The decree «About optimization of system of the central enforcement authorities» Victor Yanukovych liquidated the State committee on affairs of nationalities and religions of Ukraine. The majority of functions of this committee have transferred to the Ministry of culture of Ukraine which now is in process of reorganization.

What body in the ministry and who is responsible today for questions of nationalities and religions in Ukraine, and also about state-confessional relations and questions of national minorities is talked to the first deputy of the minister of culture of Ukraine Yury BOGUTSKY.

— From the point of view of the executive power organization in Ukraine the Decree of the President of Ukraine is timely. Its main objective — to get rid of duplication, cross interests of departments in the same function.

— Ourselves deceived ourselves that the Committee on affairs of nationalities and religions stably works. If to look at history of this committee we will see that at first there was a committee of nationalities at Ministry, then the Ministry of affairs of nationalities and migration, after committee on affairs of nationalities and migration, the separate committee on affairs of religions and so on in parallel operated. That is all this time it stayed in transformation. The committee was engaged in four directions, which among themselves actually not so corresponded. The first direction is a work with refugees within the limits of observance of the Law of Ukraine «About refugees». The second — devices deported to a national sign. The third — work with national minorities and protection of the rights of national minorities. The fourth — department on affairs of religions. It is clear that such committee, considering a variety of its functions, was subject to liquidation.

What is transferred Ministry of culture? Everything that is connected with national minorities, and also a question of state-confessional relations. Today position «About the culture Ministry», its structure is developed. Certainly, within the limits of the ministry the department on affairs of nationalities and the religions, carrying out functions in these two directions will operate…

— And till now unresolved remains a Crimean Tatar question — the political, economic and public rights of repatriates. President Victor Yanukovych last year has charged to prime minister Nikolay Azarov till December, 25th, 2010 «to provide performance of the actions provided by the program of moving and arrangement of deported Crimean Tatars and persons of other nationalities which have returned for residing at Ukraine, their adaptation and integration into the Ukrainian society for the period till 2010». Whether these questions are solved?

— The most important among all these problems is an arrangement of people. Once a companion Engels has told: «Before to politicize in life, the person should have meal, clothes and dwelling». Name to me any country in Europe which has accepted almost 260 thousand people and it hasn’t led to the conflict in the state.You remember, on the Balkans has been moved 50 thousand people, and it has touched off the war. Or today to Italy profits of five thousand refugees — and it is already treated as the big humanitarian problem. The Ukrainian power solves this problem. Yes, there are crashes, but, thank God, war isn’t reached.

The analysis of performance of the mentioned program testifies that the planned indicators are realized not in full. Considerable budgetary underfinancing of the program within 2006-2010 that has made 179,73 million UAH became the reason for it because of the crisis phenomena. (38 %), also inflationary processes which have taken place, since 2006 (year of working out of the Program). Nevertheless, according to the capital construction plan, in 2010 the 88-room apartment house, ІІ turn in Saki (50 families have received habitation) and engineering networks to this house is put in operation. Also it is placed in operation five one-apartment apartment houses in with. A bright Field of the Kirov area, four houses in v. Ilichevo Lenin area. Besides, power networks — 3,9 km, gas pipelines — 19,46 km, waterpipes — 9,39 km are constructed, one school is reconstructed. On performance of welfare actions of the Program within 2010 it has been financed 3,2892 million UAH.

For 2011 on arrangement of repatriates the power has found 23 million UAH. It is clear that it doesn’t give possibility at once to finish all objects. But the next years this figure will be increased.

Ukraine has opened doors for repatriates. Therefore those who have returned, also should bear responsibility for the children, for the families. The Crimean Tatars and representatives of other nationalities should know a situation that is why meaningly to go on predicted restrictions.

— They come back home.

— I don’t accuse in something repatriates, but let patiently concern available problems. Yes, have wanted to return almost all and at once — please, but give together patiently to it we will concern. If isn’t present, please, in other areas there is a possibility to accept people — die out villages because of a demographic situation. I yours faithfully concern all deported of Ukraine, but there should be an understanding of a situation. Thank God, it is.

— As the fact the Crimean Tatars constantly result examples when the Crimean earth is distributed to politicians, businessmen.

Is a question not to me. I don’t have the earths in Crimea.

Source: Day, № 34-35, on February, 25th 2011