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Action Ukraine Report

"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT"
An International Newsletter
In-Depth Ukrainian News, Analysis, and Commentary

"The Art of Ukrainian History, Culture, Arts, Business, Religion,
Sports, Government, and Politics, in Ukraine and Around the World"

"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT" Year 04, Number 176
The Action Ukraine Coalition (AUC), Washington, D.C.
Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), Huntingdon Valley, PA
morganw@patriot.net, ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net (ARTUIS)
Washington, D.C.; Kyiv, Ukraine, WEDNESDAY, September 29, 2004

-----INDEX OF ARTICLES-----
"Major International News Headlines and Articles"

1. U.S. VISA RESTRICTIONS ON BELARUSIAN OFFICIALS
Press Statement, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC, Mon, September 27, 2004

2. "UKRAINE AT A CROSSROADS"
ANALYSIS: By Anders Aslund, The Washington Post
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 29, 2004; Page A27

3. UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER WARNS RECENT
EVENTS AROUND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN MAY SIGNIFY
INTENTIONS TO DISRUPT THE ELECTION PROCESS
Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 28 Sep 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tue, Sep 28, 2004

4. PRESIDENT KUCHMA SAYS UKRAINE SHOULD GRADUALLY
WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ
AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Tue, Sep 28, 2004

5. UKRAINE CANDIDATE WAS NOT POISONED--HOSPITAL
REUTERS, Vienna, Austria, Tue, 28 Sep 2004, 21:02:54 GMT

6. "UKRAINE AND THE EURO-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY"
Today it's time to become bitter realists and express our concerns.
REMARKS: by Yuri Scherbak, Ambassador of Ukraine
Advisor to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Former Ukraine Ambassador to the United States and Canada
"Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Community: A Strategic Dialogue"
Kyiv, Ukraine, September 24-26, 2004

7. CHILDREN OF CHORNOBYL RELIEF FUND TO HOST NATIONAL
CONVENTION CELEBRATING 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS
FIRST HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL MISSION TO UKRAINE
Convention delegates from US, Canada, Ukraine
Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, Short Hills, NJ, Tue, Sep 28, 2004

8. REPORT OF THE SECOND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE U.S.
CONGRESS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OBSERVER DELEGATION
TO UKRAINE AUGUST 22-28, 2004
REPORT: U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
Ukraine Presidential Election Observer Project
With the Support of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 29, 2004

9. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OPENS NEW OFFICE TO DEAL WITH
EFFORTS TO RECONSTRUCT AND STABILIZE FAILED STATES
Headed by Carlos Pasqual recently US Ambassador to Ukraine
Agence France Presse, Washington, D.C., Tue, Sep 28, 2004
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER ONE
========================================================
1. U.S. VISA RESTRICTIONS ON BELARUSIAN OFFICIALS

Press Statement, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC, Mon, September 27, 2004

WASHINGTON - The United States welcomes the September 27
decision by the European Union to restrict admission to its territory of
Belarusian officials implicated in the disappearances of three opposition
figures and a journalist in 1999 and 2000. The United States will take its
own steps, consistent with applicable U.S. law and regulations, to ensure
that Belarusian officials implicated in these politically motivated
disappearances will not be able to travel freely to the United States.

According to a report adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe in January 2004, credible evidence suggests high-level
Belarusian officials were involved in the disappearances of Yury Zakharenko,
Viktor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, and Dimitry Zavadsky. A serious
investigation of these disappearances has yet to take place. We once again
call upon the Belarusian authorities to provide a full accounting of these
disappearances and the ensuing cover-up, and to hold the perpetrators
immediately accountable.

Unfortunately, these incidents are part of a much broader pattern of
intensified violations of democratic principles and human rights by the
Belarusian authorities. If it continues, this pattern will only further
isolate the Belarusian leadership from the U.S. and the community of
democratic nations in Europe. -30-
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LINK: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/36534.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTE: Several U.S. Congressmen have endorsed this
concept regarding those top authorities in Ukraine who grossly violate
free and fair campaign practices. A leading Congressman added his
endorsement on Tuesday in Washington at a meeting on Ukraine and
Belarus held at The Heritage Foundation which your editor attended.
We will publish the Congressman's important and significant statement
just as soon as it can be transcribed. (EDITOR)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER TWO
=======================================================
2. "UKRAINE AT A CROSSROADS"

ANALYSIS: by Anders Aslund, The Washington Post
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 29, 2004; Page A27

No event in Europe this year will be as important to the United States
as the presidential election in Ukraine on Oct. 31, preceding the U.S.
elections by only two days. Ukraine's democracy and geopolitical
orientation are at stake.

The good news is that incumbent President Leonid Kuchma is not even
attempting to run for reelection. After suspicions of his involvement in the
murder of a journalist in 2000, his popularity rating plummeted and has now
stabilized at 7 percent. The bad news is that the big businessmen he has
helped to enrich appear determined to hold on to power by any means.

