"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
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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"
RUSSIA WELCOMES UKRAINE'S STRONG MOVEMENT
EASTWARD: WE ARE NOW UNITED
"Russia has expressed the belief that the removal of the provisions of
the Ukrainian military doctrine that state that one of the final goal of
Ukraine's policy of Euro-Atlantic and European integration is
membership of NATO serves the national interests of Ukraine and
Russia....
"Russia also welcomes this step because it believes that it is positive for
development of cooperation with Ukraine in the military-political area.
"It was noted in the [Russian foreign] ministry that Moscow and Kiev
'are united by a strategic partnership, a steadily deepening political
dialogue and also cooperation in the trade and economic sphere'.
'Relations between Russia and Ukraine should also develop actively
in the military-political sphere,' it was stressed in the Foreign Ministry."
[article one and two]
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 04, Number 126
Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC), Washington, D.C.
Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), Huntingdon Valley, PA
morganw@patriot.net, ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net (ARTUIS)
Washington, D.C.; Kyiv, Ukraine, WEDNESDAY, July 28, 2004
-----INDEX OF ARTICLES-----
"Major International News Headlines and Articles"
1. RUSSIA WELCOMES EXCLUSION OF NATO MEMBERSHIP
GOAL FROM UKRAINE'S MILITARY DOCTRINE AND SAYS
IT SERVES UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN INTERESTS
By Anton Vodianyi, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 27, 2004
2. RUSSIA WELCOMES CHANGE TO UKRAINE'S MILITARY
DOCTRINE SAYS FOREIGN MINISTRY
Moscow and Kiev are united by a strategic partnership
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, Russia, in Russian, 27 Jul 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
3. MP FORECASTS STRENGTHENING OF RUSSIA'S INFLUENCE
ON UKRAINE AFTER IT ABANDONS JOINING NATO AND EU
Andrii Derkach, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tue, July 27, 2004
4.UKRAINE SENDS MIXED SIGNALS ON NEW DEFENSE DOCTRINE
Confusion surrounds Ukraine's decision. Is Kuchma heading West or East?
Deutsche Welle, Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
5. SOCIALIST LEADER MOROZ CRITICIZES KUCHMA FOR
INCONSISTENCY IN HIS FOREIGN POLICY FOR UKRAINE
Andrii Derkach, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wed, July 28, 2004
6. POLISH FOREIGN MINISTRY VIEWS UKRAINE'S
SUDDEN SHIFT TOWARDS RUSSIA
Polish Radio 1, Warsaw, Poland, in Polish, July 28, 2004
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
7. POLISH ENTREPRENEURS DO NOT BELIEVE UKRAINE'S
DECISION TO TIGHTEN COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
WILL IMPEDE BUSINESS RELATIONS
Polish News Bulletin, Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004
8. UKRAINE DROPPING NATO AND EU STRATEGIC GOALS
No secret Moscow was very displeased with provisions of military doctrine
"Which decree is more important?" ANALYSIS: By Serhiy Solodkyy
Den, Kiev, Ukraine, in Russian 27 Jul 04; p 1, 3
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
9. KUCHMA PULLED NATO PRIORITY IN EXCHANGE FOR
SUPPORT OF RUSSIA IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FOR
VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH SAYS POLISH EXPERT
UNIAN, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
10. U.S. EMBASSY KIEV RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ABOUT
FORMER US AMBASSADORS TO UKRAINE PIFER AND
PASCUAL AS REPORTED IN THE UKRAINIAN MEDIA
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Kiev
Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 27, 2004
11. EMBATTLED UKRAINIAN RADIO KONTYNENT CHIEF
SERGIY SHOLOKH GETS REFUGEE STATUS IN USA
TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 28 Jul 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004
12.UKRAINE'S DEFENCE MINISTER DENIES U-TURN/NATO-EU
UT1 state-owned television , Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 27 Jul 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
13. NSDC SAYS JOINING NATO AND EU REMAINS A
STRATEGIC MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM GOAL FOR UKRAINE
Oleksandr Sukov, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 28, 2004
14.SALE OF UKRAINE'S IRON ORE COMBINE RUMOURED TO BE
SOLD AT VERY LOW PRICE TO TYCOON CLOSE TO KUCHMA
"Distribution according to the usual scenario"
ANALYSIS: By Maryna Balaban
Ukrayina Moloda newspaper, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian 22 Jul 04; p 8
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004
15. UKRAINE PIPELINE OPERATOR SIGNS DEAL WITH RUSSIAN-
BRITISH OIL COMPANY FOR SHIPMENTS THROUGH LONG-
IDLE ODESSA-BRODY PIPELINE
AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
16. "MONUMENTAL PROPAGANDA"
Latest novel by Vladimir Voinovich
One of the best-known and best-loved Soviet emigré writers
Novel by Vladimir Voinovich reviewed by Anne Applebaum
The Washington Post, BOOK WORLD
Washington, D.C., Sunday, July 25, 2004; Page BW02
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
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1. RUSSIA WELCOMES EXCLUSION OF NATO MEMBERSHIP
GOAL FROM UKRAINE'S MILITARY DOCTRINE AND SAYS
IT SERVES UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN INTERESTS
By Anton Vodianyi, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 27, 2004
KYIV - Russia has expressed the belief that the removal of the provisions
of the Ukrainian military doctrine that state that one of the final goal of
Ukraine's policy of Euro-Atlantic and European integration is membership
of NATO serves the national interests of Ukraine and Russia.
The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry's department of information and the
press, announced this in a statement, a text of which Ukrainian News
obtained.
"The balanced nature of the new military doctrine will undoubtedly serve
the national interests of Ukraine, the interests of our countries," the
statement said.
Russia also welcomes this step because it believes that it is positive for
development of cooperation with Ukraine in the military-political area.
