"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
In-Depth Ukrainian News, Analysis, and Commentary
"The Art of Ukrainian History, Culture, Arts, Business, Religion,
Sports, Government, and Politics, in Ukraine and Around the World"
KYIV DAYS CELEBRATION IN UKRAINE'S CAPITAL
Friday thru Sunday, May 28 to 30, 2004
"Andriyivsky Uzviz, literally "Andrew's Ascent," named after the picturesque
Baroque St. Andrew's Church (1749-54) at the hill's top, has long been home
to artists and artisans, as well as members of the city's upper classes.
"Kyiv's Montemarte" is a name that has been attached to it, and its history
is as old as the city itself: it was the original road between the
aristocratic precincts of what used to be called the Upper City, and the
bustling mercantile center of dockside Podil, which begins where the Uzviz
ends, at Kontraktova Ploshcha. Take away the occasional sight of a Mercedes
Benz or a Lada rattling its way along the Uzviz's treacherous cobblestone
curves, and the street looks much like it did a century ago. [article
eleven]
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 04, Number 89
Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC), Washington, D.C.
Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), Huntingdon Valley, PA
morganw@patriot.net, ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net
Washington, D.C.; Kyiv, Ukraine, FRIDAY, May 28, 2004
-----INDEX OF ARTICLES-----
"Major International News Headlines and Articles"
1. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND (ADM) HAS FORMED JOINT
VENTURE TO RUN A NEW OILSEED CRUSHING PLANT
IN UKRAINE AT THE BLACK SEA PORT OF ILYICHEVSK.
U.S. based ADM is one of the world's largest agribusinesses
REUTERS, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 26, 2004
2. UKRAINE VACILLATES, HINDERS PLANS TO EXTEND OIL
PIPELINE ACROSS POLAND, SAYS POLISH DEPUTY MINISTER
Interfax-Europe, Warsaw, Poland, Friday, May 28, 2004
3.RUSSIAN RETAIL CHAIN TO INVEST $50 MILLION IN UKRAINE
Paterson to build over 30 supermarkets during the first two years
RosBusinessConsulting (RBC), Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 27, 2004
4. UKRAINIAN TYCOONS FORM ALLIANCE TO BUY STEEL GIANT
COMMENTARY: By Oleh Burtovyy
Ukrayinska Pravda web site, Kiev, in Russian 24 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English. Wednesday, May 26, 2004
5. UKRAINE'S DONBAS SUES POLISH TREASURY FOR UNFAIR
TENDER REGARDING SALE OF HUTA CZESTOCHOWA STEEL PLANT
Polish News Bulletin, Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, May 25, 2004
6. MY NAME IS ARTHUR VENNING, MY COUNTRY IS ENGLAND
I pay Russian and Ukrainian workers the same as English workers
Letter to the Editor, The Action Ukraine Report
Arthur Venning, arthurvenning1@aol.com, England, Thursday, May 27, 2004
7. U.S. CONGRESSMAN/NATO OFFICIAL DOUG BEREUTER
SAYS UKRAINE MAY JOIN NATO BY 2007
Inter TV, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 26 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, May 26, 2004
8. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT INVITED TO ISTANBUL NATO SUMMIT
JUNE 29 TO TAKE PART IN UKRAINE-NATO COMMISSION MTG.
UNIAN news agency, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 27 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Thursday, May 27, 2004
9 . PRESIDENT REGRETS LACK OF EU STRATEGY FOR UKRAINE
ICTV television, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian 1545 gmt 27 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Thursday, May 27, 2004
10. PRODI DENIES SAYING UKRAINE HAS NO PROSPECTS
FOR EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP
Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, May 27, 2004
11. VICTOR YUSHCHENKO: "I BELIEVE IN UKRAINE, IN ITS
FUTURE, OPEN TO ALL OF ITS CITIZENS"
Yushchenko participated in the Jewish Congress held in Kyiv
Our Ukraine Press, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 18, 2004
12. "AN EXAMPLE OF HIGH POLITICS"
George Bush Sr.'s call to improve democracy
COMMENTARY: By Serhiy Solodky, The Day
The Day Weekly Digest in English, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 25, 2004
13. THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD: FOCUSING IN ON THE UZVIZ
Kyiv's so-called "most charming street"
By Paul Miazga, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Kyiv Post, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 26, 2004
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89 ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
Politics and Governance, Building a Strong, Democratic Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/buildukraine/index.htm
========================================================
1. ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND (ADM) HAS FORMED JOINT
VENTURE TO RUN A NEW OILSEED CRUSHING PLANT
IN UKRAINE AT THE BLACK SEA PORT OF ILYICHEVSK.
