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U.S. SENATE PASSES UKRAINE ELECTIONS RESOLUTION
Ukraine Urged to Ensure Democratic, Transparent
and Fair Presidential Election

"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 04, Number 123
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, SATURDAY, July 24, 2004

-----INDEX OF ARTICLES-----
"Major International News Headlines and Articles"

1. U.S. SENATE PASSES UKRAINE ELECTIONS RESOLUTION
Ukraine Urged to Ensure Democratic, Transparent
and Fair Presidential Election
Helsinki Commission News
U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Co-Chairman
Washington, D.C., Friday, July 23, 2004

2. U.S. SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106
Urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent, and
fair election process for the presidential election on October 31, 2004.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 11, 2004
108th CONGRESS, 2d Session, S. CON. RES. 106

3.UKRAINE'S CRITICAL ELECTIONS: WILL THEY BE FREE AND FAIR?
Statement of U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)
Co-Chairman, U.S. Helsinki Commission
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C., Thursday, July 22, 2004

4. UKRAINE ELECTIONS RESOLUTION
U.S. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C., July 2004

5.OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
OSCE/ODIHR Ukraine Presidential Elections Needs Assessment Report
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Warsaw, Poland, June 28, 2004

6. LATEST REPORT ON PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT IN UKRAINE
Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU), June 2004
Report on Pre-Election Environment in Ukraine
Committee of Voters Of Ukraine (CVU), Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, July 9, 2004
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 123: ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
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1. U.S. SENATE PASSES UKRAINE ELECTIONS RESOLUTION
Ukraine Urged to Ensure Democratic, Transparent
and Fair Presidential Election

Helsinki Commission News
U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Co-Chairman
Washington, D.C., Friday, July 23, 2004

WASHINGTON - The United States Senate unanimously passed Senate
Concurrent Resolution 106 late Thursday night prior to adjournment. The
bipartisan resolution urges the Government of Ukraine to ensure a
democratic, transparent, and fair election process for the presidential
election set for October 31, 2004.

The resolution also outlines measures Ukrainian authorities need to take -
consistent with their own laws and international agreements - to ensure an
election process that enables all of the candidates to compete on a level
playing field.

The measure was sponsored by United States Helsinki Commission Co-
Chairman Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO). Helsinki Commission
Ranking Member Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) and Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Ranking Member Senator Joseph R. Biden (D-DE)
were original cosponsors of the resolution. Other Commission cosponsors
were Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Russell D. Feingold (D-WI), and
Gordon Smith (R-OR).

"The October elections will be vital in determining Ukraine's course for
years to come. This resolution is a concrete expression of the commitment
of the U.S. Senate to the Ukrainian people," said Co-Chairman Campbell.
"Ukraine's elections should be a watershed for the future direction of that
country of great potential.

Ukrainian authorities need to radically improve the election environment if
there is to be hope for these elections to meet OSCE standards. By doing
so, they will go a long way in restoring the trust of the citizens of
Ukraine and strengthening Ukraine's independence and democracy."

An identical resolution, H.Con.Res. 415, introduced by House International
Relations Committee Chairman Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL), together with
Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), was
reported out of the International Relations Committee and awaits passage
by the full House of Representatives.

"The resolution underscores that an election process and the establishment
of a genuinely democratic political system consistent with Ukraine's
freely-undertaken OSCE commitments is a prerequisite for Ukraine's full
integration into the Western community of nations as an equal member,
including into NATO," Campbell added. "Yesterday I raised our concerns
about the Ukrainian election with OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bulgarian
Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, who assured me of the OSCE's commitment
to encouraging democratic elections in Ukraine."

Ukraine's pre-election environment has already proven problematic in such
key areas as control and manipulation of the media; attempts by national
authorities to limit access to international broadcasting, including Radio
Liberty; obstacles to free assembly and a free and fair political campaign.

Substantial violations in several recent elections, notably, the Mukacheve
mayoral election give rise to deep concern over the conduct of the
pre-election environment. The Committee of Voters of Ukraine, a
non-governmental organization, in its most recent report, noted an increase
in the number of cases of government pressure against political opposition
figures designed to impede their activities.

