British Helsinki Human Rights Group on Ukrainian elections:

[Turbin]

Pan Zbyszek your witty Polish anecdotes are too much for my simple Ukrainian peasant mind.

[Ulysses]

Interstingly, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights released their Ukrainian affiliate▓s conclusions that state there were massive violations. Lest we get confused though, IHF-HR will point out to you that BHHRG is not affiliated with them.

http://www.ihf-hr.org/viewbinary/vie...hp?doc_id=6154
http://www.ihf-hr.org/members/com_de...id=2&com_id=47

[Zbyszek]

Originally posted by Turbin
Pan Zbyszek your witty Polish anecdotes are too much for my simple Ukrainian peasant mind.

Hi Turbin, I found an info posted by you in another thread and I found it pleasant to discover that you post as Admiral Kolchak. We do not share political views but it is always nice to share information.
Anyway, I am really surprised that you declared yourself Ukrainian. The easiest possible explanation would be that you regard Ukraine just as one of the Russian Federation provinces. Then, "being Ukrainian" is just a regional and not national term. Do not take it as an offence please.
I wonder whether you have been living under the Soviet system for some time. The scientific progress was subjected to central planning the similar way as production or agriculture so there was statistical need for the University staff to make Ph.D. or Professor careers.

Topics for typical PhD.': The scientific proof of superiority of centrally planned socialist economy over the capitalist economic chaos".

Both Yushchenko and particularly Yanukovich are not popular heroes like Walesa but apparatchiks produced by the power circles. In spite of this, society of Ukraine has a very good chance to profit on its courage and determination and it will be remembered by the world. Poland is really very cautious and is fully aware that she could be labelled as thinking again about her old assets in the East.
Hence, many Poles display their desinterresment in Ukraine now. Greater interest in Ukraine has been manifested in political salons rather than in the streets.
Now, young people like my son show their solidarity with the Orange Wave in front of Ukrainian embassy in Warsaw. Orange instantly has been fashionable and all orange scarfs are sold out!

[Turbin]

>>>>Anyway, I am really surprised that you declared yourself Ukrainian. The easiest possible explanation would be that you regard Ukraine just as one of the Russian Federation provinces. Then, "being Ukrainian" is just a regional and not national term. <<<<<


I'm Ukrainian by blood, it is written in my birth certificate. My grandparents came from Ukrainian-speaking villages in Poltava and Kiev regions, but you are partly right I have a divided identity since I was born and grew up in Russia. However, I made an effort to learn some Ukrainian as well as read about its history, culture etc.

Why does it surprise you ??

Your discussion about Yanukovich and Soviet PHDs is rather pointless since he got his PHD in 1999 I believe.

The only reason I brought this up is to point out he has about as much professional credentials because of his education/experience as Donetsk governer to be a Ukrainian president as does Yushenko whose supporters like to present him as complete idiot or thug.

I agree however both candidates are far from being ideal and are closely connected to oligarchical clans of the Ukraine.

[nickcsadler]

It does seem that in the West we are only getting the information that the U.S. wants us to get.. so much for a free press!!!... there is lots of discussion about the "virtues" of Yuschenko and virtually nothing about his "dodgy" dealings whereas it is the opposite with Yanokovich... I also agree that neither man is a saint... BUT I believe that of the 2 Yanokovich will be better for ALL Ukrainians and will improve relations between Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe.