The Kiev Times /February 2013/

FIRST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR

ABOUT NOBLE CAUSE AND MISERABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS

ABOUT RESUME AND PERSPECTIVES

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International information and analytical edition | Ukraine | The Kiev Times | February 2013

RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN RELATIONS IN 2013 (Ukrainian aspect)

For our part we won’t be carried away by deep analysis of the last year but concentrate on the next year, which both in Russia and in Ukraine is connected with certain expectations concerned with intergovernmental relations.

So, we have to admit that the year 2012 in Russian-Ukrainian relations was quite smooth, without any sensations and symbolic events.

Leitmotifs of the year have become the traditional subjects of prices for gas and foreign-policy integration of Ukraine; also the results of Russian presidential elections and Ukrainian parliamentary elections have become rather important event in the bilateral relations. In a humanitarian sphere very important has become the Law «About languages» adopted by the Ukrainian parliament however there are still some considerable suspicions that this law won’t be able to harmonize the language sphere in Ukraine (means that it won’t favor improvement of a situation with application of Russian language in Ukraine).

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TIMOFEY NAGORNY: VICTOR YANUKOVICH NEEDS TO DECIDE WHAT HE HAS BECOME THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT FOR

FRANK ABERNATHY: USA – UKRAINE: SPRING IS COMING!

The Kiev Times is publishing an exclusive interview with Frank Abernathy, the citizen of USA who knows Ukraine, watches political and economic situation in our country, and consults those Americans who wish to make business in Ukraine.

WHERE WILL THE PENDULUM OF THE UKRAINIAN FOREIGN POLICY SWING IN 2013?

Senior associate Frank Abernathy has graduated prestigious Brown University and Columbia University.

US Congress legal advisor. Member of Tennessee and Connecticut bar associations. Member of Brown University Board of Directors.

Member of Board of Directors in

several American funds. Member of the American supervisory board of elections. Frank has brought up in the family of politicians and fighters for equal rights for all people independently of skin color, nationality and religion. It’s interesting that Frank’s uncle was first black senator

in America from Alabama State, and the family of Abernathy – in close long-term friendship with the family of dead pacifist Martin Luther King.

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TYAGNIBOK, YATSENUK, YANUKOVICH – THREAT, RABBIT AND THE PRESIDENT

This modified position of Brussels has also been clearly fixed in the last resolution of the European parliament concerning the Ukrainian matter, which particularly included statements and assessments about October parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

The resolution’s text clearly specifies: the door to the European Union for Ukraine is opened. And behind this door where for the present we can only look through the keyhole, the Ukrainian citizens as well as Ukrainian companies, enterprises and exporters will face many seductive and very specific benefits.

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YURY ZAGORODNY: SHOULD WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR REBIRTH OF UKRAINIAN HOCKEY? History of Ukrainian hockey can be divided into two periods: Soviet Ukrainian hockey and hockey in independent Ukraine.

Professional hockey in Ukraine appeared in 1963 году when the team of masters «Dynamo Kiev» was created (in 1972 in was renamed to «Sokol Kiev»).

That was the most titled Ukrainian team, which successfully played in

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UKRAINE-2013: THE UKRAINIAN APOCALYPSE OR FEATURES OF NATIONAL PANIC

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HISTORICAL ROOTS OF MODERN UKRAINE: STATE RUS’ (Part II) First of all this social phenomenon has to be connected with natural historical processes of Slavonic farmers’ internal development. In the modern science this civilized structure is called the «Kievan Rus’» according to its main center.

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Soviet Union’s championships. Third place in the USSR Championship in 1985 became the highest achievement of Ukrainian hockey.

A little bit later another strong team appeared – Kharkov «Dynamo», which had been playing in the Higher League for two years before the Soviet Union’s collapse. Two Ukrainian clubs in the Soviet higher league – that was very prestigious. But USSR became history.

In 1992 the Independent Ukrainian Hockey Federation was created. Those were very hard times.

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I state the task for the «First National Channel» – to correspond to its title and status. It is possible to understand this only coming here and plunging into realities. But we’re confidently going there. Tendencies are wonderful.

The channel had been on the 16th place when I came there to work. Today we are stably on the 8th place.

That’s why we set the task to Zlata Ognevich to win «Eurovision». We will advise and help. In February she will go to Malta as a special guest of the local «Eurovision» selection – she will perform there: promo-tour and rehearsal. At the same time we will evaluate the level of other artists.

We’ve specially conducted the contest in advance to give performer the possibility to prepare on the highest level. Zlata has performed perfectly but there are some issues we will advice producer to improve. I think that Zlata is a strong pretender for victory of «Eurovision – 2013».

Vladimir Litvin has declared on the last parliament session of the sixth convocation that the «prophecies about Judgment Day in December 2012, in all appearances, is abolished» and promised instead of Armageddon the beginning of a new stage of the Ukrainian parliamentary life, our people do not hurry to unpack their «alarm suitcases». What the Ukrainians believe in and what do they wait from being on the border of 2012 and 2013 years?

Read page 7 Children love Timofey Nagorniy.

Journalists love him too. And friends.

And even enemies through their obvious hostility try to show their benevolence.

For Timofey Nagorniy last year was full of events. Daughter’s birth, charitable actions, participation in parliamentary elections, book publication, and biographic record film. In the interview to the ТКТ Timofey Nagorniy has told about important events and thoughts of the year 2012 and plans for the year 2013

EGOR BENKENDORF: «I WISH UKRAINE HAD ONLY HAPPY EVENTS IN STORE FOR 2013»

Although regionals have carried their convincing palm, they haven’t achieved the main goal. They didn’t create constitutional majority that would be accountable to Bankovaya.

That’s why it won’t be possible to drag the law about president’s election inside the Verkhovnaya Rada. It won’t be possible to persuade even communists with money to vote for this desired decision. That’s why before the elections-2015 the officials will have to fork out for rise of pensions and wages, and other tips for famished population.

Under the dome everything is as usual.

Mossy regionals ingrown into their

chairs, clean-shaven and predictable communists, ardent Arseniy Petrovich who slides down to light hysterics and images a puppet Robespierre with guillotine stored in his garage.

«Svoboda» is still meticulously feeding from the hands of its sponsors. Rage of «Svoboda» is still light and kills generally verbally. But soon they will be able to kill for real. One can’t forget that Hitler on the first parliamentary elections for Nazis has got only 6 deputy seats. And everybody knows what was after that.

SVOBODA HORIZONS EXTENSION

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BOTH THE SNAKE AND THE HORSE ARE LIKE US...

Five parties have passed both to the previous and the current parliament. In the new parliament the party majority is on opposition’s side: four against one. In opposition both communists and nationalists will be in power. Opposition will have playing and territorial advantage concerning any question; majority candidates will trim the sails to the wind.

The Ukrainian Verkhovnaya Rada is ready to go for recess and in spite that there are no reasons to relax and have fun in our Ukrainian realities I don’t see any special zeal for our deputies to work. At least if those merry parliamentary fights aren’t considered to be labor.

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POLITICS

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

BIG TURN WILL COME FOR YOU

Photo UNIAN

During New Year holidays while the entire world was turning into the flow of joy and repose we continued to stay on a turn. And the turn seemed to be not very appreciable behind everyday fuss but...

I

n French supermarket we bought bananas from South America gathered by poor aboriginals on a plantation that belongs to one big foreign company.

Banana plantation is laid out on the place of a rain forest, which was mercilessly cut down by Englishmen. Bananas have come to us across the ocean on a ship under Panama flag with mixed Ukrainian-Black team. Bananas were delivered to Ukraine in a Russian container on a Polish truck through a terminal station somewhere in Romania.

On a cash desk the product was accepted by young lady without higher education who hadn’t any place to go in her native village or small city. But in the capital, earning scoliosis, piles and chronic fatigue due to a long working

we loaded a bag with purchases into the car of western production bought with incredible markup. After the holi­days we took the bag with packet and other waste to an overfilled refuse bin, and this waste left for illegal dump from which it will spread as poison all over the water and earth.

As of us, more often we work for bureaucratized state structure and approximate organizations or for business, which produces nothing but adroitly operates virtual space earning quite real money from there.

Space flights are of no interest for us anymore. At rare moments of serious reflections we realize that there will be no great inventions, beautiful houses or weighty clever books after us. There

Space flights are of no interest for us anymore. At rare moments of serious reflections we realize that there will be no great inventions, beautiful houses or weighty clever books after us day she also can’t afford to earn for secure future with a flat, yearly vacation at the sea and good kinder garden for her kids. She doesn’t even have time for a private life. At her best it can be pragmatic Internet-acquaintances that can’t lead to serious relations. Or maybe that was an elderly woman who formerly used to work for a huge enterprise whose territory is now occupied by supermarket. Her difficult profession is useless today, that’s why a cashier job is her only way out. Outside the store

will be only gigabytes of information on hard carriers that will turn into nothing as soon as electricity is over. Not min­ cing matters concerning the past where there wasn’t secure present, we deprived ourselves of the future, which existed in the past. Currently there is only endless present and it is not known where it will bring. Because this is real historic turn occurring beneath our eyes. We can separate various global processes out of this diabolically simple picture with bananas and try to comprehend them:

global market, activity of transnational companies and generally big busines­ ses that are merciless to a small person, world migration, and inability of our state to settle social and technological problems. But we can not to separate,

falling and the state structures turn out to be incapable to affect this. Ukraine isn’t an exception. The global market and big money are able with the shortest possible delays provide foodstuff delivery to any place of the Globe, and Ukrainian potato isn’t of interest for them, together with those who plant it.

Industry and workers’ high qualification already can’t provide the country’s wealth. Because this wealth is flying away through private hands, incorporating into the furious money flow, which spins above the planet. It has substituted space, which is considered only as a field for commercial satellites distribution.

Attempts of radical nationalism to depict such «primordial values» as language, country traditions, and special vision of history or social justice «for friends» to this huge roller are simply meaningless. This is even not yesterday but the century before last. The strategy of contrasting imaginary greatness of one’s nation to seeming pettiness of «aliens» has died in the big world.

Today’s European «nationalism» is racism per se, an attempt to withstand

To speak different but similar languages understanding each other is more important than to look for ways not to understand each other immediately accepting these processes pervasion as the components of the Big Turn. Perhaps unwillingly, but we all are involved into it.

During the holidays and outside them the Ukrainian community is preoccupied by seemingly important problems. What will be the vector of the fo­ reign policy and what will the Customs Union bring Ukraine in? Will the new parliament be competent and how will its current composition affect the presi­ dential elections in 2015?

To what extents will the nationalists who got to the parliament demonstrate their totalitarian manners? What is a forecast of economy stagnation and how will the sale of land matter be settled? And this is a key point of the Ukrainian village great future, isn’t it?

We must sort out and find at least gene­ ral answers to any of these questions.

The new issue is devoted to this task in many respects. However this is also endless present, a habit to think the way of standard fixed norms. In the whole world traditional ways of life are

unprece­ dented demographic pressure that is also one of the Big Turn components. Other people resembling Europeans as extraterrestrials are leaving their collapsed world. They are rushing to places where the main political structures, economic and cultural capitals are concentrated.

Against the background of this semi-hidden skirmish of two worlds the attempts to represent Ukraine as the object of permanent aggression directed to the destruction look like paranoia. As well as Fronde that is also not comparable to conflicts and crises in the world where huge crowds of people found themselves on different poles of life and different social classes. We are lucky that violent streams of crisis of previous rationalized historical system haven’t overflowed our world yet. They have only waterlogged and undermined it. And we still have the possibility to understand that it is impossible to immediately stop being the country with a prefix «post-», until the global change of life system happens. But even then

we will become «post-crisis» Ukraine.

And we still have some time to catch at land and not to lose ourselves in the Big Turn, which can last for one-two hundred years. Not to disappear in the nations’ new resettlement that used to crush even harder things. Probably one can find many stable conditions but nobody has seriously concern himself with this yet. And if to define the goal not to simply consume thoughtlessly giving yourself up to another global trend but to survive and provide your children’s survival, then we need to change a mode of thought. Today’s usual normative-utopian mode of thought when thousands of people spent their lives trying to rectify injustice of the past and align it to the present isn’t fit to the future. The future requires compara­tiveanalytic and applied administrative one. Including matters of relations with neighbors, distant and close.

Strictly speaking, apprehension of many quite simple things arises at the very moment of other mode of thought engaging – from the necessity to jointly heat a house to garbage sorting and usage of a detergent without phosphates.

Or about inadmissibility of creation of plantations on our land by shameless transnational corporations. Or about what we really want or don’t want to watch on television and to call on it.

Or about the fact that to speak different but similar languages understanding each other is more important than to look for ways not to understand each other. This engaging is slowly and steadily happening. And the evidence is unwillingness of 80% of the Ukrainian citizens to divide their country into two states from southeastern and western regions. We feel intuitively and subconsciously that only collective will and power can be opposed to this huge roller.

Possibly we will shatter remains of the bygone world and won’t fly to the space anymore. But this is like another.

The world will change as it happened a thousand years ago; it will become different. And like disheveled barba­ rians from northern forests managed to become educated Europeans in ties, in future our descendants will be able to do what we can’t. This depends on our adaptability to hard conditions where there won’t be international laws and conventional rules of play. But if we don’t help each other, nobody will do this for us.

Chief editor Alexandra Pogorila Director Serhiy Hayday Issuing Editor Dmitrii Zahoruiko Designer Alexander Liubeznov Photo editor Roman Grabezhov Staff Olga Medvedeva Zinoviy Kurdov Alexander Lobanov Viktoria Vlasenko Advertising Anna Kovalchuk The newspaper is registered in the State Registration Service of Ukraine Registration certificate KB №19426-9226P Publisher Intercontinental - Ukraine Co Ltd Circulation - 30 000 copies Editorial office Phone: +38 044 223 14 23 office@thekievtimes.org Translation agency Translit Representative offices Moscow moscow@thekievtimes.org Berlin berlin@thekievtimes.org Warsaw warszawa@thekievtimes.org

BOTH THE SNAKE AND THE HORSE ARE LIKE US...

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Old deputies have gone, new ones have come, and somebody left. The sixth parliament has begun its life

Distribution • Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Anatoly Tolstoukhov

F

ive parties have passed both to the previous and the current parliament.

In the new parliament the party majority is on opposition’s side: four against one. In opposition both communists and nationalists will be in power. Opposition will have playing and territorial advantage concerning any question; majority candidates will trim the sails to the wind. And wind is going to flutter the power’s canvas seriously. Protest moods

together for more than ten years. They went «through fire and water» in politics. In their persons the President has received his right and left hands that won’t play pranks. Vladimir Rybak will be first head of the parliament who is equivalent to a speaker. Like others, he will be neither first nor second between the President and opposition. His main trump card is that he can and will speak to the President and the premier using

On the one hand the European Union, on the other hand the Customs Union. The Union is in the past... The Unions are in future... But there is no union between us, inside us. And it is the main one in the society are increasing. The world looks at us without former optimism. So these five parties and parliaments are like different hands of different people.

And it’s time to do a common job...

In such situation the main thing is not to be afraid of responsibility. The power has no other way, no matter what perspective emerges... And to all appearances the scenario will be quite tough. Its main idea is alienation of power from Ukraine, from people. From the side of authorities – «Ukraine for people». From the side of opposition – «Ukraine without current authorities».

For this purpouse the officials’ policy will be represented the way to receive «Ukraine sponsored by people». In other words another duel of political kickboxing: «Ukraine» against «Ukraine». First working days of the parliament have clearly demonstrated this: fights were serious. But this is just a warm-up...

The main scrambles are ahead. In such state we’ll move to the year 2015. On the one hand – the European Union, on the other hand – the Customs Union. The Union is in the past... The Unions are in future... But there is no union between us, inside us. And it is the most conside­ rable one.

In this situation the President didn’t take risk and staked on experienced and proved Vladimir Rybak and Nikolay Azarov. In other words: said «one» and that’s it, although other variants have been discussed. They three are 190 years old.

All of them are from Donetsk. They’re

language of truth. Having moved to the place of speaker, Vladimir Vasilyevich has possibly released place not only in the Hall of Fame but also in the Party of Olympus. It was predicted that Nikolay Azarov would remain a premier. Maybe it’s because «horses aren’t changed in midstream». Or because old premier said: «I’ll be useful»... And this is true.

And Frankly speaking there are no new ones who are ready but not «completed». We are not on an autobahn to pass the wheel to other person. The road ahead is bumpy and people on it won’t meet us with smiles. As they say, let him swear the old ones, and after them it will be more comfortable for the future to grow. That’s why together with the premier the President has left the backbone of the previous government. New characters are rather like a makeup on the old one’s face. They have to explore the case. And show themselves in work.

And there will be new challenges and new perspectives looming on a horizon of the new year. The main center of all existent is and remains on Bankovaya and in Mezhigorye.

People are not buildings – they can’t stay on the wind of politics for a very long time. They also came to the Administration of the President. The cabinets of those who still can’t choose a duty station (the Verkhovnaya Rada or Administration) have become deserted for a while. There is a question about its head. After short time one will be able to compare work of commands if the

change takes place. The same concerns a series of regions where governors and district managers already «shot to the milk» in 2012. In order not to «shot oneself» in 2015, they will be found other «shooting grounds».

As a result December has brought us more changes in nature than October in politics. We drive into the new year on a customary Ukrainian train but not on a Korean speed «Hyundai». All new isn’t more reliable than the old one... And the old one sometimes deprives hope.

Valeriy Horoshkovsky by his retirement has showed that he felt not good but bad, and.... retired from his retirement adding prefix «ex» to two large stars of the customs house and Security Service general...

Opposition that isn’t burdened with labor and cares about daily bread for people, has openly begun to organize preparations to 2015. It seems that on the assumption of expected decision of the European court in relation to Julia Timoshenko, Arseniy Yatsenuk decided to hit heads of Vitaliy Klichnko and

• Regional, city and district administrations • Representatives of international NGOs • Embassies of foreign countries in Ukraine • Embassies of Ukraine abroad • VIP-lounges of Ukrainian airports • Lounges of official delegations of Ukrainian airports «left march». So the «political left» of Peter Simonenko is stronger than his young opponents have. And the right one is constantly given only in Russia.

And it isn’t clear what one people have: somebody’s asks for bread, somebody’s steals something...

The majority of ordinary people won’t earn much joy and kindness in the new year. Things remain to be seen. As it is known, people, living not to their hearts’

December has brought us more changes in nature than October in politics Oleg Tyagnibok to release them from thoughts about a presidency. But in the Ukrainianpolitics not only another man’s soul is the darkness. The head of the ally is also a dark forest... Infatuated by a fight that hasn’t begun yet, the «fighters» at once answered: «It’s not the right time, comrade... this is war...»

Arseniy Yatsenuk himself doesn’t mind to become the President from the united opposition. But he needs to break with Julia, and clarify with «them», and not to betray «Batkivschina». «Extra-complex task», like one classic said, whose image still burns heart of another candidate for President.

Peter Simonenko has nobody to share this path with: he is alone. He has a chance to get to the second tour and win even being defeated. Now everything is becoming more and more left.

Even Obama is blamed for his «leftism».

Millionaires run from France under the

content, scold the power rightfully and not. So the default of trust to power in general is provided. At least... The main thing is that this trust wouldn’t be stolen by opposition. We have been going around the circle of lie, speculations, and betrayals enough to turn it into the path to future.

While we are living our Ukrainian life, which isn’t clear for many people and sometimes even for us, the world signals us that we are not on a homestead or an island. We are at the center of the world political whirlpools; the West and Russia look at us so respectfully that it is known what would be the end of this love in ХХ, ХІХ, and ХVIII centuries. But it is ХХІ century now and in 2013 we have to give practical answers to the questions: to what geopolitical bank shall we take course and what values apply on our way to the «new world order». The main thing is figuratively

that the projectiles launched at the ship «Ukraine» wouldn’t hit below the waterline, blow off the command bridge and turn «the aircraft carrier of independence» into «the cruiser of revolution».

Otherwise we’re expecting for another difficult year of hopes and disappointments, struggle and compromises, scandals and sensations, indignation and surprise. Life as a trial and game will go on. The main is not to get lost in this game to the extent when due to the blows to Ukraine, freedom, regions and person a chance turns into illusion.

Because then Devil will become God.

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P.S. According to the Eastern horoscope the year 2013 is the year of Black water snake. It will fully come on the 10th of February 2013 and will last till 31st of January 2014. On the territory of Ukraine the Snake will come at 9:20.

• Business Center «Parus», Kyiv

2013. What it is like… ike water snake is creeping up?

It seems to be black like darkness under abyss.

Water is a symbol of inescapable changes, Be careful, try to avoid their captivity.

Catch only those you consider being future.

www.thekievtimes.org

And it will pass faster. In 2014, the year of the First World War centenary, we won’t float; we will symbolically carried by blue (green) Horse, practical, immoderate, and hasty. Shortly, like us...

The Snake and the Horse.

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POLITICS/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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FRANK ABERNATHY: USA – UKRAINE: SPRING IS COMING! The Kiev Times is publishing an exclusive interview with Frank Abernathy, the citizen of USA who knows Ukraine, watches political and economic situation in our country, and consults those Americans who wish to make business in Ukraine

Dossier Senior associate Frank Abernathy.

Has graduated prestigious Brown University and Columbia University. US Congress legal advisor. Member of Tennessee and Connecticut bar associations. Member of Brown University Board of Directors. Member of Board of Directors in several American funds.

Member of the American supervisory board of elections. Frank has brought up in the family of politicians and fighters for equal rights for all people without reference of skin color, nationality and religion. It’s interesting that Frank’s uncle was first black senator in America from Alabama State, and the family of Abernathy – in close longterm friendship with the family of dead pacifist Martin Luther King.

Doctor Abernathy, I’d like to talk about Ukraine.

Now I’m in Tennessee, southern state of USA, the capital of country music, the Christian capital of USA, and of course the state of famous Elvis Presley. It’s not easy «to jump» across the ocean to Ukraine. But I’m ready.

What does an average citizen of USA know about Ukraine?

Not too much. In general, American’s mentality supposes that his attention is generally riveted on America. Currently this peculiarity is not as bright as it was before, but it still exists. We have one famous proverb: «There is America and there is the rest of the world». In recent 20 years the Americans’ horizons considerably widened. But the majority of average Americans still know extremely few about other countries.

America knows Ukraine as the East European country with very picturesque nature and interesting uncommon people. More educated Americans are familiar with culture and partially history of Ukraine. They know Grigory Skovoroda, selected poems of Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrainka. By the way, they know modern poet Vitaly Korotich for his work in Gorbachov’s time in the democratic magazine «Ogonek».

