Merkel and Hollande Urge Kiev to Start Dialog with Ukraine’s Regions Before Elections

[newthinking]

Christof Lehmann (nsnbc) :
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande urged authorities in Kiev to begin a national dialog with the rebellious regions in southeastern Ukraine before the presidential elections scheduled for May 25. The development reveals a growing rift between the US/UK ”Atlantic Axis” targeting the region and Europe with a Russian – European conflict.

Merkel and Hollande issued a joint statement on Saturday May 10, stressing that authorities in Kiev initiate a national dialog with Ukraine’s region before the planned elections, focusing on vital issues including constitutional change, changes to the legal system of Ukraine and decentralization.

The two European leaders added that the OSCE would be playing an important role in this process. Merkel and Hollande urged Kiev to present the plans for constitutional change within no more than a few days and to pledge that the authorities in Kiev would help to assure the regions’ stability, safety and prosperity.

With regard to Kiev’s use of military force and the escalating violence in southeastern Ukraine, Merkel and Hollande stressed that force must only be used to protect infrastructure, adding that “all parties to the conflict should give up violence and provocative action”.

http://nsnbc.me/2014/05/10/merkel-hollande-urge-kiev-start-dialog-ukraines-regions-elections/

[MannyGoldstein]

1. They're not going to bat for Jamie and Lloyd?

There will be consequences.