The Hindu : International : Putin, Kuchma favour fresh elections

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Friday, Dec 03, 2004

International

International

Putin, Kuchma favour fresh elections

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, DEC. 2. The Presidents of Russia and Ukraine have come out for holding a new presidential election in Ukraine, rather than a re-vote of the runoff as demanded by the Opposition.

Ukraine's President, Leonid Kuchma, also called for Russia to help defuse the 12-day election crisis in Ukraine, which broke out after the Opposition candidate, Viktor Yuschenko, contested the narrow win by the Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovich.

"It will be impossible for Ukraine to come out of the crisis without losing its face without Russia's help," Mr. Kuchma said in televised remarks. He flew to Moscow for urgent talks with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, delaying his departure to India by several hours.

"We are ready to take part in efforts to resolve the situation in whatever form you think appropriate," Mr. Putin said, expressing the hope that all sides involved in the conflict will abide by the Constitution.

Mr. Kuchma came to Moscow to seek Mr. Putin's support on a crucial question of format for a new poll in Ukraine after European Union on Wednesday backed the Opposition demand to have a re-vote of the run-off between the two contenders. This would almost certainly hand victory to Mr. Yushchenko, who is supported by the West. "I do not know any country whose law envisages such a thing as a re-vote," Mr. Kuchma said. The Russian President said he was "surprised" at such proposals.

Mr. Kuchma and his chosen successor, Mr. Yanukovich, who is backed by Russia, favour staging a new election in which none of the two rivals should take part. Mr. Putin pledged Russia's support to Ukraine's leaders. "We are following the events (in Ukraine) with concern and express our support to what you are doing to resolve the crisis," Mr. Putin said.

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