"Obviously, our election fraud needs some new ideas. I am going to the Ukraine to see how it is really accomplished."
Posted on 11/27/2004 6:05:36 AM PST by Momaw Nadon
KIEV, Ukraine - Ukraine's parliament on Saturday declared invalid the disputed presidential election that triggered a week of growing street protests and legal maneuvers, a move that was not legally binding but clearly demonstrated rising dissatisfaction with the announced outcome.
The Nov. 21 presidential election was won by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, according to the Central Elections Commission, but opponent Viktor Yushchenko's supporters have streamed into the streets, claiming he was cheated out of victory. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by Yushchenko's supporters on Monday, and Yanukovych will not be inaugurated before that appeal is decided.
Regional courts also are considering some 11,000 complaints — from both sides — about alleged voting fraud.
Parliament's decision to invalidate the results is not binding without President Leonid Kuchma's endorsement. The vote came as negotiators from both candidates' camps were expected to meet for talks in a format worked out with European envoys a day earlier.
About time. Putin is gauranteed not to be happy.
It will be hard for Kuchma not to listen. I wonder how the vote split, between the Russian east-south and Ukrainian west?
It is not presently clear whether the parliament or the courts have the ultimate legal authority to void the elections.
Supporters of challenger Viktor Yushchenko, whose supporters staged massive protests against the polls, believe the authority to void the elections remains with President Leonid Kuchma.
The measure to annul the election says the results did not reflect the will of the Ukrainian voters and should be abolished. It says new elections are needed.
Parliament members want a new election commission. The existing 15-person Central Election Commission certified the controversial victory of Viktor Yanukovych.
UPDATED:
KIEV, Ukraine - Ukraine's parliament on Saturday declared invalid the disputed presidential election that triggered a week of growing street protests and legal maneuvers, raising the possibility that a new vote could be held in this former Soviet republic.
Parliament's vote came amid a flurry of domestic and international support for the possibility of a revote. A European Union envoy — Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot — said new elections were the "ideal outcome" for the standoff between Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and Viktor Yushchenko. Asked if new elections were the only solution, Ben Bot answered: "Yes."
The Unian news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko as saying Friday that Moscow regarded a potential revote favorably — an apparent significant retreat from its earlier insistence that the Nov. 21 elections were fair and valid.
Parliament's move was not legally binding but clearly demonstrated rising dissatisfaction with the announced outcome. The United States and other Western nations contend the vote was marred by massive fraud.
The presidential election was won by the Russia-backed Yanukovych, according to the Central Elections Commission, but Yushchenko's supporters streamed into the streets, claiming he was cheated out of victory. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by Yushchenko's supporters on Monday, and Yanukovych will not be inaugurated before that appeal is decided.
Regional courts also are considering some 11,000 complaints — from both sides — about alleged voting fraud.
"The most realistic political decision, taking into account the mutual claims of massive violations, is to pronounce the elections invalid," parliament speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said.
Parliament's decision is not binding without President Leonid Kuchma's endorsement. The vote came as negotiators from both candidates' camps were expected to meet for talks in a format worked out with European envoys a day earlier.
Also, parliament Saturday passed a vote of no confidence in the elections commission, which also has no legal ramifications but steps up pressure on Yanukovych and his supporters.
"Jmouse007" Appears to hve close contacts in Kiev, may be the next best thing.
Viktor Yushchenko is not half the statesman that Vaclav Havel was for Czechoslovakia. He's a true populist and a nationalist, but perhaps this is the introduction to true democracy the Ukrainians need.
The US Democrats are envious and wish they could declare Bush' victory invalid. The Left in the US never ceases to amaze me - when the Left over there tries to steal an election there's no MSM outcry.
I looks like Putin is going to yitch himno. He should have queitly stepped aside.
I'm not sure if a nationalist/populist on one side and a politician with mafia-connections on the other side is a good introduction to democracy. (/sarcasm) But let's hope that the Ukrainians themselves find a way to solve this crisis in a peacful and equitable way.
In a situation like this I would have wished for a real-politician like Henry Kissinger in EU. At least he could analyze a political situation, considering the possibilities and RISKS. Unfortunately, the EU pols are just "do-gooders" and they may actually cause more harm than good.
My girlfriend is a Ukrainian residing in Alchevs'k. I spoke to her last night.
"Obviously, our election fraud needs some new ideas. I am going to the Ukraine to see how it is really accomplished."
After all dem operatives did go to Israel to help elect Barak.
John Kerry's sister went to Australia to campaign for the socialist candidate as well.
True. Of course, George III handled the situation in the colonies in a far more statesmanlike fashion than the likes of Frankin, Adams, Washington et al.
It's easy to appear statesmanlike when you have all the power.
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