KIEV, February 02, 1:09 /ITAR-TASS/. An extraordinary all-Ukrainian meeting of the Party of Regions in Kharkov on Saturday decided to set up a public union -- Ukrainian Front.
It is a voluntary civil association of people -- Cossacks, clergymen, organizations of disabled people, Afghan war veterans, Chernobyl disaster liquidators and others -- who will defend peace and stability in the country and come out against division of Ukraine, the leader of the party's Kharkov regional organization and the head of the regional administration, Mikhail Dobkin, said.
Ukrinform cited Dobkin as saying that among the tasks of the new organization would be breaking through media information blockage for viewpoints of tens of thousands of citizens who did not agree with the opposition to be made public. Besides, its tasks are to join the negotiating process between the opposition and the authorities and have all the opposition-seized buildings, squares and streets vacated.
The Ukrainian Front's headquarters will be temporarily based in Kharkov, but later transferred to Kiev. The civil union will have official representative offices in every Ukrainian region. Its symbol will be black-and-orange St. George's Ribbon (the most recognized and respected symbol of military valour and associated with the commemoration of World War II).
According to Dobkin, the Ukrainian Front plans to initiate a referendum, including to finally abolition parliamentary immunity and reduce the number of deputies to 300.
The public union also plans to form People's Guards units of Cossacks, former participants in local wars and members of sport associations.
The setting up of the new structures will be formalized in accordance with the law. At first, their activities will be controlled by a provisional council.
"We will convince those who have stepped onto the warpath to maintain peace. We will use lawful means, without illegitimate actions. But if necessary, we will give a clear repulse to those who are against peace and favour a split in Ukraine," Dobkin stressed. The first enrollment to the Guards would take place already on Saturday in Kharkov's Palace of Sport after the party forum, he said.
Participants in the forum unanimously supported the proposal to form the Ukrainian Front put forth by the leader of the union of Afghan war veterans, Vladimir Ryzhkov.