7_February 16, 2003 - The Ukrainian Weekly

2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7ANALYSISKyiv hit by international sanctionsfor being soft on money launderingby Jan MaksymiukRFER/RL Poland, Belarus and Ukraine ReportIn December 2002, a normally inconspicuousorganization named the FinancialAction Task Force on Money Laundering(FATF) hit the headlines of news agenciesreporting on Ukraine. The FATF recommendedthat its members apply “countermeasures”to Ukraine in response to thecountry’s failure “to enact anti-money-launderinglegislation that meets internationalstandards.” This was yet another mightyblow to Ukraine’s tarnished internationalimage, following the much publicized andunsolved case of the killing of independentjournalist Heorhii Gongadze (in 2000) andthe U.S. allegations (in 2002) that Kyivmight have sold early-warning radar systemsto Baghdad in contravention of UnitedNations sanctions.The FATF is an independent internationalbody with headquarters based in Paris. Ithas 29 member-countries and governments– including the United States, the UnitedKingdom, Australia, Canada, France,Germany, Hong Kong, China and Japan –and two international organizations, theEuropean Commission and the GulfCooperation Council. South Africa andRussia have the status of observers in theFATF.After reviewing Ukraine’s anti-moneylaunderingregime in June 2001, the FATFplaced Ukraine on its blacklist of “noncooperativecountries and territories” thatfail to adopt and/or apply efficient legalmeasures to combat money laundering.Formerly, the FATF blacklisted only twoother states – Nauru and Nigeria – for theirfailure to deal efficiently with money laundering.The FATF also applied Recommendation21 out of its set of 40 recommendationsconstituting the “basic framework for antimoney-launderingefforts.”Recommendation 21 advises that financialinstitutions of the FATF members “givespecial attention to business relations andtransactions” of persons and companiesfrom blacklisted (“non-cooperative”) countries.It also calls for the examination andrecording of transactions that “have noapparent economic or visible lawful purpose”in order to make the findings availableto auditing and law-enforcement bodies.On December 20, 2002, the FATF recommendedthat its members apply additional“countermeasures” against Ukraine, findingthe “Law of Ukraine on the Preventionand Counteraction of the Legalization(Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime”enacted on December 7, 2002, to be insufficient.In particular, these additional countermeasurescall on FATF members to apply“stringent requirements” for identifyingclients before establishing business relationshipswith individuals and companies fromUkraine; to enhance reporting mechanismsregarding financial transactions withUkrainian clients; to be more considerate inestablishing subsidiaries branches, and representativeoffices of Ukrainian banks inFATF countries; and to warn non-financialsectorbusinesses that transactions withUkrainian entities may run the risk ofmoney laundering.According to media reports, the UnitedStates and Canada in mid-January were thefirst countries to heed the FATF recommendationswith regard to Ukraine. Other FATFmembers reportedly followed suit.It still remains to be seen what impactthe FATF sanctions have on Ukraine’sfinancial and business sector. According toan estimate by the Kyiv-based weeklyZerkalo Nedeli on January 25, foreignbanks have suspended some $300 millionworth of transactions with Ukrainianclients, while checking to see who is payingwith what money.However, apart from such immediatebarriers erected by the FATF to Ukrainianbusinesses, it seems that the FATF recommendationswill also have long-term consequencesby gravely eroding the trustworthinessof world financial circles in Ukrainian(Continued on page 19)Poland proposes EU’s new Eastern policyJan MaksymiukRFE/RL Poland, Belarus and Ukraine ReportPolish and international media reportedlast week that Poland, following acommission from the Danish EU presidencylast year, has proposed a paperoutlining the expanded EuropeanUnion’s new policy with regard to itseastern neighbors: Ukraine, Belarus,Moldova and Russia. Polish ForeignMinistry official Pawel Swieboda toldjournalists that the document was sent inearly January to the foreign ministries ofthe 15 EU member-states, the 10 EU candidatecountries, and to the four futureEU neighbors. The EuropeanCommission is expected to publish thedocument in mid-March.“We postulate the intensification ofpolitical dialogue [with the four futureneighbors] in the context of security andforeign policy,” Mr. Swieboda told PAP.“Such states as Ukraine have a lot to contribute,for instance in the resolution ofconflicts in neighboring regions of theworld, including the Transdniester area.”Jan Maksymiuk is the Belarus,Ukraine and Poland specialist on thestaff of RFE/RL Newsline.Mr. Swieboda said the document alsoincludes a proposal for a gradual liberalizationof trade between the enlarged EUand its eastern neighbors, but makes thisproposal conditional on economic andpolitical reforms in the four countries.Other inducements in the paper includethe “long-term perspective” of EU membershipand the establishment of a“European democracy fund,” whichwould work through local non-governmentalorganizations to promote democraticvalues in the region.Poland also proposes the creation of aEuropean Peace Corps, modeled on theAmerican Peace Corps. Warsaw believesthat these initiatives will help eradicate“divisions between the enlarged EU andits eastern neighbors.”Ukraine’s Vice Minister for ForeignAffairs Oleksander Chalyi said last weekthat Ukraine was satisfied with the Polishplan for the EU’s new eastern policy.According to Mr. Chalyi, the planassumes, first, that Ukraine will have anopen road toward integration with theEU; second, that Ukraine may sign anaccord on association with the EU in thefuture; and third, the document does notpreclude Ukrainian membership in theEuropean Union.Kuchma urges peaceful settlementKYIV – President Leonid Kuchmasaid at a meeting with foreign diplomatsin Kyiv on February 6 that he hopes theU.N. Security Council finds adequatemeasures to settle the Iraqi crisis,Interfax reported. “We are still speakingfor the settlement of the [Iraqi] situationby political-diplomatic means,” Mr.Kuchma said. At the same time, he said,“Ukraine fully shares the concern of theworld community about the possibilityof the spread of weapons of massdestruction.” President Kuchma alsosaid Ukraine will remain devoted to theideals of strategic partnership with theUnited States despite the current bilateralproblems. “I would like to emphasizewith full responsibility that we havenever intended and are not going torevise our policy regarding the U.S.,”the Ukrainian president said. (RFE/RLNewsline)Kyiv evacuates diplomats from BaghdadKYIV – All diplomats of the UkrainianEmbassy in Baghdad, except Charged’Affaires Valentyn Novikov, have beenevacuated, Interfax reported on February11, quoting Foreign Affairs Ministryspokesman Serhii Borodenkov. Mr.Borodenkov added that Mr. Novikov iscurrently in Kyiv for consultations, afterwhich he will fly back to Iraq. “The temporarycharge d’affaires himself willdecide when he has to leave that country,”Mr. Borodenkov added with regardto when the Ukrainian mission might beclosed entirely. He disclosed that thereare currently 231 Ukrainian citizens inIraq. The spokesman noted that theForeign Affairs Ministry has not yetreleased a statement recommending thatUkrainian citizens leave Iraq. (RFE/RLNewsline)President in favor of a tax amnestyKYIV – President Leonid Kuchma isin favor of applying a tax amnesty tolegalize hidden revenues that were “not[obtained] in a criminal way,” Interfaxreported on February 12, quoting presidentialadministration deputy head PavloHaidutskyi. Mr. Haidutskyi said suchrevenues in Ukraine are estimated at 35billion hrv ($6.5 billion). He said a taxamnesty does not contradict the “basicprinciples” of combating money launderingand would not be opposed by theFATF. He added that President Kuchmaordered the government and the NationalBank of Ukraine to work out by March 1a plan for implementing such anamnesty. (RFE/RL Newsline)NEWSBRIEFSU.S. cites conditions for lifting sanctionsKYIV – The absolute political independenceof Ukraine’s State FinancialMonitoring Department is a key conditionfor the removal of anti-money-launderingsanctions imposed on Ukraine bysome Western countries following recommendationsby the Financial ActionTask Force on Money Laundering(FATF), Interfax reported on January 30,quoting Ukraine’s Ministry of theEconomy. This condition was reportedlycommunicated by the U.S. side to itsUkrainian partners at ongoing deliberationsof the Ukraine-U.S. EconomicCooperation Committee in Washington.The other conditions mentioned by theU.S. side include amendments toUkraine’s Criminal Code and the law onbanking, as well as a reduction of themaximum transaction sum that is notsubject to monitoring. (RFE/RLNewsline)Rada amends laws on money launderingKYIV – The Verkhovna Rada onFebruary 6 passed a bill introducingamendments to a number of laws intendedto curb money laundering, the UNIANnews agency reported. In particular, thelegislature reduced the minimum sumsubject to financial monitoring to 80,000hrv ($15,000). Another major legislativechange prohibits banks from openinganonymous bank accounts and obligesthem to identify customers who performbanking operations exceeding 50,000 hrvand not involving bank accounts.(RFE/RL Newsline)NBU seeks to curb money launderingKYIV – Newly installed NationalBank of Ukraine Chairman SerhiiTyhypko told journalists on February 10that his institution will pass a resolutionthis week to combat money launderingand stem illegal flows of capital fromUkraine, UNIAN reported. Last week,the central bank resolved that Ukrainiancompanies will have to obtain NBUlicenses before buying shares in otherdomestic companies from non-residents.Mr. Tyhypko said the purchase of domesticshares by local companies from offshoreentities leads to capital outflows.According to NBU figures, capital outflowsamounted to $385 million in 2000,$898 million in 2001 and $2.2 billion in2002. (RFE/RL Newsline)NBU: sanctions’ impact ‘insignificant’KYIV – National Bank of Ukraine(Continued on page 21)THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY 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 Parsippany, NJ 07054 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: Editor-in-chief: Roma HadzewyczThe Ukrainian WeeklyEditors:2200 Route 10 Roman Woronowycz (Kyiv)P.O. Box 280Andrew NynkaParsippany, NJ 07054Ika Koznarska Casanova (part time)The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.comThe Ukrainian Weekly, February 16, 2003, No. 7, Vol. LXXICopyright © 2003 The Ukrainian Weekly

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 3European Union delegation says it will maintain political dialogue with Ukraineby Roman WoronowyczKyiv Press BureauKYIV – Signaling that it would maintaina political dialogue with Ukraine at thehighest levels, a delegation of EuropeanUnion officials led by Secretary General ofthe EU Council Javier Solana met withUkraine’s President Leonid Kuchma duringa one-day visit to Kyiv on February 7.The EU “troika,” composed of Mr.Solana, Greek First Deputy ForeignMinister Tassos Giannitsis and ItalianAssistant Minister of Foreign AffairsRoberto Antonioni told Ukrainian leaders,including Mr. Kuchma, that an artificialborder with Ukraine would not arise asPoland becomes the European Union’smost eastern member-state in 2004.“Our goal is not to create a new wall anddivide our continent. On the contrary, it isthe integration and rapprochement ofEurope,” explained Mr. Giannitsis, whosecountry holds the revolving presidency ofthe EU, which Italy will assume in July.Mr. Giannitsis invited President Kuchmato a meeting of EU leaders called theEuropean Conference and Council forCooperation, scheduled for April 16-17 inAthens.The delegation visit came as the UnitedStates indicated that it would continue topolitically isolate the Ukrainian head ofstate in the aftermath of the Kolchuha scandal,in which Ukraine’s head of state isaccused of authorizing the sale of an airdefense system to Iraq in contravention ofUnited Nations sanctions.During a press conference on U.S.-Ukraine relations held the same day as theEU visit, U.S. Ambassador to UkraineCarlos Pascual said that the U.S. would notplan any meetings with President Kuchmain the future. However, he said thatUGCC’s Permanent Synod of Bishopsdiscusses beatification of Sheptytsky, SlipyjReligious Information Service of UkraineLVIV – A meeting of the PermanentSynod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC) was held onFebruary 3-6 in Rome. The UGCC hierarchsgathered to discuss the problems of thebeatification of Ukrainian confessors ofthe faith, as well as the religious situationin Ukraine.On February 5, Cardinal LubomyrHusar, head of the UGCC, and members ofthe Synod met with Cardinal José SaraivaMartins, prefect of the Congregation forthe Causes of Saints, and ArchbishopEdward Nowak, secretary of the congregation.During this meeting, the UGCC bishopsdiscussed the problems that arise in theprocess of beatification and canonization.Special attention was focused on thebeatification of Metropolitan AndreySheptytsky, which has now entered itsfinal stage. In addition, the Ukrainian hierarchspresented a list of new martyrs of theUGCC whose beatification processes willbe started shortly. All necessary documentsfor the beatification of Cardinal JosyfSlipyj were also submitted to the congregation’sofficers.Also on February 5, members of theUGCC Permanent Synod of Bishops metwith Cardinal Walter Kasper, president ofthe Pontifical Council for PromotingChristian Unity, and other representativesof the council. Both sides stressed theuniqueness of the religious situation inUkraine, which is home to many differentreligions. According to the participants ofthe meeting, the Ukrainian Churches needto overcome obstacles on their way tounity in order to prevent further splits anddivisions.Washington strongly supports continuing adialogue with Ukraine through members ofthe presidential administration and theUkrainian government.Earlier in the week Mr. Kuchma toldjournalists during one of his infrequentpress conferences that his effort to rekindlea dialogue with Washington in the aftermathof the Kolchuha crisis had provedfruitless thus far.In a meeting with the three EU leaders,President Kuchma said Ukraine wouldEuropean membership demands upholdingthe most fundamental element of ademocratic society – freedom of the press.– Secretary General of the EU Council JavierSolanamove to full EU membership in practical,concrete steps.“Our goal is to make less declarations,but to complete the maximum implementationof the tasks required for achievingEuropean standards,” Mr. Kuchma told theEU delegation.While Ukraine has reconciled itself to adecadelong process before it will be readyto enter the EU, it is still pursuing associatemembership, possibly by 2005. The EUtroika said it would continue to helpUkraine to enter the World TradeOrganization as a first step in that process.Meanwhile Mr. Solana emphasized thatthe EU wants more constructive relationswith Ukraine and urged Kyiv to move forwardwith political reforms. The EUFinally, the Ukrainian hierarchs alsoconsidered some organizational issues connectedwith a new synod in September ofthis year, in which all the UGCC bishopsfrom Ukraine and the diaspora are expectedto participate.On the morning of February 3, PopeJohn Paul welcomed members of thePermanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, in particular their majorarchbishop, Cardinal Husar, and told themthat their meeting in Rome “is a happyoccasion to reaffirm your communion withthe Successor of Peter.”He remarked that their Church, “rebornafter the tragic events of the last century,proceeds on the path of rebuilding with theawareness of its great spiritual legacy, ofthe fecund testimony of her martyrs and ofthe need to maintain at all levels ademeanor of dialogue, collaboration andcommunion.”Pope John Paul encouraged them topursue this path and he underscored theirrecent meetings with bishops of the Latinrite which allowed everyone “to consider... the pastoral questions that interest bothcommunities. Such encounters are a practicalapplication of that effective and affectivecommunion that must guide the pastorsof Christ’s flock.”“Such communion,” the holy fatheraffirmed, “is all the more necessary if wereflect on the challenges that today’s situationplaces before us: from the spiritualneeds of broad segments of the populationto the serious dilemma of emigration; fromthe pain of the least fortunate to problemsin families; from the need for ecumenicaldialogue to the desire for a greater integrationin the European context.”Council’s secretary general said the countrymust develop and strictly adhere to basicrequirements of democracy, including anindependent media, if it is serious about EUmembership.“European membership demandsupholding the most fundamental element ofa democratic society – freedom of thepress,” explained Mr. Solana, who alsomentioned the need to improve relationsbetween the Ukrainian government and theopposition and to further court reform.Mr. Giannitsis said the EU’s policy wasnot to lay down a broad standard for aprospective member to meet, but a “differentiatedapproach,” which presents the possibilityfor specific membership requirementsaccording to each country and its situation.Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign AffairsAnatolii Zlenko warned that a new wall,which he called the “Schengen Wall” couldseparate Ukraine from Europe after Polandenters the EU next year. Mr. Zlenko’s allusionwas to the Schengen Treaty passed bythe EU several years ago, which opened upborders and visa-free travel among EUmembers but left citizens of neighboringReligious statistics for 2002 are releasedReligious Information Service of UkraineLVIV – Ukraine’s National Committeeon Religious Matters at a press conferenceon February 4 released official informationon the development of religious institutionsin Ukraine in 2002 and presented statisticson religious organizations in Ukraine as ofJanuary 1 of this year.According to the report, Ukraine is currentlyhome to 28,567 religious organizations,including 27,480 religious communitiesthat profess 54 different religions. Morethan 1,000 religious communities of thetotal number are unregistered.During 2002 the number of religiousorganizations increased by 5.7 percent,constituting 1,423 organizations, 726(52.4 percent) of which are Orthodoxcommunities. Among these Orthodoxcommunities, 525 (72.3 percent) belong tothe Ukrainian Orthodox Church –Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). Thetotal number of UOC-MP communities inUkraine is 10,040.The Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Churchranks second with its 3,334 communities.Quotable notescountries without the advantage.Ukrainians, who currently do not need avisa to enter Poland, will have to obtain onebeginning next year.Mr. Zlenko also noted that Ukraineunderstands that it must show that it is asolid partner of the European Union andnoted that “the threads that bind us must bestrengthened” before full membership is aplausible option.Commentators in Ukraine’s pressobserved, however, that the EU representativesavoided using the term “EU membership”during their visit, sticking to wordssuch as “rapprochement” and “integration.”The newspaper “Den” (Day) pointed out ina February 8 article that there is a growingawareness that EU membership may not bein store for Ukraine. It stated that“Representatives of EU structures and individualEU member-states noted that there isa need to look realistically at the perspectives,that the idea here is not for politicalintegration of Ukraine, but for tight cooperation.”First Vice Minister for Foreign AffairsOleksander Chalyi indicated that Ukraine iswell aware of the current outlook forUkraine. In remarks to the EU delegation,Mr. Chalyi stated that Ukraine supports aninitiative by Poland to offer a “neighborplan” to Ukraine, which would include specificdetails on a timetable for “associate”status, as well as some recognition ofUkraine’s prospects for full EU membershipin the future.“We welcome the idea as it meets ourmain concern that after EU enlargementthere must be a new formula of relationsbetween Ukraine and the enlarged EU,”said Mr. Chalyi.The Ukrainian Orthodox Church – KyivPatriarchate has 3,196 communities; theBaptist Church – 2,272; the PentecostalChurch of Evangelical Faith – 1,366; theUkrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church– 1,110; the Seventh-Day Adventist Church– 928; the Roman Catholic Church – 847;and the Charismatic Church – 790.There are also 262 Jewish communitiesand 462 Muslim communities in Ukraine,320 of which are in Crimea. New religiousorganizations in Ukraine constitute 4.5 percentof the total number.The number of religious buildings inUkraine has increased by 478 and currentlyconstitutes 19,112. Most religious communities,however, are not fully provided withchurch buildings. The SubcarpathianReformed Church is the only religiousorganization whose needs in church buildingsare completely satisfied, according tothe report.Today, 2,232 religious buildings arebeing built in Ukraine, among which 439are funded by the state. Ukraine is alsohome to 26,000 religious ministers, 704 ofwhom are foreigners.“Lazarenko was a natural phenomenon in the chaos that followed the creationof the independent [Ukrainian] state, [the chaos characterized by] the totalabsence of the understanding that national interests should be a priority, the dominationof private interests, the uncontrollability and corruptibility of the entirepower system, and the immaturity of society itself. Without a doubt, he was agifted man. I would have never hit upon [the ideas he had].”– Opposition Sobor Party leader Anatolii Matvienko on former PrimeMinister Pavlo Lazarenko, who is in a U.S. prison awaiting trial on charges oflaundering $114 million through private U.S. financial establishments as quotedby the Ukrainska Pravda website on January 23 and reported by RFE/RLPoland, Belarus and Ukraine Report. When Mr. Lazarenko was prime minister(May 1996-July 1997), Mr. Matvienko was chairman of the Vinnytsia Oblastadministration and headed the pro-presidential National Democratic Party.

