by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright December 14, 2004
All Rights Reserved.

earing that pro-Western candidate Viktor Yushchenko was on the verge of winning the Ukrainian election, someone poisoned him with dioxin—a deadly chemical not typically found in most toxicology exams. Yushchenko was embroiled in a close presidential race with Kremlin-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich. Despite falling ill Sept. 6 and unable to finish the campaign, Yushchenko nearly defeated Yanukovich Oct. 21. After nearly dying and weeks of speculation, Michael Zimpfer, director of Vienna's private Rudolfinerhaus medical clinic, confirmed dioxin poisoning caused Yushchenko's “mystery” illness, resulting in dramatic facial disfigurement. “There is no doubt about the fact that Mr. Yushchenko's disease has been cause by dioxin poisoning,” Zimpler told a press conference in Vienna, ending speculation about Yuschenko's condition.

      Weeks before Ukraine's Supreme Court declared the Oct. 21 election fraudulent, Russian President Vladimir I. Putin congratulated Yanukovich. “The battle had been hard-fought, but open and honest,” said Putin, revealing the extent to which he was invested in the outcome. International monitors lambasted the results as “substandard,” prompting massive street demonstrations in Kiev. “I have already congratulated Yanukovich for his victory,” said Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the Russian parliament's lower house, hoping for an easy victory. International condemnation and mounting protests prompted Ukraine's Supreme Court to reverse the election. “The will try everything for the presidential elections not to happen, or not to have a result,” said opposition leader Ulia Tymoshenko, concerned that pro-Kremlin forces will try to steal the Dec. 26. runoff.

      Nearly assassinated, Yushchenko walks a fine line heading his next go-around with Yanukovich. Recent medical findings confirm that Yushchenko's illness was not accidental but rather a carefully orchestrated plot. On the eve of falling ill Sept. 5, Yuschenko dined with head of the Ukrainian security service Ihor Simeshko and his deputy Volodymyr Satsyuk. “Food was served on common plates, and drinks were served . . . from bottles that were uncorked in the presence of company,” said Volodymyr Sivkkovych, chairman of Ukraine's ad hoc commission investigating Yushchenko's possible assassination attempt. Yushchenko started to complain of splitting headaches early on Sept. 6. 𠇏riends, this is not a problem of cuisine as such. We are talking about a Ukrainian political kitchen where assassinations are ordered!” said Yuschenko, citing several unsolved political murders.

      Well before Sept. 11, Putin dismantled Russia's fledgling “free press,” closing down Itogi and Sevodnya, two publications critical of the Kremlin, both owned by now exiled oligarch Vladimir A. Guzinksy. Few people paid attention when Putin began expropriating private property of wealthy oligarchs, whose fortunes amassed after free market reforms initiated in 1991 by Russian President Boris Yeltsin. When Putin jailed Russia's richest man Mikhail Khodorkdovsky in 2003, the owner of Russia's biggest oil company, it was obvious that he was serious about returning to the old Soviet days. Losing the Ukraine would deal yet another blow to Putin's dwindling power, already eroded by independence and separatist movements in many former Soviet satellites. Moscow accused the U.S. of supporting Kushchenko and meddling in the Ukrainian elections.

      It's not rocket science to figure out who poisoned Kushchenko, or, for that matter, who has a vested interest in retaining Russia's grip on the Ukraine. Putin's public remarks calling Yanukovich's victory “open and honest” belies obvious fraud in the Oct. 21 election. Poisoning Kushchenko is easier than facing the growing prospects of losing another Russian puppet regime. “I don't want this factor to influence the election in some way—either as a plus or as a minus,” said Yushchenko, trying to mute criticism that he's the real U.S. puppet. Yushchenko can't appear too pro-Western without potentially alienating nationalistic voters, seeking complete autonomy from Russia or any other foreign power. With election fraud and Yushchenko's poisoning still on voters' minds, it's difficult to ignore the impact on the next election. Voters know what's at stake on Dec. 26.

      Putin has a lot to lose if Yushchenko wins the Dec. 26 runoff. Already crippled by a weak economy and ongoing war in Chechnya, Putin can't afford to see the Ukraine pulled out of the Kremlin's orbit. Fixing elections is only one part of a strategy to hang onto a crumbling empire. Poisoning Yushchenko was another way to decide the election. There's “no logic in such an accusation,” said Taras Chornovyl, Yanukovich's campaign manager, denying charges that operatives inside and outside the campaign conspired to assassinate Yushchenko. Despite disfigured by unsightly acne, Yuschenko bounced back from dioxin poisoning. “He has almost made a complete recovery,” Zimpfer told the Associated Press, informing voters that Yushchenko remains fit for duty, should he get elected. With only two weeks to go, Yushchenko might consider going on a hunger strike.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColulmnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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