Ukraine December 2004

Interblog until 31st January, 2005

2005-01-31T13:00:00.000+02:00

UKRAINE DECEMBER 2004, decision makers , foreign policy , media , special

Kuchma sacks three more governors

2005-01-19T13:00:00.000+02:00

Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma has dismissed the heads of three more regions, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Wednesday. The outgoing Ukrainian leader accepted the resignations of the heads of the Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv and Ternopil regions, his presidential press service reported. ... ( more )

Supreme Court allows publication of CEC announcement on Yushchenko win only after Jan. 19

2005-01-19T10:16:00.000+02:00

( Gromadske Radio )

Ukraine’s Supreme Court has allowed the publication in the official newspapers after Jan. 19 of the announcement by the Central Election Commission declaring Viktor Yushchenko the winner in the presidential election. ... ( more )

Strong Support from European Parliament for Kiev

2005-01-16T22:12:00.000+02:00

( Zaman )

Hopes have been raised in the Ukraine following a decision by the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday. Although it is not binding, the EP sent a clear message to the Ukraine that could lead to possible membership of the European Union with 467 ballots against 19. While the EU Commission, which conducts the enlargement policy, is dealing with the Ukraine in the frame of neighborhood policy, the EP decided to give a more concrete horizon to Kiev. Commission resources say only that Kiev is has not made any application for the candidacy and this country is being handled in the frame of neighborhood policy for now. ... ( more )

Supreme Court Rejects Three Of Demands In Yanukovych's Appeal Against CEC's Decision To Declare Yuschenko As Presidential Election Winner

2005-01-16T04:14:00.000+02:00

( Unian )

The Supreme Court has rejected three of the demands that the Party of the Regions' leader Viktor Yanukovych made in his appeal against the decision of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) to declare the Our Ukraine coalition's leader Viktor Yuschenko as the winner of the Ukrainian presidential election.

The press service of the CEC disclosed this to Ukrainian News, citing a Supreme Court decision obtained by the CEC. ... ( more )

Ukraine Opposition Criticizes Yushchenko

2005-01-15T11:49:00.000+02:00

( AP via Yahoo! News )

KIEV, Ukraine - In a sign of emerging cracks in the camp of Ukraine's apparent next president, a top ally of Viktor Yushchenko on Saturday criticized his order to raze the tent camp that became a vivid symbol of the country's "Orange Revolution." ... ( more )

Between Regimes: The Relationship Between Internal & External Factors

2005-01-15T01:00:00.000+02:00

(James Sherr, Fellow, Conflict Studies Research Centre, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom via Zerkalo Nedeli )

The most dangerous period in any revolution usually comes immediately after it takes place. Even if Viktor Yushchenko emerges as Ukraine’s new president without further legal machinations and trauma, there will be no exaggeration in describing his victory as a revolution. And the victory will still be revolutionary even if Yushchenko’s instincts for compromise, harmony and national unity establish the tone of his presidency. The events of the past two months have transformed the ‘art of the possible’ in Europe and Eurasia. Nevertheless, Yushchenko’s success will stand or fall on his ability to change the nature and not simply the image of the system that has governed Ukraine for the past fourteen years. ... ( more )

Defence Academy

Delaying OSCE reform may be harmful - official

2005-01-14T15:52:00.000+02:00

( Interfax )

MOSCOW. Jan 14 (Interfax) - Moscow thinks that Slovenia, which is currently the chairman country in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), should focus its attention on thoroughly reforming the organization and that delaying the reform may cause serious political consequences. ... ( more )

Has Russia lost Ukraine?

2005-01-14T14:25:00.000+02:00

( RIA Novosti )

The victory of Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko at the presidential elections is largely seen in Ukraine, Russia and the West as Russia's foreign policy biggest reverse of the past few years, Alexei Arbatov, head of the Center for International Security at the Russian Academy of Sciences, says in an article published by Nezavisimaya Gazeta. ... ( more )

Yushchenko orders removal of tent camp in Kiev's downtown

2005-01-14T13:00:00.000+02:00

( AP via SFGate.com )

The winner of Ukraine's presidential election ordered his supporters Friday to raze the tent camp in Kiev that had become a dramatic symbol of his victory over a Kremlin-backed opponent, saying conditions had become unsanitary. ... ( more )

US-Russian split at OSCE

2005-01-14T04:06:00.000+02:00

( Yahoo! Singapore News )

New OSCE chairman Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel acknowledged there were "differences" at the transatlantic, pan-European body as the United States and Russia clashed with echoes of Cold War rhetoric.

Russia said Western influence was too strong in the 55-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's human rights work, particularly election monitoring which Moscow claims is tilted against former Soviet states. ... ( more )

Kremlin Bureaucrats Lost Ukraine, But Russia Won

2005-01-14T01:00:00.000+02:00

( St. Petersburg Times )

Over the last six months, Russian politicians have been discussing Ukraine and its affairs so fervently that now I, as a Ukrainian politician and parliamentary deputy, have the perfect right to discuss Russian affairs. And in the same light I have the right to talk about the future of Russian-Ukrainian relations after the new president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, whose team I have the honor of belonging to, gets to work. ... ( more )

The Media's New Cold War

2005-01-13T13:00:00.000+02:00

( The Nation )

Thirteen years after the end of the Soviet Union, the American press establishment seemed eager to turn Ukraine's protested presidential election on November 21 into a new cold war with Russia. Still worse, its greatest enthusiasts were not the usual Russophobes but influential opinion-makers and publications reputed to be exemplars of balanced, moderate, even liberal, outlook. ... ( more )

Ukraine Election Loser Again Delays Inauguration

2005-01-13T11:26:00.000+02:00

( Yahoo! News )

KIEV (Reuters) - The loser of last month's presidential election in Ukraine again delayed his opponent's inauguration on Thursday by failing to deliver a promised court appeal, infuriating the president elect's team. ... ( more )

Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations visits Ukraine to launch new report on economic reform

2005-01-13T10:00:00.000+02:00

( UNDP )

This report of our Blue Ribbon Commission, working under the deft leadership of Anders Aslund and Oleksander Paskhaver, was in the final stages of editing when the second round of the presidential elections took place in Ukraine. Its contents thus predate the unprecedented outpouring of civic activism that prompted the Ukrainian authorities to schedule a fresh round of voting for 26 December. The peaceful determination that Ukrainian civil society has shown to defend freedom and the right to free and fair elections is to be commended.

The recent political upheaval in Ukraine does nothing to tarnish the findings of this report. On the contrary, it underscores the accuracy of its diagnosis of the ills that trouble Ukraine, particularly in the relations between citizens and the state, and it heightens the relevance of the report’s prescription for a “new wave of reform.” Moreover, the emergence of a newly self-confident civil society in Ukraine increases the chances that the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations can be put into practice.

That this report has proved so prescient is testament to the collective wisdom of its authors, a diverse group of international and Ukrainian specialists on economy, government, law, and social policy who have contributed their keen insights to this vital undertaking. UNDP expresses deep appreciation to the authors for this timely contribution to policy debate in Ukraine. It supports the report’s call for a “new wave of reform” aimed at helping the country sustain rapid economic growth, improve social welfare and fight poverty, enhance economic integration, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The report, in UNDP’s view, is an exemplary work of impartial and professional analysis that provides practical solutions to pressing problems. UNDP recommends the report for the early attention of the new President and the new Government, and stands ready to support them in enacting a new wave of reform.

[Stenogram] :: Good morning dear friends. The theme of the today's press club is the “New Wave” publication, which was yesterday presented in the National Bank for economists and UN representatives. Today you will have an opportunity to hear to these report from its authors: Mr. Kalman Mizsei, Assistant Secretary General of the UN, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS; Mr. Anders Aslund, Co-Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission, Senior Associate of the Carnegie Endowment; Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver, Co-Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission.

[Mr. Kalman Mizsei] :: Thank you. Dear friends, allow me to say a few words about the whole idea of the Blue Ribbon Commission in Ukraine. The United Nations Development Program in the middle of 2004 initiated the work that let to develop this project. We decided in the middle of 2004 Ukraine had a very unique historical chance to complete its reforms. If we go back to the time of Ukraine’s independence of 1991, and compare the reforms of that time with ones which were made in its neighbor countries, for instance, in Poland, we can conclude that a tremendous amount of reforms was conducted in Ukraine, basically you created very many fundamental reforms. However, this reform has been incomplete. The privatization started, but it was not completed, but, unfortunately, the market economics needs many institutions, unfortunately, market economics needs a reasonably clean state. Likewise, the democracy in Ukraine has been incomplete. You have basic democratic institutes, but you have more of them than needed. The functions of the president and government were filled with corruption. We think that the new President has a unique chance to complete these reforms, to advance the market economics, to advance a kind of social solidarity that shows compassion in very complete terms. That was in our minds. I have asked two professors to make this effort, and the other idea is that we have a combined expertise of Ukrainian and international experts. So this combination has been so characteristic for this project.

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: Thank you. I’d like to tell that in 2004 I wrote an article about the presidential election in Ukraine, which reflected our common expectations. Our experts, dealing with the Ukrainian problems, wanted to answer the most urgent questions. I think today Ukraine has a unique chance. We thought about this when we started the work together with Mr. Moszei. The presidential election of this year in Ukraine was the most important event in the Europe in 2004. In this group of experts, we gathered the best Ukrainian and international experts, who have been busy with Ukrainian thematic for a long time. We also asked them about were the most crucial issues in Ukraine at present. We did not attempt to write a program what to do, but to show the most pressing problems in modern Ukraine. We have more that 100 practical recommendations. Now the main problem in Ukraine now is the state - namely, the corruption. The fundamental problem is that the state rules its citizens rather then serving them. The second is that the social spending in areas such as health care and education needs to be made more effective so that it benefits the truly needy, rather than mainly the well-off. Third, the tax system needs adopting a new liberal tax code, reducing taxes, improving the financial sector. As for foreign affairs, the most important for Ukraine today is the accession to WTO.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: We have already heard here that we did not know exactly who will become the new president, and prepared our proposals. But our commission has benefited that V.Yushchenko was elected, as his ideology is closer to ours than that of V.Yanukovych. I would like to compare the current situation with that when Yushchenko was elected the PM in 2001. His government took several decisive steps, which caused the economic growth. The current situation needs the similar spurts. So far the society was skeptic about the social and economic reforms, they were objects, not subjects. Our measures aim to rise the confidence in the reforms, creating new factors of the growth, That is why we called our document the "New Wave"

[Question] :: Do you really believe that this year Ukraine will enter WTO?

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: As far as I know Ukraine is on the final stage of its entering WTO. Technologically, by its schedule Ukraine has an opportunity to enter. The previous government dragged this process. We need only a political will to do it.

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: There are two moments to be completed: the law on the intellectual property must be adopted, and the land sale must be allowed. President Yushchenko can easily do that. Ukraine has to do very little to enter WTO. This is very important for Ukraine to defend its position at the export market, which is far easier when a country is a WTO member.

[Question] :: Which will be the destiny of the privatized enterprises, which is your opinion about the Kryvorozhstal privatization?

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: There will be no serious changes in the privatization. The economic growth took place due to the sale of some 100 000 objects, which allowed the growth of the middle class, which came out at Maydan (the scene of the Orange Revolution). If the privatization is reconsidered, it will have a form of negotiations, and not legal proceedings, just to return the sums, which were not paid on transactions. I think, this is our common wish not to disturb the economics.

[Mr. Kalman Mizsei] :: We agree with the words of Mr.Paskhaver. I'd like to add that we have to speed up the privatization in the country, and to finish it. We have to avoid monopolies. The experience of western European countries indicates that it opens the way to investments, creating sound competitiveness.

[Question] :: Does Yushchenko know about your proposals?

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: As far as I know we plan to meet with all the leading members of his team. Our previous meetings showed their positive attitude to our initiative.

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: I can say that we met with Yulia Tymoshenko, Yuri Pinzenyk, Yuri Yekhanurov, A.Kinakh, we are about to meet with P.Poroshenko. We are due to meet with all members of Yushchenko's team, and all of them have a very good attitude to us, because they understand what we do. Our project helps them very much. We initiated this project because we understood that this would be a very good chance for reforms. We would like to help the work of the new government.

[Question] :: Have you ever worked out any similar recommendations for leaders of other countries?

[Mr. Kalman Mizsei] :: UNDP works in 31 countries, we are working with them in very different areas. During the whole years that I have been in UN, this is the best document that we have ever produced. It includes recommendations for economic, social, other spheres. This is built on the experience of other developed countries. This is something I think is very appropriate for Ukraine. I hope this will lead to a sequence of successful reforms. We are hopeful that we manage to assist the Ukraine government. Ukraine has all the attributes to become the most prosperous European country. Now this is really a historical moment for you.

[Question] :: What is the origin of the name "Blue Ribbon Commission"?

[Mr. Kalman Mizsei] :: At the begging of the Hungarian transition, a similar commission was set up to help Hungary. It depends on you President and PM in what way we will collaborate. UNDP is going to be guided by the will of the President and the government in what form we are going to collaborate. The blue ribbon symbolizes a very distinguished group of exerts. The blue ribbon is the first prize of the first quality

[Question] :: Can you determine the term of your program?

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: The best of all would be to implement this program within the next year. For instance, the judicial reform must be initiated this year. Who knows when it would finish? This proposal is just to help the new government in its work.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: The politics is a signal for the society, on which the trust of the society to the government is based. If the society sees that serious steps are taken, this will increase the confidence in the society.

[Stenogram]:: I think that if all these reforms are implemented, I think that in some five years we will need the advice of Ukraine

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: I'm not an expert in the political reform. I have heard that Prosecutor General has too much rights, and the speaker has too many rights, with the President being deprived of his authorities. I'm not an expert in this field to discuss details. The general trend in the parliamentary system - to pass to proportional election, this is a good idea for reducing the number of large businessmen in the parliament. It can be compared with the American Senate of 1980ies, when it was called "Club of Millionaires". The best way to avoid this is to make a proportional system.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: A political reform is a constant process in many countries. I like the political reform to emerge in a process of conflict of political process participants, which gives it a real spurt.

[Question] :: Which are your recommendations to the power generating sphere?

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: As for the power-generating policy, we did not write recommendations to different branches of economics. The main principle is the transparency. The gas consortium of Ukraine and Russia is not transparent, this is inadmissible. Earlier the largest problem was the payments for energy. The third problem in this sphere is the coal industry. My view is to liberalize prices, to privatize coal mines. But this is a radical view, I did not propose this to the commission.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: As for power-generating sphere, our report includes a chapter stating out the relationships between the state and large companies, to make more independent the state policy from their influence.

[Stenogram] :: You said about signals of trust to the society, but one of Yushchenko's projects proposed total revising of privatized objects.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: Yushchenko's latest statements clearly show that at present no revising of privatization is planned.

[Question] :: You propose to increase the pension age, to launch payment for health services, other social measures, which are likely to be unpopular among the population. Do you think Yushchenko would dare do that? Which is your forecast of economic growth for the next year?

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: We propose to transfer to the state insurance of health. The current financing of hospitals, beds in hospitals, is not rational. This was common practice in USSR. Little has changed in Ukraine in this sphere since that time. We propose that the demand of citizens is important, we propose to allocate more funds for policlinics and large hospitals. This is an issue of economic efficiency. We do not propose to change the sum channeled for health in Ukraine. As for the economic growth, we were not probing into this issue, but Ukraine must have a growth of some 8%. We can see a huge region from China to Ukraine, where this 8% growth has become normal. I can forecast 8-9% economic growth for Ukraine in the next ten years. It's hard to say what will happen this year, as Ukraine really depends on the world conjuncture. Ukraine is not a WTO member, and cannot defend the access to its export markets. Another difficult issue is that the National bank and the government in September of the last year was busy with populism, rather than economic policy.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: The issue of unpopular measures is of principle for me. These measures are aimed at long-term changes. The most important is that these reforms may be conducted by only that government which enjoys the trust of the population.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: This is a very long-term process. They must begin these reforms. Our orange revolution is based on the middle class, interested in the changes. If we have such an active middle class, we will obtain a different distribution of forces in the parliament in 2006.

[Mr. Kalman Mizsei] :: One should not be a populist, but should be a reformer. If anybody begins with populism, later the next government must be more radical to improve that.

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: If the President does not show himself as a reformer, it will become clear by Sept of 2005. At present many politicians, economists, agree that much must be done.

[Question] :: How will the economic growth will depend on your recommendations?

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: 100 factors influence the economic growth, that is why this is impossible to predict. We do not know what resolves the economic growth.

[Question] :: The issue of WTO. What’s about the agreements on SES with Russia? Earlier we understood that the old Europe did not support us, what’s about the new Europe? Can you name the politician who will better implement the reform?

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: As for the WTO, this is important. The agreement on the free trade was concluded between CIS countries long ago. But this agreement was not working, and the free trade between CIS countries will be able to function really after their entrance into the WTO. SES is not necessary at all, this is just a political project for Ukrainian presidential election, which has finished. As for ten thousands of agreements, signed on SES, this is the problem which must be solved by the new government at once. The CIS story is full with bad-working projects such as a customs union, etc. As for EU, being a European, I may say that a country, fulfilling Copenhagen provisions, cannot be left outside the EU for a long time. I think Ukraine will enter EU in some 15-20 years. Ukraine has a bigger economic growth now than the EU countries.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: Experts may advice about the policy, but not about politicians. It’s clear enough that Yushchenko better understands who will solve the current problems. I do not think that we can recommend any candidacies.

[Question] :: Health is the sphere which is the most non-reformed in Ukraine. Which is the model that you propose to Ukraine? In Russia, this system was launched 15 years ago.

[Mr. Oleksander Paskhaver] :: We agree with you that this is the most pressing problem in Ukraine. We should understand that during some ten years we will remain a poor country, we should take this into account. More than that, the population got used to the Soviet system. The transition to a new system will not be prompt.

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: We propose to pass to a state insurance system, which proved its efficiency in many European countries. If there is a state financing, it's better to make it not centralized.

[Mr. Kalman Mizsei] :: The most important part of any post communist countries reforms is that such a complex of services was provided. One has to realize that critics of reforms will always be. In our particular case, the state health system has been erupted with corruption. This is a very profoundly erupted system. None of the post-communist countries has reformed the health system. They very often appoint a doctor to the seat of the Minister of Health, who does not reform anything.

[Question] :: In the end of the last year, EU leaders commissioned Solana to work out several measures to collaborate with Ukraine. Which steps of EU would be good for development of Ukraine?

[Mr. Anders Aslund] :: I think EU will have an absolutely different attitude to Ukraine this year. EU is a caravan, which is moving very slowly, but it is moving all the time. I think the most important for Ukraine is to enter WTO, and to ask an agreement for free trade with EU, to obtain facilitation of visas, this is possible partly on the bilateral bases. The second is the exchange in education. Ukraine does not recognize doctors of sciences of European countries or America, only Ukrainian professors may teach in Ukrainian universities. Upon entering WTO this must change.

[Stenogram] :: Thank you very much

Blue Ribbon Commission Proposes “New Wave” of Reform for Ukraine UN-Sponsored Report Provides New President with Policy Blueprint

The outcome of Ukraine’s presidential elections has created an opportunity for dramatic change in the way the country is governed. Anticipating this possibility, a Blue Ribbon Commission composed of leading international and Ukrainian experts has drafted a report providing over a hundred specific policy recommendations to the new President. The authors of the report urge the new administration to undertake a sweeping “new wave” of reform, with the aim of recasting relations between state and society, sustaining current high rates of growth, and broadening the reach of prosperity. The report will be presented to the team of the President elect and publicized widely among policy makers, business leaders, and journalists, both in Ukraine and abroad.

The report identifies five key areas for reform. First, and most urgent, is political reform. The fundamental problem in Ukraine, as in other postcommunist countries, is that the state rules its citizens, rather than serving them. The relationship between state and citizens must change, the report concludes. To win the confidence of its citizens, the state machinery must become efficient through real control by society and law. Second, social spending in areas such as health care and education needs to be made more effective so that it benefits the truly needy, rather than mainly the well-off, as is now the case. Third, the tax system and the legal foundations of the financial system need to be overhauled so that they work to stimulate economic growth. Fourth, a clear line must be drawn between the state and private enterprise, so that property rights are fully guaranteed. Fifth, integration into the world economy must be facilitated through early accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and closer integration with the European Union (EU).

The report is designed to be a hands-on document of genuine practical use to the new administration in Ukraine, with most measures designed for enactment within the new President’s first year in office. Of the report’s many specific policy recommendations, the Blue Ribbon Commission has identified the following 12 as the most urgent:

1. Enact an administrative reform based on the principles of accountability, transparency, and professionalism, and enshrining the rights of ordinary citizens;

2. Reform the judicial system to make judges independent and impartial, and to make the court administration more efficient;

3. Enact a territorial-administrative reform, improving the delivery of public services by devolving power and resources to regional and local bodies;

4. Introduce mandatory public medical insurance, using a multi-level insurance-based approach for financing that provides for competition among care providers;
EMBARGO UNTIL 12 January, 12:00 GMT

5. Enact a liberal tax code that reduces the number of taxes, lowers tax rates, eliminates exemptions, and eliminates competing revenue services;

6. Reduce public expenditures substantially by eliminating non-essential and harmful spending (such as enterprise subsidies) and target social benefits to the truly needy;

7. Improve corporate legislation (and pass a modern law on joint-stock companies), by enacting rules to introduce ownership transparency and protect minority shareholders;

8. To eliminate conflict between two contradictory legislative frameworks, abolish the anachronistic Economic Code and develop the market-oriented Civil Code;

9. Create functioning property markets by ending the moratorium on the sale of agricultural land and developing a unified property register;

10. Create a level playing field for economic activity by abolishing regulatory discrimination and subsidies and halting state intervention in pricing and trade;

11. Join the WTO in 2005; and

12. Make Ukraine’s “European Choice” a reality by adopting European legal standards and forging an initial action plan with the EU that paves the way to a free trade agreement and makes future membership of the EU a real opportunity.

“We recommend this report as a practical checklist of ‘second wave’ political and economic reforms—not just for Ukraine, but also for many other former Soviet countries where recent spurts of economic growth have not been matched by the far-reaching structural reforms needed to secure democratic governance and combat poverty,” said Kalman Mizsei, the UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Assistant Administrator who helped create the Blue Ribbon Commission and served as a member.

