Protests erupt in Eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov. Donetsk announced Independence
nsnbc international
Apr 7, 2014
nsnbc : Protesters in the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, occupy the City Council building and announced independence of the region from Ukraine and a referendum to be held no later than May 11. Yesterday, thousands of protesters went into the streets in eastern Ukraine’s predominantly Russian-speaking cities of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov, seizing public buildings and demanding a federalization of Ukraine. The situation reflects the volatility of the Western-imposed Kiev government and its policies and metaphysical questions about Ukrainians as a people’ and the feasibility of a Ukrainian state construct, that was created by German World War I Generals.
In Ukraine’s industrial capital Donetsk, yesterday, some 2,000 protesters gathered in Lenin Square, denouncing the trials against security police officers from the special police unit Berkut in Kiev, whom the post-coup government in Kiev accused of being responsible for the killing of 90 and injuring of over 500 protesters and police officers.
Evidence to the contrary, and evidence for the involvement of right-wing members of the new administration is reportedly being swept under the rug.
The protesters denounced the new government in Kiev and newly installed local authorities in the region as illegal. Demands ranged from a federalization of Ukraine to a referendum on independence similar to that held in Crimea. Protests were reportedly sparked after the unelected local administration aired a “Good bye Russia” banner on the administrations life TV report. Several hundred protesters began occupying the city council building. Clashes between protesters and police have taken place, at least two were killed.
A similar situation evolved in Lugansk, where protesters, according to TV Channel 5 stormed the offices of the Ukrainian Security Service SBU. After negotiations between the governor of Lugansk, the local SBU chief and the protesters, police released six persons who had been arrested during previous protests.
In Kharkov anti-Maidan protesters clashed with members of the ultra right wing Pravy Sector. Police intervened to separate the two groups. Following that incident, some 1,500 anti-Maidan protesters stormed Kharkov’s regional headquarters, where after several thousand protesters surrounded the building. According to the anti-Maidan protesters own account, some 10,000 people took part in Sunday’s protest in the city.
People’s Council announced independence and a referendum, no later than May 11.
Today protests continued, with protesters in Donetsk announcing independence from Kiev. At 12:30 local time, a session of “the people’s council of Donbass (Donetsk)” was held in the Regional Council building’s main hall, with the absolute majority of those present voting in favor of declaring “The Independent Republick of Donetsk“.
The people’s council proclaimed, that it is the legitimate governing body of the region and denounced Kiev and the local administration enforced by Kiev after the ousting of the elected government. The council called for a referendum on the independence of Donezk to be held no later than May 11. A statement, issued by the council said:
“The Donetsk Republic is to be created within the administrative borders of the Donetsk region. This decision will come into effect after the referendum”.
The council called on Russia and the Russian president for protection, saying that without support, it will be hard to stand against the junta in Kiev, adding, “we are addressing Russian President Putin because we can only entrust our security to Russia”. Protests continue throughout eastern Ukraine as well as in Kiev, where a growing number of protesters voice their dissatisfaction with the new regime.
The interim secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andrey Parubiy, is set to visit the Lugarsk together with the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, while Interim First Prime Minister Vitaly Yaremail and acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov reportedly are visiting Kharkov.
The protesters in Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov have been threatened with counter-terrorism operations by acting President Alexandr Turchinov, announcing harsh measures to be taken. Experts warned as early as December that the situation risks escalating and that Ukraine risks developing into a failed state and, or break apart.
The founding fathers of modern Ukraine: Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (left) and General Erich Ludendorff (right), who ruled Germany in the name of the German General Staff in 1917-1918
The renown Historian Webster G. Tapley points out that Ukraine did not exist on European maps until German generals aided its creation as a communist nation state, with the intend to weaken the Russian Empire and the Tsar.
The founding fathers of Ukraine, stressed Tarpley in an article titled “Metaphysical Doubts Concerining the Existence of Modern Ukraine, a 1918 Creation of the German General Staff”, that the de-facto founding fathers of Ukraine were the German Field Marshal von Hindenburg and General Erich Ludendorf.
