Blackmail by Separatism

Search for ways out of the political crisis triggered by the election fraud continues in Ukraine. This crisis can be overcome in several ways. The first option is legal. The Supreme Court of Ukraine has begun hearing complaints submitted by Yushchenko team lawyers, focusing on large- scale transgressions of the election law, mostly in the east of Ukraine. At press time there was no information from the courtroom.

The second option is political. Just as Yushchenko complaints were being heard in court, one of President Kuchma’s suburban residences hosted eastern regional leaders holding counsel with the head of state, looking for ways out of the crisis. Representatives of both conflicting parties have made it clear that they will not recognize a court ruling denying them their victory. Parliament has had its say, giving a political assessment of the situation. The runoff turnout was rigged. Such is the first and foremost point of the VR resolution passed Saturday. Yushchenko is supported by a civil society, political elite, and by business circles in Kyiv, in the west and in the center of Ukraine. Yanukovych relies on the administrative and financial resources of organized southeastern regional groups. Both presidential candidates can benefit from the central government’s indecisive stand and from the interest in the federalization of Ukraine shown outside this country.