An appeal to the Ukrainian American community (04/22/01)

CHORNOBYL: THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY

An appeal to the Ukrainian American community

Fifteen years ago, on April 26, 1986, the world experienced the worst nuclear catastrophe in history. On that day, the explosion at the Chornobyl nuclear reactor No. 4 brought untold devastation to thousands of families across Ukraine. It spread radiation and contamination as far as the Nordic countries, northern England, and parts of the United States, including coastal Alaska and northern California.

When the fourth reactor at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant exploded, it spewed radiation into the atmosphere. A deadly silence followed the explosion. As the radiation silently permeated the atmosphere, the ground below it and everything living, a second silent killer - an information vacuum - was effectively imposed by Gorbachev and Soviet authorities. The Soviet deception had begun.

Now, 15 years later, the environmental and human consequences are still being calculated. Even by the most conservative estimates, the nuclear explosion at Chornobyl released more radiation than 90 Hiroshima-sized bombs. While most of this fallout blanketed heavily populated areas of northern Ukraine, the damage to Ukraine's leading water supply, the Dnipro River, has also affected other vastly populated regions of Ukraine.

As the world observes the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, Ukraine has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the G-7 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on December 20, 1995.

"We (the leaders of the seven major industrial nations (G-7) and the President of the European Commission) met on April 20, 1996, with President Kuchma of Ukraine and together examined a wide range of issues to improve nuclear safety and security. We agreed to continue our bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation with Ukraine in this field." - Statement by G-7 leaders, Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 20, 1995.

The MOU calls for major international financial organizations to assist Ukraine in closing down the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. International experts have concluded that the aggregate costs of closing Chornobyl, which entails the development of non-nuclear energy sources, is estimated at $4 billion. As of today, Ukraine has only received a fraction of the promised assistance.

While the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (UACC) welcomed the closure of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, we would like to stress the need for continued humanitarian assistance, including medical, environmental and social aid programs. Since this disaster, the Ukrainian American community has contributed hundreds of hours, and millions of dollars in assisting the victims of the Chornobyl tragedy. Nonetheless, Ukraine still needs our help to alleviate the dreadful consequences of that disaster for the Ukrainian nation.

As we mark the 15th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant explosion, the UCCA and the UACC appeal to the Ukrainian American community to continue to provide assistance to those afflicted by this disaster. Let us honor the memory of the victims by helping those who are still afflicted.

Christ is Risen!

Indeed He is Risen!

Michael Sawkiw Jr.
President
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America

Ihor Gawdiak
President
Ukrainian American Coordinating Council

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