Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, commented upon the situation connected with the setting up of the Temporary Inquiry Panel of The Verkhovna Rada to investigate legitimacy of the competitions for registration (re-registration) of broadcast licenses with the use of respective frequencies in 2005-2010 held by the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council. He believes that this situation demonstrates the attempts of the coalition and the opposition to outwit each other.
In the interview to Channel 5 on Tuesday, V.Lytvyn stated: "I consider temporary inquiry panels to be the tool of opposition used to control the authorities. However, the resolution on the setting up of the Temporary Inquiry Panel of The Verkhovna Rada to investigate legitimacy of the competitions for registration (re-registration) of broadcast licenses being adopted, the opposition withdrew its members from it. The Standing Orders of The Verkhovna Rada envisage that the panel shall involve the representatives of all factions in proportion to their membership. If the factions fail to nominate their representatives, the resolution on setting up the panel shall not be signed."
Next Wednesday, the opposition is to submit a draft resolution on setting up an inquiry panel to tackle the observance of the freedom of speech, V.Lytvyn announced. He doubts that the panel will launch its work, like the panel set up to investigate the legitimacy of distribution of radio frequencies by the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council. He predicted that the coalition factions would refuse to nominate their members to the panel on censorship, similarly as the opposition did not nominate its representatives to the panel on frequencies.
"I call for holding consultations, and setting up a single panel on these issues. European institutions and other international organizations for freedom of speech who monitor situation in Ukraine should not tackle these issues on our behalf", the Head of the Parliament stated.