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Action Ukraine Report

"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"

TWO MORE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS FOR UKRAINE
YURI BILONOG: OLYMPIA SHOT PUT GOLD
NATALIA SKAKUN: WEIGHTLIFTING GOLD

"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 04, Number 143
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, THURSDAY, August 19, 2004

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

1. UKRAINE'S YURI BILONOG WINS OLYMPIA SHOT PUT GOLD
By John Mehaffey, REUTERS
Ancient Olympia, Greece, Wednesday, August 18, 2004

2. UKRAINE'S NATALIA SKAKUN OVERCOMES BIG DEFICIT TO
WIN GOLD IN 63-KILOGRAM WEIGHTLIFTING CATEGORY
Alan Robinson, AP Worldstream, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

3. YANA KLOCHKOVA GIVEN "THE HERO OF UKRAINE" AWARD
Ukrainian president bestows highest state award on swimmer
AP Worldstream, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

4. UKRAINIAN COURT CONFIRMS VOLIA CABLE ACTIVITIES
ARE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW
Liga News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, August 18, 2004

5. UKRAINIAN COURT REJECTS PROSECUTORS' ACTION
AGAINST VOLIA CABLE TV COMPANY
AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Wed, August 18, 2004

6. U.S. SENATORS URGE UKRAINE TO CONDUCT FAIR
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
By Anna Melnichuk, AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

7. VISITING US SENATORS CONCERNED AT PRESSURE
ON UKRAINIAN MEDIA
Era, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

8. YANUKOVYCH'S CAMPAIGN CHIEF SERHIY TYHYPKO
ADMITS USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PRESSURE IN CAMPAIGN
Zealous administrators want to show Yanukovych their loyalty
TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

9. PUTIN PRAISES UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
YANUKOVYCH OVER BILATERAL RELATIONS
Putin and Kuchma have already met nine times this year
NTV, Moscow, Russia, in Russian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

10. UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN TOP-LEVEL CONTACTS BENEFITS
THE PEOPLE OF THE TWO COUNTRIES KUCHMA SAYS
Interfax, Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Aug 18 2004

11. RUSSIA'S PUTIN APPROVES VAT TAX CHANGES THAT
SHOULD EXPAND TRADE WITH EX-SOVIET REPUBLICS
Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan
Mara D. Bellaby, AP Worldstream, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

12. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE SIGN 15 YEAR AGREEMENT ON
OIL TRANSIT ACROSS THE TERRITORY OF UKRAINE
Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

13. UKRAINE SAYS ROMANIA NO LONGER OBJECTS
TO CONSTRUCTION OF DANUBE-BLACK SEA CANAL
TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

14. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE YUSHCHENKO
PLEDGES TO RESPECT BLACK SEA FLEET TREATY WITH RUSSIA
Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

15. "UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY"
Statement by Michael Sawkiw, Jr, President and
Marie Duplak, Executive Secretary
On Behalf of the UCCA Executive Board
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, August 18, 2004

16. HISTORIC SOROCHYNSKA TRADE FAIR OPENED TODAY
UNIAN, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, August 18, 2004

17. BACK TO THE USSR!
Therefore it will be honest to go on intimidating and coercing people
By Olga Dmitricheva, Zerkalo Nedeli
Mirror-Weekly, Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, 14-20 August 2004
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143 ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
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1. UKRAINE'S YURI BILONOG WINS OLYMPIA SHOT PUT GOLD

By John Mehaffey, REUTERS
Ancient Olympia, Greece, Wed, August 18, 2004

ANCIENT OLYMPIA - Yuri Bilonog celebrated the return of the Olympic
Games to the idyllic surroundings of Ancient Olympia Wednesday by winning
the men's shot put gold for Ukraine with his sixth and final attempt of the
competition,

Competing under a flawless blue sky in the tree-lined grove devoted to Zeus,
the European gold medallist equaled American champion Adam Nelson's
opening mark of 2.16 to capture his first major title on a countback.

Nelson, who has now been relegated to silver in one Olympic Games and
two world championships, must have wondered what he had done to offend
the Greek gods. He dropped the shot once and then fell heavily on his back
at the start of a sequence of five consecutive fouls. "I felt it was my day
and I felt it was my year," said Nelson. "I lost it and he won it."

Nelson had earlier enthused after the qualifying round about the first
competition staged in Olympia since the end of the ancient Games in AD
393 as the morning air was suffused with the scent of pine leaves and
cicadas sounded in the background.

EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED
"The Greeks have exceeded all my expectations," he said. "This is better
than anything I could have dreamed of. This facility is absolutely world
class. It has been for 3,500 years, so why would it change now?"

Soon after sunrise around 15,000 spectators streamed into the arena where
the first Games were staged in 776 BC, sprawling on the grassy slopes to
watch the drama unfolding at their feet.

They were entertained in the evening session by the 12 women's finalists in
a competition that ended with victory for Russian Irina Korzhanenko, who
won the first athletics gold of the Athens Games. The European champion,
stripped of the 1999 world indoor title for doping, unleashed a massive
year's best of 21.06 meters to win the first athletics gold to be decided at
the Games.

