Preconditions for force scenario existing in Ukraine – interior minister

14:56

The ongoing global economic crisis, protests, the growing crime rate, and revanchism of certain politicians provide preconditions for the possible use of force in Ukraine to deal with the situation, Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko has said.

"The combination of the economic crisis, protests, the worsening criminal situation, and revanchist attitudes of certain politicians, who have started their presidential campaign, is evident. In fact, these are preconditions for a force scenario," Lutsenko said in an interview published in the Ukrainian weekly publication Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror of the Week).

One of the possible ways to start the so-called force scenario is to dislodge the premier and key ministers through a National Security and Defense Council decision and introduce direct presidential ruling, he said.

"Some decision by the National Security and Defense Council to dislodge the premier and key ministers has long been in the air. This concerns me as well. As a result, the state of emergency and direct presidential rule is to be introduced. There are plans to deliberately combine this with mass protests that could engulf the entire country," Lutsenko said.

Lutsenko said these plans could be implemented only by dislodging him.

"These plans do exist. However, they can be implemented only illegally. They can be put into practice only by seizing the position of interior minister. This is why I am such a hindrance for Mr. Baloha [presidential chief of staff Viktor Baloha] and his entourage," Lutsenko said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Security Service Chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko believes there are no chances for a force scenario in Ukraine, and any speculations on this account are attempts by certain politicians to manipulate their voters.

"There will be no force scenario in Ukraine. The president said back in 2007, when the situation was very difficult, that everything would go only in a democratic way in Ukraine. The games involving de-legitimization of the authorities should be forgotten, as the West wants to see as predictable," Nalyvaichenko said in an interview for Dzerkalo Tyzhnia.

There are no preconditions for illegitimate use of security agencies, he said.

Nalyvaichenko warned that, even if the state of emergency is imposed on Ukraine, the Security Service would not obey any unlawful orders.

21.03.2009