EU Threatens Consequences for Ukraine

[maddezmom]

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The top European Union (news - web sites) executive warned on Wednesday of economic "consequences" for Ukraine if the country does not review disputed elections there, a stance that could strain relations with Russia ahead of a key summit with President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites).



Putin has strongly backed Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who official vote counts have shown winning the weekend's run-off election for president. The opposition, however, said the vote was rigged and that its candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, was the winner, and tens of thousands of protesters have demonstrated demanding the official results be overturned.


Western election observers have reported voting abuse in favor of Yanukovych, and European Commission (news - web sites) President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Wednesday that "there will be consequences, if there is not a serious, objective review" of the results.


At risk might be around $1.31 billion the bloc has given or committed to Ukraine since 1991, in development and economic aid and possible visa-bans on politicians and officials.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&ncid=732&e=4&u=/ap/20041124/ap_on_re_eu/eu_ukraine

[bullimiami]

1. americans to eu. please help us too.

why are you all too afraid of bush to say anything?

[jmatthan]

2. How come EU kept quiet with regard to US electíons?

The Belgian inspectors in Florida were not even allowed to enter the polling places!!

Hypocrites.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[ilovenicepeople]

11. I'm sure the EU would of said something if

all the Kerry supporters massed in front of the Whitehouse demanding that Kerry had won the "election" and they weren't going to stand for voter fraud.GET THE PICTURE?

[Wright Patman]

3. Yeah, it's better that

the EU make these kind of allegations. If the U.S. government did so at this point, the laughter around the world would cause such reverberations as to cause the earth's axis to wobble.

[tridim]

4. I assume you're being ironic

Because the US Government did issue a similar statement yesterday.

[Wright Patman]

7. So that's why Texas

got hit with a wave of unusual late-November tornadoes yesterday.

[goclark]

5. Help us too EU!!!

[makhno]

6. That's generous!

At risk might be around $1.31 billion the bloc has given or committed to Ukraine since 1991

Not. Russia probably gave more in free oil and natural gas during the same period.

[aneerkoinos]

10. I like your handle :)

Any other connection to Ukraine than that?

[makhno]

13. :)

A good friend of mine's from there. Reminds me, I should give him a call, see what he has to say about this situation. Doesn't sound like much of a bright future for the Ukraine either way.

[Vidar]

8. Threaten us too, Bush can't invade everywhere.

[damntexdem]

9. When will they do the same about ...

the U.S.?

[aneerkoinos]

12. When?

When the American people do the same as Ukrainians and rise up - possibly.

[DoNotRefill]

14. I've been talking to friends over there...

and all hell's about to break loose. It's peaceful so far, but it's not going to last. The only way Putin's going to keep his guy in power is if he sends in tanks.

[Mark D]

15. Hopefully...

I only heard about this whole Ukrainian mess yesterday... The potential for bloodshed seems terribly high. Glad to see that the people are turning out to try and make it right.

Hopefully, there will be enough press coverage to keep things from getting out of hand.