"The President said that a few different opinions should exist in parliament, and if some deputies disagree with other deputies, they should find the way to express their opinion in accordance with the procedure. "Respect the procedure, respect the dialogue. When you don't let others speak from the rostrum, it does not mean you are right," Yuschenko said." (Ukrainian News)

"We are convinced that, if the Party of Regions and Communists wished debates in essence on NATO, we would hold them and vote the four draft resolutions submitted by practically all factions. Yet, the opposition does not really need this debate. Asked when the Rada may return to work, the OU-PSD leader said: "We will wait until the Party of Regions' voters will get sick and tired of this senseless hanging about the rostrum. Protest against the unreasonable blocking of the Rada will grow, in the society even more than in parliament, Kyrylenko added." (NRCU)

Don't know if I agree that protest against the blocking of Verkhovna Rada will grow amongst the people. Even with outrageous scenes as in this Ukrainiana post and footage.

" "The vote by deputies from the factions of BYT, the Party of Regions and communists for keeping in place the corrupt schemes of effective law No.282 testifies that an economically vested interest dominates over political fights, even the fight over NATO, and has showed that the parliament configuration is determined by anything but political positions," the statement of the [Lytvyn] faction reads. ... As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Baloha said it is possible that the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko, the Party of Regions and the Communist Party will form a coalition following the adoption of the bill on government purchases and President Viktor Yuschenko's veto on it. On February 12, the bill on government purchases passed the first reading in parliament. The bill raises the lower limit on application of the purchase procedure from UAH 20,000 to UAH 80,000 for goods and from UAH 50,000 to UAH 200,000 for services. A total of 282 deputies voted for taking as the basis bill No.1476-d amending the Law on Government Purchases while at least 226 votes were required for its passage. The factions of the Our Ukraine People's Self-Defense Bloc and the Bloc of Lytvyn did not vote for the bill." (Ukrainian News)

" "There will be no signature of President Viktor Yuschenko on this document on any condition. The Head of State will never give his blessing to misuse and dark manipulations involving government funds. He had expected the new parliament to put government purchases in order, but the BYT faction out of its personal interests voted for an explicitly corrupt bill and inflicted a blow on the hopes of the President," the press service quoted Baloha as saying." (Ukrainian News)

"Parliamentary Deputy Viacheslav Kyrylenko, who is the leader of the parliamentary faction of the Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense bloc (OU-PSD), is forecasting that President Viktor Yuschenko will meet with the leaders of parliamentary factions on Thursday, February 14. ... Opposition parliamentary deputies blocked the parliament’s rostrum on Wednesday morning, thus preventing a parliamentary session from taking place." (Ukrainian News)

"[Kyrylenko] the coalition is ready to partake in discussing all draft resolutions on NATO, but then the lawmakers must decide which of the documents wins a majority vote. Mr Kyrylenko emphasized that people now care more about wages, pensions and abolition of parliamentary immunity than about NATO membership, but appropriate bills cannot be put to vote because of the destructive position of the Party of Regions and the Communist Party." (NRCU)

"There are plans in the works to set up the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), a body that will clamp down on corruption among high-ranking officials. Interior Minister Lutsenko says MPs and top government officials from the premier and prosecutor general to judges of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts will be under strict scrutiny. The NABU will also monitor parliamentary and presidential candidates.

The president will appoint members of the NABU upon the minister’s recommendation, but will be outside the bureau’s jurisdiction. This is seen as Lutsenko’s curtsey toward the Bankova and a proof of his loyalty in response to the suspicions of the Secretariat of the former’s pro-BYT sympathies.

The procedure for review of all court cases by the Kyiv Court of Appeals as the court of first instance is set by another clause. This will allow for control over court proceedings and preventing attempts at offering bribes or putting pressure on judges. Some political analysts believe this provision was the result of an agreement between Lutsenko and Premier Yulia Tymoshenko, who together with the current head of the Supreme Court, a former BYT MP Vasyl Onopenko controls practically all the judges of the Kyiv Court of Appeals.

Another proposed novelty is the subordination of the Border Service to the interior ministry and creation of the State Migration Service, also controlled by the MIA.

The Presidential Secretariat spoke out against the strengthening of Lutsenko’s position, stating that the president’s main office either does not want to accept the growing influence of the minister and sees him as a rival, or smells lobbying the interests of Volodymyr Lytvyn, whose brother heads the Border Service.

