Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Embattled Yanukovich Does Political Dances, Criticized by Kravchuk

Ukraine's embattled President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday promised that some demonstrators arrested in the massive protests sweeping the capital will be released, part of a bid to defuse a political stand-off that is threatening his leadership.

Yanukovych also vowed to renew talks with the European Union on concluding a much-awaited trade and political agreement, after his refusal to sign the deal last month prompted the biggest protests since 2004's pro-democracy Orange Revolution, some drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Kiev's streets.

Yanukovych indicated he was still up to sign the deal at a summit in spring, but only if the EU can offer better financial terms.

"We want to achieve conditions which satisfy Ukraine, Ukrainian producers, the Ukrainian people," Yanukvoych said in a televised meeting with his three predecessors meant to find a solution to the standoff. "If we find understanding and if such compromises are reached, the signature will be put" on paper.

Three weeks of protests against Yanukovych's decision to align with Russia have grown larger and more vehement after police twice violently dispersed demonstrators. Tensions escalated even further Monday when armed law enforcement troops stormed the office of the top opposition party, breaking glasses and smashing doors.

The opposition is demanding the release of the roughly dozen protesters who remain in jail and calling for the government to be replaced by one committed to European integration. It was unclear whether Yanukovych's hedging offers would bring the sides closer together.

Yanukovych said that he has asked the prosecutor-general to ensure the release of some of the protesters — those who haven't committed grave crimes and who have children or families.

"Certainly, such people will be released," he said. Investigations of those freed would continue.

But Yanukovych appeared unreceptive to the criticism voiced by Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine's first president after the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, who said that beating protesters is unacceptable.

"Law enforcement must know that it is forbidden to beat people. And there can be no justification for anyone" who does so, a stern Kravchuk said, sitting beside Yanukovych and two other former leaders at a table decorated with blue and yellow flowers — the colors of the Ukrainian national flag.

Yanukovych insisted that both sides were guilty, smiling and laughing as he spoke.

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