Katyn: 70

From the BBC:
"Remembering Katyn, 70 years later"

It is about time Russia starts to admit the horrible things that happened in its past. Some people may say that these acts were carried out in the Soviet Union and that the Russians should not solely be forced to take the blame. When the USSR collapsed the RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) declared that the successor state to the Soviet Union would be the Russian Federation thus any and all crimes committed during Soviet times falls solely on Russia.

With that said I think that Russia is doing a good thing in inviting Poland to the site of the massacre (which is in Russia) for the 70th anniversary. For 50 years the USSR denied any part in the killing of 20,000 Polish soldiers on Russian territory in 1940. The Soviets said that the Nazis (who uncovered the mass graves in 1943) were the killers. While the Nazis certainly are murderers they did not kill these people at Katyn - the Soviets did. For decades any mention of Soviet involvement in the Katyn massacre was punishable by the Communists in both Poland and the USSR. Now the relatives of those killed can finally have closure.

Hopefully by fully admitting the past crime and extending an open hand the relationship between Poland and Russia can move forward.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euroRemembering Katyn, 70 years laterpe/8606126.stm