OUR COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY (09/19/99)

OUR COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

LaJolla, Calif.

by Dr. Jaroslaw Pikolcky

LA JOLLA, Calif. - U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer met with Ukrainian Americans from San Diego and Los Angeles during a luncheon at the La Jolla Country Club, while he was here on vacation visiting his family.

It was an honor to meet with the ambassador, who requested a meeting with members of the Ukrainian American community. It was most interesting to be updated on latest policies towards Ukraine in its pursuit of economic growth eight years after celebrating its independence from Soviet domination.

Ambassador Pifer said he is a career diplomat, having served 21 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. He served as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton and senior director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs at the National Security Council in 1996-1997. He arrived in Kyiv in January 1998.

Ambassador Pifer said he is optimistic that Ukraine has all the resources necessary to maintain its independence, build a strong democracy and institute a strong market economy. Ukraine has disarmed itself of one of the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. Ukraine is an American ally in peacekeeping in Eastern Europe and a supporter of NATO, and Ukrainian troops are stationed in Bosnia and other troublespots.

When asked how the Ukrainian community in the United Sates can help Ukraine and how it can influence U.S. policy, Mr. Pifer replied: "The Ukrainian community can communicate to the U.S. government its concerns and priorities. Ukrainian Americans have many talented, experienced and knowledgeable individuals that can help Ukraine."

"There are ways to expand exchanges to get more Ukrainians into organized programs in the United States where they can spend more time learning how the U.S. tackles various political and economic problems, and then come back and apply some of those ideas in Ukraine as Ukraine goes through its own difficult transition process," the ambassador commented.

Maplewood, N.J.

by Andrew Keybida

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. - Mayor Gerard W. Ryan signed and read a proclamation on August 3 at Maplewood Town Hall that designating August 24 as Ukrainian Independence Day in honor of the eighth anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Mayor Ryan presented the document to Andrew Keybida and then ordered that the Ukrainian flag be raised in front of the Maplewood Town Hall on August 24 alongside the American flag to "pay tribute to the Ukrainian people for their courage and fortitude in the struggle for freedom and independence of Ukraine."

Mr. Keybida accepted the proclamation, stating that the Ukrainian American community is grateful for the proclamation and extends its thanks to the leaders of Maplewood for always supporting Ukraine's struggle for freedom.

On August 24 members of the Maplewood's Ukrainian American community gathered at 9 a.m. at the Municipal Building.

The Rev. Bohdan Lukie, pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church of Newark, N.J., opened the ceremonies with a prayer. He stated: "We proudly honor Ukraine on its eighth anniversary of independence and happily acknowledge to the world that, of all the former Soviet countries, it is Ukraine that has had the most peaceful transition from totalitarianism to democracy. There has been no bloodshed, no armed conflict or political repression. Ukraine has had peaceful elections and prepares itself for another democratic election, it has become a responsible country in world affairs and has provided an example to other countries by being the first to remove its nuclear warheads. It has ensured the human and civil rights of all its citizens."

" ... we offer our prayerful support and promise to help Ukraine become the prosperous and successful country it has the potential to be. Much has been accomplished already and, with God's help and our help, Ukraine is ensured of a healthy, peaceful future," he said.

Mayor Ryan then greeted those assembled and read the proclamation commemorating the eighth anniversary of modern Ukraine.

The Rev. Taras Fedorovich concluded the indoor ceremony with a solemn prayer. He also noted: "Having lived all my life in Ukraine, I, as a Ukrainian Catholic priest, was among the millions who rejoiced that our country chose to become totally independent of the Communist Soviet system. How happy we were on August 24, 1991, when we announced to the world that we had become a free country without the expected bloodshed. And for this we give thanks to God."

He continued: "We must, however, forever remember the millions of Ukrainians who were persecuted, who were tortured and who were martyred by the Communist totalitarian regime over the past 70 years. Their struggle and fight for an independent Ukraine, their bloodshed and their lives were and are the foundation of our free statehood."

The Ukrainian flag was brought to the aisle in the center of Town Hall while the audience sang the Ukrainian national anthem. The flag was then carried out to the flagpole and was raised together with the American flag while those gathered sang the American anthem.

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