6:38 p.m. - 2004-11-24
When do we start fighting?
"Those who cast the vote decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything" - Joseph Stalin
On 21st November 2004 elections were held in the pivotal post-Soviet state of Ukraine (population 50 million). The result was that Viktor Yanukovych, the candidate of the Eastern Ukraine, claimed victory. Supporters of Viktor Yuschenko, the reformist candidate who stands for joining the European Union, dispute this, they along with political commentators all over the world believe that the vote was fixed.
Yanukovych will not stand down and Putin is of course right behind him and has been for the whole campaign. If power were to go to Yuschenko; President Putin's dreams of a renewed Russian empire will be just that - dreams. The empire cannot be fulfilled without the Ukraine.
It is a fascinating situation and unfolding saga. The state still has too much control over Ukranian politics and corruption is rife. Only this September did Yuschenko fall ill with suspected food poisoning. Flown abroad for treatment, the food source was found to contain chemicals that were not meant to be ingested. Yuschenko suspects foul play by government agents. He believes he was deliberately poisoned; and sadly his former good looks have been replaced by a bloated and pockmarked face. Not good when you're trying to conduct face to face campaigning, which he was forced to do so - since the government prevented most major TV channels from providing equal coverage to Yuschenko as his rival, Yanukovych.
So tonight Ukraine is on the brink of civil war. The humbling sight of tens of thousands of protesters standing in sub zero temperatures in Kiev's Independence Square for the 3rd day - threatening general strikes and refusing to give up the fight for democracy - brings to mind the Velvet Revolution of Czechoslovakia almost 15 years ago to the day. It was bloody then, but the power of the people overthrew communism. No one knows if violence and civil war will break out, or if Ukraine will go to Europe or Russia. Whichever it is; Russia is sure to follow.
Politics has and always will be corrupt, but what is so galling is when vote rigging is done so overtly. The arrogance of those in power beggars belief. However, what strikes me is the differerence in the reaction compared to the US Presidential election. Both were a close call, almost too close to call, but Kerry conceded to Bush too soon for my liking. Some liberal Americans are still calling it a fix and promising to investigate further, but realistically it's too late - Kerry is through with it. I wonder what would have happened if he had demanded a closer look into the flawed voting system reported by many American citizens. I wouldn't trust Diebold - the company that owns the 'revolutionary' electronic voting system. Why should I? Three-quarters of the machines used by voters were owned by powerful Republican interests.
I really hoped we would finally see some direct action against the Bush 'win' this time round. I wanted to see people stubbornly refusing to accept a corrupt government and demanding them to bloody well listen to the citizens they are suppposed to serve. Where were they? All frantically posting on the Internet, whining about the injustice of it all, sending emails to the rest of the world apologising for letting him in for a second term. Hoping someone else would sort it out and magically make it all OK. What a joke. What do I expect? Americans have had it too easy. Ukraine has had a turbulent history, struggling to become officially independent. Finally, in 1991, after six centuries, it did regain its independence. No wonder they are refusing to give up and go home. Ironically, President Bush, who preaches to the world about "democracy for all," values his relationship with Putin, although Putin hasn't hesitated to undermine Washington's policies. I'm really not anywhere close to being an expert on politics and I realise it is a complicated, subjective and highly sensitive issue (that's why I'm writing this, to try and simplify), all I know for certain is that everyone who is in power is corrupt. I mean what sort of person wants to be a politician? Usually the kind of person who is egotistical, greedy and by the looks of things mental.
I know I am an idealist, but somethings got to give - at some point. It's all bubbling away and for now, the only clear fact is that, while so many in power in Washington are working on their empire, other parts of the world are busily working out theirs. Things could get interesting...
Ukranian news: http://www.uanews.tv/
