Ukranian PM refuses to go

(01:42) Report

Apr 3 - The world waits anxiously to see whether Ukraine's politicians will settle their deeply-held differences peacefully

Eight months of sniping between the two rivals burst into the open last week when president Viktor Yushchenko accused prime minister Viktor Yanukovich of illegally expanding his coalition majority by poaching Yushchenko's supporters.
Yanukovich and his supporters have refused to accept a presidential decree which dissolves parliament and calls for a snap election.

Benet Allen reports.SOUNDBITES:

Ukraine opposition leader Yulia Tymonshenko, saying (Ukrainian)
''I think the President as the guarantor of the constitution did not have any other option to resolve the political and economic crisis in the country. I am sure that if the President had not taken this step, we would lose Ukrainian independence, and we would lose the chance of becoming truly democratic.''

Ukraine Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich saying, (Russian)
''If he does not cancel his decree, he will take a huge responsibility for the entire country. I think in this case not only a parliamentary election but also a presidential election is imminent. The president should know about it.''

Follow Reuters Global Coverage on the crisis in the Ukraine:

Global Coverage: Ukraine Crisis
Richard Edgar introduces the Global Coverage and talks to Reuters Chief correspondent, Ron Popeski, in Kiev by phone to gauge the atmosphere there.
Ukraine Crisis: President dissolves parliament
Ukrainian politics takes a new turn as the parliament refuses to accept a dissolution decree from the president.

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