U.S. based ADM is one of the world's largest agribusinesses
REUTERS, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, May 26, 2004
CHICAGO - ADM Nederland B.V., a unit of Archer Daniels Midland
Co., and Risoil S.A. have formed a 50/50 joint venture to run an oilseed
crushing plant in Ukraine at the Black Sea port of Ilyichevsk, ADM
said on Wednesday.
The plant is scheduled to open in November, ADM said in a statement.
Construction on the plant, located next to a Risoil vegetable oil export
facility, began in April 2003.
"This joint venture is a natural extension of existing Ukrainian operations
for ADM," said ADM President and Chief Operating Officer Paul
Mulhollem.
"Through our majority ownership of Alfred C. Toepfer International,
we operate an active and growing network of grain and oilseed
origination facilities as well as investments in export elevators and
transportation assets within the Ukraine," Mulhollem said.
The joint company will be called Illitchvskiy Maslo Extractionniy
Zavod (IMEZ).
The ADM statement comes nine days after Bunge Ltd, the world's top
oilseed processor, announced plans to build a crushing plant in
Ilyichevsk. That facility is expected to open in early 2005.
Ukraine is among the world's top sunseed producers, with its output
accounting for about 10 percent of world output. Ukraine harvested
4.2 million tonnes of sunseed in 2003, compared to 3.3 million in
2002. (END)
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
The Genocidal Famine in Ukraine 1932-1933, HOLODOMOR
Genocide Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/famineart/index.htm
=========================================================
2. UKRAINE VACILLATES, HINDERS PLANS TO EXTEND OIL
PIPELINE ACROSS POLAND, SAYS POLISH DEPUTY MINISTER
Interfax-Europe, Warsaw, Poland, Friday, May 28, 2004
WARSAW - Plans to extend Ukraine's Odessa-Brody oil pipeline to Poland's
Plock may be threatened as Ukrainian planners vacillate and possibly walk
away from the undertaking, acting Deputy Treasury Minister Tadeusz Soroka
said in central Poland's Debowa Gora on Thursday as quoted by the Internet
portal onet.pl.
"Since the very beginning, it's seemed that the Ukrainian side wasn't fully
convinced," Soroka said. "It was visible in talks that part of the Ukrainian
government strongly supports this project, while the other part is less
excited about it. Now it seems that the Ukrainian side is walking away from
the project and the information we already have, that the Ukrainians intend
to shift power over the currently existing pipeline to the Russians, makes
this project difficult to accomplish."
Soroka's comment follows recent news that the Ukraine is ready to consider a
short-term reversal of the Russian oil transit from Brody to Odessa, which
would enable Russia to increase oil supplies to south-European markets, as
well as increasing oil supplies directly to Ukraine. The idea is supported
by many Ukrainian MPs.
Soroka claims that project plans will probably be terminated unless the
Ukrainian side revises its approach.
"If the Ukrainians don't alter their approach to this issue, then we are
unlikely to complete it. Half a year ago, I estimated the possibility of a
successful accomplishment at 80%, now my optimism has fallen to 50%,"
Soroka said, stressing that Ukraine was to fill part of the pipeline to
Brody with oil, in a show of good faith towards the project. That step
hasn't been carried out thus far.
In a recent interview for Interfax, Polish pipeline system operator PERN's
president, Stanislaw Jakubowski, said that work on an extension of Ukraine's
Odessa-Brody oil pipeline to Poland's Plock could begin in the second half
of 2005.
Despite recent turmoil surrounding the extension, PERN continues to lay
plans to establish a company to carry out due diligence for the entire
project, which would open the door for companies potentially interested in
investing in pipeline construction. However, even the setup of that company
now faces a delay to end-June or early July, from the previously planned
May.
Jakubowski confirmed that PERN has been conducting talks on the project,
but said that details can only be set after completing an analysis of the
project, which remains dependent on developments on the Ukrainian side.
PERN said that deals with owners of Caspian oil fields that want to
transport crude through this pipeline and with oil recipients have to be
reached and competitive prices set in order for the project to be carried
out. Once these conditions are met, Jakubowski says that PERN would be
able to secure investors for the pipeline extension project.
