention that in private communications,Prof. Marples relies on the scholarship ofProf. Himka for his assertions.One of Prof. Himka’s favorite targets isthe Great Famine of 1932-1933; he attemptsto minimize its significance by reducing thenumber of victims. In his current assault onthe OUN and the UPA and its leaders, Prof.Himka has chosen to rely on eyewitness testimony.That is a significant factor in itselfbecause in juridical evidentiary proceedings,eyewitness accounts, while still affordedsome evidentiary weight, are considered themost unreliable, often tainted by memorylapses, embellishments, etc. However, thatserves Prof. Himka best and even there theevidence he produces fails to impugn.In one of his publications written for thepurpose of showing that on July 1, 1941, theOUN spearheaded a pogrom in Lviv, Prof.Himka offers the testimony of one RosaWagner who gave her account in 1945 inKrakow at the request of the JewishHistorical Institute. Ms. Wagner provides anarrative of what transpired involving herselfand other Jews in July 1941 in Lvivwhen the Germans invaded and the Sovietswere forced to flee. Prof. Himka himself(Continued on page 18)From a Canadian Angleby Oksana Bashuk HepburnAsk oligarchs the hard questionsVictor Pinchuk is Ukraine’s most visiblephilanthropist. In December alone,Chrystya Freeland of the influentialFinancial Times and the New Yorkerwrote about Ukraine’s richest man.Though he funds an art center, globalthink-tanks, films and neo-natal clinics,his generosity – flowing from a $2.6 billionfortune – begs hard questions.The former metallurgist admits tohumble beginnings. His childhood“kvartyra” (apartment) was no biggerthan one of his current clothes closets,yet in a short time he became the world’s203rd richest man. He did not earn,inherit or win his fortune. As theUkrainian SSR crumbled, he “privatized”state assets, beginning with steel. Hemoved to banking and energy. Now thisraider – Ukrainians’ term for oligarchs –is on to safer ground.Collecting art, precious jewels and realestate are traditional methods of sequesteringmoney while philanthropy buysthe nouveau riche gentrification andadmission to certain international sets,depending on what is being supported.Having put little distance to his ordinarypast, it does not surprise that thePinchukArtCentre in Kyiv holds such tziatski-gawkingdisplays as the $23 milliondiamond-studded human scull by DamianHirst, or eye-popping excesses of groupsexinvolving Ukraine’s politicians. Fewexhibitors appear to have Ukrainiannames.Mr. Pinchuk’s philanthropy extends tofinancing Stephen Spielberg’s film on theJewish Holocaust, international conferencesin Israel on the future of Judaism,and, curiously, supporting a network ofneo-natal clinics across Ukraine. Hischaritable foundation is designed “toencourage a new generation of Ukrainianleadership.”Corporate philanthropy is becoming“widespread” in Ukraine, says BarbaraFelitti, country director, UkrainianCitizens Action Network, a programfunded by the U.S. Agency forInternational Development to support“initiatives by citizens that address issuesimportant to Ukrainians.” It is difficult tosee how diamond-studded sculls or internationalJudaism – under 1 percent ofUkrainians are Jews – reflects this goal.Most agree. The Internet is abuzz withanger at the oligarchs’ perfidy of portrayingart as a naked woman slathered inblack caviar being gang-raped by a bunchof philanthropists while a mother cannotwithdraw her own money out of a bankowned by an oligarch and watches herchild die of cancer.Ukraine’s other “superbahati” – superrich – are Rinat Akhmetov with $1.8 billion;Igor Kolomoisky, $1.2 billion; andGennadiy Bogolyubov $1.1 billion. Thetotal capital of its top 50 is around $26billion. Ukraine’s GDP for 2008 wasabout $180 billion.While Ms. Frattelli admires oligarchgenerosity, Ukrainians – subsisting onless than $300 per month wages or $40pensions – call then “grabocrats” ratherthan philanthropists and demand to know:Where are the reasonable wages for workthat sustains their excesses? Where areaccident compensation, health benefits,pensions?Greed and inequality make social revolutionsas oligarchs – most sons ofCommunists, well know. Perhaps that iswhy they own multiple passports andinternational havens. Mr. Pinchuk lives ina $120 million home when in London.To move forward as a Western democracy,Ukraine must deal with these grossinequalities. But it will be difficult. Theoligarchs are resisting distribution ofwealth, like proportional taxation onassets at home and abroad or re-privatization.Nonetheless, Ukraine repossessedthe steel plant Mr. Akhmetov boughtfrom the state for under $1 billion andresold for over four times that price.Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko usedthe money to fund pensions. The recentpresidential election was a battlegroundfor this and other issues.But Ms. Tymoshenko’s party, and that ofher competitor in the presidential runoff,Viktor Yanukovych, is replete with oligarchs.President Viktor Yushchenko also istainted. His Orange Revolution promise toput “criminals in jail’ came to nothing. Thatis why his voter support was just over 5percent. Understandably, Ukrainians aredisenchanted with politicians.No matter who won the election, theimmense wealth gap will not go unchallenged.To live harmoniously in Ukraine, oligarchsneed to deal with real “issuesimportant to Ukrainians.” They mightstart by addressing questions central topeace, stability and equality for anydemocracy:• How do they support Ukraine’snational interests, symbols and values?• Do they pay wages commensuratewith benefits derived from workers?• Is there evidence of access and equityin entities they control?• Are their taxes on assets at home andabroad appropriate to the richesamassed?Mr. Pinchuk, a leading oligarch andphilanthropist, might wish to show theway by answering additional ones thatmatter to Ukraine’s majority:• In addition to funding movies/conferences/exhibitsabout the suffering ofJews, is he funding those depictingUkraine’s astronomical loss of some 20million during World War II and theHolodomor, the genocide perpetrated byCommunists most of whom in Ukrainewere Jewish?• Having funded a global meeting ofJews in Israel to deal with commonissues, will he undertake a similar initiativedealing with Ukraine’s concerns?• How does his philanthropy reflectUkraine’s needs and culture? Is it representativeof its majority rather than of aninternational insider group?• How does he respond to the chargesthat Israel buys Ukrainian infant organsgiven that he has several neo-natal facilitiesin Ukraine?Ukrainians must ask these questions.And demand answers.Oksana Bashuk Hepburn may be contactedat oksanabh@sympatico.ca.Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com

8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 82010's pragmatic...(Continued from page 6)Moscow KGB instructor.)They tossed Mr. Yanukovych softballquestions when he appeared on their shows– and only in the presence of reporters andpundits that openly favored him, such asRussophile Oleksander Chalenko of theSegodnya daily newspaper owned by Mr.Akhmetov and political pundit AndriiYermolayev.The Segodnya daily newspaper, themost widely read in Ukraine, grilled Ms.Tymoshenko on a daily basis while praisingMr. Yanukovych.When the moment of truth arrived – aFebruary 1 debate by the two remainingcontenders – Mr. Yanukovych playedhooky and instead attended a show organizedby Victor Pinchuk’s ICTV network.Instead of debating, he discussed his grandplans as president with an entourage ofloyal journalists and political consultants,including Kuchma lapdogs ViacheslavPikhovschek and Dmytro Dzhanhirov,who carried out the anti-Yushchenko defamationcampaign in 2004.As a result, viewers were treated to thebizarre scene of Ms. Tymoshenko makingthe most of her hour-and-a-half allocatedtime to discuss her political agenda. Thecamera regularly panned to the emptypodium where Mr. Yanukovych was supposedto have stood, and to the debatemoderator who looked on as Ms.Tymoshenko spoke without pausing, withouta teleprompter and without notes.Both the Inter and ICTV networksdenied Ms. Tymoshenko’s requests toorganize a debate.“For some reason it didn’t enter into theheads of [U.S. President Barack] Obama,[French President Nicolas] Sarkozy,[German Chancellor Angela] Merkel orother leaders of large countries to avoiddebates,” she said in mid-January. “OnlyYanukovych, who fears frantically anydirect dialogue.”Election intrigueGeorgian goons, Russian spies, Donbasbombers and topless feminists all becameactors in the melodrama of the 2010 presidentialvote.As part of her off-the-cuff style, Ms.Tymoshenko decided, allegedly at the lastminute, to dispatch more than 2,000Georgian election observers to the Donbasregion.An audio recording released to the publicfeatured a voice similar to Ms.Tymoshenko’s conspiring with a voicesimilar to Georgian President MikheilSaaskashvili’s to register the observers,even after the Central ElectionCommission’s deadline expired.“Givi (Targamadze) is on the groundthere,” said the voice similar to Mr.Saakashvili’s, referring to the Georgianmember of Parliament who chairs the parliamentaryDefense and SecurityCommittee. “Maybe one of yours willmake contact and resolve the issues.”“Absolutely,” replied the voice similarto Ms. Tymoshenko’s. “I told [First VicePrime Minister Oleksander] Turchynov tomeet quickly. I am currently in the regionstraveling. I am in the elections. But I willbe in Kyiv tomorrow and I will meet withthem as well. And I wanted to thank youthat such a team was dispatched toUkraine, or is currently being sent.”“No, actually we will send the mostreliable and combat-ready people,” repliedthe male voice.In concluding the conversation, the voicesimilar to Ms. Tymoshenko’s said, “We needto unify all efforts very strongly in order tonot allow this group. It’s very hard.”“I am confident all will be well,” theman replied.The recording was released to the publicon January 15 by Dmytro Vydrin, aA Yanukovych billboard in Zhytomyr displays the slogan“Ukraine for the People.”deputy chair of the National Security andDefense Council who was a TymoshenkoBloc national deputy before defecting tothe Party of Regions in 2007.Experienced observers who met theGeorgians in Donetsk said they were allathletic men who had no experience monitoringelections.The Party of Regions estimated thatabout 1,400 arrived, hundreds of whomgot access to polling stations by registeringas journalists with Donbas newspapersloyal to the Tymoshenko Bloc.The Tymoshenko Bloc didn’t sign themup for the second round.Press secretaries for Ms. Tymoshenkoand Mr. Saakashvili declined to commenton the veracity of the recording, which iswidely available for listening on theInternet (in Russian).About two weeks later, the Russianshad their own scandal when SecurityService of Ukraine Chairman ValentynNalyvaichenko announced the February 2arrest near the Moldovan border of fiveRussian spies, who allegedly attempted togain military state secrets, for which theypaid $2,000. The agents from Russia’sFederal Security Service (FSB), the successorto the KGB, will be prosecuted, Mr.Naylvaichenko said.In other develoments, four ruralLuhansk Oblast polling stations werethreatened with explosives on February 7,which were evacuated for several hours.An anonymous caller phoned in thefake bomb threat to disrupt elections, lawenforcement authorities said. The arrestedsuspect is a former police officer workingfor the local civic organization, “OurPresident – 2010,” which supported one ofthe presidential candidates, local authoritiesalleged.Young radicals calling themselves theAutonomous Opposition ambushed a Kyivpolling station with smoke bombs, chainedits doors and attached the banner, “Yu andYa – enemies of the people,” referring tothe run-off candidates. They told reportersthey were protesting “elections without achoice.”A protest that proved far more effectivein garnering publicity and public sympathywas a demonstration held by feminists atthe polling station where Mr. Yanuokvychwas planning to vote.Before he showed up, five youngwomen of the Femen activist group baredtheir chests and held signs that read, “TheWar Begins Today,” “Stop Raping theCountry,” “War Final Countdown,” and“Save Us! They’re Raping.”They repeatedly shouted, “Enough ofraping the country” and “Politicians aren’tsupposed to rape the country” beforepolice officers grabbed them, covered theirchests with jackets and escorted them outside.The Femen activists told reporters theywould have traveled to the Dnipropetrovskpolling station where Ms. Tymoshenkovoted to stage the same protest but lackedthe funds. They said they were protestingthe violation of democratic foundations inUkraine.Police arrested them and released theladies that afternoon. Their protest drewadmiration and compliments from internationalobservers.“I was impressed by a very peculiarfreedom of expression when three ladiesfrom the Femen organization expressedtheir protest against the political life here,”said Assen Agov, chair of the NATOParliamentary Assembly misson. “It addedcolor to this wonderful election.”Dons and capos triumphUkrayinska Pravda reporter SerhiiLeshchenko reported on January 10 thatUkraine’s biggest oligarchs met at theCourchevel ski resort in the heart of theFrench Alps during the first week ofZenon ZawadaA Tymoshenko campaign billboard in Zhytomyr tells passers-by:“Ukraine will win – Ukraine is you.”January to discuss whom they would supportto become Ukraine’s next president,reportedly settling on Viktor Yanukovych.Among them was Donbas industrialmagnate Rinat Akhmetov, RosUkrEnergopartner Dmytro Firtash, industry andmedia kingpin Igor Kolomoisky, Kharkivtycoon Oleksander Yaroslavskyi andRussian mega-millionaire KonstantinGrigorishin.Any suspicions that this was a conspiracytheory were erased by the scene at theluxurious InterContinental Hotel the nightof February 7.Grinning men dressed in sleek darksuits, or the other preferred style of blackturtlenecks and blazers, mingled in thehotel lobby, giving the immediate impressionthat it indeed was a gathering ofUkraine’s top dons and capos.Among them was Yanukovych loyalistSerhii Kivalov, the goat of the 2004 electionswho led the Central ElectionCommission in falsely awarding Mr.Yanukovych the second-round victory.Other magnates in attendance wereViacheslav Boguslayev, the director of theMotor Sich engine manufacturing plant inZaporizhia, RosUkrEnergo partner IvanFursin and Russian mage-millionaireVadim Noyinskyi.Even Victor Pinchuk appeared alongsidehis billionaire pal Viktor Vekselberg, a(Continued on page 10)Most district election commissions resembled this chaotic throng of commissionersin Ivano-Frankivsk waiting for hours, in many cases all night, to submit theirballots and protocols.