"Russia's relations with Ukraine..., with which active political dialogue is
being developed as well as cooperation in the trade and economic sphere,
should develop actively in the military-political sphere. The positive
trends in this area are obvious, and they can only be welcomed," the
statement said.
At the same time, Russia says that determination of the directions of
foreign policy are the internal affairs of every country.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, President Leonid has Kuchma
removed the provisions of the Ukrainian military doctrine that state that
the final goal of Ukraine's policy of Euro-Atlantic and European integration
is membership of NATO and the European Union. (www.ukranews.com)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
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2. RUSSIA WELCOMES CHANGE TO UKRAINE'S MILITARY
DOCTRINE SAYS FOREIGN MINISTRY
Moscow and Kiev are united by a strategic partnership
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, Russia, in Russian, 27 Jul 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
MOSCOW - Deciding on the main directions in foreign policy is "the internal
affair of every state". This has been ascertained in the Russian Foreign
Ministry in comment on changes to Ukraine's military doctrine with regard to
relations with NATO.
It was noted in the ministry that Moscow and Kiev "are united by a strategic
partnership, a steadily deepening political dialogue and also cooperation in
the trade and economic sphere". "Relations between Russia and Ukraine
should also develop actively in the military-political sphere," it was
stressed in the Foreign Ministry.
"Positive tendencies in that direction are evident, which can only be
welcomed." "In this connection the balanced nature of the new Ukrainian
military doctrine will meet the national interests of Ukraine and Russia,"
it was noted in the ministry. Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma has removed
from the military doctrine the point on preparing the country for full
membership of NATO and the EU. [Passage omitted] (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER THREE
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========================================================
3. MP FORECASTS STRENGTHENING OF RUSSIA'S INFLUENCE
ON UKRAINE AFTER IT ABANDONS JOINING NATO AND EU
Andrii Derkach, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tue, July 27, 2004
KYIV - Deputy leader of the Batkivschyna party, member of the Power of
the People coalition supporting Viktor Yuschenko on presidential elections,
MP Oleksandr Turchynov forecasts that influence of Russian on Ukraine will
strengthen following removal of the aspects of the military doctrine on NATO
and European integration membership made by President Leonid Kuchma.
This was disclosed in the statement of the press service of Batkivschyna,
the text of which Ukrainian News obtained.
"Abandoning European integration would give our Eastern neighbor enough
levers of political influence on Ukraine," the press service cites
Turchynov.
In Turchynov's opinion, strengthening of influence of Russia on Ukraine
makes results of elections of the presidential elections insignificant for
Russia.
Turchynov also believes that Kuchma's abandoning of integration of Ukraine
with NATO and EU is an evidence of Kuchma's unwillingness to fulfill
commitments for holding of transparent elections in October of this year.
"Now it is obvious that Kuchma didn't plan and doesn't plan to fulfill his
duties to the world community, in particular about fair and transparent
elections," the press service cites Turchynov.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, with the July 15 presidential decree
entitled "On the Decision of the National Security and Defense Council of
July 6 'On Further Development of Relations with NATO Taking into
Account the Results of the Ukrainian-NATO Commission's High-Level
Meeting of June 29, 2005,'" Kuchma has removed the aspects of the
Ukrainian military doctrine that states that the final goal of Ukraine's
policy of Euro-Atlantic and European integration is membership of
NATO and the European Union.
Kuchma approved Ukraine's military doctrine in mid-June. Ukrainian
presented the doctrine at the Ukrainian-NATO Commission's meeting in
Istanbul.
Kuchma said after the Ukrainian-NATO Commission's meeting that
Ukraine was not ready for membership of NATO. After a Ukrainian-
European Union summit in July, Kuchma also said Ukraine was not
ready for membership of the European Union either. (www.ukranews.com)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
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4. UKRAINE SENDS MIXED SIGNALS ON NEW DEFENSE DOCTRINE
Confusion surrounds Ukraine's decision. Is Kuchma heading West or East?
Deutsche Welle, Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
KIEV - An online decree posted by the Ukrainian government indicates it has
removed the targets of EU and NATO membership from its defense doctrine.
Officials in Kiev, however, say integration is still an aim. Confusion
surrounds Ukraine's apparent decision to remove EU and NATO membership
as strategic aims in the country's defense doctrine.
A posting on the Ukrainian government's website on July 26 quoted a decree
by Ukrainian President Leonid Kutschma which replaced EU and NATO
membership in Ukraine's defense doctrine with the more vague aim of
"Euro-Atlantic integration." The decree substituted a new goal of
"deepening" Kiev's relations with the blocs for its earlier goal of
"joining" them.
However, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Oleh Shamshur told a press
conference in Kiev the following day that Ukraine had not changed its policy
toward NATO and the EU despite the rewording carried in the President's
latest decree and that Kiev was still pursuing what he called "euro
integration."
INTEGRATION STILL A GOAL?
"We do not see any reasons for claims that Ukraine has changed its European
and Euro-Atlantic course, since the ultimate goal of European integration
has not changed, is not changing, and I don't think it will change. The key
word about European integration is still there," Shamshur told reporters.
In June, Kuchma signed a defense doctrine that stated Kiev was "pursuing a
policy of Euro-Atlantic integration with a final goal of joining NATO as the
basis of the European security system." The new decree which appeared on the
government website, signed and dated July 15, read: "Ukraine's national
security interests require the deepening of relations with NATO and the EU
as guarantors of security and stability in Europe."
It remains unclear whether Kiev will now seek a formal change of wording to
its June defense doctrine. The English-language daily The Moscow Times
reported on Tuesday that changing the doctrine would require parliamentary
approval.