4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7“Eternal prisoner” Danylo Shumuk returns to UkraineOksana ZakydalskyDanylo Shumuk in Toronto on the eveof his departure for Ukraine.by Oksana ZakydalskyTORONTO – Danylo Shumuk, whoserved 42 years in various prisons andcamps of Poland and the USSR - thelongest serving Ukrainian prisoner of conscience,who was once referred to as “theeternal prisoner” – returned to Ukraine inNovember.Allowed to leave Ukraine in 1987 –thanks primarily to the efforts on hisbehalf by the Canadian government, theUkrainian community in Canada andAmnesty International – he lived inCanada for 15 years, at first in Vancouverbut mostly in Toronto. Although severalgood-byes were organized for him by variousgroups in Toronto in the weeksbefore he left, he left without fanfare,which he disliked, in the company of hisdaughter Vera Kalach with whom he willlive near Donetsk.At 88 years of age and still sufferingthe effects of a serious car accident inSecretary of State for External Affairs Joe Clark welcomes Danylo Shumuk tothe House of Commons in 1987 (with translator).1997, he needs constant care and, as hisdaughter was denied an extension of hervisa to stay in Canada, he decided to leavewith her.Mr. Shumuk was a man of principlewho always said what he thought and constantlyfound himself in opposition to theauthorities of the time. A Communist inpre-war Volyn under Polish rule, a Sovietsoldier at the time of the German invasionof Ukraine, a member of the UkrainianInsurgent Army (UPA) at the time of theSoviet re-occupation of western Ukraineand a Ukrainian patriot under the newSoviet regime – Mr. Shumuk was alwaysout of sync with the powers in charge. Forthis he paid dearly – with 42 years ofincarceration – in a Polish prison, as aPOW of the Germans and with manyyears in the Soviet gulag.He chronicled his life in several books:“Za Skhidnym Obriyem” (Beyond theEastern Horizon) published in the UnitedStates by Smoloskyp in 1974; his memoirs“Perezhyte i Peredumane,” publishedin Detroit in 1983, with the English version,“Life Sentence,” edited by IvanJaworsky, published by the CanadianInstitute of Ukrainian Studies in 1984; and“Z Gulagu u Vilnyi Svit” (From the Gulaginto the Free World) published by NewPathway Publishers in Toronto in 1991,which contained, in addition to variousarticles on his travels around NorthAmerica, two chapters that were omittedfrom his memoirs because they were loston the way.Mr. Shumuk was born on December30, 1914, in the village of Boremschyna inthe Volyn Oblast. He joined theCommunist Party of Western Ukraine atage 17 and was arrested in 1934 and sentencedto eight years by the Polish regime.Thanks to an amnesty, he was released in1939 and returned home to Ukraine,which had become part of the USSR.With the German invasion of theUSSR, he was conscripted into the Sovietarmy but taken prisoner by the Germans.He escaped a German POW camp and in1943 joined the Ukrainian Insurgent Army(UPA) and was appointed a politicalinstructor in an officer training school.In 1945 he was captured by the NKVDand sentenced to death. The sentence wascommuted to 20 years of hard labor inNorilsk, where he was one of the leadersof the Norilsk prisoners’ strike in 1953.He was released in 1956 during the socalled“thaw,” but rearrested the followingyear and sentenced to 10 years, which heserved in Vorkuta.After his release in 1967, Mr. Shumuklived in the Kyiv Oblast and becameacquainted with some of the“Shestydesiatnyky,” particularly IvanSvitlychny, Nadia Svitlychna and YevhenSverstiuk. This time he was swept up inthe wave of arrests of dissidents in 1972.His memoirs were confiscated, and he wassentenced to 10 years of strict-regimecamp and five years’ exile. He served hissentence in a Mordovian concentrationcamp and his exile in the Perm Oblast.During his incarceration he joined theUkrainian Helsinki Group, and participatedin numerous protest actions and hungerstrikes even though he was in ill health.On November 3, 1978, the Parliament ofCanada passed a resolution to ask the governmentof the USSR to release Mr.Shumuk and permit him to emigrate andjoin his nephew in Canada. While he wassecretary of state for external affairs, JoeClark made numerous requests to the Sovietgovernment for permission for Mr. Shumukto join his family in Canada. But Mr.Shumuk was allowed to leave only upon thecompletion of his sentence of 15 years.During his years in the West, Mr.Shumuk did not abandon his outspokenness;he voiced strong opinions about thebehavior of both other dissidents andabout the diaspora. At the same time, hewas generous with his affections, made alot of friends and never forgot a kindness.Ukraine’s ambassador addresses Northern Virginia Technology Councilby Luba CehelskaALEXANDRIA, Va. – AmbassadorKostyantyn Gryshchenko, Ukraine’senvoy to the United States, appeared asguest speaker at a meeting of theInternational Committee of the NorthernVirginia Technology Council (NVTC),discussing Information Technologyopportunities with Ukraine.This annual program and holidaysocial event of the NVTC InternationalCommittee always includes a brief meeting,guest speakers and an opportunityfor members to network while enjoyingholiday goodies. On this occasion therewere two sponsors for the event: theEmbassy of Ukraine, which contributedvarenyky, holubtsi, and Ukrainian horilkaand champagne, and SoftServe, a customsoftware development firm based in Lviv,Ukraine.The event, held on December 17,2002, was of special significance becauseof the prominence of the NVTC and itspresident, Bobbie Kilberg, in the informationtechnology community, and alsobecause of the strong participation ofMichael Considine, Ukraine CountryDesk manager at the U.S. Department ofCommerce.The Northern Virginia TechnologyCouncil is the membership association forthe area’s technology community, withmore than 1,600 member-companies representingover 180,000 employees fromall sectors of the technology industry. Ms.Kilberg, NVTC president since 1998,served President George Bush in theWhite House as deputy assistant to thepresident for public liaison from 1989 to1992. In December 2001 President GeorgeW. Bush appointed her to serve as a memberof the President’s Council of Advisorson Science and Technology (PCAST).Appearing on the program prior toAmbassador Gryshchenko was Mr.Considine, business trade specialist forUkraine at the U.S. Department ofCommerce/BISNIS, who spoke about thecurrent business climate in Ukraine. Heindicated that, despite unfavorable pressregarding Ukraine’s political climate, theUkrainian economy is growing andimproving. For example, real wages forUkrainian citizens are up; consumerspending power is up; there are positivegrowth trends, for example, in retail; andprogress has been made from a legislativestandpoint, including improvementsin tax and customs legislation. Mr.Considine also pointed to positive trendson the part of U.S. companies in theirinterest in Ukraine.Ms. Kilberg then introduced Ukraine’sambassador to the United States, citinghis impressive background and experience.Ambassador Gryshchenko presentedsolid information about continuallyimproving economic indicators inUkraine. Focusing on the high-techindustry, he said that the hi-tech field inUkraine includes space and aircraftdesign and production, shipbuilding,biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, informationtechnology and telecommunications,as well as the design of new materials,welding technologies and super-hardtools.Important growth in Ukraine includestelecommunications revenues, Microsoftsales, desktop and server sales, and highlydeveloped Internet banking systemssales. The internal software market hasdemonstrated steady growth and is projectedto make even steeper climbs in thenext two to three years, he said.Ambassador Gryshchenko indicated that,according to the Intel Corp., Ukraine isthe fastest growing market in the worldfor Intel products, exceeding evenRussia.Software development outsourced toUkraine has gone from $32 million in2000 to $47 million in 2002. Ukraine hasimmense intellectual potential based onits 98 percent literacy rate, plus the factthat 87 percent of high school graduatesgo on to higher education and 37 percentof those in higher education select informationtechnology as their focus.Other salient data include: 400 universitiesare educating 1.5 million students;180,000 specialists in the research anddevelopment sector work in 1,500 R&Dinstitutions; there are 23,000 certifiedinformation technology specialists inUkraine – a significantly higher per capitacertification rate than in India.In addition, 2 million Internet users inUkraine provide a significant businessopportunity. The Hughes Network andPARADYNE Networks provide establishedsatellite communications for directInternet access and DSL. Ukraine ishome to 1,400 software developmentcompanies, 260 Internet providers, and490 PC manufacturing companies.American companies are pleased to outsourcesoftware development to Ukraineand to receive low-cost high-quality service,Ambassador Gryshchenko stated.Major recent technological achievementsinclude the Antonov DesignBureau’s new AN-70 aircraft and SeaLaunch, the U.S.-Ukraine-Russia-Norway consortium.Following Ambassador Gryshchenko’stalk, Luba Cehelska provided informationabout SoftServe (www.SoftServecom.com),which was mentioned by AmbassadorGryshchenko. Ms. Cehelska, account executivefor Softserve, talked about the firm, itsnine-year history, its capabilities and itsclients. She has been active in the NVTCInternational Committee, held the chairmanshipof the European/NIS Subcommittee,and organized a very successful NVTCsymposium on the subject of software outsourcing.About 100 attendees were present at theevent – an important step in familiarizingthe U.S. information technology communitywith the amazing IT talent availablein Ukraine. In addition to NVTC members,attendees included guests, amongthem U.S.-Ukraine Foundation PresidentNadia McConnell; Vera Andrushkiw andChrystia Sonevytsky, also of the USUF,and Ihor Kotlarchuk, president of TheWashington Group, an organization ofUkrainian American professionals.

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 5THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUMUNA Almanacoff the pressesPARSIPPANY, N.J. – The 2003Almanac of the Ukrainian NationalAssociation, released by SvobodaPress, is off the presses and in themail to subscribers of Svoboda.The almanac is dedicated primarilyto the 110th anniversary ofSvoboda, the Ukrainian-languagenewspaper of the UNA, whichbegan publication as a biweekly onSeptember 15, 1893. In its issuedated November 1, 1893, Svobodacalled for the establishment of anational organization that wouldunite Ukrainians in America –today’s Ukrainian NationalAssociation.The Ukrainian-language volumealso contains a special sectiondevoted to the 70th anniversary ofthe Great Famine of 1932-1933 inUkraine, as well as sections titled“History – Our Teacher,” “Names,Dates,” “The World AfterSeptember 11,” “Fathoming theUnfathomable,” “Traditions ofOther Nations,” and “Meditations.”The 2003 UNA Almanac alsofeatures an introductory article byUNA President Stefan Kaczarajtitled “We Have Earned TheseGreat Jubilees” – a reference to the110th anniversaries of Svoboda in2003 and the UNA in 2004.Among the authors whose articlesappear in the almanac areSvoboda Editor-in-Chief IreneJarosewich, whose lead articleabout the Svoboda jubilee is titled“Svoboda: The Legacy ofGenerations,” and editorial staffmembers Petro Chasto, ChrystynaFerencevych and OlhaKuzmowycz.Mr. Chasto is the editor of thealmanac; cover design is by StepanSlutsky.As is customary, the almanacopens with a religious calendaraccording to both the Julian andGregorian styles. Brief humor sectionsinterspersed throughout thealmanac feature materials publishedin the unparalleled magazine ofsatire and humor Lys Mykyta.The book may be purchased for$15 (postage included) from:Svoboda, 2200 Route 10, P. O. Box280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.For the record, this is the 93rdalmanac published by SvobodaPress.Upstate New Yorkers continue tradition of fraternalismWATERVLIET, N.Y. – UkrainianNational Association Branch 13 ofWatervliet, N.Y., as well as the AlbanyDistrict Committee of the UNA continuethe proud tradition of fraternalism intheir area of upstate New York.Every year in December the branch,also known as the St. Nicholas Society,holds a liturgy in memory of deceasedmembers. The names of all deceasedmembers – dating back to 1895 – areread during the service, which is attendedby branch members.After the liturgy and panakhyda(requiem service), branch members andtheir families go to the local UkrainianClub, where they are hosted at a breakfast.Among those who were present atthe most recent event was the pastor, theRev. Michael Myshchuk.Before Christmas, branch members,led by the president and secretary ofBranch 13, visit ailing members at theirhomes or in nursing homes.In addition, during Christmas 2002 theAlbany District Committee sponsored itsfirst Christmas party. It was a very suc-BUFFALO, N.Y. – At the annual bazaarof St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church,the Ukrainian National Association’sBuffalo District Committee held a raffle forone annual subscription to each of theUNA’s two official publications, TheUkrainian Weekly and Svoboda.The winner of both subscriptions, whosecost was sponsored by the UNA, was DoraHorbachewsky. The purpose of the rafflewas to promote the UNA’s publications andto expand the circle of its subscribers.The UNA Buffalo District Committeewas happy to donate prizes to St. NicholasUkrainian Catholic Church because its pastor,the Very Rev. Marijan Procyk, allowsthe district to exhibit UNA materials in thechurch hall, and permits use of the hall forUNA meetings and other events.Branch 13 members visit an ailing member before Christmastime.cessful evening with food, Christmas carols(“koliady’), raffles and good cheer.Among the prizes was a $25 gift certificateredeemable at Soyuzivka, the UNAresort in Kerhonkson, N.Y.– Nicholas Fil, chairman, Albany DistrictCommittee; president, UNA Branch 13.Watervliet UNA’ers at a breakfast following the traditional liturgy in memory of deceased members.Buffalo District promotes UNA newspapers– Joseph Hawryluk, chairperson,UNA Buffalo District Committee, andUNA advisor.Dora Horbachewsky with the winning raffle ticket after it was announced by theRev. Marijan Procyk.

