Prime minister's delegation lays wreath at ground zero (11/04/01)

Prime minister's delegation lays wreath at ground zero

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - Visiting the site of last month's terrorist attack on New York City, Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatolii Kinakh on October 29 reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to fighting international terrorism and paid tribute to its victims during services held in the Ukrainian East Village and a wreath-laying at ground zero.

Mr. Kinakh first traveled to St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, located on Seventh street and Taras Shevchenko Place, for a memorial service held in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11 and offered prayers for America's leadership during its war on terrorism.

Flanked by Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Ukraine's Consul General in New York Serhiy Pohoreltzev, and Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations Valeriy Kuchinsky, Mr. Kinakh stated to the nearly filled church that Ukraine prays for those touched by the terrorist events and mourns the victims.

Presiding over the memorial service was Bishop Basil H. Losten of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Arch bishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. Also in attendance was Ukrainian World Congress President Askold S. Lozynskyj.

Following a brief lunch at the Eurasia Group on 41st Street and Fifth Avenue, Mr. Kinakh and his delegation traveled to ground zero - site of the collapsed World Trade Center Towers - in order to view the magnitude of devastation and pay tribute to its victims by laying a wreath in their memory.

After meeting with New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the prime minister held a press conference at 3 p.m. in New York City Hall's Blue Room. Speaking through a translator, Mr. Kinakh reiterated Ukraine's efforts in the war on terror and the steps it has taken to aid the U.S. campaign, as well as Ukraine's efforts to help the United States through its current turmoil.

Following his stay in New York, Prime Minister Kinakh was to travel to Washington for meetings with U.S. officials and a conference devoted to the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partnership, scheduled for October 31 and November 1.

| Home Page |