Ukraine: Orange Revolution ended with the inaugural ball

Before a vast crowd of supporters celebrating with a burst of orange balloons, doves and chants, newly inaugurated President Viktor Yushchenko promised Sunday to steer a new course for Ukraine - away from corruption and political cronyism and into the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/society/2002/10/04/37762.html ' target=_blank>European Union. "Ukraine will stand against all evil," Yushchenko told the crowd on Kiev's Independence Square, where weeks earlier demonstrators cried out that he'd been robbed of the presidency by fraud in a campaign laced with intrigue that even saw the pro-Western reformer poisoned by a huge dose of dioxin.

Yushchenko, his face still pockmarked from the near-fatal poisoning in September, called his inauguration earlier in the day a victory of freedom over tyranny and said the former Soviet state is "now in the center of Europe", informs the Guardian.

Yushchenko read the oath of office with his hand on an ancient Bible and constitution during a parliament ceremony attended by hundreds of guests, including US Secretary of State &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/politics/2002/04/19/27806.html ' target=_blank>Colin Powell and presidents of seven countries.

Shortly before becoming Ukraine’s third President, Yushchenko (50) met Powell while crowds gathered in the square decked in Yushchenko’s orange campaign colours, trademark of the Orange Revolution that propelled him to power.

"I want to assure you that you will continue to enjoy the full support of the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/14299_usa.html ' target=_blank>American government and the American people as you move forward to undertake the efforts that the Ukrainian people are expecting," Powell told Yushchenko, reports the Indian Express.

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