Communist Ukrainian Institute Head Denies Famine Was Deliberate

KYIV -- The new director of Ukraine's National Memory Institute says that while the 1932-1933 famine in Ukraine was "the result of difficult circumstances," it was not artificially provoked, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports.

Millions of Ukrainians died in the famine, which was at least partly the result of restrictions imposed by Soviet leader Josef Stalin on farmers across the Soviet Union.

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Source: RFE/RL

Patriarch Kiril must be declared persona non grata, Ukrainian party demands

While on a visit to Ukraine, Moscow Patriarch Kiril continues to fan interconfessional feud and violate the laws of Ukraine, first deputy head of the Ukrainian Party Oleh Olijnyk says. This time, however, Kiril has embarked on a different tactics regarding his provocative declarations as they are publicized not by Kiril himself but by his aides, the UP July 23 website release runs.

To illustrate, UP refers to one of the declarations made by Moscow patriarchate spokesperson to the effect that the cancellation of registration of Kyiv patriarchate property will heal the rift in Ukraine Orthodoxy [and the unraveling of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church independent from Moscow – Ed.].
“The UP persistently advises Moscow patriarchate leaders to curb their appetite and not to infringe on the property and assets not belonging to them. Similarly, Patriarch Kiril must stop driving a wedge among Orthodox believers in Ukraine and provoke conflict,” the UP statement continues.
“Otherwise, we will be forced to appeal to Pres Yanukovych and prosecution to interfere to stop the religious feud from getting into the open. We will also demand that Patriarch Kiril be banned to visit Ukraine,” the statement concludes.

Source: ZIK

Reporters Without Borders gives gloomy assessment of prospects for media freedom in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine — The head of the global media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders is giving a gloomy assessment of the prospects for improved media freedom in Ukraine.

Jean-Francois Julliard said after meeting Ukrainian parliament members Tuesday that the "opposition lawmakers will make strong statements, while the pro-governmental party will say there is no problem with freedom of expression in Ukraine."

Julliard is in Kyiv for three days of talks with journalists and officials. He said the trip was prompted by alarming signs on censorship, political pressure and physical attacks against reporters since Viktor Yanukovych became president this year.

Source: The Associated Press (CP)