Yet another argument of Bankova not in Lutsenko’s favor is that if the Border Service subordinated to the president will be able to keep eye on Valeriy Khoroshkovskiy, the current head of the State Customs Service and Tymoshenko’s protege. ..." (read full article at Kyiv Weekly)

Get 2008 budget set up before end of year and conduct a compete audit relating to all of Yanu's Cabinet's expenditures, privatizations, tenders, etc. The 2008 budget has to be okayed or Ukraine will not have one beginning Jan. 1st. and govt stops functioning while a thorough audit of predecessor's records is also a worthwhile function but maybe complicated if Azarov is missing in action. Reputedly, those in PoR learnt from the last time that they had their offices taken over and quite alot during this past Cabinet was not written down.

First Cabinet meeting held today while in Parliament, Shyfrysch and Lykash called for the public announcement that the 'democratic coalition' is no more due to the number of deputies 14 who have been kicked upstairs into Cabinet from BYuT and NUNS. (Story from Ukrainian Journal) While Central Election Commisssion has announced that it will take at least a week (?) to register new deputies to Parliament. The lack of 226 votes does create a 'gray area' for the coalition - it is in technical default but not. Kinda like limbo and it makes sense to postpone Parliament sessions until this is cleared up and we all cheer Lytvyn Bloc's people to help make this possible. And of course, PoR is going to block registration of new deputies (jeez is there any doubt about this? They who worked so hard to delay the vote and formation of a new Cabinet for close to 80 days ???)

Yep, the opposition is going to play hardball - Bohatyriova for First Deputy Speaker. 

OMG - I do not want to be in Yukhym Zvyahilsky's shoes for all the tea in China !!! and India !!! "Cabinet Appoints Turchynov Head Of Commission For Liquidation Of Zasiadko Mine Blast Aftermath." Turchynov is a combination of the energizer Bunny, Inspector Gagdet,  James Bond 007. In order - he never quits, he will figure out a way how and he always gets his man. He is driven, focused and will not quit. Excellent choice. My compliments - give 'em hell. :) And my advice to Zvyahilsky - don't even try it and spill everything with the first question. You are not going to prevent the inevitable unless you skip the country.

And I am cool with the following choice "President Viktor Yuschenko is proposing that the Verkhovna Rada appoint Valentyn Nalyvaichenko as chief of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)."

While Ukraine's population has dropped - yet again - this time to  46,5 million people.

Dec. 18th - historic vote. For the first time in Ukrainian history ever deputies will announce their vote with a video/audio record made of it - completely public vote. Will see what happens. Lytvyn Bloc is said not to vote for PM, which is ditto for CPU (unless deal was struck), while PoR will not and so leaves "democratic coalition" (BYuT+NUNS.)

It seems that Parliament will not begin session on Tuesday until 3 pm. local time (???) and that the candidacy for Vice Speaker is still being decided by PoR (Martinyuk or Bohatyryova) and PoR has not submitted its lists of deputy names for their slots on the committees (and they had fought so hard for this delaying the vote for PM to do so.) *from the MW article PoR bigwig quoted as saying: “Our power lies in their weakness. Their power lies in our inactivity.” Very true.

While Mirror Weekly has english translations of some of its articles. Of particular note: "Price Realities and Perspectives" which covers the economic situation of the country. "Dangerous Diagnosis" with its interviews of three insiders whose history allows them the long view of Ukrainian politics. And *"Three Sad Stories" whose assessment of all major players is extremely thought provoking. (Definitely rates a Required Reading notation.)

If the sight of 274 votes (26 votes btw of striking distance within the glorious 300), did not raise concerns among PoR then they have the cool heads of professional, high stakes gamblers or neurosurgeons. (see LEvko's entry for Dec. 15 - Hard Work for Everyone in VR and btw LEvko was absolutely on the money regarding 'painting by numbers'.)

In order to pass legislation which enacted changes to the procedures 274 represents = 156 BYuT votes +71 NU-NS votes + 27 Communist Party of Ukraine votes + 20 Lytvyn Bloc votes.