The Blue Ribbon Commission, formed in July 2004, was co-chaired by Anders Åslund, Director of the Russian & Eurasian Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C., and Oleksandr Paskhaver, President of the Kyiv-based Center of Economic Development. Other commission members included Iryna Akimova, Dan Bilak, Ihor Burakovsky, Oleksandr Chalyi, Keith Crane, Marek Dabrowski, Adrian Karatnytcky, Ihor Koliushko, Oleksandra Kuzhel, Dmytro Leonov, Georges de Menil, Vira Nanivska, Jerzy Osiatynski, Oleksandr Rohozynsky, Oleksandr Shevtsov, and Ben Slay. UNDP’s office in Ukraine provided the funding for the project, but the Blue Ribbon Commission enjoyed full freedom in defining recommendations and drafting the report.

Legal delay game continues

2005-01-13T08:23:00.000+02:00

( AP via Kyiv Post )

Representatives of losing Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych said Jan. 13 they were readying a new appeal of the election results, a move they have delayed repeatedly in an apparent attempt to delay winner Viktor Yushchenko's assumption of office. ... ( more )

Donetsk City Council sues Yanukovych supporters

2005-01-13T01:00:00.000+02:00

( Obozrevatel )

The Donetsk City Council submitted a suit on Jan 10 with the demand that the organizers of the protests pull down the tent city erected in the center of Donetsk, the Deputy Chairman on Internal Affairs, Anatoliy Romanov, reported.

<>Romanov also stated that there is no judgement on the suit yet, though it is under consideration. “I have my whole department there (in court),” Romanov stated. As the City Mayor of Donetsk, Oleksandr Lukyanchenko, reported at a press conference on Jan 11, the representatives of the Progressive Socialist Party submitted a request on holding the action on Jan 10, but a written refusal was given to them. Earlier, the Donetsk City Council prohibited the installation of tents and erection of tent cities in the city.

In particular, the deputies made amendments to Provision 12 of the resolution “On the approval of the rules of dislocation of architecture forms on the territory of Donetsk” at an extraordinary session of the City Council on Nov 24.

The supporters of the presidential candidate and leader of the Party of Regions, Viktor Yanukovych, who support the Progressive Socialist Party, installed nine tents in the center of Donetsk on the square of Lenin as part of their “To victory with Yanukovych” protests.

( source )

Supreme Court has banned publication of Election Commission report declaring Yushchenko winner of the election

2005-01-12T01:35:00.000+02:00

( Gromadske radio )

Ukraine’s Supreme Court has banned publication in The Holos Ukrayiny and The Government Messenger, Verkhovna Rada and government official newspapers, of a Central Election Commission report declaring Viktor Yushchenko winner of the presidential election, the Ukrainian News reports.

The ban will be effective pending the consideration by SC of an appeal by Viktor Yanukovych, the also-ran candidate, who claims the vote has been rigged.

( source )

Our Ukraine demands that Kuchma should stop staff appointments

2005-01-12T01:00:00.000+02:00

( LIGA Business Inform via Obozrevatel )

The Our Ukraine faction demands that the current President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, should signing edicts on staff appointments. Member of the Our Ukraine faction Mykola Tomenko stated this from the parliamentary rostrum on Wednesday, a LIGABusinessInform correspondent reports.

According to Tomenko, during the last two days of 2004 Leonid Kuchma signed more than a hundred edicts and appointed dozens of people to posts. He stated that “He didn’t work this actively during his 10 years of presidency”.

Tomenko believes that Kuchma and the head of his Administration, Viktor Madvedchuk, are irresponsible by appointing people to posts for several weeks.

Tomenko also stated that after the new President comes to office an analysis of the work of officials “who live today as if it were their last day” will be conducted by law enforcement bodies.

Mykola Tomenko also stressed that in connection with the delay of publishing the results of the presidential elections, Leonid Kuchma and his team are fully responsible for everything happening in the country at this time.

( source )

OSCE Secretary General congratulated Yushchenko

2005-01-11T13:00:00.000+02:00

( Obozrevatel )

The Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Jan Kubis, congratulated Viktor Yushchenko on his victory on the presidential elections in Ukraine, a statement on the official web-site of the OSCE reads.

Kubis, who earlier participated in the settlement of the conflict after the presidential elections in Ukraine, mentioned Yushchenko’s high sense of responsibility and his loyalty to democratic values, Ukrainian News reads.

He also expressed hope that the Ukrainian people will unite to build up a prosperous future. “The Ukrainian people, who were in the center of attention of the world during many weeks, became an example of democratic maturity and loyalty to a peaceful choice,” Kubis stated. “I am sure that the Ukrainian people will unite now to build up a democratic and prosperous future,” he added.

He assured that the OSCE will continue to cooperate with other international organization with the aim of helping Ukraine both in strengthening democratic values and social and economic development.

( source )

Yanukovych does not recognize Yushchenko victory

2005-01-10T01:00:00.000+02:00

( GlavRed via Obozrevatel )

Presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych does not recognize Viktor Yushchenko’s victory in the re-vote of the run-off presidential election. Yanukovych stated this at a press conference in his election headquarters, a Hlavred correspondent reports.

According to Yanukovych, “such elections cannot be recognized as legitimate” as “several millions of citizens were unable to vote”. Yanukovych addressed his fellow citizens with a statement where he explains the reasons to “submit an appeal against the CEC resolution to the Supreme Court”.

At the same time, Yanukovych also mentioned that there is a suit on the resolution of the judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and on the unconstitutionality of the re-vote of the elections submitted for the Constitutional Court’s consideration.

( source )

CEC head wants members recalled for administrative work

2005-01-06T13:00:00.000+02:00

( Obozrevatel )

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Yaroslav Davydovych asked at the meeting yesterday that Yushchenko and Yanukovych recall their members of the Territorial Election Commissions who have gone home.

One result of having people from other regions as members of TECs is that it is difficult to reconvene the TECs because people have gone home. There are still administrative tasks, including finance, which must be completed and without the rest of the members present the TECs cannot act.

( source )

Turkmenistan, Ukraine agree on new gas contract

2005-01-03T14:02:00.000+02:00

( Kyiv Post )

Turkmenistan and Ukraine agreed on a new contract for natural gas supplies on Jan. 2, just days after Turkmenistan cut off all gas to the country in a dispute that had threatened Ukraine's economy.

The one-year supply deal signed by President Saparmurat Niyazov and the president of national oil and gas company Naftohaz Ukraine sets a price of $58 per 1,000 cubic meters, at a volume of 36 billion cubic meters (1,260 billion cubic feet) for 2005. Ukraine had sought a price closer to $40 per 1,000 cubic meters. ... ( more )

2005-01-02T21:37:00.000+02:00

Turkmenistan cuts gas supplies to Russia-Ukraine

2005-01-02T13:00:00.001+02:00

( Gulf Daily News )

ASHGABAT: The Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan said yesterday it had carried out a threat to cut gas supplies to Russia and Ukraine but was ready to turn the pumps back on in return for higher prices.

"Turkmenistan cut off the supply of gas in the pipelines to Russia and Ukraine from midnight (on Friday)," the foreign ministry said in a statement. ... ( more )

Ukrainian PM staff leave country

2005-01-02T13:00:00.000+02:00

( UPI )

KIEV, Ukraine, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Members of Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's administration have begun to leave the country fearing a backlash and investigations.
... ( more )....

About 200 civil servants and political figures are believed to have applied for diplomatic passports hoping to leave the country with their money before they become the subjects of investigations.

Central Election Commission wants complaint forgery investigated

2005-01-01T00:43:00.000+02:00

( Obozrevatel )

The Central Election Commission will ask the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate the forgery of telegrams with complaints sent to the CEC from Dec 26 to Dec 28, Korrespondent.net reports. ... ( more )

Russian Federation Imposed Veto on Extension of Monitoring Mandate to OSCE

2004-12-31T10:13:00.000+02:00

( Rustavi 2 )

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe stops the process of the monitoring at the Ingushetia-Chechen sectors of the State Border of Georgia and Russian Federation. ... ( more )

Saakashvili Address Georgia with New Year Congratulations from Kiev

2004-12-31T09:43:00.000+02:00

( Rustavi 2 )

Mikheil Saaksahvili, the President of Georgia, leaves for Kiev, Ukraine, from where together with Viktor Yushchenko; the newly elected President of Ukraine will address the citizens of Georgia with New Year congratulations. ... ( more )

Swiss President, Luxembourg PM join others in congratulating Yushchenko

2004-12-31T01:20:00.000+02:00

( Kyiv Post )

The leaders of Switzerland, Luxembourg and Iceland have congratulated Our Ukraine coalition leader Viktor Yushchenko on his victory on Dec. 26 in the court-ordered repeat run off of Ukraine's disputed presidential election, Ukrainian News has reported. ... ( more )

Yanukovych resigns post as Ukraine PM

2004-12-31T00:37:00.000+02:00

( AP via Tri-City Herald )

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych resigned Friday and grudgingly admitted he has little hope of winning the presidency of this ex-Soviet republic. ...( more )

Donetsk governor Anatoli Blyzniuk summoned for questioning by Prosecutor General Office

2004-12-30T17:12:00.000+02:00

( Radion Ukraine International )

Donetsk governor Anatoli Blyzniuk summoned for questioning by Prosecutor General OfficeMr Blyzniuk was summoned for questioning in connection with his participation in the All-Ukrainian Congress of Rada deputies in Severodonetsk, Lugansk region, which discussed Ukraine's likely federalization. ... ( more )

Yushchenko is going to change all the governors

2004-12-30T16:44:00.000+02:00

( Telekanal 5 via Vlasti.net )

Victor Yuschenko is going to change all the governors. Yushcenko answered in an interview to a question, if he is going to change all the 25 governors, he answered:"Unconditionally!" He also said, that the new regime will not tolerate political repression.

"Society must see new faces, especially first leaders. Staying together with the old faces would mean ruining the hope of those people, who stood on squares", he noted according to RIA Novosti.

( source in Russian )

Ukrainian Security Officer Found Hanged in His Lviv Apartment

2004-12-30T16:03:00.000+02:00

( MosNews.com )

A senior Ukrainian security officer has been found dead in his apartment. The body of 38-year-old Vladimir Pavlenko, a lieutenant-colonel of the Lviv Security Service Directorate, was found in his apartment on Dec. 20, an informed source told Ukraine’s Forum news agency.

Upon examining the site, police established that the security officer had committed suicide. However, forensic experts claim that Pavlenko had been beaten to death. Pavlenko has already been buried. Prosecutors are still investigating his death. Earlier this week the body of the transport minister, Mr Heorhiy Kyrpa, was discovered in his summer house near Kiev with gunshot wounds in another apparent suicide. Ukrainian prosecutors opened an investigation into whether the violent death of a government minister was “assisted suicide”.Some media speculated that Kyrpa, accused of playing a key role in the rigged presidential elections last month, was murdered by the fraud ring-leaders.

Kyrpa’s was the second apparent suicide of a leading government figure this month, following the death of the financier Yuri Lyakh, 39, on Dec. 3.Both Kyrpa and Lyakh were close associates of the outgoing president, Leonid Kuchma. Lyakh was found with a paper knife embedded in his throat at his home.Both men are accused of being involved in an elaborate fraud operation, apparently committed by the authorities, to rig the Nov. 21 presidential election, which was rerun last Sunday, with the opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko confirming his victory. ( Original )

Ukraine's Kuchma may face murder rap

2004-12-30T13:00:00.000+02:00

( United Press International via World Peace Herald )

KIEV, Ukraine -- Odds that outgoing Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma will face charges of killing a journalist four years ago are mounting, The Times of London reports. ... ( more )

Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated Viktor Yushchenko

2004-12-30T01:49:00.000+02:00

( Obozrevatel )

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated Viktor Yushchenko on the results of the presidential elections in Ukraine ... ( more )

Self-isolation of Belarus will not solve strategic development issues

2004-12-30T00:23:00.000+02:00

( RIA Novosti )

After the triumph of the "Orange revolution" in Ukraine, the democratic community will inevitably focus its attention on Belarus as the last zone of Russian interests bordering with the West and still not under EU control, Vremya Novostei writes. ... ( more )

Boiko: It is necessary to raise the price of gas

2004-12-29T19:51:00.000+02:00

( Ukrainian News Agency via Ekonomitsheskie izvestija and Portal 2000 )

Chairman of the board Neftegaz Ukrainy Yury Boiko thinks, that the price of natural gas in Ukraine must be risen. He announced his opinion in an interwiev for the journal Ekonomitsheskie izvestija.

According to his opinion during the past five years the price for all consumtion cathegories apart with the exception on industry has been on its past level. "Because of sustaining the price for gas price, it will be in 2005 lower for the consumers than it is in Russia, which produces 540 000 000 000 cubic metres natural gas of which 180 000 000 000 cubic metres is exported", said Boiko according to Ukrainian News Agency (UNIAN).

"As for industry, we have the lowest price of gas compared to neighbouring countries - 60 dollars per 1000 cubic metres. In neighbouring Moldova it costs 96 dollars per cubic metres and in Poland 150 dollars per cubic metre and I don't speak about Germany or other Western countries", he remarked.

He also added, that "our economy grows dynamicly because of we grant possibility for it to grow because of low energy prices".

( source )

Circumstances of Kyrpa's death should be thoroughly investigated, says Lytvyn

2004-12-29T14:10:00.000+02:00

( Interfax Ukraine )

Zhytomyr, December 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Lytvyn says it a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Transport and Communication Minister Heorhiy Kyrpa's death should be held. ... ( more )

Transportation minister dies under suspicious circumstances

2004-12-28T13:02:00.000+02:00

( Kyiv Post )

Prosecutors opened a criminal investigation on Dec. 28 into the death of Transportation Minister Heorhiy Kirpa, a supporter of Prime Minister and presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych. The investigation will determine whether Kirpa was driven to suicide, an offense punishable by seven to 10 years in prison. ... ( more )

Turkmenistan threatens to cut off gas supplies to Russia, Ukraine

2004-12-28T11:53:00.000+02:00

( Kyiv Post )

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) - Turkmenistan threatened to cut off natural gas supplies to Russia and Ukraine unless they agree before the end of the year to pay a higher price for the fuel, official media said Dec. 28.

The ultimatum, if realized, could come as a heavily blow for the Ukrainian economy which gets some 45 percent of its natural gas from Turkmenistan. ... ( more )

Timeline: Battle for Ukraine

2004-12-28T10:43:00.000+02:00

( BBC News UK edition )

A controversial election campaign followed by a disputed result has plunged Ukraine into a leadership crisis.

The two principal players are the rivals for the presidency, pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and pro-EU opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko. BBC News charts how the crisis evolved. ... ( more )

In Russia it has not agreed with the results of OSCE observation

2004-12-28T07:02:00.000+02:00

( Portal 2000 )

The observers of OSCE did not make enough objective conclusions concerning the elections in Ukraine. Aleksander Jakovenko, the official representative of Russian foreign ministry announced to journalists on Tuesday. ( more in Russian )

A Ukraine election observer writes

2004-12-28T01:37:00.000+02:00

A Ukraine election observer writes – part 2 3 4

Donetsk wary of Yushchenko

2004-12-27T17:23:00.000+02:00

( BBC News UK edition )

Eastern Ukraine was never going to give a warm welcome to the election winner.
In this mainly Russian-speaking part of the country, which looks more towards Moscow than eastern Europe, Viktor Yushchenko is regarded with deep suspicion. ... ( more )

Analysis: Ukraine looks west

2004-12-27T15:43:00.000+02:00

( BBC NEWS UK edition )

The presidential election result in Ukraine is another striking example of the "people power" which has swept central and eastern Europe over the last 15 years.

The strength of Ukraine's people power surprised many in the WestThe "Orange Revolution" will take its place alongside the "Velvet Revolution" in former Czechoslovakia, the "Rose Revolution" in Georgia and all the other revolutions which might not have a name but which certainly had an effect. ... ( more )

Observation statements

2004-12-27T13:00:00.000+02:00

INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
Presidential Election (Repeat Second Round), Ukraine
26 December 2004

STATEMENT OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
Kyiv, 27 December 2004 - The International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) for the
Ukrainian presidential election is a joint undertaking of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE
PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the European Parliament
(EP) and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

This statement should be considered in conjunction with the IEOM’s two previous statements
released on 1 and 22 November 2004, after the previous election rounds. It is issued before the
announcement of final results and resolution of possible complaints and appeals. The
OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive Final Report approximately six weeks after
completion of the process.

Preliminary Conclusions

The conduct of the 26 December election process brought Ukraine substantially closer to
meeting OSCE election commitments and Council of Europe and other European standards. In
the run-up to the keenly contested repeat second round, campaign conditions were markedly
more equal in contrast to previous polls. The main media provided voters with a balanced
coverage of the campaign and observers received few reports that voters were pressured to
support one of the candidates. The re-composed electoral administration conducted the election
much more transparently. The civil society demonstrated a high level of interest and engagement in the democratic process.

The circumstances following the second round of the presidential election led the Parliament to
adopt temporary amendments to the election legislation on 8 December. Although it is unusual
that election legislation be amended during the course of an election process, apparently the aim
of the Parliament was to lessen the potential for the type of fraud that previously occurred and
remedy deficiencies in the election administration.

Overall, the vast majority of observers assessed the process much more favourably than the two previous rounds. On the whole, polling was conducted in a calmer atmosphere, with far fewer candidate observers or members of Polling Station Commissions (PSCs) ejected or dismissed on 26 December than on both previous polling days. Yet, the atmosphere among some of the PSCs deteriorated during the count with disputes occurring in 19% of polling stations observed.

The local executive authorities and election administration had insufficient time to correct errors in voter lists noted during the two previous election rounds. Once again some citizens were turned away from polling stations because their names did not appear on voter lists. However, observers noted that the number of citizens adversely affected was fewer than on 31 October.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Assemblée parlementaire de l’OTAN
International Election Observation Mission, Page: 2

Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004
Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

A lack of uniformity and a degree of confusion was noted by observers in PSCs handling of
voting by homebound voters. However, observers also reported ad hoc solutions to the problem
by Territorial Election Commissions (TECs), PSCs, local government administration, volunteers
and even local businesses providing transportation to the polling stations for elderly and
immobile voters

The repeat second round of the presidential election contained a number of features that
positively distinguish it from the 31 October and 21 November contests including:

• The Supreme Court’s 3 December ruling, reached through open and transparent
proceedings, which repealed the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) on
the 21 November election results due to evidence of systematic fraud making it
impossible to determine the will of voters;

• A newly composed CEC that endeavoured to conduct the repeat election with
significantly more transparency, including the posting on the CEC website of results by
polling station, and according to a very short timeframe;

• A significant reduction in the number of reports received by observers that State
employees, and other groups dependant on the State for their livelihood, were pressured
in their choice of candidate;

• A marked decline in the misuse of State resources during the campaign;

• The absence of so-called temnyky (guidelines on media content) on the main media
channels, which had been used previously to censor or otherwise distort information
presented in the media;

• The media’s coverage of the campaign, which in general was significantly more
balanced, giving citizens access to a plurality of views;

• A televised debate between the two main contestants, broadcast live by several national
TV channels, provided both candidates with a real opportunity to directly exchange views
and opinions, and share them with the electorate.
However shortcomings remain, including:

• The failure to incorporate provisions in the newly, although temporarily, amended
electoral legislation that: clarify the role of the police on election day; require the CEC to
publish all Polling Station results promptly; and permit non-partisan election observation
by domestic groups;

• Poorly prepared voter lists that are a legacy from the past;

• Isolated disruption of opposition campaign events, in a few cases with violence, which
impinged on the freedom of assembly;

• The distribution of inflammatory campaign material;

• A late decision by the Constitutional Court with regard to mobile voting, which the CEC
attempted to implement, although the lateness of the decision created some confusion as
to which citizens were entitled to vote with the mobile ballot box and implementation
was inconsistent;

• Some instances in which implausible preliminary results (100 % turnout) were reported
by a few polling stations throughout the regions of Ukraine.
As stated previously, the transparency of the tabulation and announcement of official election
results, and the effective and impartial resolution of any election day and subsequent complaints
International Election Observation Mission, Page: 3
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004
Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions
and appeals, will be of crucial importance in forming a final assessment of the 2004 presidential
election. OSCE/ODIHR observers will remain in Ukraine to assess the tabulation of results at TECs and the CEC as well as the post-election complaints and appeals processes.
The IEOM wishes to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission
and the Interdepartmental Working Group of the Cabinet of Ministers and other national and
local authorities for their assistance and cooperation.

Preliminary Findings

Background

The second round of the presidential election, which took place on 21 November 2004, was
marred by serious violations.1 On 24 November, during a particularly chaotic session, the CEC
announced final election results giving Mr. Yanukovych 49.46% of the vote to 46.61% for Mr.
Yushchenko. The CEC failed to consider a large number of official complaints filed by the
opposition. Four CEC members refused to sign the official protocol of these results.
Previously, Mr. Yushchenko had called his supporters to congregate in Kyiv’s Independence
Square and other locations around the country on the night of the election. As preliminary results showing a Yanukovych lead were released by the CEC, the crowds were requested by Mr. Yushchenko to remain in Independence Square. The CEC’s decision on 24 November to declare Mr. Yanukovych the winner deepened the emerging political crisis. Meanwhile, ruling on a complaint lodged by Mr. Yushchenko, the Supreme Court forbade the CEC to proceed further
with the publication of the results.

During the crisis, the Parliament of Ukraine (the Verkhovna Rada) met frequently. On 27
November, it adopted a Resolution that the official election results as announced by the CEC
should be considered void because they did not reflect the will of the people. It also passed a
motion of no-confidence in the CEC. It then adopted a Resolution calling on President Kuchma
to dismiss the Government of Prime Minister Yanukovych.

As the crisis unfolded, senior international mediators assisted in efforts to resolve the situation.2
On 1 December the participants signed a document inter alia committing the parties to abide by
the Supreme Court’s ruling on a complaint brought by Mr. Yushchenko against electoral
manipulation, to set up an expert group to assess the election legislation and adopt, together with amendments to the Election Law, changes to the Constitution of Ukraine regarding the division of power between the President and Parliament.

On 3 December 2004, after a five-day public hearing, the Supreme Court repealed the CEC
resolution on the election results and directed the CEC to conduct repeat voting on 26 December.

1 See the Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions, issued by the IEOM on 22 November 2004.

2 Mr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Ambassador Jan Kubis, Secretary General of the OSCE, Mr. Alexander Kwasniewski, President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of the Russian Parliament and Mr Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 4

Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

On 4 December, the CEC complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling and set 26 December as the
date for repeat voting.

On 8 December, with a large majority, the Parliament voted to amend the electoral legislation
and the Constitution of Ukraine. The latter reduced the power of the incoming President vis-à-vis the parliament, with delayed effect, while the former aimed to reduce the potential for electoral fraud in the repeat election.