EU CHOOSES MEASURED RESPONSE
Regardless of whether the doctrine has or has not changed, the European
Union had a reserved reaction to the reports. Some observers see Kuchma's
apparent decision to give up EU and NATO membership as strategic objectives
as a result of getting the cold-shoulder by Brussels.
Commenting on relations with both Ukraine and Russia, Chief European
Commission spokesman Reijo Kemppinen told a press conference on Tuesday
that the EU seeks closer ties with Ukraine, but is not offering membership.
"Insofar as our relationship with Ukraine and Russia is concerned, we have
good and close relations with both countries, and we hope they will be even
closer in the future. Membership of the European Union has never been in the
offing for either of those countries, nor has it formally been discussed as
a prospect," Kemppinen said.
KUCHMA BLUFFING?
Ukraine has been pursuing EU membership for some time but as yet to receive
any positive response on the matter from Brussels. Kuchma feels he has
also been shunned by NATO despite pledging his support to the war in Iraq,
something a number of European Union countries refused to do.
With presidential elections approaching in Ukraine, a change in doctrine
which moves away from the pursuit of western recognition may help Kuchma
attract support from Russia, an important factor in winning pro-Moscow votes
in the former Soviet country.
It appears that the Ukrainian president is hedging his bets; not fully
departing from the target of EU and NATO membership in case of a change
of heart in Brussels, while distancing himself enough to attract pro-Russian
voters. He also chose to release his ambiguous decree during the visit of
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reiner Lindner, an expert on Eastern Europe from the University of Konstanz,
explained to DW-RADIO that votes from the pro-Russian east will be very
important for Kuchma as he looks to install a successor who can protect
his interests.
"At the moment, it is a matter of finding a successor who can take over
(Kuchma's) position and represent his interests. And this must be a
nominee who is chosen, above all, by the people of East Ukraine. That man is
Viktor Juschtschenko, the head of the government. Opposition nominees will
mobilize strong votes in Western or central Ukraine. So the possible change
in military doctrine could be based in electoral tactics." [DW Staff (nda)]
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http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1430_A_1278372_1_A,00.html?mpb=en
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 126: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
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5. SOCIALIST LEADER MOROZ CRITICIZES KUCHMA FOR
INCONSISTENCY IN HIS FOREIGN POLICY FOR UKRAINE
Andrii Derkach, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wed, July 28, 2004
KYIV - Ukraine's Socialist Party's leader Oleksandr Moroz, who is a
candidate in this year's presidential elections, has criticized President
Leonid Kuchma for the inconsistency of his foreign policy. The press
service of Moroz announced this in a statement, a text of which Ukrainian
News obtained.
The statement says that Ukraine's foreign policy depends on the political
situations and personal interests of the Ukrainian leadership. "We have
observed the inconsistency of this regime several times: its 'multi-vector"
nature has a floating coordinate center. It depends, unfortunately, on the
political situation and frequently on personal interests," the press service
quotes Moroz as saying.
Moroz also expressed doubt over the Ukrainian leadership's desire to
secure a status of non-membership of any bloc for Ukraine following
Kuchma's decision to cancel the provisions of the Ukrainian military
doctrine that state that the final goal of Ukraine's policy of Euro-Atlantic
and European integration is membership of NATO and the European Union.
"Is the new version of the doctrine aimed at achieving the goal [of a
non-bloc status]? I doubt it..." the press service quotes Moroz as saying.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, President Leonid Kuchma removed the
provisions of the Ukrainian military doctrine that state that the final goal
of Ukraine's policy of Euro-Atlantic and European integration is membership
of NATO and the European Union on July 15.
As Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Oleh Shamshur told journalists, these
provisions were excluded from Ukraine's military doctrine because neither
NATO nor the European Union gave Ukraine clear signals and timeframes for
its possible admission into these organizations.
Ukraine and the European Union agreed the basic provisions of a joint action
plan on July 27, which is expected to outline the areas of cooperation
between the two sides for the next three years.
The signing of the Ukrainian-European Union joint action plan, which was
expected to take place at a summit in The Hague (the Netherlands) on July 8,
has been postponed. Many international organizations and individual
countries have repeatedly called on Ukraine to ensure that the presidential
elections scheduled for October 31 are fair. (www.ukranews.com)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
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6. POLISH FOREIGN MINISTRY VIEWS UKRAINE'S
SUDDEN SHIFT TOWARDS RUSSIA
Polish Radio 1, Warsaw, Poland, in Polish, July 28, 2004
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
WARSAW - [Presenter] Foreign Affairs Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz
has urged against making radical comments with regard to Ukraine.
According to the minister, it is too early to say that Ukraine has
definitely decided to shift its policy towards the East.
The head of the Polish diplomatic service is of an opinion that we should
first examine whether we are dealing with tactical or strategic move of the
Ukrainian president who removed a passage concerning the country's future
integration into NATO and the European Union from the state security
doctrine adopted in June.
[Cimoszewicz] If it turns out that Ukraine has given up its earlier declared
ambitions to join the European and trans-Atlantic communities, then, of
course, it wouldn't be good news, most of all, for Ukraine itself. And then
we should appropriately react towards it, also probably by modifying the
North Atlantic Treaty or the European Union policy. I firmly believe that
this isn't the case and let's not rush into making radical comments.
[Presenter] Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said that we would continue to follow
our present policy towards Ukraine. In his opinion, comments made by the
opposition that Poland's eastern foreign policy failed, were too hasty.
