LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (02/11/96)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ukraine still needs public relations blitz

Dear Editor:

The December 31, 1995, issue provided an invaluable service in giving us an overview of Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora during 1995. While much has been accomplished, one does detect a lack of leadership and direction for the diaspora. There is a sense of "Now what?"

Yet, with a closer look, our job in the West is clearly defined. The entire CBS "Ugly Face of Freedom" affair proved how woefully inadequate our public relations efforts are. Various individual members and groups in the Ukrainian American community did address the issue of "disinformation and defamation" of Ukraine - but there is no clear cohesive well-funded policy. We are still reacting instead of thinking, planning and proacting. The 10th anniversary of Chornobyl is coming up - do we have a PR blitz prepared?

A heartening piece of news is the upcoming discussion of a merger between the Ukrainian National Association and the Ukrainian Fraternal Association. Perhaps one of the first things that such a body could sponsor is a film on Ukraine, past and present which could be pushed on television. Such a project is being produced on the Baltic states. "A Baltic Profile" is a televised documentary, hosted by Walter Cronkite, focusing on the Baltic states' politics, culture, business, industry and its place in the world tomorrow. It will appear in 1996 on the Public Broadcasting System. Let's learn from our smaller but more enterprising neighbors.

With all the funds that have gone to Ukraine, perhaps we in the diaspora should begin insisting that the Ukrainian government begins to show some results of all that "joint venturing."

The small country of Korea has a Korean Information Center housed in the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington. This center sponsors all kinds of press conferences and cultural events. We must insist that the Embassy of Ukraine start acting as a representative of Ukrainian culture, not just as a political and business arm of the government of Ukraine. If we do not, then we are allowing our tax money that is going as "aid" to be wasted.

Ukraine's "independence" has guaranteed nothing, but placed the continuing burden on us of carving out Ukraine's unique identity in the West by virtue of its history, culture, language and separate ethnos.

Larissa Fontana
Potomac, Md.

Ukrainians' reaction to Quebec separatism

Dear Editor:

George Primak, in his letter "Quebec Ukrainians' double standard" (January 7), made a valid observation. Although Canada is a fine country and it would be a shame to have it fall apart, it is correct to say that the French are a distinct people, a nation within Canada.

Yet the majority of Ukrainians in Quebec were against separation while those outside of Quebec often expressed their support for a unified Canada by being vehemently anti-French. When told that they behave as minorities (Jews and others) did in Halychyna when it was under Polish rule they got offended. Nevertheless, it is sadly true.

Minorities always support the central government. One would have expected that we, "freedom-loving" Ukrainians, would empathize with Quebecers and, at least, if not supportive of separation, remain neutral. Yet we seem unable to grasp the similarity between the Quebecers' plight in Canada and that of Ukrainians in Halychyna under Poland.

D.H. Struk
Toronto

The writer is editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine.

Re: Ukraine's orphans and foreign adoptions

Dear Editor:

The first time I walked into Orphanage No. 3 in Odessa, Ukraine, I was carrying in a video camera. The next time I walk out of Orphanage No. 3, by the grace of God, I will be carrying out my son.

It started as a 10-day shoot. I wanted to make a video about the Ukrainian orphans. I was a single woman with a minor mission. My life has never been the same since that day last March [1995]. The sweet spirits of many young souls sang out to me. What a sad song they have learned to cry.

There are an estimated 55,000 orphaned children in Ukraine. The average Ukrainian worker makes approximately $15 a month. A pair of shoes at the open market in Odessa costs $20. In practical terms, it is an impossible life.

Alexandra is a nanny in my son's room. She works 24-hour shifts four days a week. She smiles and sings as she bounces three babies at once on her ample knees. Alexandra has worked in the orphanage for 25 years. The babies all call her "Mama." "It makes them feel better," she says.

Luke Anthony was not the first child I saw. He was, however, the first one to see me. At four months old he looked me straight in the eye and knew me. He knew all the moments and memories in my heart. He recognized me right away. I am his mother.

Luke was abandoned at birth. His biological mom delivered him and left the hospital. Chances are his young mother was an orphan herself. The state releases homeless kids at age 17. They are thrown into a scrambling society with no real chance for a future.

Luke Anthony is now 14 months old. He still lives in Public Orphanage No. 3. I lived in Odessa for two months this past summer and visited him every morning and night. He loved the grass and the warm breeze. In the evening he would fall asleep in my arms with a smile on his little face. I have been approved to adopt Luke Anthony. It is a long, complicated process so as to ensure that each child has a responsible family.

Now there is a moratorium on all international adoptions out of Ukraine. I feel as though someone has ripped my heart out of my body. Luke is just one of 55,000 homeless orphans.

Please send letters of support for the lifting of the moratorium on adoption of abandoned children in Ukraine to: Universal Aid for Children Inc., Attn.: Ms. Clara Pascal, Director, Ukraine Medical Aid/Relief. First Union Bank Building, second floor, 1600 S. Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020; fax (954) 925-6303.

All letters will be forwarded to the State Department's Office of Children's Issues and to the ambassador of Ukraine in Washington. Support for this cause will play a big role in helping the suffering Ukrainian children.

Clara Pascal
Hollywood, Fla.

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