Ukraine PM urges caution over protests

Protesters stand in front of the building of Cabinet of Ministers in Kiev, Ukraine, early Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. A protest by about 300,000 Ukrainians angered by their government's decision to freeze integration with the West turned violent Sunday, when a group of demonstrators besieged the president's office and police drove them back with truncheons, tear gas and flash grenades. Dozens of people were injured.(AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Protesters stand in front of the building of Cabinet of Ministers in Kiev, Ukraine, early Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. A protest by about 300,000 Ukrainians angered by their government's decision to freeze integration with the West turned violent Sunday, when a group of demonstrators besieged the president's office and police drove them back with truncheons, tear gas and flash grenades. Dozens of people were injured.(AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Published Dec 3, 2013

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KIEV - Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov urged lawmakers not to repeat the 2004 Orange Revolution that overthrew the country's leadership in the face of mass protests.

Speaking above boos in parliament during a debate over a no-confidence motion against his government, Azarov apologised for the use of police force against pro-EU protesters on one of Kiev's main squares.

“We reach out our hand to you, push away the intriguers, the intriguers seeking power and who are trying to repeat the scenario of 2004,” he said.

Reuters

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