Ukrainians deserve fair count

President Vladimir Putin's blatant support for Viktor Yanukovych during the Ukrainian presidential campaign was risky and seemingly unwise. There was little evidence that if elected, Viktor Yushchenko would turn his back on Ukraine's big, gas- producing neighbor, and the race was too close to call.

But by congratulating Yanukovych as the world was condemning the vote, Putin showed his true intent. He does not want a Ukrainian president he can work and do business with, if that president can work and do business with the rest of the world. He wants a Ukrainian Lukashenko, cut off from the West and beholden to his only friend.

But Ukraine deserves better. Ukrainians, whether they support Yanukovych or Yushchenko, came out to cast their ballots because they wanted a say in where their country is going.

The point is not that Yushchenko is the better candidate and should be Ukraine's president. The point is that the Ukrainians had a right to decide this for themselves, and by all indications they did.

-- The Moscow Times, Moscow.

Iran's nuclear fallout

The three European foreign ministers who have frequently argued that quiet diplomacy with Iran has succeeded where threats have failed should be wary of claiming success too soon. Two days before a crucial meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board to examine Iran's commitment to halt its uranium enrichment programme, Tehran has raised objections.

Tehran insists that it acted voluntarily in suspending the enrichment programme, and not in response to outside pressure. That, clearly, is a line the government has to take domestically.

Iran's parliament, dominated by hardliners, has already demanded that Iran proceed with its nuclear program, and has left no doubt that it sees this as a crucial step in the development of a nuclear military capability. It is only the U.S. threat to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions that has persuaded Iran to accept the EU-drafted resolution that is being put to the IAEA in Vienna.

The EU is ready for further talks on Iran's objections, but it cannot give way on the central point: cheating has consequences.

If Iran believes that a deal with the Europeans is easier because they will accept a less intrusive regime, it is mistaken.

-- The Times, London.

APEC must move ahead

The Santiago summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has ended. Few specifics emerged, but that is not the chief value of these annual gatherings. Above all, they provide a convenient opportunity for the leaders of 21 member economies surrounding the Pacific Ocean to meet.

APEC summits, despite the 'Economic' in the grouping's name, have become as much political as economic affairs. This is understandable given the fact that the organization has no decision-making authority, and many of the nations involved have had little substantial dealings with one another.

In these circumstances, it is only natural that political integration becomes as much a requisite for, as a by-product of, economic integration. In recent years, APEC leaders have wrestled with the problems posed by terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and this year they turned to North Korea's nuclear program. But as important as are these political issues, APEC should not lose sight of its fundamental economic raison d'etre.

In the long term, nothing would contribute as much to regional political stability as a steady advance towards regional economic integration.

-- The Straits Times, Singapore