Rewriting history to reveal the lies of Soviet propaganda is an honorable aim. But tackling such a tricky task should be well-planned and championed by a leader with a national mandate. Otherwise, it will just be another in a long list of politically exploited and divisive issues. And this one only sparks needless tension with Moscow, feeding the Kremlin’s propaganda machine of Ukraine as a radical, anti-Russian state.
As a Kyiv Post article this week points out, President Viktor Yushchenko has championed the cause to review the way Soviet-written history portrays Ukraine.
The Orange Revolution hero has challenged history books, pointing out that Ukraine is not Russia’s smaller brother, or little Russia, but heir to the ancient Kyivan Rus empire whose leaders adopted Christianity. Yushchenko has championed massive celebrations and festivities for this summer to commemorate the 1020th anniversary of when Kyiv Rus adopted Christianity.
Yushchenko’s view is sound. While complex, Ukraine does have a long and proud history, with much of its roots in Kyivan Rus. Russia, along with Belarus, also traces its Christian roots to this empire. Who is right? Possibly the historians who claim this empire was not aiming to set up a Slavic brotherhood, but busy colonizing eastern Slavs, exporting their fur, honey and women to Europe. Had Yushchenko succeeded in keeping his team together and in raising living standards, Ukrainians would be better able, and patient enough, to digest the rewriting of history. While his soul is dedicated to this cause, Yushchenko doesn’t have enough political muscle to be its champion. The issue also divides Ukrainian voters.
With the little more than a year he has left in office, Yushchenko should back off a bit and work on getting something done economically. It is rarely effective when a pastor preaches to a hungry nation.
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