"ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
In-Depth Ukrainian News and Analysis
"The Art of Ukrainian History, Culture, Arts, Business, Religion,
Sports, Government, and Politics, in Ukraine and Around the World"
"ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 2004, Number 51
Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC), Washington, D.C.
www.ArtUkraine.com Information Service (ARTUIS)
morganw@patriot.net, ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net
Washington, D.C., THURSDAY, April 1, 2004
INDEX OF ARTICLES
1.UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT KUCHMA AND PRESIDENTIAL ADMN
HEAD MEDVEDCHUK REFUSE TO MEET WITH OFFICIALS
OF RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY
Present Status of RFE/RL Rebroadcasting in Ukraine
By E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT (AUR)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2004
2. "UKRAINE AND POLAND IN EUROPE TOGETHER"
Presidents of Poland and Ukraine Meet in Kyiv
Inter TV, Kiev, Ukraine, in Russian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
3. OPPOSITION LEADER YUSHCHENKO BRIEFS POLISH LEADER
ON UKRAINIAN POLITICAL REFORM
UNIAN news agency, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
4. PROTEST RALLY IN KYIV "QUIT RIPPING OFF PEOPLE"
"Our Ukraine" Leader Viktor Yushchenko speaks at the rally
By Vlad Lavrov, Journalist, Action Ukraine Report (AUR)
Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 31, 2004
5. UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT KUCHMA NOT WORRIED ABOUT
ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS
Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
6. BOB SCHAFFER FOR U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE
Letter from Bob Schaffer, Candidate for U.S. Senate From Colorado
Bob Schaffer for U.S. Senate Committee, www.schafferforsenate.com
Greeley, Colorado, Tuesday, March 30, 2004
7. THE "ALL-UKRAINIAN CIVIL FORUM" IN SUPPORT OF REFORM
Kuchma to address well-staged performance in Kyiv on Friday, April
Inside Ukraine Newsletter, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 1, 2004
8. POLITICAL SITUATION IN UKRAINE BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Borys Tarasyuk, MP, Deputy Chairman of "Our Ukraine" bloc
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2004
9. RESTORING UKRAINIAN TRADE TIES GETS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
Borys Potapenko says this is important for Ukraine economically
By Chad Selweski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan, Mar 30, 2004
10. GIVING "FIGHTING CORRUPTION" A BAD NAME IN UKRAINE
Inside Ukraine Newsletter, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 1, 2004
11. FINANCIER SOROS MEETS IN UKRAINE WITH PRESIDENT,
PRIME MINISTER AND SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT
UT1, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004
12. UKRAINE RADICALS SAY USA, GEORGE SOROS INTERFERE IN
THE COUNTRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS, SPONSOR SUBVERSIVE ACTS
Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
13. UKRAINIAN TV CHANNELS SAID TO WAGE SMEAR
CAMPAIGN AGAINST GEORGE SOROS
BBC Monitoring Research Service, UK, Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004
14. UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS CONCERT SERIES BEGINS
Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, Detroit, Michigan, March 30, 2004
==========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
Politics and Governance, Building a Strong, Democratic Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/buildukraine/index.htm
==========================================================
1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT KUCHMA AND PRESIDENTIAL ADMN
HEAD MEDVEDCHUK REFUSE TO MEET WITH OFFICIALS
OF RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY
Present Status of RFE/RL Rebroadcasting in Ukraine
By E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT (AUR)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2004
WASHINGTON - U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors member D. Jeffrey
Hirschberg and RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine traveled to Ukraine on
March 22, in an attempt to meet with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma
and Presidential Administration Head Viktor Medvedchuk.
Both Ukrainian officials refused to meet with Hirschberg and Dine regarding
the severe media repression problems RFE/RL has faced in recent days
regarding the rebroadcasting of their programs in Ukraine.
According to a background statement circulating in Washington regarding
the present status of RFE/RL's rebroadcasting and freedom of the press
the following situation prevails in Ukraine today:
(1) "After a five-year working relationship, RFE/RL's Ukrainian language
broadcasts were removed from the commercial Dovira FM network on February
17, 2004 by the company's new owner, who is a political supporter of
President Leonid Kuchma. This network was RFE/RL's major affiliate, allowing
it in total to access at least 60 percent of the population of Ukraine in 20
cities or regions, including the capital Kyiv.
(2) On March 3, 2004 Radio Kontynent, a FM commercial radio station
broadcasting within the city limits of Kyiv that had begun to carry 2 hours
of RFERL broadcasts on March 1, 2004, was closed by Ukrainian authorities
-- its transmission equipment was confiscated and members of its technical
staff were detained by authorities. This station also carried other
international broadcasters: Voice of America, BBC and Deutsche Welle.
Serhiy Sholokh, the owner of Radio Kontynent has fled to Warsaw and has
requested political asylum.
(3) Also on March 3, a RFE/RL representative was scheduled to meet Heorhiy
Chechyk, the owner of an independent Ukrainian FM radio station in Poltava,
to finalize a contract on broadcasting RFE/RL's programming. The director
was killed in an automobile accident while on the way to meet RFE/RL's
representative. The accident may or may not have been related to the planned
meeting.
(4) RFE/RL continues to be broadcast on six independent stations based in
much smaller cities and towns. In addition, RFE/RL has been given additional
SW frequencies by the IBB/BBG to be heard in the areas previously covered by
the Dovira broadcasts.
(5) At the same time, RFE/RL has been searching for independent commercial
radio stations in Ukraine which would contract to carry RFE/RL's
programming. So far the stations which have been approached are willing to
only take an hour or two of RFE/RL programming rather than the full five
hours of daily programming RFE/RL used by the Dovira network. No new
affiliate contracts have been signed to date.
(6) In the search for new affiliates, RFE/RL is being told of threats
emanating from the Ukrainian National Council for TV and Radio. Even in the
city of Lviv in Western Ukraine, owners of radio stations, who had
previously indicated a willingness to take programming, are declining to
even meet with RFE/RL's negotiating team.
(7) Broadcasting Board of Governors member D. Jeffrey Hirschberg and RFE/RL
President Thomas A. Dine traveled to Ukraine on March 22, in an attempt to
meet with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and Presidential Administration
Head Viktor Medvedchuk. Both Ukrainian officials refused to meet, but
Hirschberg and Dine did hold meetings with US Ambassador John Herbst,
Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn and other persons interested
in the fate of RFE/RL re-broadcasting in Ukraine.
(8) Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage also visited Ukraine on March
25, as part of a broader trip to the Caucasus and Central Asia. According
to an AFP report, Armitage was expected to raise the issue of RFE/RL
re-broadcasting with Ukrainian officials.
(9) Western news agencies reported that on March 9, 2004 as many as 5,000
demonstrators gathered in central Kyiv to protest the closures of opposition
and independent media outlets in recent weeks, and the Ukrainian
government's controversial constitutional reform plans.
