One-year anniversary of Orange Revolution protests turns bittersweet

Natasha Lisova
Canadian Press
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Supporters wave orange flags as they listen to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's address in Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine Tuesday. (AP/Sergei Chuzavkov)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - It was a far cry from last year when the hero and heroine of Ukraine's Orange Revolution stood arm-in-arm on the Independence Square stage before hundreds of thousands protesting election fraud. The slogan then was: Together We Are Many And We Can't Be Defeated.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands flooded Kyiv's main square, many hoping, even pleading, for a reconciliation between President Viktor Yushchenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on the first anniversary of the revolution that propelled the one-time allies to power.
But Yushchenko lashed out at Tymoshenko after she used her time to make what sounded like a political stump speech. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I swear to each of you, I am ready to do everything to restore our unity," a clearly frazzled Yushchenko told the crowd after a lengthy speech in which he criticized Tymoshenko's economic policies.
Some in the crowd responded with whistles, a sign of disapproval, and chants of "Yulia! Yulia!"
Yushchenko's government had billed Tuesday's festivities as a day to celebrate the freedom they claim was the biggest achievement of their first 10 months in power. But the celebrations were tinged with disappointment for many who expected the country to make a dramatic turnaround out of poverty and corruption.
"We thought the revolution was a fight we'd win at once, but it turned out to be only the first assault," said Tymoshenko, who split with Yushchenko after he fired her in September.
Yushchenko again slammed her policies, which he claims brought this former Soviet republic to the brink of economic collapse. But he also told the crowd that Ukraine had accomplished much to be proud of during his time in office.
"My friends, as president, I maintain that we are on the right path, a path of justice, a path of freedom. . . . We achieved things which no one before us had, and I am proud of this," said Yushchenko, who was inaugurated in January after winning a court-ordered rerun election.
In an interview with The Associated Press hours before the rally, Yushchenko acknowledged there was still more work to be done but said "10 months is not enough to change the country."
"To be in opposition against somebody and . . . make good speeches is one thing," he told AP.
"To enter office and do what is sometimes a rather grey job is another issue, but it is important this work be effective and professional."
Yushchenko insisted that tasks remaining to be done, such as judicial reform and eliminating corruption, involved problems he inherited.
"They were not created by Independence Square," Yushchenko said.
Last year's Independence Square protests, which broke out after election officials in the previous pro-Moscow government robbed Yushchenko of his victory, helped usher the opposition leader into power. Yushchenko rewarded Tymoshenko for her help with the No. 2 job.
On Tuesday, wet snow fell heavily on the crowds, bundled up in orange scarves as they listened to an array of pop groups and waited for Yushchenko to make a speech, much as they had a year ago.
Chants of "Yu-shchen-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!" greeted the president, as he stepped onto the stage surrounded by his family, all dressed in orange.
Yushchenko, whose speech followed Tymoshenko's, greeted his former ally with a kiss on the cheek. But when the crowd broke into chants of "Yulia" as Yushchenko began speaking, he stopped and said: "Keep chanting 'Yulia' again, I will listen, then I will start my speech." When they persisted in chanting her name, Yushchenko snapped: "Be polite" and the crowd temporarily grew silent.
Many in the crowd had hoped for a reconciliation. Politician after politician called on the pair to reunite.
"Throw away your personal ambitions and interests, the people and Ukraine must come before everything," said Vitali Klitschko, a newly retired world heavyweight boxing champion and a possible Kyiv mayoral candidate.
All to no avail. Tymoshenko made a stump speech, her eye on regaining the prime minister's job after March elections. Yushchenko responded with criticism. A crying Tymoshenko stood behind him, her arms crossed.
Yushchenko, who defeated Kremlin-favoured Viktor Yanukovych in the election, had promised to bring Ukraine closer to the West and restore trust in government. But a corruption scandal that touched some of his most senior aides has left many Ukrainians feeling disenchanted.
"They didn't justify people's hopes, that's true, but we do have more democracy now," said teacher Iryna Rytikova, who held an orange balloon.
Others were not so forgiving, and some left during Yushchenko's speech.
"The impression is that he's trying to persuade everyone and particularly himself that everything is not so bad as it looks," said Dmytro Kundin, 34, a businessman.
Interior Minister Yuriy Lustenko pleaded with the crowd not to feel disillusioned.
"Let all the disappointed remember why we stood here a year ago . . . not for salaries, pensions or a piece of sausage, not even for the person whom we made a president - but for freedom," he said.
© The Canadian Press 2005