It contains the complete vote of four out of the five political parties in the Verkohvna Rada. (Party of Regions did not vote (0 votes) - but they did not register to vote and probably deputies still don't even have access to their own voting cards.)

I can't help but think what would happen if this collective of 4 disparate politcal parties maintain a solid voting block. And what would PoR think about that? Flashman aka PoR must be surprised. So why was the vote for PM not held on Friday? Why was it postponed until Tuesday? Turchynov said it was because they did not want to start a fight (meaning physical.) (? quite inexplicable to me it is.)

Well Yanukovych, Akhmetov, Pluisch, Tymoshenko have been low key, the President is in Switzerland for medical treatment. And Yanukovych is set to meet with the head of 'One Russia' Party on Monday, in Moscow. While Azarov is awarded by Putin. Lytvyn and his Bloc members use every public appearance to rise above the fray by 'pouring mud' on others esp. democratic coalition. While probably a deal was cut with CPU (hence their votes) that Martinyuk would be vice-speaker - reminder vote on Tuesday is the vote for not just PM now, but the whole ball of wax (entire government.)

Dec. 14th was also Lutsenko's Bday - hearty congrats and the official day recognizing those in the legal profession and channel 5 cheekily greeted the judges who voided Pres. Yushchenko's dissolution of Parliament decree and also mentioned the name (what ever happened to ...) Stanik. Blast from the not so recent past and in the words of an expert, that whole case will 'evaporate'. Also Pres. Yuschenko did another one --- this time citation and award to a judge.

Regarding its own recent behaviors and activities - PoR maintains the presentation that they are all, to a man/woman --- law listening/закон слухянньі ... very interesting phrase because it could be translated to mean law abiding - but that is not the word choice used but 'listening'. PoR maintains the approach that if there is no legislation specificly stating that something is not legal, therefore it must be legal. (Teen mentality approach applied to politics. Argh! Try dealing with that: but you did not say that I could not ... show me where it is clearly stated ... oy vey!)

Pictures and video from the PM vote on Dec. 11th.

Check out the commentary by Taras and the video at Ukrainiana of the "snatch and grab" of the Speaker of the House Yatsenyuk's voting card, yesterday which would have made Tymoshenko PM if Yatsenyuk had been allowed to vote.

It was reported that the Speaker's desk had been smashed by Party of Regions.

While overnight, Secret Services examined the electronic voting system. Found no evidence of external tampering. (imho electronic devices are not mechanical and so this really does not settle it as overt tampering would be cabling, faulty card readers, etc. linking into system while it could be in the code. A heuristic algorithm or a coding issue would take weeks to locate - and identify. The voting system uses keycards with barcodes (I think?), this is not impossible to work the code.)

PoR parliamentarians blocked the entrance to the Assembly rooms from 10 am until 11:30 am. in order that work would not commence. (Is this an example of how they 'работают'(work)? and their infamous 'stabilnist'?)

PoR wants talks for the formation of a broad coalition. (But they voiced such seeming lack of concern and willingness to go into the opposition ... ha!) and working on spinning the events of Dec. 11 into sound bites, scorn and for Yanukovych to blame the democratic coalition for 'instability' is way outta line. Esp. as one of his own party members, played a key role by snatching out Speaker Yatsenyuk's voting card. !

While LEvko at Foreign Notes has some great words wisdom for Speaker Yatsenyuk and commentary on recent events. While Yatsenyuk refuses to work under the current state of conditions in Parliament (can't say I blame him.)

Doubtful there will be a revote today or that it will be open voting and perhaps vote will occur tomorrow.  And a deputy has called for the 'sanctification' of the Parliament. (imho exorcism would make more sense.)

btw anyone knows under what circumstances the President can declare 'marshall law' aka military rule? For months PoR has gotten what it wants - keeping legislators at work voting on and passing laws which were post-dissolution of Parliament and of questionnable legality, ridiculed the election, almost chose not to participate, delayed until Sept., attempts were made to bribe voters and commit voter fraud, 'carousel' voting, delayed the vote count, took the results to court, yada, yada, yada, and if people don't go out onto the streets NOW to protect their votes and whom they voted for - I don't know where this will all end. These events are a complete raspberry to every single person who voted for Tymoshenko.

While these events transpire in Kyiv, in Luhansk 361 miners have been safely evacuated from a mine in which they were trapped underground due to a downed power line. 