The extension linking Brody, near Poland's southeastern border, and Plock,
in central Poland, would be 556 km long. In the first phase, its transport
capacity would amount to 10 mln tons of oil annually.
The 674-km-long Odessa-Brody pipeline, of a diameter of 1,020 mm, and the
linked Yuzhny oil terminal were completed in May 2002. The first stage of
the Odessa-Brody transport system has a capacity of 9 mln-14 mln tons of oil
per year. (END)
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: 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. RUSSIAN RETAIL CHAIN TO INVEST $50 MILLION IN UKRAINE
Paterson to build over 30 supermarkets during the first two years
RosBusinessConsulting, Moscow, Russia, Thursday, May 27, 2004
MOSCOW - The Russian retail chain Paterson has declared about the beginning
of its activities in Ukraine. Andrey Mauergauz, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Paterson, told journalists that investments in developing the
chain would be some $40m to $50m at this stage of the project.
Paterson is planning to open over 30 supermarkets in Ukraine during the
first two years. Paterson supermarkets will appear in Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk,
Kharkov, Odessa and Donetsk at the initial stage.
The share of Paterson on the Ukrainian market is supposed to reach 10
percent during the first two years of activities.
The retail chain consists of 31 supermarkets, including 19 located in Moscow
and the Moscow region. Paterson's turnover was $140m in 2003. (END)
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
Major Articles About What is Going on in Ukraine
Current Events Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/events/index.htm
Become a financial sponsor of The Action Ukraine Program Fund
=========================================================
4. UKRAINIAN TYCOONS FORM ALLIANCE TO BUY STEEL GIANT
"Compromise between authorities and financial industrial
groups at moment of privatization"
COMMENTARY: By Oleh Burtovyy
Ukrayinska Pravda web site, Kiev, in Russian 24 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English. Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Donetsk-based tycoon Rinat Akhmetov and the president's son-in-law,
Viktor Pinchuk, have agreed to set up a consortium to buy the steel giant
Kryvorizhstal, a Ukrainian web site has said. The haste of the privatization
means that the consortium is the only realistic contender, the article said.
The following is an excerpt from the article by Oleh Burtovyy entitled
"Compromise between authorities and financial industrial groups at moment
of privatization" published on the Ukrayinska Pravda web site on 24 May;
subheadings have been inserted editorially:
On the eve of the presidential elections, one can observe enhanced activity
of financial industrial groups in the area of redistribution of state
property and also the formation of control over the most attractive segments
of the Ukrainian market.
Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk financial industrial groups are active
participants in the privatization process. There are System Capital
Management (Donetsk), headed by Rinat Akhmetov, the Interpipe corporation
(Dnipropetrovsk), headed by [President Leonid Kuchma's son-in-law] Viktor
Pinchuk, the Donetsk IUD [Industrial Union of Donbass] corporation, the
Dnipropetrovsk Pryvat group and the Kharkiv Ukrsib group headed by
Oleksandr Yaroslavskyy.
The most emotional players, for whom the purchase of state shares put up for
privatization represents an especially important meaning in their lives are
the first two on the list; the Rinat Akhmetov and Viktor Pinchuk groups. But
they have managed to announce the creation of a joint consortium,
Investment-Metal Union (IMU), with its main office in Dnipropetrovsk.
Yaroslavskyy's group is also taking part in this alliance, but it is not yet
known how the powers of the members (their rights and obligations) are
distributed. The IMU's aim, officially declared on creation, is investment
of industrial and banking capital in corporate rights and production
activity of industrial enterprises of the metallurgical and ore metallurgy
industries.
POLITICAL FACTOR
The factor of combining competing forces requires a re-interpretation not
only of economic, but also political steps as well as coordination of their
actions, especially on the eve of presidential elections. Given the right
approach, even a temporary consolidation of administrative and financial
resources of the consortium participants will make it possible to extract
the maximum common dividends. The creation of even a temporary compromise
between the leading players on the market is an important political step for
the president.
The president has already created a similar compromise regarding
privatization of another facility, Ukrrudprom. Then the wishes of the main
market participants were taken into account. The enterprises that make up
the structure of Ukrrudprom can be sold separately.
In the longer term, the consortium's declared intentions can be changed, and
control over enterprises acquired from privatization can be redistributed
between the participants. Most analysts are inclined to this view. And
whoever has stronger administrative resources after the elections will get
the most influence in the consortium.
