Ukraine's U.S.-Born Justice Minister Admits He Has No Master's Degree

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB559BKK8E.html

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukraine's U.S.-born justice minister acknowledged Tuesday that he never earned a master's degree from Columbia University despite listing the achievement on his government-sponsored Web site.

The disclosure by Roman Zvarych, 51, follows weeks of controversy over his educational background. The staunch ally of President Viktor Yushchenko has faced increasing pressure to produce his diplomas after news reports suggested he had studied at the school but had not completed the degree.

"From 1976 until 1978, I studied at the School of International Affairs at the Columbia University and I don't have a master's degree," Zvarych told reporters.

Last month, Columbia officials told The Associated Press that Zvarych, whose name in the records was spelled in the way his family in America has spelled it - Zwarycz - never received a degree and that he only attended lectures from fall 1976 to spring 1978. snip

Yushchenko's office and government officials were not immediately available for comment...

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