"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
An International Newsletter
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"
"Your personal contribution to the fruitful development of the multi-layered
Russian-Ukrainian dialogue is highly regarded in Russia. It is to a great
extent thanks to your efforts that bilateral economic, humanitarian and
cultural ties have been given a new impetus. In general, our relations of
strategic partnership and collaboration have been considerably enhanced.
I am convinced that your enormous experience of life, and your firmness
and consistency will continue to be of service for the good of the Ukrainian
state, and to contribute to friendly, neighbourly relations between our
fraternal peoples." [Putin in birthday greetings to Kuchma, article six]
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 04, Number 136
The 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, August 11, 2004
-----INDEX OF ARTICLES-----
"Major International News Headlines and Articles"
1. UCCA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE AS INTERNATIONAL
ELECTION OBSERVERS FOR UKRAINE'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
By Tamara Gallo-Olexy, Executive Director
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
Washington, D.C., New York, NY, Wednesday, August 11, 2004
2. UKRAINIAN CONGRESS COMMITTEE OF AMERICA (UCCA)
HAS NOW REGISTERED 31 OBSERVERS FOR LATE OCTOBER
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN UKRAINE
Zoya Zhminko, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sun, August 8, 2004
3. POLISH PREMIER SAYS UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE
RICHARD ARMITAGE WILL COME TO POLAND IN SEPTEMBER
For talks on cooperation, transatlantic relations, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine
PAP news agency, Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, August 10, 2004
4. OUTSIDE VIEW: GEORGIA, UKRAINE AND THE U.S.
COMMENTARY by Ira Straus, U.S. Coordinator
Committee on Eastern Europe and Russia in NATO
A UPI Outside View Commentary
UPI, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, August 10, 2004
5. YUSHCHENKO WILL WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ
Ukrainian presidential candidate states in Crimea
Our Ukraine website, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, 10 August 2004
6. RUSSIA'S VLADIMIR PUTIN PHONES BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
TO UKRAINE'S LEONID KUCHMA
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian, 9 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Monday, Aug 09, 2004
7.UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT LEONID KUCHMA AWARDS VIKTOR
MEDVEDCHUK WITH YAROSLAV THE WISE ORDER
Daria Hluschenko, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sat, August 7, 2004
8. THIN GREY LAYER OF GRIME FROM UKRAINE MUNITIONS
BLAST TARNISHED SWISS ALPINE LAKES
Agence France-Presse, Geneva, Switzerland, Mon, August 9, 2004
9. IRELAND: SINN FEIN CONCERNED ABOUT CHEAP
GRAIN IMPORTS FROM THE UKRAINE
Belfast Telegraph, Belfast, Ireland, Monday, Aug 09, 2004
10. UKRAINE: LARGE FRENCH AGRIBUSINESS SOUFFLET TO
BUY MORE THAN 50% INTEREST IN SLAVUTA MALT-HOUSE
Yurii Yeriomin, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Fri, August 6, 2004
11. UKRAINE AND RUSSIA SEEKING TO BUILD UNDERGROUND
PASSAGE TUNNEL BETWEEN CRIMEA AND KUBAN
Daria Hluschenko, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Mon, August 9, 2004
12. METRO CASH & CARRY UKRAINE" COMPANY TO OPEN
WHOLESALE TRADE CENTER IN DONETSK IN 2005
UNIAN, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, August 9, 2004
13. "THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
An International Newsletter
The Action Ukraine Program, Washington, D.C., Wed, August 11, 2004
14. UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY PREPARES FOR
THE XIX CONGRESS OF UKRAINIANS IN AMERICA
Participate in the XIX Congress of Ukrainians in America
and help determine the future of our community!
Tamara Gallo-Olexy, Executive Director
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
New York, New York, Friday, August 6, 2004
15. WHEN PREHISTORY BECOMES HISTORY
This year, the Ukrainian community celebrates the 110th anniversary
of Vikenty Khvoyka's discovery of the Trypillian Civilization
By Volodymyr Senchenko, The Ukrainian Observer
Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2004, Issue 197/4
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136 ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
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1. UCCA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE AS INTERNATIONAL
ELECTION OBSERVERS FOR UKRAINE'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
By Tamara Gallo-Olexy, Executive Director
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
Washington, D.C., New York, NY, August 9, 2004
NEW YORK, The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
is seeking individuals interested in serving as International Election
Observers for Ukraine's upcoming presidential election.
