Holodomor Resolution passes U.S. House of Representatives

On the 75 Anniversary of one of the greatest genocides known to humanity, the US House of Representatives has voted to recognize Holodomor as an act of Genocide and condemned the Soviet government for perpetrating it. The resolution was based on the conclusions of a special Congressional committee that was ordered in 1985 to investigate the events of Holodomor and report to Congress. While it shouldn't have taken this long to recognize the obvious genocide of 25-30% of the Ukrainian nation, this is still an important victory for historical justice.

Here are some excerpts from the Resolution:

"Whereas in 1932 and 1933, an estimated seven to 10 million Ukrainian people perished at the will of the totalitarian Stalinist government of the former Soviet Union, which perpetrated a premeditated famine in Ukraine in an effort to break the nation's resistance to collectivization and communist occupation;

Whereas the Soviet Government deliberately confiscated grain harvests and starved millions of Ukrainian men, women, and children by a policy of forced collectivization that sought to destroy the nationally conscious movement for independence;

Whereas Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin ordered the borders of Ukraine sealed to prevent anyone from escaping the man-made starvation and preventing any international food aid that would provide relief to the starving;
...

Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) solemnly remembers the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-1933 and extends its deepest sympathies to the victims, survivors, and families of this tragedy;

(2) condemns the systematic violations of human rights, including the freedom of self-determination and freedom of speech, of the Ukrainian people by the Soviet Government;

(3) encourages dissemination of information regarding the Ukrainian Famine (Holodomor) in order to expand the world`s knowledge of this man-made tragedy; and

(4) supports the continuing efforts of Ukraine to work toward ensuring democratic principles, a free-market economy, and full respect for human rights, in order to enable Ukraine to achieve its potential as an important strategic partner of the United States in that region of the world.

The full text of the resolution that passed the US House of Representative is available here, as well as a transcripts of all the proceedings in Congress while passing the Resolution
http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-274923.html

At the same time, the UN has failed to recognize the Holodomor as genocide as the Russian representatives continued to block the discussion of Holodomor in the proceedings of the UN General Assembly. And the Russians are proud of it!

Russia Would Be Insane to Attack Ukraine

Americans were quite worried in 1996 about the fact that Ukraine was the world's third largest nuclear power and it was right next to Russia. The American government decided that they would rather deal with one major nuclear nation than with two major nuclear nations. And they were also afraid of a future nuclear war between Ukraine and Russia.

Condoleeza Rice was the main person who was sent by Bush I to "encourage" Ukrainians to give up the nukes in exchange for security promises. (Her PhD thesis was in Soviet military history.) If United States really will defend Ukraine in the event of invasion, then it was probably a good deal for Ukraine.

Ukraine was the closest to the West, so it was the most armed area of the Soviet Union. At the time of the break-up of the Soviet Union, Ukraine actually had more tanks than Russia. And it still has a significant defense advantage compared with other nations its size.

Ukraine was also a major part of the Soviet defense industry. Ukraine still makes most of the engines for Russian military helicopters and missiles and provides many jet engines. The largest missile factory in the world is located in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. It can make lots of missiles really fast.

Another interesting comparison is that Georgia had about 6 jet planes and 6 military helicopters. Ukraine has at least 600 fighter jets and I am not even sure how many military helicopters, along with one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world. (Ukrainian-designed Kolchugas can shoot down even stealth airplanes.) Any conflict between Ukraine and Russia would result in huge losses on both sides, both in human casualties and in expenditures on war.

That's another reason why it would be insane for Russia to invade Ukraine. They could loose the war, even without Americans entering the fight. In any case, their military would at least be badly damaged. What they are more likely to do is try to destabilize the situation in Ukraine from the inside, by supporting and financing various anti-Ukrainian groups inside Ukraine.

If you are Russia's neighbor, you better be strong (or have strong allies), because otherwise you are not going to be a nation for very long. That's the sad history of all of Russia's neighbors.

If Russia attacks Ukraine in the future, the United States may enter the conflict on Ukraine's side.

That would be insanity on the part of Moscow "leaders", but you never know with those guys.

When Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons in 1996 (as the world's third largest nuclear power) and transferred the weapons to Russia at the American insistence, both the United States and the Russian Federation gave Ukraine "security assurances". If Russia breaks its promises, the US would be morally obliged to defend Ukraine.

Aleks

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091202154.html

US says it will support Ukraine if threatened

The Associated Press
Friday, September 12, 2008; 3:51 PM

KIEV, Ukraine -- A senior U.S. diplomat said Friday the United States would back Ukraine in case of a territorial dispute but Ukraine's defense minister said his country's role as the main natural gas conduit to Europe makes a conflict with Russia unlikely.

The recent Russia-Georgia war has aroused concerns in Europe and ex-Soviet republics such as Ukraine about Moscow's regional ambitions. The Kremlin has watched warily in recent years as Ukraine and other former republics have sought closer Western ties, and Moscow vehemently objects to their joining NATO.

Although Russian leaders insist they recognize Ukraine's borders, some nationalist politicians have suggested that Russia should regain control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, a jewel of the Russian empire and home to a key Russian naval base.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried pledged Friday that the United States would back Ukraine in a territorial dispute.

"The United States, and I daresay Europe as well, support Ukraine's independence, its freedom, its democracy, its right to chose its own future," Fried told reporters after a meeting with his Ukrainian vounterpart.

"Our support for Ukraine has only increased as the result of pressure and will only increase if there is pressure from other places," Fried said. "I hope that no one puts Ukraine's territorial integrity into question."

Fried's remarks echo comments made last week by Vice President Dick Cheney. During a visit to the ex-Soviet Republic, Cheney said the U.S. has "a deep and abiding interest" in the country's "well-being and security."

However, Ukraine's defense minister said during a visit to Denmark Friday that a war with Moscow was unlikely because Ukraine is such an important link in Europe's energy supply.

Asked about a potential military conflict with Russia, Yuri Yekhanurov said he didn't "believe something like this might happen in the future."

A conflict would "have an influence on not only Ukraine but the whole world," Yekhanurov said, noting that 80 percent of the natural gas exported to Europe passes through Ukraine.