Move puts back on track govt talks within three pro-Western groups

KIEV, June 18 ??“ The Socialist Party on Saturday apparently dropped its ultimatum, which had recently nearly undermined a coalition agreement between three pro-Western parties that had been seeking to form the new government.

The move puts back on track talks between the pro-Western groups that have been effectively suspended for the past 10 days due to the ultimatum from the Socialist Party.

The development comes days after Our Ukraine, President Viktor Yushchenko??™s party, started consultations with the Regions Party, a moderate pro-Russian group, to see whether the two can form a viable a coalition.

Two weeks ago Socialist Party leader Oleksandr Moroz refused to sign the coalition agreement with Our Ukraine and a group led by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko by insisting on the post of the Parliamentary speaker, the second most important job in the coalition.

A week later, Moroz changed the ultimatum: he dropped claims for the speaker post, but insisted Yushchenko should surrender his right to appoint key ministers and top law enforcement officials letting the coalition do that.

As Yushchenko rejected the ultimatum, the talks between three pro-Western groups had stumbled, forcing Our Ukraine to start consultations with the Regions Party.

But on Saturday the Socialist party has apparently again changed its position.
???Today, our partners lifted their strict demands on posts that are supposed to be appointed by the president,??? Tatiana Mokridi, a spokeswoman for Our Ukraine, said Saturday. ???This led to a certain progress.???

The development comes as Our Ukraine has been apparently also making progress in consultations with the Regions Party on the so-called grand coalition.

Roman Zvarych, an Our Ukraine negotiator, has been holding the consultations with the Regions Party on Sunday.

Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov and Our Ukraine??™s other top negotiators were Sunday involved in the talks with top negotiators from the Socialist Party and the Tymoshenko group.

The ranks and numbers of top Our Ukraine negotiators involved in the talks on Sunday show that Yushchenko??™s party has been apparently pursuing a pro-Western coalition, analysts said.

Three pro-Western groups can muster 243 lawmakers in the 450-seat Parliament, while a grand coalition between Our Ukraine and the Regions Party would control at least 267 lawmakers. (tl/ez)