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Why should Ukraine object to Georgian observers monitoring its elections?

Monday, January 18
"To tell the truth Ukraine’s attitude towards our observers was very unexpected for me. To my mind, some forces are trying to falsify the elections in Ukraine and that was the reason for this. With Georgian observers monitoring falsification would be difficult."
Gia, businessman, 34

"It is the sign that non-democratic and pro-Russian forces are coming into power in Ukraine, in my opinion. This kind of attitude towards foreign, especially allied country, observers cannot be considered civilized."
Tamar, teacher, 45

"I think that pro-Russian political forces are frightened that Georgian observers will support Yushchenko that is why they have treated Georgian observers in this way."
Nino, student, 21

“This is another Russian provocation. I cannot see any other reason why they should confront our people. As we have seen both Tymoshenko and Yushchenko protested against this but Yanukovich did not say anything.”
Malkhaz, unemployed, 37

“They know how good we Georgians are at rigging elections and that’s why they have created so many obstacles. What other reason is there? Why did other observers not have this problem? Because they live in democratic countries and elections are democratic and free. This is the reason.”
Nino, pharmacist, 27

“Not Ukraine but Russia objected to them, and they have many reasons to do so. Their aim is for Yanukovich to win the elections. Everyone knows that it is not in Georgia’s interest for Ukraine to have a pro-Russian President, but I am afraid it will have, as Yanukovich has the most support. The Kremlin has won this election and it will not bring anything good for Georgia.”
Rezo, student, 20

“I really did not expect such behaviour from the Ukrainian side. I have heard that a Georgian journalist was also beaten and some observers arrested. It is unclear why such problems occur in such an acute way”
Marika, housewife, 41

“I think Yanukovich didn’t want the Georgian observers to see the violations in Donetsk, where he intends to gain the majority of votes. I can’t think of any other reason for this strange decision.”
Dato, engineer, 44

“I always thought that Ukraine was a friend of Georgia. I have no idea why this has happened. It was a surprise to see this on TV.”
Tako, student, 19

“One of the Presidential candidates, Yanukovich, has a clearly pro-Russian policy, so he does not want Georgian observers to be present at the elections, especially more than 2,000 of them. I think Yanukovich just got scared of so many people.”
Lado, lawyer, 25