<font color = lightgreen>Why is Colin Powell even saying anything about the Ukrainian situation? If we don't want the world sticking its nose in our voting, then we certainly cannot stick our nose in other countries' voting.

That being said, this is just another example in what I see as the future of all vote-based democratic elections which exploded in Florida 2000: the apparent loser immediately claims fraud and throws the election result process into complete chaos. The result will be that neither side believes the results of the count, the recount, or the re-recount and the cries of conspiracy will echo long past when the election is--or should be--over.

Who will be able to say who the winner really is? Will we ever really know? Not until some better system gets developed.</font>

Isn't it obvious who the real winner is ? The streets are crowded with demonstrating people, and not just in the Ukraine. I can't understand why a man would even want a job like that when it's SO obvious that most people hate him. He has to be one raging maniac with nothing better to do, i can't think of anything else.

Wow. I guess American democracy has taken root in Eastern Europe then. Sure sounds familiar.

Yep. Which is why, if America want to be the worlds finest democracy they need to be SQUEAKY clean.

So, out of interest, how many Americans have responded to this thread? How many are even aware there is an election in the Ukraine? How many even know where it is?

Yeah, I've got a bee in my bonnet. ;) :D

Update:

Kiev: parliament says poll invalid

Ukraine's parliament has ruled that last week's presidential election was invalid. The resolution passed by a large majority, as did a vote of no confidence in the electoral commission which declared Prime Minsiter Viktor Yanukovich the winner. The vote has no official consequences, since parliament does not have the authority to nullify the election. It does, however, carry significant political weight.

Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has not accepted the outcome and has called for a new election within two weeks. Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said today that the European Union supports a new election, preferably before the end of the year.

Opposition leaders as well as foreign observers reported widespread irregularities during Sunday's polling. Thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the parliamentary building to voice their support for Mr Yushchenko. There is also a large demonstration in the capital in support of Mr Yanukovich.

(rnw.nl)