rare bird

Ukrainian deputies and supporters backing opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko try to prevent two other supporters from entering the parliament hall in Kiev, November 30, 2004. Supporters of Yushchenko broke through a fence surrounding Ukraine's parliament, massing around its main door after the chamber failed to debate a no confidence vote in the government. Photo by Mykola Lazarenko/Reuters 

Kuchma and Yanukovych are not negotiating in good faith. Apparently Yanukovych has even offered the post of Prime Minister to Yuschenko if he allows Yanukovych to become President! What a sheister! "Sure, just let me be president, and I'll make you No. 2 (a job Yuschenko has had before!) but you'll be totally impotent (because the president is omnipotent in Ukraine). I've also confirmed from Igor that Russian special forces are in Kiev, and they're wearing Ukrainian uniforms! Igor confirmed it from one of Yuschenko's personal assistants, with whom Igor goes to university. Igor is upset that the US and EU are basically doing nothing while Russia seeks to more or less, annex Ukraine. What has happened to NATO's original mission?

Here are several pictures from Kiev, courtesy of Igor. They're protesting all night long! Be sure to click on the pictures to get a larger view.

Marching in the street! 

These are Igor's workmates - they all came out for the protest 

Igor & friends 

Igor & friends 

flags and all kinds of people 

Igor with workmates 

Marching in the street. 

The riot police line with orange ribbons and flowers in their shields. 

some Yanukovych supporters 

surrounded Yanukovych supporters 

more crowds, with main stage (rock concerts and speakers and big television for live events - well organized!) 

crowds 

Tak! 

Kivalov. (I'll have to look this up!)

dog.jpg 

My mother-in-law tells me Russian-language news sites say the Russian special forces - 'spesnatz' - are in Kiev, as well as skinheads who want to cause trouble for Yuschenko's people. Yanukovych has had convicts released from prison and bussed to Kiev. She also says Yanukovych and Kuchma will probably ignore the supreme court if it rules against them. She is afraid Russia will use force if Yuschenko wins. Is the Cold War not over??

This is an email I got from Igor, my brother-in-law. He lives in Kiev. "Tak!" is "Yes!" From: Bogdanovs [boglar@i.com.ua] Sent: Friday, November 26, 2004 12:36 PM To: Sean Subject: TAK! YUSCHENKO!!! TAK! MAN!!! Today is the fourth day of my personal participation in the revolution. I spend 6-8 hours a day striking. I participated in all major events. I was marching next to Yuschenko and other politicians several times. I participated in blocking of Administration of President. I was everywhere!!! Right now there are up to 1 million people striking in the center of the Kiev. I have a lot of digital pictures at office. I'll send them to you on Monday. UKRAINE! FREEDOM! YUSCHENKO!!!TAK!!! IGOR.