2015-08-10 16:48:00

Ukraine: OSCE not daunted by arson attacks


(Vatican Radio) The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says it has no plans to leave eastern Ukraine after several armoured cars were destroyed in an apparent arson attack. It was the latest a series of incidents targeting the OSCE and observers who try to monitor a shaky ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

At least four cars were set on fire in the rebel-held city of Donetsk, causing reinforced glass on their windows to crack and paint to peel off.

The once white sport utility vehicles were parked outside a hotel in Donetsk that houses the OSCE observers. Ukraine's military the attack on rebel "partners in crime", while pro-Russian separatists said "Ukrainian saboteurs" were responsible for it.

ANTI-OSCE PROTESTS

The attack follows recent protests outside the Donetsk hotel by demonstrators who condemned what they called the silence and blindness of the mission. Some 30 vehicles of the OSCE and other international organizations were reportedly damaged on one of these occasions. In the past several OSCE observers were briefly kidnapped but later released by Russian-backed separatists. Despite Sunday’s arson attack the deputy head of the OSCE monitoring mission in Ukraine, Alexander Hug, said the group wants to remain in the region.

WIDER INTIMIDATION

“This is the last of a series of incidents effecting the security of the OSCE on its property. It seems this sort of intimidation is aimed at stopping the OSCE from reporting what is going on,” he complained. However, “I have to make it clear that the OSCE mission to Ukraine has no intention at this stage to withdraw from Donetsk,” Hug added.

The OSCE has more than 500 observers throughout Ukraine, two-thirds of whom are based in the east. They have accused both sides of violating an already shaky ceasefire by using or maintaining heavy weapons near the front line, despite an agreement in February that both would pull them back.

Amid the turmoil, Ukraine's government has banned the screening of films featuring Russian actors on a blacklist. It said the 14 Russian actors, singers and other cultural figures on the blacklist pose a threat to national security. Those banned include French-born actor Gerard Depardieu, who became a vocal supporter of Russia after taking citizenship in 2013 and last month was barred from entering Ukraine for five years. Kiev has accused Moscow of backing the separatists with weapons and troops, charges Russia denies.








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