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World Jewish News
Ukraine Unable to Forgive Israel for not Publicly Recognizing the Holodomor an Act of Genocide
24.04.2009
The Ukrainian delegation refused to boycott the speech ща Mahmoud Ahmadinejad because of the Israeli position on the Holodomor. This was told to "Cursor" by a competent source in Kiev, who wished to remain anonymous.
Delegates from 30 states demonstratively left the hall of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, where conference on combating racism was held under the auspices of the UN - in protest against anti-Israel statements made by the Iranian
President. However, the representatives of Ukraine and Russia did not support the protest.
According to the source of "Cursor", the delegation of Ukraine did not even plan to leave the room, even though Ahmadinejad's statements were expected. Official
Kiev, said the same source, "can not forgive Israel for refusing to publicly acknowledge the Holodomor an act of genocide," which "is a fundamental issue for the Ukrainian side."
There have been no public statements on this issue in Ukraine. As "Cursor" found out, a briefing of the Head of the press service of Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Vasily Kirilich is scheduled for today, but no explanations are expected on why Ukrainian delegation remained in the hall during the speech of Iranian President.
This incident was not mentioned by the Department of Press and Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia either. It only noted post factum that "the statements of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the international
conference in Geneva on anti-racism are harsh, unbalanced and do not relate to the topic."
In the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv, the correspondent of "Cursor" was explained that the Russian representatives had been working on the draft final document of the conference for six months, attaching great importance to the consolidation of international forces in combating racism. Therefore, the Russian diplomat stressed, "we could not just get up and leave without saying anything." "Even if
our views do not coincide with other points of view, it is necessary to talk and negotiate," stressed the representative of the Russian Embassy.
Martinsh Perts, the Ambassador of Latvia in Israel, also shared his opinion with "Cursor". According to him, the delegates of the Baltic republics boycotted Ahmadinejad's speech out of solidarity with the position of the European Union.
"We do not know whether this move was agreed upon in advance or occurred spontaneously, but the Latvian delegation left the room," stressed the Ambassador.
With respect to the position of Ukraine and Russia, Martinsh Perts refused to comment on them, and said only that it was "on the conscience of each country."
The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not comment on the position of Ukraine and Russia, but advised to contact the office of the Head of Government, which, as was stated, is coordinating these activities."
In its turn, from the Office of the Head of Government reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a personal message to the heads of all nations, which boycotted the conference or left the hall during the speech of Ahmadinejad. The same message contained regret about the actions of other delegations.
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