For this, the only (circumstantial) evidence is that the Ukrainian-language service of Radio Liberty, which the American government finances, has been very hostile to Mr Kuchma of late, giving lots of airtime to Mr Melnichenko.

ECONOMIST: Schemes and scandals in Ukraine | The

While Ukrainian would remain the country's official language, Russian could be used in courts, hospitals, schools and other institutions in Russian-speaking regions.

BBC: Ukraine police clash with Kiev crowd over language law

People will be allowed to choose which language they want their documents issued in - Ukrainian or regional.

BBC: Ukraine police clash with Kiev crowd over language law

Her parents, Lesia and Peter Matijcio, had steeped their daughter in the customs and language of their homeland, and as she recited (in Ukrainian) an ode to Ukraine's folkloric kalyna plant a slender-branched shrub with lustrous red berries by the poet Taras Shevchenko, the crowd roared, and the little girl took bow after bow.

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