Ukraine president hints at new vote :: Charter'97 :: News

Facing a relentless tide of opposition protests, embattled Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said yesterday a new election might be the only way out of a spiralling crisis that threatens to split this former Soviet republic between the pro-Russia east and European-leaning west. Kuchma warned that "we cannot in any instance allow the disintegration or division of Ukraine."

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said he telephoned the Ukrainian president to express concern about reports of a possible splintering of the country and White House spokesperson Scott McClellan called on the international community to unite in support of "Ukraine`s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity."

Kuchma, who along with the Kremlin has staunchly supported the official winner of the disputed Nov. 21 runoff -- his Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych -- has called for compromise throughout the standoff, but had not previously endorsed another vote.

"If we really want to preserve peace and harmony, if we really want to build a democratic state . . . let`s hold new elections," said Kuchma, who did not seek another term.

While it fell short of meeting protesters` hopes that opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko would be named president, Kuchma`s statement appeared to be an admission the election was tainted.

Yanukovych, who was declared the winner of the runoff by a margin of 871,402 votes, said he would support another vote if allegations of fraud in the election are proven.

In another development, a spokesperson for Yushchenko`s campaign in the eastern Luhansk region, Dmitriy Malikov, said several dozen Yanukovych supporters beat about 70 Yushchenko supporters.

He said about 20 people were injured, including a Canadian election monitor.

A Foreign Affairs Department spokesperson in Ottawa said the man, who asked that his name be withheld, suffered some minor injuries while taking part in a pro-Yushchenko demonstration.