To let one country know other country it’s nece­ ssary to make steps towards each other. And this is what American-Ukrainian relations lack of. Sometimes «entry» is harder to find than the «way out». Ukrainian and American politicians, public and cultural figures, and opinion leaders have to search for this

«entry». In my mind, first of all, this concerns the Ukrainian politicians.

What do politicians of USA know about American-Ukrainian relations?

First of all, they know much more about Ukraine in this sphere. There are politicians who perfectly know Ukraine.

Those whose activity is connected with your country and those whose roots are from Ukraine. There are even whole groups of lobbyists who promote the interests of various political groups in Ukraine for money. Unfortunately, there are not only the country’s interests but the interests of different political forces and business elites. Everybody understands that Ukraine as the independent state is only 20 years old. When we are 20, we all make mistakes. But one people consider this as the process of growth on the way to democracy, and others look at it with malicious joy.

In this question I’d divide American politicians into three groups. Group №1. Those who are trying to frankly understand the situation and establish friendly relations with Ukraine.

Group №2. Those who don’t know the real situation and base their opinions on someone’s political judgment. And group №3. Those who are influenced

by Ukrainian political groups or are under the influence of American PR companies agitation paid by one of the Ukrainian parties.

Hopefully the fog will clear and common sense will prevail... I think this will happen soon. Because America has lost many friends; they turned out hypocritical. It needs new clever friend-countries. But it’s necessary to be truly friends with Ukraine and then it will become faithful and reliable friend for America.

What is the American assessment of the last parliamentary elections in Ukraine?

Like in the whole world generally quite positive. It is clear that in any election and any country there are all kinds of combinations. Surely they tried to do this also in Ukraine; most of all from the side of all parties. But this wasn’t a mass phenomenon. That’s why average non-radical people admitted these elections legitimate. You see, my friend often repeats that democracy is not what we like but what the majority has elected. Very often the way to democracy is covered with bones of false

dawns and non-fulfillment of promi­ ses. Yes, the way to democracy is much harder that the way to dictatorship.

That’s why the way to democracy is the way of trials. But I know that in its history Ukraine passed many horrible periods of a grave way, and I believe that your people will pass the current way, win, and be happy.

What can you say about that for the first time nationalists have got to the Verkhovnaya Rada?

History reminds that racism, nationalism and chauvinism are brothers; they all can lead to fascism. Remember pre-war Germany: at the beginning fascists were also a small group. But then they played on people’s nationalistic feelings, aroused secret black forces in human and after the victory in the political struggle killed millions of people from other countries as well as 16 million of Germans. This is a dangerous game that’s why healthy strength of Ukraine should stop influence of nationalism in the country, and explain fanfaron mottos of these people. I was surprised that «Batkivschina» party has merged with «Svoboda» party. This party promotes western values of democracy, and connects these values with itself; and suddenly – such unexpected step. Many politicians in America have accepted this with huge disappointment. In politics any dangerous compromise can finish with blood, genocide or new holodomor as it already happened in your history.

have been read by many of those whom they were sent.

How have Americans taken the letters of prosecutor Kuzmin to the Senate, the Congress and the President of USA? General ordinary mass of the country’s citizens knew few about this or didn’t pay attention to this fact. But of course interested people saw and understood this slightly desperate act. It is notable that some PR groups in USA tried to suppress such act of Mr. Kuzmin but the letters became rather widespread. That was an uncommon trick.

On the one hand the letter has been sent not according to the conventional standards of high protocol but on the other hand a part of politicians accepted this as the letter of a sincere person who cares about his country; they found a patriotic deed in this. And various Washington state employees appreciated this trick. As far as I know the letters

What is necessary for a spring in relations between USA and Ukraine?

First of all we need mutual wish of the parties. USA does have the wish. Of course this is prevented by different opposition scandals, statements and large work of paid lobbying groups in America directed to destruction of relations between our countries that are currently under construction. Several days ago German newspapers published declassified documents of the Ukrainian opposition. I mean www.zhuzhaleaks. com. It became clear that lobbying work is supported by huge money. Just imagine: tens of people receive to 1000 dollars per hour! Not per month, not per week, not per day but per hour!

Probably this will be enough to help all Ukrainian pensioners. This is none of my business but obviously such money can’t come from the party fees...

WILL THEY COME BACK? Ex-people’s deputies about the Parliament in themselves and themselves in the Parliament

C

urrent Ukrainian Verkhovnaya Rada isn’t the most influential power institute. But the Parliament is still the most opened of all bodies, and people’s deputies excite the liveliest interest in society compared with interest to celebrities.

Some deputies live their whole life in the walls of the Parliament, and beginning their legal carrier in times of the Soviet Union, seem to be going to leave the Rada and life simultaneously. But this principle is applied not to everybody, and we will have to say goodbye to many frequenters of political talkshows and under-domical battles.

Parliamentary old-timers have told their opinion about the most important results of activity of the Verkhovnaya Rada of sixth convocation, new composition of the Verkhovnaya Rada and their plans for the nearest perspective.

Vasiliy Gorbal, the deputy of the Verkhovnaya Rada of sixth convocation from the Party of regions.

Perspective: analytic and mayor’s ambitions.

The last cadence of the Rada had

distinction from the previous convocations is that for the first time there is a fraction of All-Ukrainian Association Svoboda. And perhaps that’s it. It is too early to talk about any qualitative changes because deputies haven’t properly started to work in committees.

But the fact that fights in the Rada continue doesn’t grace the Ukrainian Parliament. I know deputies of Svoboda very well due to my work in Lvov and don’t expect constructive things from them unfortunately. In spite of their public statements.

Taking into account that neither power nor opposition has a scenario of the capital’s political life development, I’m preparing for mayor’s elections in Kiev. I’m a little bit engaged in analytics. I analyze data from the state committee of statistics and state custom service concerning changes in import and export i.e. those things that are connected with protection of national manufacturer, relationships of Ukraine with WTO from the point of view of the expert environment. I wouldn’t affirm that this will develop into scientific work but am occupied with this.

Ukraine has never had so out-of-balance Parliament with predominant deputies persuading their private interests, which are far from the national ones.

Ukraine stands far from the first place for these people. I’m going to do what I was doing all my life. I’ve always dealt with literature, wrote books, films and scenarios. Politics only ruined my life.

Photo Ukrainian News, UNIAN

Taras Chernovol, the deputy of the Verkhovnaya Rada of sixth convocation, out-of-fraction. Relaxation and dissertation.

Previous Rada hasn’t made anything important. What is worse, the Rada of sixth convocation hasn’t managed to uphold its dignity. The Rada had been led manually; it had been absolutely ignored in other state bodies. And what is the worst is that in the previous Rada

several convocations. First of all, presi­ dential elections that have divided the VR work into «before» and «after». Secondly, international economic crisis that provoked confrontation between Ukrainian parties and, first of all, between President Yushenko and Premier Timoshenko. But the Parliament managed to go through this sinuosity.

We can talk about some renovation of the Supreme Council. And the main

Pavel Movchan, the deputy of the Verkhovnaya Rada of sixth convocation from BUT. Returning to literature.

Nothing constructive. This Rada hasn’t made any useful thing for society. Parliamentary crisis, transfer of deputies, non-acceptance of imperative mandate, non-approval of a law about opposition... The Parliament has stopped to implement its role.

they built conjecture and breakdown of parliamentary opposition. Old Rada had opposition but it slowly crumbled, self-seeking and primitive. But I’m not ready to believe that new Rada will have effective opposition.

It is still hard to say something. Everything has just begun. There are several absolutely new people. There are comparatively new political forces although there is something behind them and they have their skeletons in closets. But it is still hard to say. The only thing that I will disappoint those people who think that this Rada will

breakdown and go into liquidation: I think that it will exist for its entire five years. This is first.

Secondly, I think that this Rada hasn’t legitimate expectations of those who hoped that with majority candidates’ accession it would become more independent because such people will come who will be able to say their party leaders: «good buy, I have my own opinion». The matter is that the electors didn’t accept the combined system and voted virtually for the lists extension. There are about 15 truly independent deputies of 225 majority candidates who passed to the Verkhovnaya Rada and this is extremely low figure.

Last majority elections that took place in 2002 and there were 150 frankly independent people of 225 majority candidates, maybe even more – 170 who

I wish the parties to submit, show patience, sit down to the table of negotiations, and find worthy and if possible noble compromise. We all know that bad piece is better than good war.

Are American religious forces able to influence improvement of relations between Ukraine and America?

They undoubtedly are. America generally remains the Christian country. Hundreds of churches, Christian schools, missions, and organizations that assist sick, homeless and poor people. American Christians help the whole world including Ukraine. I think that among 330 million of Americans about 140 million are Christians. For many Americans Christianity is not only attendance of church on Sunday but the real life that goes on according to the Christian standards of love to one’s neighbor. Many believing Christians work in politics, economy, and science. Christianity in America is a huge

moral, political, and financial capital that influences our government. I think that American believers can considera­ bly help development of relations with Ukraine.

I’d like to advise your President who, as far as I know, helps to revive spiritual shrines of Ukraine, cloisters, monasteries, and churches, to establish the national prayer day on the highest possible level. And I’m sure that then all important and spiritual people from all over the world and of course America will come to you.

What would you like to wish the readers of The Kiev Times?

I’d like to wish your readers and all Ukrainian people to have more patience and respect towards each other: children towards parents and parents towards children. And I wish everybody health, joy, strong spirit, faithfulness, and true love. Be happy, wonderful people of Ukraine!

had absolutely different opinion and nobody could dictate them what to do.

There are no things like that today.

Those who voted for opposition, voted for a majority candidate from opposition, no matter who he was. Those who voted for the power supported those who were nominated or tole­ rated. It was easy to understand what candidates were truly supported by the power because sometimes candidates were from the Party of regions, and they made a stake on somebody else.

This means that elections extended party lists by the majority component and this means that there is extremely little full-fledged representation of deputies in the Verkhovnaya Rada and that’s why from the very beginning it couldn’t act as an independent body.

Thus, I think that the first feature of this Rada is its dependence and conjuncture. Secondly, this is diminution of its weight in the Ukrainian state life.

The President and the Government will pay less attention to it. It’s time to realize that they don’t need to follow a procedure in any questions. It doesn’t matter what deputies should be included into the lists. It doesn’t matter who will become speakers because things will be as they decided to be on the top – because Chechetov will raise his hand. I think that some moments of the procedure should have to be realized, at least partially; personal vot-

There will be more external factors, and internally it will be slightly weaker than the previous one.

First of all, I wish to quite from this.

Psychologically this is not so simple – to work in the Rada when you let everything through yourself. Secondly: I’ll write international relations dissertation. And then I’ll see. Maybe I’ll be engaged in political activity. Maybe will do private business but business, connected with my principal occupation – international relations.

ing, for example. They won’t promote a series of language, historical, cultural bills because here «Svoboda» will ne­ cessarily show itself but not more. And «Svoboda» representatives won’t stop trunks and all other things. They have shown before the elections that they were good and further there would be arrangements where Svoboda shows its character and where it won’t prevent the power to share and redistribute something.

These are peculiarities of the first period. I think that many turncoats will come from the Front of Changes. The Party of regions will clearly form the majority and then, closer to presidential elections, we’ll see. So don’t expect something cardinal from this Rada.

of Ukraine and it is a consequence of the current power’s activity, and as of the things we see today, the worst is still to come. I think that the current composition isn’t able to solve difficult tasks and do lawmaking. This will be politics and shouts and I think that it is not accidental that the entire Europe exclaimed because of our Parliament composition.

I’ll work for organization –the AllUkrainian Association of toiler women «For Ukrainian children’s future» where I am a chairman. The organization effectively protects maternity and childhood and has already achieved great successes in assertion of social initiatives like youth construction and supporting of large families.

Ekaterina Samoylik, the deputy of the Verkhovnaya Rada of sixth convocation from the Communist party.

Association of toiler women.

The Rada has been engaged in an active lawmaking. Another thing is that not all the laws were useful. The Rada of the previous convocation adopted, for example, very important Law «About foundations of foreign and domestic policy», which we didn’t have for the whole 20 years. Then the Law about nonaligned status of Ukraine too. So we can say that some fundamental issues have been solved.

It seems that it isn’t correct for me, a person who hasn’t been included into the current composition of the Verkhovnaya Rada, to evaluate it but I can surely say that this is a detonating mixture of extreme nationalists and oligarchs. This is literally the tragedy

4

POLITICS/INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN RELATIONS IN 2013 (Ukrainian aspect) Towards the end of the year it’s traditionally accepted to summarize and plan the future. Russian-Ukrainian relations aren’t an exception. Furthermore there are always so many questions and problems between Ukraine and Russia that towards the end of the year we can issue weighty volumes devoted to their interaction Denis Denisov, the associate director of CIS countries institute Ukrainian branch

F

or our part we won’t be carried away by deep analysis of the last year but concentrate on the next year, which both in Russia and in Ukraine is connected with certain expectations concerned with intergovernmental relations.

So, we have to admit that the year 2012 in Russian-Ukrainian relations was rather smooth, without any sensations and symbolic events. Leitmotifs of the year have become the traditional subjects of prices for gas and foreign-policy integration of Ukraine; also the results of Russian presidential elections and Ukrainian parliamentary elections have become rather important event in the bilateral relations. In a humanitarian sphere very important has become the Law «About languages» adopted by the Ukrainian parliament however there are still some considerable suspicions that this law won’t be able to har-

forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences says: «Joining of Ukraine to the Common economic space means that at the expense of trade effects the volume of annual GDP by the end of a forecasted period will exceed the volume of GDP in the basis scenario by 1%. In conditions of technological integration and development of cooperative connections the appraisal of economic effect by 2030 can be exceeded to 6-7% of GDP volume. Under realization of this scenario the Ukrainian GDP rate by the end of a forecasted period will be approximately 6-7% higher than GDP of Ukraine in a scenario, which excludes integration with the CES».

The research also says that «Total cumulative effect of CES creation and further accession of Ukraine to it during 2011-2030 period can reach $1,1 billion for four countries (in prices of 2010)».

monize the language sphere in Ukraine (means that it won’t favor improvement of a situation with application of Russian language in Ukraine).

CU vs EU There is a great probability that in 2013, after more than two decades of foreign-policy rush, Ukraine will decide on its foreign policy true strategic direction, and the main factor of such event can become the Russian Federation.

As we know, the Ukrainian Law «About foundations of domestic and foreign policy» says that one of the foundations of the Ukrainian foreign policy is a «provision of the Ukrainian integration into European political, economic and legal space with the purpose of acquisition of a membership in the European Union». However we have to admit that this legal standard remains a banal slogan that isn’t confirmed by any document from the side of the EU. Pursuant to the fact that the European vector of Ukrainian foreign policy is more than mythologized and still doesn’t have clear timeline and normative framework its hopelessness is becoming more and more evident.

At the same time there is an alternative way for Ukraine that lies in the integration into different projects realized on the post-Soviet space and the main locomotive of them is the Russian Federation.

The problems of Ukrainian participation in the integration projects on the post-Soviet space are conditioned by a series of external and internal factors.

Among the external factors favoring integration of Ukraine into the structures that are forming on the Eurasian space one can specify the following ones: 1. The Russian Federation leaders’ position that lies in a tendency to attract Ukraine to these projects.

Thus, beginning from 2010 the president and the prime-minister of Russia have been actively inviting the Ukrainian government to join the Customs Union.

In March 2010 Vladimir Putin offered the newly elected President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich to enter the Customs Union, in December 2010 the Russian prime-minister concretized his offer: «If Ukraine will join these integration processes (the Customs Union) in this or that form, of course this will be powerful and important stimulus to preserve Ukrainian industries and can help increase competitiveness of our many enterprises».

Such offers of the Russian Federation top management have been done later too. At the same time Dmitriy Medvedev has categorically rejected the possibility of special participation of Ukraine in the Customs Union (so called «3+1» formula, the essence of which hasn’t been formulated by the Ukrainian power).

2. Geopolitical conjuncture establishing around Ukraine that is the lack of real prospects of membership in the European Union and correspondingly real possibility to become isolated country between the Eurasian and European Unions. For now possible entry of Ukraine to the European Union isn’t fixed in any EU official document and there aren’t real preconditions for this.

Maximum that the Ukrainian political elite may hope for this year is signing of the Agreement about free trade zone with the European Union but this agreement can not to be signed by the EU that argues its position with the political reasons (pursuit of opposition, non-transparency of elections etc).

On this basis the Ukrainian political elite has no other choice than to integrate into the structures of the Customs Union and Common economic space. In case of such integration refusal the consequences for the Ukrainian economy can be extremely hard.

3. Economic benefits for Ukraine.

A mutual research conducted in 2011 by the Institute of economy and forecasting of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of economic

4. Spiritual unity of Ukraine with countries entering the Russian world.

Under «Russian world» we understand the notion given by Apostolic Patriarch Kirill: «The core of the Russian world today is Russia, Ukraine, and Byelorussia», and Reverend Lavrentiy Chernigovskiy has expressed this idea by the following famous phrase: «Russia, Ukraine, Belarus are the Holy Rus’». Exactly this notion of the Russian world is laid in the modern original name of our Church.

The church is called the Russian church not by the ethnic feature. This title indicates that the Russian Orthodox Church executes the pastoral mission among nations that accept Russian spiritual and cultural tradition as the basis of their national identity or at least as its considerable part. That’s why in this meaning we also consider Moldova to be the part of the Russian world. Meanwhile the Russian Church is the most multinational community in the world and strives to develop its multinational character».

For Ukraine that is an integral part of Russian orthodox civilization, participation in such uniting projects as the Customs Union, the Common economic space, and the Eurasian Union is natural and organic; it is predetermined by religious and social cultural unity.

It is worth to note that there are external factors influencing non-admission of Ukrainian participation in the integration projects on the post-Soviet space, and it would be appropriate to separate the following: 1. The European Union position consisting in restricted collaboration with Ukraine that considerably excludes the possibility of the Ukrainian integration into economic structures on the post-Soviet space; first of all this Agreement about free trade zone with the European Union (text of the agreement is initialed but not ratified) and the Economic charter (ratified). Another very important problem connected with signature of the Agreement about free trade zone with the EU is absolute closure of negotiating process. Currently it is still a puzzle what benefits Ukraine can get from this agreement signing and what threats this agreement can bring to the country’s economy.

2. The position of USA consisting in preventing of appearance and development of integration associations on the post-Soviet space in general and with participation of Ukraine in particular. Recently USA official representatives more and more openly oppose the Ukrainian integration into the structures being developed on the post-Soviet space. But in their comments they definitely hint what side Ukraine needs

Photo Ukrainian News

According to opinion of the majority of the Ukrainian residents they would better live in the Union with Russia and Belarus – 44%, then in the European Union – 29%

be called differently, for example «the Customs Union», «the Eurasian Union» or something like this. «But let’s not to deceive ourselves, – said Mrs. Clinton. – We know what is the real purpose of this and are now trying to develop effective methods to decelerate or prevent [integration]».

3. Activity of various so called «non-government» organizations on the territory of Ukraine that lies in popularization of western values and denial of orthodox civilization traditional values. This is natural that organizations existing due to the western grants put as one of their main purposes the Ukrainian integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures and propaganda of a negative image of formations appearing

The problems of Ukrainian participation in the integration projects on the post-Soviet space are conditioned by a series of external and internal factors on the post-Soviet space. Under conditions when their activity isn’t actually controlled by any state bodies or civil society, such structures make a considerable contribution to non-admission of the Ukrainian integration into the Eurasian projects.

While there are external factors influencing the Ukrainian integration into created and being created formations on the Eurasian space, internal factors are also rather important. Among internal factors that can favor the country’s accession to the Customs Union, the Common economic space and further to the Eurasian Union the following are separated: 1. The Ukrainian people’s support of such initiatives that has been fixed during the entire existence of the Ukrainian state and confirmed by a series of sociological researches.

Thus, according to the results of a sociological research conducted by the Kiev international institute of sociology on 10-19 of February 2012, more than a half of the Ukrainian citizens, that is 55%, would vote in case of a referendum for accession of Ukraine to the Union with Russia and Belarus. 27% of the county’s residents would vote against.

America will try not to permit the Soviet Union recreation in its new version under the motto of the economic integration to integrate to. Thus, the representative of US State Department Lawrence Silverman who curates the collaboration with Byelorussia, Moldova and Ukraine, during Kiev-Washington video-bridge has declared: «The Customs Union doesn’t reflect the principle of the WTO where Ukraine has its membership. For the long-term outlook exactly the Free trade zone is the most beneficial for Ukraine. Entry to the Customs Union will bring considerable losses for Ukraine». The US ambassador in Ukraine John Tefft agrees with him: «USA supports the Ukrainian integration into the European structures». At that he hasn’t predicted what would be the influence of a supposed collaboration with the Customs Union on the European integration of Ukraine in the network of CIS. Correspondingly the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton being in Dublin in December 2012 stated that «America will try not to permit the Soviet Union recreation in its new version under the motto of the economic integration». According to her words USA fix efforts directed to re-sovietization of the region.

She underlined that officially this would

live better in the European Union. In an age-related angle among the majority of the elders (groups «40-59 years old» and «60 years old and older») there is opinion that the Ukrainian citizens would live better in the Union with Russia and Belarus, while among «18-39 years old» group there is opinion that we would live better in the EU. Less than a half of the Ukrainian citi­ zens (39%) consider that the main task of the state foreign policy is a creation of the possibility to enter the European Union. Meanwhile 30% believe that this isn’t the main task of the Ukrainian fo­ reign policy.

48% of the Ukrainian citizens agree with the following statement: «future of Ukraine is in union with Russia and Be-

This idea is mostly supported by citi­ zens residing on the east and south of the country - 77% and 72% correspondingly. In central Ukraine less than a half of the residents would vote «for» – 48%.

On the county west there are 24% of such integration followers.

As for an age-related aspect, such integration is more positively accepted by representatives of the elders; meanwhile representatives of «18-39 years old» group support entry to the Union with Russia and Belarus on the level of 47%.

On this basis we can ascertain that the majority of the Ukrainian citizens in case of the referendum would vote for entry of Ukraine to the Union with Russia and Belarus but not to the Eurasian Union. And only about a quarter of the country’s citizens don’t accept integration with Russia and Belarus.

According to opinion of the majority of the Ukrainian residents they would better live in the Union with Russia and Belarus – 44%, then in the European Union – 29%. In a regional angle only the western region has the opinion that the Ukrainian residents would

larus». 26% of pollees don’t agree with this statement.

2. Community of social cultural orientations and presence of common historical memory at the Ukrainian citizens with the residents of countries on the basis of which the Eurasian Union has to be established. This thesis is also confirmed by a series of sociological researches; and it is the most obvious in a series of measurements of the project «Eurasian monitor».

