MOSCOW (HT May 9) -- Russians celebrated the 52nd anniversary of the USSR's historic victory over Nazi Germany Friday. But they were divided, as has become usual, between lavish officially-sponsored events and angry opposition-dominated demonstrations. The official ceremony was centred on Red Square, where President Boris Yeltsin reviewed a parade by almost 5,000 military servicemen, mostly Moscow-region cadets. Unlike the massive 50th anniversary two years ago, there was no awesome display of tanks, missiles or other hardware, and Mr. Yeltsin's address was brief and pointed. "The general memory of the war, the grief for its victims and the pride in the victory live in each of us, in our children and grandchildren," said Mr. Yeltsin, looking pale and standing stiffly with other Russian leaders before the mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin, founder of the USSR. "Nobody can fully imagine the entire amount of grief and sufferings brought by the war to each family. And the pain in Russian hearts will never fade," he said. On the tangled calendar of post-Soviet Russia, Victory Day is possibly the only holiday that enjoys solid popular support. Former key Soviet celebrations such as May Day and Revolution Day remain days off, but are compromised in the eyes of many by their intimate association with the Communist regime. On the other hand, resurrected religious festivals like Easter and Christmas are enthusiastically embraced by only a few, while virtually no one seems interested in newly-minted official holidays, such as Mr. Yeltsin's Constitution Day or Russian Independence Day. But May 9, anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender after history's most destructive war and 27-million Soviet deaths, remains a day most Russians hold dear to their hearts. However, the efforts of Mr. Yeltsin's government to appropriate the symbolism of the USSR's great victory enrages many in the Communist opposition, who blame the Russian President for destroying the Soviet Union and emasculating its armed forces. [195 lines left ... full text available at <url:http://www.reference.com/cgi-bin/pn/go?choice=message&table=05_1997&mid=1609720&hilit=SCEPTICAL> ] ---------------------------------- Received: from shadowfax.reference.com by netbase.t0.or.at via ESMTP (940816.SGI.8.6.9/940406.SGI.AUTO) Article-ID: 05_1997&1761670 Score: 97 Subject: malo o UFO