Author: Emil Lazarian

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 13 2005
Azerbaijan among mostly unfree countries, says report

The US Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal have included
Azerbaijan into the list of mostly unfree countries. In their 2004
Index of Economic Freedom based on a 5-point scale, Azerbaijan’s
standing was at 3.38, which makes it 103rd in the world out of 155
countries indicated.
A similar report issued in 2003 placed Azerbaijan 106th, with a 3.39
rating.
Topping the list is Hong Kong, while Singapore and Luxembourg were
rated second and third respectively. Former Soviet Union republic
Estonia was rated fourth. The United States, which has topped a list
of 10 for the past 11 years, was downgraded to 12th place. Ireland,
New Zealand, Great Britain, Denmark, Iceland, Australia and Chile
were placed ahead of the US.
The report placed Armenia 42nd with a 2.28 rating, while Russia
124th. Iran, Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe, Libya, Myanmar and
North Korea (155th) were indicated as the most economically unfree
countries.
The rating of countries was determined based on trade policy,
interference of the government, financial policy, foreign
investments, wages and pricing, and property rights.

The Herald, UK
Jan 12 2005
Hatred, murder and denial are all horrors of the `final solution’

IAN BELL
Auschwitz: The Nazis and the “Final Solution”BBC2, 9.00pm
Shameless Channel 4, 10.00pm
The old Nazi was having difficulties with the concept of guilt, far
less the idea of repentance. He was evasive about his actions, all
those years ago, stricken by the convenient amnesia that afflicted so
many who shared his creed. But, yes, he had been a part of it: he had
murdered.
So what had been his thoughts? What had he felt? “Nothing. I only
thought, aim carefully so that you hit properly.” Then he slipped,
revealingly, into the present tense. Emotion had deserted him,
“because my hatred towards the Jews is too great”.
The hatred that had enabled him to shoot innocent people in the back
and watch their bodies tumble into pits had been based on nothing
more substantial, it turned out, than the belief that certain Jewish
traders had once cheated his farming family. A Holocaust in exchange
for a few pfennigs: his “unshakeable conviction” concerning Judaism
remained, nevertheless.
Sadly, a court of law had clearly failed to arrive at a more
appropriate conviction. Hans Friedrich, formerly of the SS, looked
very like someone’s favourite grandfather. The world’s abhorrence
troubled him; the idea that barbarism had once been a duty caused his
eyes to fill. But the old man left you with the clear impression
that, given the order, he might just do it again.
Such was one of the justifications for Auschwitz: The Nazis and the
“Final Solution”. The disease is never eradicated. Sixty years after
the liberation of the death factory, a place where 1.1 million people
were eradicated, genocide remains the distinguishing feature of the
species. No other animal does it. Other creatures kill to survive. We
do it because of the lies we choose to believe.
Laurence Rees has produced a series that will comfort few, none of
them sane. With a wealth of new documentation from eastern Europe, he
has set out to demonstrate how the fascist project mutated from a
quest for conquest into purest nihilism. These were people who set
out, with bureaucratic precision, to starve millions of Russians to
death simply to equip the Wehrmacht. These were men who settled on
Zyklon B, crystallised prussic acid, as an exterminating gas because
mass murder, face-to-face, had begun to trouble even the SS.
These were atrocities committed by little people. Hitler, Himmler and
the rest provided the impetus, but the practical business of
slaughter was placed in the hands of thousands of ordinary Germans,
citizens of a country that prided itself on its “civilisation”. The
first task of Auschwitz was the processing of 23,000 Polish political
prisoners: half of them were dead within 20 months. When Germany
invaded Russia, three million Soviet prisoners were taken: two
million were dead within nine months. “One becomes indifferent in the
midst of all that,” said one Polish survivor. “Today it’s your turn,
tomorrow it will be mine.” Rudolf Huss, camp commandant, discomfited
by the sight of blood, acquired another sort of indifference. “I must
admit,” he recorded, “that this gassing had a calming effect on me.”
It was a long time ago. Is there still a need to remember? During the
First World war, Turkey did away with 1.5 million Armenians and still
refuses to confront the fact. Plotting his “Final Solution”, Hitler