Korzhanenko took the lead in the first round with 20.41, improved to 20.70
in the second and then launched her winning throw in the third. Although
complaining of the heat, which was at its fiercest in the late morning,
Korzhanenko also recognized the legacy of ancient Greece. "The Olympic
gold medal is the highest award for any athlete," she said. "I think the
Greek gods helped me win this gold medal today."

Appropriately, fate intervened on behalf of American Kristin Heaston when
competition began. Heaston, drawn in the second qualifying group, was given
the honor of becoming the first woman ever to compete in Olympia when
Singapore's Zhang Guirong in group one was not ready to start the
competition.

"It's an awesome experience," said Heaston, who added she had thoroughly
enjoyed the experience despite failing to qualify for the final. "But I
needed to think about what I was doing in the ring (rather) than what I was
doing in history."

Another non-qualifier, Greek Kalliopi Ouzouni, endorsed Heaston's
sentiments. "I feel so small being in this ancient place where the Olympic
Games started," she said. "It was great to compete in a place where women
were forbidden." (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
The Action Ukraine Coalition, "Working to Secure Ukraine's Future"
=======================================================
2. UKRAINE'S NATALIA SKAKUN OVERCOMES BIG DEFICIT TO
WIN GOLD IN 63-KILOGRAM WEIGHTLIFTING CATEGORY

Alan Robinson, AP Worldstream, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

ATHENS - Natalia Skakun of Ukraine lifted 135 kilograms in the clean
and jerk Wednesday to win the Olympic gold medal in the women's 63-
kilogram weightlifitng category. Hanna Batsiushka of Belarus, who set a
world record in the snatch, settled for the silver medal while country-
woman Tatsiana Stukalava took the bronze.

Skakun, the reigning world champion and world record holder in the
clean and jerk, trailed after Batsiushka raised a world-record 115
kilograms in the snatch. Batsiushka missed her first attempt of 120
kilograms in the clean and jerk, but made her second before raising
127.5.

But Skakun, who had raised 125 kg on her first try in the clean and jerk,
took the lead on her second attempt to give her and Batsiushka identical
totals of 242.5 kilograms. Skakun's lower body weight automatically gave
her the gold, and she didn't even bother trying to tie or break her world
record 138 kg with the third attempt she had remaining.

"I don't really know why we made that decision," said Skakun, whose total
was the same as 2000 Olympic champion Chen Xiaomin of China. "We
came here with one purpose in mind, to win an Olympic gold medal, not
to set world records. ... But if I had needed to make a world record to
win the gold medal, I would have tried to get a world record."

How much weight each competitor will attempt to lift isn't determined until
after the previous lift and, initially, it as if Skakun had gone too light
rather than too heavy in the snatch. Skakun, 23, had no trouble on any of
her snatch attempts of 100 kg, 105 kg and 107.5 kg, but Batsiushka went
well above that with her record lift.

"I had a glimmer of hope (after the snatch), but I knew who my opponent
was," said Batsiushka, 22. Batsiushka set the previous snatch record of
113.5 kg during the world championships in Vancouver on Nov. 18, 2003.
The previous Olympic record was 112.5 kg by Chen in 2000, the first time
women's weightlifting was staged in the Olympics.

Greece weightlifter Anastasia Tsakiri, cheered on by a crowd that filled the
least-expensive seats of the new Nikaia weightlifting hall, missed on five
of her six lifts and thus couldn't place. She was third in the European
championships in April. India's Karnam Malleswari, third in the Sydney
Olympics, made only one unsuccessful attempt of 100kg in the snatch
before pulling out with an injury. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER THREE
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=======================================================
3. YANA KLOCHKOVA GIVEN "THE HERO OF UKRAINE" AWARD
Ukrainian president bestows highest state award on swimmer

AP Worldstream, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

KYIV - Ukraine's president bestowed four-time Olympic champion Yana
Klochkova with the highest state award Wednesday after she won two
swimming gold medals in Athens.

Klochkova will receive the gilded "The Hero Of Ukraine" award for "great
services" and "strengthening Ukraine's prestige during the Olympic Games,"
President Leonid Kuchma's office said.

Klochkova won Saturday in the 400 individual medley with 4:34.83, and
Tuesday in the 200 individual medley with 2:11.14. Ukraine has won three
gold medals, one silver and one bronze, and is ranked seventh in the list of
overall medal winners. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143 ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
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=======================================================
4. UKRAINIAN COURT CONFIRMS VOLIA CABLE ACTIVITIES
ARE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

Liga News, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, August 18, 2004

KYIV - Kyiv Court of Appeal considered the appeals of Kyiv Procurator's
office and State Tax Inspection of Shevenko's district in Kyiv. The appeals
dealt with the claim against Volia Cable for 9,808,199 hryvnas as proceeds
received by the company operating without a license of National Council for
Television and Radio.

The court panel considered submitted appeals and heard the representatives
of both sides, and announced the ruling of the court, which states that the
appeals by Procurator's Office and State Tax Inspection are denied
completely, thus upholding the ruling by the lower court. LigaBusunesInform
was notified of the ruling by PR service of Volia.