[Passage omitted] (END) (ARTUIS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTE: The U.S. government has not, as far as we know,
made a major statement about the several dramatic events and
announcements that took place at Yalta during the meeting between
Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Kuchma. This is
somewhat surprising given the priority expressed by the U.S.
government in the past few year regarding these critical issues. We
hope to hear from the U.S. and other governments soon, in
addition to Poland. (Editor)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER SEVEN
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7. POLISH ENTREPRENEURS DO NOT BELIEVE UKRAINE'S
DECISION TO TIGHTEN COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
WILL IMPEDE BUSINESS RELATIONS
Polish News Bulletin, Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004
WARSAW - Polish entrepreneurs believe that the decision of Ukrainian
authorities to tighten cooperation with Russia will not impede business
relations beyond the eastern border. "We have to separate political
declarations from the conditions of managing business affairs, since they
are two different matters," said experts.
On Monday president Leonid Kuczma declared that Ukraine's accession to the
EU and the cooperation with NATO play a secondary role, while cooperation
with Russia is of vital importance. Poland's eastern neighbour constitutes
one of the most promising markets for Polish companies. In 2000 exports to
Ukraine stood at ZL3.4bn, and in 2003 their value exceeded ZL6bn.
A large number of Polish companies have already invested in the construction
of plants in Ukraine. "Political declarations don't in any way affect our
plans. The country's economy is becoming ever more independent of politics,"
said Wojciech Solarski, the vice-president of Polifarb Cieszyn Wroclaw.
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER EIGHT
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
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8. UKRAINE DROPPING NATO AND EU STRATEGIC GOALS
No secret Moscow was very displeased with provisions of military doctrine
"Which decree is more important?" ANALYSIS: By Serhiy Solodkyy
Den, Kiev, Ukraine, in Russian 27 Jul 04; p 1, 3
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
KIEV - President Leonid Kuchma has amended Ukraine's military doctrine,
omitting the aim of joining NATO and the EU, a newspaper linked to Defence
Minister Yevhen Marchuk has said. The timing was strange, as the previous
doctrine had been drafted only the previous month and presented at the
NATO summit in Istanbul, the article said. The following is the text of the
article by Serhiy Solodkyy entitled "Which decree is more important?"
published in the Ukrainian newspaper Den on 27 July:
Opening a meeting of Russian and Ukrainian business circles with the
presidents yesterday, [Ukrainian President] Leonid Kuchma said: "Thanks to
joint efforts, we have made significant progress forward over recent years.
The positive dynamic is obvious, and reciprocal trade figures are growing.
In the first five months of this year trade turnover between our countries
increased by over a third compared with the same period last year, exceeding
6bn dollars... [ellipsis as published]
Ukrainian and Russian partners have made sufficiently successful progress,
in my view, in the oil and gas sector. After Russian capital came into the
Lysychansk, Odessa and Kherson oil refineries, deliveries of Russian oil
increased by a factor of between six and eight over several years."
"I have said more than once that the key direction for Ukrainian-Russian
relations should be first and foremost the economy and all-round economic
contacts. A good economy also moves politics correspondingly. In our view
the prime task was and remains the formation of a full-fledged free trade
zone. Both the political will of the leaders of the states and the readiness
of business circles to promote its resolution in all ways are important in
this matter," the president continued.
"The ideas and active position of representatives of Ukrainian and Russian
business and your specific proposals as regards the most promising joint
projects are important for us. It is precisely their implementation that
will make it possible not only to strengthen positive trends in bilateral
cooperation, but also to provide a substantial impetus to the development of
the economies of Ukraine and Russia and a growth in the prosperity of our
countries' citizens."
MILITARY DOCTRINE AMENDMENTS
Yesterday's top news in domestic and world agencies was the report about
amendments to Ukraine's military doctrine. In particular, a section has been
removed according to which Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU were
considered the final aim of its Euro-Atlantic and European integration
policy.
The relevant decree was signed by President Leonid Kuchma on 15 July. The
text of the document was immediately carried on the presidential web site,
but previously few people noticed the significance of the amendments made to
the doctrine. It was only yesterday that the information acquired broad
publicity - especially in the Russian media, which commented with cynical
delight about the "failure" of Ukraine's integration into NATO and the EU.
It can be assumed that it was not accidental that attention was focused on
the information. It was precisely yesterday that the meeting between
presidents Leonid Kuchma and Vladimir Putin took place in Crimea. It is no
secret that Moscow was very displeased with the provisions of the military
doctrine. With exactly the part where it spoke of Euro-Atlantic integration.
According to the changes made to the doctrine, it is stated that the
conditions for ensuring Ukraine's security are "consolidating trust between
states, consistent reduction of the threat of using military force and
conducting a policy of Euro-Atlantic integration". Apart from that, it is
stated that "in conditions of the contemporary military-political situation,
the interests of Ukraine's national security are conditional on a
substantial deepening of relations with NATO and the EU as guarantees of
security and stability in Europe".
The decree also proposes introducing the theory that "activating Ukraine's
Euro-Atlantic integration, including by means of in-depth reform of the
state's defence sphere in accordance with European standards is one of the
most important priorities of both external and internal policy". Previously
the doctrine contained this provision: "Proceeding from the fact that NATO
and the EU are guarantees of security and stability in Europe, Ukraine is
preparing for full membership of those organizations."
CURIOUS TIMING OF CHANGES
A number of time coincidences that accompanied amendments are interesting.
Thus, the president of Ukraine signed the decree on approving the military
doctrine on 15 June this year. Later the document was presented during the
sitting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission in Istanbul on 29 June. On 6 July, at
a sitting of the National Security and Defence Council [NSDC] chaired by the
president, a decision was approved that first cut across documents signed
earlier and also cast doubt on the state's foreign policy priorities
declared at the highest level.
It is interesting that on the day following the NSDC sitting, the Ukrainian
leadership took part in the EU summit in the Hague (7-8 July).
