THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMINE-GENOCIDE IN UKRAINE

Message of President Leonid Kuchma

Address by President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma on the occasion of Famine in New York.

This year Ukraine and Ukrainian people around the world commemorate the 70th anniversary of one of the most tragic pages in our history - the Great Famine of 1932-1933 (Holodomor).

Deliberately targeted against the vital core of the Ukrainian nation, the cruel terror by hunger carried out by the totalitarian Soviet regime led to the deaths of more than 7 million innocent men, women and children.

The scourge of the Holodomor still remains a heavy psychological trauma in the consciousness of our people. After seven decades this catastrophe emerges as one of the most shocking crimes ever experienced by humankind.

And yet, the Holodomor continues to be among those national tragedies that still await wide international recognition. We believe that the words of support in its quest for historical justice which Ukraine has received from around world - and most recently from Washington and New York - will help us turn the world's attention to the events of the '30s of the past century, which had been painstakingly concealed for decades.

Ukraine is grateful to the governments, Parliaments and representatives of the civil, scientific and academic circles of those states which expressed their solidarity with our people in the assessment of the causes and consequences of the Holodomor. The impetus of international solidarity and support paves the way for a message of truth which, we are convinced, will reach the highest international forums, including the United States.

We do not intend to settle scores with the past.

We declare that the Holodomor which took place in Ukraine in 1932-1933 proved to be an act of genocide against our nation.

Therefore, we strive to prevent a recurrence of similar crimes and tragedies and through joint international efforts to make a new contribution to the strengthening of the democratic principles of respect for human rights and freedoms for the sake of future generations.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the state of Ukraine I would like to express gratitude to the participants of Famine Remembrance Week, now taking place in New York, for their important assistance, support and understanding in the attainment of our common goal.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, November 23, 2003, No. 47, Vol. LXXI

| Home Page |