KIEV, Ukraine. Dec.28.- Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko basked in his unassailable lead while his pro-Russia opponent refused to concede defeat.

"I will never recognize such a defeat, because the constitution and human rights were violated in our country", Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych told reporters Monday evening.

Official results from Sunday vote - a rerun of an earlier presidential runoff annulled by the Supreme Court because of fraud - showed the pro-Western Yushchenko 52.0 % to Yanukovych 44.2 %, with ballots counted from 99.89 % of precincts. Turnout was 77.2 %.

Once the election commission releases the final preliminary results, the candidates have seven days to appeal.
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"Ukraine is no longer the same. The whole world has seen us gaining freedom and democracy", said protester Mykola Yushchenko, wearing an orange kerchief around his head. ...

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