Advanced Search
Business | Metro | Nation | World | Sports | Features | Specials | Delta Stories
 
 
Polish president to revisit Ukraine for mediation
1/12/2004 10:38

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said here Tuesday that he would go to Ukraine again on Dec. 1 to help mediate the disputed election in that country.

At a news conference, Kwasniewski said he would propose a five-point plan in Kiev, capital of Ukraine, which includes reorganization of a presidential runoff in December. His intention has gained support from the United States, Germany and the European Union (EU), Kwasniewski added.

The Polish president also suggested the conflicting parties should avoid use of force and should try to solve the crisis through political dialogue.

Kwasniewski visited Kiev on Nov. 26, along with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana,in a bid to mediate the crisis.

During his stay, he held talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, the declared winner of the disputed election held on Nov. 21, and opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, who has contested the result.

On Monday, new hope to break the election stalemate appeared onthe horizon as some parties involved at the standoff were reportedly to have agreed to the idea of reorganizing presidential elections.

During a meeting in a suburb of Kiev, which was attended by Yanukovich and senior leaders from pro-Yanukovich eastern provinces, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma made a "U" turn by proposing to hold complete new presidential elections.

"If you sincerely want to maintain peace and harmony in Ukraine,if you want to set up a democratic society by rule of law, let's hold a new election," Kuchma said.

Earlier, Yushchenko had demanded for holding another round of presidential elections on Dec. 12, while his rival Yanukovich had opposed to the idea.

Eyes are now on the Ukraine Central Elections Commission (CEC),for the Ukrainian laws stipulates that only the CEC has the power to decide whether to reorganize elections.



 Xinhua