Former press secretary now Ukraine's ambassador to Israel (06/28/98)

Former press secretary now Ukraine's ambassador to Israel

by Andrij Kudla Wynnyckyj
Toronto Press Bureau

TORONTO - Dmytro Markov presented his diplomatic credentials to Israeli President Ezer Weizmann on May 28 in Jerusalem in his first official act as Ukraine's ambassador to that Middle Eastern country.

Mr. Markov, 50, became Ukraine's third ambassador to Israel since his country declared independence in 1991, succeeding Oleksander Maidanek, who was appointed press secretary and director of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma's Press Service.

Dr. Yuri Shcherbak, currently ambassador to the U.S., was Ukraine's first ambassador to Israel. Mr. Markov served as press attaché at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington in 1992-1995, and until his appointment as Ukraine's top representative in Israel, occupied the post to which Mr. Maidanek has now been assigned.

According to the Ukrainian Embassy's official press release concerning Mr. Markov's appointment, during their May 28 meeting President Weizmann underscored his personal family ties to Ukraine, pointed out that many of his country's leaders originated from the land north of the Black Sea, and highlighted the long history of Ukrainian-Jewish friendship that will serve as an important factor for the development of relations in the future.

Mr. Weizmann expressed gratitude that Ukraine had declined to participate in the construction of an Iranian atomic energy station in Bushehr, and affirmed his country's commitment to the Middle East peace process, including the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian problem and normalization of relations with Syria and Lebanon.

Ambassador Markov conveyed greetings from President Kuchma, his wishes for peace in the region and the flowering of the Israeli people, as well as his expectations that bilateral relations between the two countries would continue to deepen.

Mr. Markov briefed Mr. Weizmann on Ukraine's internal socio-economic conditions and surveyed the principal aspects of his country's foreign policy, particularly its interest in the stabilization of the situation in the Middle East and the establishment of a lasting peace on the subcontinent.

Ukraine's envoy affirmed his government's aim to develop multifaceted mutually beneficial contacts with Israel and its readiness to assist in the peace process.

Earlier in May, immediately upon his arrival in Israel, Mr. Markov had participated in a ceremony held by the Holocaust remembrance society at Yad Vashem. Three Ukrainian citizens, Volodymyr Chornovil, Fedir Kondratiuk and Ivan Honchar were among 50 "Righteous Among Nations" from 24 countries who were officially recognized for risking their lives and the lives of their families to save Jews from Nazi persecution during the years of World War II.

On May 6 the three honorees attended the torch lighting on Mount Herzl, the "Jubilee Bells" ceremony in Jerusalem and a special concert by the Israeli Philharmonic at Yad Vashem.

President Weizmann and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted the Righteous during the event. In his address, Mr. Netanyahu highlighted the crucial role of the Righteous in the history of the Jewish people, calling them heroes who, in rescuing people from death, struggled against the evil of Nazism.

Mr. Markov told The Weekly that there was special significance in the fact that more honorees from Ukraine were invited than from any other country.