Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday for Yanukovich and two members of his government to be sent to the court to be tried for "serious crimes" in relation to the deaths of more than 100 citizens from Ukraine and other states.
"A government can make a declaration accepting the court's jurisdiction for past events," said court spokesman Fadi El Abdallah, adding that it would then be up to the court's prosecutor to decide whether or not to open an investigation.
Voice of Russia, Reuters
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_25/Hague-ICC-says-Ukraine-has-not-requested-investigation-5005/
25/2/14
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The White House, Office of the Press Secretary: Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary, 2/24/14....
ReplyDeleteJames S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q Thanks, Jay. I have a couple questions on Ukraine. First, just as a practical matter, who does the U.S. consider to be the leader of Ukraine at this point?
MR. CARNEY: Well, as you know, Mr. Yanukovych has left Kyiv in an orderly fashion -- packed up his things and left, and his whereabouts are not known to us in a confirmable way. And certainly, while he was a democratically elected leader, his actions have undermined his legitimacy and he is not actively leading the country at present. We do believe that parliament has lawfully elected its new speaker and we support getting the situation under control in terms of law and order and in ensuring that the institutions of government are working. We note that recent parliamentary votes have been passed by overwhelming majorities that include members of Yanukovych’s own party.
We believe that working pursuant to Ukraine’s constitution and through its institutions of government is the most promising path toward the de-escalation of violence, a multiparty coalition government and early elections, all things that we have long supported. It will be critical, in our view, in the coming days for Ukraine’s leadership to focus on its pressing financial challenges, and we stand ready to support them as they make needed reforms.
Q So just to be clear, the U.S. sees the speaker of the parliament as the current acting leader of Ukraine, not Yanukovych?
MR. CARNEY: Well, we believe he is the lawfully elected speaker of parliament. Mr. Yanukovych left Kyiv and packed up his belongings and left, and his whereabouts are not known, so he’s certainly not actively leading the country at present. We encourage the Ukrainian parliament and others to take actions that help continue a path toward de-escalation of violence, embrace constitutional change and move toward a coalition government -- a multiparty coalition government, as well as early elections.
The people of Ukraine are being heard -- their voices are being heard, and we have a real opportunity here -- or rather, they do -- to move beyond the current crisis in order to pursue the more democratic future the people of their country deserve.
Q Russian officials are questioning the legitimacy of the acting government in Ukraine. How concerned is the U.S. that Russia may try to wield some kind of influence or take steps to install a government in Ukraine that is perhaps more favorable to the Russians?
MR. CARNEY: Well, as I think you heard the President’s National Security Advisor say yesterday, Russia and the United States have a shared interest in restoring Ukraine to stability, in de-escalating violence and supporting the formation of a technical government with broad-based support across Ukraine.
And it’s certainly not in Russia’s interest to have tens of thousands of people in the street, deeply discontent with a government that they were closely backing. And instability and violence in Ukraine is certainly not -- should not be seen as in Russia’s interest.................http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/24/daily-briefing-press-secretary-22414
24/2/14
EU Foreign Policy Chief Vows Support for Ukraine....
ReplyDeleteThe European Union's foreign policy chief is promising strong international support for Ukraine as it works to form a new government following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Catherine Ashton spoke at a news conference Tuesday while visiting the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. She said Western financial institutions are working on ways to help Ukraine's economy recover from three months of political protests.
"We are here to say very simply: we want to support and help this country to stay strong, to go forward in the way it chooses, and to offer our support in achieving that."
Ashton also urged Russia to let Ukraine find its own way out of its political crisis..............http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-foreign-policy-chief-vows-support-for-ukraine/1858716.html
25/2/14
Notre envoyé spécial en Ukraine: « Proche de la Russie, l’Est craint l’instabilité du pays»....
ReplyDeleteLe reportage audio de notre envoyé spécial Jurek Kuczkiewicz dans le fief de Viktor Ianoukovitch, toujours en fuite.
Comment l’est russophone a accueilli la destitution de Ianoukovitch ? Quelle opinion de l’Ouest ont les habitants de l’Est ? Et qu’en est-il du sort de Ianoukovitch ? C’est à ces questions que notre envoyé spécial, actuellement à Jharkiv, tente de répondre.
« Les habitants de l’Est sont partagés. De manière générale, ils ne sont pas très contents de la manière dont ça s’est passé. Comme à Kiev, il y a une grande méfiance », explique Jurek Kuczkiewicz. « Il y a tout de même une unité nationale : les Ukrainiens préféreraient un pays sans corruption. Mais à l’Est, ils ne veulent pas que le pays soit déstabilisé. »
La fuite de Ianoukovitch suscite de nombreuses blagues tant à l’Est qu’à l’Ouest. « Ici, il y a des Ianoukovitch en fuite partout », rapporte notre envoyé spécial. « Les Ukrainiens souhaitent qu’il réponde de ses actes devant la justice. » ....................http://www.lesoir.be/478516/article/actualite/monde/2014-02-25/notre-envoye-special-en-ukraine-proche-russie-l-est-craint-l-instabilite-du-pays
25/2/14
Alarming trend in Ukraine: Historic monuments toppled, Nazi symbols spread (PHOTOS, VIDEO)...
ReplyDeleteAfter a fortnight of violent clashes in the name of democracy, Ukraine seems to be falling into a totally different trend. Symbols of Soviet unity and victory over Hitler and Napoleon are being torn down, while those glorifying Nazi rule are multiplying.
