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      Ukrainian Leader: Crackdown Against Pro-Russian Separatists Underway

   Ukraine`s interim president says he has launched a crackdown on
   pro-Russian demonstrators who have taken over state buildings in
   eastern Ukraine.
   Oleksander Turchynov says government forces began a gradual and
   cautious operation in the Donetsk region, where pro-Moscow forces have
   ignored Kyiv`s previous ultimatums to surrender.
   Mr. Turchynov told lawmakers Moscow has intentionally inflamed the
   situation in the east.
   to be on fire. They want the whole south and east of Ukraine to be on
   fire - from Kharkiv region to Odessa region.``
   END OPT. SOUNDBITE))
   Opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko urged Mr. Turchynov to send
   Ukrainian armed forces to the region to drive out the separatists.
   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will withdraw from
   an emergency international summit scheduled for Thursday in Geneva if
   Kyiv uses force in eastern Ukraine.
   Lavrov was questioned about the situation Tuesday during a visit to
   China.
   Tensions over the crisis spilled into the streets of Kyiv on Tuesday
   when dozens of activists assaulted pro-Russian lawmaker Oleh Tsaryov
   outside a television studio. Tsaryov is a candidate in presidential
   elections to be held May 25.
   Western governments have accused Moscow of backing the protests in
   eastern Ukraine. U.S. President Barack Obama warned Russian President
   Vladimir Putin in a phone call Monday that Moscow will face further
   costs if its actions in Ukraine persist. He urged the Russian leader to
   use his influence to persuade the demonstrators to leave the buildings
   they have seized.
   In turn, Mr. Putin urged Mr. Obama to discourage the Ukrainian
   government from using force against protesters.
   The demonstrators are demanding a referendum on whether to split with
   Ukraine and join Russia - similar to the recent vote in Crimea.
   A report issued Tuesday by the U.N. human rights commissioner accuses
   Russia of manipulating the March 16 vote through propaganda, harassment
   and torture of anti-Russian activists.
   White House officials say U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will travel to
   Kyiv on April 22.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ukrainian-leader-crackdown-against-pr
   orussian-separatists-underway/1893698.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ukrainian-leader-crackdown-against-prorussian-separatists-underway/1893698.html