Ottawa demo supports independence (09/01/91)

Ottawa demo supports independence

by Christopher Guly

OTTAWA - The jubilation was short-lived. Within days of celebrating Ukraine's declaration of independence on August 24, Canada's Ukrainian community was stunned by the federal government's decision not to immediately recognize Ukraine's independence.

Close to 300 held an afternoon vigil at both the Soviet Embassy here and on Parliament Hill on August 26, calling for diplomatic recognition of Ukraine. The demonstration was organized by the Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada, whose spokesperson Stephen Bandera said that people came from Toronto and Montreal to express their displeasure with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's decision.

Placards at the rally read, "The Russian Bear must sleep forever" and "Barbara McDougall: recognize or resign." Mrs. McDougall, Canada's secretary of state for external affairs, announced that day that her government would move quickly to establish diplomatic relations with the Baltics.

Her press secretary, Scott Mullin, explained that Canada never recognized the annexation of Lithuania Latvia and Estonia. He said that Mr. Mulroney made it clear that Canada would await the outcome of a December referendum to be held in Ukraine before recognizing the republic's independence.

"It's obviously a back-door deal with Moscow," said Mr. Bandera. "Moscow can't exist without Ukraine, but they can do without the Baltics."

Ironically, the Ukrainian Youth Association's rally was planned well ahead of the recent Soviet coup and was to be held only at the Soviet Embassy. Mr. Bandera explained that the original purpose was to call on the release of Ukrainian People's Deputy Stepan Khmara and other political prisoners. Mr. Khmara and others were amnestied on Sunday, August 25, in the aftermath of the failed coup in the USSR.

In addition to calling for formal Canadian-Ukrainian diplomatic relations, the Ukrainian Youth Association called for the federal government's support of the process of devolution of the Soviet Union from a unitary centralized state to a group of independent sovereign states. The organization also called on Canada to negotiate direct bilateral agreements with Ukraine.

International Trade Minister Michael Wilson is expected to travel to Kiev, Moscow and the Baltics in early September. While there, he will formally open the Canadian Consulate General in Ukraine.

Andrij Hluchowecky, director of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee's information bureau in Ottawa, said that Canada must also support Ukraine's bid to become a full member of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. "Ukraine has been a member-state of the United Nations since 1945," he explained.

The Canadian Ukrainian Public Action Committee is planning to gather signatures on a petition to be presented to External Affairs Minister McDougall in the near future, Mr. Pandera said. Other demonstrations are also planned, including a major Labor Day rally at Queen's Park, Ontario's provincial legislative buildings in Toronto.