US: The Bush administration is reported to be considering taking a series of sanctions against the Ukrainian government after the declaration of the Prime Minister, Mr Viktor Yanukovich, as the winner amid allegations of widespread voter fraud, writes Conor O'Clery in New York
The outgoing US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, said last night that the US did not accept the results of the election as legitimate and called for immediate action.
He urged Ukraine's leaders to "respond immediately" or there would be consequences in the relationship between the two countries.
Earlier the White House had appealed to the Ukrainian authorities not to to certify the results until allegations of "organised fraud" were resolved, and to respect the will of the people.
The crisis in Ukraine has sharpened tensions between Moscow and the US, reminiscent of the Cold War days, as the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, has made clear that he supports the official Ukrainian result. He sees America's protests as interfering in its sphere of influence.
A top State Department official, Ms Elizabeth Jones, delivered a message to Russian ambassador Mr Yuriy Ushakov on Monday emphasising the need for a democratic and credible outcome, Washington officials said.
In Moscow, a foreign ministry official noted media reports that Ms Jones had expressed disapproval of Russia's congratulations to Mr Yanukovych and warned: "If this really took place, then it would mean unprecedented interference in the internal affairs of two countries."
Four Ukrainian diplomats in Washington took the unusual step of accusing their government of subverting the will of the people.In a signed declaration before the official result was announced, the diplomats, three counsellors and a second secretary, said voters were subjected to incessant threats, terror and massive fraud. "We cannot quietly look away as Ukraine's future is buried along with the future of our children," they said.
The White House said the US was "deeply concerned by extensive and credible indications of fraud committed in the Ukrainian presidential election", and "the government bears a special responsibility not to use or incite violence".
In a statement from Crawford, Texas, where President Bush is spending the Thanksgiving holiday, a spokeswoman said the US "stands with the Ukrainian people in this difficult time". The statement also said the government in Kiev must permit news organisations to report on the matter "without intimidation or coercion".
Measures under consideration against Ukraine include a refusal to issue US visas to Ukrainian officials and restrictions on almost $150 million in annual aid. Officials said they are working to avoid having to take such steps.
Mr Bush raised US concerns about Ukraine elections when he met Mr Putin at an economic summit in Chile last weekend. He also mentioned Mr Putin's restrictions on democracy in Russia, officials said. The Russian president reportedly responded with a long lecture about how the democracy he was creating in Russia was consistent with that country's history and multiethnic make-up.