LETTER TO THE EDITOR (07/07/02)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Negatives must not be ignored

Dear Editor:

Roman Kupchinsky's thoughtful - and thought-provoking - letter in the June 23 issue goes a long way in addressing how the Ukrainian American community is confronting the "Melnychenko tapes," released in November 2000 which reveal deeply disturbing conduct by high-ranking Ukrainian officials.

Allow me a few further observations. I, too, am uneasy by the reactions of some in the community who are so concerned with Ukraine's image that they choose to downplay or even deny some troubling realities of serious wrongdoing. They fail to recognize that pervasive, high-level corruption, murders of journalists and other human rights violations, and contempt for the rule of law keep Ukraine from becoming a genuine member of the Euro-Atlantic community of nations. More importantly, they harm the average Ukrainian citizen.

Some of our patriots seem to forget that true independence is not just some noble ideal, but that it has to have content and substance. First and foremost, the government of independent Ukraine has to serve the interests of the Ukrainian people. Unfortunately, numerous actions by high-ranking Ukrainian officials belie any concern for the people they are obligated to serve.

Second, I've noticed a generational divide within the Ukrainian American community over this issue. It needs to be emphasised that there is a very important difference between criticizing the government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian state and its people. Middle-aged and younger Ukrainian Americans, as well as many from the Fourth-Wave of immigrants, tend to be more critical of the Kuchma regime, the older tend to be more defensive and concerned about Ukraine's image, even when they acknowledge the current realities.

This is perhaps understandable. Many of these staunch patriots spent their lives dreaming of and struggling for an independent Ukraine and many come from the tradition of integral nationalism - where the ideal of an independent state was valued above all, and the question of what kind of an independent Ukraine was secondary. It is very painful for them to see an independent Ukraine that does not match their ideals. In any event, those who diminish or deny the wrongdoings eventually may come to see that it is only when Ukraine becomes a part of democratic Europe, with all that entails, including its government's respect for human rights and the rule of law that its independence will truly be ensured.

Third, I've often seen a tendency recently to "kill the messenger" when Ukraine is criticized, even mildly, or when wrongdoing is exposed. I experienced this personally in connection with the March resolution on the Ukrainian elections that called for free, fair, open, transparent parliamentary elections which was overwhelmingly passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Not only was this resolution condemned or criticized by President Leonid Kuchma, the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, Communist Party Chairman Petro Symonenko, various Ukrainian oligarchs and Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin, but also by some diaspora leaders. Fortunately, most Ukrainian Americans, as well as the democratic forces in Ukraine, understood the true motives behind these resolutions and other expressions of U.S. interest in the recent elections.

More significantly, I've noticed a tendency to "kill the messenger" with respect to Mykola Melnychenko for helping to expose serious wrongdoing - and I say "helping" because these tapes are not the only source of information about official misconduct in Ukraine. While skepticism about Mr. Melnychenko is not in and of itself unhealthy, one should not a priori dismiss his accusations. Frankly, one should be equally skeptical about his detractors.

There is, for example, an almost automatic assumption by some Ukrainian Americans that a foreign power must be behind Melnychenko. One could ask why could it not be an internal Ukrainian power struggle or the work of individuals troubled by what's on the tapes, if indeed one assumes that Mr. Melnychanko did not act alone. Some argue that Mr. Melnychenko could not have possibly acted on his own, say, out of principle and integrity. Indeed, I've actually heard from one patriot the denial of that possibility because "very few people in Ukraine have principles."

Furthermore, there may be legitimate reasons of safety and security that may explain why Mr. Melnychenko is choosing not to reveal everything at once. Yes, the revelations on the tapes have proved to be painful, but it will be far, far more painful for Ukraine and its people should the powers that be in Ukraine continue along their present course.

Undoubtedly, there have been positive developments in Ukraine over the course of the last 11 years. These should be highlighted and celebrated. At the same time, the negatives should not be downplayed, ignored or covered-up, for to do so does not serve the ultimate interests of Ukraine.

Orest Deychakiwsky
Washington

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