NATO appeals to all sides in Ukraine to refrain from violence

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Sunday appealed to all parties to refrain from violence and the use of force in Ukraine, as media reports spoke of casualties in clashes in Kiev between police and demonstrators who are protesting the government's not signing an agreement with the EU for closer ties. "Tonight in Kyiv, many Ukrainians continue to show their strong support for their country's closer relations with the European Union. It is the right of people everywhere to express their views in a democratic way," said the NATO chief in a statement. "Violence and force are not the way to resolve political differences in a democratic society. I urge everyone to proceed in accordance with constitutional and democratic norms. NATO fully respects all Ukrainians and the democratic ideals of the Ukrainian nation," he stated. "I call on Ukraine, as the holder of the Chairmanship in Office of the OSCE, to fully abide by its international commitments to respect the freedom of expression and assembly," added Rasmussen. Ukraine is not a member of the 28-member Alliance but has partnership action plans with NATO.