Two candidates dominate the stage: former prime minister Viktor Yushchenko
and current Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich. Yushchenko leads the broad
liberal-conservative opposition bloc Our Ukraine, which holds about a
quarter of the seats in Parliament. His liberal and democratic credentials
are strong, and he favors stronger ties with the West.

Yanukovich springs from the Donetsk clan, the country's strongest business
group. His constituency is the Ukrainian government and big business, and
his geopolitical orientation is toward Russia. Remarkably, the prime
minister has served two prison sentences for violent crimes.

Ukraine represents a curious disconnect between politics and economics.
For the past four years, the Ukrainian economy has been booming, growing
by no less than 12.7 percent during the first half of this year, following 9
percent growth in 2003. Both of the leading candidates embrace the
free-market economy and private enterprise, which have generated these
successes.

But the economic boom notwithstanding, only 2 percent of Ukrainians
consider themselves happy, according to a recent opinion poll. The
general perception is that only a handful of large cities really benefit,
and few share the enormous profits. Poverty remains widespread and
social services continue to deteriorate.

Politically, Ukraine is becoming more repressive by the day as the
government closes down one media outlet after another on flimsy grounds
ranging from licensing and tax violations to libel. Yanukovich's supporters
control all national TV channels and most of the print media. The state
administration is being mobilized for Yanukovich's campaign, and the state
tax service is harassing businessmen who dare to support Yushchenko. In
a recent mayoral election, the government side won the mayor's office by
outright falsification of the election results, and it refuses to relinquish
it. Yanukovich is not even prepared to sign an agreement on working for
free and fair elections.

Russia's involvement in Ukraine's domestic politics is palpable. Russian
President Vladimir Putin meets Kuchma virtually every month, and recently
he has also done so with Yanukovich. In the past year, Putin has tied
Ukraine closer to Russia through dozens of economic agreements, and
Ukrainian exports to Russia have skyrocketed. Heavy-handed Russian
political advisers dominate the current election campaign, and they all
savage Yushchenko.

In the opinion polls, however, Yushchenko has a commanding lead. The
latest poll gave him 42 percent in a runoff vote to Yanukovich's 36 percent.
In spite of the risks of persecution, more businessmen are joining his camp
and calling for the rule of law. During a recent trip to Kiev, I was told by
Yuriy Yekhanurov, one of Yushchenko's deputies, that Yushchenko's
campaign staff is convinced that Yushchenko will win the election but fear
that the government side will steal it by falsifying the vote count. Alas,
Yushchenko was seriously poisoned in the midst of the campaign and
nearly paralyzed.

The talk in Kiev is that Ukraine may experience a velvet revolution, as
Georgia did in December. The chief of Yanukovich's campaign staff has
publicly accused Yushchenko's followers of plotting such a revolution. A
recent opinion poll found that 84 percent believed that "citizens had the
right to take protest actions to the streets if the election results were
falsified."

What can the United States do to support democracy in Ukraine?

First, President Bush should declare that he considers democracy in
Ukraine to be vital to both U.S. and Ukrainian interests, rather than
praising Kuchma for sending 1,650 troops to Iraq.

Second, the key to post-election developments will be the assessment of
whether the elections were free and fair or stolen. Ukraine has accepted
international election observers, and the United States and like-minded
countries should send more of them than ever before. This nation harbors
a vigorous Ukrainian diaspora that could supply thousands of qualified
election observers. Hard evidence from polling stations and exit polls could
influence the course of Ukrainian history, especially since U.S.-financed
radio stations can broadcast the findings back to the Ukrainian people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The writer is director of the Russian and Eurasian Program at the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), in Washington, D.C.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58369-2004Sep28.html
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER THREE
=======================================================
3. UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER WARNS RECENT EVENTS
AROUND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN MAY SIGNIFY INTENTIONS
TO DISRUPT THE ELECTION PROCESS

Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Kiev, in Russian, 28 Sep 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Tue, Sep 28, 2004

KIEV - The chairman of the Supreme Council of Ukraine [parliament],
Volodymyr Lytvyn, has stated that recent events around the presidential
campaign may signify the intention to disrupt the elections.

"The recent events surrounding the election campaign process, especially
their specific interpretation, give grounds to view them as a precursor to
the intention to disrupt the elections and an attempt to test the possible
reaction of society to the possibility of this development. This has been
clear from the attempts to upset political stability in Ukraine and pull out
the axle that has been the foundation of civic accord, disrupting everything
by which our state has been positively distinguished over the past several
years," Lytvyn said in a statement, whose text Interfax-Ukraine received
from the press service of the Supreme Council today.

