Ukraine's Embassy in Washington hosts fifth anniversary reception (09/01/96)

Ukraine's Embassy in Washington hosts fifth anniversary reception

by R.L. Chomiak
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

WASHINGTON - A record 30 days of unseasonably cool weather ended in Washington on August 23, and the usual heat, humidity and smog of the summer returned with a vengeance. That was the day the Embassy of Ukraine celebrated independent Ukraine's fifth birthday, and even the muggy atmosphere couldn't intervene in the feast. (Efficient air conditioning in the historic but modernized building housing the Embassy helped to make the occasion festive for some 300 invited guests dressed to the T.)

There are more than 100 embassies in Washington, so almost no week goes by without a National Day celebration at two or three of them. This was the fifth marked by the Ukrainian Embassy (the fourth one in the building in which George Washington himself closed the deal on the location of the American capital), and perhaps the nicest thing about it was how normal the event was - just like a Fourth of July celebration in an American Embassy anywhere in the world, and the U.S. has been doing it for more than 200 years!

It was relaxed and happy. No longer a novelty. A pleasant routine. Ukraine's diplomats have gotten the hang of it.

There was the receiving line headed by Ambassador and Mrs. Yuri Shcherbak, and Deputy Chief of Mission and Mrs. Valeriy Kuchinsky. There were White House and State Department officials, diplomats from other countries' embassies, military attachés in their various uniforms, special friends of the Ukrainian Embassy from all walks of life, a few visitors from Ukraine, a Ukrainian singing group from Philadelphia - and Ukrainian food, American wine, French champagne, Scotland's whisky, England's gin and Ukraine's horilka.

And much conversation, congratulations, and seemingly no one in the rooms who would admit to harboring doubts three or four years ago that there would be a fifth anniversary of independence. Lest anyone forget that this was the fifth, Ukrainian diplomats wore buttons on their lapels with "5" prominently displayed.

Melanne Verveer, whose grandparents came from Ukraine and who now works at the White House as deputy chief of staff to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, read a letter from President Clinton to President Kuchma that began with the "Dear Leonid" salutation. [For full text see page 2.]

"In its five years of independence," the letter read, "Ukraine has emerged as a leader for peace and democracy." President Clinton also promised to work with Ukraine and America's European partners "to promote Ukraine's integration into the European family."

Adding some personal observations, Ms. Verveer recalled how pleasant it was for her, who as a child had been taught to sing the Ukrainian national anthem, "Shche Ne Vmerla Ukraina," to stand on the soil of free Ukraine in May 1995, when she accompanied President Clinton on his state visit.

She also noted that "building democracy is not easy; we know from our own experience - 220 years now for the United States - that it is never-ending work. But it is a most noble cause and we are committed in our support for your efforts."

Ambassador James Collins, coordinator of ties with new independent states at the Department of State, brought greetings from Secretary Warren Christopher. He said that "in the fifth year Ukraine demonstrated great capacity for courage and leadership and its strength as a partner for the United States," in the removal of nuclear arms, in leadership for the extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which "led the way toward a safer world and a more secure Europe."

He also mentioned the work for peace by Ukrainian soldiers in Bosnia, and added that this year's passing of Ukraine's Constitution "opens the way for Ukraine to flourish as a democracy, as its people begin the second half of their first decade of independence.

"And the steady, courageous efforts of Ukraine's people to transform their economy," Ambassador Collins added, "has opened the way for closer ties with Europe and the United States in pursuit of mutual prosperity and the well-being of all."

The national anthem of Ukraine was sung by a male octet from Philadelphia called Haydamaky, while Renata Hron led in the singing of the American anthem.

Ambassador Shcherbak, host of the evening, noted that the event was being held "in a historical place - at the crossroads of the past, present and future. In this building ... more than 200 years ago, the first U.S. president, George Washington, worked. He was one of the most ardent champions of independence. It's not accidental that Taras Shevchenko, the greatest Ukrainian bard, dreamt about the coming of our own Washington, 'with new and righteous law,' and prayed that this time would certainly come.

"In this building, the modern history of Ukrainian-U.S. relations is being created. I believe that this place, illuminated by the spiritual genius of Washington and Taras Shevchenko, will continue to play a prominent role in the further forging of our partnership."

And the ambassador raised a toast "to the strengthening of Ukranian-American friendship, to Leonid Kuchma, president of Ukraine, and to Bill Clinton, president of the United States of America.

"Long live the independent Ukrainian state. Slava Ukraini - Glory to Ukraine. God bless America." By then in Kyiv it was already early morning of August 24 - the sixth August 24 of independent Ukraine.