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Kiev (pte036/14.03.2005/14:45) - This year's Eurovision Song Contest hosts Ukraine have rewritten the lyrics to their entry song after they were initially branded "too political" by the competition's organisers. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, the contest's executive supervisor Svante Stockselius has confirmed that the new words for "Razom Nas Bagato!" by group Greenjolly has been accepted. The song, literally translated as "Together We Are Many!", became the anthem of Ukraine's "orange revolution" in 2004. The group submitted the new lyrics at the request of organisers last week.
The original song became the theme for the mass protests following the country's disputed presidential election last year, which was eventually won by Victor Yushchenko after a re-run. The song then won a national vote to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest after being accepted as a last-minute wildcard entry in February. It included the lyrics "No to falsifications...No to lies. Yushchenko - yes! Yushchenko - yes! This is our president - yes, yes!" However, Stockselius said earlier this month that the song would not be allowed to take part in the Eurovision with its original words, since the contest is "non-political".
This year's entry from Serbia and Montenegro is also causing controversy after being accused of plagiarism. According to Stockselius, the song "Zauvijek Moja", by the group No Name, is currently being investigated by the European Broadcasting Union, following accusations that it bears similarities to two other songs from the region. No decision has been made on whether the song will be allowed to take part, he said. Ukraine won the right to host this year's contest after winning last year's contest with the song "Wild Dances" by Ruslana. Serbia and Montenegro, who were entering the contest for the first time last year, came second.
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