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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off | Ukraine rivals in tense stand-off |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake". | Ukraine's PM Viktor Yanukovych has called the president's decision to dissolve parliament a "fatal mistake". |
| Mr Yanukovych spoke to members of parliament before addressing thousands of his supporters in central Kiev. | Mr Yanukovych spoke to members of parliament before addressing thousands of his supporters in central Kiev. |
| Members of parliament are also refusing to obey President Viktor Yushchenko's order to prepare for a snap election. | Members of parliament are also refusing to obey President Viktor Yushchenko's order to prepare for a snap election. |
| The pro-Western president accuses his pro-Russia rival of trying to usurp power by increasing his parliamentary majority in an unconstitutional manner. | The pro-Western president accuses his pro-Russia rival of trying to usurp power by increasing his parliamentary majority in an unconstitutional manner. |
| Mr Yushchenko met Mr Yanukovych in his office, but failed to gain his agreement to implement the decree ordering an early poll on 27 May. | Mr Yushchenko met Mr Yanukovych in his office, but failed to gain his agreement to implement the decree ordering an early poll on 27 May. |
| There is still a chance to avoid the worst Viktor Yanukovych Prime Minister Q&A: Political crisis class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6523343.stm">Pictures of Kiev protests | |
| The prime minister's supporters have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal. | The prime minister's supporters have urged the constitutional court to rule on whether the president's action was legal. |
| Mr Yushchenko's supporters have been called to demonstrate in the capital, with the stand-off echoing the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power. | Mr Yushchenko's supporters have been called to demonstrate in the capital, with the stand-off echoing the 2004 Orange Revolution which swept him to power. |
| The European Commission called for all parties to seek a "peaceful solution" to the dispute. | The European Commission called for all parties to seek a "peaceful solution" to the dispute. |
| Presidential poll threat | Presidential poll threat |
| Speaking to supporters massed outside parliament, Mr Yanukovych threatened to try to force a presidential election if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll. | Speaking to supporters massed outside parliament, Mr Yanukovych threatened to try to force a presidential election if Mr Yushchenko persisted with plans for a snap parliamentary poll. |
| "He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said. | "He should understand that the only way out is looking for a compromise at the negotiating table," he said. |
| Ukraine reaction to the snap election called by the presidentIn pictures | Ukraine reaction to the snap election called by the presidentIn pictures |
| "There is still a chance to avoid the worst," Mr Yanukovych told parliament, reminding Mr Yushchenko of "the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders. | "There is still a chance to avoid the worst," Mr Yanukovych told parliament, reminding Mr Yushchenko of "the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders. |
| When the two men met later, the president insisted on a "strict implementation of the decree on an early election", his press service said. | When the two men met later, the president insisted on a "strict implementation of the decree on an early election", his press service said. |
| "Viktor Yushchenko, as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, also stressed he would allow no use of force in the country," said the president's office. | "Viktor Yushchenko, as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, also stressed he would allow no use of force in the country," said the president's office. |
| The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks on Monday between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders. | The announcement of the new election followed seven hours of failed talks on Monday between Mr Yushchenko and parliamentary leaders. |
| Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority. | Mr Yushchenko accuses Mr Yanukovych of trying to usurp his power by illegally luring pro-Western lawmakers over to his coalition to increase his parliamentary majority. |
| Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides. | Under the constitution, only factions - not individuals - can change sides. But last month 11 lawmakers allied with Mr Yushchenko switched sides. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Yushchenko should have resigned than follow the path he has taken CC, Kiev Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Yushchenko should have resigned than follow the path he has taken CC, Kiev Send us your comments |
| If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change. | If Mr Yanukovych gains 300 deputies in the 450-seat house, he will have the power to overturn presidential vetoes and oversee new constitutional change. |
| Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych. | Mr Yushchenko became president in January 2005, following the pro-democracy Orange Revolution which overturned a rigged victory for Mr Yanukovych. |
| But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed. | But Mr Yushchenko was forced to accept his rival as prime minister after his allies failed to win a majority in the March 2006 parliamentary election, and the two men have repeatedly clashed. |