Posted on 12/26/2004 5:04:42 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko declared victory Monday in Ukraine's fiercely contested presidential election, telling thousands of supporters they had taken their country to a new political era.
"We have been independent for 14 years but we were not free," Yushchenko told the festive crowd in Kiev's central Independence Square, the center of weeks of protests after the fraudulent and now-annulled Nov. 21 ballot in which Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych was declared the winner.
"Now we can say this is a thing of the past. Now we are facing an independent and free Ukraine."
Yushchenko spoke after three exit polls and partial results projected him winning easily in Sunday's Supreme Court-ordered rematch.
"Now, today, the Ukrainian people have won. I congratulate you," he said.
Earlier, Yushchenko told journalists and others crammed into his campaign headquarters that Ukraine had opened a new era, which would include neither current President Leonid Kuchma nor Yanukovych, the prime minister and candidate hand-picked by Kuchma to be his successor.
With ballots from just over 50 percent of precincts counted, Yushchenko was leading by 56.34 percent to 39.85 percent, election officials said.
Earlier in the evening, a dejected-looking Yanukovych told reporters in Kiev "if there is a defeat, there will be a strong opposition." But he did not concede, saying "I am ready to lead the state," and hinted he would challenge the results in the courts.
"We will defend the rights of our voters by all legal means," he said, ruling out negotiations with Yushchenko were the opposition leader to win.
Justin is such a hunk isn't he? Actually, we had many civil conversations on this board, while agreeing on nothing, other than that Slobo tried to steal an election sometime back. I guess some are more univeralist about exoriating thiefs wherever found, than others. By the way, I got the leitmotif of your post. :)
More from The Nation:
Ukraine's Untold Story
I think the installation of the new Preident in Ukraine, and the Iraqi election, occur at about the same time. :)
Wow, a whole month's difference.
We shall see over Iraq - if he pulls troops out or not.
Yanukovych did keep his word - he promised not to close coal mines and sell off and close steel mills/coal mines and this has given the Ukraine prosperity. Just as the EU was telling Ukraine to close "unprofitable" industries and sell off those that do make a profit Yushchenko lost. Thanks to China's need for steel and Russia's booming economy the Ukraine saw a rebound in its economy linked to Russia. This the EU can not stand and will not allow to stand.
We've been through this before. There are bigger things at stake here than when the sixteen hundred troops leave.
Wow good weasel point
Why should we as Americans have a stake? Why do we need to insert ourselves in everything everywhere? I am not surprised EU and Russia are fighting over the Ukraine. Poland has ethnic and religious kin there and Russia has the same with an even longer historical connection. Only hubris in this post Cold War world makes one think we Americans have a stake there. The Republic will not fall if the Ukraine will go closer to Russia or to the EU.
The majority have clearly spoken in a clearly honest election. I suggest you just let Ukranians work it out for themselves, as between themselves, and vis a vis the EU. My impression is that they are not fanactics on either side, and will manage, without your help or mine. Ths US policy is to just let democracy flower, not tolerate cheats, and more often than not, the result will be good.
Yes, Yushchenko says he will withdraw the Ukrainian contingent from Iraq, yet President Bush supports his election. I think Bush's support demonstrates his commitment to the Bush Doctrine - Democracy must be supported and advanced at every opportunity, even at the expense of other important goals.
Best of luck to the Ukrainian people (from one who was there just a few days ago)
as a result of the repeated voting during the second round, it will seize power in Ukraine by force.
America's mission in Iraq is not made or broken by the participation of our allies. We will prevail in Iraq with or without allies.
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