Therefore the Commercial Appeals Court of the city of Kyiv confirmed that
activities of Volia Cable as telecommunication service provider were
conducted in full compliance with the law and the Procurator's Office
demands are baseless. [Lega News: Ukrainian website with business and
legal news, www.liga.net] Original article was in Russian. English
translation by www.ArtUkraine.com Information Service. (ARTUIS)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
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=======================================================
5. UKRAINIAN COURT REJECTS PROSECUTORS' ACTION
AGAINST VOLIA CABLE TV COMPANY

AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine,Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

KIEV - A Ukrainian court on Wednesday rejected prosecutors' requests
that it levy a fine against a cable television company that won U.S. support
amid accusations of pornography distribution and other crimes.

Prosecutors in Kiev wanted the company, Volia-Kabel, to pay some 10,000
hryvnas (about $US2,000; Euro1,600) for a period during which it allegedly
worked without a license, news reports said. But an appeals court in the
capital said the company did not violate the law, according to Interfax news
agency.

In June, two leaders of Volia-Kabel, which provides service to over 800,000
households in Kiev, were arrested and accused of distributing pornography,
licensing violations and money laundering, but were later released under a
court decision.

U.S. Ambassador John Herbst expressed concern last month that the
company, which he said had U.S. investment, seemed to be facing
"extraordinary pressure" from the authorities. Prosecutors accused Herbst
of interfering with their work.

Ukrainian authorities have faced criticism for a crackdown on independent
and Western-funded media ahead of October's presidential election, which is
likely to pit Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych against opposition leader
Viktor Yushchenko. (am/sbg) (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
=======================================================
6. U.S. SENATORS URGE UKRAINE TO CONDUCT FAIR
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

By Anna Melnichuk, AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

KIEV - A visiting delegation of U.S. senators urged Ukraine to conduct
a fair presidential election, warning that nations which fail to uphold
democracy face a range of penalties.

"We are concerned that it will be a fair and open process, and the campaign
will be free of government interference, intimidation or even violence,"
Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, told reporters in the
capital Kiev.

The senators' visit came amid warnings by international human rights groups
and local activists that numerous violations have already been recorded
during the campaign, including heavy media bias in favor of the prime
minister.

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, backed by outgoing President Leonid
Kuchma, is expected to face a strong challenge from opposition Our
Ukraine bloc leader Viktor Yushchenko, in the Oct. 31 vote.

"Those nations that have failed to honor the aspirations of their people
face a range of penalties, ranging from reduction of foreign investment to
not being accepted in certain regional and international organizations and,
in the most extreme cases, sanctions imposed by the United Nations,"
McCain said. He added that he does not "predict that for Ukraine."

Senator John Sununu, a New Hampshire Republican, said that "credibility
and integrity are absolutely crucial" for a country that seeks membership in
international organizations, such as the European Union, NATO and the
World Trade Organization.

The visit was the latest in a series of trips by senior U.S. figures to
Ukraine ahead of the vote, which is seen as a crucial test for the country
more than a decade after it gained independence in the Soviet collapse.

Kuchma's critics say that democracy has suffered during his decade in
office, and accuse his administration of using its power to influence the
outcome of elections. (am/mb/sbg) (END) (ARTUIS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTE: The four U.S. Senators on the trip to Ukraine are:
John McCain (R-AZ), John Sununu (R-NH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
and Susan Collins (R-ME). (Editor)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER SEVEN
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7. VISITING US SENATORS CONCERNED ABOUT PRESSURE
ON UKRAINIAN MEDIA

Era, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Aug 18, 2004

KIEV - US senators, who arrived in Ukraine today on a three-day visit,
have expressed concern at reports about pressure on the media. Senator
John McCain of Arizona said that one of the examples of pressure on the
media was the ousting of Radio Liberty from short-wave broadcasting.

The senators are going to discuss the issue at their meeting with the
Ukrainian leaders, he said. John McCain also expressed hope that
Ukrainian voters would be able to watch TV debates between presidential
candidates and receive information about all the candidates registered.

[The senators also called on the authorities to hold an honest and
transparent presidential election in Ukraine. "Our concern is that the
election be an honest and transparent one and that all Ukrainian citizens
get equal voting rights," McCain said, according to UNIAN news agency,
Kiev, in Ukrainian 1244 gmt 18 Aug 04.] (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER EIGHT
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
=======================================================
8. YANUKOVYCH'S CAMPAIGN CHIEF SERHIY TYHYPKO
ADMITS USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PRESSURE IN CAMPAIGN
Zealous administrators want to show Yanukovych their loyalty

TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

KIEV - The central electoral headquarters of presidential candidate [and
prime minister] Viktor Yanukovych, has issued an official statement on the
methods used by supporters of the pro-authority candidate.

The head of the election headquarters, Serhiy Tyhypko, stressed that, and
I quote: zealous administrators who want to show Mr Yanukovych their
loyalty are getting in our way. According to Mr Tyhypko, the use of power
at the disposal of the authorities evokes resistance in people and Mr
Tyhypko's boss does not need such help because it works against him.

Tyhypko also admitted that from time to time orders are issued to collect
signatures in support of Yanukoych, and that people are forced to attend
rallies in support of Yanukovych. (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER NINE
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=======================================================
9. PUTIN PRAISES UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
YANUKOVYCH OVER BILATERAL RELATIONS
Putin and Kuchma have already met nine times this year

NTV, Moscow, Russia, in Russian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

MOSCOW - [Presenter] Russia is sacrificing money but is strengthening
friendly and economic ties with its neighbours. Important decisions
regarding supplies of oil and gas to CIS countries were taken today in
Sochi.

