From: Eugene Harasymiw
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Genocide Museum
Date: August 4, 1999 7:36 PM

Dear Mr. Assadourian:

Once again, on behalf of the over 1,000 members of the Alberta Ukrainian Self-Reliance League, please accept our congratulations for introducing a Bill dealing with the establishment of an all-inclusive genocide museum in the nation's capital.

It is very important to us that you understand that your initiative has our members' full and unequivocal support. It is also crucial that you continue your project and that you not be deterred by those forces in Canada who seek to inflict state-supported exclusivity in the area of commemoration of human suffering. These groups do NOT have a monopoly on victimization, their tragedy is no more unique than the massacre of Armenians or any other group, and their motivation has nothing to do with the dignification of human misery or with efforts to thwart future genocides by overexposure to theirs.

By sticking to your principles, sir, you will never be foresaken by people for whom dignity and fairness have real meaning. By withstanding the unpublicized attacks of the rich, the privileged and the powerful, you will earn the respect of those who can never themselves speak to the world about their national tragedies.

In short, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you on this worthwhile project that, one would think, should have transcended ethnic boundaries, though apparently not political ones.

Eugene Harasymiw, LL.B.
President
Alberta Ukrainian Self-Reliance League
11024 - 82 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T6G 0T2
fax (780) 457-5170