[Passage omitted: quoting State Property Fund chief Mykhaylo Chechetov
on Kryvorizhstal privatization; foreign companies' interest]
The influence of the two major Ukrainian businessmen, if not allowing
protection of the domestic market from the expansion of foreign players, at
least forces them to take Ukrainian opposite numbers into account.
GREAT INTEREST IN KRYVORIZHSTAL
A big forum, "CIS and East European Steel" was held in Moscow in early
February. Ukrainian trends were the subject of a separate session, and
attracted the attention of absolutely all the guests, who included many
representatives of steel industry giants.
It turned out that several of them were very well informed about the coming
privatization of Kryvorizhstal, Ukrrudprom, the Kryvyy Rih ore enrichment
plant for oxidized ores and coal holdings. They also knew that presidential
elections were due to be held in our country this year.
Price rises for ready rolled metal and metallurgy raw materials were the
catalyst for integration processes in the industry and undoubtedly the
reason for enhanced attention to all those who make money from it. And it
coincided somehow very fortunately that Ukraine was preparing to sell the
flagship of the industry precisely at this time.
In this situation, the Ukrainian authorities, including the privatization
agency, will have a tricky job. The conditions of the competition need to be
formed and its conduct organized in such a way as, on the one hand, not to
allow potentially strong but undesirable buyers to take part in it, and on
the other, to ensure victory for the buyer agreed "at the top".
So the declared game by the SPF [State Property Fund] chief of pressing
ahead is nothing other than confirmation that all stages of the competition
should be gone through as quickly as possible and unsuitable opponents
deprived of the possibility to dispute each stage in court.
Here the president will again have to reach a compromise, but now in the
foreign policy area, preserving the image of Ukraine as a democratic, honest
and orderly country. This factor may be more than significant, especially on
the eve of the presidential elections.
Considering the political importance of this factor, in all probability,
regardless of the intentions of the players, the president will have to
reach prior agreement with each of the players on the procedure for
redistributing privatization stakes to ensure that nobody is upset or left
out. For this reason, while the players are mastering the art of the
privatization battle, agreeing strategy and tactics of the struggle, the SPF
has been directly engaged in developing the conditions and rules for
conducting the privatization game, taking account of the wishes of their
supervisor. [Passage omitted: desirability of Kryvorizhstal]
AKHMETOV-PINCHUK GROUP'S CHANCES
A bridgehead for getting hold of Kryvorizhstal by domestic business groups
has already been made. In particular, 70 per cent of its output is marketed
by Leman Commodities SA, which is close to Rinat Akhmetov, and 30 per cent
of Viktor Pinchuk's Interpipe corporation.
Analysts believe that the IMU consortium being created by the two business
groups is the most likely pretender to the state share package in
Kryvorizhstal.
Realistic rivals to the consortium are unlikely to be found among Ukrainian
companies, and so the only obstacle to IMU getting hold of Kryvorizhstal can
come from participation in the competition of foreign companies interested
in buying the plant - the Russian Severstal and the Indian Tata Steel.
Analysts assume that the participation of Severstal in the privatization of
the enterprise will depend on government accords between Ukraine and Russia.
[Passage omitted: other major facilities due for privatization and possible
buyers] (END)
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
Ukraine's History and the Long Struggle for Independence
Historical Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/histgallery.htm
=========================================================
5. UKRAINE'S DONBAS SUES POLISH TREASURY FOR UNFAIR
TENDER REGARDING SALE OF HUTA CZESTOCHOWA STEEL PLANT
Polish News Bulletin, Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, May 25, 2004
WARSAW - Ukraine's Donbas filed a suit on Friday concerning the
privatisation of the Huta Czestochowa (HC) steel plant. The Ukrainians want
the court to acknowledge that the Treasury's decision to open exclusive
negotiations with London-based LNM Holdings was made illegally.