A petition in support of independent press signed by two million
people from around Ukraine was handed to the Constitutional Court the same
day. This is evidence that the deterioration in Ukraine's media environment
has been accelerating in recent months.
(10) The International Federation of Journalists, which represents over
500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries, condemned the closure of
independent radios stations in Ukraine on March 4, 2004 calling it another
example of the government's "relentless pattern of repression."
(11) Recent studies by Ukrainian NGOs who monitor election processes and
engage in non-partisan civic education have shown that TV coverage on all
national Ukrainian channels, except for Channel Five, closely adheres to
government positions and denies access to and coverage of opposition parties
and candidates."
Ukraine has come under severe attack recently by groups within the European
Union, international news organizations, Ukrainian diaspora groups,
officials of the U.S. government and many other groups around the world
regarding the severe suppression of independent news structures and the flow
of news information which is found in Ukraine today, just a few months
before the presidential elections. (END) (ARTUIS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK TO ARTICLE: http://www.artukraine.com/events/rfe3.htm
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
Politics and Governance, Building a Strong, Democratic Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/buildukraine/index.htm
=========================================================
2. "UKRAINE AND POLAND IN EUROPE TOGETHER"
Presidents of Poland and Ukraine Meet in Kyiv
Inter TV, Kiev, Ukraine, in Russian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Thursday, Mar 31, 2004
KIEV - [Presenter] The presidents of Poland and Ukraine [Aleksander
Kwasniewski and Leonid Kuchma] today laid flowers at the [19th-century poet]
Taras Shevchenko monument [in Kiev]. Kwasniewski placed a basket of red and
white flowers at the foot of the monument and Leonid Kuchma - yellow and
blue flowers. These are the national colours of the two countries.
It should be recalled that the Polish leader, Aleksander Kwasniewski,
arrived in Kiev to take part in the ceremony to open the Year of Poland in
Ukraine, which is to be held under the slogan "Ukraine and Poland in Europe
together".
[Kwasniewski, in Polish, overlaid with Russian translation] Ukraine and
Poland in Europe together. It is not just a slogan for the events that are
being conducted at the moment, it is a slogan for Polish-Ukrainian relations
for many years to come.
[Correspondent] The Polish head of state's visit to Ukraine has ended with
specific accords.
[Kuchma, in Ukrainian] During the talks, we spoke at length on such priority
areas in bilateral cooperation as equipping borders, developing the border
infrastructure, visa policy, migration, fighting organized crime and
terrorism as the main area of collaboration, and cooperation between all our
law-enforcement structures in this regard.
We have once again confirmed - we discussed this problem during our meeting
in Warsaw - the need to further simplify the movement of goods, paying
particular attention to the transparency of this procedure. What should
happen is that the [customs] declaration with which a cargo crosses the
border should be the main document for the Ukrainian side if the cargo
arrives from Poland and vice versa.
[Correspondent] Most importantly, the problem of the privatization of the
Huta Czestochowa steelworks has been solved. Aleksander Kwasniewski said
that the Polish side decided to suspend the privatization process at that
steelworks because Warsaw suspects that the Industrial Union of Donbass,
which lost the tender, was treated unfairly. The Polish president took the
issue under his personal supervision, promising to conduct the process in a
transparent and honest way.
So, in Ukrainian Prime Minister [Viktor Yanukovych's] words, there is hope
that justice will be restored. The Ukrainian head of state remarked: this
problem may have been paid a bit more attention than it actually merited. He
expressed hope that such misunderstandings will not overshadow future ties.
[Kuchma, in Ukrainian] Today Ukrainians - forgive me - are not as poor as
they were yesterday, and I as the president would only welcome the fact that
Ukrainian capital has been aggressive enough to seek a presence on foreign
markets, including European ones. And all we want to see there is absolutely
transparent and fair rules of the game.
[Correspondent] Aleksander Kwasniewski presented Leonid Kuchma with a book
penned by Kuchma himself, "Ukraine Is Not Russia", and published in Polish.
In addition, the leaders announced today that both countries would submit a
joint bid to host the 2012 European Cup. The presidents agreed to meet again
in less than a month's time. Leonid Kuchma accepted an invitation to take
part in a European economic form, which Warsaw is to host in late April.
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER THREE
Check Out the News Media for the Latest News From and About Ukraine
Daily News Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/newsgallery.htm
=========================================================
3. OPPOSITION LEADER YUSHCHENKO BRIEFS POLISH LEADER
ON UKRAINIAN POLITICAL REFORM
UNIAN news agency, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
KIEV - Our Ukraine [opposition] bloc leader Viktor Yushchenko and Polish
President Aleksander Kwasniewski met for half an hour today. They discussed
the political situation in Ukraine and the political reform process.
Our Ukraine's press service told UNIAN that Yushchenko informed Kwasniewski
of Our Ukraine's position on amending the constitution. Yushchenko and
Kwasniewski discussed the prospects for the Year of Poland in Ukraine, the
ceremonial opening of which is taking place this week.
Yushchenko said that Poland's experience of European integration is of great
importance to Ukraine. "In a month's time our western neighbour will become
a full member of the European Union. This is a historic event for our
neighbours, and it is also very significant for Ukraine. It would be very
useful for our state to assimilate Poland's experience of democratizing
society, ensuring free speech, and bringing legislation into line with
European norms," he said.
[Kwasniewski arrived in Kiev for a one-day visit yesterday to attend the
opening of the Year of Poland in Ukraine.] (END) (ARTUIS)
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
Major Articles About What is Going on in Ukraine
Current Events Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/events/index.htm
===========================================================
4. PROTEST RALLY IN KYIV "QUIT RIPPING OFF PEOPLE"
"Our Ukraine" Leader Viktor Yushchenko speaks to the rally
By Vlad Lavrov, Journalist, Action Ukraine Report
Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 31, 2004
KYIV - The protest rally "Quit Ripping Off People" organized by the Viktor
Yushchenko bloc "Our Ukraine" was held in front of the building of the
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Hrushevskoho street in Kyiv on Wednesday,
March 31, 2004. According to estimates, up to 10 thousand people took part
in the rally.
The rally, with a distinct anti-government sentiment, was organized to
protest the alleged concealing of UAH 10 bln (approx. USD 1.8 bln) in this
year's budget by the government by understating planned revenues. The funds
are being concealed, "Our Ukraine" claims, for the purpose of using these
funds in a totally discretionary way, while they should be used to increase
pensions and salaries that are budgeted to pay government employees like
teachers, doctors, military personnel, etc.
The main speaker at the meeting was Viktor Yushchenko who called it a shame
that in our country some of the highest level state employees are on the
list of the richest people in Europe. He also said that constitutional
reform that is being pushed so hard by the president and the government
while this issue is far from being on the average persons list of the
highest priorities. People are concerned about social issues such as the
size of pensions, salaries, and student allowances according to Yushchenko.
