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| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
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EU, Russia clash over Ukrainian election Globescan by M.P. Muttiah The United States and the European Union on one side, and Russia on the other, were divided over the result of the Presidential election held in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials announced that Prime Minister Viktor Yannkovich had won the election, but the US and the EU said they would not accept the result, supporting the Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko. The Netherlands Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, who is also the President of the European Union, said that Ukraine's Presidential election had not met the international standards and, therefore, the EU would not accept the result. However, Russian President Viladimir Putin said in The Hague that outsiders should not interfere in Ukraine as the polls outcome was absolutely clear, and no one had the moral right to incite mayhem in a major European state. ``In my perspective, all issues should be addressed within the framework of constitution and legislation. All claims should go to courts,'' he said. The Ukrainian Supreme Court had already barred the official publication of the election result and said it would thoroughly examine it. During the election campaign, the relationship with the European Union was the main issue. Opposition Leader Viktor Yushchenko favoured the gradual integration with Europe since Ukraine was a major Central European country. But, Prime Minister Viktor Yannkovich emphasised that his country would prosper only if it developed ties with other countries of the former Soviet Union. Analysts said, Georgia's experience after the Rose Revolution, a year ago, was a grim reminder that the problems facing post-Soviet states could not be solved by idealistic rhetoric and by encouraging confrontation with Russia. They pointed out that Mikhail Saakashvili, who defeated President Eduard Shevardnadze last year, promised to lead Georgia to the European Union and NATO membership. He sought Western investment, assistance and co-operation. Though Georgia received some assistance from those countries, life in the country was not so rosy and the same fate was in store for Ukraine as well if it aligned with Europe. The visit of EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, and Polish President Aleksander Kuwasinewski to Kiev would inspire Opposition Leader Yushchenko's plan to organise a national strike, including the blockade of main highways. In South Asia, Pakistan Prime Minister Saukat Aziz's meeting with Indian leaders had led to further enhancement of mutual understanding and trust between the two countries. However, Pakistan Prime Minister had said that his country would not accept a mechanism that would change the status of Line of Control into a permanent border. He also called for the inclusion of the All Party Hurriat Conference as the third party at the peace talks and linked peace with the Kashmir problem. India had suggested Pakistan that they follow the Sino-Indian model of negotiation. External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh said that India and China did not consider the unresolved border issue as a stumbling block for the improvement of various other fields and expressed confidence that more economic interaction might lead to a successful political outcome. In the Maldives, intimidation of political opponents ahead of the next month's general election had caused grave concern. The Maldivian Democratic Party said the election would be crucial for future democratic changes in the atoll island. The MDP said that the government had made mass arrests of political opponents and tortured them, declared a state of emergency and imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in recent months. Pro-reform parliamentarians were held in detention with threats of charges and prolonged jail terms. The MDP has called on all stakeholders for the future stability of the nation to urge the government to ensure a free and fair election in accordance with international standards. It had opposed the use of state machinery for pro-government candidates at the polls. |
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