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Yushchenko declares late nationalist leader Hero of Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who leaves office soon after losing last week's presidential elections, has awarded the Hero of Ukraine title to Stepan Bandera, a nationalist leader in 1930-1960.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who leaves office soon after losing last week's presidential elections, has awarded the Hero of Ukraine title to Stepan Bandera, a nationalist leader in 1930-1960.

"I have signed an order to award the Hero of Ukraine title to Stepan Bandera," the president said on Friday.

Stepan Bandera, the son of a clerical family, was a leader of the Ukrainian national movement in Western Ukraine and headed the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) in 1941-1959.

The Soviet authorities accused Bandera of numerous acts of murder and terrorism and authorized his assassination by the KGB in Munich, Germany, on October 15, 1959.

Bandera is a controversial figure in Ukraine. His supporters consider him a hero, while others see him as a Nazi collaborator.

Yushchenko, known for his promotion of Ukrainian nationalism, often at the expense of relations with Russia, previously awarded the Hero of Ukraine title to another leader of Ukrainian nationalists, Roman Shukhevych.

Yushchenko, swept to power by the 2004 pro-Western street protests, gained slightly more than 5% of the January 17 vote. His presidency has been marred by continuous political infighting and economic problems.

He will be succeeded by opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych or Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who face each other in a runoff vote on February 7.

KIEV, January 22 (RIA Novosti)

 

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