Story number 1 for 10 Aug 2001

(Ukraine)–We begin today’s newscast in the Ukraine where Keston News Service is reporting that a new draft on a religion law is in the final stages of discussion. The text introduces a number of harsh provisions that cover registration requirements and religious property, education and the religious activity of foreign citizens. Russian Ministries’ George Law responds. “We’re a little surprised because Ukraine has been one of the strong supporters of religious freedom over the last ten years, as opposed to the restrictiveness of the Belarus government or the Russian government. Ukraine seems to have been free and open to religious organizations working and thriving in Ukraine.” Law says prayer will help. “We have to be vigilant, we have to pray and we want to support our national workers that are there in Ukraine with our prayers. This is certainly a time that they need to be upheld.”