MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Jubilant Celebrations in Uruguay.

More than half a million people went out to the streets in this capital Tuesday to greet the course of Tabare Vazquez minutes before he took office as the first Uruguayan Socialist President, in the history of this South American nation.

Accompanied by Vice President Rodolfo Nin Novoa, 65 years old, an oncologist by profession, Dr.Vazquez went to the Independence Building, where he received the presidential band from the hands of salient President Jorge Batlle.

In a 20-minute speech after his swear-in to the Constitution, at the host of the local Parliament, Vazquez promised he would tirelessly for the happiness of the Uruguayan people during his 5 years of presidential mandate.

"I swear I will tirelessly for the happiness of the Uruguayan people," expressed Vazquez before the General Assembly in his first public speech during the ceremony at the Legislative Palace"s Los Pasos Perdidos (Lost Steps) Hall Tuesday. "The statement of constitutional fidelity implies the greatest commitment of that man to whom the population has given government responsibilities," Vazquez said to congressmen, population and invited people. "I will be vertical and consequent with such a statement," he said. Vazquez also said his government would reiterate importance of the new agreements signed by the Executive with national political parties on February 16. "I have not come alone." "I take office as president of the republic with the support of hundreds of thousands of compatriots who expressed their democratic wishes for a better country for all Uruguayans."

He said that his government would have an independent foreign policy, adhesion to international laws, and respect for the sovereignty of peoples, peaceful solution of controversies, non-intervention, self-determination and defense of democracy. "Let make it clear: we won't tolerate foreign intromission in our domestic affairs, we will reject any kind of terrorism activity, and we reassert our commitment with Mercosur as an integration process," he stated. "We commit ourselves to build the future, together with young people, women, and comrades living abroad."

Later he greeted Presidents Nestor Kirchner (Argentina), Hugo Chavez (Venezuela) and Luiz Inacio (Lula) da Silva (Brazil) Carlos Mesa (Bolivia), Alejandro Toledo (Peru), Nicanor Duarte Frutos (Paraguay) among others 150 delegations, before he went to receive his presidential band.

Vazquez, elected Oct. 31 to replace Jorge Batlle, is part of a reinvigorated ? but far less ideological ? leftist movement in Latin America whose leaders have come to power amid economic turmoil. He took the oath of office for his five-year term with many of South America's new generation of leftist leaders looking on.

Vazquez's victory broke a long-running hold on power by the Colorado and National parties, which alternately controlled the presidency for more than 170 years.