One of the German strategies to aid the creation of a “Ukrainian national identity”, was to school some 50.000 Russian prisoners of war, where off some 10.000 were successfully indoctrinated and shipped back east after the Austrian army had conquered Lemberg/Lvov in June 1915.
Tarpley stressed that these troops became a vital catalyst in the cause of Ukrainian autonomy or independence.
The situation in Ukraine continues deteriorating, with the post-coup Kiev government having to take increasingly drastic and desperate steps to hold onto power.
Although both Moscow, Washington, Berlin and Brussels attempt to downplay the volatility of the situation, the number of independent observers who warn about a Sarajevo like situation, where developments on the ground begin to determine the decisions of policy makers, rather than the other way around, persists and increases the risk of a military escalation.
Ch/L – nsnbc 07.04.2014
N.B.:We regret any eventual inconvenience cause by the fact that our website, unexpectedly, went “offline” for several hours today. The technical “issues” have been solved. Thank you for reading and supporting nsnbc international.
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VIDEO — NATO vs Russia and Tradition – The Real End Game – Joaquin Flores
108morris108
Apr 2, 2013
NATO’s resolve against Russia has little to do with Crimea or Ukraine.
Soros, OSI, USaid, and Ukrainian Neo-Nazi groups, Compared To Tides Role in Canada
Dissembling
Mar 12, 2014
For those who have been paying attention to the situation in Ukraine, many people have noticed that there has been an escalation between US foreign interests and Russian interests, specifically in Crimea. Soros’ OSI groups and their network of NGO’s (which is a mirror of how things are done here in Canada/USA with Soros’ Tides Foundation) have affiliated themselves with neo-nazi groups. Sometimes you may see Tides connected affiliates whine about nazi groups and racists but it would seem their benevolent angel donor (or master) doesn’t care about racism so long as it is a useful tool for the advancement of geopolitical agenda.
In the Ukraine OSI has been reported as having paid protestors a whole of $20 american to risk their lives and participate as fodder in a pre-meditated coup d’etat of their ELECTED leader. In Canada, they cost a little more than that and need more training to get worked up to violence. Sun News conducted a poll of the blatant activity the fake paid protestors are up to and most people disapprove of it:
The situation in Ukraine is quite the foreshadowing of things to come in Canada, so long as politicians openly endorse the conduct of these people and do not speak up about what is visibly a form of open recruiting and training of subjects to engage in eco-terrorism. If anything the authorities (if they were not compromised) would have shown up and arrested the lot of them for conspiracy and high treason.
A recent article by Greg Renouf demonstrates the usual political faces who have been backing the Soros’ backed faketivist (fake paid activist) activities in Canada, also back the faketivist activities in the Ukraine. Even to the extent of allowing a group to fundraise for bullet proof vests (which are illegal here in Canada without a permit), and send them to the Ukraine to aid in the coup d’etat.
I believe the same thing is being set up for Canada as has been setup for the Ukraine. My opinion is that it doesn’t matter which side wins, the Ukrainian people lose. Foreign interests from one side (USA) or the other (Russia) have come into the Ukraine to battle it out as to which power block the Ukraine will be sacrificed to. Either way the Ukrainian people are facing a lose/lose situation.
The uprising in Ukraine didn’t happen overnight. Funds needed to be moved, people needed to be armed, and protected with bullet proof vests, and trained; this is how uprisings start and, the warning signs are all out in the open right here in Canada.
Ukraine parliament passes austerity bill required by IMF
Published time: March 28, 2014 02:18
Edited time: March 29, 2014 12:53
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk (top L) and acting President Oleksander Turchinov (top R) talk to deputies as they attend a parliament session in Kiev March 27, 2014. (Reuters / Alex Kuzmin)
The Ukrainian parliament has adopted an anti-crisis bill proposed by the IMF to secure an international financial aid package. Ordinary Ukrainians will have to tighten their belts to help the coup-installed government keep the collapsing economy afloat.
