Posted on 12/03/2004 5:23:26 AM PST by OESY
...But this crisis is more than a test for Ukrainians. It is a test for those in the West who claim to favor democracy. Will the West sell out the Ukrainians? Does the West accept the notion that Ukraine belongs in Russia's sphere of influence, if not its actual empire? And will the West hold Mr. Putin to account if his ally Mr. Kuchma is allowed to steal the election for his designated successor?
On present evidence the answers are not encouraging. The Europeans were quick to call the November 21 ballot a fraud, and some EU governments -- particularly those formerly in the Soviet orbit, like Poland -- have stood tough. But Mr. Putin has cultivated close ties with European leaders....
The Bush Administration has not been much better. President Bush has said he opposes foreign intervention in the election, an implied jab at Mr. Putin, and that he supports the idea of "any election." But the problem in Ukraine is not "foreign intervention." It is Russian intervention....
Mr. Putin has responded to American conciliation by being notably unhelpful over Iraq, Iran and North Korea, while engaging in an increasingly repressive brand of politics at home.
We realize Mr. Bush may be trying to give Mr. Putin a graceful way out of a confrontation. But this is no time to speak quietly....
...We hear that Mr. Bush has been reading Natan Sharansky's fine new book on democracy. It includes the following passage: "More than 15 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the free world continues to underestimate the universal appeal of its own ideas. Rather than place its faith in the power of freedom to rapidly transform authoritarian states, it is eager to achieve 'peaceful coexistence' and 'detente' with dictatorial regimes."....
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
And just what exactly would the editorial board of the WSJ have the President do? Should Bush order the Ukraine to hold a new election? That would go over big. Should Bush declare his own winner? Should we send troops? the fact of teh matter is that we have very limited leverage in this situation and there's just not a whole hell of a lot we can do.
Not only that Yushchencko is pro-EU and getting millions from Soros.
Ptuin or Soros? I'll take Putin, thank you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.