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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"

MINISTER OF JUSTICE ROMAN ZVARYCH
MAKES PLAIN SPEAKING, HARD HITTING SPEECH IN NYC
Rescind Nat Bank Resolution #482 Quickly
Very few re-privatizations will be done

"FIRST: let me set the record straight: the government will not be rescinding the privatization agreements of 3,000 former state enterprises, as it was erroneously reported in the press. The government does not see any grounds to begin re-privatization or nationalization procedures for even 30 separate enterprises, as some we led to believe from some words that were said some time ago by my President."

"....While I am on this subject, I would like to state beyond any doubt that the government will soon be moving on rescinding the national Bank's decision, requiring that foreign investors open separate foreign currency "investment" accounts. I am, of course referring to National Bank of Ukraine Resolution #482 from October 2004, according to which the sale of securities involving non-nationals, i.e., foreign investors, be conducted through foreign currency investment accounts." [article one, speech by Justice Minister Roman Zvarych]

"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" - Number 453 E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor morganw@patriot.net, ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net The Big Apple, NY, and Kyiv, Ukraine, THURSDAY, March 31, 2005

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

1. FUTURE LEGAL CLIMATE FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN UKRAINE
Speech by the Minister of Justice of Ukraine Roman Zvarych
No massive re-privatizations or nationalizations
Ukraine Is Open For Business Ukraine-US Business Networking Series, Forum II New York, New York, Wed-Thu, March 30-31, 2005 By E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT New York, New York, Thursday, March 31, 2005

2. YUSHCHENKIO TO ADDRESS JOINT MEETING OF US CONGRESS Newswire, Washington, D.C., Wed, March 30, 2005

3. UKRAINE PRESIDENT VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO PLANS TO SPEAK
IN WASHINGTON, CHICAGO AND BOSTON DURING VISIT TO USA
Now Going to New York City on Thursday, April 7th?
Kateryna Yushchenko To Speak at University of Chicago E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT Washington, D.C., Tuesday, March 29, 2005

4. PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO SPEAK AT GEORGETOWN UNIV.
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., March, 2005

5. PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO WILL SPEAK
TO THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Chicago, Illinois, March, 2005

6. "UKRAINE: NEW WAVE OF DEMOCRACY"
Speech by Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, at Harvard
April 5, 2005, Institute of Politics The Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 23, 2005

7. LEADER OF ORANGE REVOLUTION COMING TO WASHINGTON
Orange Revolution Rally, Shevchenko Monument &
Banquet in Washington, D.C. on Wed, April 6, 2005 THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 31, 2005 ===============================================================
1. FUTURE LEGAL CLIMATE FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN UKRAINE
Speech by the Minister of Justice of Ukraine Roman Zvarych
No massive re-privatizations or nationalizatons
Ukraine Is Open For Business

Ukraine-US Business Networking Series, Forum II New York, New York, Wed-Thu, March 30-31, 2005 By E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT New York, New York, Thursday, March 31, 2005

NEW YORK - The two-day Ukraine-US Business Networking Series, Forum II is being held in New York City on March 30-31. Forum II is bringing together experts from the corporate and academic world as well as key representatives of Ukraine, the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine's several neighbors to evaluate Ukraine's ability to advantageously compete in the global economic arena.

The Forum is being held at a very critical moment in Ukraine’s history:
in a period of time when Ukraine has been recording double digit economic growth and in the immediate aftermath of an election that has brought to power a leadership committed to the ‘rule of law’ and to ‘market transparency’

Forum II is being sponsored by the American Foreign Policy Council; Center for US-Ukrainian Relations; Columbia University/UA Studies Program; NYU Stern School of Business; NYU/Center for Global Studies, Ukraine Economic Mission to the United States; Ukraine Embassy to the United States; Ukrainian Congress Committee of America; Ukrainian Institute of America and the US Dept. of Commerce/BIZNIS.

Ukraine's new Minister of Justice, Roman Zvarych, gave a very important closing speech on day one of the conference at a reception and dinner held at the Union Club in New York City.
Minister Zvarych presented a very strong, up-front, clear, statement about the Justice Ministries role in helping create the future legal climate for foreign investments in Ukraine.