3. Negative tendencies in a highly technological branch of the Ukrainian economy that in case of the country’s non-alignment to the economic formations on the post-Soviet space threaten to cause destruction of this sphere and as a consequence transformation of Ukraine into the raw appendage. One can cite one more quotation from the above quoted report «Ukraine and the Customs Union»: «Nonparticipation of Ukraine in development of the integration processes on the post-Soviet space will lead to conservation of its economy sectoral structure and as a consequence to a potential deceleration of the economic growth due to impossibility of accelerated expanding of the export deliveries volume».

Like the external factors there is a series of internal factors that can negatively influence the Ukrainian integration into formations establishing on the Eurasian space. It would be appropriate to separate the following out: 1. The position of a considerable part of financial industry groups of Ukraine that are interested in the Eurasian Union market or not interested in crea­ tion of the Common economic space with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

It is worth to note that such integration with the EU is very interesting for manufacturers of goods with surplus value low share; for Ukraine this is first of all the representatives of metallurgy.

Also the Ukrainian integration into the EU structures is beneficial for large importers.

2. The position of the country’s political elite declaring the strategic purpose – entry of Ukraine to the European Union (it is worth to note that mainly the country’s political elite position is formed by representatives of the Ukrainian financial industry groups). The basis of such position of the Ukrainian political elite is the Law of Ukraine «About foundations of domestic and foreign policy» adopted on 01.07.2010 at the presidency of Victor Yanukovich. It is naturally that this purpose is constantly retransmitted by all key political leaders of the country. As

regards the integration on the post-Soviet space the president, prime-minister, ministers and representatives of the ruling majority speak rather reservedly.

Meanwhile the opposition sharply criticizes such initiatives. Thus, one the opposition leaders, the leader of the party «Front of changes» Arseniy Yatsenuk considers: «The Ukrainian state from the moment it becomes the member of the Customs Union deprives the right to determine the entire trade policy of the country by itself. We won’t be able to make decisions about what and on what terms to import, sell and purchase.

All these decisions are made by the Customs Union. To be more precise – by the Russian Federation as the country with the largest economy in this intergovernmental formation». Further he continues: «Politics will be determined by our Russian partners. Office of the President of Ukraine becomes the sort of a «manager of the Ukrainian republic on the post-Soviet space». Yanukovich understood this. That’s why Putin (after his visit on 12 of April – editor) has left with nothing». Other opposition leader Julia Timoshenko agrees with Yatsenuk: «…I hope that the Ukrainian President will receive some explanations that entry of Ukraine into the Customs Union is actually the first step to the loss of nationality with all its attributes. Including the president position… Ukraine is the European state. And I’m convinced that our future is in free and united Europe».

3. Considerable rejection of the Ukrainian integration into the structures on the post-Soviet space that is inherent to the majority of the population of some, first of all, western regions of the country. The majority of the western regions residents don’t support entry of Ukraine to the Customs Union – 44%;

itics after the parliamentary elections.

Let’s remember that one of such problems, beginning from the moment of the Ukrainian independence acquisition, is a status of Russian language. For 20 years this problem confronts the Ukrainian political elite and society; it traditionally actualized before election campaigns, but in completing of the election races it isn’t settled but continues to worsen.

It’s no secret that in different regions of Ukraine the attitude to enhancing of Russian language status considerably differs. But at the same time none of sensible people hasn’t any doubts in the necessity of Russian language status enhance in those regions where it is native one for the majority of citizens.

In Ukraine, unfortunately, many people have very perfunctory notion of democracy and application of democratic principles. Where it is comfortable they pleasantly apply the democratic standards; in other cases they simply forget about them. One of the fundamental democracy principles is the right of choice.

And for any person who calls himself a democrat it is evident. There is a question then: why in Ukraine people for whom Russian language is the native one can’t watch films in it, educate their children in the native language in schools and universities, and address to state structures etc.

So, currently 45% of the Ukrainian citizens come out for conferring of the state status to Russian language. About 10% of the Ukrainian population finds difficulty in replying to this question.

And 46% opposes.

In a regional angle the largest amount of the followers of conferring of the second state status to Russian language reside in Donbass – 84%, in the southern region – 71% and in the eastern region

The majority of the western regions residents don’t support entry of Ukraine to the Customs Union – 44% meanwhile 31% support this initiative.

On the west of the country there are 24% of the followers of the Ukrainian accession to the union of Russia and Belarus; 57% are opponents of this idea.

And only 9% of the population support creation of common state with Russia, while 83% opposes this idea.

Emphasizing different factors that in the long term will play a decisive role in the Ukrainian integration into one or another integration formation one can resume that for now there isn’t any decisive factor, which can affect this. One can assume that Ukraine would be able to take part in a series of integration formations only in case of considerable strengthening of several factors that favor such integration.

On the other hand it is absolutely clear that for Ukraine and its residents participation in the Eurasian Union formation looks quite organic and natural.

Being an integral part of the Russian world Ukraine can’t be beyond participation in formation of such association, because this will mean the end of the «Project «Ukraine» and in the medium term transformation to international outcast inhibited between two powerful unions.

Socio-cultural problems of Russian-Ukrainian relations Traditionally the humanitarian aspect is a very important component or Russian-Ukrainian relations. One can be sure that in 2013 the problems in this aspect will often appear in the bilateral relations. First of all this is connected with radicalization of the Ukrainian pol-

– 65%. In the center of the country this idea is supported by 33% of the population, in the north – 26%, and in the west – 7%.

The largest amount of the opponents of idea of Russian language status enhance to the level of the state language is concentrated in the west of the country – 89%, in the north – 68% and in the center – 58%. In the south-east of Ukraine this index varies from 23% in the eastern regions to 7% in Donbass.

As it was said above, in 2012 in Ukraine the Law «About foundations of the state language policy» was adopted but the problem of this law first of all consists in the fact that it was necessary as a pre-election motto and currently there are many questions concerning its application in different spheres of social life. On the other hand, according to the results of the Ukrainian parliamentary elections All-Ukraine association «Svoboda» (Freedom) received sufficient representation in the parliament and we can be sure that this political force’s representatives by all possible means will confront both the abovementioned law realization and the country’s language harmonization in general.

First confirmation of this thesis can be considered the promise given by the new speaker of the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine Vladimir Rybak after his election and a fight organized by «Svoboda» representatives in the parliament: «I promise that I will speak exceptionally Ukrainian language. When I used to be a vice-premier, I’ve visited Ivano-Frankovsk region where I learned Ukrainian very well», he said.

www.thekievtimes.org

POLITICS

5

TYAGNIBOK, YATSENUK, YANUKOVICH – THREAT, RABBIT AND THE PRESIDENT Everything has begun noisily and as usual: squealing «Femen», vodka and caviar at the cafeteria with communistic prices plus fights of latter-day followers of the national idea – the deputies of the party «Svoboda»

Photo Ukrainian News, UNIAN

Michael Shadrin

The Verkhovnaya Rada of seventh convocation...

What are the reasons of fights?

Sometimes personal voting, which is impossible on the genetic level, sometimes validity of communistic fraction creation.

Speakeriad drifting into premieriad hasn’t caused any surprises besides Donetsk unexpectedness in the form of Rybak candidacy. They quietly let the election of both one and the other. And Azarov hasn’t been beaten although threatened… And committees were distributed without hysterics… And voting was approved for once a week.

Steam has been let off in the form of hate for Russian language and Kolesnichenko. The French are right when affirming that patriotism is love to the own and nationalism is hate to the foreign. Although regionals have carried their convincing palm, they haven’t achieved the main goal. They didn’t create the constitutional majority that would be accountable to Bankovaya. That’s why it won’t be possible to drag the law about president’s election inside the Verkhovnaya Rada. It won’t be possible to persuade

but Aryans, the nomads with stylized swastika on their necks. According to this TV-investigation’s authors, Hitler has made a mistake calling Germans the Aryans. Aryans are the Ukrainians. In Cambridge they confirmed: the Ukrainians are true Aryans. And Byelorussians and Russians are people of non-Aryan origin; they are no match for the Ukrainians.

There is a whole queue to use Nazi aggression for its own use.

Yanukovich needs Tyagnibok, Yatsenuk also needs him, and oligarchs need him too – otherwise they wouldn’t give him money The author of this strange television provocation is Illarion Pavluk.

Sad as it is but nobody sued this character for propaganda of fascist ideas. As they didn’t sue Mr. Shuster (Savik is an affectionate diminutive). On the 9th of May, on the Victory Day, 2009 at the initiative of the above-mentioned Shuster in his TV-program studio a huge portrait of Hitler was hung up – a grandson of some Fanenberg. The Aryan idea in due time has been palmed off to Germans by the same «Pavluks»: from Rosenberg

For Victor Fedorovich the main thing is not to repeat the feat of Yushenko and be dropped out in the first tour. Rejection of Yanukovich is growing like a snow ball even communists with money to vote for this desired decision. That’s why before the elections-2015 the officials will have to fork out for rise of pensions and wages, and other tips for famished population.

Under the dome everything is as usual. Mossy regionals ingrown into their chairs, clean-shaven and predictable communists, ardent Arseniy Petrovich who slides down to light hysterics and images a puppet Robespierren with guillotine stored in his garage. «Svoboda» is still meticulously feeding from the hands of its sponsors. Rage of «Svoboda» is still light and kills generally verbally. But soon they will be able to kill for real. One can’t forget that Hitler on the first parliamentary elections for Nazis has got only 6 deputy seats. And everybody knows what was after that.

Aryans?

When neo-Nazis have come to the parliament (and Europe didn’t want to call the representatives of «Svoboda» the other way), society received dangerous television surprise called «DNA-portrait of nation». The secret of Ukrainians’ origin has been promised to be disclosed right after elections. It appears that Ukrainians are not Slavs

ty candidates to achieve the cherished objective – the constitutional majority?

Business clings to the authorities like a station prostitute.

Volkov has returned to the Rada. Nobody can call his a trunk – he is a real aurochs. But aurochs of the far Kuchma years. He’s already shows off for TV-cameras. And Arseniy Petrovich can’t calm down and puffs up telling

to brothers Haushofers. And now there was decided to throw this trashy and rotten product to Ukrainians.

The project is very expensive: costume reconstructions, computer graphic, and trips to many countries of the world. Think about it: nobody throws away so much money just like that.

Discussion of this large-scaled «masterpiece» is especially amazing.

«Are you really against genetics?!» – screeched with fury one of the opponents Pavluk. Nobody was against genetics. But there were protests against manipulations. In Europe Pavluk and his colleague Shuster were under investigation for propaganda of fascist ideas and fomentation of national discord.

But with our blind Justice we can’t hope for such happiness.

Trunk meat Banishment of father and son Tabalovs has become the first act of self-affirmation of «Svoboda» representatives.

First of all, free from elementary breeding and ethics. But even German Nazis behave themselves in Reichstag rather calmly. And this is clear: townsmen.

And here are not the townsmen!

Experts worried whether regionals would be able to purchase all majori-

that Tabalovs are fake from Bankovaya to demonize him, the democrat.

Arseniy Petrovich doesn’t understand that his main fake sits on the gallery of the Verkhovnaya Rada. Fraction «Svoboda» has taken patriotic sweeping powers on electors’ minds from Yatsenuk. «Svoboda» has immediately begun to conquer Kiev streets.

Representatives of «Svoboda» already guard a house of poor teacher on Pechersk, stood up staunchly for protection of Gostiniy Dvor, and on the 21st of December assaulted mayor’s office in Odessa.

It’s enough to make a cat laugh. Only till the first blood. But neither Klichko nor Yatsenuk have any street fighters but «Svoboda» has. There is a whole queue to use Nazi aggression for its own use. Yanukovich needs Tyagnibok, Yatsenuk also needs him, and oligarchs need him too – otherwise they wouldn’t give him money.

To the investors of the project «Arseniy Yatsenuk»: remember Grisha Yavlinskiy There are violent heads thirsty to bring Arseniy Yatsenuk to position of a president. Theoretically such possibility exists. These plans are not groundless but remember young democrat Grigoriy Yavlinskiy.

The matter was bad with Grisha in 2000. Money was knocked into him like into our Korolevskaya. Grisha was constantly on TV-screens. He has even

Peculiarities of national elections The party list elections have passed almost without surprises. With the exception of Korolevskaya who has miserably failed and now is rather comfortably sitting in a ministerial chair and with a vengeance is going to promise European pensions and wages. She knows well how to promise.

Representatives of «Svoboda» have collected unexpectedly many votes having easily overcome all conceivable obstacles.

But there were some problems with majority constituencies. The brightest fights have started in Kiev region, in the worn-out banana 94th district. Tatiana Zasukha, the Hero of Ukraine, the official millionaire and «Ukrainian scientist» plaid pranks there. Her dissertation subject is: «Impact of bowlingite additive on productivity and biological value of cattle and pigs productivity».

When a farmer acquires hundreds of millions of money and in addition the power they bring, it would be good to purchase some courtesy and a handful of respect to people. At least to the fellow villagers...because they are not cattle actually.

European dreams and imaginings There will be no Europe for Ukraine: Julia is in prison, Nazis are in the parliament. Western electoral model won’t do for us. Western parliamentarism is a frog and the Ukrainian won’t eat it even in a frosting. We are different.

There they think how to multiply and here they think how to appropriate. This means that our people think exceptionally about multiplication but only of their own, personal things. And as a rule at the expense of social things.

True: «All money can’t be earned... the main part you’ll have to steal».

We shout: «Hand us Europe on a silver platter and with a round loaf». And Europe laughs at us – when are we going to give up dreaming and begin to work.

Selection It is clear what is going to happen.

2013 will be played down. People will

People love the power that is throwing bones. No matter what they say about buckwheat uselessness but one always wants to eat more than to vote.

Before the elections-2015 the power will have to fork out for rise of pensions and wages, and other tips for famished population For Victor Fedorovich the main thing is not to repeat the feat of Yushenko and be dropped out in the first tour. Rejection of Yanukovich is growing like a snow ball. And this process thrives not only in the west of Ukraine. The main hope of Yanukovich is weak second number in the second tour. There are two such candidacies. Yatsenuk and Tyagnibok. Both are deliberately chanceless. The country isn’t so crazy yet to allow such monkey tricks. Both dress themselves up in patriotic cloths. Both will drown each other in favor of regionals. But only on condition that Yanukovich is guaranteed to get into the second tour.

The only person who can prevent these plans is Klichko. That’s why he will be paid off and drowned. Or drowned and paid off simultaneously.

First gift for the boxer-politician will become Kiev mayor elections. Of course, on certain conditions – without moving foot to presidency.

Klichko has good chances. Residents of Kiev won’t vote for Popov just with a sense of humor. They will never elect such grey and faceless character voluntarily. Not at any price! Even if he will deliver buckwheat by dump trucks and unload it with large square-face shovels. But hope dies last and Popov will sincerely believe in three things.

In love of the Kiev residents to him, in power of administrative resource and in falsifications.

The position of a mayor for Klichko may become his political grave or a springboard. The power of Kiev head will allow him not only concentrate financial resources but first of all pick up necessary human potential.

So, the situation is the following: political death of Yanukovich is in Bande-

Political death of Yanukovich is in Bandera’s trunk that hangs on a strong oak. There is a rabbit in the trunk that has a needle inside it. And if to hook the electors on this needle, only then Yanukovich will loose attended the meeting of the Bilderberg club. But Russians don’t like such people. The limit is 15 percents. Ukrainian Yavlinskiy in the person of Yatsenuk won’t go far away from Grisha. The investors of Yatsenuk, you’d better give your money to children.

receive minimum of social benefits because the electors will waste all money before elections and forget about their benefactors. All efforts of the power will be concentrated on the decisive 2014. Then pensions will be increased and people will receive all kinds of joy.

bunch «Yatsenuk - Tyagnibok» will pass to the second tour. This infernal perspective is hardly realizable but it does exist. It doesn’t matter who will

ra’s trunk that hangs on a strong oak.

There is a rabbit in the trunk that has a needle inside it. And if to hook the electors on this needle, only then Yanukovich will loose.

Nevertheless, like in a terrible dream there is a real perspective that the

win in the first tour: Yanukovich or Klichko. And things that very rarely happen can happen. Shortly before his murder Kennedy, the last backstage non-under control president of USA had sadly noted that it was very easy to kill American president. One shooter armed with a rifle with telescopic sight is sufficient.

There is no as terrible animal as enraged sheep. And what about a rabbit who has lost control of the situation?

Ears sticking up behind the Ukrainian Rabbit consider the notion of the «human life value» to be absurd. They don’t care who wins the first tour...

Is this only a theory?

There is a task and there is an experience of such tasks solution. The variant of such developments is exceptionally theoretic. But… it theoretically exists.

There is an insignificant possibility of this.

And what then? Sweet pair Yatsenuk – Tyagnibok comes to the second tour. One is better than another. It is clear that Senya will become the presi­ dent. Shave off your earlocks. This happened many times. The first president of Bolshevist Russia has become Yankel Sverdlov, Yuri Andropov again.

In Yankel Sverdlov’s times the Red terror began. But Andropov has stuck in people’s memory not with his punitive mental clinics but with cheap vodka-andropovka... We passed through many such things.

Resume Postwar situation increasingly reminds a prewar one. After they finish with Iran they will set for us. To be more precise, these processes can be parallel. We can’t dream that we’ll sit snug or buy off with salo in no circumstances. Nazis have reasons to be financed. Not in vain sotniks and millenaries are trained; detachments of storm troopers are created. These people don’t throw money away. They count it to the last kopeck. Hope that only Arabs have problems appeared and other people will live further in comfort and coziness is a bad hope.

And no matter how can we call this haze where we’re abiding. Is this a period of troubles? Revolt? This is too much yet. Maybe, Hard times?

6

ECONOMICS

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

ABOUT RESUME AND PERSPECTIVES What the old year 2012 has stuck in our memories by? Successful Euro-2012, not very successful Olympic Games for Ukraine team, parliamentary elections, new executive power and another cancelled end of the world Alexander Dudchak, Candidate of Economic Sciences

hese are events with bright pictures on TV screens. They break out and are discussed in news, kitchens, transport and offices. They go away being changed by other events, leaving a long and not very long aftertaste of a wide spectrum in our memories: from annoyance because of an obtrusive political advertisement to ecstasy due to the goal that had been scored but hadn’t been counted.

The processes that have been dragging for a long time and that didn’t finished in 2012 are apprehended less emotionally. But these processes have great meaning for the future of Ukraine and its citizens’ well-being. Rush between Europe and the Customs Union is the main of such processes. And again the most important decisions were postponed for the next year dooming the country’s population to active income level reduction and aggravation of economic crisis state.

The Ukrainian economy may be compared with a locomotive, the old one that hadn’t been repaired for more than twenty years. It has no rails ahead and in order to move it’s necessary to carry forward the rails lying behind it.

But at every such shift its drivers contrive to sell some of them. Time «X» is coming. Figure 2013 may become not a plain symbol.

In 2012 Ukraine demonstrated the lack of common sense in its foreign policy and at the same time incredible political-gymnastic abilities, alternately making step sometimes in direction of Europe, sometimes in direction of CIS. It tried to do the splits between the European and Customs Union. This can’t be called an attempt to sit on two chairs because it isn’t offered even to sit on a mat in the EU waiting-room; as of the chair in the Customs Union VIPlodge, Ukraine refuses it on its own free will.

And again the next Ukrainian-EU event – Ukraine-EU summit that had to be conducted in December 2012 – is put on ice. Probably it will take place at the beginning of 2013. And it won’t necessarily take place even in case of meeting dates determination… This is rather a positive fact from the point of view of the state and peoples’ economic interests although it looks like a flick on the nose and blow to the country’s leadership ego.

Ukraine hopes for liberalization of visa procedure with the EU in 2013.

But even if it is done, «facilitation» won’t mean cancellation of visas for all Ukrainian citizens to enter EU countries, like one would like to read in such piece of news. This facilitation shall probably concern only representatives of separate professions and this is utterly small percent of the population. Doubtful is the argument of «visa procedure facilitation» adduced by the EU in return for Ukraine’s meeting of requirements born due to lively imagination of employees from the depth of European bureaucracy, namely: «to stop electoral justice and implement reforms built into association’s agenda». Such conditions can be invented endlessly. Meanwhile in contravention of all principles of a good sense, self-esteem and parity principalities Ukraine doesn’t require visas from the EU citizens: they were cancelled in 2005.

The last Ukraine-EU summit took place in December 2011 in Kiev. Then the European Union leaders didn’t signed the agreement because of the problems with democracy in Ukraine.

Photo Ukrainian News

T

and constitutional reforms, state finance reform and reform of corruption cleanup in Ukraine».

However in this case the EU is a champion of more important and deep interests – the interests of the United States concerning non-admission of reintegration processes appearance on the territory of the former Soviet Union.

In 2012 so called financial crisis organized by the global financial industrial capital continued to rage. During the whole year there was dancing on a grave of international law – after destruction of Libya the «civilized countries» took Syria in hand and already see the next candidate for «democratization», i.e. destruction – Iran. Under these conditions a geopolitical pole rebirth on the Eurasian territories gives the participants of integration association in the network of CIS a chance to survive, preserve true sovereignty and development in accordance with their interests and vision of this development ways; and at the same time it is a threat of the United States global dominance.

The ancient policy «divide and rule» hasn’t finished with the USSR demolition. It is clearly traced in the foreign policy of the EU and USA in relation to

Any attempts of approaching Ukraine with Russia and other states – the former Soviet Union republics – are opposed and cause hysterics in USA For the Ukrainian «donkey» they hung out different «carrots», which stimulate its movement in the direction necessary for the EU. Signing of Association agreement with the EU that really has nothing to offer for Ukraine has been postponed to November 2013 and only under fulfillment of well-known conditions of «implementation of judicial

Ukraine for all independence years. The famous Resolution №120 approved by the US House of Representatives on the 4th of September and the US Senate on the 18th of September 1996 was devoted to this: «The Ukrainian government has to continue acting in behalf of its sovereignty and other independent state of the former Soviet Union disputing

appearance of any political or military organizations, which would have the potential in promoting reintegration of the former Soviet Union states».

Any attempts of approaching Ukraine with Russia and other states – the former Soviet Union republics – are opposed and cause hysterics in USA. Another nervous reaction of the US state secretary (almost the former secretary) Hillary Clinton to this slowly but visible progress in relations of the post-Soviet states – the statement made on the 6th of December 2012 during meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov in Dublin that USA will counteract integration processes on the post-Soviet space: «We note some progress in the direction of repeated sovietization of the region. But of course it won’t be called just like this.

It will be called the Customs Union, the Eurasian Union or something like that.

We know what the purpose is and are trying to develop effective methods to slow down or stop this». But the state secretary of the most «democratic» country for some reason doesn’t consider such statements that sound like a threat to be interference into the sovereign states domestic policy.

