• the need for systematic and closer communications, contact and exchange of information as well as, perhaps, a separate ministry, department or presidential council for Diaspora affairs;
• civil, human, religious and cultural rights of Ukrainians in countries bordering Ukraine;
• recognition and privileges for those who fought for Ukraine’s independence, OUN-UPA and the need for reconciliation;
• the Ukrainian language in Ukraine, the need to implement;
  
• Church matters and the role of the Moscow Patriarchate;
• dealing with the Soviet past, its holidays and observances;
• Ukraine’s memorial-museum to the Great Famine 1932-22 in Kyiv; 
• constructing a Pantheon of Heroes and re-interment of heroes buried abroad.

A memorandum is being drafted by the UWC’s leadership, which will be submitted at the meetings. Copies of the memorandum will be available from the UWC’s Toronto office subsequently.

UKRAINIANS IN SPAIN SEEK UWC MEMBERSHIP

          The Federation of Ukrainian Associations in Spain has applied for membership in the UWC. The Federation was registered formally in Spain on May 23, 2003. It currently includes seven local branches (in seven different cities) with two more awaiting imminent registration. Headquarters are located in Valencia. Conventions have been held in August 2004 and April 2005. Its short-term projects include establishing a Ukrainian Cultural Center and several Ukrainian “Sunday” schools. The membership application which includes the organization’s By-Laws will be considered by the UWC’s Board of Directors at its meeting scheduled for August 17-18, 2005 in Kharkiv.

UWC ISSUES FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS

          The UWC has issued bilingual greetings on the 14^th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. The following excerpts summarize its message:

     “In its fourteenth year, Ukraine has crossed the Rubicon of democracy. Its democratic goals, particularly in the area of civil liberties, were violated severely during the 2004 presidential elections.  Still the people of Ukraine through the “Maidan” in Kyiv as well as other “majdans” throughout the world… forcefully yet bloodlessly defended their most cherished right – the right to choose their president.  The legend of the “orange revolution” has become a modern symbol of a resolute people willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of freedom…we take stock of accomplishments and failings over the last year…Ukraine’s biggest accomplishment was a clear declaration of its economic and political positions, directed towards European and trans-Atlantic integration…the Ukrainian parliament enacted and will pursue legislation necessary towards accession to the World Trade Organization. Graduation from Jackson-Vanik and a European Union timetable should follow WTO accession…On the other hand; Ukraine has made little progress in implementing its Constitutional provision designating Ukrainian as the state language. Efforts to promote the Russian language… even the…subconscious use of Russian and the lack of governmental pro-activity in fostering Ukrainian culture have dealt a severe blow to making Ukraine – Ukrainian…  Ukraine continues to accept versions of history imposed by our oppressors…Ukrainian society needs to recognize that May 9, 1945 was not Victory Day for Ukraine, that veterans of the Red Army are entitled to privileges not as heroes but as victims, that genuine heroes are those who fought for Ukraine’s independence, i.e. the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, who must be afforded at least similar privileges, that Ukrainian-Polish friendship is a great asset but history with atrocities against civilians, resultant gravesites, etc.  must be addressed objectively on both territories, recognizing that Ukrainians have never invaded Poland, but Poles invaded Ukraine three times…the government of Ukraine may not offer support or protection to a foreign pseudo church, essentially, set up in Ukraine by Stalin as a function of his intelligence forces, which continues to dominate and acts very much to the detriment of Ukrainian independence…We urge our brethren in Ukraine and throughout the Diaspora to intensify efforts, safeguarding Ukraine’s nascent democracy, promoting its economic wherewithal and political role…let us strive to make Ukraine not only the hearth for its many national minorities, but equally, the home for the Ukrainian people.”

IN MEMORIAM

          Stepan Tkachuk, who led the Ukrainian community in Romania for fifteen years as one of the founders and the chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Romania, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2005. His literary activity as a poet, writer and translator is well known not only in Romania but also well beyond. Throughout his life he published tens of volumes of poetry, prose and translations. His work has been translated into English, German, French, Russian, Czech and Slovak. Twice he was recognized by the Association of Writers in Romania, and awarded literary prizes in Ukraine and even the United States. He was a member of both the Association of Writers in Romania and the Association of Writers in Ukraine. His work as an activist and politician was oriented towards the betterment of Ukrainians in Romania. At the time of his death, he was serving his third term as a member of the Romanian parliament, representing the Ukrainian community. For the last fifteen years he has been an active participant of the Ukrainian World Congress through weekly communications and participation at various venues. Stepan Tkachuk was the voice of Ukrainians in Romania. May He rest in peace and His legacy serve to inspire future generations of Ukrainian activists and people of letters. The UWC offers condolences to his wife, family and the Ukrainian community in Romania.
Vichna Jomu Pamyat!