Meanwhile, around 15,000 people joined a protest in central Kiev over rising electricity and gas prices. But sunny skies and Ukraine's triumphant entry into the World Cup quarter-finals gave the protest a festive atmosphere.

The three parties in the majority coalition are filling parliamentary committees and Cabinet posts. Lawmakers have 30 days to decide the Cabinet, but hoped to vote June 29 on returning Yulia Tymoshenko to the prime minister's job.

The opposition Party of Regions complained that it was being shut out of jobs leading committees. The party threatened to keep up its blockade for 30 days to prevent parliament from voting on the new Cabinet.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 1, 2006
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