ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 20, 1997 TAG: 9701200155
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: SOFIA, BULGARIA
Bulgaria's political rivals set aside bitter differences Sunday for the swearing-in of President Petar Stoyanov, the country's second democratically elected leader.
Tens of thousands rallied nationwide to support Stoyanov, an opposition figure who Bulgarians hope can help resolve the country's political crisis as a prelude to urgently needed economic recovery.
Opposition lawmakers suspended a boycott of the legislature for the occasion and sat together with members of the Socialist Party, the former Communists, whom they want to oust from power.
Many hope Stoyanov will have the moral authority and negotiating skills to narrow the disagreement between the Socialists and the opposition over the timing of new elections.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 27 linesby CNB