Probably the opinion of our transatlantic senior kindred minds is too important for the Ukrainian leadership.

Otherwise how can we explain the official position formulated by Victor Yanukovich at the July meeting of the Russian and Ukrainian presidents in Crimea: «It’s necessary to see how the European events will develop. We all know that the situation there is difficult.

It’s necessary to see in what conditions the Customs Union will develop and after that to determine our priorities».

However instead of «to see» without observational results they realize provisions of the early adopted Law «About

foundations of domestic and foreign policy» where there is a clear formulation of the Ukrainian strategic purpose – entry to the European Union. And this is in spite of scientifically grounded benefits for Ukraine from integration in the network of CIS and multiple statements of various EU representatives concerning lack of any perspectives of the Ukrainian membership in the EU for foreseeable future.

And Europe does have what to see.

During the entire 2012 the feasible ways

The European Union enters the year 2013 being completely undetermined out of crisis hadn’t been found. There is still a real threat in the EU of collapse and withdrawal of separate countries from the currency union (Greece) and from the EU in general (Great Britain).

Moreover the integrity of some current member-countries of the EU is under the threat. In autumn 2014 Scotland plans to hold a referendum about independence where the following question will be put: «Does Scotland have to remain a member of the Union or withdraw from it?». The date of the referendum is timed to 700-years anniversary of Battle of Bannockburn when the Scots, having hardly defeated the English restored their independence. In Spanish province Catalonia election to the local parliament had been won by the national party «Convergence and union», which fights for separation of Spain. The main arguments of this separation’s followers: «Catalonia is larger than Belgium; its gross domestic product is larger than in Denmark. We are hard-working people but Spaniards take everything away. Tell us why should we have to feed some Andalusia that exists for the state subsidies?». Can it really be true that the Ukrainian authorities don’t know about such processes in Europe? What else do they need to «see»?

The European Union enters the year 2013 being completely undetermined.

And inside this inhomogeneous association (among 27 members only 17 of them are members of the Currency union, only 22 are participators of the Shengen agreement where 3 countries are not members of the EU; average remuneration of labor per hour makes from 3,5 euro in Romania to 39,3 euro in Belgium) the EU future group has formed. This group is represented by the ministers for foreign affairs of 11 association states – Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and France. This group ideates the establishment of the post of president elected by general voting, establishment of joint ministry for foreign affairs, implementation of common European entry visa and probably formation of the common army. Also they offer to cancel the right of veto that is used by a series of EU countries concerning domestic policy and security questions at ratification of all-European agreements. In case of the Group-11 ideas realization the EU countries will have to support even those foreign-policy

measures they are not agree with; they also won’t be able to reject the basic documents according to the results of conducted referendums. This will mean actual creation of a new federative state with final loss of a state sovereignty of the EU separate members. This is one of two real scenarios of the European events development: either intensification of integration to the level of a common state creation – by the entire EU or its members’ group or its dissolution when every state will try to go out of crisis on its own.

We’ll see in 2013 will this initiative become uniting or bring harder split to the union that is bursting at the seams.

The only thing is obvious: the EU won’t exist for a long time in its current state.

Against the background of all these diseases of old Europe the fanatic Euro-romantics’ moaning about «loss of nationality» due to possible entry of Ukraine to the Customs Union causes bewilderment. The European yes-men choir in the Ukrainian «establishment»

Cancellation of the meeting of Yanukovich and Putin can be characterized by one phrase: «fed up». The policy borrowed by Yanukovich from Truffaldino from Bergamo can suit only the European Union – it is important for the Europeans not to allow Ukraine to enter the Customs Union. But such policy can’t not to bore the Customs Union members. The attempts of Ukraine to deceive everybody lead only to self-deception.

Probably the year 2013 will be the most consequential for Ukraine for the whole period of its «independence».

Everything that could be sold is already sold. That’s the limit for stretch on the splits as it is fraught with rupture of essential organs. Foreign creditors wait for agony of Ukraine and its consent for any conditions to receive another doze of financial drugs. Ukraine can’t afford to continue the policy of contemplation impetuously developing Eurasian Union. The next year has to become a year of correct decision of

The Ukrainian economy can be compared with a locomotive, the old one that hadn’t been repaired for more than twenty years can be explained very simply: in spite of the lack of serious plans for widening the European Union spends for Euro-integration propaganda not less than 3,4 billion dollars every year. And little comes the way of our nationals.

Is it worth for Ukraine to further remain a simple observer of the activity of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan union with the hope that doors to the Customs Union will always be opened? Even in spite of 9 billion dollars of clear saving per year from entry to the CU and possibility after all to avoid increase of debts to IMF and other international financers? Is it necessary to continue searches of Russian gas sources not in Russia but in Germany, Slovakia and other countries for the price slightly lower than 440 dollars? Or it would be better to buy it at manufacturer at 160 dollars? Or will Ukraine continue to entertain the

integration vector final selection that will allow resuscitating the Ukrainian economy.

Hopefully at the end of 2013 kerosene, soap and matches won’t enter the list of the best New Year presents.

Another amazing and inexplicable event of the old year is the action of Ukrainian foreign-policy department.

The representative of Ukraine has also abstained from voting on the 26th of November when the UNO General Assembly adopted Resolution against Nazism heroization: «Nazism heroization: inadmissibility of certain types of practice that favor escalation of modern forms of racism, race discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance».

This resolution has been included for examination at the initiative of the Russian Federation. The resolution was voted for by 120 states and against – 3

Hopefully at the end of 2013 kerosene, soap and matches won’t enter the list of the best New Year presents world community with original projects of terminals building delegating chronic grant-eaters to sign contracts with casual ski instructors?

At the end of 2012 the Ukrainian President’s speeches began to contain encouraging notes but they immediately faded away. According to his words, Ukraine will make all efforts to approach with the Customs Union counties not only in the economic sphere. In December 2012 in his video-address to the Verkhovnaya Rada deputies Victor Yanukovich said: «We will constantly learn to use the rules of the Customs Union because there is a huge market for Ukrainian goods. We will do everything to establish harmonic relations of Ukraine with the Customs Union countries not only in economic but in humanitarian, scientific and social spheres».

states (USA, Canada, and the Marshall Islands); 57 states abstained. Cat it be true that we don’t have memory and conscience that we can’t admit any antagonisms with our «senior brother» – USA – even in such question like censure of Nazism heroization! But the whole world has seen the real image of American «democracy» that voted actually against Nuremberg Court of people. And the last one. The new Cabinet of Ministers. This couldn’t become an event. There is nobody to choose.

The players are the same. But after all this is better than Farion – the Minister of Culture, and Tyagnibok – the Minister of Education. However we should be no choosers of life improvement. Everything will go «nowhere».

People are left on their own. The mission of the people’s survival is their own problem.

www.thekievtimes.org

POLITICS/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

7

WHERE WILL THE PENDULUM OF THE UKRAINIAN FOREIGN POLICY SWING IN 2013?

The last month of the past year has given Kiev several unexpected surprises in foreign policy, which, for example, in October no one couldn’t even figure on. The matter is about a considerable change of the European Union rhetoric in relation to Ukraine, in which Brussels admits geopolitical significance of Kiev and remembers that the Agreement of association is the key goal for both parties

Photo Ukrainian News

Victoria Vlasenko, specially for The Kiev Times

Cherished door leading to the EU This modified position of Brussels has also been clearly fixed in the last resolution of the European parliament concerning the Ukrainian matter, which particularly included statements and assessments about October parliamentary elections in Ukraine. The reso­lution’s text clearly specifies: the door to the European Union for Ukraine is open. And behind this door where for the present we can only look through the keyhole, the Ukrainian citizens as well as Ukrainian companies, enterprises and exporters will face many seductive and very specific benefits.

First of all, gradual but duty-free access of Ukrainian goods to the huge market of the European Union with the population of more than 500 million people and common GDP of about 16 billion dollars. Secondly, the long-waited decision of Brussels about visa procedure cancellation for Ukrainians that many of our fellow citizens consider to be the main «advantage» of Euro integration.

Thirdly, the possibility to attract new investments from the European Union to the Ukrainian economy that will help Kiev realize important internal reforms (because the EU member-countries’ investments are the largest part of the current Ukrainian economy). Fourthly, Kiev and Brussels political approximation, which in the long term may lead

Ukraine to produce high quality goods, which will be happily urchased in Germany, France, Italy or Spain.

It’s important to remember about so called «indirect benefits» of a free trade zone creation with the Europe-

Such opened competitiveness will teach Ukraine to produce high quality goods, which will be happily purchased in Germany, France, Italy or Spain to acquisition of the competent membership in the European Union.

Of course, both Ukrainian and European experts admit that the process of the European market entry conceals definite risks that will have to be overcome, first of all in Ukraine. On the initial stage it will be difficult for Ukrainian goods to stand competence from the direction of European goods, which have higher quality and at the same time will be sold for similar price.

For example, in France a kilogram of high quality French cheese costs 7 euro and higher. In the Ukrainian market this sum makes the minimal cost of the domestic cheese. And unfortunately the quality of many Ukrainian dairy products leaves something to be desired. That’s why, if our consumer will have to choose between Ukrainian and French cheese that is almost similar in price, I’m afraid his choice is easy to be predicted.

But the Ukrainian authorities will have to make hard decision on the assumption of the consumer’s interests but not the interests of cheese manufacturer. Or to preserve current state of affairs in the Ukrainian cheese, meat and other markets when manufacturing companies offer expensive and not very quality product. Or make a step ahead having created healthy competition in domestic markets. Because such opened competitiveness will teach

an Union. Countries that have already enabled free trade zones with the EU, a priori got better conditions for entering other new world markets. Thus, when a Ukrainian manufacturer wishes to negotiate about his goods sale, for example in India, he can emphasize that his products are of the highest level because it is sold in one of the most fastidious markets of the world – the European Union. And this won’t be a bluff but very conceiving argument.

If you look at the geography of international trips of President Victor Yanukovich during recent months of the past year – India, Qatar and UAE – it becomes clear that Ukraine is seriously intended to work with those countries, which for some reasons haven’t been included into the sphere of foreign policy priorities as yet. Because for Kiev Brussels was always on the first place but not Deli, Beijing,

line, has begun to provide unexpected international effect. In particular, in conditions of actual Western isolation Kiev has begun to open new international markets and new partners, first of all in regions where the notions like «modern market economy», «modernization» and «technical revolution» are higher than democratic values that are traditional for Europe.

«Home work» for the new minister But let’s turn back to the subject of Brussels digressing from a strict political line in relation to the Ukrainian authorities. What influenced the EU leadership’s position change? For the whole 2012 year official Kiev heard rigid statements of the European Union and the European Council representatives that the Ukrainian authorities actively applied principles of selective justice making their politically motivated decisions in relation to their opponents. These charges influenced not only delay of the annual summit «Ukraine – the European Union» from December 2012 to February 2013 but the fact that during the last year the Ukrainian President hadn’t any personal contacts with the European commission and European Union authorities. And only due to the lobbying efforts of some Ukrainian oligarchs, particularly Victor Pinchuk and «Yalta European strategy», Victor Yanukovich

It is doubtful that Bankovaya hasn’t heard Moscow’s clear statements that there is no halved membership of Ukraine in the Customs Union in the network of cunning formulas Brasilia or Buenos-Aires. But the year 2012 has changed this trend. And as they say, there’s silver lining to the cloud. So called «case of Timoshenko», which minimized the highest level contacts along the «Kiev-Brussels»

has managed to maintain a non-systemic dialogue with Europe.

In informal conversation the European parliament deputies confirm: in Europe there is a real apprehension that Ukraine will first slip down to embraces

of the Customs Union and in perspective the Eurasian Union’s too. That’s why there is a warning given through the text of the abovementioned European parliament resolution: if Kiev corrects mistakes made during the last parliamentary elections, offers reforms in the sphere of criminal justice and solves the problem with Julia Timo­ shenko and Yuri Lutsenko, this will open the way to signing of the Association agreement in 2013.

It is still a puzzle whether Kiev heard and read the European parliament’s political warnings correctly. Hopefully they were heard however. All the more that the master on the Mikhailovskaya square has become Leonid Kozhara

able to integrate into the East and the West simultaneously.

In Moscow they consider this to be quite possible. At the end of December Victor Yanukovich confirmed this thesis by his statement that Ukraine was going to become connecting link between the East and the West. According to his words initialing of the Association agreement between Ukraine and the EU as well as ratification of the Agreement about free trade zone creation in the network of CIS are important events for our country. «This is unique moment for Ukraine that opens the way to realize the idea of common development area where Ukraine will play a role of a connecting link be-

applied within the network of the Customs Union. «Ukraine won’t be able to conduct and realize any independent double-sided trade policy as it passes its sovereignty to the Customs Union on the sphere of tariffs and other key commercial matters», that’s what the European commission said. Besides they consider that even partial accession to the Customs Union that will influence Ukrainian tariffs or normative networks connected with trade will be quite problematic. «Entry to the Customs Union will influence privileged trade relations that are the main goal of enhanced and comprehensive free trade zone with the European Union», Brussels insists.

In informal conversation the European parliament deputies confirm: in Europe there is a real apprehension that Ukraine will first slip down to embraces of the Customs Union and in perspective the Eurasian Union’s too who in the recent year visited Strasburg with routine visits at least five times.

Now he has new possibilities ahead to demonstrate his diplomatic talent and specifically use his personal ties and acquaintances with influential European politicians for extension of the official dialogue Ukraine-the EU in 2013.

Art of political equilibration Analyzing processes that were taking place in the Ukrainian-Russian relations of 2012 you come to conclusion that Moscow learnt to persuade Kiev to join integration processes on the territory of the former Soviet very well.

Extended informational attacks to the Ukrainian authorities which announce various figures of so called benefit of participation in the Customs Union will become stronger tomorrow. In this connection we’re expected appearance of many discrepant statements of Moscow and Brussels concerning would Kiev be

tween the European Union and Eurasian region countries», noted Victor Yanukovich.

This statement indicates either deafness of Kiev or dumbness of Russia and the European Union. However, it is doubtful that Bankovaya hasn’t heard Moscow’s clear statements that there is no halved membership of Ukraine in the Customs Union in the network of any cunning formulas. The EU position was also clearly articulated: it considered that simultaneous membership of Ukraine in the Customs Union and signing of the Agreement about free trade zone with the EU are incompatible. Commenting the possible development scenario in case of complete or partial integration of Kiev with the Customs Union, the EU representatives explained that in this case Ukraine must choose what rules it would use to smooth its legislation: those connected with the EU legislation or those

Obviously, in 2013 the Ukrainian top management will keep potential and international investors in the dark concerning where Ukrainian foreign policy is rushing. But we must make this choice. And it will be not only economical choice but a civilized one: to stand on the way of gradual integration into the European community with all correspondent challenges and preferences or to return to the orbit of Russian domination where everything is clear and predictable.

Probably Kiev will act according to the formula «small concessions in the name of a big goal achievement». This means that Ukraine will continue to balance between the East and the West but gradually move in the direction of Europe. But for successful realization of this formula the Ukrainian authorities will have to develop different nonstandard combinations, passages and maneuvers.

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8

SOCIETY

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

UKRAINE-2013: THE UKRAINIAN APOCALYPSE OR FEATURES OF NATIONAL PANIC The parliamentary elections and the announced Judgment Day forced Ukrainians to stock up dollars, salt and matches. And it is an open question what sacred our community more

V

ladimir Litvin has declared on the last parliament session of the sixth convocation that the «propheciesabout the Judgment Day in December 2012, in all appearances, is abolished» and promised instead of Armageddon the beginning of a new stage of the Ukrainian parliamentary life. However our people do not hurry to unpack their «alarm suitcases». What the Ukrainians believe in and what do they wait from being on the border of 2012 and 2013 years?

Astro-economic prognosis First who have given the utterance for 2013 were not analysts, but the astrologers, of course. Thus, to the opinion of

Really, the society wishes to «renovate» as anticipation of hard times considerably influenced the preferences of our fellow citizens. Thus, one the most popular search requests in the Internet became… a gun. Now it is intensively looked by Ukrainians equally with winter cloths, shoes and new iPhones. This information has been provided by the largest free advertisement websites of Ukraine Slando.

Not a word about politics In general, if the economic prognoses can be reduced to the phrase «everything will be bad», the Ukrainian political life isn’t forecasted even by astrol-

If the economic prognoses can be combined in the phrase «everything will be bad», the Ukrainian political life isn’t forecasted even by astrologers because of a too hazy character of the perspectives Valeriy Moscovchenko, in May 2013 our planet will go through dangerous natural disasters and infusion of confrontation between people. «There won’t be physical destruction but cataclysms will occur, especially in May next year», he said commenting the possibility of the end of the world according to the Maya calendar. However Pavel Globa doesn’t agree with him: «There won’t be any great problems in Ukraine next year.

Nothing terrible will happen». But to his opinion in 2013 the economic crisis will steal up to Ukraine instead of cataclysms. «Crisis will take place and there is nothing we can do to avoid it. It will continue till 2020 and affect the whole world: there will be complete instability, stock exchange and mortgage will collapse. Prices will rise up to an incredible level and then suddenly come down», Globa stated. Predictor Vlad Ross agrees with him: «As Uranus, the symbol of destruction, is reside in the house of

ogers because of a too hazy character of the perspectives. Sometimes they flabbily state their assumptions that Timoshenko and Lutsenko will be absolved but whether it is worth to believe the prognosis of people who «saw» Natalia Korolevskaya in the parliament just month ago? Let’s remember that her passing to the Verkhovnaya Rada has been predicted by almost all predictors of the county. And the prognosis given in 2010 by the member of Astrologers association of Ukraine Elena Maximova looks quite interesting: «The Ukrainian State within the current boarders will exist for 22 years and 8 months. In 2013 it will be split into two parts. Lugansk, Donetsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov regions, Crimea and Black sea region have all chances to affiliate Russia although will remain autonomous. Probably this territory will have other title. Other regions will remain Ukraine. The state will have the new president – a person who

According to the data of meteorologists Ukraine soon will turn to real subtropics and our climate will remind Greek climate finances and money, all over Ukraine there will be redundancies and hryvna can fall in price approximately by 25%.

Many people will follow to big cities where, by the way, the situation with job will be more stable. In Kiev, for example, reductions won’t be extremely critical», says Ross. «In the years of Snake there always revolutions happened: 1905, 1917, in 1941 the war began, in 1953 Stalin died. I don’t know what about revolution for now but the crisis period will take place for sure». « Like a snake sheds its skin, the community will find itself on the edge of renovation», says Pavel Globa.

doesn’t take any key position in today’s politics». What is the society’s reaction to such statements? It’s all the same: just to be safe people buy dollars, living essentials; they invest money into accommodation, most of all budgetary one. Youth representatives on the contrary don’t attribute their roots to their historical motherland but more often wish to leave the country. Thus, according to the data of HeadHunter Company, more than 90% of the Ukrainian specialists with higher education have clear intention to emigrate or examine the perspectives of employment abroad. The main reasons of the youth exit abroad is

the lack of good future for a person and his family in Ukraine (71%), low level of labor remuneration (44%), lack of conditions for professional self-realization (41%) and unstable political situation (34%).

Climate-control: course to subtropics Weather forecasters don’t stay behind the astrologers. It is a rhetorical question whom to believe. But according to the data of meteorologists Ukraine soon will turn to real subtropics and our climate will remind Greek one. According to the specialists’ opinion next summer heat will beat all previous records. As for the winter of 2013 it will be extremely protracted. «The nearest winter in connection with maximally active Sun will be snowy and may draw out to the middle of May. Due to global temperature rise and melting of ice in the Artic Ocean atmosphere contains greater amount of moister that falls as snow», informs expert meteorologist of Geophysics institute of Academy of science Anatoly Prokopenko. Individual attention should be paid to «scary things» about monstrous geomagnetic storms that will rage on the Ukrainian space in 2013. It still must be the Sun activity with its 11-years cycle. The following activity rise should be waited right in 2013. The scientists’ prognoses say that radiation in 2013 will reach the Earth magnetosphere. Strong static electricity will ap-

pear above oil-pipelines and high-voltage transmission lines. It will be visible to the naked eye – it will be a luminescence reminding the Northern Lights.

The majority of people will perceive some physiological and psychological discomfort and suffer from insomnia.

The national method of sufferings relief at geomagnetic storms is a foil cap.

Some meteo-dependend people even today wear a net made of copper wire or a wide pan – they say this may help.

But what will save not a particular head but the entire country from the global changes or at least minimize their consequences? To the scientists’ opinion, first of all it’s necessary to prepare substitution for «industrial» kinds of plants appropriate for new climatic conditions.

For this it’s necessary to considerably increase financing of research institutes engaged in selection. It’s also necessary to massively plant forests to avoid water arteries shoaling. The Head of the National ecological center Yaroslav Movchan considers that Ukraine has to

bring both droughts and massive floods.

However in practice everything is more prosaic. People stock up firewood, coal, salo and other useful things that will help to survive bad feather.

What if the end of the world will happen?

Our tough fellow citizens of course can’t be frightened with the end of the world. Also like with less global but irrational threats. But although we can’t be considered completely free from superstitions. Our «end of the world waiting» has two interesting things. Let’s begin with a little bit of statistics. According to the recent data 71,4% of the country’s population consider themselves the believers that means that by this characteristic the Ukrainians are inferior only to the Polish Catholics, orthodox Cypriots, the devout Portuguese and Slovaks.

The amount of those who believe in God is constantly increasing: the results of Razumkov Center survey demonstrate that during recent ten years the national

More than 90% of the Ukrainian specialists with higher education have clear intention to emigrate or examine the perspectives of employment assistance abroad strengthen its shores and renew communications in the cities: «Otherwise we shall face catastrophes with great amount of victims». Climate change will

Ukrainian congregation has increased by 13%. This leads to a paradox: first of all, the orthodox community for some reason reacts the Maya calendar. Secondly,

the end of the world is perceived as economic crisis that can be survived at the low consumption level. The examples are not only ordinary citizens but the public figures, stars of movies, politics and show-business. For example, Andrey Danilko reserved place in a bunker of his colleague – singer Irina Bilyk. In her cottage near Kiev Bilyk built a na­ tural shelter: underground construction includes several rooms, equipped with water, ventilation, light and toilet. The premise is intended for six people, there is a minimal store of food (including tinned stewed meat and wine) as well as all necessary medicines and grooming means. Ordinary Ukrainians are no fools: they bought salt-sugar-matches, canned drinking water, stocked up with cast-iron stoves and in detail followed all instructions given by the Ministry of Emergency Situations concerning the end of the world. And this isn’t a joke.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations approached the subject with all its seriousness. Thus, the editorial stuff of «LIGABusinessInform» has got a detailed instruction signed by the deputy of the Head of MES Vasiliy Kvashuk. The specialists presented their advices like «what to do if a meteorite falls down, flood comes, electricity disappears etc.».