"There are obvious signs of Ukraine's moral humiliation at a critical level,
and the mood of uncertainty and hopelessness is being spread among
people in the hope that they will accept the disruption of the election
indifferently or neutrally. The artificial polarization of public opinion,
the
organization of confrontation between regions, the attempts to split this
country, the provocation of conflicts between Ukrainian presidential
candidates and the strengthening of mutual distrust among them have
become all too obvious. What is more, attempts have been recorded
to use these as political PR tools," Lytvyn stressed.

Lytvyn said that "the attempts to disorganize the Supreme Council,
marginalize it from the sociopolitical process and actually deprive the
people of their legal constitutional platform" have been among the
components of this political PR.

"In this situation, if the elections eventually do take place, it is easy to
forecast that an elected president of Ukraine objectively will not be able
to position himself as a leader of the whole nation and he will not have
appropriate support in society. Elections played according to this scenario
would lay the foundation for a conflict vector of Ukraine's development,"
Lytvyn believes.

He believes that all the statesmen and politicians have to demonstrate a
high level of responsibility before the nation and that it is up to the head
of state to say a weighty word. Lytvyn said that the need is ripe for the
presidential candidates who are going to the end of the electoral campaign
to gather for a meeting with the president [Leonid Kuchma]. Such a meeting
would have a stabilizing nature, Lytvyn said. [Passage omitted: more in the
same vein] -30-
========================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER FOUR
Support The Action Ukraine Report: Send A Check Today
========================================================
4. PRESIDENT KUCHMA SAYS UKRAINE SHOULD GRADUALLY
WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ

AP Worldstream, Kiev, Ukraine, Tue, Sep 28, 2004

KIEV - President Leonid Kuchma said Tuesday that Ukraine should gradually
withdraw its troops from Iraq, but gave no timetable. "We should gradually
pull out our peacekeepers from Iraq, but ... neither tomorrow nor the day
after tomorrow," Kuchma said as he introduced newly reappointed Defense
Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk to the ministry's staff.

Kuchma said a withdrawal should not be seen as a retreat. "It shouldn't look
like escape," he said. Kuchma's term in office is coming to an end, and he
is to be replaced in an Oct. 31 election.

Later in the day, the country's Security and Defense Council supported the
idea of a pullout in a session chaired by Kuchma. The Defense Ministry said
this month that Ukraine would pull its troops out of Iraq, but also gave no
timetable. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, one of the two leading
presidential candidates, said Ukraine could withdraw its troops after
elections in Iraq that are to be held by the end of January.

With 1,600 troops, Ukraine is the fourth-largest contributor to the
coalition and the largest among non-NATO countries. Eight of its soldiers
have died, including three in combat, and more than 20 have been wounded.
Most Ukrainians want the troops brought home, and the deployment has
become an issue in the campaign. Yanukovych and the other top candidate,
opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, both have expressed support for a
pullout.

Ukraine has said it plans to downsize its contingent by 200 troops, starting
with the next rotation scheduled to be completed in October, and eventually
to withdraw its forces altogether. -30-
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER FIVE
=======================================================
5. UKRAINE CANDIDATE WAS NOT POISONED--HOSPITAL

REUTERS, Vienna, Austria, Tue, 28 Sep 2004, 21:02:54 GMT

VIENNA - Allegations that Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor
Yushchenko was poisoned are baseless, an Austrian hospital that
treated him said on Tuesday.

The hospital gave no details about what it believes to be the cause of
Yushchenko's symptoms, but said it would hold a news conference on
Wednesday to discuss the case.

Opposition leader Yushchenko stopped campaigning for an Oct. 31 poll
and flew to Vienna for treatment earlier this month after becoming ill with
what aides said was first thought to be food poisoning but later said was
chemical poisoning.

"False information about Mr. Yushchenko having been poisoned has been
widely disseminated in Ukraine and taken up by the international press, in
which our hospital was directly referred to," Vienna's Rudolfinerhaus
Hospital said in a statement.

"The information disseminated about an alleged poisoning is absolutely
unfounded in medical terms," it said. "In order to silence these rumours ...
the (hospital) has decided to abandon its usual attitude of reserve and
make a public statement."

Yushchenko returned to campaigning 10 days ago and has accused
Ukrainian authorities of poisoning him to remove him from the presidential
contest. He still has difficulty speaking as one side of his face appears
paralysed.

The office of President Leonid Kuchma has dismissed the allegations.

Next month's election marks the end of Kuchma's 10-year stay in power,
marked by scandals, charges of corruption and allegations that the
post-Soviet press is being stifled. Yushchenko, credited with about 30
percent in opinion polls, is expected to go to a run-off against Prime
Minister Viktor Yanukovich, who lies about seven points behind.
Twenty-four candidates are in the race. -30-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28387715.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTE: The hospital in Vienna did not say in the first place that
they could confirm that Yuschenko was poisoned as too much time had
gone by before he arrived in Vienna. The hospital said they could not
confirm either way about poisoning so this story is now somewhat
confusing and more information is needed. Maybe the hospital is just
wanting to clarify exactly what they did say in the first place and believe
there have been errors in the information the news media has distributed.
Stay tuned. (EDITOR)
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER SIX
=======================================================
6. "UKRAINE AND THE EURO-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY"
Today it's time to become bitter realists and express our concerns.