As in previous years, the UCCA will be actively participating in Ukraine's
electoral process by hosing a delegation of International Election
Observers for the October 31, 2004 election.
The UCCA delegation will be registered with Ukraine's Central Election
Commission and each delegate will have the right to act an official
election monitor.
The UCCA will coordinate local travel within Ukraine, arrange for briefing
seminars and provide all the necessary election materials for each election
monitor. However, all expenses related to travel, food and lodging must
be borne by the individuals themselves.
The UCCA is required to register its delegation with the Central Election
Commission, therefore, the deadline for submitting an application to
UCCA is August 31, 2004. More detailed information about UCCA's
International Election Observer program can be found on the UCCA website
at http://www.org/events/elections2004.html.
Anyone interested in serving as an International Election Observer, should
call 212 228 6840 or send an e-mail to ucca@ucca.org, UCCA's office
in New York, to obtain an application packet. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
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2. UKRAINIAN CONGRESS COMMITTEE OF AMERICA HAS
NOW REGISTERED 31 OBSERVERS FOR LATE OCTOBER
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN UKRAINE
Zoya Zhminko, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, August 8, 2004
KYIV - The Central Election Commission has registered six more observers
for the presidential election from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of
America (UCCA), an international nongovernmental organization. Ukrainian
News learned this from the press service of the CEC. The CEC took this
decision at a meeting on Friday.
As Ukrainian News reported previously, the CEC had earlier registered 26
observers for the presidential election from the Ukrainian Congress
Committee of America.
On July 13, Ukraine invited representatives of international organizations
to take part in monitoring the election process.
President Leonid Kuchma said in June that Ukraine expects foreign observers
to give an objective assessment of the election process and to make adequate
reports.
Campaign for this year's presidential election in Ukraine started on July 3.
The voting day is scheduled for October 31. (END)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTE: According to Tamara Gallo-Olexy, Executive Director of the
UCCA in New York, papers to register more election observers have been
filed with the Central Election Commission in Kyiv and are expected to be
approved soon. Tamara said UCCA still has openings for people who would
like to be election observers this fall in Ukraine and anyone interested
should contact her as soon as possible at ucca@ucca.org.
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER THREE
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3. POLISH PREMIER SAYS UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD
ARMITAGE WILL COME TO POLAND IN SEPTEMBER
For talks on cooperation, transatlantic relations, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine
PAP news agency, Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, August 10, 2004
WASHINGTON - Commenting on his meeting with US President George
W. Bush, Prime Minister Marek Belka told journalists that the further
presence of Polish troops in Iraq would depend on the developments there.
Belka said Undersecretary of State Richard Armitage will come to Poland
next month for "further talks on cooperation between Poland and the US in
the broader context of transatlantic relations, Bush's initiative on
enlarged Middle East and Iraq, as well as Russia and Ukraine."
"Nobody wants to stay in Iraq forever. We treat our presence there as
serving this country. With President Bush we did not discuss dates or troop
numbers. We discussed the way the situation in Iraq develops, how the
political process is going on and how it shapes the character and the size
of our presence in this country," Prime Minister Belka said.
In July, the Polish government said it expected to scale down its military
presence in Iraq. Marek Belka added his talks in Washington contributed to
the progress in matters related to visa requirements for Poles travelling to
the US. The details of proposed changes in the present system are to be
discussed with Security Secretary Tom Ridge. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
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=======================================================
4. OUTSIDE VIEW: GEORGIA, UKRAINE AND THE U.S.
COMMENTARY by Ira Straus, U.S. Coordinator
Committee on Eastern Europe and Russia in NATO
A UPI Outside View Commentary
UPI, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, August 10, 2004
WASHINGTON - Georgia's new leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, is driving his
democratic revolution to the edge of an abyss, as he pushes toward military
methods of bringing Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia back under Georgian
control. If he continues down this path, he risks fighting with Russian
peacekeeping forces, which would likely act to protect the Ossetians and
Abkhaz.
Russian analysts are writing that Saakashvili hopes to get the West to place
the blame on Russia, as tends to happen whenever there are conflicts on the
post-Soviet space. It is a tail-wag-dog scenario, with a well-scripted place
for the West. They see this as central to Saakashvili's motivation. They
anticipate a gloomy set of outcomes: self-ruination for Georgian democracy,
a further downturn in Russia-West relations, possibly even a military
confrontation since the United States and NATO have been involving
themselves in Georgia.
