Tymoshenko accuses Yushchenko of sabotage

November12200901:15

Addressing her cabinet on Nov. 11, Premier Yulia Tymoshenko pointed her finger at the president, accusing him of sabotaging cabinet's efforts to fight the flue epidemic.

Tymoshenko blasted Yushchenko for not signing into law the bill passed almost unanimously by Verkhovna Rada and allocating UAH 1 billion to fight the flue outbreak in Ukraine. The president received the bill for signing 8 days ago, the premier said. Since he has not signed till now, the cabinet has no funds to sign medical supplies contracts. This kind of attitude does not fit the person elected to lead the nation. It is a criminal attitude for which the incumbent must be held accountable, she added.

“The president is responsible for the life of every sick or dead person. I demand that the president sign the bill,” Tymoshenko said, speaking very emotionally. Unless he signs the bill till the end of Wednesday, it will mean that he wants the epidemic to spread in Ukraine and to declare, at this backdrop, the state of emergency and cancel the presidential election. Such kind of activity is inconsistent with the president to continue in office,” the premier stressed.

The premier also said she was outraged by Yushchenko vetoing the cabinet’s decision to issue state guarantees for contracts to buy medical reanimation equipment. Tymoshenko said the cabinet will issue the same guaranteed again.