Yushchenko predicted victory

Published: 30 October 2004 y., Saturday
Hundreds of thousands of pro-Western and pro-Russian activists mobilized across Ukraine as the former Soviet republic headed into a stormy weekend vote that Washington warned would spark unspecified "measures" if rigged by the state. Both sides braced for a night of violence following the vote Sunday as this nation of 50 million picks a successor to President Leonid Kuchma -- a leader who over his decade-long term sided with Moscow. Kuchma has entrusted his chosen successor, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, to stay the same course. But the opposition has sensed that Sunday offered an unprecedented chance to finally open up Ukraine to Europe and secure protection from Russia by the US-led NATO alliance. Their candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, is running neck-and-neck with the prime minister despite blanket state media coverage for Yanukovich and nationwide police crackdowns against pro-Western and anti-Russian rallies. A victory by Yushchenko could initiate the transformation of Ukraine from a bridge between Moscow and the West into a member of the European Union -- shifting liberal Europe's center of gravity closer to Russia's border. Yushchenko predicted victory Friday and his supporters organized a demonstration at Kiev's historic Independence Square opposite government headquarters for Monday morning that they say could see up to 600,000 people show up on the streets.
Šaltinis: story.news.yahoo.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Chavez faces hunger strike protest

For three days now these group of Venezuelan students have not eaten any food - they're staging a hunger strike against President Hugo Chavez. more »

The clock is ticking…

Contest challenges young people from Europe and beyond to find creative solutions to real-life problems.EU-sponsored contest challenges young people to think creatively. more »

Hamburg swans sent to winter retreat

In time-honoured tradition it's time for Hamburg's swans to head to their winter quarters. more »

Diplomats will support people with disabilities

On 24 November, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas will attend the ceremony during which the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Lithuania Tong Mingtao will hand over the aid to the residential care centre “Vilties Namai” in Vilnius. more »

Bust airlines: MEPs to vote on setting up compensation fund for stranded passengers

If your airline goes bankrupt and leaves you stuck what are your legal rights? Wednesday at midday a crucial vote will be held by MEPs in Strasbourg that could clear the way for the setting up of a compensation fund for stranded passengers. more »

More EU support for volunteering

EU support for volunteering should be stepped up to €10 million, as part of the 2011 European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship, said the Education and Culture Committee on Monday evening. more »

Rights of the Child: from Paper into Practice

Jacques Barrot and Luc Van den Brande to co-chair conference assessing the implementation of child rights by local and regional authorities. more »

Public asked to help design new citizens’ initiative

Europeans will soon have a new way of getting the commission to act on issues that concern them. But how will the new citizens’ initiative work in practice? more »

Role of Local Communities in Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Ukraine

In Ukraine local communities are directly affected by climate change impacts. more »

16% of Europeans report experiencing discrimination

Ageism is growing problem – or so most Europeans think. more »