It is impossible to go through life without trust, that is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
READERS FORUM
Commentary
The American Embassy Ukraine
Last month Commentary replaced the former Expat Question of the Month as our forum vehicle for our Readers. Unfortunately, no Reader responded to last month's issue which dealt with the European Union and Ukraine's potential future participation in it. We again emphasize our interest in obtaining our Readers' input on all issues that we raise or others wish to have discussed.
This month's issue concerns foreign embassies in Ukraine; that is the embassies serving the national interests of other nations here from a foreign representation and policy standpoint as well as providing some services for its local citizenry, their expats located in Ukraine. This commentary focuses primarily on the American Embassy. We welcome comments from all concerning their own embassy's services as well as that of all Readers on the American Embassy. Please note too: we would like to print some good news; so, send us any comments expressing or reflecting favorable experiences, pleasant occurrences or congratulations for good work done that needs recognition.
Over a several year period we have become increasingly dismayed at the performance of our American Embassy. Perhaps matters will change with the relatively recent appointment of John Herbst as Ambassador. But the evidence so far isn't good. On landing the ambassador seemed to have immediately opened up what appeared to be a one-way dialog with the locals that was somewhat "preachy". And on a more personal level, his office seems to continue to be as closed as was his predecessor's.
Mike Willard raises a couple of points concerning the ambassador and the embassy operations in one of his Random Notes this month. (See Dollars on the Dnieper and Other Wacky Stories. p.5)
Just a few questions:
1. Why is it not possible to timely respond when a written request is made? A simple acknowledgement of receipt would be courteous and show some business acumen.
2. Ukrainian's applying for visas pay a $100. fee when submitting a visa application. We assume this is a worldwide standard fee and not the decision of the local embassy. But $100. is a large fee for a non-immigrant visa for most Ukrainians and generates a lot of ill will, particularly when many feel, rightly or wrongly, that their requests are not given serious consideration. Is it not possible to refund on rejection for those that can show some evidence of serious financial need?
3. Statistics on acceptance/rejection percentages were recently given to a local newspaper by the then Consul General. They did not look too bad. But, Ukrainians say that many applications are processed with just and "acceptance of application" or some such notification noted in their passports. They maintain this is to be the case for the majority of those that do not receive visas and that those are not included in the statistics. Is there any truth to this, or are Ukrainians simply wrong in their perception?
4. Well, we'll stop here before we step on some toes. But we'd like to discuss a few of these items in private first.
So. Knock, knock...anyone home over there at the embassy? Or is communication with the press still a no no? We'd welcome a call from Ms. Patricia Guy whose specialty is the press. But, we again do seriously request a meeting with Ambassador Herbst. And we are sorry to have to attempt communication in this manner.