The amendments introduced were unexpected for many people. And this also
applies not least to the Ukrainian government. An authoritative source close
to diplomatic circles told Den yesterday that "one should not be surprised
today at anything in the contradictory statements and actions of Ukrainian
politicians". "The president, of course, had every legal right to introduce
amendments. It is difficult to 'undermine anything' here. However, the
political consequences of such a decision are unpredictable and can be
compared with an explosion," the source said. "It is hard to imagine how
the NSDC secretary or the foreign minister will now be able to explain
this step," Den's collocutor added.
There are indeed far more questions than answers in the situation with the
presidential decree (the information is made public at a time of mass
holidays, and so any official comment today is worth its weight in gold).
The questions, for example, include these: was there an urgent need to
introduce the amendments? What arguments were put in favour of such a
decision? Were all procedural aspects observed? It would be interesting, for
example, to learn to what extent it is possible to approve strategic
decisions without the presence of key ministers. As far as we know, on 6
July Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko was on an official visit to
China.
Many people initially viewed the appearance of the report about changes to
the doctrine as part of disinformation or an incorrect interpretation of it.
In particular, the head of the central election headquarters of presidential
candidate [Prime Minister] Viktor Yanukovych, [National Bank head] Serhiy
Tyhypko, said that yesterday.
However, a study of the documents on the presidential web site left not the
slightest doubt. Yet another question arises in this context - which of the
president's decrees is the more important? The one signed on 15 July this
year, or the one dated 8 July 2002? It was precisely the latter document
that put into force the NSDC decision of 23 May 2002 that Ukraine was
starting a process whose final goal would be joining NATO... [ellipsis as
published] (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER NINE
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9. KUCHMA PULLED NATO PRIORITY IN EXCHANGE FOR SUPPORT
OF RUSSIA IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FOR VIKTOR
YANUKOVYCH SAYS POLISH EXPERT
UNIAN, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
KYIV - President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma has excluded from the
Military doctrine thesis about an intention of Ukraine to become the member
of the North-Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and the European Union, being
guided by the pre-election interests, in particular, in exchange for support
of the authoritative candidate [Viktor Yanukovych] by Russia.
The high-ranking representative of the Polish President's chancellery, who
wanted to be unknown.
According to his words, first of all, a refusal from the European
integration will allow to differentiate the candidate of the authority
[Yanukovych] as the one, supported by Russia. At the same time, the
interlocutor of UNIAN does not dramatize the situation. (www.unian.net)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER TEN
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10. U.S. EMBASSY KIEV RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ABOUT
FORMER US AMBASSADORS TO UKRAINE PIFER AND
PASCUAL AS REPORTED IN THE UKRAINIAN MEDIA
Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Kiev,
Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 27, 2004
"Ambassadors Pifer and Pascual served with distinction as our President's
representative in Ukraine. As to whom they served, we can say unequivocably
that they served the interests of the United States, its government and the
American people, all the while pursuing truly close relations between our
two nations. Both Ambassador Pascual and Ambassador Pifer were career
senior foreign service officers who are moving on in the usual process of
diplomatic careers--one to a new position, the other to retirement." (END
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FOOTNOTE: Several top Ukrainian experts who have seen this response
by the U.S. government to the serious charges leveled against the U.S.
in the past few days by Ukrainian President Kuchma and Russian President
Putin said they were surprised by the very low-key statement above and
had expected a much stronger and complete response by the United States.
These observers felt the charges from Russia and Ukraine deserved and
demanded a very high level, strong response from the U.S. The charges by
Kuchma and Putin were reported in The Action Ukraine Reports numbers
124 and 125 for July 26 and 27. (Editor)
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11. EMBATTLED UKRAINIAN RADIO KONTYNENT CHIEF
SERGIY SHOLOKH GETS REFUGEE STATUS IN USA
TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, in Ukrainian 1000 gmt 28 Jul 04
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jul 28, 2004
KIEV - [Presenter] Serhiy Sholokh, the director of Radio Kontynent, has
got political asylum in the USA. Mr Sholokh told us about this from the
USA. Here is what he said:
[Sholokh, by phone] I got asylum, it is not political asylum, it is refugee
status, as far as I know, in the USA. Whether I am happy or not about this,
it is hard to say. I am Ukrainian, a citizen of Ukraine, and I will remain a
citizen of Ukraine for a long time. I believe that I will return to Ukraine,
to a new Ukraine, with a new president and a new government.
[Sholokh had complained of threats and fled Ukraine in March after the
authorities had shut down Radio Kontynent, which rebroadcast programmes
of the BBC, Deutsche Welle and Radio Liberty, see "Embattled radio station
chief flees Ukraine to avoid arrest", TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, in Ukrainian 1900
gmt 3 Mar 04] (END) (ARTUIS)
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12. UKRAINE'S DEFENCE MINISTER DENIES U-TURN/NATO-EU
UT1 state-owned television , Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 27 Jul 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
KIEV - Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhen Marchuk has sought to downplay
the significance of President Leonid Kuchma's 26 July decree removing the
goal of NATO and EU membership from the nation's defence doctrine.
In a live interview on the state-owned UT1 television on 27 July, Marchuk,
one of the key proponents of NATO membership in Ukraine, suggested that the
doctrine was a tactical medium-term document, and the country's strategic
goal of Euroatlantic integration remained unchanged.
"The Ukraine-NATO strategy, defined in the presidential decree of 2003, this
strategy remains unchanged," Marchuk said. "Euroatlantic integration, as the
direction [of our foreign policy] remains in place. Things like Euroatlantic
integration, cooperation with NATO, adoption of NATO criteria, Ukraine-NATO
action plan, information programmes about further cooperation with NATO,
cooperation within the Partnership for Peace programme, new initiatives,
active cooperation in the Mediterranean, and so on - all this remains in
place!"
Marchuk indicated, however, that Ukraine's apparent change of heart was
prompted in part by frustration over NATO's and the EU's unwillingness to
offer Kiev any firm membership prospects.