6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYFebruary 22 marks the 109th anniversary of the establishment of the UkrainianNational Association, a fraternal society that uses the profits from its insurance businessfor the benefit of its members and the Ukrainian community.It is probably no exaggeration to state that most people know about the UNAfrom the two newspapers it publishes, the Ukrainian-language Svoboda and TheUkrainian Weekly. However, what many among us may not realize is that it wasSvoboda that gave birth to the UNA, and not vice versa. Truly a demonstration ofthe power of the press.It was Svoboda – which this year marks the 110th anniversary of its founding – thatless than two months after it began publication called for the establishment of anational organization. In an editorial in the November 1, 1893, issue, Svoboda wrote:“...we all Ukrainians [editor’s note: Ukrainians at that time were referred to as“Rusyny”] scattered across this land need a national organization, namely such abrotherhood, such a national union that would embrace each and every Ukrainian nomatter where he lives. One man cannot lift a heavy stone, but when three or four menput their strength to it, the stone will soon be lifted. ... It is clear then that in unity thereis strength, and it is not easily defeated. Therefore, let us unite brothers, voluntaryexiles from our native land, our fatherland, let us come closer together and get toknow each other better, and take a closer look at our poverty, our want, our shortcomings,our needs. Let us exchange ideas, let us open our hearts to each other and seehow we can solve our problems together, and rid ourselves of our common ills!”Less than four months later, the UNA was founded.In later years the UNA assumed the role of publisher of Svoboda. It also became“Batko Soyuz,” a father to Ukrainians, becoming involved in the education of immigrantsto America; aid to the homeland; support of cultural endeavors; sponsorship ofcommunity organizations and youth groups; assistance to the aged, the infirm and theneedy; lobbying for political causes; and defending the Ukrainian name. The list of theUNA’s involvement in all aspects of our community life is virtually endless.Just as the histories of the UNA and Svoboda are intimately intertwined, so too arethe histories of the UNA and The Ukrainian Weekly. The fraternal organization beganpublishing this newspaper in 1933 in an effort to reach the non-Ukrainian world andreport the truth about what was happening in Soviet-dominated Ukraine. At the sametime the UNA sought to reach non-Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainian Americans andUkrainian Canadians, primarily youths born and reared in North America, and keepthem engaged in our community life. In later years it was the UNA that decided aKyiv Press Bureau should be opened to allow The Ukrainian Weekly to better reporton the historic developments in our ancestral homeland. That bureau has been reportingthe news from Ukraine since January 1991. Just think of all the epochal eventsthat have occurred in Ukraine between then and now. And our bureau has been on thescene to report the news as no one else can – uncensored, unfiltered, unbiased.One hundred nine years ago on November 1, Svoboda wrote: “... our people willraise their mighty voice and Ukrainians everywhere will say: We need the UkrainianNational Association, we must get to know each other better, we must unite, we mustwork together to improve our lot in this new land!” And unite they did. The result wasa proud legacy of activism. The UNA became a mover, a facilitator and a leader of ourmyriad community causes.Today, as always, the UNA stands ready to perform those roles. But the key to continuingsuch good works is membership. Therefore, the UNA is reaching out to potentialnew members among the younger generations and new immigrants in order tosustain its mission. Generations of Ukrainians have seen the value of this great organizationand have expressed their faith in the common good it engenders by joining theranks of the Ukrainian National Association. We are certain that new generations andnew waves of immigration also see that value and will become members of the UNA.Feb.172002One hundred nineTurning the pages back...Ukraine’s third Winter Olympiad as an independent state wasmarked by its Olympic debut in ice hockey, and a finish that wasthe highlight of the Team Ukraine’s performance in Utah in 2002.With two wins and one loss in Group B of the hockey competition’spreliminary round, Ukraine’s record equalled that of the Belarusian team thatemerged atop the group. In the end, the deciding match-up was Team Ukraine’s first game,played against Belarus, which Ukraine lost 1-0. The one-goal difference turned out to be thekey factor in Belarus’ advancement to the next round and Ukraine’s relegation to play forninth place against Latvia.Ukraine won its next two games against Switzerland (5-2) and France (4-2) to tieBelarus with four points at the conclusion of Group B preliminary round competition,which is played in a round robin. Belarus won its game against France (3-1), but lost toSwitzerland (2-1). Thus, Belarus’ victory over Ukraine allowed the Belarusians to move onto play the Russian Federation in the next round.Ukraine determined its final standing in its first Olympic hockey competition by meetingLatvia. It turned out to be a crushing 9-2 defeat for Ukraine, and Team Ukraine completedits Olympic hockey debut in 10th place – a finish that was above expectations.Joining Ukraine’s Olympic hockey team in Utah for some of the matches were: DmitriKhristich of the Washington Capitals, Ruslan Fedotenko of the Philadelphia Flyers andSergei Varlamov of the St. Louis Blues. The NHL’ers were joined by Toronto minor leaguerAlex Ponikarovsky. Speaking afterwards with Andrew Nynka, The Weekly’s correspondenton the scene, Mr. Khristich emphasized that he was elated just to play with Team Ukraine.“In Olympic debut, hockey team is highlight of Ukraine’s effort,” by AndrewNynka, The Ukrainian Weekly, February 17, 2002, Vol. LXX, No. 7.; and “Ukraine atSalt Lake City Games: no medals, but some surprises,” by Andrew Nynka, TheUkrainian Weekly, February 24, 2002, Vol. LXX, No. 8.IN THE PRESSWashington Times on YushchenkoRIGA – The Baltic Times, based inRiga, capital of Latvia, published an editorialon February 6 about the “bizarreperformance” of Ukraine and Belarus interms of foreign relations.“Those Eastern Slavs just don’t knowwhat to do. One week they’re flirting withthe West, the next they’re chumming it upamong themselves, declaring eternalfriendships and establishing monetaryunions. In all truthfulness, it all looks likea grand farce, and one can’t help but wonderhow long the self-delusional circuswill go on,” The Baltic Times wrote.The editorial went on to state:“Cold-shouldered at NATO’s Praguesummit, Ukrainian President LeonidKuchma, who so earnestly wants tobefriend the West, now finds himself anoutcast. What does he do? He runs to[Russian President] Vladimir Putin anddeclares undying loyalty, when in theback of his mind he fantasizes about analliance with Western powers.WASHINGTON – “Ukrainian oppositionleader Viktor Yushchenko haswarned the United States against abandoninghis country even as the Bushadministration prepares to cut financialaid to Ukraine,” wrote The WashingtonTimes in its February 11 issue.An article by Olga Kryzhanovska ofthat newspaper reported that Mr.Yushchenko told the news media duringhis visit to Washington last week thatundemocratic forces might turn to fraudand repression to try to win presidentialelections scheduled for next year.Describing Mr. Yushchenko as“Ukraine’s most popular politician andthe head of the reform-minded OurUkraine party,” the article said he is“regarded by some analysts as the mostpro-American candidate in the race.”“Yushchenko is the only hope forUkraine,” Anders Aslund of the CarnegieEndowment for International Peace toldthe Washington Times. “It’s not even amatter of U.S. policy; it’s pretty obvious.”“The United States is interested in asober and democratic Ukraine,” StephenNix, director for Eurasia at theInternational Republican Institute, whichhelped organize Mr. Yushchenko’s visit,was quoted as saying. “And [Mr.Yushchenko] does represent the largestpolitical bloc in the Rada,” havingreceived about 25 percent of the vote.Mr. Yushchenko also told reporters inWashington that Ukraine is undergoingits deepest political crisis since independenceand that it needs the help of democraticpartners.“We need to work together to makesure that elections in Ukraine are fair anddemocratic. It’s the only thing that democraticforces in Ukraine really need,” saidthe opposition leader. He added that theUkrainian opposition does need helpfrom the West to get its message toUkrainian voters because most massmedia organizations are controlled bypro-government clans.Baltic Times on Ukraine, BelarusFOR THE RECORDFollowing is the the full text of the“Memorandum on the Establishment of theNational System of Combating MoneyLaundering and Terrorism Financing inUkraine.” The text was released byUkraine’s Mission to the United Nations.After the tragic events of September 11,2001, that took place in the United States ofAmerica, which hit the whole world, theproblem of combating the legalization ofproceeds from crime and terrorism financinghas become especially real. In thisregard, the increased requirements of theFinancial Action Task Force, the WorldBank and the International monetary Fundrepresent quite a rightful response to thisproblem and demonstrate the consolidationof efforts of the world community towardspreventing and counteracting those sociallydangerous phenomena.Despite the fact that Ukraine’s financialsystem is only being established and thefact that Ukraine lacked sufficient experienceand relevant laws to combat moneylaundering, we clearly realize the harmcaused to the financial and economic systemby this phenomenon. That is why“Banned by more than a dozenWestern countries and the United Statesjust weeks after he was eschewed by theKremlin, Belarus’ AlyaksandrLukashenka was forced to grovel on hisknees in Moscow lest he become a completeinternational pariah. The result?Belarus will become part of the rublezone on January 1, 2005, completing theEastern union about which so much inkhas been uselessly spilled.”“Putin, for his part, is soaking up allthe attention the union is getting fromLukashenka and Kuchma and, like a masterventriloquist, he will manipulate themfor all they are worth,” the newspapernoted.The editorial concludes with: “It is alla joke. Then there will come a time whenBelarus and Ukraine will tire of thisarrangement, and they will once againcozy up to the West and the Eastern Slavswill be back to Act I. It is a bizarre performanceto watch.”Memorandum on combating money launderingUkraine’s government fully supports internationalmeasures aimed at actively combatingmoney laundering and terrorismfinancing, demonstrating its openness andreadiness for cooperation.Until recently, Ukraine’s efforts had notbeen fully effective in the fight against thesaid phenomenon. However, with the newgovernment coming to power, a real evaluationof the situation took place at the end of2002 and at the beginning of 2003. Positiveand cardinal changes, in terms of theapproach to the solution of the problem,came about. Today Ukraine meets almostall the requirements of the internationsorganizations that are generally recognizedlawmakers in the sphere of combatingmoney laundering and terrorism financing,thereby reaffirming its intention to create acompletely transparent financial system andto prove to the world community the irreversibilityof the course toward integrationset forth by the president and the governmentof Ukraine.In this context, we thank the Europeancountries and the United States for theirexpert assistance in the establishment of the(Continued on page 10)

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 7LETTERS TO THE EDITORSt. John’s Schoolcan have bright futureDear Editor:To paraphrase Mark Twain: “Rumorsof the demise of St. John the BaptistUkrainian Catholic School have beengreatly exaggerated.” Rather, the St.John’s Parish clarion call for raising$250,000 is seen as a chance to revitalize,restructure and develop the school tomeet the changing educational needs ofboth American-born and immigrantUkrainian children in Newark and itssurrounding suburbs.As stated in your February 3 editorial,St. John’s must now be reviewed as amagnet school serving surroundingparishes without schools, some of whoseparishioners send their children to St.John’s. As a magnet school, St. John’sSchool must reach out beyond the immediateSt. John’s Parish community to fulfillits long-range plans.The Committee for the Developmentof St. John’s School has been created tofulfill the desire of the greater UkrainianAmerican community to have St. John’seducate its children in the tradition ofacademic excellence established over 63years. Even before kicking off its officialfund drive, the committee has alreadyreceived generous donations from familieswith children who do not attend theschool but who understand the benefitsthat a core Ukrainian Catholic schoolbrings to the community. Their childrenand grandchildren can attend concerts,dance instruction, religious educationand other school events and receive tangentialbenefits from St. John’s School,even if not enrolled.Without a central core of organizedyouth and the lively activities that resulttherefrom, our community will be emptyand short-lived. Where else can one findtwo children’s choirs, dressed in embroideredshirts and blouses, playing 50sopilkas and singing Ukrainian carols forparishes in Whippany, Jersey City andElizabeth, as well as their own inNewark?Considering that tuition alone nevercovers the cost of operating a Catholicgrammar school, the financial conditionof the school is not as dire as depicted. Inthe past, income from the sale ofvarenyky and from Bingo more thanmade up for any tuition deficit and noattempts were even made to break outthe school’s budget from that of thechurch. However, these two sources ofincome are no longer available and havenot been replaced. The challenge for thefuture is to obtain new sources of fundingfrom corporate sponsorships, foundationgrants, scholarship bequests, institutionalizedsupport from the surroundingcommunities and creative fund-raisers inorder to lessen the parish’s contribution.Positive discussions are taking placewith Pastor Bohdan Lukie to create aboard to oversee the operations of theschool. An updated mission statement, abusiness plan and strategic plan for longrangegoals have been presented. Inanticipation of a new beginning, thecommittee has started a recruitmentdrive, a budget oversight group, an alumnirelations program and a fund-raisingcommittee.Already an additional 14 new studentsmay enroll next year. St. John’s Pre-School, with 25 youngsters enrolled, willsupply a steady stream of kindergartners.An Open House program timed to coincidewith the annual Valentine’s DayDance, Catholic Schools Week and theShevchenko Concert should interest newparents to consider St. John’s. Youngcouples, some without children and somenot yet married, are joining the committeeto help support the school into thefuture.It is time now for alumni and parentsof alumni who reaped the benefits of aSt. John’s education to give back to St.John’s and place St. John’s in a positionto succeed based on a new format.Request for donations are going out thisweek, followed by a phone-a-thon. St.John’s must be in a financial posture towithstand a temporary dip in enrollment.With the parish’s and Pastor Lukie’sblessings, the committee foresees turningover $250,000 on April 15 for a newlycreated board to run the school, stilllinked with the parish, but also drawingon a broader base of community supportand involvement.A hearty thank you to The UkrainianWeekly for supporting these efforts.Myron MartynetzSouth Orange, N.J.The letter writer, an attorney, is chairmanof the Committee for the Developmentof St. John’s School.Our Catholic schoolsdeserve another lookDear Editor:Thank you for the stories on St. John’sSchool in Newark, N.J. St. John’s certainlyhas a special place in many hearts.As a graduate of St. John’s, I am verygrateful for the education and lifelongfriends it has given me. Now I live inClifton, N.J., and send my children to St.Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School inPassaic.Sadly, it appears that all UkrainianCatholic schools are financially challenged.There are many struggles – managingcosts, retaining quality educators,fund-raising and enrollment. I wonder ifour community recognizes these treasuresin our midst.In some cases, distance makes enrollmentimpossible. But over the years Ihave heard two typical reasons for notenrolling children into our schools. Thefirst one is that “I already pay localtaxes, which pay for a good publicschool.” Absolutely true. But there isanother side to the equation. Daily classesof Ukrainian give your children anopportunity to not only maintain contactwith their Ukrainian core but also get ahead start in life being bilingual. Youtypically have smaller classes givingyour children more attention. In a societythat is so fond of pop culture and consumption,sprinkling a little morality onyour child is a good thing. In a daywhen apparel companies proudly flauntmarketing provocative clothing to preteens,a Catholic School uniform looksgreat. Finally in a day and age whenthere are more and more reports of drugsentering the public school system inGrades 7 and 8, seeing parents you knowin the parking lot is reassuring.The second comment often heardquestions the quality of the schools. It iseasy to question, but I would suggest thatparents take a closer look. For example,at St. Nick’s we have Internet access,computers, TVs and VCRs in everyclassroom. We also have a science lab.All that is made possible through donationsfrom members of our community.At St. Nick’s we have a music program,a school choir and an after school program.But if you did not stop in and look,you would not know this.Our children, like St. John’s children,get into the best high schools in NewJersey. If we roll up our sleeves, financiallyand physically, we can help makethese schools even better. Get involved.Our parents and grandparents built theseschools. Maintaining them is a much easiertask. There is a beautiful thing thathappens when you come together as acommunity to build or save something.You feel better about yourself and youtake pride in being Ukrainian.As registration approaches for the2003-2004 school year, please takeanother look and see if you can be part ofthe solution. A Ukrainian Catholic educationwill make a difference in yourchild’s life.Dear Editor:Orest TemnyckyClifton, N.J.Why Russian ticketsfor Ukrainian show?My family and I were very muchlooking forward to the Oksana Bilozirconcert on Saturday, February 8, at theNYC Millennium Theatre in Brooklyn,N.Y. It is truly exciting to have such agreat Ukrainian pop sensation touring theUnited States and Canada.For as many years as her music hasbeen available in the United States, wehave been avid fans not just of the repertoire,but more importantly, of what herrepertoire represents; that is, the heart ofUkraine and its people. This plus the factthat Ms. Bilozir is an official representativeof the Our Ukraine bloc brings me tothe following questions. Why is it thatMeest, the major sponsor of the Bilozirtour, allowed the New York concert ticketsto be printed in Russian? Was thisreally necessary? Was Meest afraid thatits target audiences would ask for arefund once they saw that the ticketswere printed in, dare I say, Ukrainian?I find it appalling that this has happened.It is enough that officials inUkraine still squabble over the officialAuthor’s query: materials about Stephan Woroch neededPHILADELPHIA – January 2marked the first anniversary of the passingof Dr. Stephan Woroch, a prominentUkrainian community activist andleader and dentist by profession, whoresided in Maplewood, N.J. (see obituary,The Weekly, April 21, 2002).A lifelong activist for variousUkrainian causes, encompassing the fullgamut of professional, religious, civic aswell as cultural and academic endeavors,Dr. Woroch was a well-known andhighly esteemed figure in the Ukrainiancommunity.An in-depth biography of Dr. Worochis planned by his wife, OksanaWanchycka-Woroch. OleksanderVivcharyk, a Ukrainian journalist forVilna Dumka in Smila, Cherkasylanguage! It is enough that the Ukrainianlanguage is still looked upon as a “peasantlanguage” rather than the one, true,original, glorious language of the oldestSlavic culture on earth.Russification should have been put torest 12 years ago when Ukraine wasfreed from bondage. Here was an opportunityfor Ukrainian to be in the spotlight.Shame on Meest for being soinsensitive to all Ukrainians and forhelping to perpetuate one of the biggestproblems we Ukrainians have – lack ofrespect for our heritage put upon us byforeigners, and now by our own.The Russian-language tickets were allthe more out of place as the entire concertprogram – the songs and the introductionsto them – was in the Ukrainianlanguage.Artist’s first exhibit:at Ukrainian MuseumDear Editor:Lillianna ChudolijClifton, N.J.I was delighted by Helen Smindak’smention of my daughter InkaEssenhigh’s Ukrainian background in the“Dateline New York” column of January12, (“Highbrow Cartooning”). To this, Iwould like to add a further tidbit that hasa pride of place connotation: Inka’s firstexhibit in New York was held at TheUkrainian Museum while she was stillattending the New York School of VisualArts (SVA).That exhibit featured a group ofUkrainian art students from the UnitedStates and Canada. This included TamaraZahaikevitch, also a graduate of SVA,and she will be presenting her new workat the Bellwether gallery in Brooklynthis coming March. I think that may beof interest to your readers in the NewYork city area.Anna KobrynskaColumbus, OhioThe Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commentaries on avariety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and UkrainianCanadian communities. Opinions expressed by columnists, commentatorsand letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions ofeither The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian NationalAssociation.Letters should be typed (double-spaced) and signed; they must be originals,not photocopies. The daytime phone number and address of the letter-writermust be given for verification purposes.Oblast, Ukraine, who shared a particularbond with Dr. Woroch, has beenengaged to compile information andwrite the book.Personal accounts and reminiscencesof Dr. Woroch, both in Ukraineand in the diaspora – especially withreference to his work in the Ukrainiancommunity in North America – arecurrently being sollicited with the aimof realizing the project. All who knewand worked with Dr. Woroch are kindlyinvited to respond and send theirrecollections and accounts to Mrs.Wanchycka-Woroch at the followingaddress: Oksana Wanchycka-Woroch,1914 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.Telephone contact: (215) 732-3732 or1 (800) 487-5324.

