DOES UKRAINE NEED CANADIAN HELP?

"Canada is sending observers to monitor the elections and help Ukraine carry them out in a truly democratic manner," Ms. Marlot declared. The Canadian International Development Agency is expected to spend $90,000 monitoring the Ukrainian elections. Another $60,000 will come from a Canadian foundation sustaining six elections information support projects. In other words, the Canadians will print 20,000 copies of Ukraine's new elections law, along with 250,000 posters with explanations of the law. Ottawa will help in other ways, too: in raising Ukrainian youth's political consciousness and encouraging women to participate in public life. Note that the Canadian side has carefully refrained from showing favors toward any political party in Ukraine. "As a representative of a democratic country, I have never associated my activities with any foreign political groups," noted Ms. Marlot. Canadians, however, do hope that active reforms will begin in Ukraine after March 29.