23 December 2008, 13:15
Mykola Tomenko, Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, considers the incident concerning the opening of a monument to journalist Georgiy Gongadze who was killed in the process of pursuance of his duties as a public slap in the face of Ukrainian journalism.
"Yesterday´s theatrical opening of the monument is an evidence that Kyiv authorities make a performance and erect the monument without prior discussion with the public, irregardless of total rejection of this idea by the mother, relatives and colleagues of Georgiy Gongadze", - stated Mykola Tomenko.
"It goes without saying that under the conditions of inadequate funding of social and humanitarian programs, 6 million 430 thousand UAH were allocated at the expanse of Kyiv budget for the idea of Leonid Chernovetsky. At present, it is proposed to increase the financing of the said object to 8 million UAH", - stated the Vice-Chairman.
"I am surprised at the silent stand of Ukrainian journalists, the majority of which seem to glorify "heroic" activities of Kyiv city council for certain fees", - stated Mykola Tomenko.
He hopes that journalistic community will find a possibility to suspend implementation of ideas of a new "leader" of Ukrainian freedom of speech, who deems necessary to "erect such monuments, or even better ones, in all the cities and villages of our country".