New Yorkers bid fond farewell to Ambassador Anatolii Zlenko

NEW YORK - The news about Anatolii Zlenko's transfer from his position as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations to the post of ambassador to France spread quickly during the weekend of September 27-28 in the New York area.

The Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian Institute of America quickly organized a farewell party honoring Ambassador Zlenko and his wife, Liudmyla, on Wendesday, October 1, at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York.

The farewell reception was chaired by Myroslav Szmigel of the UCCA, who introduced the following speakers: Askold Lozynskyj, president of the UCCA; Ulana Diachuk, president of the UACC; Walter Baranetsky, president of the Ukrainian Institute of America; Martha Kokolska, representing women of Ukraine; and Hennadii Udovenko, foreign affairs minister of Ukraine and president of the U.N. General Assembly.

The speakers all stressed the dedicated diplomatic work of Mr. Zlenko as minister of foreign affairs after Ukraine's declaration of independence and as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations. All wished him further success in his diplomatic work as Ukraine's ambassador to France.

Ambassador Zlenko expressed his thanks and appreciation to the speakers and to the Ukrainian community in the United States. He solemly promised to continue his work for the benefit of Ukraine and its people, assuring the representatives of the Ukrainian community of his love and loyalty to his country.

He also briefly spoke about his parents and especially his father, who had instilled in him love and pride for the Ukrainian people.

The farewell party, attended by more than 100 guests, concluded with the singing of "Mnohaya Lita" for Ambassador Zlenko.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 12, 1997, No. 41, Vol. LXV

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