This would be sharply contrary to American interests in the region, and
could damage U.S. interests as far afield as Ukraine, where many
Westerners have been speaking dreamily of a repeat of the Georgian
scenario.
Southern Ossetians would rather be a part of a Russian federation, as their
Northern Ossetian compatriots are, than of a nationalist Georgia, which
already in the early '90s alienated its minorities by its attempts at
enforced
centralization. Abkhazia has also asked for incorporation into the Russian
Federation. Peaceful reunification of Georgia is possible only with Russia's
help, which was forthcoming in Ajaria but would require compromises with
legitimate local and Russian interests in the other territories.
The outcome will shape not only Russia's relation with Georgia but its view
of the Ukrainian elections which are coming up on Oct. 31. The Georgian
"Rose Revolution" is often depicted as a model or inspiration for other
ex-Soviet Republics, particularly for Ukraine. Russians will evaluate this
model in their own way.
The better the Georgian revolution evolves in practice and in its dealings
with Russia, the better the attitude of Russians will be toward Yushenko,
who is typically assigned the role of the Saakashvili of Ukraine. But if
Saakashvili continues down lines of confrontation and exacerbation of
Georgian nationalism -- lines being compared in Russia to the first Georgian
democrat-president, Gamsakhurdia -- then it will sour Russians not only on
him but on Yushenko. And it will sour not only Russians but millions of
Ukrainians, who would dread a similar downward spiral in relations with
Russia. We should bear in mind that a large majority of Ukrainians are
pro-Russian: The personal ties are intimate, and a pro-Russian image has
been the key to winning presidential elections in Ukraine.
The interest of the U.S. is for the positive variant to succeed: for Georgia
to build a good relation with Russia, and for Russia and pro-Russian
Ukrainians to take a more hopeful view of Yushenko. One Russian
business newspaper has called, wistfully, for a reconsideration of Yushenko
as potentially a good thing because a domestic reformer. Other Russians
have argued that Yushenko has already lost and backed himself into an
anti-Russian cul de sac where he cannot get much more than his 25
percent core vote.
The United States has placed considerable stakes on Yushenko and on
Saakashvili. The U.S. also has stakes in Russia -- far greater stakes, in
fact.
These three U.S. stakes are rapidly becoming incompatible. The United
States will have to act to keep them from blowing up in its face. And if it
fails to act, then it will be forced by unpleasant realities to realize in
the end that its primary stake is in Russia anyway.
The United States can keep its several stakes compatible only if it takes
major steps to get its favorites -- Saakashvili and Yushenko -- to act and
speak in a more sober, reliable manner toward Russia. In particular:
(1) State publicly that the U.S. is opposed to any use of force in restoring
Georgian sovereign control over Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia. Show we
are serious about this: put the onus on Georgia for its recent missteps, and
specify consequences that would flow from further use of force on Georgia's
initiative.
(2) Consider deals among the U.S., Russia, and Georgia, to reconcile their
interests: a. a two-way deal -- the U.S. stops opposing Russian bases in
Georgia; Russia stops opposing U.S. forces and bases there. Cooperation
among these bases; ultimately perhaps a joint base under NATO-Russia
Council auspices.
A three-way deal could be Russia helps restore Georgian sovereign authority
in Ossetia and Abkhazia (making possible peaceful reunion as in Ajaria),
Georgia agrees to permanent autonomy arrangements for these territories
and -- to guarantee their autonomy -- continued Russian bases there, and/or
Russia agrees to Georgia's right to have U.S. and NATO bases.
(3) Tell Russia that, if Yushenko is elected the United States would act
similarly to make sure he would work with Russia. Say -- honestly -- that
the door of NATO remains open to Ukraine and Russia alike, not just
Ukraine. Make clear to Yushenko that United States support depends on
avoiding any further anti-Russian appeals. (END) (ARTUIS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by
outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The
views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press
International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original
submissions are invited.)
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040810-032147-2860r
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 136: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
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=======================================================
5. YUSHCHENKO WILL WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ
Ukrainian presidential candidate states in Crimea
Our Ukraine website, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, 10 August 2004
KYIV - "As president I will withdraw Ukrainian boys from Iraq," declared
Victor Yushchenko during his meeting with voters in the Crimea.
Yushchenko thinks that, "this issue has ripened already but it can be
resolved only by the government that has enough people's support and does
not need shoring from the outside as the current regime does."
