Monday, April 02, 2007

Ukrainian President Yushchenko Dissolves Parliament As Democratic Forces Unite In Show-Down With Anarchic, Oligarch-Backed Parliamentary Rightists

"Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has signed a decree dissolving parliament and ordering new elections...

Yushchenko made the announcement in an address on television today after hours of talks with parliamentary leaders failed to resolve a political standoff in the country.

"My actions were dictated by the urgent necessity to save the state, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to ensure the constitution of Ukraine, the rights and liberties of people and citizens are upheld,” Yushchenko said during his address. “I would like to underline that this is not only my right -- it is my duty."

"I am calling on the Ukrainian people to make a fair, conscious, and responsible choice which will end this stage of political conflict and will open a new perspective for Ukraine," he added.

The president accused the parliamentary majority led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych of seeking to expand its power base in violation of the constitution, and of making decisions that violated the law."

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty "Ukrainian President Dissolves Parliament, Orders New Elections" Monday, April 2, 2007

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/04/
F8146215-4E8C-482A-8843-5ADE386FD065.html

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"Ukraine's political crisis has shown no signs of easing following rival mass demonstrations in Kyiv on March 31.

In the wake of the rallies, President Viktor Yushchenko is reportedly preparing for negotiations with various factions on his threat to dissolve parliament and call new elections.

He is expected to begin the consultations on the morning of April 2, and he says if they fail he will dissolve the legislature.

Yushchenko on March 31 reiterated his threat first made two days earlier, accusing lawmakers of failing to respect earlier agreements and abide by the constitution.

Later that day, thousands of pro-Western opposition supporters rallied on Independence Square to urge Yushchenko to follow through on his threats.

Supporters of opposition leader Yuliya Tymoshenko joined the March 31 demonstration to show their solidarity with the presidential stance.

"Today we make the following appeal to the president of this country who has all legal grounds to call an early election," Tymoshenko said while addressing the rally. "It is not just the president's right to dissolve parliament. It is his duty to dismiss this corrupt, treacherous assembly and go ahead with an open, honest early election in which there can be no doubt democratic forces, those who defend and love Ukraine, will win." ...

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty "Ukraine Crisis Shows No Easing After Rival Rallies" Sunday April 1, 2007

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/04/
2237a182-45cf-4f81-bf41-a96173ac219c.html


















March 31, 2007. Kyiv, Ukraine, Greater Europe.

The major components of Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution -- President Viktor Yushchenko's centrist, E.U.- backing Our Ukraine and the proto-Social Democratic Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc -- appear finally to be reuniting in a show-down with the Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and his Party of Regions, which is backed by oligarch-empowered parliamentary rightists.

Photo credit: (c) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. With thanks.

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