Yuschenko praises cheering thousands in Kiev

Ukraine’s opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko praised thousands of cheering supporters in Kiev today for their weeks of protest against electoral fraud, declaring that a new nation was forged from the resistance.

“During these 17 days we have gotten a new country,” Yushchenko said as the crowd of tens of thousands roared. ”We have realised that that we are a European nation.”

Yushchenko’s supporters, who had surrounded Ukraine’s parliament building and blockaded other key structures in the capital, broke into chants of “Well done! Well done!” as the leader took the podium.

He praised them for their efforts in help in passing electoral reform – a key victory in the so-called “Orange Revolution.”

“We will remember these days as the best in our lives,” he said, describing the peaceful civic blockades at government buildings and the parliament.

He thanked the police and military for not resorting to force against the protesters.

“I want to thank the people in uniform that in this time of trials, they were together with the people,” he said. “Thank you for not putting your fingers on the trigger.”

Supporters waved orange flags throughout Independence Square. Thousands pushed toward the stage, trying to get closer to the leader they have stood behind in the freezing temperatures and snow of the Ukrainian winter.

The roaring crowd interrupted his speech constantly with chants of “Yu-shchen-ko! Yu-shchen-ko!”

“I am confident that the time will come soon that everyone … throughout the world will know … Ukraine,” he said.

The opposition leader spoke hours after parliament approved an electoral reform package together with constitutional changes that will limit the powers of the president.

Though Yushchenko will have much diminished powers should he win the re-run election set for December 26, he lauded the measure as a victory to all who demanded that the will of the people be respected in the fraud-tainted November 21 run-off election.

“We have felt confident that Ukraine’s future cannot be stolen,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of people gathered here without fear showing their faith and becoming an example for millions of Ukrainians.”