In Ukraine, movement to honor members of WWII underground sets off debate

"LVIV, UKRAINE -- In World War II, members of the Ukrainian underground fought to make their vision of an independent nation real. They battled Hitler and Stalin. Ultimately they lost, and the Soviets took control of most of Eastern Europe after the war.

The Ukrainians finally achieved independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Now many in this fledgling nation would like to formally recognize those earlier nationalists -- the "brave defenders of the Motherland," as President Viktor Yushchenko has called them. Newly introduced legislation would honor members of the underground and provide them with benefits accorded to war veterans.

But the movement to pay tribute to the insurgent fighters has set off a national debate about exactly what happened more than six decades ago. Many say the underground collaborated with the Nazis, killed thousands of Jews and perpetrated a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Poles.

The legacy of the underground flows through Ukrainian culture today. Its best-known banner -- a red-and-black flag -- is seen at the rallies of nationalist politicians. In this western Ukrainian city, where the insurgency was active, members of the underground are buried in elaborate marble tombs in a historic cemetery. Street vendors sell memorabilia commemorating the resistance. There is even an underground-themed restaurant outfitted as a bunker. In one corner, diners can do target practice using a picture of Stalin."

In Ukraine, movement to honor members of WWII underground sets off debate - washingtonpost.com

 

Touchy subject but I don't think all of the resistance fighters should be tarred with the same brush consider how huge and uncoordinated it was at times! If we wanted to look for such stains in every memorial there would be very few figures we could actually commemorate! Instead, it's easier to celebrate those that were "good" instead those outright "bad", at least, in my opinion.

 

It's rather suspicious though when the nationalist government just coincidentally picks out the nationalist portions of the partisan movement to laud, ignoring say, the communist partisans. Though of course, under the Soviets, they did the exact opposite.

Ukraine is really divided politically, and it's really hard to see this move as anything more than creating further divisions for political benefit. This is also going to massively piss off the Poles.

 

very good points FZ.didnt sink in with me it was just the nationalst resistance...cant imagine todays france seperating both if they were applauding french resistance or belgians..or other western country..but maybee im naive.

 

Maybe it would be more wise for them to concentrate on those Ukrainians who helped to finally achieve independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. - if a "national unity/identity" is needed, and let the sorrows of the past be the past.

To dig up all the contradictional/controversial history doesn't really serve any purpose, besides creating new tensions.

Regards
Kruska

 

Hmmm, their has always been a rift between Western and Eastern Ukrainians. This rift exists till this day.

Looks like Yushenko and his "patriots" are taking notes from Estonia, Lativia, and Lithuania...

 

Interesting. This debate stems from the opinions of many ethnic groups. Ukrainians, Russians, Germans, and Jews.