Resolution of Election Disputes after the 21 November Second Round
The most significant complaint adjudicated after the second round concerned Mr. Yushchenko’s
challenge of the CEC resolution establishing the final results. Although there were other
complaints pending in courts and with the CEC, these became inconsequential due to the
Supreme Court’s consideration of Mr. Yushchenko’s all-encompassing legal challenge. The
Court’s consideration of the complaint was open and transparent, and all parties had the
opportunity to present evidence and legal arguments. Furthermore, the Court allowed the
proceedings to be televised, and some broadcasters aired the complete proceedings.
The evidence presented to the Court led it to the conclusion that the electoral legislation and
Ukrainian Constitution had been violated and that it was impossible to ascertain the true result of the voters’ choice in the single nationwide constituency.

The Court established a number of significant facts during the case concerning the manner in
which the final results had been established by the CEC. Inter alia, the Court established that the CEC members had not been given an adequate opportunity to scrutinize documents submitted to it by TECs before determining the final national results. These documents included TEC-level results based on a calculation of PSC results within the election district, dissenting statements made by TEC members, and election-related complaints.

Sixty-five complaints were pending with the CEC when it decided the official results. This fact
was withheld from some CEC members. Indeed, they were informed that no complaints had
been submitted. However, it remained unclear who was responsible for withholding the
information. In addition, the Court found that, at the time the CEC determined the final results,
court cases concerning complaints made at PSC and TEC-level were still ongoing. The Supreme
Court concluded that the CEC acted unlawfully in determining the final results.
The Court also established that a number of significant violations had taken place before, during
and after the 21 November election. These included significant legal violations in the process, as
follows:

• There were violations during the compilation and updating of voter registers;

• The misuse of Absentee Voting Certificates (AVCs) violated the law, and their issuance
was without due CEC supervision;

• The election campaign in the media disregarded the principle of equality between
candidates;

• The ban on campaigning by executive government bodies and local governments was
disregarded by State officials;

• Legal provisions on the composition of election commissions and on the involvement of
official observers in the election process were violated;

• Provisions regulating mobile voting were violated;
International Election Observation Mission, Page: 5
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004
Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

• Polling Station Commission (PSC) protocols were compiled in disregard of the law;

• Electoral documents were not transported to TECs according to law.
As a result, the Supreme Court determined that it was impossible to establish in a reliable
manner the will of voters in the single nationwide constituency and that, as a consequence, it was necessary to restore the rights of the participants of the electoral process by holding a repeat vote of the second round. In order to achieve this, the Court ruling obliged the CEC to appoint a repeat vote of the second round to be held on 26 December.

The Legal Framework Amendments to the election legislation were adopted by Parliament on 8 December. However, these are temporary and are effective only until a new President assumes office. While it is unusual that election legislation be amended during the course of an election process, apparently, the aim of the Parliament was to lessen the scope for the type of fraud that occurred on 21 November and remedy deficiencies in the election administration to avoid a repetition of the same violations on 26 December.

The most significant legal adjustments include:

• Re-composing the CEC with new membership;

• Reducing the size and amending the composition of the 225 Territorial Election
Commissions (TECs) and some 33,000 Polling Station Commissions (PSCs) to enable
the two candidates to appoint an equal number of Chairpersons, Secretaries and members
to these bodies;

• Preventing the late expulsion of election commission members, a problem noted in both
previous election rounds;

• Enhancing the integrity of the production and use of ballots and absentee voting
certificates (AVCs) and improving mechanisms to ensure their accurate reconciliation;

• Allowing candidate representatives more access to information on voter registration and
requiring the CEC to publish information on the number of voters registered;

• Reducing the number of documents which can be used by voters to prove their identity
when voting; and

• An amendment limiting the right to vote outside the polling station to voters with serious
and permanent disabilities, which was subsequently ruled by the Constitutional Court as
unconstitutional on the eve of the election.

However, the law still does not oblige the CEC to publish all PSC-level results on its website,
clarify the role of the police on election day or grant non-partisan Ukrainian observer groups a
legal status in monitoring the election process.

Election Administration

On the same day it adopted the amendments to the electoral legislation, the Parliament changed
the composition of the CEC. All parliamentary factions were able to propose and vote on each
CEC member. Four previous members of the CEC did not receive sufficient votes to be
reappointed, and new members replaced these persons. The outgoing members included Serhii
Kivalov, the former chairperson. The Party of Regions, which nominated Mr. Yanukovych as
candidate, re-nominated three existing CEC members. However, none of their nominees received

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 6
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions sufficient support in Parliament to be appointed.

Mr. Yaroslav Davydovych, the former CEC Deputy Chairperson, was appointed Chairperson.
With only 18 days to prepare the election, the newly composed CEC was handed a considerable
challenge. The OSCE/ODIHR EOM continued its practice of observing all CEC sessions and
found that the CEC conducted sessions more openly and professionally than was previously the
case. One of its first actions was to remove an anti-riot barrier surrounding the CEC building put
in place by the former CEC. The CEC also finally complied with a Supreme Court instruction to
re-calculate the first round results to take into account the Court’s rulings on election appeals.
Overall, the CEC appeared more committed to conducting a transparent and accountable election process than previously.

The former CEC failed to provide the OSCE/ODIHR EOM with a variety of basic information
concerning election results, voter registers, the use of AVCs and the number of citizens voting
outside the polling stations. The new election law obliges the CEC to make public this type of
information. To meet these standard transparency measures, the CEC required information from TECs and PSCs. The CEC was able to comply with these reporting requirements.

In general, the CEC was efficient in dealing with an enormous workload and meeting tight legal
deadlines. The printing of 38 million ballots in a short period was a particular challenge. To
achieve this, the CEC requested Parliament to amend the new electoral legislation to permit
ballot printing in two printing houses rather than one. This amendment was passed on 14
December and, after a delay, was signed into law by President Kuchma on 18 December.
According to the CEC, 38,113,075 ballots were printed, a figure 1.6% in excess of the number of
voters registered prior to election day. However, in Donetsk TECs were provided with excess
ballots amounting to only 0.2%, whereas other regions including Crimea, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv
and Khmelnitsky received a 2% excess number of ballots.

The re-configuration of TECs, which are composed of an equal number of representatives of the
two candidates, went remarkably smoothly considering the limited time available. In general,
observers reported that, in contrast to the appointment of the former TECs, the appointment was non-controversial, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of TEC Chairpersons from the second round were changed.

However, observers reported that some 12% of TECs experienced difficulties reaching a quorum for their sessions; this can be linked to the fact that candidates appointed representatives from the east to PSCs in the west and vice versa. Another result of this strategy, followed by both candidates, is the poor level of collegiality reported in almost 32% of TECs observed.

TECs had their first session according to deadlines foreseen by amendments. Although some
training events took place, there was insufficient time to provide a significant level of training
for new TEC members.

Similarly, the appointment of almost half a million PSC members was achieved within very tight
deadlines. While some late changes to the membership of some TECs and PSCs occurred, the
newly composed commissions were politically balanced. In general, their membership was not
subject to widespread personnel changes as witnessed after their predecessors were formed in

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 7
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

September3. Furthermore, the amendments to the law prevented the dismissal of candidate
representatives on the eve of the election. One of the amendments to the election law limited the right to receive a ballot outside the polling station to disabled persons of the first category. Yet, on 25 December, the Constitutional Court ruled that this provision was too restrictive and ordered the CEC to take necessary measures for implementation of the Court’s ruling. The election administration endeavoured to comply with the Constitutional Court’s decision. In general, the CEC informed TECs of the ruling the same afternoon by telephone and sent written information later, by fax, email or cable.

Indeed, all of the TECs contacted by LTOs on 25 and 26 December were aware of the ruling. However, many PSCs received the information through the media. Nevertheless, TECs successfully contacted many PSCs, particularly in urban areas. However, insufficient time was available to notify all PSCs and voters of the Court’s ruling, before the expiry of the deadline for citizens to request to vote at home, 20.00, on 25 December.

According to data released publicly by the CEC, some 590,000 voters (1.6% of registered voters) requested a mobile vote. The largest percentages were found in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where it was reported some 160,000 citizens requested to vote at home (some 3% of registered voters). Ternopil, Volyn and Poltava regions also experienced a higher than average number of citizens’ requests to vote at home. In Kyiv, only 0.4% of registered voters requested to vote at home.

While a total 188,070 Absentee Voting Certificates were printed for the 26 December round of
voting, only 37,000 persons requested to receive an AVC. Of these, only 11,000 actually
registered to vote at a polling station away from the place of their permanent residence.
Consequently the scope for misuse of this provision, as occurred on 21 November, was
considerably lessened.

Voter Lists

There is widespread recognition that inaccurate voter lists were one of the most significant
shortcomings of the two previous election rounds. The OSCE/ODIHR EOM assessed that local
State administrative bodies, which are in charge of the production of the voter lists, were
primarily responsible for inaccuracies in previously compiled draft voter lists.
The amendments to the law introduced minor changes to provisions on the preparation of voter
lists. For example, on election day, minor correction of the lists is permitted. However, voters
may only have their names added to lists if they are in possession of a certificate issued by a
Court. Unlike previously, they may not be added to a voter list through an AVC, which were
abused to facilitate multiple voting in some regions on 21 November. Additional mechanisms
aimed at preventing fraud and improving transparency included the numbering of voters on the
voter list and issuing candidate representatives a copy of the lists prior to election day.

However, there was clearly insufficient time available to improve fundamentally the accuracy of the lists. As there were widespread concerns that the voter lists prepared for the 21 November election had been manipulated after the first round, the Parliament decided that voter lists prepared for the 31 October election should be re-used for the 26 December election, including the names of 3 Significant numbers of election officials representing opposition candidates were removed from their posts at the
last minute prior to both the 31 October and 21 November rounds of voting.

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 8
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

those citizens who had applied for Court and TEC decisions on 31 October. The CEC stated its
intention to enforce a much stricter control on the management and updating of the voter lists.
The CEC appointed all TECs on 18 December. According to the amendments, TECs were
required to prepare new voter lists for the repeat second round by 20 December. OSCE/ODIHR
EOM observers reported that there had been uncertainty about which voter lists should be used for the re-run, despite clear formulation in amendments and later clarifications on amendments sent by the CEC to election commissions on 21 December. The voter lists from 21 November were reportedly used in parallel with the one of 31 October, thus resulting in a lack of uniformity in the application of law. In addition, 54% observers expressed poor confidence in the accuracy of VL.

The late appointment of a number of PSCs lessened the time available to voters to check the lists or collect an AVC, even though, as reported by OSCE/ODIHR EOM observers, a majority of
PSC received VL within the deadline.

The Campaign

Both candidates actively contested the election. However, in contrast to the previous two election rounds, Mr. Yanukovych took a leave of absence to campaign. Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Azarov is serving as acting Prime Minister.

During the brief campaign period, the two candidates confronted each other sharply. This was
particularly visible during the presidential debate broadcast live on the night of 20 December, in
which the candidates were able to ask direct questions to each other.

While a number of campaign events did take place, observers reported that overall the campaign was more low-key than during the run-up to the 21 November election. However, taking into consideration the wide-ranging civil and political activity that followed the original second round, the campaign activities never truly ceased, and each candidate’s supporters remained highly mobilised.

The report by international medical experts that Mr. Yushchenko had been poisoned by dioxin
ingested orally was the most prominently discussed news story in the week prior to the election.
Mr. Yushchenko asserted publicly that he was sure he had been poisoned at the behest of
Ukrainian authorities, although this was denied.

Mr. Yanukovych focused his campaign activities in the east and south of Ukraine, where he
made a number of personal appearances. He charged Mr. Yushchenko and President Kuchma as
instigating an “anti-constitutional coup”. He also asserted during numerous public appearances
that Western, particularly American, funds were used to support Mr. Yushchenko’s campaign
and that Ukraine would have to pay for this alleged support should Mr. Yushchenko be elected.
During the run-up to the repeat election, Mr. Yanukovych began to present himself as in
opposition to President Kuchma and Mr. Yushchenko.

The Yushchenko campaign launched intensive mobile campaign activities in the east and south
of the country with personal appearances in Kharkiv, Mr. Yushchenko’s supporters organised a
convoy of cars travelling from city to city, predominantly in areas that had supported Mr.
Yanukovych during previous rounds. The convoy, termed “freedom train”, encountered
obstruction in Odessa and Crimea and was attacked in Donetsk. Nevertheless, in the run-up to

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 9
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

the repeat election, freedom of assembly was largely respected. A small pro-Yushchenko
campaign event was held in Donetsk, without incident. The Yushchenko campaign released new television advertisements and public statements about citizens’ ability to receive education and use the Russian language. During his campaign, Mr. Yushchenko stressed the importance of good relations with Russia, which he hoped would improve under his leadership.

In the final week of the campaign, Mr. Yanukovych repeatedly called for a repeal of the
amendments to the election law restricting the special voting procedures of absentee and mobile
voting, which he presented as an unfair infringement of voters' rights. He made a point of this in
the 20 December debate with Mr. Yushchenko, and there were attempts to repeal the restrictive amendments of the legislation in the Rada.

As in previous rounds, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM identified examples of inflammatory campaign
material. While this was less visible than previously, material that linked Mr. Yushchenko to
Nazism that was distributed at a Yanukovych rally in Odessa went well beyond acceptable
norms.

Challenges to Civil and Political Rights

Other than incidents involving the above-mentioned “Friendship Train”, only a few campaign
related incidents were reported, including the destruction of some campaign stands in
Simferopol. A few observers received allegations that pressure was being applied to students,
public employees and governmental officials to vote for Mr. Yanukovych in some southern and
eastern regions. However, insufficient time was available to corroborate fully the allegations. In
Donetsk, observers reported that the media environment had become more restrictive, with
pressure applied to independent journalists. Observers in western, northern and central regions
did not receive any reports of challenges to citizens’ civil and political rights.

Role of State Structures during the Campaign

During the relatively brief period of observation preceding the repeat election, observers were
unable to detect any widespread misuse of State resources for the benefit of one or other
candidate. In general, observers received far fewer reports that local government officials were
interfering in the election, and many reported that local administrations were attempting to
facilitate the process.

Resolution of Disputes Prior to the Repeat Second Round

Few complaints were filed after the 3 December decision of the Supreme Court. Mr.
Yanukovych filed a complaint with the CEC alleging that Mr. Yushchenko’s campaign had been
funded by American sources, which would be a violation of the electoral law. The CEC rejected
this complaint on 22 December, as no evidence of illegal contribution was provided.
Mr. Yanukovych also filed two complaints with the Supreme Court seeking to reverse CEC
resolutions regulating the printing of ballots. The first complaint sought reversal of the CEC
resolution that permitted both candidates to form observation teams for ballot printing at the two printing houses. The basis of the complaint was that the resolution was passed before President Kuchma signed the law allowing a second printing house for ballots.

The Supreme Court International Election Observation Mission, Page: 10
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

rejected the complaint because the CEC resolution did not harm Mr. Yanukovych, but in fact
benefited him since his representatives would be able to observe ballot printing.

Mr. Yanukovych also filed a complaint on the CEC resolution that determined the number of
ballots to be printed. The basis of this complaint was that the number of ballots to be printed -
38,113,075 - would be insufficient. Mr. Yanukovych’s representative argued that the number of
ballots should be based on the number of voters on voter lists used for the second round of
voting instead of the lists used for the first round, and that this required a higher number of
ballots to be printed. The Supreme Court rejected the complaint because the number of ballots to be printed was the same as the number printed in the first round and because there were more than 10,000,000 unused ballots in the first and second round of voting.

A complaint was filed with the Constitutional Court by 46 Verkhovna Rada deputies challenging
the 8 December amendments to the electoral law. The complaint claimed that the amendments
restricted suffrage rights of citizens and freedom of movement by limiting the use of mobile
voting and absentee voting certificates. The Constitutional Court heard the case on 23 and 24
December.

On 25 December, the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendments were constitutional, with
the exception of one amendment that limited the right to vote by mobile ballot to disabled
persons who are unable to take care of themselves and require daily assistance from others. The
Constitutional Court ruled that this provision was too restrictive and ordered the CEC to take
necessary measures for implementation of the Court’s ruling.

In response, the CEC issued a clarification the same day stating that mobile voting would be
available to any voter who could not come to the polling station on his own. The Yanukovych
campaign filed a complaint the same day with the Supreme Court challenging the CEC
clarification. The Supreme Court upheld the CEC decision adopting the clarification.
The Media Following the seriously flawed 21 November election and the holding of mass demonstrations, many of the most significant media outlets started to redress the substantial imbalance in the content of their broadcasts dealing with political issues. In sharp contrast to previous practice, opposition politicians were given direct airtime to challenge the views of political incumbents.

On 4 December, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM recommenced its monitoring of six nationwide TV
channels, two channels with partial nation-level coverage, and nine daily newspapers.4
The OSCE/ODIHR EOM’s media monitoring findings showed that a number of significant
changes in the media’s presentation of political and electoral issues have occurred. In the three
weeks preceding the repeat runoff, the media actively covered the activities and opinions of the
two candidates in a much more balanced manner than during the period preceding the two
previous rounds of voting.

Overall, the media offered voters a diverse range of views. Previously, temnyky (guidelines on
the content and presentation of news items) were used to censor or manipulate information and
constrain the public’s free access to balanced information. Journalists reported to the
4 Television: State-funded UT1, Private Inter, 1+1, ICTV, STB, Novy Kanal, TRK Ukraina and Channel 5. Newspapers: State Uriadovy Kurier, Golos Ukrainy, Private Facty I Komentarii, Segodnia, Den, Silski Visty, Ukraina Moloda, Zerkalo Tyzhna and Vechirni Visti.

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 11
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

OSCE/ODIHR EOM that the main TV networks no longer followed these “guidelines”. Indeed,
most TV channels monitored by the EOM made a clear effort to serve as a forum for discussion,
in which opinions might be shared and exchanged freely.

As Mr. Yanukovych had taken a leave of absence from his position as Prime Minister, he no
longer derived as much media attention in his capacity as a senior member of the Government.
Marking a significant break with its previous electoral coverage, the State-funded television,
UT1, generally offered candidates equal conditions to convey their message to the electorate.
UT1 complied with a CEC decision to allocate free airtime to both candidates for campaign
broadcasts. A televised debate between the two main contestants took place on UT1 and was
broadcast by several other TV channels. In a positive development, the format of the debate
provided both candidates with a real opportunity to directly exchange views and opinions.
The EOM's media analysis revealed that during the three weeks preceding the 26 December
election, UT1 provided Mr. Yanukovych with 57.5% of its political and election prime time
news coverage, of which 35% was evaluated by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM as positive and 57%
neutral in tone. During the same period, Mr. Yushchenko received 42.5% of similar airtime, of
which 28% had positive and 60% neutral connotations.

The two most popular private TV channels, Inter and 1+1, offered viewers a plurality of views.
In its prime time news programmes, Inter presented balanced and impartial coverage of both
contestants. While 1+1 provided both candidates with a similar amount of airtime, it granted Mr. Yushchenko more favourable coverage. Other private TV channels, ICTV and Novy Kanal, were also generally even-handed, whereas STB broadcast marginally more positive coverage of Mr. Yushchenko than of his rival. Significantly, all these channels provided both candidates and their supporters with airtime to challenge the political opinions of their opponents.
TRK Ukraine, a Donetsk-based television with partial nation-level coverage, continued to
demonstrate an overt bias in favour of Mr. Yanukovych and against Mr. Yushchenko.
Conversely, Channel 5 continued to favour Mr. Yushchenko. The type of negative campaigning
observed during the previous rounds of election was much less in evidence prior to the repeat
voting.

State-funded newspapers, Uriadovy Kurier and Golos Ukrainy, both met their obligation to
distribute free space equally between the two candidates. Outside this space, Uriadovy Kurier
continued to show its support to Mr. Yanukovych by granting him 60% of its political and
election reporting. However, this figure is much reduced, compared to previous monitoring data.
While Mr. Yushchenko received only 40% of such newspaper space, the tone of the coverage of
both candidates tended to be balanced. Golos Ukrainy continued to offer its readers a balanced
picture of the campaign.

In comparison to the first and second rounds of election, observers in general received fewer
allegations that the local State authorities obstructed opposition-leaning media. Nevertheless, the situation with the media in regions remains problematic since many regional media outlets are economically dependent on local authorities, and as such lack editorial independence.

Election Day and the Count On election day, the IEOM deployed 1,367 observers representing 44 OSCE participating States.

Observers were deployed throughout Ukraine in order to achieve a representative assessment of International Election Observation Mission, Page: 12

Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions
the election day proceedings, and were present in all 225 election districts. At the time of issuing
this statement, observers had submitted 5.800 report forms. Observers were deployed to over
half of the TECs to observe proceedings throughout election night. Other observers visited TECs
and followed events until the early hours of the morning. Large numbers of observers from other international organizations, non-governmental organisations and individual states monitored the process following their own respective approaches.

Overall, observers assessed the process much more favourably than the two previous rounds. On 26 December, only 2% of reports indicated that voting was poorly or very badly conducted. In November, this figure was 7% (11% and 9% in central and eastern regions respectively). Where problems occurred on 26 December, these were more frequently reported in eastern and southern regions, for example, overcrowded polling stations, failure to fully respect the secrecy of the vote, ejection of PSC members or candidate observers, and an environment less conducive to an orderly poll.

A higher number of complaints were filed at polling stations in these regions than
the national average. Despite the short time available to appoint the newly composed PSCs, in general, they seemed well prepared. According to observers’ reports, some 97% of polling stations received sufficient election material, a figure similar to 21 November, and the large majority of PSCs were aware of the amendments to the legislation.

On the whole, the bi-partisan PSCs co-operated well with each other to ensure polling was
conducted in a generally calmer atmosphere than previously. While some 3% of reports
indicated tension or unrest at polling stations, this figure is less than the figure reported for the
21 November poll (7%).

Significantly, observers reported no violent incidents at any polling stations visited. Candidate
observers were present in almost all polling stations visited. Far fewer candidate observers or
members of PSCs were ejected or dismissed on 26 December than on both previous polling days.

Where this was reported, it occurred mostly in the east and the south 7% and 6% respectively.
Once again, police were frequently present in polling stations (66%), and unauthorized persons
were present in 6% of stations visited. In 91% of polling stations visited, observers were given
full access to polling stations and received information as required. However, observer teams
were denied entry to six polling stations.

The local executive authorities and election administration had insufficient time to correct errors in voter lists noted during the two previous election rounds. Once again some citizens were turned away from polling stations because their names did not appear on voter lists.

Observers reported that relatively few voters had their names added to voter lists on election day (0.3%).

Some 7% of observers assessed the accuracy of lists as bad, a figure similar to 21 November.
However, observers noted that the number of citizens adversely affected was far fewer than on
31 October. Inaccurate lists were more frequently reported in southern regions and Donetsk. In
addition, observers reported instances in Donetsk region, where voters’ names were added to
voter lists without the required court order.