8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7Nina Cel[xAdriqnaFokwejLesq~ejnorKsenq XrystynaHentywRoksana ElyzavetaKobzqrLqrysa SofiqLiteploNataliqLysec;kaOlqKunyc;kaAdriqna StefaniqKuzywynFunq MariqO KonelXrystq LqrysaWuperLida AnnaMulykMartaNalysnykRoksolqnaBohdannaRostyslavaVynarv subotu, 1 bereznq, 2003Ihor Sochantel./fax (201) 391-2581

No. 7Pittsburgh’s Ukrainianshold community meetingby Michael JulaPITTSBURGH – A meeting of the PittsburghUkrainian American Community occurred on Sunday,January 19, at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral ofLearning. The brisk afternoon brought representatives of17 organizations together to report on their goals for2003 and achievements of 2002 to an assembly of 35individuals.Pittsburgh is one of the oldest Ukrainian communitiesin the Unites States, balancing the existence of fourmajor immigrations and their descendants. Over twodecades ago, Bohdan Konecky supported an event toshowcase the collective experiences of the Ukrainianorganizations of the Pittsburgh community. ThePittsburgh Ukrainian Festival Committee was developedand it took the reins of an annual event promoting theactivities of these Ukrainian organizations, encouragingthem to network and socialize.True to its mission, the Pittsburgh Ukrainian FestivalCommittee called for an annual community meeting.Representatives from the Diocesan Resource Committee– Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Kyiv UkrainianDance School and Ensemble, League of UkrainianCatholics of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh UkrainianFestival Committee, Pittsburgh-Donetsk Sister Cities,Poltava Ukrainian Dance Company, the School ofUkrainian Studies, Ukrainian National Women’s Leagueof America Branch 27, Ukrainian Cultural andHumanitarian Institute, Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choirof Western Pennsylvanian, Ukrainian Nationality RoomCommittee at Pittsburgh, Ukrainian Fourth Wave ofPittsburgh, Ukrainian Orthodox Church DepartmentalAgencies, Ukrainian Radio Program, Ukrainian Self-Reliance Federal Credit Union, Ukrainian Student Clubat the University of Pittsburgh and the UkrainianTechnological Society reported.Monitored by Kristina Kincak Szmul of thePittsburgh Ukrainian Festival Committee, the meeting(Continued on page 19)THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 9UPDATE: St. John’s School Fund raises $65,000by Kristina Rak BrownKristina Rak Brown, a corporate attorney whoresides in South Orange, N.J., is an alumna of St. Johnthe Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School and a member ofthe executive committee of the Committee for theDevelopment of St. John’s School.NEWARK, N.J. – As previously reported, St. Johnthe Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School in Newark, N.J.,is raising funds to avoid closure this June. A group ofconcerned parents, parishioners and friends of St. John’sSchool have formed the Committee for theDevelopment of St. John’s School. The committee’sgoal is to raise the necessary money, increase enrollment,and commission a permanent management boardfor the school.The committee’s immediate goal is to raise $250,000by April 15. The Rev. Bohdan Lukie, pastor of St.John’s Church, decided on January 23 that unless thisamount is raised by the deadline, the school will beclosed in June. Since Father Lukie made his decision,the Committee has raised approximately $65,000 indonations, including a $25,000 donation from an institutionthat is a long-time supporter of the school,Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union.All donations are being deposited into an account speciallycreated for this effort and are being held in escrowpending the outcome of the fund-raising and decisionmakingprocesses regarding the school’s future.The committee’s plans to raise the additional fundsinclude: sending letters to the school’s alumni andgroups beyond St. John’s community; speaking directlyto individuals through a phone-a-thon; soliciting financialinstitutions and organizations for substantial donations;utilizing corporate matching donation programsand others. Each of those programs is under way. As anenticement for individual donors to donate $1,000 ormore, the committee is crafting a recognition program toacknowledge donors through a permanent public displayand annual gala event.Beyond the financial goal, the committee has identifiedincreasing enrollment for next year as an equallycritical matter. Members of the committee will be callingand meeting with the parents of children currentlyenrolled in the school to confirm that their children willbe returning for academic year 2003-2004. Other membershave been recruiting potential students, includingthose presently in Ukrainian pre-schools, children fromsurrounding parishes and recent immigrants fromUkraine. In furtherance of the recruitment effort, thecommittee, together with the school, will be hosting anOpen House on Saturday, February 22, followed by aValentine’s Dance for all children of elementary schoolage.The committee is updating the school’s website andbrochure and is planning to offer musical and choralperformances by St. John’s students, all aimed at showingthe public what the students and the school are capableof in terms of academic, spiritual and culturalachievements.The committee has concluded, however, that plans forthe school cannot simply focus on fund-raising. At thesame time, the committee, with the blessing of FatherLukie, is laying the foundation for the implementation ofa long-term “state of the art” strategic agenda for theschool. These plans focus on creating a permanentschool board that will work in conjunction with FatherLukie to govern the school which, until now, has beenrun solely by Father Lukie and the school’s principal.The permanent board will evaluate and enhance academicprograms and extracurricular activities, develop afinancial aid program and continue fund-raising in asystematic fashion. In this manner, the committee hopesto ensure that St. John’s remains at the academic forefrontof parochial schools in New Jersey, continues toimprove and enjoys support from the community.St. John’s inescapable needs at this time, however,are money and students. In order to realize the longtermgoals for St. John’s School, the committee mustraise the sum of $250,000 and increase enrollment.Donations may be made out to: St. John’s School Fund(Account No. 310511-000), c/o Selfreliance UkrainianAmerican Federal Credit Union, 734 Sandford Ave.,Newark, NJ 07106. For further information, readersmay call Volodymyr Kovbasniuk at the credit union at(973) 373-7839.DEBUTANTESOF THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION TO AID UKRAINE CHARITY BALLSaturday, February 22, 2003The Glendale Hilton100 West Glenoaks BoulevardGlendale, CA 91202Cocktailsat 6:30 p.m.Presentation ofDebutantes,Dinner andDancing,7:15 p.m.Natalya BrinkerNewberg, OregonSlavomira HaywasOceanside, CaliforniaMusic byKARI OCHIof TorontoEvening AttireMary MicevychTarzana, CaliforniaThe California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU)is a non-profit organization. All proceeds from theball are designated for orphanages and the Mealsfor Seniors Program in Ukraine.Renia SolukLos Angeles, CaliforniaNicole SwartzlanderDiamond Bar, CaliforniaFor reservations, information, or to send donationsplease contact:Ms. Christina Shymkovich500 Locke Haven StreetPasadena, CA 91105(626) 793-0292

10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7Memorandum...(Continued from page 6)system of financial monitoring in Ukraine.This assistance seriously influenced the formationof a legal base of combating illegalproceeds and terrorism financing based onthe national legal system in force.We are actively introducing the complexnational system of combating money launderingand terrorism financing. Paramountattention is being paid to the establishmentof the system nationwide. Ukraine’s governmentconsiders it a priority, and recent stepsUkraine has taken testify to this end.Thus, on November 28, 2002, theVerkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Parliament)passed the Law of Ukraine on Preventionand Counteraction of Legalization(Laundering) of the Proceeds from CrimeNo. 249-IV.After adoption of the basic law aimed atthe regulation of relations in the field ofcombating money laundering and terrorismfinancing, it was analyzed by FATF expertsin December 2002. FATF made severalcomments, recommending that Ukraineintroduce amendments into the newlypassed law and regulate several other legislativeissues.Upon the government’s initiative, proposalswere urgently drafted and approvedon December 24, 2002, by the VerkhovnaRada of Ukraine in the form of the Law ofUkraine on Prevention and Counteraction toLegalization (Laundering) of the Proceedsfrom Crime. The amendments and supplementsmeet the recent recommendations ofFATF experts. The said law introducedamendments into Articles 5-8, 12 and 14 ofthe basic law. In particular, Article 6 of thelaw, which determines the procedure foridentification of individuals performingfinancial transactions, has been supplementedwith provisions regarding the obligationof a subject of initial financial monitoringalso to identify the individual on whosebehalf such transaction is performed or whois the real beneficiary. Paragraphs 3 and 4 ofArticle 7, that enabled the subject of initialfinancial monitoring to avoid the procedureof providing information to the StateFinancial Monitoring Unit, have beenexcluded. The amendments introduced intoArticle 8 of the basic law obligate the staffof subjects of financial monitoring tounconditionally disclose all transactions thatgive rise to suspicions that they may havesought to launder proceeds from crime orfinance terrorism. According to Paragraph 2of Article 13 of the law, the authorizedagency submits relevant materials to lawenforcementbodies for investigation andprosecution, in accordance with their competence,given the profit that a financialtransaction may involve the legalization(laundering) of the proceeds and financingof terrorism. According to the CriminalCode of Ukraine and the CriminalProcedure Code of Ukraine, these provisionssettle the issue of seizures and confiscationof proceeds from crime. Now the lawprovides an “illustrative” list of transactionssubject to financial monitoring, instead ofan obligatory one. This means that broaderauthority is granted to subjects that performfinancial monitoring for the proposes ofmonitoring financial transactions.On January 16, 2003, the VerkhovnaRada of Ukraine passed the Law of Ukraineon Introduction of Amendments into theCriminal Code of Ukraine and the CriminalProcedure Code of Ukraine. This law stipulatesa new edition of Article 209 of theCriminal Code of Ukraine named“Legalization (laundering) of Money andother Property Obtained from Crime.” Theproposed edition of the article not onlybroadens the objective side of corpus delictiof this crime (FATF experts focused attentionan this fact), but also removes all obstaclesto prosecution of individuals who launderthe proceeds of crime. The new article,209, of the Criminal Code of Ukraine establishedculpability for violating the legislationon prevention and counteraction to thelegalization (laundering) of proceeds fromcrime with regard to the intentional failureto submit information on transactions, latesubmission or submission of deliberatelyfalse information regarding transactionssubject to internal or compulsory financialmonitoring to the financial intelligence unitand to the intentional disclosure of theabove-mentioned information to the clientor any third party. The amendments to theCriminal Procedure Code of Ukraine establishedthat the offenses under Article 209are subject to prosecution.On the same plenary day, the VerkhovnaRada approved in the first reading the draftLaw of Ukraine on Introduction ofAmendments into Certain Laws of UkraineRegarding Prevention of Use of Banks andOther Financial Institutions for Legalization(Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime. Thelaw brings the provisions of the Law ofUkraine on Banks and Banking Activitiesand the Law of Ukraine on FinancialServices and State Regulation of Makers ofFinancial Services into compliance with theprovisions of the new law. A stricter definitionof “bank secrecy” is established, andgreater possibilities for informationexchange among the subjects of financialmonitoring are provided. These subjectshave the right and obligation to completelyidentify the real beneficiary. During thedrafting of the law, scheduled for approvalat the beginning of February, amendmentswere introduced to envisage that the entitiesof initial financial monitoring, their officialsand other personnel shall not be disciplinarily,administratively and criminally liable orsubject to civil penalties for submission ofinformation about a financial transaction tothe authorized agency if they acted pursuantto and within the limits of the basic law. Thereporting threshold for cash and cashlesstransactions is established at 100,000 hrv(about 14,540 euros), if the transaction iscarried out in Ukrainian hryvni, or its equivalentif the transaction is carried out in foreigncurrency. Such an approval meets generallyrecognized international standards,including the directive of the Council ofEurope on prevention of the use of thefinancial system for money laundering purposes(June 10, 1991, No. 91/308/EEC) andFATF recommendations.According to the requirements of thebasic law, on December 12, 2002, theNational Bank of Ukraine enacted a resolutionthat stipulates that all foreign currencyexchange operations exceeding $10,000must be carried out through bank cash registersonly with obligatory client identification.On September 12, 2002, Ukraine ratifiedthe International Convention on FightingTerrorism Financing. Supplements to thedraft Law on Combating Terrorism weredrafted on its basis, taking into accounteight special recommendations of the FATF.The draft was approved by the VerkhovnaRada of Ukraine in the first reading.Supplements to the Criminal Code werealso drafted to include criminal penalties forterrorism financing. These supplements arescheduled for parliamentary approval inMarch 2003.The government of Ukraine hasapproved the Program of Counteraction toLegalization (Laundering) of Proceeds fromCrime for 2003. It has also approved a relevantcomplex of legal, organizational,methodical and material/technical measures,contained in a separate plan, which are necessaryfor the basic law to enter into force.It should be noted that the work of thefinancial intelligence unit (the StateDepartment of Financial Monitoring) wasactivated. The department is a governmentalauthority under the Finance Ministry ofUkraine and functions are clearly defined bythe basic law and the statute as the speciallyauthorized body in this sphere. It is a legalentity with its independent balance, registeredat the State Treasury, and has its ownseal. The department is absolutely independentof political processes; it is subordinateand accountable to the first vice primeminister. No political parties or groups caninfluence the appointment of the head of thedepartment or his/her deputies, as well as itsday-to-day work in general.Due to the specific character of the workof the financial intelligence unit, selection ofhighly qualified personnel for the key activitiesare now proceeding on a competitionbasis. Moreover, it was decided to considerablyincrease the number of its staff, especiallyto strengthen the analytical unit. TheCabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decidedto relocate the department into the newlyequipped building of the Ministry ofFinance. Proceeding from the tasks laiddown upon the financial intelligence unit atthis stage, the department’s needs will befunded accordingly.Fruitful cooperation between Ukraineand the Council of Europe was confirmedby signing the Declaration of Intent andfinal approval of performance specificationsfor the Project of Technical Assistance forCombating Proceeds from Crime inUkraine. The project is planned for launchin the nearest future, before coming intoforce of the basic law. The funding availableunder the project will be around 1 millionEuros. The project includes training thedepartment’s specialists in financial intelligenceunits in such countries asSwitzerland, Italy and others.We take full responsibility to state thatUkraine makes use of a complex of urgentlegislative and organizational actions, aimedat creating a working system to combatmoney laundering and terrorism financing.At the same time, we realize that there is nocriterion of sufficiency of such measures,according to formal indications. The assessmentof such actions is always subjective incharacter. In order to obtain a positive result,Ukraine exerts every effort to exceed thestandards set by the medium level of thecountries, corresponding systems of whichdo not give rise to claims of the FATF. Thegovernment of Ukraine is determined toincrease the active nature of this process andmake it irreversible.We are confident that the actions taken byUkraine within such a short period will behighly appraised by the global communityand will serve as real evidence of the aspirationof our state to create a transparent financialsystem that will work and change in theformat of international cooperation and leadingglobal experience. These actions shouldcontribute to a positive decision by the FATFregarding the withdrawal of the above-mentionedcountermeasures against Ukraine atthe next plenary meeting of this institution,scheduled for the middle of February 2003.In this context, Ukraine intends to preparefor accession to the Egmont Group and totake further steps required for removal fromthe FATF’s list of Non-Cooperative countriesand territories (NCCT).The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: January 2003Amount Name City$100.00 Zenon and Helen Ivanonko Vestal, N.Y.Neonila SochanJersey City, N.J.$58.08 Roma Hadzewycz Morristown, N.J.$55.00 Volodymyr Baranetsky Maplewood, N.J.Yuriy and IrenaDeychakiwskyNorth Potomac, Mass.M. Hrycelak Park Ridge, Ill.Jaroslav and VeraKryshtalskyForest Hills, N.Y.Julian KulasPark Ridge, Ill.Z. Majuk Capitola, Calif.$50.00 Hans Hawrysa Cambridge, Mass.Ihor HronLewis Center, OhioOlga MorozKerhonkson, N.Y.$45.00 Myron Nowosad Elgin, Ill.O. Rybak Berlin, Md.$30.00 Adrian Cyhan Chicago, Ill.Mark Hadzewycz Morristown, N.J.Mykola Hoshovsky Sunnyside, N.Y.Helen JensenForest Hills, N.Y.$25.00 Sviatoslav Bozhenko San Francisco, Calif.John Cherniawsky Astoria, N.Y.Andrew Czorniak Glastonbury, Conn.Tom HawrylkoClifton, N.J.Yarko KrupaSan Jose, Calif.Peter MyskiwPhoenix, Ariz.Richard W. and K. LudmillaMurphyBethesda, Md.Adrian Shepelavey San Francisco, Calif.Roman VoronkaMaplewood, N.J.Gregory Woloszyn Forest Hills, N.Y.Dorothy WylderVacaville, Calif.$20.00 Michael Bilynsky Hollywood, Fla.Ihor ChorneykoDundas, OntarioD. Chromowsky Howell, N.J.Steve IlkiwMontreal, QuebecAlexander Kalinowski Fredericksburg, Va.Natalia Kassaraba Peabody, Mass.Oleh MahlayHinckley, OhioJean OchrymEtobicoke, OntarioWilliam Roberts Lakeland, Fla.$10.00 Sophia Andrushkiw Maplewood, N.J.Max BarbelkaChandler, Ariz.M. Chepesiuk Toronto, OntarioGeorge Chomyn Weston, OntarioLarissa Dolinsky Westfield, N.J.Martha Hordinsky Oklahoma City, Okla.Wolodymyr Kostiuk Woodside, N.Y.Stanislawa Kovach Stratford, Conn.Adrian Krawczeniuk Old Greenwich, Conn.Eustachius Krawczuk North Port, Fla.Mykola and Nadia Lawrin Sterling Heights, Mich.John MartyniukEynon, Pa.Christine Matiash Las Vegas, Nev.Walter Metrovsky Union, N.J.Oksana Murskyj Mokena, Ill.Nadia MyketeyWoodbridge, Conn.Markian Onuferko Philadelphia, Pa.Myron Pawlowsky Winnipeg, ManitobaH. Relkin Scotch Plains, N.J.Myron SaldytCarrales, N.M.Lana TarasenkoChicago, Ill.Ihor TomkiwToronto, OntarioMichael Turianski Monroe, N.C.John Wynohradnyk Stony Point, N.Y.Leo Wysochansky Brunswic, MaineYaro ZajacEast Hanover, N.J.$5.00 Ihor Czuczuk Hamilton Square, N.J.Alexandra Hrycak Porlland, Ore.Olga KarmazynAliquippa, Pa.John KostSt. Petersburg, Fla.Bohdan Kwasowsky Taberg, N.Y.Andrij Leshchyshyn Columbia, Md.M. Lapichak-Kocylowska Alpine, N.J.Stefan Peleschuk Stamford, Conn.Myroslawa Pryjmak Rochester, N.Y.Eugene RepetaWarren, Mich.Victor Rosynsky Ewing Township, N.JPeter RudyToms River, N.J.Walter Swyrydenko Cleveland, OhioMonica Trendowski Detroit, Mich.TOTAL: $1,913.08Sincere thanks to all contributorsto The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund.The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is thesole fund dedicated exclusively to supportingthe work of this publication.

