Bush supports mediation efforts in Ukraine

US President George W. Bush called Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus on Thursday to thank them for their mediation efforts in the Ukrainian election crisis.

"The president called Presidents and Adamkus to congratulate them on their mediation efforts in Ukraine, and to thank them for their leadership," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a briefing.

"The president offered continued support from the United States for their efforts, together with the European Union," McClellan said.

The three leaders agreed on the need for all parties to implement reforms "in good faith" to ensure a free and fair vote in Ukraine on Dec. 26, McClellan said.

Ukraine has been in a political crisis since the Nov. 21 presidential election, victory in which has been claimed by both pro-Moscow candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, and pro-Western candidate, opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukraine's highest court has ordered to have a new runoff vote on Dec. 26.

Source: Xinhua