As noted previously, insufficient time was available for TECs to notify all PSCs and voters of
the Constitutional Court’s ruling to extend the right to vote at home to all voters who could not
move on their own, before the expiry of the deadline for citizens to make such a request. While,
all citizens, including invalids and the elderly retained the right to vote, some might have
experienced difficulties in exercising this right. A lack of uniformity and some confusion was
noted by observers in PSCs handling regarding voting by homebound voters. However,

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 13
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

observers reported ad hoc solutions to the problem by TECs, PSCs, local government
administration, volunteers and even local businesses providing transportation to the polling
stations for elderly and immobile voters. In two TECs, (no. 49 and 57, Donetsk region) observers noted that none of the polling stations visited applied the Court’s ruling because they did not receive a formal instruction from the TEC on the issue. Thus, these PSCs only allowed category one invalids to vote at home. This was also noted at some polling stations in rural areas in TEC 46 (also Donetsk region). According to observer reports, some 2% of voters cast ballots at home.

A higher number of citizens in eastern and western regions of Ukraine voted using the mobile
ballot box (3% and 2.7% respectively).

Polling procedures were generally adhered to, although in 5% of polling stations voters did not
systematically produce identity documents. A few observers in a variety of different regions
across Ukraine reported that ballot boxes were not sealed properly. Very few instances of serious violations were reported although a small percentage of observers reported instances of seeing apparently series of apparently identical signatures on the voter lists. In western regions
campaign materials were seen inside polling stations in 4% of visits and in eastern regions,
persons were attempting to influence voters in their choice in 3% of polling stations visited.

While 5% of observers assessed the conduct of the vote count on 26 December negatively, this
figure is less than half of the percentage reporting negatively on this aspect of the process on 21
November. Generally, respect for counting procedures improved as did observers confidence in
the accuracy of PSC-level results. For example only 2% did not pack and seal the voter list as
required by law compared to a 14% failure in November and a much higher number checked
ballots for the correct PSC number and PSC stamp than previously. In general, PSC members
were free to examine ballots. However, in 7% of polling stations, PSCs did not determine the
validity of ballots consistently. This was most noticeable in eastern regions where shortcomings
in this regard were noted 17% of PSCs visited.

While, in general, bi-partisan PSCs co-operated well with each other to ensure the count was
conducted in a generally calm atmosphere, disputes between members were reported in 19% of
polling stations (31% in eastern regions). In 7% of polling stations PSCs did not complete the
protocol of results in ink (14% in eastern regions). In almost all instances PSC members signed
the protocol, but in 7% of stations, PSC members did not receive a copy of the protocol. In 15%
of polling stations the results were not posted publicly as required by law. This failing was more
evident in northern, central and western regions.

Announcement of Results

The CEC began announcing preliminary results before midnight on election day, by 05.00 a.m.
on 27 December, the CEC had announced some 75% of preliminary results. Significantly, for the
first time, the CEC began to announce PSC-level results. The speed with which election results
were announced and the transparency of the announcement process stand in marked contrast to the previous two contests.

As of 27 December at 08.00, the preliminary results released by the CEC on its website showed
there were 33 polling stations throughout all regions of Ukraine with more than 500 voters, in
which implausible preliminary results (100 % turnout) were reported.

International Election Observation Mission, Page: 14
Presidential Election – Repeat Second Round, Ukraine, -- 26 December 2004

Statement of Preliminary Findings & Conclusions

This statement is also available in Ukrainian.
However, the English language version remains the only official document.
Mission Information & Acknowledgements
Mr. Bruce George, President Emeritus of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), Special Coordinator appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, led the OSCE short-term observers. Mr. Tadeusz Iwinski, Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, led the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation, Mr. Pierre Lellouche, Member of French National Assembly, led the delegation of the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), and Mr. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Vice President of the European Parliament led the European Parliament (EP) delegation. Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens headed the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission (EOM) opened in Kyiv on 31 August with 57 experts and longterm observers deployed in the capital and twenty regional centres. To observe the re-run of the second round of the election, the size of the Mission was increased. Since 8 December, it has included a core team of 21 international experts based in Kyiv and 55 long-term observers in all the regions of Ukraine. On election day, the IEOM deployed
over 1300 short-term observers representing 44 OSCE participating States, including 92 parliamentarians from the OSCE PA, 37 from the PACE, 27 from the NATO PA and 16 from the European Parliament. 981 observers were accredited as OSCE/ODIHR observers.

The IEOM wishes to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Interdepartmental Working Group of the Cabinet of ministers and other national and local authorities for their assistance and cooperation during the course of the observation. In addition the IEOM is grateful to the Central Election Commission for providing accreditation documents.

The IEOM also wishes to express appreciation to the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine and
embassies accredited in Kyiv for their support throughout the duration of the mission.
For further information, please contact:

• Ambassador Geert Hinrich Ahrens, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR EOM, in Kyiv (Tel: + 38-044-537-79-01);

• Urdur Gunnarsdottir, OSCE/ODIHR Spokesperson or Gilles Saphy, OSCE/ODIHR Election Adviser, in Warsaw (Tel: +48-22-520-06-00);

• Mr. Vladimir Dronov, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg (Tel: +33-388-41-20-00);

• Mr. Jan Jooren, Press Counsellor of the OSCE PA, in Copenhagen (Tel: +45 4041 1641);

• Mrs. Pia Vanneste, European Parliament, in Brussels (Tel: +3222-84-66-56);

• Mrs Svitlana Svyetova, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in Brussels (Tel: +32-2-707-41-11).
OSCE/ODIHR Address:

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Al. Ujazdowskie 19
00-557 WARSAW
POLAND
Tel: +48-22-520-06-00

www.osce.org/odihr

Observation statement

2004-12-26T01:00:00.000+02:00

Ukraine opposition 'peace train' halted in east

2004-12-21T22:25:00.000+02:00

( AFP )

DONETSK, Ukraine : Opposition activists trying to spread their message in eastern Ukraine ahead of a rerun presidential vote were turned away by angry government supporters who surrounded their "peace train" convoy, pounded their cars and forced them back, witnesses said. ... ( more )

The Reluctant Visionary

2004-12-21T13:00:00.000+02:00

( Transitions online )

What should the EU do with its poor and eager neighbors? Something better than it is doing in the western Balkans and its Neighborhood Policy.

When, on 17 December, European leaders extended an invitation to Turkey to begin EU membership talks in October 2005, they took a historic step with decidedly mixed feelings. That momentous decision was welcomed by most editorial writers, but still with considerable apprehension. Turkey is big, poor, and Muslim--a combination that sends shudders down the spines of many, even liberal, Europeans. ... ( more )

Candidates face off in Kiev

2004-12-21T01:00:00.000+02:00

( AP, AFP via IHT )

KIEV Ukraine's two presidential candidates met in a televised debate on Monday before the Dec. 26 rerun of their disputed election, with the opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, accusing his rival of vote-stealing, while Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich called for the winner to form a national unity government. ... ( more )

Opposition rally to be held in Kiev

2004-12-20T16:54:00.000+02:00

( RBC Kyiv)

Some 300,000 people are expected to take part in a Ukrainian opposition rally that will take place in the Square of Independence in Kiev on December 22. ... ( more )

Kuchma dismisses Lviv regional administration head

2004-12-20T16:49:00.000+02:00

( Interfax )

Have you read the bill 4180? A critical assessment of Ukrainian political reform.

2004-12-19T23:32:00.000+02:00

( Ukrainska Pravda )

The report was prepared in Ukrainian by Ihor Koliushko and Viktor Tymoshyk, experts of the Centre for political and legal reform.Much political analysis has been made of the events that took place in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on December 8th.

The deputies, who took part in the “package voting”, responsible for the proposed changes to the Constitution, had very different motives for making such a decision. But of primary interest to us is what will come about from the planned “renovations” to Ukraine’s Constitution. ... ( more )

Business need not worry, Oleksandr Moroz says

2004-12-19T18:59:00.000+02:00

( Interfax Ukraine via Obozrevatel )

The leader of the Socialist Party, Oleksandr Moroz, states that the new administration is not going to engage in redistribution of property and do away with businesses after the elections, Interfax-Ukraine reports. ... ( more )

Zubanov: Yanukovych has moral reasons to disrupt the elections of the President of Ukraine

2004-12-19T18:48:00.000+02:00

( NOVOSTI.dn.ua via Obozrevatel )

The representative of the Party of Government Neutrality of Ukraine, the National Deputy and representative of the faction “Party of Regions”, Vladymyr Zubanov, believes that the re-voting of the run-off the elections on Dec 26 will be disrupted or the election of the President will not take place. ... ( more )

US Congressmen visit Kiev ahead of polls

2004-12-19T17:50:00.000+02:00

( NDTV Kyiv )

A US Congressional delegation led by Representative Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican, arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Saturday to push for a free and fair vote in the December 26 presidential elections. ...

( more )

Dana Rohrabacher
Interfax Ukraine
Wikipedia

OSCE sends more observers

2004-12-18T05:08:00.000+02:00

( CEC Ukraine )

OSCE sends more observers. According to the web pages of the Central Electcion Comittee OSCE sends 1142 (+33%) observers as it sent 857 last time. Last time the National Democratic Institute had the biggest delegation of 942 observers. In the re-run of the second round, it will have 1059 (+12%).

Organisations

Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE / resolution # 1177 and # 1181 ) 1142 (+285; +33%)
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs ( NDI / preliminary delegation statement 28th Dec 10:00 / press release / statement / press release ) 1059 (+117; +12%)
CIS 569
Ukrainian Congress Comittee of America ( UCCA / position paper ) 568
Freedom House ( FH / press release ) 448 (+56; +14%)
CIS-EMO 315 (+2; +1%)
Справедливі вибори 169
Elections & Democracy 102
Світовий Конгрес Українців 99 (+38; +62%)
Союз комсомольських організацій - ВЛКСМ ( VLKSM ) 98
Ukrainian-Polish Forum ( UPF ) 90
OSCE parliamentary assembly ( OSCE PA / press release ) 71 (+11; +15%)
Institute of regions of East-Europe and CIS 62
Council of Europe parliamentary assembly ( COE PACE / press release ) 60
International Republican Institute ( IRI / statement / list link to Guardian ) 46 (+8;+22%)
European Parliament ( Europarl ) 19
CIS parliamentary assembly 17
U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) 15
Парламентські Збори Союзу Білорусі та Росії 9
Міжнародна правозахисна асамблея 8
Міжнародна гельсінська федерація з прав людини 7
Consent International ( CI ) 6
British Helsinki Human Rights Group ( BHHRG / report ) 4
American Center for Democracy ( ACD ) 4
Британсько-Українська правнича асоціація 3
Московський Міжнародний дискусійний Клуб 3
від Конгресу Українців Канади 2
Georgia, Ukraina, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova ( GUUAM ) 2
Національна виборча комісія Республіки Польщі 2
Організація з питань захисту прав людини 2
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly ( PA BSEC ) 1
Conrad Adenauer Foundation ( Konrad Adenauer -Stiftung KAS ) 1

( source 17.12.2004 17:08:22 )

Yuschenko: December 26 run-off could be frustrated

2004-12-17T19:22:00.000+02:00

( Ukraine National Radio Company / Radio Ukraine International )

Viktor Yuschenko says December 26 run-off could be frustrated because of President Kuchma's sluggishness in signing bill on amendments to Law on presidential elections. ... ( more )

Yushchenko to accuse nobody before poisoning probe over

2004-12-17T17:09:00.000+02:00

( Interfax )

KYIV. Dec 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Media reports misinterpreted "surmises" on the part of Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko's team that his alleged poisoning happened during a September 5 meal with Security Service chiefs, his spokeswoman said on Friday... (more)

Russian election comission observes the Ukrainian election

2004-12-17T13:02:00.000+02:00

( Ria Novosti via Korrespondent )

Members of the Russian central election comission will take part in observation of the election 26th December announced the chairman, Mr. Alexander Vechnyakov. Members of the Russian central election comission will become to Ukraine as a part of the CIS observation delegation led by Vasily Volkov, who were in Ukraine during first and second round of the election.

( source )

Yushchenko's dinner was poisonous

2004-12-17T07:26:00.000+02:00

( Times Online )

Viktor Yushchenko claims he was poisoned at dinner 5th September, 2004.

( source )

BioDetection Systems
NewScientist.com

PACE will send 30 observers

2004-12-16T15:25:00.000+02:00

( PACE press release )

Strasbourg, 16.12.2004 - A 30-member delegation of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), headed by Tadeusz Iwinski (Poland, SOC), will observe the re-run of the second round of the presidential election to be held in Ukraine on 26 December 2004.

The parliamentarians will arrive in Kyiv on 24 December to meet with the two candidates and the Chair of the Central Electoral Commission. On election day, they will be deployed in the capital and throughout the country.

The observation will be carried out in the framework of an International Election Observation Mission (IEOM), composed of delegations from the Council of Europe, OSCE and NATO Parliamentary Assemblies, the European Parliament and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE-ODIHR).

A press conference will take place on Monday 27 December, provisionally at 4 p.m. (place to be advised later).

The Assembly observed the first and second rounds of the election (on 31 October and 21 November) and concluded that it did not meet a considerable number of Council of Europe, OSCE and other European standards for democratic elections.
Provisional list of members of the delegation:

Tadeusz Iwinski (Poland, SOC), head of the delegation.

Socialist Group:

(11/207)

Group of the European People’s Party:

Emerenzio Barbieri (Italy);
Georges Colombier (France);
Ignacio Cosidó Gutiérrez (Spain);
Andres Herkel (Estonia);
Ljubisa Jovasevic (Serbia and Montenegro);
Pasquale Nessa (Italy);
Elsa Papadimitriou (Greece);
Andrea Rigoni (Italy);
Jan Rzymelka (Poland);
Murat Merçan (Turkey);
Nikolay Mladenov (Bulgaria).

(11/170)

Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group:

(7/96)

European Democratic Group:

Mevlüt Cavusoglu (Turkey);
Umar Dzhabrailov (Russia)

(2/77)

Group of the Unified European Left:

(2/24)

( source )

Today is the last day for withdrawal of Presidential candidates from the election

2004-12-15T18:45:00.000+02:00

( Obozrevatel )

Dec 15 is the last day when Presidential candidates will be able to withdraw their candidacies. The Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Yaroslav Davydovych, reported this at a meeting of the Commission. He defined more exactly that the latest a candidate may withdraw is 24.00 on Dec 15

Davydovych reported that it is also the last day to create the Control Commission which will be publishing the voting-papers. The Central Election Commission is to create the Control Commission by 24.00 on Dec 15. The printing of voting-papers will begin at 00.00 on Dec 16.

( source )

Statement by the PACE Monitoring Committee on the situation in Ukraine

2004-12-15T15:37:00.000+02:00

( PACE statement )

Strasbourg, 15.12.2004 - The Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), meeting today in Paris, adopted the following statement:

"The Committee regrets the failure of the Ukrainian authorities to respect its calls made in June and September 2004 to conduct the election process with absolute impartiality and respect for Council of Europe standards. Although the first round clearly showed that Mr Yushchenko and Mr Yanukovych were the two winning candidates, both rounds were marred with systematic fraud, massive manipulations, and abuse of power by state officials. This fraud compromised the official results to such an extent that they could not be accepted as the reflection of the free will of the Ukrainian people. Persons responsible for these frauds should be prosecuted without delay according to the relevant criminal and administrative procedures.

The Committee is impressed by the non-violent mass protests of the Ukrainian citizens demonstrating their commitment to democratic values and aspirations for better government which would reinforce the rule of law and human rights in the country and fight wide-spread corruption.

The Committee welcomes the Ukrainian Supreme Court’s decision of 3 December invalidating the results of the second round of the elections and ordering a re-run of the second round. The Supreme Court’s historical judgment, which was based on the Ukrainian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, cleared the way for a peaceful solution to the political crisis and the reconstitution of the rule of law in the country, as well as respect for the judiciary.
The Committee also notes with satisfaction that several Ukrainian nation-wide TV channels decided to stop their practice of biased news coverage, refused further guidance by the temnyky and declared their will to show impartiality during the upcoming election campaign.

Welcoming the halt of political turmoil by the adoption of a compromise reform package on 8 December 2004, the Committee, however, is disappointed that the constitutional amendments were included into the political bargaining and served not the purpose of a well-considered overhaul of the system of governance but as a tool for reaching an agreement between political forces. The Committee regrets that the previous PACE resolutions were thus neglected.

The Committee also expresses concern that the adopted constitutional amendments include the provisions criticised earlier by the Venice Commission – and notably an imperative mandate of the people’s deputies and the extension of the power of the public prosecutor’s office restoring a Soviet-type Prokuratura, which conflict with the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It is also concerned that the new constitutional changes were adopted without consulting the Constitutional Court. Those provisions of the amended Constitution of Ukraine which do not conform with European standards, particularly the extended power of the prosecutor’s office and the imperative mandate of the people’s deputies, should be brought into line with Ukraine’s obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe.

The Committee also regrets that the law adapting the election rules for the repeat run-off, adopted on 8 December, did not grant the domestic non-partisan organisations a right to observe the elections on an equal footing with international observers and candidates’ representatives as was recommended by the Committee.

The new voting gives the Ukrainian authorities another chance to prove that they are capable of holding democratic elections in line with the country’s commitments to the Council of Europe. The Committee, therefore, calls on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure full adherence to the principles of free and fair elections before, and on the day of, the repeat second round on 26 December 2004 in order to ascertain the will of Ukrainian people. It also calls on the newly composed central and other election commissions to implement the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission concerning the repeat voting, in line with the 8 December law on the application of the Presidential Election Law during repeat voting.
The Committee is alarmed by the findings of Austrian doctors confirming that Mr Yushchenko was poisoned with dioxin ‘with clearly suspected third-party involvement’. This allegation should be thoroughly investigated by the Ukrainian law enforcement bodies and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

The Committee, while welcoming the assistance provided so far by the Council of Europe in the preparation of the elections of 26 December, calls immediately for its greater future involvement in the efforts to help Ukraine meet the organisation’s standards."

( source )

Gallup: 69% don't support federalism

2004-12-15T14:40:00.000+02:00

( Ukrainian News Agency via proUA )

68,9% of those who were interview opposed the idea of transforming Ukraine into a federal state, 16,7% supported the idea and 14,4% did not have opinion. About 80% of the interviewed did not support the idea of federalism in South-East Ukraine. The gallup was made between 6th and 9th December, 2004 among 2,023 persons older than 18 years. The error marginal does not exceed 2,3%.

( source )

Media

2004-12-15T09:13:00.000+02:00

Probably due to financial support to media and different Internet forums also the amount of information channels is so numerous. that also interpretation and media critics become neccessary. It is not easy to make clear distinction between the message and the carrier: politics and media.

Academy of Ukrainian Press ( Ukr )

Freedom House Media Report 2003

Ukraine's News Media and the 2004 presidential elections, PDF , 2003

Independent association of Broadcasters of Ukraine ( Ukr )

Internews

National Union of Journalists of Ukraine ( Ukr )

Telecriticism (in Ukrainian)

Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research

Media Digest About Ukraine Elections

BBC NEWS UK edition: The Press in Ukraine

Zerkalo Nedeli
Fakty i Kommentarii (in Russian)
Den (in Russian and Ukrainian)
Segodnya (in Russian)
Ukrayina Moloda (in Ukrainian)
Vecherniye Vesti (in Russian)
Silski Visti (in Ukrainian)

ELECTION FOCUSED NEWS WEB SITES

Ekspressinform vlast ru
Elektronni Visti ru rss/xml
forUm ru uk
hotline.net en ru uk
Norodnyj Ohlyadach uk / Narodnyj Obozrevatel ru
Portal 2000 politika ru
Versii ru

FOREIGN

The Ukrainian Weekly

WEBLOGS

5155 official observers in presidential elections

2004-12-15T02:56:00.000+02:00

( proUA )

The Central Election Comission of Ukraine has registered 395 official observers for the re-run of the second round of the presidential election and the observers of the OSCE, the Ukrainian Congress Comittee of America (UCCA), the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) . The total number of the official international observers is 5155.

( source in Russian )

Gallup: 62% support the Highest Court

2004-12-15T02:36:00.000+02:00

( Ukrainian News / "Українські Новини" via proUA )

61,9% of the Ukrainians supports the decision of the Highest Court concerning the results of the second round of the presidential elections. 31,3% of the interviewed said that they don't support the decision and 6,8% did not express their opinion.

( source in Russian)

Eastern Ukraine Knows It's the Economy, Stupid

2004-12-08T16:35:00.000+02:00

( BHHRG via Moscow Times: Mark Almond )

As Ukraine's Orange Revolution enters a twilight zone before what seems like an inevitable triumph for Viktor Yushchenko's candidacy for president on Dec. 26, the hundreds of thousands who demonstrated for a reversal of the original result should start thinking about what the victory of "people power" will really mean for the people.

Few would doubt that those behind the Orange Revolution learned a great deal from their predecessors in Georgia last year or in Serbia in 2000. Leaders of the Ukrainian opposition group Pora and other grassroots activists have said as much, and the flags of other people-power revolutions flutter over Kiev's Independence Square. ... ( more )

Election law

2004-12-08T13:00:00.000+02:00

З А К О Н У К Р А Ї Н И

Про особливості застосування Закону України"Про вибори Президента України" при повторному голосуванні 26 грудня 2004 року

Зважаючи на Рішення Верховного Суду України від 3 грудня 2004 року (n0090700-04), а також з метою забезпечення реалізації громадянами України їх конституційних виборчих прав, дотримання засад загальних, рівних, вільних і справедливих виборів, законності, прозорості та відкритості виборчого процесу як основних принципів виборчого права, встановлених Конституцією України (254к/96-ВР) та міжнародними договорами, згода на обов'язковість яких надана Верховною Радою України, Верховна Рада України п о с т а н о в л я є:

I. Встановити, що Закон України "Про вибори Президента України" (474-14) (Відомості Верховної Ради України, 2004 р., N 20-21, ст. 291) при підготовці, проведенні повторного голосування 26 грудня 2004 року та встановленні його результатов застосовується з такими особливостями:

Стаття 1.
1. Верховна Рада України за поданням Президента України призначає новий склад Центральної виборчої комісії у порядку, встановленому Конституцією України (254к/96-ВР) та Законом України "Про Центральну виборчу комісію" (1932-15), з дотриманням вимог, визначених цією статтею.
2. Президент України вносить до Верховної Ради України подання про дострокове припинення повноважень членів Центральної виборчої комісії, а також одночасно вносить подання про призначення на посади членів Центральної виборчої комісії.
3. Верховна Рада України розглядає та приймає рішення за поданнями Президента України, передбаченими частиною другою цієї статті, невідкладно після їх внесення.

