Open Letter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America to the President of Ukraine

21 September 2011

Dear Mr. President!

In September of 2010 the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the umbrella organization representing over one million Americans of Ukrainian decent, addressed our concerns to you in an Open Letter. To date, the Ukrainian government, under your leadership, has done very little to address the issues and concerns brought up in the letter.  Rather, the situation with regard to human and national rights has only deteriorated, as evidenced not only by the recent arrests and incarcerations of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former Minister of Internal Affairs Yuriy Lytsenko, but also by recent political repressions within the country.

As Levko Lukyanenko stated, “The idea of national freedom is so powerful and profound, so majestic and sacred, that individuals have died for it throughout the ages.” For decades, anti-Ukrainian Soviet propaganda has been distorting Ukraine’s history and trying to erase those pages that have celebrated our heroes and past glories. Today, the actions of Ukraine’s current government reflect those same Soviet anti-Ukrainian policies; as it continues to rewrite history in an attempt to destroy the Ukrainian national identity. Such actions include the denial of the Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation, the closing of the Museum of the Ukrainian National Republic and the revoking of the status of Hero of Ukraine on such individuals as Stepan Bandera, Roman Shykhevych…etc.

We remain hopeful that you will recognize the error of your current policies and that you will accept the burden of honest service to our people in Ukraine and abroad, by taking specific actions to change your political course and follow a path of constructive action in accordance with international standards of human and national rights, as well as in the humanitarian, judicial and economic spheres. Anti-Ukrainian ministers, who do not respect Ukrainian values, certainly do not have the right to remain in government and continue their assault against the Ukrainian nation. Russia is Ukraine's neighbor with whom we have a long history of oppression and persecution. We understand that we must live in peace with our neighbors, but we cannot forget our own true history, a history that individuals such as Dmytro Tabachnyk are trying to wipe out in a manner reminiscent of the Soviet Era.

Today we reaffirm our position and underscore that we will continue to stand by our principles. As stated in our previous letter, we are prepared to meet with you and other government officials to engage in constructive dialogue, but only when democratic principles are adhered to in all branches of Ukraine’s government and when we detect from you a genuine concern for the Ukrainian nation and the trials that it continues to suffer. At the same time, the UCCA acknowledges that the government of Ukraine has begun the process of honoring its commitment before the U.S. government by remitting partial payment in the construction of the monument to the victims of Ukraine’s Famine Genocide in Washington, DC.

Mr. President,

            The Ukrainian community in the United States has always worked to ensure that Ukraine becomes an independent, democratic and equal partner within the family of Euro-Atlantic nations. Such a goal can be achieved, but the resolution of internal questions stands before you: questions regarding democratic processes and a return to the rule of law, which will guarantee the future existence of Ukraine in a unified and democratic Europe. We hope that you will heed our concerns so that together we can build a Ukraine that, independent of external factors and influences, will continue on its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

            The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, continues to be, not only fully committed to Ukraine becoming an equal partner in the global community of independent nations, but more importantly, the UCCA remains steadfast in its defense of Ukraine’s interests and will continue to do so for the prosperity and welfare of our homeland, the state and the entire Ukrainian nation.