[Correspondent Vladimir Chernyshev] Nine meetings in one year. Between
January and August the presidents of Russia [Vladimir Putin] and Ukraine
[Leonid Kuchma] have met almost every month. It is now clear to everyone
who the best friends in the CIS are. [Passage omitted: known details on tax
agreements]

After a tete-a-tete meeting the presidents opened the meeting to other
participants. In the company of the two countries' prime ministers and the
heads of their presidential administrations the talk of friendship
continued. Kuchma, for example, proposed making it easier for people to
cross the border.

[Kuchma, seated at meeting, c/r 0745] If crossing the border from one
side or the other involves any problems, then it is our fault, our fault as
governments and presidents. This is why I proposed to Vladimir
Vladimirovich [Putin] - and he agreed - that we should instruct our
governments to sit down at the table and not put things off and produce
a programme for simplified crossing of the border for both people and
goods.

[Correspondent] [Ukrainian] Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who
was sitting next to Kuchma, is also a candidate in October's presidential
election in Ukraine. However, elections in Ukraine are an internal affair
whereas bilateral relations are a bilateral affair. Putin thanked the
Ukrainian prime minister for his work in this area.

[Putin, seated at meeting, c/r 0835] I would like to thank you, Viktor
Fedorovych [Yanukovych], for your speedy work to prepare the
documents that we will sign today. In essence, this is the implementation
in practice of agreements that were reached earlier. [Passage omitted to
end: known details]

[Video shows Kuchma, Putin, Yanukovych, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail
Fradkov, head of Ukrainian presidential administration Viktor Medvedchuk
and head of Russian presidential administration Dmitriy Medvedev seated in
semi-circle in meeting room at Bocharev Ruchey residence] (END)(ARTUIS)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.143: ARTICLE NUMBER TEN
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10. UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN TOP-LEVEL CONTACTS BENEFITS
THE PEOPLE OF THE TWO COUNTRIES KUCHMA SAYS

Interfax, Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Aug 18 2004

SOCHI, Russia - Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said he is confident
that the intensity of Russian-Ukrainian top-level contacts benefits the
peoples of the two countries.

"Hardly anyone can doubt this. Although there are more than enough of those
who doubt this in Ukraine now. Everything is presented in a different light
in a presidential election year," Kuchma said at a meeting with Russian
President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on Wednesday.

Confirming that trade turnover between Ukraine and Russia grew by 40%.
Kuchma said, "even politics is powerless against statistics, and if it is
still present in economics, this is unfair."

Putin said that Ukraine occupied the 4th or 5th place in terms of turnover
with Russia in the past 10 years, but now it has firmly occupied the 3rd
position in this respect, following Germany and Belarus. (END)(ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER ELEVEN
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11. RUSSIA'S PUTIN APPROVES VAT TAX CHANGES THAT SHOULD
EXPAND TRADE WITH EX-SOVIET REPUBLICS
Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan

Mara D. Bellaby, AP Worldstream, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

SOCHI - Russia President Vladimir Putin signed a law Wednesday that
changes value added tax payments in the energy sector in a bid to increase
economic cooperation with three other former Soviet republics.

The law change means that Russian companies will no longer pay VAT into
the Russian budget on oil and gas exports to Ukraine, Belarus and
Kazakhstan. Instead, VAT will be levied "on the other side of the border"
by the importing nations, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

"For us it was not an easy step to take, but we took it knowingly," Putin
said, announcing the decision during a meeting with Ukrainian President
Leonid Kuchma in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Putin has successfully pushed for an economic alliance with the three other
Soviet republics, though it is in a fledgling stage. The VAT change,
however, could help make Russian energy imports more attractive. Many
of the former Soviet republics are already largely dependent upon Russia
for energy supplies, and Moscow has made use of its network of oil and
gas pipelines and power lines to maintain and restore influence with its
neighbors.

"Regardless of certain losses to the Russian budget during the first stage,
if we keep advancing along this way, no one will stand to lose and all will
stand to gain," Putin said, according to ITAR-Tass.

ITAR-Tass said that the change in VAT payments could cost the Russian
budget as much as 40 billion rubles (US$1.4 billion) in 2005. The Russian
Finance Ministry hopes to compensate by raising the tax rate for oil and gas
extraction, ITAR-Tass said.

Meanwhile, Putin and Kuchma also oversaw the signing of agreements calling
for deepening cooperation on oil and natural gas transit. The oil agreement,
signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and Ukrainian Prime
Minister Viktor Yanukovych, pledges the neighboring states "to interact in
developing and implementing promising projects to transport oil along new
directions of transit," the Interfax news agency reported.

It also calls for the "optimal operation of the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline,"
which Russia successfully argued should be used to ship Russian oil, rather
than oil from other Caspian Sea countries.

The aim of the gas agreement is to increase deliveries to European buyers,
and Russian media quoted Kuchma as saying a chief project would be a
pipeline across the Carpathian mountains in western Ukraine.

