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a bazaar where one can buy them.” Although it seemed fitting for Ukraine’s president to take such an interest in these art objects, I could not help but wonder what circumstances would cause people to sell such things and how many priceless and unique artifacts sold at this bazaar and others like it would be lost to private col lections rather than displayed as national treasures in Ukraine’s museums. Later we were invited to dine with President Yushchenko at a very large table that seated 40 com fortably. It was a beautiful feast during which everyone wished the President well and discussed numerous is sues. I presented the President with greetings and salutations from the UNWLA and asked to relay the two wishes I had heard earlier at the round table discussion of young Ukrainian students from various univer sities: that Ukraine would need them after they graduated and that changes would be made in the infrastruc ture and policies of the country’s armed forces. The IV World Forum in Ukraine was held from August 18 to August 20, concurrently with the Board Meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress, and I would like to thank the Ukrainian government for covering the cost of the three day forum, including hotel, food and transportation. The IV Forum began its work at Palats Ukrainy, with approximately 3,500 delegates representing 43 countries. This figure reflects what was reported in Ukrainian newspapers. Here in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Borys Tarasiuk, stated that 63 countries were represented at the IV Forum. It may take some time to verify the accurate number of delegates. Regardless of how many countries were represented, such international events are very important for Ukrainians because they provide opportunities for meaningful dialog and under standing between Ukraine’s citizens and the Ukrainian diaspora. The President of Ukraine addressed those assembled at the Forum and was followed by M. Horyn, Chair of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council; and Dr. A. Lozynsky, President of UWC. WFUWO Pre sident M. Szkambara was listed on the program as the next speaker. For some unexplained reason, she was unexpectedly replaced, and Jaroslava Chortianni, Chair of European UWC, spoke instead. As the Forum agenda commenced, Ms. Szkambara proposed that I serve on the Nominating Com mittee and this motion was approved. While working in the Nominating Committee, I noticed that many countries were split on who should represent them. There were rumors from some groups that agents had been sent from other countries to sabotage the unity of these “hromady,” another sad note about the divisive ness in our community. During this session, the Presidium of the IV Forum membership to the UWCC was decreased from 16 to 11 persons, with two additional people added later. The UNWLA lost its seat in the Presidium. During the Forum, many round table groups were convened. I will mention two that were of special interest to the UNWLA: the Great Famine round table and the women’s issues round table. Prior to the Forum, I had sent numerous emails requesting that the UNWLA be invited to participate in the round table discussion on the Great Famine. I was subsequently advised that the Holodomor round table would comprise professors and “other knowledgeable people.” During the session, I presented one of these knowledgeable people, a Norwegian scholar, with the commemorative issue of Our Life magazine. On the following day, he questioned the authenticity of the documents published in the issue. Another incident that occurred that day was even more disturbing. An elderly lady started shouting that there were a lot of KBG agents in our midst who could talk about what happened in those days. Two men grabbed her and started dragging her from the room, proclaiming that she was mentally disturbed. I was compelled to protest and shouted, “Leave her alone!” This behavior was all too reminiscent of the Soviet regime, which silenced voices that said things people were not supposed to hear. The two men let go of the woman; she sat quietly the rest of the session. Both events made me aware that Russia’s handiwork was still at large: Russia still wants to silence those who speak of the Holodomor, even though there are documents signed by Stalin that prove it existed. Guests and delegates at the Forum were asked to ensure that our respective countries proclaim the Holodomor a genocide. Everyone agreed that Ukrainian government should be the first to do so, although some countries, including the United States, have already done so. Ironically, during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Great Famine, documents from the UNWLA archives were given to the Con gressional Commission on Ukrainian Famine, the same documents whose authenticity was questioned at the
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