Edmonton Journal | Mar. 31, 2004 | Catherine Chichak
Letter to Editor

Ukrainians resent misuse of war facts

I am responding to the letter of Lee James Olesen ("Nonsense to deny role in Holocaust," March 24), because of allegations that many Ukrainians played an extensive role in the final solution.

The use of modifiers "many" and "extensive" suggest that Ukrainians were junior partners of the Nazis in World War II, and, specifically played a prominent role during the Holocaust. Facts, however, speak otherwise.

Ukraine, along with Belarus, were two countries that suffered the most as victims and incurred the most destruction in the Second World War. About seven million were killed, of whom about 600,000 were Jews; more than two million Ukrainians were taken to Germany as "slave labourers" (Ostarbeiters). Ukraine and Ukrainians were among the primary victims in this war.

I and the great majority of Ukrainian Canadians strongly resent the implications in Mr. Olesen's letter, which suggests collective guilt on the part of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, I, and the overwhelming majority of Ukrainian Canadians, sympathize with all Holocaust survivors and their grief and suffering. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress supports the prosecution of all alleged war criminals [in criminal courts].

Catherine Chichak, president,
Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alberta provincial council

� The Edmonton Journal Wed., Mar. 31, 2004

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[W.Z. The three words [in criminal courts] in the color fuchsia added above appeared in the original letter sent to Paul Cashman, who edited out these three words. This changes the significance of the last sentence completely.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian community are strongly opposed to the d&d process using civil proceedings, lax rules of evidence and "on a balance of probabilities" criteria to try to prove an alleged immigration infraction by the accused.

The Ukrainian community insists that alleged war criminals be tried in criminal courts of law with rigorous rules of evidence and "beyond a reasonable doubt" criteria to prove any criminal actions perpetrated by the accused.

The original letter is reproduce below.]
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March 29, 2004

Paul Cashman
Letters Editor
Edmonton Journal

Fax: 498-5677

I am responding to the letter of Lee James Olesen ("Nonsense to deny role in Holocaust," Wednesday, March 24), because allegations are made that many Ukrainians played an extensive role in the final solution. The use of modifiers 'many' and 'extensive' suggest that Ukrainians were junior partners of the Nazis in World War II, and, specifically played a prominent role during the Holocaust. Facts, however, speak otherwise.

Ukraine, along with Belarus, were the two countries that suffered the most as victims and incurred the most damage and destruction in World War II. During the course of the war, about seven million were killed, of whom about 600,000 were Jews; more than two million Ukrainians were taken to Germany as "slave labourers" (Ostarbeiters). Ukraine and Ukrainians were among the primary victims in this war.

I and, I believe, the great majority of Ukrainian Canadians, strongly resent the implications in Mr. Olesen's letter, which suggests collective guilt on the part of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, I, and I am sure the overwhelming majority of Ukrainian Canadians, sympathize with all Holocaust survivors and their grief and suffering. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress supports the prosecution of all alleged war criminals in criminal courts.


Sincerely,

Catherine Chichak, President
Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council