Lord of the flies: Gene calls it a day

Gene Nelson has called it a day.

Gene was elected moderator in 2006 following a corrupt election where they banned their opposition from participating in the election  (This is not the first time Gene has announced his departure I am sure he will be back)

It is time to say goodbye.
I remember when I first came online with the Forum several years ago.
It started out fun and it was fun having a variety of discussions.
We used to have quite a few lively and interesting discussions.

I remember how Tom and I became friends thru the Forum, sending sms messages to each other several times a day and talking via the phone several times a week.

Of course that changed as soon as I started to criticize Yush.
Interesting how some people can’t handle being friends with someone who disagrees with them.

Gene like the rest were quick to condemn and join in on the personal  attacks of those who  questioned or challenged his limited point of view (angela Free Speech to name only two) has come under attack recently.

His crime he finally realized that Yushchenko is the cause of most problems facing Ukraine today.  It took a while but when he did decide to take an independent stand he was set on by the dogs.

Left with no one else to fight the lord of the flies turned on their own.  “Ralph” alias  Peter Crosby stood by as usual and said nothing and did nothing to quell the insults.

In a surprising rebuff Tom, the hunter of the pack challenged the credibility of the greatest BS artist US Expat (alias  Terry Hallman)

Quote from USExpat:
Tom, you and Gene aren’t here in Ukraine. You rarely even visit. You barely know what you’re talking about most of the time. Neither of you have any real commitments to, or investment in, Ukraine.

So let’s just both get away from forum’s because of what we know NOOOOTHING about. Because you (Terry Hallman) live in Ukraine makes you more of an authority on Ukraine? Same as just because I live in the U.S. makes me more of an authority on the U.S.? Tell us about your accomplishments in Ukraine with children that’s been documented in the media showing that you were involved. We don’t want to hear about it, we want to see documented facts. I’ve known you since 2003, and have never ever questioned your authority on children. But at the same time, I’ve never seen any solid facts of your work with them. I know many others in this forum have thought of the same, but were afraid to question you. Tho only one that called you out was Klappa. Seeming you say I know absolutely nothing about Ukraine, and shouldn’t be involved in Ukraine, then show us about what you so much talk about. I’m not going to hound you about this, because half the crap you talk about I don’t believe. We’ve met personally and I recall how paranoid you were around people you didn’t know, and so did others. But don’t’ worry or get paranoid about me because what you have to offer to this forum like myself in this any other forum is limited because we’re not Ukrainians. You’re absolutely correct.

He made no mention of the fact that Hallam is a bum a fraud and that his is illegally living in Ukraine.  But he is right Hallman has no track record of working with children or any successful business in Ukraine.  Reason why he can not provide and independent referees to back up his assertion is because he has none. He is a fraud and con man. A man who has serious problems with alcohol and drugs (A constant chain smoker)

Tom as in the movie “Lord of the flies” has taken his band of followers Nestor and the like and gone off into live in his own camp having set up his own forum where those who hold opposing views are not welcomed.  They recently banned Andrew who had said nothing controversal or offensive but questioned Yatsniuks credentials and standing in the polls. Tomas

Tomas  Martinez and Nestor where the main catalyst for collapse of the Ukrainskya Pravda English web site.

The English version on of For-UA may close.  It has brought the publisher into disrepute primarily thanks to Terry Hallman, Tom and Peter Crosby.

Ukraine seeking part in Russia’s Glonass project

News / 20 November 2009 | 17:49

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has offered Russia her country’s participation in the ambitious Glonass global positioning project, according to RIA Novosti.

Glonass – the Global Navigation Satellite System – is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS, and is designed for both military and civilian use. Both systems allow users to determine their positions to within a few meters.

“We have agreed that the Glonass system would be more efficient if Ukraine became an intrinsic part of this project. Ukraine has all resources necessary for this,” Tymoshenko said after talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

The 18 satellites the Glonass system requires for continuous navigation services covering the entire territory of the Russian Federation are currently in orbit.

Another six satellites still have to be launched to bring numbers up to the 24 needed to provide services worldwide.

A total of 9.9 billion rubles ($360 million at the current exchange rate) was allocated for Glonass from the federal budget in 2007, and 4.7 billion rubles ($170 million) in 2006.

Putin signed an order on September 12, 2008, providing an additional $2.6 billion to develop the system.