Of course, they touched the question of food supply. «I’d personally form the following reserve: bottled water, dried crust, tinned food, tea, sugar. And here you have to think what will you eat for several days», advised the chief expert of reaction organization department for emergency situations of MES of Ukraine Constantine Trukhachev.

Resuming all mentioned above we can draw the following conclusion: our fellow citizens are ready to survive even in conditions of Apocalypse. Sociologists talk about specific Slavic adaptability, readiness to preserve their lives in the hardest conditions. What is the horror and the point of death for the rest of the world for us is just another trouble. However the reverse side of such «timeserving» is a passiveness in poli­ tics and social life, when the citizens even don’t hope to change something.

Our adaptability is undoubtedly our resource, the competitive advantage in case of inconclusive end of the world.

If anything happens we can survive on bread and water, we won’t lose without money and will stand in post-nuclear winter. However in common life this ability hampers adequate reactions.

For any problem, whether it be the end of the world, economic crisis, dollars’ growing up or geomagnetic storm we prepare equally: matches, salt, tinned stewed meat and indigenously Slavonic «maybe». Whether it will bring us out to the bright future in the next 2013 year – time will show.

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Olga Medvedeva

HOLIDAY MENU: WHAT THE YEAR 2013 IS FEEDING BY? As soon as we breathed up after the cancelled Armageddon, we immediately were swept overhead with the evens of a new type. What have Ukrainians got as a gift from the gone or rather crept year of Snake in addition to holiday’s hangover?

Olga Medvedeva

s soon as we breathed up after the cancelled Armageddon, we immediately were swept overhead with the evens of a new type. What have Ukrainians got as a gift from the gone or rather crept year of Snake in addition to holiday’s hangover?

Acquisitions of recent days Catholic Christmas was marked by appointment of the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers. Nikolay Azarov preserved his position and received a number of new players to his team. The main ace in a pack is Sergey Arbuzov and generally recognized joker Natalia Korolevskaya. Banal jester or additional «counter» - this will become known a little bit later. First steps of social minister Korolevskaya has become fulfillment of her own pre-election promises. As we remember, she was going to provide Ukrainians with wages of 1 thousand euro. Sooner said than done: Natalia has already initiated increase of labor remuneration, although only the minister’s one. Thus, the first vice-premier Nikolay Arbuzov as well as vice-premiers of the Cabinet of Ministers will receive almost the same wages as the prime-minister himself.

And what about payroll debts to the country’s population? Nothing yet: Ms Korolevskaya stated that salary debts in Ukraine would be completely liquidated not earlier than 2015.

The first vice-premier-minister was pleased not only by salary but his new working place. Sergey Arbuzov received a cabinet of five rooms in the governmental house on Grushevskiy street, 12/2. «Renovation in these five pre­ mises was begun right after Arbuzov’s appointment. One of the premises is planned to be made a dining room», told the Cabinet of Ministers’ source to mass-media. It emphasized that re­ novation of Arbuzov’s cabinet would be finished in the nearest future. Estimated date is the 10th of January.

Queen we’ve lost Holiday, jokes, laughs and happiness.

Performances of the drama-queen Julia Timoshenko seemed to be absolutely faded against the background of New Year’s celebrating. However the ex-premier keeps performing on first tabloid pages and wringing informational occasions, one more absurd than another.

Fresh performance called «actions of civil disobedience» has begun when Julia Vladimirovna disappointed in her comfortable room where she had been receiving treatment for 8 months. According to her lawyers’ words the problem is video-surveillance that, as Timoshenko considers, is installed in her room. And she also got tired of guards. Lady J has left her ward and moved to the room for visitors and decided to spend nights in absolutely unaccommodated place – in a shower. Besides the ex-premier has begun to suspect that composition of detergents and cosmetics she uses could be poisoned. Is it worth to say that the following assessment hasn’t found any extraneous and dangerous bodies in Timoshenko’s cosmetics? On the 7th of January Julia Vladimirovna stated that a headset she used to talk to her relatives on her mobile phone injured her ear and even showed abrasion. (Examination of a headset for its traumatic danger didn’t give reasons for scandal – Bluetooth was operable and didn’t bite). A little bit later Julia Timoshenko’s lawyer Sergey Vlasenko stated assertion that Timo­ shenko’s wound was nothing less than a track of syringe.

«AeroSvit»: new victims Did we know that leaving for our New Year trips we would have to hang about in the airports of the world and celebrate Christmas not at the holiday’s table but snuggling in a waiting hall?

«Lords of the Ukrainian sky» have made a rather ambiguous gift to their custo­ mers. On the 29th of December 2012 the Commercial court of Kiev region began

evil is mass-media. Allegedly, the journalist panic provoked existent problems with flights delays. «Solution of airports and handling companies has been provoked by misrepresented information in several internet-editions supposedly about acknowledgement of «AeroSvit» a bankrupt», said the company’s statement.

Possibly the situation will become stable and passengers of the delayed flights will even receive compensations for that they didn’t manage to take their places in airplanes «according to the bought tickets». But nobody can correct spoiled New Year’s holiday by any money.

legal procedure on the case about bankruptcy of the «AeroSvit» airline that was declared by the air carrier itself. Beginning from the 5th of January the company started to cancel international flights due to stoppage of their servicing in the airports, in particular in Warsaw, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Tel-Aviv, Bucharest and Ho Chi Minh City. Ukrainian and foreign mass-media are bursting with the amount of situation reports from places of «operation». So, the resident of Kiev Constantine Ivkin set in Israeli airport for about twenty-four-hours: «When on the 6th of January my flight «Tel-Aviv – Kiev» was delayed, everybody was driven out of the terminal, people were shocked and hysteric, and a passenger sick with diabetes had a heart attack. People spent night on a concrete floor. Those who had money bought

tickets and flew away by other flights».

«Today an unknown woman at the airport borrowed me $200 that I lacked to buy ticket to Moscow», told the resi­dent of Moscow Marina Arsenova who stuck in Tel-Aviv and were going to fly to Moscow via Kiev. The resident of Kiev Elena who on the 3d of January flew from Kiev to Prague et in «Borispol» for several hours: «I can’t describe what was going on at the airport. Employees virtually run away from passengers. No water, no food. Nothing but rudeness».

Problems of Igor Kolomoyskiy’s company have begun long before the first flight cancellation. Many-million debts had been storing by the company for about two years. However the management of «AeroSvit» doesn’t consider itself guilty in the current events. According to the company’s version the core of

Fuel wars While the country’s residents were stoking up with Olivier salad, cognac and other strong drinks, their vehicles remained without budgetary and accessible «food». Tax police has started grandiose checks of filling complexes.

In several regions they simultaneously paralyzed work of the filling stations that belong to the networks «Avias», «Ukrnafta» and АNP. These filling stations sell fuel of Kremenchug oil-processing plant, and this fuel is much cheaper than similar product of foreign production. The market experts assume that this is the way the competitors are trying to destroy sellers of quality and cheap Ukrainian fuel. As of the 4th of January cost of one liter of A-95 in the abovementioned networks made 10,90 hryvnas while their competitors had significantly higher price: 11,29 hryvnas (WOG and ОККО), 11,10 (Lukoil), 11,09 (TNK-VR) and 11,32 (Shell).

The tax authorities grant the documents about poor fuel sale for the owners of filling stations; however the owners don’t know what was the reason for them to think about «poor» fuel because they didn’t see any examination results.

In Zhytomir, Chernovtsy, Kharkov and Vinnitsa they pumped out the entire

fuel, which was later taken for some «examination». They also stopped work of tank farms in Kalinovka of Vinnitsa region that provided about a hundred and fifty filling stations ANP, «Avias» and «Ukrnafta». Tax service states that examinations are held exceptionally in the network of the customers’ applications about non-granting of accounting documents and low quality of fuels and lubricants. This information was distributed by the agency’s press service.

Cherry on a cake Of course we can’t pass over the main piece of news in the country. In spite of the government’s assurances that «life became better», the Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich stated that the state budget of 2013 will require strict economy. And as usual has started from himself.

«The state budget of 2013 has to be realized rationally and its main goal has to become economy. As an example of such economy I’d like to remember the next year’s 11,8% reduction of servicing and organizational, informational-analytic and material-technical supply charges for supporting of the state head and president administration’s activity», said the Head of state. «Every budgetary hryvna should be under strict account», resumed the President. Let’s remember that the leader of opposition Arseniy Yatsenuk has recently counted that one day of maintenance of Victor Yanukovich costs 1 million 360 thousand hryvnas.

So we, the Ukrainians, wish to live and survive the year 2013. It is worth to think about pulling our belts tighter because there are no promised wages of 1000 euro, no cheap fuel, and no easy air flights. As of food in our fridges and on our tables, it can be substituted by triple application of free informational occasions. The more so because last Ukrainian news emit industrial volumes of fat.

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POLITICS

9

SVOBODA HORIZONS EXTENSION The new Verkhovnaya Rada has just begun to work and the All-Ukrainian association «Svoboda», the beginner in Rada, had time to show itself. Who must really be afraid of nationalists and what is behind the aggressive rhetoric of «Svoboda»?

Matvey Levin

Labor releases The Ukrainian Verkhovnaya Rada is ready to go for recess and in spite that there are no reasons to relax and have fun in our Ukrainian realities I don’t see any special zeal of our deputies to work.

At least if those merry parliamentary fights aren’t considered to be labor.

The majority in fractions of the Party of regions, «UDAR», the Communist party, and «Svoboda» («Freedom») have voted for not very busy schedule of meetings approved in the new Rada.

Such unanimous wish to relax of course doesn’t look strange to those who got used to deal with people’s deputies of Ukraine, however during recent months the political activity in our country is accompanied by strange and slightly obtrusive discourse, which brings a gospel about new forces that have come to the Verkhovnaya Rada to beaver to the benefit of Ukraine. And if it is necessary these labor hands can take a weapon: that’s what «Svoboda» has hinted us many times. We’ll talk about representatives of «Svoboda» in this article.

Electorate is naïve like a marriageable girl and actually many people believed that «Svoboda» went to the Verkhovnaya

it is very comfortable to build pseudo-ideological rhetoric on for opposition to ultra-nationalism.

For electors of the country southeast even an indistinct and expired mixture of Soviet symbols, pulverized coal and inarticulate talks about strong business managers is more tolerable that the mottos like: «Freedom or death» or «Ukraine is above all». Thus «Svoboda» consolidates southeast electorate, releases the power party from complicating agitation mechanisms and allows organizations that are financed from the Russian Federation budget making some money. «Svoboda» itself, until it frightens the left-bank electorate, receives promotion in the west of the country that is absolutely not interesting for the power party.

This isn’t bad but absolutely doesn’t prove the invested money. UNA-UNSO would be enough for such tasks – it isn’t necessary to maintain All-Ukrainian party and this means that «Svoboda» has more large-scaled purposes. No matter who gives «Svoboda» money for the party formation, the question «What for?» remains. Why should one support and sponsor the All-Ukrainian party

Rada to repeat the fifth feat of Heracles, as if the history of Ukraine have never had neither Yushenko who was considered thrifty and efficient manager, nor «strong business managers» who were not talkative but efficient regionals.

To understand how the nationalists are going to work we’ll make a short excursus to this political force’s history.

Freedom. The beginning So, «Svoboda» began its triumphal procession absolutely unexpectedly for all in 2009 in Ternopol. Since then the All-Ukrainian association «Svoboda» has been gaining its political weight, but Ukrainian political scientists and experts are always surprised by its every victory as if the association’s representatives won their first elections only in 2012. But this article isn’t about professionalism of the Ukrainian politologists and not about insight of the Ukrainian society, but about what moments and why the experts, media and, above all, the officials pay their attention to «Svoboda».

«Svoboda» representatives have been working on their first important victory in Ternopol for five years and their path to big politics has begun from ostracism.

Oleg Tyagnibok was turned out from «Nasha Ukraina» block in 2004 and that was predetermination of his solo career.

The reason for Tyagnibok’s exclusion has become his famous agitation speech where he called to fight with moscals and yids against the background of agitation productions of Victor Yushenko.

This story has perfectly illustrated the conception of the main opponent of Yushenko – Victor Yanukovich – that orange fascists are dying for power.

Yushenko hasn’t appreciated Tyagnibok’s efforts but to Oleg’s credit, since his «maternal party» got rid of him, it has only been loosing until it totally disappeared in current political realities.

And «Svoboda» has been growing as it was on a broiler farm.

Experts have still stably assigned «Svoboda» a part of a marginal ultra-nationalistic organization of the regional level, and it’s hard to blame them for the lack of foresight. The kindred minds of «Svoboda» – CUN, UNA-UNSO, and «Trizub» – couldn’t boast support that considerably exceeded a strategic error. How can we explain that unexpected success that has happened with Tyagnibok’s party? The question isn’t too difficult: the party has got money.

And this means that as opposed to the abovementioned organizations, the representatives of Tyagnibok’s party have managed to open offices in all regions of the country, finance employees of those offices, print agitation production and organize very spectacular and mobile actions that substituted the extraparliamentary «Svoboda» its professional political activity. The question «Where money is from?» has been asked over and over again. And there were actually many answers where names of some regionals and even Russian politicians have been heard. But there are no proofs of nationalists’ external financing and this means that it will be necessary to follow the general principles of criminalistics and look for those who are to profit from it. Or to believe statements of deputy Illyenko that Kiev municipal organization All-Ukrainian association «Svoboda» spends fifteen hundred dollars per month.

Freedom from or Freedom for?

Who is to profit from provocative tricks called «direct actions» by the representatives of «Svoboda» – is absolutely clear from reaction to them.

The majority of «Svoboda» initiatives whether it be torchlight processions or placing monuments to ambiguous, in terms of the official history, heroes of the II World War, has provoked liveliest response first of all from the professional Russian patriots, Russian television and the Party of regions, which was seemed not fitting to pay attention to Lvov marginal persons. But taking into account those ideological gaps that the Party of regions has nothing to fill with,

(and this is huge money, by the way) with doubtful reputation and absolutely unpredictable leaders? It is much simpler to answer this question than a question about money!

It is always very convenient to keep staff provokers – this is a widespread political practice. In medieval Venice they said like this: «If you don’t want to keep a provokers gang, get ready to keep a poison expert». First of all, a provoker easily beguiles the audience from really important problems. For example, let’s design a situation classic for Ukraine: growth of tariffs connected exceptionally with the lack of money at the government (or rather there is money but not in the budget) but not with housing and utilities service quality growth.

Such state of affairs arouses the community’s indignation but everybody is outraged only until the representatives of the provocative party fanned with a veil of opposition won’t organize a fancy-dress procession along the capital’s streets – with torches and impartial shouts against some certain nationality.

And here everybody has forgotten about tariffs growth, hryvna rate decline, growth of unemployment and new custom duties. Second, in the parliament such force becomes irreplaceable, and against the background of the passive world community and calls to beat representatives of nonindigenous ethnos one can make business without drawing community’s attention, selling every-

Photo UNIAN

Electorate is like a marriageable girl and actually many people believed that «Svoboda» went to the Verkhovnaya Rada to repeat the fifth feat of Heracles

belonging to power oligarchs; rhetoric that became popular in 2004, calling to divide Ukrainian citizen to into sorts and subspecies; demonstrative xenophobia and intolerance confirming such popular myths about Galicia in Donbass.

What’s more? There’s more. It was very short-sighted decision of opposition to accept «Svoboda»; as of the power’s opinion, accession of this odious party to a private company is more than convenient disposition. «Svoboda» can become the factor, which in the long term will destroy any opposition success, crush any young and adequate leader who will be born by opposition environment, cause revolt and isolation into democratic forces consolidation.

This is all in a day’s work for «Svoboda».

One needs only to realize his program through legislative initiatives and the medieval darkness will cover the entire opposition camp. And the funniest

Svoboda» is in the parliament and keeps confirming the thesis that we have nothing to do not only in Europe but in 21 century thing that hadn’t been sold by previous 6 convocations.

But this isn’t the main thing – «Svoboda» makes politics not only on Lvov streets but in the European parliament cabinets, at least in what concerns relations between the EU and Ukraine. The growing ratings of «Svoboda» for the entire civilized world and that Europe we wish to enter so much and sometimes coyly nock is an indicator that the Ukrainian community is infantile and non-democratic, inclined to authoritarianism and not prepared for the real reforms. So, this is at least premature to talk about European Ukraine – and these are almost literal statements of those functionaries who oppose the Ukrainian Euro-integration. Of course, they have sufficient arguments – new code of criminal procedures counts for something. But one can easily talk about the code, explain it, but finally it has to be read. As of «Svoboda», it is in the parliament and keeps confirming the thesis that we have nothing to do not only in Europe but in 21 century.

In addition, against the background of «Svoboda» and its leaders’ statements even Victor Yanukovich, who imprisoned his opponents, looks more adequate candidate for interaction with the EU. This is confirmed by the last resolution of the European parliament that calls opposition to refuse collaboration with «Svoboda». To the credit of «Svoboda», it has never supported the European perspectives being openly ignoring «rotten liberal» values and stating about self-sufficiency of the Ukrainian state that doesn’t need deep integration projects. As regards the domestic policy, things are much simpler: «Svoboda» helps tearing common political and cultural tissue of the country, dividing Ukraine along Dnieper, and serves like perfect scarecrow for Russian speaking electorate, so Donbass electorate sometimes thinks that only few days left when Oleg Tyagnibok will personally dress SS uniform and with his Sturmgewehr at the ready go for his promotional tour «Mariupol – Snezhnoe». At the result it doesn’t matter how much people got tired with old parties. To use the expression of political shows (which were attended by Tyagnibok and company even more often than the anchorman): «New parties are worse». These facts are evidences of «Svoboda» dependence: powerful PR-campaign in mass-media

thing is that any trick of «Svoboda», whether it is statement about role of Jews in the Ukrainian vocabulary and beating of «trunks», the community and media innocently attribute to temperament of «Svoboda» representatives, their light inadequacy and the main thing – courage and resolution in a struggle with Ukrainefobia. It isn’t simple to see real intentions of true pragmatists behind these strange and hardly verified notions. And «Svoboda» representatives’ pragmatism and rationalism are undoubtful: this demonstrates their activity in Lvov municipal council where, having the majority, the nation-

to pass to their friends. But in 30 minutes «Berkut» has suddenly parted and in several minutes on the Bessarabia square where the action took place the representatives of «Svoboda» with gas bottles appeared and fight began. The police arrested several representatives of «Svoboda» and together with them – the representatives of LGBT-movements. At the police station, as we know from the nationalists’ revelations on Facebook, they were offered... to write applications that gays and lesbians attacked them and bashed them up. The proud representatives of «Svoboda» refused, however weren’t punished. In few hours everybody was released in spite that they attacked peaceful demonstrators in the face of the police. More than a strange situation, isn’t it?

By a singular coincidence, approximately the same was the behavior of the legal agents when senior Tyagnibok with the support of activists was sawing down a fence around the Verkhovnaya Rada.

Let’s go further. The great illustration of true opposition character of «Svoboda» has become their May trick when they wrecked demonstration of film «Harvey Milk» in Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Well, nationalists against homosexuality – this is clear but strange that struggle with a Hollywood film has become more important than transfer of the land near Vyshgorod to Victor Yanukovich for 5 thousand dollars that took place the same day. 43 hectares of forest chases of the President – is this a reason to digress from a film for many-thousand Kiev «Svoboda»? Of course not, especially taking into account the fact that in the result of their «action» only few people paid attention to the widening of feuds of Victor Yanukovich. By the way, in this case it’s impossible to blame «Svoboda»

ly xenophobia statements anymore and provocations will go to the past». This is a very strange thesis. Why should «Svoboda» change its rhetoric that has led it to the victory? The behavior of the fraction differs from the above examined cases only by scales but not by essence.

We’ have seen fight with participation of «Svoboda» representatives, heard how Irina Farion publicly belittled Azarov. It was expected that requirements to speak exceptionally Ukrainian were heard and accompanied by a brawl.

However this hasn’t prevented the Rada to elect Vladimir Rybak as a speaker and without any problem to re-elect Azarov to the position of the prime-minister and even form a fraction of the Communist party. Isn’t it strange for the party that was going to the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine under warlike mottos and promises not to let any anti-Ukrainian decision go past?

Here is another question: where was «Svoboda» at the moment when it has become to known that in December Victor Yanukovich in Moscow would have to sign the documents about entry of Ukraine to the Customs Union? Let me remember: information about this appeared in mass-media several days

parliamentary platform, calling Ukrainians to struggle with oppressors? After all, where is the «last romantic of national-socialism» Yurko Michalchishin who threatened by act of terrorism or at least famous «direct actions»? Silence.

Silence until the moment when it has become clear: Yanukovich won’t fly anywhere. And here the representatives of «Svoboda» look relieved and on the 18th of December announced publicly that wouldn’t allow that.

This impresses. But only for now. Because imitation of the action on a long distance all the same doesn’t bring electoral dividends and only one thing is obvious: absolutely all decisions that were necessary to be adopted by the Party of regions have been adopted. And in the majority of cases «Svoboda» hadn’t manage and hadn’t even tried to prevent regionals activity. Instead to opposing disastrous reforms of public health, beggarly budget or legal framework narrowing, the representatives of «Svoboda» under crowd cheerful hallooing drive Tabalovs around and conduct marches against illegal migrants (as if illegals could strive for the country like ours).

«Svoboda» had time to create many informational occasions around absolute-

Oleg Tyagnibok was turned out from «Nasha Ukraina» block in 2004 and that was predetermination of his solo career before planned meeting in the top leadership. What can be more terrible for the Ukrainian nationalist than a threat of actual integration into the Russian Federation? Where is a requirement to call extraordinary meeting of the Verkhovnaya Rada? Where is starving Tyagnibok chained with fetters to the

ly inessential matters, won fulmination of the European community, and coated the entire opposition with brown.

But the main thing is that «Svoboda» has begun its pre-elective campaign in which, in the terms of the second tour, Yanukovich will be able to beat only Tyagnibok.

How can we explain that unexpected success that has happened with Tyagnibok’s party? The question isn’t too difficult: the party has got money alists have brought the town council to situation when even envelopes with staples became a great deficit. Meanwhile, if to believe in revelations of Lvov mayor Andrew Sadoviy, the problems with «Svoboda» have come right after when they didn’t manage to carry several land allotments in behalf of «doubtful structures».

Free form Any attempts to publicly expose «Svoboda» in pursuit of non-Ukrainian interests face powerful wave of reciprocal charges in complicity to regime. However, the nationalists’ activity analysis brings us directly to opposite resume.

