I was criticized when I published previous diary linking to Global Research site. Frankly, I don't care what is Global Research and why they have a black mark here in DailyKos. Unfortunately, the article was labeled as propaganda by many without providing arguments on merit basis.
Here I'm trying to link article by Max Blumenthal.
But first, I'd like to articulate my position on the whole mess in Ukraine. I'm not a fan of Yanukovich and I don't care for his presidency. What I care though are lives of my relatives, loved ones and friends. When the protests started, I predicted that it would be hijacked in attempt to overthrow the current regime. And it has nothing to do with Ukrainian people desires for "freedom", as many people here have stated. If you follow this closely, the whole thing started because Yanukovich refused ridiculous EU demands before signing the agreement with them. The agreement fell apart and opposition seized the moment to score political points. The police forcibly dispersed the very first protest and it fueled the protesters even more. Later on, as time went by, more and more people came to protest the current power in Ukraine. And it's fine. However more and more influence over protesters fell into the hands of modern era fascists in Ukraine. That's were I draw the line. I will not, in any shape or form, have an alliance with, or be supportive of, any neo-, old- or otherwise not dead- fascists.
Back to article by Blumenthal. Here is the link http://www.alternet.org/...
An Anarchist group called AntiFascist Union Ukraine attempted to join the Euromaidan demonstrations but found it difficult to avoid threats of violence and imprecations from the gangs of neo-Nazis roving the square. “They called the Anarchists things like Jews, blacks, Communists,” one of its members said. “There weren’t even any Communists, that was just an insult.”
“There are lots of Nationalists here, including Nazis,” the anti-fascist continued. “They came from all over Ukraine, and they make up about 30% of protesters.”
One of the “Big Three” political parties behind the protests is the ultra-nationalist Svoboda, whose leader, Oleh Tyahnybok, has called for the liberation of his country from the “Muscovite-Jewish mafia.” After the 2010 conviction of the Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk for his supporting role in the death of nearly 30,000 people at the Sobibor camp, Tyahnybok rushed to Germany to declare him a hero who was “fighting for truth.” In the Ukrainian parliament, where Svoboda holds an unprecedented 37 seats, Tyahnybok’s deputy Yuriy Mykhalchyshyn is fond of quoting Joseph Goebbels – he has even founded a think tank originally called “the Joseph Goebbels Political Research Center.” According to Per Anders Rudling, a leading academic expert on European neo-fascism, the self-described “socialist nationalist” Mykhalchyshyn is the main link between Svoboda’s official wing and neo-Nazi militias like Right Sector.
Right Sector is a shadowy syndicate of self-described “autonomous nationalists” identified by their skinhead style of dress, ascetic lifestyle, and fascination with street violence. Armed with riot shields and clubs, the group’s cadres have manned the front lines of the Euromaidan battles this month, filling the air with their signature chant: “Ukraine above all!” In a recent Right Sector propaganda video [embedded at the bottom of this article], the group promised to fight “against degeneration and totalitarian liberalism, for traditional national morality and family values.” With Svoboda linked to a constellation of international neo-fascist parties through the Alliance of European National Movements, Right Sector is promising to lead its army of aimless, disillusioned young men on “a great European Reconquest.”
And here are some pretty gruesome quotes from the man himself, Tyahnybok, the man who shook hands with US Senator from Arizona and who, along with other two faces, became the face of the protests:
"They were not afraid and we should not be afraid. They took their automatic guns on their necks and went into the woods, and fought against the Moskali, Germans, Kikes and other scum who wanted to take away our Ukrainian state."
"When I went to army, my mom told me: if you bring home moskal wife or kike wife, or if you become KGB agent - I will disown you."
...
As I stated in my previous posts and comments, I don't understand the sheer volume of hypocrisy and double standard coming from otherwise reasonable people here. As long as these nationalists and fascists are "good fascists" because we support them they are OK? Is that a current standing here? In any case, I will not follow it. I will raise my voice to all and any elements of fascism.