REMARKS: by Yuri Scherbak, Ambassador of Ukraine
Advisor to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Former Ukraine Ambassador to the United States and Canada
"Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Community: A Strategic Dialogue"
Kyiv, Ukraine, September 24-26, 2004

Dear participants of the Strategic Dialogue "Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic
Community", Members of the diplomatic corps, Dear guests, Ladies and
gentlemen,

It is a great honor and privilege for me to welcome all of you here, in the
ancient Kyiv, on the Dnieper river, which symbolizes the greatness and
immortality of the Nature. I was born in this city 70 years ago and I
remember not just the eternal and beautiful scenery of Kyiv and Dnieper,
but also terrible moments of Ukrainian history - war and famine,
repressions and deportations.

The disturbing feeling of insecurity followed me all my life - personal
insecurity under the Communist regime and insecurity of my motherland -
Ukraine - under the Soviet ruling and during the transitional period.

I devoted more than 10 years of my life - starting from 1992 - to defense
of the national interests of Ukraine in Israel, the United States, Mexico,
Canada and here, in Kyiv. I remember who and how laid territorial claims
to Ukraine, being anxious to seize Crimea at the moments of the biggest
weakness of our young state.

I remember us, Ukrainian diplomats, defending the independence and
sovereignty of Ukraine. I will not forget our joy when in 1997 the Charter
on Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine was signed in
Madrid and in 1998 the state strategy of European integration and the aim
of joining the EU were proclaimed. I am proud of my involvement in the
establishment of the strategic partnership relations between Ukraine and
the USA.

Launched in 1997, the partnership became an event of the geopolitical
significance not only for my country and Europe but on a global scale as
well, since it allowed to fill, even though partially, the security vacuum
in the strategically vulnerable region of the world. After such progressive
advance in the foreign-policy arena, the disappointment of the Ukrainian
political, diplomatic and military elite was particularly bitter when, under
the influence of domestic political scandals in Kyiv, President Kuchma lost
the sense of geopolitical pluralism and the freedom of manoeuvring.

A number of decisions taken under the ever-increasing Russia's pressure
and growing indifference of European states and, to a certain extent, of
the USA, have worsened the geostrategic situation of Ukraine. I have
participated in dozens of conferences and seminars dedicated to
Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, and all of them were marked by
romantic optimism if not euphoria.

Today it's time to become bitter realists and express our concerns. The
course of the Ukrainian ship undergoes dramatic changes under the
influence of hurricane "Ivan". The confused captain has left the steering
wheel unattended and the ship is drifting away from the EU and NATO, in
the direction of the Single Economic Space, towards a new empire with
"governed democracy" and restoration of numerous Soviet propaganda anti-
American and anti-Western clichés. The most recent indication of these
changes is the dismissal of Defense Minister Marchuk, the last in the series
of pro-Western Ukrainian high officials to be removed from the decision-
making process.

The pendulum of history has sharply swung in the direction of Eurasia,
towards the increase of authoritarian trends in Russia. The unilateralism
of the United States and its disregard of Ukrainian interests objectively
contribute to these retrograde processes in the post-Soviet area.

Ladies and gentlemen, The geopolitical, international situation of Ukraine
depends, to the great extent, on the internal, socio-economic and
psychological factors, the state of democracy in the country and, not in
the last place, on the foreign-policy orientation of Ukrainian leaders and
their willingness to maintain the Euro-Atlantic vector of development.

Among the factors determining the geopolitical situation of Ukraine today
are the following:

FIRST: I am deeply convinced that the terrorist attack of al-Qaeda on
September 11, 2001 against the USA and taking of hostages by Chechen
terrorists and mass killing of children in the North Ossetia on September 3,
2004 have created a new geostrategic situation: the world asymmetric war
with forces of terrorism and aggressive separatism has begun.

As a result of this war a new division of the world on the basis of the
struggle for vital strategic resources, such as oil, natural gas and
drinking water etc., will take place. The today's situation is much more
unstable than it was in the 1990's, and a serious world conflict may be
expected in 2015 - 2020, possibly in the Caspian-Caucasian region.

Ukraine, which is situated not far from the "global Eurasia Balkans"
(according to Dr. Brzezinski's expression) - the Caspian-Caucasian region,
Middle East and Central Asia, - may be easily drawn into the future world
conflict. Ukraine's participation in the antiterrorist coalition in Iraq is
important evidence of the geopolitical step towards the Euro-Atlantic bloc.
This courageous and very difficult step of Ukraine is far from being
adequately appreciated in the West, which shows that some leaders lack in
strategic imagination.