In the rally resolution that Yushchenko read, "Our Ukraine" demands that the
government revise this year's budget, so that it includes all the revenues,
sets the minimal salary level equal to UAH 240 (approx. USD 45), and
increases the pensions and salaries of budget sector employees by 25%. The
resolution stated if the government does not fulfill these demands more
protest rallies will take place in Kyiv and in the other regions around
Ukraine.
Yushchenko ended his speech by quoting Hryhoriy Skovoroda, a great Ukrainian
philosopher, who said, "Do not teach an apple tree how to produce apples,
better keep the pigs off it."
The other speakers, which included members of "Our Ukraine" Volodymyr
Filenko and Volodymyr Yavorivsky and numerous representatives of teachers,
medical workers, the military, students and pensioners, were all unanimous
in their condemnation of the government's social policy, accusing it of
stealing funds from the state budget, and calling the government actions
criminal.
The rally ended with a group of "Our Ukraine" members placing in front of
the entrance door of the Cabinet of Ministers two fur hats for the Prime
Minister Yanukovych and a suitcase with inscription "suitcase - station -
Russia" for the First Deputy Prime Minister Azarov. (END) (ARTUIS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK TO ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RALLY:
http://www.artukraine.com/events/stop_ripoff.htm
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
Exciting Opportunities in Ukraine for Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism Gallery: http://www.ArtUkraine.com/tourgallery.htm
=========================================================
5. UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT KUCHMA NOT WORRIED ABOUT
ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS
Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma has said he was not worried about the
9,000-strong anti-government protest that ended in Kiev shortly after midday
on 31 March. The protesters accused the government of hoarding billions of
dollars in budget revenues to spend them on government-backed candidates'
presidential election campaign.
Kuchma said people had the right to voice their concerns. He stressed that
the protest focused on economic demands rather that the controversial
constitutional reform his supporters are pushing through parliament.
The following is an excerpt from report by Interfax-Ukraine news agency:
Kiev, 31 March: Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma has said today's protest
rallies in Kiev were a proof that the people were supporting the processes
taking place in Ukraine. He said this during a joint news conference with
[visiting] Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.
"The people want to come and voice their demands," he said, "and no-one
stops them from voicing their problems". He stressed that the protesters
"came to the cabinet of ministers building with economic demands".
He told the conference that the cabinet of ministers was "absolutely the
right place" for the protesters to come. He added that he saw the
development "as a sign of big progress in the political forces'
understanding of what is going on in Ukraine". He said he was happy that the
[main opposition bloc] Our Ukraine [led by Viktor Yushchenko] had reached
the conclusion that changes to the constitution were irreversible.
Speaking at the rally outside the cabinet building, Viktor Yushchenko said
that today's rally was focusing only on social issues, and that he did not
want to speak about constitutional reform. [Yushchenko is a vehement critic
of the constitutional reform bill. The reform would transfer most of the
president's powers to a parliament dominated by Leonid Kuchma's supporters
ahead of the 31 October presidential election, which Yushchenko hopes to
win.]
Yushchenko said at the rally that 78 per cent of the public though pensions
and wages were the main issue for the country, 56 per cent thought the fight
against corruption and crime was more important, and only 3.3 per cent
thought a political reform was urgently needed. But the government is
focusing solely on the constitutional reform, he said.
"We know that the constitution actually needs to be protected from the man
who is supposed to guard it, the president, and from the Constitutional
Court," Yushchenko said. He stressed that only the Ukrainian people could
now protect the constitution. [Passage omitted: details of the protest]
[The protest, in which about 9,000 people took part, ended without
incidents, Radio Era reported at 1300 gmt.] (END) (ARTUIS)
===========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
The Story of Ukraine's Long and Rich Culture
Ukrainian Culture Gallery: http://www.ArtUkraine.com/cultgallery.htm
===========================================================
6. BOB SCHAFFER FOR U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE
Letter from Bob Schaffer, Candidate for U.S. Senate From Colorado
Bob Schaffer for U.S. Senate Committee, www.schafferforsenate.com
Greeley, Colorado, Tuesday, March 30, 2004
GREELEY - Friends: Exciting things are happening in Colorado. Earlier this
month, Colorado's US Senator Ben "Nighthorse" Campbell announced he will
not seek re-election. Two weeks ago, I announced my intention to run for
the seat he is vacating. So far, the effort is developing very well. My
campaign enjoys the early backing of Colorado's other senator Wayne Allard
and many of his colleagues in the US Senate.
Former Senators Hank Brown and Bill Armstrong are on the campaign team,
too, and so are other members of Colorado's Congressional delegation, many
of their colleagues in the US House of Representatives, State Treasurer Mike
Coffman, both Majority Leaders of the State Legislature, their colleagues
and other key state and local leaders.
Colorado is crucial in determining the balance of power in the US Senate and
both parties will be concentrating efforts here in November. As you know,
my service in the US House spanned three terms and allowed me to participate
in many successes including balancing the nation's budget, providing
American families with overdue tax relief, improving education policy,
restoring America's national defense and promoting a pro-democracy foreign
policy. I will draw upon these experiences in mounting a winning campaign
for the US Senate.
I also need your immediate help. Please do two things for me:
1) Please visit the Schaffer for Senate website at
www.schafferforsenate.com right now and contribute to the campaign online.
The cost of an important campaign like this one is in the millions. I need
to raise a lot of money and I need to do it right away.
In fact, the first federal reporting deadline is tomorrow March 31st - just
16 days since I launched the campaign. Please date a check on or before the
31st and mail it in right away -- or you can contribute by credit card at
the web
site.
2) Secondly, please compose and send emails to anyone you know who can
join and contribute. Other important information about the Colorado race
can be found at the web site, too.
Your personal support for our efforts is essential. I intend to run a
smart, vigorous and winning campaign. With your help, we can mount a
thrilling victory of which we can all be proud.
Very truly yours,
Bob Schaffer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Bob Schaffer served as co-chairman of the Ukrainian Congressional
Caucus Committee when he served as a Congressman from Colorado.
Schaffer has Ukrainian heritage through his grandparents.
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER SEVEN
Politics and Governance, Building a Strong, Democratic Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/buildukraine/index.htm
=======================================================
7. THE "ALL-UKRAINIAN CIVIL FORUM" IN SUPPORT OF REFORM
Kuchma to address well-staged performance in Kyiv, Friday, April 2
Inside Ukraine Newsletter, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 1, 2004
KYIV - While the Verkhovna Rada has been slowly grinding through the
process of considering the constitutional reforms that were requested and
pressed upon the parliament by President Leonid Kuchma, a number of
national associations and civic organizations that were subject to strong
presidential influence were putting together meetings at the local, district
and regional level.
