Ukrainian protestors in Dam Square, Amsterdam, 7th Dec. 2013

[Cem_Usakligil]

I have been in Amsterdam last weekend. While strolling, I have come across this small group of Ukrainian protestors in Dam Square. They were demonstrating against the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who has turned his back on the as yet unsigned Association Treaty with the EU, in favor of the economic links with Russia.

The government of Ukraine withdrew last week suddenly back from the consultations with the EU . They did it because ties with Russia were at stake. Russia has been trying to sabotage the deal between the EU and Ukraine in order to bring in their own, Moscow-dominated customs union. The Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said that Russia has economically " blackmailed " him. With the exception of the Communist Party , the entire Ukrainian opposition is in favor of the the association treaty with the EU. One of the conditions of the EU for the signing of the treaty was also the release of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Yanukovych stated that he has no objections to it. But last week Thursday, the Ukrainian parliament rejected all bills that could have made the release of Tymoshenko possible.

As you can see, the protest was small and very peaceful. Many tourists were taking pictures of the protestors, so I could only oblige to share the news here with you.

Ukrainian protesters in Dam Square, Amsterdam. - (j02412) by Cem_Usakligil



Ukrainian protesters in Dam Square, Amsterdam. - (j02414) by Cem_Usakligil



Ukrainian protesters in Dam Square, Amsterdam. - (j02431) by Cem_Usakligil

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[James Lemon]

Good coverage of this Cem and well presented . The first image jumps out at me the most.

I took some pictures at a very large well organized protest a while back. It was peaceful and a

number of streets in the downtown area of a major metropolis were blocked off by

police for a few hours. However I was very surprised when I got home that evening to find out there

was not even a mention of it on any of the local news stations.

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Good coverage of this Cem and well presented . The first image jumps out at me the most.

I took some pictures at a very large well organized protest a while back. It was peaceful and a

number of streets in the downtown area of a major metropolis were blocked off by

police for a few hours. However I was very surprised when I got home that evening to find out there

was not even a mention of it on any of the local news stations.

Thanks James. I guess this example you gave is analogous to the Time photos of the year discussion. If it is not shocking, sad, viloent or otherwise interesting, it is not news at all.

 

[James Lemon]

Thanks James. I guess this example you gave is analogous to the Time photos of the year discussion. If it is not shocking, sad, viloent or otherwise interesting, it is not news at all.

Marketing people sell magazines for advertising space. As for the editorial part ? Nobody Cares.

 

[Asher Kelman]

This Ukrainian fight is one that interests me. Russian leaders have used the Ukraine for its resources. Stalin starved them and took all the harvests! Putin expects them to tow the Russian line if they are to get natural gas. Right now, depending on the leaders there, the country lurches to and from the former exploiters.

There's no reason why a good relationship couldn't be made between former parts of the Russian Soviet empire. What's sad is that the Ukraine has a lot of resources and a creative population. There should be no issue of their being able to be friends with both the Russians and Europe.

Asher