Donbas also hopes that the court will agree that international treaties
prevent the selling of HC to LNM. In an official statement Donbas claims it
has proof that people responsible for key decisions on the tender were
conducting their negotiations in bad faith. According to the Ukrainian
bidder, the uneven treatment of Donbas and LNM by the Treasury is best
reflected in the fact that the London-based giant was allowed to change its
offer after the deadline for submitting bids.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is also investigating the HC tender to
determine whether illegal state aid was granted. The EC is yet to issue its
verdict. (END)
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
The Story of Ukraine's Long and Rich Culture
Ukrainian Culture Gallery: http://www.ArtUkraine.com/cultgallery.htm
=========================================================
6. MY NAME IS ARTHUR VENNING, MY COUNTRY IS ENGLAND
I pay Russian and Ukrainian workers the same as English workers
Letter to the Editor, The Action Ukraine Report
>From Arthur Venning, arthurvenning1@aol.com
England, Thursday, May 27, 2004
I work in the construction industry in England and have employed many
Russian and Ukraine workers I can assure you that we always pay them the
same as English workers and treat them the same.
I have been on jobs where people have exploited workers from other countries
and I find this unacceptable and being a project manager for the site I was
able to stop this. I have many friends from both Russia and the Ukraine as I
have helped them when they came to England to find jobs.
Not all construction companies in the UK are the same and many of them
promote the use of workers from eastern Europe we even try to ensure we
have people like myself who speak some of their language to ensure they are
treated right.
The construction industry in England is very short of skilled labour and its
a fact that more eastern European workers will come here and the responsible
companies are making big efforts to ensure that they get the same benefits
and respect as anybody else.
If I can be of any help with info regarding construction in the UK please
feel free to contact me.
Regards, Arthur Venning, arthurvenning1@aol.com
=========================================================
THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER SEVEN
The Rich History of Ukrainian Art, Music, Pysanka, Folk-Art
Arts Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/artgallery.htm
=========================================================
7. U.S. CONGRESSMAN/NATO OFFICIAL DOUG BEREUTER
SAYS UKRAINE MAY JOIN NATO BY 2007
Inter TV, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 26 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, May 26, 2004
KIEV - The president of NATO's parliamentary assembly, Douglas Bereuter,
has said that Ukraine can join NATO as early as in 2007. It all depends on
Ukraine, he said.
Speaking at a news conference, Bereuter also said that he came to Kiev to
look at how Ukraine is conducting reforms, including the military reform.
At the next session of NATO's parliamentary assembly, Bereuter will present
a report based on his visit.
[NOTE: Doug Bereuter is a also U.S. Congressman from Nebraska.]
========================================================
THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER EIGHT
Ukraine's History and the Long Struggle for Independence
Historical Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/histgallery.htm
========================================================
8. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT INVITED TO ISTANBUL NATO SUMMIT
JUNE 29 TO TAKE PART IN THE UKRAINE-NATO COMMISSION MTG.
UNIAN news agency, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 27 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Thursday, May 27, 2004
KIEV - Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma has been invited to the Istanbul
NATO summit to take part in a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission,
the head of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Ukraine,
(?Michel Dure) told UNIAN by phone from Brussels.
Kuchma will take part in the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission in
Istanbul on 29 June, Dure said. "This will be a top-level event," Dure said.
[Please send queries to kiev.bbcm@mon.bbc.co.uk]
========================================================
THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER NINE
Support "The Action Ukraine Report"...Send A Check Today
========================================================
9. PRESIDENT REGRETS LACK OF EU STRATEGY FOR UKRAINE
ICTV television, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian 1545 gmt 27 May 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Thursday, May 27, 2004
[Presenter] The atmosphere of political calm and, hopefully, political
understanding is dominating the eastern and central European summit in
Romania. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma is participating. The summit
focused on the EU enlargement and its impact on neighbouring states. Our
correspondent has the details. [Passage omitted: correspondent's repeat]
[Correspondent] The Ukrainian president stressed that that after the EU
enlargement one can feel the lack of any serious EU strategy for developing
relations with our state.
The summit will also discuss stability in the western Balkans, in particular
the Kosovo peacekeeping force's further presence in the region. Ukrainian
peacekeepers have been there since 1999.
Kuchma has met his Romanian and Polish counterparts, Ion Iliescu and
Aleksander Kwasniewski. He will also discuss investments in the Ukrainian
economy and Ukraine's participation in international projects at a round
table with European businessmen. [Passage omitted: correspondent recalls
previous central and eastern European summits] (END)
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THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER TEN
Politics and Governance, Building a Strong, Democratic Ukraine
http://www.artukraine.com/buildukraine/index.htm
If The Action Ukraine Report is beneficial to you, support it.
