Clock ticks on Kiev ultimatum

Protesters call for election, govt dismissal, end to anti-protest law

Thick black smoke from burning tires engulfed parts of downtown Kiev as an ultimatum to the president to call early elections or face street rage was set to expire with no sign of a compromise on Thursday.

The three main opposition leaders urged protesters late Wednesday to refrain from violence for 24 hours until their ultimatum to President Viktor Yanukovych expires.

They demand that Yanukovych dismiss the government, call early elections and scrap harsh anti-protest legislation that triggered the violence.

The largely peaceful protest against Yanukovych's decision to shun the European Union and turn toward Moscow in November descended into violence on Sunday when demonstrators, angered by the passage of laws intended to stifle their protest, marched on official buildings.

For days, protesters hurled fire bombs and stones at police officers, who retaliated with stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets. The Wednesday deaths of two protesters - the first fatalities in more than two months of protests - fueled fears of more violence.

Police on Wednesday tore down barricades and chased the protesters down the hill from official buildings, but demonstrators later set hundreds of tires ablaze and regained their positions aided by plumes of heavy smoke, which blew in the direction of the police.

Tensions were high on Thursday, but police and demonstrators, separated by the wall of smoke, refrained from any decisive action.

The three main opposition leaders, who addressed the crowds on Kiev's main square after meeting the president on Wednesday, vowed to lead the demonstrators into battles with the police if their demands are not met.

If Yanukovych doesn't concede, protester Arseniy Yatsenyuk declared: "Tomorrow we will go forward together. And if it's a bullet in the forehead, then it's a bullet in the forehead, but in an honest, fair and brave way."

Another opposition leader, world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, urged protesters to observe an eight-hour truce in clashes with security forces ahead of talks with Yanukovych.

"By 8 pm I will return to you and inform you of the result of the talks," the Interfax Ukraine News Agency quoted Klitschko as telling the protesters.

"Keep the barricades in place but stay calm until the talks finish."

On Wednesday, riot police confronted protesters, volunteer medics and journalists. The Interior Ministry said 70 protesters were arrested.

The United States responded by revoking the visas of Ukrainian officials linked to violence and threatened more sanctions. But it also condemned the extreme-right radical protesters for their aggressive actions.

AP - AFP

(China Daily 01/24/2014 page11)