UKRAINE: Protests spiraling out of control

Several protests broke out on Feb. 23, the former traditional date for Soviet Army Day. About 400 ethnic Russians gathered in front of the Crimean Supreme Council, waving the Russian flag.

They were carrying posters that read "Glory to Great Russia," "Glory to the Victorious Russian People," "Ukraine's Future is Union with Russia," "Yushchenko's Regime and U.S. Puppets Go Away," "Crimea Is Territory of Russian Resistance," and "NATO stop."
 
In Kyiv, around 2,000 communists surrounded a Soviet-era airplane marked "Yushchenko. Suitcase. America." They were insinuating their desire for President Victor Yushchenko to pack up and leave for America.
 
A few blocks away at the Central Bank headquarters, several hundred protesters gathered to protest its monetary policies with signs that read, "No credit slavery." The following day another 100 protesters gathered, demanding the Central Bank release a list of the measures it has taken to handle the economic crisis.
 
Also on Feb. 24, 70 protesters gathered on European Square, demanding that electoral reforms over the past few years be reversed and a return to majority-based elections. They also are seeking direct elections of judges and the cancellation of immunity from prosecution for members of parliament.
 
On Feb. 25 Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine's first president since the fall of the Soviet Union, called on President Victor Yushchenko to resign. "The true patriotism of a president also means understanding the situation from within and making a responsible decision to step down. Such a step could stop the avalanche of problems, calm society and give hope for a real way out of the crisis," Kravchuk said.
 
Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn disagreed with Kravchuk and argued that early elections would only add to the chaos Ukraine is experiencing. He expressed concern that Kravchuk's remarks will only add to the political confrontation in the country.
 
Entrepreneurs and doctors erected tents outside City Hall on Feb. 26 in Kyiv to protest crimes they claim were committed by Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky and laws that have hampered the activity of the free market. Most of the businessmen are truck drivers who promised not to block the streets or hamper activity in the city during their protest.

Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko held them up as an example of patriotic protesters who do not interfere with the lives of others. Lutsenko promised to allow such protests to continue without police interference, but also vowed to break up any protests that attempted to shut down the city. A compromise was immediately reached between the city and truck drivers.
 
Finally, on Feb. 28, around 1,500 communists gathered in Crimea and called for the resignation of President Yushchenko. "Viktor Yushchenko has established a fascist regime in the country; he is conducting an antinational policy and deliberately severing our spiritual and economic ties with the Russian Federation," local communist leader Vasily Parhomenko said.
 
Russia gas giant Gazprom has threatened to turn off natural gas to Ukraine again if Ukraine does not pay its $400 million gas debt. Ukraine has told Russia that because of the economic crisis, it will not be able to pay its bill on time.