EDITORIAL: A historic inauguration (01/30/05)

EDITORIAL

A historic inauguration

Sunday, January 23, marked a turning point in the history of Ukraine. A leader freely elected by the people, through myriad trials and tribulations - the man known as "the people's president" - was inaugurated as the third president of Ukraine since the country re-established its independence in 1991.

Viktor Yushchenko was well aware that he was making history. And all his actions on inauguration day sent a powerful message both to the people of Ukraine and to leaders and people around the globe: a new Ukraine has been born. In President Yushchenko's vision, it is a Ukraine that will determine its own destiny, a Ukraine that cares for all of its people, a Ukraine that is united.

In a trio of speeches delivered on his inauguration day before different audiences, the new president delivered his message clearly and eloquently.

At the Verkhovna Rada, the new president addressed national deputies and guests from the international community. He told them that Ukrainian democracy was "built with millions of Ukrainian hands," and he explained that "The citizens of Ukraine have secured an honest election, and the transfer of government has been legitimate. This is a tremendous national victory." But he also underscored that the Verkhovna Rada had played a crucial role, that the Rada proved it was "with its people," and that national deputies had defended Ukraine's democracy, as well as its unity, sovereignty and independence.

Then, in a concrete manifestation of his administration's desire to work "with the people and for the people," President Yushchenko invited Rada members and guests to go out onto the now famous maidan, where he would share the oath he had taken in the Parliament building with the people. "Let us join the people ... let us be together," he encouraged his listeners.

On Independence Square, the crowd was silent as the people hung on every word spoken by their new president. "Today Ukraine is a free and independent nation. We have thrown the burdens of the past off our shoulders. No one will ever dare to dictate to us how we are to live and whom to elect," Mr. Yushchenko began. Declaring the "victory of freedom over tyranny, of law over lawlessness, of the future over the past," he pledged to "change Ukrainian life."

The main inaugural address was notable also for its historic references: to the Rus'ka Pravda codex of laws dating to Ukraine's Princely Era; to the world's first constitution drawn up 300 years ago by the Kozaks; to the victims of the Famine-Genocide, the Holocaust and the gulag.

And it was a speech that sought to ensure all the people of Ukraine, no matter their ethnic or religious background, or their political persuasion, that the new Ukraine will protect their rights because it will be "a state governed by the rule of law" whose officials will "work for the good of the citizen and the state."

Finally, at the Mariinskyi Palace, at a state reception for foreign dignitaries, President Yushchenko emphasized: "A new Ukrainian nation has been born in Europe at the beginning of the 21st century. We are starting a new epoch of Ukrainian and European history in the third millennium. This will be an epoch of solidarity, partnership and unification in one European house."

"The people of Ukraine have put an end to the totalitarian past and have chosen democracy, human rights and freedoms," he underscored. "We will build a new united Ukrainian nation that will become a natural part of the large European family." Now, Ukraine is "ready to contribute to global cooperation," he assured his audience and, by extension, the world.

January 23 was indeed a historic day. It marked the illustrious beginning of the Yushchenko administration - a new leadership that promises to steer Ukraine onto a course long-awaited and long-sought by its resilient and valiant people.

| Home Page |