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Yushchenko gets go-ahead from parliament^ By JIM HEINTZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KIEV, Ukraine — Viktor Yushchenko will be sworn in Sunday as president of Ukraine, completing his “Orange Revolution” after weeks of political turmoil in which he defeated the Kremlin-backed candidate at the polls and survived a mysterious poisoning plot. Lawmakers on Thursday hurriedly scheduled the inauguration in a decision that came hours after Yushchenko cleared the last of a series of legal obstacles that had arisen since the Dec. 26 election, including an appeal filed in the Supreme Court by loser Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych, the former prime minister, had been supported by the Kremlin over Yushchenko, who aims to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union and NATO. But Russian President Vladimir Putin issued quick congratulations to Yushchenko, whose team said he would make a working visit to Moscow on Monday. On state television, Yanukovych predicted Yushchenko would be unable to maintain good relations with Russia and he declared he would stay in politics to lead the opposition. “I’ll do everything I can to restore justice,” he said. “The ‘orange nightmare’ will not last long.” The huge pro-Yushchenko demonstrations in Kiev, with many people wearing his orange campaign colors, arose after the Nov. 21 election in which Yanukovych was declared the winner. The Supreme Court annulled that result because of widespread fraud, and Yushchenko won the Dec. 26 court ordered rerun balloting by about 8 percentage points. As Yanukovych’s chances of overturning the results appeared to weaken in recent days, his supporters set up tent camps in several cities in eastern Ukraine, echoes of the once-enormous pro-Yushchenko camp in downtown Kiev. Yanukovych on Thursday called for the camps to be taken down. But state television broadcasts from several of the cities indicated that crowds of his supporters were sizable, underlining the polarization Yushchenko faces as president. Outgoing President Leonid Kuchma also congratulated Yushchenko, according to his office. Kuchma, whose decade in power was marked by allegations of corruption and pressure against opposition forces and journalists, had favored Yanukovych as his successor. During the campaign, Yushchenko was poisoned with a nearly lethal amount of dioxin that scarred his face ' and left him with gastrointestinal pain and a severe backache. He blamed the government; it denied involvement. Doctors have said they expect a gradual recovery, although they fear an increased long-term risk of a heart attack, cancer or other chronic diseases. Yushchenko’s spokeswoman Irina Herashenko said the visit to Moscow would be followed a day later by a trip to Strasbourg, France, to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He plans to speak at the European Parliament on Jan. 27. The Western European swing will also take Yushchenko to the international economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. Details of the inauguration program were still being worked out, and the Foreign Ministry was sending last minute invitations to heads of state. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will attend in one of his last official acts. Among other dignitaries on hand will be NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher congratulated the Ukrainian people for their courage in “standing up for their democratic rights,” a reference to the pro-democracy protests that facilitated Yushchenko’s rise to power. “The United States stands ready to strengthen its cooperation with Ukraine and looks forward to working closely with Ukraine’s new president,” Boucher said. Workers draped bright orange decorations on the columns of a concert hall adjacent to Independence Square, site of the huge demonstrations by Yushchenko’s supporters. The inauguration is to begin with Yushchenko taking the oath of office in parliament, followed by a military ceremony at Mariinsky Palace, the ornate building housing the ceremonial offices of the president. Yushchenko will then speak at Independence Square. Before dawn Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal of last month’s election by Yanukovych, saying there was insufficient evidence to support his claim that millions of citizens were disenfranchised by last-minute election law reforms canceling the use of absentee ballots. Shortly before the decision was announced, government newspapers printed the results of the Dec. 26 election, opening the way for parliament to schedule the inauguration, and 309 of 450 deputies voted to hold the ceremony on Sunday. ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Western-leaning reformer Viktor Yushchenko’s long and tension-filled drive to become Ukraine’s president cleared its final hurdles before dawn Thursday when government newspapers printed election results and the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the losing candidate. After deliberations that stretched to 2:30 a.m., the court announced it had rejected the appeal of Viktor Yanukovych, the former prime minister who was seen as likely to bring Ukraine closer into Russia’s sphere of influence, “The inauguration is set for noon, Sunday, Jan. 23,” parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said as dozens of pro-Yushchenko deputies applauded. Acting Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced that the government would offer its resignation immediately after the inauguration, the Interfax news agency reported. Yushchenko will appoint a new government, though Azarov will remain as caretaker until the new government is appointed. Yanukovych representative Nestor Shufrich said an appeal would be launched at the European Court of Human Rights, an attempt to undermine Yushchenko’s standing among the countries he aims to court for integration into the European Union. Yushchenko’s camp dismissed such threats. Ukraine, under Yushchenko, “will show what real democracy means,” aide Petro Poroshenko declared. Bush takes oath, vows to confront tyranny on foreign shores PAUL SANCYA/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS President Bush takes the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday. Amid unprecedented security measures, Bush asked Americans for patience in the war on terror. By TERENCE HUNT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — George W. Bush embarked on an ambitious second term as president Thursday, telling a world anxious about war and terrorism that the United States would not shrink from new confrontations in pursuit of “the great objective of ending tyranny.” Four minutes before noon, Bush placed his left hand on a family Bible and recited 39 tradition-hallowed words that every president since George Washington has uttered. With 150,000 American troops deployed in Iraq at a cost of $ 1 billion a week and more than 1,360 killed, Bush also beseeched Americans for patience. “Our country ' has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill and would be dishonorable to abandon,” the president declared in the first wartime inauguration in more than three decades. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, 80 years old and frail with thyroid cancer, administered the oath in his first public appearance in three months — a gesture Bush called “incredibly moving.” Rehnquist’s ill health may give Bush a second-term opportunity to nominate the Supreme Court’s first new justice in nearly 11 years. It was the first inauguration since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the capital was enveloped in a security blanket of thousands of police and miles of metal barricades. Snipers lined rooftops, while bomb-sniffing dogs toiled down below. Bush spoke before a shivering throng at the West Front of the Capitol, the monuments of American government — Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln — stretched before him on a snowy landscape. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who had battled Bush for the presidency, watched along with other lawmakers. The nation’s 55th inauguration celebration stretched from a 40-minute morning prayer service at St. John’s Church to late-night revelry at nine fancy balls. The festivities were financed by $40 million in private donations and tens of millions in related costs. Bush rode in an armored limousine, behind police on motorcycles in a V formation, to lead the inaugural parade 1.7 miles down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. The license plate read: USA 1. Hundreds of anti-war protesters, some carrying coffin-like cardboard boxes to signify the deaths of U.S. troops in Iraq, stood along the parade route. They jeered and shook their fists as Bush rode past. “Worst president ever, impeachbush.org” one sign said. Another read: “Guilty of war crimes.” Rows of law enforcement officers stood between the protesters and the parade, and Bush’s motorcade sped up as it passed the demonstration area. The president and his wife, Laura, got out of the car to walk the last two blocks to the White House. Democrats attended the inauguration but didn’t hide their unhappiness. “Personally, I don’t feel much like celebrating,” said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California. “So I’m going to mark the occasion by pledging to do everything in my power to fight the extremist Republican’s destructive agenda.” Entering his second term with one of the lowest approval ratings of any recent two-term president, Bush was unapologetic in his speech about the course he had set over four tumultuous years. He challenged critics of his quest to spread democracy across the Middle East, saying that now “is an odd time for doubt.” And he voiced eagerness to confront oppressive rule around the globe in the name of spreading freedom. “All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: The United States will not ignore oppression or excuse your oppressors,” Bush said. “When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.” The United States’ policy is to promote democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture “with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world,” he said. “This is not primarily #the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force when necessary,” the president said. The spread of freedom and liberty are the oldest ideals of America, Bush said. “Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation’s security, and the calling of our time.” ■ THEFT Continued from page 1 “My philosophy as a coach has always been to allow the university and campus law enforcement to handle all aspects of any investigation, and we fully support their decision with this,” Spurrier said. “Hopefully we’ll never have a situation like this happen again. Newton was expected to compete for the starting quarterback position under Spurrier, a spot at which he and Pinkins traded off last season. Comments on this story ? E-mail gamecocbiews@gwm.se. edu SAINT- TELFORT WILSON PREUX JASON STEELMAN/THE GAMECOCK Adam Schaffer addresses new members of USC’s surf club in the group’s first spring meeting Thursday night in the Russell House. ■ SURF Continued from page 1 Club tradition and way to cut dining costs on their excursions. The club is planning four to six surfing trips and a snowboarding trip each month. It meets almost weekly and is online at web.sa.sc.edu/CSC. For students coming to USC from surfing hotspots, the club helps fill the void. “I surfed a lot in Charleston,” said Richard Balentine, a first-year Spanish student. “At least this way I can surf.” Comments on this story? E-tnail gamecocknetvs@gumt.sc.edu ■ PROGRAM Continued from page 1 “More locations for distribution would make the program much more convenient. Maybe with a fee increase we can fund extra distribution centers around campus,” he said. Distribution sites include the Moore School of Business, Carolina Coliseum, Gambrell Hall and the School of Law. The next step for the resolution to revise the fees is the office of Rick Kelly, vice president and chief financial officer of the Business and Finance Division. From there, Kelly might recommend the changes to Vice President for Student Affairs Dennis Pruitt, who could then invite the Board of Trustees to vote on the measure during the Board’s March meeting. Regardless of the vote, Scott said he believes that newspapers play a vital role in educating students and that free newspapers are a good way to encourage a habit of lifelong reading. “The purpose of the newspaper is to educate its readers on affairs outside the local spectrum,” Scott said. “College is a perfect time to do this.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu ■ ORDINANCE Continued from page 1 residents having their cars broken into avid even people getting iMigged on the street near their residence. “I don’t want to attract (criminals) to this area,” Fenner said. “We are trying to make this a place we are proud of and a place that is safe to live.” Fenner warns students to pay close attention to the leases they sign because what is not in the lease is what students are held accountable for. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockne it).s@gwm.sc. edu 5 days a week. Sweet. www. dailygamecock. com Season Nail Winter Special IrB| i-— BBO Services Reg. $ Disc. $ Manicure $12 $10 Pedicure $25 $20 Mani. & Pedi. $35 $30 Fill In $15 $13 Full Set $25 $20 Open Mon - Sat For Appointments call: 10:00am - 8:00pm 803-771 -6320 Walk-Ins Welcome 2800 Rosewood Drive • Columbia, SC 29205 Discount price good from 1/20 2005 - 2/04/2005 --