Let’s Not Be Too Quick to Lecture Ukraine

Re “Ukraine Crisis Deepens Amid Separatist Talk,” Nov. 29: The Ukraine presidential election has occupied much of the world news for several days. Even Sen. Richard Lugar has suggested that there should be a second round of balloting, excluding absentee balloting. Why doesn’t the United States practice what it dares to preach to other countries? We haven’t even demonstrated our ability to hold an honest election in the U.S. Before interfering in another nation’s election, we must create an example to follow. President Bush and his Republican Party made no effort to conduct fair elections. It was clear that our election was fraught with questionable balloting practices.

Jethro Singer

Santa Monica

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Re “New Vote in Ukraine Appears More Likely,” Nov. 27: This issue has the potential to be the biggest event in Central and Eastern Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Two important factors are emerging: (1) The Ukrainian people have finally realized that their country is their own. Whatever becomes of this standoff, there is a more widespread belief in Ukrainian independence than since the treaty of Pereiaslav in 1654. (2) Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown his true colors as both a staunch imperialist and a man so self-obsessed with czarist ambitions that he doesn’t realize the earth has moved beneath his feet. I hope that The Times and the rest of the Western media will not get bored with Ukraine’s progress. It promises to be an interesting tale. In addition, the spotlight of the international media may prevent Russian and the Ukrainian oligarchs from rolling in the tanks on the peaceful opposition protesters.

John Yancura

Los Angeles

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I’m glad to see The Times considers election irregularities in Ukraine a front-page issue. Our politicians are speaking out for democratic elections in Ukraine -- wouldn’t it be less hypocritical if we had fair, transparent and verifiable elections here? David Cobb of the Green Party and Michael Badnarik of the Libertarian Party have requested a recount in Ohio due to the large number of documented irregularities there. And wouldn’t the media appear less hypocritical if they gave as much attention to election irregularities in Ohio and Florida as they gave to irregularities in Ukraine?

Barbara Chavez-Rock

Irvine

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I think the Democrats should nominate Viktor Yushchenko for president in ’08. Here’s a guy who knows what to do when an election is stolen!

Roger Bloom

Huntington Beach