ForUm

Signing of gas contract is a joint victory for Ukraine and Russia

News / 20 November 2009 | 16:15

Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko believes the signing of a long-term contract on supply of natural gas to Ukraine and its transit to Europe is a joint victory for Ukraine and Russia, according to Tymoshenko’s web-site.�

“It is comforting to note that we have good victories because in 2009 we were able to sign a long-term contract, until 2019, on Russian gas deliveries to Ukraine, and the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine to Europe. It was a breakthrough in our relations in the gas sector and today we are both fulfilling this contract. And it is very important that you, as a strong country, are meeting us halfway in order to take into account the crisis conditions, and for the gas contracts to be implemented taking into account the effects of the crisis,” Yulia Tymoshenko said during the Fifth Meeting of the Committee on Economic Cooperation of the Ukraine-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, which is currently taking place in Yalta.�

On January 19, 2009, Russia’s Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine signed new long-term distribution contracts for the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine and gas deliveries to Ukrainian consumers. The contracts do not provide for intermediaries between the companies. The contracts are valid from 2009 to 2019, inclusive.�

The transit contract maintains the reduced transit rate of $1.7 dollars for transportation of 1,000 cubic meters of gas for 100 kilometers throughout 2009. Starting on 1 January 2010, the transit rate will be calculated using the standard European formula.�

In accordance with the contract for gas supply to Ukraine, the price for gas will be calculated using the European pricing formula with a reduction factor of 0.8 (base price – $450 per 1,000 cubic meters). The price will be adjusted according to the formula on a quarterly basis.

ForUm

Flu quarantine cancelled in Ukraine

News / 20 November 2009 | 15:09

Flu quarantine in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions will be cancelled from November 23,�
the regional anti-epidemic commissions decided. According to the Health Ministry, the number of regions which flu-sick rate is lower than the epidemic one makes 12.

In view of the the epidemic’s weakening the today’s meeting held by First Vice Premier Oleksandr Turchynov is to decide whether to resume classes at secondary schools and higher education establishments in other regions of Ukraine.

ForUm

Putin says no gas crisis with Ukraine on New Year’s

News / 20 November 2009 | 13:05

(RIA Novosti) – Russia and Ukraine will not face another gas crisis during New Year holidays as both countries pledged to fulfill their obligations on gas transit to Europe, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.

“We sincerely hope that all recent agreements [in the gas sphere] will be fulfilled…We would not want to have any surprises during New Year celebrations,” Putin said late on Monday after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko.

Putin said Moscow and Kiev agreed to adjust the previous gas agreements so that the price of the transit would increase by 60% while Ukraine will pay European market prices for gas in 2010 without a 20% discount.

He also said that Russia’s energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz would agree new volumes of gas deliveries for 2010 to avoid penalties for Ukraine.

The move is in line with a January deal that ended a gas crisis that caused a cutoff in Russian supplies to Ukraine and affected millions of European consumers.

Under the current gas agreements, Ukraine charged Russia $1.7 per 1,000 cubic meters per 100 kilometers in 2009. President Viktor Yushchenko earlier said Naftogaz has received at least $2.5 billion a year less than it should have done. Ukraine transits about 80% of Russia’s Europe-bound gas.

Ukraine has paid for gas supplies on time this year. In October, however, a minor dispute arose on the amount of gas Ukraine is to import from Russia. Kiev has been buying a lower gas volume due to its economic slowdown, and plans to import less still in 2010.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko reaffirmed after the Yalta talks that Kiev would fulfill its obligations on the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe.

ForUm

Yushchenko stresses importance of developing direct ferry service between Ukraine, Georgia

News / 20 November 2009 | 11:03

President Viktor Yushchenko notes the importance of developing a ferry service in the Black Sea between Ukraine and Georgia ‘Kerch – Poti (Georgia)’, the head of state has addressed Ukraine-Georgia Business Forum on Thursday, according to UKRINFORM.�

“In the next two-three years our aim is to develop a ferry service ‘Kerch – Poti’ and double its capacity,” he said.�

During the business forum, the Georgian party presented a project of free economic zone in Poti.�

For his part, the President Yushchenko said Ukraine is ready to contribute to the development of this economic zone.�

In 2008, Yushchenko forecasted the start of operation of the Kerch – Poti – Batumi ferry service by September 2008.�

Ukrferry intended to launch the Kerch – Poti ferry service in September 2007.�

The UkrFerry Shipping Company was founded on October 18, 1995. It owns automobile-train, as well as automobile-passenger ferries. The shipping company exploits train-automobile ferry passages Illichivsk-Varna, Illichivsk-Poti, Illichivsk-Batumi and Illichivsk-Istanbul.

