Outgoing president backs Ukraine poll

OUTGOING Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma bowed to street protests and international pressure yesterday and backed a new presidential election to end a crisis that is tearing the nation apart.

"If we really want to preserve peace and consensus and build this just democratic society of which we speak so much but have failed to carry out in a legal way, let us have new elections," Mr Kuchma said in a statement.

Mr Kuchma shifted his position away from backing his ally, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, as the official winner of the November 21 poll, as the Supreme Court tried to resolve the election stalemate.

Mr Kuchma's comments marked a concession to liberal challenger Viktor Yushchenko, whom he has attacked for bringing supporters out on to the streets, charging he was cheated by mass fraud in the election.

His comments were echoed by Mr Yanukovich's campaign manager, Serhiy Tyhypko, who resigned yesterday. Media reports quoted him as praising the protests and calling for at least a partial re-ballot.

"We should rather look for ways to resolve the disputes ... I am ready to act in that direction," Mr Tyhypko said, adding: "I like what is happening on the square," referring to Independence Square, the centre of the protests.

Mr Kuchma referred to a new poll, suggesting he wanted a fresh election and not just a run-off between the two. Mr Yushchenko wants a repeat only of the second round run-off, which Mr Yanukovich officially won.

Mr Yanukovich agreed to a new vote in two regions Donetsk and Luhansk, both his strongholds if mass fraud was proven.

The elections drew condemnation in the West for cheating and the EU has advocated new elections.

The Supreme Court held a first full day considering the Yushchenko camp's complaint over the run-off.

But legal experts said the court was unlikely to be able to satisfy either side.

Ukraine does not have a tradition of an independent judiciary, but Supreme Court judges have ruled against the authorities.

Mr Yushchenko foresaw a ruling in his favour.

"Tomorrow we might pay witness to a political and legal decision that could hand us a way out of the political crisis," he said.