The Russia's war against terrorism has created a new political situation in
this country: building of a new quasi-monarchic power vertical has begun
and this may turn the country into a police state. Russia's borrowing of the
U.S. strategy of preemptive strikes threatens not only Muslim terrorists in
the Saudi Arabia but also neighboring countries. The threat of inadequate
use of armed forces with the view of Russia's strategic dominance in the
post-Soviet area grows.

SECOND: The strategy of Euro-Atlantic integration, which was officially
proclaimed and accepted by the people, has encountered the inconsistency
of certain Ukrainian leaders. Abandoning of some formulas concerning the
EU and NATO integration, heightening of anti-OSCE rhetoric, etc, evidences
this. On the other hand, the disdainful attitude of certain EU leaders
towards Ukraine has objectively contributed to this change of the foreign
policy direction.

Today the slogan "Let's build Europe ourselves in Ukraine" is widely used in
our country by some leaders, reminding of red utopias about creating heaven
on earth in a separate region. Such "autarkic Europe" has nothing in common
with the single lively European democratic organism, which develops
according to other - integration and not isolationist - laws.

The attempts to isolate Ukraine, both external and internal, are very
dangerous and may lead to its marginalization. This should be understood
not only in Kyiv and Washington but also in Brussels, Berlin and Paris.
Fortunately, Warsaw realizes this well and we highly appreciate the
support of our Polish partners.

However, it should be mentioned that Poland is not the only lobbyist of
Ukrainian interests to the west of our borders. A concrete example of this
is the agreement reached by the Presidents of Lithuania and Romania during
their meeting in New York two days ago regarding the joint actions of these
countries to promote the full membership of Ukraine in Euro-Atlantic
structures.

THIRD: The biggest challenge to Ukraine was, is and will be Russia,
which, despite all its losses, restores its imperial mentality and
great-power ambitions.

Russia's obvious aim is to restore its superpower status, yet this time
mainly not in the course of military offensive operations but by building a
global energy-transport empire. Within the following 30 years, Russia plans
to supply 600 billion cubic meters of gas to China and 300 billion cubic
meters to the Republic of Korea. A pipeline from Russia to China will
stretch for the distance of about 5000 km and will be one of the longest in
the world. Gas will be supplied to Japan and Turkey.

By 2030, the supply of internal gas resources in the EU will drop from 65%
to 25%. In such conditions Russia also becomes the main gas supplier and
this will have far-reaching geopolitical consequences for Europe.

The USA, which is the biggest oil importer in the world (60% of imports in
2003, 70% in 2010), prepares to purchase Russian oil - up to 10% of the
total import in the near future. The American-Russian oil cooperation is
supposed to ensure stable supply of Russian energy resources even in case
of interrupted supply from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Venezuela.

For Ukraine the consequences will be even more serious - taking into
account the transit role of our state and high-capacity oil pipeline and
gas-transport corridors that belong to Ukraine and are a national security
factor and our invaluable national wealth.

The sad story with the Odessa-Brody pipeline, which through the efforts of
Russian and Ukrainian "brothers" turned into the Brody-Odessa pipeline,
became a parody of the energy independence of Ukraine. According to
leading Russian politicians, not only Mr. Zhyrinovski and Mr. Rogozin,
Ukraine has to become an integral part of this gas-and-oil empire in the
framework of the Agreement on Single Economic Space (SES) as well
as other accords.

FOURTH: Let us think about the role of the United States, the only global
superpower that now conducts the difficult and bloody antiterrorist war in
two distant regions of the world - Afghanistan and Iraq. It hurt me and my
colleagues to watch the relations between our countries falling to the
critically low level in 2000-2003. At that time, a real anti-American
campaign in the spirit of the Cold War, inspired by certain official circles
and propaganda centers situated abroad, was launched in Ukraine.

At the same time, the United States has not always treated Ukraine and its
geopolitical perspectives in the 21st century adequately. The position of
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice seems especially questionable
to me. In my opinion, Ms. Rice has not managed to find the necessary formula
of balance in the relations of the USA and Russia, Ukraine and countries of
the Caspian-Caucasian region.

This is confirmed by the words of Senator McCain who gave a speech last
week at the conference on Ukraine's path to a stable democracy in
Washington, D.C. Mr. McCain said the following: "Ukraine is extremely
important to the region, to the world, and to the United States. I fear that
in recent years the United States and Europe have not been fully cognizant
of the critical role Ukraine plays, and as a result, the aspiration of
Ukrainians to see their nation firmly ensconced in the West has drifted. The
United States and Europe must see Ukraine for what it is - an important,
proud, and populous country in a geostrategically critical position - a
country with much to offer the West. It would be a terrible blunder if,
because of our inattention and mistakes, we allow Ukraine to slip back into
the Russian orbit."

