Showdown around NaftoHaz gives black eye to Ukraine – Anatoly Hrytsenko

March05200919:46

Anatoly Hrytsenko, head of VR committee on security and defense told journalists in VR that Pres Yushchenko should immediately react to unlawful actions by the SBU.

A. Hrytsenko said a customs official who refused to allow the pumping of gas claimed by RosUkrEnergo was arrested illegally. “The charges brought against the official are the territory of a police investigation, with SBU having nothing to do with it. SBU has violated the law,” Hrytsenko stressed.

“The showdown around NaftoHaz humiliates Ukraine and gives it an image of a non-European country,” Hrytsenko went on.

Yushchenko has to appoint a new SBU director, the lawmaker continued. “Failing this, Verkhovna Rada may take over the issue and appoint its candidate – in an absolutely legal way, Hrytsenko warned [the present SBU director, Valentyn Nalyvajchenko, has been acting director for over 2 years now, although he can be in this capacity for only 30 days. Lawmakers point the finger at Pres Yushchenko, accusing him of violating the constitution – Ed.].