MINSK, 7 May (BelTA) - Belarus condemns and rejects the demolition of monuments honoring those killed in World War II, Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told the media on 7 May after the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, BelTA has learned.
“We condemn and do not accept such actions. Together with our allies in the CSTO, partners within the CIS, we regularly adopt the appropriate statements against the glorification of Nazism, falsification of history and demolition of monuments honoring those who were killed in World War II. We express our attitude and these documents are spread as official in the United Nations, the OSCE and other regional and international organizations. Our attitude towards the matter is unambiguous here,” said Vladimir Makei.
The minister stated that what is happening with the historical monuments in many countries now is simply astonishing from the point of view of common sense. “We also have quite a controversial history. This or that national hero or national figure is treated differently. The Belarusian authorities, however, have never allowed any monuments in our country to be destroyed. I believe that this is how it should be. The stone is not to blame for the fact that it was put up in its time. Yes, we need to tell both the younger generation and society about what our history is all about. It should be done objectively, without any labels,” stressed the minister.
“What is happening now in a number of countries, in our neighboring countries, is absolutely unacceptable for us, and believe me that we have taken and will continue taking steps, specific statements and actions against falsification of history and glorification of Nazism,” Vladimir Makei added.
In late April, a monument to the Soviet-Polish brotherhood in arms was demolished in the Polish city of Czechowice-Dziedzice. Part of the local residents defended the monument, suggesting to change its name to “Monument to those killed on the fronts of World War II”. The Polish authorities have already dismantled more than 420 monuments to Soviet soldiers. In 1997 there were 561 such monuments in the country, and now there are just over 100 of them left.
