Ukraine failing its test on democracy, U.S. official says

Ukraine failing its test on democracy, U.S. official says
September 15, 2012 - 19:28 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - A top U.S. official says Ukraine is failing its test on democracy in the run up to parliamentary elections, citing the jailing of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and shrinking media freedoms, The Associated Press reported.

The jailing of Tymoshenko, the country's top opposition leader and heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, has strained Ukraine's relations with the West. The European Union has frozen a key cooperation deal with Kiev.

Thomas Melia, the U.S. assistant deputy secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said Saturday, Sept 15, the election set for October has been compromised by jailing of Tymoshenko and another top opposition leader. Melia said Ukraine "failed the test today."

Tymoshenko has spent over a year in jail, after being convicted of abuse of office charges she rejects and describes as political.

Partner news
 Top stories
Kerry, Lavrov to discuss Syria in ParisKerry, Lavrov to discuss Syria in Paris
U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders.
Damascus agrees to attend int’l conference in GenevaDamascus agrees to attend int’l conference in Geneva
The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
Obama nominates Victoria Nuland for assistant secretary of stateObama nominates Victoria Nuland for assistant secretary of state
Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post.
Syrian opposition leader urges Assad to hand power, go abroadSyrian opposition leader urges Assad to hand power, go abroad
Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament.
Partner news
 Articles
Switzerland being filled with wealthy citizens of Kazakh origin

One of the most prominent Kazakh citizens, who found refuge on the shores of Lake Geneva - Victor Khrapunov and his family.

 Most popular in the section
Islamist group Boko Haram camps destroyed in Nigeria
Syrian forces storming rebel stronghold of Qusair
Prosecutor in Berlusconi sex trial gets letter with bullets
Germans blame Merkel’s stance in eurozone crisis for Eurovision debacle
Home
All news
Overview: World
Archive for September 15, 2012
Other news in this section
 Latest news
Israeli security expert says Syrian hacker attack foiled Israel refuses to comment on the strike but officials at the time said Iranian missiles set for Hezbollah were hit.
Gyumri to host Europe Day celebrations The celebrations will feature a small information fair, with EU project representatives to brief the visitors on the initiatives launched.
1st Armenian interactive fairy tale available for iPhone/iPod Touch The tale sparked great interest in Diaspora. Such projects, namely interactive version of “Alice in Wonderland”, are popular abroad.
Expert says Russian FM’s remarks in context of Madrid Principles No decisive developments will follow the meeting between Russian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, David Jamalyan said.