Tymoshenko murder accusations overshadow upcoming EU-Ukraine summit

Law enforcement agencies of no country would pursue a policy of discrimination (selective justice) against members of the opposition while ignoring similar crimes and worse by members of the ruling party. In western democracies, people are equal before the law. Only in Ukraine and a few other rogue states are some people more equal than others. Ukraine cannot be a part of Western European democracies if it does not subscribe to its principles.

I could not agree more with the comments made in all posts. I can only add that the EU is one of the worst violators of the Rule of Law. It does exactly what it deems necessary, whether consistent or inconsistent with the Rule of Law, in fact, its own Treaties.The Ukraine has every right to ignore the condemnations of the EU and of the US. In addition, Tymoshenko's rise to power is shrouded in mystery. At the time of her rise, killing rivals, theft of assets, and such were the convention.

@oldfogie1
What is Ukraine? It is, firstly, its people. Then - its territory and resources. And, only lastly, - its authorities. The latters are not true representatives of the Ukrainian people. Let's say they are a nation’s reflection in a curved mirror. They managed to bear the power primarily due to extensive election fraud and mass conscious manipulation. So no one should confuse the people of Ukraine and authorities.
In due times director-general of the Ukrainian Foundation for Democracy 'People First' Viktor Tkachuk wrote here on EyrActiv (http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/tymoshenko-case-dont-confuse-peo-analysis-508495):
“Despite the fact that the majority of Ukrainians (46%) considered Tymoshenko to be rather guilty of the alleged crimes (against 34% thinking the opposite), her imprisonment was supported only by 24% of Ukrainians. The majority of those polled considered that the criminal case against the former prime minister should be stopped (42%) or that the sentence should be mitigated (11%).
Some people simply humanly sympathised with her, others were ashamed of their country which once again had disgraced itself in the eyes of the world, and others clearly realised how fatal can be the consequences of Tymoshenko's case for the dialogue between Ukraine and Europe. Let us add that 54% of those polled were sure that the case against the former prime minister was a politically-motivated prosecution of opponents by the government.”
And, especially for you, dear oldfogie1:
“Europe should choose such a formula of relations with Ukraine which would foresee "cutting Ukrainian officials down to size" without betraying the European aspirations of ordinary citizens. EU leaders have refused to communicate with Yanukovich.
We hope they will be consistent in their adherence to principles and be able to differentiate cynicism of the government from aspirations of the people and thus sign an association agreement”.
Volodymyr Mishchenko
www.peoplefirst.org.ua

@david tarbuck
Again, the Ukrainian Foundation for Democracy 'People First' sees no substantial difference between Yushchenko and Yanukovich, Yanukovich and Tymoshenko, Tymoshenko and Yushchenko. As well as between today’s Ukrainian power and opposition. All of them are the ones who don’t care about Ukrainians’ aspirations. Their only motto is “Power at ANY Price”. Yushchenko is likely the worst of mentioned above because he cynically betrayed the Great Hope of Ukrainian people for changes that took them to the streets in cold winter of 2004.
Ukrainian politicians are pathologically unable and unwilling to put themselves into a listening mode. The only exception is probably the period of election campaigns. Candidates promise “to hear everyone” but becoming the authorities they begin to decide on their own what they like to do. Move country to the East or to the West? Implement proportional or majoritarian voting system? Shift or down social standards of living? Join a collective security treaty organization or stay neutral? And so on, and so on…
Nowadays such fateful decisions are being adopted by the little group of powerful and rich people that are not inclined to hear the people’s voice. Of course, sometimes they initiate the creation of advisory bodies (public councils, constitutional assemblies etc) with the purpose to make a visibility of a dialog with the civil society. But these bodies are sham from the very beginning because the participants are appointed by authorities.
It is unacceptable that the direction of the country with 45m citizens depends on few people. For one simple reason that their behavior may be influenced from abroad (blackmail, bribe etc).
Due to this the Ukrainian Foundation for Democracy 'People First' is working hard now to give Ukrainian citizens the space and tools to have their say on the future political, social and economic direction of their country.