========================================================
10. PRODI DENIES SAYING UKRAINE HAS NO PROSPECTS
FOR EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP
Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, May 27, 2004
KYIV - European Commission President Romano Prodi has denied saying that
Ukraine and Belarus have no prospect of joining the European Union, the Den
newspaper reported on Thursday.
Prodi said that the EU welcomed Ukraine's European choice and that following
EU enlargement, Ukraine had become a strategic partner of the EU, its
neighbor.
The EC and Ukraine are working together on strengthening bilateral relations
within the European neighborhood policy, Prodi said. This policy is not
aimed at enlargement, because this issue in not on the current agenda, he
said. (END)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER ELEVEN
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========================================================
11. VICTOR YUSHCHENKO: "I BELIEVE IN UKRAINE, IN ITS
FUTURE, OPEN TO ALL OF ITS CITIZENS"
Yushchenko participated in the Jewish Congress held in Kyiv
Our Ukraine Press, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 18, 2004
KYIV - The leader of the "Our Ukraine" coalition Victor Yushchenko
participated in the Jewish Congress, which was held today in Kyiv.
Yushchenko delivered a handful of earth from Auschwitz concentration
camp, which he visited last week, to the participants.
The leader of "Our Ukraine" presented his father's documents to the Polish
Museum; during World War II, Victor Yushchenko's father, Andriy
Yushchenko, was imprisoned in that camp. Hundreds of thousands of people
were killed in that concentration camp - most of them Jews.
In his speech Victor Yushchenko promised that he would do everything in his
power to make sure that the "Jewish question" is not raised in Ukraine. He
also stressed that, as a European, he understands the contribution an old
Jewish culture had made to the development of our civilization.
Yushchenko is convinced that a variety of languages and cultures is one of
Ukraine's most valuable treasures. "As I read the history of my country, I
see the horrendous effects of holocaust and of holodomor: two genocides
in our history side-by-side," noted Yushchenko.
"True patriotism means a desire to build a modern and independent state,
capable of ensuring social harmony and well-being of the people regardless
of their nationality, language or religion," declared the leader of "Our
Ukraine" in his speech.
"I believe in Ukraine, in its great future, open to all of its citizens,"
stressed Yushchenko.
Answering questions from Israeli journalists as to the possibility of the
so-called "nationalistic card" being played during the future presidential
elections in Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko noted that such attempts would
be made.
Even now, according to Yushchenko, Ukrainians witness how some
politicians are speculating on this issue. At the same time he noted that
such actions meant weakness of those politicians.
"Our Ukraine" will never use this issue for reaching its political goals
under any conditions," stated Yushchenko. He pointed out similarities
between the Ukrainian and the Jewish peoples. "We have much in common.
Both nations had traveled a long way to gaining statehood and freedom,"
said Yushchenko.
He also noted that there were difficult times in both of our histories and
that some of the questions still have to be answered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK: "Our Ukraine" website: www.razom.org.ua
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER TWELVE
Ukraine's History and the Long Struggle for Independence
Historical Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/histgallery.htm
=========================================================
12. "AN EXAMPLE OF HIGH POLITICS"
George Bush Sr.'s call to improve democracy
COMMENTARY: By Serhiy Solodky, The Day
The Day Weekly Digest in English, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Last Friday George Bush, the 41st US president, ended his two-day trip to
Kyiv. Although this was a private visit, the level of meetings (with
President Leonid Kuchma and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, among
others) and the number of hints dropped about Ukraine's further development
indicate the paramount importance of this visit by the father of the current
White House president.
"Ukraine is aware of the importance of this visit because it is you who
recognized us and laid the groundwork for the relations that eventually led
to a strategic partnership," Pres. Kuchma told the former US president. Mr.
Bush also met with Ukrainian opposition leaders Viktor Yushchenko, Yuliya
Tymoshenko, and Oleksandr Moroz.
Ukrainians harbor mixed feelings about George Bush Sr. Most remember the
then US president's speech on 1 August 1991 in Kyiv, when he pledged
unflagging support for the USSR's central leadership and cautioned the
Soviet republics against making rash decisions, which was interpreted as a
call to drop aspirations for independence. The common perception is that his
visit was aimed, among other things, at correcting the now obsolete
interpretation of the statement he made long ago. It is quite possible that
the 41st US president wanted to re- define his image in the history of
US-Ukrainian relations.