Thus, for example, the last «direct actions» conducted by this party, in spite of their provocative anti-constitutionalism, didn’t face the power’s opposition.

Torchlight procession against illegal migration to Kharkov, during which young people screamed out frankly fascist mottos, caused only a dull discussion in mass-media and blogs. And attack of nationalists on the meeting conducted by human rights organization against adoption of a scandal law about homosexuality propaganda prohibition is the bright illustration of collaboration of «Svoboda» and law-enforcement structures. Few have paid attention to this incident but it is more than demonstrative: on the 8th of December the meeting of LGBT-communities was contained by «Berkut» so tightly that the behindhand activists didn’t manage

for the lack of information – in Vyshgorod district council that adopted this decision Yuriy Levchenko, the representative of «Svoboda», is the deputy.

By the way, nobody was punished for that action. And this is very interesting: why the police, which is the hands of the regime, is so loyal to aggressive opposition? Over and over again «Svoboda» gives reasons not only to arrest several activists for hooliganism but to simply stop the association’s activity as a political subject. However nothing similar happens. Nevertheless the police loyalty in relation to «Svoboda» is mutual. Thus, the Ukrainian budget for 2013 provides considerable raise of expenditures for domestic authorities, but fighters with «anti-national regime» for some reason don’t express any disapproval about this. Moreover this seems to be more surprising against the background of the fact that the budget foresees reduction of expenses for the Ukrainian army – for 1,72 billion that had to revolt warlike representatives of «Svoboda» with their eternal paranoid discourse «Ukraine is in danger». But «Svoboda» isn’t going to strengthen the country’s defense. This can mean either that «Svoboda» is going to head MHA or that it has no grounds to be afraid of the power.

Freedom imitation Directly after the elections we heard many experts’ opinions that: «Now «Svoboda» will change its rhetoric and become respected. We won’t hear frank-

Specialized store of Photo&Video technics in the center of Kiev Mikhaylovskaya street, 11, +380 44 205-40-30 www.abcphoto.com.ua

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ТЕЛЕВИДЕНИЕ/ НАЦИОНАЛЬНАЯ ТЕЛЕКОМПАНИЯ УКРАИНЫ

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

EGOR BENKENDORF: «I WISH UKRAINE HAD ONLY HAPPY EVENTS IN STORE FOR 2013» On the 18th of March 2010 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine appointed Egor Berkendorf as the director general of the National television company of Ukraine.

On the recent days of the past 2012 we met with Egor to find out what NTCU managed to do during that period and what expects the «First National Channel» in 2013

Photographer Alexander Lobanov

Written by: Alexandra Pogorelaya

Have you managed to make the «First» channel truly National?

Not all at once. We’ve managed to attract an attention of audience to the «First National Channel». We’ve managed to raise the channel from oblivion for sure. For long years the channel has been loosing its audience. In 2009 there was a peak of fall although to that moment the channel had many exclusive rights for sport broadcasts: the European League and the League of Champions. The audience rate made 1,79…

Today the rate of 3,43 is the highest rate for the entire history of the channel.

long legal proceedings. So, first thing we’ve done – returned the state channel to the state. Preservation of the national interests is above all. I wouldn’t like to blame those who had worked before me.

But I got used to work the way I won’t be ashamed towards myself. These are not high-sounding words but my real life position.

Many people don’t understand how one can work not for profit but preserving the national interests. This is the reason of distrust to your actions…

For today we’ve managed to solve about 80% of various financial problems of NTCU that accumulated for the last 8 years First steps have been made to make the «First National Channel» truly first and national.

Does the audience returns thanks to the quality content?

Yes. And it is important that to the whole production of the «First National Channel» content we assign about 5 million hryvnas. Even news service of any successful channel spends much more.

I suppose that one season of big entertainment shows on the first echelon channels costs about 5 million dollars that is equal to the entire annual budget of NTCU! And one issue of the biggest entertainment projects on the first eche­lon channels costs approximately 400-600 thousand dollars. Here are several figures to compare: the minimal annual budget of the leading channels for production makes minimum 120 million. And I know that some Ukrainian channels finished the last year with million losses.

What were your first steps as the director general of NTCU? When I came to the channel, first of all began to examine agreements signed by the previous management. Thus, NTCU could remain without 3 hours in primetime handing them over to the party N. Of course, such deal isn’t in the channel’s benefit. These non-transparent agreements were protected by million punitive sanctions against NTCU. Judicially we’ve managed to promote the interests of the «First National Channel» having achieved the last instance during

I don’t grip the position of the director general of NTCU. This is hard work.

I’m not going to leave the channel but know for sure that I’ll find better and more profitable work very quickly.

You will have to conflict with many people if you don’t compromise your conscience. Even friends become not really friends if their interests are affected. Just imagine: people spent their

time and money lobbying their interests and building non-transparent schemes around NTCU. They were ready to get a cherry on the cake. And there has come a person who broken the agreements that had been drawing up for years. I have to hear constantly: «Benkendorf, you are the craziest of all leaders. Everybody are ordinary person easy to arrange with…».

I’m easy person to arrange with. But only in the interests of NTCU. Can you make an example in figures of NTCU interests preserving?

We’ve won more than a half a billion of hryvnas in courts – this is money that could leave the channel if we hadn’t started to solve huge blunders of the pervious management.

For today we’ve managed to solve about 80% of various financial problems of NTCU that accumulated for the last 8 years. Including huge debts to RRT Concern for signal transmission – about 80 millions of hryvnas.

Unfortunately, even during the last two and a half years we didn’t solve all problems heritably left for us by the previous management. For example, we still have legal proceedings with scientific production association «Surface»

for a series of problems. But we’re working on these questions including and not excluding the possibilities of settlement agreement.

Have you brought modern Ukrainian culture to the channel?

The answer is our new project – the channel «First Ukraine». This is absolutely different channel by its filling: it has more national films and programs.

I’ve assigned Sergey Logunov for the channel. The budget for production of the «First Ukraine» makes 0. Everything is being done owing to initiative and ideological interests of NTCU team.

There are no wages and this is a «social job» for employees.

Satellite channel the «First Ukraine»

The channel in its full-value access is broadcasted on the entire territory of Ukraine.

I’ve issued the challenge for 2013 to let every Ukrainian who goes for vacation to any country of the world watching the Ukrainian channel equally with BBC, CNN, and РТР.

Why it hasn’t become the «First National Channel»? Why have your created the «First Ukraine»?

The «First National Channel» is impossible to be broadcasted abroad because we don’t have international rights for a certain part of the program content. We can’t even deliver it to a satellite – only in a closed subscriber access.

Such territorial restriction is connected

NTCU is a chic object for beating. To beat us is to advertise themselves: some kind of a cheap Ukrainian «media-surfing» has started its full-fledged broadcast in September 2012 and already became popular. The «First Ukraine» broadcasts in Canada; in February it will cover America; we are watched in many countries of Europe and RF.

with rights. Some people can decode it in the Internet and watch from any part of the globe. But this is another story connected with such actions legality.

And the «First Ukraine» retransmits news, socio-political and cultural programs of the «First National Channel».

I have one unrealized idea to achieve coverage all over Ukraine for the «First National Channel». This will be the fullfledged channel. Currently we’re creating a portal for it.

Logically, then the «First Ukraine» should become commercial channel for full-fledged financing? Or it will remain subsidized from NTCU budget?

In my opinion, there are no profitable channels in Ukraine. All channels are subsidized. We have many channels and the advertising market is distributed evenly: everybody is lack of money.

The «First Ukraine» will be definitely included into the structure of NTCU. We’re positioning ourselves as the state media holding and have intention to broaden.

It was pleasant for me that the video

Are you satisfied with the national selection of «Eurovision-2013»?

In general I am. Both with the selection and the winner: Zlata is excellent.

We can not to show how many sms are sent or how the jurymen voted. They counted and announced the result. This is what the organizing committee of the international «Eurovision» contest does. Organizers don’t allow poking into oth­ er people’s lives. On the contrary we’re trying to make selection as transparent as possible. We’ve even brought a condition that one person can send only one sms from one number (according to current «Eurovision» rules – to 20 sms from one number – editor).

The reports about victory of Zlata Ognevich have been going long ago.

Mass media wrote about bought victory. You personally and NTCU in general were blamed in insufficient objectivity and closed selection of a jury.

This year we invited all representatives of mass media to open vote. It was interesting whether opinion would coincide… I must confess – I thought it wouldn’t coincide and there will be scandal and sensation… however scandals also have their advantages – they create media occasion and raise inte­ rest to a project. But everything has coincided, everybody voted unanimously for Zlata Ognevich. There were always talks. Like one classic said: «Reports go around homes and toothless old women spread them over minds…». I’ve always been grateful for any rumors about our projects.

What chances Zlata Ognevich has to get to 5 leaders of «Eurovision-2013»?

I wouldn’t underestimate it like that.

Why only 5? We have to state high goals for us.

I state the goal for the «First National Channel» – to correspond to its title and status. It is possible to understand this only coming here and plunging into realities. But we’re confidently going there. Tendencies are wonderful. The

One season of big entertainment shows on the first echelon channels costs about 5 million dollars that appeared on «Ukrainskaya pravda» in the national selection of «Eurovision» was exactly from the «First Ukraine».

channel had been on the 16th place when I came there to work. Today we are stably on the 8th place.

ТЕЛЕВИДЕНИЕ/ НАЦИОНАЛЬНАЯ ТЕЛЕКОМПАНИЯ УКРАИНЫ

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Photo Alexander Lobanov

www.thekievtimes.org

That’s why we set the task to Zlata Ognevich to win «Eurovision». We will advise and help. In February she will go to Malta as a special guest of the local «Eurovision» selection – she will perform there: promo-tour and rehearsal.

At the same time we will evaluate the level of other artists.

Kiev. This is our pride. An ordinary reader can count necessary financial costs and decide that this money should be spent not for the children’s «Eurovision» but, for example, social projects.

But for the image and popularization of the country this is absolutely necessary.

This is mini-«EURO-2012». Western

It’s time for the people’s deputies to stop to spin themselves. They have to unite not for their political ambitions and interests but for the future of our country We’ve specially conducted the contest in advance to give performer the possibility to prepare on the highest level.

Zlata has performed perfectly but there are some issues we will advice producer to improve. I think that Zlata is a strong pretender for victory of «Eurovision – 2013».

Many countries, friends of Ukraine, refused the participation in Eurovision-2013. How do you evaluate the level of possible support of Ukrainian representative?

The situation is distorted. Everything can be explained. We’ve made an inquiry to EBU (European Broadcasting Union – editor) and asked how many member-countries participate this year. They have officially replied: 39 countries for now. Turkey refused but it can change its mind. Let’s not to offend Turks but they wish to play like that. To my sense Turkey will change its mind the last moment. And everybody will pay attention to it.

This year Poland refused like everybody says. And did Poland participate last year? No (smiling). But last year nobody talked about this. Moreover it happens every year: from 2 to 7 countries don’t take part. This can easily be traced even in Wikipedia.

Mass media often ascribe its wild guesses to the real facts. In such cases it is worth to put a question: «Whom is this profitable for in Ukraine?». Many people aren’t interested that we win the adult «Eurovision».

The children’s «Eurovision» will take place in Kiev. Is Ukraine ready for it?

The victory of Nastia Petrik and successful negotiations provide us conduct of the children’s «Eurovision» contest in Ukraine. Necessary funds in a budget have been planned. Some European states spend huge resources to hold the Eurovision locally. In December 2013 a large-scale festival will take place in

mass media will make many positive reportss about Ukraine. For our country this is extremely important because currently Europeans see only negative matter of things. News about Ukraine is a huge destructive premise for the country’s economy and Eurointegration. And such events like «Eurovision» are a creative energy. Try to arrange about posi­ tive publications with world mass media: 10 budgets of «Eurovision» won’t be enough for such PR-campaign.

And we have what to be proud of: the country is beautiful, our people are wonderful. I’m a patriot of Ukraine.

Once in my youth I watched films about USA and left for America with hope to stay there. Thanks God I’ve returned in three months – nostalgia tortured me.

You talk much about big social pro­ jects on the «First National Channel».

What important things have you made in this direction in 2012?

With the help of our journalists’ to­ pics, tens of families that need funds for a medical emergency for their children could collect millions of hryvnas. During a year every week 1-2 topics about these children have been broadcasted on our air. We were amazed that in contempt of the difference in ratings of the leading channels the effect of social materials on the «First National Channel» was much higher than on other channels. Similar materials with recourses bring to 50 calls on other channels and we have 200 calls. This means that our channel’s audience is more responsive.

Besides everybody remembers when in «Shuster-Live» telecast the famous Ukrainian businessman assigned 200 thousand euro for a child’s treatment.

We think this is very important.

Please, call the main achievements of NTCU in 2012.

Television coverage of «Euro-2012»!

The «First National Channel» in a status of the official matches’ translator has

collected millions of Ukrainian fans. For the Championship period about 30 million of TV viewers watched football on the channel. And broadcast took place without failing. This is large volume of work and large project.

In August and September 2012 the «First National Channel» realized its large-scaled project of coverage of all contests that took place in the network of the Olympics and Paralympics-2012 in London. I would note that we hold the record during the broadcasts. Thus, the final issue of a joint project NTCU and «Savik Shuster studio» - «Olympic passion» - simultaneously gathered 16 prize winners of the Olympic Games in London.

I would note our three-year leadership in the dynamic of the main TV-vision indicators growth. In particular, the increase (audience 18+) according to the results of the recent 10 months of 2012 has made record 8% for the market and this is after 34% in 2011 when we were told that after such leap in future we would have only stagnation or fall in front of us.

We’ve placed in operation our new air equipment room that is perhaps the best in Ukraine today. We’ve realized direct rating broadcasts during the main national and religious holidays …

Recognition from the side of the media-community is also important for us. The children’s telecast «School of a young super-agent» has got the «Teletriumph» award. And my advisor Denis Zamriy has been nominated for the award «Best foreign film» as the head of a scenary group of the feature film «The one who walked through the fire».

What projects are you especially proud of?

NTCU has got into the world’s Guinness Book of Records for its project «Song unites us!». This is 110 hours of continuous marathon of the Ukrainian song where huge amount of performers took place. The project of the Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian song populariza-

provide 110 hours of continuous work of telecruisers, light, and monitors. Unfortunately in Ukraine this event remained almost unnoticed by mass media. But when ambulance has taken Poplavskiy from the project’s set this was covered by all of them. The Kiev national institute of culture and the television channel «Era» were the joint arrangers of the marathon. The authors are me and Poplavskiy. I’m personally grateful to him for this success.

As for the image of Ukraine in Europe this has become an important event.

Usually records are made with commercial purposes. And in our case Europeans appreciated that we set such noble purpose in the national interests.

What tasks do you set for NTCU in 2013?

Broadcasting widening, access to the additional satellites and improvement of the channel’s quality are the first-priority tasks.

2013 for NTCU will be the year of the European cinema and science as well as the year of Taras Shevchenko’s memory.

We’re planning to launch production of 70 documentary films. We’re filming a series of scientific telecasts in educational key. It’s still a secret but I’d confess – we’re preparing a big talk-show.

We’re contemplating to receive three «Teletriumph» awards.

Whom of the leading politicians would you call the media-person of 2012 in Ukraine?

It is uniquely the Prime-Minister of Ukraine Nikolay Azarov. He is the leader of appearances in mass-media and information occasions.

2012 is the year of elections; many politicians were very active. Lyashko distinguished himself in creativity (smiling).

I would also emphasize new information policy of the Ukrainian National Bank. For the first time in the Ukrainian history NBU provided speakers and openness in relation to mass media.

2013 for NTCU will be the year of the European cinema and science as well as the year of Taras Shevchenko’s memory tion in general. Heretofore this record was held by Italy – 107 hours. We’ve beaten it in a live broadcast! The condition was that singing could be performed live only. Gaps between songs could be not more than 30 seconds.

Believe me it is extremely difficult to

And how do you evaluate the new Parliament’s composition and the Parliamentary elections-2012?

The parliamentary elections were held honestly and also covered on the «First National Channel».

There was none political force we re-

fused. There were no restrictions of air: «Svoboda», «Batkivschina», the Party of regions, and Yushenko – everybody was equal. I’d especially note the television marathon that was conducted on the «First National Channel» on the 28-29th of October 2012. With the help of vi­deo observation cameras installed on 32, 188 polling station spectators watched the course of the elections on-line. That was for the first time not only in the history of parliamentary elections but in the history of the Ukrainian television.

NTCU is a chic object for beating. To beat us is to advertise themselves: some kind of a cheap Ukrainian «media-surfing». I’m happy that we didn’t give a slightest reason for our opponents.

But it’s time for the people’s deputies to stop to spin themselves. They have to unite not for their political ambitions and interests but for the future of our country. This is the horror of the Ukrainian parliament – currently this is virtually impossible.

The power and opposition have to develop the mutual action plan of people’s life improvement. But many politicians realize that if they would stop to throw away their sound mottos and become start to work in favor of their country, people won’t understand. It is simpler to build popularity on negative, unfortunately.

What is your personal forecast for Ukraine in 2013?

I expect only good things for Ukraine.

The thoughts are material (smiling).

If every person has his civil position and work for the state strengthening, everything will be fine in 2013.

NTCU is a mini-state. Our elevators have broken. I don’t repair the old ones but change them to the new ones. I’ve enclosed the «First National Channel» with the fence and get everything together. Somebody considers that state things are of no man’s and can be pilfered. Time will judge. I’m sure that arranging things and protecting NTCU from thefts we work in favor of Ukraine.

This gigantic thing is too big. We’ve made a roof repair last year. This year the building needs the heating system reconstruction. And things are always the same. Nothing happened for many years. Working on the channel every day you need to prove your patriotism in practice. The same is in the country and any enterprise of it.

The state is any of us. A patriot isn’t a person who wears vyshyvanka and speaks Ukrainian. This is the person who connects his future and the future

of his children with this country. That’s why I really care what is going on here.

And that’s why I don’t expect that the authorities will do all job for me. Everybody bears his own responsibility.

You have to simply work hard and Ukraine will be in order. If a worker of parking takes money without a check he has destroyed his country. The state consists of such small links. My wife cleans a couple of stair flights in our entrance. And other person easily fouls in his entrance and his country.

Are you satisfied with the new Cabinet of Ministers’ composition?

Let me reply diplomatically. I came to the channel in 2010. I was met with a riot; the staff announced an impeachment. For the first week of my work 450 persons collected signatures behind my retirement. And then one of my colleagues has made a strong and brave action. She said to the crowd that was shouting «burn»: «It’s too early to decide to burn or not to burn. Let’s look at his real work and then make an objective decision».

It’s easy to be in a furious crowd of those who are chanting «burn». Let’s see how they will do their work and then everything will be clear. We won’t solve anything only by criticism and cowing. If you beat a child’s hands when he teaches to draw… he will never even take a pencil in its hands.

What do you think, has Horoshkovskiy demonstrated his intention to take part in the Presidential race2015?

I wouldn’t like to comment actions of Valeriy Horoshkovskiy. He has rather not. My vision of the presidential campaign: Yanukovich, Tyagnibok, Klichko, Medvedchuk, Poroshenko, the opposition leader, and possibly Yatsenuk.

I won’t run for the Ukrainian President for sure (smiling). Recently I’ve clearly been resolved not to connect my life with politics.

Are you satisfied with the budget of NTCU for 2013?

Women, romances and money require tears... For now the budget is planned 40% lower than in 2012. And I think optimistically about this; we’ve addressed to the government with official letters.

I hope they are interested in our channel’s strengthening. NTCU is a symbol of how the state policy is realized in this direction. We established a constructive dialogue and hopefully the budget will be reviewed.

Your business legal support Vorovskogo, 29-E, office 13, Kyiv, 01054 044 486 3360 www.lg-d.com

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SPORT

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

YURI ZAGORODNY: SHOULD WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR REBIRTH OF UKRAINIAN HOCKEY? The Director General of the Professional hockey league exclusively for The Kiev Times has told about peculiarities and perspectives of Ukrainian hockey, patriotism of legendary hockey players, businessmen and politicians, and the Ukrainian Championshipa-2013 Written by: Alexandra Pogorelaya

History of Ukrainian hockey can be divided into two periods: Soviet Ukrainian hockey and hockey in independent Ukraine.

Professional hockey in Ukraine appeared in 1963 when the team of masters «Dynamo Kiev» was created (in

ary Ukrainian hockey players the Professional hockey league was created.

Alumni of domestic hockey came back to Ukraine and help to revive Ukrainian hockey.

The Professional hockey league was born on the 25th of June 2011,

Without legionaries none of the team sports can develop on the professional level

A little bit later another strong team appeared – Kharkov «Dynamo», which had been playing in the Higher League for two years before the Soviet Union’s collapse. Two Ukrainian clubs in the Soviet higher league – that was very prestigious. But USSR became history.

In 1992 the Independent Ukrainian Hockey Federation was created.

Those were very hard times. The lack of stability, difficult economic situation of the country, and political roaming – everything put its mark on sport including hockey.

Many Ukrainian hockey players having left Ukraine played in the best world teams. For example, Dmitry Hrystich, the alumnus of Kiev «Sokol», has left for America and had been playing in the National Hockey League for 12 years. Happily Dmitry Hrystich came back to Ukraine, currently lives in Kiev and works in Ukrainian PHL. Prominent Ukrainian hockey player Alexander Godynuk has also left for USA then and played for the best clubs of NHL. Today Godynuk lives in Ukraine, and serves as the manager of Kiev «Sokol». He is also the manager of the youth team of Ukraine.

A little bit later another hockey star began to shine – Aleksey Zhytnik. In 1990’s he passed the same way as his colleagues did. From «Sokol» he got to Moscow «CSKA», and later played for the best NHL clubs.

At the beginning of 2000’s two new stars appeared: Ruslan Fedotenko and Aleksey Panikarovsky. Young men have soon left to play in NHL. Ruslan Fedotenko became twice champion for «Stanley’s Cup» – the most distinguished prize in the world hockey among professional teams.

In Canada hockey is a sport number one. In USA hockey is also very popular kind of sport that competes with basketball and baseball. In recent years

one and a half years ago. We can’t not to say that in its birth and making the following people have done everything possible and impossible: Boris Koleskikov («Donbass» club), David Zhvaniya («Berkut» club), Yuri Boyko («Companion - Neftegaz» club), Sergey Taruta («Sokol» club), Konstantin Efimenko («Bely Bars»), Igor Churkin and Markiyan Lubkivsky («Levy» club), and Michael Dobkin with Sergey Kovalev («Dynamo Kharkov» club). Owing to these people our teams have retuned from featureless oblivion and play professional hockey.

First season of PHL was very eventful and intriguing. Games were not alike.