Zvarych's speech was interrupted several times by the audience as they responded very positively to his statements by their applause. He gave anything but the typical Soviet style - say nothing - speech given by and expected, in the past, from Ukrainian ministers.

The following is the text of Minister Zvarych's speech which was entited, "The Future Legal Climate for Foreign Investments in Ukraine." Subheadings have been inserted by the The Action Ukraine Report Monitoring Service.

Justice Minister Roman Zvarych's speech to the Forum II attendees:

"Over the course of the past several years entrepreneurial foreign investors often heard Ukraine's officialdom expressing its apparently sincere assurances that my country was genuinely interested in attracting foreign capital investments in sectors of Ukraine's beleaguered economy.

After having heard much too many horror stories about the Ukrainian new frontier, it would have taken much more that the brazen pioneering spirit of the American West and a truly ravenous commercial appetite for someone to risk a single dime in any of Ukraine's post-Soviet, not-nearly as glamorous jewel-pieces.

Over the years things got progressively better. Despite the many changes in Ukraine's governments, which were toppled with a "musical chair-like" regularity, a few responsible government officials began to emerge, who appreciated the potential significance of an effective foreign investment attraction program, as an irreplaceable mechanism for stimulating a sluggish economy and for propelling economic growth; an algorithm for financing a country's transformation from command- administrative economic model to an unfettered, deregulated free market system. Nonetheless, the temptation always remained to take back what Ye had already giveth.

Let me suggest that we synchronize our watches at this point and define our terms of reference. What do we mean when we speak about the effectiveness of foreign investments in stimulating a sluggish economy?

Cash-strapped countries, with emaciated budgetary revenue, must quickly find the capital resources to revive clinically dead industries in order to relieve potentially explosive social pressures. The most direct manner in order to reach this objective is by selling off state assets, while also providing investors with assurances that their investment will be secure.

The latter, in other words -- the government guarantees, require something that is a given in most civilized countries. No, I am not talking about lofty principles such as rule of law. The first issue that will be of interest to any investor will be whether he/she can depend on the courts to protect their legal claim and interests; whether the country's judges have the wherewithal and the resources to apply the law in a uniform, independent, disinterested and objective fashion.

And I don't think it would be too much to ask that a nation's laws be understandable, that the legal system be coherent, and that the ability to apply the law not be blocked by inconsistencies between various legal instruments.

Although the laundry list that I just presented is certainly not exhaustive, nor it is something that is bizarre or extraordinary, although most of the items on this list are such basic features of a national legal system that they are simply taken for granted, in Ukraine these very ordinary aspects of law and justice were precisely what was glaringly lacking and, hence, have instilled panic in more than one potential investor.

I am not going to stand before you today and repeat the same practices of my government's predecessors. In other words I am not here to spin yet another candy-coated lie. I am not going to tell you that following the Orange Revolution it is now safe to invest in Ukraine. I don't think that you would believe me.

I will tell you however, that my President and the Government that he has established and that is directly responsible to him, is genuinely interested in attracting foreign capital investments into Ukraine's economy. I say this not only because we would like to see our economy revving up quickly; I say this because -- for whatever it's worth -- it is the right thing to do!

PLAN OF ACTION IMPROVING LEGAL CLIMATE
FOR DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE

For whatever it's worth -- I would like to present the plan of action that has been established by the Ministry of Justice on President Yushchenko's directive to improving the legal climate for doing business in Ukraine.

FIRST: let me set the record straight: the government will not be rescinding the privatization agreements of 3,000 former state enterprises, as it was erroneously reported in the press. The government does not see any grounds to begin re-privatization or nationalization procedures for even 30 separate enterprises, as some we led to believe from some words that were said some time ago by my President.

In fact, I can tell you without any reservation that the government will not be setting into motion any legal, political or other mechanisms, designed to re-privatize any single enterprise. The government, however, will, indeed, be pursuing legal procedures with a view towards rescinding any "illegal" sale of former state property, particularly when we clearly identify violations of the interests of prospective foreign investors, who either lost in open bids, or who were forced to bid in circumstances that placed them at a considerable disadvantage, or whose bids were illegally rejected by Ukraine State Property Fund.

