Categories: uncategorized
Date: 24 November 2004 19:37:02
Watching and reading the news about what is happening in the aftermath of Ukraine's disputed and (by all accounts) deeply flawed and corrupt presidential election this week, and seeing the scenes of hundreds of thousands of peaceful protesters braving sub-zero snowy conditions in Kiev's Independence Square, I'm reminded of the "revolutions" across eastern Europe in 1989 and feel both fearful and hopeful for the future. Details are here, and a protester's personal view here. The outgoing president, Leonid Kuchma, and the declared losing candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, are both reported as saying that the country is on the brink of chaos and civil war.
My prayers and hopes are for a quick, peaceful and bloodless resolution to this crisis and a new start for fledgeling democracy in Ukraine and for its neighbours (including my beloved Moldova, which is bordered on three sides by Ukraine). My fears are for the opposite. May God's perfect love cast out those fears, and may the people of Ukraine know that the prayers of many so far from their country are with them, for them and for the peace and stability of their country. Lord have mercy.