LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (09/29/96)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Check the books at your libraries

Dear Editor:

How many of you have been to your local library recently?

How many of you have checked to see what is available about Ukraine? Have you checked to see if the information is current?

You may be satisfied with your findings, but chances are you may not.

You will find many books about the USSR, Russia and other countries. But what is there about Ukraine?

The time is "ripe" to spread the word, so to speak, about Ukraine. Now, when the world is aware of Ukraine's existence. Ukraine has been in the headlines more than once so far this year - the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and the outstanding achievements of the Ukrainian athletes in the recent Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

The world is very much aware of Ukraine and Ukrainians now. To keep this awareness alive there should be information about Ukraine available in our libraries.

Check your local library. Request material about Ukraine from the librarian.

We in the Cherry Hill, N.J., area have gone one step farther. In conjunction with our observance of the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence, our Committee to Aid Ukraine is making a donation of several volumes on current Ukraine to our county library as a start of a much-needed collection.

Recently Prime Minister Pavlo Lazrenko said, "Team Ukraine's performance at the Olympic Games in Atlanta is the best gift for the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence."

Our best anniversary gift is the donation of books to the Camden County Library. Our selection includes: Taras Kuzio and Andrew Wilson, "Ukraine: Perestroika to Independence"; David Marples, "The Social Impact of the Chernobyl Disaster"; Orest Subtelny, "Ukraine: A History" 2nd ed.; "Ukraine: A Tourist Guide." Private donations include Robert Conquest, "Harvest of Sorrow," and Luciow and Kmit, "Eggs Beautiful."

We intend to remind and encourage readers to keep the books in circulation. Only then will the library be willing to enlarge the collection.

In the future we plan to include other libraries.

Olga Prychka
Stratford, N.J.

Clinton understands Ukraine's vital role

Dear Editor:

In a recent letter to The Ukrainian Weekly, it was pointed out that the Reagan State Department - not President Ronald Reagan himself - made the decision to deny Myroslav Medvid his bid for freedom a decade ago. This is an important point. In all likelihood, the same officials who advised President Reagan to return Mr. Medvid to Soviet custody also made the decision to fight the creation of the Ukraine Famine Commission and to use the Russian language only on USIA missions to Ukraine. Probably the same group of foreign policy experts later counseled President Bush to personally intervene to try to block Ukrainian independence.

So even though the Reagan-Bush foreign policy was decidedly anti-Soviet, it was not the least bit pro-Ukrainian. It is important for Ukrainian Americans to keep this in mind, because the same people who advised against the independence of Ukraine, are now hoping for a Republican victory in November so they can get their old jobs back.

This is not a trivial matter, nor is it one that should interest Ukrainian only. The Clinton foreign policy team has made Ukraine a cornerstone of its global strategy. President Bill Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore continue to affirm the critical importance the United States attaches to an independent, democratic and prosperous Ukraine. They do this, not to please our community, but because it makes sense for the United States and for global peace.

The Bush initiative to save the Soviet Union five years ago has been proven to be wrong for Ukraine and wrong for America. An independent Ukraine serves as a strategic counterbalance to Russia, blocking that country's historic aspirations for empire. The architects of the policy that tried to block Ukrainian aspirations on "minor" matters like the Famine Commission or a major one like independence showed extremely poor judgment and should not be given renewed access to power.

President Clinton, on the other hand, has demonstrated a profound understanding of Ukraine's role in the world and in history. As a result, he is the most pro-Ukrainian president we have ever had. President Clinton and his foreign policy team have the right approach toward Ukraine, and he deserves our wholehearted support in the upcoming presidential campaign.

Andrew Ripecky
Chicago

About the congress of Ukrainianists

Dear Editor:

The article "Ukrainianists hold third congress in Kharkiv" (September 8) did not specify that Prof. Assya Humesky, president of the American Association for Ukrainian Studies, also spoke at the opening ceremonies. This is an important fact not only because she heads our American association, but also because she was especially singled out several times as a native Kharkivite.

In her remarks at the congress, Prof. Humesky pointed out American scholars' dedication to the field of Ukrainian studies. The American delegation, comprising 30 members, was the largest one at the congress (save for the one from Ukraine, of course).

Larissa Onyshkevych
Lawrenceville, N.J.