Yatseniuk is the new Speaker of the Parliament of the 6th convocation of the Verhovna Rada of Ukraine. Missed the middle to end game but all memebers of BYuT and OU-PSD voted for him.
============ 

Yuri Boyko is off to Moscow for gas talks with Gazprom.

Parliament opened - only 287 deputies registered. People from Lytvyn Bloc stated yesterday would vote for Lytvyn whose candidacy they would present forward, while it seems that OU, PSD and BYuT have voiced their willingness to vote for Yatseniuk. Party of Regions will not support Yatseniuk. The party refuses to take ballots. Even though the position of first Vice-Speaker is being offered to them by the democratic coalition. (btw some individuals from PoR really hate the term "democratic coalition" but I think that it is based on envy, and 'why didn't we think of it? so much better than the anti-crisis coalition.') The Communist Party registered a law to nationalize (or is it re-privatize) currently privately held indistries/companies back into national ownership. Parliament broke for lunch. Then events took place which paved the way to voting for speaker and then shortly afterwards Martinuik recessed Parliament until 4 pm. on the wishes of PoR and CPU.

In an interview with a paper, Lytvyn earlier stated that there is a dragging out of the process in Parliament. (No arguments fom me.) Turchynov of ByuT stated that the PoR should take the Vice Speaker offer, in exchange for their votes on a legislative packet, that otherwise they would lose their chance. (It seems that PoR are still processing going through "mourning" stages: denial, etc. that yes, indeed they are going to end up being in opposition. And the chance that may be missed is the one by BYuT and OU-PSD. Why be concerned about the opposition missing out on opportunities? I have no doubt that they are capable of making their own.)

(I do wonder why PoR does not want to take part in voting for Speaker. Are they considering that deputies from their own fraction will vote for Yatseniuk? Deputies from PoR did vote for him when he was up for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.)

Yushchenko commented on the state of AIDs in Ukraine - he called it criminal the activities of the respective Ministries and departments that are supposed to fight the war on AIDs/HIV. (Sidenote a press conference was held in which it was pointed out that the standards of health and safety and the quality regulating food products which are Ukrainian made need to be updated reflecting the changes and advances in the past years, i.e. new pesticides on the market, etc.)

============

It is posted in an update to the third mine explosion but it is worth bringing to the surface.  

Yanukovych reported that a separate decision has to be made regarding each mine where miners go below 1000 meters. And in the following, I hear an excuse for the mine disaster being developed: "At the same time the Head of Government noted that experts are confronted by such a phenomenon at the Zasyadko mine which had never faced before*. “We will work with experts and scientists. It is very important from the scientific point of view to fulfill this work because we have never observed such phenomena before. Or maybe it depends on mining and geological conditions, probably it is emission of heavy deep-seated gases on the surface through crack in the earth`s crust – We don’t know anything,” Viktor Yanukovych said. The PM noted that experts do not know yet the reasons of yesterday’s explosion at the Zasyadko mine because there is no access to the place of accident."  Well, so much for the team of international experts figuring out what the cause of the tragedies was - not that they would probably want to put their lives at risk going down there. Maybe use a robotic unit? Currently the level of the mine which had the explosions is being flooded with water.  (* btw bs alert. Explosions, deaths, etc. have been faced before and at the same mine.)

============

And at the sight of a another disaster Kerch Straits of Azov: more crude oil has come to the surface. BTW the Russian Federation has NOT, even after all these days since the disaster turned over copies of the ship's manifests to Ukrainian authorities, etc.. Everything has only been orally stated and that has hampered recovery efforts.

Although, it seemed that it would be smooth sailing from opening of Parliament to formation of coalition, events went differently after the 'housekeeping' took place.

It started out with deputies lining up at their assigned locations (photos ukr, here, and eng)(with BYuT group showing off matching outfits: white sweaters with a red heart on the right breast), to the opening ceremonies and verbal oath taking, to deputies signing their oaths and having photo opportunities, the temporary presidium elected, the PM formally resigning and the end of the current Cabinet (Bohatyriova made a short speech thanking the Cabinet and PM for their 'efficient' work in office which was applauded by PoR and CPU deputies while BYuT and OU-PSD deputies were booing or silent), Moroz doing his last speech as Speaker denouncing the President and the legality of the elections - during which some BYut and OU-PSD deputies walked out of the main chamber of Parliament: 'taking a recess' (Moroz's speech was criticized as shaming and insulting the 5th convocation of Parliament by deputy Matvienko), the formation of 5 political groups in Parliament (1+1 report and video in ukr), (Kyrylenko is t to lead OU-PSD), there will be 26 committees, etc. after all items - Parliament/Rada was closed for the day. (Check out Channel 5 for report and video in ukr) (1+1 report and video in ukr)

Closed until November 29. Closed for 6 days.