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 11“Regal Fantasy” showcases wearable art and paintingsthemes of historic period and folk dress, aswell as such areas further afield as architecture,music and poetry. The collection of 14pieces of apparel was brought by the artistupon emigrating to the United States in1991.Among Ms. Massalska’s creations,whose titles belie the subtelty of theirdesign, are such pieces as “ChervonaKalyna,” a recreation of a traditionalUkrainian costume in a machined-knitMarina Shapovalenko and DeannaStawnychy.The fashion program and flyer weredesigned by Ms. Massalska’s son, Mr.Poteryaylo.***A graphic artist and painter, Mr.Poteryaylo began his studies in Kyiv at theTaras Shevchenko Republican School ofArt, and at the Studio of AnalyticalDrawing where he studied with NikolaiBook Review and illustrative work for TheNew York Times and the Wall StreetJournal. He has also worked as an animatorat Jumbo Pictures (Disney TV Channel)and made a short animated opening forMTV.Among projects in which he wasengaged as a student was a painting for theannual event “Jaarverslag 95,” commissionedby Casa Architecten in Amsterdamand the drawing of two maps for the NewFashion program designed by AndreiPoteryaylo.SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – Afashion show aptly titled “Regal Fantasy,”comprising knitted wearable art created bythe designer Tamara Massalska, was heldunder the auspices of the UkrainianNational Women’s League of AmericaBranch 4 of Piscataway on November 3,2002, in the grand reception hall of St.Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church.Showcased as part of the overall programwere the works of Andrei Poteryaylo,a graphic artist and painter, and son of thedesigner.For inspiration for her work, Ms.Massalska, who works with knitted fabricat Hampshire Design, draws on Ukrainian“Oranta,” inspired by the mosaic inKyiv’s St. Sophia Cathedral, withauburn, gold and blue bands interwovenwith metallic threads; the samecolor scheme is woven into a geometricdesign in the v-shaped plastron collarand vertical center band. The piecealso has a cap woven of gold metallicwool, evocative of a halo. The piece ismodeled by Renata Bokalo ofBrooklyn, N.Y.“The Tavern,” mixed media, 1999, byAndrei Poteryaylo.design; a knitted dress with blue and goldyarn incorporating the trident design downthe front and back with large full sleevesand a headdress resembling a crown; and aslim tube of a dress, with red and goldflames woven into the bodice with dark batwing sleeves.“Oranta,” inspired by the mosaic inKyiv’s St. Sophia Cathedral, has auburn,gold and blue bands interwoven withmetallic threads, with the same colorscheme woven into a geometric design inthe v-shaped plastron collar and verticalcenter band. The piece also has a headdresswoven of gold metallic wool, evocative ofa halo.The fashion show was accompanied by aluncheon prepared by the Sisterhood of St.Andrew’s Orthodox Church. The hall wasdecorated by UNWLA branch members toreflect the deep, rich colors of fall folliage,set off dramatically with large bouquets ofchrysanthemums.Modelling the extravagant and dramaticapparel were Renata Bokalo, ChristineD’Agostino, Solomiya Fedyna, KellyGoodwin, Natalka Hutsul, Natalie Lyszyk,Aleksa Milanytch, Christina Ratycz,“Shadow in a Summer House 1 and 2,” 1993-1994, watercolor, India ink, byAndrei Poteryaylo.Shkaraputa.Mr. Poteryaylo earned a BFA degreefrom the Pratt Institute in New York in1997, graduating with honors. As part ofPratt Institute’s study abroad program, hestudied at the Reitveld Academy inAmsterdam and at the International Schoolof Graphic Arts in Venice. He is a recipientof the the Society of Illustrators Award(1994).The artist’s experience includes illustratingfiction briefs for The New York TimesDesigner Tamara MassalskaNederland Museum in Liberty State Park inJersey City, N.J.Mr. Poteryaylo offered the followingstatement as his art credo. “The sense ofdiscovery and the spiritualization of anartwork constitute the esssence of creativity...When the artwork exceeds theartist’s expectations, when the brush orpen move spontaneously, and are at onewith the artist, the feeling is one of unexpectedexcitement which translates into afeeling of incomparable happiness.”Artist Andrei PoteryayloMuted reaction...(Continued from page 1)and Kyiv have only begun to rise from theirlowest point in a decade, would have littleimpact on budgetary programs or the economy’sdevelopment, but could hamper otherareas.Volodymyr Sydenko, economic expertfor the Razumkov Center for Economic andPolitical Studies, pointed to the possibilitythat institution-building efforts, funded to alarge part by United States, could be hamperedby the aid cuts.“For the most part, this will affect thedevelopment of institutions, first of all thoseassociated with government, and in thiscontext will lead to a search for new alternatives,”explained Mr. Sydenko.The economist added that reduced fundingcould even be healthy for Ukraine androuse government organizations that hadbecome too dependent on annual U.S. handoutsthey had come to consider as a faitaccompli.Viktor Kapustin, an aide to theVerkhovna Rada’s chairman of theCommittee on Finance and Banking, SerhiiBuriak, said neither the economy, whichwas growing for a fourth consecutive year,nor the budget relied as they once did onforeign funding and would not feel theaffects of the cut in aid. Mr. Kapustinexplained that the funding in question wasoutside the budgetary process and legislatorsdid not consider it when approving anannual budget.Mr. Kapustin also said that he did notconsider the funding reduction a reflectionof U.S.-Ukraine relations inasmuch asRussia and Kazakstan also would receivereduced amounts of aid.“Ukraine was one of the major recipientsof U.S. aid in the course of the last 10years,” explained Mr. Kapustin. “Today,when the economy is more or less workingwell and the hryvnia remains stableand our democratic institutions are developing,we do not need as much aid. It is allvery normal.”But not all opinions were as optimistic.National Deputy Petro Poroshenko, chairmanof the Verkhovna Rada’s BudgetCommittee, voiced reservations on the timingof the reduced U.S. foreign funding.“First of all, we do not welcome thereduction of financial aid to Ukraine at atime when the country is in a situationwhere the restructuring of the financial andbudgetary system is not complete and aseconomic restructuring continues,”explained Mr. Poroshenko.However, the lawmaker added that hewas satisfied that at least most of the fundingcutback was directed at government sectorreforms and not NGO programs. He evenexpressed hope that the reduction of aid togovernment structures would force reformsthat would finally lead to more streamlinedand efficient functioning, as well as less corruptionin the government bureaucracy.On the other hand, explained Mr.Poroshenko, the possibility remained thatreduction of reform programs could lead toa contrary result and an increase in inefficiencyand corruption.

12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7Alexander Slobodyanik to perform with Pittsburgh SymphonyPITTSBURGH – Alexander Slobodyanik will appearwith the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the Americanpremiere of Alexander Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for TwoPianos, with Mariss Jansons conducting and pianist YefimBronfman. The weekend concerts, titled “TripleTchaikovsky,” will take place at Heinz Hall for thePerforming Arts on Friday, February 21, and Saturday,February 22, at 8 p.m.The concerto by the contemporary composer was writtenand dedicated to Mr. Slobodyanik and premiered in St.Petersburg in April 2001, with the composer at the secondpiano. At the “Triple Tchaikovsky” concerts, Mr.Bronfman will join Mr. Slobodyanik at the second piano.Mr. Tchaikovsky, who resides in St. Petersburg and ishead of the Composers’ Union, will attend the concerts.One of Mr. Tchaikovsky’s symphonies was recently performedin Lviv at the initiative of his colleague, Ukrainiancomposer Myroslav Skoryk.The all-Tchaikovsky program, by three unrelatedTchaikovskys, will include Boris Chiakovsky’s “EightVariations on a Theme” and Peter Tchaikovsky’s PianoConcerto No. 1.To order tickets by phone call (412) 392-4900; to orderon line, go to www.pittsburghsymphony.org. The HeinzHall Box Office, 600 Penn Ave., is open seven days a week,8 a.m.-8 p.m.***Mr. Slobodyanik, known to audiences around the worldas one of the great pianists from the former Soviet Union,has enjoyed a prodigious international career spanning overthree decades in solo recitals and performances with leadingorchestras and in the great concert halls of Europe,North America, the Far East and Australia.His acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall in 1968, as part ofhis first concert tour of the United States, gained him praiseand recognition as a leader of his generation. Mr.Slobodyanik returned regularly for concert tours of NorthAmerica until 1979. After a nine-year hiatus, due to thebreakdown of U.S.-Soviet cultural agreements, he returnedto the American concert stage in 1988.Born in Kyiv, Mr. Slobodyanik began music studies atthe Special Music School in Lviv with Lidia Golembo. Atage 15 he moved to Moscow to study with the legendaryHeinrich Neuhaus at the Moscow Central Special MusicSchool and subsequently at the Moscow Conservatory,where he completed his doctorate with Vera Gornostayeva.Mr. Slobodyanik is a laureate of the International ChopinCompetition in Warsaw and the Tchaikovsky CompetitionAlexander Slobodyanikin Moscow.Since emigrating to the United States, Mr. Slobodyanikhas performed with the world’s great orchestras, includingthe New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, LosAngeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, ClevelandOrchestra, San Francisco Symphony, National Symphonyand Montreal Symphony in North America, and abroadwith the London Symphony, the Royal Philharmonic, theGewandhaus Orchestra, the Kirov Orchestra and others.He has collaborated with renowned conductors, includingLeonard Bernstein, Sir John Barbirolli, Yuri Bashmet,Christoph von Dohnanyi, Valery Gergiev, Maestro Jansons,Neeme Jarvi, Dmitri Vitaenko, Kiril Kondrashin, KurtMasur, Mstislav Rostropovich, Gennady Rozhdestvensky,Thomas Sanderling, Maxim Shostakovich and YuriTemirkanov.Mr. Slobodyanik continues to concertize, mostly inEurope, and is visiting professor of the St. PetersburgConservatory in Russia. In addition to giving concerts andmaster classes in New Jersey, New York and Los Angeles,every summer he is a guest teacher at Piano Summer at theState University of New York at New Paltz.Just this week, Mr. Slobodyanik’s student DanyloShleyenkov, 18, originally from Minsk, who has beenstudying with the Ukrainian pianist for three years, won theYoung Artists’ Competition, qualifying him to play with theNew Jersey Symphony Orchestra.In addition to solo engagements, Mr. Slobodyanik frequentlyperforms chamber music and two piano programsand concertos with distinguished colleagues.***Recognized as among the most talented pianists performingtoday, Mr. Bronfman has won critical acclaim forhis solo recitals, orchestral engagements and recordings.Born in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, in 1958, heimmigrated to Israel with his family in 1973. He made hisinternational debut in 1975 with Zubin Mehta and theMontreal Symphony. In 1978 he appeared with the NewYork Philharmonic and had his Washington recital debut atthe Kennedy Center in 1981 and his New York recital debutin 1982 at the 92nd Street Y.In Israel he studied with pianist Arie Vardi at Tel AvivUniversity. In the United States he studied at the JuilliardSchool, Marlboro and the Curtis Institute, and with RudolfFirkusny, Leon Fleisher and Rudolf Serkin.***The music director of the Pittsburgh SymphonyOrchestra since 1997, Maestro Jansons is recognized as oneof the most distinguished musicians of his generation. Hewas music director of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra(1979-2000); associate principal conductor of the St.Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductorof the London Philharmonic Orchestra.Maestro Jansons was recently named music director ofthe Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and principal conductorof the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra inAmsterdam (beginning in 2004).Maestro Jansons, son of the renowned conductor ArvidJansons, was born in Riga, Latvia, in 1943. He studied atthe Leningrad Conservatory, and continued his training inVienna with Hans Swarowsky and in Salzburg with Herbertvon Karajan. In 1971 he won the International Herbert vonKarajan Foundation Competition in Berlin.Oleh Chmyr to appear with New Jersey State Opera in “Pagliacci”NEWARK, N.J. – Baritone Oleh Chmyr will appearwith the New Jersey State Opera in Leoncavallo’s oneactopera “Pagliacci” in the role of Silvio, in two performancesto be held at the New Jersey Performing ArtsCenter, Prudential Hall, on Friday, February 21, at 8p.m. and on Sunday, February 23, at 3 p.m. Also on thebill is Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana.”A principal artist with the Ekaterinburg Opera inRussia since 1984, as well as with the Lviv andWroclaw (Poland) opera companies, Mr. Chmyr hasperformed lead roles in the opera houses of Ukraine,Russia and Poland. His opera and concert tours hadtaken him to France, Spain, Germany, Denmark andNorway.Mr. Chmyr has also established himself as a talentedchamber singer with an extensive repertoire. Hissolo concert “European Vocal Miniatures,” held atCarnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in May 2000, featureda repertoire of Western European as well asUkrainian, Polish and Russian composers. An eponymousCD was released that same year. Prior to emigratingto the United States in 1994, Mr. Chmyr’s interpretationof German Lieder earned him recognition at suchfora as the Glinka International Vocal Competition inRussia.Among select performances of Mr. Chmyr’ssinging career were appearances with the BerlinRundfunk Symphony Orchestra, under the direction ofRobert Hannel, at the Berliner Music Festival gala concert(1984); as soloist performing the “Vesna” (Spring)cantata with mixed choir and orchestra, under the directionof Alexander Lazarev, principal conductor of theBolshoi Opera, at the first Rachmaninoff festival held inthe composer’s hometown of Ivanovka in Russia; andwith the Poznan and Ekaterinburg symphonies, underthe direction of Andrei Borejko, where he sang andrecorded “Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen.”Select American performances included appearancesat the Newport International Star Festival (1996)as well as at Carnegie Hall in the New York GrandOpera Gala “Stars of Tomorrow” concert (1995) and atNew York’s Merkin Hall (1997).Mr. Chmyr has been referred to by critics as a“baritone, [who] with his outstanding artistic ability,stands at the threshold of an international career,” (JoeMcLellan, The Washington Post, 1994) and as “a noblebaritone with a beautiful, warn voice enhanced by adeep soul” (Unsere Zeit, Berlin).Last summer Mr. Chmyr completed a successfulconcert tour in Ukraine which included performances atthe Independence Day gala concert with the NationalSymphony Orchestra, under the direction of VolodymyrSirenko, at the Ukraina Palace of Culture, and, as partof the Kyiv Music Fest, where he appeared with theNational Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction ofMykola Diadura in a concert dedicated to the 70thanniversary of the birth of Ukrainian tenor AnatoliiSolovianenko.While in Kyiv, Mr. Chmyr was the subject of severalinterviews and was featured as a special guest artiston Ukrainian National Radio and Television.* * *A native of Lviv, Mr. Chmyr studied at the LvivConservatory, with Profs. Pavlo Karmeluk and TetianaKarpatska, and, later at the Moscow Conservatory, withthe renowned Hugo Tietz and Petro Skusnichenko.After preparing his doctoral degree in voice, he taughtat the Lysenko and Mussorgsky conservatories in Lvivand Ekaterinburg, respectively.Mr. Chmyr’s professional consultants have includedthe Russian diva, mezzo-soprano Irina Archipovaand, in the United States, renowned soprano LiciaAlbanese.Apart from his performing schedule, Mr. Chmyr isprofessor of voice at the County College of Morris inRandolph, N.J.* * *Featured in lead roles in “Pagliacci” are tenorManrico Tadeschi of Canada as Canio, and Russiansoprano Olga Romanko as Nedda; with native NewYorker Sigmund Cowen, baritone, as Tonio.Conducting the New Jersey State Opera in the two passion-filledverismo opera masterpieces is its artisticdirector and conductor, Alfredo Silipigni.For tickets, ranging in price from $15 to $85 forthe double bill, call (973) 623-5775 or visit the websitehttp://www.newjerseystateopera.org.Baritone Oleh Chmyr

