LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (01/17/99)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

UACC, democracy, Kuropas column

Dear Editor:

In his column in The Ukrainian Weekly of December 13, 1998, Myron B. Kuropas suggests that the UACC should "stop trolling for power and cut bait."

I would like to remind Dr. Kuropas that the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council serves as an umbrella organization representing that section of the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States that, for example, recognized the writer and political leader Ivan Bahrianyj and Gen. Petro Grigorenko, and supported publication of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine and funding of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University as very important milestones on the way to our better future.

The other section of this diaspora under the actual leadership of Banderite faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists was overly critical, unsupportive or downright hostile in all these and many other instances.

The OUN (B) claims that its political platform is superior, integral and uncompromising. Such a platform rationalizes the rejection of the need to form a unified representation based on cooperation and consensus with other patriotic groups or parties. This attitude was responsible for the decision by the OUN(B)'s twin, the Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists in Ukraine, to go into the parliamentary elections in March 1998 all alone, instead of either forming or joining a patriotic bloc. This party received a mere 2.7 percent of the votes cast. In a close election, where the Communists were the main opponents to the patriotic camp, that 2.7 percent was quite significant, but in accordance with election rules that stipulated a 4 percent barrier for parties to win seats, all was lost and a major part of power went to the Communists. What a strange and tragic turn of events.

Dr. Kuropas' suggestions to the UACC, the Ukrainian National Association and the Ukrainian Fraternal Association to cut bait or proclaim neutrality are quite odious. The pillars of a democratic society are not unanimity, unison or neutrality, but a continuous dialogue and competition among different parties in order to correctly define and properly solve existing or arising problems.

We all have the right to "stand up and be counted." We all should be able to accept and learn from constructive criticism. We may have "to put a dent in a high hat or a hole in a stuffed shirt," but that's what democracy is all about.

Roman Lazarchuk
Warren, Mich.

An appreciation of pastoral letter

Dear Editor:

Truly, The Weekly is a newspaper of record for Ukrainians everywhere. Thanks much for publishing the Christmas pastoral message from the U.S. Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitanate ("Preparing for the most precious gift," December 20, 1998). I don't live in the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and otherwise would not have had benefit of that inspiration. It is one of the most beautiful tracts on God's boundless love for His people that I have ever read. It is correctly inclusionary. And it "sings" almost entirely from Scripture, with very little theological construction. The deification (divinization) leitmotif is the centerpiece of our Eastern Christian theology.

I was sufficiently moved by the message from Archbishop Stephen and Bishop Walter to share it with many Latin-rite priests and deacons in the Mansfield deanery of the Toledo Diocese, to their very grateful reception. We do have so much of our Church tradition to share with the West, and the Church must breath with both lungs for optimum health. The Weekly facilitates the sharing process.

Prayerfully wishing you the continued peace and joy of Christmas.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Oles Cheren
Mansfield, Ohio

The writer is founder of the Catholic Justice Fellowship.

Congratulations on yearend issue

Dear Editor:

I'd like to congratulate you and your staff on the splendid, record-setting yearend issue. Forty-four pages, wow!

I've kept copies of almost all "Year in Review" supplements since 1982, when they were only eight pages. The 1998 close-out 32-page insert was not only the largest ever, but also the most thorough and the most interesting.

It is obvious that every one of The Weekly editorial personnel put in a lot of extra hard work on this issue. I hope they were properly rewarded by St. Nicholas!

All best wishes to The Weekly staff for 1999!

Ingert Kuzych
Springfield, Va.

Veterans proud of achievements

Dear Editor:

Thank you for an outstanding Year in Review issue. All of us are very proud of Cmdr. Stephen L. Szyska of the U.S. Navy who assumed command of a submarine. We are also very proud of Brig. Gen. Donald W. Hrynyshyn who was awarded the Legion of Merit medal. We would also like to commend all those who participated as Ukrainian interpreters this past year.

The Ukrainian American Military Association (UAMA) is a group of active and reserve personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces who have taken the Ukrainian language test and who provide linguistic support to combat and medical missions to Ukraine. The number of missions increases every year and in fiscal year 1998, there were over 75 missions authorized.

The UAMA is proud to be officially affiliated with the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV). The UAV unites veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. We in the UAMA/UAV encourage all active/reserve and veterans to join us or form a UAV post. If you are active/reserve, and would like to receive e-mail, let Maj. Yuri Holowinsky know at: [email protected]. If you would like to form a post with the UAV, send an e-mail to [email protected]. The 52nd Convention of the UAV will be held September 24-26 in Chicago. The UAMA will also hold its meeting that weekend, on September 25.

Roman G. Golash
Schaumburg, Ill.

The writer is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, president of the UAMA and commander of UAV Post 32, Chicago.

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