UKRAINE: Mystery continues to surround claims by the opposition leader Mr Viktor Yushchenko that he was poisoned just two months before Ukraine's presidential elections. Examination of pictures showing the candidate this week and before a September illness leave no doubt that he has undergone major changes physically.
The Yushchenko camp claims a mystery illness, for which he was treated in an Austrian clinic and which has left his face pock-marked, swollen and partially paralysed, was a result of poisoning. He developed the illness following a dinner with the head of Ukraine's secret service.
Mr Viktor Yanukovich's camp claims it was a viral infection that could render him unfit for office.
The debate continued this week when Prof John Henry, a toxicologist at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, was reported as saying he thought the pro-Western Ukrainian opposition leader had been poisoned with dioxins.
He said the marks on Mr Yushchenko were chloracne, an acute form of acne which can be caused by dioxins. Prof Henry said the dioxins, which are a by-product of many industrial processes and can increase the risk of cancer and cause infertility, could have been hidden in food or drink.
Other toxicologists have said, however, it was unlikely sufficient amounts of dioxins could be hidden in such a way.
The medical team that treated Mr Yushchenko at the Rudolfinerhaus Hospital in Vienna were unable to resolve the situation simply saying it was not food-poisoning. Dr Michael Zimpher, president of the hospital, said he still had no idea what had caused the politician's illness and subsequent face markings. Details of the case have been sent to experts in the US for examination. - (Agencies)