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 13CONCERTNOTES: Oksana Bilozir at Brooklyn’s Millennium TheaterOksana Bilozir at the Millennium Theater.Viktor Yushchenko on stage with the pop diva from Ukraine.John Marynmany of our sons were lost fighting for ourBatkivshchyna – that is why our Ukrainehas such an abundance of glorious kleny,”she spoke softly as she began the ballad“Klenova Ballada” dedicated to Ukraine’sfreedom fighters.At one point, Ms. Bilozir had promisedthe audience that she had brought only thevery best of her collection – and that shedid. Her back-up band, “Fest,” and herback-up dancers, also called “Fest,” per-(Continued on page 17)by Lillianna and Alexander ChudolijSpecial to The Ukrainian WeeklyBROOKLYN, N.Y. – Those whomissed the debut concert of OksanaBilozir’s U.S.-Canada tour this pastSaturday, February 8, held at the NYCMillennium Theater, in Brooklyn, N.Y.,missed one of the most inspiring, mostprofessional and greatest concerts ever.In all of our combined years of attendingvarious concerts, we had never seenanything like this one. Oksana Bilozir waselectrifying!As if it wasn’t enough to see and hear aperformer of this caliber, a surprise to allin attendance was the appearance of ViktorYushchenko, the leader of the Our Ukrainebloc – or, as Ms. Bilozir put it, “Ukraine’sbest hope for the 21st century.” If elected,Mr. Yushchenko would become the firstUkrainian president of true Kozak descent.He kicked off the event and gave all aprelude to the evening’s entertainment, aswell as a quick summary of his patrioticideology.Accompanied by his colleague YevhenChervonenko, Mr. Yushchenko took centerstage and declared this night a 100 percentUkrainian night and nothing less. Mr.Yushchenko spoke of how wonderful itwas to be here in America amongUkrainians, how he and the people ofUkraine appreciate all that the diasporahas done and continues to do for Ukraine,and especially how grand it is to have anangel like “Oksanochka” Bilozir, as anational deputy of the Our Ukraine bloc.Mr. Yushchenko said that at this time thereis no one better to represent all that is goodabout Ukraine than Oksana Bilozir. Withthis, the band began to play and Ms.Bilozir came on stage to rousing applausefrom the full auditorium.The opening number, “PshenychnePereveslo,” a fast-paced, tradition-filledlyrical piece, got everyone rocking in theirseats. It was followed by “Niby Vchora,”“Batkivske Zhyto” and “Rospytayu ProLubov” – all beautifully lyrical, melodicand moving pieces. This opening segmentwas dedicated to the singer’s beloved collaboratorand late husband, Ihor Bilozir,who was the composer of all of thesepieces as well as “Laskavo Prosymo,”which was sung later in the program. Ms.Bilozir took a moment to pay homage tothe late composer who met a tragic, brutaldeath all too soon in his creative life.Ms. Bilozir continued to enchant theaudience as she made references to numerousperiods in Ukraine’s history as well asin her own life. Her version of “DvaKolory” left not a dry eye in the theater. Asshe continued and spoke of Ukraine’smany “Povstantsi” and how a motherwould always yearn for the return of herson from battle, she reminded us of the traditionof our soldiers pleading with theirmothers to plant a “klen” (maple tree) nearthe house as a reminder of their life. “SoChildren from the audience become part of the show with Oksana Bilozir when they were invited on stage.

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English a must.European trained owner.201-944-9787.EARN EXTRA INCOME!The Ukrainian Weekly is lookingfor advertising sales agents.For additional information contactMaria Oscislawski, AdvertisingManager, The Ukrainian Weekly,(973) 292-9800, ext 3040.Ukrainian lawmakers...(Continued from page 1)noted that at the time peasants were notallowed to leave their villages to seek foodafter their own stores were confiscated andwere turned back to their barren homeswhen they fled to the cities.“Ukraine reflected a military reservationat the time,” explained Mr. Tabachnyk, whoalso referred to documented incidents ofcannibalism in the countryside. He said that70 percent of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblastwas starved.Verkhovna Rada Chairman VolodymyrLytvyn, who directed the proceedings,called for an effort to identify by name allthe victims in order to properly memorializethem. Prof. James Mace, whose seminalresearch was central to U.S. congressionalhearings in the 1980s that recognized theGreat Famine as genocide, also spoke insupport of a proper memorial, as did Prof.Stanislav Kulchytsky, Prof. Ivan Kuras andNational Deputies Viktor Yushchenko,Hennadii Udovenko, Ivan Pliusch andLevko Lukianenko.Yet unanimity of feeling and intent didnot rein at the hearing. National DeputyPetro Symonenko, chairman of theCommunist Party of Ukraine, raised aruckus when he asserted, while giving histake on the Great Famine, that it came asthe result of a severe drought and was partof a cycle of starvation, albeit worse thanprevious ones, that Ukraine had regularlyexperienced every 10-11 years since the latterpart of the previous century. Mr.Symonenko blamed the famine not onSoviet leaders, but on the remnants of thecapitalist system, which he said wasresponsible for the earlier famines andwhich still had not been fully excised by thefirst part of the 1930s.National Deputy Pliusch, former chairmanof the Verkhovna Rada, spoke afterMr. Symonenko and immediately fired asharp response to the remarks. His voicefilling with emotion, Mr. Pliusch lookedsternly at the Communist leader and retorted:“It was godless Bolshevism thatdestroyed a whole generation of our bestsons and daughters. And it cannot be forgivenfor this.”In a milder tone, former Soviet politicalprisoner and current National DeputyLukianenko, speaking earlier in the hearing,referred to several dozen Communistadherents who stood outside the VerkhovnaRada building as the hearing took place andsaid they must be understood as unfortunatepeople, misguided by Soviet policies andstill twisted by its revanchist history. Headded that they should be invited inside theRada chambers to listen to the truth.Mr. Lukianenko underscored that theCommunists must seek repentance and askfor forgiveness for their transgressions,many of which they still fail to understand.MAY WE HELP YOU?To reachThe Ukrainian Weeklycall (973) 292-9800,and dial theappropriate extension(as listed below).Editorial – 3049, 3063, 3069Administration – 3041Advertising – 3040Subscriptions – 3042Production – 3052

No. 7Yushchenko urges...THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 15(Continued from page 1)Caucus – with former Secretary of StateMadeleine K. Albright; two former U.S.ambassadors to Ukraine, Steven Pifer,who now serves as deputy assistant secretaryof state for European and Eurasianaffairs, and his predecessor, WilliamGreen Miller; as well as with ZbigniewBrzezinski, who was national securityadvisor to President Jimmy Carter.Despite the fact that the level of trustbetween the United States and Ukraine isat an all-time low and there is a lack ofbilateral contact at the higher levels, Mr.Yushchenko told The Ukrainian Weekly,he found a great interest on the part ofofficial Washington in helping getUkraine back on track to building aviable democratic state.Looking at the problem domestically,“Ukraine today is far from being ademocracy,” he said. “With every passingday it sinks deeper into corruption, freedomof expression is curtailed, the mediacannot do its job without interference,there are problems with the shadoweconomy, and the like.”Externally, he added, “there is the seriousloss of image and reputation, and theresulting international isolation.”Mr. Yushchenko suggested that, atpresent, U.S.-Ukrainian relations couldbe improved with the proactive help ofthe U.S. Congress and the VerkhovnaRada. “I am convinced that the problemscan be resolved if we tackle their rootcauses rather than by reacting to results,”he said.Responding to questions onUkrainian-Russian relations followinghis address at the Carnegie Institutebreakfast meeting on February 7, one ofwhich was posed by former U.S.Ambassador to Russia Jack Matlock, Mr.Yushchenko said that recent policies governingthat relationship have been disappointingand destabilizing. These ties, hesaid, should be based on equal treatmentof each other’s interests.As for the alarming increase ofRussian investment in Ukraine, Mr.Yushchenko said that the problem wasnot so much the origin of the capital asthe absence of transparency in the privatizationprocess. “Western capital is notused to working in such an atmosphere,”he said, “and certain political cliques takeadvantage of this.”The economic relationship betweenUkraine and Russia has not been ahealthy one in recent years, Mr.Yushchenko said. It is being driven by a“dynamic” that is not in the economicinterest of either country, he said. Therehas been a downturn in trade and economicrelations, and the trade and taxregimes have been pushing the twoeconomies apart, he added.On more than one occasion during hisvisit, Mr. Yushchenko expressed apprehensionthat the present administration –he never referred to President LeonidKuchma by name in any of his criticism– may be planning some “surprises” nextyear in an attempt to retain power afterthe next presidential election.One such attempt may have alreadybeen launched with the announcement ofa governmental reform proposal to shiftthe governing power from the presidencyto the Parliament. Our Ukraine and otherpolitical groups, he said, see this as anattempt to pass power from one branch ofthe government to another while retainingpower in the same political hands.Oleksander Yeliashkevych, a formerVerkhovna Rada deputy seeking asylumin the United States because of a threaton his life for criticizing PresidentKuchma, chided Mr. Yushchenko for notonce mentioning the president by namein his remarks. Also attending, but notparticipating in the discussion, at theCarnegie Institute breakfast was MykolaMelnychenko, President Kuchma’s formersecurity officer whose secret recordingsof his conversations gave rise tomany of the administration’s problems,both domestically and abroad.During his visit, Mr. Yushchenko alsohad the occasion to meet with anotherU.S. asylum seeker related to the socalledKuchmagate tape scandal, thewidow of the murdered journalist HeorhiiGongadze, Myroslava Gongadze, whonow reports for Radio Liberty inWashington.He arrived in Washington one dayafter the Bush administration announcedmajor cutbacks in U.S. assistance forUkraine and in its international broadcastingoperations through the Voice ofAmerica and Radio Free Europe/RadioLiberty. The 2004 budget proposal wouldreduce VOA’s daily Ukrainian programmingschedule from two hours to one andwould eliminate three staff positions.Mr. Yushchenko characterized thebroadcasting cutbacks as premature.“Cutting back programming of theseradio stations at this time is a mistake,”he said, explaining that they provideequal media access to all political playersin the country, be they pro-government orin opposition to it.The visiting Our Ukraine deputieswere the guests of honor at two eveningreceptions. One was hosted by threeorganizations involved in democracybuildingefforts in Ukraine – the NationalEndowment for Democracy, the NationalDemocratic Institute and the InternationalRepublican Institute, which assisted insetting up the group’s Washington visitschedule. The other, hosted by U.S. Courtof Federal Claims Judge Bohdan Futeyand his wife, was an opportunity for themto meet with representatives of theUkrainian American community.YURI INTERNATIONALTIONAL13 Royal Palm Dr., Cheektowaga, NY 14225TRADE, TRAVEL, PARCELHalfway through the reception,Messrs. Yushchenko and Chervonenkoleft for New York to attend a concert bythe popular Ukrainian singer and OurUkraine National Deputy Oksana Bilozir.The other two deputies remained, andflew back to Kyiv the following morning.Tel.: (716) 685-1505 Fax: (716) 685-0987Yaro BihunViktor Yushchenko and fellow Our Ukraine National Deputy YevhenChervonenko (left) pause to confer with their colleagues about the next meetingof their Washington schedule.Raising a toast, Viktor Yushchenko describes his vision of the future forUkraine to representatives of the Ukrainian American community gathered at areception hosted by Judge Bohdan Futey and his wife, Myroslava (standingbeside Mr. Yushchenko).PARCELS, AIRLINE TICKETS, VISAS, MONEY TRANSFER,FOOD PARCELS FROM AMERICA AND CANADA TO UKRAINE,RUSSIA, BELARUS, MOLDOVA, BALTIC COUNTRIES, POLAND,CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUSParcels pick-up from homeInvitation to America • Visas to Ukraine • Extension of U.S. visas • DV LotteryAirport pick-up and assistance in Lviv, Kyiv, Moscow, New York and TorontoAssistance with immigration papers for “Green Card”Video Transfers PAL/SECAM - NTSCCalls to Ukraine 16¢ per minute • Calls to Russia 16¢ per minuteViktor Yushchenko and fellow Our Ukraine deputy Oleh Rybachuk (center)confer with Richard Murphy (right), senior associate at the Center for Strategicand International Studies, during a reception in their honor.For further information call:(716) 685-1505E-mail: Yuriinter@hotmail.com

16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7Singer Oksana Bilozir addresses community in her role as national deputyRoma HadzewyczOksana Bilozir addresses members of the Ukrainian American community.CarnivalSt. George School, N.Y.is hosting a carnival for children and adults in theschool auditoriumon March 8, 2003 at 3pmSt. George School, 215 East 6th Street, New YorkTel.: (212) 473-3130by Roma HadzewyczEAST HANOVER, N.J. – Ukraine’stop pop diva, Oksana Bilozir, appearedhere at a public meeting with UkrainianAmerican community members onMonday, February 10, to share herthoughts as a member of Ukraine’sVerkhovna Rada.As she was fresh from the debut concertof her North American tour, performedon Saturday, February 8, inBrooklyn, N.Y. (see concert notes onpage 13 of this issue), Ms. Bilozir’sappearance here at the Ramada Hotelwas eagerly awaited by fans and communitymembers who wanted to hear morefrom a person who is both a nationalartist of Ukraine and a national deputyfrom Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukrainebloc.Ms. Bilozir underlined that OurUkraine was in fact the major victor inthe most recent parliamentary electionsas it gained 25 percent of the vote. “Thiswas our first victory,” she stated, promisingthat there would be more to follow.“Viktor Yushchenko is our chance” for abetter future for Ukraine, she noted,referring to Ukraine’s presidential electionsin 2002.The next few months, she continued,“will determine the future of Ukraine ...and we will elect our own true presidentin our Ukraine.”She spoke of Mr. Yushchenko’s recentvisit to Washington, where he wasengaged in a series of high-level meetingswith Bush administration officials,policymakers and members of Congress,and noted that the Our Ukraine leader’smessage was to underscore the distinctionbetween the largely discredited currentgovernment of Ukraine and the peopleof Ukraine, who are deserving of thesupport of the United States.Ms. Bilozir referred also to the factthat Ukraine is now controlled by threeclans – those from Dnipropetrovsk,Donetsk and Kyiv – whose oligarchs arein leading positions in the government,the presidential administration and theParliament. “Today there is a crisis inUkraine that stems from its utterly corruptedleadership,” she stated, addingthat what is most needed in the next electionsis a thorough housecleaning ofUkraine’s authorities.On the bright side, however, there aredevelopments that indicate a beneficialmerger of national democratic factions inUkraine, as several political groupingsare currently negotiating for a union withOur Ukraine, Ms. Bilozir explained.Responding to a question about whycertain members of Our Ukraine haddefected to pro-Kuchma forces inParliament, Ms. Bilozir explained thatthese were due no doubt to pressure andblackmail. Nonetheless, she said, OurUkraine remains a powerful force.The open format of the communitymeeting allowed audience members topose questions on a variety of subjects,all of which Ms. Bilozir answered in aforthright and personable manner.Afterwards, many lined up to speak inperson with the performer/nationaldeputy and to get her autograph on CDsof her music.Ms. Bilozir was introduced to theaudience of well over 100 people by IvanBurtyk, chairman of the New JerseyCoordinating Council of the UkrainianCongress Committee of America, whichorganized the event. Sponsors of theevening were the Self Reliance NewJersey Federal Credit Union and theRamada Hotel.

