Soviet Break

From Yahoo:
"Ukraine outlaws Communist names in fresh break with Soviet past"

 

Ukraine on Thursday outlawed Communist names, symbols and even songs in a fresh break with the country's Soviet past as its soldiers fight pro-Russian separatists in the east. The legislation, which also targets Nazi propaganda was adopted by 254 votes in favour in the 450-member parliament, or Rada. It bans all symbols and propaganda representing "the totalitarian Communist and Nazi regimes" -- from street names and flags, to monuments and plaques.For the former Soviet republic it could mean a major overhaul of public buildings and town squares across the country, with Lenin Streets to be renamed and any remaining statue of the Soviet leader removed.  Even a towering Liberty-like statue 102 metres high (300 feet) and weighing in at 150 tonnes that greets visitors to Kiev will need a revamp. The mammoth "Motherland" statue holds high a huge shield emblazoned with the Communist-era hammer and sickle.  The fate of the Communist leader Lenin's many statues became the focus of debate during the late 2013 Maidan protests that led to the ouster of then pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych and sparked events that led to the war in the east. As pro-Western protesters toppled Lenin effigies in rage, pro-Russian separatists in the east gathered at their feet. Thursday's ban comes as Kiev-Moscow ties hit an all-time low with the toll of over 6,000 mounting by the day in the war pitting government troops against rebels who often hanker after the Soviet Union. Putin is accused by the West of arming the east Ukraine rebels to stop Ukraine looking to the EU and NATO for partnership, an allegation denied by Moscow. Ukraine's new legislation condemns "totalitarian Communist and Nazi regimes in Ukraine" and bans "all public denial" of their "criminal character" as well as the "production", "circulation" or "public utilisation" of their symbols, except for educational or scientific purposes -- or found in a cemetery. A list of banned items includes the Soviet flag and anthem as well as monuments and historical plaques commemorating Communist leaders. Penalties for violating the law range from five to 10 years. The anti-propaganda legislation said it concerned both Nazi symbols used from 1939 to 1945 as well as Communist ones from 1917 to 1991.  Some east European nations see Ukraine as the hero on the frontline of Russia's ambitions. "When the sons of Ukraine are killed in eastern Ukraine protecting their independence, they also protect Europe," Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski told the Kiev parliament Thursday. "They protect it from the return of imperial thinking, from decisions that threaten the whole of Europe," he said.

 

^ Many former Soviet Republics and Soviet satellite countries of eastern Europe have similar laws and they are needed. The Ukraine, especially now, needs a clear break from its Soviet and Nazi past. The fact that both Nazi and Soviet symbols are banned shows that it's not an anti-Russian law, but an anti-totalitarian law. ^

http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-parliament-bans-communist-nazi-propaganda-115421909.html