SUCRE, Bolivia (AP) - Jorge Quiroga became Bolivia's president Tuesday night, taking office amid expectations he can fix the economy of South America's poorest nation, soothe social discontent and curb political corruption - all in the year left in his predecessor's term.(Read photo caption below)
In his inauguration ceremony, the vice president donned the presidential sash relinquished a day earlier by Hugo Banzer, who stepped down to battle cancer.
Quiroga began by praising Banzer and the work he did for Bolivia.
``With our applause, let's honor the man, the leader, and the statesman who left deep footprints in our history,'' said Quiroga.
During his speech, Quiroga acknowledged the grave economic situation facing the country, and underlined the effects of the U.S.-funded coca eradication program and Bolivia's fight against contraband.
He called for unity in confronting economic ills, as well as support in fighting corruption.
Quiroga urged the creation of a new constitution to minimize the monopoly of mainstream political parties and open up politics to average Bolivians.
The 41-year-old chief executive also said his relative youth will be an asset. ``What matters is not appearance, but ability, spirit and desire to move forward,'' Quiroga said, speaking from Sucre's Liberty House, where Simon Bolivar liberated Bolivia from Spain 176 years ago.
Much of his inauguration speech focused on Bolivia's natural gas resources, and he promised that their benefits will reach the country's poorest.
Banzer's term would have ended Aug. 6, 2002, and Quiroga will be ineligible to run again - for either president or vice president - until 2007.
Banzer was honored Tuesday by Bolivia's armed forces in Santa Cruz, where the retired general, who said the soldiers were like ``family'' to him, gave one more speech as president.
While Banzer returns to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to focus on battling his cancer, Quiroga must face a nation where six out of 10 people live in poverty, unemployment is nearing 10 percent and citizens have little faith in politicians.
Creating an emergency plan to stimulate the economy will be one of Quiroga's first steps after forming a new Cabinet. To earn the confidence of his countrymen, analysts say Quiroga must generate jobs and find ways to deal with the effects of neighboring Argentina's economic crisis.
Many Bolivians are hopeful that Quiroga, nicknamed ``Tuto,'' may be just the man to work this magic. A U.S.-educated industrial engineer with experience in the financial sector, the 41-year-old Quiroga is perceived as capable in economic matters.
In contrast, the 75-year-old Banzer was often accused of being out of touch with the world's modern-day economy.
``Quiroga represents a new generation that is beginning to replace the old leaders,'' said political and economic analyst Carlos Toranzo in La Paz. ``We're in a moment of opportunity.''
Flawlessly bilingual in Spanish and English, Quiroga graduated with honors from Texas A&M University before getting his business degree from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. The Lone Star state is also where he met his wife, Virginia, who will be Bolivia's first American first lady. They have four children.
After working for seven years with IBM in Austin, Quiroga returned to Bolivia and spent more than a decade in the private sector and in government positions.
But Quiroga will need to call on more than business skills to deal with Bolivia's discontented indigenous peasants, whose leader, Felipe Quispe, has threatened to resume road blockades if the new president fails to show he's serious about listening to their needs.
Many say the weakness of Banzer's government led to a lack of respect for the law and state institutions.
Quiroga will need to introduce ``authority without authoritarianism,'' political analyst Horst Grebe told PAT television.
The new president may also face internal challenges within his political party - of which Banzer will remain the head - by older members who are uneasy with the more modern-minded sector led by Quiroga.
Another task on Quiroga's formidable to-do list includes ensuring transparent elections next summer.
Quiroga will also continue a dlrs 5 billion project to export natural gas to California, which could bring up to a billion dollars a year to Bolivia.
PHOTO CAPTION:
President Jorge Quiroga speaks during his inauguration ceremony at Casa de la Libertad in Sucre, Bolivia, on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001. Quiroga took charge of the nation Tuesday, replacing Hugo Banzer, who is suffering from cancer. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)