President of Ukraine
Mr. Victor Yushchenko

Copy:

Prime Minister of Ukraine
Ms. Yulia Tymoshenko,

First Deputy Chairman of
Security Service Of Ukraine
Mr. Valentyn Nalyvaichenko

April 22, 2008

Dear Victor Andreevich,

Dear Friend,

During the evening of Tuesday, April 15th 2008, the Jewish cemetery of Zhitomir, Ukraine was the scene of an act of vandalism, in particular the tomb of the renowned Rabbi Aharon of Zhitomir. According to our information, these anti-Semitic attacks and destruction of property have become a fairly frequent occurrence, as the cemetery is being used as a meeting place for local hooligans and drug users. In spite of repeated requests from the local community the police have not reacted .

Also we would like to turn your attention to the fact that the piece of land in North-Western part of Kiev, which 2 years ago was purchased by a Charitable Foundation, created by the Jewish Community of Ukraine, for the purposes of construction of the Jewish part of the Baby Yar Memorial Complex, has just been resold under forged documents. According to our information, in Babi Yar, the place, where tens of thousands of Jews were brutally killed, there are plans to build a trade center. After the representatives of the Community appealed to the Department for the prevention of xenophobia of the Security Service of Ukraine, the officials assured they would arrive “immediately ”, but, just like in the case with the desecration of Rabbi Aharon’s tomb, no one showed up.

Victor Andreevich, I am sure you will take all lawful measures to prosecute these heinous acts in a proper legal and political manner.

Respectfully yours,

Moshe Kantor