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Ukrainian govt bodies may come under attack - president

Yanukovich expressed doubts that the poorer strata of the population, displeased with the authorities' reforms, were behind it

KIEV, November 2 (Itar-Tass) — Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich warned about on-going purchases of firearms across the country that might be used to attack government representatives. "There've been calls for revolution; police supplied information that purchases of firearms and preparations for armed attacks on government bodies are underway," the president told an expanded Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Yanukovich expressed doubts that the poorer strata of the population, displeased with the authorities' reforms, were behind it.

"Please say if everybody has neither fear nor conscience anymore? Who's organizing it? Not those who are in a worse situation. Those who are, they keep silent, exercise patience and wait," the head of state said.

He stressed the necessity to seriously conduct a dialogue with the society and clarify the essence of the reforms.

"We have to come out to people; there is no need for us to hide. We do have shortcomings, and we're putting them right," Yanukovich said.

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