     But what a sec., they just opened Parliament and then are going to shut it down for SIX days with no PM, no Cabinet, etc.? (Yes, I know the PM and Cabinet become 'caretaker' government until the new one is formed but it you know what I mean. Please note that the decision to shut down for six days happened quite abruptly and without warning (a number of deputies were away from their locations and found out about the closure and delay, afterwards, but to continue ....) After the Parliamentary working group was supposed to actually begin workig November 6th? and kept getting delayed and stalled? Yep. But why? Well, according to Party of Regions spokesperson, Chornovil, Raisa Bohatyriova did so because not all deputies signed the coalition agreement. According to Ukrayinska Pravda, 8 MPs/deputies did not sign:

"According to sources, Stanislav Dovhy, Yuriy Yekhanurov, Ihor Kril, Mykola Onishchuk, Ihor Palytsya, Vasyl Petyovka, Ivan Plyushch and Viktor Topolov did not sign the agreement. Those persons explained their position due to admonitions to the agreement text. At the same time, it was reported that the decision on the coalition formation with Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc was supported unanimously on Friday session." (Novynar ukr) UPDATE: and newly elected PSD deputy Doniy (known from 1990/91 "Protests on the Granite" which helped bring down the Ukrainian SSR) criticized "these Baloha's people" - he called for the President to influence those who have not signed the agreement. update from 1+1 that one person has since signed: Palytsya. And statement regarding the 7 non-signees from another newly elected deputy from PSD former investigative journalist for Channel 5 of the show, 'Zakryta Zona', Ar'yev.

Well, BYuT and OU-PSD voiced their discontent with the shutdown of Parliament for 6 days and the next meeting session of Parliament is Tuesday Nov. 27th with Zvarych (in eng) presiding and not the Presisium head, Bohatyriova. (Well see if the Party of Regions show up and if they come this time in blue and white sweaters.)

Tymoshenko voiced her sentiments that the 6 day break was for "Це (рішення) - абсолютне порушення регламенту. Їм потрібен час, щоб і далі підкуповувати депутатів. Вони хочуть виграти кілька днів. Оголошення перерви є самодіяльністю Раїси Богатирьової", - сказала Тимошенко, коментуючи рішення про закриття засідання у п’ятницю, 23 листопада." (Tymoshenko) It (decision) is absolute violation of regulation. They need time, and farther to suborn/purchase deputies. They want to win a few days. Announcement of interruption is the independent action of Raisa Bohatyriova", - said [Tymoshenko], commenting a decision about closing of meeting in Friday, on November, 23. 

Bohatyriova named according to her opinion the candidates for Speaker as: Lytvyn (leader of Lytvyn Bloc), Plyushch (see "Curses" entry), or Symonenko (leader of Communist Party of Ukraine.) 

In regards to the signatures on the coalition agreement, BYuT and OU-PSD have achieved a compromise. The sticking point was the eradication of the contract army and setting a 5% threshold to enter Parliament. (Pres. Yushchenko was also against the end to the contract army before 2010.) But according to Lutsenko all is well now and even Tymoshenko says that the coalition will happen.

No surprise, President Yushchenko in an interview stated that "the main source of this political instability remained the parliament. " (ukranews) He did not attend the opening day of Parliament and instead handed out writing prizes about the Holodomor.

    All of this is seems really childish and annoying but the games/intrigues/staregies/machinations are super-serious as the power plays continue.