These groups had willing partners in the regional governors of Ukraine - who
serve at the pleasure of the president - as they sought to drum up what is
claimed to be "popular support" for the reform amendments.
This six-month long effort, reminiscent of similar efforts during the Soviet
era, will culminate in what is expected to be an impressive and well-staged
performance in Kyiv on April 2.
About 3,000 delegates from cities, towns and villages will attend the
All-Ukrainian Civil Forum, "in support of political reform."
National mass media report that the delegates were elected in the course of
48,000 meetings that were attended by about 3 million people. The assembly
in Kyiv is due to finalize the discussion of the constitutional reforms but
will refrain from proposing a consolidated candidate to run for the
presidency in the fall.
The official Kuchma Administration spin on the gathering as a demonstration
of the popular will in support of the constitutional reform amendments is
very strongly questioned by parliamentary insiders and analysts,
particularly those who are old enough to remember almost identical "popular
support" accorded to the Brezhnev-era constitutional changes of over 20 year
ago.
Analysts are also very interested in the fact that President Kuchma will
address the forum in person, particularly since he chose to send his annual
message to the parliament only in written form.
Some of the more cynical deputies and analysts suggest that the assembly may
go so far as to not only endorse the president's constitutional reform
desires, but to also "spontaneously" recommend that Kuchma run for a third
presidential term in the event the amendments are not endorsed.
No one doubts that the president's address to the assembly will be met with
"thunderous and sustained applause," a standard fixture of all such meetings
during Ukraine's Soviet past. (END) (ARTUIS)
===========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER EIGHT
The Genocidal Famine in Ukraine 1932-1933, HOLODOMOR
Genocide Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/famineart/index.htm
===========================================================
8.POLITICAL SITUATION IN UKRAINE BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Borys Tarasyuk, MP, Deputy Chairman of "Our Ukraine" bloc
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On March 29, 2004, the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace (CEIP) hosted a discussion on the state of Ukrainian
politics with Borys Tarasyuk, Chairman of the People's Movement of Ukraine
(known as the "Rukh"), a deputy chairman of Our Ukraine, and a member of
the Verkhovna Rada.
Roman Zvarych, another Our Ukraine member of parliament, also took part.
Dr. Anders Åslund, Director of the Carnegie Endowment's Russian and Eurasian
Program, chaired the meeting.
Ambassador Tarasyuk began by noting that the forthcoming presidential
election would be the third-most-important event in the history of domestic
Ukrainian politics, after the restoration of independence in 1991 and the
adoption of a constitution in 1996. It would have immense implications for
the region, and for Europe as a whole. Ukraine's membership of the European
Union and NATO depends on the outcome of this election. Should a member
of the current regime take power, Ukrainian integration into these
structures would be set back eight or ten years.
The effects of the forthcoming presidential election will perhaps be felt
for 50 years to come. A recent Democratic Initiative survey indicated that
84 percent of Ukrainians consider the election to be "very important." Thus,
its importance is understood by the public, and not overstated by
politicians.
After independence, power to Ukraine went to nomenklatura holdouts and the
"red directors" of enterprises, who tried to institute autocracy in the
country. The presidency became an institution that gave power to an
unpopular person (Leonid Kuchma, with about 7 percent support) surrounded
by clans concerned with their own economic interests.
Center-right political forces enjoy the support of the public, but are in
opposition. Thus, Our Ukraine, which is the largest faction in the Ukrainian
parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, with 99 deputies or more, is in opposition
to the ruling regime. If Viktor Yushchenko wins the presidential election,
Our Ukraine's presence in the Rada may increase by 50 to 100 percent. So
far, whatever government has been in power in Ukraine, except for Mr.
Yushchenko's, its policies have been the same.
Recently, a process of constitutional change has begun, aimed at changing
Ukraine from a presidential-parliamentary republic to a
parliamentary-presidential one. Such a system would not be bad in principle
if it ensures the prevalence of democracy, and establishes a system that
would prevent a repetition of the Kuchma phenomenon.
However, the aim of the constitutional reform package is not better
governance, but rather the usurpation of power by the current regime. The
authorities are not acting sincerely. Civil society, the media and rule of
law are all under attack. The opposition wins elections, but others remain
in power. The regime is not accountable to the people's will, and,
furthermore, distorts and manipulates public opinion. Political scandals do
not seem to affect those on top of the system. Major Mykola Melnychenko's
tapes have not had a significant effect. The regime killed Heorhiy Gongadze,
Vyacheslav Chornovil, and Ihor Aleksandrov, and has gotten away with it.
The state machine is being used to suppress the opposition. Businesses
sympathetic to the opposition are under attack. Ukraine finds itself in a
deep political crisis, despite a GDP growth rate of 8 percent. The major
business clans are accumulating wealth by operating in the shadow economy
and using their closeness to President Kuchma to avoid taxation. There is a
growing gap between rich and poor in Ukraine - one of the greatest in
Europe.
There are two distinctions between the presidential campaigns of 1999 and
2004. In 1999, the regime used Yevhen Marchuk as a Trojan horse to destroy
the opposition. The Communist leader, Petro Symonenko, became the opposition
candidate, which was precisely what Mr. Kuchma wanted, because Mr.
Symonenko was easy to beat. Now the authorities are using a different
tactic: they have started changing the electoral rules. They are trying to
switch powers from the president to the prime minister, who would be elected
by a parliament under their control. This would keep power in the hands of
the current regime, and allow the regime to replicate itself later.
The current reform proposals run counter to Mr. Kuchma's prior endeavors.
The president has been toying with the idea of constitutional reform since
2000. However, he sought greater powers for himself since coming into office
in 1996. The quest for such powers has been a consistent policy line for
him. Even as early as 1993, Mr. Kuchma wanted greater powers for the post of
prime minister when he himself occupied that position. In his newer
proposals for constitutional reform, he floated the idea of a two-chamber
parliament, where powers would mostly move to the upper house, which would
be controlled by him. Thus, Mr. Tarasyuk does not believe in President
Kuchma's sincerity in the constitutional reform process.
The new version of reforms has been dubbed the Medvedchuk-Symonenko
package. Everybody has accepted this name, even though Viktor Medvedchuk
is not a member of parliament, but rather Mr. Kuchma's chief of staff, and
is thus not supposed to propose legislation.
The desire to undermine the constitution has been so strong on the part of
the regime, that proper parliamentary procedure has not been followed
regarding the constitutional reform issue. On December 24, 2003, the reform
package was approved in the first reading by a show of hands. The
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) declared this move to
be contrary to the Ukrainian constitution. The December events became
possible when the communists left the opposition and joined the so-called
majority in parliament. In February 2004, the Socialists participated in an
effort to legitimize the December vote. If the authorities continue down the
unconstitutional road they have taken, the constitutional amendments may be
adopted by next month.