It started with dozens of Lenin statues getting torn down across the country, but quickly moved onto passionate salutes and questionable symbolism creeping up walls across the country. .....................http://rt.com/news/ukraine-monuments-nazi-symbols-645/
25/2/14
Demonstrators from Independence Square to be included in Ukraine's new govt...
ReplyDeleteProtesters from the Independence Square in the Ukrainian capital will be included in Ukraine's new government, UDAR party member Valery Patskan told Channel 5 in a live broadcast on Tuesday.
"I have just returned from a Mainda conference. We discussed principles for the formation of a new government. First of all, a decision was made that representatives of the general public would be included in the (new) government. They will head several ministries," the MP said. "Second. UDAR suggested that a public council be formed at each ministry and a public council chairman become Deputy Minister".
'"It is possible that you (a member of the general public) will not be a specialist in this or that branch but you must be an honest and decent person and succeed in organzing a team of professionals around you," Patskan pointed out.
An assembly of protesters will take place in Indepdence Square here at 19:00, local time, on Wednesday to suggest composition of a new government of Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukraine's acting President Alexander Turchinov had reported that the Verkhovna Rada was planning to announce a coalition on Feb. 27 and form a new government.
http://en.itar-tass.com/world/720967
26/2/14
IMF likely to send technical team to Ukraine soon - Lagarde...
ReplyDeleteThe International Monetary Fund is likely to send a technical support team to Ukraine soon in order to assist Kiev after its president was toppled by violent street protests over the weekend, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said on Tuesday.
"We will probably shortly send some technical assistance support to the country," Lagarde, the IMF's managing director, said during an appearance at Stanford University in California. "Because this is our duty to a member if that member asks for that. That is clearly what is likely to happen."
Ukraine's parliament does not plan to vote on the formation of a government until Feb. 27, and the IMF's rules do not allow it to offer financial support to a country that has not asked for it.
Voice of Russia, Reuters
26/2/14
Ukraine not able to prosecute Yanukovych through ICC....
ReplyDeleteUkraine cannot appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague with a request to prosecute former leaders of the country, including President Viktor Yanukovych, representative of the public relations office of the International Criminal Court said.
"No country in the world has a right to ask the ICC to prosecute certain people," the court's spokesperson noted.
Moreover, the ICC's jurisdiction does not cover Ukraine at the moment because the country has not yet ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
"Any country can decide to ratify the Rome Statute, which will give the ICC the opportunity to investigate cases that took place on the territory of the country anytime from July 1, 2002, when the document came into force," the court's spokesperson noted.
"In any case, only the court's prosecutor can decide whether there is sufficient ground for conducting an investigation," the public relations office added................http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_26/Ukraine-not-able-to-prosecute-Yanukovych-through-ICC-0130/
26/2/14
Минфин США рекомендовал банкам следить за счетами, имеющими отношение к Януковичу....
ReplyDeleteМинистерство финансов США во вторник рекомендовало американским банкам внимательно контролировать "потенциально подозрительные" финансовые операции, которые могут иметь отношение к счетам Виктора Януковича и бывших украинских официальных лиц, покинувших Киев.
Управление по борьбе с финансовыми преступлениями напоминает американским финансовым институтам, что "они обязаны с повышенным вниманием отнестись к частным банковским вкладам, которые открыты на имя или от имени высокопоставленных иностранных политических деятелей, и следить за операциями, которые потенциально могут быть связаны с незаконным присвоением или переводом государственных средств", говорится в сообщении Министерства финансов США.
"Это предупреждение касается потенциально подозрительно операций, имеющих отношение к высокопоставленным членам администрации Януковича или тем, кто действует от их имени, - отмечается в сообщении. - И оно не должно поставить под вопрос поддержание нормальных отношений между финансовыми институтами Соединенных Штатов и Украины".
http://itar-tass.com/ekonomika/1004978?utm_medium=rss20
26/2/14
Ukraine's interim president signs law not to prosecute peaceful protesters.....
ReplyDeleteKIEV, February 26. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine's interim president Oleksandr Turchynov has signed a law not to prosecute and punish people participating in peaceful rallies.
26/2/14
Ukraine's Yanukovych put on international wanted list, Russia unaware of his whereabouts....
ReplyDeleteUkrainian ousted President Viktor Yanukovych has been placed on the international wanted list, prosecutor-general Oleh Makhnytsky said on Wednesday. Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said he had no information on the whereabouts of Viktor Yanukovych.
Ukraine's new authorities say that Yanukovych, who was ousted by parliament on Saturday after three months of street unrest and has gone into hiding, is wanted for 'mass murder' connected with the shooting deaths of protesters during the crisis.
A decision by the new Ukrainian authorities to put President Viktor Yanukovych on the internationally wanted list arouses serious concern over it compliance with the law. The procedure of declaring a person international wanted stipulates that there has to be irrefutable evidence of the guiltiness of that person, whom a country wants to be detained abroad. It’s doubtful that the newly-appointed Ukrainian officials possess such evidence against Viktor Yanukovych.
Earlier, Russia made clear that "Yanukovych remains a legitimately elected president and that he has not been ousted". That’s the opinion of Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, European Integration and Ties with Compatriots Leonid Slutsky.
The Ukrainian Constitution specifies legal procedures that have to be observed in case the Verkhovna Rada votes to dismiss the President, Matviyenko said.
"First, there has to be an impeachment procedure in the Verkhovna Rada. It then has to be approved by the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court. That hasn’t been done so far," she said.
Voice of Russia, Reuters, RIA, TASS
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_02_26/Ukraines-Yanukovych-put-on-international-wanted-list-3633/
26/2/14