We should all understand that leaders come and go but Ukraine remains
and so does its strategic role in the region. This idea should be gotten
across to Western decision-makers so that they realize the need to support
the Ukrainian people in its striving for democracy despite the contradictory
and sometimes misleading messages coming from Ukrainian authorities.

Considering the future prospects of NATO, I believe that in the near future
it will be transformed into the Global Treaty Organization (GTO) with
indispensable participation of Ukraine and, partially, of Russia as well. It
is interesting to observe President Putin's attitude towards NATO. After the
tragedy in Beslan, Putin met with western political scientists, journalists
and politicians and declared that Russia did not want to see NATO's
"burial," since today NATO is a global stability factor in which Russia is
interested. At the same time, Putin said that the entry of the Baltic states
into NATO was "total bullshit| and NATO's enlargement had nothing in
common with security, being just a political expansion, and that it was
conducted "in an offensive way".

As regards Ukraine, Putin said that if Ukraine wanted to move towards the
EU - that's O.K., but if it wanted to join NATO "in an offending way", there
would be problems. If we join NATO "in the accepted manner", there will be
no problems with Russia.

Kremlin has already realized the fact of Ukraine's possible entry into NATO,
it remains only to find out what the "offensive" and "accepted" entry mean.
Fifth: We may not ignore the geoeconomic situation of Ukraine. Globalization
and integration processes have already affected Ukraine. Hundreds of Western
and, in particular, American companies operate in the country. Ukrainian
export to the EU countries, including Donetsk steel, has increased to about
40% of all export.

However, it is the Russian capital that turned out to be the most active, as
today it controls 80-90% of the key industries of Ukrainian economy.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Lytvyn has justly pointed out
the need "to establish, from the political and legislative points of view,
what level of foreign capital and foreign owners' penetration into the
nation's economy is acceptable in national security terms. Where does the
margin lie beyond which the economic integration turns into political
domination over us, bringing with it liquidation or adsorption of a
sovereign state?"

Dear friends, Maybe you know the answer to the question - what is the
difference between optimists and pessimists? A pessimist is a well-informed
optimist. I am a well-informed pessimist, which means a realist.

I call on you to assess the Euro-Atlantic possibilities of Ukraine in the
current political situation of power change from the realistic point of
view, without making apocalyptic prophecies and without euphoria. I am
certain that only democratic, fair elections will allow the Ukrainian people
to make its choice and determine its future within NATO and united Europe.
Yet, this requires new national leaders, which would make the geopolitical
choice not under the pressure of foreign states but as a result of
realization of true national interests of Ukraine.

I am deeply convinced that Ukraine will overcome all obstacles due to the
objective law of history - the law of inexorable changes. This law is based
on the generational change, the rise of the middle class of owners in
Ukraine, the traditional freedom-loving nature and working individualism of
Ukrainians, who increasingly perceive themselves as members of the
European family.

I believe that, following the Warsaw and Vilnius rounds mentioned by Dr.
Brzezinski, there will be a "Kyiv" one. It's up to you and me to hasten its
approach. -30-
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No. 176: ARTICLE NUMBER SEVEN
======================================================
7. CHILDREN OF CHORNOBYL RELIEF FUND TO HOST NATIONAL
CONVENTION CELEBRATING 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS
FIRST HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL MISSION TO UKRAINE
Convention delegates from US, Canada, Ukraine

Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, Short Hills, NJ, Tue, Sep 28, 2004

SHORT HILLS, NJ - On November 19-21, the New Jersey-based Children
of Chornobyl Relief Fund will host its Third National Convention celebrating
the 15th Anniversary of its first medical shipment to Ukraine. An award-
winning humanitarian organization with 13 chapters, CCRF was founded
in November of 1989 in response to the growing medical crisis in Ukraine
stemming from the world's worst nuclear disaster. Since then, CCRF has
delivered over $51 million dollars of aid to Ukrainian hospitals and
orphanages, to become the leading U.S. charity serving Ukraine.

The November Convention will be held at the Ramada Conference Center
on Route 10 in East Hanover, New Jersey. It is expected to draw medical
experts, community activists and celebrities from across the United States
and Canada. Among the distinguished guests who will serve as keynote
speakers will be NBC correspondent Martin Savidge, the President of RKO
Pictures, Paul Speaker, and Dr. William Novick, a renowned cardiac surgeon
featured in the 2004 Oscar-winning documentary "Chernobyl Heart".

"This will be our first convention since 1997," said Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky,
the co-founder and President of CCRF. "This will be a unique opportunity to
celebrate the successes of the past 15 years and to honor some of the people
who have played a vital role in the development of our medical mission." As
the retired Chief of Surgery at Union Hospital (Saint Barnabas Medical
System), Dr. Matkiwsky is recognized as an expert on the Chornobyl
aftermath.

He has testified in the United States Senate and at the United Nations on
the current health situation in Ukraine. With the help of CCRF's staff and
volunteers, Dr. Matkiwsky has helped to introduce new technology and
training programs in Ukrainian hospitals that have led to sharp reductions
in infant mortality and improvements in cancer remission rates.

