First battle between Russia and US after the end of Cold War

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2004/November/theworld_November683.xml§ion=theworld

DUBAI — For the first time after the end of the Cold War, a conflict is unfolding between America and Russia — this time over Ukraine.

The allegedly fraudulent presidential run-off in the former Soviet republic has led to such a situation. The US has taken note of the complaints raised by the opposition in Kiev and international observers over the conduct of the poll, and raised objection to the way the election was held. The two countries are in disagreement. The question many ask is, how far the two will go?

The poll has ended in utter chaos. The supreme court in Keiv last night stalled the release of the election results, following the filing of a petition by the Opposition candidate. The court has kept on hold the decision of the central election commission to announce prime minister Viktor Ynukovich as the winner. He has to wait now for the court's decision. Pending a final word, the Opposition is planning nation-wide strikes against alleged vote-rigging.

America, it is noted, has made it clear that it does not recognise the election result. Secretary of State Colin Powell has asked Ukraine to have a review of the tally. He has warned the government against use of force against demonstrators. But Russia is happy with the way the voting was done and the result declared. Putin has sent congratulations to the prime minister and said there should be no "outside interference" in the elections (meaning the West), and that the disputes should be left to the courts to decide. But what is the guarantee that the courts have the freedom to decide on the issue impartially?

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[NEOBuckeye]

1. This is Bullshit. After 2000 & 2004, we have no business in the Ukraine.

What credibility do we have in Ukraine with Russia and the rest of the world, when we can't even get our own damned elections right? Powell looks like an even bigger fool for this.

[mutius]

6. Change focus.

The Bush dictators just want the world to look elsewhere. So the Bushes can get away with their fraud in the election process.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Disputes should be left to the courts to decide

a precedent our supreme court has set.... my oh my.... doesn't look so good from the other side eh boyz??

[teryang]

3. Amateur diplomacy

Go ahead mess with the Russians in Ukraine. Hitler did it too. Right and wrong don't matter in the international balance of power, only the ability to project power matters. Move into the heartland of Asia, go ahead, fools.

[Dover]

4. I think the U.S. is taking measures to oust or "de-popularize" Putin's

power. Read what's going on behind the scenes in the Economic forum.

[Mr Creosote]

5. A friend of a friend reports

"Russian troops ARE stationed outside Kiev. A friend of my Ukrainian spy witnessed them when travelling to the outskirts this week.

Atmosphere between the two sets of supporters is apparently very friendly as opposed to aggressive so that's a good sign, but...

...word on the street in Kiev (not reported anywhere) is that a trainload of ex-prisoners is on it's way to Kiev to act as a militia. Now that, if it is true, is very scary".

Apparently it is not normal for Russian troops to be stationed near Kiev. Also apparently this trainload of ex-prisoners are the group being described as "miners from the east" on CNN.

Partial confirmation of the troops story:
http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&format=reformatted&articleid=5128518&subject=general&action=article

[glarius]

7. Bush is just jealous cause Putin has a better swagger than he has!

LOL

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. I have been wondering about this -- us supporting the

pro-European opposition, while Putin and * are such good buddies.

Then it falls into place.

Putin is moving to nationalize Russia's oil. Good friend or not, you don't fuck with Bushco's oil.