Yushchenko noted that it was a pity that "the Kuchma-Yanukovych regime,
instead of using the dangerous work of our peacekeepers for strengthening
the country's international positions," saw sending our peacekeepers to Iraq
"as an attempt to get a pardon for Ukraine's own antidemocratic actions."
"We do not want to sacrifice democracy in Ukraine in order to restore
democracy in Iraq," stressed Victor Yushchenko. (http://www.razom.org.ua)
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
========================================================
6. RUSSIA'S VLADIMIR PUTIN PHONES BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
TO UKRAINE'S LEONID KUCHMA
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian, 9 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Monday, Aug 09, 2004
MOSCOW - A telephone conversation took place today between Russian
President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Leonid Kuchma, the
Kremlin press office has said.
Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated Leonid Kuchma on his birthday. The
heads of state discussed current issues in their countries' bilateral
relations, and the schedule of forthcoming meetings at the highest level.
Putin also sent a congratulatory message to the Ukrainian president. The
message contains the following statement:
"Your personal contribution to the fruitful development of the multi-layered
Russian-Ukrainian dialogue is highly regarded in Russia. It is to a great
extent thanks to your efforts that bilateral economic, humanitarian and
cultural ties have been given a new impetus. In general, our relations of
strategic partnership and collaboration have been considerably enhanced.
"I am convinced that your enormous experience of life, and your firmness
and consistency will continue to be of service for the good of the Ukrainian
state, and to contribute to friendly, neighbourly relations between our
fraternal peoples." (END) (ARTUIS)
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER SEVEN
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========================================================
7. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT LEONID KUCHMA AWARDS VIKTOR
MEDVEDCHUK WITH YAROSLAV THE WISE ORDER
Daria Hluschenko, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sat, August 7, 2004
KYIV - President Leonid Kuchma has awarded head of his administration
Viktor Medvedchuk with Yaroslav the Wise order of the V degree. Press
service of the President informed Ukrainian News about this.
Kuchma marked Medvedchuk's contribution to development of the Ukrainian
democracy with this order and dedicated this awarding to his 50th birthday.
Medvedchuk, 50, is a leader of the Social-Democratic Party (united), and
governs the President Administration since June 2002. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER EIGHT
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
=======================================================
8. THIN GREY LAYER OF GRIME FROM UKRAINE MUNITIONS
BLAST TARNISHED SWISS ALPINE LAKES
Agence France-Presse, Geneva, Switzerland, Mon, August 9, 2004
GENEVA, Switzerland - A thin grey layer of grime which covered
some lakes in central Switzerland in May and June probably came from
a massive fire at a munitions depot about 2,000 kilometres (1,200
miles) away in Ukraine, local environmental authorities said Monday.
The fine layer of dust deposited by rain over some prime Alpine
tourist spots included iron, aluminium, barium and strontium, the
environmental department of the Swiss canton of Schwyz said.
A fire caused by a soldier's cigarette butt blew up 900 ammunition
wagons in a military base near Melitopol in southeastern Ukraine on
May 6 to 8, killing five people and forcing the evacuation of about
7,000 local inhabitants.
The Swiss national alarm centre said the smoke particles from the
blaze took about five or six days to reach Switzerland and then
gathered on Swiss lakes mixed with local tree pollen.
The grimy layer was seen on Lake Lucerne from May 13, and also on
Lake Zurich and the nearby Walensee. Martin Zumstein, the head of
environmental department in Schwyz said the pollution was not harmful.
The recorded level of dust particles was equivalent to those
observed after firework displays on Swiss National Day on August 1,
he added. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136 ARTICLE NUMBER NINE
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=======================================================
9. IRELAND: SINN FEIN CONCERNED ABOUT CHEAP
GRAIN IMPORTS FROM THE UKRAINE
Belfast Telegraph, Belfast, Ireland, Monday, Aug 09, 2004
BELFAST - Sinn Fein are concerned that cheap grain imports from the
Ukraine could harm local cereals prices this harvest. Party Equality and
Human Rights spokesperson Caitriona Ruane said: "Farmers throughout
the 32 counties have serious concerns regarding several aspects of this
trade, and the potential effects which it may be having on the agriculture
industry.
"Ship-loads of grain are being are imported into the north through Belfast
and Warrenpoint docks from the Ukraine. "This grain is not quality assured,
so we have no idea what chemicals are used during its production.
"There is also a danger that importing cheap grain from Eastern Europe will
have a depressing effect on the prices merchants will pay for home-produced
grain."