Стаття 2.
1. Центральна виборча комісія після призначення її членов відповідно до статті 1 цього Закону не пізніш як за 8 днів до дня повторного голосування утворює територіальні виборчі комісії.
2. Територіальна виборча комісія утворюється у складі голови, секретаря та членів комісії (разом 10 осіб) у порядку, встановленому статтею 23 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" (474-14), з особливостями, встановленими цією статтею.
3. Дільничні виборчі комісії утворюються відповідними територіальними виборчими комісіями не пізніш як за 6 днів до дня повторного голосування в порядку, встановленому статтею 24 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" (474-14), з особливостями, встановленими цією статтею, у складі голови, секретаря та членів комісії:
разом 12 осіб - для дільниць з кількістю виборців до 1500 осіб;
разом 16 осіб - для дільниць з кількістю виборців понад 1500 осіб.
4. Кандидати на пост Президента України, які включені до виборчого бюлетеня для повторного голосування (далі - кандидати), або їх довірені особи у загальнодержавному виборчому окрузі не пізніш як за 10 днів до дня повторного голосування вносять до Центральної виборчої комісії подання щодо кандидатур до складу територіальних виборчих комісій - не більше п'яти осіб до кожної комісії від кожного з кандидатів.
5. Довірені особи кандидата не пізніш як за 7 днів до дня повторного голосування вносять до відповідної територіальної виборчої комісії подання щодо кандидатур до складу дільничних виборчих комісій і відповідно не більше шести або восьми кандидатур до кожної комісії від кожного з кандидатів залежно від чисельності дільничної виборчої комісії, встановленої частиною третьою цієї статті.
6. У разі якщо кількість запропонованих кандидатур менша від встановленої частинами другою та третьою цієї статті, відповідна виборча комісія утворюється в кількості, що відповідає кількості поданих кандидатур. Кандидат, який не використав можливість подати встановлену кількість кандидатур до складу відповідної виборчої комісії, може подати такі кандидатури не пізніш як за два дні до дня повторного голосування.
7. При формуванні складу територіальних та дільничних виборчих комісій вимога щодо обов'язковості проживання члена виборчої комісії у межах відповідного територіального виборчого округу або міста, на території якого розташований цей округ (частина шоста статті 23 та частина десята статті 24 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), не застосовується.
8. До складу дільничної виборчої комісії спеціальної виборчої дільниці, утвореної в стаціонарному лікувальному закладі, не можуть бути включені працівники цього закладу.
9. Рішення про внесення змін до складу виборчих комісій приймається не пізніш як за два дні до дня повторного голосування. Рішення відповідних виборчих комісій про дострокове припинення повноважень члена виборчої комісії, прийняті пізніше ніж за два дні до дня проведення повторного голосування, є недійсними.
10. Рішення про дострокове припинення повноважень члена виборчої комісії приймається одночасно з рішенням про включення до складу відповідної виборчої комісії іншого представника від того ж кандидата.
11. При утворенні територіальних виборчих комісій Центральна виборча комісія забезпечує для кожного кандидата рівну кількість посад голови та секретаря територіальних виборчих комісій (з можливим відхиленням від рівної кількості не більше ніж на одну посаду відповідно голови або секретаря комісії). Голова та секретар територіальної виборчої комісії повинні бути представниками різних кандидатів.
12. При утворенні дільничних виборчих комісій у межах територіального виборчого округу забезпечується рівна кількість посад голови та секретаря дільничних виборчих комісій (з можливим відхиленням від рівної кількості не більше ніж на одну посаду відповідно голови або секретаря комісії) окремо для малих, середніх та великих виборчих дільниць. Голова та секретар дільничної виборчої комісії повинні бути представниками різних кандидатів.
13. Голосування виборців на закордонних виборчих дільницях організовують і проводять дільничні виборчі комісії у тому ж складі, що був станом на 20 листопада 2004 року. У разі вибуття окремих членів із складу зазначених комісій нові кандидатури до їх складу не включаються.

Стаття 3.
1. Територіальна виборча комісія не пізніш як за 6 днів до дня повторного голосування забезпечує виготовлення двох примірників списку виборців для повторного голосування на кожній звичайній виборчій дільниці на основі списку виборців, що використовувався під час голосування 31 жовтня 2004 року, з урахуванням уточнень, внесених до нього в порядку, встановленому Законом України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ). Особи, включені до списку виборців на підставі відкріпних посвідчень, до списку виборців для повторного голосування не включаються.
2. Список виборців має наскрізну нумерацію виборців та наскрізну нумерацію аркушів. Підписи голови та секретаря територіальної виборчої комісії, печатка комісії ставляться на кожному аркуші списку виборців.
3. Дільнична виборча комісія отримує від територіальної виборчої комісії один примірник списку виборців для повторного голосування не пізніше наступного дня після його виготовлення і невідкладно надає його для загального ознайомлення. Уточнення списку виборців проводиться в порядку, встановленому статтями 34-35 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ). При цьому зміни до списку виборців на підставі відкріпних посвідчень не вносяться.
4. Відповідні органи реєстрації актів громадянського стану надають кожній дільничній виборчій комісії списки осіб, які проживали на території цієї дільниці та померли після 31 березня 2002 року. При виявленні даних про таких осіб у списку виборців вони виключаються із списку шляхом їх викреслення, що засвідчується підписами голови та секретаря дільничної виборчої комісії у графі "Примітка".
5. Виключення із списку даних про осіб, які неправомірно включені до нього, здійснюється шляхом викреслення, що засвідчується підписами голови та секретаря дільничної виборчої комісії у графі "Примітка".
6. Для контролю за списками виборців довірена особа кандидата має право отримати у відповідній територіальній чи дільничній виборчій комісії копію списку виборців по кожній виборчій дільниці відповідного територіального виборчого округу на паперовому та (або) електронному носії.
7. Голова та секретар дільничної виборчої комісії у день голосування мають право виправляти неточності та технічні описки у списку виборців, а саме: неправильне написання прізвища, імені, по батькові, дати народження (крім виборців 1986 року народження), номера будинку, квартири місця проживання - у разі, якщо, незважаючи на такі технічні описки, є зрозумілим, що до списку внесено саме того виборця, який прибув на виборчу дільницю для голосування на виборах Президента України. Таке виправлення засвідчується підписами голови та секретаря дільничної виборчої
комісії у графі "Примітка".
8. Включення виборця до списку виборців у день голосування може здійснюватися лише на підставі рішення суду.
9. Список виборців на спеціальній виборчій дільниці, утвореній в стаціонарному лікувальному закладі, складається дільничною виборчою комісією не пізніш як за три дні до дня повторного голосування на підставі відомостей, поданих керівником відповідного закладу, та заяв виборців про виключення із списку виборців за місцем проживання і про намір голосувати на цій дільниці.
10. Для голосування виборців на закордонних виборчих дільницях використовуються списки виборців, виготовлені на підставі списків виборців для голосування 21 листопада 2004 року. Уточнення списків виборців проводиться у порядку, встановленому статтею 35 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України"
( 474-14 ).

Стаття 4.
1. Відкріпні посвідчення виготовляються у кількості 0,5 відсотка від кількості виборців, внесених до списків виборців.
2. На бланку відкріпного посвідчення передбачається місце для: номерів територіального виборчого округу та виборчої дільниці, де воно було видане; номера територіального виборчого округу, в якому виборець має намір проголосувати; прізвищ та підписів членів дільничної виборчої комісії - представників обох кандидатів, які видали посвідчення; печатки дільничної виборчої комісії; підпису виборця, який отримав відкріпне посвідчення.
3. Відкріпне посвідчення видається виборцю на підставі одного з документів, зазначеного в пунктах 1, 7, 8 частини другої статті 2 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), та власноручно написаної заяви, в якій зазначаються причина, з якої він не може проголосувати за місцем свого проживання, номер територіального виборчого округу, в якому він має намір проголосувати у день повторного голосування. Така заява може бути подана виборцем не пізніше 20 години останньої п'ятниці перед днем голосування.
4. При видачі відкріпного посвідчення у пред'явленому відповідно до частини третьої цієї статті документі на сторінці "Особливі відмітки" або в іншому придатному для цього місці проставляється відмітка: "Видане відкріпне посвідчення N (із зазначенням номера відкріпного посвідчення)", а також зазначаються: дата, коли зроблена відмітка, номер територіального виборчого округу та виборчої дільниці, на якій видане відкріпне посвідчення. Відмітка засвідчується підписами двох членів дільничної комісії і представників обох кандидатів і із зазначенням їх прізвищ та скріплюється печаткою дільничної виборчої комісії. У списку виборців у графу "Підпис виборця" заносяться дата видачі та номер відкріпного посвідчення, у графі "Примітка" ставляться підписи членів дільничної виборчої комісії, які видали відкріпне посвідчення.
5. О 20 годині останньої п'ятниці перед днем повторного голосування дільнична виборча комісія встановлює кількість виборців, які отримали відкріпні посвідчення, підраховує кількість наявних невикористаних бланків відповідних відкріпних посвідчень та погашає їх. В акті, який складається відповідно до частини шостої статті 75 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), також зазначаються номери територіальних виборчих округів, у яких мають намір проголосувати виборці, які отримали відкріпні посвідчення, та кількість таких виборців по кожному територіальному виборчому округу. Акт складається в двох примірниках, один з яких невідкладно передається до територіальної виборчої комісії, другий примірник акта зберігається у дільничній виборчій комісії разом з виборчою документацією. Територіальна виборча комісія не пізніш як за 16 годин до початку голосування подає до Центральної виборчої комісії зведену інформацію про кількість виданих відкріпних посвідчень усіма дільничними виборчими комісіями відповідного територіального виборчого округу та про кількість виборців, які мають намір проголосувати у кожному територіальному виборчому окрузі. Центральна виборча комісія не пізніш як за 12 годин до початку голосування подає до відповідних територіальних виборчих комісій інформацію про очікувану кількість виборців, які голосуватимуть за відкріпними посвідченнями, а також оприлюднює її на своєму офіційному веб-сайті.

Стаття 5.
1. Виборець, який має намір проголосувати на підставі відкріпного посвідчення, звертається не пізніше 12 години останньої суботи перед днем повторного голосування до територіальної виборчої комісії територіального виборчого округу, зазначеного на відкріпному посвідченні, із заявою, яка подається разом з відкріпним посвідченням та документом, в якому зроблено відмітку про видачу відкріпного посвідчення.
2. Територіальна виборча комісія складає список виборців, які мають намір проголосувати за відкріпними посвідченнями. Прізвище виборця вноситься до списку виборців із зазначенням у графі "Примітка" номера відкріпного посвідчення та проставленням підписів двох членів територіальної виборчої комісії і представників обох кандидатів. Виборець не включається до списку виборців, якщо відкріпне посвідчення неналежно оформлене або записи в ньому не відповідають записам у відмітці про отримання посвідчення відповідно до частини четвертої статті 4 цього Закону.
3. При включенні виборця до списку виборців на підставі відкріпного посвідчення відмітка про отримання відкріпного посвідчення, передбачена частиною четвертою статті 4 цього Закону, погашається шляхом закреслення відтиску печатки дільничної виборчої комісії, що видала відкріпне посвідчення, із зазначенням дати погашення та проставленням підписів членів територіальної виборчої комісії і представників обох кандидатів, які включили виборця до списку виборців.
4. Територіальна виборча комісія не пізніш як за 7 днів до дня повторного голосування визначає в межах територіального виборчого округу одну з найближче розташованих велику або середню звичайну виборчу дільницю, на якій будуть голосувати виборці, включені до списку виборців на підставі відкріпних посвідчень.
5. Список виборців, складений територіальною виборчою комісією відповідно до цієї статті, передається двома членами цієї виборчої комісії і представниками обох кандидатів і до дільничної виборчої комісії визначеної відповідно до частини четвертої цієї статті виборчої дільниці не пізніше 14 години останньої суботи перед днем повторного голосування. Така передача засвідчується актом, що складається за формою, встановленою Центральною виборчою комісією. Цей список є невід'ємною частиною списку виборців для повторного голосування на відповідній дільниці. Нумерація виборців та нумерація аркушів у цьому списку ведеться окремо від нумерації виборців та нумерації аркушів у списку виборців, отриманому дільничною виборчою комісією відповідно до частини третьої статті 3 цього Закону.

Стаття 6.
1. Голосування за межами приміщення для голосування може здійснюватися лише виборцями, які є інвалідами першої групи і не здатні пересуватися самостійно. Власноручно написана таким виборцем заява з проханням забезпечити йому голосування за межами приміщення для голосування має бути подана до дільничної виборчої комісії разом із засвідченою у встановленому законом порядку копією його пенсійного посвідчення або виданої йому довідки медико-соціальної експертної комісії не пізніше 12 години дня, що передує дню голосування.
2. Голосування за межами приміщення для голосування організовують два члени дільничної виборчої комісії і представники обох кандидатів. Забороняється проведення голосування одночасно більш як з однією переносною малою скринькою.

Стаття 7.
Приміщення для голосування на спеціальній виборчій дільниці повинно мати відкритий доступ для членів виборчої комісії, офіційних спостерігачів та представників засобів масової інформації. Керівники відповідних закладів, установ, командири військових частин (формувань), де утворені такі дільниці, зобов'язані забезпечити доступ членів виборчої комісії, виборців, включених до списку виборців цієї виборчої дільниці, офіційних спостерігачів та представників засобів масової інформації до приміщення для голосування.

Стаття 8.
1. Офіційні спостерігачі, які були зареєстровані для здійснення повноважень, передбачених Законом України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), до 21 листопада 2004 року, продовжують здійснювати свої повноваження без додаткового їх підтвердження.
2. Подання щодо реєстрації офіційних спостерігачів можуть вноситися в порядку, встановленому статтями 69, 70 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), не пізніш як за три дні до дня повторного голосування.
3. Під час проведення повторного голосування на виборчій дільниці у приміщенні, де проводиться голосування, на засіданнях виборчих комісій при підрахунку голосів, встановленні результатів голосування на виборчих дільницях та підсумків голосування в межах територіального виборчого округу мають право бути присутніми лише члени відповідної виборчої комісії, члени виборчої комісії вищого рівня, кандидати, їх довірені особи, офіційні спостерігачі від кандидатів та політичних партій, які висунули кандидата (разом не більше чотирьох спостерігачів від кожного кандидата, незалежно від того, за чиїм поданням і кандидата чи партії і вони були зареєстровані), а також офіційні спостерігачі від іноземних держав і міжнародних організацій, представники засобів масової інформації (не більше двох осіб від одного засобу масової інформації). Присутність інших осіб на таких засіданнях забороняється.
4. Офіційні спостерігачі від кандидатів, іноземних держав та міжнародних організацій мають право здійснювати свої повноваження на закордонних виборчих дільницях.
5. Офіційні спостерігачі від іноземних держав та міжнародних організацій мають право знайомитися з матеріалами та документами, які є у розпорядженні виборчих комісій.
6. Виборча комісія під час проведення повторного голосування, під час підрахунку голосів, встановлення результатів голосування на виборчих дільницях, підсумків голосування в межах територіального виборчого округу не може прийняти рішення про недопущення до участі у засіданні комісії офіційних спостерігачів від кандидатів, іноземних держав та міжнародних організацій.
7. Виборча комісія може прийняти мотивоване рішення про позбавлення права присутності на засіданні офіційних спостерігачів від кандидатів, іноземних держав та міжнародних організацій тільки у разі їх фізичного перешкоджання діяльності комісії. Таке рішення приймається в порядку, встановленому частиною одинадцятою статті 28 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" (474-14).

Стаття 9.
1. До виборчого бюлетеня для повторного голосування включають двох кандидатів на пост Президента України, які були включені до бюлетеня для повторного голосування 21 листопада 2004 року. Якщо один з кандидатів, включених до бюлетеня для повторного голосування, не пізніш як за десять днів до дня повторного голосування зняв свою кандидатуру шляхом подання письмової заяви до Центральної виборчої комісії, або Верховний Суд України за поданням Центральної виборчої комісії у порядку, встановленому Законом України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), прийняв рішення про скасування реєстрації кандидата, до виборчого бюлетеня включається один кандидат.
2. Виборчі бюлетені для повторного голосування виготовляються у кількості, що на один відсоток перевищує кількість виборців, які включені до списків виборців, виготовлених відповідно до статті 3 цього Закону.
3. Для проведення повторного голосування використовуються тільки виборчі бюлетені із зазначенням номера виборчої дільниці, виконаним поліграфічним способом.
4. Виборчий бюлетень для повторного голосування повинен містити лінію перегину для складання бюлетеня вдвоє.
5. Виборчі бюлетені виготовляються на одному поліграфічному підприємстві (Банкнотно-монетному дворі Національного банку України). Контроль за виготовленням виборчих бюлетенів на зазначеному підприємстві, дотриманням вимог щодо знищення друкарських форм, технічних відходів, поліграфічного браку здійснюється контрольною комісією у складі чотирьох осіб (по дві особи від кожного кандидата). Така комісія утворюється Центральною виборчою комісією за поданнями обох кандидатів не пізніш як в день затвердження форми виборчого бюлетеня.
6. Для виборчих дільниць, які відповідно до статті 5 цього Закону визначені для проведення голосування за відкріпними посвідченнями, виготовляється додаткова кількість виборчих бюлетенів, яка становить 0,5 відсотка від кількості виборців у відповідному територіальному виборчому окрузі.

Стаття 10.
При проведенні голосування на звичайних та спеціальних виборчих дільницях виборчий бюлетень видається виборцю, включеному до списку виборців на цій дільниці, лише за пред'явлення ним одного з документів, зазначених у пунктах 1, 7 і 9 частини другої статті 2 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ).

Стаття 11.
У день повторного голосування при підрахунку голосів, встановленні результатів голосування на виборчих дільницях та підсумків голосування в межах територіального виборчого округу засідання комісій є повноважними за умови присутності на засіданні не менше половини складу відповідної виборчої комісії.

Стаття 12.
1. Перед початком голосування дільнична виборча комісія невідкладно інформує територіальну виборчу комісію про:
1) кількість виборців, внесених до списку виборців на виборчій дільниці, на момент початку голосування;
2) кількість виборців у витягу із списку виборців для голосування за межами приміщення для голосування;
3) кількість виборців, внесених до списку виборців на підставі відкріпних посвідчень (для виборчих дільниць, визначених для проведення голосування за відкріпними посвідченнями).
2. Невідкладно після закінчення голосування, перед початком засідання з підрахунку голосів дільнична виборча комісія інформує територіальну виборчу комісію про:
1) кількість виборців, внесених до списку виборців на виборчій дільниці, на момент закінчення голосування;
2) кількість виборців, які отримали виборчі бюлетені на виборчій дільниці, на момент закінчення голосування;
3) кількість виборців, які проголосували за межами приміщення для голосування;
4) кількість виборців, які проголосували за відкріпними посвідченнями (для виборчих дільниць, визначених для проведення голосування за відкріпними посвідченнями).
3. Територіальна виборча комісія передає відомості, зазначені в частинах першій та другій цієї статті, по територіальному виборчому округу до Центральної виборчої комісії через інформаційно-аналітичну систему "Вибори" та телеграфом (телетайпом) не пізніше 10 та 22 години дня повторного голосування відповідно. Центральна виборча комісія опубліковує зазначені відомості в друкованих засобах масової інформації наступного дня після їх отримання.

Стаття 13.
Виборча комісія може визнати голосування на виборчій дільниці недійсним за наявності обставин, визначених відповідно частиною першою статті 80 або частиною чотирнадцятою статті 82 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), а також у разі:
1) виявлення у виборчих скриньках виборчих бюлетенів у кількості, що перевищує більш як на п'ять відсотків кількість виборців, які отримали виборчі бюлетені;
2) створення перешкод у здійсненні повноважень членами виборчих комісій чи реалізації офіційними спостерігачами, представниками засобів масової інформації права бути присутніми під час проведення повторного голосування на виборчій дільниці у приміщенні, де проводиться голосування, на засіданнях виборчих комісій при підрахунку голосів, встановленні результатів голосування на виборчих дільницях та підсумків голосування в межах територіального виборчого округу, а так само неправомірне недопущення зазначених осіб у приміщення для голосування.
Стаття 14.
1. Транспортування документів, зазначених у частині дев'ятій статті 79 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" ( 474-14 ), здійснюється головою дільничної виборчої комісії та членом цієї виборчої комісії і представником іншого кандидата і в порядку, встановленому статтею 81 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України". При цьому секретар дільничної комісії, інші члени виборчої комісії, які не супроводжують транспортування виборчих документів до територіальної виборчої комісії, залишаються в приміщенні дільничної виборчої комісії до отримання повідомлення про прийняття протоколу про підрахунок голосів на виборчій дільниці територіальною виборчою комісією. Печатка дільничної виборчої комісії залишається в приміщенні виборчої дільниці.
2. Протокол територіальної виборчої комісії транспортується до Центральної виборчої комісії головою територіальної виборчої комісії та членом цієї виборчої комісії і представником іншого кандидата.
3. Протоколи територіальних виборчих комісій приймаються, розглядаються та оголошуються на засіданні Центральної виборчої комісії.

Стаття 15.
1. Скарга щодо порушень, які мали місце під час голосування, може бути подана до виборчої комісії вищого рівня або до суду протягом двох днів після дня проведення повторного голосування. Така скарга розглядається у дводенний строк з дня її подання.
2. Скарга на рішення Центральної виборчої комісії, в тому числі про встановлення результатів виборів Президента України, а також на дії чи бездіяльність Центральної виборчої комісії може бути подана до Верховного Суду України у семиденний строк відповідно з дня прийняття нею оскаржуваного рішення, вчинення дій чи бездіяльності.
3. Встановлення Центральною виборчою комісією результатів виборів Президента України в порядку, передбаченому статтею 84 Закону України "Про вибори Президента України" (474-14), здійснюється не раніше закінчення визначених законом строків оскарження та розгляду скарг відповідними виборчими комісіями та судами.

II. Прикінцеві положення

1. Цей Закон набирає чинності з дня його опублікування у газеті "Голос України", яке відбувається не раніше дня офіційного оприлюднення Закону України "Про внесення змін до Конституції України" (2222-15), і втрачає чинність в день, наступний за днем вступу на пост новообраного Президента України.
2. Центральній виборчій комісії після утворення територіальних та дільничних виборчих комісій відповідно до цього Закону забезпечити передачу їм відповідного майна та виборчої документації.
3. Кабінету Міністрів України забезпечити в установленому порядку фінансування повторного голосування, передбаченого цим Законом.

