Orange Talks Go Sour.

Our Ukraine has walked out of coalition talks with the Yulia Tymoshenko Block (BYT) and the Socialists due the Socialists demand that their leader, Oleksandr Moroz, be made speaker. The Socialists have asked that the President step in to sort out the disagreement, while the President has said that the situation should be worked out by the future Prime Minister – Yulia Tymoshenko. Additionally, Yushchenko ruled out dismissing the Rada and calling new elections.  Concorde Capital:  After being seemingly on the verge of forming a coalition after Our Ukraine’s agreement to give BYT the Premier seat, things have gone downhill after the Socialists, with BYT’s quiet support, refused to relinquish the Speaker role. The stalled coalition talks combined with the refusal of Regions stronghold Crimea, to allow NATO troops to participate in the annual Sea Breeze military operations have been a major embarrassment for the government, and are said to have caused US President George Bush to call off his trip to Ukraine. The Socialists softened their stance this morning however, it will likely take major concessions on their part to get talks going again. Were Moroz to become speaker, questions on key privatizations, joining the WTO, and NATO would likely be drug out indefinitely, something Our Ukraine and the President cannot allow. This looks like Our Ukraine’s best chance to join with Regions and save a little face.