inquired of a crony: “Who remembers the Armenians?”
An easy elision from such thoughts to Shameless is impossible. Let’s
just say that Kev and Veronica’s first attempt at foster parenting –
“the fish aren’t swimming” – was funny, farcical and, finally,
poignant. Having little Eric pass out after snacking on the “Hashy
Birthday” cake wasn’t a good start, but as Veronica put it: “We can
do this, Kev. We can be good parents. From now on we’ve just got to
try really hard not to kill him.” They just about managed it.
Frank (David Threfall), the world’s worst father, was more
philosophical. Parenthood is all about passing something on to the
next generation, he said at the bar. “Mind you, they only end up
hating us, so what’s the f****** point?”
Very true.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BABIES BORN IN THE NEW YEAR
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
07 Jan 05
At the republic maternity hospital we learned that no children were
born in the New Year’s night. The first baby of the year 2005 was born
on January 1. The mother of the baby is Lilia Ghukassian from
Stepanakert. On January 1 two babies were born, both boys. By January
4, 3 o’clock PM 7 babies had been born, 6 boys and a girl.
AA.
07-01-2005
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, January 07, 2005
Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
Armenian & Greek Leaders Discuss EU Issues with Congressman Robert Andrews
during California Visit
(Glendale, CA – December 27, 2004) Members of the Board of Directors
of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
(ANCA-WR) along with members of the Board of Directors of the American
Hellenic Council (AHC) met with Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) at
the ANCA-WR headquarters in Glendale, California during the
Congressman’s visit to Southern California on December 27, 2004.
Representatives of the ANCA-WR and the AHC voiced their concerns
regarding the Republic of Turkey’s attempts to join the European Union
amongst other issues related to American foreign policy in regard to
Armenia, Greece and Cyprus.
ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian thanked the Congressman
for his support of the Greek and Armenian communities. Kassakhian
explained that the Greek and Armenian communities were very concerned
with the United States ‘ active role in advancing Turkey’s ambitions
for EU membership. During the briefing, Kassakhian pointed out that
Turkey has to conform to and adopt the basic standards of human rights
by which the E.U. nations and the United States abide. In addition to
pointing out Turkey’s overall abysmal record on human rights,
Kassakhian told Congressman Andrews of the importance of including
recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition to Turkey’s
entry into the E.U.
AHC President Dinos Andrianos expressed the concerns of the Greek
American community regarding the tacit U.S. support of the
controversial Annan Plan for Cyprus which favors Turkey’s
position. The plan proposed by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan would
require that the Turkish occupying force vacate most of northern
Cyprus yet allows Turkey to retain control of key areas on the island
nation. Cypriots have overwhelmingly rejected the Annan Plan as have
Armenian Cypriots.
Congressman Andrews urged the ANC and AHC to continue their
bi-partisan outreach to members of Congress. The Congressman added
that the public awareness campaign is working within the halls of
Congress where most of the members are supportive of Armenian and
Greek issues. Congressman Andrews commendedthe ANC and AHC for the
work that they do in keeping their respective communities informed and
involved in the political process.
Congressman Andrews is a member of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues. Congressman Andrews represents New Jersey’s 1st
Congressional District which is comprised of Burlington, Camden and
Gloucester Counties. Congre ssman Andrews sits on the House of
Representatives Select Committee on Homeland Security and the
Education and Workforce Committee. He has consistently supported
Armenian issues and during the last two election cycles has earned an
A or better on the ANCA Congressional Report Card.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
The American Hellenic Council (AHC) is a non-partisan political
advocacy organization based in California. The purpose of AHC is to
lobby and inform the U.S. Congress for the protection and promotion of
Greek American interests and issues. Photo Caption: ANCA-WR and AHC
Leadership Meet with Congressman Robert Andrews at the ANCA-WR
Headquarters in Glendale.

