FOR THE RECORD: Ukraine speaks out about genocide (05/14/00)

FOR THE RECORD: Ukraine speaks out about genocide

Following are excerpts from a statement to the U.N. Security Council by Ukraine's First Deputy Permanent Representative Valerii Kuchynsky. His remarks were delivered on April 14 at a session devoted to an analysis of the United Nations' activity at the time of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda during which 800,000 people were killed in the span of 100 days. The topic of discussion was the report issued by the independent international inquiry headed by Sweden's former Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson.

... The report straightforwardly describes the events, gives specific names and refers to particular actions and decisions. We should certainly give credit to the secretary-general for appointing an independent inquiry. ...

It would not be erroneous to say that this report also makes a valuable contribution to enhancing the openness, transparency and democratization of the United Nations. The appointment of the independent inquiry and the subsequent release of its report also constituted a lesson and a warning to all of us - first and foremost to the Security Council. It proves that no steps and decisions - or the lack of these - can be concealed from succeeding generations.

For Ukraine, genocide is not just a term. We experienced difficult times in our own history: this century alone witnessed an unspeakable tragedy, when more than 7 million people were exterminated within two years by a well-planned famine. These events took place in the country once called "The Breadbasket of Europe." Today's meeting provides an opportunity for me to extend on behalf of my country deep condolences to the people of Rwanda, who have gone through this deadly machine of genocide, a tragedy that deeply scarred the history of that country.

In both cases the international community was aware of the developments, but did nothing to prevent or ultimately to stop the tragedy. Therefore, I entirely share the view expressed by Mr. Carlsson that no consideration of a political organizational or financial nature should prevent the international community, and the Security Council on its behalf, from taking decisive and uncompromising measures in the face of similar catastrophes.

... We shall also refrain from remarks analyzing the causes of events in Rwanda. Genocide is a tragedy of such immense scale that its causes and consequences have individual distinctions, and they are unlikely to be repeated with the same dynamics in other cases - and may God forbid such repetitions. However, the report and the work done in that direction are extremely important in our view. With its actual accuracy, it not only made us look at ourselves but also made us see in that mirror all the shortcomings, mistakes and failures of the United Nations and the whole international community.

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