EDITORIAL: Chornobyl challenges us (02/11/96)

EDITORIAL

Chornobyl challenges us

On Sunday, February 4, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. hosted a commemorative evening marking the solemn 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear accident. The event was a benefit banquet whose proceeds were earmarked for the Chornobyl of Chornobyl Foundation's medical relief efforts in Ukraine.

At the same time, the evening was a kick-off to the Chornobyl Challenge '96 campaign organized on the initiative of Ambassador Yuri Shcherbak (who, unfortunately, could not be present at the Ukrainian Cultural Center that day). That effort now unites more than a dozen Ukrainian American community organizations and institutions, including Churches, fraternal organizations, and medical and professional groups, Ukraine's diplomatic representations in the United States, the Harriman Institute at Columbia University, as well as the community stalwarts, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and the Coordinating Committee for Aid to Ukraine.

More than 350 people, representing various community groups, as well as individuals of all generations who are concerned about Chornobyl's horrific aftermath, attended what was billed as "An Evening of Remembrance" at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in South Bound Brook, N.J.

The tone was set by the beautiful liturgical singing of St. Andrew Memorial Cathedral Choir, and a reproduction of an icon of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God served as an appropriate backdrop. Flanked by stark black and white photos of Chornobyl relief efforts, speaker after speaker cited sobering facts surrounding the world's worst nuclear disaster, which shook the world on April 26, 1986, but whose effects are just beginning to be felt today.

Lending support to Chornobyl relief efforts and a public awareness campaign being conducted in this 10th anniversary year were dignitaries like Sen. Frank Lautenberg and community leaders like the presidents of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations Anatoliy Zlenko observed: "Chornobyl is still with us. It looks at us through the eyes of the children." He went on to remind his audience quite correctly that "Chornobyl is not yesterday; it is not today. Chornobyl is tomorrow."

Indeed, tomorrow is what the Chornobyl Challenge Coalition is focusing on. By increasing the world's awareness of that terrible accident 10 years ago and its continuing effects today, we can help forge a better tomorrow for its victims.

Academy Award-winning actor Jack Palance underlined: "I decided to become a spokesperson for the Children of Chornobyl because this is something I had to do." He went on to state: "I want the story of Ukraine to be told. I want its voices to be heard - not 100 years from now, when it will be too late. I want them to be heard now, when there is still time to save the next generation or two."

"Sure, we can ignore Chornobyl. But we can ignore it only at our own peril," he said. "There are thousands of children out there who can be saved if only we can look beyond ourselves and do our best to make a difference." Stating that he is "proud to be part of this life-saving campaign," Mr. Palance added, "This is something we should all be part of - not just tonight, but for a long, long time to come."

Today the mere mention of the word "Chornobyl" evokes the immenseness of the 1986 nuclear accident in northern Ukraine, whose radioactive plume spread around the world. Chornobyl is something we never want to see again. But Chornobyl is not something we can wish away. Chornobyl challenges us during this mournful 10th anniversary to act - to make a difference.

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