News as of September 21, 2006

[stepanstas]

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Opposition parliamentarian: Ukraine needs NATO

Ukraine▓s east-west divide is growing, according to Andriy Shkil, a vocal lawmaker in the opposition Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc faction, who warned that Ukraine must join NATO to preserve its sovereignty. An active participant in Ukraine▓s 2004 Orange Revolution, Shkil accused President Viktor Yushchenko of betraying the Revolution in September 2005 by firing Tymoshenko as premier. The current parliamentary majority was formed out of fear of the firebrand female politician, said Shkil.

KP: How did you start your political career?

AS: I started through public work. At the end of the 1980s, I was an active member of the youth wing of the Helsinki Human Rights Union. I also took part in the Organization of Independent Ukrainian Youth and was in the [right-wing] UNA-UNSO [Ukrainian National Assembly-Ukrainian National Self Defense] for some time. So, I was involved in public work first, then in politics. The movement ⌠Ukraine without Kuchma!■ in 2000 [against then Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma] made me think that not only public movements were important, but also parties. So I decided to join a party with a wide spectrum of views. Batkivshchyna [Fatherland] became such a party for me.

KP: Having a broad spectrum in a party can make it difficult to achieve a single position. Is this true of Batkivshchyna?

AS: Yes, it is difficult to make certain decisions. But a party is a part of the society that it reflects. Unfortunately, Ukraine was formed as a country of different mentalities. ...

Long Article, Continues on Site

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The President of Ukraine convenes NSDCU meeting

Victor Yushchenko has opened a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Its participants are to address the issues related to current political and social situation in Crimea and Ukraine▓s 2007 budget, particularly its articles on national security, the president press office informs.

In his speech, the President said: ⌠Crimean policy must be particularly purposeful. Ukraine▓s policy in Crimea must be consistent and efficient.■

He added that no other region in Ukraine faced as many challenges and problems as Crimea, being, for example, the only place in our country with a foreign military base.

Addressing those present, the Head of State insisted that it was vital to carry out systematic and well-coordinated policies in Crimea: ⌠No government will be able to resolve such problems in social relations in Crimea alone.■

President Yushchenko continued: ⌠Our task is to make the factor of the Crimean Tatars stabilizing.■ He said, to resolve the problem of the deported Tatars, the government ⌠should carry out frank, public and wise policies which, on the one hand, can help create good living conditions for the banished people returning to Crimea and, on the other hand, help find ways to achieve this goal not at the expense of those who settled here fifty years ago.■

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Speaker Oleksandr Moroz, Acting NSDCU Secretary Volodymyr Horbulin and Secretariat Chief of Staff Viktor Baloha are present at the meeting.

Source

My Pick

Ukraine, Poland bid wins plaudits

KIEV, Ukraine (Reuters) -- The joint bid by Ukraine and Poland to stage the 2012 European championship has many elements in its favor and is worthy of serious consideration, a UEFA official was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Giorgio Marchetti, a member of the UEFA delegation that toured four Ukrainian cities last week, told the daily Kommanda that inspectors found "many positive elements" during their visit.

"There are undoubtedly problems, but also an understanding of how to resolve them. Ukraine and Poland could well get the chance to stage the tournament."

The bid is up against Italy and a similar joint proposal from Croatia and Hungary.

Marchetti said he was impressed by backing for the bid from Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who told the inspectors last week that Ukraine would be ready to stage the championship if selected in December.

Officials in both countries discount any suggestion the bid might be hit by an inquiry by the Polish government into the country's football association over allegations of match-fixing.

The bid has also been hampered by a row over a construction site by Kiev's main stadium which has prompted warnings from FIFA that it could withdraw permission to hold matches there because of violation of safety norms.

"You must understand that the demands for staging Euro 2012 will be more stringent than they were for the world championship which just took place. So no one should be surprised that we asked so many questions," Marchetti told the newspaper.

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Death toll rises to 13 in Ukraine coal mine blast

KIEV, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen miners were killed and 61 others injured when an explosion ripped through a coal mine on Wednesday in eastern Ukraine, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported citing emergency officials.

Emergency officials said 49 miners were trapped in the Zasyadko mine in the Donetsk region when the blast occurred early Wednesday and more than 350 others working in the mine managed to crawl to safety after the explosion.

Interfax-Ukraine said methane began to increase sharply in the air after coal miners reported a loud bang at a depth of about 1,100 meters underground.

Operations were suspended in the mine and 56 rescue teams were mobilized for rescue efforts.

The accident has been the fourth to hit the Zasyadko mine in seven years, according to the Itar-Tass news agency. An explosion caused by a short circuit killed 50 workers in May 1999. Fifty-five miners were killed by a methane explosion in August 2001 and 20 died in an accident in July 2002. Enditem

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President of Ukraine met newly appointed Head of the Constitutional court of Ukraine

Victor Yushchenko has met with Ivan Dombrovsky.

The Presidentcongratulated him on being appointed head of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. He said, as guarantor of the Constitution, he had insisted that the court should be immediately convened and was thereby happy the judges could eventually resume normal work.

President Yushchenko said he was aware of all the challenges facing the court, for they have lots of tasks to pursue due to the January 1/2006 constitutional changes which completely changed the country▓s constitutional environment. He said many politicianstried to interpret the Constitution, expressing hopes this practice would end.

Victor Yushchenko is convinced, led by Ivan Dombrovsky, the newly convened court will promote the rule of law throughout Ukraine and protect civil and human rights and freedoms.

The Head of State also said there were frequent attempts to involve the court in political arguments. He hopes its new head, who has an impeccable reputation, will make sure that the court adheres to the country▓s laws and is politically unbiased.

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