INSIDE:• President Yushchenko’s first trip takes him to Moscow — page 4. • The maidan welcomes the people’s president — page 9. • “Black Tie and Orange Ball” fete new president — page10. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXXIII HE KRAINIANNo. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2005 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine TymoshenkoT tappedU W Yushchenkoby Viktoria Voronovych inaugurated as president as prime minister Special to The Ukrainian Weekly by Olga Nuzhinskaya KYIV – As Viktor Yushchenko took the presidential Special to The Ukrainian Weekly oath of office on January 23 in the Ukrainian Parliament Building, promising to work for the Ukrainian nation KYIV – A day after being sworn-in, Ukraine’s and pledged to uphold national sovereignty, more than a President Viktor Yushchenko nominated the fiery 44- half million Ukrainians, most wearing at least a swatch year-old politician Yulia Tymoshenko as acting prime of orange somewhere, watched the event from minister and is expected to shortly ask Ukraine’s Independence Square on big screens scattered through- Parliament to formally approve her. out the area. “I’m up to the task of the prime minister’s job,” Ms. The quiet hush that had fallen on the crowd as Mr. Tymoshenko told the media on January 25 and pledged Yushchenko began the oath turned to a rhythmic rumble that Ukraine would “become a more civilized country.” as the throng erupted into chants of “Yushchenko!” after Mr. Yushchenko’s office announced the decision the new president completed the last words. It was a while the president was in Moscow on his first foreign chant that was heard often on this festive yet solemn day trip. as inaugural celebrations for Ukraine’s third duly elected “Tymoshenko, of all the candidates that were pro- president took place across the city and the country. posed, was the most acceptable,” President Yushchenko As had happened during the heady days of the said after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Orange Revolution that had propelled Mr. Yushchenko Putin, “I hope that Yulia and her Cabinet will be suc- to the country’s top post, the color of orange was evi- cessful.” dent everywhere: people dressed in it and buildings Ms. Tymoshenko was the most visible of Mr. were covered in it. The Ukrainian Home looked like an Yushchenko’s allies in the Orange Revolution. Side-by- orange creamsicle with orange bunting flowing across side with Mr. Yushchenko, and more than anyone else, its roof and down its sides. The Tchaikovsky Ms. Tymoshenko was the political face of the mass Conservatory’s bold white columns were colored movement dubbed the Orange Revolution when tens of orange this day, as was the portico of the October thousands of opposition supporters flooded the streets Palace Convention Center. of Kyiv following the fraud-marred presidential run-off After the short swearing-in ceremony in the of November 21, 2004. AP/Gleb Garanich, Pool Verkhovna Rada session hall, President Yushchenko, Viktor Yushchenko sings the Ukrainian national At her behest, protesters stayed on the streets to press who remained reserved and serious in his demeanor for democracy and honest election. She jumped on the anthem after taking the oath of office during his during most of the official ceremonies, informed the inauguration ceremony in the Verkhovna Rada. backs of trucks to rally the crowds and clamored over a lawmakers and official dignitaries present in the riot police line. She repeatedly called for a seizure of Verkhovna Rada – including outgoing President Leonid come to the maidan upon the closing of this session. I power from the opposition’s stage on Independence Kuchma, eight foreign state leaders and leaders of more would like to share my oath, taken in this building, with Square. than 60 international delegations – that he wanted to the people. I am calling on every one of you: let us join “I strongly helped the revolution ... I managed to carry the rest of the inauguration out onto Independence the people. They are waiting for us; let us be together,” demonstrate that politicians sometimes serve the people, Square to the people that had elected him. explained Mr. Yushchenko at the conclusion of short not themselves,” Ms. Tymoshenko said. “On this day, dear friends, I am looking for a way for remarks immediately after he took the presidential oath. The charismatic Ms. Tymoshenko, who is considered us to be among the people. I am inviting all the national to be the most radical person among Mr. Yushchenko’s deputies, guests, friends, all of you present in this hall to (Continued on page 3) allies, is someone that almost no one feels neutral about. Even as President Yushchenko walked to an outdoor rostrum on Sunday to give his inauguration speech, chants of “Tymoshenko!” and “Yulia for prime minis- ter!” were a counterpoint to cheers for the new president. Yushchenko inauguration drives upturn in relations with U.S. “Together with Yulia our people can really change by Yaro Bihun “democracy’s victory” in