I would very much like to have all of you loudly hear what I am about to say, so as to place an end to any further speculation on this subject: the Ministry of Justice, that I have the honor of heading, feels comfortable in pursuing legal procedures in Ukraine's courts with regard to six or seven enterprises, that we feel were illegally privatized, including the Kryvorizhstal' metallurgical factory.

SECONDLY, I have been directed by the President to provide an inventory and evaluation of such laws or other legal instruments that are damaging to business and prevent the emergence of a positive investment climate in Ukraine. The idea is that we should quickly, without any undue delay, submit for parliamentary review a bill, according to which such archaic laws will be simply repealed.

In this regard I can state without any hesitancy that my Government is very interested in maintaining an open dialogue with both the domestic and foreign business communities. We cannot allow that the abuses of Ukraine's former governments towards business be allow to continue.

THIRDLY, the Government will adopt a pro-active policy in rectifying the many legal irregularities, that have been incorporated into Ukraine's legal infrastructure, and which hinder commercial development. In this respect, one of the most critical problems is the need to synchronize in Ukraine civil and commercial codes.

Both codes have many contradictory dispositions, that on the one hand make it difficult to do business in Ukraine, while, on the other hand, practically nullify the ability of judges to produce a coherent set of legal-judicial precedents, that other courts can refer to with regularity.

INCORPORATE COMMERCIAL CODE INTO THE CIVIL CODE

My ministry's approach to this problem will be direct, pragmatic and
straight-forward: we will incorporate the Commercial Code into the Civil Code, where it should have been in the first place, while removing in the present commercial code any norms that do not fall into line with the general spirit and letter of the Civil Code.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to quickly achieve this objective, that I have called "code-synchronization." Let me illustrate my point by referring to two separate areas, governed by these codes.

First, the procedures and requirements, as they are spelled out in these codes, for drafting and concluding a contractual agreement are clumsy and contradictory. I venture to say that many, if not most, of the contracts that have been signed following the enactment a few years ago of these codes can be found to be illegal by Ukraine's courts, given the many inconsistencies and contradictions between both legal instruments.
It does not surprise me any more when I see two courts of first instance rule on the same contract in a completely different, mutually exclusive fashion.

A second example: everyone who had made an attempt to do business in Ukraine, was undoubtedly frustrated as some point by the many permits, licenses, and other forms of permission that are required by law, or by sub-legal government decrees, that were generated by Ukraine's laws, specifically, by Ukraine's Commercial Code.

Moreover, my government is presently reviewing the multiple barriers and/or mandatory fees that are required in order to do business in Ukraine. I have already directed the relevant government agency that operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, to review the normative documents, adopted by 10 of Ukraine's ministries and other government agencies (for instance, the customs agency).

The objective I am pursuing within the bounds of by legal competency is to establish whether these documents conform to the laws of Ukraine.
I can already report, by way of providing a preliminary assessment, that my ministry, acting on the extraordinary powers that we have been accorded by the President, has already rescinded several such documents, while drawing attention both of President Yushchenko and the Prime Minister to several government decrees that do not conform with Ukraine's laws and, hence, must be rescinded as well.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Justice has not always been successful in this regard. Witness the conflict that emerged and has yet to be resolved regarding the utterly ridiculous and illegal government decision, prohibiting the re-export of crude oil from Ukraine.

Despite the ironic levity in my voice, it saddens me to have to admit that in post-revolutionary Ukraine legal clarity often must take a backseat, unfortunately, to revolutionary fervor and utility. I would like to believe that this is only the result of initial growing pains that we will soon shed.

NATIONAL BANK OF UKRAINE RESOLUTION #482

While I am on this subject, I would like to state beyond any doubt that the government will soon be moving on rescinding the national Bank's decision, requiring that foreign investors open separate foreign currency "investment" accounts. I am, of course referring to National Bank of Ukraine Resolution #482 from October 2004, according to which the sale of securities involving non-nationals, i.e., foreign investors, be conducted through foreign currency investment accounts.

