The Ukrainian Canadian community is anxiously watching developments in Ukraine in the lead up to the country's presidential election scheduled for October 31, 2004.

Canadians proudly enjoy security and prosperity, tolerance and respect for diversity, democracy and the realization of human rights, opportunity and equal justice for all. It is inherent for Canadians to instill, through their actions, similar values in nations around the world. The Ukrainian Canadian community specifically would like these values to flourish in Ukraine.

The future of the Ukrainian Canadian community is inextricably linked to the future of Ukraine. Our community's image in Canada, our desire to maintain the Ukrainian language, maintain and develop Ukrainian religious and cultural traditions, expand the international education opportunities that have become available to our children are to a great extent dependent on a prosperous, sovereign, democratic and reform-driven Ukraine. Whether through the immigration of Ukrainians to Canada, or the growth of Canada/Ukraine trade and commerce, Ukrainian Canadians, as they have throughout our history, continue to be integrally tied to the people and events in Ukraine. As a result, Ukrainian Canadians are affected by the electoral process in Ukraine.

For this reason, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, together with other international non-governmental organizations, is coordinating a delegation of internationally accredited election monitors who will observe the electoral process.

With this contribution to the process, the Ukrainian Canadian community will demonstrate its support for the international community's, including Canada's, effort to highlight the importance of the rule of law for Ukraine's future. If the elections are rigged and hidden, it damages Ukraine's capacity to interact with the western world. We believe that respecting lawful democratic processes increases Ukraine's chances to activate citizenship, and modernize Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Canadian community is very concerned with the pre-election violations in the campaign process reported to date. As Canadians who live in a liberal democracy, we feel that it is our obligation to speak out in favour of maintaining the integrity of democratic systems in Ukraine, as would apply to other countries.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress applauded the Canadian government and its Ambassador to Ukraine, Andrew Robinson, for taking the lead among the international community in highlighting incidents inconsistent with a democratic electoral process. The citizens of Ukraine must be free to choose their next leader – without the fear of harassment or reprisals; with the knowledge that they can make a difference. At stake for the Ukrainian Canadian community is a crucial cultural connection based on the share core values of democracy, human rights, diversity and civility, which will contribute to mutual prosperity and vitality.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress encourages Ukraine’s citizens to actively shape the future of their country by casting their vote for the candidate they believe will best represent their vision of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress appeals to the Government of Ukraine to ensure a fair and transparent election process, which will solidify Ukraine's image in the global community and subsequently, affect Ukraine's international relations and aspirations.

October 21, 2004