Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 15:03
The Acting Minister of Defence, Admiral Ihor Teniukh, resigned. He stated this during a speech at the meeting of the Verkhovna Rada. Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov introduced the relevant resolution to the legislature. Only 197 MPs voted in favor of the resolution, so the resolution was not adopted. According to Teniukh, the reason for this step was the criticism of his actions as head of the ministry of defense.
“Realizing that some people do not like the actions that I make as acting defense minister, as well as that there are misunderstandings on issues that were raised from day to day in relation to the autonomous republic… I’ve never clung to power… according to this situation, if the leadership has a different vision of other candidates, I do not mind,” said Teniukh. “And so I, the Acting Minister of Defence, Admiral Ihor Tenyukh, resign. Convey my regards,” he said.
Teniukh briefly commented on his actions as head of the Defense Ministry, a position he held since February 27. He said that right after his appointment, he immediately began to lead troops in full combat readiness and to clean the armed forces.
“Recent statements in the press about the so-called “not giving” orders are untrue. Immediately upon entering my position, I ordered the (…) use of weapons under the statutes. There is corresponding documentation from March 3,” he said. “After the Warrant officer was killed during the capture of the military base in Simferopol; the second order on the use of weapons was issued,” added Teniukh.
As reported, the defense department has been repeatedly criticized regarding indecisiveness. Specifically, the sailors of the trawler Odesa, located on the occupied territories in the Lake of Donuzlav town Novoozerne spread an appeal in which they demanded the administration make specific decisions on further actions of the military. These accusations were denied by the Defense Ministry, saying that conducting military operations aimed at the elimination of the so-called “self-defense” troops on the peninsula that support the separatists and illegal Russian troops, would cause an invasion of mainland Ukraine. In addition, the department stated that they communicate with units in Crimea and keep sending them “clear instructions”.
12:29. The Rada held a second vote on the decision to retire Tenyukh. This time, 228 deputies voted for it.
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/25/7020198/