Up to 23 U.S. Bishops Could Retire in 2005
Catholic News Service
1/6/2005
WASHINGTON — Up to 23 U.S. bishops — including three cardinals —
could retire because of age this year.
There are only three still-active bishops who have already turned 75,
but 20 others will celebrate their 75th birthday in 2005.
Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka, 77, who has been in Vatican service since
1990, has been the oldest active U.S. cardinal since July 2003.
This year Cardinals Adam J. Maida of Detroit and Theodore E. McCarrick
of Washington will reach 75, the age at which church law says a bishop
is requested to submit his resignation to the pope.
Even if all three cardinals retire from their current posts, they will
remain eligible to enter a conclave and elect a new pope until age 80.
Cardinal Szoka, who turned 75 on Sept. 14, 2002, is a Michigan native.
He was ordained a priest in 1954 and made first bishop of Gaylord,
Mich., in 1971. He was made archbishop of Detroit in 1981, named a
cardinal in 1988 and called to Rome in 1990 to head the Prefecture for
the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. Since 1997 he has been president
of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.
Cardinal Maida, who turns 75 March 18, was born in Pennsylvania.
Ordained a priest of the Pittsburgh Diocese in 1956, he was made bishop
of Green Bay, Wis., in 1983 and archbishop of Detroit in 1990. He was
made a cardinal in 1994.
Cardinal McCarrick, who turns 75 July 7, was born in New York and
ordained a priest there in 1958. He was made an auxiliary bishop of New
York in 1977, first bishop of Metuchen, N.J., in 1981 and archbishop of
Newark, N.J., in 1986. Transferred to the Washington Archdiocese in
November 2000, he was installed there in January 2001 and made a
cardinal the following month.
The two other active U.S. bishops who are already 75 are both from
Eastern Catholic churches. They are:
— Ruthenian Bishop Andrew Pataki of Passaic, N.J., a priest since 1952,
bishop since 1983 and head of the Passaic Diocese since 1995. He turned
75 Aug. 30, 2002.
— Bishop Manuel Batakian of the Armenian Catholic Exarchate of U.S.A.
and Canada, a priest since 1954, bishop since 1995 and head of the
exarchate since 2001. He turned 75 Nov. 5, 2004.
Eastern church law asks a bishop to submit his resignation at age 75 to
his patriarch if he is a member of a patriarchal church or to the pope
if his church is not a patriarchate.
In addition to Cardinals Maida and McCarrick, still-active bishops who
will turn 75 in 2005 are, in chronological order:
— Jan. 21: Auxiliary Bishop John P. Boles of Boston, a priest since1955
and bishop since 1992.
— Jan. 26: Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Detroit, a priest
since 1956 and bishop since 1968.
— Feb. 3: Bishop David E. Foley of Birmingham, Ala., a priest since
1956, bishop since 1986 and head of the Birmingham Diocese since 1994.
— Feb. 15: Bishop Robert E. Mulvee of Providence, R.I., a priest since
1957, bishop since 1977 and head of the Providence Diocese since 1997.
— March 23: Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan of Brooklyn, N.Y., a
priest since 1956 and bishop since 1980.
— April 1: Bishop F. Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, N.C., a priest since
1955, bishop since 1968 and head of the Raleigh Diocese since 1975.
— May 3: Bishop William E. Franklin of Davenport, Iowa, a priest since
1956, bishop since 1987 and head of the Davenport Diocese since 1994.
— May 11: Ukrainian Bishop Basil H. Losten of Stamford, Conn., a priest
since 1957, bishop since 1971 and head of the Stamford Diocese since 1977.
— May 20: Auxiliary Bishop William J. Winter of Pittsburgh, a priest
since 1955 and bishop since 1989.
— Aug. 3: Bishop Kenneth A. Angell of Burlington, Vt., a priest since
1956, bishop since 1974 and head of the Burlington Diocese since 1992.
— Aug. 8: Bishop John J. Leibrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
a priest since 1956 and a bishop since1984.
— Aug. 15: Auxiliary Bishop Rene A. Valero of Brooklyn, N.Y., a priest
since 1956 and bishop since 1980.
— Sept. 3: Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger of Worcester, Mass., a
priest since 1958 and bishop since 1987.
— Also Sept. 3: Bishop Sylvester D. Ryan of Monterey, Calif., a priest
since 1957, bishop since 1990 and head of the Monterey Diocese since 1992.
— Oct. 22: Bishop Carl F. Mengeling of Lansing, Mich., a priest since
1957 and a bishop since1996.
— Oct. 23: Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan of San Antonio, a priest
since 1956 and bishop since 1998.
— Oct. 25: Bishop Raphael M. Fliss of Superior, Wis., a priest since
1956, bishop since 1979 and head of the Superior Diocese since 1985.
— Dec. 13: Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Carmon of New Orleans, a priest
since 1960 and bishop since1993.
Another prominent bishop who works in the United States could retire
this year as well. Colombian-born Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic
nuncio to the United States, turns 75 Jan. 27. Ordained a priest in
1953, he entered the papal diplomatic corps in 1957 and was made a
bishop in 1974.
Archbishop Montalvo served in difficult diplomatic posts in Latin
America, North Africa and Central Europe and was head of the Pontifical
Ecclesiastical Academy, the Vatican school for diplomats, before he was
made nuncio to the United States in 1998.