Президент України Л.КУЧМА
м. Київ, 8 грудня 2004 року
N 2221-IV

The price of People Power

2004-12-07T16:11:00.000+02:00

( Mark Almond )

The Ukraine street protests have followed a pattern of western orchestration set in the 80s. I know - I was a cold war bagman. ... ( more )

PACE President: “The rule of law has prevailed in Ukraine”

2004-12-07T15:42:00.000+02:00

( PACE )

Strasbourg, 03.12.2004 – The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Peter Schieder, today welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of Ukraine to re-run the second round of the Presidential election.

“This decision shows that the rule of law has prevailed in finding a solution to the current political crisis. The re-run of a second round by the 26th December will give the Ukrainian people a new chance to freely express their will and democratically elect their President.

A Parliamentary Assembly delegation will observe the re-run of the election, as it did on 31 October and 21 November.

I urge the Ukrainian authorities to address the serious irregularities noted by the International Election Observation Mission in order to ensure that the election fully complies with Council of Europe standards”, Mr Schieder said.

( source )

The Text of the Supreme Court Decision

2004-12-06T11:03:00.000+02:00

(Ukrainian Pravda / "Українська правда" via Interfax Ukraina translated by Antony Leovin , 06.12.2004, 00:03)

Having heard the explanations of the parties to the case and examined other evidences, the Court considers that the claim is to be partially satisfied on the following grounds.

On 21 November 2004 the second voting of the presidential elections was carried out. On 24 November the CEC drew up the protocol on the results of the second voting and adopted resolution 1264 on the results of the presidential elections on 21 November and on electing President of Ukraine and Resolution 1265 on disclosing the results of the presidential elections.

Establishing the outcomes of the second voting on the election day in its collegial sitting, the CEC neither examined the protocols of the territorial election commissions on the outcomes of the elections within the relevant election circuits, nor checked their authenticity, correctness and completeness, nor did it examine other documents listed in Art. 83 part 6 of the President Elections Act.

Before determining the results of the second voting on the election day the CEC had not considered statements and claims on the violations of the order of determining the outcomes of the voting by territorial election commissions within their territorial circuits, and the decisions by the territorial election commissions as for the results of examining those statements and claims.

Neither consideration by courts of claims submitted to them concerning the activities, inactivity and decisions by the territorial election commissions, which had determined the outcomes of the voting within their territorial election circuits, nor the term for considering those claims had expired by the time of the determination of the results of the second voting of the presidential elections by the CEC.

Under such circumstances the actions and the decisions of the CEC are in contradiction with the requirements of Articles 2, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 of the CEC Act, Art. 25, 28, 83, 84, 76, 93, 94, 96 of the President Elections Act and are illegal. In this connection the decision adopted by the CEC shall be subject to cancellation.

The Court has also established that violations of the President Elections Act of Ukraine were committed in the course of the second voting.

The electoral lists had been compiled and ascertained in contradiction with Art. 34; it had been allowed that some citizens should be entered several times and that persons not enfranchised to vote should be entered in the lists; the production, calculation, delivery and use of the absentee certificates had been carried out in contradiction with the requirements of Art. 33, no due control being exercised by the CEC.

The pre-election campaign on the mass-media had been carried out, without adhering to the principle of equal conditions, and in breach of the legally established order.

The requirements concerning the prohibition for state and municipal organs, their officials and officers to participate in the pre-election campaign had not been adhered to. They have turned out to have illegally intervened in the election process. The requirements of Art. 23, 24, 85 concerning the composition of an election commission had been violated.

The requirements of Art. 68, 69, 70 concerning the participation of official surveyors in the election process had been violated. The violations of the requirements of Art. 77 concerning the outside voting had taken place.

The protocols of the poll commissions concerning the outcomes of the calculation of votes had been drawn up in contravention of Art. 81.

The above circumstances give reasons to conclude that the violations of the principles of the law of elections envisaged in Art. 38, 71, 103 of the Constitution of Ukraine and of the fundamentals of the election process envisaged in Art. 11 part 2 of the President Election Act exclude any possibility to precisely establish the will of the voters of the united election circuit of the State.

In determining the remedy for the violated rights and legitimate interests of the subjects of the lection process the court proceeds from the following; if in accordance with Art. 98 of the President Election Act the subject of claim consideration establishes that a decision, action or inactivity of the respondent are in contravention of the legislation on president elections, it shall satisfy the claim, cancel the decision in whole or in part, recognize the illegality of the action or inactivity, obliges the respondent to satisfy the claimant’s demands or otherwise restore the violated rights or legitimate interests of the subject of the election process.

The remedy proposed by the claimant, which consists in recognizing the contender who got the largest share of votes according to the results of the voting of 31 October 2004, cannot be applied because it is established by the law the candidate who has gained more then the half of all votes shall be considered to be elected on the day of the elections. Neither contender has gained that amount of votes.

Taking into consideration the impossibility of determining the actual will of the voters in the State’s united election circuit through determining the results of the second elections, and taking into consideration that the voting of 21 November has not altered the contenders’ status, the Court considers as necessary to remedy the rights of the subject of the lection process through carrying out a new voting in accordance with the rules established by the President Election Act.

( source )

Presidential election observators, 21st November

2004-12-01T23:00:00.000+02:00

The Central Election Comission of Ukraine announced that there has been accredited 4190 observers.

Countries

Poland 208
Russia 84
USA 81
Slovakia 60
Georgia 59
Japan 12
Azerbaijan 10
Czech republic 10
Canada 7
France 7
Hungary 5
Estonia 4
Ireland 3
Latvia 3
Bosnia ja Hertzegovina 3
Kazahstan 3
Kyrgysia 2
Netherlands 2
Belarus 2
Armenia 2
Sweden 1
Macedonia 1
Phillippines 1

Organisations

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs ( NDI / statement / press release ) 942
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE / resolution # 1177 and # 1181 ) 857
CIS 569
Freedom House ( FH / press release ) 392
CIS-EMO 313
Ukrainian Congress Comittee of America ( UCCA / position paper ) 273
Справедливі вибори 169
Elections & Democracy 102
Союз комсомольських організацій - ВЛКСМ ( VLKSM ) 98
Ukrainian-Polish Forum ( UPF ) 90
Institute of regions of East-Europe and CIS 62
OSCE parliamentary assembly ( OSCE PA / press release ) 62
Світовий Конгрес Українців 61
Council of Europe parliamentary assembly ( COE PACE / press release ) 60
International Republican Institute ( IRI / statement / list link to Guardian ) 38
European Parliament ( Europarl ) 19
U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) 15
Парламентські Збори Союзу Білорусі та Росії 9
Міжнародна правозахисна асамблея 8
Consent International ( CI ) 6
Міжнародне товариство прав людини 6
British Helsinki Human Rights Group ( BHHRG / report ) 4
American Center for Democracy ( ACD ) 4
Московський Міжнародний дискусійний Клуб 3
Georgia, Ukraina, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova ( GUUAM ) 2
Національна виборча комісія Республіки Польщі 2
Human Rights Watch ( HRW / press release ) 2
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly ( PA BSEC ) 1
Conrad Adenauer Foundation ( Konrad Adenauer -Stiftung KAS ) 1

( source in Ukrainia)

Poland vs. Russia in Kiev. With an Impossible Referee: the Pope

2004-12-01T15:44:00.000+02:00

( L'espresso: Sandro Magister )

Impossible, because he is inevitably partial. For centuries, Ukraine has been disputed by Warsaw and Moscow, by Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy. It's the same today. ... ( more )

People power? Or George power?

2004-11-29T16:31:00.000+02:00

( BHHRG via New Statesman by Mark Almond )

Having promised to “spend whatever it takes” to defeat George W. Bush, billionaire philanthropist, George Soros said he felt like retiring to a monastery after the President’s re-election.

Back home the two Georges may be deadly enemies, but outside America the missionaries of Soros’s lavishly funded “Open Society” foundations march in parallel columns with the Bush administration. Domestic culture wars don’t stop America’s big two foreign policy players presenting a united front abroad when it comes to promoting friends and punishing foes.

A year ago, the two Georges jointly helped topple Georgia’s president Eduard Shevardnadze by putting financial muscle and organisational metal behind his opponents. Ukraine is the latest country to feel the full force of the two Georges’ displeasure.

George Bush’s representatives have denounced alleged election fraud there. Soros’s local activists – including Georgian veterans - march in the streets in support of the West’s favoured candidate, Viktor Yushchenko and provide the visiting media and election observers with a full palate of allegations of fraud and intimidation. ( more )

Full story of the Ukrainian election fraud

2004-11-28T13:00:00.000+02:00

(Telegraph online by Tom Parfitt in Kiev and Colin Freeman)

It was 5.30pm on election day in Ukraine when the thugs in masks arrived armed with rubber truncheons. Vitaly Kizima, an election monitor at Zhovtneve in Ukraine's Sumy region ... (more)

Russian Election Monitor Beaten up for Calling Ukraine Poll Transparent

2004-11-24T01:19:00.000+02:00

( Moscow News )

The head of a CIS delegation observing disputed election results in the Ukraine was beaten up by a group of opposition supporters after the observer praised the much disputed election results for their “transparency”.

Alexei Kochetkov, the head of the CIS-EMO mission in the Ukraine, telephoned to say he had been assaulted by a group of people wearing orange ribbons, a symbol of support for pro-western opposition candidate Yushchenko, who, according to the disputed preliminary results, lost the presidential race, the Interfax news agency reported.

On Monday, after observers from the United States and Europe widely criticized the elections for fraud and their failure to meet democratic standards, the CIS joined President Vladimir Putin in endorsing the pro-Moscow candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, and announced that the elections were transparent.

Although the assailants were wearing orange ribbons, Sergei Mirzoyev, a representative of another observing mission who spoke to Kochetkov, said they may have just been hooligans that do not belong to any side.

( source / legal notice )

Mass falsifications planned in Sumy

2004-11-19T07:20:00.000+02:00

(UA TV 5)

12,000 certificates of the media employees from 6 media companies have been issued so they can be distributed to “tourists” ... ( more )

Ukrainian presidential elections - 1st round

2004-10-31T23:00:00.000+02:00

Yushenko, Viktor Andriovich
(Our Ukraine)
11,125,395 (41.96%)

www.razom.org.ua
www.yuschenko.com.ua

Yanukovich, Viktor Fedorovitsh
(Regions of Ukraine)
10,969,579 (41.37%)

http://www.partyofregions.org.ua/
www.kmu.gov.ua

Socialist Party of Ukraine)
1,621,154 ( 6.11%)

www.socinfo.kiev.ua

Symonenko, Petro Myhailovich
(Communist Party of Ukraine)
1,388,045 (5.24%)

Progressive Socialist Party)
426,897 (1.61%)

www.vitrenko.org

Kinakh Anatolij Kirilovich
(Party of Industrials and Entrepeneurs of Ukraine)
260,890 (0.98%)

www.pppu.com.ua
www.uspp.org.ua

Jakovenko, Olexander Mykhailovich
(Communist Party of Workers and Peasants)
218,214 (0.82%)

www.kprs-ua.narod.ru

Omelchenko, Olexander Oleksandrovich
136,502 (0,48%)

www.yednist.org.ua

Chernovichky, Leonid Mykhailovich
128,037 (0,45%)

Korchinsky, Dmitro Oleksandrovich
49,641 (0,17%)

Chornovil, Andrii Vjatcheslavovich
36,086 (0,12%)

www.chornovil.com

Grabar, Mikola Feodorovich
19,550 (0,07%)

www.grabar.org

Brodsky, Mihailo Juriovich
16,400 (0,05%)

www.yabluko.org.ua

Zbitnev, Yurii Ivanovich
16,249 (0,05%)

www.novasyla.org.ua
www.zbitnev.org.ua

Komisarenko, Sergei Vasilyovich
13,692 (0,04%)

Volga, Vasil Oleksandrovich
12 874 (0,04%)

www.kontrol.org.ua

Boiko, Bogdan Feodorovich
12 717 (0,04%)

Rzhavsky, Olexander Mykhailovich
(United Family Party)
10,664 (0.04%)

edina-rodina.org
rzhavsky.com

Rogozhinski, Mikola Volodimirovich
10 242 (0,03%)

Krivobokov, Vladyslav Anatoliovich
9280 (0,03%)

Bazilyuk, Olexander Filimonovich
(Slavic Party)
8,917 (0.03%)

www.slavonic.org.ua

Duchin, Igor Leonidovich
8,598 (0,03%)

www.ldpu.org.ua

Kozak, Roman Mykhailovich
8,360 (0,02%)

Nechiporuk, Volodymir Pavlovich
6,141 (0,02%)

Ukrainian parties

2004-10-21T08:15:00.000+03:00

Народна аграрна партія України
People's agrarian party of Ukraine
Литвин Володимир Михайлович
Lytvyn Volodimir Mykhailovich
www.apu-ukraine.org.ua
apu@gu.kiev.ua

Партія «Відродження»
Кірпа Георгій Миколайович
Kirpa Georgii Mykhailovich

Всеукраїнське об'єднання «Батьківщина»
All-Ukrainian coalition "Batkyvshina"
Тимошенко Юлія Володимирівна
Tymoshneko Yulia Volodimirivna
fatherland.freeservers.com
batkivschyna@rada.gov.ua sector@carrier.kiev.ua

Всеукраїнське об'єднання «Громада»
All-Ukrainian coalitions "Gromada"
Лазаренко Павло Іванович
Lazarenko Pavlo Ivanovich

Всеукраїнське об'єднання «Свобода»
All-Ukrainian coalition "Freedom"
Тягнибок Олег Ярославович
Tyagnibok Oleg Jarovslavlovich

Політична партія «Всеукраїнське об'єднання «Центр»
Political party "All-Ukrainien coalitions 'Center' "
Головко Віктор Іванович
Golovko Viktor Ivanovich

Всеукраїнська партія духовності і патріотизму
All-Ukrainian party of spiritualism and patriotism
Шевченко Анатолій Іванович
Shevchenko Anatoly Ivanovich

Всеукраїнська партія миру і єдності
All-Ukrainian party of peace and unity
Янковська Людмила Олександрівна
Jankovska Lyudmila Oleksandrivna

Всеукраїнське політичне об'єднання «Єдина родина»
All-Ukrainian political coalition "United motherland"
Ржавський Олександр Миколайович
Rzhavskii Oleksandr Mykhailovich

Всеукраїнське політичне об'єднання «Жінки за майбутнє»
All-Ukrainian political coalition "Zhizn za maitbytne"
Довженко Валентина Іванівна
Dovchenko Valentina Ivanivna

Всеукраїнська партія трудящих
All-Ukrainian labour party
Якібчук Мирослав Ілліч
Jakibchuk Miroslav Illich
vpt-ukr@svitonline.com

Політична партія «Вперед, Україно!»
Political party "Forward Ukraine!"
Мусіяка Віктор Лаврентійович
Musyjaika Viktor Lavrentiovich

Всеукраїнська чорнобильська народна партія
«За добробут та соціальний захист народу»
All-Ukrainian Chornobylian people's party
"Za dobrobyt ta sotsialnii zahist narody"
Ісаєв Микола Всисович chernobl@sabbo.net
Isaev Mikola Vsisovich

Демократична партія України
Democratin party of Ukraine
Антоньєва Ганна Петрівна
Antoneva Ganna Petrivna
dempu@gy.kiev.ua

Партія «Демократичний союз»
Party "Democratic union"
Горбулін Володимир Павлович
Gorbulin Volodimir Pavlovich

Зелена партія України
Green party of Ukraine
Дубас Сергій Михайлович
Dubas Sergii Mykhailovich

Конституційно-демократична партія
Constitional democratic party
Богословська Інна Германівна
Bogoslovska Inna Gernanivna
vol16@hotmail.com

Комуністична партія робітників і селян
Workers' and peasants' Communist party
Яковенко Олександр Миколайович
Jakovenko Oleksandr Mykhailovich
kprs@i.com.ua

Комуністична партія (трудящих)
Communist party (of workers)
Кущ Григорій Михайлович
Kuch Grigory Mykhailovich

Комуністична партія України
Communis party of Ukraine
Симоненко Петро Миколайович
Simonenko Petro Mykhailovich
www.kpu.kiev.ua
ck_kpu@kpu.kiev.ua

Комуністична партія України (оновлена)
Communis party of Ukraine (re-newed)
Савенко Михайло Михайлович
Savenko Myhailo Mykhailovich

Конґрес українських націоналістів
Congress of the Ukrainian nationalists
Івченко Олексій Григорович
Ivchenko Oleksii Grigorovich
www.ukrnationalism.org

Ліберально-демократична партія України
Liberal-Democratic party of Ukraine
Душин Ігор Леонідович
Duchin Igor Leonidovich
www.ldpu.org.ua
info@ldpu.org.ua
priv@ukrnafta.ukrtel.net

Ліберальна партія України (оновлена)
Liberal party of Ukraine (re-newed)
Вялов Павло Іванович
Vyalov Pavlo Ivanovich
ln.com.ua/~lpu (in English)
office@lpu.kiev.ua

Ліберальна партія України
Liberal party of Ukraine
Щербань Володимир Петрович
Scherban Volodimir Petrovich
office@lpu.kiev.ua

Молодіжна партія України
Youth party of Ukraine
Павленко Юрій Олексійович
Pavlenko Yurii Oleksiovich
www.opr-mpu.org.ua
pavlenko@bbh.kiev.ua press@mpu.org.ua

Політична партія «Молода Україна»
Political party "Young Ukraine"
Коноваленко Анатолій Іванович
Konovalenko Anatoly Ivanovich
www.mu.org.ua
press@mu.org.ua
mu@i.com.ua
mu@svitonline.com

Партія «Національно-демократичне об'єднання «Україна»
Party "National-Democratic coalition of Ukraine"
Кузьмич Григорій Васильович
Kuzmin Grigory Vasilovich

Народно-демократична партія
People's Democratci party
Пустовойтенко Валерій Павлович
Pustovoitenko Valery Pavlovich
ndp.org.ua
zagal@ndp.org.ua

Політична партія «Нова політика»
Political party "New politics"
Максименко Євген Володимирович
Maksimenko Yevgen Volodimirovich

Народна партія вкладників та соціального захисту
Кривобоков Владислав Анатолійович
Kribokov Vladyslav Anatolivich
www.krivobokov.net/part.shtml

Народний рух України
People's Rukh of Ukraine
Тарасюк Борис Іванович
Tarasjuk Boric Ivanovich
http://www.nru.org.ua/en (in English)
mail@rukhpress-center.kiev.ua
nruorg@ukrtel.com

Народний рух України за єдність Співголова
Креч Едуард Едуардович Співголова
Krets Eduard Eduardovich
Бойко Богдан Федорович
Boiko Bogdan Feodorovich
nruednist@avanport.com

Всеукраїнська партія «Нова сила»
All-Ukrainian party "New power"
Збітнєв Юрій Іванович
Zbytnev Yury Ivanovich
www.newforce.org.ua
www.novasyla.org.ua
info@novasyla.org.ua

Організація українських націоналістів в Україні
Organisation of Ukrainian nationalists in Ukraine
Козак Роман Михайлович
Kozak Roman Mykhailovich

Партія «Жінки України»
Комарова Аліна Іванівна
Komarova Alina Ivanivna

Партія вільних селян і підприємців України
Біскупський Михайло Михайлович
Biskupskii Mykhailo Mykhailovich

Партія захисників Вітчизни
Кармазін Юрій Анатолійович
Karmazin Yury Anatolivich

Партія захисту знедоленого народу України
Терещук Валентин Віталійович
Tepeschuk Valentin Vitaliovich

Партія захисту пенсіонерів України
Party for protecting pensioners of Ukraine
Перекрестов Юхим Юхимович
Perekrestov Juhim Juhimovich

Партія зелених України
Party of the greens of Ukraine
Кононов Віталій Миколайович
Kononov Vitaly Mykolaiovich
greenparty.org.ua
oficce@greenparty.org.ua

Партія мусульман України
Moslems' party of Ukraine
Брагін Рашид Євгенович
Bragin Raschid Evgenovich

Партія «Нова ґенерація України» (з 05.2004 - у складі Трудової партії України)
Party "New generation of Ukraine" (from 3rd May 2004 as part of Labour party of Ukraine)
Мірошниченко Юрій Романович
Miroschenko Yury Romanovich
newgen@i.kiev.ua

Партія національно-економічного розвитку України
Party of national economic growth of Ukraine
Матвієнко Павло Володимирович
Matvienko Pavlo Volodimirovich

Партія освітян України
Коміссаров Вадим Олексійович («Єдина Україна» створена у липні 2004 року, шляхом перейменування «Партії освітян України» та приєднання до неї низки громадських організацій Богдан Володимирович Губський)
Komissarov Vadim Oleksiovich

Політична партія «Вітчизна»
Political party "Vitsizma"
Мартиросян Вілен Арутюнович
Martirosjan Vilen Arutjunovich

Партія «Прагматичний вибір»
Party "Pragmatic choice"
Уткін Євген Володимирович
Utkin Evgen Volodimirovich

Політична партія «Громадський контроль»
Political party "Public control"
Волга Василь Олександрович
Volga Vasil Oleksandrovich

Партія пенсіонерів України
Pensioners' party of Ukraine
Жаров Володимир Федорович
Charov Volodimir Fedorovich

Політична партія малого та середнього бізнесу України
Political party of small and medium-size business of Ukraine
Швець Віктор Григорович
Schvets Viktro Grigorovich

Політична партія «Партія за військових»
Авдєєв Григорій Григорович
Avdeyev Grigory Grigorovich

Партія промисловців і підприємців України
Party of industrialists and entrepreneus of Ukraine
Кінах Анатолій Кирилович
Kinah Anatolii Kirillovich
pppu.com.ua
ppu@iptelecom.net.ua

Політична партія «Союз анархістів України»
Political party "Union of Anarchists of Ukraine"
Чорний Вадим Львович
Chorin Vadim Lvovovich

Політична партія «Слов'янський народно-патріотичний союз»
Politicla party "Slavic people's patriotic union"
Толочко Петро Петрович
Tolotsko Petro Petrovich
Ременюк Олексій Іванович
Remenjuk Oleksii Ivanovich
Сафронов Станіслав Олександрович
Safronov Stanislav Oleksandrovich
www.snps.com.ua
kda22@albi.com.ua

Патріотична партія України
Patriotic party of Ukraine
Габер Микола Олександрович
Galber Mikola Oleksandrovich
www.ppu.co.lg.ua/ppu/p1.htm

Партія реґіонів
Party of regions
Янукович Віктор Федорович
Janukovich Viktor Fedorovich
http://www.partyofregions.org.ua
partreg@arrier.kiev.ua

