Yushchenko: Ukraine language policy is Rada prerogative

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Ukraine language policy is Rada prerogative: Yushchenko

 He said that only parliament has the right to change the status of
languages in the country, and that a two-thirds majority (that's at least
301 votes) is required to make appropriate changes to the constitution. He
said that he is "ashamed that in the third millennium, political forces
continue to discuss what language should be spoken." Various Oblast and
city level councils have passed decisions granting Russian regional
language status in Kharkiv, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipropetrovsk
and Mykolayiv. Some of the decisions have been challenged by local
prosecutors at lower court levels.  In Donetsk, the president challenged
anyone whose Russian language heritage is threatened to raise their hand.
He said those exploiting the Russian language issue are creating a problem
where there essentially is none.

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Ukraine-Russia relations have never been worse: Russian ambo

Russian ambassador Viktor Chernomyrdin delivered a strong message on
Tuesday. He pointed to a direct relationship between Ukraine's possible
NATO membership and higher energy prices.  He said that if Ukraine joins
the Euro Atlantic alliance, Russia will reconsider its strategic
partnership with Ukraine. He said relations between the two countries have
never been worse. Chernomyrdin cited NATO, the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea,
the conflict between Moldova and Trans-Dniester and the GUAM organization
as issues that aggravate Russia most in its bilateral relations.

http://5tv.com.ua/eng/newsline/179/0/26176/