UKRAINE: Pro-Russian separatists say no decision made yet on detained international observers
Record ID:
450880
UKRAINE: Pro-Russian separatists say no decision made yet on detained international observers
- Title: UKRAINE: Pro-Russian separatists say no decision made yet on detained international observers
- Date: 2nd May 2014
- Summary: DONETSK, UKRAINE (MAY 2, 2014) (REUTERS) DONETSK REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, WHICH HAS BEEN OCCUPIED BY PRO-RUSSIAN SEPARATISTS TENT IN FRONT OF THE DONETSK ADMINISTRATION BUILDING CONFERENCE HALL IN THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DENIS PUSHILIN, SELF-PROCLAIMED CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE "PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK", SAYING: "As for OSCE, the final decision has not been made yet. They are in good condition." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DENIS PUSHILIN, SELF-PROCLAIMED CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE "PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK", SAYING: "Unfortunately even some Western media who have free access, allow themselves to cover events in the wrong way. Not in the wrong way, but in inadequate way. So you have to have some understanding to our people. But we will have some work with them. Because it's very important for the press to be treated well". CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VLADIMIR MAKOVICH, SELF-PROCLAIMED SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE "PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK", SAYING: "We, Donbass, want a referendum where everybody will be able to express their opinion about how we should live in the future. We ask to deploy a peacekeeping contingent so we can make our choice without volence from Nazis and mercenaries, without dictate of the USA and Europe." SPEAKERS IN CONFERENCE HALL (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VLADIMIR MAKOVICH, SELF-PROCLAIMED SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE "PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK", SAYING: "The Government of The People's Republic of Donetsk declares that the members of self-defence forces, militia units, and other armed units and organizations created and authorized by the Government of the People's Republic of Donetsk are allowed to freely and openly carry and use firearms incuding rifled and automatic weapons in case of emergency." JOURNALISTS SOUNDBITE (Russian) VLADIMIR MAKOVICH, SELF-PROCLAIMED SPEAKER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE "PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK", SAYING: "Of course the police cannot maintain order in case when the Right Sector and armored vehicles are attacking Slaviansk. What police are you talking about? That's why self-defence forces will have to and will be taking over these functions." SPEAKERS LEAVING THE PRESS-CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 17th May 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAQ6TPBY4428SSYADU7Y01GWSI
- Story Text: Pro-Russian separatists have not yet made a decision on what to do with OSCE international observers they are detaining in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk, one of their leaders said at a news conference in Donetsk on Friday (May 2).
"As for OSCE, the final decision has not been made yet. They are in good condition," Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Donetsk" told reporters at the regional administration building occupied by separatists.
The European Union said on Friday it was watching events in eastern Ukraine with growing concern, calling on pro-Russian separatists to leave occupied buildings and release people they were holding.
Pro-Russian rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters trying to retake separatist-held Slaviansk in the country's east on Friday and four people were killed as fighting broke out on the streets of Odessa on the Black Sea.
Kiev said two helicopter crew had died and seven servicemen had been wounded in the operation.
Separatists said Ukrainian forces killed three of their fighters and two civilians when they moved in on Slaviansk in the early hours in what Moscow called a "criminal" assault.
During the news conference, another separatist leader gave permission to their activists to openly carry firearms.
"The Government of The People's Republic of Donetsk declares that the members of self-defence forces, militia units, and other armed units and organizations created and authorized by the Government of the People's Republic of Donetsk are allowed to freely and openly carry and use firearms including rifled and automatic weapons in case of emergency," Vladimir Makovich, a leader of the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Donetsk" said.
On the other side of Ukraine, at least 38 people were killed in a fire on Friday in the trade union building in the centre of Ukraine's southern port city of Odessa, regional police said.
In a statement, the police said some had been overwhelmed by smoke and others were killed when they jumped from the building's windows.
Also in Odessa, three people were shot dead and in 15 others were wounded in clashes between people backing Kiev and pro-Russian activists.
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Ukrainian forces had fired on civilians from the air in Slaviansk in a "punitive operation" that destroyed an international peace plan. Moscow has tens of thousands of troops massed on the border and claims the right to invade if needed to protect Russian speakers.
The Western-backed government in Kiev said the use of missiles to bring down its helicopters showed Russian forces were in the town. Moscow denies its troops are on the ground.
Ukraine's acting president also said Russian "armed saboteurs" had tried to enter the country overnight, but were pushed back by Ukrainian border troops. Russia's Security Service said the report was untrue.
Kiev said Moscow was backing groups in eastern Ukraine who were "putting civilians in danger, seizing hostages and creating an atmosphere of terror and violence".
Reuters journalists in Slaviansk, the most heavily fortified bastion of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, heard shooting and saw one helicopter opening fire before dawn. Later in the day, the city was largely quiet, with shops shut and armed separatists in control of the streets.
Advancing Ukrainian forces in armoured vehicles took up positions in the suburbs, but rebels still controlled most of the town of 130,000. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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