Recently, the Kyiv Post, Ukraine's largest English-language newspaper hailed
CCRF as one of the most effective charities serving Ukraine. In 1995 CCRF
was honored by then Governor Christine Todd Whitman with the Governor's
Volunteer Award. The Fund has also been recognized in TIME Magazine's
Local Heroes column and in the Voices of Vision series produced by the
Teaching Learning Network for broadcast on many public television stations.

In addition to presentations on medical programs to combat birth defects,
immune deficiencies and pregnancy complications, the November Convention
will also provide training workshops on community fund raising, corporate
outreach and press relations for volunteers from across the country. The
Convention will culminate in a gala fundraising banquet on the evening of
November 20th.

Registration fees for the entire weekend will be $185 in advance and $220 at
the door. The full package for Saturday's workshops and banquet will be
$150. Special Convention rates for overnight guests will be available at the
Ramada Hotel and Conference Center. For more information on corporate
sponsorships and advertising rates in the program book, please contact Alexa
Milanytch at (973) 376-5140. -30-
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ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER EIGHT
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8. REPORT OF THE SECOND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE U.S.
CONGRESS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OBSERVER DELEGATION
TO UKRAINE AUGUST 22-28, 2004

REPORT: U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
Ukraine Presidential Election Observer Project
With the Support of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF)
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 29, 2004

DELEGATION REPORT, AUGUST 22-28, 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS: I. Program Overview; II. August Delegation;
III. Findings: A. Refusal to meet with the delegation. B. Discussions with
NGO and political party representatives: Ballot tampering, Economic
leveraging, Signatures, Campaign advertising, Political meetings, Media.
IV. Recommendations; V. Summary.

I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) is a nonprofit, non-governmental
organization established in 1991 to facilitate democratic development,
encourage free market reform, and enhance human rights in Ukraine.
Through a partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of
Congress (USAFMC) and with funding from the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation sent its
second delegation of former Members of Congress to Ukraine as official
election observers for the presidential election campaign, officially
underway since July 3, 2004.

This August delegation also included two former Members of the European
Parliament from Spain and the Netherlands. These observers were registered
by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Ukraine and accorded all the
rights and privileges provided to foreign observers by Ukraine's law on
presidential elections.

The Foundation's strategy of sending former Congressmen and former
Parliamentarians as international observers will assist Ukraine in reaching
international standards for free and fair elections through adherence to
domestic election laws. First, the interest and care of these respected
international observers in Ukraine's election supports and buoys up the
public to stand for free elections, or at the very least to vote for their
choice - not their boss' or rector's choice - when alone in the ballot box.

In addition, these former legislators shine a spotlight on the
irregularities in the election campaign, thereby demonstrating to the
Government of Ukraine the international community's deep concern about
the fairness of these elections, Ukraine's commitment to democracy and
rule of law, and its role in the international community.

According to Ukrainian law, the people of Ukraine are entitled to express
their views on candidates and parties at the ballot box, freely and without
interference from any source. Therefore, this project is focused
exclusively on the fairness of the election process and does not in any way
advocate for any particular candidate or party.

The project draws on the Foundation's strong experience in Ukraine and its
wealth of in-country resources to create a meaningful monitoring agenda for
its observers. In addition, the members of the USAFMC have solid electoral
experience, and many have experience as election observers in various parts
of the world. This combination of a strong program infrastructure and
talented, respected human resources in the former Members renders this
project unique, effective, and what is needed for Ukraine at this time.

The following report was produced by the delegates from the U.S. Association
of Former Members of Congress and former Members of the European
Parliament, with support provided by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.

II. AUGUST DELEGATION
The delegation included the following former Members:
Lawrence J. Hogan (R-MD); Mike Kopetski (D-OR)
Dan Miller (R-FL); Ronald Packard (R-CA)
Jose Posada (Spain); Maartje van Putten (Netherlands)
John J. Rhodes, III (R-AZ)

The delegation's visit began with two days of briefings and meetings in
Kyiv. On the first day the delegates met with representatives of Viktor
Yushchenko's campaign and Mykhailo Riabets, Advisor to Prime Minister
Viktor Yanykovych and former chairman of the Central Election Commission.
Before traveling to Cherkasy on the second day, Ukrainian Independence
Day, the delegation met with representatives of the U.S. Embassy and USAID,
representatives from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and their
guest U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis, and Mr. Yevhen Pidberezhni, Vice
President of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine.

Over the following three days, the delegation was split up into three groups
and traveled to the designated communities to meet with local government
officials, representatives of NGOs, political parties, the media, and
ordinary citizens to get their respective views on the campaign thus far.
The communities visited were: Cherkasy, Kaniv, Kamianka and Zolotonosha
in the Cherkasy oblast; Svitlovodsk and Novomyrhorod in the Kirovohrad
oblast; Brovary, Kaharlyk and Ukrayinka in the Kyiv oblast.

