As an individual of Ukrainian heritage, I am ashamed of those Ukrainians who wilfully collaborated with the Nazis in persecuting and murdering innocent Jews and condemn their conduct. I would like to think, and do believe, that their number represented a very small percentage of the Ukrainian nation, which itself suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis.
Mr. Yushchenko could and should have apologized for the reprehensible actions of Nazi collaborators among Ukrainians, to the extent that any political leader can "apologize" for the horrible acts of some of his or her countrymen in the past.
While we`re on the subject of "apologies" by political leaders for the prior actions of their countrymen or co-religionists, should not Israeli leaders also apologize for those Jews who wilfully participated in the starvation-murder of millions of Ukrainian peasants in 1932-33 as Soviet Communist leaders, willing apparatchiks, Party activists or members of the Cheka/OGPU/NKVD? |
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