The Supreme Rada’s decision to recognize the activities of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists-the Ukrainian Insurgent Army as a struggle for independence may have a negative impact on Polish-Ukrainian relations, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski said on Apr 22.
He believes that the law adopted by the Ukrainian parliament makes Polish-Ukrainian historical dialogue impossible.
According to the Polish leader, this case is not closed, so, here the parties should look for some positive solution.
Komorowski said that the law glorifying the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army was like the Polish laws on de-sovietization, but, on the other hand, it made impossible further debates on the actual role of those forces, which was not right.
On Apr 9, Ukraine’s Supreme Rada approved a law on the legal status and commemoration of fighters for Ukraine’s independence in the 20th century.
The law proclaims as fighters for independence people involved in UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army), UNR (Ukrainian People’s Republic), the Union for the Liberation of Ukraine, Ukrainian Sich Riflemen (USS), Hetmanate (Ukrainian State), WUPR guerrilla (Western Ukrainian People’s Republic) and Carpathian Sich, OUN, Soim of Carpathian Ukraine, Ukrainian Helsinki Group and others.
The law also stipulates social benefits for such individuals and their families.