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January 01, 2005
Ukraine Election | Yanukovych Resigns
Prime Minister Viktor F. Yanukovych resigned yesterday, saying he has little hope of winning the presidency of this former Soviet republic. But he vowed to continue his court battle to overturn last week's elections, won by his pro-Western opponent, Viktor A. Yushchenko.

Yanukovych's resignation, which appeared to take effect immediately, was announced as Yushchenko and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili prepared to welcome the new year side by side on Kiev's Independence Square, the center of mass protests that overturned the political order in this nation of 48 million.

The joint appearance of two post-Soviet politicians who have openly and actively courted the West is certain to further irk the Kremlin, which has strongly supported Yanukovych.

Yushchenko easily won the court-ordered presidential revote, but Yanukovych has refused to recognize the results, vowing to challenge the results in the Supreme Court. He resigned during a New Year's Eve address to the nation, his first significant concession since Sunday's vote.

"We are still fighting, but I don't have much hope," Yanukovych said. "I will act as an independent politician, as the rightful winner of the legitimate Nov. 21 election."

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Posted by Michele at January 1, 2005 06:43 AM | TrackBack
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