13 November 2009, 10:33
Mykola Tomenko requests the Government to oblige Kyiv Municipal Authorities to ensure Security of Museums in the Capital
Mykola Tomenko directed appeals to Yulia Tymoshenko, Prime-Minister of Ukraine, with a request to interfere in a situation with the museums in the capital of Ukraine.
M. Tomenko informed that Oleksandr Bryhynets, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Kyiv Council on Culture and Tourism, addressed him regarding the problem that appeared in Kyiv concerning the museums protection.
The Vice-Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine also declared that pursuant to the Law of Ukraine "On Museums and Museum Activity", the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On improving Security of Objects in the Public and Other Forms of Ownership", museums are to be protected exclusively by the state security service. Nevertheless, Kyiv City Authorities already tried to deny the state security services several times.
At present, 12 Kyiv museums and 10 branches have not been properly protected since 1 October 2009. Mykola Tomenko expressed his worry that museum objects connected with the history and culture of Ukraine are under the threat of being stolen. Moreover, it may damage not only museums, but the entire Ukrainian culture.
M. Tomenko requested the Government to oblige Kyiv municipal authorities to provide proper protection of the museums in the capital, stressing that despite numerous promises of Kyiv authorities to repay the debts before the State Security Service and restore armed security at the museums, the issue has not been settled.