Allow Free Choice in Election, U.S. Urges Ukrainian Authorities

November 19, 2004.

    *** The United States is deeply concerned that the election process in Ukraine's presidential election has fallen short of international standards and is urging that Ukrainian citizens be allowed "to choose their next president freely," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said November 18.
    
    President Bush has asked Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to travel to Ukraine to show U.S. support "for Ukraine's democratic prospects," McClellan said.
    
    "If the election fails to meet democratic standards, Ukraine's aspirations [to join the Euro-Atlantic community] would suffer," he said. However, an election that reflects the will of the people "would open new opportunities."