[ rfe/rl banner ]

Ukraine's Opposition 'Ready' To Pursue Talks With Authorities

January 27, 2014
by RFE/RL

Ukraine's main opposition parties say they're ready to continue talks with President Viktor Yanukovych, while warning that the patience of antigovernment protesters could 'snap' at any moment.

In a joint statement, opposition leaders said they were ready to negotiate 'despite an attempt by the authorities to abandon the negotiations and declare a state of emergency.'

The statement came as protesters ended their occupation of the Justice Ministry in Kyiv after 16 hours, but maintained a blockade outside the building. Justice Minister Olena Lukash had said she would ask for a state of emergency if protesters did not leave.

Oleksandr Danylyuk of the Common Cause movement, which occupied the building, said on his Facebook page on January 27 that the blockade would continue. He called on people from around Ukraine to come to Kyiv and help block all government buildings.

Ukraine's ruling Party of Regions has also called on the country's prosecutor-general to prosecute any 'anticonstitutional' actions that may be taken by antigovernment protesters who have occupied regional legislatures and other local government buildings.

The statement by Yanukovych's party on January 27 said that 'fascist youths' were 'trying to carry out a coup.'

The statement accused opposition leaders in Kyiv of ordering protesters occupying regional government buildings to set up self-proclaimed local legislatures and governing committees.

Protesters have occupied municipal offices in about 10 regions in the west of the country, where opposition is strongest.

Protesters occupied the Justice Ministry building on the night of January 26. One protester told the Reuters news agency that it was a 'symbolic act,' adding that 'these authorities have been stripped of justice.'

Earlier, in the Ukrainian capital on January 26, thousands turned out for the funeral of Mikhail Zhyzneuski, one of three protesters who died in clashes with riot police on January 22. He will be buried in Belarus.

Ukrainian businessman and former Foreign Minister Petro Poroshenko called Zhyzneuski a 'martyr.'

'I believe that people who gave the orders [to open fire] will certainly answer for it,' he said. 'I think Mikhail is a martyr. He chose to die as an Orthodox martyr for the future of Ukraine. And the main thing now is not just to punish those responsible but not to betray the cause he died for.'

Ukraine's current defense minister, Pavlo Lebedyev, said on January 26 that the Ukrainian armed forces would not intervene in the current conflict. 'The army will abide strictly by the constitution and laws of Ukraine,' he said in an interview with the ITAR-TASS news agency.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Ukraine and urged 'constructive dialogue' between Ukraine's authorities and the people. The pontiff appealed for the 'spirit of peace and search for the common good' to prevail in Ukraine.

Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko told the German newspaper 'Bild am Sonntag' on January 26 that Yanukovych's proposal for the opposition to join the government -- including taking the post of prime minister -- was a 'poisoned offer to divide our protest movement.'

Klitschko said the opposition would push for a snap presidential election, among other demands.

The unrest began in November when Yanukovych abruptly decided not to sign a deal on closer ties with the EU, allegedly under pressure from the Kremlin.

Activists say the protests have been fueled by anger at widespread government corruption, abuse of power, and the violation of human rights.

With reporting by AFP, Interfax, AP, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-protests-spread- yanukovych-strongholds/25243530.html

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Ukraine's Opposition 'Ready' To Pursue Talks With Authorities