“A Celebration of Freedom”

U.S. President George W. Bush began his second four-year administration at noon on January 20 (2:00 a.m. on January 21, Korean time) with an inauguration ceremony at the west square of the Capitol in Washington D.C.

In his inauguration speech, President Bush called for cooperation and unity in a divided United States and stressed the extension of freedom for world peace.

Through a pre-distributed inauguration speech excerpt, President Bush stated, “Our freedom can only be protected if freedom wins in the world. The best hope for world peace is when freedom spreads all around the globe.”

Participating in the inauguration eve event named “A Celebration of Freedom” on January 19, he emphasized, “We have been given a royal summons to stand up for freedom, and the United States will always be faithful.”

Before the speech, President Bush put his hand on a bible in front of Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist and pledged, “I will faithfully conduct the presidency of the United States of America and solemnly swear to do my best.”

Anticipating a terrorist attack, the U.S. administration prohibited aircrafts from entering the Washington sky and mobilized 10,000 soldiers and police officers for tight guard duty.

Meanwhile, based on a telephone survey conducted on 1,118 people during January 14 to 18, the New York Times and CBS reported yesterday that 75 percent of those polled responded that U.S. forces will be stationed in Iraq in 2009 when President Bush’s second term is over, and that he does not seem to have a plan to withdraw troops from the country.

Also, 67 percent of those polled answered that debts will increase in 2009, and 47 percent forecasted that the bipolar phenomenon of American society will become graver during President Bush’s second term.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com