Ms Ruane said she would be writing to Agriculture Minister Ian Pearson on
the imports. (Michael Drake, mdrake@belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.136: ARTICLE NUMBER TEN
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=======================================================
10. LARGE FRENCH AGRIBUSINESS SOUFFLET TO BUY MORE
THAN 50% INTEREST IN SLAVUTA MALT-HOUSE
Yurii Yeriomin, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, August 6, 2004
KIEV - The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has authorized
Compagnie Internationale de Malteries (France), a part of the transnational
corporation Soufflet Group, to buy more than 50% in the Ukraine's largest
Slavuta Malt-House (Khmelnytskyi region). Ukrainian News learned this
from the press service of the Committee.
"A permission was granted to Compagnie Internationale de Malteries
(France) to purchase shares of the open JSC Slavuta Malt-House..., which
would provide the buyer with 50% of the votes at the supreme authority of
the company," the AMCU stated. Compagnie Internationale de Malteries
produces malt and deals with sale and purchase of grain crops and other
agricultural produce.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Soufflet in March inked an agreement
with Scandinavian company BBH on purchase of the Slavuta Malt-House
with the aim of developing Soufflet's malt business in Europe. The agreement
comes into force on October 1, 2004. BBH Ukraine owned 90% of the
shares in the Slavuta Malt-House.
BBH Ukraine, which owned the Slavutych Brewery and the Lviv Brewery
back then, announced in April 2003 that BBH had decided to sell the malt
plant and concentrate on developing its beer business. The Slavuta Malt-
House increased its output by 16.95% to UAH 101.202 million in 2003. The
company is designed to annually process 120,000 tons of barley into about
80,000 tons of malt.
The Soufflet Group is one of the world's largest producers and sellers of
agricultural products. It owns malt plants in France, the Czech Republic,
Russia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Kazakhstan. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 132 ARTICLE NUMBER ELEVEN
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11. UKRAINE AND RUSSIA SEEKING TO BUILD UNDERGROUND
PASSAGE TUNNEL BETWEEN CRIMEA AND KUBAN
Daria Hluschenko, Ukrainian News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Mon, August 9, 2004
KYIV - Ukraine and Russia are seeking to build an underground transport
passage tunnel beneath the Kerch Strait between the Crimea and Kuban
(Russia).
Hennadii Babenko, the deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the
Crimea, disclosed this on Sunday on the Dilovyi Svit (Business World)
television program. He said that Ukraine has prepared the blueprint for the
underground passage, which will be made up of three tunnels.
"I am referring to a transporting underground passage... Three tunnels, the
first in one direction, the second in another direction and the third is a
technical corridor," said Babenko. In his words, the gross estimate for
constructing the underground passage tunnel will be approximately USD
1.3 billion.
"The cost is USD 446 million, the passageway itself, and plus up to USD
840 million more for development of the Kavkaz, Krym and Aivazovske
stations and the corresponding port area installations," remarked the
deputy premier of the Crimea.
He assumed that the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Russia will in the
near future coordinate the underground passageway project. "That is
obviously matters concerning anything concrete will be early next year," he
said.
As Ukrainian News reported previously, Presidents Leonid Kuchma of
Ukraine and Vladimir Putin of Russia instructed their governments in
December 2003 to create a Ukrainian-Russian corporation for fostering
cooperation in the Kerch and Azov water areas, including with respect to
exploiting the Kerch-Yenikal Canal.
At the time they also instructed their governments to prepare proposals on
reviving and developing ferry transportation links between Ukraine and
Russia through the Kerch Strait for passengers and freight transportation
purposes. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 132 ARTICLE NUMBER TWELVE
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=======================================================
12. METRO CASH & CARRY UKRAINE" COMPANY TO OPEN
WHOLESALE TRADE CENTER IN DONETSK IN 2005
UNIAN, Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, August 9, 2004
KYIV - "Metro Cash & Carry Ukraine" Ltd. will open wholesale trade
center in Donetsk in 2005. The press-service of the company has reported
it to UNIAN.
According to the data of the press-service, the total investments in the
land and construction of the center make up over UAH 100 million. The total
area of the center - 15 thousand square kilometers, including 9 thousand
square kilometers will be given for the trade hall. Over 400 working places
will be created after opening of the center.
According to the words of "Metro Cash & Carry Ukraine" Ltd. director Axel
Luha, the company is interested in the Donetsk region, as the region has the
high rates of economic growth. The company has already discussed with the
Donetsk authorities the opportunity of one more wholesale trade center in
2006.
