国际英语新闻：Russian president urges against attempts to revise history

MOSCOW, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday called for the international community to firmly boycott attempts with political purpose to distort history of the Second World War.

In a message to the UN General Assembly unveiled that day in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, Medvedev said: "The victory (in WWII) was reached at the cost of a tremendous toll. We should not forget this and should give a tough repulse to cynical, politically-motivated attempts to rewrite history and revise the conclusions and rulings of the Nuremberg Tribunal."

"Our common duty before the liberator warriors and future generations is to defend the truth of the war and the significance of the victory, to resolutely counter those who profane the glory of the heroes who routed fascism," said the statement as quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency.

"Today, while remembering the events of that cruel war, we must be aware what monstrous consequences are entailed by violence, racial and religious intolerance. In this connection the task to strengthen the UN potential acquires a special significance," his message said.

On the same day Medvedev also presented state decorations to 46 outstanding Russians from all walks of life, including two WWII veterans.

Colonel-General of Aviation Vasily Reshetnikov who attended the Stalingrad and Kursk battles, was awarded the Order of Merit. The Order for Services to the Fatherland IV degree was awarded to Major-General Ivan Slukhai, who served in the Russian Armed Forces for 45 years and now heads the Moscow War Veterans Committee, said the Kremlin website.

At the awarding ceremony, the Russian leader said all Russians should recall those who died for the Great Patriotic War, and make every possible efforts for the future development of the country.

Recently some negative historical evaluations against the role of Soviet Union during and after the WWII have emerged, and vandalizing incidents on Soviet hero and victory monuments were reported in some Baltic states and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Against such background, Medvedev made the proposal, so as to seek international support for justification of the Soviet Union's role during the war.