Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/26/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / UKRAINE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-320721

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

HEADLINE: Bush Says World Watching Ukraine Closely

INTRO: President Bush says the international community is very carefully watching events in Ukraine where he says allegations of voter fraud put presidential election results in doubt. White House correspondent Scott Stearns has the story.

TEXT: President Bush says the world is watching how Ukraine resolves disputed elections which have drawn huge crowds of opposition supporters to blockade key government buildings in the capital, Kiev.

/// BUSH ACT ///

"There's just a lot of allegations of vote fraud that placed their election, the validity of their elections in doubt. The international community is watching very carefully. People are paying very close attention to this, and hopefully it will be resolved in a way that brings credit and confidence to the Ukrainian government."

/// END ACT ///

President Bush spoke to reporters outside a coffee shop near his Texas ranch. The White House has been closely following events in Ukraine, saying the United States is deeply disturbed by credible indications of voter fraud and urging the government to respect the will of the Ukrainian people.

The election pits pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich against opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, who is generally seen as being more pro-Western. In statements leading up to the vote, the White House said it supports Ukraine's aspirations to join the Euro-Atlantic community, and if the election fails to meet democratic standards, those aspirations would suffer.

If the result reflects what the White House calls the true will of the people, it would open new opportunities for stronger U.S.-Ukrainian cooperation and, the Bush administration says, offer the Ukrainian people a brighter, more promising future as a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous nation. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/RH