‘Viktor Yushchenko's battle to convert people power into a legal victory for the Ukrainian presidency remains long and hard.
On Saturday, Mr Yushchenko did make considerable progress in parliament, where deputies voted to declare November 21's election invalid on grounds of widespread fraud that favoured Viktor Yanukovich, the prime minister backed by President Leonid Kuchma.
Only 70 of the 450-member assembly backed a motion approving Mr Yanukovich's election victory, as former allies, notably Viktor Pinchuk, Mr Kuchma's son-in- law and an influential businessman, withheld support. Parliament also voted for a new election commission.
The votes are symbolic, since parliament plays no legal role in reviewing elections. But the political message has echoed around Ukraine and will have reached the Supreme Court, which today is due to review a motion from Mr Yushchenko to have the election declared invalid.
It was unclear on Sunday whether the court would consider making a broad decision to invalidate the whole poll and pave the way for a new second round election or to examine reviewing the vote on a district-by-district basis. Mr Yushchenko's supporters want a quick decision and a new vote in two or three weeks. But they were not certain the authorities would leave the court free to make an independent decision.
In any case, the key moves will be made in the political arena. Mr Yushchenko's demands amount to a virtual dismantling of Mr Kuchma's administrative machine before the proposed election re-run including the dismissal of the prime minister, the cabinet and officials allegedly involved in falsifying last week's poll. Such moves could threaten the coterie of business oligarchs who surround Mr Kuchma. The opposition leader is also pressing for parliament to pass new election laws abolishing absentee ballots, and other changes to minimise future fraud. Little surprise that Mr Kuchma said on Sunday talks between the Yushchenko and Yanukovich camps were going badly. Mr Yanukovich, touring his heartland in eastern Ukraine, said bluntly that the country was “on the brink of catastrophe”.
Mr Yanukovich was speaking at a gathering of friendly parliamentary deputies and local politicians who voted for a referendum to establish a new autonomous region with its capital in the eastern city of Kharkiv.
Among the participants were Russian officials, reportedly including Yuri Luzhkov, mayor of Moscow.
"Luzhkov is connected to Marc Rich", well could there also be a 'hidden' Clintons connection????
Soros sells Svyazinvest stake for $625 mln-source
Billionaire financier George Soros has sold his 25 percent stake in Russian state telecoms group Svyazinvest to TNK-BP partner Len Blavatnik for $625 million, a source in the financial community told Reuters.
Marc Rich, eh? There is ALWAYS a Slick Willie connection. Barf....