New envoy to U.S. confers with Ukrainian Americans (02/06/00)

New envoy to U.S. confers with Ukrainian Americans

by Yaro Bihun
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

WASHINGTON - Ukraine's new ambassador to the United States arrived in Washington last week, presented his credentials to the U.S. government and held a get-acquainted session with representatives of Ukrainian American organizations.

Kostiantyn Hryschenko, who came to Washington from Brussels, where he had served as Ukraine's ambassador to the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and headed Ukraine's mission to NATO, replaced Anton Buteiko, who was recalled in December after one year at his Washington post.

The new ambassador arrived here on February 1, presented his letters of credence to the State Department on February 2 and was scheduled to present his credentials to President Bill Clinton at the White House on February 3. He was then scheduled to return to Brussels for one or two weeks to close out his affairs there.

Between his State Department and White House meetings, Ambassador Hryschenko on February 2 hosted a meeting at the Embassy with representatives of 10 major Ukrainian American organizations. During that hourlong session, according to participants' accounts, he highlighted some of the items on his agenda as Ukraine's representative here and, in turn, heard about the agenda and plans of Ukrainian Americans.

By all accounts, the new ambassador made a favorable impression.

"I think the consensus was positive," Federal Claims Court Judge Bohdan Futey said following the meeting. Since Ukraine's independence, Judge Futey has been helping Ukraine reform its judicial system.

"I was impressed with his candor, openness, as well as his request for assistance from the Ukrainian American community," he said.

Judge Futey called Mr. Hryschenko a "highly qualified diplomat" and a "no-nonsense guy," who did not hesitate in addressing concrete issues, including the need to improve Ukraine's image in the United States.

Ambassador Hryschenko's diplomatic experience and "no-nonsense" approach also made a favorable impression on Ihor Gawdiak, president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council.

"It's only a first impression, of course, since the short meeting did not allow time for any in-depth discussion or dialogue," Mr. Gawdiak added.

Mr. Gawdiak said that Ambassador Hryschenko underscored that Ukraine needs to maintain the best of relations with the United States because of its leading position in the world, and he asked Ukrainian Americans to help in this endeavor.

"I think he clearly does want our support," Mr. Gawdiak said, "and I think that's rightfully so, rather than us telling him what to do and how to do it. The diaspora often does that, and I don't think that is its proper role," he added. "We can offer advice, but sometimes we offer that advice rather overbearingly."

Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Service, an arm of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America in Washington, also came away with "a very good first impression."

"He's been in the (United) States literally 24 hours and he has already had a meeting with the Ukrainian American community," Mr. Sawkiw said. "This definitely shows that he wants to work with the community and feels that we can help him in his capacity, in his job."

Mr. Sawkiw noted that Ambassador Hryschenko focused on the need to improve Ukraine's image, especially through the press, the administration and the Congress. As Mr. Sawkiw pointed out in his remarks during the meeting, the UCCA has been working on that problem before and since Ukraine's independence.

"But, as other people stated and as I definitely support as well," Mr. Sawkiw added, "there needs to be that link between the Embassy and the Ukrainian American community. They need to tell us what is going on so that we can help them in this positive image boost for Ukraine."

Orest Deychakiwsky, president of The Washington Group, an association of Ukrainian American professionals, noted Ambassador Hryschenko's experience in dealing with Western institutions.

"Clearly he's had experience in working with the West and intends to continue to build on the ties forged by his predecessors in strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian relations," he said.

Mr. Deychakiwsky also pointed out the new envoy's evident understanding of the important role of the U.S. Congress.

Before his assignment to Brussels, Ambassador Hryschenko had been vice minister of foreign affairs had served at the United Nations and had specialized in security, denuclearization and arms control issues. But, as he pointed out, he never worked for the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the USSR.

The discussion with Ambassador Hryschenko did not cover the parliamentary crisis or other hot-news topics dealing with Ukraine. The exceptions, according to those participating, were the unexpected recall of his predecessor and the latest allegations against the Kuchma government by former Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko. Ambassador Hryschenko discounted reports that Mr. Buteiko's recall was politically motivated and said Mr. Lazarenko's accusations are unfounded.

The other Ukrainian Americans at the meeting were: Dr. Roman Goy, Ukrainian Medical Association of North America; Motria Sloniewsky, Ukrainian National Women's League of America; Eugene Iwanciw, Ukrainian National Association; Zenia Chernyk and Vera Andryczyk, Ukrainian Federation of America; Nadia McConnell and Vera Andrushkiw, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation; and Mykhailo Datsenko, Chopivsky Family Foundation; as well as R. L. Chomiak of the UACC and Arthur Belendiuk, a Washington attorney.

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