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 20109Western leaders...(Continued from page 1)Only after the U.S. and EU congratulatedMr. Yanukovych did the Russian presidentpraise Mr. Yanukovych’s victory.Press Attaché Nancy Pettit of the U.S.Embassy in Ukraine declined TheWeekly’s request to ask U.S. Ambassadorto Ukraine John Tefft to explain the WhiteHouse statement.Ms. Pettit also declined to offer an explanationon behalf of the Embassy, referringonly to the White House statement and theU.S. Embassy statement, which was issuedjust a few days after election day and took aneutral stance.“The United States commends theUkrainian people on the conduct of theFebruary 7 second round of presidentialelections, which international observershave assessed positively in their preliminaryconclusions,” the U.S. Embassy stated followingthe vote. “The election provided aCEC declares...(Continued from page 1)invalidate the CEC’s final election protocolfor the second-round vote and hold athird round of the election in its place.It’s also seeking to overturn the resultsin four regions where the most seriousfraud allegedly occurred – Crimea,Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Luhansk –and to conduct recounts at more than 900polling stations.The fraud claims include last-minutemass additions to voter lists (legalized bylast-minute legislation); ballots cast onbehalf of the deceased or those who emigrated;ballot-stealing from those whovoted “Don’t support anyone” or failedballots; vote-buying (offering transportationin exchange for votes), and voter carousels(“karusely”) that abused lax homevotingprocedures (legalized by last-minutelegislation).The Tymoshenko campaign alleged ithas observers from the Organization forSecurity and Cooperation in Europe(OSCE) willing to testify on its behalfregarding vote fraud, as well as videofootage from the OSCE.The OSCE Kyiv office said it wasn’taware of any video footage shot by itsobservers.“I have footage of OSCE observerswho slept heavily” during the vote count,said Andrii Senchenko, chair of theTymoshenko Bloc in Crimea who saidabout 200,000 votes in the autonomousrepublic were falsified by the Yanukovychcampaign.OSCE Spokesperson Jens-HagenEschenbacher declined The Weekly’srequest to interview OSCE observers whovisited the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.He also declined to answer TheWeekly’s questions about how manyOSCE observers were dispatched to theLuhansk and Donetsk oblasts, and theAutonomous Republic of Crimea, andhow many observed the vote count.Numerous critics of the internationalmissions – including Yulia TymoshenkoBloc lawyer Serhii Vlasenko and AskoldLozynskyj, a lawyer who led theUkrainian World Congress election mission– alleged these election observerswere too few in number to cover andreport the violations that occurred.Furthermore critics said, the Party ofRegions, which dominates some ofUkraine’s most populous oblasts, hasdeveloped more sophisticated and benigntactics of vote fraud that elude the noticeof foreign election observers, who are onlybriefly exposed to election procedures anddon’t speak the local languages.Many foreign observers also aren’taware of the subtleties and “fine print” inchoice among candidates in a calm atmospherefollowed freely by the media. Wewelcome the high turnout of voters. Theconduct of both the first and second roundsreflect [sic] another step in the consolidationof Ukraine’s democracy.”President Obama called Mr. Yanukovychto congratulate him on his election and wishhim success in carrying out his mandate,the February 11 White House statementsaid. “The United States looks forward toworking with President-elect Yanukovychand continuing to strengthen our cooperationwith Ukraine’s government and its parliamentaryleaders,” the statement said.The U.S. president commended theUkrainian people describing the election asa peaceful expression of political will andanother positive step in strengtheningdemocracy in Ukraine.The strategic partnership between theUnited States and Ukraine is based onshared interests and values, the statementsaid, which include expanding democracythe election law passed only last summer,or in some cases within a few days of thevote said, said Dr. Perepelytsia.Mr. Vlasenko estimated that between10 and 12 percent of the vote was riggedin favor of Mr. Yanukovych.The Tymoshenko campaign is highlydisadvantaged because the July 2009election rules law doesn’t allow for apolling station’s results to be cancelledunless at least 10 percent of its ballots areproven to be falsified, said Dr.Perepelytsia.Ironically, the Tymoshenko Bloc votedin support of the legislation that is now anobstacle to the appeal filed by its leader.The Higher Administrative Court willbegin its review of the appeal on February19. Ms. Tymoshenko requested that it bebroadcast on live television.The Tymoshenko Bloc registered a billin Parliament to cancel the February 25inauguration date, but was unable to musterthe necessary support from theVolodymyr Lytvyn Bloc to support it.Those voting to set the inauguration forFebruary 25 included 172 Party ofRegions deputies, one Tymoshenko Blocdeputy, 27 Communists, 20 Lytvyn Blocdeputies, 15 (out of 72) Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense deputies and threedeputies excluded from factions.Besides attempting to postpone Mr.Yanukovych’s inauguration, Ms.Tymoshenko is also fighting to piecetogether whatever is left of the de factoparliamentary coalition to keep the coalitiongovernment in place and ensure thatshe remains as prime minister.Meanwhile, the Party of Regions andMr. Yanukovych are trying to form theirown coalition. While the Lytvyn Bloc isinterested, the kingmaker will be thehighly fractious Our Ukraine-People’sSelf-Defense Bloc, which has splinteredinto at least four conflicting groups withdifferent loyalties.Mr. Yanukovych said on February 17that coalition formation would begin afterhis inauguration, rendering hollow thethreats by Regions deputies that Ms.Tymoshenko would be removed as primeminister by the time their candidate takesoffice.Meanwhile, Mr. Lytvyn, eager to holdonto his post as the chair of the VerkhovnaRada, requested that the national deputieswho belong to the current de facto coalitionsign their names re-affirming theircommitment.[Editor’s note: The current parliamentarycoalition led by Ms. Tymoshenko isconsidered de facto because, while it hasa majority of votes in Parliament onpaper, it lacks the loyalty of its deputiesto consistently render a majority vote.]and prosperity, protecting security and territorialintegrity, strengthening the rule oflaw, promoting non-proliferation, and supportingreform in Ukraine’s economic andenergy sectors.“I don’t see anything there,” saidVolodymyr Kryzhanivskyi, describing hisview of the U.S. position. Mr.Kryzhanivskyi was Ukraine’s first ambassadorto the Russian Federation, servingbetween 1991 and 1994. “Obama acted asAmericans do, and it’s normal – ‘He won,so we need to congratulate him. So theremight be some appeals …’ But they don’tunderstand the coarse brazenness of certainpolitical forces.”The leaders of the U.S., the EU, NATOand other Western structures based theirdecision to congratulate Mr. Yanukovychon the positive endorsement of the electionsoffered by the major international observingorganizations, experts said. But they didn’trule out a political motive either.“Let them sort this out themselves,” Mr.Kryzhanivskyi said, describing the thinkingof Western leaders. “Once they resolve it,let them complain against each other. Andafterwards they [Western leaders] will saythe entire time, ‘Wait, but they [observers]said so.’ That’s why they took this position– ‘They gave us this, so we’ll eat it up. Wehave what we have.’ ”The parliamentary assemblies of theOrganization for Security and Cooperationin Europe, NATO, the Council of Europeand European Parliament stated on February8 that voting and counting in Ukraine’selection was assessed as “overwhelminglypositive by observers.”Yet the Yanukovych campaign conducteditself “simply brutally,” Mr.Kryzhanivskyi said, and “it’s hard for themto understand.” The Party of Regions conducted“unbelievable, horrible falsifications”in the oblasts under its control, particularlyDonetsk and Luhansk, he noted.Extensive “carousels” (“karusely”) transportedDonbas voters from their hospitalbeds to their homes via ambulances to allowthem to vote more than once, he said, citingfirst-hand accounts from his friends wholive in the region.About 1.5 million Ukrainians voted atRESULTS OF UKRAINE’SPRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONFollowing are the official results of the presidential runoff election, as releasedby the Central Election Commission of Ukraine.Region Yanukovych TymoshenkoCrimeaCherkasyChernivtsiChernihivDnipropetrovskDonetskIvano-FrankivskKharkivKhersonKhmelnytskyiKirovohradKyivLuhanskLvivMykolaivOdesaPoltavaRivneSumyTernopilVinnytsiaVolynZakarpattiaZaporizhiaZhytomyrKyiv (city)Sevastopol (city)NATIOWIDEABROAD821,244 (78.24%)202,512 (28.84%)121,381 (27.64%)194,069 (30.95%)1,154,274 (62.70%)2,435,522 (90.44%)57,849 (7.02%)1,076,962 (71.35%)323,201 (59.98%)191,484 (24.94%)203,999 (39.61%)229,858 (23.61%)1,237,922 (88.96%)131,136 (8.60%)446,050 (71.53%)868,533 (74.14%)318,405 (38.99%)121,446 (18.91%)194,608 (30.40%)53,773 (7.92%)227,633 (24.26%)84,212 (14.01%)224,917 (41.55%)731,932 (71.50%)258,695 (36.70%)376,099 (25.72%)178,201 (84.35%)12,481,266 (48.95%)15,349 (33.96%)Ukraine’s former Foreign Affairs MinisterBorys Tarasyuk (seen here in a photofrom 2009) said it was unethical for theUnited States and the European Union torecognize Viktor Yanukovych’s victorybefore official results were established.181,715 (17.31%)459,041 (65.37%)291,944 (66.47%)398,953 (63.63%)536,321 (29.13%)173,820 (6.45%)731,858 (88.89%)338,643 (22.43%)181,754 (33.73%)535,371 (69.74%)281,509 (54.66%)678,533 (69.71%)107,523 (7.72%)1,313,904 (86.20%)143,135 (22.95%)228,757 (19.52%)442,583 (54.20%)489,579 (76.24%)402,591 (62.89%)599,697 (88.39%)667,101 (71.10%)491,854 (81.85%)279,631 (51.66%)227,531 (22.22%)405,289 (57.50%)955,406 (65.34%)21,940 (10.38%)11,593,357 (45.47%)27,374 (60.57%)Zenon Zawadahome, Dr. Perepelytsia said, but calculationsprove that less than a third of them, orabout 459,000 voters, could have done sobased on the limited number of homes localelection commissioners could have physicallyvisited.Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc lawyer SerhiiVlasenko was correct in his assessment ofthe international observing missions, Mr.Kryzhanivskyi said.“The Russian Empress Kateryna II wasgenuinely convinced that Prince Potemkinwas a good builder because he built‘Potemkin villages,’” Mr. Vlasenko saidFebruary 15 on the “Shuster Live” televisionshow, referring to the fake, idyllic villagesbuilt by the prince to impress theempress.“The Party of Regions built such villagesfor international observers for these elections.That’s why they reflected what theysaw. The first secretary of the Central(Continued on page 22)

10THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8Slavic music expert conducts workshop for Edmonton-area choirsby Ksenia MaryniakEDMONTON, Alberta – As an auxiliaryactivity in conjunction with his guestappearance conducting Edmonton’s professionalchoir Pro Coro Canada in a concertof Ukrainian sacred music titled“Heart of Kyiv,” acclaimed Slavic musicexpert Mark Bailey held a workshop forlocal choirs on Saturday, January 30.At the invitation of Pro Coro’s actingCEO, Russ Mann, the daylong workshopwas organized by the Ukrainian MusicSociety of Alberta and coordinated by Dr.Melanie Turgeon, who supplied practicescores and provided logistical support ather home campus of King’s UniversityCollege.The workshop was attended by nearly80 choristers, conductors, and music teachersfrom numerous Ukrainian communityand church ensembles in Edmonton,including St. Basil’s, St. Elias, St.George’s, St. John’s, St. Josaphat’s, Axios,Dnipro, Ukrainian Male Chorus andVerkhovyna.The official introduction of Mr. Baileyand an overview of his stellar career weregiven by Luba Boyko-Bell, president ofthe Ukrainian Music Society of Alberta.Mr. Bailey then he embarked upon a highlyprofessional presentation to support hisgeneral theme that “Ukrainian composerschanged the shape of liturgical musicthroughout Eastern Europe, particularlyRussia,” starting in the 17th-18th centuries.He described how the monodic “znamenny”chants inherited from Byzantiumand Bulgaria developed into the “moretuneful and characteristically Slavic”Kyivan and other indigenous chants, andsubsequently how Western influencesbegan to appear in three-part “kanty,”which arrived in Ukraine via Poland. Mr.Bailey called it a kind of “religious folkmusic,” and related that much of it wasparaliturgical, often performed on the stepsof the church after a festal liturgy.The kanty became very popular amongthe laity, being strongly rhythmic inmelodic composition and strophic in structure,allowing entire stories and legends tobe told in a harmonized musical setting.One of the best-known early composers offull-fledged part-sung liturgical pieces atthis time was Mykola Dyletsky.At each stage of the historical journeynarrated by Mr. Bailey, workshop attendeeswere given the opportunity to hearrecorded examples of the types of compositionsbeing described, and to try singingthem from the supplied scores. Thus, inaddition to basking in his extensive knowledgeof the subject, all members of this adhoc chorus enjoyed the privilege of makingmusic together under his able guidance.The results were at times quite lovelyindeed.Charting a remarkable course of theevolution of Eastern Slavic sacred musicover just a century and a half, Mr. Baileyrounded off his lecture by focusing on theU k r a i n i a n c o m p o s e r s M a k s y mBerezovsky, Artem Vedel and DmytroBortniansky. Exposed as they were toprevalent contemporary developments inWestern Europe, particularly Italy, these“Ukrainian boys,” who often started theircareers as singers in the Imperial RussianCourt Kapell, took sacred liturgical musicto new heights with contrapuntal polyphoniccomposition.As workshop attendees prepared to singa few works by these representatives ofUkraine’s “Golden Era” of classical music,Mr. Bailey exhorted them to “forget aboutTchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov,Rachmaninoff, and evenBeethoven” – all of whomdid not yet exist in the 18thcentury. He invited them toconsider, for example, thatBortniansky’s well-knownhymn “Yak Slaven Nash”ideally takes the form of abaroque minuet, giving dueconsideration to the temporalcontext in which it wascomposed.For this and many otherinsights into the contributionby Ukrainian composersto the development ofSlavic liturgical music in theEastern churches, Mr. Baileyreceived the profound gratitudeand enthusiastic admirationof the workshopattendees. Many commentedthat they will long rememberthis very worthwhile,informative and inspiringevent, and will happily lookforward to another visit toEdmonton by this uniquelytalented conductor andscholar in the not-too-distantfuture.Mark Bailey conducts workshop participants.Ivan HukParticipants of the Ukrainian Choral Workshop.2010's pragmatic...(Continued from page 8)Russian industrial magnate.It’s conceivable that the party’s extensiveclient base of mega-millionairesenabled it to pay for thousands ofYanukovych supporters to be bused intoKyiv from the regions to stand guard at theRegions’ camps throughout city, mostnotably outside the Central ElectionCommission.Ukrainian media reports estimated thesupporters earned 150 to 280 hrv per day($18.75 to $35) a day to wear the Party ofRegions logo and give the appearance thatMr. Yanukovych’s victory had mass support.A former president of the UkrainianWorld Congress, Askold Lozynskyj, speculatedthat the success of the Party ofRegions, which caters to Ukraine’s biggestoligarchs, was the poverty in which tens ofmillions of Ukrainians remain mired.“Difficult economic conditions are oftentaken advantage of,” he wrote in aFebruary 8 column published inUkrayinska Pravda. Dishonest people, hesaid “take advantage of the political situationand this unfortunate poverty for theirown goals.”

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 201011Subtleny speaks on Trawniki guards’ service during World War IIby Oksana ZakydalskyTORONTO – “Trawniki” has appearedon the indictments of persons in the U.S.charged with taking part in the Holocaust;it was listed in the charges against JohnDemjanjuk. What was “Trawniki” andwho were the “Trawniki men?” This isone of the questions that Prof. OrestSubtelny had to deal with when he wascontacted, a total of four times, by theU.S. Office of Special Investigations(OSI) to serve as a witness for mencharged by the OSI for being “Nazis.”The OSI, a unit within the CriminalDivision of the U.S. Department of Justice,was created in 1979. It has been focused onfinding “Nazis” who had committed crimesagainst humanity, before and during WorldWar II, and who subsequently entered theUnited States. As crimes committed againstnon-Americans outside the United Statesare not within the criminal jurisdiction ofU.S. courts, the OSI has taken legal actionunder civil immigration laws by prosecutingthose who may have entered the U.S. bygiving fraudulent information. The OSIseeks to denaturalize those who obtainedU.S. citizenship and ultimately to deportthem. As of 2008, the OSI has successfullyprosecuted 107 cases.Prof. Subtelny gave a presentation at aShevchenko Scientific Society meeting inToronto on January 22, in which he dealtwith the question of Trawniki and emphasizedthat he and the OSI differed on thequestions concerning Trawniki.In the opinion of the OSI, Trawnikiwas a training place for volunteers to takepart in the extermination of Jews.According to Prof. Subtelny, however,Trawniki was a training place for guards toserve the German Generalplan OST – theplan for the settlement of Germans in theconquered eastern territories throughGermanization, expulsion and exterminationof the local population. While thosetrained at Trawniki served as guards atconcentration and killing camps, they werenot directly involved in the actual exterminationprogram, Prof. Subtelny stated.Trawniki was a town 30 kilometerssouth of Lublin, close to the Ukrainian-Polish border. Two weeks after NaziGermany invaded the Soviet Union onJune 22, 1941, German SS and policeauthorities in the Lublin district establisheda detention facility at Trawniki. Itsfirst function was as a holding center forrefugees and Soviet POWs.On July 17, 1941, SS Maj. Gen. OdiloGlobcnik was appointed Commissionerfor the Establishment of SS and PoliceBases in the New Eastern Territory andthe Trawniki facility became part of theGeneralplan OST. The body responsiblefor the drafting of this secret plan, and itsimplementation, was the security organ ofthe SS. Capt. Karl Streibel of the SS wasappointed to command the Trawniki trainingcamp, a position he held until theevacuation of the camp in July 1944.Between September 1941 and September1942, Prof. Subtelny continued, theTrawniki facility became a training campwhere SS and police officials trained guardsand security personnel (Wachmänner) forthe proposed German settlements in theoccupied Eastern territories. At first, thepersonnel were recruited from the SovietPOWs but, as the supply of Soviet prisonersdried out, Streibel’s men began to conscriptcivilians – many of them Ukrainians.Galician Ukrainians, who thought they werebeing sent to Germany to work, wereinstead taken to Trawniki.During the summer of 1942, Trawnikiwas used as a forced-labor camp for Jewsand it was guarded by Trawniki-trainedguards. Firms were moved from the ghettosto Trawniki, and Streibel was namedcommander of the Trawniki labor camp.When the Germans decided to liquidateDr. Orest Subtelny speaks on the topic of the Trawniki guards.the Warsaw ghetto, it sparked the Warsawghetto uprising. Although the liquidationof the ghetto was put in operation by SSand police units, Trawniki-trained guardswere used to seal it off.Trawniki-trained guards were used indeportation operations from ghettos inGerman-occupied Poland and as escortsfor transport trains from the ghettos to theconcentration camps. The Wachmännercontinued to be trained at Trawniki untillate July 1944, when the Soviet advanceforced the Germans to abandon Trawniki.According to Prof. Subtelny, theWachmänner did not play a direct role inextermination actions. AlthoughTrawniki-trained guards were used at theBelzec, Sobibor and Treblinka camps,they served only as external guards –manning the towers and perimeters of thecamps. They had no contact with theJewish inmates. The actual killings wereOksana Zakydalskycarried out by the SS and police units.Significantly, the article about Trawnikion the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museumwebsite (www.ushmm.com), in everyinstance where killing actions are referredto, is careful to say that these were carriedout by “SS and police units.”Some key officials at Trawniki did notsurvive the war: Globocnik committedsuicide, and the battalion commanderswere killed at the front or by partisans.Other Trawniki officials were prosecutedafter the war. A West German courtindicted the head of the training camp,Streibel, Trawniki labor camp Staff Sgt.Josef Napieralla and four Trawniki companycommanders in 1970, but all sixwere acquitted in 1976.Thus, Prof. Subtelny noted, the commanderof the Trawniki training camp isfree while Mr. Demjanjuk, a Trawnikiguard, is on trial in Germany.Mazepa symposium held at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centerby Sophia KachorWINNIPEG, Manitoba – Nationalhero, traitor, romantic figure – fact, spinand fiction, history and mythology, thesewere some of the issues explored at “TheAge and Legacy of Mazepa (1687-1709),”a symposium co-sponsored by OseredokUkrainian Cultural and EducationalCenter and the Center for UkrainianCanadian Studies, University ofManitoba.Held November 28, 2009, inOseredok’s art gallery with a backdrop of“Legacy of the Cossack Elite,” an exhibitionof 17th and 18th textiles and maps inOseredok’s permanent collection, thesymposium brought together five scholarswho explored the various often divergentviews about Hetman Ivan Mazepa, hisplace in Ukrainian history and culture.The stage was set by Dr. OrestSubtelny of the Department of History atYork University in Toronto in a presentationtitled “Mazepa in the Context of EastEuropean History.” Prof. Subtelnyexpanded on two opposing values underlyingthe structure of Ukrainian andRussian elites. On the one hand, there isthe Magna Carta-Polish Commonwealthmodel adopted by the Kozak elite, whichThe symposium on the legacy of Hetman Ivan Mazepa held on November 28,2009, at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center.held that there existed a social contractbetween the nobility and their sovereignas a guarantor of rights and privileges. Incontrast to this is the very autocraticRussian model of the nobles as “the slaveof the tsar.” These conflicting values lieat the core of understanding the divergingviews on Mazepa as national hero andvillainous traitor.Prof. Radoslav Zuk of McGillUniversity in Montreal spoke on “Mazepaand Baroque Church Architecture inUkraine.” He traced the development ofthe origins of Ukrainian Kozak andMazepa baroque architecture to theByzantine tradition, placing it within thecontext of Western European churcharchitecture and connecting it to the folktradition of Ukrainian wood architecture.He highlighted Mazepa’s contribution aspatron of the reconstruction of oldchurches and the building of new ones inthe architectural style that took his name,identifying them with the expression ofcultural attitudes of the time.Dr. Roman Yereniuk, acting director ofthe Center for Ukrainian CanadianStudies, University of Manitoba, talkedabout “Russian Autocracy and the Fate ofMazepa – The Last Years.” He describedthe reaction of the Russian OrthodoxChurch to Mazepa’s “betrayal” and therole of the state, specifically Tsar Peter I,in these actions. He provided a historicalsurvey of liturgical condemnations ofMazepa proclaimed annually throughoutthe 18th to 20th centuries. He concludedwith an overview of the rehabilitation ofMazepa in the 20th century by theUkrainian Orthodox Church and, finally,provided some insight on the de-anathemizingof Mazepa in the 21st centuryand the role of the government of Ukrainein these rehabilitation efforts.Dr. Myroslav Shkandrij of theDepartment of German and Slavic Studiesat the University of Manitoba presented apaper on “Mazepa in Russian RomanticLiterature.” He traced the development ofRussian iconic images about Ukraine createdin the early 19th century by RussianRomantics, a classic colonial image of abackward, violent, outdated country. He(Continued on page 22)Prof. Radoslav Zuk of McGill Universityspeaks at the Mazepa symposium atOseredok Ukrainian Cultural andEducational Center in Winnipeg.

12THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 201013Ukraine and Ukrainians at XXI Winter Olympic Gamesby Ihor N. StelmachAfter five days of competition, Ukraine’sathletes at the XXI Winter Olympic Gamesin Vancouver, British Columbia, had notwon a single medal in any of the eight sportsin which they had qualified to compete.Ukraine’s best finish was a fifth place inbiathlon – an event considered to be one ofUkraine’s best hopes for a medal – earnedby veteran Olympian Andriy Derezemlya inthe men’s 10-kilometer sprint.Also in biathlon, Serhiy Sednev came in10th in the men’s 12-5-kilometer pursuit.Three Ukrainian women biathletes finishedback-to-back-to-back in the 10-kilometerpursuit: Olena Pidhrushna (21st),Oksana Khvostenko (22nd) and ValentynaSemerenko (23rd).The Ukrainian figure skating pair ofTetyana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozovearned 181.78 points in their short programand free skate, good for eighth place, whileValentyna Shevchenko came in ninth in the10-kilometer cross-country skiing competition.Top-20 finishes were turned in by TeamUkraine in the men’s and women’s lugecompetitions, as well as in other events inthe biathlon. (See listing below.)Luger Ludan leads delegationLuge athlete Liliya Ludan proudly ledUkraine’s delegation of 47 athletes plustraining staff and dignitaries when she carriedthe Ukrainian flag at the OlympicsUNIANUkraine’s top-finisher thus far in the2010 Games: Andriy Deryzemlya, whocame in fifth in the biathlon’s 10-kilometersprint on February 16.opening ceremony in B.C. Place Stadium.Proving experience counts, Ludan’s fourthwinter Olympics earned her flag-carryinghonors. Ludan’s highest Olympic result todate was the sixth place at the 2002 WinterOlympics in Salt Lake City.Entering the indoor stadium as the 70thcountry to be introduced, Ukraine’sOlympians were dressed in custom-madesports apparel in Ukraine’s national colorsmade by the Bosco Sports Company.A flag is raisedPrior to the official opening ceremonieson February 12, the national flag of Ukrainewas raised in Vancouver’s Olympic villageas a symbol of Team Ukraine’s readiness tobegin its participation in the XXI WinterOlympics. The flag-raising ceremony washeld at a specially selected square in theOlympic Village and was accompanied byUkraine’s national anthem. Olympic VillageMayor Trisha Smith officially greeted theUkrainian delegation.Ukrainian Canadian speed skaterSpeed skater Lukas Makowsky, aUkrainian Canadian who resides in Calgary,Alberta, competed in the men’s 5,000meters, finishing 13th in his first everOlympic competition. Makowsky finished14.11 seconds out of the top spot.Born on May 30, 1987, in Regina,Saskatchewan, Makowsky began skating atthe age of 6. He competes in the 500, 1,000,1,500, 3,000 and 10,000, but his favorite isthe 5,000 meters.December 28, 2009, was the day hisOlympic dream came to fruition. After skatingthe fastest time in the 5,000 at theCanadian long-track team competition inCalgary, the 22-year-old officially gained hisOlympics entry pass.His goal of becoming an Olympian tookshape in 2003 when Makowsky heard the2010 Games were coming to Canada. Thenotion of participating in the world’s ultimateskating competition near his backyardwas terribly appealing.It took a personal-best time of 6 minutes,24.57 seconds in the 5,000 to earnMakowsky one of Canada’s two spots onthe men’s team. Lucas’ time was a scant .83seconds better than runner-up DennyMorrison of British Columbia.“I knew I’d be close with the times I wasposting throughout the race,” Makowskysaid in an interview with Rob Vanstone ofthe Regina Leader-Post. “I figured that aslong as I maintained that pace, I knew that Iwould be in contention. When I crossed theline, I took a quick peek and looked up andsaw my name on top of the leader board.That’s when I knew I was going to the(Continued on page 18)Team Ukraine marches in the opening ceremonies of the XXI Winter Olympicson February 12. Luger Liliya Ludan is the flag-bearer.Cross-country skier Valentyna Shevchenko races on February 15.Biathlete Serhiy Sednev competes on February 16.UNIANUNIANUNIANNOC UkraineUkraine’s top pairs figure skaters, Tetyana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov,during competition on February 14.In the top 20Below is a listing of Ukrainian Olympians who finished in the top 20 in theirrespective competitions through February 17.Place5th8th9th10th11th11th16th18th19th19thAthleteAndriy DeryzemlyaTetyana Volosozharand Stanislav MorozovValentyna ShevchenkoSerhiy SednevOksana KhvostenkoNataliya YakushenkoAndriy Kis/Yuriy HaydukOlena PidhrushnaLiliya LudanRoman Zakharkiv/Taras SenkivSportBiathlonFigure skatingCross-country skiingBiathlonBiathlonLugeLugeBiathlonLugeLugeEventMen’s 10 K sprintPairsWomen’s 10 KMen’s 12.5 K pursuitWomen’s 7.5 K sprintWomen’s singlesMen’s doublesWomen’s 7.5 K sprintWomen’s singlesMen’s doubles

14THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8TRAVELMERCHANDISECLASSIFIEDSTO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292-9800 x 3040SERVICESor e-mail adukr@optonline.netPROFESSIONALSFOR SALESomerset, NJCondo: 2 bedrooms, total 5 rooms onfirst floor. Located in Ukrainian Village.Excellent condition. Quiet location.Close to shopping and churches.$135,000.00 . Call 908-526-1259Morris Twp, NJ4 Bdrm, 3 Full bath HOMEGourmet kitchen, Park-like setting,Patriot’s PathClose to NYC trains & Ukr Cultural Ctr.Whippany, NJ. Contact 973-727-3950May wehelp you?To reach The UkrainianWeekly all (973) 292-9800,and dial the appropriateextension (as listed below).Editorial – 3049, 3088Production – 3063, 3069Administration – 3041Advertising – 3040Subscriptions – 3042NEWSBRIEFS(Continued from page 2)Lytvyn demands coalition confirmationKYIV – Verkhovna Rada ChairmanVolodymyr Lytvyn on February 17 askedthe parliamentary coalition to provide documentsin support of its existence and activity.The ruling coalition comprises the factionsof the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense and the VolodymyrLytvyn Bloc. However, in view of the splitin OU-PSD, there are questions about thecoalition. Referring to the recently adoptedlaw on the parliamentary regulations, Mr.Lytvyn noted that a coalition agreementmust include lists of members of the deputies’factions who formed the coalition withtheir personal signatures. He also emphasizedthat “as long as there is no other, thecurrent coalition exists.” Commenting onMr. Lytvyn’s statement, Andrii Kozhemiakinof the Tymoshenko Bloc said that there arenow three scenarios: “either the OU-PSDfaction forms a coalition with the Party ofRegions or it confirms its presence in thecurrent coalition, or all of us go into pretermparliamentary elections.” (Ukrinform)Lytvyn: Cabinet should resignKYIV – Verkhovna Rada ChairmanVolodymyr Lytvyn said the Tymoshenkoledgovernment should resign. Speaking in aFebruary 12 interview with the parliamentaryTV channel Rada, Mr. Lytvyn explainedthat, amid current developments, the newlyelected president [implying ViktorYanukovych] will not be able and will notagree to work with the incumbent government.“It would be a courageous step to let[the new president] decide on how to furtherorganize the work of executive power,” hesaid. The Rada chairman also said hebelieves that Prime Minister YuliaTymoshenko’s Cabinet will resign anyway,but that this could happen “amid politicalfeuding.” This “will not add authority to thecountry and all politicians, and, what is moreimportant, time will be lost,” Mr. Lytvynunderscored. On February 10 ViktorYanukovych, the apparent winner of thepresidential runoff, called on Prime MinisterTymoshenko to resign. However, First VicePrime Minister Oleksander Turchynov saidthere were no grounds for the Cabinet’s resignation.(Ukrinform)CPU may end cooperation with PRUKYIV – The Communist Party ofUkraine (CPU), which supported Party ofRegions of Ukraine (PRU) leader ViktorYanukovych in the second round ofUkraine’s presidential election, may end itsfurther cooperation with the PRU and notjoin a new parliamentary coalition with theparty, CPU National Deputy AllaAleksandrovska said on February 17. Shesaid that if President-elect Yanukovych didnot cancel a decree by his predecessor,Viktor Yushchenko, on awarding the Heroof Ukraine title to Stepan Bandera, the parliamentaryfaction of the Communist Party(27 deputies) would not join a new coalition.The Communists continue to considerBandera, the leader of the Organization ofUkrainian Nationalists and the UkrainianInsurgent Army, a fascist, she said. Ms.Aleksandrovska said that, after the firstround of the election, the CPU had decidedto support Mr. Yanukovych since he backedthe election platform of the Communists.One of the CPU’s important demands wasthat the future president refuse to glorify theOUN-UPA. (Ukrinform)U.S. delegation visiting SevastopolKYIV – A delegation of the U.S.Department of Defense led by DeputyAssistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia Celeste A. Wallander is ona visit to Sevastopol, Crimea, the press centerof the Ukraine’s Naval Command reportedon February 17. Delegation membersdiscussed military cooperation withUkrainian Naval Forces First DeputyCommander Viktor Maksimov. The U.S.delegation visited the foreign languagedepartment at the Nakhimov NavalAcademy and is slated to visit the NavalOperations Center and the frigate HetmanSahaidachny. (Ukrinform)Yushchenko on his poisoning caseKYIV – President Victor Yushchenkosaid on February 16 that, at present, theRussian Federation will not cooperate withUkraine on the case of his poisoning in 2004when he was a presidential candidate. “Idon’t expect anyone will close this case, butobviously the Russian side still will not haveany [desire] to cooperate on this case,” thepresident said at a press conference in Kyiv.He said that everything depends on howmuch Russia is ready to fulfill its obligations.According to Mr. Yushchenko, whilethe three main persons cited in the investigationare citizens of Russia, until they giveevidence to representatives of the investigation“this case will remain in the same stateas it is at present.” At the same time he notedthat Ukrainian law enforcement agencieshad conducted a “brilliant investigation”into this case. On September 5, 2004, Mr.Yushchenko was taken ill after having dinnerwith the leadership of the SecurityService of Ukraine. He was hospitalized inVienna on September 10. Doctors said Mr.Yushchenko had been poisoned with dioxin.Moreover, they said the poison had beenadministered five days before his hospitalization.An examination conducted late inMay 2006 confirmed the presence of dioxinin Mr. Yushchenko’s body. (Ukrinform)NATO views Ukraine as active partnerKYIV – NATO considers Ukraine as itsmost active partner since the country participatesin all operations led by the alliance, thechairman of the NATO Military Committee,Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, said in Kyiv onFebruary 12 at a meeting with Ukraine’s actingDefense Minister Valerii Ivashchenko.Adm. Di Paola emphasized that NATO willwork with to any president elected by theUkrainian people during a democratic election.He described the current level ofNATO’s cooperation with Ukraine as “fruitful”and voiced hope for its successful continuation.As previously reported, onFebruary 4, President Viktor Yushchenkoendorsed the Annual National Program 2010on Ukraine’s Preparations for NATOMembership. (Ukrinform)Tarasyuk: PRU against EurointegrationKYIV – Borys Tarasyuk, head of theVerkhovna Rada’s Committee on EuropeanIntegration and an ex-foreign minister,voiced concern over the Party of Regions’deviation from Ukraine’s Eurointegrationcourse. The issue involves bills tabled in byParty of Regions National Deputy HryhoriiSmitiukh which denounce the readmissionagreement between Ukraine and theEuropean Union and on the establishment ofequal terms of travel for Ukrainian and EUcitizens, i.e., the restoration of a visa regimefor EU citizens that Ukraine had unilaterallyabolished in 2005. “These bills affectUkraine’s positions and cast doubts on thestatements of presidential candidate ViktorYanukovych on further development of relationswith the European Union,” Mr.Tarasyuk said. He explained that denunciationof the readmission agreement will leadto aggravation of relations between Ukraineand the EU, a return to a visa regime for EUcitizens and termination of a dialogue withthe EU on a visa-free regime for Ukrainians.(Ukrinform)Google opening office in UkraineKYIV – The world’s largest Internetcompany, Google, is preparing to open anoffice in Kyiv, it was reported on February(Continued on page 15)