The communists and socialists lent their support to the regime in exchange
for the regime's support for a proportional system in parliamentary
elections and a new local election system. Last week, considerable change
was introduced through the new electoral law, which mandates proportional
representation with a 3 percent threshold. However, monitoring of the
elections by NGOs was banned.
Meanwhile, the opposition has shrunk from four parties to two: only Our
Ukraine and the Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc are still in opposition. The EU sent
a strong message to Ukrainian authorities on January 28, 2004 condemning its
tampering with the constitution. The PACE sent a similar, but more detailed,
report on January 29. The European Parliament also approved a resolution
condemning the Ukrainian regime. Unfortunately, nothing similar has come
from the United States.
Turning to the subject of possible candidates in the upcoming presidential
election, Mr. Tarasyuk noted that Vyktor Yushchenko has been the most
popular politician in Ukraine for the last three years, his support ranging
from 24 to 27 percent. He is followed in popularity by the current prime
minister, Vyktor Yanukovych, with 14 percent, Petro Symonenko with 11
percent, and Yuliya Tymoshenko and Oleksandr Moroz, with 6 percent each.
Another poll asked whom voters would elect if Mr. Yushchenko were the single
candidate of three opposition forces (Our Ukraine, the Tymoshenko Bloc, and
the Socialist Party). In this scenario, around 30 percent would vote for
Yushchenko, and about 14 percent for Mr. Yanukovych.
A majority (53 percent) of those surveyed wanted President Kuchma to resign.
Further, 45 percent said they would oppose any successor nominated by
Kuchma. According to a poll taken last month, 73 percent would not vote for
Mr. Kuchma. The same survey indicated that, in a second-round face-off
between Yushchenko and Yanukovych, 40 percent would support the former,
and 23 percent would vote for the latter.
When asked to name the greatest current opposition leader, most people chose
Mr. Yushchenko. The situation was different even six months ago, when many
were complaining that Mr. Yushchenko was not visible enough as an opposition
leader, and did not oppose the regime strongly enough. Yuliya Tymoshenko was
the more noticeable opposition leader at the time. Now, however, the public
perception of Mr. Yushchenko has changed. At the same time, the regime is
trying to push him far to the right and depict him as an extremist; if it
succeeds, Yushchenko would lose public support, because the Ukrainian
electorate favors moderation.
A new development in Ukrainian politics is the attack by President Kuchma on
the elected mayors of several cities, namely Odesa, Mukachevo, Krasny Luch,
Romny, and, most recently, Ternopil. Mr. Tarasyuk saw these moves as the
regime's rehearsal for the elections. They are trying to see what the
reaction would be if opposition candidates, such as Mr. Yushchenko, are
disqualified. The low-key international response to the attack on mayors is
a wrong signal to send to the regime. The regime backed off on previous
occasions when the international response was stronger.
Nowadays, Our Ukraine bears the brunt of anti-opposition attacks. There are
rumors of an $80 million fund to buy off Our Ukraine deputies. The coalition
is a major obstacle in the path of unlimited rule by the regime.
Mr. Yushchenko would like to transform his nine-party coalition into a
single party. However, it is already too late for such a move, and to
undertake it now would amount to political suicide. Human and other
resources would have to be diverted to this reorganization from the
coalition's major aim, which is to win the presidency. As the leader of
Rukh, Mr. Tarasyuk thought that Our Ukraine could eventually lead to the
formation of two strong parties.
Currently, the authorities are trying to muzzle the free media in
preparation for the presidential election. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty,
Deutsche Welle and the BBC have been taken off the local airwaves. Silski
visti, a large-circulation newspaper, has been closed. The regime has been
trying to close the independent Channel Five television station.
The government uses fairly honest economic statistics, and the macroeconomic
figures look good. However, the price of basic goods is rising. The minimum
wage has been reduced from 237 hryvnias to 205. In a democratic country, a
government that reduced the minimum wage would not survive. However, the
Ukrainian government does not care about the reality that people have to
deal with. Moreover, it has been trying to hide 10 billion hryvnias from the
public.
As a result of the regime's policies, the image of Ukraine in the eyes of
the EU is low. The EU has sent Ukraine negative signals about prospective
membership, and the NATO Istanbul summit is unlikely to have a positive
outcome for Ukraine. The United States is busy with other things, and thus
does has not been paying much attention to Ukrainian affairs. However, there
are signs of a changing attitude in Washington. Mr. Tarasyuk concluded that
democracy in Ukraine is in jeopardy. Compared to Belarus or the Central
Asian states, however, Ukraine is democratic, but those countries are not
the example to follow.
In the question and answer session, Mr. Tarasyuk noted that the Ukrainian
Constitutional Court passed a ruling contrary to the constitution when it
said that Mr. Kuchma could run for president again if he so wished. A court
in Kiev recently gave the judge who defended Ms. Tymoshenko a two-year
suspended sentence. There are strong law schools in Kharkiv, Kiev, Odesa and
Lviv, but these are either co-operative with the regime, or they are
ignored. There is now an imbalance between the three branches of government,
with the executive dominating the other two. This state of affairs has been
criticized by the PACE.
Mr. Zvarych added that the December 24, 2004 vote on constitutional
amendments was taken in a seven-minute extraordinary session, despite the
fact that the Constitutional Court had ruled in 2001 that constitutional
amendments could not be discussed in an extraordinary session. However,
the court stayed silent about this violation of its own ruling.
Regarding the Communists and Socialsts, Mr. Tarasyuk said that Mr. Moroz
seceded from Our Ukraine because of personal ambition. There is no
likelihood of his supporting a united opposition candidate in the
presidential election. As for the Communists, they are being used by the
regime, just as they were in 1999. They were thus never truly in opposition.
When asked about what methods the United States could use to pressure
Ukraine in favor of democracy, Mr. Zvarych cited Mr. Yushchenko's suggestion
that the U.S. implement a policy of "escalating linkage." In Mr. Zvarych's
own opinion, the NATO summit would be an excellent venue to criticize Kiev.
The United States could also take issue with Ukraine's entry into a Single
Economic Space with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, because such a space,
which is meant to lead to a customs union, could impede Ukraine's accession
to the World Trade Organization. The recent remarks of U.S. Deputy Secretary
of State Richard Armitage signaled a move to "balanced criticism" on the
part of the United States.
On a different question, Mr. Zvarych noted that the regime wants Ms.
Tymoshenko to run for president, but her bloc has come to an understanding
with Our Ukraine, whereby they will coordinate strategies and resources.
In conclusion, Mr. Tarasyuk observed that the authorities were trying to buy
off the security forces in preparation for the election. The salaries of
interior ministry forces, the police, the security service, and the armed
forces, have been raised. There has also been a minor rise in pensions.