BTW I’m slightly confused by the Cyrillic symbols in your post. David Tarbuck, is that you?

Volodymyr Mishchenko
www.peoplefirst.org.ua

Mr Mishchenko,

Why does the new accusation have to "jeopardize" the summit? And who are the "Russia oriented people"? Maybe Angela Merkel? wanting Russian resources??

As for the "inhuman conditions' Block Yulia would be more credible if they advocated improvement for ALl prisoners, not just the priveleged one.

@Volodymyr Mishchenko,

Don't be the NATO-EU's toady Voloymyr,

Along with Hillary Clinton Frau Merkel is the one making the loudest calls for "selective" release of Tymoshenko.
She appears to want to drive Ukraine into the arms of Russia, perhaps for assured gas supplies at cheaper prices? And while on the subject of gas and the gas princess, why is the EU not on Ukraine's side in gas negotiations? A little support for efforts to renegotiate the princess' bum dealing?

I.e. The way to deal with bad laws is to repeal them; "selective" use or non use ('selective' releases does not not pass the 'due process" test). This applies most definitely to the "abuse of office" charges, initiated by Yushchenko, against Tymoshenko.
At first blush it appears she was just doing her job; who but she had the authority? Слуга Yushchenko was as usual absent when the going was tough, but could leap in, in a jealous fit to hit the one who was most responsible for him being president in the first place!

As for Kuchma he has nothing to lose by saying there is no ground for prosecuting Tymoshenko but maybe has much to lose if NON-selective investigations were conducted on ALL ex politicians. He was the number one suspect in the killing of an investigating journalist.

One thing for certain, just the number (at least four) of fake cops involved in this murder makes the conviction of only one individual insufficient. With or without her being guilty, who will reopen this case?

The general population of Ukraine has that need figured out; perhaps all those pundits who think of yesterdays princess as some sort of saviour of Ukraine ought to catch up and realize that though Ukraine badly needs an effective LOYAL opposition to effectively press such needs, she is not where it's at.

@david tarbuck
I’m neither EU & NATO nor CU & CSTO man. I am UA-man.
As for choice between NATO & CSTO (Russia-led Tashkent Treaty military block), I believe the people of Ukraine should have their say. I’m convinced that from the national security point of view to be the member of the collective security system is more effective (safer, less expensive) than to keep neutrality. So ideally, the people should be asked first whether they see Ukraine as a neutral state or as a member of some military block. And if the people say “block”, they have to choose the particular one (NATO, CSTO, else?). I wish Europe has no independent from US security block of its own yet. It might be probably the best option for Ukraine.
As for choice between EU & CU, again, the best way is to let the people decide. But they should be informed first that signing AA (+DCFTA) with EU does not presuppose giving up the part of national sovereignty, while joining the CU does.
All the People First Foundation thinks about Ukraine’s rapprochement with Europe (primarily but not limited to the EU) is described below.
The People First Foundation’s mission is to restore the dignity of the Ukrainian people. We want to make every Ukrainian feel his importance, the weight of his voice. We want citizens of Ukraine to be proud of their country.
The way to dignity’s restoration is through the total democratization. People First Foundation aims to help the citizens of Ukraine to develop and implement jointly the Ukrainian model of democracy. We clearly understand the close relationship between the level of democracy and the level of welfare. This link was convincingly proved by the Central and Eastern European countries that once were the part of the socialist camp and recently joined the EU. These countries by achieving the EU’s accession criteria and then by adopting acquis communautaire significantly speeded up their democratic development and economic growth. We believe that Ukraine is able to repeat the success of its neighbors. The "Europeanization" of Ukraine which we understand primarily as the Ukraine’s achievement of Copenhagen criteria is in the interests of the Ukrainian people.
I hope now it is clear that People First Foundation perceives the fulfillment of its mission and the "Europeanization" of the Ukraine as largely identical concepts.
Best,
Volodymyr Mishchenko
www.peoplefirst.org.ua