Ukraine's Parliment to Debate Election Crises

Reuters ^ | November 26, 2004 | Ron Popeski

[LibertyRocks]

KIEV (Reuters) Ukraine's parliament meets on Saturday to debate a disputed presidential election a day after Western mediators trying to end the turmoil gripping major cities managed to persuade the two rivals to start talks.

Liberal challenger Viktor Yushchenko told supporters after meeting the envoys and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, who won according to the official count, that only a new vote could redeem the election he says was rigged.

The debate was to open at noon (0500 EST), with the agenda focusing on the disruption caused by mass protests over the election outcome.

The postponement of Yanukovich's inauguration following a Supreme Court ruling was also due to be discussed.

Parliament has no power to overturn last Sunday's poll after the Central Election Commission declared Yanukovich the winner.

But it could criticize the commission and its assessment could carry political weight two days ahead of a Supreme Court case examining Yushchenko's complaints of poll irregularities.

"We are counting on parliament to give its political assessment of the Central Election Commission," Yushchenko told a vast crowd assembled in Kiev's Independence Square for the fifth day.

All groups backed the sitting, except Yanukovich's Regions of Ukraine party. A similar debate this week was closed amid pandemonium as Yushchenko symbolically took the oath of office.

[snip to end]

The prime minister had earlier addressed a crowd of supporters by Kiev's railway station, mostly young men brought from mines in his native Donbass coalfield in the Russian-speaking east.

Organized into tight units of about 100, most carried large sticks. Many were clearly drunk.

"Dear friends, together we must do everything so that an unconstitutional coup in Ukraine does not happen," Yanukovich said.

[LibertyRocks]

More news from the Ukraine.

[LibertyRocks]

Be sure to read the last 3 paragraphs after the snipped portion...

[Happy2BMe]

Do you think there will be a recount?

(I can't help but think Pukin will point to the past two U.S. elections and say, "See, you had close elections in the States. Now buzz off, yankee."

[PhilDragoo]

The prime minister had earlier addressed a crowd of supporters by Kiev's railway station, mostly young men brought from mines in his native Donbass coalfield in the Russian-speaking east.

Organized into tight units of about 100, most carried large sticks. Many were clearly drunk.

"Dear friends, together we must do everything so that an unconstitutional coup in Ukraine does not happen," Yanukovich said.

~~~

Uncle Putin does revolution old-school: it's head-crackin' time, comrades--

[FairOpinion]

Yushchenko supporters are being well organized by Yushchenko. They seem to be focused on taking over the government, not on peaceful protest for new elections, or recount of the votes.

===

Orange Revolution crowds take on a dynamic of their own
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e65ef888-401e-11d9-bd0e-00000e2511c8.html

"The protesters were organised by commanders with bull horns, each with small groups of sergeants. The commanders were in turn in touch by mobile phone to Mr Yushchenko's command centre, headed by his former campaign chief, Olexander Zinchenko. Mr Yushchenko has formed a sort of alternative government, called the National Salvation Committee, to co-ordinate protest actions as well as the actions of local administrations under his control.

The protesters also blockaded all entrances to the nearby cabinet building, forcing Mr Yanukovich to announce that his government was suspending work until the blockade ended. He was forced to address several thousand of his supporters, most of them recently arrived from eastern regions, at Kiev's train station.

Mr Yushchenko's supporters were rapidly taking control of municipal and regional councils and administrations around central and western Ukraine, many of which had supported him before the elections. In the city of Uzhhorod, police showed their support for him by arresting a group blamed for violence during the elections and during a mayoral election in May."

[Cutterjohnmhb]

Serious and deadly business, thats the 3rd mention I've seen of men being organized for violence. Mostly young tuffs and coal miners,all three times/sigh

[FairOpinion]

What is most likely is that the Democrats will learn from Ukraine, and will yell really loudly the next time they lose, about fraud, and start taking over the government, as Yushchenko's supporters are now doing. See article in post 5.

[FreeReign]

Merry Christmas Season!

A rebirth of the Cold War, just in time for the holidays.

Hey thanks Putin.

[LibertyRocks]

I can't help but think Pukin will point to the past two U.S. elections and say, "See, you had close elections in the States. Now buzz off, yankee."

Especially when Washington ignores protests over election fraud here in the U.S. I think that is why the Government Accounting Office has agreed to investigate this last election here. Those in D.C. would look like awful hypocrites if they didn't.

[LibertyRocks]

Only if the Republicans in charge don't investigate and solve the REAL problems that existed in this election. Thank God the GAO is starting to take it seriously and has agreed to investigate. THAT will prevent a similar scene here in the U.S. IMHO.

[LibertyRocks]

That's the thing, it sounds like these are guys who probably look for bar-fights on the weekends. Nice group of supporters...

[Cutterjohnmhb]

Perhaps they are this bunch. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11511622%255E2703,00.html

[LibertyRocks]

You know reading that article makes me really sad. Perhaps if their mines were owned by Businessmen and not the state they would be even more profitable... The following sentences struck me:

"When the miners reached their rally site, they shuffled around in the snow, waiting to be told what to do, and when an official began chanting "Yanukovich! Yanukovich!" into a megaphone, they joined in only half-heartedly.

The miners readily admitted that they had been told to come and given free transport, accommodation, clothing and food.

Many were clearly drunk on the vodka that was part of the bargain. Other state workers at the rally said they were given $US100 ($126) spending money - the equivalent of a month's wages for a miner"

What do you want to bet they were offered to _keep_ their jobs if they went? I think it's a bunch of propoganda these people have been fed. They readily admit to relying on the government for their entire existence.

[Happy2BMe]

"Those in D.C. would look like awful hypocrites if they didn't (investigate our election process)."

__________________________________

Would? Would look like hypocrites?

[Happy2BMe]

Organized into tight units of about 100, most carried large sticks. Many were clearly drunk.

Proud comrades - one and all. Stalin and Lenin are smiling down upon us . .

[Cutterjohnmhb]

Yes it's almost as if they were serfs of a fiefdom or in this case, maybe a Oligarchy.

[Cutterjohnmhb]

There is this article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/27/wukra27.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/11/27/ixworld.html

there is this excerpt


Meanwhile another member of the central election commission withdrew her signature from the document validating Mr Yanukovich's victory, bringing to six the number of members who have refused to sign off the results. If the government loses the support of two more members, the results will be declared invalid and the election may have to be re-run.

[nw_arizona_granny]

bump

[LibertyRocks]

Sorry... I know... they ARE hypocrites.