Odessa civil union “Dozor” asked the Ambassador of Poland in Ukraine and the Consul General of Poland in Odessa, arguing that Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has not represented the interests of citizens, awarding Stepan Bandera the title of the Hero of Ukraine.

The text of this appeal is available to REGNUM News.

“On behalf of the residents of Odessa and southern Ukraine, we apologize to the people of Poland for the insult that was caused to the Poles by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, giving the supporter of Nazism Stepan Bandera the highest state award.

We remember that Stepan Bandera is guilty of many crimes against the Polish people, furthermore this fact is just not denied by the modern Ukrainian state ideology.

Bandera remained in human memory a man who actively collaborated with Nazi occupiers.

With the assistance of the Germans, Bandera committed numerous crimes, including the crimes against Polish population of western Ukraine.

We commemorate the victims of the genocide of Poles in Volyn and other regions and we believe that the historic debt of Ukraine is to maintain the ability to objectively evaluate their past.

Unfortunately, Ukrainian government is now actively falsifying our history.

And Ukrainian government is not interested that such policy may become a spit in the face of a friendly neighboring nations.

Assignment of the title Hero of Ukraine to Stepan Bandera - who was a murderer and terrorist - is a vivid proof of that.

We, the residents of Odessa and Ukrainian citizens, deeply condemn this act of the President of Ukraine, as well as any other actions aimed at glorifying the Nazi supporters and organizers of the massacres of civilians.

We assure you that the Ukrainian people as a whole does not share the love of Victor Yushchenko to the fascist criminals.”

As REGNUM News reported, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko on 22 January, on the Day of catholicity, has signed a decree on assignment of the title of the hero of Ukraine to Stepan Bandera.

Ukrainian head of state said that “millions of Ukrainians had been waiting for this for many years.”