Forum of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic reacts to events in Ukraine (05/27/01)

Forum of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic reacts to events in Ukraine

by Deanna T. Yurchuk

PARSIPPANY, N.J.- As a response to the recent bloody events in Kyiv, Ukrainians living in Prague created an organization called the Forum of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic. The group had a duel purpose: to unite Ukrainians in the Czech Republic and to support the political opposition in Ukraine.

Although in existence for a mere two and a half months, thus far this group has protested twice outside the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic; organized a picketing of Ukrainian ambassadors; laid flowers at the memorial to Taras Shevchenko in Prague; printed fliers and other reading material about Ukraine's corrupt state; as well as written public letters to the president of the Czech Republic and to embassies of countries of the European Union, the United States and Canada, which were printed in several media outlets.

The organization supports the opposition movement and initiatives for democracy, transparency in government, rule of law, civil society and a Western (pro-European) orientation for Ukraine. The initiators of the forum established on March 9, were Oleh Zajnullin, Oleksander Zlenko and Borys Karmeluk.

Another member of this organization is 25-year-old Kalyna Procyk, a Chicago native who has been living in Prague since September. Ms. Procyk was interested in getting involved in the Ukrainian community in Prague when she met one of the founders of the forum, Mr. Zajnullin at the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church only a few weeks before the protests in Ukraine intensified.

"When the Forum of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic was organized," Ms. Procyk revealed, "I said that I supported their goals and was willing to help in their efforts."

According to one of the founders, Borys Karmeluk, the organization was created in order to accurately inform and unite Ukrainians and representatives of other nationalities in the Czech Republic who are concerned with the problems in Ukraine.

"By 'uniting' I mean to create conditions conducive to democratic views and rights in the realization that only through their own efforts will Ukrainians be able to build an independent society of sincere and uncorrupted individuals," Mr. Karmeluk stated.

"Without access to a computer, there are not many news outlets for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic, since only the top stories make the Czech press," Ms. Procyk explained. "Consequently, the public readily snatches all of the free news leaflets that members of the forum print up from news providers such as Pravda.org or Korespondent.net." According to Ms. Procyk, Ukrainians in the Czech Republic are saddened and maddened by the situation in Ukraine today. "Most of the new immigrants from Ukraine are in Prague because they could not find work in Ukraine and wholeheartedly agree that the government [back home] is corrupt," she said.

A lot has been accomplished by the forum so far, Ms. Procyk stated. "The organization is now in the process of recruiting members, gathering contacts, financial support and registering itself as a legal non-profit organization in the Czech Republic," she said. The forum is affiliated with no particular party but aims to unite Ukrainians in the Czech Republic even with disparate political views, according to Ms. Procyk.

"The group aims to represent all of the Ukrainians in the Czech Republic, not only residents of Prague," Ms. Procyk said, "So far, Ukrainians from Kladno and Brno have also joined in the demonstrations." To date about 50 people have attended one or more of the forum's events, however, with each event more people attend. The community of émigrés from the former Yugoslavia also strongly supports the demonstrations and expressed interest in protesting with the Ukrainians. Their call to action was "Kuchma=Milosevich."

Among events like the picketing of Ukrainian ambassadors and other protests, a manifestation under the call of "I am for a European Ukraine" was held in Prague on Vaclavske Namesti on April 22. Thirty people attended the event, which also attracted many additional onlookers due to the highly visible venue. Czech, Ukrainian and Russian media were present.

At the manifestation Ms. Procyk addressed the crowd on current issues in Ukraine and how important it is for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic to unite in action for a better Ukraine. The people present were informed about the latest developments and had an opportunity to discuss ideas with each other, according to Ms. Procyk.

"Manifestations like this one are important for several reasons both internal and external to the organization," Ms. Procyk explained, "It was particularly interesting to hear workers or random passers-by telling their stories about why they were here. There was quite a lot of support at this grass-roots level for other people.

"Through the power of unity people have a chance to make some kind of difference, speaking as citizens who care about their country. They can show the Czech Republic and the European community that they are a vocal, organized force that wants to be heard, present a positive image of Ukrainians protesting legally and show that Ukrainians have an interest in democracy and a fair presidency," she said.

