Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF version

After sending thousands of "observers" to the first round of the Ukrainian elections on 17 January and seeing the ensuing bad publicity damage the candidate - Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko - they were supposed to be assisting, Mikheil Saakashvili's regime have obviously thought it better to stay out of this Sunday's second round vote.

Saakashvili's spokeswoman, Manana Manjgaladze, today said: "It was not our intention to be involved in Ukraine’s presidential election or support any candidate. We consider that neutrality must be preserved between the candidates and we try to maintain traditional amicability."

However, few are likely to accept this explanation after Yulia Tymoshenko confirmed as genuine a tape of an intercepted call between her and Mikheil Saakashvili, in which the two discuss how to get "battle ready" (though the Russian phrase used also means capable) observers into Ukraine: despite a decision of the Ukrainian electoral commission not to accredit them.

The affair proved to be a disaster for Georgia's international reputation and also did Saakashvili's government no favours at home. His ministers and parliamentary supporters were seen to openly interfere in the affairs of a friendly country and even faced allegations - not convincingly denied - that they were playing footsie with exiled gangsters.

The whole thing was a propaganda gift for party of the regions' candidate Viktor Yanukovytch and may further sour relations if he wins what is expected to be a very close election on Sunday.