Legionaries have started to assemble to our hockey clubs. Without legionaries none of the team sports can develop on the professional level. Insufficient long-term interest to hockey has led to a deficit of personnel. Yes, there was a school of «Sokol» club; the legendary schools «Kryzhinka» («Little piece of ice») and HSMS in Kharkov were preserved. But due to the lack of an «adult» championship and professional teams hockey players didn’t see application for their talents. Those who played in Ukraine were doomed to be amateurs.

Last season «Sokol» club was reinforced by Andrew Nikolishin – legendary hockey player with Ukrainian roots who lives in Russia. He is the World Champion, the Olympics Champion, the best Russian hockey player, and the captain of Russian team. For more than 10 years Nikolishin had been playing in NHL. There was a period when he played with Dmitry Hrystich in the same team – «Washington Capitals».

We can’t not to emphasize patriotic deed of hockey player Konstantin Kasyanchuk. In recent years he was playing in the strongest Russian clubs: Moscow «Dynamo», «CSKA», and Che­ lyabinsk «Traktor». When PHL appeared in Ukraine, this sportsman decided to play for his Motherland. He understood that PHL needed famous hockey players.

Unfortunately contracts with legionaries are very expensive. Today it is impossible to compare budgets of hockey clubs with budgets of football clubs.

They differ ten times down. Fees of PHL

The President of RF Vladimir Putin plays hockey himself.

He is one of the initiators of amateur Night league creation Ukraine became to consider idea of the Ukrainian championship’s transferring to professional rails and creation of professional hockey league.

One of the main initiators of professional hockey league creation has become Boris Kolesnikov, who was the vice-premier of Ukraine at that time. With support of the legend-

hockey players are different but they are incomparable to fees of NHL or CHL hockey players, for example.

For the period of twenty years of independence quite ironic situation appeared in Ukraine. In the country where there wasn’t professional hockey, amateur hockey is very developed.

There are more than 300 amateur teams

Photographer Alexander Lobanov

1972 it was renamed to «Sokol Kiev»).

That was the most titled Ukrainian team, which successfully played in Soviet Union’s championships. Third place in the USSR Championship in 1985 became the highest achievement of Ukrainian hockey.

in Ukraine today. Kiev holds the championship among amateur teams. There are two amateur leagues: «Night hockey league» and «Amateur hockey league».

Night hockey league appeared because of skating-rinks shortage. At day Ukrainian skating-rinks are occupied with children and professionals; there

The main task is to open the way to Olympics 2014 in Sochi is mass skating. So amateurs can play hockey only in the evening or at night.

I also play for one of «Amateur hockey league» teams. For several years the Final cup is being held and there players fight for the title of the Ukrainian Champion among amateurs. This league is divided into several groups; about 40 teams play in total.

It is amazing but people come to amateur games. There are regional sport forums: the Western Ukraine hockey league championship, «The Black Sea Cup»; the East of Ukraine has its own championships.

In 2007 the government of Yanukovich adopted the state program «Hockey of Ukraine». That was a crucial point in the history of Ukrainian hockey. The program provided the creation of hockey infrastructure, development of children’s and junior sport schools, hockey teams and holding of the Ukrainian championship in several leagues. But the same 2007 the govern-

ment was changed and the program was put aside. For the following three years only three skating-rinks were built – in Donetsk, Kherson and Kalusha (Ivano-Frankovsk region).

Dmintry Markovsky and Milash Holan («Berkut» club), Alexander Godynuk («Sokol» club), Dmitry Yakushin («Dynamo Kharkov»), Konstantin Butsenko and Ramil Yuldashev («Bely Bars» club).

In general, owing to the Program «Hockey of Ukraine» it has become possible to save several schools, in Donetsk to create professional hockey club «Donbass», which having interrupted «Sokol» hegemony is currently the twice Champion of Ukraine and the holder of the Continental Cup – the most prestigious European club trophy.

Today the program run is activated; skating-rinks in Donetsk, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Kiev were built at the budget expense. In 2012 skating-rinks in Krivoy Rog and Belaya Tserkov were commissioned. Now Belaya Tserkov PHL team can play home.

Next in turn is commission of arenas in Lugansk and Sevastopol.

The main task of PHL at the beginning of 2013 will become deserved completion of the Ukrainian Championship. At the beginning of February so called regular championship will finish. Then there will be the group tournament for the right for play-off.

In March – the play-off games. Play-off is a semifinal where teams play until one of them wins three times and the final (minimum 4 games, maximum 7 games). Winner of the final series will become the next Ukrainian Champion.

Those who lose will play for the third place.

The Hockey Academy of the highest level was opened in Donetsk. The best children from Ukraine and the near abroad are selected. Qualified foreign coaches were invited.

Hockey is very expensive treat. But the state and investors today consciously agree for charge because they understand that hockey can make many useful things for the country.

Ukraine possesses a worthy coach team. Aleksey Seukand («Companion - Neftegaz» club), Oleg Mikulchik and Igor Andruschenko («Donbass» club),

On the post-Soviet space many countries are keen with hockey. In Russia this is a sport number one. The state pays huge attention to this kind of sport; the President of RF Vladimir Putin plays hockey himself. He is one of the initiators of amateur Night league creation. Byelorussia also has very strong hockey. I don’t know whether Alexander Lukashenko currently comes out on ice but formerly he liked to play this sport. They have wonderful Championship – the Open Championship of Byelorussia. In recent years the Ukrainian teams took part in it. Kazakhstan also holds not a bad Championship – they have strong national team. For the first time Donetsk club «Donbass» participates in the Continental hockey

league Championship (analog of transatlantic NHL), and currently fights for play-off games. Ukraine has to keep up with its neighbors.

Reviving the Ukrainian Championship we strengthen the national team. The main task is to open the way to Olympics 2014 in Sochi. To do that, we need to pass qualification tournament. First selection took place in November 2012 in Kiev. The Ukraine team won it. And in February 2013 we need to win the second round in Denmark. The Ukraine team can do this.

I dream Ukrainian hockey to rich Russian level. Both sport and Ukraine will gain from it. Another daring dream is the match of Ukraine and Canada teams, which would be held on a wonderful ice arena in Ukraine. But let me be straightforward: without state support this can’t be realized. However this can become sport and diplomatic breakthrough for Ukraine.

When Victor Yanukovich was the Prime-minister, domestic hockey started to revive. I’m sure that the President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich will support Ukrainian hockey the same effective way.

At conclusion let me remember the words of Chinese philosopher Sun Tzi: «Loosers always talk about the past. The average man realizes only the present. The winner always thinks about the future».

Ukraine, live the future!

Open up new directions with Air France in 2013!

In 2013 the Air France Company will start flights between the airport Paris – Charles De Gaulle and the airport Minneapolis – Saint Paul.

From 21 of May to 1 of September «City of Lakes» will become 11th direction of the air company in the United States. To 7 flights per week will be offered between Paris and Minneapolis. From Minneapolis you can continue your trip to Canada or other cities of the United States on board of Delta Air Lines planes.

From 22 of April 2013 the Air France Company will start flights 3 times a week between Kuala Lumpur – Charles De Gaulle. For your comfort flights will be made at nights. You’ll discover the capital of Malaysia, true crossroads of Asian cultures. If you wish you can continue your journey to Indonesia on board of planes of KLM Air Company that offers flights to Jakarta.

Kiev, Ivana Franko str. 34/33 Phone (44) 4963575, 4902490 www.airfrance.ua

www.thekievtimes.org

HISTORY

13

HISTORICAL ROOTS OF MODERN UKRAINE: STATE RUS’ (Part II) In the previous issue of ТКТ we talked about Khazars. Many East Slavic tribes forcedly used to pay tribute to them at the end of the І millennium A.D. Such counteraction favored appearance of a new state formation called «Rus’» («Russian land») with the center in Kiev Alexander Motsya

First his politics has been continued by his sons and later his grandsons and great grandsons. After the death of Vladimir Monomakh’s son Mstislav the Great in 1132 the uniting tendencies in Rus’ were preserved for a while but in connection with further development of separate principality lands they began to gradually withdraw from Kiev.

And after the Mongol invasion with

sition or lost it. And only the Kiev land, as P. Tolochko said, hasn’t separated to hereditary possession of any Rurikid’s branch, hasn’t become a separate independent principality. It was the ownership of great-princely table and even general dynastic heritage of the entire extensive princely stock.

The essence of Old Russian feudalism was in the state belonging of lands,

After the Mongol invasion with Batu Khan at the head in 1240-s the Kiev Russian period of East Slavic history finished and the state itself stopped to exist Batu Khan at the head in 1240-s the Kiev Russian period of East Slavic history finished and the state itself stopped to exist.

Picture:Princely mark of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich

Rus’ specific Characterizing the political structure and social economic relations, this entire period of Eastern Slavs development has to be divided into two stages: early-feudal monarchy (ІХ-ХІІ centuries) and feudal atomism (ХІІ-ХІІІ centuries). At the first stage the main government impulses had been realizing from the state capital – Kiev, and at the second stage appanage principalities centers had been developing and that were also typical for other European countries. At one time or another on different East Slavic territories monarchic or republican feudal tendencies prevailed, uniting or separatists tendencies received majority and separate princely families strengthened their po-

Birth of Rus’: where and when?

First of all this social phenomenon has to be connected with natural historical processes of Slavonic farmers’ internal development. In the modern science this civilized structure is called the «Kievan Rus’» according to its main center.

History of the first East Slavic state is a hot subject of research for a long time.

In the previous periods of research the main emphasize was made on a proof that the community of Eastern Europe in the medieval epoch differed nothing

called «Novgorod region» or «volost».

The same consistency of terminology is traced in relation to the title «Rus’» in its Middle Dnieper geographical designation. To this particular place from the northern zone of Slavs settlement have come bishops, princes and posadniks for solving their tasks and problems, acquisition of power, coordination of actions etc.

And if to speak about northeast of the East Slavic world (Povolzhye) than the concept of Suzdal land (later the Great principality of Vladimir and oth-

and his wife Olga, later their descendants who continued to strengthen positions of the new dynasty in space and time. Politics of the pervious gene­ rations’ new governors received its logic completion in times of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich who according to the annalist’s definition from 980 «began to reign in Kiev by himself». At the end of Х century in general the process of the Kiev State formation finished; the State boarders were the following: at riverheads of Oca and Volga on the east; Sula, Northern Donets and Ros’ on

Photo Ukrainian News

After the death of Vladimir Monomakh’s son Mstislav the Great in 1132 the uniting tendencies in Rus’ were preserved for a while but in connection with further development of separate principality lands they began to gradually withdraw from Kiev from the community of Western Europe. Nowadays this range of problems is more often used for confirmation of an exclusive rights of this or that mo­ dern East Slavic nation for more than a millennium heritage.

For that matter in recent times there were repeated tries to correlate historical events of the end of the І millennium A.D. – the period when Kiev found itself outside the «Russian zone». Small city Ladoga on the Far East Slavic north has been declared the first capital of Rus’. Later this mission supposedly has transferred to Veliky Novgorod and only then – to Kiev (this theory is defended

by Professor A. Kirpichnikov from Saint Petersburg). Here it will be fair to note that not all of modern Russian investigators have turned to such «hurrah-patriotic» positions. Somebody notes that the abovementioned small city is more likely to be examined only as the first residence of Rurikid’s dynasty representatives. But if to accept the northern hypothesis then what should we do with a statement of Prince Oleg who after taking Kiev table in 882 had declared this town as «the Mother of all Russian cities».

er feudal formations of the region) as «the Land of Zalessye» formed in Old Russian times exactly on South Russian lands. To all appearances that concept was shared by the residents of Kiev, Russian Pereyaslavl (today PereyaslavKhmelnitsky), Chernigov and other centers on the territory of modern Ukraine as well as the residents of the Land of Smolensk. That was an outside perspective – on far territories separated with thick forest that took large areas somewhere on the lands of annalistic tribe of Vyatichi in modern Podmoskovye on Oca river. As Vladimir Monomakh said it wasn’t a simple to pass through this region at the second half of XI century.

Such authoritative source like the work of Byzantine emperor Constantine Bagryanorodniy «About ruling the empire» written in Х century provides us with information about being of Internal Rus’ in Middle Podneprovye and External Rus’ in North Russian regions.

And later titles as «Minor» and «Major Russia» are also directly concern the abovementioned situation of territorial determination of East Slavic world different regions. Because the terms «Maior» и «Minor» in medieval sources

The titles «Minor» and «Major Russia» are also directly concern the abovementioned situation of territorial determination of East Slavic world different regions Scheme of capitals transfer in the line «Ladoga – Novgorod – Kiev» puts the last center only on the place of a «grandchild» and it doesn’t correspond with the abovementioned formula. Some of our northern colleagues should have lamented that «comrade doesn’t understand» (the contemporary of those events – Prince Oleg). Or else it will be like Vladimir Vysotskiy sung: «I don’t care as I want to». But if to examine the process of Rus’ formation seriously it should be noted that today there are about fifteen hypotheses concerning this subject and its amount continues to grow. However the southern localization has the most reasoned confirmations.

North, south, east and west Numerous annalistic massages initially determine the Russian land in its historical and geographical position right at the south of the East Slavic feudal state. This not only concerns the annalistic codes of southern origin (Kiev codes first of all), but also Novgorod ones where Priladozhye as well as the entire Novgorodschina are always

were used not for determination of dimensions or areas (big – small) but for political and administrative delimitation of the parts of this or that country.

Small part is a metropolis and the big one is a territory of a definite nation settlement. Only in later times these two notions have changed and the terms became to be used in a contrary meaning. That’s why our contemporary «hurrah-patriots» shouldn’t be offended with «Little Russia» but to be proud of considering it as the ancient center of the entire East Slavic world. And there are quite argued reasons for this.

Meanwhile one shouldn’t forget that in the written sources of medieval period the term «Russian land» could mean ethnic community and totality of Rurikid’s clans, and sometimes even the army. But in the majority of cases this title meant exactly the land, definite area, the territorial core of initial Rus’.

Princes-governors Possession of the East Slavic world by legendary Rurik continued in times of his relative Prince Oleg’s government and then the son of the first king Igor

the southeast and south; Dnestr, Prute, Western Bug, Dvina and Neman as well as the Carpathians on the west; via Chudskoe lake, Finnish bay, Ladozhskoe and Onezhskoe lakes on the north. The sphere of Rus political influence also covered separate regions in Crimea and Priazovye.

In times of this prince and his famous son Yaroslav the Wise’s government the country boarders began to stabilize and generally coincide with ethnic frontiers of Eastern Slavs settlement (although their boarders included some lands settled by other nation’s representatives).

Western orientation in politics has made the Kievan Rus’ the fully European state. However the complete stabilization of boarders happened after the times of Yaroslav’s government.

which were the main wealth of those times. But as opposed to complete alienated property that was characteristic for feudal Western Europe, in Eastern Europe first place was taken by conditional temporary property.

That’s why unlike West European feudal lords of all ranks who in the overwhelming majority after receiving their lands stayed there forever and handed them down to their descendants (this process repeated from generation to

there was something like carousel: sitting in Suzdal or Ryazan the prince had been thinking about Novgorod and after having passed there mentally moved to Chernigov. But the top of wishes continued to be the Kiev table. Meanwhile the lords of separate lands in their attempt to occupy new areas were trying to preserve the old ones too. Is there something familiar for the reader in the light of modern events?

But such specific of Rus’ development logically is grounded with its geographic position between civilized worlds of East and West with rather strong influence of powerful Byzantine Empire, which was located on the south, first of all in the Mediterranean zone. All those structures undoubtedly influenced the young state system, which had been developing, so to speak, in the network of the line «Kiev – Constantinople – Cairo» but with specific manifestations in the network of the general historical regularities.In contrast to Egypt and Byzantine with fixed ethnic isolation of governing strata (in medieval Egypt) or often dynasties change (in Byzantine), from the very beginning Rus had only

Numerous annalistic massages initially determine the Russian land in its historical and geographical position right at thesouth of the East Slavic feudal state generation), Old Russian princes were in movement without sparing their efforts and energy to resettle and acquiring more politically and economically advantageous throne. In other words

Rurikids whose representatives have been quickly assimilated by Slavs. In this connection the names of first Old Russian princes should be noted: Oleg and Igor in their basis are Scandinavian (Helgu and Ingvar) as well as Olga (Helga), and further Svyatoslav is purely Slavic name.

The Kievan Rus’ demise After the Kievan Rus’ demise the situation in regions has begun to develop according to its own laws: Novgorodschina being not devastated by conquerors conducted its own politics; Povolzhye that first got under Mongols saber has begun to seek for possibilities to contact with them. On the south first place has been taken by Rus’ of Galicia-Volhynia in Ciscarpathian whose governors conducted active international politics both on their eastern and western boarders. The brightest example of this can be the activity of Prince Danila Galitskiy who first visi­ ted Batu Khan on Volga, pleased him and achieved confirmation of his rights for hereditary possession. But further concrete actions resulted that Father Innokentiy ІV sent him the crown and his representative crowned him in Dorogochin in 1253. Thus in the lands of modern Ukraine has appeared its first king (the second and the last king was his grandson Yury Lvovich).

Further events have more localized the internal «worlds» where afterwards three modern East Slavic nations were formed. And the historical meaning of the Kievan Rus’ particularly was defined by Karl Marx: «As the empire of Charlemagne precedes formation of modern France, Germany and Italy, the empire of Rurikids precedes formation of Poland Lithuania, Baltic settlements, Turkey and Muscovy itself». We can agree with such appraisal of the Kievan Rus’ by the classic of Marxism Leninism no matter what is the general attitude to it.

14

PERSON

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

TIMOFEY NAGORNIY: VICTOR YANUKOVICH NEEDS TO DECIDE WHAT HE HAS BECOME THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT FOR Children love Timofey Nagorniy. Journalists love him too. And friends. And even enemies through their obvious hostility try to show their benevolence.

For Timofey Nagorniy the last year was full of events. Daughter’s birth, charitable actions, participation in parliamentary elections, book publication, and biographic documentary film. In the interview to the ТКТ Timofey Nagorniy has told about important events and thoughts of the year 2012 and plans for the year 2013 Written by: Alexandra Pogorelaya

What was the event of the year 2012?

Birth of my daughter Nicole. I love children. Children are the essence of my life. I’m sure that my children will grow up true people, respectable citizens successful in the sphere of life they chosen for themselves. From my side I make all possible efforts to let them comprehensively develop, receive qualitative education and be happy.

What are the main lessons of the parliamentary elections?

Registration of the Ukrainian people’s deputy candidate was an important action in my life. I knew what I was going to do; I understood that hardships were waiting for me. Only from the third time my candidacy was registered in the Central election committee. Then harassment, courts, intimidations, misinformation for my electors and endless provocations have started.

I went through all of this. I’ve got priceless experience of the «political struggle».

Without headquarters and professional political strategist in the district №55 (Makeevka, Zhdanovka, Kirovskoe of Donetsk region, - editor) I’ve outstripped «URAD», the Communist party, «Ukraine vpered» and «Batkivschina». I conceded the people’s deputy chair only to the representative of the Party of regions. During and after the elections I was told a lot of stories about monstrous falsifications and administrative resource misuse from the side of my opponents. My experience has shown that without any investments, parties and officials’ assistance it is possible to earn the electors’ true sympathies and finally become first. That’s how the elections results have been estimated by sociological surveys.

How have you taken your defeat?

The winner and current people’s de­ puty for the nearest five years will bear load of responsibility for people who reside in the district №55. It has thousands of sharp problems connected with communal services, total unemployment, ecology, medicine etc.

I sincerely hope to see him at least once at the Verkhovnaya Rada platform advancing the interests of the residents of Makeevka, Zhdanovka and Kirovskoe whose votes were credited to him. I will feasibly assist my fellow-countrymen.

I’ve picked several dozens from more than 2000 complaints and requests to our social chamber. The Volunteers fund of Ukraine, which I have the honor to head, will assist in solution of these sharp social problems of our electors.

Can the Verkhovnaya Rada in its current composition be efficient?

It’s difficult for me to evaluate the parliament. It would be interesting and expected to watch the deputies’ exchange of courtesies in the first days of the Rada work, and how majority candidates and parties, which in the course of evections had been declaring absolutely contrary ideas, were selling and buying themselves.

I’m not a varnisher of reality and want to say that 2013 will be extremely hard for those citizens of Ukraine who depend on a budget financing. And they are hundreds of thousands of simple toilers: doctors, teachers, government

employees, pensioners, and deadheads.

That’s why it is extremely important today for social organizations to feasibly assist the state in solution of the sharpest social problems.

You and Eugenia Timoshenko, the daughter of ex-premier were actively engaging with charitable work during recent three years. What is the purpose of this alliance?

I can’t stand aside when a person is in trouble, when his kindred and friends break with him. I and Eugenia Timo­ shenko collaborate in the humanitarian sphere and help, first of all, orphan children. Somebody would say that this

My experience has shown that without any investments, parties and officials’ assistance it is possible to earn the electors’ true sympathies and become first at the end

105x150

looks like politics, but for us this is an important part of our life. This is direct participation in unfortunate’s destiny because the targeted assistance to a specific child is lies in achieving of its creativity. It’s time for us to unite for children, for this country’s future irrespective of our personal political ambitions and financial benefits.

What do you think will the Party of regions strengthen its authority in 2013?

To my opinion, the Party of regions already hasn’t any ideas, which could interest the crowd. Having many reach and influential people in its ranks and strict administrative resource in its disposition, they nevertheless have voted down parliamentary elections even in Donbass.

Meeting with ordinary electors I have clearly understood that a ship of the Party of regions is going down and it has to be immediately repaired or changed for good. Most people already don’t have trust in the power and strive for changes. One can’t eat promises, mottos and declarations.

I wasn’t allowed to any enterprise in Makeevka, in every possible way being blocked to meet with my electors. Even street meetings that took place 50 times during 2 months have been attended by huge amount of people who perfectly understand that such state of affairs can’t continue any longer.

What is your attitude to the Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich…?

Victor Yanukovich has unique destiny that can serve as an example for many Ukrainians. When a person has gone through poverty, hundreds of trials and tens of executive positions to become number one in the country, this speaks much about Victor Yanukovich.

I sincerely admired when Yanukovich, holding a post of Donetsk region governor got together the entire region

decide why he has become the President of Ukraine.

In 2012 you were awarded to the medal «For services to the Carpathian». What a guy from Donbass has been rewarded for in Ivano-Frankovsk?

Together with the Honored Artist of Ukraine Yaroslav Boruta we for the fifth time conducted the All-Ukrainian festival «Mystetsky Hram» (Temple of Art) for talented orphan children and children from low-income families.

