(Vatican Radio) Anti-government protests and fighting spread across Ukraine, despite
pledges by the president to reshuffle his government. President Viktor Yanukovich
told church leaders that radical trouble makers have taken over the protests by pro-European
Union demonstrators, who have demanded his resignation.
In a meeting with
church officials and other religious leaders, Yanukovich vowed to push through changes
to his Cabinet, grant amnesty to dozens of jailed activists, and amend harsh anti-protest
legislation.
Yet in a statement, his office said the Ukrainian leader also
told representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and other groups that
authorities will have to end the anti-government violence carried out by what he called
"radicals".
Hours later, huge fireballs lit up the night sky in central
Kiev, while clashes resumed near barricades.
Anti government protests have
been held throughout the country, including in the town of where Chernivtsi, where
the regional government building was seized by demonstrators after talks with the
governor failed to produce results.
Though more than 100 people have been detained,
thousands more are taking part in similar actions across half the country, especially
in Western and central regions.
In some cases, officials have joined their
rally. One police captain said he resigned because his colleagues tactics were too
heavy-handed:
“Once Jesus was beaten, tortured, and given a cross to
bear. Demonstrators here in peacetime are tortured, stripped in the snow," added the
man, who only identified himself as Yaroslav, apparently fearing repercussions.
"I
am ashamed to face colleagues who commit such unlawful acts against their own people,”
he added.
So far at least three demonstrators are now known to have died.
But
protesters have warned there may be all-out war in Ukraine if the president does not
resign and the former Soviet nation does not moves towards the European Union. Listen
to this report by Stefan Bos