BRUSSELS, Nov 24 (AFP) - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) voiced deep concern Wednesday at the crisis in Ukraine, and urged restraint from all sides amid protests over contested election results.
NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer summoned the Ukrainian ambassador late Tuesday and "expressed NATO disappointment and deep concern over the current events that are taking place," said an alliance official.
A Ukrainian commitment to respect democratic standards "was not met" in the polls, which are being contested by the pro-Russian prime minister and Western-backed opposition leader, added the official.
De Hoop Scheffer "appealed to all parties to avoid any use of violence," and also called for all disputes related to the poll results "to be fully examined," he added.
11/24/2004 15:09 GMT - AFP