It took two readings of the bill for 246 MPs out of 321 registered to approve the austerity measures outlined in the legislation dubbed “On prevention of financial catastrophe and creation of prerequisites for economic growth.”
Ahead of the vote, Ukrainian self-imposed Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk told the Parliament that it had “no other choice but to accept the IMF offer,” as country fiscal gap in 2014 is projected to reach $26 billion. Ukraine’s Finance Ministry says it needs $35 billion over the next two years to avoid default.
“The country is on the edge of economic and financial bankruptcy,” Yatsenyuk said. “This package of laws is very unpopular, very difficult, very tough. Reforms that should have been done in the past 20 years.”
It is ordinary Ukrainians who will suffer the most under the new austerity measures as the floating national currency is likely to push up inflation, while spike in domestic gas prices will impact every household. Under the IMF conditions Kiev has to cut the budget deficit, increase retail energy tariffs, and shift to a flexible exchange rate.
The state-owned energy company Naftogaz already said that it will increase household gas prices by 50 percent starting May 1, while utility companies will see a 40 percent rise as of July. According to estimates, this year Ukraine’s economy will contract by 3 percent while inflation will rise to 14 percent. The government is not planning to raise minimum wages in response to inflation.
The law adopted on Thursday, in particular, introduces a permanent application of the basic rate of corporate income tax at 18 percent and VAT at 20 percent, according to RBC-Ukraine. The government will also cancel the VAT refund for grain exporters.
The bill also introduces a 15 percent tax rate on pension payments if they exceed 10 thousand hryvnas (about $900). This tax, however, won’t really hurt an ordinary Ukrainian pensioner since an average pension in Ukraine is $160 – which may be further cut by 50% for those still working.
A progressive personal income taxation scale has also been installed to charge individuals 15, 17, 20 and 25 percent depending on their earnings. Those persons who make over 1 million hryvnas will be charged 25 percent income tax.
Car enthusiasts will also suffer as taxes on new cars and motorcycles with engine capacity exceeding 0.5 liters will also be doubled. Those who shop online and use overseas retailers will now see lowering of the limit on tax-free imports from 300 to 150 euros.
Excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco will also go up. In 2014 spirits price will see a 39 percent increase, while tobacco products will see a rise of 31.5 percent. Beer lovers will suffer the most with a 42.5 percent rise.
The legislation also reduces the total number of personnel in law enforcement agencies. Almost 80,000 people will be dismissed in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service, the Office of the State Guard, and the prosecutor’s office.
Reuters / Yuri Gripas
The International Monetary Fund has agreed to throw Ukraine’s sinking economy a lifeline provided the country adopts severe austerity measures. According to a preliminary agreement announced by the IMF, it would provide Kiev between $14 and $18 billion in loans over the next two years. Pending final approval by the IMF’s board, Ukraine could get their hands on the first installment as early as April.
“The mission has reached a staff-level agreement with the authorities of Ukraine on an economic reform program that can be supported by a two-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF,” the Fund said in a press release.
A successful deal with the IMF is expected to unleash further $10 billion in loans from other international partners, including the EU and the US. The World Bank is also considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with $1 to $3 billion. Canada, Japan and Poland are also contemplating financial aid.
“The financial support from the broader international community that the program will unlock amounts to US$27 billion over the next two years. Of this, assistance from the IMF will range between US$14-18 billion, with the precise amount to be determined once reforms are in place,” the IMF said.
In Washington, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday to provide a $1 billion loan guarantee aid to Ukraine. In addition the Senate bill includes $50 million for democracy building and $100 million for enhanced security cooperation.
“This significant support will help stabilise the economy and meet the needs of Ukrainian people over the long term because it provides the prospect for true growth,” US President Barack Obama said in Rome.
Despite the promised injection of cash into Ukraine, Nikolay Gueorguiev, IMF Mission Chief for Ukraine said that “Nonetheless, the economic outlook remains difficult, with the economy falling back into recession,” he said cited by Kyivpost. “With no current market access, large foreign debt repayments loom in 2014-2015.”
