Today, the mayor of Lutsk, Anton Kryvytskyi, at an operational meeting in the presence of local media reported that the city authorities, together with the regional administration, had decided to provide the assembly hall premises of Volyn State University for holding a meeting between Viktor Yushchenko and voters. Assessing the protest actions held at the initiative of the regional headquarters of "Our Ukraine," the Lutsk mayor emphasized that he would not allow "blackmail and political speculation on the topic of premises" and reminded that L.D. Kuchma remains the acting president. "When Yushchenko becomes president, I will carry out his instructions," summarized Anton Kryvytskyi.
In response, the head of the "Our Ukraine" headquarters in Volyn Oblast, Volodymyr Bondar, noted: "It is strange that the mayor is engaging in functions that are not his own and allows the occupation of premises that are not owned by the city executive committee. Moreover," emphasized the people's representative, "we received an official refusal for the provision of the conference hall of Volyn State University signed by vice-rector Volodymyr Baran, justified by the holding of events for Student Day." The head of the regional headquarters of "Our Ukraine" believes that the Volyn public is being misled, and regards the events surrounding the premises as a provocation by the authorities, who want to disrupt the plan for holding Viktor Yushchenko's meeting with the public. "I don't remember Lutsk ever celebrating Student Day events as pompously as now. I think students should thank Viktor Yushchenko that his arrival prompted the authorities to think about the fact that their holiday should somehow be marked."
Volodymyr Bondar also reported that since we still do not have clarity regarding the premises, the forum will take place on Theater Square in Lutsk. He also noted that the organizers of the regional forum do not rule out the possibility of the authorities holding actions on Theater Square as well, although they hope this will not happen. "We will hold the meeting under any circumstances," assured Volodymyr Bondar.
"The authorities began their insinuations about the premises only because the Sunday rally frightened them. The Volyn residents who came out to the square proved that the people can influence the authorities," believes the representative of "Our Ukraine" in Volyn Oblast.