Our Ukraine News 12/01/04

Rada Sacks Prime Minister

The Parliament of Ukraine, or Verkhovna Rada, passed a vote of no-confidence Wednesday afternoon, bringing down Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's government. With 229 MPs in favor, the simple majority no-confidence vote forces President Leonid Kuchma to put into place a caretaker government. It is unclear who will lead the body during the current political crisis.

Ukraine's opposition has called for the appointment of an interim coalition government of national trust. However, the situation remains unclear pending reaction from President Kuchma.

International Mediators Return

Polish President Aleksandr Kwasniewski, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and EU Foreign Secretary Javier Solana returned to Kyiv for another round of talks between Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych. The mediators are attempting for find a solution to the political crisis that arose in Ukraine after the incumbent government candidate tried to steal the November 21 run-off presidential election.

Before the talks commenced, President Leonid Kuchma proposed calling a new election rather than the repeat voting proposed by democratic opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. The recently dismissed Prime Minister Yanukovych suggested both he and Yushchenko withdraw from the race and let other candidates stand in the repeat election. Yushchenko turned down the proposal, pointing out "the people want to know whether or not the November 21st vote was falsified." Until that question is answered, all other proposals are secondary, the opposition leader said. Former National Bank Chairman and Yanukovych campaign manager Serhiy Tyhypko is poised to replace Yanukovych as the Kuchma favorite in a proposed new election round.

Election Commissioner Says Counting Rigged

Central Election Commissioner Andriy Magera, who did not sign the CEC protocol naming Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych winner of the November 21 run-off election, said during Supreme Court hearings today that government pressure on election commissions before the final vote was widespread and systemic. He told the court the CEC did not follow proper procedures in naming Yanukovych winner of the race, citing a seven-day period for reviewing appeals and petitions to the CEC regarding possible violations from candidates. He also said local government officials were more concerned with getting the incumbent government candidate the votes needed to win the election rather than following proper rules and procedures guiding the election process.

Documents detailing election fraud seized

Ukraine's UNIAN information agency reports that a truck leaving the Presidential Administration complex today was stopped and searched by street protesters. Inside they uncovered documentation that could prove the President's office was involved in bribing election commissioners. Former National Bank Chairman and Yanukovych campaign manager Serhiy Tyhypko is poised to replace Yanukovych as the Kuchma favorite in a proposed new election round.