In televised comments from the meeting, Putin offered glowing praise for
Yanukovych, who is seen as Russia's favored candidate in Ukraine's October
presidential election, saying his government's policies have improved the
Ukrainian economy. (mb/sbg) (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER TWELVE
The Action Ukraine Coalition, "Working to Secure Ukraine's Future"
=======================================================
12. RUSSIA AND UKRAINE SIGN 15 YEAR AGREEMENT ON
OIL TRANSIT ACROSS THE TERRITORY OF UKRAINE

Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

SOCHI, Russia - The prime ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Mikhail
Fradkov and Viktor Yanukovych, on Wednesday [18 August] signed an
intergovernmental agreement "On oil transit across the territory of
Ukraine".

The document says that the agreement is concluded in a bid "to develop
and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in
the sphere of oil transit across the territory of Ukraine".

Under the agreement, the Ukrainian side provides for oil transport through
the system of its trunk oil pipelines, taking into account their throughput.
Incidentally, Ukraine will inform Russia of the throughput capacity of its
oil pipelines every year.

The agreement says that "if the amount of oil subject to transit exceeds the
throughput capacity of the Russian and Ukrainian pipeline systems, the
authorized organizations from both sides agree conditions for building
additional capacities".

Under the agreement, Russia and Ukraine pledge "to collaborate in
elaborating and implementing promising projects for oil transport in new
transit directions".

Incidentally, the authorized organizations from both sides should provide
for "the most efficient operation of the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline,
including Russian oil deliveries through the Brody-Odessa-Pivdennyy
maritime oil terminal route.

The agreement stresses that "transport tariffs on oil transit across the
territory of Ukraine are set on a nondiscriminatory basis in relation to all
users of the Ukrainian pipeline transport system".

Incidentally, the Ukrainian side pledges to inform Russia of planned
changes in the transport tariffs on oil transit across its territory three
months before the changes have been introduced. The right of ownership
of oil that is transported through pipelines is vested with the consignor
during the period that the oil is transported across Ukrainian territory,
the agreement says.

The agreement will be in force for the next 15 years and it will be
extended by default if the sides do not take a decision to the contrary.
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER THIRTEEN
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13. UKRAINE SAYS ROMANIA NO LONGER OBJECTS
TO CONSTRUCTION OF DANUBE-BLACK SEA CANAL

TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

KIEV - [Presenter] The Ukrainian authorities say that Romania no longer
objects to the construction of the Danube-Black Sea canal in Ukraine. All
documents relating to the construction and the results of an Ukraine
ecological commission have been sent to the Romanians. During discussion
of further construction, Ukrainian specialists proposed an alternative plan
for the canal, but the Romanians were happy with the main plan, the
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said.

[Foreign Ministry spokesman Markiyan Lubkivskyy] The visit to the places
where the restoration work is being conducted in the river and sea parts of
the Ukrainian deep-water navigation passage was a success. They saw things
for themselves and were given explanations about the entire cycle of
restoration work.

[Bucharest has long objected to the canal project, which it says would harm
the environment in the Danube Delta. The European Union has asked Ukraine
to stop work on the canal until the environmental impact can be assessed.
Ukraine has dismissed these objections - see UNIAN news agency, Kiev, in
Ukrainian 1058 gmt 13 Aug 04.] (END) (ARTUIS)
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER FOURTEEN
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
========================================================
14. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE YUSHCHENKO
PLEDGES TO RESPECT BLACK SEA FLEET TREATY WITH RUSSIA

Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 18 Aug 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Wed, Aug 18, 2004

KIEV - Our Ukraine leader Viktor Yushchenko does not intend to
reconsider the agreements on the stationing of the Russian Black Sea
Fleet on Ukrainian territory if he is elected president.

"The status of the Black Sea Fleet is settled in the Ukrainian-Russian
treaty on this issue and agreements. I do not intend to reconsider them.
Ukraine will continue to observe the spirit and letter of these documents,
as international law requires," Yushchenko said on 18 August, while
answering questions from voters in Crimea, Yushchenko's press service
reported. "The Russians have no grounds to worry. Our position is clear,
consistent and responsible," he said.

Asked how the future of the Russian Black Sea Fleet after 2017, when the
agreements allowing it to remain in Sevastopol elapse, would be settled,
Yushchenko said: "We have no problems with the Russians that we cannot
resolve by means of negotiations. The most important thing for us is the
interests of Ukraine. At the same time, we will have to reckon with the
interests of Russia. It is in the common interest of both our peoples that
our bilateral relations are good." (END)(ARTUIS)
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER FIFTEEN
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
========================================================
15. "UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY"

Statement by Michael Sawkiw, Jr, President and
Marie Duplak, Executive Secretary
On Behalf of the UCCA Executive Board
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, August 18, 2004

As a Ukrainian American community, we have struggled for many years for a
free and independent Ukraine. After this dream came true in 1991, our
community is helping Ukraine solidify its democracy and market economy. We
continue to work to achieve the dream of many generations of our ancestors
and leave a stable, democratic, European Ukraine to our future generations.
Since restoring independence, Ukraine has undergone many transitions;
however, many problems remain.

We, as a Ukrainian American community, are troubled by Ukraine's recent
policy shift toward Russia, expressed in the changes made to the military
doctrine, as well as the expedited creation of the Common Economic Space
(CES) between Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. In the same sprit,
the practical overturning of the Odesa-Brody pipeline under Russia's control
will strengthen Ukraine's energy dependence on the "northern neighbor",
instead of alleviating it. Russian Federation President Putin's warnings
against "Western agents" who supposedly try to "sabotage" the creation of
CES are very reminiscent of the 1654 Pereiaslav Treaty.