In other words, a foreign investor's capital assets must be "domesticated"
before he/she can do business in Ukraine. Such practices on the part of the National Bank certainly do not conform to the announced policy of the former NBU governor Viktor Yushchenko regarding foreign investment stimulation.

Let me also say a few words on some of the legislative novelties that are currently being developed by the Justice Ministry and will soon be presented for parliamentary review. Specifically, we are presently drafting two separate pieces of legislation, a Law on Joint Stock Companies and a Law on Limited Liability Companies, which will be submitted to Parliament in tandem.

Finally, the Justice Ministry will also be pursuing a new legislative initiative, simplifying the requirement for obtaining power of attorney for both domestic and foreign companies.

UKRAINE'S MOST PRESSING AND CRITICAL PROBLEM

Finally, I would like to address a separate issue, which, I believe, remains Ukraine's most pressing and critical problem, which -- if left unattended -- may result in irreparable systemic and structural damage to Ukraine's legal architecture and legal culture.

Permit me to be frank and less diplomatic that my governmental position warrants. Our Courts are corrupt. Our judges cannot be trusted. This is the simple truth, the incontrovertible reality about Ukraine, which the Orange Revolution has left unaffected, despite the abrupt change in the political leadership of my country.

I have been charged by the President to quickly and effectively deal with this problem, as well as with the no-less-pressing problem of corruption in the executive branch of government. The courts, however, are a more critical issue, since rule of law cannot be secured without an independent, reliable, incorruptible court system.

To this end my ministry is prepared to present to the President a set of measures that we feel must be adopted quickly and which we feel can at least place us in position to secure an independent court system in the near future. I hesitate to speak about some of the measures in further detail, since I am certain that what I am about to say will violate the democratic sensitivities of some of those present in this hall.

MINISTER'S POWERS TO INITIATE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

The Ministry of Justice is prepared to introduce legislation, which will strengthen the minister's powers to initiate disciplinary procedures against a corrupt judge. We are also prepared to propose that the composition of the qualifying commissions, whose primary role is to rule on the Ministry of Justice's initiative, be significantly changed.

Consequently, it is nearly impossible to initiate legal proceedings against a corrupt judge. For example, out of 19 such appeals, initiated by my predecessor, Oleksandr Lavrynovych, the Supreme Qualifying Commission of Judges ruled positively in only one case and that was only after the General Procurator decided to initiate criminal proceedings against the judge concerned.

The Ministry has also proposed that the President sign a decree, according to which the Judicial administration, which is responsible for providing judges with technical and material support, be placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. We can then direct the Judicial administration to be primarily involved in the preparation of a specific case for judicial review, while leaving judges with the sole responsibility of executing justice, which according to the Constitution, is their exclusive function and obligation.

Now, let's pause and take a deep breath, before I get too carried away.
Since, to think about it, I think that I have said more to discourage some of you from taking a risk and banking on Ukraine, that I have said in favor of Ukraine's potential, and trust me, the potential is vast; it has yet to be tapped.

UKRAINE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! WHERE WE STAND

So, let's now make an attempt to proclaim to the world: Ukraine is open for business! Why is it that I do not hear the roaring rounds of applause? Is it because I haven't put on an orange tie? Well, let's see where we stand:

1. Ukraine has a new government and a new president, who is now constructing a team that will probably be around for some time to come (despite attempts of some of us to offer their letters of resignation).
With parliamentary elections slated for March of next year, we may be in a position to construct a parliamentary-governmental coalition that may prove to be irresistible.

2. Following the successful completion of the Orange Revolution, Ukraine is now a "hot" public commodity. In this light, I wonder if it would be prudent for any profit-oriented businessperson to ignore the market-value of this underutilized product and commodity issue.

3. Ukraine is about to enter the world market as a major player, with my country's accession to the World Trade Organizations, slated for the latter part of this year. In this vein, a new and vast export market will emerge in Ukraine, the potential of which is difficult to overemphasize.

