Victor Yushchenko has told reporters in Sumy oblast he will demand that the Verkhovna Rada pass a bill to rehabilitate the soldiers of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Rebel Army (OUN-URA), according to the President`s press-office.
“As President, I do not define this status but can insist that the government and parliament consider the issue and make a relevant decision. This is the main objective of a decree I signed in the morning,” he said.
As far as the reconciliation between the Ukrainian Rebel Army and the Red Army, Mr. Yushchenko said “this conflict is caused by the perverted knowledge of history,” adding that it must be resolved as soon as possible.
“We must give answers to the question of historical justice and pay tribute to every fighter for this land,” he said.
The President said, a year ago, he had ordered the government to create a commission to study the role the Ukrainian Rebel Army in Ukraine’s history. He believes results of their research should be used by parliament when discussing the bill.
