Madam, - May I have the favour of your Letters Page to say how much I appreciate the first-class news coverage and comment in your columns on the recent elections in Ukraine and their aftermath? Much to my regret, there has been no discussion of this topic in your Letters page so far, and I have the honour to be a regular Irish Times reader.
Many Irish readers will probably associate Ukraine and Belarus with the terrible events of Chernobyl and the regular visits of sick children to Ireland for holidays. There is also a very significant adoption dimension between Ireland and Ukraine - in spite of all the consular and legal difficulties.
Our own business has taken us to Kiev, a most wonderful city with such hospitable and friendly people, and our visit to the immense Memorial Museum there brought home to us the suffering of the people there under the Nazi invasion. Ukraine is an immense country with a population approaching 48 million and it deserves a far better deal from Ireland and Europe than it has been getting.
We are delighted to see from your news coverage that there are up to 9,000 Ukrainian citizens working and studying in Ireland. We recruit work riders and stable staff for the Irish horse-racing industry from Ukraine, and our researches led us to the famous Cossack regions where the people's love of horses and their skills in horse husbandry are as legendary as our own in Ireland. From these regions came the famous Russian cavalry regiments of bygone days. We are very pleased to welcome these skilled workers into our training yards at the Curragh and elsewhere, and some of your readers will know of the excellent relations we have built up with Ukraine in these matters.
The new Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Yevhen Perelygin, gave a brilliant account of himself recently in his media comments on the importance of finding a democratic solution to the election crisis. At a recent function at the embassy, the ambassador surprised us with the extent of the trade relations between our two states. Moreover, he stated that Ireland and Ukraine, both countries that are building their independence after centuries of imperial dominion, shared a common goal of establishing themselves as sovereign and proud independent countries.
There is substantial Irish interest in the cement industry of Ukraine, and many other areas of business (such as Irish pubs) and technology networking are being developed, to our mutual benefit.
For these reasons, and to show solidarity with the democratic process developing in Ukraine, I propose that we should soon set up a proper diplomatic representation in Kiev in support of the new spirit of independence in that country, and in keeping with our position in the EU. Ukraine has set up its embassy in Dublin, but we have not reciprocated. It is difficult to do business when there is no proper embassy service available.
My message, then, is simple: an Irish Embassy in Kiev, please - and our very best wishes to the people of Ukraine. - Yours, etc.,
BILL LAWLOR, (Lawlor & Associates Recruitment Ltd) Dundalk, Co Louth.