You're reading: Yanukovych warns ‘separatists’ in western Ukraine

 President Viktor Yanukovych said he would not tolerate cases of separatism in Ukraine. He said this during the session of the Regional Council, while mentioning that certain oblast councils, especially in the western part of the country, had tried to assume the rights of other government bodies.

“Are there representatives of law-enforcement agencies? Such cases are unacceptable,” Yanukovych emphasized. “As the saying goes, give them my personal best wishes,” he added.

Yanukovych threatened such councilpersons, “We will not allow cases of legal dereliction of duty and separatism. Those guilty will be held responsible,” he noted.

Councils at different administrative levels in the western regions of Ukraine have supported the wave of antigovernment protests. Lviv Oblast Council, in particular, revoked the rights delegated to the Lviv Oblast State Administration, and also deprived those state officials of the right to be in the administrative buildings of Lviv Oblast Council.

 This is not a first warning to the ‘rebellious’ region. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov had announced that certain western oblasts might get less budget funds due to their protest activities.

Original in Ukrainian on the Ukrainska Pravda website:http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2013/12/26/7008531/