The Poison Was Russian: Yushchenko

PARIS, France -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said he is convinced the dioxin poison that disfigured him was made in a Russian lab, according to an interview in today's French daily Le Figaro.

Yushchenko before (L) and after dioxin poisoning
"Three laboratories in the world produce this type of dioxin ... Two laboratories sent samples. But not the Russian lab. That limits the inquiry," he told the paper.

He did not explicitly accuse the Russian government of being behind his poisoning in 2004, but he did say he had "practically put all the pieces together" and the attempt against him "was not a private action".

"The investigators know when, what meal, where, who. There is information on three key people who are in Russia," he said, adding that he had spoken about the matter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last December.

"Since then, unfortunately, there has been no response. I am convinced that after these people are questioned the facts will be proved."

Yushchenko, a pro-European politician who wanted to bring his country out of Russia's shadow, fell gravely ill on September 6, 2004 as he was competing in presidential elections against a pro-Moscow candidate, Viktor Yanukovich, now prime minister.

Months of tests in an Austrian clinic determined that he had ingested a massive amount of dioxin, a poison.

Although he survived, his face was left bloated and pockmarked, and he has had to undergo regular treatment in Switzerland to rid his body of the toxin.

Yushchenko told Le Figaro that his pro-European instincts were unchanged, and that he still intended to have his country one day join NATO.

He also said that reports of disharmony with the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine in the lead-up to early elections on September 30 were exaggerated.

"Of course the east and west of the country belonged for 300 years to different empires, but the common heritage and efforts are very strong. The people are different, but they aren't enemies."

Source: News AU