LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (10/13/02)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The political/civic climate in Ukraine

Dear Editor:

The political and civic climates in Ukraine are disconcerting to all Ukrainians, scattered across the globe. We in the diaspora sympathize with our brethren in Ukraine who are enduring an underdeveloped economy, the absence of universal democracy and overall transitory hardships. While we should not attempt to intrude onto the political landscape of Ukraine, most in the diaspora do believe that the current administration of President Leonid Kuchma leaves much to be desired in terms of personal and civic integrity, and the lack of a national-centric policy.

In numerous previous statements, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, among other Ukrainian American community organizations, has urged President Kuchma and the government of Ukraine to abide by universally held principles of democracy, and law and order - not merely in terms of Ukraine's written laws and statements, but in the spirit of their intended implementation. To be sure, if the Ukrainian people see that their national leadership is behaving with integrity and with the people's interests in mind, they, too, will respect even the most basic laws and regulations. It is incumbent the diaspora to continue to urge the Kuchma administration and all subsequent ones in Ukraine to uphold the principles of democracy and rule of law in letter and spirit.

On the other hand, the images of the demonstrations against President Kuchma are disturbing. Photographs of a rainbow coalition of disparate segments of the civil spectrum of Ukraine, from the ultra right to the ultra left, are not understood by the Ukrainian diaspora, which decades ago determined that communism and Communists are not now nor ever shall be friends of Ukraine. It remains difficult for us to accept the reality that those who hold the blue-and-yellow national flag and red-and-black flag of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists can stand shoulder to shoulder in a common cause with bearers of the Communist red flag, emblazoned with the hammer and sickle, and portraits of Lenin and Stalin. I wonder if they think that the cause they espouse is greater than the crimes committed by communism against the Ukrainian nation.

Furthermore, the political demonstrations in Ukraine aimed at toppling the duly-elected president of Ukraine are akin to mob politics, which does not bode well for Ukraine's or any other country's image in the world. The diaspora should be concerned that attempts to isolate President Kuchma from international affairs will only contribute to the global impression that Ukraine, as a geopolitical national entity, is far from ready to join the circle of democracies. Indeed, unlawful sit-ins or the occupation of a sidewalk or the corridors of a government building is regarded similarly in Kyiv and Washington. We, in our youth, also were arrested in front of the White House and inside the United Nations for demonstrating on behalf of the noble cause of Ukraine's independence.

We should be careful that, in making known our political views about any president or administration of Ukraine, we do not impede Ukraine's accession to Euro-Atlantic structures such as the European Union and NATO. In addition, was it necessary for the opposition leaders to seek help from both the United States and Russia, as if both were equal confidants of Ukraine? Then, insult was added to injury when Petro Symonenko, Oleksander Moroz, Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yushchenko wrote a joint letter to Russian President Putin, requesting an audience in order to discuss Ukraine's problems. Have the demonstrators and their leaders forgotten that the United States has sought to help Ukraine, while Russia is the single greatest source of grief, famine and bloodshed in Ukraine's history?

While we cannot predict the outcome of these mass demonstrations, the negative image of destruction is evident in them. It would be far better for Ukraine if its people, working through the system, presented a positive impression of their society and displayed respect for democracy, rule of law, fair play, enterprise and initiative. Such a Ukraine would be able to survive any temporary political deviation, regardless of the degree of corruption, as other basically benevolent countries have, and would be accepted by the international community as an equal, though momentarily beleaguered, country.

Ihor Dlaboha
Fort Lee, N.J.

Let's open our eyes regarding Soyuzivka

Dear Editor:

I admire the blind dedication of the Chelaks to Soyuzivka (letter to the editor, September 29). I share with them love for the resort and look forward to "Mnohaya Lita" for Soyuzivka for perpetuity. I look forward to weddings for all four of my children at Soyuzivka.

The accusations and retorts of the Chelaks were mean-spirited and personal. I suggest they reread my article in a cooler and eyes-wide-open mode. To put our heads into the sand and state that all is well at Soyuzivka is not only shortsighted but foolish. My comments were factual and verifiable. My intent was not to level a barrage of criticism.

Let's save Soyuzivka. Sainthood, martyrdom and deification are not the solution, nor are the Enronesque "spreadsheets of discounted cashflow ... with a strategy to increase the bottom line in the three profit centers" proposed by the Chelaks.

Andrij W. Chornodolsky
Timonium, Md.

The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commentaries on a variety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian communities. Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association.

Letters should be typed (double-spaced) and signed; they must be originals, not photocopies. The daytime phone number and address of the letter-writer must be given for verification purposes.

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