LITHUANIA: VALDAS ADAMKUS SWORN IN AS NEW PRESIDENT

Описание: (27 Feb 1998) English/Nat

Lithuania has sworn in its new president -- a man who just last week was still an American citizen.

Valdas Adamkus returned to his homeland to take the presidency, 54 years after he fled Lithuania during World War Two.

His inauguration was the culmination of a dramatic story that surprised many -- and brought new hope to a country struggling to repair the damage caused by decades of Soviet control.

Lithuania's parliament was filled to capacity as the Baltic nation swore in its new president on Thursday.

Valdas Adamkus officially became the second post-Soviet era president of Lithuania in the same hall where the country declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.

He has promised to push for Lithuania's quick reform, for economic advancement and for the country to become a permanent member of NATO and the European Union.

Just as important a task will be maintaining good relations with Russia, which is worried about its Baltic neighbour's westward yearnings.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm definitely very happy for us and I hope that I can fulfil the expectations of the people and the trust they put in me."
SUPER CAPTION: Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania

After the ceremony in the Seimas -- the parliament of Lithuania -- Adamkus and a mile-long cortege moved to the Cathedral of Vilnius.

The new president's road to the top hasn't been easy.

He was born in Lithuania but fled to Europe during World War Two.

He then moved to the Chicago area where he rose to become a regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Adamkus moved back to Lithuania permanently after retiring from the E-P-A only last year -- and decided to run for the presidency.

He fought a long court battle to even be able to get on the ballot -- then won in a run-off election by a razor-thin margin of less than one percent.

Many voters saw him as an outsider and sceptics said the new president had been away from the country far too long to understand its problems.

Adamkus was granted Lithuanian citizenship in 1992 and only rescinded his U-S citizenship last week.

He maintains an American style.

The inauguration festivities were a gala unusual for Lithuanian politics, including fireworks, live music and even complimentary champagne.

But he takes the helm of a country that has lagged economically behind its neighbours Latvia and Estonia.

As the 71-year-old president enters his new job, his supporters hope he can use his American 'can do' attitude to improve the lives of his fellow countrymen.

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