The first part of Mr. Bush's speech at Taras Shevchenko National University
was precisely an attempt to amend his thirteen-year-old statement. He
emphasized, in particular, that his 1991 speech stressed the necessity of
"expanding the boundaries of freedom" rather than the desirability or
undesirability of independence for the Soviet republics.
"The US has always welcome reformers who are moving toward a new
world order," Mr. Bush noted. On the other hand, the ex-president admitted
that no one in Washington expected the abortive August coup in Moscow
or the ensuing independence of the USSR's republics.
He also recalled his September 1991 meeting with Leonid Kravchuk in
Washington and the telephone call from Bela Vezha Forest, during which Boris
Yeltsin informed him about the collapse of the USSR and the formation of the
CIS. "Those were really dramatic days," the former US leader reminisced.
"Some may say this was a foregone conclusion, but this is not true," he
noted, stressing that the new countries faced the menace of bloodshed or
seizure of power by unpredictable leaders. Mr. Bush called Ukraine's
achievement of independence a "peaceful revolution" in sharp contrast to the
events of 1917.
After reviewing past events, Mr. Bush switched to current problems. First of
all, he noted the striking changes that have taken place in Kyiv over the
past thirteen years. Recalling the words of some skeptics that Ukrainian
independence would be a short-term affair, Mr. Bush declared, "Today your
independence is stronger than ever before." He pointed out that Ukrainians
are beginning to experience the fruits of economic reforms. Mr. Bush also
made note of Kyiv's foreign political goals to join NATO, EU, and WTO.
"These are interesting and mature ambitions. I wish you success!" said the
Oval Office's former occupant.
He also expressed sincere appreciation for the contribution of Ukrainian
servicemen to the postwar stabilization of Iraq, noting that the current US
president, George Bush Jr., is very grateful for this support. "We must give
Ukraine its due: it did not stay on the sidelines when the shadow of a new
evil, the evil of terrorism, fell upon the world. I know the way President
Bush appreciates Ukraine's contribution."
The next message of the 41st US president concerned the elections in
Ukraine. The former American leader approached this subject in a
roundabout way by recalling his own participation in the 1992 presidential
elections, when he lost to Bill Clinton.
This part of his speech dealt with the style and school of high politics and
the experience of a civilized transfer of power. "It is never easy to lose
an election, because you feel that you have let down a lot of people," said
the distinguished guest, reminding the audience that the US press was on his
rival's side.
Mr. Bush stressed that although he did not agree with reports
in the mass media, which were biased in his opinion, he viewed them as the
achievements of a free society. "I have always championed the press, but now
I revel in being free of the press," said Mr. Bush, emphasizing, "You have
to have respect for the electoral process."
By way of illustration, he recalled Democratic candidate Albert Gore's
defeat in the 2000 elections. Mr. Bush Sr. said that when the final results
were announced, he phoned his son's rival. "I knew how hard it was to
lose," the ex-president said. In his words, a free and democratic election
in Ukraine will be of vital importance for strengthening this country's
relations with the West.
Mr. Bush expressed hope that those running for the highest office
"will be guided by the interests of the state rather than their own
interests." "If Ukraine goes this way, I do not doubt that a brilliant
future awaits it," he said in conclusion.
It is also worth mentioning that none of the many questions addressed to
George Bush was about Russia. This may be sheer coincidence, or perhaps
we are learning and have already learned, to some extent, to live without
the "big- brother syndrome." The impeccable gentleman George Bush Sr.
has gone home.
Let us say in conclusion that the thirteen years that have lapsed since his
first visit have brought about drastic changes not only in Ukraine but also
in the key points of his reasoning. Presumably, Ukraine's attitude to the
41st US president has also changed. (END)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 89: ARTICLE NUMBER THIRTEEN
The Genocidal Famine in Ukraine 1932-1933, HOLODOMOR
Genocide Gallery: http://www.artukraine.com/famineart/index.htm
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13. THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD: FOCUSING IN ON THE UZVIZ
Kyiv's so-called "most charming street"
By Paul Miazga, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
Kyiv Post, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Kyiv's so-called "most charming street," Andriyivsky Uzviz is a lure for
tourists: a respite from the bustle of a city that's rapidly changing, a
repository of Kyivan history, and a teeming bazaar, where vendors who sell
old Lenin busts, creepy Wehrmacht medals left over from World War II and
banners proclaiming communism's glory play backgammon together until
passerby stop to inspect their wares more closely. Residents who decades ago
lucked out in the Soviet housing lottery lean on aging balconies to view the
street life below.
