German president apologizes for wartime atrocities

RFE/RL Newsline

KYIV - In an address broadcast by Ukrainian Television on February 4, President Roman Herzog of Germany apologized for the death and destruction caused by German troops in the country during World War II.

Mr. Herzog, who was on a four-day visit to Kyiv, expressed grief for the "barbaric crimes" and said he suffers "together with the victims and their families, and I am ashamed of what was done."

The German president has made similar apologies in Prague and Warsaw. Mr. Herzog also said Ukraine belongs to Europe "culturally and politically," but noted that joining the European Union would entail the attainment of greater economic prosperity.

President Leonid Kuchma said he is dissatisfied with the country's progress in reforms, but added that "only a blind man" would not notice the positive economic changes that have taken place.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 22, 1998, No. 8, Vol. LXVI

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