Ukrainian American Democrats pledge assistance to Dalai Lama (04/19/98)

Ukrainian American Democrats pledge assistance to Dalai Lama

by Ivas Kasyanenko

NEWARK, N.J. - Marcanthony Datzkiwsky, chairman of the Ukrainian American Democratic Association (UADA), pledged his organization's support of the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet in their struggle for freedom at a meeting of the association on March 30.

In light of Ukraine's parliamentary elections in which Communists made serious inroads into the legislative branch of government Mr. Datzkiwsky said that it is the responsibility of the Ukrainian American community to fight communism wherever it is oppressing freedom, anywhere in the world. He stated that Ukrainians have fought communism for over 70 years and continue to fight it today in a free Ukraine.

He went on to say that communism, through Russification, was responsible for the destruction of Ukrainian culture and language, just as it was responsible, through Sinofication, for the eradication of Tibetan culture, the plundering and destruction of Buddhist monasteries, the centers of Tibetan education.

Other Ukrainian Americans have joined the UADA in its support of Tibet. They include Dr. Orest Pelechaty, director of the ALOHA Clinic in Short Hills, N.J.; businessmen Roman Bilewicz and Marko Shuhan of OHM Productions in Kingston, N.Y.; and Peter Zielyk, independent filmmaker of South Orange, N.J.

During the Dalai Lama's visit to the United States, members of the Ukrainian American diaspora will have an audience with the spiritual leader. Dr. Pelechaty and Mr. Datzkiwsky will present the Dalai Lama with a proposal to equip him and his staff with a satellite receiver and a computer system. This technology will give the Dalai Lama access to the Internet, so he can have complete access to available information 24 hours a day. The Dalai Lama now gets his information from the BBC through a small short-wave receiver.

The UADA asks anyone interested in the plight of Tibet to contact the organization at (973) 375-1214, or Dr. Pelechaty at (973) 376-4669.

The Dalai Lama will be in New Jersey on May 7 as part of a U.S. tour.