Партія радикального прориву
Савкін Олег Іванович
Savkin Oleg Ivanovich
www.rdu.org.ua
rdu@rdu.org.ua

Партія «Наша Україна» до 07.2004 Партія «Реформи і порядок»
Party "Our Ukraine" until September 2004 "Reform and order"
Пинзеник Віктор Михайлович
Pinzennik Viktor Mihailovich
www.reformy.org
ref_org@i.com.ua

Партія приватної власності
Гуржос Вадим Миколайович
Gurchos Vadim Mykhailovich
ppv@svitonline.com

Партія розбудови, правозахисту недержавних організацій України - «Партія правозахисту» Черниш Павло Павлович
Chornish Pavlo Pavlovich

Партія «Русско-украинский союз»
Party "Russo-Ukrainian union"
Симоненко Іван Петрович
Simomenko Ivan Petrovich
www.rdu.org.ua/partia_rus_ukr_union.htm
simonenko@fm.com.ua

Партія «Союз»
Party "Union"
Савченко Світлана Борисівна
Svachenko Svytlana Borisivna

Партія соціального захисту
Party of social security
Чечель Микола Йосипович
Chechel Mykola Yosipovich

Партія «Солідарність»
Party "Solidarity"
Порошенко Петро Олексійович
Poroshenko Petro Oleksiviovich
Зам. Жебрівський Павло Іванович
vice chairman Zhebryvskii Pavlo Ivanovich
ps-solid@iptelekom.net.ua

Проґресивна соціалістична партія України
Progressive Socialist party of Ukraine
Вітренко Наталія Михайлівна
Vitrenko Nataliya Mykailivna
www.vitrenko.org
pspu@aport2000.ru
vitrenko@rada.gov.ua

Партія «Союз труда»
Partija "Work union"
Тарасов Володимир Васильович
Tarasov Volodimir Vasilovich
www.rcp-party.org.ua

Соціал-демократична партія України (об'єднана)
Social-Democratic party of Ukraine (united)
Медведчук Віктор Володимирович
Medvedchuk Viktor Volodimirovich
www.sdpuo.org.ua
sdpuo@org.ua

Соціал-демократична партія України
Social-Democratic party of Ukraine
Буздуган Юрій Олексійович
Buzdugan Jurii Oleksiovich
sdpu@carrier.kiev.ua

Партія «Соціал-демократичний союз»
Party "Social-Democratic union"
Пересунько Сергій Іванович
Peresunko Sergii Ivanovich
sdu@i.kiev.ua

Селянська партія України
Rural party of Ukraine
Засуха Тетяна Володимирівна
Zasuha Tetjana Volodimirivna

Слов'янська партія
Slavic party
Базилюк Олександр Филимонович
Basiljuk Oleksandr Filimonovich
www.slavonic.org.ua
luzan@fromru.com

Партія «Всеукраїнське об'єднання лівих «Справедливість»
Party "All-Ukrainien coalition of left "Justice"
Чиж Іван Сергійович
Chich Ivan Sergiovich

Соціалістична партія України
Socialist party of Ukraine
Мороз Олександр Олександрович
Moroz Oleksandr Oleksandrovich
www.socinfo.kiev.ua
press@socinfo.kiev.ua

Трудова партія України
Labour party of Ukraine
Сирота Михайло Дмитрович
Sirota Mykhailo Dmitrovich
tpu.kiev.ua tpu@carrier.kiev.ua

Політична партія «Трудова Україна»
Political party "Working Ukraine"
Тігіпко Сергій Леонідович
Tigipko Sergii Leonidovich
trud.org.ua contact@ud.org.ua
info@trud.org.ua sprava@trud.org.ua

Українська морська партія
Ukrainian maritime party
Ківалов Сергій Васильович
Kivalov Sergii Vasilovich

Українська національна ассамблея
Ukrainian nationa assembly
Шкіль Андрій Васильович
Schkil Andrii Vasilovich
unso.tsx.org
unso@geocities.com

Українська національна консервативна партія
Ukrainain national conservative party
Соскін Олег Ігорович
Soskin Oleg Igorovich
http://soskin.info/e-index.php ( in English )
office@soskin.kiev.ua

Українська народна партія
Ukrainian people's party
Костенко Юрій Іванович
Kostenenko Jury Ivanovich
www.unp-ua.org
analit@unp-ua.org
org@rukh-unr.org

Українська партія «Єдність»
Ukrainian party "Unity"
Омельченко Олександр Олександрович
Omelchenko Oleksandr Oleksandrovich
www.yednist.org.ua
ukr@yednist.org.ua

Українська політична партія «Християнський рух»
Звягінцева Тамара Петрівна
Zvjagintsheva Tamara Petrivna
www.hd.org.ua
hrystruh@rambler.ru

Українська партія справедливості - Союз ветеранів, інвалідів, чорнобильців, афганців (УПС-СВІЧА)
Ukrainian party of justice - Union of veterans, invalids, Chornobylians, veterans of Afghan war (UPS-SVITsA)

Червонописький Сергій Васильович
Chornoposkii Sergii Vasilovich

Українська республіканська партія «Собор»
Ukrainian republican party "Sobor"
Матвієнко Анатолій Сергійович
Matvienko Anatolii Sergilovich
www.sobor.org.ua
sobor@carrier.kiev.ua

Українська соціал-демократична партія
Ukranian Social-Democratic party
Онопенко Василь Васильович
Onopenko Vasil Vasilovich
www.onopenko.org.ua
onopenko@sgs.com.ua

Українська селянська демократична партія
Ukrainian rural democratic party
Вощевський Валерій Миколайович
Vochchevskii Valerii Mykhailovich
info@cdpu.org.ua

Християнсько-демократична партія України
Christian-Democratic party of Ukraine
Журавський Віталій Станіславович
Zhuravskii Vitaly Stanislavovich

Християнсько-ліберальна партія
Christian-Liberal party
Черновецький Леонід Михайлович
Chornovetchkii Leonid Mykhailovich

Християнсько-ліберальний союз
Christian-Liberal Union

Партія Християнсько-демократичний союз
Party "Christian-Democratic Union"
Стретович Володимир Миколайович
Stretovich Volodimir Mykolaiovich
cpu@iptelecom.net.ua

Політична партія «Яблуко»
Political party "Apple"
Чайка Віктор Володимирович
Chaika Viktor Volodimirovich
www.yabluko.org.ua
yabluko@yabluko.org.ua

Соціально-екологічна партія «Союз.Чорнобиль. Україна»
Social-Ecological party "Union. Chornobil. Ukraine."
Андрєєв Юрій
Andrejev Yuri

Ukraine remembers slain reporter: Heorhiy Gongadze's case

2004-09-17T01:34:00.000+03:00

( BBC News UK edition )

On the edge of a forest, weeds and stinging nettles are cleared away with bare hands to reveal what was once a shallow grave. ... ( more )

Ukraine - Thirteen Years of Independence

2004-08-17T23:00:00.000+03:00

( Embassy of Ukraine in Sweden / press release )

On 24th of August 2004 Ukraine celebrates the thirteenth anniversary of its independence. Over the last years the absence of ethnical and national conflicts, irreversibility of democratic transformations, active reforming of economic, political and social life have become inalienable features of state-building processes in Ukraine. A new stage of internal reform in Ukraine is aimed at securing profound systematic transformations in the country’s life, corresponding to the standards of a democratic state with socially-oriented market economy.

Ukraine’s internal development

Over several consecutive years Ukraine’s economy has demonstrated one of the highest growth rates in Europe. Against the background of stable financial situation the exports are rapidly growing, the Ukrainian goods strengthen their competitive capacity on the domestic market; the volumes of investments and construction are growing, as do the volumes of consumption and household income.The real DGP growth in January - June 2004 reached a record level of 12, 7% (9, 2% last year), the volumes of industrial output grew by 15,9%.

In the first five months of 2004 the exports of goods increased by 51,3% compared with the same period last year, the imports – by 32,5%. The foreign trade surplus totalled over $ 2 bln (almost $ 409 m in the same period in 2003).Last year Ukraine reached considerable progress in implementation of tax and pension reforms, resumed the privatisation of big enterprises and improved the legislation in mortgage and land regulation and crediting. There was established the flat personal income tax rate of 13%; the corporate income tax rate was also reduced.

As a result of socially-oriented policy of the Government in January-May 2004 the nominal household income grew by 19, 7%, the real salary by 26, 7%.

Constructive dialogue between Ukraine and the international financial institutions, the implementation of the external debt payment schedule and the considerable potential of further economic growth resulted in upgrading of Ukraine’s credit rating by the leading international credit agencies.

Ukraine met in full the FATF requirements on fighting the money-laundering and was excluded from the organisation’s “black list” in February 2004.

The country’s economic achievements became possible owing to the formation of the coalition Government and its backing by the parliamentary majority. The prospect of implementation of the constitutional reform, initiated by the President, which would consolidate the responsibility of the Parliament for the forming of Government and its policy, is currently being discussed in the country.

One of the key priorities in the Government activity at present is the conduct of free, transparent and democratic presidential elections in accordance with the national legislation and the European norms and standards. First of all, it is about creation of equal opportunities for all candidates during the election campaign and securing the unimpeded activity of independent media.

Foreign policy of Ukraine

During the recent years the necessary mechanisms for implementing the whole complex of measures in the internal and external policy, that will bring Ukraine closer to integration to the European Union and NATO, have been created in Ukraine. The course towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration is based on clear awareness of the Ukrainian national interests and corresponds to the realities of our country’s development.

During the Ukraine-EU Summit in Hague in July 2004 the parties agreed to continue discussions on the development of the Ukraine-EU Action Plan. The document, as both the Ukrainian side and its EU partners are convinced, should build upon the principles of joint ownership, differentiation and added value. Ukraine confirmed its interest in adoption of such a plan, which would define specific steps of each side, contain specific tasks and obligations and will be aimed at securing real positive achievements for Ukrainians and qualitatively improve the relations between Ukraine and the EU.

The Ukraine-NATO Commission Summit in Istanbul confirmed the strategic character of relationship between Ukraine and NATO, and the principal support by the NATO countries of Ukraine’s course towards integration into the Euro-Atlantic security structures. It also recognized a significant progress in implementation of the Ukraine-NATO Action Plan and annual Target Plans, underlying the intention to further pragmatic cooperation.

Ukraine took responsible position towards the Iraqi issue, the participation in Stabilization Force and the rebuilding of the country. Starting from September 2003 the 1800-strong Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent carries out its mission in Iraqi Vasit province, maintaining security in this part of the country, delivering Humanitarian Aid to its inhabitants, being actively involved in infrastructure reconstruction.Ukraine remains one of the most active countries in preserving peace and security in the hot spots around the globe: at present it is represented by over than 1400 peacekeepers in 9 UN peacekeeping operations.

During the last year the progress in completion of the legal procedure of the boundary delimitation of Ukraine was achieved. Treaties between Ukraine and Russia on the Ukrainian-Russian State Border and on cooperation in use of the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait were signed and ratified. A long negotiating process was completed by signing the Treaty on the Ukrainian-Romanian State Border. Transition to a new stage of preparation the agreement on delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones of Ukraine and Romania in the Black Sea has been secured.

Ukraine gradually and confidently moves on the way towards joining the World Trade Organization. On the whole Ukraine has signed 24 bilateral protocols with the WTO member-states.

Ukraine made its contribution to the international efforts on protection of environment by ratification of the Kioto Protocol by the Parliament of Ukraine in February 2004.

***

The global changes in the architecture of European cooperation, connected, in particular, with the EU and NATO enlargement, demand from Ukraine the intensification of its foreign policy and pragmatic upholding its national interests on the international arena.

Ukraine will continue to give priority importance to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the integration into the world economy, strengthening its position on the external markets, strengthening of regional stability, development of bilateral relations with neighboring countries and its strategic partners.

Ukraine sees its main task at present in consolidation of European values and standards in a politics, economy, and social sphere, regarding it as a pledge of its social stability and sustainable development.

Embassy of Ukraine

( source )

News from Ukraine

2004-04-15T20:58:00.000+03:00

(Ukrainian embassy in Estonia press release 20040415)

UKRINFORM NEWS AGENCY

NEWS FROM UKRAINE

EnergoAtom national company president Serhi Tulub has been appointed Minister for fuels and power industry. Under the President's decree to this effect, Mr Tulub will combine the two positions.

His predecessor, Sergei Yermilov was dismissed on March 5 basically because of errors in pricing policies on the coal market.

Serhi Tulub was Minister for fuels and power industry between December 1999 and June 2000.

Then for two years he was NSDC deputy secretary.

He was appointed EnergoAtom president in June 2002.

***

As presidential press secretary Olena Hromnytska told Ukrinform, President Leonid Kuchma has signed a direction to authorize Justice Minister Aleksandr Lavrinovich to sign, on behalf of Ukraine, a Ukrainian-Iranian intergovernmental agreement on extradition of law offenders.

***

As Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych told a Wednesday Cabinet session in Kyiv, the Verkhovna Rada's April 8 setback in passing amendments to the Constitution does not mean that the constitutional reform is a failure.

As Viktor Yanukovych told the gathering, the Government and Parliament must continue this work. According to the Head of Government, April 8 witnessed clannish, narrow partisan interests gaining the upper hand to the detriment of the State's and the society's interests.

Viktor Yanukovych dismissed, as totally senseless, the opposition's allegations about strife for power as underlying the political reform.

***

Ukraine remains among the US Administration's chief priorities in rendering aid to foreign countries, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios told journalists in Kyiv, having emerged from a Tuesday meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine.

Mr Natsios aired his hope that soon Ukraine will be well-positioned to render aid to foreign nations.

As he said, some urgent priorities keep emerging around the world, such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

We do not view aid programs for individual countries spart from the global context. Rather, we keep analysing all aspects and implications to draw out contingency plans.

As the Prime Minister's press secretary Taras Avrakhov commented on the meeting, the parties focused on Ukraine's progress in developing a civil society, attaining democratic standards, implementing market reforms.

Ukraine's land reform was among the subjects, discussed during the meeting.

As Viktor Yanukovych told his interlocutor, with a view of enhancing the efficacy of the USAID's aid to Ukraine, the Cabinet of ministers has endorsed Th\e Strategy of drawing international technical aid to Ukraine in 2004-2007.

Further commenting on the Ukrainian economy's performance, Viktor Yanukovych noted that last year Ukraine's economic attainments had been translated into greater emphasis on social matters.

***

As Foreign Ministry spokesman Markian Lubkivsky told a news briefing in Kyiv, on April 19 NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will make a one-day visit to Ukraine.

He will meet with the Ukrainian leadership to analyse NATO-Ukraine cooperation over the recent period and outline its further prospects from the angle of Ukraine-NATO particular partnership.

***

On April 16 Brussels, Belgium will host a session of the Ukraine - EU Troika Working Group for global disarmament, control over armaments and disarmament, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Markian Lubkivsky told a news briefing in Kyiv.

***

On April 16 and 17 Kyiv will host deliberations of the Ukrainian and Russian expert groups for delimitating the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Markian Lubkivsky told a news briefing in Kyiv.

***

Ukraine is participating in the DSA 2004 international expo of weaponry, which opened in Malaysia on Tuesday.

Ukraine's segment is composed of five sections, to wit, a general presentation section, sections of armored vehicles, artillery systems and individual fire-arms, ammunition, radio- and optical electronics, aviation and shipbuilding.

In particular, Ukrainian weaponry exporters have brought dummies, miniaturized models and pictures of the T-84 tank, the BTR-3 APC, the AN-70, AN-74, SU-27 aircraft, the Ukraina cruiser, the Gyurza, Kaiman-2, Falanga patrol boats.

As UkrSpetsEksport company press service chief Oleksandr Liashko told Ukrinform's correspondent, the Ukrainian delegation to the DSA 2004 is composed of execs and experts with the UkrSpetsEksport and its daughter company PROGRESS, the Kharkiv-based Morozov Design Office, the Kyiv LUCH design office, the works ARSENAL, the corporation TASKO.

***

A Ukrainian military unit, stationed near Es Suweira in Iraq's Wasit Province, carried out an operation, as a result of which they arrested 33 Iraqis who attempted to steal ammunition from a former Iraqi army store.

The Ukrainian military personnel captured the thieves who arrived at the store in thirteen automobiles, the Defense Ministry's press service told Ukrinform on Wednesday.

***

On Tuesday evening (at about 5:30 p m Kyiv time) a Hammer jeep collided with a Slavuta car in the residential area Osokorky in uptown Kyiv.

Having steered off the highway, the Slavuta crashed into a roadside cafe.

Happily, nobody inside the cafe was injured.

The Slavuta car's driver had to be hospitalized.

The Hammer's driver and Oleg Blokhin, the national soccer team chief coach, who was the Hammer's passenger, were rushed to a hospital nearby.

Mr Blokhin was reported to have suffered a moderate brain concussion.

As the doctors said, his condition is not grave to have any fears that his life is in denger.

***

On April 10 the 13th session of the Ukrainian - American Committee for economic cooperation drew to a close in the US capital.

Ukrainian Minister for economics and European integration Mykola Derkach led the Ukrainian delegation to the session, which addressed topical matters of bilateral trade relations.

Within the session's framework Mykola Derkach met with Alan Larsen, Under Secretary of State for economy, business development and agriculture, who stressed the US party's readiness to facilitate Ukraine's effort to draw foreign capital investments into the Ukrainian economy's key sectors.

The US party also stated the Bush Administration's appreciation of Ukraine's contribution to stabilizing the situation in Iraq and pledged the US side's support for Ukraine's effort to make Ukrainian companies involved in Iraq's post-war economic restoration as subcontractors for major American businesses, which emerged winners of primary tenders to this effect.

The deliberations in Washington dealt with Ukraine's plans to take additional moves toward regulating VAT reimbursement problems pertaining to Ukrainian exporters.

The participants unanimously pointed to the need to further improve Ukraine's investment environments, with a view of boosting foreign capital investments in Ukraine to three to four percent of the nation's GDP.

The Ukrainian party aired their hope that the US Administration will support Ukraine's bid for being recognized a market economy nation vis-a-vis anti-dumping lawsuits, which will facilitate access of Ukrainian commodities, primarily metal, to the US market.

Lifting sections against Ukraine, which were imposed because of the nation's feeble effort to protect intellectual property rights, was a prominent item on the session's agenda.

The Ukrainian delegation reassured the US side that efficient steps will be promptly taken to combat dissemination of pirate CDs, computer software and DVDs.

The session also discussed disputes between some American companies and Ukrainian authorities.

Certain progress in resolving these was noted, and further steps to this end were outlined.

The US party reassured the Ukrainian delegation with regard to the Bush Administration's readiness to comprehensively facilitate the process of Ukraine's integration with the global and European economic systems, in particular, through stepping up the process of Ukraine's accedence to the WTO, as well as to support Ukraine's strategic course toward integration with the EU.

In turn, the Ukrainian delegation's head noted that current schemes of amending Ukraine's active legislation provide for passing such bills and acts which will be in full conformity with the WTO's principles.

As Mykola Derkach further noted, the FATF's decision to delete Ukraine from that group's "black list" of nations, whose efforts to combat dirty money laundering are viewed as inadequate, was a result of Ukraine's stepped up cooperation with the USA.

Mykola Derkach also stated Ukraine's intention to become a FATF observer and eventually join the Edmonton Group.

He underscored the significance Ukraine attaches to cooperation with such organisations as the Corporation of Foreign Private Investments, the Agency for Trade and Development, the US Export-Import Bank, which could be very helpful in implementing Ukraine's market economy reforms.

The parties to the session discussed a broad range of cooperation issues involving nuclear power industry and agreed on launching a new partnership program in this domain, in particular, aimed at drawing out a scheme for classification of fissile materials.

The participants also discussed matters relating to mustering funds for completing the Shelter facility's upgrading, construction of the two new reactors at the Khmelnytsky and Rivne nukes.

Besides, they agreed on shortly addressing prolongation of an agreement between the two governments on enhancing Ukrainian NPPs' security, safety standards, in keeping with the International Program for lessening nuclear risks.

The US side aired their support of Ukraine's efforts within the GUUAM, in particular, Ukraine's initiative to set up the GUUAM Virtual Center and the intraGUUAM informational-analytical system toward combating terrorism, as well as the GUUAM's program for creation of transnational transportation routes.

The 13th session of the Ukrainian - US Committee for economic cooperation adopted a memorandum between the Government of Ukraine and the US Administration on the USAID's major tasks and goals in the Agency's program for aiding Ukraine in 2004.

The memorandum provides for rendering technical aid to Ukraine in the banking sector, agriculture, fostering small and midsize privately-run businesses, fighting HIV/AIDS, TB, other dangerous diseases.

***

On Wednesday, April 14 a session of the Parliamentary-Governmental Coalition, which was attended by President Kuchma and Prime Minister Yanukovych, passed a resolution to nominate Viktor Yanukovych, as the Coalition's sole candidate, to run for the presidency in the October 31 presidential election.

Leaders of the Parliamentary Majority's parties and groups, the Agrarian Party, the Popular-Democratic Party, the Regions Party, the parties of the Ukrainian Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Laboring Ukraine, the SDPU(U), the Democratic Initiatives, the People's Choice and People's Power, voted for the resolution, in keeping with the Political Deal, which the parties' leaders signed on February 18, 2004.

Commenting on the resolution, Parliamentary Majority Coordinator Stepan Havrysh said the leaders of these parties and groups have set completion of the constitutional reform and making amendments to the organic law as their candidate's programmic tasks.

***

As Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn told participants in the conference "Ukrainian Parliament's Openness: Regional Dimension," the bill on amending the Constitution, which on April 8 failed to muster the Parliament's support, will be allowed to make another try only in a year's time.

As Mr Lytvyn maintained, no other constitutional reform bills were addressed on April 8.

In Mr Lytvyn's opinion, the bill's failure resulted from errors in techniques of the document's vote.

In turn, Oleksandr Zadorozhni, the President's Permanent Representative to Parliament, aired his belief that the constitutional reform bill will be passed before the October 31 presidential election.

As he said, on Wednesday, April 14 Parliamentary Majority members sent a letter to the Constitutional Court to request the latter's clarifications about whether the parliamentarians had the right to vote on April 8 on the bill with some amendments, suggested by Socialist Party and faction leader Oleksandr Moroz.

If the Constitutional Court finds no violations in that procedure a new legislative act will be offered to the Verkhovna Rada to launch the political reform, Oleksandr Zadorozhni said.

According to Oleksandr Zadorozhni, in such a case the new bill may be passed as early as in September 2004.

***

Speaking in Wednesday Cabinet deliberations in Kyiv, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych instructed the Finance Ministry to make regional administrations immediately involved in drafting the f. y. 2005 national budget.

The Head of Government called upon the Cabinet members to more actively cooperate with the Verkhovna Rada, in general, and its Appropriations Committee, in particular, in drafting the f. y. 2005 national budget.

***

The Cabinet of ministers passed a resolution to endorse a draft agreement with the EBRD, under which the latter will increase its grant to Ukraine, meant for enhancing the Chornobyl nuke's safety standards, by 12.5 M. euros to 155.63 M. euros.

As the Cabinet's press service told Ukrinform Wednesday, the resolution authorizes First Deputy Minister for fuels and power industry Yuri Yaschenko to sign the agreement on behalf of the Ukrainian Government.

***

The Ministry for fuels and power industry will undergo reformation and henceforth it won't deal with economics as its main task will be implementing the State's strategies in developing the fuel-energy complex, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych said during a ceremony to introduce the newly appointed Minister for fuels and power industry, Serhi Tulub.

According to Viktor Yanukovych, the FEC's reformation must follow a pattern, which will allow it to draw capital investments and optimize its tariff policies.

Commenting on the President's decree on establishing an integral company to manage the power industry, Viktor Yanukovych said mechanisms were being drafted for the company's functioning.

The only problem remains to be solved, he noted, which is to suspend the bankruptcy process through passing a relevant legislative act, following which the debts will be restructured and the State's privatization policies within the power industry will be determined.

As Viktor Yanukovych admitted, the situation within the coal mining industry remains very knotty.

In this connection he aired his suggestion that a single national company be set up to manage the coal mining industry.

***

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostiantyn Hryschenko has left for Bulgaria on an official visit there, meant for talks with Bulgarian leaders about ways to deepen bipartite trade-economic cooperation and Ukrainian-Bulgarian collaboration within integration organisations.

Some bipartite documents are supposed to be signed within the visit's framework, in particular, a memorandum between the two Foreign Ministries on cooperation in matters of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and an intergovernmental agreement on mutual protection of classified information.

On April 15 and 16 Kostiantyn Hryschenko will make an official visit to Croatia.

***

On Wednesday, April 14 Ministers of Foreign Affairs Kostiantyn Hryschenko of Ukraine and Solomon Pasi of Bulgaria signed a Declaration on cooperation in Sofia.

The document provides for the two Ministries' cooperation in matters of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The two delegations' talks in Sofia addressed a broad range of trade-economic cooperation issues.

According to Markian Lubkivsky, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's spokesman, the parties also discussed ways to liberalize the visa regime.

They agreed to hold consular meetings to this end, Markian Lubkivsky further noted.

Mr Hryschenko briefed the host side about Ukraine's initiative to set up an OSCE Coordinating Center for combating terrorism.

In turn, Solomon Pasi informed the Ukrainian Foreign Minister about Bulgaria's OSCE presidency.

He also stated Bulgaria's support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration drive.

The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and their two nations' likely involvement in those two countries' economic restoration.

As Solomon Pasi told a follow-up news conference, which he jointly held with his Ukrainian opposite number, during their tete-a-tete meeting the two Ministers also discussed the situation in Moldova's Transdniestria and Kosovo.

Mr Pasi commented on the Ukrainian Foreign Minister's visit to Sofia as very timely, in view of the Bulgarian Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Ukraine, slated for May 21 through 24.

***

As Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha told visiting Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostiantyn Hryschenko in Sofia on Wednesday, April 14, he is pinning big hopes on his visit to Ukraine on May 21-24.

As he stressed, Ukraine is traditionally a major trading partner of Bulgaria.

Both parties were unanimous in appraising the two countries' cooperation potential as vast.

In this context the Bulgarian Prime Minister spoke up in favor of finding ways to simplify visa procedures for business people.

Kostiantyn Hryschenko stated Ukraine's readiness to cooperate with Bulgaria in the fuel-energy sector, in particular, through supplying Ukrainian pipes to Bulgaria for construction of oil pipelines from Burgas to Aleksandropulus and Viera.

The parties to the meeting also discussed matters relating the ethnic Ukrainian community's cultural-educational needs in Bulgaria and vice versa.

***

Bulgaria is ready to share its NATO integration experience with Ukraine. We have common tasks and goals in combating international terrorism, President Georgi Purvanov said, meeting in Sofia on Wednesday with visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko.

Both Georgi Purvanov and Kostiantyn Hryschenko stated as very high the level of Ukrainian Bulgarian cooperation within international organisations.

Mr Hryschenko conveyed a message of greetings to Georgi Purvanov from Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, who congratulated his Bulgarian opposite number on Bulgaria's accedence to NATO.

As Georgi Purvanov stressed, Bulgaria is interested in Ukrainian investments.

In turn, Kostiantyn Hryschenko invited Bulgarian companies to participate in implementing projects to develop Ukraine's infrastructures.

***

Defense Minister Yevhen Marchuk led the Ukrainian delegation to a joint session at NATO's HQ in Brussels of the NATO Political and Political-Military Committees, which was co-chaired by NATO Assistant Secretary General for defense policies and planning John Colston and NATO Assistant Secretary General for security cooperation and partnership Robert Simmons, sources with the Ukrainian Mission to NATO told Ukrinform.

On Ukraine's side the session was attended by Sergei Pirozhkov, NSDC deputy secretary and co-chairman of the mixed Ukraine - NATO Working Group.

The Ukrainian delegation briefed the NATO party about implementation of the Defense Review and work to draft the Strategic Defense Bulletin up 2015.

The NATO side noted Ukraine's headways in developing new techniques of defense planning. Ambassador Volodymyr Khandohi, Head of the Ukrainian Mission to NATO attended the session.

***

As German Embassy sources in Kyiv told Ukrinform, on Wednesday the Ukrainian - German Forum conference got under way in Brussels, Belgium, scheduled to last two days and meant for analysing the current situation in Ukraine and Kyiv - EU relationships. The conference was kicked off by Matthias Kleinert of DaimlerChrysler and ULIE president Anatoli Kinakh.

***

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has called upon all Ukrainian nationals, currently in Iraq, to leave that country, pending the situation's stabilization.

According to the Foreign Ministry's press service, on April 15 and 16 planes of the Russian Ministry for management of emergencies will evacuate personnel of several Russian companies from Iraq, some of whom are Ukrainian citizens.

According to latest estimates, a total of 175 Ukrainian nationals are working for the two Russian companies, TekhnoPromEksport and EnergoMashEksport.

A score of Ukrainian citizens, who are working for the Russian company InterEnergoServis, have stated their wish to stay in Baghdad, though.

***

Vice Premier Dmytro Tabachnyk met in Kyiv with USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios, the Vice Premier's press secretary Maria Shpak told Ukrinform on Wednesday.

The meeting dealt with technical aid to Ukraine in implementing social welfare projects and programs for combating HIV/AIDS and TB in Ukraine.

Speaking on behalf of the Ukrainian Government, Dmytro Tabachnyk praised the USAID's effort to assist Ukraine in developing education, health care, local self-government, the media of mass communication.

As he stressed, Ukrainian authorities are well aware of the significance of bridling AIDS.

Dmytro Tabachnyk pointed to the Anti-AIDS Olena Franchuk Foundation as just an example of Ukraine's effort to avert a HIV/AIDS epidemic.

In turn, Andrew Natsios stated the USAID's readiness to continue actively cooperating with Ukraine in implementing joint projects and programs.

***

As the Defense Ministry's press service told Ukrinform, on Tuesday a German Military Command-Staff Academy delegation arrived in Kyiv on a three-day visit to Ukraine, led by Col Gerd Preuss, chief of the Academy's teaching division.

The German military delegation were supposed to visit the National Defense Academy and its Courses for training multinational staff officers.

***

The Ukrainian Embassy in Tokyo played host to the 2nd interprovincial conference of charitable organisations "For Friendship And Cooperation," in which charitable organisations from Tokyo, Kyoto, Ibaraki, Saitama, Yamaguti and Tiba prefectures participated and which was meant for discussing further programs of post-Chornobyl aid to Ukraine.

The conference was attended by Ambassador Yuri Kostenko, who aired Ukraine's deep gratitude for Japanese NGOs' aid to Ukraine to alleviate sufferings of Chornobyl nuclear accident victims.

***

As of April 9, 2004, the NBU's net international reserves stood at 6.231 billion US dollars, the NBU public relations disclosed Wednesday.

Last week the NBU bought 117.4 M. USD on the interbank market.

***

According to the Finance Ministry's public relations, in 2004's first quarter the national budget's performance was in excess of the preset parameters, that is, the budget's revenues were 102.1 percent of the plan, and the budget's spending was 100.7 percent of the target figure, which, in absolute figures, was 9,866.68 M. UAH and 11,459.19 M. UAH, respectively.

***

The Ukrainian military contingent's main base DELTA was the venue of a meeting between Ukrainian brass hats and Wasit Province leaders.

On Ukraine's part the meeting was attended by Lt Gen Anatoli Sobora, deputy commander of the multinational division Center-South and commander of the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent in Iraq, and Maj Gen Sergei Ostrovsky, commander of the 6th Detached Mechanized Brigade.

The Iraqi participants in the meeting, which was initiated by the Ukrainian party, were local political leaders, police chiefs, heads of influential families.

The parties analysed the recent developments in al Kut and outlined ways to jointly search for avoiding any likely conflicts.

As the Ukrainian generals stressed, the Ukrainian military contingent are on a solely peacekeeping and policing mission to Wasit Province.

As they further stressed, maintaining public order in the province is possible only through joint efforts by the Ukrainian peacekeepers and local residents and Iraqi police officers.

***

As the Defense Ministry's press service told Ukrinform, at about 5 a m local time Wednesday a Ukrainian military patrol detected and apprehended 21 illegal migrants, who attempted to cross the Iraqi-Iranian frontier, and deported them to Iran, having searched the offenders for presence of weapons and other banned things.

***

Romanian Consul General to Chernivtsi Romeo Sandulescu met in Uzhgorod on Tuesday with Transcarpathian Governor Ivan Rizak to discuss opening an interim consular office in the township of Solotvyna as on July 1 mandatory visa issuance will be introduced for Ukrainian travellers to Romania and vice versa.

The Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine is home to about 30,000 ethnic Romanians (2.5 percent of the region's population).

The parties to the meeting also discussed opening a new border-crossing checkpoint in the vicinity of Solotvyna.

***

On April 12 a team of WANO experts, who represent the USA, Hungary, Russia and India, began their mission to check into preparations for commissioning the Rivne NPP's new rector (no. 4).

Under WANO rules, the mission's findings will be confidential and available only to the host side.

The WANO experts are supposed to check the NPP's safety-security standards, study the nuke's hydrogeological environments, particularly under the new reactor.

***

On Wednesday, April 14 the National Council for tv and radio broadcasting adopted a resolution, which immediately took effect and which made broadcasting in the state language, Ukrainian, mandatory for all Ukrainian tv and radio broadcasters.

National Council Chairman Borys Kholod commented on the resolution as a "historic decision."

From April 19 the National Council will accept applications for getting or extending broadcasting licenses only if the applicant states Ukrainian as the language, in which programs will be broadcast.

Commenting on the resolution, National Council Vice Chairman Vitali Shevchnko noted that in some regions ethnic minority groups' interests will be taken into consideration.

But, he said, as far as those broadcasters are concerned, whose financing comes from either the national or local budgets, Ukrainian is a must use language in their broadcasts.

***

The National Radio Company of Ukraine marked the 80th anniversary of its establishment on Wednesday, April 14.

It was set up in 1924 in the then Ukrainian capital city, Kharkiv.

Since then it has evolved to be a powerful broadcaster in Ukrainian, English, German, Romanian.

In 2005 its foreign programs will also be broadcast in Spanish, French and Russian.

***

Ukrainian broadcasters must abide by the nation's active legislation, Ivan Chyzh, chairman of the State Committee for tv and radio broadcasting, told government hot telephone line callers on Tuesday.

According to Mr Chyzh, the situation in Ukraine with regard to freedom of expression is becoming increasingly better.

As Ivan Chyzh maintained, many Ukrainian tv broadcasters have developed a habit of violating the Law on advertising, which limits infomercials to nine minutes per hour on the air.

He also accused some commercial periodicals, such as the magazines Shalnaya, Panta Rhei and Vot Tak of printing pornography, passed as erotica.

***

The Zaporizhia-based design office PROGRESS and public joint-stock company MOTOR SICH, Ukraine's flagships of aviation engine industry, are participating in the 8th international show ENGINES 2004, which got under way in the Russian capital on April 12 and is scheduled to last through April 16.

The company MOTOR SICH has brought natural specimens of its AI-22, D-436-148 engines, along with sundry modifications of the VK-1500 engine, which is meant for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

The PROGRESS design office has brought its AI-450 engine for display.

Within the show's framework the AN-148 plane will be presented to aviation experts and the public at large.

The plane, which is currencly being polished by the O.K. Antonov Aircraft Design-Manufacturing Complex, is equipped with the D-436-148 engines, made by the MOTOR SICH.

***

As PROGRESS first deputy designer general Ihor Kravchenko told Ukrinform's correspondent in Moscow during the ENGINES 2004 international show there, tests of the D-27 engine for the advanced medium military transport STOL aircraft AN-70 have been completed.

What remains to be done, he said, is to test the engine's deicing gadgets vis-a-vis extremely low ambient air temperatures.

As Mr Kravchenko disclosed, RAF experts' critical remarks about the engine have been withdrawn.

***

In 2004's first quarter the Odesa Marine Merchant Port handled 8.2M. tons of cargos, which was a 2.2 percent reduction versus last year's first quarter.

The Odesa Marine Merchant Port handled lesser amounts of grain and petroleum, but increased handling of iron ore and ferrous metal, diesel oil, oil fuel, liquefied gas and sunflower seed oil.

***

Authorities of the French seaport city of Enfleur have released the Ukrainian motor ship Fatezh, which was arrested on Tuesday, April 13 afternoon.

The ship, which belongs to the company Torgovy Flot Donbassa, was arrested following a claim, which was filed by the Cyprus-based TMR Energy Limited in its litigation with the State Property Fund of Ukraine.

The French port authorities' decision to release the motor ship resulted from a visit by a Ukrainian Embassy staffer and his talks with the port authorities, the Foreign Ministry's press service told Ukrinform.

***

The experiment light versatile helicopter KT-112 Angel made its maiden demonstrational flight on Wednesday, April 14.

Developed by the VERTIKAL design office under the AVIAIMPEX, the helicopter is supposed to be serially made at the AVIANT works and the O.K. Antonov Aircraft Design-Manufacturing Complex.

According to VERTIKAL director Mikhail Lukhanin, Angels may be of interest to military and paramilitary bodies.

***

In late March 2004 the Security Service of Ukraine marked the 12th anniversary of this law enforcement body's institution.

The Security Service's scope of competence is wide as its officers are engaged in protecting sensitive state, military secrets, counterintelligence activities.

They also deal with terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crime and corruption. The Security Service of Ukraine has abandoned the stereotypes of the totalitarian past and is seeking to be maximally transparent and open to the public's eye.

By way of marking the anniversary of the Security Service's establishment, its public relations summarized its activities in 2003. According to the Security Service public relations, as a result of economic counterintelligence activity, 116 criminal lawsuits were launched and over 114 M. UAH in money and material values was returned to the State.

Besides, Security Service bodies prevented crimes, which might have depleted the State's coffers by 27.1 billion hryvnias.

In protecting the Ukrainian State's secrets Security Service bodies and personnel instituted legal proceedings against violators in four criminal lawsuits, two offenders were indicted and sentenced, five formal warnings were issued, and about 200 attempts at divulging state secrets were foiled.

As far as combating corruption is concerned, Security Service officers' activities led to launching over 4,500 criminal lawsuits, uncovering 468 contraband-related crimes and confiscation of over 69 M. UAH's worth of contraband goods.

In combating drug trafficking Security Service operatives uncovered and stoppered 46 channels, busted four drug labs, 69 criminal groups, confiscated 4.2 kilos of heroin, 20.2 tons of marijuana, 3.7 tons of drug precursors, 84 liters of extracted opium.

In fighting organised crime Security Service personnel busted 33 criminal rings, apprehended many criminals, including 17 members of the gang known as the "17th Precinct," who are suspected of having been involved in the murder of Igor Aleksandrov, director of the Slaviansk TOR tv-radio company.

In Odesa and Chernihiv regions local operatives apprehended three members of a criminal gang, who are suspected of having masterminded the assassination of a General Prosecutor Office investigator in charge of investigating felonies.

They are also suspected of having been involved in the murder of Valeri Kravchenklo, director of the fishing company ANTARCTICA.

In combating dirty money laundering Security Service officers foiled an attempt by an international criminal ring to legalize 500 M. USD, earned through drug trafficking.

The Security Service's military counterintelligence branch helped INTERPOL bust a channel for trade in humans, thanks to which four young women came in from the cold who had been sold for sexploitation to a West African country.

A total of 117 attempts at illegal migration were foiled by Ukrainian Security Service officers, along with 25 attempts at illicitly transporting women to other countries, and about 1,500 foreign law offenders were deported.

In countering white collar crime Security Service personnel uncovered 992 crimes by public servants, 1,710 facts of corruption, as a result of which 1,158 public servants were brought to administrative and criminal responsibility.

Security Service personnel also uncovered massive offences in the fuel-energy sector and the agroindustrial complex.

In 2003 the Security Service of Ukraine carried out over a hundred anti-terrorism exercises of various levels.

***

Ukraine, which both before the November 1917 Bolshevick revolt and under the USSR used to be a major grower of sugar beet and producer of sugar has lost this status' over the several past years, though.

Ukraine's 192 sugar mills and five sugar refineries used to produce enough sugar to feed the entire population of the USSR.

These production facilities had a solid raw material base, represented by large colfarms, engaged in sugar beet growing.

The Ukrainian sugar making industry used to employ up to 1.5 million workers.

This is what history tells us. The sugar making industry's major trend today is downward, though, with sugar output reaching 1.5 M. tons a year, which jeopardizes the domestic market's stability and makes the nation import sugar from abroad in growing amounts.

As ProAgro company analysts contend, in the 2002/003 marketing season alone Ukraine imported as much as 1.4 million tons of raw sugar, though the importation quota limited imports to 560,000 tons.

This triggered other problems, such as the domestic market's oversaturation and sending prices for sugar plummeting.

As compared with the 2001/2002 marketing season imports of sugar, both legal and illicit, increased sixfold and reached the mark of 1.55 M. tons. Operations with give-and-take raw materials pose additional problems as last year over one million tons of raw sugar was imported into Ukraine in this way, of which up to 300,000 tons was sold on the domestic market, instead of coming back to the raw material suppliers.

Imports of white sugar from "near abroad" countries, such as Georgia, are yet another problem to deal with.

So, the overall precarious situation in the Ukrainian sugar industry and on the domestic market of sugar, the ProAgro experts say, demands a comprehensive in-depth analysis and major decision making.

Though the Law on state regulation of manufacture and sales of sugar is a good document to proceed upon, its enforcement has been anything but perfect as neither its licensing mechanisms nor mechanisms for wholesale quota issuance have been implemented.

Also, 2003 was characteristic of massive processing of imported raw sugar, which continued even when domestically grown sugar beet roots became available to Ukrainian sugar mills.

As a result, production of beet sugar exceeded production of cane sugar only by 400,000 tons (1.43 M. tons versus 1.04 M. tons).

This process was accompanied by growing imports of white sugar, which reached 74,500 tons.

This was the result of diminishing yields of white beet roots in Ukraine.

So, prospects for the Ukrainian sugar industry's recovery remain rather bleak, the analysts believe.

***

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a new redaction of the Law on developing Ukraine's automaking industry, and President Leonid Kuchma has endorsed it, having made some amendments.

The document is meant for facilitating more efficient operation of the Ukrainian automaking industry's production facilities and boosting the industry's export capability.

Also, the new Law is aimed at creating more attractive investment environments to draw Ukrainian and foreign capital. Its adoption was an element of Ukraine's drive for joining the WTO and is consonant to the Ukraine - EU Partnership Agreement.

The Law is to take effect 45 days after its publication by the press and will be valid until December 31, 2008.

The Law provides for exemption of Ukrainian manufacturers of automobiles, trucks, motor-cycles and completing parts for these vehicles from the list of VAT payers, provided the thus saved sums are reinvested in development of the manufacturers' production facilities.

Besides, Ukrainian automakers won't have to pay importation duties, levied on completing parts and accessories.

The new law has been wholeheartedly supported by major manufacturers of road vehicles, such as the Zaporizhia Automaking Works, the Lviv Bus Works, the Kyiv Motor-Cycle Plant, the Kremenchuk-based company AVROKRAZ, as well as by the ROSSAVA manufacturer of tiers and the company ELEKTRONMASH, which specializes in manufacture of electric equipment for road vehicles.

At the same time, minor Ukrainian manufacturers of road vehicles and Ukrainian dealers are none too happy about the new law.

As Oleh Nazarenko, director general of the All-Ukrainian Association of Automobile Importers and Dealers, cautions, the Law will result in massive illicit importation of road vehicles, which will be detrimental to the national budget's revenues.

As he says, if current importation duty rates between 1.5 percent and 3 percent are drastically raised, many importers of road vehicles will start looking for loopholes to evade taxation.

As he further contends, raising the important duty to 15 percent will trigger raises in prices for both imported and domestically made automobiles.

This opinion is shared by senior execs of the automaking companies EUROCAR, BOGDAN, BAVARIA, who insist that the new law's enactment will result in the ZAZ (Zaporizhia Automaking Works) and LAZ (Lviv Bus Works) monopolizing the Ukrainian market of road vehicles.

2003 witnessed further replenishment of Ukraine's fleet of automobiles. A total of over 155,000 brand-new autos was registered in 2003 versus 107,000 cars in 2002, which was a 44 percent increase.

According to the Ministry for industrial policies, in 2003 Ukrainian automakers assembled 112,000 cars versus 43,400 autos in 2002.

The bulk of these were made by the ZAZ (67,000 cars).

As experts with the AUROCONSULTING analytical center say, the UkrAuto corporation remains the key player on the Ukrainian market of road vehicles.

Last year its share in the market almost doubled, having increased from 21 percent in 2002 to 40 percent in 2003.

The AutoInvestBuild company was the runner up, with a 19.4 percent share in the market. This company was followed by the Ukrainian Industrial-Investment Holding company (17 percent), which incorporates the companies BOGDAN, AUTO, KIA Motors Ukraine.

The market's other major players were the EUROCAR group (4.7 percent), the INTERCAR (3.0 percent) and the trading house NIKO Ukraine (1.9 percent).