Dangerous games

It would seem that Ukraine and Poland have already resolved the painful question of historical reconciliation. Yet, clearly, not everyone in Poland likes this. How else can one explain the fact that quite a dubious draft resolution declaring the OUN and UPA as criminal organizations that committed genocide against Poles in Kresy Wschodnie in 1939-47 has appeared in Sejm?

Reportedly by ZIK, the draft resolution, registered on April 11, offers to recognize the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Ukrainian Insurgent Army, 14th SS-Volunteer Division “Galician,” and Ukrainian Auxiliary Police as criminal organizations. At the same time it says that only the abovementioned political and armed formations, rather than the entire Ukrainian people, are accused of genocide.

Svoboda (Freedom) Party reacted to this news almost immediately, stating that the Party of Regions has been involved in drafting the document. In particular, Freedom Party MP Yurii Syrotiuk stated this. “This draft resolution would not contribute to the understanding between our peoples. Apparently, Polish political circles that have chauvinist attitude to Ukrainians are trying to make use of the fact that open Ukrainophobes are currently in power in Ukraine,” the MP said.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Polish-Ukrainian Cooperation Foundation PAUCI Jan Pieklo explained to The Day the emergence of this contradictory document by the intention of certain Polish circles to earn votes at the next year elections to the European Parliament. In his words, to much regret this is done purely for domestic political needs. “This mustn’t be done, this is abnormal, because it brings antagonism into Polish-Ukrainian relations,” Pieklo said. He expressed his confidence that the document won’t pass in Sejm.

Edward LUCAS, International Editor of newsweekly The Economist, who oversees the paper’s political coverage of Central and Eastern Europe and authors the book The New Cold War: Putin’s Russia and the Threat to the West says: “I think historical reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine is extremely important. This will be a huge success which can serve a real model for European countries that deal with complicated history. I will very much regret if backpedaling on historical reconciliation of Poland and Ukraine takes place. In my opinion, both countries have many reasons to mourn over or be angry about the past, but they also have reasons for being optimistic about the future. And it cannot be useful to condemn one side or another. I think this is a mistake. Hopefully, this intention of some Polish MPs won’t pass the parliament or do much harm.”