FOUR MONITORING OF OSCE MISSING IN DONETSK

MINA-OSCE — **OSCE flag (**Photo: Kyivpost.com)

Vienna, 29 Rajab 1435/28 May 2014 (MINA) – Four of Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of Donetsk-based observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) who have gone missing in Donetsk, the organisation says.

The OSCE based in Vienna said in a written statement that communication was lost with the four observers, a Donetsk-based team, on Monday at 5 pm Turkish time.

“The team was on a routine patrol east of Donetsk when contact was lost. We have been unable to re-establish communication until now. The team consists of four international SMM members,” according to statement on OSCE’s website, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Reuters reports that the four — an Estonian, a Swiss, a Turk, and a Dane — encountered a road checkpoint on Monday evening and have not been heard form since.

The issue was raised by Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu during a meeting with his Russian, Swedish and Danish counterparts in Russia, according to a statement from the ministry.

“OSCE’s special monitoring missions are working independently and selflessly to contribute the safety and stability of Ukrainian people. It is obligatory for both sides in Ukraine to act with deference towards the missions,” said a statement issued by Turkey’s foreign ministry on Wednesday.

Ukraine’s Poroshenko vows to crush unrest in east

Ukraine’s president-elect, Petro Poroshenko, has promised to quickly crush pro-Russia activists in the country’s eastern region, Press TV report.

Poroshenko made the pledge on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with the German daily Bild.

The president-elect reiterated his iron-fist policy against the pro-Russia activists in the eastern part of the country. Poroshenko also ruled out negotiations with pro-Russia protesters, vowing to continue military operations in the country’s southeastern provinces.

Poroshenko’s statements came after Ukrainian forces conducted their latest battle with pro-Russia activists in the eastern city of Donetsk, killing more than 40 people, mostly pro-Russia protesters.

The Monday battle between two groups erupted for the control of the international airport in Donetsk. Kiev said on Tuesday that it controls the Sergei Prokofiev Airport. (T/P09/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)