Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Yuriy Sergeyev, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations at the commemorative conference celebrating the anniversary of the outstanding Ukrainian politician and statesman, leader of Ukraine's fight for independence Symon Petliura.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Dear Friends,

 

I sincerely welcome participants and guests of our commemorative conference who have gathered here today to celebrate and mark the anniversary of the outstanding Ukrainian politician and statesman, publicist, writer, journalist, leader of Ukraine's fight for independence Symon Petliura.

 

In 1918 Symon Petliura was the Chief Otaman of the UNR (Ukrainian People's Republic) Army, and in 1919 he headed the Directory government of the UNR. He immigrated to Paris in 1926, where he was eventually assassinated.

 

It is import to emphasize that the Communist regime brought all efforts to disseminate lies and slander about a man who has devoted his life to the independence of Ukraine, stood at the origins of its statehood and played a leading role in establishing a national army.

 

Symon Petliura became a symbol of national liberation movements of early XX century. Regrettably,  Petlyura's  personality  is  yet  to find its proper place, which  would  match  his  contribution  to  the  building  of the Ukrainian  nation  and  statehood.

 

I would like to express words of appreciations to the Ukrainian hromada in New York City and to thank kindly Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union in New York for their help in sponsoring of this event.

 

I wish all of you well-being, prosperity as well as new accomplishments and further success.

 

Thank you for your attention.

 

And now in addition to the commemoration of this noted Ukrainian public and political figure I would like to pass the floor to well-known scientist, professor at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, public figure, Honoured Scientist of Ukraine Taras Hunczak, who will present his book “Symon Petliura and the Jews”.