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 201015NEWSBRIEFS(Continued from page 14)5. Employee recruitment has already beenannounced; the company is seeking anaccount manager and an account strategistfor the Kyiv office, according to the officialblog Google Ukraine. The work of theUkrainian office will be aimed, first andforemost, at selling contextual advertising inthe AdWords network. Google is currentlyrepresented in Ukraine by one person –Business Development Manager DmitrySholomko. (Ukrinform)Humanitarian aid for HaitiKYIV – The Cabinet of Ministers ofUkraine has decided to provide humanitarianaid of $500,000 (U.S.) to Haiti. OnJanuary 14, President Viktor Yushchenkoordered the Cabinet to immediately guaranteethe extension of humanitarian aid toHaiti, which is suffering the consequencesof a disastrous earthquake. Commenting onthe decision, Health Minister VasylKniazevych said on January 27 that Ukrainewas ready to send a mobile hospital to Haiti.(Ukrinform)Secret documents about Bandera releasedKYIV – A three-volume collection ofsecret documents of the NKVD and KGBcalled “Stepan Bandera in Documents ofSoviet State Security Bodies (1939-1959)”was presented in Ivano-Frankivsk, it wasreported on February 1. “Elaborated andsystematized, thanks to the titanic labor ofUkrainian historians and Security Serviceworkers, documents presented in three volumesnow will enable many of our compatriots,and not only them, to re-estimate theiropinions about the most tragic period inmodern Ukrainian history,” said Prof.Volodymyr Serhiychuk of Kyiv TarasShevchenko University. On January 22,President Viktor Yushchenko conferred thetitle of Hero of Ukraine on Bandera, theleader of the Organization of UkrainianNationalists (OUN). (Ukrinform)Foreign investors in no rushKYIV – Foreign investors believe inUkraine’s future, according to a February 2report. Of these investors, 46.1 percentbelieve that following the presidential electionthe situation will turn for the better, 30percent expect no changes and only 9.6 percentforecast a worsening. A study carriedout by the SEOLA Group Ideas Factorypolled the heads of 697 investment companiesfrom 34 countries around the world.Despite their optimism, investors are not ina hurry to realize long-term projects inUkraine. According to the forecasts of 58percent of those questioned, over the nexttwo years Ukraine should count mainly onshort-term investments. Twenty-five percentof respondents said they believe that investorswill take a risk to invest funds for a fiveyearperiod; only 5 percent are convincedthat long-term investments (for over fiveyears) will come to Ukraine. Suggesting anaction plan for the new president to fight thefinancial crisis, respondents cited consolidationof all branches of power (92 percent),constitutional reform (85.2 percent) and creationof a long-term strategy for Ukraine’sdevelopment (79.9 percent). The study wascarried out on January 11-29. (Ukrinform)Justice Ministry registers 173rd partyKYIV – Ukraine’s Justice Ministry hasregistered the 173rd party organization inthe country – the Pravednist (Righteousness)Party, it was reported on February 1.Volodymyr Yeriomenko, born in 1956, waselected head of the party at its constituentassembly. (Ukrinform)Holovatyi named to Venice CommissionSTRASBOURG, France – Ukraine’s parliamentarydelegation member and Party ofRegions National Deputy Serhii Holovatyihas been appointed a representative of theParliamentary Assembly of the Council ofEurope (PACE) to the Venice Commission.Mr. Holovatyi told reporters on January 28that he had previously served as deputychairman of the PACE Committee on LegalAffairs and Human Rights and as chairmanof the assembly’s Monitoring Committee.He said that it was very important for PACEto have its representative on the VeniceCommission, because these two organizationsof the Council of Europe should coordinatetheir activity, especially in the sphereof human rights and monitoring.(Ukrinform)Record number of children adoptedKYIV – During 2009, Ukrainian citizensadopted 2,381 children, which is almost1,000 more than in 2005 (1,419) and 15 percentup from the number in 2008 (2,066),the Family, Youth and Sports Ministryreported on January 27. “This year has confirmeda stable trend of yearly increases inthe number of children adopted by Ukrainiancitizens, which began in 2006,” whendomestic adoption was encouraged andrequirements for foreign adoption weretoughened, Family Minister Yurii Pavlenkosaid. In 2009, foreign citizens adopted 1,426Ukrainian children, which is 10 percent lessthan in 2008 (1,587) and 730 less than in2005 (2,156 children). (Ukrinform)Ukraine, Poland agree on developmentKYIV – Ukrainian RegionalDevelopment and Construction MinisterVasyl Kuibida and Polish Minister ofRegional Development Elzbieta Bienkowskasigned a memorandum of mutual understandingin Lviv, the Ukrainian ministry’spress service reported on January 27. Mr.Kuibida said the signing of the documentwould help both sides share experience andachievements in the sphere of regionaldevelopment, initiate new directions ofcooperation, and implement joint projects aspart of the Ukraine-Poland-Belarus crossbordercooperation program. He said thatthe program’s goals would be achievedthrough the implementation of non-commercialprojects that will be realized accordingto such priorities as increasing the competitivenessof cross-border areas, improvingthe quality of life, institutional cooperationand supporting the initiatives of localcommunities. (Ukrinform)Akhmetov, Pinchuk among top 50KYIV – The owner of System CapitalManagement and president of the ShakhtarDonetsk soccer club, Rinat Akhmetov, andthe principal owner of the Interpipe Group,Victor Pinchuk, were included on the list of50 emerging market business leaders, it wasreported on January 26. According to theBritish newspaper Financial Times, whichcompiled the list, 50 emerging market businessleaders have shaped the economic performanceof their respective regions.According to the authors of the list,Ukrainian oligarchs control much of thecountry’s economy and politics. They arenot as rich as Russia’s business elite, whosewealth has been built up largely on petrodollars and natural gas. But, in contrast totheir peers in Russia who bow to theKremlin’s will, Ukrainian oligarchs exertmuch more influence domestically, playingoff the country’s political leaders, theFinancial Times noted. (Ukrinform)Poroshenko on Russian fleetKYIV – Ukrainian Foreign AffairsMinister Petro Poroshenko said on February2 in an interview with the Kommersant-Ukraine newspaper that issues linked to thepresence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet inSevastopol should be resolved gradually andconstructively. He expressed his opinionthat, if it is impossible to solve the problemin a comprehensive way, it should be splitinto several parts. “For example, there was aproblem with procedures for issuing permis-sion for hardware transportation. This wasfueled by the presence of a great number ofmutual complaints in which the partiesaccused each other of following an unconstructiveapproach. Talks on this issue werenot held for the last six months. But this dialoguehas currently resumed and the sideshave demonstrated their readiness to resolvethis issue,” Mr. Poroshenko said. He citedthe text of the agreement between Ukraineand Russia: “It says that 2017 is the last yearof the presence of the Black Sea Fleet [inUkraine],” Mr. Poroshenko said.(Ukrinform)Flu epidemic over in UkraineKYIV – A considerable improvement ofthe epidemic situation has been registered inUkraine. By February 8, there were noregions where the epidemic threshold wasexceeded for the flu or acute respiratoryvirus infections (ARVI). Only the Volyn,Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa and Sumy regionsare close to the epidemic level, the press serviceof Ukraine’s Health Ministry reported.In all other regions the epidemic situation isrelatively favorable. Since the beginning ofthe flu and ARVI epidemic in Ukraine, casesof these ailments were diagnosed in4,922,532 people. A total of 1,076 patientsdied over the period from October 29, 2009,through February 8 of this year. (Ukrinform)Soviet Age Park to be set upKYIV – A park of the Soviet era with 126sculptures from those times will be set up atthe Kyiv Hydropark, the Segodnia newspaperreported on February 7. According to thedirector of the public utility companyRestoration and Recovery Work, HennadiiHera, builders have chosen a 2.5-hectareplot of land. “At the nearest session of theKyiv Council, this land plot will be allocatedfor a new public utility enterprise [called]Soviet Age Park. In 10 to 15 days, a tenderwill be announced for development of thepark project,” he said. He noted that 126monuments dismantled in Kyiv over 17years will be displayed and excursions willbe conducted to the park. (Ukrinform)43,000 farming enterprises in UkraineKYIV – There are 43,000 farming enterprisesoperating in Ukraine and their numberhas remained unchanged compared withprevious years, said Ivan Tomych, presidentof the Association of Farmers and PrivateLandowners of Ukraine (AFPLU).Speaking on February 6, he said the numberof farmers remains unchanged because anequal number have entered the business andwithdrawn from it. Mr. Tomych alsoemphasized that the farmers presently cultivate4.2 million hectares of land – equal tothe area of Belgium. In comparison, in 1999the farmers cultivated 1 million hectares.He added that the average size of a farmgrew from 28 hectares in 1999 to 101 hectaresin 2009. The volume of governmentsupport for the farmers in 2008 was 154million hrv, whereas in 2009 this figure was100 million hrv. According to the AFPLU,about 500 million hrv are needed in 2010for intensive development of farming inUkraine. (Ukrinform)Ukraine’s best cities are namedKYIV – Odesa, Kyiv and Dnipropetrovskare the most comfortable and safe cities ofUkraine, Oleksander Serhienko, head of theInstitute of City analytical studies center,told a February 6 press conference. Henoted that a study of cities with populationsof over 670,000 involved 17 parameters,such as birth and mortality rates, the numberof marriages and divorces, housing, costof utilities, transport network, housing construction,the environmental situation.Odesa won the top marks in this study, followedby Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, KryvyiRih, Lviv, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhia,Mr. Serhienko said. (Ukrinform)

16THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8Valentina Kuryliw is honored for her work in educationby Oksana ZakydalskyTORONTO – It is a custom in Ontariofor members of the Provincial Parliamentto present Community RecognitionAwards at their New Year’s levees. AtMPP Donna Cansfield’s reception onJanuary 17, Valentina Kuryliw received aCommunity Recognition Award “for outstandingvolunteer service.”In her presentation, Ms. Cansfield,who represents Etobicoke Center, paidtribute to Ms. Kuryliw’s services to education,both in Canada and in Ukraine,and spoke about her work in helping todevelop a Holodomor curriculum andspearheading its introduction into Torontopublic schools.Before retiring in 2001, Ms. Kuryliwtaught history and was head of the historydepartment at York Humber High School.In 1993, along with other educators, shewas invited to Ukraine to develop a programfor instructing Ukrainian historyteachers on how to use critical teachingskills.In 2003 she published the textbook“Metodyka Vykladannia Istorii” (Methodsof Teaching History), which was officiallyendorsed by the Ministry of Educationof Ukraine. As the 75th anniversary of theHolodomor approached, Ms. Kuryliwtook on the task of ensuring that theHolodomor would be taught in Torontopublic schools.In the spring of 2008, the TorontoDistrict School Board (TDSB) created aGenocide course, but the Holodomor wasnot to be included. (The course coveredthe Holocaust, and the Armenian and theRwandan genocides). In response, theHolodomor Education Team (HET) wascreated. Its current members include: Ms.Kuryliw and Eugene Yakovitch (as cochairs),Andrew Melnyk, Alex Chumak,Marika Szkambara, Roman Kordiuk andHalya Dmytryshyn. All are active membersof the Ukrainian community and formerteachers (Mr. Melnyk served asschool principal for 20 years; Mr.Chumak was a school trustee for theTDSB and is a social worker).The HET mounted a careful and wellthought-outstrategy to have theHolodomor acknowledged and taught inToronto public schools. In spite of initialopposition and seeming lack of interest,the TDSB finally agreed to have thefourth Friday in November designatedHolodomor Memorial Day in all schools,and directed the preparation of a curriculumon the Holodomor.In the summer of 2009, a TDSBWriting Team on the curriculum was created.Ms. Kuryliw worked as a consultant,providing expertise and resources,such as the Holodomor Teaching Kit:“The Unknown Genocide – UkrainianHolodomor 1932-1933.” The kit includescopies of original documents and a workbookfor teachers and students. (It isavailable on the website www.faminegenocide.com).Two curriculum unitsteaching the Holodomor were developedand were designated for two grade 12courses – World History and WorldPolitics.An announcement of the HolodomorMemorial Day, November 27, 2009, wassent out to all schools by the superintendantof education one week before theevent. But it is up to individual schools todecide which directives they willannounce and Ms. Kuryliw said that theHET is not yet receiving enough feedbackabout the implementation of HolodomorMemorial Day. It is certain only that threeschools observed it, but only because ofOksana ZakydalskyHonoree Valentina Kuryliw and friends at the Community Recognition Awardpresentation: (from left) Marika Szkambara, Member of Parliament BorysWrzesnewsky Member of Provincial Parliament Donna Cansfield, Ms. Kuryliw,Ivan Baker, Halya Dmytryshyn, Myroslava Oleksiuk-Baker and Marika Dubyk-Wodoslawska.the interest of individual teachers withinthe schools.By the the end of 2009, all public secondaryschools and history departmentsin Toronto had received the Holodomorcurriculum but, Ms. Kuryliw stressed, itis not enough to have a curriculum, asteachers make choices about what theyteach in their history courses and theHolodomor is only one of many electivetopics. Thus, the HET has taken on thetask of making educators aware of materialsavailable on the Holodomor throughpresentations at schools and conferences,through in-service training and the distributionof the Holodomor Teaching Kits.The HET has also established contactwith the Hamilton-Wentworth DistrictSchool Board, where Ms. Kuryliw wasinvited to give a workshop on the teachingof the Holodomor and 22 teachers andadministrators received the teaching kits.The HET is now taking the issue of theHolodomor curriculum one step higher: itis developing a presentation to theMinistry of Education CurriculumReview Division to have the internmentoperations of World War I and theHolodomor taught in all Ontario schools.Such a curriculum review by the provinceis usually done only once in 10 years, andthe deadline for submissions is March of(Continued on page 22)

