Viktor Yushchenko

Yushchenko, a Western-oriented reformer, took the oath of office in the Verkhovna Rada parliament, placing his hand on a copy of the constitution and on an antique Bible.

After the oath, some deputies repeatedly shouted "Yu-shchen-ko, Yu-shchen-ko," an echo of the chanting that filled Kiev during the protest demonstrations. But others stood stonily without applauding, an indication of the deep political tensions that Yushchenko will face.

Yushchenko has pledged to steer Ukraine on a new course, fighting corruption and bringing Ukraine closer to the European Union and NATO while maintaining good relations with Russia.

"The heart of Ukraine was on Independence Square," Yushchenko told tens of thousands of people in the square where his supporters had demonstrated for weeks.

"This is a victory of freedom over tyranny. The victory of law over lawlessness," he said.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 29, 2005
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