Posted on 12/07/2004 3:11:02 PM PST by Pokey78
MEDICAL experts have confirmed that Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraines opposition leader, was poisoned in an attempt on his life during election campaigning, the doctor who supervised his treatment at an Austrian clinic said yesterday.
Doctors at Viennas exclusive Rudolfinerhaus clinic are within days of identifying the substance that left Mr Yushchenkos face disfigured with cysts and lesions, Nikolai Korpan told The Times in a telephone interview.
Specialists in Britain, the United States and France had helped to establish that it was a biological agent, a chemical agent or, most likely, a rare poison that struck him down in the run-up to the presidential election, he said. Doctors needed to examine Mr Yushchenko again at the clinic in Vienna to confirm their diagnosis but were in no doubt that the substance was administered deliberately, he said.
This is no longer a question for discussion, Dr Korpan said. We are now sure that we can confirm which substance caused this illness. He received this substance from other people who had a specific aim.
Asked if the aim had been to kill him, Dr Korpan said: Yes, of course.
Proof that Mr Yushchenko was deliberately poisoned would be a devastating blow for his rival, the Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych, as the two candidates prepare for a repeat of a presidential run-off on December 26.
It would raise questions about whether the poisoning was ordered by Mr Yanukovych, his allies, or even the Kremlin, which fears that Mr Yushchenko will take Ukraine out of its sphere of influence by joining Nato and the EU.
Mr Yushchenko had said recently that he would soon reveal proof that his opponents had tried to assassinate him, but a spokeswoman said he had no plans to travel to Vienna.
Mr Yushchenko fell ill on September 6 and was rushed to Rudolfinerhaus four days later with severe abdominal pain and lesions on his face and trunk. His liver, pancreas and intestines were swollen and his digestive tract covered in ulcers, but doctors could not explain the symptoms. Against their advice he went back on the campaign trail after a week, but returned to the clinic two weeks later with back pain.
Again he returned to campaigning, with his face half paralysed and a catheter inserted in his back so that doctors still baffled could inject painkillers into his spinal column.
Rudolfinerhaus doctors had previously said that they did not have medical evidence to back up or rule out deliberate poisoning.
Mr Yanukovychs supporters ridiculed the opposition, saying the illness was probably caused by bad sushi, too much cognac or a severe case of herpes. A parliamentary investigation found no evidence of poisoning.
But Dr Korpan said that toxicologists and other experts at laboratories in Britain, the US and France had since examined Mr Yushchenkos blood samples and medical records. We will reveal the results in the near future and confirm the cause of this mysterious illness, he said. We need to check him again here in Vienna. If we received him today, we could finish the whole investigation in two or three days.
He declined to say exactly what the substance might have been, or where it might have come from. Maybe it was administered through injection, maybe in water, maybe through eating, but the way to give it to him is very simple. This substance can be given very precisely to only one person, he said.
John Henry, a prominent British toxicologist, has suggested that Mr Yushchenkos symptoms were consistent with dioxin poisoning, which causes a severe form of acne called chloracne. Doctors at Rudolfinerhaus did not initially test Mr Yushchenko for dioxin, in part because his skin changes were not as severe as they are now. He also refused a biopsy of his face because he did not want to campaign with stitches. Other doctors have suggested that Mr Yushchenko may have been struck down by a rare illness. Dr Korpan said that Mr Yushchenko should be able to make a full recovery but needed to get back to the clinic. We are waiting to check him as soon as possible and then we can say what he needs. He said Mr Yushchenko was no longer having injections, but was taking a combination of vitamins and medicine to boost his immune system. The offices of Leonid Kuchma, the outgoing President, and Mr Yanukovych did not comment on Dr Korpans disclosure. But Viktor Pinchuk, Mr Kuchmas billionaire son-in-law, said in a recent interview he did not believe that there was evidence that Mr Yushchenko was poisoned. I believe he is sure it was poisoning. Hes not a liar. But some people from his camp created this provocation against him, his image, the government and the country, he said.
Looks likie arsenic poisoning to me. It is not suprising. Communists want to see the old ways restored at all costs.
Really? Specialists in the US, Britain and even spineless froggystan of all places confirmed he was poisoned. His face speaks for it all. No one really knows what agent was used to poison him but his face resembles what happens to arsenic victems.
Thanks for the heads up.
His symptoms don't sound exactly like dioxin poisoning to me. I really hope these doctors can find out what has happened soon, and that it is treatable. If it IS dioxin, the poor guy's stuck with these symptoms for a long time.
Either you have been fooled or a liar - NO doctor has found evidence of poisoning.
Not shingles. I have seen tons of cases of shingles.
Here are some shingles facts.
It is a re-appearance of chicken pox.
It usually occurs on one side of the body.
It begins with blisters. They crust over and are usually GONE within a couple of weeks. Slight pale scarring CAN occur. But not the thick raised discoloration that Yuschenko has.
None of the pictures that traced the progress of the disfiguration of Yuschenko have shown blisters. Additionally there were NO signs of improvement. EVER.
It does NOT carry symptoms of severe back pain and ulcerations throughout the DISGESTIVE TRACT.
Neither do any of the medications for treatment.
There is much more. MEDICAL FACTS, destro. Not media BS or propaganda from Yanukovych's side.
Here is the worst shingles pictures I can find for you. These do NOT look anything like what Yuschenko has.
My next post will be clickable links for you to learn about shingles.
What is your aversion to actual research instead of media reports?
Most of us have learned that lesson well this past year. What's up with you?
Research destro. Please. There are tons of MEDICAL sites out there.
Are you an American or are you Russian?
http://familydoctor.org/574.xml
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/shingles.htm
http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/shingles
http://www.state.sd.us/doh/Pubs/shingles.htm
The American doctor agrees:
Arsenic can't be hidden from detection. Basic Science.
I was not saying wether it can be hidden or not. It looks like arsenic poisoning to me. Like I said the US, britain and even the frogs say it was poisoning.
No one says it was poisoning except his people.
I like it that way but it makes it hard to deal with those around me because my opinions are never based on any particular platform or political ideology.
Well, I can respect an honest and happy contrarian!
LOL!
Imagine the rage of liberals:
"I support the right of gays to inherit and visit their partners in the hospital, but don't support gay marriage or conjugal visits in prison."
"I support gay rodeos and wonder whether the "bull dykes" or the foo-foo boys comprise the contestants in the bull riding competitions? Are the rodeo queens in drag? Has the Humane Society of the United States examined the young bulls for evidence of beastiality, and more important, did the young bulls consent?
The rage of republicans:
"I support sovereignty, for all nations, even if they disagree with thr US."
"I support the right to bear arms, and to arm bears."
Both parties get angry if you don't go all the way. Does that make me a fringe maniac or a moderate?
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