ArmenPress
Jan 6 2005
ARMENIAN CONTINGENT READY TO DEPLOY IN IRAQ
YEREVAN, JANUARY 6, ARMENPRESS: A spokesman for Armenian defense
ministry told Armenpress that a 46 non-combat platoon is ready to be
deployed in Iraq. The spokesman, Seyran Shahsuvarian, said the
platoon is composed of 30 truck drivers, 10 sappers, three doctors
and three officers.
Armenia’s parliament voted to send 46 non-combat troops to Iraq on
December 24, a move that drew sharp criticism from many Armenians and
opposition groups.
The troops could serve in Iraq for up to a year and would only
conduct humanitarian operations. “There is not, and will not be an
Armenian military presence in Iraq,’ Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
had said earlier. “In the humanitarian aspect, it is preferable for
Armenia to contribute to the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, in
establishing democracy in this country which has important
significance for the region and which could have an impact on the
Caucasus.’
The troops would serve as part of the Polish-led multinational
force that operates in a belt of territory south of Baghdad.
The proposal had been widely criticized by opposition parties,
many Armenians and even the 30,000-strong Armenian community in Iraq,
which fears being targeted for attacks if the troops were sent.

BBC Monitoring quotes from Turkish press
05 Jan 05

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and
commentaries published in 5 January editions of Turkish newspapers
available to BBC Monitoring
EU
Hurriyet [centre-right] “The socialists who want to make Turkey a
‘Peoples Republic’ and the supporters of the National Vision [the
religious political base from which today’s many government members
come from] who want to make Turkey a ‘Republic of Islam’ have now met
at the mission of making Turkey an ‘EU member’. The point that worries
me is: What happens if they cannot succeed in this mission? Besides,
how can they give up concessions such as Cyprus etc.? Otherwise, will
these things be lost?” (Commentary by Ege Cansen)
Middle East
Yeni Safak [liberal, pro-Islamic] “Turkey has relations with Israel
that even the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government cannot
break; these relations date back to the foundation days of the Israeli
state… Turkey is interested in Palestine and what is happening there
too. It is not very strange that a country, which has close relations
with both sides, has their trust, decides to take the initiative to
resolve the current problem when the appropriate time
comes… [However] since both sides understand a ‘permanent’ and
‘fair’ solution in a different way, it is very difficult for Turkey,
which has undertaken the role of an ‘honest mediator’, to reach a
result that can change the route of the history.” (Commentary by Fehmi
Koru)
Armenian issue
Posta [tabloid] “The Armenian diaspora is getting ready for a big
campaign after 24 April, which is the 90th Anniversary of the 1915
events. Moreover, this is very much kept as a secret. The aim is to
corner the Turkish Republic a little bit more… The PR efforts, which
have not been useful until now, will not be enough to oppose such a
campaign… Creative policies must be started and decisive steps be
taken. Until now, no such preparations are seen on Ankara’s
agenda… Something must be done as soon as possible. Otherwise, when
it is too late to do anything about it, we have to be content with
accusing the USA and Europe and criticize ourselves.” (Commentary by
Mehmet Ali Birand)
Iraq
Milliyet [centrist] “Today, doesn’t carrying out a military operation
in Iraq [as the former PM of Turkey Bulent Ecevit advices now] put
Turkey against the USA, the Arabs and the Kurds? Won’t the world
oppose that? Won’t this lead to an outcome which will be more serious
than clashing with Britain [for Mosul] in 1922? Moreover, even if it
is possible to occupy Mosul militarily, both politically and
geographically this will cause big troubles for Turkey… Turkey could
carry out a limited military operation against northern Iraq as part
the ‘coalition’ in order to take measures against terrorism; now that
is not possible either…” (Commentary by Taha Akyol)
“Still, there is a need for an ‘adjustment of interest’ in the Turkish
American relations. One needs to accept that Turkey and the USA are
not anymore at the same (or very close) frequency like they used to be
during the Cold War. The new problems that have emerged (such as the
Kurdish entity in northern Iraq, the existence of the PKK [Kurdistan
Workers’ Party] ) have created a considerable distance between Ankara
and Washington. How can this ‘adjustment of interest’ be done? Of
course through talks, consultations… Turkey has to take the
increasing influence of the USA in the world and the region into
consideration and it has to try to solve the problem not by showing
enmity but by understanding of partnership.” (Commentary by Sami
Kohen)
Cumhuriyet [secular, Kemalist] “The public is told that [Foreign
Minister Abdullah] Gul has warned the American diplomat [Richard
Armitage]. Turkey is fed up with these warnings which have passed
unnoticed for three years. [Asking the USA] Not to let the Kurdish
tribes change the population structure of Kirkuk, to destroy the
PKK… There is no difference of telling these to the USA or to a
wall. The USA has been giving promises for years but it hasn’t solved
the PKK issue. The issue can be resolved by using weapons. The USA
does not want to use weapons against the PKK. Their last trick is to
discuss the PKK issue in a meeting of three, with the contribution of
the USA and Iraq. Baghdad is helpless to provide security. Will it
bring down the PKK from the Kandil Mountain [in Northern Iraq] alone
and with military power? Do not make me laugh?” (Commentary by Cuneyt
Arcayurek)

