[ OUR OPINION ]

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Ukraine gaining victory
in quest for freedom

THE ISSUE Ukraine is implementing a Supreme Court order of a new runoff election for president.

MORE than a decade after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Ukraine has taken a major step toward democracy, to Russian President Vladimir Putin's consternation. Putin has moved to centralize power and reduce democracy in Russia while increasing control over former Soviet states, but protesters in Ukraine are winning the battle to increase democracy and turn to the West. The Bush administration has appropriately criticized fraudulent elections that stood in the way of freedom.

Tens of thousands of protesters weathered freezing temperatures for more than two weeks in protest of the rigged runoff election of Prime Minister Viktor F. Yanukovich as president over reformist Viktor A. Yushchenko on Nov. 21. International observers agreed with protesters that the election had been fraudulent, while Putin swiftly congratulated Yanukovich, for whom he had campaigned.

Pressured by the "people power" in Kiev's Independence Square and by criticism from the West, Ukraine's Supreme Court declared the election fraudulent and set a new runoff election for Dec. 26. The parliament then voted to implement the ruling and amended Ukraine's constitution to resemble the parliamentary systems of European states.

Outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell joined European countries in denouncing the election, while Putin accused them of interference. "What we have seen isn't interfering in democracy," Powell responded. "What we have seen is the international community coming together to support democracy."

NATO and Russian officials denied a feared return to the Cold War and released a joint statement calling for free and fair elections. That should not be regarded as European or American acceptance of Putin's attack on democracy and freedom.

"We remain concerned about developments in Russia, most notably those affecting freedom of the press and the rule of law," Powell said prior to the NATO-Russia statement's release. His successor, academic Sovietologist Condoleezza Rice, should maintain the pressure.

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Asbestos tests will
ensure safety at school

THE ISSUE The principal wants all buildings tested after the material was found on two structures.

DISCOVERY of asbestos at two buildings at King Intermediate warrants tests at all of the school's facilities to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Though parents are understandably concerned, it appears exposure to the material was limited. However, school officials need to be certain of how much asbestos is present before continuing with renovations.

In addition, the state health and education departments should examine King Intermediate's asbestos management plan and those at other schools to see if they are up to date and meet federal legal standards.

The presence of asbestos caught school officials by surprise because it appears to have originated in plaster on the buildings' exteriors, which were being sanded in preparation for painting, and exterior surfaces aren't included in management plans. The discovery points to a need for officials to take another look at whether exteriors should be involved.

The Star-Bulletin's Susan Essoyan reported that dust samples collected through a "microvacuum technique" from interior surfaces in one structure exceeded detectable limits, but the procedure and findings puzzled the Health Department, which said asbestos sampling normally measures airborne particles to determine risks. Whatever the case, the department should seek guidance on what significance those readings might have.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring substance, can eventually become a health hazard when fibers are inhaled in high concentrations, for long periods of time or through repeated exposure. These increase the risk of lung cancer and asbestosis or scarring of the lungs.

Most problems occur 15 years or more after a person is first exposed. A chest X-ray is recommended for detecting exposure to asbestos only in persons who have sustained relatively heavy exposure, which wasn't likely at the school.