I will offer you just one figure to substantiate my point:
Ukraine has been experiencing a steady level of impressive GDP growth since the year 2000. On the average we have seen a 6% growth rate, which -- in terms of its resiliency and persistence -- is unprecedented.

In fact, in other countries such sustained economic growth would be an indication of a dangerously over-heated economy. In Ukraine we are finally seeing signs of unfettered economic potential being set in motion.

4. Ukraine's labor resource is relatively inexpensive, which is not a factor that I take particular pride in, but which certainly is a factor that no self-serving businessperson can easily ignore. Moreover, Ukraine's natural resources, particularly its agricultural potential, remain considerable.

5. Ukraine stands at the crossroads of several trading and transit routes.

6. My country has a highly under-utilized R and D sector that is just waiting for the right type of investment by a hi-tech oriented Western company.

I could go on, but I think that the point has already been forcefully and persuasively made. In the event, however, that someone is still not quite getting the point, let me repeat myself in blunt and succinct terms.

Ladies and Gentlemen! It gives me devilishly titillating pleasure to let you in on a little secret:

Ukraine is open for business!" -30-
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[THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT MONITORING SERVICE] ============================================================
2. YUSHCHENKIO TO ADDRESS JOINT MEETING OF US CONGRESS

Newswire, Washington, D.C., Wed, March 30, 2005

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) today announced that Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko will address a Joint Meeting of Congress on April 6:

"We are pleased to announce that President Yushchenko will be addressing a Joint Meeting of Congress on Wednesday, April 6.

"President Yushchenko's election is inspiring the spread of democracy throughout the world, in spite of threats and intimidation. We welcome him to this cathedral of democracy and look forward to hearing from him."
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3. UKRAINE PRESIDENT VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO PLANS TO SPEAK
IN WASHINGTON, CHICAGO AND BOSTON DURING VISIT TO USA
Now Going to New York City on Thursday, April 7th?
Kateryna Yushchenko To Speak at University of Chicago

E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT Washington, D.C., Monday, March 28, 2005

WASHINGTON - Viktor Yushchenko, leader of the Orange Revolution and now President of Ukraine, is planning several speeches during his first 'official' visit to the United States since becoming president of Ukraine. The first lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Chumachenko Yushchenko, will also make a 'public' presentation.

The latest reports indicate President Yushchenko will speak in Wash- ington, Chicago and Boston and probably go to New York City for meetings on Thursday. Mrs. Yushchenko will speak in Chicago.
According to the most reliable information now available the President of Ukraine and Mrs. Yushchenko, will make the following appearances:

(1) Speech by Viktor Yushchenko, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon, April 4, 2005. [see article number four below for details]

(2) Speech by Viktor Yushchenko, Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, Chicago, Illinois, Monday evening, April 4, 2005. [See article number five below for details]

(3) Speech by Kateryna Chumachenko Yushchenko, University of Chicago, Chicago, Tuesday morning, April 5, 2005. Kateryna Yushchenko has a business degree from the University of Chicago

(4) Speech by Viktor Yushchenko, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, Tuesday afternoon, April 5, 2005. [See article number six below for details]

(5) Orange Revolution Rally, Shevchenko Monument in Washington Washington, D.C., Wednesday noon, April 6, 2005. [see article number seven below for details]

(6) Banquet in Honor Of President Viktor Yushchenko -- Washington, D.C. Wednesday evening, April 6, 2005. [see article number seven below for details.] ===========================================================
4. PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO SPEAK AT GEORGETOWN UNIV.

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., March, 2005

WASHINGTON - Dr. John J. DeGioia, President of Georgetown University and His Excellency Mykhailo Reznik, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States invite you to an address by His Excellency Victor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, Monday, the Fourth of April, two Thousand Five, Four O'clock in the Afternoon, Gaston Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Register at http://president.georgetown.edu/news.html.
[REGISTRATION IS CLOSED, HALL IS FULL]

Guests are reminded that no bags or backpacks will be permitted inside Gaston Hall. Check-in will begin at 3:00 p.m. and be held in the Healy Foyer. Guests must be seated by 3:45 p.m. A valid G.U. Photo I.D. will be required. -30- ============================================================
5. PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO WILL SPEAK
TO THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Chicago, Illinois, March, 2005

CHICAGO - The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations is pleased that Victor Yushchenko will join us to address his election as president of Ukraine on December 26, 2004, after weeks of turmoil following the November runoff election.