The United States Helsinki Commission, an independent federal agency, by
law monitors and encourages progress in implementing provisions of the
Helsinki Accords. The Commission, created in 1976, is composed of nine
Senators, nine Representatives and one official each from the Departments
of State, Defense and Commerce. (END) (ARTUIS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Helsinki Commission, 234 Ford House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-6460 (www.csce.gov)
Orest Deychakiwsky (orest.deychak@mail.house.gov)
Media Contact: Dorothy Douglas Taft, 202.225.1901
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 123: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
The Action Ukraine Report...Major source of news about Ukraine
=======================================================
2. U.S. SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106
Urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent, and
fair election process for the presidential election on October 31, 2004.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C., May 11, 2004
108th CONGRESS, 2d Session, S. CON. RES. 106

Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. DODD, and Mr. BIDEN) submitted the
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent, and
fair election process for the presidential election on October 31, 2004.
Whereas the establishment of a democratic, transparent, and fair election
process for the 2004 presidential election in Ukraine and of a genuinely
democratic political system are prerequisites for that country's full
integration into the Western community of nations as an equal member,
including into organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO);

Whereas the Government of Ukraine has accepted numerous specific
commitments governing the conduct of elections as a participating State of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including
provisions of the Copenhagen Document;

Whereas the election on October 31, 2004, of Ukraine's next president will
provide an unambiguous test of the extent of the Ukrainian authorities'
commitment to implement these standards and build a democratic society
based on free elections and the rule of law;

Whereas this election takes place against the backdrop of previous elections
that did not fully meet international standards and of disturbing trends in
the current pre-election environment;

Whereas it is the duty of government and public authorities at all levels to
act in a manner consistent with all laws and regulations governing election
procedures and to ensure free and fair elections throughout the entire
country, including preventing activities aimed at undermining the free
exercise of political rights;

Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires a period of political
campaigning conducted in an environment in which neither administrative
action nor violence, intimidation, or detention hinder the parties,
political associations, and the candidates from presenting their views and
qualifications to the citizenry, including organizing supporters, conducting
public meetings and events throughout the country, and enjoying unimpeded
access to television, radio, print, and Internet media on a
non-discriminatory basis;

Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires that citizens be
guaranteed the right and effective opportunity to exercise their civil and
political rights, including the right to vote and the right to seek and
acquire information upon which to make an informed vote, free from
intimidation, undue influence, attempts at vote buying, threats of political
retribution, or other forms of coercion by national or local authorities or
others;

Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires government and public
authorities to ensure that candidates and political parties enjoy equal
treatment before the law and that government resources are not employed to
the advantage of individual candidates or political parties;

Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires the full transparency of
laws and regulations governing elections, multiparty representation on
election commissions, and unobstructed access by candidates, political
parties, and domestic and international observers to all election
procedures, including voting and vote-counting in all areas of the country;

Whereas increasing control and manipulation of the media by national and
local officials and others acting at their behest raise grave concerns
regarding the commitment of the Ukrainian authorities to free and fair
elections;

Whereas efforts by the national authorities to limit access to international
broadcasting, including Radio Liberty and the Voice of America, represent
an unacceptable infringement on the right of the Ukrainian people to
independent information;

Whereas efforts by national and local officials and others acting at their
behest to impose obstacles to free assembly, free speech, and a free and
fair political campaign have taken place in Donetsk, Sumy, and elsewhere in
Ukraine without condemnation or remedial action by the Ukrainian Government;
Whereas numerous substantial irregularities have taken place in recent
Ukrainian parliamentary by-elections in the Donetsk region and in mayoral
elections in Mukacheve, Romny, and Krasniy Luch; and

Whereas the intimidation and violence during the April 18, 2004, mayoral
election in Mukacheve, Ukraine, represent a deliberate attack on the
democratic process: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That
Congress--

(1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong relationship formed between the
United States and Ukraine since the restoration of Ukraine's independence in
1991;

(2) recognizes that a precondition for the full integration of Ukraine into
the Western community of nations, including as an equal member in
institutions such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is its
establishment of a genuinely democratic political system;

(3) expresses its strong and continuing support for the efforts of the
Ukrainian people to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect
for human rights in Ukraine;

(4) urges the Government of Ukraine to guarantee freedom of association and
assembly, including the right of candidates, members of political parties,
and others to freely assemble, to organize and conduct public events, and to
exercise these and other rights free from intimidation or harassment by
local or national officials or others acting at their behest;

(5) urges the Government of Ukraine to meet its Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) commitments on democratic elections
and to address issues previously identified by the Office of Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE in its final reports on
the 2002 parliamentary elections and the 1999 presidential elections, such
as illegal interference by public authorities in the campaign and a high
degree of bias in the media;