Ukraine. Later, Secretary the country,” said Vitalii Strutynskyi, 47, a businessman Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Powell told reporters in Kyiv that President Bush had from Kyiv. also pledged “continuing support to Ukraine.” WASHINGTON – The inauguration of Viktor During his meeting with the new president on inaugu- “A person involved in stealing state money and Yushchenko as president of Ukraine on January 23 gave under prosecution cannot be our prime minister,” said ration day, Secretary Powell said, they had a good discus- rise to a noticeable upturn in its bilateral relationship sion not only about all of the bilateral issues but also Irina Leshchenko, 20, a student from Donetsk. with the United States. Before joining the ranks of President Leonid “about broader issues of Euro-Atlantic integration and There were two high-level U.S. meetings with the new Kuchma’s foes, Ms. Tymoshenko headed the now- how Ukraine will be moving to make sure that it becomes president, an exchange of invitations for presidential visits defunct United Energy Systems, the country’s predomi- a valued member of the Euro-Atlantic communities.” to Kyiv and Washington, and statements about supporting nant gas dealer, where she pushed through energy sector Turning to President Yushchenko, who was standing Ukraine’s new government – albeit without specifics yet – reforms that angered influential tycoons but won praise beside him, he added: “I just want to assure you that you both from the Bush administration and from Congress. As from Western observers. will continue to enjoy the full support of the American during the Orange Revolution, when Mr. Yushchenko’s sup- Ms. Tymoshenko served as deputy prime minister government and the American people, as you move for- porters were demanding free and fair elections on Kyiv’s under Pavlo Lazarenko, who was convicted in June in ward now to undertake the efforts that the Ukrainian Independence Square, Secretary of State Colin Powell was San Francisco of fraud, money-laundering and extor- people are expecting.” the administration’s point man at the inauguration as well. tion. She was ousted from government in 2001, turning President Yushchenko noted some of the specifics He headed the U.S. presidential delegation, which, in against President Kuchma and forming a faction in the that were discussed at their meeting, among them addition to U.S. Ambassador John Herbst and Under Parliament. prospects for Ukraine acquiring market-based economy Since 2001, prosecutors have opened several probes Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, status, being accepted into the World Trade against her, and she was jailed briefly on charges of included three Ukrainian American representatives: Organization, the opening of the U.S. market to more bribery, money-laundering, corruption and abuse of Ukrainian Federation of America President Vera Ukrainian goods and the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik power while working for UES. She has dismissed the Andryczyk, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation President Nadia Amendment. Iraq was also on the agenda, he said. charges as politically motivated. Komarnyckyj McConnell and Northern Illinois Secretary Powell said that President Bush expressed his However, President Yushchenko’s choice for prime University Adjunct Professor Myron Kuropas. hope that President Yushchenko would be able to visit the minister will sow fear among that part of Ukraine’s On the eve of the inauguration, President Bush tele- United States “in the not-too-distant future,” and added phoned then President-elect Yushchenko to congratulate (Continued on page 20) him on his hard-fought victory, which he termed (Continued on page 12) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2005 No. 5 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Did Ukraine’s Security Service really prevent U.S. congratulates Yushchenko cooperation will yield important results. I am very much looking forward to work- bloodshed during the Orange Revolution? WASHINGTON – The U.S. State ing with you.” At the invitation of the Department on January 20 congratulated Ukrainian authorities, the secretary gen- by Taras Kuzio documents from the Yanukovych camp. Viktor Yushchenko on his election as eral was to represent the alliance at the Eurasia Daily Monitor But, this was also true of the Internal president of Ukraine in a message posted presidential inauguration ceremony. Ministry, whose personnel kept relaying to on its website (http://www.state.gov). (NATO) On January 17, The New York Times the Mr. Yushchenko camp their opposition “We congratulate President-elect published a sensational expose alleging to using force against protesters. Yushchenko on his historic victory and Tymoshenko upbeat about her chances that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Elements of the SBU taped Mr. wish him all success for his term in had been key to preventing bloodshed dur- Yanukovych’s “shadow campaign” head- office,” the message read.