The presidential elections scheduled for October of this year carry great
significance for solving Ukraine's international and domestic issues.
Conducting the elections in a free and fair manner will guarantee Ukraine's
progress on its way to a mature democracy, otherwise the Belarus scenario
may recur. The European Community, as well as the United States, should
not allow this to happen. A stable, democratic Ukraine is a guarantor of
peace and stability in Central Europe, which is one aspect of the
Euro-Atlantic community's strategic interests.

Let us, therefore, assist our brethren outside Ukraine vote during the
upcoming presidential elections for the candidate of their choice. Whether
in Ukraine or here in the United States, the Ukrainian people's strength
lies in unity, thus it should be our to promote harmony within our community
in the United States.

On this 13th anniversary of Independence, the Ukrainian Congress Committee
of America (UCCA) sends its warmest greetings to the Ukrainian American
community and urges all to celebrate this anniversary appropriately. There
is much work ahead, but there is no doubt that Ukraine will become an equal
member of the Euro-Atlantic community.

The UCCA urges our community to take an active role in American and
Ukrainian civic life. With your assistance and participation, Ukraine will
overcome all obstacles and build a democratic, prosperous nation built on
the rule of law!

GLORY TO UKRAINE!
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER SIXTEEN
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
========================================================
16. HISTORIC SOROCHYNSKA TRADE FAIR OPENED TODAY

UNIAN, Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, August 18, 2004

POLTAVA, Ukraine - The National Sorochynska Trade Fair has opened
in Velyki Sorochyntsi village of Myrhorodsky district of the Poltava Oblast
today and will take place till August 22. UNIAN has been reported about it
by "Sorochynsky Yarmarok" Ltd..

The trade fair has been organized by the Poltava Oblast State Administration
and "Sorochynsky Yarmarok" Ltd., the main master of the ceremonies -
"Ekocenter of Ukraine" National complex.

As the message goes, the several hundreds of producers from 22 Oblasts of
Ukraine and the companies from Russia, Belarus, Moldova and Poland have
submitted the applications for participation in the trade fair this year.

The goods of food and processing industry, light industry, furniture
industry, agricultural products will be represented at the trade fair.

The program of Sorochynska fair stipulates carrying out of the different
contests. The exhibitors can win in such nominations as "The Best Trade
Name", "New Brand", "Highest Ukrainian Quality", "Beyond Comparison
Goods". (END) (ARTUIS)
=========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 143 ARTICLE NUMBER SEVENTEEN
Ukrainian Information Website: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
=========================================================
17. BACK TO THE USSR!
Therefore it will be honest to go on intimidating and coercing people

By Olga Dmitricheva, Zerkalo Nedeli
Mirror-Weekly, Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, 14-20 August 2004

Our President can be honest, after all. At least in some of his words and
deeds. He honestly warned the nation that the upcoming elections would be
brutal and foul. He revised the state military doctrine so as to announce
honestly to the world: “We are not part of Europe!” There is no use for the
international community to reproach us for our failure to meet European
standards of civil rights and freedoms. Nobody says we belong there.

Therefore it will be honest of the authorities to go on intimidating and
coercing people in order to beef up the ranks of supporters of a
presidential candidate prone to break (his subordinates’) legs and tear off
their heads; to brainwash pauperized pensioners with around-the-clock TV
and radio reports of this candidate’s and his government’s filial care of
them; to beat up students daring to stand up for their rights; to use
tapping and surveillance against citizens. Welcome back to the USSR?

It would have been even more honest if our police secretly watched a lonely
retired person, videotaped him or her picking up empty bottles from dustbins
or buying a slice of the cheapest sausages and a tomato for dinner. They had
better film a single mother who toils at the market from morning until night
to save enough money to send her child to the seaside, away from the molten
asphalt, at least for a week. Yet the authorities and their loyal law
enforcement have different priorities of the day. As MP Mykola Tomenko
from the OU faction told at a recent news conference, every police unit
starts their day with a briefing (another sweet reminiscence of the Soviet
times) where their superiors ask them who is the principal presidential
candidate in the country, and the guardians of public order recite the
premier’s name in chorus.

None of the national TV channels mentioned the Crimean incident, when
a fact was established of non-sanctioned surveillance of candidate Viktor
Yushchenko, in their new programmes. They did not think it newsworthy. In
light of the above, it was not a sensation but, rather, an ordinary episode
of Ukraine’s political life. Besides, the President warned us the campaign
would be filthy, didn’t he?

Last Tuesday, the “Our Ukraine” leader’s campaign action “Let us remove
garbage from Ukraine!” brought Viktor Yushchenko, his crew and enthusiasts
to the Crimean mountain Ai-Petri. On the previous day, the candidate’s
guards had noticed suspicious people, but were not sure who they were. When
the delegation set out up the hill, they saw a trio of men ‘spying” on them
quite openly. However, as soon as the MPs and officers of the state guard
service in charge of Viktor Yushchenko’s security approached the “secret
agents”, the latter panicked: two of them froze on the spot, the third tried
to run away but failed. Soon district police officer and deputy chief of
Yalta Municipal Police Department arrived at the scene.

