Ukrainian World Congress pens open letter to Kuchma

Following is the text of an open letter to President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine, which was sent by the Ukrainian World Congress on June 18.

Dear Mr. President:

Notification by Russian and International news services of the meeting in Moscow of Ukrainian and Russian government officials, and the announcement of the intentions of a coordinated effort between both countries to produce a new history textbook of both nations, has greatly upset us.

Probably nothing comparable has been seen in the world. History is a science which should seek objectivity and truth. It is difficult to imagine that truth can be sought by means of political coordination. In democratic societies, the seeking of truth is the very core of social morality. First and foremost, in a democratic society the study of history needs freedom - and not political conjecture by government bureaucrats. When history loses its objectivity it becomes propaganda, as it became evident during the Soviet, Nazi and other totalitarian regimes. Furthermore, can historical truth be achieved when the agreement is between an oppressor and the victim?

Mr. President, can you imagine a historical textbook of World War II coordinated between the Jews and the Germans, or between the Armenians and Turks for the period of 1915? Regretfully, the history of Russian-Ukrainian relations has very few luminous moments, beginning with Andrii Boholubskyi and more so with the unfortunate Kozak Pereiaslav Council. It is absurd and a mockery of the Ukrainian people to attempt to coordinate with Russia the history of the Ukrainan liberation movement 1918-1922 and the Famine Genocide of 1932-1933.

We understand the necessity to develop good neighbor relations between Ukraine and Russia. Whether we like or not, Almighty God gave Ukraine its neighbors and it is essential to seek a peaceful co-existence with them. Nevertheless, under no circumstances does good neighborliness mean the re-writing or concealment of our history or forgetting the numerous sacrifices of the Ukrainian people. Future generations must know their history, for a nation that neglects to learn its history is destined to relive it.

We trust, Mr. President, that you - as the guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty and dignity of its people - will resolve this issue with Russian government officials, and will attest to the fact that Ukraine seeks to have good neighbor relations and equal rights with all of its neighbors, including Russia.

In any event, Ukraine must not falsify its history or compromise its dignity, or the dignity of its ancestors.

For the Presidium of the Ukrainian World Congress:
Askold S. Lozynskyj, president
Victor Pedenko, secretary

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 21, 2002, No. 29, Vol. LXX

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