Ukraine Assembly Blasts Decree, Refuses Poll Funds

Ukraines parliament on Monday said a presidential decree dissolving parliament and ordering a new election.

Ukraine's parliament on Monday said a presidential decree dissolving parliament and ordering a new election was akin to the start of a coup and refused to provide financing for the poll.

A resolution approved at an emergency session said President Viktor Yushchenko's decree "bears all the signs of a step towards a coup d'etat" and made clear it would defy its provisions.

It barred the government of the president's arch rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, from providing funds for conducting the campaign for the parliamentary election set for May 27.