Posted on 12/28/2004 7:01:55 PM PST by anonymoussierra
Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has urged his supporters to prevent a planned cabinet meeting from going ahead on Wednesday.
Mr Yushchenko, declared winner of the re-run presidential election, said the "illegal government" should not be allowed to meet.
The planned meeting is due to be chaired by his defeated rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
Mr Yushchenko urged supporters to renew their blockade of government offices.
Results unofficial
"In what country is it possible for a government that has been dismissed to say that it doesn't want to go? No meeting of an illegitimate government can take place," he told thousands of supporters in Kiev.
The electoral authorities say Mr Yushchenko won more than half of the vote, but that the result would not be declared official until allegations of fraud were investigated.
Mr Yanukovych has refused to accept the result, alleging thousands of irregularities.
The election was re-run after Ukraine's courts ruled the first poll was illegitimate. That followed protests by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, and Western governments, that the ballot had been rigged in Mr Yanukovych's favour.
On Tuesday Mr Yushchenko, a pro-Western liberal reformer, said it would take time to rebuild relations with Russia, which openly backed his rival.
"I really disliked the fact that Russia campaigned in favour of one candidate," Mr Yushchenko told the Russian daily Izvestia.
"This was a serious wound for millions of Ukrainians," he said.
International observers said the re-run was much fairer than the earlier vote.
But the Russian foreign ministry challenged the objectivity of European election monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
"Violations characteristic of the first and second round of voting were repeated," said ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko.
Despite the tensions, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said Mr Yushchenko's victory would not have "any significant impact on our co-operation... in the defence and security field".
Mr Yanukovych's decision to appeal against the result could revive the legal wrangling over the election.
However, the crowds of Yushchenko supporters on the streets of Kiev are not allowing the continuing doubts to dampen their victory celebrations, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg says, but are rallying with their trademark orange scarves and banners.
ping Ukraina Thank you
I'm concerned about it becoming violent. What is the thinking over there?
AC/DC: He's got Balls, Great Big Balls
Gore and chads redux.
Thank you
"I'm concerned about it becoming violent. What is the thinking over there?" I do want strong Ukraine country! I do not want Ukraincy persons atack Ukraincy persons that is not good. Thank you
Mr. and Mrs. FREE Ukraine!!!
Pinging my General Interest list here also.Yushchenko wants cabinet blockade
Excerpt:
Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has urged his supporters to prevent a planned cabinet meeting from going ahead on Wednesday.
Mr Yushchenko, declared winner of the re-run presidential election, said the "illegal government" should not be allowed to meet.
The planned meeting is due to be chaired by his defeated rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
Mr Yushchenko urged supporters to renew their blockade of government offices.
Results unofficial
"In what country is it possible for a government that has been dismissed to say that it doesn't want to go? No meeting of an illegitimate government can take place," he told thousands of supporters in Kiev.
The electoral authorities say Mr Yushchenko won more than half of the vote, but that the result would not be declared official until allegations of fraud were investigated.
Mr Yanukovych has refused to accept the result, alleging thousands of irregularities.
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Yushchenko vs. Yanukovych/Ukraine election ping list!. . .don't be shy.
Gore and chads redux.hahahaaaa!
How algore almost stole an election .....
Bug-eyed Chad Search
________________
OK. Where is John Kerry? Where is Tereeezuh?
In the United States where Democrats say they don't want to leave.
Thanks for the ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
