Ukrainian American leaders meet with Ukraine's new ambassador (01/29/06)

Ukrainian American leaders meet with Ukraine's new ambassador

WASHINGTON - Representatives of Ukrainian American organizations had an opportunity to meet with Ukraine's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Oleh Shamshur, on Tuesday evening, January 24, at the Embassy of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ukrainian American Coordinating Council and Ukrainian National Association were among the organizations represented at the meeting by their executive officers.

In his opening remarks to the gathered community representatives, Ambassador Shamshur focused on several key issues: the graduation of Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment; commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster; the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 and the building of a monument in Washington to its victims; as well as the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) reported that the meeting was held in a very cordial and informative atmosphere as the newly appointed ambassador spoke of Ukraine's commitment to democratic principles and the Embassy's cooperative efforts with the Ukrainian American community.

A discussion ensued about Ukraine's parliamentary elections in March, the Jackson-Vanik issue, and plans for commemorations of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster.

In greeting the new ambassador, Michael Sawkiw Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), welcomed the initiative of the Embassy of Ukraine to cooperate on a number of important issues of concern, particularly the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933.

UNIS quoted Mr. Sawkiw as saying: "The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide in 2008 relates to a full array of activities designed to acquaint the American public about the truly genocidal policies of Joseph Stalin - among them, the building of a monument in Washington; a Ukrainian Genocide curriculum in U.S. public high schools; traveling exhibits; and, the revocation of The New York Times correspondent Walter Duranty's Pulitzer Prize."

According to The Ukrainian Weekly's sources, the community representatives present at the meeting included: Stefan Kaczaraj, president of the Ukrainian National Association, who also serves as chairman of the UCCA National Council; Ihor Gawdiak, president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council; Iryna Kurowyckyj, president of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America; Larissa Kyj, chairperson of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee and UCCA executive vice-president; Judge Bohdan Futey; Ihor Kotlarchuk of The Washington Group; and Serhiy Zhykharev of the Ukrainian National Information Service, the Washington office of the UCCA.

The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation was represented by Nadia McConnell, president, and Vera Andrushkiw, director of the Community Partnerships Project, and Markian Bilynskyj, vice-president of field operations in Ukraine.

Present on behalf of the Ukrainian Federation of America were Dr. Zenia Chernyk and Vera Andryczyk, as well as Roman Kuzyk, advisor to the federation's Safe Blood for Ukraine project.

Also in attendance, as reported by UNIS, was the Rev. Volodymyr Steliac, pastor of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, and, according to the Ukrinform news service, a representative of the Ukrainian American Bar Association.

| Home Page |