LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (10/28/01)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Event in Ohio capital had glaring absence

Dear Editor:

Both The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda reported extensively on the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine in the Ukrainian communities in the United States. Indeed, such events enhance our consciousness and devotion to the cause of Ukraine, and foster a sense of belonging to the Ukrainian community among the younger generation of Ukrainian Americans.

Gov. Bob Taft of Ohio proclaimed August 24 as Ukrainian Independence Commemoration Day throughout the state and urged all "multicultural communities to join Ohio's Ukrainian community in celebration with appropriate activities and observances."

At commemorations in the state capital, after the brief introductory comments by Thomas Moyer, chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, August B. Pust, head of the Department of Multicultural Affairs in the governor's office, presided over the ceremony of raising the Ukrainian flag at the Ohio Statehouse at noon in the presence of several members of the governor's office and other state officials.

More than 20 Ukrainians from the Columbus area arrived for this celebration, as well as five Ukrainians from Cincinnati (where there are presently just a few Ukrainian families). Regrettably, only one couple came from the several-thousand-strong Ukrainian community in Cleveland and vicinity, which was quite embarrassing indeed.

Z. Lew Melnyk
Cincinnati, Ohio

U.S. should take closer look at allies

Dear Editor:

I found The Ukrainian Weekly's editorial of October 14 ("Putin 'terrorists' ") of some interest.

Back during the heyday of World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat) found us an ally. Americans affectionately called him "Uncle Joe." He and his butchers were the darlings of left-wing American "intellectuals," who never tired of finding excuses for the countless acts of terrorism Uncle Joe and his cohorts unleashed against dissenters.

Today, courtesy of President G. W. Bush (Republican), America has a new uncle: Uncle Vlado. Vladimir Putin, formerly of the KGB, advisor to corrupt politicians, defender and patron saint of criminals throughout the empire, is now the arch enemy and destroyer of "terrorists." It is an interesting cast of characters to be found in Mr. Bush's coalition. "Let's Make a Deal" might well prove to be a profoundly descriptive slogan for this administration.

America doesn't seem interested in taking a close look at the rather strange collection of "allies" in our current "war." I'm sure there will be many opportunities in the future for us to examine this fact and to recoil in horror and disgust at what is being done today.

My son, in doing some research for an unrelated piece of journalism, found an article that had appeared in the June 28, 1964, edition of The New York Times, regarding the monument raised in Washington to Taras Shevchenko. Knowing I'd find it interesting, he mailed it to me. It quoted the editorial sentiments and pompous prognostications of The Washington Post, which stated that the idea of Ukrainian nationhood was an "implausible goal."

I am afraid that Presidents Bush and Putin, newly joined at the hips, are dedicating themselves to making Chechnya's desire to achieve the status of a free and independent nation an "implausible goal" by branding freedom fighters as "terrorists."

And I thought that life under the Clinton regime was positively Orwellian!

Anna Anderson
Berlin, Md.

Former envoy to U.S. is now in Romania

Dear Editor:

In Yaro Bihun's otherwise excellent report on the 10th anniversary celebration of Ukraine's independence held at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, it was stated that Anton Buteiko has "fallen off the political radar screen." Ambassador Buteiko, a perceptive, deliberative-thinking and able diplomat, currently holds the position of Ukraine's ambassador to Romania, a politically important and challenging post for Ukraine.

Ihor Gawdiak
Washington

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