The Ukrainian Weekly 2004, No.45
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www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• Ukrainians in Moscow cast their ballots — page 3. • The Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine — page 7. • Students prepare for tribute to Roma-Pryma Bohachevsky — page 14. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXII HE No.KRAINIAN 45 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2004 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine YanukovychT and YushchenkoU head for run-off amid accusationsW of falsifications by Roman Woronowycz gave a different version of the outcome Kyiv Press Bureau later that day when he stated that he was pleased with the results and ready to go KYIV – Both Viktor Yushchenko and to a run-off with his main rival. Viktor Yanukovych claimed victory in “The Ukrainian people have expressed the October 31 presidential elections in their support for their government,” said an exceedingly close vote count that Mr. Yanukovych. many here are saying was being falsified. There were divergent points of view With 97.7 percent of the election bal- in most every aspect of the presidential lots counted, Mr. Yanukovych maintained vote. The previous evening differing exit a hangnail lead of 39.88 percent to 39.22 polls had forecast outcomes favorable to percent over Mr. Yushchenko, the differ- both Mr. Yushchenko and to Mr. ence between the two closing steadily as Yanukovych. There was also disagree- further results slowly became known. ment among international observers over Supporters of Mr. Yushchenko have stat- whether the elections were fair and free. ed that the numbers that follow the 98 While most said the election was a step percent of the vote counted put their can- backward for democracy in Ukraine, didate in the lead. some noted no major violations of demo- Voter turnout was 75 percent, up from cratic election standards (see sidebar 69 percent in 1999. below right). At 2:30 a.m. on November 1, Mr. There was no question, however, that Yushchenko – who continued to look Mr. Yushchenko had decisively won the AP/Efrem Lukatsky weak after a mysterious poisoning that he battle for the number of Ukraine’s 25 Viktor Yushchenko (left), accompanied by his daughter Khrystina, and Viktor has called an assassination attempt side- regions (24 oblasts plus the Crimea Yanukovych (right) cast their ballots on October 31. lined him for most of the month of Autonomous Republic) taken outright, September – claimed victory as he receiving a majority of votes in 16 of the Four days after the vote, the Central process unexpectedly at midday on addressed weary campaign workers and administrative regions, including all of Election Committee had yet to publish November 1, stating that the commission supporters at his campaign press center. western Ukraine and most of the central members would take a break. The com- “We have victory, which the Ukrainian oblasts. Many of the areas still to be tal- the final tally, even though it had counted 95 percent of the returns within a 10 hour mission has not held a public session voters accomplished with their effort,” lied were considered Yushchenko strong- since. The CEC has 10 days from elec- exclaimed Mr. Yushchenko. holds, leading to speculation that he was time period. CEC Chairman Serhii Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the winner. Kivalov had stopped the vote counting (Continued on page 8) Observers say presidential election Ukrainian citizens vote in New York, did not meet international standards and beyond, in Ukraine’s election by Andrew Nynka shortly after the voting stations closed. by Roman Woronowycz leading contenders in the October 31 However, there is still uncertainty regard- Kyiv Press Bureau election. The two candidates will face-off NEW YORK – Seven hours after the ing the overall tally as the Central in a runoff on November 21 after neither last Ukrainian citizen cast a ballot here to Election Committee has stopped the KYIV – Most international and one achieved an absolute majority in the choose the country’s third president on count with several percentage points domestic observers offered severe criti- first round. October 31, 16 election workers sat hud- remaining. cism of Ukraine’s presidential elections a “The CVU has ascertained that up to dled around two large wooden tables and The results from New York closely day after the October 31 vote, many 10 percent of citizens who came to vote listened carefully as the ballots were read resembled those in the other three voting assessing that the manner in which the were denied their right because of the aloud before announcing that Viktor precincts in this country – at Ukrainian process took place was a reversal for low quality of the voters lists,” explained Yushchenko had come away with a consulates in San Francisco and Chicago Ukraine’s democratic development. Ihor Popov, CVU president, at a press resounding victory in this