Ambassador Oleh Shamshur visits Ukrainian organizations in New York (02/12/06)

Ambassador Oleh Shamshur visits Ukrainian organizations in New York

by Andrew Nynka
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

NEW YORK - Ukraine's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Oleh Shamshur, stressed during a visit here on February 4 that his Embassy would "cooperate fully with members of the diaspora," particularly on issues involving investment in Ukraine, recognition of the Ukrainian Famine Genocide of 1932-1933 and the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

In visits that stretched throughout the day, Dr. Shamshur, 49, met with representatives of various Ukrainian American diaspora organizations based in this city. During his visit, the ambassador answered questions and touched on a wide variety of topics, among them the need for American-based business investment in Ukraine, a priority that President Viktor Yushchenko repeated during his most recent trip to the United States.

Ambassador Shamshur, who was appointed to the post on December 20, 2005, said he would do everything to promote "Ukraine's strong investment climate" and to show people in the United States that Ukraine is a stable investment.

"I believe we have done much to show that the investment climate in Ukraine is strong," Dr. Shamshur said. "But it is important that we don't stay on the level of talking about our potential. We must move from potential to work."

Ambassador Shamshur's visit here included stops at the Ukrainian Institute of America, The Ukrainian Museum, the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian National Home, among others.

While not an essential part of his job, the new ambassador nonetheless took the time to meet with representatives of the Ukrainian American diaspora. People who took part in those meetings afterward recalled having a positive first impression of him.

"I like that he's very energetic and understands the issues," said Michael Sawkiw Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. "He is willing and able, and he was very sincere."

"You can talk with him, and he listens," said Maria Shust, director of The Ukrainian Museum in New York City. "He left here very pleased, and we were very pleased."

During a meeting with UCCA officials, Dr. Shamshur said he would act as a contact within the Ukrainian government to help bring art exhibits that are based permanently in Ukraine to the U.S. for temporary exhibition.

After touring the museum, located at 222 E. Sixth St., the ambassador signed its guest book, noting that he promised to do everything he could to help promote Ukrainian culture.

Olha Hnateyko, president of The Ukrainian Museum's board of directors, said she spoke with Dr. Shamshur about ideas for future exhibits. She said she was impressed by the new ambassador's sincerity.

"His way of thinking is in the overall big picture, and maybe that's why he was chosen to be the ambassador," Mrs. Hnateyko said.

Meanwhile, during his meeting with UCCA officials, the ambassador addressed questions dealing with the upcoming elections to the Verkhovna Rada in Ukraine, saying that he did not foresee any problems for Ukrainian citizens who want to vote in the U.S.

At that meeting, Askold Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian World Congress, urged the new ambassador to be extra sensitive on the issue of recognition of the Ukrainian Famine Genocide of 1932-1933. Mr. Lozynskyj said the administration of President George W. Bush had slid backward on the issue and he cautioned Dr. Shamshur in his approach of the topic with both the president and the U.S. Congress.

During a meeting with officials from the Ukrainian National Women's League of America President Iryna Kurowyckyj, presented the ambassador with a traditional Ukrainian greeting of bread and salt.

"Women have always played a strong role in Ukrainian society overall," Ambassador Shamshur said. "If this continues, Ukrainian society will continue to move forward."

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