Council Of Europe Criticizes Ukraine

The resolution says the root causes of the current conflict between President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych are "hasty and incomplete" reforms following the 2004 Orange Revolution "which failed to settle the crucial issues of separation of powers" and establish "the rules of the game."

European lawmakers urged Ukraine's leadership to resolve its political crisis in "a quick, democratic, and legitimate manner."

"We will be grateful if the necessary reforms will not only be carried out, but also implemented quickly," lawmaker Renate Wohlwend, corapporteur for Ukraine, told the assembly today.

In a heated debate before the resolution's passage, lawmakers criticized both Yushchenko and Yanukovych.

Yushchenko issued a decree on April 2 dissolving parliament and calling for new elections. Yanukovych called the move illegal and refused to obey the decision.

The issue is currently before Ukraine's Constitutional Court.

(with material from agency reports)

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Rethinking The Orange Revolution Opinion polls in Ukraine have shown declining support for the Orange Revolution since before last year's legislative elections. more	From Orange To Blue By August 2006, it seemed as if the 18-month run of the Orange Revolution was over in Ukraine. more