election dis- and the Embassy in Washington – where “With a heavy heart, we have to con- conference on November 1. trict. voters overwhelmingly chose the reform- clude that this election did not meet a The CVU also stated that on election The voting station at Ukraine’s minded candidate Mr. Yushchenko over considerable number of OSCE, Council day itself it noted no major violations. Consulate General in New York City Mr. Yanukovych. of Europe and other European standards The Central Election Commission closed promptly at 8 p.m. and election The results from the voting stations in for democratic elections. Consequently, (CEC), the Ukrainian government body committee members worked into the Canada – at the Consulate General in this election process constitutes a step that oversees elections in Ukraine, down- early morning on November 1 to finish Toronto and the Embassy in Ottawa – backward from the 2002 elections,” played the assessments by the election the tally of 1,986 Ukrainian citizens who also showed strong support for Mr. explained Bruce George, the head of the monitors. It responded by admitting that, voted here. Yushchenko. European election observer team organ- while there were minor violations, noth- By 3:12 a.m. the regional election In the United States, the highest voter ized by the Organization for Security and ing serious or extensive took place. committee – which covered 13 states in turnout came in Chicago, where 2,464 Cooperation in Europe. “Voting proceeded calmly at 99 per- in Northeastern U.S. – certified its count people (98.6 percent of the total) voted The authoritative Committee of Voters cent of the polling stations,” explained and sent the results by fax to Central for Mr. Yushchenko, while 29 people of Ukraine, which has observed elections CEC member Serhii Dubovyk on Election Committee headquarters in voted for Mr. Yanukovych (1.2 percent). in Ukraine since 1994, noted that the November 3. Kyiv, announcing that Mr. Yushchenko In San Fancisco 449 people cast their most extensive problems with the Earlier, Yaroslav Davydovych, deputy won in this district with 1,889 votes, or ballots for Mr. Yushchenko (95 percent), Ukrainian presidential vote were the chairman of the CEC, said that the CEC 95 percent of the total. The next closest while 12 people (2.5 percent) voted for numerous inaccuracies in the voter lists would withhold responding to the reports challenger was Prime Minister Viktor Mr. Yanukovych. In Washington, 447 and the illegal manner in which the elec- from the various international monitoring Yanukovych, who took 70 votes, roughly people (88 percent) voted for Mr. tions commissions were stacked with groups until after it had released their 3.5 percent of the total. Yushchenko and 24 people (4.7 percent) individuals connected to the government final reports, a process that would take Results from voting in North America voted for Mr. Yanukovych. or Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. several weeks at the very least. were released by local election commit- The prime minister and National tees in Canada and the United States (Continued on page 4) Deputy Viktor Yanukovych were the (Continued on page 5) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2004 No. 45 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS Yushchenko wins first round NEWSBRIEFS Kuchma says Ukraine won’t change tack ...while others quit their jobs of Ukraine’s presidential election KYIV – Incumbent President Leonid KYIV – Seven journalists from the Kuchma said after casting his vote on news studio 1+1 have abandoned the chan- by Taras Kuzio produce 80 percent for Yanukovych (The October 31 that Ukraine’s strategic course nel to protest against censorship, Interfax Eurasia Daily Monitor Independent, November 1). will not change after the presidential elec- reported on October 28. “We refuse to take Parallel vote counting at Ukraine’s tion, irrespective of who becomes the part in the information war. The authorities Challenger Viktor Yushchenko won 33,000 polling stations by the Mr. country’s next president, UNIAN report- unleashed this war against its own people, the first round of the Ukrainian presiden- Yushchenko camp gave a different pic- ed. “Ukraine’s European choices have trying to win the presidential race through tial election on October 31 (ITAR-TASS, ture. With two-thirds of these ballots been, and will remain, [the same] for the intimidation and the use of force,” the November 2). According to official counted, the Mr. Yushchenko camp president and society,” Mr. Kuchma said. journalists said in a statement. “Our TV Central Election Commission (CEC) fig- claimed that their candidate was squarely “Today nobody doubts that – the path has job has finally transformed into serving the ures, Mr. Yushchenko won 16 oblasts and in the lead with 45 percent to Mr. been determined.” The president rejected interests of those to whom 1+1 was given the city of Kyiv. Besides sweeping west- Yanukovych’s 33 percent.