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UNDP helps women in Viet Nam

Two projects, one promoting biogas as an alternative energy source and the other providing access to clean water, are examples of how technology can be used by and for women. The biogas project, in Quang Ninh province, has helped families reduce household chores by 40 per cent, eliminated smoke from cooking over wood fires and put animal waste to good use. A biogas tank, built from bricks and other local materials, generates gas for cooking, heating water and other uses from waste from stables, latrines and kitchens. It costs less than a septic tank.

Another Small Victory - Ukrainian Parliament Votes Constitutional Changes

Verhovna Rada of Ukraine today voted with overwhelming majority changes in the Ukrainian Constitution together with changes in the regional governance laws and the election laws paving the way for the establishment of parliamentary democracy in Ukraine and the upcoming re-run of the second round of the presidential election on December 26, 2004.

Considerable power was transferred from the President to the Parliament:
- the President can only appoint the Prime Minister, the Minister of Internal and International Affaires. The other members of the Cabinet are approved by the Parliament
- (Coalition of) Parliamentary Fractions (not parties) propose Members of the Cabinet
- The President together with Leaders of Parliamentary Fraction can decide to disband parliament under certain conditions

Other changes, include:
- A Member of the Parliament (MPs) cannot be member of the Cabinet
- The National Bank of Ukraine was stripped from law making powers
- Decentralization/ changes in the system of local governance (to be voted on)

Most of the changes are part of the election platform of Yushchenko (Leader of Our Ukraine – current opposition) and the favored presidential contender.

Read more: Analysis: Ukraine's compromise deal, Ukraine parliament backs reforms and Ukrainian Parliament Voted Constitutional Changes (Верховная Рада приняла изменения в Конституцию Украины)

PEREMOHA (Victory) - Or Just The First Step

Just a few minutes ago the Supreme Court of Ukraine invalidated the results of the second round of the presidential elections. Ukrainians will cast their vote for Viktor Yushchenko or Viktor Yanukovich for a third time on December 26, 2004.

"Today, the court system proved that it exists and it works", said a protester. The sense in the air is that people will no longer be scared to stand up for their rights and will oppose violations.

The decision for the annulment of the second round was based on the evidence for numerous violations done with vitkriplia posvitcheni (absentee forms), among others. The Parliament (Verhovna Rada) is expected to vote an amendment to the procedure next week. Maybe by a stamp in the passport? It makes sense, many other countries do it.

How clean will the next elections be? I’ll keep you updated.

Until then, let’s see what else is happening around the world.

The Revolution in Ukraine: Opinions

“The current President Kuchma is using stall tactics. He is now harping on how the current leaders in Ukraine must get together to discuss how the current economic situation in Ukraine may suffer as a result of demonstrations. But, Kuchma still REFUSES to acknowledge that the demonstrations continue because of his corrupt regime and the recent election sham. He is using this tactic to show Eastern Ukrainians how the pro-democracy movement is destroying Ukraine.»

“I believe that Kuchma and Yanukovich have "plants" amidst the demonstrators. Yesterday, I was approached by a young man (in orange) who said that I should go home, because at any moment the military will move in and shoot us all! However, no one was listening.”

“The situation here is overwhelming. The current corrupt regime is now not proactive, they simply react to the pro-democracy movement in Ukraine, while their power is being swept away.”

“I am now in the East (Dnipropetrovsk) and the visible signs of pro-Yushenko support are everywhere, although not nearly in the quantity as in other parts of the country. Orange ribbons and banners on cars, on people on sidewalks, in shop windows are visible on every block. Despite the regime's claim of huge support here, I have only seen TWO individuals on the street with Yanukovich's blue ribbons.”

"By Wednesday (November 24), a pro Yanukovich rally had "developed." It was not spontaneous as in other cities, but had to be organized over a three day period before it took place. There is some support for Yanukovich here, but not nearly the amount that the local and international media suggest. "

An International Observer Speaks:

I have recently acted as an election observer for Ukraine's Presidential elections held on November 21, 2004 in Ukraine. My first hand observations have led me to believe that these "elections" were severely fraudulent.

