Ukraine's President Says Foreign Minister To Stay

Borys Tarasyuk (file photo) (epa) December 5, 2006 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has issued a decree saying that the foreign minister, who was sacked by parliament last week, will keep his job.

Borys Tarasyuk, a pro-Western politician and Yushchenko ally in the cabinet, was dismissed on December 1 in a vote by the pro-Russian majority in parliament.

The one-line presidential decree today said Tarasyuk would continue performing his duties in line with Ukraine's Constitution, which stipulates that it is the president that sets down and implements foreign policy.

Tarasyuk himself told reporters today that a Kyiv district court had suspended the Verhovna Rada decision on the grounds that it violated Ukraine's laws.

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, a fierce critic of the foreign minister, is currently on a visit to Washington.

(compiled from agency reports)