SALON

Saturday, Dec 1, 2012 2:00 AM UTC

Ukraine’s FM rejects US criticism of elections

By

Topics: From the Wires,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine’s foreign minister on Friday rejected criticism by the United States of recent parliamentary elections and of the government’s prosecution of political opponents.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, also said U.S. concern about Ukraine’s adherence to World Trade Organization commitments is unfounded.

Gryshchenko was in Washington for a conference organized by a Ukrainian-American group. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sharply criticized Ukraine in a broad speech about U.S. relations with Europe. She called October’s parliamentary elections, which were deemed unfair by Western observers, a step backward for democracy. She said the U.S. was deeply concerned about Ukrainian prosecution of opponents.

The U.S., as well as European countries, have been particular critical of the prosecution of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who was jailed last year on charges of abusing her office.

But Gryschenko denied the prosecution was politically motivated. He also said the election results matched the will of the people.

“We are hearing the criticism,” he said of Clinton’s speech. “We understand the importance of changing the perception that was created lately, which — and I would like to stress — does not reflect fully, or even in large part, the reality of Ukraine.”

Gryschenko said the trade dispute reflected ongoing discussions about Ukrainian tariff rates. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s office said in a statement that he expressed strong U.S. concern in a meeting with Gryschenko on Friday. He called a Ukrainian request to increase tariff levels beyond World Trade Organization commitments unprecedented, and noted that over a third of WTO member countries had already complained.

Gryschenko said that Ukraine would listen to the concerns, but that it believed WTO rules allow for the changes it is proposing.

Gryshchenko said that the relationship with the United States was better than the recent criticism made it seem and that the two countries are cooperating on a broad range of issues.

By Desmond Butler

More By Desmond Butler.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 0 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations