declining level of Soviet health care since the 1960s, this is a .much smaller proportion of the population there than here, but it is still significant and its presence complicates Soviet attempts to simply deny that anything happened. For this reason euphemisms abound is Soviet scholarly literature, although some of the “historical fiction” is more forthcoming. Yet, dealing with the Ukrainian S.S.R, directly is worth a try.

10. The staff should issue press releases to media directed at the U.S.S.R. The Com¬mission has a fundamental responsibility to those who survived the famine as well as to those who perished. The Ukrainian-American community will follow our work closely. But it cannot be forgotten that most of those who lived through the famine still reside in the U.S.S.R. They and their children are deeply interested in our work and are highly unlikely to get much accurate information about it through the official Soviet media. For this reason I believe it is important to keep alternative media to Ukraine fully abreast of our work. Among them are Prolog Research Corporation, which publishes the journal Suchasnist and other materials which are smuggled regular¬ly into the U.S.S.R.; the editorial board of Vidnova, a similar operation; as well as the Ukrainian Services of Radio Liberty and the Voice of America, both of which are in¬terested in the topic.

11. The role of the United States during the famine can be researched at minimal cost in the Washington area.

12. Dr. Mace has suggested that, since I will be in continuous contact with the staff office, the Commission may delegate to me as Chairman, the power to hire staff and in¬itiate research projects, pending your approvaL This would minimize the red tape of contacting every commissioner, as had to be done in the hiring of a staff assistant Ob¬viously, I will rely heavily on our staff director in exercising whatever authority you would delegate to me to oversee the day-to-day functioning of the Commission. You will be kept informed by telephone and updates like those which have already been sent to you. Indeed, we cannot function without your continuous input Dr. Mace as¬sures me that he will consider himself at the disposal of all members of the Commis¬sion equally and asks that I urge you to maintain close contact with the staff office of the Commission.

13. Stationery will be ordered for the Commission shortly, as Dr. Weres requested, and will be sent to all public members, as well as to other members who request it
I look forward to working with my fellow members and am certain that, with your participation, we cannot fail to carry out our mandate successfully.

With best wishes,
Daniel A. Mica,
Chairman,
Commission on the Ukraine Famine