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DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's interim government is making moves to address some of the demands of pro-Russian protesters.
A statement from the country's acting president and prime minister says the Ukrainian government is ready to carry out "comprehensive constitutional reform" giving Ukraine's regions a greater say in local governance.
They also are pledging to give "special status to the Russian language" and protect the rights of all citizens whatever language they speak.
The prime minister told parliament today that the government has drafted a law to offer amnesty to all those willing to lay down their arms and leave the occupied government buildings.
The protesters are refusing to give up control of those buildings, saying they want the interim government to resign first. They were supposed to vacate under an agreement reached in Geneva yesterday by Russia, Ukraine, the U.S. and the European Union.
Russia has declined to recognize the legitimacy of Ukraine's interim government but it has not said the members of that government should leave their offices.
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119-c-10-(Nataliya Vasilyeva (na-TAL'-ee-yah vah-SEEL'-ee-ah-vah), AP correspondent)-"in Kiev resigns"-AP correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva reports that militiamen controlling government buildings in eastern Kukraine continue to hold them, in spite of a deal between Russia and Ukraine. (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *119 (04/18/14)££ 00:10 "in Kiev resigns"
120-c-08-(Nataliya Vasilyeva (na-TAL'-ee-yah vah-SEEL'-ee-ah-vah), AP correspondent)-"de-escalate the situation"-AP correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva reports pro-Russian insurgents continue to hold buildings they've been occupying. (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *120 (04/18/14)££ 00:08 "de-escalate the situation"
121-c-13-(Nataliya Vasilyeva (na-TAL'-ee-yah vah-SEEL'-ee-ah-vah), AP correspondent)-"resigns as well"-AP correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva reports the latest statements come in spite of a deal worked out between Russia and Ukraine to calm tensions along their shared border. (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *121 (04/18/14)££ 00:13 "resigns as well"
156-a-15-(Andrii Deshchytsia (ahn-DREE' desh-CHIT'-see-uh), Ukrainian foreign minister, at news conference)-"and sincere participation"-Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia says his Russian counterpart suggested his country wanted to help calm tensions in Ukraine. (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *156 (04/18/14)££ 00:15 "and sincere participation"
158-a-10-(Andrii Deshchytsia (ahn-DREE' desh-CHIT'-see-uh), Ukrainian foreign minister, at news conference)-"more concrete actions"-Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia says his nation is ready to act if pro-Russian militiamen in eastern Ukraine do not walk away from occupied government buildings over the weekend. (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *158 (04/18/14)££ 00:10 "more concrete actions"
157-a-11-(Andrii Deshchytsia (ahn-DREE' desh-CHIT'-see-uh), Ukrainian foreign minister, at news conference)-"to this agreement"-Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia says his country had two options in Geneva -- refuse to make a final deal or go along with the brokered agreement. (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *157 (04/18/14)££ 00:11 "to this agreement"
159-a-10-(British Foreign Secretary William Hague, in interview)-"yesterday is upheld"-British Foreign Secretary William Hague says he knows that Ukraine is already following through on its obligations negotiated in Geneva. COURTESY: Sky News ((mandatory on-air credit)) ((yesterday in cut refers to Thursday)) (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *159 (04/18/14)££ 00:10 "yesterday is upheld"
160-a-13-(British Foreign Secretary William Hague, in interview)-"to stabilizing it"-British Foreign Secretary William Hague says it's time for the Russians to step up. COURTESY: Sky News ((mandatory on-air credit)) (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *160 (04/18/14)££ 00:13 "to stabilizing it"
161-a-11-(British Foreign Secretary William Hague, in interview)-"from the brink"-British Foreign Secretary William Hague says without positive steps implementing the negotiated Geneva deal, the Ukraine crisis will be right back where it was a week ago. COURTESY: Sky News ((mandatory on-air credit)) (18 Apr 2014)
<<CUT *161 (04/18/14)££ 00:11 "from the brink"
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