The world watched in amazement as hundreds of thousands of Yushchenko's supporters took to the streets of the capital and other cities in protest in what became known as the Orange Revolution named after Yushchenko's signature campaign color.

The address by His Excellency Victor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, will be held Monday, April 4, 2005, at The Palmer House Hilton, Grand/ State Ballroom, 4th Floor, 17 East Monroe, Chicago. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the Keynote lecture will be at 7:30 p.m. The cost for Members is $20, and for Nonmembers $25.

Reservations are MANDATORY. They should be made by mail, fax or online by noon, Friday, April 1, and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Sorry, no phone reservations. Reservations not cancelled by noon on Friday, April 1, will be charged. Please check the Council's website:
http://www.ccfr.org/events/eventall2.asp?id=403

For security purposes, plan to arrive early and bring photo identification.
No tickets will be sold at the door.

Victor A. Yushchenko was born on February 23, 1954 in Khoruzhivka, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine into a family of teachers. In 1975, Mr. Yushchenko graduated from the Ternopil Finance and Economics Institute and returned in 1976 to Sumy, where he worked as an economist and department chief at the regional affiliate of the USSR State Bank.

In 1984, Mr. Yushchenko obtained his graduate degree in finance and credit from the Ukrainian Institute of Economics and Agricultural Management.
Shortly thereafter, he moved to Kyiv and was appointed deputy director for agricultural crediting at the Ukrainian Republican Office of the USSR State Bank, a position he held from 1985-1987.

Moving to the Ukrainian Agro-Industrial Bank, Mr. Yushchenko served first as department director (1987-1991), and later as deputy chairman of the board of directors (1991-1993). At that time, he was also first deputy chairman of the board at Bank Ukrayina. In 1993-1999, Mr. Yushchenko was Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.

Victor Yushchenko is married to Kateryna Yushchenko, a native of Chicago, who as an American of Ukrainian descent previously served as an official for the U.S. State Department. The president has three daughters and two sons and two grandchildren. -30- [Action Ukraine Report Monitoring Service]
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The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100
Chicago, Illinois 60604-4434
Phone: (312) 726-3860, Fax: (312) 821-7555
LINK: http://www.ccfr.org/events/eventall2.asp?id=403
============================================================
6. UKRAINE: NEW WAVE OF DEMOCRACY
Speech by Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, at Harvard
April 5, 2005, Institute of Politics

The Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 23, 2005

HARVARD - The Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University is pleased to inform you of the following special forum event:

The John F. Kennedy, Jr Forum
Ukraine: New Wave of Democracy
Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine
April 5, 2005, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA

President Yushchenko's visit to Harvard University is co-hosted by the Ukrainian Research Institute, The Kennedy School of Govern- ment, and the Harvard Business School.

Tickets to the Forum will be determined by lottery. To register for the lottery, please go to http://www.iop.harvard.edu/. Click on the Yushchenko Forum announcement to be brought to the ticket registration page.

Registration for tickets will take place between March 23 and March 30. All registrants will be informed about ticket availability on April
1 and will be provided with instructions for ticket pick up.

For further information on HURI events, please contact HURI at:
Phone: 617/ 495-4053; Fax: 617/ 495-8097
E-mail: huri@fas.harvard.edu; http://www.iop.harvard.edu/ http://www.iop.harvard.edu/lottery.php?lottery=ukrainepres
============================================================
7. LEADER OF ORANGE REVOLUTION COMING TO WASHINGTON
Orange Revolution Rally, Shevchenko Monument
Banquet in Washington, D.C. on April 6, 2005
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE

THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT
Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 31, 2005

WASHINGTON - Tickets to the banquet being held in honor of Viktor Yushchenko, the new President of Ukraine, on Wednesday evening, April 6, in Washington, D.C, can now be purchased on-line through the website of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, www.usukraine.org or http://www.usukraine.org./banquet.shtml.

