No use of force against peaceful demonstrators planned, roads being cleared - PM Azarov
KYIV. Dec 11 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has denied that force has been used against demonstrators in the center of Kyiv, calling the recent events in the city clearance of the roads.
"No force will ever be used against peaceful demonstrators. We are talking about clearing the roads to ensure the capital's regular functioning," Azarov said when opening a Cabinet meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday.
Azarov called on the opposition not to provoke demonstrators into clashing with security forces.
"Don't push them to act against security forces, don't push them into provocations. I am urging our citizens, especially in this tense situation, to observe the law, to be calm, and to not fall for provocations toward which they are being pushed by extremists, and also to not provoke law enforcement officers into clashes. Otherwise, these would be not peaceful protests. All of us need to calm down and reach a mutual understanding," he said.
Addressing foreign diplomats, the prime minister said the Cabinet is willing once again to explain its position and reaffirm its determination not to take forceful approaches toward solving problems.
"These statements [by foreign diplomats] should take into account the real circumstances, and therefore we are prepared to clarify the situation as much as possible and once again reaffirm the absence of forceful approaches toward resolving problems," Azarov said.
A number of foreign diplomatic missions earlier condemned the dispersal of the demonstrators at Independence Square by security forces.