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Journalism of Courage
West-leaning Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko looked certain on Monday to become Ukraine8217;s next president, but his opponent Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich refused to concede defeat.
Yanukovich vowed to go the Supreme Court to challenge the result, threatening to prolong Ukraine8217;s political crisis.
He wants to align Ukraine with the West, fanning concerns in Russia that it will lose influence over a region where it has held sway for 300 years.
Western neighbour Poland, traditionally a rival but now a member of the European Union which Ukraine aspires to join, was the first country to congratulate Yushchenko.
The EU said the poll paved the way for stronger cooperation.8216;8216;For 14 years we have been independent. Now we have become free,8217;8217; Yushchenko told supporters gathered overnight in Kiev8217;s Independence Square, site of more than two weeks of mass protests against November8217;s rigged election.
8216;8216;The people proved their power. They rebelled against probably the most cynical regime in eastern Europe.8217;8217;
With more than 99.8 percent of votes counted, election officials said Yushchenko had won 52.03 per cent against Yanukovich8217;s 44.16 per cent.
However, Yanukovich said he would challenge the result.
8216;8216;I will never recognise this defeat because there were violations of the constitution and of human rights in our country,8217;8217; he told a news conference.
He said he had no confidence in the Supreme Court8217;s civil chamber which annulled his victory.
8216;8216;I will demand that our appeal, which is being prepared, be examined by the entire collegium of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. And that this should be done publicly.8217;8217;
The poll was widely praised in the West. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the election appeared to have been full and free, calling it 8216;8216;a historic moment for democracy8217;8217;. 8212;Reuters
