Yushchenko Calls For Talks To Resolve Parliament Crisis

Viktor Yushchenko (file photo) (epa) KYIV, June 30, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has urged political parties to sit down for negotiations to resolve a dispute that has paralyzed parliament.

Yushchenko made the call after the main opposition party on June 29 took over the speaker's podium and prevented the parliamentary session from convening.

The Party of Regions has complained that the governing coalition was not planning to give it any key positions in parliament.

The action prevented a planned vote on returning Yuliya Tymoshenko to the prime minister's post.

In remarks carried on his website, Yushchenko said democracy could only function when rules and laws were respected, and he criticized deputies for "forgetting about" the nation.

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