Tarasyuk Barred From Cabinet Meeting

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk (file photo) (epa) KYIV, December 6, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Borys Tarasyuk, who was sacked by parliament as foreign minister but kept in his job by President Viktor Yushchenko, was barred from attending a cabinet meeting today.

A Kyiv district court on December 5 reversed parliament's decision to dismiss Tarasyuk on the grounds that it violated Ukrainian law.

Yushchenko then issued a presidential decree saying Tarasyuk would keep his job.

Tarasyuk is a pro-Western politician and an ally of Yushchenko.

Tarasyuk told RFE/RL's Ukrainian service today that he was confronted by a cabinet official, Anatoliy Tolstoukhov, and told he had no right to take part in the meeting "even though I showed them the court decision and the presidential decree."

Tarasyuk called the decision "outrageous" and said he will "press for my rights as a cabinet member to be upheld."

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, on a visit to Washington, said on December 5 that it was "irresponsible" to try to overturn a decision by parliament.