Ukraine's third ambassador to Canada presents credentials at Rideau Hall (02/25/96)

Ukraine's third ambassador to Canada presents credentials at Rideau Hall

by Christopher Guly

OTTAWA - Ukraine's third ambassador to Canada, Volodymyr Furkalo, who joins the 120 heads of diplomatic missions in Canada, presented his credentials to Governor General Romeo Leblanc on February 14 in a ceremony at the governor general's official residence, Rideau Hall.

Among those in attendance were Mr. Furkalo's wife, Iryna, their daughter, Olena, Director General of the European branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Michael Mace, as well as 22 embassy staff members and their spouses.

Though the ceremony was brief, at 15 minutes, it came with its own uniqueness. For one thing, the press was in attendance, with a handful of Ukrainian Canadian journalists witnessing Ambassador Furkalo's official welcome to Canada. Government House spokesperson Kate McGregory said the media rarely attend such presentations of letters of credence.

Saskatchewan's vice-regal representative of the queen, Lt. Gov. John Wiebe, also was on hand. Mr. Wiebe, noted Governor General LeBlanc, claims Ukrainian ancestry.

After being greeted by Judith LaRoque, who serves as secretary to the governor general, Ambassador Furkalo - dressed in a formal morning coat - delivered a brief address to Mr. LeBlanc. "It is with deep conviction that I have been entrusted by my president, His Excellency Leonid Kuchma, with an extremely important task: to facilitate the further development of a very special relationship between Ukraine and Canada," said Mr. Furkalo in a raspy voice marred by a cold.

"I pledge to work relentlessly towards this valuable goal, which I believe is in the best national interests of both our countries' prosperity, democracy and security."

Ambassador Furkalo noted that three weeks before his welcome to Canada, Canadian Ambassador Christopher Westdal had presented his credentials to President Kuchma in Kyiv.

For his part, Gov. Gen. LeBlanc noted Canada's strong Ukrainian Canadian community. "For 1 million Canadians, Ukraine is not only an important country in Europe. It is the land whence came their songs, their arts and the language of their prayers. It is the land where they, or their parents, or their grandparents, were born. They will always feel a kinship with the sovereign country of Ukraine, and especially with the people of Ukraine," he said.

The governor general also emphasized Canada's role in transforming Ukraine's economy. "The core of our efforts has been our massive program of technical cooperation. We have also devoted much energy to expanding our bilateral trade and establishing the necessary framework of agreements. With time, and as the economic reforms in Ukraine take hold, we can expect that our commercial ties will grow substantially," he said.

Indeed, Canada's partnership with Ukraine has grown exponentially since former Canadian External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs) Minister Barbara McDougall signed a declaration of future relations agreement with Ukraine's then-Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko in 1991. That deal called for a broadening of political, economic, scientific, technological, educational and athletic ties between both countries. That year, Canada also became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence following the break-up of the USSR.

In February 1992, Canada again became the first Western state to offer a $50 million line of credit to Ukraine. Four months later, Canada named its first ambassador to Ukraine, Francois Mathys, and Ukraine followed suit a month later by sending Levko Lukianenko to Ottawa.

In October 1992, former Canadian Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn, a Ukrainian Canadian, became the first head of state to visit Ukraine. Two years later, President Kuchma reciprocated and visited Canada, where he attended a special G-7 conference in Winnipeg devoted to Ukraine's economic transformation.

Beyond the pomp and tradition at the Rideau Hall ceremony, Governor General LeBlanc took time to chat and joke with his guests. Noting the significant size of Ambassador Furkalo's delegation, Canada's head of state remarked, "With that many people, you won't have to work that hard."

Even in his formal acceptance of Ukraine's new ambassador, Mr. LeBlanc departed from his text at the end to comment, "I especially encourage you to visit our country, where you will be greeted with friendship and also, great curiosity," said the governor general.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Furkalo met privately with the governor general. An official photograph was later taken of the new ambassador, along with staff from the Ukrainian Embassy and Government House.

Until his appointment to Canada, Mr. Furkalo served at Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Ministry and as head of the foreign policy directorate in the administration of the president.

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