Andriyivsky Uzviz, literally "Andrew's Ascent," named after the picturesque
Baroque St. Andrew's Church (1749-54) at the hill's top, has long been home
to artists and artisans, as well as members of the city's upper classes.
"Kyiv's Montemarte" is a name that has been attached to it, and its history
is as old as the city itself: it was the original road between the
aristocratic precincts of what used to be called the Upper City, and the
bustling mercantile center of dockside Podil, which begins where the Uzviz
ends, at Kontraktova Ploshcha. Take away the occasional sight of a Mercedes
Benz or a Lada rattling its way along the Uzviz's treacherous cobblestone
curves, and the street looks much like it did a century ago.
The great novelist Mykhail Bulgakov grew up on the Uzviz, and set his Civil
War novel "The White Guard" on it. At #15, the so-called Richard the
Lionheart's Castle looms, empty and foreboding: Kyiv schoolchildren consider
it haunted, cursed always to stand uncompleted because of its ostentation,
which represented too garish a display of wealth for local tastes.
This very weekend is a great time to stroll down Kyiv's most famous street:
The end of May brings with it the Days of Kyiv celebration, and the Uzviz
will come alive even more than usual. Buskers, acrobats and other festive
folk will swell the crowd of vendors, artists, musicians and tourists, and
bring out a new side of this wonderful street, and the city.
MONTEMARTE ON THE DNIPRO
The Uzviz's museums document everything from the street and Kyiv during the
last couple of centuries to the life and times of Bulgakov. The author of,
most famously, "The Master and Margarita" was born in Kyiv and grew up at
#13, which became the fictional home of "The White Guard"'s Turbin family.
You can learn about how the street was first cobbled a century ago to link
Kyiv's Upper City with the Podil markets, or you can visit galleries that
provide a glimpse into the imaginations of contemporary artists, native and
foreign. On the grounds of the National Museum of Ukrainian History you'll
find the foundation of an ancient Orthodox cathedral, one of the city's
first, unearthed for all to see. It's a spooky, evocative spot, and you'll
hear elderly people discuss its spiritual energy.
You'll also hear the word "energy" come up when young Kyivans talk about
that favorite hangout adjacent to the Uzviz: the wooded hills that stretch
out toward the river behind the History Museum, Artema and Velika
Zhytomyrska. The area doesn't really have a name - you'll hear kids refer to
it as "Behind Artema" or simply as "Velyka Zhytomyrska" ("Ve Zhe" for
short) - but it is a meaningful Kyivan place, where people congregate to
experience the moody, ancient aura that drifts about the place, and also to
drink, build bonfires, play music and just generally trip out.
Locals refer to this still-undeveloped spot somewhat cryptically as "the
spiritual center of Kyiv," and it's even mentioned as such by Bulgakov. Go
up at dusk, watch the bonfires burning on distant hillsides, and see a side
of Kyiv most foreigners don't know exists.
GALLERY SHOOTING:
Then there are the Uzviz's famous galleries.
The Uzviz is clogged with storefronts selling schlock, but three top-notch
galleries are Tryptykh, Atelier Karas, and Soviart. The first of the three
has shown Grusha Grisha's whimsical, beautifully-glazed ceramic animals,
which are stunning explosions of color; Mikhail Tsvetkov's stylized
sculptures of strange winged beasts; and more good painters than you can
count. Plus - and this is all too rare in the gallery world - the staff is
helpful and friendly.
The Karas gallery is one of Kyiv's most modish spots, and Soviart, which
opened in 1987 as one of the first non-state establishments showing art,
remains an epicenter of cool.
All three galleries are excellent places to buy good art at prices that
don't come near what you'd have to pay for them in the West. (Getting
your art out of Ukraine is another problem.)
Finally, a word about street artists, one of the Uzviz's characteristic
sights: Some are talented, some aren't; some are hucksters, and others are
not. Like most vendors, they can all spot a foreigner a thousand miles away.
You might find a bargain, but exercise taste and caution.
WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE
It's impossible to walk the steep Andriyivsky Uzviz even for a few hours
without working up an appetite. Luckily, the street's developed a reputation
as a dining destination, and is a good place to get a great dinner, a nice
cappuccino, or a beer on a patio during a warm afternoon. [Passage omitted,
list of specific restaurants.] (END)
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