First battle between Russia and US after the end of Cold War [View All]

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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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