Withdrawing Ukraine troops from Iraq priority, Yushchenko says

sierratimes.com ^ | Sunday January 9,2005 - 11:02:59 am | AFP

[Destro]

Funny how many "conservatives" here supported anti-Iraq and pro EU Yushchenko over outgoing PM Viktor Yanukovych who along with President Kuchma sent Ukrainian troops to Iraq. But old outdated Cold-War emotions and religious hatred of Eastern Orthodox can be easily manipulated.

[sam_paine]

Intrusting

[David1]

I still support Yushchenko even if he wants to bring back Ukrainian troops. What matters is that the will of the people in the presidential election was upheld.

[Destro]

not really - we so called anti-Orange Freepers were posting this would be the case since December. Yushchenko was more the pro-EU than he was pro-American.

[Destro]

It sounds like you support democracy over a candidate and that is fine. As long as we don't have rose colored glasses.

[Hoplite]

It's just a case of freedom and democracy in Ukraine being more important to us than the contribution of their troops to our effort in Iraq.

Not a tough concept for most, Destro, but it's kicking your ass.

[Timedrifter]

Still, with 75% of the Ukrainians supporting withdrawal according to the few polls I have seen, Yushchenko is being smart politically making this his first official act upon becoming president. I just hope it does not come as a surprise to many pro-Yush Freepers that he will be closer to Chirac and Schroeder than President Bush.

[aliquis]

Didn't they say they wanted to join the ranks of EUro-Weasels? Nothing surprising here. Such a commitment may secure them a place in the Coalition of the Fleeing.

[Destro]

The election results were fudged on both sides - and both candidates were backed by competing oligarch factions.

[oolatec]

That's not the point... the fact that the people were able to choose their leader is more important than whether or not that leader keeps the troops in Iraq or not.

[Hoplite]

Yushchenko didn't have to steal the election to win it, Destro, he just needed for the will of the electorate to be respected, rather than the will of those counting the votes deciding the issue.

And that's what America's primary interest in that election was - ensuring that the will of the people was respected.

[anonymoussierra]

"Didn't they say they wanted to join the ranks of EUro-Weasels? Nothing surprising here. Such a commitment may secure them a place in the Coalition of the Fleeing." "Coalition of fleeing" mmmmmm I do not know Thank you

[Destro]

Stalanist dictator? Who? Kuchma? In what warped reality do you live in? You are a perfect expression of the fools that supported Yushchenko not for the sake of democracy but out of a bias not supported by the facts.

[Destro]

Some more chosen than others.

[blackie]

We shall see, won't we.

[gogipper]

But he's farther from Putin!

[eleni121]

Bad news...I suspected as much from Yush. A big mistake.

I guess many Ukrainians are unaware how they are still enamored of strongmen.