Ukraine's new ambassador to U.S. meets Ukrainian American leaders (12/27/98)

Ukraine's new ambassador to U.S. meets Ukrainian American leaders

by Yaro Bihun
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

WASHINGTON - Leaders of the Ukrainian American community and Ukraine's new ambassador to the United States, Anton Buteiko, got a chance to meet each other and exchange views on issues of mutual concern December 18, during a meeting and reception organized here at the Embassy of Ukraine.

Before his appointment to Washington, Ambassador Buteiko, 51, was first vice minister of foreign affairs. He arrived here soon after his predecessor Dr. Yuri Shcherbak's departure in late November. He presented his letters of credence to the State Department, but they have not yet been officially accepted by the president.

The meeting was with leaders of some 20 Ukrainian American organizations, among them three umbrella groupings - the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (UACC) - as well as the major women's, professionals', medical, academic, scientific and military organizations and foundations.

The 90-minute working meeting was off the record. After the session, however, some of the participants expressed their reaction to the new ambassador and what he said. Without exception, all were positive.

The newly elected UWC president, Askold Lozynskyj, who also serves as president of the UCCA, said he was impressed by Ambassador Buteiko's apparent "practicality," "level-headedness" and "professionalism."

"Perhaps I'm biased, but he thinks the way an attorney does, because he is (one), in fact; he has a juridical background," said Mr. Lozynskyj, who also is an attorney.

"Without disparaging or saying anything negative about any of his predecessors," he added, "I think that he is a quality ambassador, in the fullest sense. He's a pro, and I expect great things from him."

"He understands the distinction of being an ambassador and ... being a representative of the community," Mr. Lozynskyj said of Ambassador Buteiko. "He understands how far his relationship with the community should go."

[In an "Open Letter" dated October 30, Mr. Lozynskyj had criticized Ambassador Shcherbak, taking the diplomat to task for his presentation at a Ukrainian American professionals conference earlier that month in New Jersey as well as for the work of the Ukrainian Embassy.]

He applauded Ambassador Buteiko's statement that Ukraine would rather earn funds abroad through trade than accept foreign aid.

"He is not seeking handouts," Mr. Lozynskyj added. "He's looking to create an investment climate and environment in Ukraine and a relationship between the two countries which will bring in capital infusion that will enable Ukraine to develop its resources - not by virtue of gifts or donations but by virtue of investment in Ukraine's resources."

Ihor Gawdiak, the newly elected president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, also praised Mr. Buteiko's businesslike approach.

"Most of all, I liked his response to a question about why Ukraine is the way it is. He said that they were all taught how to destroy capitalism and not how to build capitalism. And so, no one - not only in Ukraine but elsewhere in that region - knows how to convert socialism into capitalism," Mr. Gawdiak said.

Mr. Gawdiak also found Ambassador Buteiko's approach somewhat different from that of his predecessor. "And I say this without any criticism intended," he added. "They simply are two different individuals."

The UACC president said he expects to see very good relations developing between the Ukrainian American community and Mr. Buteiko. "But they will be more businesslike, with less camaraderie," he said.

Mr. Gawdiak said there was nothing in what Ambassador Buteiko said that evening which would suggest any impending problems between him and the Ukrainian American community.

UNA President Ulana Diachuk said she, too, expects good relations between the Ukrainian American community and the new envoy. "But we have to understand one thing," she added. "He represents the interests of Ukraine, and we represent the interests of Ukrainian Americans. And we do not have to agree with him on every point."

As for Ambassador Buteiko's presentation and responses to questions, she said, "We could subscribe to everything that he said tonight. But there may be instances in the future when we will disagree with the position of Ukraine, which he represents. And we have to accept that fact," she added.

The UNA president said she liked the point he made about how the younger generation growing up in Ukraine today is completely different from the older generation and that, ultimately, this new generation will raise Ukraine to its heights.

"In the meantime, we have to persevere as the older generation, which is holding back political and economic progress in Ukraine, slowly is replaced," Mrs. Diachuk said.

Representing the largest Ukrainian American professionals organization, The Washington Group, President Orest Deychakiwsky described Mr. Buteiko as a "very impressive figure, ... one of the chief architects of Ukraine's pro-Western policy."

He said the new ambassador's first exchange with Ukrainian American leaders was productive. "We got a sense of how he approaches issues, how he thinks," Mr. Deychakiwsky said.

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