Canada's new ambassador arrives in Kyiv (02/04/96)

Canada's new ambassador arrives in Kyiv

by Marta Dyczok
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

KYIV - Canada's new ambassador to Ukraine made quite an impressive public entry to Kyiv. The youthful looking 48-year-old Christopher Westdal, who has no Ukrainian roots, spoke Ukrainian while presenting his credentials to President Leonid Kuchma on Tuesday, January 23.

The Mariyinsky Palace looked particularly majestic for the occasion, gently dusted with fresh snow.

Shaking President Kuchma's hand, Ambassador Westdal said, "Mr. President, I have arrived in Ukraine with the enthusiasm and determination to do my best to serve Canada's interest in Ukrainian success." He continued, "I am guided by the vision of a strong and secure Ukraine with room to grow and prosper, and to fulfill the rich promise of its new, precious freedom."

Ukraine's president was clearly impressed with the new Canadian ambassador, and after formally welcoming the representative of one of Ukraine's special partners, said, "I am pleased to welcome a truly exceptional individual who has learned the Ukrainian language in a short time." He added with a smile, "You could be an example to those in Ukraine who have yet to learn our language."

Clearly warming to the man, after the formalities, President Kuchma spent 45 minutes chatting with Ambassador Westdal in a private wing of the palace, much longer than ceremony requires.

Ambassador Westdal is no stranger to Ukrainian affairs. During his speech he explained that, having grown up in Swan Lake, Manitoba, he met many Canadians of Ukrainian descent. He paid tribute to Ukrainian Canadians, saying "Canada and Ukraine have a special relationship, largely due to the efforts of Canadians of Ukrainian ancestry."

This charming Western Canadian comes to his new job with an impressive background. His previous posting was as Canadian ambassador for disarmament, in which he participated in the negotiations during which Ukraine agreed to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He also has served as Canada's ambassador to South Africa, Bangladesh and Burma, as well as director general of International Organizations at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and various positions at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Since being appointed ambassador to Ukraine last July, Mr. Westdal and his wife, Sheila Hayes, have been studying the Ukrainian language.

His new language skills impressed all present at the ceremony, including Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Buteyko and Ambassador-designate to Canada Volodymyr Furkalo, Canadian Embassy Consul Roman Waschuk and the head of the Canadian Trade Mission Dennis Goresky, as well as the handful of Ukrainian journalists. Mr. Kuchma's translator was the only one who seemed put out, not having anything to do.

In the evening the ambassador and his wife hosted a reception for Canadians living in Kyiv, thanking everyone for contributing to make Canada's reputation in Ukraine a fine one.

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