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Yushchenko Calls For Ukraine Government Blockade


28 December 2004 -- Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko today called on his supporters to blockade the offices of the government to prevent a cabinet meeting planned for tomorrow.

The meeting is to be chaired by his presidential rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.

He called on several thousands of his followers in Kyiv's central Independence Square to reinforce the blockade of the government.

He said it is impossible for a government that has been dismissed to stay on. He said no meeting of an illegitimate government can take place.

The Ukrainian parliament last month approved a motion of no confidence in the government of Yanukovich, which would normally have resulted in its dismissal. But outgoing President Leonid Kuchma has yet to sign the order.

Earlier today, Ukraine's Central Election Commission said official preliminary results show Yushchenko won the 26 December presidential election.

The Central Election Commission still needs to finalize the results, but says the margin of victory shows there is no need for a repeat vote.

Yushchenko won 51.99 percent and Yanukovych 44.19 percent.

(Reuters/AFP)

[For more RFE/RL coverage and analysis of the political crisis in Ukraine, click here.]

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