     I was hoping that LEvko at Foreignnotes would write about the following as I cannot make head nor tails of it but

"President Viktor Yushchenko is going to meet with Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense Bloc (NU-NS) bloc deputy candidates on November 22. At the meeting the President will nominate his candidate for the Verkhovna Rada speaker, allegedly Mr. Plushch, the current Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council." (Ukrayinska Pravda)

Yep, Plushch, the same person who was one of the three that held off on signing the OU-PSD and BYT coalition agreement due to what he voiced at the time where uncertainties whether he even wanted to be a deputy in Parliament. Well, according to the news, he wants to be more than just a deputy. He wants to be Speaker. Last, I understood was that Lytvyn might be nominated as Speaker but it seems that the deal making with Lytvyn Bloc fell through.

     And it seems that Plushch wants a grand coalition with Party of Regions and OU-PSD.  I know that Yanukovych and PoR desperately wants this and has been working to make this happen. Forget Kivalov's award - this would indeed make PoR uber-victorious in reclaiming their lost honor after the ignomy of the Orange Revolution.

     imho what a mess and disaster which would permanently wreck OU-PSD with the voters and it has been reported lead to a split within the political bloc. Yes, did realize that Yushchenko would never win a second term as President, but did not think he would go the way of Moroz! (Lifted from Kuzio's blog in eng and in ukr.)

     Personally, I think the President also knows that he is not destined to be Prez twice-in-a-row which is why he pushes so forcibly on issues dear to his heart i.e. Holodomor (btw Nov. 24, 4 pm. Kyiv Time "Light a Candle"). And the paradox is that he is madly successful with these initiatives, both on a domestic and international scale, but cannot achieve the same level of success politicaly.

And from EDM article "Ukrainian Coalition May Not Materialize":
" The Ukrainian parliament elected on September 30 will gather for its first sitting on Friday, November 23. It should elect a speaker and start forming a new cabinet. The constitution requires the sitting cabinet of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych to step down before the new parliament convenes. Yanukovych, however, stands a high chance of staying on as caretaker prime minister. Increasingly, it appears that Yulia Tymoshenko, the candidate for prime minister from the majority coalition of her eponymous bloc and President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine People’s Self-Defense (NUNS), may fail to muster support for her bid in parliament." (bold is mine)

News from Kyiv Post "Coalition Doubtful Ahead of Rada Opening" is also grim, "Leading politicians don’t expect a coalition agreement to emerge as they prepare for the new parliament’s first session on Nov. 23, noting that the likelihood of an Orange parliamentary majority has grown fairly faint."

According to Victor Baloha: it is not the fault of the President but "reasons rich in content" that problems developed between OU-PSD and BYT regarding coaltion formation between the two and it is a blame-game in targeting the President.

    Yeah, I do kinda buy into this but although the President is not the leader of OU nor PSD, his opinion and speech carry with it alot of oomph. And this is kinda, a rich speech from the guy (Baloha) who helped put the President into a corner - as the two last non-signers of the coalition agreement have ties to him. His words seem a bit hollow as he helped 'set up' the President and now defends him? Who is this guy - Shakespeare's Matk Anthony? Especially when he says the following:

"Скажу відверто: Президентові не потрібні будь-які щедрі жести від тих, хто ще сам не показав суспільству свою дієвість", - підкреслив глава Секретаріату."

Will speak plainly: A president needs no generous gestures from those, who have yet to show society their effectiveness", - the head of Secretariat underlined. 

     I do not know what is going on in the halls of power but there should be only one person speaking for what the President needs or wants and that is the President, himself. 

   Changes to coalition agreement 

News stories about OU-PSD changing coalition agreement with BYT. (UNIAN ukr) (Novynar) based on voting yesterday and prepared by Ukrainian political party "Sobor". There are two from OU-PSD who have yet to sign coalition agreement. (UNIAN ukr)

Update: Of course BYT is against changes to the coalition agreement. (Novynar) According to Kirilenko head of OU-PSD - the wording of the coalition agreement will not be reviewed. (Novynar) and according to an insider - someone inside BYT and OU-PSD is deliberately causing problems to prevent the democratic coalition from forming. (Novynar)

   Working group today got nowhere- could not come to an agreement about who would be head of working group

PoR threatening that Nov. 26 as opening day of new Parliament in jeopardy. Want other side to 'compromise' while PoR does not - adamant about Martinyuk as head of working group which is also supported by Communist Party and Lytvybn Bloc. (UNIAN ukr) (From Ukrayinska Pravda Sharov of Lytvyn Bloc explains why they want Martinyuk - his explanation rings kinda hollow to me but obviously this is more than meets the eye and is about est. power/politics and not about getting the job done.) While Lytvyn Bloc wants the speaker position of the working group. (UNIAN ukr)

   Privatization deal invalidated but the untangling of it could take ages. (I wonder who controls it right now?)