After a forty-minute wrangle, one of the apprehended men had to produce his
law enforcement ID. Amongst the gadgets found on them and in their car were
a directional microphone, six car plates, radios, a photo and two video
cameras, a free travel pass, surveillance log and a collection of other
shadowing equipment. Then one of the men made an attempt to simulate an
epileptic seizure. The guards took his pulse and carried out several
simplest checks to make sure he was not sick. A few days later, the chief of
Crimean police, Palamarchuk, confirmed that none of his staff had epilepsy.

In any civilized country, scandals of this kind and scale would entail
discharges at the top level of police hierarchy, including the Minister of
the Interior. However, it is not the case in a state with distinct symptoms
of totalitarianism. But for the IDs that the followers were carrying on
them, the Ministry of the Interior would have never recognized them as its
employees. And even caught in the act, the police chiefs persist in
dismissing Yushchenko’s complaints against the shadowing as “total nonsense
and lies”. “We have officially applied to the Prosecutor General’s Office
for a legal qualification of the actions by the people who detained our
officers,’ stated Petro Opanasenko, Deputy Minister of Interior, in an
interview to the UT-1 Channel. His subordinates, the Deputy Minister said,
were instructed to keep the public order along the presidential candidate’s
route.

Fragments of the video-recording confiscated from the followers and shown at
the press conference in Yushchenko’s HQ and on TV Channel 5 expose Mr
Opanasenko’s cynicism. The men videotaped Yushchenko and his family on
the eve of the Ai-Petri incident: Viktor Andriyovych is on the deck of a
speed-boat holding his daughter by the hand, his wife joins him carrying
their baby boy, the family is in a sea-front restaurant having lunch… The
cameramen’s voices are heard on the background: “240! Record all his
meetings”. Is this the Deputy Minister’s idea of “keeping public order along
the presidential candidate’s route”?

According to Mykola Katerynchuk, responsible for legal support to Viktor
Yushachenko’s election campaign, the “Our Ukraine” faction members filed a
request to the Prosecutor General’s Office to start criminal proceedings in
a case of unsanctioned shadowing of the OU leader. If the prosecution
authorities refuse to do so, the MPs will sue the police officers who
followed the presidential candidate. Article 182 of the Criminal Code
provides for a punishment of up to two years of correctional service, or up
to six months’ imprisonment, or up to three years of restraint of liberty
for the breach of the right to privacy. Articles 344 (interference with a
public figure’s activity), 364 (misfeasance) and 365 (abuse of power) of the
Criminal Code are much more stringent, establishing punishments of five to
twelve years of imprisonment. As Mykola Tomenko wittily remarked, the
authorities have added criminal resources to the administrative one they
constantly use in their campaign.

ZN asked an eyewitness and active participants of the above events, MP
Yevhen Chervonenko, in charge of campaign security in “Our Ukraine”, to
comment on the Crimean developments and the police statements that followed.

- I must admit, the Yalta police department acted professionally, keeping
the public order during a brief rally at the sea-front and other events
Viktor Yushchenko and his team held in the Crimea. Why should additional
personnel be brought in to Ai-Petri is still an enigma to me. The state
guard department whose officers provide guard services to Mr Yushchenko
assured us that they did not request assistance from any other law
enforcement unit. As a rule, when there is a need to enhance security in a
certain area or settlement, the state guard officers assigned to the guarded
person bear full responsibility for coordinating the efforts.

If the policemen who shadowed the candidate were really commissioned to
protect him, why weren’t they armed? Why were they equipped to carry out
surveillance? Why did they refuse to present their IDs? Why did they try to
escape? It was essential to establish their identity, as they might turn out
to be wanted criminals or terrorists. On the other hand, if we had failed to
learn who they were, they would have disappeared forever: the Gondadze
and Honchrov cases provide ample proof for us to come to this conclusion.

- How does candidate Yushchenko travel? Who accompanies him on the move?
- Viktor Yushchenko decided against using sirens and blinkers. The candidate
and the MPs who accompany him on the trail ride in regular cars. At the same
time, when another presidential candidate, Viktor Yanukovych, travels in the
Crimea in a motorcade with winking lights, the traffic police block roads
for an hour and a half. Holiday-makers, many of whom come from Russia and
other countries, are exasperated with the jams inevitable in this case. On
August 8th, for instance, an automobile from the prime minister’s procession
caused a car accident with casualties, near the town of Massandra.

- How is Viktor Yushchenko’s security service organized?
- it is organized in full compliance with the law “On Presidential Elections
in Ukraine”. We realize we will have to be under close and constant
scrutiny, therefore we follow every letter of the law. Along with the state
guard officers, a private, properly licensed service provider was hired to
ensure Yushchenko’s security. The contract cost is covered by the candidate’
s campaign budget.

- Do Yushchenko’s guards take any countermeasures with respect to his
contestants in the presidential race?
- Yushchenko is an exceptionally decent person. Besides, the election
campaign is so demanding and exhausting that we have neither the time, nor
the energy left for arranging countermeasures. Of course, we gather
information about potential provocations or unfriendly attacks masterminded
against our candidate.

