Ukraine's political crisis must not be reduced to an East versus West battle between pro-Russia and pro-Western candidates in its disputed presidential election, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said on Wednesday. "The democratic future and territorial integrity of Ukraine are of direct and vital interest to NATO," said Hoop Scheffer, head of the U.S.-led military alliance in a speech in Rome. "The situation that came out after the elections should not be characterised as a West versus East rivalry, but an issue of democracy and respect for people's will," he added. Ukraine is in turmoil following its Nov. 21 election, marred by allegations of mass fraud that threaten to tear apart the ex-Soviet state. Establishment candidate Viktor Yanukovich, whose government was sacked by parliament on Wednesday, seeks closer ties with Russia and proposed making Russian an official language. Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko, a former central bank chairman, seeks closer ties with the West while at the same time describes Russia as a "strategic partner". --more 2356 Local Time 2056 GMT