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 201017Experts at D.C. ...(Continued from page 1)ousel”) and non-resident voting, morevotes reported from a hospital than therewere patients, the disappearance of ballotsin Ivano-Frankivsk after the killing of anelection commission member there, amongothers. He also cited the surprising amendmentof the election law three days beforethe second round dealing with the numberof election commission representativesthat had to be present at voting stations.He likened this to changing the rules of thegame during the intermission of a socceror football game.“Judicial reform should be a prioritybecause without a judicial reform in Ukraineyou cannot have the applicability of the ruleof law,” he underscored.As for what contributed to the “victory oralleged victory” of Mr. Yanukovych, JudgeFutey suggested that it was the combinationof those who did not vote and those whocast their ballots for neither of the candidates.He added, though, that manyUkrainians attributed “the alleged victory”of Mr. Yanukovych to the policies ofPresident Viktor Yushchenko.David Kramer of the German MarshallFund who was at the State Department duringthe administration of President GeorgeW. Bush and the director of the InternationalRepublican Institute study mission toUkraine, was impressed by the voter turnout– 67 percent – which he characterized ashigh despite the cold and snowy winterweather. He suggested that Ukraine shouldchange the date of its elections to a milderseason of the year.There were no systemic abuses or fraud,he said. Yulia Tymoshenko lost because shewas the prime minister when the economyshrank by 15 percent and because of whathe called the “Yushchenko effect” – thepresident’s “nasty attacks” against his formerally. “The president, ironically, wasdoing Yanukovych’s dirty work for him,”Mr. Kramer commented.As for criticisms of President BarackObama telephoning to congratulate Mr.Yanukovych before the official announcementof his victory, Mr. Kramer said, “Itwould have been a mistake, in fact, had thepresident not placed a phone call and had hebeen the last one to congratulateYanukovych.”Orest Deychakiwsky, a senior advisorwith the U.S. Helsinki Commission whowas an election observer for theOrganization for Security and Cooperationin Europe, noted that 95 percent of theOSCE observers called the election process“good” or “very good.”“You really can’t do much better thanthat,” he said, adding that the fact that theelection results were not predictable is a successin itself – “a relatively rare concept inthat part of the world.” And while PrimeMinister Tymoshenko has every right to askfor a recount, he expressed his doubt that itwould change the final outcome.As for Ukraine’s future course under thenew administration, he said that as presidentMr. Yanukovych may not turn out to be aspro-Moscow as many expect him to be.Also, the oligarchs who backed him maywell see their interests more in a Europeanfuture for Ukraine.Regarding U.S.-Ukraine relations, hesaid, “The U.S. has a solid record of standingwith the Ukrainian people over thedecades in their support for freedom anddemocracy that crosses party lines. It’s inCongress, it’s in the executive branch. Andnow certainly is not the time to give up onthem.”Another election observer – for theUCCA in Sevastopol – James Greene, whohad been a NATO representative in Ukraine,said that the voters of eastern Ukraine, whofelt dispossessed after the 2004 election,now feel empowered as stakeholders in apolitically balanced Ukraine. He sees thenext battle as being between those who areonly seeking patronage benefits in theincoming Yanukovych administration andthose who recognize the need for institutionalreform.Samuel Charap of the Center forAmerican Progress debunked what he sawas the four myths spread in the U.S. mediaheadlines about the Ukrainian elections:• Ukraine is not heading back “into thearms of Mother Russia,” as some headlinessuggest, he said. Yanukovych’s culturalbackground will not necessarily dominatehis political and economic preferences.• The election was not “the death of theOrange Revolution.” The real 2004 revolutionarieswere not Viktor Yushchenko andYulia Tymoshenko, but the people – the voterswho wanted to reform the system ofgovernance in Ukraine.• Free and fair elections in Ukraine do notprove that it is a democracy. One must alsoconsider the way the country is run betweenelections – democratically or elite-dominatedand corrupt.• Ukraine is not hopelessly dividedbetween the East and West. While that maybe true about its historical development, Mr.Charap said, socioeconomic considerationsof the people play a role as well.Nadia McConnell, the founder and presidentof the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, alsotook issue with the interpretation ofUkraine’s election in the East-West contextas a Moscow-backed victory over the U.S.-backed Orange Revolution.And polling results showed that their topthree concerns in this election were jobs (71percent), inflation (56 percent) and corruption(48 percent), and not the East-Westissues, such as the gas dispute with Russia(17 percent), the status of the Russian language(9 percent), European Union relationsNadia McConnell, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation president, makes the point that theUkrainian people’s yearning for freedom and independence dates back centuriesand is inscribed – in Taras Shevchenko’s words – on the base of his monument inWashington.(3 percent) and NATO (1 percent).“The evidence is clear and consistent: thepeople of Ukraine have once again demonstratedthat they are seeking democracy,”that they are making the transition “fromtyranny to freedom,” she said.“[Mikhail] Gorbachev and President[George] Bush misunderstood what washappening in Ukraine in 1991,” she said,and Vladimir Putin and the West today donot understand what is motivating Ukrainiansociety. When and if President Yanukovychvisits Washington, he will surely pay hisrespects to the poet Taras Shevchenko at hismonument here. Inscribed on its base, shesaid, are the poet’s words longing forUkraine to someday get its own GeorgeWashington “with his new and righteouslaw” (“Yurodyvyi,” 1857). “This is somethingthat the people of Ukraine have wantedfor centuries, not just since the OrangeRevolution,” she said.Still, Ms. McConnell noted later inresponse to a question, the OrangeRevolution is continuing. And why were itsleaders ousted – “because they failed theirpromises and commitments... and the newpresident of Ukraine will be held accountableby the people,” she added.Foreign relations panelSteven Pifer, former ambassador toUkraine now associated with The BrookingsInstitution in Washington, was the firstspeaker of the second panel discussion, dealingwith the election results’ impact onUkraine’s foreign relations.He mentioned these among his expectations:less tension between Moscow andKyiv, but Moscow will not get all it wantsfrom Ukraine; while the new governmentwill not seek full NATO membership, itwill continue its cooperation with the allianceand deepen its relationship with theEuropean Union; the majority ofUkraine’s foreign policy elite and its peoplesee their future within Europe, andthis will be “somewhat disconcerting” toMoscow.Ambassador Pifer said that the UnitedStates and the European Union shouldwelcome Mr. Yanukovych as the democraticallyelected president of Ukraineand stress the need for its further democraticdevelopment; stress that the doorsto the European Union and NATO remainopen and that it is up to Ukraine to determinehow far and how fast it wants to goin that direction; and advise the new Kyivgovernment that it should not postpone itshard domestic challenges but make thehard decisions and tackle those problems– with energy sector reforms on top of thelist – as early in the administration aspossible.If Ukraine does not take on this agenda,the West should make clear that it will holdback its assistance through the InternationalMonetary Fund and other channels,Ambassador Pifer said. “We can’t be in aposition where we want Ukraine to succeedmore than the Ukrainian leadership.”The second session of the conference alsoheard from Lawrence R. Silverman, directorfor Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus Affairs atthe Department of State. His remarks, however,were delivered “off the record” and,thus, not for publication.Speaking on the record, Damon Wilson,vice-president and director of the internationalsecurity program of the AtlanticCouncil said that the election of Mr.Yanukovych was not so much the result ofRussia’s strategy as a result of theYushchenko-Tymoshenko infighting.To those who had a vision of Ukrainefirmly anchored in the West it was, ofcourse, disappointing. “We all have had to,in some sense, downgrade the aspirationswe had for Ukraine in the wake of theOrange Revolution,” he said, noting thatnow it seems like “we’re going to muddlealong” in further developing Ukraine’s relationshipwith the West.From a geopolitical perspective, insome respects, Ukraine is now untethered,uncertain and in the process of beingdecided, Mr. Wilson said. “It is a realitythat we just can’t ignore.” Still, he added,Ukraine “is now and can become a powerfulexample in a region that needs anexample of a success of a democracy and afree-market economy.”Mr. Wilson said he is looking to seehow President Yanukovych will handleUkraine’s relationship with Georgia, theissue of extending Russia’s Black SeaFleet arrangement in Crimea, energysecurity, and its economic relations withRussia and Europe. It’s a heavy agendafor the new president, he added, andmuch of how he handles Ukraine’sdomestic affairs will influence how he isperceived in foreign capitals.Michael Sawkiw, the former president ofthe Ukrainian Congress Committee ofAmerica and director of its UkrainianNational Information Service in Washington,indicated that he, too, will be looking at howMr. Yanukovych handles these issues.He called on Ukrainian Americans toengage with members of Congress and theObama administration to develop a policy offull engagement with Ukraine. “Because anon-vector policy in Ukraine right now –neither West nor East – is going to be detrimentalnot just for the United States, not justfor the region, [but] obviously for Europe asa whole,” he said.Tribute to Roman KupchinskyYaro BihunFederal Claims Court Judge Bohdan Futey responds to a question during TheWashington Group’s post-election review conference. Seated next to him on the panelare Orest Deychakiwsky (left) of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and David Kramer ofthe German Marshall Fund. TWG President Andrew Bihun is at the podium.Between the two sessions, the conferencepaid tribute to Roman Kupchinsky(1949-2010), who was buried the daybefore with military honors at ArlingtonNational Cemetery. Myron Smorodsky, anold friend of his, recalled his many yearsof work in behalf of the United States andUkraine, and the development of theirbilateral relationship.

18THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8Ukraine and...(Continued from page 13)Olympics. My coach had a smile on hisface. I could only reciprocate with that one.”91-year-old carries torchThe oldest living long jump competitor inthe world was one of a select few to beallowed to hold history in her hands. OlgaKotelko, a 91-year-old Ukrainian Canadian,was one of the 12,000 torch-bearers duringthe Olympic flame’s journey to the site ofthe XXI Winter Olympic Games.Beginning at 7:45 p.m. on February 10thon Marine Drive in West Vancouver(between 15th and 17th Streets), Kotelkocarried the Olympic torch.“I am so very happy and so overwhelmedto have this once-in-a-lifetime experience,”said an emotional Kotelko, according to apress release issued by Ukraine House.“Carrying the torch represents inspiration,dedication, hope, perseverance and communityspirit. To me, this flame is a shiningsymbol saluting good health and wellbeing.”A former teacher from Burnaby, BritishColumbia, Kotelko has been active in running,jumping and throwing since 1997,when she was 77. She has broken severalrecords in the W80, W85 and W90 age categories.In her West Vancouver communityshe is a popular motivational speaker on thesenior circuit and a shot put coach at herlocal elementary school.She is a member of the Canadian MastersAthletics Hall of Fame, has been honored asBritish Columbia’s Masters Athlete of theYear and is a winner of the VancouverYWCA’s Women of Distinction in Sportsaward.Mission: Bubka, 007In the early morning hours of February 8,in the tiny town of Mission, BritishColumbia, some five miles from the U.S.border, Sergiy Bubka, president of theNational Olympic Committee of Ukraine,once again participated in the Olympic torchrelay. An early-rising substantial crowd,including many Ukrainians wavingUkrainian flags, turned out to pay tribute toone of Ukraine’s most outstanding athletes.Ukraine’s most famous Olympian wasdesignated as No. 007 at the torch relay ceremonyin the town of Mission. After completinghis leg of the torch relay, event organizersreferred to Bubka as “agent 007 fulfillinghis Mission.”This was the eighth time Bubka wasafforded the honor of carrying the Olympictorch. His first such honor was at theOlympics in Sydney, Australia, in 2000. It isworth nothing that he was assigned the taskof carrying the torch twice in several recentOlympic torch relays. Double assignmentsin one torch relay are quite rare – obviously,a strong indication of the great esteem withwhich Bubka is held by the InternationalOlympic Committee.‘Great One’ lights cauldronIt was a sure bet the opening ceremoniesof the Vancouver Games would have a tasteof hockey. After all, hockey is a part of thehost country’s national identity.After a snowboarder opened the ceremonies,hockey took over as one of the themesof the night – right up to the moment whenhockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who hasUkrainian roots, brought down B.C. Placeby lighting the Olympic cauldron.The four-time Stanley Cup championleader of the Edmonton Oilers some threedecades ago rewrote the NHL’s recordbooks. More relevant to the day, he was amember of Team Canada in 1998, thefirst Olympic Games to feature NHLplayers. He was Team Canada’s generalmanager in 2002 – the year the squadwon the gold medal in Salt Lake City,ending its 50-year gold-medal drought inOlympic hockey.Canadian downhill skier Nancy Greenelit Gretzky’s torch, with which he thenjogged to the middle of the B.C. Place floor,standing for several minutes with the torchheld over his head. The cauldron rose out ofthe floor in front of Gretzky, who was thenjoined by three other Canadian torchbearers.The group proceeded to light three arms ofthe Olympic cauldron (a fourth did notemerge due to a malfunction), sending theflame into the base.Gretzky then acted out the finale by carryingthe flame out of the building and, afterbeing driven to the site, lighting the outdoorcauldron that will be visible for all to see forthe duration of the Games.Rewriting history...(Continued from page 7)dates the events on July 1, 1941.Ms. Wagner describes her own and herfamily’s fears and the persecution sufferedat the hands of the Nazis and the local residentsof Lviv. She describes her oppressorsas young Ukrainian street thugs and bandits.There is not a single reference by the witnessto the OUN.This clearly does not satisfy Prof. Himka,so he distorts, suggesting that Ms. Wagnerhad no way of knowing that her oppressorswere led by the recently formed Ukrainianmilitia consisting of men directed by theOUN. Prof. Himka offers as corroboratingevidence a Ukrainian Militia identificationcard belonging to one Iwan Kowalyschyn.The card is neither authenticated, nor signedor dated by an issuing officer. Other eyewitnessaccounts label the persecutors of theJews in Lviv at that time as being Polish.Prof. Himka simply dismisses that label aserroneous.While there is divergence in variousaccounts of the Lviv incident as to the identityof the perpetrators, the indisputable factsare that the Soviets left a gory landscape,prisons replete with corpses of theirUkrainian prisoners accumulated overalmost two years from the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact until the Nazi invasion ofWestern Ukraine. What is also indisputableis that many Jews served in the Soviet secretpolice during that period of Soviet rule inwestern Ukraine. Prof. Himka fails to mentionthe Jewish complicity, which may havepointed to the motive of any number ofoppressors.Such is Prof. Himka’s scholarshipthroughout his writings on the OUN-UPAand the Holocaust, at least in what I havereviewed. His aforementioned November2009 paper on the UPA and the Holocaustrelies strictly on eyewitness testimony. Nodocumentation is offered. The reliabilityfactor is even more questionable in the UPApaper since, without exception, the “eyewitnessaccounts” impugning the UPA are noteyewitness at all. Rather, they are hearsay,i.e., my friend told me that in the village theUPA murdered Jews. In instances of directaccounts, the narrative consists of battlesbetween the UPA and Soviet partisans or thePolish Armija Krajova which includes peoplewho happened to be Jewish. While beingJewish in and of itself, certainly, was notreason to be killed, being Jewish was notimmunity from being attacked when yousided and fought with the enemy.This article is not a scholarly attempt torefute all allegations of complicity by theOUN, the UPA, Shukhevych or Bandera inthe Holocaust. It is, however, an impeachmentof the impugning alleged scholarshipthat really is not scholarly at all. Allegationsof complicity by the OUN, the UPA,Shukhevych or Bandera in the Holocaust atthis point in time are moot since none of theabove was afforded as much as a mention inthe Nuremburg proceedings. SovietProsecutor Roman Rudenko certainly hadaccess to Soviet archives, eyewitnessaccounts and other evidence. Case closed!

