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"Our Ukraine" Press, www.razom.org.ua, Kyiv, Ukraine,
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
KYIV - The leader of the "Our Ukraine" coalition Victor Yushchenko
participated in the Jewish Congress, which was held today in Kyiv.
Yushchenko delivered a handful of earth from Auschwitz concentration
camp, which he visited last week, to the participants.
The leader of "Our Ukraine" presented his father's documents to the Polish
Museum; during World War II, Victor Yushchenko's father, Andriy
Yushchenko, was imprisoned in that camp. Hundreds of thousands of people
were killed in that concentration camp - most of them Jews. |
Victor Yushchenko
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In his speech Victor Yushchenko promised that he would do everything in his
power to make sure that the "Jewish question" is not raised in Ukraine. He
also stressed that, as a European, he understands the contribution an old
Jewish culture had made to the development of our civilization.
Yushchenko is convinced that a variety of languages and cultures is one of
Ukraine's most valuable treasures. "As I read the history of my country, I
see the horrendous effects of holocaust and of holodomor: two genocides
in our history side-by-side," noted Yushchenko.
"True patriotism means a desire to build a modern and independent state,
capable of ensuring social harmony and well-being of the people regardless
of their nationality, language or religion," declared the leader of "Our
Ukraine" in his speech.
"I believe in Ukraine, in its great future, open to all of its citizens,"
stressed Yushchenko.
Answering questions from Israeli journalists as to the possibility of the
so-called "nationalistic card" being played during the future presidential
elections in Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko noted that such attempts would
be made.
Even now, according to Yushchenko, Ukrainians witness how some
politicians are speculating on this issue. At the same time he noted that
such actions meant weakness of those politicians.
"Our Ukraine" will never use this issue for reaching its political goals
under any conditions," stated Yushchenko. He pointed out similarities
between the Ukrainian and the Jewish peoples. "We have much in common.
Both nations had traveled a long way to gaining statehood and freedom,"
said Yushchenko.
He also noted that there were difficult times in both of our histories and
that some of the questions still have to be answered.
LINK: www.razom.org.ua
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