Although it seems that important reforms have been made in the parliamentary
election process, Mr. Tarasyuk believes that these will be watered down
dramatically before the next parliament is elected. (END) (ARTUIS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary prepared by Rashed Chowdhury, Junior Fellow with the Russian and
Eurasian program at the Carnegie Endowment.
==========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER NINE
Ukraine's History and the Long Struggle for Independence
Historical Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/histgallery.htm
===========================================================
9. RESTORING UKRAINIAN TRADE TIES GETS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
Borys Potapenko says this is important for Ukraine economically
By Chad Selweski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, [near Detroit]
Macomb County, Michigan, March 30, 2004
With seven former Soviet republics and allies entering NATO on Monday,
Ukrainian-Americans hope their homeland may someday join their ranks.
But first they want to see Ukraine achieve the status of a full trading
partner with the United States, a move that would substantially boost the
Eastern European nation's economy and global status. Entrance into the
World Trade Organization would be the next goal.
"This would put Ukraine into the mix of countries that are trading and
signing bilateral agreements and lowering tariffs and attracting
investment," said Borys Potapenko, director of the Ukrainian Cultural Center
in Warren. "It's extremely important for Ukraine economically, but I would
say it would be more important for Ukraine politically."
Thirteen years after the end of the Cold War, the former Soviet satellite
still suffers under U.S. trade restrictions imposed in 1974 against the
communist bloc. With nearly 200,000 Ukrainian-Americans residing in
southeast Michigan, a big push for permanent normal trade relations has been
initiated by three Michigan lawmakers.
Rep. Candice Miller, a Harrison Township Republican, has introduced
legislation to remove the trade restrictions. On the Democratic side, Sen.
Carl Levin and his brother, Rep. Sander Levin, have introduced similar
legislation in the Senate and House, respectively, to normalize trade
relations and open the door to WTO for Ukraine.
Of the nations that made up the former Soviet Union, only Ukraine, Russia
and Belarus still face U.S. trade restrictions, which were imposed in '74
against those that blocked Jewish emigration and closed their borders to
trade and free-market capitalism.
Bhodan Fedorak, president of the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, has
said the continuing trade barriers represent a "double standard" by the
United States.
Sander Levin said that normalizing U.S.-Ukrainian trade relations is an
"essential ingredient" for Ukraine to gain WTO membership and boost its
global status as a full economic partner.
"I think it's clear we need to strengthen our relationship with Ukraine,"
said Levin, a Royal Oak Democrat who represents most of Macomb County.
"It's indispensable. Ukraine is an important part of Europe. The more they
become integrated, the better it is for Europe and the better it is for the
United States."
The Ukrainian economy initially struggled following the fall of communism,
suffering from bouts of hyperinflation and wages at a fraction of European
standards. In recent years, the economy has grown at a healthy rate of 6
percent to 8 percent annually. But shedding the Soviet legacy and becoming
full players in international trade is seen as key to the nation rising to
the next level of economic status and success.
Beyond the more than $2 billion in U.S. aid extended to Ukraine over the
past 13 years, Miller cites Ukraine as "one of our greatest allies in the
war on terror," with about 1,000 troops stationed in Iraq.
But the politics of Ukrainian trade is about old wars, the last remaining
remnants of the Cold War. Just as Russia looks warily on seven former Soviet
republics and Warsaw Pact nations embracing NATO -Latvia, Lithuania,
Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania- it has tried to keep
Ukraine in its sphere of influence. Russia remains a key trading partner
with Ukraine and supplies most of the country's oil and energy needs.
Geography also comes into play. As Russia's eastern neighbor, Ukraine is
also viewed as a buffer between Russia and the increasingly westernized
nations of the old Eastern bloc.
"A lot of the world still looks at Ukraine as having a 'special
relationship' with Russia," Potapenko said. "Trying to get over that is a
tall order."
But reform-minded Ukrainian leaders hope that entrance into the WTO would
pave the way for Ukraine's inclusion in NATO and eventually the European
Union.
Standing in the way of those lofty goals is a Ukrainian record on human
rights that, according to the State Department, is lacking.
Freedom of the press has been restricted and numerous journalists have
been killed. Opposition political candidates have been harassed at all
levels of government, from a presidential candidate seeking office in the
Oct. 31 elections to those seeking local offices in various cities. The
country also faces criticism for economic corruption that reportedly
favors an elite group of businessmen.
Levin said the "best hope" for passage of legislation is a bill that
addresses these concerns.
Potapenko prefers Miller's legislation because it doesn't raise the many
human rights issues that Levin wants addressed by Congress. But the local
Ukrainian leader hopes to unite the two lawmakers in a show of
bipartisanship that will play well on Capitol Hill.
"We would like to have the two of them together," he said "and come up with
a consensus bill that is bipartisan and can win approval in Congress." (END)
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER TEN
The Rich History of Ukrainian Art, Music, Pysanka, Folk-Art
Arts Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/artgallery.htm
=========================================================
10. GIVING "FIGHTING CORRUPTION" A BAD NAME IN UKRAINE
Inside Ukraine Newsletter, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 1, 2004
KYIV - Two recent events have served to again emphasize that "fighting
corruption" is an almost totally rhetorical exercise in Ukraine.
First, President Leonid Kuchma met with Tetyana Kornyakova, the chairwoman
of the Coordinating Committee in Charge of Fighting Corruption. During the
meeting, the president focused on the need to fulfill decisions adopted by
the All-Ukrainian meeting on this issue. In response Kornyakova submitted an
action plan composed by her committee.
The other contribution to the endless anti-corruption battles came from Rada
members. The parliament did not endorse amendments to the law "On fighting
corruption" that proposed to include the prime minister and members of the
government under the law's jurisdiction. According to current legal
provisions these officials are regarded as politicians rather than state
executives, and, thus, are not subject to criminal persecution.
Only 195 deputies, mostly from opposition and leftist factions, supported
the amendments that would have made Viktor Yanukovych and his ministers
subject to the same rules as average citizens.
As for the pro-presidential factions that could have made the difference in
passing the changes, they all abstained from voting on the issue. The
reluctance of pro-presidential deputies to bring the government under the
jurisdiction of the law was emphasized by the fact that most
pro-presidential deputies were seen to be physically present in the hall at
the time of the vote.
However, they chose neither to officially register their presence nor to
provide any voting support to the bill that had the potential to be an
important addition to the arsenal of weapons for "fighting corruption."
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER ELEVEN
The Rich History of Ukrainian Art, Music, Pysanka, Folk-Art
Arts Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/artgallery.htm
=========================================================
11. FINANCIER SOROS MEETS IN UKRAINE WITH PRESIDENT,
PRIME MINISTER AND SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT
UT1, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004
[Ukrainian] President Leonid Kuchma and prominent US financier and
philanthropist George Soros have exchanged views on the whole range of
geostrategic challenges facing the world.
