Yushchenko Invites Kuchma, Yanukovich to His Inauguration

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian incumbent president Leonid Kuchma and former prime minister Viktor Yanukovich have been invited to the inauguration ceremony for president elect Viktor Yushchenko, Pyotr Poroshenko, a close partner to Yushchenko and head of the Parliament Budget Committee, said.

Kuchma and Yanukovich

Poroshenko said he knew for sure that Kuchma would attend the inauguration ceremony. “I do not known about Yanukovich,” he added.

Yanukovich said on Thursday that he would not be present at the inauguration ceremony.

Kuchma will symbolically transfer his power to Yushchenko at the Verkhovna Rada on January 23, the same as his predecessor Leonid Kravchuk did on July 19, 1994. Delegations of 14 states attended the inauguration ceremony for Kuchma.

Foreign guests are confirming their participation in the Yushchenko inauguration ceremony to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Thirty-three official delegations have informed Kiev that they will attend. Presidents will head six delegations, speakers will head four delegations, and prime ministers will head two delegations, ministry spokesman Markiyan Lubkivsky said.

The presidents of Poland and Moldova and the NATO secretary general are expected to visit Ukraine for the Yushchenko inauguration.