KIEV, April 2 ??“ Ukraine??™s Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko on Monday backed President Viktor Yushchenko??™s decision to dismiss Parliament and said armed forces may get involved if the crisis escalates sharply and threatens the people.

Hrytsenko??™s comment underscores fears that the pro-government coalition may resort to using police forces to try to put pressure on the president to force him to cancel the dismissal decree.