Ukraine approves special status for rebel-held east

The Ukrainian parliament has approved measures that will give the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk limited self-rule and grant amnesty to many pro-Russian separatists. The law also calls for local elections.

The Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv has approved a bill that would give a limited amount of self-rule to separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Part of the legislation grants amnesty to some of those involved in the conflict, which includes Ukrainian military forces and pro-Russian separatists.

The bill, drawn up by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday, outlines the implementation of limited self-rule for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in east Ukraine, which are controlled by the separatists. The limited autonomy would be in place for three years.

"During this time we will be able to introduce the issue of profound decentralization which must also provide for respective amendments to the Constitution,” Poroshenko said on Monday in a meeting with party leaders.

The bill also calls for local elections in those regions, with a date to be set in November or December.

http://www.dw.de/ukraine-approves-sp...n-all-1573-rdf

Kiev Offers ‘Special Status’ for Breakaway Regions

KIEV, Ukraine — In keeping with a provision of a recent cease-fire agreement with separatists, the Ukrainian government submitted a draft law to Parliament on Monday that would grant “special status” to the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions for three years.

The main points include amnesty for those who participated in the “events” in those regions; the right to use Russian as an official language; the election of local councils; funds for social and economic development from the state budget; and the right to form local police forces.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/wo...-conflict.html

Putin Stroonnggg....!!!