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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
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 Thu Nov 25, 2004 10:48 am Ukraine rebuked by U.S. & European Governments |
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Ukraine rebuked by U.S.
Calling presidential results invalid, Powell warns of consequences
08:33 PM CST on Wednesday, November 24, 2004
From Wire Reports
WASHINGTON � The U.S. government on Wednesday rejected the announced results of Ukraine's disputed presidential election and warned the former Soviet republic to uphold democracy or face consequences in its relationships with the United States and Europe.
In a news briefing at the State Department, Secretary of State Colin Powell delivered a sharp rebuke to the Ukrainian authorities, who on Wednesday declared Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the winner of Sunday's runoff election. Ukrainian protesters and foreign observers said the election was marred by widespread fraud.
"We cannot accept this result as legitimate, because it does not meet international standards and because there has not been an investigation of the numerous and credible reports of fraud and abuse," Mr. Powell said.
European governments and officials also rejected the announced outcome of the election.
Mr. Powell's comments came shortly after Ukraine's Central Elections Commission announced that Mr. Yanukovych, whose candidacy was backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, won the runoff with 49.5 percent of the vote, defeating pro-Western opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko, who was said to have received 46.6 percent.
In Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, tens of thousands of opposition protesters demonstrated for a third day Wednesday, and riot police guarded government buildings. Mr. Yushchenko called for a national strike and warned that the electoral commission's decision "puts Ukraine on the brink of civil conflict."
Addressing supporters clad in orange, his campaign color, at a wintry late-night rally in Kiev's Independence Square, he vowed that the work stoppage affecting transportation, schools, universities and businesses would "force the authorities to think about what they're doing."
Mr. Yanukovych, meanwhile, described himself as Ukraine's new president, even as he announced talks with the opposition beginning Thursday. In a brief appearance on Ukrainian state television, he said, "Tomorrow, we start talks with Yushchenko's team. We will look for common ground. I am ready to listen to the opposition proposals."
Exit surveys conducted by Ukrainian pollsters and academics on Sunday night had pointed to a lopsided victory for Mr. Yushchenko. By Monday morning, however, the election commission announced that Mr. Yanukovych was leading.
A U.S. observer team led by Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said Ukrainian authorities had systematically rigged Sunday's election, a conclusion that was echoed by official monitoring teams from Western Europe.
Mr. Powell said he spoke to outgoing President Leonid Kuchma on Wednesday morning and warned the Soviet-style strongman not to use force against the protesters in Kiev and other cities in western Ukraine. Government riot police remained on alert in the capital, but there were no reports of violence.
Mr. Kuchma, a Kremlin ally who backed Mr. Yanukovych, accused the opposition of trying to carry out a coup and warned that authorities "will not allow a force scenario in spite of any pressure, internal or external," the Interfax news agency reported. He urged immediate negotiations and said foreigners should "refrain from interference in Ukraine's affairs."
But European officials joined the United States in criticizing the announced outcome.
Jos� Manuel Barosso, president of the European Commission, said: "We regret the Ukrainian authorities have not taken a commitment to democracy. This could affect our relations in the future."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called the elections "clearly flawed," and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder termed them "unacceptable." The NATO secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said in Brussels that a review of the election was "absolutely necessary" and called it "the key to NATO-Ukraine relations."
Canada echoed Mr. Powell's statement by announcing that it could not accept the election results.
During the campaign, Mr. Yanukovych stood for strengthening ties with Russia, while Mr. Yushchenko promoted free-market economic reforms and closer relations with the United States, the European Union and NATO.
Mr. Powell said the United States was "deeply disturbed by the extensive and credible reports of fraud in the election." He called for "a full review of the conduct of the election and the tallying of election results."
The United States "stands with the people of Ukraine in their effort to ensure their democratic choice," Mr. Powell said. "It is time for Ukrainian leaders to decide whether they are on the side of democracy or not, whether they respect the will of the people or not."
He added, "If the Ukrainian government does not act immediately and responsibly, there will be consequences for our relationship, for Ukraine's hopes for a Euro-Atlantic integration and for individuals responsible for perpetrating fraud."
Mr. Powell said the United States and Russia both want to find a solution to the problem based on legal procedures.
"We're not looking for a contest with the Russians over this," he said. "We're looking for a way to make sure that the will of the Ukrainian people is respected."
About Ukraine
The election: Ukraine's Central Elections Commission on Wednesday declared Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the winner of Sunday's runoff election. Mr. Yanukovych, 54, has emphasized economic ties with Russia, and he received Russian President Vladimir Putin's vocal support. Mr. Yanukovych's opponent, Viktor Yushchenko, 50, is seen as a market-oriented democratic reformer. He has said he would move the country toward closer ties with the United States and Western Europe.
Nuclear weapons: In January 1994, the United States announced an agreement with Russia and Ukraine for the destruction of Ukraine's nuclear arsenal. The last strategic nuclear warhead was removed in June 1996.
Background: Much of the territory of present-day Ukraine was absorbed by the Russian Empire in the 18th century. After the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was briefly indpendent but was reconquered in 1920 and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule, including two artificial famines in which more than 8 million died. Independence was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but true freedom has remained elusive, and the legacy of state control persists. Endemic corruption has stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization and civil liberties. Western investors have shown only minimal interest.
Population: 47.7 million
Capital: Kiev
Area: slightly smaller than Texas
Life expectancy: male 61 years, female 72 years
Ethnic groups: Ukrainian, 77.8 percent; Russian, 17.3 percent; other, 4.9 percent
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
Independence: Aug. 24, 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Per capita gross domestic product: $5,400
Industries: agriculture, coal, electric power, machinery and transport equipment, food processing
SOURCES: World Factbook; The New York Times; infoplease.com
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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/112504dnintukraine.4bda6.html
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