No. 7Oksana Bilozir...(Continued from page 13)formed in the background of many numbers.Ms. Bilozir’s intertwining ofUkrainian background history prior to virtuallyevery song made for an unforgettable,often tearful experience both for theaudience and the performer. Her symbolic,patriotic and heartfelt recounting of thenatural beauty of the land of our ancestorstempered by the political tragedies thathave marked the fabric of Ukraine’s existencebuilt a bond between Ms. Bilozirand the audience. The intensity of her 100percent pure Ukrainian performance, aswell as her numerous references to Mr.Yushchenko, was like nothing any audiencehere had ever before experienced.Ms. Bilozir presented the audience withyet another bonus: one of her supposedband members stepped forward and wasintroduced as one of Ukraine’s top maleperformers. None other than VitaliiSachok took center stage and sang three ofhis finest hits, “Adrianna,” “Koliada” and“Sontse Moye.” Mr. Sachok also spoke inbetween each piece and interacted with theaudience.Other than this brief period whichessentially allowed for a costume change,Ms. Bilozir took no breaks. The concert,which began at 7:20 p.m. (that’s 7 p.m.Ukrainian time) ended at 9:30 p.m. Therewas no intermission – just energy, song.During the second half of the performance,as Ms. Bilozir announced that thisnight was truly a celebration, she thenbegan singing “Sviatkova.” The unexpectedcontinued to unfold as Oksana’s interactionwith the crowd led her into theaudience.This writer (Alex) was surprised tohave her approach me with her microphoneto “help” lead the crowd in singingthe song, “Oi Zelene Zhyto, Zelene.” (I’mstill arguing with my wife as to whether itwas her Ukrainian blouse – surprisingly,Lilia was just about the only adult wearinga Ukrainian embroidered blouse – thatattracted Oksana to our seats, or if it wasmy Ukrainian Kozak charisma.) So I “ledthe crowd” for several seconds in singinga song (to which I did not know the lyrics(but that never stopped me); my wifecouldn’t contain herself and thankfullyhelped me through the song.Our son, Petrus, sitting on the end seatof the row was in complete and utter aweof Ms. Bilozir. Also dressed in a Ukrainianembroidered shirt, he could not believethat Oksana Bilozir was standing rightnext to him throughout much of the secondhalf of her performance. He hadwished that he had something to give her.As she moved up the aisle, Ms. Bilozirwas presented with two huge UkrainianTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 17flags being held by members of the audience.Not to forget the older folks, Oksanadedicated a song to our parents and proceededto sing “Batkivska Pisnia” whiledancing this sentimental anniversary numberwith a Ukrainian senior citizen in theback of the hall.Before she could return to the stage toenchant the audience further, Mr.Chervonenko got up from his seat and proclaimedher one of Ukraine’s nationaltreasures. He said that Ms. Bilozir is sucha postive and necessary force for the bettermentof Ukraine and that she, as a person,as an intellectual and as a performerhas no equal. At this point he stated that hekneels before her – and then did so rightthen and there. As he rose, Mr.Chervonenko presented Ms. Bilozir withan enormous bouquet, which she graciouslyand emotionally accepted.After returning to the stage, Ms. Bilozirproceeded to perform one hit after another– “Dum-dum,” “Charivna Boikivchanka,”“Cafe,” “Prolitaly Leleky,” “Lystopad,”“Horobyna Nich” – all sung perfectly,with feeling and enthusiasm. Plus, therewas the added theatrical touch provided byVitalii Sachok takes the stage at the Millennium Theater.the Fest dance ensemble with whomOksana even strutted a few perfectly choreographedsteps as the stories within thesongs unfolded.As the singer could not put off her signaturesong any longer, “Ukrainochka”began to ring out throughout the hall. Ms.Bilozir invited all of the children in theaudience to come up on stage to singalong.Each received a furry little present fromthe performer. We counted almost 40youngsters on stage. Our son was in hisglory as he ended up in the center of thestage holding hands with Ms. Bilozir.While the finale was being sung, all thechildren joined the performer and swayedlike the waves of the Black Sea as Ms.Bilozir dedicated the final song to thefuture of Ukraine and her loving people.As it was in the beginning, so it was tobe in the end. Mr. Yushchenko came onstage to thank and congratulate Ms.Bilozir for providing such an unforgettableevening of 100 percent Ukrainian song.Mr. Yushchenko mentioned that Ukrainecould not survive now without OksanaBilozir and that she is truly a remarkableambassador for our great nation.As we looked around the packed nearly1,000-seat theater, we couldn’t help butnotice that the usual attendees ofUkrainian events in our community werelargely absent. It was also a shame thatthere was not a larger number of youths inattendance. We can only venture a guessthat today’s Ukrainian American youths(as well as their parents) may not knowabout Ms. Bilozir and her music, and maynot be aware that she is the premier popartist in Ukraine.John MarynWe can say unequivocally that thecrowd was alive, responsive, and verymuch in love with the performer, hermusic and based on the response to statementsmade by Mr. Yushchenko and Ms.Bilozir regarding their homeland – verymuch in love with Ukraine, as well.If you have an opportunity to seeOksana Bilozir in concert – do it. And takeyour kids. Help develop and perpetuateUkrainian music and song. Remember: ifUkrainians don’t invest in Ukrainianartists, who will?CONCERT NOTES:Syzokryli and Cheresat Town Hall in NYCby Chris CumingNEW YORK – Being of a non-Ukrainian background and having noformal dance experience, walking intoNew York City Town Hall to watch theSyzokryli ensemble was definitely sureto be a new experience.Besides pictures of previous performances,I had little to go on except whatmy imagination could help me predict.What I predicted was classic entertainment:music and dance. What I got was asense of exhilaration that I will not soonforget, a feeling that brought the audienceout of their seats.The opening number, meant to greetthe audience with the traditionalUkrainian welcome of bread and salt, didexactly that, feeling like the warm handshakeof a new friend. Perhaps one of myfavorite first-impressions was the smileson the faces of the dancers – a genuinegrin of goodwill and good times.This spirit carried through each dance,with particular highlights during the“battle of the sexes” dance, theKozachok, where the women gained atambourine or two, and during the dancethat provided the men a chance to showoff.The time between each dance did notfall to waste, as it gave me the opportunityto tune my ear into the livelyUkrainian sound provided by Cheres, avery skilled and entertaining band of folkmusicians. Being a musician myself, Ican assure you that the music theyplayed pushed the limits of tempo, whichadded to the vibrant pride on exhibitionthat night.Still, the focus of the night was thedancing, which was highly skilled, wellexecuted, and beautiful to watch. Themovements were precise; the performancewas fluid from dance to dance,especially in the finale, Hopak. Thisseemed to be what everyone was waitingfor. This seemed to be Ukrainian danceat its best.The audience was definitely appreciative,cheering and clapping the wholeway through the song, almost to thepoint where I am sure the dancers musthave had a hard time hearing the musicthemselves.Chris Cuming is a student at SetonHall University in South Orange, N.J.To The Weekly Contributors:We greatly appreciate the materials – feature articles, news stories, press clippings, lettersto the editor, etc. – we receive from our readers. In order to facilitate preparation ofThe 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 a givenevent.® All materials must be typed (or legibly hand-printed) and double-spaced.® Photographs (originals only, no photocopies or computer printouts) submitted forpublication must be accompanied by captions. Photos will be returned only when sorequested 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 the publicationand the date of the edition.® Information about upcoming events must be received one week before the date ofThe Weekly edition in which the information is to be published.® Persons who submit any materials must provide a daytime phone number wherethey may be reached if any additional information is required.® Unsolicited materials submitted for publication will be returned only when so requestedand accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope.UKRAINIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICALOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERSIF YOU ARE A PHYSICIAN, DENTIST, OR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALEITHER PRACTICING OR TRAINING, HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO JOINYOUR COLLEAGUES IN NORTH AMERICA’S PREMIER ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE WRITE TO:UKRAINIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA2247 W. CHICAGO AVENUECHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60622TELEPHONE: 773-278-6262OR FAX YOUR REQUEST TO 773-278-6962NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________________CITY: _____________________________________________________________________________________STATE: ____________________________________________________________________ ZIP: ____________DAYTIME PHONE: __________________________________________________________________________

18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 19NOTES ON PEOPLECommunity leaderin Connecticut PostNew Haven activistcited in city newsletterKyiv hit...Pittsburgh’s...(Continued from page 9)started on time and concluded ahead ofschedule. English was the working language.In a five-minute report, each group wasable to touch upon its mission, contributionsand upcoming activities. The presentationswere informative and provoking;they gave an insight into which organizationswere ready to tackle the challengesof the 21st century. Immediately after thereports an informal reception followed toEASTON, Conn. – Roma Hayda was thesubject of the Connecticut Post’s November12, 2002, “Woman Wise” feature, a spotlighton women who make a difference intheir community.The question and answer article focusedon Mrs. Hayda’s role in the UkrainianNational Women’s League of America, aswell as the role that organization plays inthe United States.Mrs. Hayda also spoke about the numerousother activities she is a part of that supportan awareness of Ukrainian community.Among those many roles and activities, thenewspaper talked with Mrs. Hayda abouther involvement in collecting sacred musicby Ukrainian composers for a localNational Public Radio station in Fairfield,Conn., her teaching Sunday school andmentoring students in Ukraine, and her roleas a member of the planning committee ofthe Taste of Ukraine Holiday Boutique.“I have long days, but I enjoy what I do,”Mrs. Hayda told the Connecticut Post. “Ilike doing the business that I do, because itgoes back to a core belief I have. It is aboutcelebrating the past and the family.”Roma Hayda is a member of UkrainianNational Association Branch 59.NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Wasyll Ginawas recently featured by New HavenConnects, a community newsletter publishedby the city of New Haven, for hisdedication and effort in making St.Michael’s Ukrainian Heritage Center inthat city one of two centers that keep “theflames of history and tradition burningfor their respective cultures.”In his post as librarian at the centerMr. Gina oversees seven exhibit roomsthat serve as a repository for art, historicdocuments and literary resources thatreflect Ukrainians’ strong national identity,the city newspaper said.“Perhaps the most notable feature ofthe center,” the newspaper wrote, “is itscollection of Ukrainian folk art, includingembroidery, woodcarving, ceramicsand pysanky – the famous UkrainianEaster eggs – made by members of theSt. Michael’s Parish community.“St. Michael’s Ukrainian HeritageCenter also works to pass Ukrainian cultureon to future generations by sponsoringa Ukrainian school on Saturdays,holding arts and crafts exhibitions, supplyingspeakers to local organizationfunctions and holding annual workshopson creating Ukrainian Easter eggs,” thearticle noted.Mr. Gina is a member of UkrainianNational Association Branch 414.(Continued from page 2)financial and business partners even beyondthe date when the FATF decides to strikeUkraine off its blacklist.It is noteworthy that Kyiv, knowing formore than a year that it is considered internationallyto be “non-cooperative” in combatingmoney laundering, reacted to thisdisgraceful categorization only after theFATF called for harsher international sanctions.In January and February theVerkhovna Rada hastily passed a number ofbills introducing amendments to theCriminal Code and banking laws intendedto curb money laundering in line with FATFrequirements.In particular, the legislature reduced theminimum sum subject to financial monitoringto 80,000 hrv ($15,000). Another majorlegislative change prohibited banks fromopening anonymous bank accounts andobliged them to identify customers whoperform banking operations exceeding50,000 hrv and not involving bankaccounts. In addition, Interfax reported onFebruary 7 that President Leonid Kuchmarecently signed a decree on “strengtheningthe fight against organized crime and corruption.”According to some Ukrainian commentators,the international focus on financialtransactions involving Ukrainian individualsand financial institutions may influencethe presidential campaign in Ukraine in2004 to the extent that it will be much moredifficult to use election slush funds – whichare purportedly used on an increasinglyextensive scale in every election campaign– from offshore banks. Therefore, thoseobservers argue, the role of covert fundsfrom Russia will become dominant in the2004 election. Some have even implied thatthe ruling regime may use the newly adoptedanti-money-laundering legislation as aconvenient tool to harass those businessmenwho support a challenger to the presidentialcandidate proposed by the “party of power.”This week, the FATF is going to hold aconference where its experts are expected todiscuss the compliance of Ukraine’s freshanti-money-laundering legislation withinternational standards. Although someUkrainian government officials havedeclared that the country’s legislature dideverything necessary to meet the FATFrequirements, it is rather unlikely that theorganization will automatically withdraw itsrecommendations of a tougher coursetoward Ukraine by international financialinstitutions. Ukraine has repeatedly provedto the world community in the past thatwriting laws is one thing and obeying themis another.encourage networking.In the beginning of its existencePittsburgh’s émigré community split intoUkrainian and Rusyn factions. As thisUkrainian community escaped theDepression, it soon faced new arrivalsand new perspectives. As history repeatsitself with the arrival of another wave ofimmigrants it is hoped that, in showcasingthe resources of Pittsburgh, cooperativealliances will be forged as needed.Inclusivity, not exclusivity, will be theapproach in Pittsburgh in promoting allcombined assets and sharing experiences.presents theVIENNA PIANO TRIOStefan Mendl, piano – Wolfgang Redik, violin – Matthias Gedler, violoncelloSaturday, February 22, 2003 at 8 p.m.Ukrainian Institue of America2 East 79 th Street, New York CityWOFLGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Trio in B-flat Major, K. 502(1756-1791) AllegroLarghettoAllegrettoGABRIEL FAURÉ Piano Trio in D Minor, Op. 120 (1923)(1845-1924) Allegro, ma non troppoAndantinoAllegro vivo– INTERMISSION –ROBERT SCHUMANN Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 63(1810 - 1856) Mit Energie und LeidenschaftLebhalt doch niecht zu raschLangsam, mit inniger EmpfindungMit FeuerConcert sponsored by Anonymous.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Donations $25, UIA Members, Seniors Citizens, and Students $15Tickets may be obtained by sending a check payable to UIA-MATI, 2 East 79th Street, New York,NY 10021 or by calling Taras Shegedyn at (212) 288-8660•“Music at the Institute” is sponsored by the Ukrainian Institute of AmericaMykola Suk – Artistic Director • Taras Shegedyn – Executive Director • Virko Baley – ArtisticAdvisorCOME, JOIN USUKRAINIAN NATIONALFEDERAL CREDIT UNION• HIGH INTEREST RATES ON CDs• FREE CHECKING• GREAT NEW RATES FOR MORTGAGES & 10% DOWN PAYMENT FORVEHICLE LOANS, SIGNATURE LOANS• SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES AVAILABLE• UKRAINIAN/ENGLISH SPOKEN• WESTERN UNION, VIGO, MEEST & WIRE •TRANSFERS• FRIENDLY PERSONNELWE CAN ACCOMMODATE ALL YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDSMAIN OFFICE215 Second Ave. (between 13th and 14th St.), New York, NY 10003Tel.: (212) 533-2980 • Fax: (212) 995-5204BRANCHES35 Main St., So. Bound Brook, NJ 08880Tel.: (732) 469-9085 • Fax: (732) 469-9165265 Washington Ave., Carteret, NJ 07008Tel.: (732) 802-0480 • Fax: (732) 802-0484e-mail: admin@uofcu.org Website: www.uofcu.orgCall toll free: 1-866-859-5848

