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14-01-2005 18:09 Maidan-INFORM
Yanukovych’s Supporters Protest in Odessa

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Viktor Yanukovych's supporters are protesting at Kulikov square in Odessa, next to the monument to communist leader Vladimir Lenin. The organizers of the tent camp there call themselves the representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy.

Recently, one more tent was added to the group of Yanukovych supporters by the regional branch of the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine. Every day they collect money and signatures to support a so-called "Committee of Protection of the Constitution and Democracy," under the slogan “Odessa for honest elections, Odessa against Viktor Yushchenko.” Although there are hardly any participants in this demonstration, the organizers are distributing the “Orthodox Telegraph” newspaper, which is published by pro-Russian organization “Edinoe Otechestvo” (The Only Motherland). This newspaper contains exhortations to disobedience and non-recognition of the results of the December 26 election. The chief editor of the Russian-published “Orthodox Telegraph,” Valeriy Kaurov, says that “Orthodox patriots can expect new oppressions against the Russian-speaking population after Viktor Yushchenko comes into power…”

The mood of Yanukovych's supporters in Odessa remains unchanged.

“This is Novorussian (New Russian) territory. Many have forgotten this fact. Donetsk and Luhansk regions have never belonged to Ukraine. The native language is Russian. You forgot about this as well. You should be prosecuted for nationalism. I am on my own soil. On Novorussian soil. It has never been called Ukraine,” declared a Yanukovych supporter.

The female Yanukovych supporters reacted very irreverently to the presence of Radio “Liberty” correspondent on the camp's terrain. They were screaming “Go away!” and preventing him from going about his professional duties.

It is known that Yanukovych plans to visit Odessa in the coming days. Among other activities, he will address participants of this demonstration against the results of the December 26 election.

At the same time, on January 12, members of the “Batkivshchyna” (Motherland) party were distributing Christmas presents to pupils of an Odessa boarding school for deaf-mute children.

Party member Ludmyla Shamray said that this action is intended “to do good for children who need it.” The “Batkivshchyna” party plans to make similar events in Odessa a tradition and expressed satisfaction at having an opportunity to organize such charitable activities from now on. Before opposition candidate Yushchenko's victory, the majority of the boarding school directors had refused to meet with supporters of Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko as well as denied their eagerness to provide aid to children.

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