- Title: UKRAINE: DEFIANT YUSCHENKO STAGES RALLY IN KIEV.
- Date: 25th November 2004
- Summary: (EU) KIEV, UKRAINE (NOVEMBER 24, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/GV/MV: OPPOSITION LEADER VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO ARRIVING AT RALLY IN KIEV'S INDEPENDENCE SQUARE; YUSHCHENKO WALKS ON STAGE APPRECIATING CHEERS AND APPLAUSE FROM THE CROWD; CROWD CHANTING (3 SHOTS) 0.49 2. GV: YUSHCHENKO ADDRESSING CROWD 0.59 3. CU: PEOPLE AT RALLY (2 SHOTS) 1.
- Embargoed: 10th December 2004 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: KIEV, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Reuters ID: LVAC5RSVD1F7IDOWVBB8IXONHDH2
- Story Text: Yuschenko defiant in Ukraine.
Ukraine's authorities raised the stakes in a
face-off with their liberal opposition on Wednesday
(November 24) as they prepared to announce results of a
disputed election that are likely to infuriate thousands of
protesters in the streets.
But there were signs of a possible breakthrough in the
stand-off when opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko said he
was prepared to stand in a re-run of Sunday's election.
"We are ready to have a repeat of the second round vote
provided we have an honest Central Election Commission,"
Yushchenko told tens of thousands of supporters massed in
Kiev's main square for the third straight day.
The electoral authorities confirmed later that
Moscow-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich beat
Yushchenko in the run-off presidential ballot.
The West-leaning Yushchenko says he was cheated in
Sunday's poll. Tens of thousands of his supporters roamed
the capital Kiev for a third day, marching past buildings
housing the presidency, government and parliament and
chanting: "Yushchenko! Yushchenko!"
The mass protests engulfed every corner of the city
centre and paralysed all normal work. People in apartment
buildings opened their windows and waved flags of orange -
the campaign colours of Yushchenko - and cheered on
supporters. Cars drove by with orange streamers fluttering
from radio aerials.
The United States and the European Union (EU) both had
urged Ukraine not to certify the election result until
claims of fraud are investigated. EU foreign policy chief
Javier Solana said Ukraine was at a crossroads over the
results and could turn violent.
Late on Tuesday, outgoing President Leonid Kuchma
called for talks with all parties to solve the election
row. But he dismissed the opposition protests as a
"political farce".
He has not been seen since the eve of the poll.
Yushchenko supporters made much of his absence from the
public eye.
Yanukovich called the demonstrations pointless.
The two rivals stand for different images for the
future of Ukraine, where the average worker makes do on $60
a month.
Yanukovich sees future prosperity in closer ties with
Russia. Yushchenko favours gradual integration with Western Europe,
but
recognises Russia as a strategic partner.
The crisis has raised tensions between the United
States and Russia, battling for influence over the
ex-Soviet state.
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