"Look at who started this first! Let us recall statements by [European
Commission President Romano] Prodi - he did backtrack on this later on, but
he did say that in the next 10 years Ukraine cannot become an EU member. And
at NATO's Istanbul summit [in June 2004], we were pushing for a new level of
relations between Ukraine and NATO. But instead we have received various
signals that we should not hope for a new level of relations, that the
current level of relations we have now should be sufficient. OK, we can play
this game."
The EU and NATO have repeatedly indicated that they expect a serious
improvement in the state of democracy in Ukraine before a membership offer
can be contemplated.
Many Ukrainian analysts have described President Kuchma's decision to change
the wording of the defence doctrine, which was announced on the day of
Kuchma's meeting in Crimea with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a major
reversal of Ukraine's foreign policy. The opposition said the move was a
concession to Russia aimed at securing Moscow's backing for the
pro-government candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, in Ukraine's
presidential election in October.
According to the latest opinion polls, Yanukovych is trailing opposition
leader Viktor Yushchenko, a pro-western reformist former prime minister, by
up to 10 percentage points. (END) (ARTUIS)
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13. NSDC SAYS JOINING NATO AND EU REMAINS A
STRATEGIC MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM GOAL FOR UKRAINE
Oleksandr Sukov, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 28, 2004
KYIV _ The National Security and Defense Council has noted that accession
to NATO and the European Union remains a top priority of the Ukrainian
foreign policy, the priority with medium- and long-term perspective.
The NSDC stated this in its comments on the amendments made by President
Leonid Kuchma to the Military Doctrine. "This goal is still the most
important priority of the foreign policy aimed at medium- and long-term
perspective," the NSDC commented.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Kuchma on July 15 signed a decree
entitled "On the Decision of the National Security and Defense Council of
July 6 'On Further Development of Relations with NATO Taking into Account
the Results of the Ukrainian-NATO Commission's High-Level Meeting of June
29, 2005,'" that provides for removal from the Ukrainian Military Doctrine
the aspects that state that the final goal of Ukraine's policy of
Euro-Atlantic and European integration is membership of NATO and the
European Union.
Deputy Foreign Minister Oleh Shamshur told the press that removal of these
aspects was substantiated by the fact that neither NATO nor EU did give
Ukraine a clear signal of nor did they set a deadline for possible granting
of membership.
The diplomat said his ministry insists that there is no reason to reconsider
the course of Ukraine towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Kuchma approved Ukraine's military doctrine in mid-June.
Ukrainian presented the doctrine at the Ukrainian-NATO Commission's
meeting in Istanbul. After the Ukrainian-NATO Commission's meeting,
Kuchma said Ukraine was not ready to join NATO. He reiterated after
a Ukrainian-European Union summit in July that Ukraine was not ready
for membership in the European Union. (www.ukranews.com)
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14. SALE OF UKRAINE'S IRON ORE COMBINE RUMOURED TO BE
SOLD AT VERY LOW PRICE TO TYCOON CLOSE TO KUCHMA
"Distribution according to the usual scenario"
ANALYSIS: By Maryna Balaban
Ukrayina Moloda newspaper, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian 22 Jul 04; p 8
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004
The Mariupol-based Illich steelworks is ready to pay a real price for the
Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine, which is slated for privatization soon, an
opposition newspaper has reported. Yet it has been rumoured that the
combine would be sold at a low price to a tycoon close to President Leonid
Kuchma, the newspaper said.
The following is the text of the article by Maryna Balaban published in the
Ukrainian newspaper Ukrayina Moloda on 22 July and entitled "Distribution
according to a usual scenario. The Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine will be
auctioned off"; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
Pre-election privatization is in full swing in Ukraine. Following the
privatization of [Ukraine's largest steelworks] Kryvorizhstal, the state
joint-stock holding company Ukrrudprom [Ukrainian Ore Industry] is expected
to be auctioned off. In fact, several of its branches, notably the Central
Ore Enrichment Combine, the Northern Ore Enrichment Combine [both based
in Kryvyy Rih] and the Ihulets Ore Enrichment Combine [in Dnipropetrovsk
Region], have already been sold.
It is the juiciest slice of "the Ukrrudprom pie", the open joint-stock
company Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine, that is seeking an owner. Currently,
the combine is totally state-owned, and unlike the rest of ore enrichment
combines, its main advantage is that it is not tied to any specific legal
entity. Hypothetically it can belong to any owner who will pay most. Or who
will pay less but will be a "necessary" owner.
Of course, there have emerged ideological opponents to the privatization of
the Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine. Just a month ago the parliamentary
Committee for Industrial Policy and Enterprise unanimously decided to list
the open joint-stock company Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine and the open
joint-stock company Kryvbasvybukhprom [specializing in explosive mining] as
facilities that may not be privatized. Naturally, remarks of the committee's
members and its chairman [as published; should be first deputy chairman]
Vadym Hurov remained unheard.
DISCREPANCY IN ASSESSMENT
The government decided to privatize Ukrrudprom on 26 May. But even the
State Property Fund does not know when the Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine
will be auctioned off. Or the State Property Fund might know but muffles
this in order to sell the combine surreptitiously, without much publicity.
Meanwhile, one has already rushed to assess the Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine.
The day before yesterday [20 July] the [Kiev-based] International Consulting
Company - Evaluation [Ukrainian: Mizhnarodna Konsaltynhova Kompaniya -
Otsinka] estimated the value of 93.07 per cent of the enterprise's shares.
The experts are certain that they could be sold for 242m hryvnyas [about
45.6m dollars].
