Stop the Energy Blackmail Against Ukraine
For Immediate Release:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=58753
12/31/2005
To: National Desk and Political Reporter
Contact: Mr. Michael Koziupa, President, Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine (ODFFU) www.fourfreedoms.net, 212-982-1170
NEW YORK, Dec. 30 // -- The Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine (ODFFU) issued a statement condemning the tactics of the Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom to quadruple gas prices it charges Ukraine as having little to do with gas and more to do with nascent Russian imperialism.
The ODFFU has launched a “Stop the Energy Blackmail” fax and letter writing campaign. “We’re asking all Ukrainians and our American friends to send a letter or a fax to the Russian Ambassador in the United States to stop the energy blackmail against Ukraine,” said Zane Halkowycz, vice-president of the ODFFU. Sample letters are available on the organization’s web site at www.fourfreedoms.net.
According to Michael Koziupa, president of the ODFFU, “In less than three months, Ukraine will be hosting new parliamentary elections. Creating an artificial energy crisis is the Kremlin’s way of meddling in those elections.” The March 2006 elections have been called the unofficial fourth round of Ukraine’s 2004 presidential elections that brought about the Orange Revolution.
Ukraine recently underwent a constitutional shift transferring some presidential authority to the prime minister. The party that wins a majority in the elections will likely be able to put forward their candidate. “This makes the elections more about who will be prime minister than what party will dominate Ukraine’s parliament,” said Koziupa.
“We want Ukrainians to know they have the full support of the Ukrainian Diaspora. We also want the Russian government to know that Ukrainians stand together wherever they may be,” Koziupa stressed.
The ODFFU was founded in Newark, NJ in 1946 by a group of Ukrainian Americans displaced by the Second World War. It acted as a voice for Ukraine’s liberation movement that fought against both Nazi and Soviet aggression. Today it has over 50 branches throughout the United States.
Please note:The ODFFU was founded in Newark, NJ in 1946 by a group of Ukrainian Americans displaced by the Second World War. It acted as a voice for Ukraine’s liberation movement that fought against both Nazi and Soviet aggression. Today it has over 50 branches throughout the United States.
-0-
/©
