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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Rejects U.S. Criticism


Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko has rejected criticism from the United States of Ukraine's recent parliamentary elections and the prosecution of political opponents.

In an interview on November 30 in Washington with the Associated Press, Hryshchenko said the October election results matched the will of the Ukrainian people.

He also repeated denials that the prosecution of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, jailed for seven years for abuse of office, was politically motivated.

Hryshchenko said the "perception" of Ukraine did not match the reality.

He added that Ukraine and the United States were cooperating on a broad range of issues.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on November 29 echoed Western observers who called the Ukrainian elections unfair and a step backward for democracy.

She also voiced concern about the prosecution of political opponents of the Ukrainian government.

Based on reporting by AP

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