It is interesting that a week ago the Mariupol-based Illich steelworks, an
active contender in the combine's privatization, assessed the Kryvyy Rih
iron ore combine at 700m hryvnyas [about 152m dollars], which corresponds
to the value of the enterprise's assets. As the deputy economics director of
Illich, Oleksandr Chako, said, Illich intends to be an active bidder in the
privatization of the enterprise because it is feared that resource markets
will be monopolized by domestic financial and industrial groups. "The main
thing in the privatization of this enterprise is to make it impossible to
steeply underprice or overprice the value of the state's stake in the Kryvyy
Rih iron ore combine," he noted. This may turn out to be a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
As they say, there is a big difference between 700m hryvnyas and 242m
hryvnyas. Which value of the enterprise is more realistic can be found out
by looking at its net balance sheet value (at the beginning of the year):
fixed assets amounted to 637.9m hryvnyas [about 120m dollars], unfinished
construction amounted to 88.2m hryvnyas [about 16.6m dollars], long-term
financial investment amounted to 3.3m hryvnyas [about 0.6m dollars], and
intangible assets totalled 12.2m hryvnyas [around 2.3m dollars].
PRESIDENT'S SON-IN-LAW MAY BUY COMBINE
After such a back-room assessment the only conclusion that springs to mind
is that a potential buyer whose name the State Property Fund knows is quite
short of money (probably, after buying Kryvorizhstal). Indeed, why should
one pay more if one can get a juicy slice by striking a bargain with the
right person? And "the right person" simply decided to carry out the
privatization of the Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine without changing the
Kryvorizhstal scenario.
As it is rumoured in the privatization circles, the most likely future owner
of the enterprise is [President Leonid Kuchma's son-in-law and tycoon]
Viktor Pinchuk, who has been disappointed with the Ukrainian State Property
Fund over [privatization of Ukraine's major coal company] Pavlohradvuhillya.
Yet there is no need to run a purchased enterprise, let alone develop its
capacity - one can simply sell it at a speculative price to the same Illich
or the international steel giant, the LNM consortium, (incidentally, also
disgruntled over Kryvorizhstal) or, for example, to the Russian
Yevrazholding, which had earlier shown great interest in Ukrrudprom's
companies.
Another facility of strategic importance to Ukraine will be privatized in
the nearest future. Of course, the money will again line the pockets of
oligarchs. Even MPs' protests, particularly those of Hurov and [head of the
special parliamentary monitoring commission on privatization] Valentyna
Semenyuk, cannot hinder this process. While the Supreme Council
[parliament] is on vacation, one can strike more than one bargain.
NOTE ON ENTERPRISE
The open joint-stock company Kryvyy Rih iron ore combine mines iron ore
underground. All 100 per cent of the enterprise's shares are part of
Ukrrudprom. According to the 26 May decree of the Cabinet of Ministers,
stakes in 10 enterprises which are part of Ukrrudprom shall be sold.
According to the law on the peculiarities of the privatization of
Ukrrudprom, owners of 25-per-cent stakes have a priority right to buy the
enterprises. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER FIFTEEN
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
======================================================
15. UKRAINE PIPELINE OPERATOR SIGNS DEAL WITH RUSSIAN-
BRITISH OIL COMPANY FOR SHIPMENTS THROUGH LONG-
IDLE ODESSA-BRODY PIPELINE
AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004
KIEV - Ukraine's state-owned pipeline operator signed an agreement with a
Russian-British oil company to begin shipments through a long-idle pipeline,
news reports said Tuesday.The deal between Ukrtransnafta and TNK-BP
foresees annual shipment of some 9 million metric tons (9.9 million US tons)
of Russian crude from the western Ukrainian town of Brody to the Black
Sea port of Odessa for shipment to southern Europe during the next three
years, the Interfax news agency reported.
Commercial shipments could start in October, Interfax said, citing Leonid
Naster of Ukrtransnafta. The company was not available for comment. Earlier
this month, Ukraine's Cabinet agreed to open the Odessa-Brody pipeline for
shipments of Russian oil, reversing a decision that limited the pipeline to
Europe-bound oil shipments from the Caspian Sea region.
Built in 2001, the pipeline has been idle amid disputes over whether to send
Russian oil from Odessa to Brod, near the Polish border for further
transport into Europe or to send Caspian oil from Brody to Odessa.
Exporters of Russian oil lobbied Kiev for months to reverse the planned
flow. The United States has opposed sending Russian oil from Brody to
Odessa, saying it will increase Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy
and raise chances of a spill as more oil tankers travel through Turkey's
clogged Bosporus strait.
The Cabinet has said the reversal is temporary, blaming it on technical
problems involved in pumping crude to Poland and Germany. Ukraine also
plans to extend the existing pipeline from Brody to the Polish town of
Plock. (am/sbg) (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.126: ARTICLE NUMBER SIXTEEN
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16. "MONUMENTAL PROPAGANDA"
Latest novel by Vladimir Voinovich
One of the best-known and best-loved Soviet emigré writers
Novel by Vladimir Voinovich Reviewed by Anne Applebaum
The Washington Post, BOOK WORLD
Washington, D.C., Sunday, July 25, 2004; Page BW02
"Monumental Propaganda" by Vladimir Voinovich
Translated from the Russian by Andrew Bromfield
Knopf. 365 pp. $25
Perhaps it is unfair, but I've long suspected that the work of the Soviet
writers who were so adamantly admired and idolized by three generations of
Soviet intellectuals would not stand the test of time. With the exception of
a few poets with exceptional linguistic gifts, such as Anna Akhmatova and
Osip Mandelstam, I fear most will be remembered in the same way we now
remember, say, Etruscan sculptors. Whether officially recognized social
realists, dissidents or emigrés, Soviet writers were chroniclers of a
peculiar, lost civilization, one whose bizarre morality and strange
aesthetics will seem increasingly alien with time, not only to Westerners
but also to a younger generation of Russians. Even the greatest Soviet
writers -- the satirist Mikhail Bulgakov, for example, and the prophetic
Alexander Solzhenitsyn -- may eventually seem obscure to their countrymen,
simply because the society they described, with its layers of secrecy,
propaganda, absurdity and cruelty, will become impossible to understand.