As the company has pointed out, the assortment of the center will include 20
thousand goods, including 90% - produced in Ukraine. This summer the
company opens the wholesale trade centers in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTE: The development of the wholesale and retail food industry
in Ukraine is having very a very positive impact on the agro-industrial
complex in Ukraine. There are now large reliable buyers of agricultural
products who are buying on a regular basis and have cash to pay. This is
helping transform Ukraine from the old, outdated, inefficient, government
owned, production driven marketing system found under the Soviets to a
modern market driven production system, from field to table. [Editor]
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 132 ARTICLE NUMBER THIRTEEN
========================================================
13. "THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
A Publication Supported Financially By Its Readers
The Action Ukraine Program, Washington, D.C., Wed, August 11, 2004
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"-04, is an in-depth news and
analysis international newsletter, produced by the www.ArtUkraine.com
Information Service (ARTUIS). The report is now distributed to several
thousand persons worldwide FREE of charge using the e-mail address:
ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net. This is the 136th Report issued so
far in year 2004.
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" is supported through The Action
Ukraine Program Fund. Financial support from readers is essential to
the future of this Report. You can become a financial sponsor of The
Action Ukraine Program Fund. Individuals, corporations, non-profit
organizations and other groups can provide support for the expanding
Action Ukraine Program by sending in contributions.
Checks should be made out to the Ukrainian Federation of America,
(UFA), a private, not-for-profit, voluntary organization. The funds should
be designated for the Action Ukraine Program Fund (AUPF), and
mailed to Zenia Chernyk, Chairperson, Ukrainian Federation of
America (UAF), 930 Henrietta Avenue, Huntingdon Valley, PA
19006-8502.
For individuals a contribution of $45-$100 is suggested. Your contribution
to help build The Action Ukraine Program to support Ukraine and her
future is very much appreciated. (END)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 132 ARTICLE NUMBER FOURTEEN
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14. UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY PREPARES FOR
THE XIX CONGRESS OF UKRAINIANS IN AMERICA
Participate in the XIX Congress of Ukrainians in America
and help determine the future of our community!
Tamara Gallo-Olexy, Executive Director
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
New York, New York, Friday, August 6, 2004
New York, NY (UCCA) - Since its founding in 1940, the Ukrainian Congress
Committee of America (UCCA) has represented the interests of the Ukrainian
American community before the U.S. government and worked to improve the
fate of Ukraine. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's
restored independence, the UCCA has redirected its efforts toward supporting
Ukraine's democratic transition and encouraging free-market reform while
sustaining a vibrant Ukrainian community in the United States. The future
focus of UCCA's work is determined at the quadrennial Congress of
Ukrainians in America.
This year, "the city of brotherly love"- Philadelphia, will host the XIX
Congress of Ukrainians in America, from September 24 to September 26 at
the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia at 1800 Market Street (intersection of 18th
and Market Streets). This convention of UCCA members, which includes
representatives of the UCCA branches and member organizations, is an
extremely important event for our community. Representatives of Ukrainian
civic organizations and the hierarchy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church will
also be among the Convention's participants.
The UCCA strives to represent all points of view and all groups within the
Ukrainian American community in order to promote the interests of the entire
community in our daily activities. The resolution of the previous Congress
was to focus on the unification of our community as well as the traditional
tasks of representing the interests of Ukrainian Americans in both
Washington and Kyiv.
In addition to addressing internal matters, including convention committee
sessions and the election of UCCA's governing bodies, convention delegates
and guests will have an opportunity to discuss various issues of importance
during six planned workshops. The format of the workshops is designed to
allow for an open and frank discussion on various topics, including:
Maintaining/Preserving our Identity; Unifying the Ukrainian American
Community; Using the Mass Media to Get Your Message Out; Advocacy -
Your Voice in American Politics; Support for Ukraine: Furthering Democracy
& Ukrainianization; and, Outreach Programs for New Immigrants and Youth.
In providing such a forum, the workshops are designed to help develop an
overall program and strategy for the future activities of the Ukrainian
Congress Committee of America.
The main focus of this year's Congress is the unification of the Ukrainian
American community. During the last several years, the UCCA actively
worked toward this goal, initiating several meetings with leaders of various
Ukrainian American civic organizations. During such meetings, strategies for
community unification, as well as issues that interest various groups within
the community were discussed.