(6) urges the Ukrainian authorities to ensure--
(A) the full transparency of election procedures before, during, and after
the 2004 presidential elections;
(B) free access for Ukrainian and international election observers;
(C) multiparty representation on all election commissions;
(D) unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to print, radio,
television, and Internet media on a non-discriminatory basis;
(E) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties, and independent
media organizations from intimidation or harassment by government officials
at all levels via selective tax audits and other regulatory procedures, and
in the case of media, license revocations and libel suits, among other
measures;
(F) a transparent process for complaint and appeals through electoral
commissions and within the court system that provides timely and effective
remedies; and
(G) vigorous prosecution of any individual or organization responsible for
violations of election laws or regulations, including the application of
appropriate administrative or criminal penalties;
(7) further calls upon the Government of Ukraine to guarantee election
monitors from the ODIHR, other participating States of the OSCE, Ukrainian
political parties, candidates' representatives, nongovernmental
organizations, and other private institutions and organizations, both
foreign and domestic, unobstructed access to all aspects of the election
process, including unimpeded access to public campaign events, candidates,
news media, voting, and post-election tabulation of results and processing
of election challenges and complaints; and
(8) pledges its enduring support and assistance to the Ukrainian people's
establishment of a fully free and open democratic system, their creation of
a prosperous free market economy, their establishment of a secure
independence and freedom from coercion, and their country's assumption of
its rightful place as a full and equal member of the Western community of
democracies. (END) (ARTUIS)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Senate cosponsors to Sen. Con. Res. 106, Helsinki Commission
Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell's (R-CO) resolution urging the
government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent and fair election
process for the presidential election on October 31, 2004: Joseph Biden
(D-DE), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Rick Santorum (R-PA), John Sununu (R-NH),
Saxby Chambliss (R-GE), Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Sen. Gordon Smith
(R-OR), Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI), Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ),
Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 123: ARTICLE NUMBER THREE
Thousands now rely on The Action Ukraine Report for their news
=========================================================
3. UKRAINE'S CRITICAL ELECTIONS: WILL THEY BE FREE AND FAIR?

Statement of U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)
Co-Chairman, U.S. Helsinki Commission
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C., Thursday, July 22, 2004

Mr. President, I rise to urge passage of S. Con Res. 106, a bipartisan
resolution calling upon the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic,
transparent and fair election process for the presidential elections
scheduled to be held in late October. This resolution, by encouraging fair,
open and transparent elections, is a concrete expression of the commitment
of the U.S. Congress to the Ukrainian people.

The resolution underscores that an election process and the establishment of
a genuinely democratic political system consistent with Ukraine's
freely-undertaken OSCE commitments is a prerequisite for Ukraine's full
integration into the Western community of nations as an equal member,
including into NATO. The October elections will be vital in determining
Ukraine's course for years to come. They present the Ukrainian authorities
with a real opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to OSCE principles
and values.

Mr. President, as Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I would point out
that Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma recently co-signed a Declaration with
Russia and leaders of several other independent former Soviet states
criticizing the OSCE for focusing too much attention on the human rights and
democratization. While disappointing, this diatribe is not surprising
given the fact that under President Kuchma's leadership, Ukraine's record in
such as media freedoms, elections, the rule of law and corruption has moved
in the wrong direction. It is up to the OSCE states, including Ukraine, to
implement their freely undertaken OSCE commitments and to take corrective
measures if necessary - something I hope the Ukrainian authorities will be
mindful of in the run-up to the elections.

Ukraine's pre-election environment has already been decidedly problematic
and of great concern to the United States and the international community.
The pending resolution, S. Con. Res. 106, focuses squarely on key problem
areas, including increasing control and manipulation of the media and
attempts by national authorities to limit access to international
broadcasting, including Radio Liberty.

Among other concerns are the serious obstacles to free assembly and a free
and fair political campaign as well as substantial irregularities in several
recent elections, most notably, the mayoral election held in April the
western Ukrainian city of Mukacheve. This election was marred by
intimidation, violence, fraud and manipulation of the vote count, electoral
disruptions and irregularities.

Mr. President, according to the most recent report of the non-partisan
Ukrainian non-governmental Committee of Voters of Ukraine: "There was no
improvement in the political environment in June compared to April and May.
Instead, CVU observed an increase in the number of cases of government
pressure on the opposition designed to impede their activities. Potential
candidates did not enjoy equal access to the media.... The level of criminal
interference in the pre-election process remains very high, thus threatening
free elections."

