Posted on 11/28/2004 8:21:50 PM PST by KOZ.
KIEV, Ukraine — The crisis over Ukraine's disputed presidential election intensified Sunday, as a key eastern province called a referendum on autonomy andthe opposition demanded the current president fire his prime minister, the official winner of last week's votethat has bitterly divided this former Soviet republic.
The opposition warned President Leonid Kuchma it would block his movementsunless he fired PrimeMinister ViktorYanukovych and fulfilled other demands within 24 hours.
Earlier, Kuchma called on the opposition to end its four-day blockade of government buildings, saying compromise was the only solution to the crisis that has developed into a tense political tug-of-war between the West and Moscow over Ukraine's future.
On Saturday, Ukraine's parliament declared the election invalid amid international calls for a new vote, and lawmakers also passed a vote of no confidence in the CentralElectionsCommission, which declared Moscow-backed Yanukovych the winner.
Both parliamentary votes, however, are symbolic only and have no legalstanding.
Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, who claims he was cheated out of victory in the Nov. 21 presidential runoff, urged his supporters Sunday to stay in the streets. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have thronged downtown Kiev for a week to support Yushchenko's claim the election was rigged.
The Supreme Court will consider Yushchenko's appeal Monday. The court's ruling could pave the way for a new vote, which the opposition is demanding, or remove the only barrier to Yanukovych's inauguration.
The United States and other Westernnations say the vote was marred by massive fraud. RussianPresident Vladimir Putin openly backed Yanukovych and congratulated him on his victory. Moscowconsiders this nation of 48 million people part of its sphere of influence and a buffer between Russia and NATO's eastern flank.
Yushchenko also has called for a new vote Dec. 12 under the watch of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
my opinion is that another election is the only solution.
"The opposition warned President Leonid Kuchma it would block his movements, unless he fired PrimeMinister ViktorYanukovych and fulfilled other demands within 24 hours. "
Doesn't look like they want another election, does it?
its pretty obvious from the article and form every other major source that it was fraud.
You didn't answer my question.
Yushchenko's supporters want the other government to resign, they do not want fair elections.
In fair elections, they may lose anyway.
These latest demands make it very clear, even to the most naive, that Yushchenko couldn't care less about democracy and fair elections, he just want power -- of course what else did you expect from a Soros protege.
Especially from the sources controlled by Soros and his local partners, Mr. Pinchuk and Mr.Kuchma
This is the more active thread on a very similar article.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1290019/posts
Today Lugar told Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace of rampant fraud and abuse, employees forced to hand over their absentee ballots to bosses, buses going from polling place to polling place for multiple voting.
Lugar and others warned the government after observing the fraud in the first phase, but Lugar said the government turned a deaf ear.
AP says: On Saturday, Ukraine's parliament declared the election invalid amid international calls for a new vote, and lawmakers also passed a vote of no confidence in the Central Elections Commission, which declared Moscow-backed Yanukovych the winner.
the parlaimant wants another vote.
The court's ruling could pave the way for a new vote, which the opposition is demanding
the opposition wants a vote. (thats yushchenko, btw.)
Yushchenko also has called for a new vote Dec. 12 under the watch of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
yushchenko calling for a FAIR VOTE.
my guess is that he wants another election. read the article before you post.
Thanks for that info on Senator Richard Lugar being an election monitor in the Kiev/Ukraine national election, Phil.
Didn't know it.
You are ignoring the very article you posted.
i answered and posted directly from the article.
His comment regarding having observed fraud in the first phase, reported it to the government, and the government disregarding that warning is telling.
"One wonders what's the real motivation driving these people?"
===
Perhaps the welfare of the Ukrainian people, because some of us may have a better understanding of the situation.
Do you think it's reasonable and it's a demonstration of wanting a fair outcome for Yushchenko to make demands that Kuchma fire Yanukovych, and basically threaten Kuchma, if he doesn't?
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday the United States could not recognize the results unless the allegations of fraud were thoroughly investigated. Canada and several other countries followed.
Good question. We'll probably never know.
What we do know is that they have no regard for liberty, for the position of the Bush administration, or for the aspirations of the Ukrainian people.
I thought he was talking about Cuyahuga County, OH.
Cuyahoga
Yourself excepted, it's universally self-evident that they do.
bump!
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