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 201019St. Josaphat Ukrainian School Reunion celebrates four decades of traditionPHILADELPHIA – For St. JosaphatUkrainian Catholic School in Philadelphia,the year 2010 began with much excitementand joy. After 22 years, it hosted the AlumniReunion of 1962-2002. The event, organizedand sponsored by St. JosaphatUkrainian Catholic Church, took place onSaturday, January 30, gathering over 150graduates of four decades.The evening was opened with a solemndivine liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka who delivered adeeply moving, bilingual homily as he welcomedall those gathered for the celebrationof St. Josaphat Alumni Reunion.The main theme of archbishop’s homilywas the gift of God’s love for each of us isreflected in the joy of celebrations. His love,continued Archbishop Soroka is presenthere, at St. Josaphat Ukrainian CatholicSchool, whose loving and caring administrationand faculty have dedicated their effortsto teaching generations of students aboutthis precious gift of our Heavenly Father.Archbishop Soroka expressed words ofhis gratitude to the Rev. Ihor Bloshchynskyy,pastor and school administrator, and membersof the Reunion Committee for theirdedication in organizing the event; ChristineMcIntyre, principal, and teaching faculty fortheir assistance in preparations of thereunion; and especially to the parishionersof St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church,who initiated and generously sponsored thejoyous celebration, and who tirelessly continueto build a strong community with theschool.Upon the conclusion of the divine liturgy,the Rev. Bloshchynskyy expressed his gratitudeto Archbishop Soroka for his spiritualleadership, professional advice and steadysupport of St. Josaphat School.All those present had an opportunity totake a group picture with the spiritual leaderof the Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S.Opening the official ceremony, the Rev.Bloshchynskyy welcomed ArchbishopSoroka, as well as a former school administrator,Msgr. Peter Waslo, the archbishop’schancellor, Sister Laura Palka, provincial ofthe Basilian Sisters, accompanied by sistersMaria Rozmarynowycz and Diya Zahurskafrom Ukraine; a long-term member of theteaching faculty, Justine Kunderewicz; theschool’s current principal, Mrs. McIntyre,and all alumni present at the reunion.Sharing his personal observation of along-planned festivity, the pastor said:“When the committee started planning theevent some eight months ago, there wasmuch excitement, but even more concernsand doubts. I am glad that of the three onlyexcitement reverberates among us this evening.Life is what happens to us while weare busy planning other things. We can planfor tomorrow, but we cannot guarantee thattomorrow will be there for us to enjoy.Many of our friends did not live to thisMetropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia and the alumni of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic School upon theconclusion of the divine liturgy.moment, many sisters, teachers, supportersof the school departed to the eternity. Thereis no certainty in the future; the onlymoment in time we can be absolutely sureof is now – today – this moment. Live in themoment, treasure it, savor it, wrap yourselfand those you love within it and hold ontight.”At the conclusion of his speech, the Rev.Bloshchynskyy wished all those present amemorable and pleasant evening, filled withmost unexpected surprises and cherishedmoments, and encouraged them “to gettogether again.”Mrs. McIntyre, extended words of gratitudeto the parishioners of St. JosaphatChurch, who with their dedication andenthusiasm had enabled alumni with a greatchance to reconnect with their fellow classmates,to share their life stories and enliventhe memories of their joyous days spent inthe walls of the school, and especially to thecommittee members and contributors to theevent.She emphasized the great assistance ofthe Home and School Association in servingattendees at various parts of the event.Sister Laura greeted the alumni on behalfof all the Sisters of St. Basil the Great whoused to teach generations of St. Josaphatstudents. For decades, the sisters instilledChristian and moral values, passed theUkrainian heritage and equipped thousandsof students with good education.Sophia Halas-Pryszlak, a member of thecommittee, delivered an emotional speechas an alumnae and present supporter of theschool. She emphasized the value of the traditionsthe school has kept for so manyyears, introduced those present with theproblems and concerns it deals today, andshared her observations of numerous changesthe school has experienced over theA Ukrainian “Kolomyika” is performed by St. Josaphat alumni.Reunion Committee members and volunteers (from left): Andrea (Michalsky)Quinn, John Kusen, Theresa Kusen, David Wisniewski, Christine McIntyre, theRev. Ihor Bloshchynskyy (chair), Sophia Halas-Pryszlak, Iryna Ivankovych-Bloshchynska, Denis Jones, Lesia Krych-Schofer, Linda (Klakowicz) Beerley andMaria (Iwanowicz) Holt.decades.With the opening prayer, ArchbishopSoroka blessed the food and invited everyoneto the evening of joy and celebration.Throughout the night, those present had anopportunity to watch the slide show presentation(contribution of Stephen Fartuszokand John Kusen), took group pictures (photographers:Karen M. Cheung, StephenFartuszok), participate in the 50/50, (theStephen Fartuszokwinner of which, Roman Iwaskiw, donated$203 to the school), and raffle auctions, tooka tour of the school, and danced to theUkrainian American music played by DJsJerry and Roman Mykijewycz.The reunion was a good time to lookback and celebrate. But, it was also a timefor attendees to reignite the passion and lookforward to the future for themselves and theschool.St. Josaphat at a glanceOn September 5, 1957, the doors of St.Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Schoolopened to welcome 69 children. In thisfirst year, there were only four grades.The first principal of the new school wasthe Very Rev. Mother M. Basil, OSBM,and the first administrator was the VeryRev. Msgr. Myroslav Charyna.1962 marked the first graduation fromSt. Josaphat School, with a class of eight.Two years later, in 1964, the graduatingclass consisted of 29 students.The solemn dedication of the new St.Josaphat School Auditorium-Gymnasiumtook place on May 19, 1968. OnNovember 2, 2008, Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka blessed anewly built church, thus bringing the parishand school families together.Throughout the years, the mission ofSt. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Schoolhas remained unchanged, that is, to instillthe love of God, neighbor and self, and tohave all students strive and accomplishtheir own level of academic excellence.Its ultimate goal is to create an atmospherewhere all students feel accepted,fulfilled and loved.Today, over 200 children, regardlessof their religious and ethnic background,are carefully instructed in the fundamentalsof the Catholic religion, theUkrainian rite, the Ukrainian languageand culture, as well as the basic moral,civic and social responsibilities whichaid them in later years to become goodChristians and constructive members ofAmerican society.The newly equipped, Microsoft-based,Internet-ready computer lab offers studentsthe ability to master their skillsusing the latest technology. The schoollibrary collection includes a variety ofbooks and videos for classroom use andexciting books for personal reading pleasure.St. Josaphat offers a CYO and musicprogram to students. The school invitesvisitors. It is located at 4521 LongshoreAve., Philadelphia, PA 19135; telephone,215-332-8008.– the Rev. Ihor Bloshchynskyyand Christine McIntyre

20THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8commUNiTy chroNicLeJersey City parish welcomes Metropolitan Stefan SorokaJERSEY CITY, N.J. – Ss. Peter andPaul Ukrainian Catholic Church warmlywelcomed Metropolitan-ArchbishopStefan Soroka on November 22, 2009.During the metropolitan’s visit, a memberof the parish who is a priest was oneof the participants in the celebration ofthe liturgy. The Rev. Dmytro Dnistrian iscurrently ministering to a parish inCanada.After the liturgy, the parish womenprepared a luncheon in the parish hall forthe parishioners and honored guests.Metropolitan Soroka was able to see theparish’s future – its children. The childrenfrom the Ukrainian American YouthAssociation (UAYA), the local School ofUkrainian Studies and the Ukrainiandance school performed Ukrainian dancesas well as special recitations of poemsdedicated to the hierarch’s visit.Oksana Bartkiv of the Jersey CityUAYA was the master of ceremonies duringthe performance.After the luncheon the leader of theUkrainian Catholic Church in the UnitedStates mingled with parishioners, listenedto their requests and asked for suggestions.Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka with parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Jersey City, N.J.To The Weekly Contributors:We greatly appreciate the materials – feature articles, news stories, press clippings,letters to the editor, etc. – we receive from our readers. In order to facilitate preparationof The Ukrainian Weekly, we ask that the guidelines listed below be followed.• News stories should be sent in not later than 10 days after the occurrence of agiven event.• All materials must be typed (or legibly hand-printed) and double-spaced.• Photographs (originals only, no photocopies or computer printouts) submittedfor publication must be accompanied by captions. Photos will be returned onlywhen so requested and accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope.• Full names (i.e., no initials) and their correct English spellings must be provided.• Newspaper and magazine clippings must be accompanied by the name of thepublication and the date of the edition.• Information about upcoming events must be received one week before the dateof The Weekly edition in which the information is to be published.• Persons who submit any materials must provide a daytime phone numberwhere they may be reached if any additional information is required.• Unsolicited materials submitted for publication will be returned only when sorequested and accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope.

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 201021commUNiTy chroNicLeParma parish hosts Bishop BuraPARMA, Ohio – December 20, 2009,was a special day for the parish communityof St. Andrew Ukrainian CatholicChurch. Bishop-Administrator John Buraof St. Josaphat Eparchy visited the communityto bless two icons and meet theparishioners.In 2007, St. Andrew Parish celebratedits 40th anniversary. In commemoration ofthis event, the anniversary committee commissionediconographer and parishionerDaria Hulak-Kulchytsky to begin decoratingthe church interior according to theUkrainian-Byzantine tradition.Mrs. Kulchytsky’s first icon was the“Last Supper,” which she donated to thechurch in honor of her late parents and inlaws.This was installed before Easter2 0 0 9 . “ T h e C r u c i f i x i o n ” a n d“Resurrection” were completed inDecember 2009.Children of the parish – AlexanderPolatajko, Alexandra Popadiuk and KalynaKulchytsky – greeted Bishop Bura withflowers and Ukrainian greetings. Parishactivist Olena Chmilak greeted the bishopwith the traditional bread and salt, andgave a brief history of the parish.During the divine liturgy celebrated byBishop Bura, the Rev. Ihor Kasiyan (pastor),Msgr. Michael Poloway, Msgr.Michael Rewtiuk and Deacon RomanTurchyn, the liturgical responses weresung by the new choir directed byVolodymyr Andrusyshyn.A reception prepared by the ladies ofthe parish was held in the lower churchhall, where parishioners had the opportunityto speak with Bishop Bura and welcomehim to their community.Bishop John Bura is welcomed to St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church inParma, Ohio, by parishioners.Minneapolis students share Peace LightMINNEAPOLIS – On Saturday,December 19, 2009, students from theUkrainian School at St. ConstantineUkrainian Catholic Church gathered atthe school library to learn about theBethlehem Peace Light that was broughtto Minnesota from Bethlehem throughthe efforts of scout groups, includingPlast Ukrainian Scouting Organization.After learning about the flame’s significantjourney, each of the approximately15 students was given a candle to light inthe darkened room while singing theUkrainian Christmas carol “BohPredvichnyi.” All were asked to share theflame with their families during theupcoming Christmas holidays at home.At the end of the program, all the stu-dents and parents wished each other aMerry Christmas and left with a specialfeeling in their hearts. This short butmeaningful program was sponsored andled by Christina Cybriwsky-Jermihov andDmytro Tataryn.Saturday, February 27, 2010Jenkintown, PA - The annual meetingof UNA Br 83 (Ivan FrankoSociety) and Br 339 (St. BasilSociety) will be held at 2 PM at theUkrainian Educational and CulturalCenter, 700 Cedar Rd, Jenkintown,PA, 19006.On the agenda: merger of Branches83 and 339, election of delegates tothe 37th UNA Convention.All members are asked to attend.

22THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8Western leaders...(Continued from page 9)Committee of the Communist Party ofUkraine was transported along special streetsand ate in special cafeterias. The same thinghere,” commented Mr. Vlasenko.In extending early congratulations, theWest revealed another misunderstanding itharbors about Ukraine, Dr. Perepelytsiasaid. It’s the notion there’s little differencebetween Mr. Yanukovych and Ms.Tymoshenko.Mr. Yanukovych’s statements are of anovertly anti-Ukrainian and anti-statehoodnature, he said, referring to plans to transferUkraine’s natural gas transit system to aninternational consortium led by the Russianstate-owned monopoly, Gazprom. Mr.Yanukovych also suggested allowing theRussian Black Sea Fleet to extend its deadlineof 2017 for removing its ships fromCrimean ports and to allow the fleet’s basingat little to no rent.“In democratic conditions, it’s impossibleto realize his goals,” Dr. Perepelytsiasaid. “If they realize these intentions, it willcause quite a destabilization of the situationin Ukraine.”The premature recognition of Mr.Yanukovych’s presidency was a politicalmove with secret, hidden motives, saidVasyl Repetskyi, a professor of internationallaw at Franko National University inLviv. “It was a gesture to show they areloyal to the new president or to obtain dividendsor preferences in their future relations,”he said. “Otherwise it’s a paradoxthat doesn’t confirm to the rule of law EUcountries profess.”New Russian...(Continued from page 2)emerging threats.• United Nations and other international,including regional, organizations: mainlyin relation to peacekeeping (www.kremlin.ru,February 5).On February 6, during an interview onthe sidelines of the 46th Munich SecurityPolicy Conference, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen criticizedseveral aspects of the new Russian militarydoctrine. He singled out the negativedepiction of NATO enlargement, which heemphasized, contradicted existing effortsto improve NATO-Russia relations and didnot reflect reality (ITAR-TASS, February7).President Barack Obama’s “reset” policyvis-à-vis Russia faces longer-term challenges,particularly in relation to the issueof NATO enlargement. The new Russianmilitary doctrine defining NATO enlargementas the main external military dangerconfronting the country is unsurprising; itconfirms the anti-NATO trend in Russiansecurity documents that has developedsince 1993. Advocates of the reset mustnow hope that the doctrine turns out to bea PR exercise, rather than reflectingdogma: otherwise future NATO-Russiarelations will depend on the willingness ofthe alliance to abandon its enlargementcommitment given to Georgia and Ukrainein Bucharest in April 2008.The article above is reprinted fromEurasia Daily Monitor with permissionfrom its publisher, the JamestownFoundation, www.jamestown.org.Valentina Kuryliw...(Continued from page 16)this year.The inclusion of the Holodomor andinternment into the Ministry of Educationguidelines will ensure that these topicswill be taught in all schools in Ontarioand that future textbooks will be writtenYushchenko...(Continued from page 3)Mr. Yushchenko, long vilified by Russia,likely facilitated the election of the pro-Russian candidate, Mr. Yanukovych,Moscow’s favorite in the Ukrainian elections(EDM, January 22, 27, 29).President Yushchenko, brought to powerby the 2004 Orange Revolution, effectivelydestroyed the Orange Revolution.The revolution, long the personal objectwith them included. It is a vital step as allschool boards must comply with ministryrequirements.Ms. Kuryliw has been appointedNational Holodomor education chair forthe Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Shewill set up a committee of representativesfrom all parts of Canada to help coordinatethe teaching of the Holodomor in allprovinces and territories.of hate of former Russian PresidentVladimir Putin, who saw it as one of hispersonal policy failures, was buried bythat very person (Mr. Yushchenko) sodespised by Mr. Putin.No better final epitaph could have beenwritten for Viktor Yushchenko.The article above is reprinted fromEurasia Daily Monitor with permission fromits publisher, the Jamestown Foundation,www.jamestown.org.Mazepa symposium...(Continued from page 11)pointed out the myth-making nature ofRussian Romantic literature and its rolein creating empire building allegories. Inthat context he compared KonstantinRyleev’s poem “Voinarovsky” withAlexander Pushkin’s “Poltava”. He alsoalluded to the construction of Ukrainiancountermyths to those of Russian empire,m e n t i o n i n g w r i t e r s l i k e Ta r a sShevchenko, Bohdan Lepky and RomanIvanychuk.Dr. Denis Hlynka of the Department ofCurriculum, Teaching and Learning at theUniversity of Manitoba presented anunusual view of the Mazepa legend in apaper titled “The Post Colonial Mazep(p)a: A Study in Globalization.” Tracing thegenesis of the Mazepa legend fromVoltaire (1731), Lord Byron (1819) andVictor Hugo (1829) to the popular culturein North America of the late 19th and the20th centuries, he painted a story of transformationand mutability, the story of a“virtual” Mazepa. This trans-media representationof the Romantic image ofMazepa is the final deconstruction ofMazepa, the historic figure.This exploration of the age and legacyof Mazepa shed light on the role ofRussian colonialism and imperialism, aswell as the Russian Orthodox Church inthe construction of an image of Mazepaas traitor and villain. It showed howRussian Romantic literature propagatedthis image and how Ukrainian writersconstructed a counter-image. It traced thegenesis of the two opposing images totwo social value systems related to adivergent understanding of a contractbetween a sovereign and his lieges.Finally, it charted the rehabilitation ofMazepa and concluded with a deconstructionof the legend of a “virtual” Mazepain popular culture.

No. 8THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010OUT AND ABOUT23Through March 13 Gerdany (beaded necklaces) workshop, TheNew York Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110or edu@ukrainianmuseum.orgFebruary 24Discussion, “Ukraine’s Presidential Race: OutcomesNew York and Prospects,” Columbia University, 212-854-4697or ukrainianstudies@columbia.eduMarch 7OttawaMarch 7-31Daytona Beach, FLTaras Shevchenko Concert, Ukrainian CanadianCongress – Ottawa Branch, Assumption of theBlessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox hall,613-728-0856Art exhibit, “Across the Universe,” featuring workby Pat Zalisko, Art League of Daytona Beach,386-258-3856February 25WashingtonLecture by Taras Prokhasko, “FM Galicia” RonaldReagan Building and International Trade Center,202-691-4000March 8Cambridge, MASeminar by Valeriy Kuchinsky, “Power, Politics andDiplomacy in Ukraine after the 2010 PresidentialElection,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053February 25WashingtonConcert, featuring baritone Oleksandr Pushniakand pianist Oksana Skidan, Embassy of Ukraine,202-364-3888March 9OttawaLecture by Lubomyr Luciuk, “Internment ofUkrainian Canadians during World War I,”University of Ottawa, ucpbaottawa@infoukes.comFebruary 25-28New YorkFebruary 27West Orange, NJFebruary 27OttawaMarch 1Cambridge, MAKinofest NYC, The Ukrainian Museum,http://www.kinofestnyc.com/index.htmlHockey fund-raiser to benefit Children ofChornobyl Relief and Development Fund and theUkrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey,featuring the N.J. Devils Alumni versus N.Y.Ukrainian Kozaks, Richard J. Codey Arena,973-867-8855 or www.hockeyfundraiser.org“Perogy” Night Family Dinner, St. Vladimir theGreat Council and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’sLeague, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian CatholicShrine, 613-830-7787Seminar by Volodymyr Dibrova, “Gogol’s ‘TarasBulba’: The Novel, the Film, the Ideology,” HarvardUniversity, 617-495-4053March 12WashingtonMarch 13Hunter, NYMarch 14Scranton, PAMarch 15Cambridge, MAMarch 17-18WashingtonConcert, featuring pianist Inna Faliks, Embassy ofUkraine, jbarry@embassyseries.orgor www.embassyseries.orgSki Races, Carpathian Ski Club (KLK), HunterMountain, virapopel@aol.comUkrainian Cultural Exhibit and Craft Sale, NorthAnthracite Council – League of Ukrainian Catholics,St. Vladimir Parish Center, 570-759-2824or nacofluc@hotmail.comSeminar by Michelle Vlise, “Writing and Copying17th Century Poland-Lithuania: The ‘Silva Rerum’ inRuthenia,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053“Ukrainian Days,” Ukrainian National InformationService, 202-547-0018 or unis@ucca.orgMarch 2New YorkLecture by Oksana Kis, “Beauty Will Save theWorld: Manifestations of Normative Femininities inYulia Tymoshenko’s Political Images,” ColumbiaUniversity, 212-854-4697or ukrainianstudies@columbia.eduEntries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given toevents advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissionsfrom all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of theeditors and as space allows. Please send e-mail to mdubas@ukrweekly.com.

24THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010No. 8Easter Greetings 2010Holiday Issue Publication DateTh e Uk r a i n i a n WeeklyContinue your tradition.Send best wishes to your family andfriends, colleagues and clients on theoccasion of Easter with a greetingin The Ukrainian Weekly.Being Ukrainian means:o “Malanka” in January.o Deb in February.o Two Easters in springtime.o “Zlet” and “Sviato Vesny” in May.o Soyuzivka’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival in July.o “Uke Week” at Wildwood in August.o Back to Ukrainian school in September.o “Morskyi Bal” in New Jersey in November.o “Koliada” in December.o A subscription to The Ukrainian WeeklyALL YEAR ROUND.Advertising DeadlineMarch 28 March 191/16 page – $35; 1/8 page – $50;1/4 page – $100; 1/2 page – $200; full page – $400All advertising correspondence, reservations and payments should be directedto Mrs. Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager, tel. 973-292-9800, ext. 3040,fax 973-644-9510, or e-mail: adukr@optonline.netKindly make checks payable to The Ukrainian Weekly.Please send payment to:The Ukrainian Weekly, Advertising DepartmentP.O. Box 280, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054To subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly, fill out the form below, clipit and mail it to: Subscription Department, The Ukrainian Weekly,2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.Or simply call 973-292-9800, ext. 3042.PREVIEW OF EVENTSWednesday, February 24NEW YORK: The Ukrainian StudiesProgram at the Harriman Institute ofColumbia University invites you to attendthe discussion “Ukraine’s PresidentialRace: Outcomes and Prospects.” Takingpart in the discussion will be AmbassadorValery Kuchinsky, former permanent representativeof Ukraine to the UnitedNations; Alexander Motyl, professor ofpolitical science, Rutgers University; andAdrian Karatnycky, senior fellow, AtlanticCouncil. The discussion will be held atnoon in Room 1219, International AffairsBuilding, 420 W. 118th St.Saturday, February 27NEW YORK: The Shevchenko ScientificSociety invites all to a lecture by RostyslavMelnykov titled “A Person with an OddName. On the 115th Anniversary of theBirth of Mayk Johansen.” The lecturer is acandidate of philological sciences and a“dotsent” (associate professor) in theDepartment of Ukrainian Literature atKharkiv National Pedagogical University.He presently holds the Dr. Jaroslaw andNadia Mihaychuk Fellowship in UkrainianStudies at the Harvard Ukrainian ResearchInstitute. The lecture will take place at thesociety’s building, 63 Fourth Avenue(between Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 p.m.For additional information call212-254-5130.WEST ORANGE, N.J.: The Children ofChornobyl Relief and Development Fundand the Ukrainian American CulturalCenter of New Jersey are proud to presentthe Devils Alumni vs. the New YorkUkrainian Kozaks hockey fund-raisergame at 2 p.m. at the Richard J. CodeyArena on Northfield Avenue in WestOrange, N.J. The fun begins with an openskate for all ticket holders at 12:30 p.m.Natasha Popova, the 2009 gold medalist atthe National Figure Skating Championshipof Ukraine, and Alina Milevskaya, the2009 gold medalist of the JuniorChampionship of Ukraine will performbefore the game. Meet the Devils’ mascot,the New Jersey Devil, bid on autographedmemorabilia from your favorite athletesand purchase commemorative pucks.Tickets are $50 for gold seating, whichincludes a meet and greet with all players;$25 for silver reserved seating; and $20 forbronze general admission seats. PayPal isaccepted for online ticket orders. For moreinformation call 973-867-8855 or visit thewebsite at www.hockeyfundraiser.org.Auction proceeds will benefit the EugeneKinasewich Fund, which provides financialassistance to needy and worthy studentsfrom Ukraine, Canada, the UnitedStates and elsewhere.PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINESPreview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is aservice provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to theUkrainian community.To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English,written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief paragraph that includes the date, place, typeof event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations involved,and a phone number to be published for readers who may require additionalinformation. Items should be no more than 100 words long; longer submissionsare subject to editing. Items not written in Preview format or submitted without allrequired information will not be published.Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date ofpublication. No information will be taken over the phone. Items will be publishedonly once, unless otherwise indicated. Please include payment for each timethe item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to bepublished. Also, senders are asked to include the phone number of a person whomay be contacted by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their completemailing address.Information should be sent to: preview@ukrweekly.com or Preview of Events,The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax,973-644-9510. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments;simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message.Attention DebutanteBall Organizers!As in the past,The Ukrainian Weeklywill publish a special sectiondevoted to the Ukrainiancommunity’s debutantes.The 2010 debutante ball sectionwill be published on March 21.The deadline for submission ofstories and photos is March 8.