Yushchenko poisoned, doctors say

Doctors in Vienna say Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko's mysterious illness was caused by dioxin poisoning.

Dr. Michael Zimpfer, director of the Rudolfinerhaus hospital, told reporters Saturday "there is no doubt" what caused the ailment.

"There were high concentrations of dioxin, most likely orally administered," he said. The doctors added the substance could have been put in his soup.

The Austrian doctor's initial examination showed the dioxin reading was 1,000 times above normal levels.

Zimpfer said it was not the hospital's role to determine who was responsible for the poisoning, but he added "there is suspicion of third-party involvement."

Yushchenko raised allegations that he was poisoned after falling ill last September. After getting sick, his once smooth complexion became swollen, pockmarked and discoloured.

Zimpfer earlier said that an acute form of acne chloracne can be caused by dioxin poisoning and can take a long time to clear.

The 50-year-old opposition leader, who faces Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych later this month in a re-run of November's rigged election, arrived at the Vienna hospital on Friday evening.

Doctors performed tissue biopsies, checked his blood chemistry and monitored the functioning of his internal organs.

These tests show he is in satisfactory condition and his dioxin levels have returned to normal, said Zimpfer.

• FROM DEC. 8, 2004: Yushchenko poisoning plot thickens

Earlier this week, doctors said they were investigating several explanations for the illness that struck during an acrimonious election campaign, but needed to take tissue samples from Yushchenko.

Yushchenko fell ill on Sept. 6, a day after having dinner with the head of Ukraine's successor to the KGB, Ihor P. Smeshko.

At the time he also suffered back pain, acute pancreatitis and nerve paralysis on the left side of his face.

On Friday, Yushchenko said he felt certain that he was poisoned as an act of political reprisal against a politician in opposition. "The aim, naturally, was to kill me." He has not named any suspects.

His detractors suggested he had eaten some bad sushi or had been drinking too much cognac.

Yushchenko's wife, Kateryna Chumachenko told reporters Saturday that she had always suspected her husband had been poisoned.

• FROM DEC. 9, 2004: Tired Ukrainian protesters heading home

The outcome of the Nov. 21 presidential run-off election was voided by Ukraine's Supreme Court after allegations of widespread vote fraud.

A rerun of the election is scheduled for Dec. 26.