[pierrem15]

Grzegorz: what is Poland's position regarding the election? As ironic as it might be, what if Yushchenko appeals to Poland for support?

[cripplecreek]

This is what we narrowly avoided in the US. I'm really glad that John Kerry didn't make good on his threat to declare himself president.

[AdmSmith]

Thanks for posting this, there are a lot of pictures here http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1286558/posts

[shekkian]

These are very interesting events to watch.
My girlfriend is Ukrainian (but lives in Moldova), so I have a personal stake in the outcome.

[BlueNgold]

But several exit polls had found Yushchenko the winner.

Not this again ...
Michael Moore should investigate!
Soros should fund a recount!

Oh, that's right, the socialist was declared the winner. The libs won't touch this with a 10ft pole.

[Guna]

Thank goodness Lugar was there. Imagine if Jimmy Carter went there to meddle during the elections.

[Lukasz]

FREE UKRAINE!! Kuchma, Yanukovych and Putin go to hell!!!!!!

[TapTheSource]

I don't trust either one of these candidates. Could be a deliberate provocation designed to give the Soviets/Russians the excuse to intervene, it could be that Yushchenko is playing both sides of the fence to ensure the "opposition" movement doesn't go too far or get out of control, and it could also be that his function is to steer the "opposition" movement over to the pro-Russian camp via a series of compromises. It could just be just coincidence, but the following interview with Yushchenko sounds like he is speaking in code (key words, "Trust", "Final Phase", "political accord"=coalition government...even though he knows those who want real--as opposed to phony--reform represent the vast majority of Ukrainians...read the whole interview...very eye opening, if you know what to look for):

Q: What would need to happen for Our Ukraine to stop being in opposition and to declare that it has achieved its goals?

A: The formation of a democratic majority in the Parliament and the formation of a government of national trust would do it. The final phase would occur with the signing of a political accord between a democratic parliamentary majority, a new government and the president on political, economic and social reform in Ukraine.

http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/2002/400209.shtml

[TapTheSource]

Yushchenko's bio is mixed. He was definable favored by the Communists before the "collapse" of the Soviet Union, but it also sounds like he helped bring free market reforms to the Ukraine. Does anyone have access to any useful information on this guy that will help us better understand where he is coming from and who he is beholden to?

---

Viktor Andriyovych YUSHCHENKO

Viktor A. Yushchenko was born on February 23, 1954 in Khoruzhivka, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine into a family of teachers. In 1975, Mr. Yushchenko graduated from the Ternopil Finance and Economics Institute and returned in 1976 to Sumy, where he worked as an economist and department chief at the regional affiliate of the USSR State Bank.

In 1984, Mr. Yushchenko obtained his graduate degree in Finance and Credit from the Ukrainian Institute of Economics and Agricultural Management. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Kyiv and was appointed Deputy Director for Agricultural Crediting at the Ukrainian Republican Office of the USSR State Bank, a position he held from 1985-1987. Moving to the Ukrainian Agro-Industrial Bank, Mr. Yushchenko served first as Department Director (1987-1991), and later as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors (1991-1993). At that time, he was also First Deputy Chairman of the Board at Bank Ukrayina.

In 1993-1999, Mr. Yushchenko was Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). As head of one of Europe’s newest central banks, Mr. Yushchenko played a key role in developing that institution’s monetary, fiscal and credit policies. Mr. Yushchenko helped establish the underpinnings of a solid banking system in newly independent Ukraine. Under his tutelage, an effective system of payments was established, as were the Ukrainian Banknote Factory and the Ukrainian Mint. He also oversaw introduction of the Hryvnia, Ukraine’s national currency, in 1996, and promulgated policies that substantially mitigated the impact of the 1998 Russian Ruble Crash upon the Hryvnia and Ukraine’s economy as a whole.