20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7

No. 7NEWSBRIEFS(Continued from page 2)Chairman Serhii Tyhypko told journalistson February 11 that recent sanctions recommendedby the Financial Action TaskForce (FATF) on money laundering havehad an “insignificant” effect on Ukraine’sbanking system, the UNIAN news servicereported. Mr. Tyhypko added that thesanctions affected “only” 40 of the country’s153 banks. He did not elaborate.Referring to an FATF conference expectedto begin on February 12 in Paris, theNBU chairman said a decision not toexpand FATF sanctions against Ukrainewould be perceived by Kyiv as “positive.”(RFE/RL Newsline)Pascual: sanctions should be liftedKYIV – U.S. Ambassador to UkraineCarlos Pascual said on February 10 thatUkraine has made all the necessary legislativeamendments to justify removingsanctions recommended by the FinancialAction Task Force (FATF) on MoneyLaundering, Interfax reported. “It wasclear as early as at the start of 2001which steps needed to be taken by theUkrainian side [to combat money laundering].I am pleased to note that all ofthese major steps have been taken in thepast few weeks. Amendments were madeto anti-money-laundering legislation, theCriminal Code, and laws on banking,”Mr. Pascual said. At the same time, theambassador said the international communityneeds “solid guarantees” from theUkrainian government that the newlycreated body for fighting money laundering,the State Financial MonitoringDepartment, will act within the limits ofits jurisdiction and will not be used forpolitical purposes. The FATF will hold aconference on February 12-14 to considerUkraine’s new anti-money-launderinglegislation in light of international standards.(RFE/RL Newsline)Pascual explains aid reduction to UkraineKYIV – U.S. Ambassador to UkraineCarlos Pascual told journalists in Kyiv onFebruary 6 that the planned reduction ofU.S. assistance to Ukraine under theFreedom Support Act to $94 million in2004 is due to the fact that Ukraine hasreached a “certain level of financial independence,”Interfax reported. The diplomatsaid the U.S. government now needsto focus on financing priority projects inUkraine, including support for civil society,the independent media, and small andmedium-sized private businesses.(RFE/RL Newsline)Solana urges Kyiv to adopt EU standardsKYIV – Javier Solana, secretary-generalof the European Union Council andhigh representative for the common foreignand security policy, urged Ukraineto enact judicial reform, guarantee thefreedom of independent media, andimprove relations between the governmentand the opposition on the country’spath toward the EU, Interfax reported onFebruary 7. Mr. Solana was briefing journalistsfollowing a Ukraine-EU meetingin Kyiv the same day. (RFE/RLNewsline)Yushchenko: support independent mediaKYIV – The West should support independentUkrainian media because protectingfreedom of expression is among thatcountry’s most serious issues, Interfaxquoted Our Ukraine leader ViktorYushchenko as saying to journalists inWashington on February 8. According toMr. Yushchenko, Ukrainian authorities“keep the electronic media on a shortleash” by their approach to distributinglicenses. “This is why the electronicTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 21media are most dependent among theUkrainian media on the authorities,” saidMr. Yushchenko, a former prime ministerof Ukraine. (RFE/RL Newsline)Ukraine to launch satellite radioKYIV – Satellite-radio channelUkraina-Svit (World Ukraine) will beinaugurated in March, UNIAN reportedon February 10, quoting State Committeefor Broadcasting Chairman Ivan Chyzh.The channel is to broadcast five hours aday – primarily to Eurasia and, in thefuture, to North America. “[The channelwill make it possible] for Ukraine tospeak in its own language to the world,while bypassing interpretations by competitors,”Mr. Chyzh said, adding that thegovernment has allocated 8 million hrv($1.5 million) to develop the channel.(RFE/RL Newsline)Kuchma seeks end to free economic zonesKYIV – President Leonid Kuchma saidat a meeting with the State CustomsService leadership on February 5 that “itis necessary to put an end to the [free economic]zones [and] liquidate them completely,”UNIAN reported. “[Thesezones] have become semi-criminal zones,and this refers not only to the Donetskzone,” Mr. Kuchma noted in a referenceto the eastern coal-mining center that ishome to some of the country’s mightiestoligarchs. “You pull the meat that Europedoesn’t want to eat into these zones andsell it there without [paying] taxes,” thepresident said, singling out customs officers,law enforcement officers and theSecurity Service of Ukraine. Ukraine’s 11free economic zones, which offer tax andcustoms benefits, have failed to attractforeign investors or boost economicdevelopment, the president said. The closureof free economic zones in Ukraine isamong the demands voiced by theInternational Monetary Fund. (RFE/RLNewsline)Minimum-wage hike will require $2 BKYIV – Parliamentary BudgetCommittee Chairman Petro Poroshenkotold journalists on February 5 that thecountry needs to find an additional 10.6billion hrv ($2 billion) if it wants to complywith an increase in the minimumwage that was passed by the VerkhovnaRada in December 2002, UNIAN reported.According to that law, the minimummonthly wage should equal 185 hrv inJanuary-June and 237 hrv in the secondhalf of 2003. Mr. Poroshenko said the2003 budget assumed a minimum wageof 165 hrv throughout the year. He addedthat the Budget Committee will have todraft a “new budget” for 2003 if parliamentfails to find a legislative solution.(RFE/RL Newsline)Rules for prisoners are easedKYIV – The Ukrainian Parliament onFebruary 6 passed a bill amending a numberof laws to ease rules for prisons andtheir inmates, UNIAN and Interfaxreported. In particular, the bill revokes theright of the Security Service of Ukraine torun its own detention facilities (isolationwards) independent of the Internal AffairsMinistry. Another measure removes a rulelimiting the size of packages that may bereceived by prisoners from family orfriends to 8 kilograms once a month.Prisoners will now be allowed two packagesof unlimited weight twice a month.The bill also extends the monthly maximumvisiting time for prisoners to fourhours from the current two hours.(RFE/RL Newsline)Azerbaijan denies buying KolchuhaBAKU – Azerbaijan’s DefenseMinistry issued a statement on February 5denying that Baku purchased one or moreKolchuha air-defense systems fromUkraine and sold them to Iraq, Turanreported on February 6, quoting the independentRussian-language daily Ekho.Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv onFebruary 4, Ukrainian President LeonidKuchma said that prior to the collapse ofthe USSR, Ukraine produced 76Kolchuhas, some of which were providedto Germany, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarusand the Russian Federation, theUkrainska Pravda website reported.(RFE/RL Newsline)Kyiv sees no change in foreign policyKYIV – The Ukrainian Foreign AffairsMinistry on January 30 issued a statementsaying the recent election of PresidentLeonid Kuchma as head of the CISCouncil of Heads of State will not changeUkraine’s strategic priorities in foreignpolicy, UNIAN reported. The expansionof Ukrainian ties with the CIS in generaland the Russian Federation in particularguarantees the country’s successful integrationinto Europe and NATO, the statementasserts. The ministry also saidPresident Kuchma’s CIS appointment testifiesto the fact that the post-Soviet commonwealthhas given priority to developingits “economic vector.” Mr. Kuchma isthe first non-Russian leader to head thecouncil. (RFE/RL Newsline)Council to promote European integrationKYIV – President Leonid Kuchmahas set up a State Council for Issues ofEuropean and Euro-Atlantic Integration,UNIAN reported on January 30.According to the presidential decree, thecouncil is to coordinate efforts towardimplementing the country’s strategicPrice: $25 per two-volume set(formerly $15 per volume)Please mail orders to:The Ukrainian Weekly2200 Route 10, P. O. Box 280Parsippany, NJ 07054.For more information call:(973) 292-9800, ext. 3042.political goals. Those goals include“ensuring Ukraine’s entry into theEuropean political, economic, securityand legal area [and] creating preconditionsfor Ukraine’s admission to the EUand NATO.” The council is to be headedby the president and will include theprime minister, the head of the presidentialadministration, the secretary of theNational Defense and Security Council,the foreign affairs minister, the chairmanof the Verkhovna Rada (whose participationis optional), and several other governmentofficials. (RFE/RL Newsline)Ukraine’s defense minister visits GeorgiaTBILISI – Ukraine’s Defense MinisterVolodymyr Shkidchenko held talks inTbilisi on January 31 with his Georgiancounterpart David Tevzadze, Minister ofState Avtandil Djorbenadze and PresidentEduard Shevardnadze, Caucasus Pressreported. Mr. Shkidchenko said he andMr. Tevzadze discussed mutual cooperation,including continued help in thetraining of Georgian military personnel,but added that they did not discuss eitherthe possible replacement of the Russianpeacekeepers in Abkhazia by a Ukrainiancontingent or the purchase by Georgia ofUkrainian air-defense missiles. Mr.Shkidchenko also denied Azerbaijanipress reports that Ukraine has offered tomake forces available to guard the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil-export pipeline. OnFebruary 1, Caucasus Press quotedGeorgian National Security CouncilSecretary Tedo Djaparidze as saying thatTbilisi is negotiating with Ukraine andthe Czech Republic the possible purchaseof air-defense missiles, but that the issuewas not raised during Mr. Shkidchenko’svisit. (RFE/RL Newsline)Still Available2000THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYVolume I – 1933-1969Volume II – 1970-1999Throughout its history, TheUkrainian Weekly has been a chroniclerof the times, a reflection of oursociety, a purveyor of information, aleader of public opinion.To mark the end of one millenniumand the beginning of another, the editorsof The Ukrainian Weekly prepared"The Ukrainian Weekly 2000," a twovolumecollection of the best andmost significant stories published inthe newspaper since its foundingthrough the end of the 1990s."The Ukrainian Weekly 2000" is aresource for researchers and a keepsakefor readers. A great gift idea!

22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7

No. 7THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003 23PREVIEW OF EVENTStact CIUS: telephone, (780) 492-2972; fax,(780) 492-4967; e-mail, cius@ualberta.ca.Tuesday, February 25NEWARK, N.J.: St. John the BaptistUkrainian Catholic School is having anOpen House at 2-5 p.m. If you have anyschool-age children who will be attendinggrades K-8 or know of anyone in this category,please come and explore the rich qualityin education, culture and character thatthe school can provide. The school is locatedat 746 Sandford Ave. If you have anyquestions or inquiries call Sister Evelyn,(973) 373-9359; Michael Jablonskyj, (732)494-8967; or Volodymyr Stashchyshyn,(973) 371-8552. You can also e-mail Mr.Jablonskyj at JBPLUS3C@aol.com, orview the website at www.StJohn2000.com.Friday, February 28NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Art andLiterary Club and the New York BanduraEnsemble present the second concert in the2003 season of the Bandura Downtownseries, “The Bandurist’s Tunebook,” featuringre-creations and reinterpretations of traditionalbandura classics by Mike Andrecand Julian Kytasty (bandura), Paul Brantley(Continued from page 24)(cello), Matt Hannafin (percussion).Donation: $10; reception with the artists tofollow. The concert will take place at 7:30p.m. at the Mayana Gallery, 136 SecondAve., fourth floor. On view in the gallery:the exhibit “Transformations.” For moreinformation call (212) 995-2640, visit thewebsite http://www.brama.com/mayana, ore-mail nybandura@aol.com. Bandura performancesare made possible by the NewYork State Council on the Arts.Saturday, March 1SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J.: TheCommittee for Aid to Ukraine, CentralNew Jersey branch, invites everyone to aCarnival Ball dinner/dance starting at 6:30p.m. at the Ukrainian Cultural Center andfeaturing music by Fata Morgana. Theevening includes cocktails: (cash bar), dinner(Ukrainian kitchen), a buffet and raffle.Tickets in advance for the dinner/dance:$35 per person; $25, students; tickets at thedoor are $40 per person; $25, students.Proceeds will benefit students in Ukraine.For further information and reservationscall: Damian Gecha, (908) 755-8156,Michael Shulha, (908) 534-6683, orOlexandr Klecor (732) 828-3206.CONROY FUNERAL HOMEOwned by the Conroy Familysince 1932Compassionate service,guaranteed lowest cost1.800.430.5188Serving St. Andrew’s Church and CemeterySouth Bound Brook, NJ since 195521 E. Second St., Bound Brook, NJGlenn Scarponi, Manager NJ Lic. JPO4411FATF representative...(Continued from page 1)Washington had said it would limit bankingtransactions with Ukraine to $50,000 andwould scrutinize the accounts of allUkrainian account holders in U.S. banks.The limits curtailed the business activitiesof many Ukrainian companies that relyon Western goods. Kyiv feared that sanctions,if imposed for a lengthy period, couldhave damaged the economic growth thecountry has experienced in the last fewyears. It made a major public relations stirafter additional money-laundering legislationwas finally enacted and then sent FirstVice Prime Minister Mykola Azarov toParis at the head of a delegation to pressKyiv’s claim that it had done all that hadbeen required.Speaking to journalists on February 4,President Leonid Kuchma admitted that inthe case of the FATF sanctions, Ukrainecould not claim that the sanctions weresimply more anti-Ukrainian discriminationon the part of the West, as the country hasbeen prone to do when it has found itselfthe object of Western scorn in the past. Mr.Kuchma admitted that the VerkhovnaRada had plenty of time to avert the bankingcrisis.“We are at fault because we did not passthe required legislation,” acknowledgedPresident Kuchma. “We turned an economicand financial problem into a political crisis.”FATF had warned Kyiv that it needed tochange its banking laws and developmoney-laundering legislation in September2001 and gave the country a year to do so,during which it placed Ukraine on a watchlist of countries that did not meet FATFrequirements. A year later the Ukrainianlegislature still had not fulfilled FATFdemands. The Verkhovna Rada then askedfor an extension and promised that it wouldhave the required laws on the books bymid-December.Legislators passed an initial anti-moneylaunderingbill on November 29, 2002which President Kuchma signed into lawon December 7, but the FATF decided thatthe legislation did not meet Western standards.On January 16, as the FATFannounced it had lost patience with Ukrainefor failing to live up to its promise, Kyivofficials scrambled to avert the impositionof limits on financial transactions withFATF members.By February 6 the Verkhovna Radafinally passed the last piece of legislation,which outlawed anonymous bank accounts,forced banks to identify all clients who performedbanking transactions exceeding50,000 hrv (approximately $9,400) andrequired monitoring of any accounts ofmore than $15,000 euros.Yet, even after the FATF lifts the sanctions,(the official decision was scheduledto be announced on February 14) Ukrainewill remain on the watch list of countriesfor sometime. How long remains a matterof debate. While U.S. Ambassador CarlosPascual stated that FATF would monitorUkraine for a year, recently appointedNational Bank of Ukraine Chairman SerhiiTyhypko said he expected the country to beoff the “black list” by June.While Mr. Steudemann, the Germanambassador, did not offer his own timetable,he said it would depend on how Ukraineimplements the legislation it had passed.“I want and hope that the last step wouldbe taken, and Ukraine will be removedfrom the so-called black list,” said Mr.Steudemann. “However, more steps areneeded for this and Ukraine should understandvery well that monitoring will continuebecause laws are one thing and actionsare another.”

24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2003No. 7SOYUZIVKAPACKAGES216 Foordmore Road • P. O. Box 529Kerhonkson, NY 12446 • (845) 626-5641 • fax (845) 626-4638e-mail - Soyuzivka@aol.com • website - www.Soyuzivka.comFrolic in the Snow at Soyuzivka!Cross-Country Ski Package$72 per person/double occupancy• 3 days/ 2 nights accommodations at Soyuzivka• Daily breakfast• Minnewaska Cross-Country Ski Trail tickets -- 1-day pass• Boxed lunch (for 1-day excursion)• Free ice skating on the new ice skating rinkPrice includes taxes and gratuities. Transportation not included.Jacuzzi Suite is an additional $10 per person.Ski rental, lessons and additional meals available at additional cost.Valid Winter 2003. For trail conditions call: (845) 255-0752.Hudson Valley Biking Getaway$139 per person/double occupancy• 3 days/ 2 nights accommodations at Soyuzivka• Daily breakfast• Bike tour w/Table Rock Tours – guided 1/2-day trip withbike, helmet and expert guide• Boxed lunch (for 1 day excursion)Price includes taxes and gratuities. Jacuzzi Suite is an additional $10 per person.Self-Guided Tour Package available with rental equipment,starting at $97 per person based on double occupancy.Bike rack rental and additional meals available at additional cost.Valid through 5/31/03.To reserve call: (845) 626-5641, ext 141Being Ukrainian means:❏ Malanka in January.❏ Deb in February.❏ KLK Ski Races in March.❏ Sviato Vesny in May.❏ Wedding of your roommate in June.❏ Tabir in July.❏ Volleyball at Wildwood in August.❏ Labor Day at Soyuzivka in September.❏ Morskyi Bal in November.❏ Koliada in December.If you checked off more than one of the above,then you know what you’re doing to your brain cells.Now, how about doing something for your mind?SUBSCRIPTIONNAME: __________________________________________________________________________________NAME: (please type or print)ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________________CITY: _______________________________________________ STATE: _________ ZIP CODE: _____________PHONE (optional) ____________________________❏ UNA member subscription price — $45.00/yr. ❏ Non-member subscription price — $55.00/yr.UNA Branch number ______________________Mail to: Subscription Department, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054PREVIEW OF EVENTSFriday, February 21NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Art andLiterary Club and Ukrainian NationalWomen’s League of America Branch 127present “Three Ukrainian TraditionalRituals” as part of the “Archetypes ofUkrainian Culture” series. The program, tobe held at the Mayana Gallery, 136 SecondAve., fourth floor, will include a videofilmof ritual enactments (Ukrainian summer solstice,harvest and wedding customs) as performedby the Kyiv Dyvotsvit FolkEnsemble. Soloist Claudia Kaninska willprovide commentary and song demonstration.Time: 7 p.m.; donation: $7; students,$5. Simultaneously, the gallery presents“Transformations,” a group exhibit of paintings,drawings and scultpure interpretingmythological themes. For more informationcall (212) 260-4490 or (212) 777-8144; orvisit the websites http://www.unwla.org orhttp://www.brama.com/mayana.Saturday, February 22NEW YORK: The Shevchenko ScientificSociety is sponsoring a lecture titled“Archduke Wilhelm Habsburg-Lothringen(Vasyl Vyshyvany) in the UkrainianNational Movement (1918-1923),” by Dr.Ivan Bazhynov, Institute of the UkrainianLiterature, Kyiv and currently a FulbrightScholar at Columbia University. The presentationswill be held at the society building,63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and10th streets), at 5 p.m. For more informationcall (212) 254-5130.NEWARK, N.J.: The Mothers’ Club of St.John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Schoolis hosting its annual Valentine’s Dance in theschool gymnasium located at 746 SanfordAve. between Ivy and West Allen streets.This “Family Night of Valentine Fun” willtake place at 5-9 p.m. and will include artsand crafts for all ages, games, music, doorprizes, dinner, dessert plus more surprises.Donations: adults, $10; children, $5. Formore information, advance ticket purchasesor directions to this fund-raising event, callthe school at (973) 373-9359, Mondaythrough Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Additionally, an open house at the schoolwill take place that same day at 4-6 p.m. forall those interested.Thursday, February 24PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINESEDMONTON: The Canadian Institute ofUkrainian Studies (CIUS) is sponsoring alecture by Dr. Andrij Bolianovskyj, seniorresearch scholar, Lviv National University,titled “Ukrainian Military Formations in theGerman Armed Forces (1939-1945).” Thelecture, which beings at 3:30 p.m., will begiven in Ukrainian and will be followed bya presentation of the author’s book on thesame topic. The lecture will be held in theHeritage Lounge, Athabasca Hall,University of Alberta. For information con-(Continued on page 23)Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to thepublic. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by TheUkrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community.Listings of no more than 100 words (written in Preview format) plus paymentshould be sent a week prior to desired date of publication to: Previewof Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280,Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510.Attention Debutante Ball Organizers!As in the past two years, The Ukrainian Weekly is planning to publisha special section devoted to the Ukrainian community’s 2003 debutantesin its March 30 issue. The deadline for submission of materials – photosand stories – is March 17.KLK Ukrainian Ski Clubinvites its members, friends and their guests to theirAnnual Ski Weekend/Ski RacesRaces to be held at Ski Windhamon Saturday, March 8, 2003• Race registration and bib assignments on the third floor of the SkiWindham lodge at 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Race to begin at 10:30 a.m. SHARP• Race with lift ticket: $50 (adults); $40 (juniors). Race only: $10.Discounted lift tickets will also be available at the KLK registration table.• Banquet (buffet dinner):$35 (adults); $15 (children under 12).• You may register in advance. Payment should be received by Feb. 21.Send checks to Severin Palydowycz, P.O. Box 698, Hunter, NY 12442.• For additional information please contactOrest Fedash at (973) 386-5622Please make all checks payable to KLKCome and join us for a fun-filled weekend of skiing, friendly competition,and socializing with old friends and new in the great outdoors ofthe beautiful Catskill Mountains.SEE YOU ON THE SLOPES!!!