Organizations that are not members of the UCCA are welcome to participate
in the Congress as observers. The UCCA strives to represent the interests
of all Ukrainian Americans and united, our voice in Washington, as well as
in Kyiv, would spur greater influence.
During the evening, delegates and guests will have a chance to relax and
reacquaint themselves with old friends and meet new acquaintances. The
Convention Organizing Committee has planned two special events, a casual
evening reception on Friday and a formal Congressional Banquet on Saturday
evening. Many high-level officials from the United States and Ukraine have
been invited to participate in the Congressional Banquet, which begins at
6PM on Saturday evening.
During the Banquet, the members of the Ukrainian community who
demonstrated great commitment and active work in the community will be
presented with the Shevchenko Freedom Award. This award will also be
presented to non-Ukrainians who have championed the cause of the Ukrainian
American community. The ticket price for the convention banquet is $100 per
person. To reserve your tickets, please contact Ihor Kusznir, UCCA
Philadelphia Branch President and Chairman of the XIX Congress Organizing
Committee, by telephone at (215) 498-1697 or via mail:
Mr. Ihor Kusznir, 500 E. Gravers Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038-8411
Also, on Friday evening there will be a concert of local talent and on
Saturday evening, from 10pm to 1am, there will be a dance. Admission to the
dance will cost $25. The UCCA urges all community members to take part in
the XIX Congress of Ukrainians in America in order to make your contribution
to the UCCA action plan for the next four years.
In order to register for the Congress or for more information, please
contact the UCCA National Office by phone at (212) 228-6840 or via email
at ucca@ucca.org. The UCCA was able to secure a discounted hotel price
for the delegates ($99 per night). The discount will be valid only for
reservations made before August 31, 2004. Please, don't delay and take
advantage of this discount. Hotel information is as follows:
Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Center City Hotel
1800 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19103
Tel: (215) 561 7500, Fax: (215) 561 2556, (215) 561 7500
E-mail: salesphiladelphiacrowne@ichotelsgroup.com
Web page address: http://cpphiladelphia-centercity.felcor.com/ (END)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 132 ARTICLE NUMBER FIFTEEN
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15. WHEN PREHISTORY BECOMES HISTORY
This year, the Ukrainian community celebrates the 110th anniversary
of Vikenty Khvoyka's discovery of the Trypillian Civilization
By Volodymyr Senchenko, The Ukrainian Observer
Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2004, Issue 197/4
Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.
- Plato
We are absolutely modern people with absolutely modern problems, duties,
and obsessions. Yet, we try to learn all we can about dinosaurs that became
extinct 60 million years ago. What relevance do dinosaurs have today? None!
But we are still interested in what happened on our Earth and on our land,
in particular, thousands or millions of years ago.
We learned of the early civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China
in school. As Eurasians, Egypt and Mesopotamia attract us because our roots
lie there. Who were our ancestors? How did they live? What did they achieve?
What other civilizations did they found? Where did they go? And why did they
disappear? Answers to these and hundreds of other puzzling questions attract
us. Is it because we are intrigued by enigma - or is a twist of genetic
memory involved?
The most ancient civilization we know is Sumerian. It existed in the second
half of the fourth millennium BC. Scholars call the years which preceded the
Sumarians "prehistory," and there are no material or written records
believed to exist during this period. However, there was some oblique scarce
knowledge passed by the Sumerians that they had come to Mesopotamia and
Egypt most probably from the region of the Caspian Sea, because they refer
to a city-state called Arrata in that area.
The early Sumerians brought with them a culture more complex and diverse
that that of the locals. They cultivated land, used a wheel, had a
domesticated horse, a potter's wheel and perhaps even had writing, since it
appeared shortly after they settled in Mesopotamia. Moreover, no traces of
its origin have been found among local residents.
Many scholars agree that there should have been some developed pre-
Sumerian civilization. Little was known about such civilizations during the
middle of the last century, although the Trypillian culture had already been
discovered on the territory of modern Ukraine, it has not been referred to
as "pre-Sumerian."
By the end of the 19th century, in the steppe region of Ukraine, Vikenty
Khvoyka, a Ukrainian archeologist of Czech origin, found traces of an
unknown ancient culture later named Trypillian, after the place of
discovery. This year, the Ukrainian community celebrates the 110th
anniversary of Khvoyka's discovery, and today we possess thousands of
artifacts. We know many facts about our remote ancestors who lived in the
area now occupied by Ukraine and other Eastern European countries between
4,000 and 7,000 years ago.