During these election days, I witnessed the following infractions:

1.) Hundreds of university students being threatened with expulsion if they did not vote for Mr. Victor Yanukovich and the current regime. The students were forced to show their ballots to faculty members - so that their ballots and faces were videotaped.
2.) Attempted theft of ballot boxes.
3.) Spoiling of ballots by poll clerks.
4.) Hired thugs intimidating voters
5.) Intimidation by militia at polling stations

If the elections had been free and fair and truly democratic, Mr. Victor Yushenko would certainly have received more than 50% of the vote in BOTH rounds (one and two).

Day Five – The Orange Revolution Grows Stronger

November 25, 2004
7 pm – On Maidan, in front of, Yushchenko announced the decision of the Ukrainian Supreme Court (BBC's Court freezes Ukraine poll result) to suspend the publication of the presidential election results. What appeared the largest so far crowd welcomed the news as victory.
7:15 pm – Lech Valesa spoke on Maidan: Ukraine has a chance!
7:30 pm – Youlia Timishenko, future Prime Minister in Yushchenko’s Cabinet, urged the protesters to blocked government buildings (Ministries, Cabinet Building, Presidential residency, major roads, etc.)
8 pm – National private TV channel, 1+1, publicly apologized to the Ukrainian viewers for misinforming them during the election and the campaign that led to it.
4 pm – the Orange Sea was still on the streets

November 26, 2004
9 am – most government buildings are cordoned by Yushchenko supporters. The metro runs but city bus transportation is on strike. Trams run.
2:30 pm – Riot militia maneuvers towards Institutska St., where most government buildings are located
4 pm – Yanukovych speaks to over 10,000 protesters at Kyiv Train Station
6 pm - Kutchma meets Yushchenko, Yanukovych, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Lithuaniun President Valdas Adamkus to negotiate (BBC's Crowds blockade Kiev government)

Day Four

The Orange Revolution continues! Last night, Yushchenko asked his supporters to stay on the streets and demand democracy in Ukraine. A general strike may be announced soon. At this moment, the capital operates at less than 80%. Buses, metro, and trains run but some stores don’t follow normal hours. Offices work only for a few hours a day. University students are on the streets.
International support for Yushchenko grows: “I got a call from the president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko," Mr Walesa was quoted as saying. "I told him right away I am in solidarity with him, and I'm ready to go." (BBC’s Strike call fuels Ukraine tension)
For those of you with relatives and friends in Ukraine – there haven’t been any violent clashes.

Day Three - It is Yanukovich

The situation is escalating. The Central Election Committee was supposed to announce the official results of the election 2,5 hrs ago. But it just happened, at 6:30 local time, CEC announced that Yanukovich is the new President of Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of people are on Lessi Ukrainky’s Square in front of CEC. Tonight, there are many supporters of Yanukovich on the strees as well. The rumors of upcoming bloody clashes are sounding more real today than any of the previous days.

Two Days After the Election

Verhovna Rada’s special session closed today at 5 pm local time . Insufficient quorum didn’t allow the opposition to pass a vote of no confidence in the Central Election Committee (CEC) but the over 190 parlamentarians but applauded the symbolic oath ceremony of Viktor Yushchenko (BBC's I'm true Ukraine head - Yushchenko). Outside, a 300,000 people crowd gathered in his support. What will happen next?
The crowd is not ready to give up. They have the support of millions of people across Ukraine, the western world (BBC's In quotes: World concern at Ukraine election), and even the support of local administrations. Kyiv city council passed a vote of no confidence in the CEC. Lviv city council proclaimed Yushchenko for president (protest pictures by yklimenko.com) , as well as Ivano-Frankievsk, Vinnitsya councils (all in Western Ukraine).