"For me specifically," Ms. Procyk continued, "this is an attempt to engage myself as a product of the older emigration that the issues of Ukraine are still current and important to the diaspora community. The diaspora has had the opportunity to enjoy the privileges of the West - higher education for children, freedom of the press and expression. And it did a good job preserving Ukrainian culture during the cold war.

"However, after Ukraine won independence and diaspora Ukrainians who tried to help Ukraine in one way or another were disappointed, the interest in supporting the freedoms in Ukraine (that we take for granted in the West) in its difficult path to governance has waned. As more immigrants come from Ukraine, it is obvious that there exists a divide between the two generations. The question is whether the older generation has the capability to renew itself in a form that is relevant to both the new immigration and to the people of Ukraine," Ms. Procyk said.

Due to the recent events in Ukraine, with the Gongadze case seemingly solved, with Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko no longer in office (save as a caretaker), and with the appointment of Viktor Chernomyrdin as Russia's ambassador to Ukraine, the forum feels that it must take even more action. "We now need active, honest and audacious people to work with the ill-informed Ukrainian public in order to educate it about the advantages of a civilized society," Mr. Karmeluk said.

The forum recently reported on President Kuchma's refusal to speak with democratic opposition forces. Its website states "in the case of Kuchma's non-compliance to talks with opposition forces, in the case of possibly tragic, illegal acts on behalf of the government in Ukraine, a hunger strike will be announced."

Presently, according to Mr. Karmeluk, the forum is organizing hearings about Ukraine's problems for diplomatic and government institutions in the Czech Republic. The American Cultural Center supplies the forum with the necessary equipment and a place to hold the hearings. Also, each Sunday, about 1,000 newsletters are distributed near the Ukrainian Orthodox and Greek-Catholic churches in Prague. In addition the forum is also working on its charter and by-laws, Mr. Karmeluk reported.

Recently, the forum has proposed a joint action project in order to organize a concert of contemporary Ukrainian rock stars supporting the platform of "Ukrainians Unite!" Groups like Mertvyi Piven, Vopli Vidoplasova, Komu Vnyz, Plach Yeremiyi, Mandry and others support the democratic movement.

The forum believes that such a concert will attract the attention of the maximum number of Ukrainians who live in the Czech Republic and would be a unifying factor for the Ukrainian community. The organization is now searching for sponsors for this event. "We are looking for sponsorship first from Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic and later from Czech corporations," Mr. Karmeluk revealed. "This will happen in the near future - we believe in ourselves."

Mr. Karmeluk said he encourages all Ukrainians abroad to take an interest in the current events in Ukraine and to take action in their own individual cities, states and countries. Ms. Procyk, being a second-generation Ukrainian living outside of Ukraine, also realizes what an integral part her peers can play in Ukraine's future.

"I especially address this to the younger generation of Ukrainians," Ms. Procyk said, "It is nice to have a cohort of friends following you to each monthly ball, but you also owe it to your grandparents, who miraculously survived persecution and upheaval in the country they loved, the 7 million dead from famine and the numerous Ukrainians erased from history as a marginal borderland people left in Ukraine.

"In the West the diaspora is uniquely positioned as a lobbying power and also as a source of information as to how a democracy works in practice. Now is not the time for disillusionment, now is the time to unite forces and work for some practical and attainable goals for Ukraine," Ms. Procyk added.

"All the things that were learned in Ukrainian Saturday school, the well- paid jobs, the friendships formed over the years at camps and such really place this second generation of young Ukrainians in an advantageous position to be heard. I hope that the importance of this power is not ignored, especially considering the present-day situation in Ukraine, " Ms. Procyk said.

For more information about the Forum of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic log on to www.ukraine.cz/bezkucmy or e-mail Mr. Karmeluk at [email protected] or write to Kalyna Procyk, P.O. Box 545, 111 21, Praha 1, Czech Republic. The forum's telephone number is 420-605-748-975; fax, 1-208-978-70-61.

FOR THE RECORD: Address at April 22 manifestation

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