"Monumental Propaganda", the latest novel by Vladimir Voinovich, one of the
best-known and best-loved Soviet emigré writers, differs from other satires
of Soviet life in that it takes that irrelevance -- of ideas, of
philosophies, of people, of morality -- as its theme. This is a subject
Voinovich should know well. An "official" Soviet writer whose works were
published in the U.S.S.R. in the 1960s, he grew disillusioned first with
Soviet propaganda and later with its opponents as well. In his long career,
Voinovich has mocked everything from the Red Army, in "The Life and
Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin"' to the Soviet
bureaucracy, in The Ivankiad. Exiled since 1980, he was reinstated in the
1990s. But if this new book is any guide, he doesn't seem to think much of
post-Soviet Russia either.
In "Monumental Propaganda", Voinovich's anti-heroine, Aglaya Revkina, is a
deeply believing Stalinist who is therefore irrelevant from the book's very
beginning. As first secretary of the District Party Committee of Dolgov, it
had fallen to Aglaya to unveil a statue of Stalin in the town's central
square. Later -- after she had been expelled from the party, having refused
to denounce the Stalinist personality cult following the dictator's death --
Aglaya moved the statue to her own apartment. And there Stalin remained
until her own death, sometime in the post-Soviet present.
Over the course of the novel, through the five decades of the statue's
residence in Aglaya's front room, much changes. Stalin dies; Khrushchev
rises. Khrushchev falls; Brezhnev rises. The U.S.S.R. itself falls;
capitalism rises. Mercilessly, Voinovich caricatures the cowardly toadies
whose views changed along with the politics of the times, poking fun at
their provincial manners and pompous declarations. Among them are Shaleiko,
the local party bigwig, whose slapstick 1956 tryst with Aglaya is ruined at
the climactic moment by the sound of a clandestine radio, blaring through
the thin walls of her apartment. The radio reports a coming purge of
"Stalinists," giving Shaleiko a "sudden unpleasant feeling in his chest" --
as well as a premonition that Aglaya might no longer be a politically
correct mistress. Instantly, the tryst is over.
There is Aglaya's son, Marat, a second-generation communist who wears jeans,
owns a light-blue Volga, worked in Cuba in the 1970s because it paid well,
and looks down his nose at revolutionaries like his mother. There is Marat's
blonde wife, an Intourist guide, who regales Aglaya with the story of how an
entire hotel was once built solely for the purpose of hosting Jawaharlal
Nehru:
"The walls were decorated with a motley selection of lamps and animal horns,
and that day the bar sold all sorts of drinks never seen before by the
locals, while the newspaper kiosk offered all sorts of newspapers, local and
foreign, including, of course, Indian ones. In order to create the
impression that publications and beverages could be freely purchased, KGB
agents approached the counters and bought both kinds of items, but
everything was taken away from them at the exit to prevent them from trying
Coca-Cola and being infected with the spirit of consumerism."
There is also Gen. Burdalakov, a friend of Brezhnev, who carries with him a
red battle standard "riddled by bullets and shrapnel and perforated here and
there with a kitchen knife," and speaks pompously and grandiosely of World
War II experiences he no longer remembers. Finally, there is Shubkin, the
town "dissident" -- a speaker of multiple foreign languages, author of a bad
prison novel ("The Timber Camp"), convert to Christianity, emigré to
Israel -- who winds up seeming the silliest of them all. Voinovich finally
disposes of him rather cruelly, off-handedly letting a character remark that
he "died of blood poisoning after his circumcision."
So farcical are all these people that Aglaya, a stupid, bigoted, provincial,
anti-democratic Stalinist, almost winds up as the book's most sympathetic
character.
True, her philosophy is repellent and outdated, but, as Voinovich tells it,
so is everybody else's, even his own. At least she believes in something.
He, by contrast, mocks everything, including the freedom he once longed for,
a freedom that has turned out to be a terrible disappointment. "Until
recently," one character explains in the novel's final pages, "we were
living in a zoo. We all had our own cages. The predators had theirs and the
herbivores have theirs. Naturally, all the inmates of the zoo dreamed of
freedom and were desperate to escape from their cages. Now they've opened
up our cages. We've got our freedom and we've seen that you can pay with
your life for the pleasure of running around on the grass. The only ones who
are unconditionally better off are the predators, who are now free to eat
the rest of us in absolutely unlimited quantities."
"Monumental Propaganda" is written as a satire, and its wacky characters and
ludicrous plot lines contain all of the elements of what should be a classic
comic novel. But in the end -- like the work of Jonathan Swift or George
Orwell -- the novel is dark rather than laugh-out-loud funny. In the very
last scene, Voinovich's narrator turns back to look at the pedestal where
Aglaya's statue of Stalin once stood:
"Its lower section was wreathed in mist, so that the top appeared to
be separated from the ground and floating above it. And then above
the pedestal, fashioned out of the foggy vapor and my no-doubt-fevered
imagination, a figure took shape. Something human in form. It watched
me as I drove away, grinning and waving with its raised right hand."
Everything has been tried, and everything has failed; the only thing that
remains is the return of a new Stalin. From a writer famed for his humor,
this is a very pessimistic vision indeed. (END) (ARTUIS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anne Applebaum, a columnist and member of the editorial board of The
Washington Post, won the Pulitzer Prize in nonfiction this year for "Gulag:
A History."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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"POWER TENDS TO CORRUPT,
ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY"
An observation that a person's sense of morality lessens as his or her
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historian of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
True then, true today, true always.
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