At a meeting in Kiev [on 31 March], they discussed the concept of an
enlarged Europe and Ukraine's European integration prospects.
The sides also discussed the formation of open society in former Soviet
republics and freedom of speech issues.
The Ukrainian president spoke in favour of future constructive cooperation
with George Soros. This is not the first meeting between Leonid Kuchma and
the US philanthropist. They last met in November 2000.
Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych also met George Soros. In particular, the
sides discussed political reform in Ukraine. The head of government said
that it is an important step towards further developing democratic society
based on the supremacy of law and human rights.
Also today, Ukrainian parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn had a meeting
with George Soros. They discussed Ukraine's role and place in Europe. In
particular, George Soros agreed that there can be no full-fledged Europe
without Ukraine. (END) (ARTUIS)
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER TWELVE
Send Us Names to Add to the Distribution List for UKRAINE REPORT
=========================================================
12. UKRAINE RADICALS SAY USA, GEORGE SOROS INTERFERE IN
THE COUNTRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS, SPONSOR SUBVERSIVE ACTS
Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 31 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Mar 31, 2004
A radical nationalist organization in Ukraine has accused visiting US
financier and philanthropist George Soros of financing alleged opposition
plots to overthrow the government. It threatened more attacks on Soros after
its activists pelted him with eggs and mayonnaise on two occasions earlier
in the day. The incidents follow allegations by Soros, a prominent critics
of the Ukrainian government and supporter of democratic reforms in the
country, that Ukrainian presidential administration chief Viktor Medvedchuk
is orchestrating a smear campaign against him.
The following is the text of report by Interfax-Ukraine news agency:
KIEV - The [radical nationalist] organization Brotherhood (Bratstvo) has
promised to continue attacks against George Soros until he leaves Ukraine.
Brotherhood said the attacks were in protests against the [alleged] attempts
by the USA and its envoy to interfere into the country's internal affairs
and "fuel domestic political confrontation".
Brotherhood believes that the famous financier and philanthropist George
Soros has come to Ukraine "with the intention to sponsor subversive acts by
the opposition and its attempts to overthrow the government according to the
Georgian scenario," according to a statement by Brotherhood's propaganda
department released on 31 March.
Brotherhood said that earlier in the day its activists, Dmytro Khmara and
Attila Selley-Dovzhenko threw packets of mayonnaise as Soros during the
forum of human rights NGOs "Human rights during elections" at the lobby of
the Rus hotel in Kiev.
Brotherhood says the activists were then beaten up by the hotel's security
and detained by police. They are now being held at the Pechersk police
station in Kiev under Article 175 of the administrative violations code.
Later in the day, when Soros's motorcade was approaching Teachers' House,
where the philanthropist was to take part in a round table on the rule of
law and the reform of the judiciary in Ukraine, Brotherhood activists pelted
his car with eggs.
[On 30 March Soros said presidential administration chief Viktor Medvedchuk
was orchestrating a smear campaign against him in the media and trying to
disrupt the visit, see Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian 1030
gmt 30 Mar 04 and UNIAN news agency, Kiev, in Ukrainian 1504 gmt 30 Mar 04.
President Kuchma is due to meet Soros later on 31 March.] [Please send
queries to kiev.bbcm@mon.bbc.co.uk] (END) (ARTUIS)
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER THIRTEEN
Politics and Governance, Building a Strong, Democratic Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/buildukraine/index.htm
==========================================================
13. UKRAINIAN TV CHANNELS SAID TO WAGE SMEAR
CAMPAIGN AGAINST GEORGE SOROS
BBC Monitoring Research Service, UK, Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004
KIEV - The Ukrainian media coverage of US financier and philanthropist
George Soros's ongoing visit to the country has attracted angry criticism by
opposition politicians and Soros himself, who said some TV channels were
waging a smear campaign against him.
In the days preceding the visit, two leading Ukrainian TV channels, Inter
and One Plus One, as well as the state-owned UT1 television carried comments
by analysts and politicians highly critical of Soros. The commentators
accused the philanthropist, who is a prominent critic of the Ukrainian
government and supporter of democratic reform in Ukraine, of meddling in
other countries' internal affairs. They said he had played a major role in
the Balkan conflicts and put Georgia "on the brink of civil war".
TEMNKY
The critical comments drew particular attention from media analysts, coming
as they did shortly after the opposition web site Ukrayinska Pravda released
on 24 March what it said were written presidential administration orders to
TV channels, referred to as temnyky, to launch a campaign against Soros.
Several channels carried statements by Communist MP Leonid Hrach, who said
that Soros had "caused the explosion in Yugoslavia and in the Balkans, and
sparked the conflict between the Serbs and the Muslims". Hrach was speaking
shortly after violent clashes between groups of the Muslim Crimean Tatars
and local Slavic men in Crimea, one of Soros's destinations during the
Ukrainian visit.
The allegation of a media smear campaign against Soros was voiced by the
philanthropist himself on 30 March. He said some of the channels, including
One Plus One, were "spreading lies" about him. He also accused the head of
the Ukrainian presidential administration, Viktor Medvedchuk, of
orchestrating the alleged media campaign against him, and said Medvedchuk
was behind the earlier difficulties with obtaining the venue for visit
events.
Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko said on 31 March he was "ashamed" of the
way the government was treating Soros. So far there has been no reaction
from Medvedchuk, who analysts say controls both Inter and One Plus One, or
from the channels themselves.
SOME POSITIVE COVERAGE
On 31 March, the day Soros met President Leonid Kuchma in Kiev, both Inter
and One Plus One carried short neutral reports about the visit. In contrast,
the ICTV channel, which is owned by influential MP, businessman and the
president's son-in-law Viktor Pinchuk, carried a lengthy report that focused
on the positive role of the legal aid project Soros is sponsoring in
Ukraine.
The channel announced a live interview with Soros later in the week, and
said Pinchuk himself had pledged financial support for the legal aid
project. ICTV also offered sympathetic coverage on the earlier incident when
Soros was pelted with packets of mayonnaise during an event in Kiev, and
showed Soros himself commenting on the attack.
A radical youth group led by the presenter of a talk show on One Plus One
has assumed responsibility for the attack. Neither One Plus One, nor Inter
or UT1 mentioned the incident in their main news bulletins on 31 March.
==========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-2004, No. 51: ARTICLE NUMBER FOURTEEN
Please Send Us Names to Add to the Distribution List for UKRAINE REPORT
==========================================================
14. UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS CONCERT SERIES BEGINS
Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC), www.bandura.org
Detroit, Michigan, March 30, 2004
DETROIT - The all-male Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus begins its 2004 Spring
Concert Series this Friday in Syracuse, New York. Follow the Chorus as it
travels to Syracuse this Friday, April 2; Hartford -- Saturday, April 3rd,
and New York City -- Sunday, April 4th.
