UCCA’S GREETING ON THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE’S REFERENDUM

01 грудня 2011

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the representative organization of the over one million Americans of Ukrainian descent, sends its heartfelt greetings to the people of Ukraine on the 20^th anniversary of the national referendum proclaiming the renewed independence of Ukraine.

On December 1, 1991, after centuries of oppression, the citizens of Ukraine voiced their desire for independence and in a nationwide referendum overwhelmingly (over 90%) cast their ballots for renewed independence. On that day, Ukraine’s electorate also elected Leonid Kravchuk as President of Ukraine.

Twenty years ago, Ukrainians achieved that for which they had struggled for so long, yet the task that lay before them would prove just as daunting – the task of building a truly democratic and independent Ukraine. On this 20^th anniversary, we must rejoice in the victory of freedom, yet we should also be cognizant of the challenges that still lay ahead. Sadly, the ongoing anti-democratic and authoritarian tendencies of the current regime severely threaten Ukraine’s European aspirations and endanger the human and national rights of its citizens. The road to true democracy still stretches before the Ukrainian nation. Our prayers remain with her people on their path to liberty.

On the occasion of the 20^th Anniversary of Ukraine’s national referendum on independence, may the Lord bless the Ukrainian nation and grant it the wisdom and fortitude to secure an independent, democratic Ukraine that can take its rightful place amongst the nations of the free world.