Boston Globe, MA
Jan 2 2005
Peter Aharon Goolkasian, 94; freethinker put talents to use
By Avi Steinberg, Globe Correspondent
Peter Aharon Goolkasian, a druggist, inventor, and artist, died Dec.
21 in Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Plain. He
was 94.
A survivor of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, Mr. Goolkasian was
unusually candid about his experience with human brutality, but he
was never defined by it. “He was a great lover of life, never bitter,
and despite losing almost his entire family, he was one of the most
optimistic people I knew,” said his daughter, Dianne Goolkasian
Rahbee.
Although he never returned to his native Armenia, Mr. Goolkasian
planted and maintained a mulberry tree, a tree common in his
homeland, in his backyard as a reminder of his lost home. “Even
before ethnic pride was popular, my father instilled us with pride in
who we are and where we came from,” said his other daughter,
Priscilla DerAnanian.
Born in 1910, he was a young child when the genocide swept through
his homeland. He was eventually brought to Boston and raised by his
uncle and mother. He decided to go into the family business of
running pharmacies, and after graduating from the Massachusetts
College of Pharmacy, settled in Waltham with his young family and ran
his own shop. Over the years he owned and worked at various
apothecaries in the Boston area, including Beacon Hill’s Clough &
Shackley.
Having gone into the family business as a matter largely of duty and
convenience, Mr. Goolkasian undertook a midlife career change and
pursued what had been until then only a hobby: electronics. He worked
for Honeywell then Bolt, Beranek and Newman.
Known for his lively intellect and impulse for tinkering, Mr.
Goolkasian was responsible for a number of patented inventions:
“tooth-ease pads,” colored flames for birthday candles, and a heart
pulse monitor used for patients during surgery, according to family
members. Before tape-recording technology was widely available, he
once fashioned a recording device out of a Coca-Cola box for his
young daughter to use when practicing the piano.
After his retirement, Mr. Goolkasian had time to pursue other
passions, such as fashioning stained-glass lamps and gem faceting.
His sold his gems, cut in a special style that he devised, to area
jewelers.
At age 84, Mr. Goolkasian decided that it was time to commit his
story to paper and wrote a frank memoir, “My Life,” which was
published privately by his family. His book, which he dedicated to
“all those people in the family of humanity that have suffered from
man’s inhumanity to man,” was received warmly in a letter by Elie
Weisel.
Mr. Goolkasian also penned a collection of essays, “Deliberations
Today for a Better Tomorrow,” on topics ranging from children to
religion to mythology and the environment. “He was a freethinker,
always eager to give advice. Once we gave him a computer, there was
no stopping him,” recalled his daughter Priscilla.
“He enjoyed life and took pleasure in all living things,” said
Priscilla. “He never used insecticides or fenced his garden because
he wanted to share it with everyone, even with the animals in the
yard.”
Besides his daughters, Mr. Goolkasian leaves his wife of 67 years,
Isabelle; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Dec. 24 in Holy Trinity Armenian Church in
Cambridge. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Indian Express, India
Jan 1 2005
Some interesting traditions to ring in the New Year

Express Features Service

New Delhi, December 31: The Chinese New Year “Yuan Tan” takes place
between January 21 and February 20. The Chinese clean their houses to
rid them of lasts year’s bad luck before the celebrations begin.
There are street parades where dancing dragons and lions weave their
way through crowded streets.
Hungarians burn effigies on New Year’s eve known as “Jack Straw”
which represent the evils and misfortunes of the past year. Jack
Straw is carried around the village before being burnt.
For the Armenians, the most important pastries partaken on this day
is the Darin – a big flat bread, that has a coin hidden in it. The
person who finds the piece with the coin is considered lucky for the
New Year.
In England crowds of people gather in Trafalgar square, and
Piccadilly Circus to hear the chimes of London’s Big Ben announce the
arrival of the New Year. They stand around with arms linked to sing
Auld Lang Syne.
In Germany people would drop molten lead into cold water and try to
tell the future from the shape it made. A heart or ring shape meant a
wedding, a ship a journey, and a pig plenty of food in the year
ahead.

