Posted by Observer on February 03, 2002 at 23:35:57:
In Reply to: Re: Struggle to Remain United & Free posted by Rusjkyj on February 03, 2002 at 20:50:15:
There is no real popular support for a seperatist Rusyn state as most "Rusyn" (all Ukrainians living in not only in Ukraine but in Slovakia and Poland) consider themselves to be Ukrainian.
: : The European approach is for Ukraine to remain whole.
: ::: Agree. If Rusyns remain Rusyns and the affairs of this part of Ukraine is solved mainly in Uzhhorod and not in Kyiv as it is currently practiced. Why should this development be incompatible with Ukraine as a whole and the EU policy in particular? Just the opposite is taking place in Europe, the regionalisation. Take a look at the map. Whether you like it or not Uzhhorod and Mukachevo will have economically in the near future far more common ties with Koshice and Debrecen than with Lviv or Ternopilj. See the current economical development of Bratislava (Slovakia) and Vienna (Austria) or Prague (CZR) and Dresden (GBR) or Munich.
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: After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, most of the Carpatho-Ukrainian territory came under Czechoslovakian administration.
: :::The term "Carpatho-Ukraine" was not in existence at that time. The region was called Subcarpathian Rus. Similarly, as Czechs and Slovaks, representatives of a half million of Rusyn-Americans, particularly Mr. G. Zsatkovich, subsequently the first governor of Subcarpathian Rus, together with representatives of Czechs (Mr. T.G. Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia) and Slovaks (Mr. Stefanik) participated in the formation of democratic Czechoslovakia which was composed of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Rus. In May 1919, Rusyns joined freely the Czechs and Slovaks and the Rusyn issue had reached the international political forum, so that “the fullest degree of self-government” for “Ruthene territory south of the Carpathians” was guaranteed by two international treaties at the Paris Peace Conference (St.Germain-en-Laye, September 10, 1919, and Trianon June 4, 1920) and by Czechoslovak constitution (February 29, 1920).
: Under Czechoslovakia, the Ukrainian population achieved some degree of national liberalization. On 20 March 1920 a provincial flag of blue over yellow was adopted. in 1938, Hungary started occupying the province step by step. Despite the Hungarian occupation (which lasted until the end of World War II), the provincial assembly proclaimed the territory independent as Carpatho-Ukraine on 15 March 1939. The national flag of Carpatho-Ukraine was also blue over yellow. The goal of Carpatho-Ukraine was to some day unite with the rest of Ukraine if ever Ukraine became free again. After World War II, Carpatho-Ukraine was incorporated into Ukraine.
: ::: Finally in late 1938, actual autonomy was granted to Subcarpathian Rus and only later was renamed to Carpatho-Ukraine. Unfortunately, the provisions of the infamous Munich Pact included the request for autonomy as well so that Hitler could use it not only for creation of small satellite states, as for instance Tiso’s natzified Slovakia, but also Carpatho-Ukraine. The Hitler’s plan was to use Carpatho-Ukraine as Piemont to get the whole Ukraine under his control. Carpatho-Ukraine was created in Berlin and not in Uzhhorod. This development had nothing in common with aspiration of people in Subcarpathia ( Rusyns, Hungarians, Jews, Romanians etc.) The only strong supporters for the Carpatho-Ukraine were Ukranian nationalists, emigrants from Galicia. Unfortunately, many of them had fascist’s mentality and they were perceived as foreigners. That’s why Rusyns were not fighting for Carpatho-Ukraine. Mainly Rusyns up to 75% constituted the Czechoslovak Army stationed in Buzuluk (USSR) during the war. Rusyns were fighting Hitler’s Germany and dying for both, democratic Czechoslovakia and autonomous Subcarpathian Rus, and NOT for Carpatho-Ukraine.
: During the twenty years of Czechoslovak rules, Rusyns lived in a territory that was Rusyn in name, that had its own Rusyn schools, and had all basic elements of self-rule, including a governor that was elected by people of Subcarpathia (and not named by president as it is in Ukraine), an elected diet, a national anthem (it has nothing in common with “Shche ne vmerla Ukrajina”), and a national theatre.
: In 1919, 70% of Rusyns were illiterate. In 1939, only 30% of Rusyns were illiterate. In Subcarpathia, during the Czechoslovak regime, far more progress was made in building infrastructure than during Soviet and Ukrainian regimes combined together.
: The color of the flag blue and yellow is a very small justification to make Rusyns into Ukrainians. Take in consideration the flags of China, Kampuchea, Turkey, Vietnam,
: Congo, Morocco and Tunisia. All of them have the red color and differences are in emblems.
: Subcarpathian Rus has an emblem a Carpathian bear. The only state that have the same symbol is California.
: Unfortunately Ukraine was overtaken by Russia under the guise of “Soviet Union”. Now Ukraine is free, but still struggling to remain free against continued Russian cultural and economic aggression.
: ::: Unfortunately for Rusyns that the Ukrainians are not Czechs who supported the Slovaks for centuries. And it is good for both, Czechs and Slovaks that the latter one is on the way of becoming a modern European nation. Ukraine cannot gain anything by ignoring Rusyns in their aspiration of achieving the same rights as other minorities within the EU.