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THE WRONG SIDE

Amongst the Ukrainians fighting in the streets of Kiev to change their government and the violence between the elected government and the protesters there were many groups each with their flags of which most noticeable were the black and red of the OUN and UPA .  Then finally Russian troops without insignia entered the Crimea with the clear support of most of the peninsula residents.  These Russian troops were supported by local defence forces and the Cossacks.  Now it seems the Crimea will return to the Russian Federation where it actually belongs.  It was in a political moment given to the Socialist Republic of the Ukraine by the Soviet Union under Khrushchev for economic reasons in 1954.


The current United States Administration should step back from its current position on the politics of this region.  In fact if they have any real understanding of its history they will realize they may well be on the wrong side. 

The history of the Ukraine is one of changing sides in mid-stream.  In the 1930's violence and military action was approved if it resulted in the formation of a Ukrainian Republic.  The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) formed to achieve this end was divided into two sections OUN  B and M.  There was also the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).  When the Germen Nazi military entered and captured the Ukraine these organisations accepted the control of the Reichkommissariat Ukraine.  Over 61% of Ukrainians trained under this government and were formed into the Shutzmannschaft and as concentration camp guards.

 
 
 

As the records of the concentration camps show the Ukrainians were amongst the most brutal and most used as camp guards in the extermination camps.  There were of course several of these camps in what is now the territory of the Ukraine.  Some Ukrainians who settled in the United States after World War 2 have been deported to stand trail for these crimes in Israel.

As can be seen daily on FOX and CNN the various groups, which grow more violent each day, fly the black and red flags from those days and have much the same attitude.  So the United States would do well before taking sides to consider both the former history of the Ukraine and its current political situation.  It might be that it would be wiser to stay out of any association be it economic support or political sympathy with the Ukraine.  Allow the Russian Federation to resume control of the Crimea as a section of its own country which was mistakenly given away in 1954 under the Soviet Union. Then allow the Ukraine to sort out its path with the European Union and the Russian Federation. 


Count D. Peter Boucher, Kt. SMOM.

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