Ukrainian nationalists threaten to storm parliament after leader’s killing — video included
Published time: March 27, 2014 19:23
Edited time: March 28, 2014 04:44
Download video (46.59 MB)
Over 1,500 nationalists from the Right Sector have circled Ukrainian parliament in Kiev threatening to storm it on Thursday. They demanded the resignation of the interior minister after their leader Muzychko was killed in a police operation.
Up to 2,000 members of the Right Sector, which recently was revamped into a political party, flooded the square in front of Verkhovna Rada in the Ukrainian capital on Thursday night. The radicals, who brought car tires to burn with them, were banging on the Parliament’s doors, smashing the glass parts in them.
Wearing masks and brandishing bats, they were shouting “Avakov, get out!”
The parliament building was empty except for guards, some administrative staff and reporters. All the MPs had earlier left the building through an underground tunnel, RIA Novosti reported.
The protesters were threatening to break into the parliament if their demands were not met, journalists reported from the scene. The Rada’s security in the meantime concentrated in front of the entrance to the building and prepared water cannons, urging the journalists inside not to approach the windows looking onto Constitution Square.
Several hours into the standoff activists announced the rally was over for tonight as they decided not to storm the building just yet, but reconvene tomorrow.
On Friday, Verkhovna Rada will hold an emergency session to discuss the possibility of Avakov’s resignation, one of the representatives of the Right sector told Itar-Tass. Right Sector activists have been urged to gather outside the Parliament building at 9:00 GMT.
Although the major part of the crowd has already dispersed, about a hundred people are still reportedly picketing the building .
Принесли залізяки. Гупають у них pic.twitter.com/0yJC8j8zGb
— Oksana Kovalenko (@superumka) March 27, 2014
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov is held personally responsible by the nationalists for the death of Aleksandr Muzychko, also known as Sashko Bilyi, one of the Right Sector leaders. Muzychko was declared killed in a police raid against his gang in Rovno, western Ukraine, on Tuesday. Following the death, Right Sector leaders threatened Avakov with revenge, though they did not specify exactly what they would do. Dmitry Yarosh called for the minister’s dismissal. “We’ll wait for the negotiators from the Parliament, the MPs, but we won’t settle for Avakov’s resignation – we want his tribunal,” the radicals announced through megaphones. The radicals also blame the interior minister for not putting enough effort into investigating investigate the deaths of protesters during the Maidan standoff in January and February.
Правый сектор прямо в эту минуту грозятся штурмом Верховной Раде Украины pic.twitter.com/bC5ooAgOBO
— Serge Medyanik (@serge_medyanik) March 27, 2014
The leader of the UDAR party and former boxing champ, Vitaly Klitschko, went out to the negotiate with the Right Sector in front of the Rada.
Klitschko tried to persuade the radicals to give up the idea of storming the parliament building as “it will destabilize the current situation in Ukraine. The parliament building is empty, because the deputies have already left.”
Reuters / Valentyn Ogirenko
Reuters / Vasily Fedosenko
Reuters / Maks Levin
PODCAST — Kiev’s Military and Naval Forces Dissolving; Ukrainians Won’t Fight for Putschist-Fascist Clique, but Neocon Madmen Demand That Americans Do So!
TARPLEY.net
Mar 25, 2014
Webster G. Tarpley on INN World Report Radio
INN World Report with Tom Kiely
VIDEO — Ukraine radical leader killed ‘for compromising Kiev’, Right Sector pledges revenge
RT
Mar 25, 2014
Ukrainian nationalist group Right Sector has announced it holds the acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov accountable for the death of notorious radical militant Aleksandr Muzychko and will avenge it, Ukrainian media reports. READ MORE: http://on.rt.com/wr6cew
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[related: VIDEO — Notorious Ukrainian nationalist militant Muzychko ‘shot dead‘]
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