Viktor Victorious - it's official

Finally, although this is not the final word on the subject, the Central Election Committee released the full tally of votes showing that Viktor Yushchenko is the clear winner in the long and hotly contested race for the presidency of Ukraine. This is official but not quite final, at least until the CEC reviews all complaints related to the balloting. It's also not a universally acknowledged triumph until the losing candidate concedes - something the opponent Viktor Yanukovych has stubbornly vowed not to do.

Nevertheless, Yanukovych's threats did not dampen the spirits of the denizens of Maidan Nezalezhnist (Independence Square) in Kyiv.

President-elect Yushchenko, speaking a few moments ago on Maidan Nezalezhnist, said that "we are living in a different world." He gave special thanks to all those supporters to came to Kyiv and remained on the square. "Everyone knows that [Ukraine] is not just [in] Europe, but it is the center of Europe."

Yushchenko faulted the "illegal government" that continues to function despite the call for its resignation. He further called on his supporters to blockade the Cabinet of Ministers headquarters.

Viktor Yushchenko ended his speech today with two enthusiastically received invitations. The first was to bring in the new year with a large celebration on October 31 to start at 11:00 PM (Kyiv time) on Maidan Nezalezhnist. The second, to meet in Maidan again in a public event - on the day of his inauguration as President of Ukraine.