While court declared the privatization of ВАТ «Луганськтепловоз» illegal, which had been sold from the state fund and had been purchased by a Russian firm. (UNIAN ukr) 

   Regarding Black Sea oil ecological catastrophe - lots in intl papers and headlines, so won't cover it here.

"BYuT front-runner Yulia Tymoshenko claims that the first session of the Verkhovna Rada of sixth convocation will open no later than on November 26." (UNIAN eng) (UNIAN ukr)

She also balmed the Party of Regions and Communist Party of Ukraine in messing up todays session of the working group for the New Parliament. The working group did have a quorum but no decisions were ratified - even could not make decision as to the leader of the working group - from BYT+OU-PSD Zvarych while PoR+CPU pushed Martinyuk.  (UNIAN ukr) (UNIAN ukr)

At this point only 270 deputies out of 450 have been registered by the Central Election Commitee. (UNIAN ukr) And this piece in eng relates the view from the Party of Regions. Though according to info. PoR did submit documents (morning of Nov. 12) to CEC for registering all 175 of its MPs/deputies though it has yet to be made 'official'. This is expected to happen on Nov. 15th (UNIAN ukr)

     Every day delayed is a day longer for PoR+CPU in power and a day closer to new early Parliamentary elections. What actually seems to be needed to speed things up is as during the OR, people banging on drums outside the corridors of power to remind the politicians inside that voters are keeping watch. People pressure.

From Mirror Weekly an article translated into english about civil society and dangers to such: populism, political moralization and "Ukrainian “parasitic” tradition inculcated by seven decades of the communist regime".

With 20* Parliamentary votes, a 'razor thin' democratic coalition (should it ever coalesce), and the annoucement that they will be taking part in Nov. 12th working group session for the New Parliament, Lytvyn's Bloc is back in the news making headlines. There is alot of speculation but so far no formal entrance into either blue coalition or orange coalition has been announced. How long will Lytvyn and his people play a non-aligned role, allowing them freedom to enter into 'voting blocs' (one offs or otherwise) will be seen. But there has been a shift on the part of Tymoshenko/BYT which at first rejected any inclusion of Lytvyn Bloc into the 'democratic coalition' when it was proposed by OU-PSD, now holds 'talks' between Tymoshenko and Lytvyn. 

According to news reports, Lytvyn does not burn to become Speaker of the House. (UNIAN ukr)

So what does Lytvyn and his people want?

1. Coalition talks should start only after the formation of political fractions in the new Parliament.

2.  Lytvyn Bloc is ready to engage in coalition talks, if it will take part in formation of coalition agreements. (They do not want to become part of an already formed coalition but want to be an integral part of forming the coalition.)

No end to the moratorium on land sales, (if necessary they are prepared to block the podium to prevent the legislation passing which would allow land to be sold.)

Lytvyn and his people are cognizat that they owe - no one, nothing! In fact, some are unforgiving of Tymsohenko and her public statements/attempts to sway voters NOT to vote for Lytvyn Bloc, days prior to the Sept. 30th election. (The pre- and post- elections actions of Tymoshenko may have made it impossible for Lytvyn Bloc to enter into the 'democratic coalition', which is unfortunate as in the new Parliament, every vote will count.)

*There is the possibility that Lytvyn 'controls' only 6 out of the 20 votes within his Bloc - so unless the imperative mandate goes through, out of line voting may occur frequently. According to Communist Party of Ukraine member (and CPU 'has no love' for Lytvyn - in fact see him as a competitor), 7 votes withtin Lytvyn Bloc are controlled by 'orange'/BTY+OU-PSD, 7 votes by 'blues'/Party of Regions and only 6 by Lytvyn. But there is no ques. that this has not yet been tested in Parliament and that the informative is biased.

IMHO Lytvyn is out for political power and playing a deep game. Moroz may be out, but Moroz-type thinking remains. And alot has been written about Tymsohenko's success at the polls, but Lytvyn also deserves mention as well. From retirement to political player in one election is a big move.