S. Con Res. 106 outlines those measures the Ukrainian authorities need to
take - consistent with their own laws and international agreements - for a
free, fair, open and transparent election process. The Ukrainian authorities
at all levels, including the executive, legislative and judicial branches,
need to ensure an election process that enables all of the candidates to
compete on a level playing field. This includes the various ministries and
agencies involved directly or indirectly in the elections process, as well
as Ukraine's courts.

Ukraine's October presidential elections should be a watershed for the
future direction of that country of great potential. Ukrainian authorities
need to radically improve the election environment if there is to be hope
for these elections to meet OSCE standards. By doing so, they will go a
long way in restoring the trust of the citizens of Ukraine and strengthening
Ukraine's independence and democracy. (END) (ARTUIS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Action Ukraine Report wishes to thank Orest Deychakiwsky
at the U.S. Helsinki Commission for his special work regarding the
Ukraine Elections Resolution, (orest.deychak@mail.house.gov). We
understand a word of thanks is also due to Ron McNamara, Deputy
chief of staff at the Helsinki Commission (a.k.a. Commission on
Security and Cooperation and Europe, CSCE) (www.csce.gov)
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 123: ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
Send "The Action Ukraine Report" around the World
========================================================
4. UKRAINE ELECTIONS RESOLUTION
U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
Washington, D.C., July 2004

WASHINGTON - The language of the House bill is identical to the Senate
bill and is expected to pass when the House returns in September.

The following 25 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have
cosponsored H. Con. Res. 415 on the Ukrainian presidential elections,
introduced by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), together with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
and Tom Lantos (D-CA): Doug Bereuter(R- NE), Howard Berman (D-CA),
Mark Udall (D-CO), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Karen McCarthy (D-MO),
Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Diane Watson (D-CA), Eni Faleomavaega (D-American
Samoa), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Robert Wexler (D-FL), Louise Slaughter
(D-NY), Cass Ballenger (R-NC), James Leach (R-IO), Dana Rohrbacher
(R-CO), Edward Royce (R-CA), Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD),
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dan Burton (R-IN), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Steve
Chabot (R-OH), Chris Bell (D-TX), Peter King (R-NY). (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 123: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
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5. OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
OSCE/ODIHR Ukraine Presidential Elections Needs Assessment Report

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Warsaw, Poland, June 28, 2004

Ukraine Presidential Election, 31 October 2004
OSCE/ODIHR Ukraine Presidential Elections Needs Assessment Report:
9-12 June 2004

LINK: http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2004/06/3248_en.pdf
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 123: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
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6. LATEST REPORT ON PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT IN UKRAINE
Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU), June 2004

In June the Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU) observed an increase
in the number of cases of government pressure on the opposition designed
to impede their activities. Potential candidates did not enjoy equal access
to the media. Both state and privately-owned media are dominated by
information on Prime Minister and presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych.
The level of criminal interference in the pre-election process remains very
high, thus threatening free elections.

Report on Pre-Election Environment in Ukraine
Committee of Voters Of Ukraine (CVU), Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, July 9, 2004

The Committee of Voters of Ukraine (CVU) is a national, non-governmental
organization that has been monitoring election campaigns in Ukraine for over
ten years. CVU observes the degree to which election processes conform
with national legislation and international democratic standards.

Presidential elections in Ukraine are scheduled for October 31st, 2004. In
June, CVU monitored the electoral environment in advance of the official
start of the campaign on July 4. We observed the activities of national and
local governments, political parties, possible candidates' headquarters and
the mass media. CVU representatives are present in all 27 administrative
regions of Ukraine.

CVU also monitored parliamentary by-elections Poltava on June 20. A
detailed report on this election as well as more information on CVU can
be found on our web-site: www.cvu.org.ua.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

There was no improvement in the political environment in June compared to
April and May. Instead, CVU observed an increase in the number of cases
of government pressure on the opposition designed to impede their
activities.

Potential candidates did not enjoy equal access to the media. Both state
and privately-owned media are dominated by information on Prime Minister
and presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych. The level of criminal
interference in the pre-election process remains very high, thus threatening
free elections.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. State officials should refuse to campaign for political candidates
and should refrain from using their power and resources for the benefit of
any candidate. Officials not prepared to do this should take a leave of
absence from their positions.
2. The mass media should provide balanced and objective political
coverage.
3. Police and other law-enforcement authorities should urgently
investigate all reports of violence. They should not interfere in the
election campaign.