Agence France Presse — English
January 1, 2005 Saturday 1:16 AM GMT
Ukraine’s Yushchenko, Georgian leader ring in New Year after PM
resigns
KIEV
Ukraine opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko rang in the New Year with
Georgia’s leader early Saturday in central Kiev, hours after Prime
Minister Viktor Yanukovich resigned and all but admitted losing a
presidential rerun vote.
In an appearance sure to irritate Russia, Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili joined Yushchenko in hailing Ukraine’s “orange
revolution,” which followed Tbilisi’s “rose” uprising last year.
“This is a triumph of good over evil,” a beaming Saakashvili said in
Ukrainian to some 100,000 people gathered in Kiev’s central
Independence Square, the epicenter of the “orange” protests that he
fervently supported, albeit in private.
“I am a president and because of my official position I couldn’t come
here, but my heart was on Khreshchatik (Kiev’s main thoroughfare)…
I must say that these last few days I have felt like a native of
Kiev,” said Saakashvili, who attended university in the city.
“I wish you a happy new year with your new president,” he said. “You
have a super president, he is a good friend of mine and a great
politician.”
For his part Yushchenko said: “Ukrainians have been independent for
13 years but now they are free,” a few moments before midnight when
fireworks exploded over the Kiev sky.
The celebration came hours after Yushchenko’s pro-Russia electoral
rival Yanukovich resigned from his post and said that his appeals
over the historic December 26 vote were unlikely to be granted.
“I have made a decision and am formally submitting my resignation,”
Yanukovich said in a televised address. “I find it impossible to
occupy any post in a government headed by these authorities.”
But Yanukovich stopped short of conceding defeat in the poll, which
would have brought Ukraine’s six-week election saga to an end.
“Concerning the election results, we are keeping up the fight but I
don’t have much hope for a just decision from the central election
commission and the supreme court,” he said.
Yanukovich repeated his assertion that “external forces” were
responsible for his defeat in the December 26 vote.
But he got no support from Ukraine’s outgoing President Leonid
Kuchma, who called on the nation during his New Year address to
“accept the democratic choice” made in the presidential poll.
Ukraine’s “orange revolution” marked the second year in a row that
peaceful protests headed by a Western-leaning leader swept out a
Russia-friendly regime in an ex-Soviet nation.
Moscow has accused the United States of fomenting the unrest in order
to install allies in its strategic backyard, charges that Washington
has denied.
But opposition movements in authoritarian-leaning former Soviet
republics and Russia have hailed the peaceful uprisings and in the
heat of the “orange” demonstrations, Belarussians, Armenians, Azeris
and Russians mingled with Ukrainian protestors in central Kiev.
Earlier Friday, Saakashvili was mobbed by hundreds of wildly cheering
opposition supporters as he walked through a tent city in central
Kiev set up in Yushchenko’s support after he refused to concede
defeat to Yanukovich in a November 21 runoff because of fraud.
“I didn’t have a chance to officially support you, but during your
victory I once again felt myself a Kievite,” said Saakashvili, who
attended university in the Ukrainian capital.
“Georgia’s revolution has been considerably strengthened by Ukraine’s
‘orange revolution,’ which will drive important changes in all of
former Soviet territory,” he said in an appearance on Ukrainian
pro-opposition television last week.
The mass opposition demonstrations led to the annulment of a November
presidential runoff election due to massive fraud, remade Ukraine
into a de facto parliamentary republic and led to a historic rerun
vote on December 26, which Yushchenko won by more than 2.2 million
votes.
If Yanukovich chooses to continue with his appeals over the results
of the vote, which he contends was marked with irregularities,
Yushchenko’s official confirmation as the winner could be put off for
weeks as the legal wrangling drags on.
Russia, which openly backed Yanukovich ahead of the poll, has blasted
the West for what it called interference in Ukraine’s internal
matters and warned that peaceful revolutions like those in Kiev and
Tbilisi could destabilize the region.
“If you have permanent revolutions you risk plunging the post-Soviet
space into endless conflict,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said
days ahead of Ukraine’s rerun vote.