Ukraine Stance Angers Russian Leader
MOSCOW. Dec. 23 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States and the European Union of employing "double standards" in disputing the results of last month's Ukrainian presidential elections.
At his traditional year-end news conference, Putin emphasized Russia's good relations with the United States but questioned the U.S. and European position in support of a Ukrainian Supreme Court decision overturning the results of the recent Ukrainian vote because of what the court deemed to be widespread fraud. The winner of that election was supported by Moscow, while the loser had advocated closer ties with Europe and the United States. A new election is to be held Sunday.
"Do you think that the electoral system in the United States is without flaws?" Putin said. "Need I remind you of how their elections were held in the United States?"
Putin compared the Ukrainian case to charges of voter fraud in Afghanistan in presidential elections in October, when Hamid Karzai, the U.S.-backed candidate, was elected in that country's first free presidential ballot. But U.S. and European Union monitors said that Ukraine ballot fraud was far reaching, while Afghan irregularities were considered relatively minor.
more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21917-2004Dec23.html