MAJOR FINDINGS

GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN ELECTION CAMPAIGN
PREPARATIONS

Ukraine's election law prohibits state officials from supporting any
candidate for office; however, these restrictions come into force only with
the beginning of the official election campaign, on July 4. Nonetheless,
CVU noted instances of state officials working to obstruct opposition and
independent media activity. A number of executive and local government
officials have also expressed public support for the election of Prime
Minister Yanukovych. These include: Vadim Lyoshenko, head of the
Cherkassy state administration; Yevhen Kartashov, mayor of Zaporizhzhya;
and Roman Vasylyshyn, head of Rivne state council.

Donetsk: "Ostrov" ("The Island"), the only opposition newspaper in Donetsk,
was unable to find a printer. The "Donbas" print shop claimed its equipment
was "overloaded" and all other printers refused the paper. "Ostrov" was
also the only local newspaper to have its printing fees increased by 63%.
Donetsk: Local cable television providers stopped broadcasting the only
opposition-run television station "Channel 5" without warning, even though
the station had long-term contracts with the cable companies.
Zaporizhzhya: Highway police prevented a busload of activists from "Our
Ukraine" from attending a training on the grounds that the bus might have a
bomb on board.
Zaporizhzhya: A truck carrying printed materials in support of the candidacy
of "Our Ukraine" leader Viktor Yushchenko was stopped by police who
claimed the driver lacked a necessary invoice. The impounded leaflets were
released only after three interventions by "Our Ukraine" members of
parliament.
Kirovograd: The main Kirovograd city square was closed for urgent repairs on
a public holiday, June 28. Viktor Yushchenko had been scheduled to hold a
public rally in the square later in the day.
Kirovograd: An "Our Ukraine" councillor and Yushchenko campaign worker,
V. Hromovyy, was inexplicably fired from his job as the director of a
state-run gymnasium even though he had a good record of employment.
Kherson: On June 20, the Kherson airport denied landing rights, for
"technical reasons", to a plane carrying an "Our Ukraine" delegation that
included Viktor Yushchenko. Nearby Mikolaiv airport had the same
"technical" problems and the plane was forced to travel to Odessa.
Volyn: Leonid Biruk, member of the Kovel rayon council and a local leader
of the Ukrainian People's Party, was prevented by the police from traveling
to a remote village to meet with voters. Biruk was detained on the grounds
that his private car had been "stolen". Later, the car was returned and the
police admitted that the accusation against Leonid Biruk was unfounded.
Chernivtsi: Police arrested two men on June 21 distributing leaflets
announcing a public meeting with MP O. Tiahnybok on the grounds that
they could only do so in areas "sanctioned by the mayor".

CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AGAINST POLITICAL ACTIVISTS
AND THE MEDIA

Violent attacks against political party activists and journalists continued
during the month of June. Unfortunately, law-enforcement bodies failed to
investigate most reports of violence.

Donetsk: On June 20, a meeting of "Our Ukraine" with voters in the town of
Zugress was violently disrupted by 50 hooligans who arrived in buses. The
camera of a reporter for the newspaper "Ostrov" ("The Island") was taken
away and damaged.
Dnipropetrovsk: Ivan Markevych, an "Our Ukraine" activist was attacked
near his home on June 25. His attackers beat Markevych and took some
party documents but left both his cash and cell phone. Markevych had been
planning some pro-Yushchenko youth events in the area.
Lviv: On June 10, five men beat and robbed "Our Ukraine" state council
member Vassyl Pazyniak.
Lviv: A print shop in Peremyshliany that published the opposition political
magazine "Free Thought" was set on fire on June 25.
Kherson: City council deputy Rymma Tsygulska was attacked near her home
on June 19. Tsygulska, who leads a group collecting signatures to recall
Kherson's mayor, suffered a concussion and broken leg. The attacker stole
Tsygulska's signature lists.
Chernihiv: On June 8, a man attacked Oleksiy Piy, chair of the "Our Ukraine"
youth coalition, while he was distributing the newspaper "Molody Chas"
("Young time") and other political material.
Kherson: Police beat Maksym Korotchuk, a 20-year old "Our Ukraine"
activist, while he was distributing campaign materials. The officers took
Korotchuk's leaflets.

