KIEV, Ukraine, Dec. 20 -- Ukraine's two presidential candidates faced off Monday in a televised debate and engaged in several sharp exchanges, while maintaining a controlled tone most of the time and shaking hands cordially when it ended.
Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko accused his rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, of stealing votes in their discredited runoff election on Nov. 21. Yanukovych called for the winner of a second runoff scheduled for Dec. 26 to form a national unity government.
As they traded accusations in the 100-minute debate, Yanukovych tried to be more conciliatory.
"If you win, I will recognize [your victory], if I win -- you will," Yanukovych said. "And then, you and I, are working to form a normal government of national concord."
The debate was the first since the Supreme Court annulled the Nov. 21 runoff because of voting irregularities. Since then tensions around the country have been fueled by massive street protests and revelations that Yushchenko was poisoned in September with dioxin, which left him disfigured.
The rivals stood at lecterns facing each other in a television studio, with an electronic clock behind a moderator. A small table was between them, with a desktop flag of Ukraine sitting on it.
Yushchenko was more aggressive, pointing his finger at his rival and clenching his fists. At times, he showed anger, slashing his hand through the air and expressing incredulity at his opponent's remarks.
Yanukovych appeared more defensive, standing up straight and occasionally shifting his weight.
"Please realize you and your team have stolen three million votes," said Yushchenko, wearing a tie and handkerchief in his campaign color of orange.
Yanukovych, with a tie in his trademark blue, spoke in Russian instead of Ukrainian in his introductory remarks.
"Your accusations toward me and toward my voters don't give us the chance to look into the future optimistically," he said, wagging his finger at Yushchenko.
Yanukovych suggested that a Yushchenko victory would further divide the nation.
"Today, Viktor Andriyovych, we have to discuss how to unite Ukraine and not divide it," Yanukovych said, addressing Yushchenko by using his first name and patronymic.
"If you win the vote, you will only be the president of part of Ukraine," Yanukovych added. "I am not struggling for power -- I am struggling against bloodshed."
Rules for the debate allowed each candidate to ask the other questions directly after the opening statements. Yushchenko, referring to his background in economics, used his first question to quiz his opponent about the "nature of your mistakes."
Yanukovych defended his record, recalling a recent one-time increase in pensions and promising that he would again raise benefits for retirees. He later tried to focus on campaign financing, hinting that his rival received funding from abroad.
