Сорока на плоті / The Magpie
Subordinate Cheers
The subordination of Ukrainian interests to Russian needs was again demonstrated on the eve of Ukrainian Independence Day. According to UNIAN, President Yushchenko postponed all Independence Day concerts, fireworks and festivities to Aug. 26 in memory of the victims of the Russian airline crash near Donetsk.
First of all, may God rest their souls and give solace to their families and friends. Yushchenko correctly ordered all appropriate local and national agencies to cooperate with Russian authorities in determining the cause of the crash and recovering the bodies. On Aug. 23 the First Program of the Ukrainian National Radio Network played mournful music all day.
OK, that was enough to fulfill Ukraine’s good neighborly obligations to Russia. Why then deprive the nation of the privilege of boisterously celebrating the 15th anniversary of its country’s independence? Why deny Ukrainians and foreign tourists who traveled to Kyiv the chance to revel on the actual date when Ukraine proclaimed its independence from Soviet Russian oppression?
At a time when all Ukrainians need to unabashedly cheer their freedom and independence as one nation, the President decreed to tone down the euphoria. If we don’t cheer, then who’ll cheer for us. If not today, then tomorrow may be too late.
IHOR DLABOHA
posted 08.24.2006