SKEWED POLITICAL COVERAGE IN NATIONAL
AND REGIONAL MEDIA

News reports about Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich dominated the
national and regional media in June. The large majority of these reports
are positive, focusing on the achievements of the government and the
personal strengths of the Prime Minister or refuting rumors that he was
convicted of violent crimes in early adulthood. Often, similar articles
appear in different regional media, suggesting that they are centrally
prepared and then distributed. In CVU's opinion, the media coverage
of Yanukovich is not consistent with balanced and objective political
reporting.

Viktor Yushchenko has the second highest presence in the media, although
most articles on him are negative. Socialist leader Oleksandar Moroz was
more prominent in the press in June than had been.

POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ORGANIZING,
SOME INSTANCES OF ANONYMOUS SLANDER

Previous elections in Ukraine have failed to live up to their democratic
potential in part because of the weaknesses of political parties and
campaigns. Parties have to make more effort to reach out to voters and,
under the new election law, to provide well-trained people to staff election
commissions and to monitor the voting process.

The campaigns of Viktor Yushchenko (Our Ukraine), Viktor Yanukovich
(Party of Regions), Oleksandar Moroz (Socialist Party) and Petro Symonenko
(Communist Party) were active in June, largely in establishing headquarters.

Yushchenko's campaign is so far the only one to have made efforts to select
and train future election commissioners. Yushchenko supporters also
essentially began campaigning, mostly by distributing free newspapers and
messages from the candidate.

CVU also observed some instances of dirty campaigning. Activists of the
Ukrainian People's Party have been distributing leaflets with the question
"Who stole 10 billion hryvnias from the budget?" printed above pictures of
Leonid Kuchma, Victor Medvedchuk and Victor Yanukovych. In parts of
eastern Ukraine, a letter has appeared bearing the name of Oleksandar Moroz
that calls Yushchenko a "betrayer". The letter seems to have nothing to do
with Moroz nor his party.

In Kyiv, a small column of men wearing Nazi uniforms and carrying
nationalist flags marched down the street declaring their support for
Yushchenko and saying that they will resort to violence should he lose the
election. CVU believes this is a clear attempt to discredit Yushchenko.
Nonetheless, the march was widely covered on the "Inter" and "1+1"
television stations. (END) (ARTUIS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE OF VOTERS OF UKRAINE (CVU)
01135, Kyiv-135, a/c 5, phone/fax: (044) 490-61-34
E- mail: cvu@cvu.kiev.ua
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"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"-04 SPONSORS:
.1. ACTION UKRAINE COALITION (AUC): Washington, D.C.,
http://www.artukraine.com/auc/index.htm; MEMBERS:
A. UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COORDINATING COUNCIL,
(UACC), Ihor Gawdiak, President, Washington, D.C., New York, NY
B. UKRAINIAN FEDERATION OF AMERICA (UFA),
Zenia Chernyk, Chairperson; Vera M. Andryczyk, President; E.
Morgan Williams, Executive Director, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.
http://www.artukraine.com/ufa/index.htm
C. U.S.-UKRAINE FOUNDATION (USUF), Nadia Komarnyckyj
McConnell, President; John A. Kun, VP/COO; Markian Bilynskyj, VP,
Dir. of Field Operations; Kyiv, Ukraine and Washington, D.C., website:
http://www.usukraine.org .
2. UKRAINE-U.S. BUSINESS COUNCIL, Kempton Jenkins,
President, Washington, D.C.
3. KIEV-ATLANTIC GROUP, David and Tamara Sweere, Daniel
Sweere, Kyiv and Myronivka, Ukraine, 380 44 295 7275 in Kyiv.
4. POTENTIAL, launching a new business journal for Ukraine.
http://www.usukraine.org/potential.shtml
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Kyiv vs. Kiev----SPELLING POLICY--Chornobyl vs.Chernobyl
THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" uses the spelling KYIV (Ukrainian)
rather than KIEV (Russian), whenever the spelling decision is under our
control. We do not change the way journalists, authors, reporters, the news
media spell these words or the other words they use in their stories.

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PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
Mr. E. Morgan Williams, Executive Director, Ukrainian Federation of America
(UFA); Coordinator, The Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC);
Senior Advisor, Government Relations, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF);
Advisor, Ukraine-U.S. Business Council, Washington, D.C.;
Publisher and Editor, www.ArtUkraine.com Information Service (ARTUIS),
http://www.ArtUkraine.com Ukrainian News and Information Website;
CONTACT: P.O. Box 2607, Washington, D.C. 20013,
Tel: 202 437 4707, morganw@patriot.net
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