Yushchenko orders enhanced security for Ukraine presidential runoff
05/02/201019:05
KIEV, February 5 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has put into force a decision of the National Security and Defense Council to enhance security measures for the presidential election's second round slated for Sunday.
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and opposition Party of Regions leader Viktor Yanukovych will face each other in the runoff.
"Ukraine's security service, state protection department, and Interior Ministry shall take exhaustive measures to ensure state security and prevent displays of a terrorist nature during the preparation and holding of the presidential election runoff and vote count," the defense council said in a statement.
Yushchenko also instructed border guards and customs authorities to reinforce border and customs control procedures.
Both Tymoshenko and Yanukovych have pledged to improve relations with Moscow, which have soured in recent years, as outgoing President Yushchenko sought to distance Ukraine from Russia, launching bids to join NATO and the European Union. Moscow and Kiev have also been embroiled in bitter disputes over natural gas supplies and Russia's war with Georgia in August 2008.
Yushchenko received just 5% in the first round of the current vote compared to about 52% in the third runoff held in late December 2004.
