[cicero's_son]

This small group of radicals has taken upon itself the goal of splitting Ukraine."

Isn't this Moscow's endgame, Tap? They can't possibly believe that the world would permit them to simply re-occupy the Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are showing no signs of the docility and resignation it would take to manage a puppet government. Therefore, their best option would be a negotiated "velvet revolution" splitting the country into East and West.

Frightening thing is that both the Gov't and the Opposition might go for this, which would bolster your suggestion that Moscow is stage-managing this entire spectacle.

[TapTheSource]

"Therefore, their best option would be a negotiated "velvet revolution" splitting the country into East and West."

Yushchenko is almost certainly a Moscow puppet put there to steer the opposition into a series of compromises designed to trap them in a coalition government favorable to Moscow. If things get out of hand, Russian special forces in combination with pro-Putin Ukranian forces will move in and crush any genuine opposition IMO.

[TapTheSource]

Also might want to check out the following post for a little food for thought:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287167/posts?page=122#122

[Truth666]

Isn't this Moscow's endgame? ... negotiated "velvet revolution" splitting the country into East and West.
It's the endgame for NATO. And that's why it is also the endgame for Moscow.
Forget about negotiated splitting. What NATO wants, starting with Sevatopol, is located in the wrong half.