Many fundamental scientific works studying the material culture of those
times have appeared since. One of them is "Trypillian Civilization",
compiled by researcher Mikhail Videyko. The title of his work is not
accidental, as it was not a local separate culture of some tribe or a group
of tribes, but a genuine civilization. What other name can we apply to a
society which lasted more than 5,000 years, domesticated horses, ploughed
their land using tools and bulls, grew wheat and barley, bred cattle,
invented and successfully used the wheel, processed copper and bronze, and
was inhabited by between 400,000 and 2 million people? It was the most
numerous and powerful civilization of the ancient world - or at least it is
believed to have been such.
Perhaps in the future we will find traces of similar or even older
civilizations, such as the Huang-Ho civilization, which Karl Jaspers thought
was distinct, having originated autonomously from Mesopotamia or Egypt.
Today we know a lot about the Trypillian social structure and way of life,
including facts about the level of their technology.
Trypillians (historians sometimes call them "ploughmen") lived in huge
settlements, agriculturally based cities inhabited by as many as 20,000
people - which seems incredible, given the time! The settlements covered up
to 25 square kilometers, and were composed of one- and two-story houses.
There were public buildings as well, and they may have covered as much as
1,000 square meters.
After building and occupying a settlement for between 50 and 80 years, the
residents set them afire and moved on, having exhausted the environmental
resources. Because the Trypillians destroyed their cities, few relics were
left behind for today's archaeologists.
As we were first learning about the ancient Trypillians during the early
20th century, the first evidence was also emerging that the Trypillians who
lived on Ukrainian soil were related to the Sumerians of Mesopotamia.
Anatoly Kyfishyn made the first solid connection between the two cultures
when he deciphered pictograms on the so-called Stone Tomb in the south
of Ukraine. These pictograms, chiseled into the walls of this unique
artifact dating from 12,000 to 3,000 BC were samples of the early Sumerian
writing. Ceramics created by the ancient Trypillians also bore Sumerian
script, leaving no doubt that Sumerian writing originated with the
Trypillyan
civilization. The pictograms on the Stone Tomb clarify the origin of
inscriptions made during the 12th to third millennium BC. So Sumerian
writing, the first writing in the history of mankind, is a product of the
development of a human civilization that for many thousands of years thrived
in Europe and the Middle East.
As soon as similarities between the two forms of writing became known,
previous contradictions were explained.
First, it became clear who brought a developed culture to the land between
the Tigris and Euphrates. Second, scholars managed to discover traces of
mass migration from Trypillia (also known as Koukoutenya) to the Middle
East. The migration to Mesopotamia was probably due to climatic changes
and demographic factors such as overpopulation, as the ancient technology
of land cultivation and cattle-breeding required favorable climatic
conditions and huge expanses of land.
Finally, it was determined that the large Sumerian cities, including Ur,
Uruk and Djamjet-Nasra were reflection of the huge Trypillian agrocities.
Pre-Sumerians brought city-states and social structures characteristic of
Trypillians to Mesopotamia. This structure, void of social, ethnic and
tribal antagonisms, explains the extraordinary stability of both Sumerian
and Trypillyan societies over long periods of time.
Today, scholars are trying to explain the disappearance of the Trypillian
civilization after 3,000 years.
It is intriguing to think that the Trypillians may have been our ancestors.
One hypothesis holds that the civilization dispersed after climate changes
saw the mild, wet climate give way to drier weather at the beginning of the
third millennium BC. The theory is that Trypillians scattered in different
directions: to Ukraine's Polissya, the Carpathian region, the Middle East,
Greece, Italy and even the British Isles. Ukrainian and foreign sources
alike cite this theory.
Ukrainians can feel a connection with the self-sufficient nation (or
nations) that have lived on this land over time. It's easy to see
similarities between traditional Ukrainian patterns and shapes on ancient
Trypillian artifacts. Though perhaps a simple coincidence, it is no less
enjoyable for modern residents of Ukraine, and contributes to their interest
in genealogy.
There is public interest in continued research of the Trypillian
civilization and in establishing museums and cultural heritage parks. They
want Ukrainian officials and the EU to draw attention to the necessity of
this pre-historic research, making the Trypillian civilization a better
known aspect of mankind's history.
Historians remind us that history didn't begin with the Trypillians. A
pre-Trypillian period could be as exciting. Hopefully, our future will
broaden our knowledge about our mysterious and remote past. (END)
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