Ukraine Mayor Warns of Election Crackdown

Published Thursday, October 21, 2004

By NATASHA LISOVA
Associated Press Writer
KIEV, Ukraine

The main opposition bloc stepped up its pre-election rhetoric Thursday, accusing the government of mounting a "terror" campaign against opponents, while Kiev's mayor warned he would declare a state of emergency if civil unrest breaks out.

The weeks leading up to the Oct. 31 presidential election have been tense, with the opposition alleging abuse and interference by officials, and authorities warning they will crack down and claim the opposition aims to foment revolution.

"In the case of a major disruption of the legal system, daily life and the economy in Kiev, I will ... declare a state of emergency," Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko said, according to the Interfax news agency.

He also said he had asked the courts to limit the duration and possible sites for public gatherings, Interfax reported.

On Wednesday, Deputy Interior Minister Mikhaylo Korniyenko warned that police were ready to crack down on the opposition if it tries to "seize power through civil unrest" after the election.

The vote pits Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who has the backing of incumbent President Leonid Kuchma, against Viktor Yushchenko, the Western-leaning reformist and the leader of the Our Ukraine opposition coalition. Omelchenko is one of 22 other candidates whose chances are considered slim.

Our Ukraine, meanwhile, accused the government of conducting a campaign of oppression against its political opponents.

"Every day, we receive reports of the arrests of dozens of citizens because they are against Yanukovych," opposition lawmaker Mykola Tomenko said in a statement.

Our Ukraine demanded an urgent session of the country's top executive body, the Defense and Security Council, to "discuss the situation in the country tied to government terror against its political opponents."

Western countries including the United States have warned that the vote could fall short of international standards and expressed concern over possible election fraud.

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian secret service launched a terrorism investigation against several members of the pro-opposition group Pora following the alleged discovery of explosives in the group's office in downtown Kiev.

In recent weeks, Pora activists also have complained of harassment and beatings by the police in other Ukrainian cities.

Freedom of Choice, a Ukrainian watchdog group, urged all international human rights organizations and Western governments on Thursday to "condemn the government crackdown" on Pora.

The opposition also criticized next week's planned visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit is tied to the 60th anniversary of Ukraine's liberation from the Nazis in World War II, but opposition supporters see it as a blatant gesture of support for Yanukovych.