The festival traditionally takes place on the Saint Nicolas’s Day and gathers children from all over Ukraine. It is held near the residence of Saint Nicolas himself. Our good beginnings were noticed by the governor Michael Vyshivanuk and he ordered to reward us to the highest region decoration. And now I’m striving to conform to this high award.

Recently Kiev has been visited by famous public figure, the leader of international fund «Spiritual Diplomacy» Michael Morgulis. Tell us about your partnership We are friends with Michael and have been collaborating for about ten years.

He is my pastor, my Teacher. And in 2012 he became my manager. The board of directors of the international fund «Spiritual Diplomacy» has approved me to the fund’s representative in Ukraine.

Together with Michael Morgulis we took part in many charitable events and international meetings.

He teaches me how to solve sharp questions with the help of the strongest power – the power of Love – and always consider your opponent to be Godmade. He was born in Kiev but has been living in USA for a long time and today is attentively watching the Ukrainian events. Hopefully his unique diplomatic and spiritual experience will become really useful for us, the Ukrainians, in solution of many disputable and conflict situations inside the country.

It’s time for us to unite for children, for this country’s future irrespective of our personal political ambitions and financial benefits in the «hard» 90’s. Even then he came out as a very strong person and effective leader. That period it was important for Ukraine to have such president. We all are not without fault. But Yanukovich has such deeds and actions that aren’t understood by the majority of Ukrainians including me. It is quite fraught to neglect opinion of the majority of citizens before the elections-2015. I believe that Victor Yanukovich can make many useful things for this country. He must

Who is the addressee of your book «The power of Dream» published in 2012?

I often meet with young people from various parts of Ukraine. I appeal to display individual social responsibility and become volunteers.

The majority of guys are tying to find an excuse for their inactivity. As a rule, they make excuses to themselves that they don’t have income and can’t spend their time for charity.

There is a popular opinion in Ukraine that charity is a destiny of reach and the powers that be. And many guys ascribe me to such people...

At the instance of volunteers-activists I’ve began to write this book. I wanted to teach guys to give and display their leader’s potential, which will be very necessary for them in their lives.

The book is autobiographic. I share my personal experience about how I’ve managed to realize my most dar-

will make the only correct decision – to appoint a participant. The selection will be held after analysis of competitors’ applications including their possibilities to pay for expenses connected with preparation and participation in the contest. Only three singers will remain and they will be able to pay for all financial expenses and, on the assumption of their music material and its promotional strategy in Europe, make the only correct decision.

I’m not a varnisher of reality and want to say that 2013 will be extremely hard for those citizens of Ukraine who depend on a budget financing ing dreams. The entire circulation was sold out immediately. Currently we’re re-publishing the book «The Power of Dream». My friends have even filmed the same name documentary movie that became very successful in the Internet and on television. Young people need examples for imitation and possibly due to my experience many of them would believe in themselves and their dreams. Maybe I’m not too shy but my experience will help many people become better.

Many times you’ve helped Ukrainian artists to honorably represent their country at the «Eurovision» song contest. Are you satisfied with the results of the national selection in 2012?

It is no secret that NTCU can appoint Ukrainian representative to take part in the «Eurovision» song contest but not making a farce with the national selection. Nobody wants to take part in such selection when everybody knows the winner in several days before the final. In mass-media I’ve said that Zlata Ognevich would win and she has really won and was a head taller than her rivals. But her victory was provided by the jury, sms and, the main thing, at the expense of her weak competitors. And everybody understands this but is afraid to talk about this openly.

However this is not the main problem. Last year NTCU leaders similarly provided victory of Gaitana, strong and charismatic singer. At the result Gaitana took the «honored» 15th place... Things are not so simple. Now NTCU has to bear double responsibility as participation in «Eurovision-2013» directly influences the country’s image. A little bit earlier I insisted participation of Nastia Petrik in children’s version of this international contest. Life has shown that I hadn’t mistaken. I’m sure that the next year the national television company of Ukraine

You are producer of the Ukrainian artists Mika Newton and Renata.

Would you share your creative plans for 2013?

At the beginning of the year Mika Newton is going to present her English speaking album; Renata will present the Ukrainian one. Mika makes her first confident steps in direction to American show-business and Renata – to the Ukrainian one. Everyone follows her way, her ambitions, her dreams, and plans but we are a team and will make all possible to let our Ukrainian creativity to be talked over in the whole world.

How did you spend New Year and Christmas?

Comfortably, warmly, and with my family. In recent several years I’ve been celebrating these holidays outside my family but this year my life is commanded by little Nicole and I was near her and my wife Renata.

Tell us about your plans for 2013 At the end of the year the Volunteers fund of Ukraine determines a plan of measures for the year: where and when shall we install sports grounds, organize holidays and trips to hospitals, colonies, children’s and retirement homes. These data are unbreakable and I’m adapting to them. From the very childhood I was an organized child and thinking over my life for years ahead. I think that one needs to learn this quality. This will be the most productive and happy year of my life.

What is the Personal Dream of Timofey Nagorniy?

You’ll be disappointed with my reply.

I admit that I don’t think about material things at all. My dreams? Feature film about orphans, Olympic center or asylum for homeless... I believe in these dreams and realize how to embody them.

www.thekievtimes.org

SOCIETY

15

ABOUT NOBLE CAUSE AND MISERABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS Photo UNIAN

In Ukraine that due to its contribution to the results of the Second World War has entered the UNO, there is still a big dissonance between real, wishful and theoretic things concerning search of the fallen Dmitry Zaborin, the deputy chairman of Archeological patriotic-searching association «Dnieper-Ukraine», the coordinator of «Electronic Memory book of Ukraine» project

E

ach time when you look at the photo and see eyes of a soldier whose remains you have recently found in the fields, it makes you feel creepy all over.

Private soldier Methodiy Mikhalchenko who died during Kiev defense, we found on the day of elections performing our civil duty as we see it. He went for war from his native village Korystysche of Mironov region being an adult man – in 1941 he was 46 years old. His fellow villagers remember that he was very responsive person, didn’t refuse anybody to help, «had jolly disposition, beautiful voice, and the main – kind heart and skilful golden hands». Somebody of soldiers who have come back home told their families that he died because of a shellburst. His kindred considered that it happened somewhere near Korsun.

events in the Ukrainian village where everybody knows everybody are like emotional bombs.

In this field season we found the Red Army men Ivan Lezin and Nikolay Semenec, private soldiers of 227th regimen of PCIA Sergey Sidorov and Vasiliy Agapov, first lieutenant Leonid Go­lub – 21 confirmed names in total.

One searching department of «DnieperUkraine» in Kiev region alone during the entire field season has picked up and buried 125 soldiers with military honors. Meanwhile there are several dozens of searching organizations in Ukraine that have different status and different results.

The majority of them are united by the only thing: during the entire twelve years of independence searchers have been doing their job virtually at their expense and in a fuzzy legal field. And from the moment when metal detectors have become rather affordable in price, the notion of search itself has also become fuzzy.

More and more interested people are getting mixed up in excavations on hostility areas. First of all they are interested in iron trash. And a person in camouflage and with a spade is more often considered as a marauder whose purpose is to make some earnings.

Mass-media has happily made its considerable contribution into this image occasionally publishing more or less ridiculous articles about thousands of euro that can be gained for German post-mortem medallions and rusty helmets.

Between past and future In Ukraine that due to its contribution to the results of the Second World War has entered the UNO, there is still

Every year hundreds of soldiers who died in 1941 are found on the fields around Kiev. People build cottages and trade centers on their bones He loved his daughters very much – Maria and Ulyana. Maria now lives in a village, she is 86. Methodiy Panasovich has three grand-daughters, six great grand-sons and one great-great grand-daughter. Everybody knows now, how their grand-father died and where is he buried. In general, every time such

a big dissonance between real, wishful and theoretic things concerning search of the fallen. In reality from 70-80 years of the last century search and burial of non-buried soldiers’ remains – in fo­ rests, fields and gardens – have been realized by enthusiasts. Under the wing of Komsomol, in the network of mili-

tary-patriotic education of youth, but still enthusiasts. And they continue making their state job after the Union collapse sharing their experience with new generations of searchers.

At the same time all state programs of «search and order of burial places of victims of war and political repressions», the last of which was adopted in 2000, initially meant only work with money, domestic and foreign. German, Austrian, and Italian state programs implied long-term financing directed to search of compatriots and their burial places order. Ukrainian officials helped to legally formalize this.

lishing agency «Memory book of Ukraine» has to carry on the entire work on sorting of data about those who have fallen. But in reality it has collapsed as a single structure and books (each of them was written in its own way) are almost unavailable. An attempt to create an electronic version that has been undertaken when the agency head, the general of army Ivan Gerasimov, was alive has come to nothing. A copy of the main website page with a veteran’s address still hangs on an unknown domain. Nobody has ever seen the «Military landfills common register» that received about 30 mil-

During the entire twelve years of independence searchers have been doing their job virtually at their expense and in a fuzzy legal field As of «Intergovernmental program of events devoted to perpetuation of memory of citizens who died defending their Motherland, and victims of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945», confirmed by the Resolution of the Council of CIS states heads on the 21st of October 1994, it has remained unaccomplished. Every year hundreds of soldiers who died in 1941 are found on the fields around Kiev. People build cottages and trade centers on their bones. Meanwhile our agenda constantly includes heated parries concerning evil deeds of Stalin and heroic but useless struggle of rebels in Volyn forests. It is more internally important for us to stigmatize the past in another brainless talk-show.

After all, every year in different regions of Ukraine burials of soldiers and commanders of the Red Army are held; their relatives who waited for their grand-father’s return also come. And officials pleasantly pick up the microphone on such events. However, strictly formal social organizations, volunteers who come to forests and fields at their expense, making their mission, don’t have right for exhumation. This can be made only by «special enterprises» that get permissions from the State interdepartmental commission of perpetuation of memory of victims of war and political repressions. However, few paid attention to this because in general both law enforcement bodies, and officials, and citizens understand that searchers «make a noble cause».

In theory the State searching-pub-

lion hryvnas. The Museum of the Great Pat­riotic War has hardly found the only compact-disk with this data-base but it doesn’t work.

Facing this problem, the Ukrainian searchers solved it in their own way: they found possibility to create not only a common electronic archive on the basis of the Memory Book but to collect unique information that isn’t contained in it. For example, data about soldiers found and identified by searching groups. Together with volunteers in

most logic course – to introduce effective algorithms into the legal field.

Pulling of a blanket In April The Committee on pensioners, veterans and invalids presented a bill «About military-memorial activity in Ukraine». Offering nothing principally new in facilitating of work for social organizations, the bill suggested to create «specially authorized central body of the executive power in the sphere of the military-memorial activity». According to the bill authors’ plans this body would concentrate in its hands the entire state policy and coordinate the whole organizations connected with search.

Of course, the function of creating another «Fallen landfills state register» is also taken by it. The new Commission’s leadership that energetically began to work also at the beginning of 2012 went even further. In the bill «About search and order of burial places of victims of war and political repressions and their memory perpetuation», together with a series of reasonable innovations have built a system of search manual control.

The Commission that per se is a collegial body, by mouth of the Ministry of regions offers to introduce the notion of «accreditation» – «the official confirmation of qualification level correspondence with normative requirements». As

Special law establishing common rules of work connected with search of victims of multiple wars and political repressions is very necessary the network of the project «Electronic Memory book of Ukraine» the database about military landfills on the territory of Ukraine is being created. It includes their old passports, modern appearance and specified data that often don’t coincide with the passport data.

So, for 20 years there were formed the definite algorithms providing fulfillment of the main task: to find, identify and bury with military honors as many soldiers as they can. To create a common database of soldiers that would be available for relatives. For the first time 2012 has brought officials and the searchers close to the necessity of comprehension what searching activity is and what network it should be considered in. Naturally, nobody took the

there isn’t a profession «searcher» in the State classifier and there are no evaluation criteria, they will probably be introduced by the new leadership. According to the bill’s text, it is also intended to carry on the Register of searching organizations.

Taking into account that simultaneously the Dnepropetrovsk team in the Commission is trying to present (including abroad) its own brainchild – the «Union «National memory» as the only legitimate searching organization in Ukraine, the wish of the majority of people to «end the war» burying «the last soldier» is left by the corner. Of course, «centralized electronic database of victims of war and political repressions» is also offered to be created

from the ground up. The third variant suggested also by the author of this article is that to depart from the existent set of the normative acts making some changes in them. The purpose of these changes is to separate searchers from archeologists who do need confirmation of qualification from enterprises gaining profit. To give the possibility to work on the basis of a single permission issued by the cultural heritage protection body and formalize two Acts for report – about search results and burial. And these normative acts have to clearly specify that searching always includes exhumation and reinterment.

To stop all possible questions about this matter forever.

As of a struggle with trophy and iron lovers for whom to strip a helmet and bowler from a soldier and throw his bones back to a hall is a routine matter, this is decided by changing of the Ukrainian code about administrative delinquencies. Penalty and confiscation of metal detector on the place of searching and exhumation of remains without permission of the Ministry of culture is quite an effective measure.

Any organization that has a clause «searching activity» in its statute can get permission because the Ministry of justice doesn’t object. The diseases of «presumption of innocence» that forces to discuss restrictions and control «just in case» must not grow its metastases here: searching is being done anyhow.

And all possible crimes connected with a trafficking of weapon, ammunition, excavations of objects protected by the law, are provided by the Criminal code.

Undoubtedly, Ukraine has to reasonably arrange ownership of metal detectors. And a special law establishing common rules of work connected with search of victims of multiple wars and political repressions is very necessary.

And amateurishness that inevitably means terrible mistakes is unacceptable in the search movement. But attempts to introduce possibilities of misuse, groundless «account and control» and turning of search and order of landfills into business are also unacceptable.

2013 and the new Verkhovnaya Rada have to pattern dots here. Otherwise why should we have to be considered better than those who are resentfully disgraced for «criminal indifference» in another brainless talk-show?

16

SOCIETY

THE KIEV TIMES | FEBRUARY, 2013

FIRST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR New Year holidays are not only the end of the calendar year, planning for the next year and summing up of the receding year. They also are expences for celebrating.

Christmas-tree decorations, garlands, and presents in socks for family… For the ruling top of the country they are caring out of celebrations, installation of the fir-tree on the central square, concert programs etc. In this article we’re trying to sort out what traditions of celebrating exist, how money has been spent during the holidays and how much and where Ukrainians were ready to spend their savings.

Colorful celebrating Ancient Romans celebrated their heathen holiday called Saturnalias on the 25th of December. Holiday in honor of Saturn, god of farming, boiled on the streets of Ancient Rome and included feasts, debaucheries and mad pursuits for different pleasures. The whole city was decorated with evergreen wreathes.

Some traditions of Saturnalias are preserved nowadays, for example, Christmas celebration when people light candles, feast, make wishes and exchange presents.

Modern Rome celebrates almost identically decorating churches, houses, squares and even railway stations with love and generosity. Christmas in Italy is filled with magic and waiting for miracles. The main decorations of Italian Christmas are scenes of Jesus Christ’s birth made with love. In Italian language they are called presepe (from Latin praesepium – closed pen, crib). In the New Year days in Italy presepe are installed in temples, squares, schools, shop windows and the most unexpected places. Cities conduct exhibitions and fairs of presepe. Perhaps, the most famous is Christmas fair on the Navona square in Rome. Here you can not only admire Christmas compositions made by famous masters but buy everything necessary to install presepe by your own like of Lego set details.

From the middle of November and to Christmas the most beautiful squares of Vienna turn into magic Christmas sale.

Aromas of Christmas baking goods and hot punch excite true Christmas mood.

It is amazing how Paris alters in December. Attractive streets transform one by another; they are covered with small timber houses shimmering with New Year lights. Christmas sale of unprecedented size grows at the heart of futuristic district La Defence; its area reaches10000 square meters. Around spacious skating-rink there are small souvenir tents, and the sale’s guests virtually make shopping on skates. Annual Christmas fair Fira de Santa Lucia in Barcelona is a splash of a festive mood around the Temple of Saint Family.

How Kiev was preparing for holidays?

From Saint Nicole’s Day, on the 19th of December, the fair began to work on Maydan, rides and merrygo-rounds for

Photographer Roman Grabezhov

Roman Grabezhov

Fir-tree or Learning on our own mistakes New Year and Christmas are impossible to be imagined without a fir but in many countries they install unique live and artificial firs, which become the main decorations of the year. Many strive for creating original and unusual fir-tree and somebody is faithful to the old traditions.

Let’s remember last year when unusual form of our New Year tree caused bewilderment of many townsmen.

There were so many names given to the main December tree – «cone», «wigwam» etc… Our people like joking.

However, if we will look at the developed countries we can notice that ex-

How much did the fir cost for Ukraine this year? Approximately 3 million hryvnas. This is one and a half times higher than last year and three times higher than in 2010 children have been installed…Christmas fair didn’t surprise with its dimensions but it was pleasant to stroll there tasting delicious roasted chestnuts. On the 7th of January there were traditional celebrations with performance of folk groups on Maydan. The same day there was fixed Ukrainian record «Christmas carol sung by 5 000 people». At the holi­ day fair on Kreschatik they were selling souvenirs, hot beverages and confections; live lambs appeared in the puppet show booth.

periments are distinctive, for example, for China where last year on one of the main Beijing squares they installed a fir made of optical fiber resembling a cone from Macdonald’s.

This year Belgians also decided to deviate from traditions and installed abstract light fir installation. Usually the role of the main country’s fir is played

by 20-meters pine from the Arden Mountains, which is installed on the central square Grand-place. In 2012 it was substituted by 25-meters construction that arouse big indignation of people who called it «Drugstore» because glowing cubes looked like green crosses.

Many Ukrainians were impatiently waiting what would be the main country’s fir this year. Its design was approved in July. This is a composition of natural form with the height of 34,8 meters and weight of 30 tons. The tree was created by the company «Lumier» (Illichevsk), as well as in 2009 and 2010 years. The top of the holiday tree was decorated with a special star with lighting controlled by separate computer system channel responsible for illumination. Garlands are also false. The fir has come out beautiful and verisimilar.

There were almost no associations with the last-year’s «cone» left.

In spite of the heated arguments concerning Barbarian principalities when using newly cut trees to decorate squares many countries don’t betray their long-year traditions.

For example, in Great Britain from 1946 they install 20-meters fir on London’s Trafalgar square. This fir is sent

by Norwegian royal family in token of a gratitude for liberation of the country from German occupation by English

At the average the European consumers planned to spend 591 euro on Christmas and New Year holidays troops during the Second World War. Under this fir at the pre-Christmas days thousands of Englishmen are geting together and singing Christmas hymns.

Traditionally the fir on the Trafalgar square is decorated only with vertical garlands made of lightbulbs.

New Year tree in Russia is installed on the Red square. This year the main decoration became a 30-meters fir, which had been growing for 110 years in Dmitrovsk forestry. The fir is decorated with 3600 balls, 1500 meters of garlands, 4500 light-emitting-diode bulbs, and decorations are made of the Russian flag colors. The main beauty is topped with star called «flower of the winds». How much did the fir cost for Ukraine this year? Approximately 3 million hryvnas. The Kiev officials persuade that manufacturing of the tree, as well as its decoration, installation and dismantling were made for sponsor funds. This is one and a half times higher than last year and three times higher than in 2010.

Presents under the fir Every year the consulting company «Deloitte» holds the-end-of-the-year researches of Ukrainians’ consumer moods. The results of researches in 2012 became a surprise. Meanwhile the past years under all economic hardships Ukrainians were demonstrating their wish to raise holiday costs, celebrate their biggest and present expensive gifts, the current research has shown that Ukrainians began to approach their charges more deliberately. The most important Ukrainian holiday attribute, the New Year’s table, hasn’t suffered.

The main item of expenses, which were used by Ukrainians for saving, has become gifts. This doesn’t mean that they presented less than usual. This means that they approached gifts selection very carefully. Such criterion as usefulness of the gift became the main one in 2009 and continues to strengthen.

Now this criterion takes one of the most important positions for 88% of Ukrainians. «This trend confirms focus on developmental toys for children», said Olga Shamritskaya, the senior manager of «Deloitte».

higher than in average in the European countries. Considerable drop of inte­ rest, in comparison with the last year, is noticeable in the sphere of demand for kitchen appliances and food products.

The main criterion of gift selection is its usefulness. Here Ukrainians like many other Europeans preferred pro­ ducts at lower prices, with discounts.

Stores remained the dominating channel of sales among consumers but the role of internet commerce increased. More than 40% of European consumers have used combination of

In spite of all pessimistic expectations, sale of the New Year tours has increased by 5% in comparison with the last year For the first time from 2008 the majority of the poled consumers (about 40%) talked about their buying po­ wer decrease. Especially this trend has manifested in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. At the same time in Germany, Poland and Russia expected consumers’ expenses have slightly increased.

At the average the European consumers planned to spend 591 euro on Christmas and New Year holidays that is 0.8% lower than the level of the last year. In Ukraine the holiday budget has still remained on a low level in comparison with budgets of other European countries’ residents. In comparison with the last year it has increased only by 0,5% and made 3684 hryvnas or 356 euro. The majority of our citizens would like to find envelope with money under the New Year tree. However they more often find perfumes and confections there. At the assumption of the last year’s tendencies, the TOP-10 of wishes undoubtedly included new trends of IT-industry – pads, ultra-fashionable smart phones and notebooks.

But lucky man who received new products has become one of five challengers.

In Ukraine about 6% of the polled were going to present pad devices, about 10% - smart phones. This is twice

various sale channels (internet commerce and usual stores). 33% of Europeans compared prices for goods and made their purchases via Internet.

New Year with bronze tan or not?

In spite of all pessimistic expectations, sale of New Year’s tours has increased by 5% in comparison with the last year. Traditionally the most popular directions were Egypt, UAE, Thailand,

Vietnam, Dominicana, Cuba, France, Georgia and Czech Republic…

Currently we can trace growing polarization of orders. On the level with cheap hostels and hotels with 2-3 stars the flow of people who are ready to pay 4-5 thousand dollars for two-week tour to exotic Asia or Latin America has increased. Nevertheless statistic indicates that almost 90% of Ukrainians celebrated their holidays at home. And only every tenth citizen of our country has planned and realized his trip. More than a half of travelers haven’t left the territory of Ukraine and simply go to their friends, kith, and folks or to the Carpathians.

In the New Year’s night Maydan was visited by about 220 thousand of Ukrainians. Accompanied by the songs of Ruslana, Mad Heads, TNMK, Karamazov Brothers, VV, DDT and ten-minute firework our citizens happily celebrated coming of the new 2013 year.

New Year is a long-waited holiday for many people. Thousands liters of champagne have been drunk; tons of Olivier salad have been eaten… Another new year has come. And it was made beautifully and auspiciously.