C-RS Continues International Work in Washington, DC
(New Rusyn Times, March/April 2006)

On March 24, 2006, C-RS national and regional leaders were again in Washington, D.C. meeting with foreign diplomats. The delegation included John Righetti, National President of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, and members of the National Capital Chapter: Dr. Elaine Rusinko, Dr. Mikuláš Popovič, Dr. Larry Brindza, Christie Slifkey, and World Congress of Rusyns chairman Dr. Paul R. Magocsi. The group met with officials from the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the Embassy of Poland, and the European Union (EU) Delegation.

At the Czech Embassy the Rusyn-American delegation emphasized the special historic relationship that Carpatho-Rusyns have with Czechs, stemming from the period 1919 to 1938 when Subcarpathian Rus’ (present-day Transcarpathia in Ukraine) was part of the first Czechoslovak republic. Because of that relationship, the hope was expressed that the Czech Republic will continue to act as an advocate for Carpatho-Rusyns within the European Union and in its bilateral relations with Ukraine. Also discussed was the status of citizens of Ukraine living in the Czech Republic, especially those working in Prague. The delegation urged that favorable consideration be given to people from Transcarpathia seeking work permits and long-time residency in the Czech Republic.

At the Polish Embassy, the delegation was welcomed by the Polish Ambassador, who met for one hour with the group. Dr. Magocsi noted that Rusyn Americans are aware of Poland’s treatment of its national minorities since the establishment of a democratic government in that country after 1989. Lemko-Rusyns are recognized as a distinct ethnic minority and generally treated in the same manner as other peoples classified as national minorities in Poland. In practice, however, it seems that Polish governing circles have not yet overcome fully the tendency from Communist days to treat Lemko-Rusyns as a branch of Ukrainians.

On behalf of the World Congress of Rusyns, Dr. Magocsi expressed concern over the recent decision by Poland’s Minister of the Interior regarding the two duly-elected members representing Lemko-Rusyns on the ministry’s council for ethnic minorities. One of those members was simply removed and replaced by another representing an organization which argues that Lemkos are a branch of Ukrainians. This could be viewed as to be an act of discrimination against Poland’s Lemko-Rusyn community. The delegation also expressed the hope that after several years of indecision the Polish state will return the property of the Ruska Bursa cultural center in Gorlice to its rightful owner, the Ruska Bursa Society (Stowarzyszenie “Ruska Bursa”). Finally, the Rusyn-American delegation raised the issue of the Vistula Operation (Akcja Wisła), which deported Lemkos from their Carpathian homeland in 1947. Both sides agreed that this is a very complicated issue related to the conflict between Poles and Ukrainians that began in the region of Volhynia during the last years of World War II. Poland’s Lemko-Rusyns should not be burdened, however, with a historical legacy that may be related to Poles and Ukrainians but not to them. Embassy officials suggested that at the very least Lemko-Rusyns should make their views known to Poland’s State Commission on Historical Memory.

At the offices of the European Commission Delegation to the United States, the Rusyn-American visitors were warmly received by political counselor Reinhold Brender. The Rusyn American group outlined briefly the present status of Carpatho-Rusyns who live within and outside the European Union. Particular attention was given to Ukraine, the only country that does not recognize Rusyns as a distinct nationality. According to Mr. Brender this information is quite disturbing, because it touches on the question of human rights. The European Union has developed what it calls a European Neighborhood Policy to deal with non-member states along its eastern and southern borders. Ukraine is a key component of this new neighborhood policy. Therefore, relations between the EU and Ukraine will be governed by the latter’s record on human rights. If there are problems, such as the refusal to recognize Carpatho-Rusyns as a distinct nationality, this will have a negative impact on the overall relationship between the European Union and Ukraine.

Dr. Magocsi compared Carpatho-Rusyns to Catalans, Frisians, and several other stateless peoples in Europe. Since such peoples do not have any “homeland-state” to protect their interests, they must rely on institutions like the European Union. In other words, the European Union may be considered the “homeland-state” of all Carpatho-Rusyns. In fact, the EU is the formal homeland for Rusyns in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and soon Romania, while in theory the EU may be considered the symbolic homeland for Rusyns in Ukraine. In that regard, Mr. Brender provided the Rusyn-American delegation with a list of European institutions to whom they should express their concerns about Ukraine’s ongoing refusal to recognize Carpatho-Rusyns as a distinct nationality.

The chairman of the World Congress of Rusyns together with the delegation from the Carpatho-Rusyn Society has now visited the embassies of most countries where Rusyns live. In the coming months, greater attention will be given to discussing the plight of Rusyns with congressional representatives, especially senators and congressmen who have a particular interest in relations between Ukraine and the United States.

Photo captions:

Some participants in the meeting at the EU Delegation. From left: Mikuláš Popovič, John Righetti, EU political counselor Reinhold Brender, Paul R. Magocsi, Elaine Rusinko, Christie Slifkey.

Rusyn leaders at the offices of the EU’s Delegation of the European Commission to the USA in Washington. From left: Larry Brindza, Christie Slifkey, John Righetti, Elaine Rusinko, Paul R. Magocsi.

At the Embassy of Poland, C-RS National President John Righetti presents Ambassador Janusz Reiter with C-RS publications. (Also pictured: Paul R. Magocsi, Mikuláš Popovič, and Elaine Rusinko.)