BLACK SEA NAVY DEPRIVED OF NAVIGATION FACILITIES

TV MONITOR
[Presenter] The results of secret Ukrainian-Russian negotiations have become known to journalists in Kiev.

According to reports, the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office has insisted on the implementation of a court order on the transfer to Ukrainian hands of more than 80 facilities of the Black Sea Fleet. The handover process has begun.

Representatives of the authorities in Crimea are calling this a violation of previous agreements.

[Oleg Rodivilov, deputy of supreme council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea] The loss of these 80 facilities from the Black Sea Fleet will certainly have a negative effect on the combat capability of the fleet. This is a revision of earlier agreements on the Black Sea Fleet, and a revision of the treaty of friendship and coordination between Ukraine and Russia.

[Presenter] According to reports in the Kiev press, the facilities being handed over include coastal navigational equipment: three lighthouses on the western coast of Crimea.

Source: NTV Mir, Moscow, in Russian 1500 gmt 19 Jun 05

CRIMEA CELEBRATES RUSSIA DAY

From Monsters and Critics.com

Media Monitor
Ukraine's authorities aim to split society, says ex-presidential candidate
By BBC
Jun 13, 2005, 19:00 GMT



[Presenter] In Crimea, the leader of the Party of Regions [Viktor Yanukovych] took part in events to mark Russia Day. The Russian Bloc party and Crimea\'s Russian community organized the festivities.

Major events took place in Alushta and Sevastopol. Russia Day was marked in Simferopol with a celebratory march and a rally attended by many thousands.

[Correspondent] Crimea really pushed the boat out when marking Russia Day. The Russian community organized extra transport so people could come to Simferopol from all corners of the peninsula, but still not everyone who wanted to come to the festival could get there.

During a rally, a live Bohdan Khmelnytskyy on a horse was spotted among the crowd. Crimean residents not only applauded him, but also quoted him.

[Henadiy Narayev, deputy chairman of the Descendants of Bohdan Khmelnytskyy organization\'s Crimean branch] Bohdan Khmelnytskiy\'s words - with Russia forever - are as valid today as ever. Most of Crimea\'s people understand and support Bohdan Khmelnytskyy\'s ideas and deeds.

[Correspondent] During the celebration of Russia Day, a rally was attended by all Crimean organizations that support the unification of Slavic peoples, good neighbourly relations with Russia and the granting of Russian the status of a second state language. The leader of the Party of Regions, who was visiting Crimea at the weekend, also backed these positions.

[Yanukovych, shown addressing the rally from the stage] The policy the new authorities are conducting is aimed at splitting Ukrainian society, and the crack that appeared during the election is deepening. We are against this!

[Correspondent] Crimea\'s Russian speakers voted for Yanukovych during the presidential election, and promise their support for the Party of Regions leader at the parliament election too.

Source: Ukrayina TV, Donetsk, in Russian 1800 gmt 13 Jun 05

BBC Mon KVU 130605 vs/ch

OUT OF THE KRAVCHUK'S MOUTH

Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk is disappointed by the independence of the Ukraine. Speaking in Parliament last week Mr. Kravchuk expressed his regrets at signing the Belovezhsk Agreement in 1991. This document had paved the way to the dismantlement of the USSR and subsequently to the Ukrainian independence. Former president of Russia Boris Yeltsin and former head of state of Belarus Stanislav Shushkevitch had also signed the Belovezhsk Agreement. Ukrainian nationalists got mad at Mr. Kravtchuk. Their anger is being exacerbated by continuous sliding of the Ukraine to the status of a failed state.

Crimean Ruler wants to Please His Orange Boss

It Is Yours for Keeps

KOMMERSANT, June 4, 2005

New prime minister of Crimean Autonomy Anatoly Matvienko has suggested presenting Massandra Tsar Palace to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, anxious to keep up tradition established in time of the former president Leonid Kuchma. Then the best palaces of Crimea were transferred to the ruling elite of Ukraine. The authorities pledge not to close Massandra for excursions.


Construction of Massandra Palace started in 1881 by order of Comte Semen Vorontsov. A decade later, Alexander III, who bought out Massandra, ruled to complete construction so that it could be used as a summer residence of the tsars. At the same time, his son and future last tsar of Russia - Nicolas II ordered to construct a wine-cellar there, which delayed completion of the project till 1902. The Romanovs visited Massandra only to hold picnics, favoring its splendid garden with rocks, rock shelters and springs.

In Soviet time, Massandra served as a summer palace for ruling political elite.

The first reaction of Crimean residents was a plain rebuff. Konstantin Kasperovich, director of Massandra Palace, took it as some kind of misunderstanding. Over the tour to Crimea, Yushchenko had assured Kasperovich he wouldn't claim that palace.

Viktor Yushchenko and his closest mates had enough time over the last three days to make it clear that “the president has a positive attitude to the idea” and is ready to make residence there in the nearest future.

Now Kasperovich “is absolutely for” the initiative of Crimean government. He thinks new status of the palace won’t adversely affect the work of museum. Moreover, Mussandra will only benefit from it, Kasperovich said eager to dispel all possible doubts.

In view that Kasperovich is also in charge of Vorontsov Palace in Alupka, the local experts are rather apprehensive, fearing the start of an open season for palaces of Crimea.

by www.kommersant.com