Wrzesnewskyj speaks on 15th anniversary of recognition of Ukraine's independence

OTTAWA - Borys Wrzesnewskyj, chair of the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group and vice-chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, joined the ambassadors of Poland and Ukraine, Canadian parliamentarians, and members of the Polish Canadian and Ukrainian Canadian communities in celebrating the 15th anniversary of Canada's and Poland's recognition of Ukraine's historic independence declaration.

December 1, 2006, marked the 15th anniversary of the historic independence of Ukraine, the culmination of a centuries-long path towards independence.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Wrzesnewskyj underscored the important role played by Ukrainian Canadians in the lead-up to the independence referendum, as well as the role played by the Canadian parliamentary delegation, headed by Patrick Boyer and including Dr. Rey Pagtakhan and others, which led to Canada's recognition of Ukraine on December 2, 1991.

"Fifteen years ago, a group of approximately 40 Ukrainian Canadians traveled to Ukraine to work on the independence referendum. We produced millions of leaflets and posters that were distributed in southern and eastern regions of Ukraine. Also, we financed and produced a series of pro-independence television advertisements. We did this not because of doubts that a majority of Ukrainians would vote 'Tak,' but rather because of concerns that a majority in certain parts of the South and East would not vote in favor of independence and this could potentially set the stage for seccession and civil war as happened in Moldova, Georgia and Tajikistan," Mr. Wrzesnewskyj said.

Mr. Wrzesnewskyj also addressed the important role played by Poland during that historic period: "When I and the rest of the Ukrainian Canadian contingent working on the ground heard that Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine, we were ecstatic and unbelievably proud. However, a short time later, we learned that it was Poland, in fact, that was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence. Poland recognized Ukraine some 20 minutes earlier than Canada. These events illustrated the special relationship that existed and continues to exist between Canada, Poland and Ukraine. For this reason, it's no surprise that two years ago during the Orange Revolution Canada and Poland sent the largest contingent of election observers during the rerun of the presidential election."

During the event Mr. Wrzesnewskyj introduced Piotr Ogrodzinski, Ph.D., Polish ambassador to Canada. Ambassador Ogrodzinski is a former political science professor who served in various capacities as a member of Solidarnosc, the broad-based anti-Communist social movement that brought democracy to Poland and ushered in the downfall of the Iron Curtain.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 24, 2006, No. 52, Vol. LXXIV

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