Mr. Yushchenko is best known within the international community for his record as Prime Minister of Ukraine. Confirmed by Parliament in December 1999, he served through April 2001 and, in 16 months in office, oversaw a series of key economic reforms that brought rudimentary order to help turn around Ukraine’s then-struggling economy. As Prime Minister, Mr. Yushchenko restored a measure of public trust in government by cementing fiscal discipline; paying off enormous pension, wage and other social arrears; eliminating unjustified state subsidies; improving conditions for foreign and domestic investment; and implementing land reform that yielded an impressive rise in output and the beginnings of affordable, market-based agriculture financing. He also brought a welcome measure of openness and forthrightness in governance, and pursued administrative and tax reform throughout his term.

In January 2002 Viktor Yushchenko united a broad range of democratic parties and groups to create “Our Ukraine,” an electoral coalition that was the hands down winner at the Parliament elections that year, gaining a quarter of all votes cast in party list voting and forming the largest parliamentary faction with 99 MPs in the 450-seat legislature.

In 1997, Mr. Yushchenko received the prestigious Global Finance Award as the one of the world top 5 central bankers. He is an Academic at the National Academy of Economic Sciences of Ukraine and the Academy of Economic Cybernetics, in addition to holding honorary doctorates from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the Ostroh Academy.

Married, with three daughters and two sons, Mr. Yushchenko is a benefactor of music and the arts. In his spare time he raises bees, collects antiques from Ukrainian village life, skis, paints landscapes, works with wood, and sculpts.

Links:

http://hotline.net.ua/eng/content/view/1349/108/

[macel]

I suspect that Yushchenko is only pretending to be pro western just to win votes of those who see that Kuchma and Yanukovich are Putin's puppets.

[OXENinFLA]

Rot roh..........this can't be good if the WhiteHouse has already made this type of statement.

---

Statement by the Deputy Press Secretary

The United States is deeply disturbed by extensive and credible indications of fraud committed in the Ukrainian presidential election. We strongly support efforts to review the conduct of the election and urge Ukrainian authorities not to certify results until investigations of organized fraud are resolved. We call on the Government of Ukraine to respect the will of the Ukrainian people, and we urge all Ukrainians to resolve the situation through peaceful means. The Government bears a special responsibility not to use or incite violence, and to allow free media to report accurately on the situation without intimidation or coercion. The United States stands with the Ukrainian people in this difficult time.

[Zionist Conspirator]

More fears of a reborn Russian Empire (neo-Soviet or otherwise).

[olde north church]

Are we now to suppose polls are superior to the actual outcome of elections?

[jb6]

But several exit polls had found Yushchenko the winner.

So were the ones for Kerry, especially in Republican N & S Carolina. Besides, why weren't there any exit polls done in eastern or southern Ukraine?

[kaehurowing]

Reading all these posts, I am somewhat surprised.

Would it change anyone's opinion if they knew the Yuschenko is largely financed and supported by George Soros? That Kuchma was previously Soros' puppet until Kuchma gave Soros the finger? That Soros previously tried to get Kuchma to step down in favor of Yuschenko? That Soros was accused of destablizing and overthrowing the government of Georgia, and is presently being accused by the Latvian government of the same? That what is going on seems eerily reminiscent of Soro's activities in this country, including a candidate claiming victories based on "exist polls," not counted votes?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of the other guy. But before we get too gushy about Yuschenko, maybe we need to do more research about him.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[cicero's_son]

This small group of radicals has taken upon itself the goal of splitting Ukraine."

Isn't this Moscow's endgame, Tap? They can't possibly believe that the world would permit them to simply re-occupy the Ukraine. The Ukrainian people are showing no signs of the docility and resignation it would take to manage a puppet government. Therefore, their best option would be a negotiated "velvet revolution" splitting the country into East and West.

Frightening thing is that both the Gov't and the Opposition might go for this, which would bolster your suggestion that Moscow is stage-managing this entire spectacle.

[William of Orange]

this election was between 2 major candidates, in US equivalent it would have been John Kerry (Yushchenko, with Soros backing) vs Hillary Clinton (Yanukovich, with communist backing).

that is the "choice" the Ukrainians had... scary...