The large banquet will be held in the Omni Shoreham Hotel ballroom in Washington. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m and the banquet will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 6. Tickets are available to the public for the banquet. President Yushchenko will speak at the banquet. The first lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Chumachenko Yushchenko, will be with the President at the banquet. Details for the banquet as follows:

Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.
2500 Calvert Street, N.W. (at Connecticut Ave)
When: Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Reception: 6:30 p.m.; Dinner: 7:30 p.m.
Dress: Black Tie Optional
Attendance: Tickets for the banquet are now on sale to the
public for $200.00 each. One can purchase a ticket by check or on-line at http://www.usukraine.org. Seating is limited and the space available will be sold on the basis of the time tickets were purchased. The banquet is expected to be sold out in a very short period of time.

Checks should be made out to the 'Yushchenko Banquet Committee' and mailed [with complete contact information] immediately to the: Ukrainian Washington Credit Union, P.O. Box 19228, Alexandria, Virginia 22320-1228.

Financial sponsors are needed for the two events. Special sponsor tables (seating ten people) are available for the Yushchenko banquet for $2,500.00 each.

Sponsor tables have already been purchased by Coca-Cola, Deere & Co, SIgmaBleyzer Investment Banking Group, PBN Company, Eurasia Foundation, Alex & Helen Woskob, Zenia Chernyk, Ukrainian Federation of America, Ukrainian Self Reliance Federal Credit Union, and many other organizations, companies and individuals.

INSTRUCTIONS TO PURCHASE TICKETS ON-LINE STEP 1. Go to the US-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) Website:
Click On: http://www.usukraine.org or click on the link directly to the exact page: http://www.usukraine.org./banquet.shtml
STEP 2. Then click on the following message in the lower left part of the home page:
"BUY TICKETS to Yushchenko banquet."
STEP 3. Then Scroll down the page that gives information about the visit of President Yushchenko to Washington and find where it says: To Pay By Credit Card and click on the button below that says: ADD TO CART.
STEP 4. Then fill out completely all of the information required to purchase the Yushchenko banquet tickets. This service is open to everyone through PAYPAL and one does NOT have to be have a PAYPAL account to purchase tickets.

A purchaser has the choice of using their PAYPAL account or not doing this. All persons can use this process. You do not need to have a PAYPAL account to purchase tickets.
Because of the short time remaining before the Banquet there will not tickets. The Committee will keep track of all those who have paid and will have the complete list at the door the evening of the banquet, Wednesday, April 6, 2005.
All tickets purchased on-line will be confirmed by e-mail.

ORANGE REVOLUTION RALLY IN WASHINGTON There will also be a rally in celebration of the victory of the Orange Revolution at the Taras Shevchenko Monument in Washington, D.C. beginning at NOON on Wednesday, April 6. President Yushchenko will lay a wreath at the monument to the most famous Ukrainian, Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861), an honored poet, writer, artist and fighter for personal liberty and national independence. The Ukrainian president will also speak at the rally.

Several thousand people are expected at this event. Plans are being made for people to come to Washington in special buses from such places as New York City, Philadelphia and other cities.

The monument to Taras Shevchenko in Washington was unveiled on June 27, 1964 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(http://www.artukraine.com/taras/monumentp2.htm)

The two events in Washington during President Yushchenko's first 'official' visit to Washington since becoming president are being sponsored by President Yushchenko's Welcome Committee.
For additional information about the events call :
1. U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, 202 347 4264 2. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, 202 547 0018 3. Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, Ihor Gawdiak, President, 410 884 9025
4. The Washington Group,
Ihor Kotlarchuk, President, 703 548 8534 5. Ukrainian National Women's League of America Motria Slonewska, 703 536 7795
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Senior Advisor; Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA) Coordinator, Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC) Senior Advisor, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) Interim Secretary-Treasurer, Ukraine-U.S. Business Council Publisher, Ukraine Information Website, www.ArtUkraine.com =============================================================