Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute hosts Ukraine's ambassador to U.S. (04/04/99)

Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute hosts Ukraine's ambassador to U.S.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Ukrainian Research Institute on March 8-9 hosted the first visit to Harvard University by Anton Buteiko, ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. Over the course of the two-day visit Ambassador Buteiko met with Harvard University officials - both at the Ukrainian Research Institute and at a number of other centers at Harvard - and gave a public lecture, co-sponsored by the institute, at the Kennedy School of Government.

As is customary for visiting dignitaries, Ambassador Buteiko began his visit to Harvard by meeting with the university marshal, Dr. Richard Hunt. With the Ukrainian flag flying proudly at University Hall, the ambassador was presented with an official Harvard memento, a pewter cup, while the ambassador in turn gave the marshal an illustrated book on Ukraine.

The ambassador then visited Harvard's Houghton Library and viewed its collection of rare Ucrainica, including a signed Mazepa manuscript. After a brief tour of Boston, Ambassador Buteiko had lunch with Ukrainian Research Institute staff and associates.

Later that afternoon he listened to the seminar presentation by Eugene Fishel, an institute mid-career fellow from the U.S. Department of State, on the policy-making process in this country toward Ukraine. The ambassador was able to bring his unique perspective to the subject in the ensuing discussion session.

The next day Ambassador Buteiko visited a number of academic centers, including the centers for European and Jewish studies. He also visited policy-oriented programs engaged in Ukrainian projects, such as the Kennedy School's Ukrainian National Security Program and the Harvard Institute for International Development.

In the afternoon the ambassador gave a lecture at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government. The well-attended lecture was on the subject "Ukraine's Role in the Stability and Security of Central and Eastern Europe." The ambassador stressed the importance of Ukraine to stability in the region, and the progress the country has made on economic reform and democratization.

Following the lecture, Harvard professors, policy experts and students - including students from Ukraine - participated in a lively discussion on contemporary Ukrainian issues.

Ambassador Buteiko's Harvard visit was capped off by a dinner at the home of Tanya Vytvytsky of the Sabre Foundation. The highlight of the evening was a selection of music on Ukrainian themes performed by Yakov Gubanov, the distinguished composer originally from Kyiv.

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