- How do you do that? By eavesdropping and stalking opponents as well?
- Oh no, we rely on human integrity. When we talk off the record, a lot of
police officers and security service men shake our hands and confess they
are sick and tired of having to fulfill unlawful orders. They sincerely want
to serve their country and abide by the Constitution.

- My understanding is that the surveillance equipment seized from the men
following Yushchenko was given over to the police. Are you not afraid it
will get lost there?
- We have a copy of the record of seizure and list of seized equipment
items, such as CDs, rolls of photo film, directional microphones, a
surveillance log with complete time-keeping, waybills matching the
Yushchenko team’s route. There are a lot of amazing things on that list. I
will withhold some of the information for the time being, particularly in
view of the cynical statements first made by the Public Relations Department
of the Ministry of Interior and echoed later by the Deputy Minister. We will
answer each misleading report with irrefutable evidence.

- It is no secret that there are a lot of latent Yushchenko supporters
amongst governors, mayors and other public servants who are ready to
cooperate with him. However, these people will not contact Yushchenko for
fear of losing their jobs. The Ai-Petri incident is yet another proof that
each meeting Viktor Andriyovych has is eventually reported to high offices
in Kyiv. Don’t you think the authorities can take advantage of this case
should it gain wide publicity?
- I do not doubt that Yushchenko’s opponents are posted on our plans. Nor do
I doubt that they have their informants. Moreover, we officially notify the
law enforcement authorities and local governments in the regions we head to
of our routes and plan of activities. We do it well in advance so as to
avoid provocations, and yet keep ourselves prepared for them 24 hours a day.
We drive at 60 km per hour in order not to hit a drunk pedestrian who may be
put on our way intentionally. We have no right to a faux pas, so we watch
our step.
As for the people afraid to express their views openly, I can understand
them but, look, officials are also weary of ceaseless infringements on their
civil rights and freedoms: MP Syvkovych was dragged out of his office car by
his feet, riot police beat up MPs in Mukachevo, an out-of-fuel aircraft
carrying eighteen parliamentarians was denied landing in Donetsk… Unless our
society reacts to these and other manifestations of the authorities’ utter
contempt of citizens, the life will become even more unbearable. We will do
all we can to change the situation. It is the principal cause of my life.
And this is the principal race for our candidate.
In a civilized country a presidential candidate is able to meet freely with
high-ranking public servants disposed to cooperate with him/her in case of
his/her victory. In Ukraine such negotiations should be strictly
confidential. Yet we have a broad experience of holding such negotiations,
and we are able to secure peace for the people pinning their trust and hopes
on Yushchenko.

- In your opinion, how realistic is the threat of physical violence against
presidential candidates?
- No matter how perfect and impregnable a candidate’s security system might
be, no one can be 100% insured against this threat. Guards could not save
John F. Kennedy, you know. We know who is apt to extremist behaviour, if
driven to despair. That is why we continuously inform the international
community about all provocations targeting our candidate and about those
who may benefit from eliminating Yushchenko from the race. I think these
messages to the world are more effective than hiring the best-trained
bodyguards. Those who share Stalin’s opinion that trouble disappears
together with the man making it, are fully aware that their money circulates
in the world banking system. May they bear that in mind.

- Are the law enforcement officials always antagonistic towards you or have
you succeeded on winning local police over to your side?
- In many areas the police are, practically, our allies. At the middle level
of command, the people understand that their top brass have no longer than
80 days to go.
They also see Yushchenko, not a monster but a respectful man who never
forgets to thank them for doing a good job of maintaining the public order.
In Berdiansk, for example, the police helped us (albeit after some coaxing)
to calm down the loudmouths from Korchynsky’s “Bratstvo”. We strive to
avoid clashes with provocateurs, being in the focus of vigilant cameras of
the Inter and 1+1 TV Channels.

- Speaking of the Inter Channel, the other day they broadcast a story of
your visit to Zaporizhzhia Oblast where you, Mr Chervonenko, allegedly
broke one of their journalist’s camera and bullied another reporter.
- Those two rabble-rousing journalists always stayed together with the
“Bratstvo” members, abetting their conflict with myself and our candidate’s
guards. One of them approached me with a policeman, averring I had broken
his camera, but when the policeman asked where the broken camera was, he
did not respond. Had I attacked anyone, it would have been on the air the
next minute. The Inter Channel broadcasted the “victim’s” tale, not a true
story. Did you see that guy? If I had punched him as he said I had, he
wouldn’t have been fit to give interviews for several days.

- Now, back to the Ai-Petri incident, are you ready to be confronted by the
prosecution authorities about your preventing the police from discharging
their duty?
- According to Ukrainian law, protection of a presidential candidate’s
security and maintaining the public order in the places of their temporary
stay is entirely the responsibility of the state guard service that
coordinates its activities with the candidate’s HQ. Mr Opanacenko’s
statements are totally deceitful. If the detained policemen did, indeed,
strive to maintain public order, why did the deputy chief of the Yalta
police department, a district police officer and two guards have to ask them
for their IDs? Why did the other guards have to catch the intruders? Is it
logical? What did they need to videotape the private life of the Yushchenko
family? Are they scopophilic? It is sheer cynicism!
LINK: http://www.mirror-weekly.com/ie/show/507/47468/
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