Ukraine PM accuses president  

Ukraine's prime minister accused President Viktor Yushchenko of preparing to use force in their struggle for supremacy after Yushchenko said on Friday he was taking control of interior ministry troops.

Yushchenko issued his decree hours after riot police loyal to the prime minister took over a building housing the prosecutor general's office in Kiev following scuffles.

The decree concerns troops largely responsible for maintaining public order and not the army, which is controlled by one of pro-western Yushchenko's few allies in the cabinet. He ordered the interior ministry troops to protect key sites.

Yanukovich denounced the president's move as dangerous and unconstitutional. It presaged, he said, an attempt to use force to resolve Ukraine's long-running political crisis.

"Taking such decisions without consulting the government is inadmissible. I think this seriously aggravates the situation," Yanukovich told a cabinet meeting.

"What does all this mean? This means that the 'use of force scenario', which we have been discussing constantly, has begun."

The United States, European Union and former Soviet master Russia all called for a solution upholding democracy and shunning violence. But unlike 2004 "Orange Revolution" protests, when the West backed Yushchenko in his campaign to denounce election fraud, no one this time has taken sides.

"All efforts should now be focused on reaching a peaceful joint settlement quickly," the EU's German Presidency said.

Yushchenko and Yanukovich, who is friendlier to Moscow, have been sniping for months over a division of powers. They have failed to agree a date for a snap parliamentary election nearly two months after the president dissolved the chamber.

Tensions boiled over on Thursday when Yushchenko dismissed the prosecutor general and accused riot police who rushed to his office to defend him of breaking the law. 

President pessimistic on talks

The president invited the prime minister to new talks but later said he had little hope they would prove successful.

Yushchenko, quoted by his press service, told a meeting of security officials: "Of course, we will continue the negotiating process in the coming days, but I would say I have little optimism that this can produce results."

Media reports said Yushchenko was expected to chair a meeting of the National Security Council on Saturday. The council's decisions become law once signed by the president.

Interior Minister Vasyl Tsushko, who oversaw the seizure by riot police of the prosecutor general's office, said he remained fully in control of his forces.

"I am told that I am interfering in politics. Well, I will keep interfering because I can no longer tolerate lies and nonsense," he told parliament which is hostile to the president.

"As interior minister I will ensure order. I alone take responsibility for the forces to be used for that purpose."

Yushchenko said Tsushko had committed a crime. Yanukovich said Svyatoslav Piskun's dismissal as prosecutor general was groundless.

There was no trace of tension on Kiev streets. A few thousand supporters of the prime minister marched to the president's office for a time before dispersing.

Since Yushchenko's election in 2004, Ukraine has been torn between centuries of links with Russia and Yushchenko's drive towards long-term NATO and European Union membership.

Both Yushchenko and Yanukovich called this week for quick action to break the deadlock over the election date. The president wants a poll as quickly as possible, while the prime minister says no election can be held before October.