Ukraine's ambassador to U.S., two consuls general are recalled (12/26/99)

Ukraine's ambassador to U.S., two consuls general are recalled

by Yaro Bihun
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

WASHINGTON - Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Anton Buteiko, has been recalled to Kyiv along with Ukraine's two consuls general in this country - Yuriy Bohaievsky in New York and Borys Bazylevsky in Chicago.

No specific reason was given for cutting short Ambassador Buteiko's assignment in Washington, which began in November 1998. (His predecessor, Ambassador Yuri Shcherbak, who now serves as foreign affairs advisor to the president, had spent four years in Washington.) Mr. Bohaievsky had served in New York for one year, after serving for a year and half as Ukraine's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations), and Mr. Bazylevsky arrived in Chicago four months ago. The three diplomats reportedly were instructed to vacate their posts by January 5.

A number of Ukrainian diplomats serving in other countries also were recalled home following President Kuchma's re-election in November.

Dr. Buteiko's impending departure was not completely unexpected. Rumors to that effect had been circulating here since before President Kuchma's Washington visit on December 8. The recall letter arrived a few days later.

Washington Post writer Nora Boustany, who broke the story in her "Diplomatic Dispatches" column on December 17, suggested that the first- round presidential election absentee voting results in Washington, New York and Chicago had "disappointed" President Kuchma and that the "political fallout is roiling Ukrainian diplomatic ranks."

Immediately following the first round, the Kuchma administration had sacked the governors of three oblasts that voted decisively for his opponents.

In an interview for The Ukrainian Weekly, Ambassador Buteiko said that, personally, he could not comprehend any kind of a link between the election results at the Embassy and his recall.

"I know that the election process at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington was democratic, as witnessed by American observers," he said. "The president received a plurality of the votes in the first round, and more than 70 percent of the votes in the final round." (About 160 Ukrainian citizens cast their ballots at the Embassy.)

"Therefore, it's very difficult for me to conclude that this recall is somehow connected with the election results," he said. "Only those who made the decision know the real reason," he added.

Asked if there was any mention of the election in the recall letter, Dr. Buteiko said, "No. The letter I received notified me that it was decided that I return to Ukraine, expressed appreciation for my effort in expanding our economic, political, military and humanitarian relations with the United States, and set a date by which I should return."

Neither did the letter mention any new assignment for him, Dr. Buteiko answered, suggesting, however, that this might be due to the government reorganization reforms President Kuchma initiated a few days earlier, which will cut back 89 government entities to 35 and pare down the number of ministries from 18 to 15.

During the interview Ambassador Buteiko underscored some of the Embassy's accomplishments over the past year, expressed his personal views about the best future course for Ukraine's foreign policy and shared some parting thoughts with the Ukrainian American community.

"I know that the Embassy worked earnestly and effectively, taking into account our manpower and financial resources," he said. "We've had a number of achievements of which I am proud, and I am pleased that during my tenure here we achieved, I think, a higher degree of mutual understanding between Ukraine and the United States."

Dr. Buteiko said that when he came to Washington a year ago there were some 30 commercial disputes involving American businesses in Ukraine, and today only four remain to be resolved. The Embassy organized two presidential visits, as well as visits by the prime minister and more than 70 official delegations, helping to ensure the success of their trips.

Dr. Buteiko was especially pleased with the success of the most recent presidential visit, during which 12 bilateral agreements were signed.

Among the important agreements, he cited the "New Generation" program, which next year will bring 2,400 Ukrainian high school and college students to study in the United States. The program is based on an idea he brought with him to Washington, he said.

"One could say that my work here has been very satisfying," Dr. Buteiko said. "Now we have the president's decision to recall me. The president is implementing his program, and he knows best where his cadres are needed."

Discussing some of the domestic and foreign issues confronting Ukraine, Ambassador Buteiko said that the left has been throwing obstacles in the way of President Kuchma's reform programs, especially in its attempt to derail his new, major agrarian reform program aimed at doing away with the collective farm system.

"I doubt that the left will be successful because the Ukrainian people, for the most part, have come to the realization that reforms are absolutely necessary, that there is no future without them," Dr. Buteiko said. "I am certain that the president understands this probably better than anyone else, and he is implementing them."

He said that during the recent talks in Washington both the U.S. government and international financial institutions indicated their willingness to help Ukraine, but they indicated that "such assistance would be effective only if Ukraine more effectively implements its economic and administrative reforms and intensifies its fight against organized crime and corruption."

Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk and Ambassador Buteiko, when he served as the principal vice minister of foreign affairs, were widely known as the "Westernizers" of Ukraine's foreign policy.

As ambassador, Dr. Buteiko said, he adheres to the official government policy, which states that Ukraine's strategic goal is to integrate with the European Union, to become a member of the EU, to broaden its relationship with NATO, to develop further its strategic partnerships with Russia and the United States, and maintain its neutral, "non-bloc" status, as President Kuchma reiterated during his inauguration address.

As a citizen of Ukraine, however, Dr. Buteiko said he has expressed his personal opinion that "the time has come to discard this non-bloc status and to state clearly and without reservation that Ukraine wants to join both the EU and NATO."

"Only this combination can stimulate Ukrainian society to achieve those standards that define Europe," he said. "I find it very difficult to see Ukraine as a member of the EU and not of NATO." This, he explained, would be a new and reformed NATO - an active and important element of the overall European security system.

"I cannot imagine our joining the European Union being 'half-pregnant,' " cooperating with the civilian sector of the European economy and not the military-industrial sector, he said. And Ukraine would never be allowed into that important sector without, at least, a declaration of intent to join NATO, he added.

Using the interview as possibly the last possibility to address the Ukrainian American community, Ambassador Buteiko expressed his best wishes on the occasion of the coming Christmas and New Year holidays, and added:

"Of course, I would also wish that Ukrainian Americans continue their deep love of Ukraine and continue to help her - not merely help her, but help her to help herself" with their knowledge and experience, he said.

Dr. Buteiko also thanked those in the Ukrainian American community with whom he worked for their cooperation and understanding, and he asked that any misunderstandings be forgiven.

"In my efforts I tried to expand the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, so that it would be sincere and mutually beneficial," he said. "And here, in large measure, we were helped by that segment of the American population we call the Ukrainian community (hromada) in the United States, " he said.

"I thank you very much for the support I always felt you have given me," Ambassador Buteiko said. "We have to continue to do what is required of us to help Ukraine grow strong, to improve the quality of life of our people and to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries."

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