D.C. community remembers Chornobyl disaster (05/30/99)

D.C. community remembers Chornobyl disaster

by Irene Kost

WASHINGTON - The Chornobyl Committee of Washington and the Ukrainian National Information Service on April 26 co-sponsored a commemorative memorial service for the victims of the Chornobyl disaster.

This solemn annual event took place near the Chornobyl tree, which was planted 12 years ago in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, through the combined efforts of the Ukrainian American Community Network and the Global Re-Leaf Organization of Washington.

The Chornobyl Committee upholds this annual tradition of praying and remembering the human sacrifices caused by the worst nuclear accident in history. The little Chornobyl tree serves as a living reminder of the enormous human and economic toll suffered by countries in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Belarus, as a consequence of the nuclear fallout from the explosion at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.

A religious service, which is part of the annual commemorative observance, was conducted by the Very Rev. Stefan Zencuch, pastor of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. Numerous members of the Ukrainian American community and many staff members of the Embassy of Ukraine participated in the memorial service.

Dr. Larissa Fontana of the Chornobyl Committee introduced the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Anton Buteyko. The ambassador spoke about the tragic consequences suffered by the Ukrainian population after the Chornobyl disaster and thanked the diaspora for providing medical and monetary aid to the accident's victims. Ambassador Buteiko also expressed the gratitude of the government of Ukraine to the Ukrainian American community for raising awareness in the United States of the immense scope of the nuclear disaster and the continuous need for humanitarian relief.

Ihor Gawdiak, president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, stressed the terrible toll the fallout has taken on the health of the Ukrainian nation. He said that the infant mortality rate in Ukraine is the highest in Europe, and that over 2 million children are currently ill, most suffering from some form of cancer, particularly thyroid cancer.

Mr. Gawdiak said, "It is our responsibility to continuously and persistently remind the world about the terrible legacy of the Chornobyl catastrophe in Ukraine, and [to insist] that Russia, Europe and the Western world must help to alleviate the consequences of this disaster."

Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Service in Washington, concluded the commemorative observance by reading remarks made by Rep. Sander Levin (D- Mich.), which appear in the Congressional Record of April 26, titled "Thirteenth Anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster." Rep. Levin expressed great concern for the people of Ukraine, their health and economy, and the future status of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.

"The legacy of Chornobyl is a heavy burden for the people of Ukraine, and our country must do more to help. As we observe the 13th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, let us resolve to learn from the tragedy and prevent it from happening again," Rep. Levin stated.

In his final remarks Mr. Sawkiw expressed the concerns of all Ukrainian Americans: "On the eve of the new millennium, let us work together to always remember the victims of the tragedy, while finding solutions to the problems inherited from Chornobyl." The Rev. Zencuch then led the assembled in singing "Khrystos Voskres," concluding the commemorative memorial service for the victims of Chornobyl.

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