March 13, 2001 (Cambridge, MA and Edmonton, AB) A group of 245 leading scholars and professionals in Ukrainian Studies and related disciplines from more than 180 different universities, institutions, and organizations in North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe, including Ukraine, have called on the political leadership of Ukraine to uphold its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and freedom of the press, expression, and assembly. In a statement released today, they expressed their serious misgivings regarding the handling of the investigation into the death of Heorhii Gongadze, the outspoken journalist who disappeared on September 16, and supported calls for an independent, full, transparent, and credible investigation of Gongadze's murder and of all the evidence that has emerged from the case. "Only an honest attempt to uncover the truth can restore the country's image and promise and help Ukraine avoid becoming a pariah in the world community."

The group also declared its deep concern about the state of civil rights in Ukraine. "We deplore the continuing reprisals, threats, and implicit threats of reprisal against those media, journalists, students, teachers, and other Ukrainians who dare to speak their minds openly and freely on the current crisis. The persistent efforts to prevent and obstruct peaceful demonstrations raise disturbing questions about the commitment to freedom of speech and assembly, which are guaranteed in Ukraine's Constitution." On March 1, just days after Ukrainian authorities had promised a visiting delegation of U.S. Congressmen that the conflict with the opposition would not be resolved through force, Ukrainian police tore down a tent camp in the center of Kyiv which had been erected by protesters demanding that the President resign over the mysterious death of the journalist.

The statement is notable in that it represents virtually the entire spectrum of Ukrainian Studies, both senior scholars as well as junior faculty and graduate students, members of academic institutions as well as professional associations and emigre scholarly organizations. As one of the signatories remarked, "We all share a profound sympathy for Ukraine. Our statement does not support any particular political party or movement. We respect the fact that this crisis can only be solved by the citizens of Ukraine. Rather, the statement reflects our concern regarding certain very worrisome trends in Ukraine and reaffirms our support for a basic set of democratic principles that Ukrainians themselves have professed."

The petition is part of a growing reaction in the West to the deepening political crisis in Ukraine. On March 1, in an open letter in the Financial Times, George Soros urged President Kuchma to step aside so that the investigation could go forward.

The statement is be posted at www.ukrainianstudies.org/petition.htm.

Any scholar or professional in Ukrainian Studies who would like to add his/her name to the list of signatures should send an e-mail to UkrainianStudies@hotmail.com

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Contact persons:

Natalia Pylypiuk, President, Canadian Association of Slavists

(780) 492-3498 tel.

(780) 492-9106 fax.

natalia.pylypiuk@ualberta.ca

Robert De Lossa, President, American Association for Ukrainian Studies

(617) 496-8768 tel.

(617) 495-8097 fax.

rdelossa@fas.harvard.edu