Powell With Ukrainian Pres.Elect Victor Yushchenko

Remarks With Ukrainian President-Elect Victor Yushchenko At the Beginning of Their Meeting

Secretary Colin L. Powell
Kiev, Ukraine
January 23, 2005

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO (in Ukrainian): First of all, it's my pleasure to welcome you to Ukraine again. You are living in a very special time here - what you are going to see at the Maidan [Independence Square] and the whole of the Ukrainian public and the great expectations we are having. I'm sure you're going to see hundreds of thousands of people with bright, sparkling eyes. And this is the result of really tremendous work which has been done for the past six months and I'm extremely happy that my team has been able to plan a concept that would be so appealing to people. But this would not have happened if we didn't have the partners we had that are advocating democratic principles and shared democratic values, and I certainly include in this list the United States of America and your personal contribution.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Mr. President-Elect. I can't tell you how honored I am to be here today with my delegation representing President Bush and the American people. As the President said to you yesterday in the phone call that you had, the United States wants to do everything we can to help you meet the expectations that the Ukrainian people now have as a result of the turmoil that you have been through, which has now resulted in this magnificent success on your part to prevail in open, free and fair elections, and now to become President. 2005/82

Released on January 24, 2005

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