KIEV, Nov 24 (AFP) - The political turmoil in Ukraine deepened Wednesday as opposition leaders refused to negotiate over a disputed presidential election and European leaders, alleging fraud, warned of "consequences" if the poll was not reviewed.
As tens of thousands of people joined a third day of mass street protests, the central electoral commission said it would announce the final results of Sunday`s run-off poll later in the day.
A spokesman for opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko said there could be no negotiations unless authorities "recognise that the results of the vote were falsified."
In a day of fast-moving developments, Yushchenko accused the government of planning to quell the protests by force and urged law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and "prevent a tragedy."
The opposition claims the election was stolen by the state from Yushchenko, who is pro-Western and seen as willing to ally Ukraine with the European Union and NATO, in favour of pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.
Yanukovich was quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency as telling a cabinet meeting he was "a law-abiding man" who would recognise defeat "only on the basis of a legitimate ruling" from the election commission.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Olexander Kuzmuk, too, appealed to the army to remain calm.
Kuzmuk insisted the vote was "in conformity with the law" and denied tanks and troops were being moved into position in the capital, Kiev, as hundreds of riot police guarded the presidency.
"At this difficult moment for our country I appeal to you, the defenders of Ukraine`s independence, with an order and a request to remain calm, act in a measured way, and fulfill your constitutional duty in keeping with the law," Kuzmuk said in a statement to the military.
Yanukovich had won 49.54 percent of the vote compared to 46.66 percent for Yushchenko as of 1100 GMT, a central election commission spokeswoman told AFP by telephone.
Most independent exit polls Sunday gave victory to Yushchenko, but some of those commissioned by Yanukovich`s team showed the premier as the winner.
Yanukovich had stayed out of the limelight since the vote, and his comments were the broadest since protests first erupted.
Amid the standoff, hopes were dashed that the opposition might heed a call for talks from outgoing President Leonid Kuchma, who hand-picked Yanukovich as his successor.
"I want to tell you that we will not hold negotiations with Yanukovich and the people who surround him," said Mykola Tomenko, a close Yushchenko aide.
He spoke as thousands of Yushchenko supporters set up tents outside Kiev`s presidential administration, having braved chilly winter temperatures and snow for a third all-night vigil.
The European Union stepped up its criticism, urged Ukraine to delay final election results pending a review of a poll marred by what it called "massive fraud."
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso warned of "consequences" for the bloc`s relations with Ukraine because of the impasse, now overshadowing a summit Thursday with Russia in The Hague.
"We regret that the Ukrainian authorities have not taken the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to democracy," he said.
"There will be consequences, if there is not a serious, objective review," he added, declining to be more specific.
The crisis has put Russia at loggerheads with Europe and the United States as Moscow tries to keep control over the largest republic to have splintered off from Russia during the Soviet Union`s collapse.
In Washington the State Department took the unusual move of calling in the Russian ambassador for an interview to express US concerns over the Ukrainian vote.
In the face of mass protests and international reaction, even Yanukovich`s main international backer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, has backtracked after initially recognising his win.
The opposition sees this as perhaps its best chance in a generation to pull the nation of 48 million people out of Russia`s grasp.
The vote has polarized the country into clearly defined Ukrainian-speaking western regions supporting Yushchenko and eastern Russian-speaking districts which back the prime minister.
The graphic divide has prompted some politicians to warn that Ukraine might split in two, with more than 150 Ukrainian diplomats posted around the world recognising Yushchenko as the new president.
Yushchenko declared himself president on Tuesday in a symbolic ceremony in parliament attended only by his supporters, a move Kuchma branded a "political farce."
Pope John Paul II told Ukrainian pilgrims he was praying for them.
"I assure you and all the Ukrainian people that I am praying particularly for your very dear country in recent days," the radio quoted the 84-year-old Polish-born pope as saying in the Vatican.

11/24/2004 13:07 GMT - AFP