ForUm

WHO detects no mutation of A(H1N1) flu virus in Ukraine

News / 19 November 2009 | 17:59

Preliminary tests have revealed no significant changes in the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus based on investigations of samples taken from patients in Ukraine, according to the press service of the World Health Organization (WHO).

A total of 34 samples were analyzed independently by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Mill Hill in London, UK, and the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of Influenza in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States.

Preliminary genetic sequencing shows that the virus is similar to the virus used for production of the pandemic influenza vaccine, reconfirming the vaccine’s efficacy at this time, reads the statement.�

Additional questions about the pandemic virus circulating in Ukraine will be answered as more data is available.�

“The WHO commends the government of Ukraine for its open sharing of samples to inform global monitoring of the virus for signs of change,” reads the statement.�

According to the Ukrainian Health Ministry, Ukraine registered over 1.457 million people suffering from flu and acute respiratory viral infections. A total of 83,026 patients have been hospitalized, and 328 have died.

ForUm

Payment for Russian gas transit will grow twofold since January 1, 2010 – Prime Minister

News / 19 November 2009 | 16:32

(UKRINFORM) Payment for Russian gas transit via the territory of Ukraine will grow twofold since January 1, 2010, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko told a briefing at the Cabinet.�

She emphasized that it will allow improving the financial state of the NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine.�

The Head of government also noted that Ukraine guarantees stability of Russian gas transit via its territory. “During 18 years we never disputed these supplies to Europe a single time,” the Premier said.�

At the same time, Tymoshenko informed that at the oncoming meeting of the Ukrainian-Russian Intergovernmental Economic Committee in Yalta (Crimea) gas issues will not be discussed.�

“All the issues concerning gas relations are settled for today. We have a contract signed for 10 years and I believe that we ensured our national interests in this sphere”, the Premier said.

ForUm

Yushchenko asks Russia to alter gas contract

News / 19 November 2009 | 14:45

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has asked Russia to amend the existing natural gas supply contract as soon as possible, to avoid problems with gas transit to Europe, according to RIA Novosti.

In an open letter to President Dmitry Medvedev posted on his official website on Thursday, Yushchenko criticized the gas contract signed between Ukraine’s Naftogaz and Russian energy giant Gazprom at the start of 2009.

“For Ukraine, honoring its commitments is too burdernsome due to the non-market principles that the contracts are built on,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Yushchenko said the price of Russian natural gas for Ukraine has almost trebled over the past three years, and now exceeds the average price for European Union consumers. He said the price of gas transit via Ukraine was three times lower than that charged by EU gas transiting countries.

He also complained that the gas contract envisages fining Kiev for failure to honor commitments, while no potential sanctions could be imposed on Russia in a similar scenario.

Yushchenko also blamed the contract for Naftogaz’ budget shortfall of over $4 billion this year.

“Unless the contracts remain unchanged, the Ukrainian state-run company will not be able to prepare for the winter season and therefore potential threats will arise concerning the security of gas supplies to Ukraine and its transit to other European countries,” he said in the letter.

He proposed establishing a bilateral working group to consider the proposed amendments, which include symmetrical responsibility for risks and fines for Russia and Ukraine, an improved transit price formula, and a commitment not to fine Ukraine for under-importing gas in 2009.

Russia and the European Union signed on Monday a memorandum on an early warning mechanism to protect the EU from potential energy supply cuts in case of a gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine at the start of the year.

ForUm

Ukraine lost the home match to Greece

News / 19 November 2009 | 12:43

Ukraine failed to secure a 2010 World Cup spot after losing 1-0 at home to Greece in a second-leg play-off in Donetsk on Wednesday evening.

Saturday’s first-leg finished 0-0, and Ukraine came out attacking from the whistle, creating a number of chances in the first-half. The best of these fell to former Chelsea player Andriy Shevchenko, who shot wide and high in the 7th minute after being put clear on goal.

The defensive-minded Greeks, European champions in 2004, caught out Ukraine with a swift counterattack in the 32nd minute, Dimitrios Salpingidis slotting home after being sent through by Giorgios Samaras.

With away goals counting as double in the event of a draw, the Greek opener meant that Ukraine had to score twice to go through.

The second-half saw Ukraine continue to press, but Greek goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas was equal to anything the hosts, watched by President Viktor Yushchenko, could throw at him.

Ukraine head coach Oleksiy Mykhailychenko said he is to blame for the team’s failure. “All guys played as best as they could”.It is my failure.

He has voiced readiness to work with the squad till the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship.”My contract expires this month. If I am proposed to extend it, I will be ready to work. I am not going to give up. If it is to look at the whole qualification cycle, this was the first team we have yielded to after two legs.

ForUm