Before the concert at Cooper Union in New York City, the Ukrianian Bandurist
Chorus will also sing the Divine Liturgy at St. George's Ukrainian Catholic
Church at 10:00am on Sunday, April 4th.
Driven by passion, tradition, and history, the all-male Ukrainian Bandurist
Chorus preserves and exemplifies its mission as ambassadors of Ukrainian
culture, music, and the unique 60 stringed instrument, the bandura. The
Chorus' unique nature revolves around the bandura. This distinctive
instrument has developed over centuries and continues to evolve as one
of the most intriguing musical instruments in the world.
Alexander Kuzma, Music Director of the Hartford-based Yevshan Ukrainian
Vocal Ensemble, explains, "The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus brings a
matchless energy to the stage. The Chorus is legendary and their concert
will truly be a memorable cultural and musical experience for all ages."
Anatoli Murha, President of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, explains: "
We're thrilled to be performing in Syracuse, Hartford, New York City,
Clifton, and Philadelphia. The support from these communities has been
overwhelmingly positive, and very much supportive." Murha continues,
"This series, as well as many more to come, strengthens our mission of
being ambassadors of Ukrainian music, culture, and bandura."
The Chorus will continue with its 2004 Spring Concert Series in Clifton, NJ
on Saturday, April 24 and Philadelphia on Sunday, April 25th.
Coinciding with the 2004 Spring Concert Series, the Chorus has also released
their new recording entitled European Tour: Historic Live Recordings. This
recording presents an exciting program of select folk songs, and the exotic
sounds of the bandura from the Chorus' 2003 European concert tour. Select
composers include: J. Brahms, C. Gounod, H. Kytasty, M. Leontovich, J.
Newton, and O. Mahlay. This album is available on compact disc only.
To order your copy of European Tour: Historic Live Recordings today and
hear SOUND CLIPS, visit: www.bandura.org/recordings.htm
For more information about 2004 concert dates go to www.bandura.org.
==========================================================
ARTICLES ARE FOR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC USE ONLY
==========================================================
NEWS AND INFORMATION WEBSITE ABOUT UKRAINE
LINK: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
=========================================================
New Issue Just Published...Year 2003, Issue 3-4
FOLK ART MAGAZINE: NARODNE MYSTETSTVO
LINK: http://www.artukraine.com/primitive/artmagazine.htm
=========================================================
NEW BOOK: Three Hundred Eleven Personal Interviews, Famine 32-33.
"UKRAINIANS ABOUT FAMINE 1932-1933," Prof. Sokil, Lviv, Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/famineart/sokil.htm
=========================================================
INFORMATION ABOUT "ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" 2004
The "ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" 2004, is an in-depth news and analysis
newsletter, produced by the www.ArtUkraine.com Information Service (ARTUIS)
for the Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC) and the sponsors. The report is
distributed worldwide free of charge using the e-mail address:
ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net. Please make sure this e-mail address is
cleared for your SPAM filter. Letters to the editor are always welcome.
For further information contact Morgan Williams: morganw@patriot.net.
"ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" 2004 SPONSORS:
.
1. ACTION UKRAINE COALITION (AUC) MEMBERS:
A. UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COORDINATING COUNCIL,
(UACC), Ihor Gawdiak, President, Washington, D.C., New York, NY
B. UKRAINIAN FEDERATION OF AMERICA (UFA),
Vera M. Andryczyk, President; Dr. Zenia Chernyk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
C. U.S.-UKRAINE FOUNDATION (USUF), Nadia Komarnyckyj
McConnell, President; John A. Kun, VP/COO; Markian Bilynskyj, VP, Dir.
of Field Operations; Kyiv, Ukraine and Washington, D.C., website:
http://www.usukraine.org .
2. UKRAINE-U.S. BUSINESS COUNCIL, Kempton Jenkins, President,
Washington, D.C.
3. UKRAINE BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL (UBI), Seattle, Chicago,
Washington, New York, London, Brussels, Geneva and Prague
4. KIEV-ATLANTIC UKRAINE, David and Tamara Sweere, Founders
and Managers; Kyiv, Ukraine
5. POTENTIAL, the launching of a new business journal for Ukraine.
http://www.usukraine.org/potential.shtml#about
6. INTERNATIONAL MARKET REFORM GROUP (IMRG),
Washington, D.C., Brussels, Belgium
7. INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS and FOUNDATIONS
can provide support for the Action Ukraine Program which includes
the ACTION UKRAINE REPORT, the Action Ukraine Information
Service (AUIS), the www.ArtUkraine.com website [soon to become
the www.ActionUkraine.com website], the information program in
Washington, D.C. regarding the U.S. Congress and the Administration,
which support the building of an independent, democratic and
financially strong Ukraine operating under the rule of law by sending
donations, to the Action Ukraine Fund (AUF).
Checks should be made out to the Ukrainian Federation of America,
(UFA), designated for the Action Ukraine Fund (AUF), and mailed
to 930 Henrietta Avenue, Huntington Valley, PA 19006-8502. Your
support to help build the Action Ukraine Program is very much
appreciated
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
E. Morgan Williams, Coordinator, Action Ukraine Coalition (UAC)
Publisher and Editor: "ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" 2004,
www.ArtUkraine.com Information Service (ARTUIS),
http://www.ArtUkraine.com News and Information Website,
Senior Advisor, Government Relations and Foundation Development,
U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF)
Advisor, Ukraine-U.S. Business Council
P.O. Box 2607, Washington, D.C. 20013
Tel: 202 437 4707, morganw@patriot.net
======================================================
KYIV vs. KIEV
The "ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" uses the spelling KYIV rather than
KIEV, for the capital of Ukraine, whenever the spelling decision is under
our control. We do not change the way journalists, authors, reporters,
writers, news media outlets and others spell this word or the other words
they use in their stories. If you do not agree with the use of KIEV rather
than KYIV then it is appropriate for you to write to the original source of
the spelling decision and let them know. Most of the news media in the
world refuse to use KYIV even though this is the official Ukrainian spelling
as legislated by Ukrainian law.
TO SUBSCRIBE (FREE)
If you know of one or more persons you think would like to be added to
the distribution list for "ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" 2004 please send
us their names and e-mail relevant contact information. We welcome
additional names. To subscribe please send a subscription request e-mail to
Morgan Williams, morganw@patriot.net. Past issues of the "ACTION
UKRAINE REPORT"-2003 (125 reports) and UR 2004 will be sent upon
request.
TO UNSUBSCRIBE
UNSUBSCRIBE: If you do not wish to receive future editions of the
"UKRAINE REPORT"-2004, up to four times per week, please be sure
and notify us by return e-mail to morganw@patriot.net.
====================================================