Upon their return to Kyiv, the delegation met with Ambassador Herbst and
other representatives of the U.S. Embassy and USAID. Their trip concluded
with a reception at the residence of the Mrs. Van Es, Charge d´Affaires a.i.
of the Dutch Embassy, which was attended by diplomats from 12 European
Embassies, including the Greek Ambassador.

III. FINDINGS
A. Refusal to meet with the delegation
While the level of cooperation in Ukraine as a whole was excellent, it
should be noted that the city and district officials in Svitlovodsk,
Kirovohrad Oblast were not present to meet with the delegation, in spite of
advance notice by mail. The delegation was told that the officials were out
of the building on business and would not return on that particular day. The
unnamed city official, who informed the delegation of the officials'
absence, also refused the use of meeting space in the building.

However, the delegation met with representatives of the media, NGOs and
political parties in two parks adjacent to the city and district building.
Considering the ample advance notice and the refusal of meeting space, the
delegation infers that the absence of city and district officials was a
refusal to meet with international observers. If true, this is a violation
of Ukraine's election law.

Unable to meet with local city officials, the delegation did not hear any
response to the complaints raised by the assembled citizens. Therefore, the
delegation has not been given any evidence to refute the charges by local
citizens of local government officials' bias in favor of the Yanukovych
campaign. Without hearing evidence to the contrary, the delegation expresses
its concern about the fairness of the presidential campaign and ballot count
in Svitlovodsk.

It should be stressed that the lack of cooperation by city and district
officials in Svitlovodsk should not overshadow the excellent cooperation the
delegation received in the other communities visited. Most city and district
officials were generous with their time and helped make the delegation's
work go smoothly.
B. DISCUSSIONS WITH NGO AND POLITICAL PARTY REPS
In each town visited, delegates attended a number of meetings with local
citizens and NGO and political party representatives. Presidential
candidates Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, Our Ukraine leader, Viktor
Yushchenko, Socialist Party leader, Oleksandr Moroz, and Communist Party
leader, Petro Symonenko appeared to have the strongest presence in this
region and sent their respective local representatives to attend the
meetings with the delegates.

Delegates also heard a variety of complaints about candidates being blocked
from opening local headquarters, putting up signs, getting coverage in the
local media, being barred from using meeting rooms for rallies and political
meetings, having political meetings interrupted by thugs and being harassed
to support Mr. Yanukovych, especially to sign his petitions.
BALLOT TAMPERING
Party representatives all expressed doubts about the fairness of the ballot
count. They and experts stated that the transport of the ballot papers from
the polling stations to the Territorial Election Commissions and then to the
Central Election Committee is a particularly critical and vulnerable time
when the protocols can be changed and/or adulterated. Joseph Stalin's
quote, "It doesn't matter who votes, just who counts the votes," was often
cited. The political parties in opposition stated that they intend to have
party observers to watch the tabulation, but still were not confident that
they would be able to protect the integrity of the vote count. Citizens
frequently stated that elections were freer and fairer in previous times
than they are today.

One of the tactics that was mentioned as likely to occur is the use of chain
ballots. Instead of placing his ballot in the ballot box, a voter brings the
blank ballot out of the polling place and gives it to someone in exchange
for money. The person receiving the blank ballot then proceeds to fill out
the ballot and gives it to the next voter, who takes it and deposits it in
the ballot box. He then brings his blank ballot out, receives the payment,
and gives the blank ballot to the person paying for it. The process
continues in this manner.

Others are concerned about the absence of a central voters' register, since
only local lists are made, thereby creating the risk that people will be
placed on several lists or deleted intentionally. The people expressed their
apprehension that "dead souls" voting - or registering the dead, psychiatric
patients, and prisoners on the voter lists - will be a common method of vote
fraud, as was the practice in the 2002 parliamentary election.
ECONOMIC LEVERAGING
Citizens pointed out that the Ukrainian people, especially pensioners, are
going through a difficult economic period. In such an environment, those who
wish to "steal" the election have a huge advantage. They point out that the
government is using the state budget to buy votes by raising wages and
pensions. One employee of the Ministry of Defense alleged that salaries had
been raised by 90% to keep the loyalty of the military should the need arise
to overturn the election results. It should be pointed out, that the person
making that charge is the local leader of Our Ukraine block and, apparently,
has not faced retaliation by the authorities for her opposition views. It
was, in fact, noteworthy how free people felt to express their respective
views without obvious fear of retaliation.

Another allegation was that the Labor of Ukraine Party was providing
pensioners and veterans with free bus service to their gardens in return for
their signing Yanukovych petitions. One elderly woman told delegation
members that she took advantage of the free bus rides and, out of gratitude,
circulated petitions on behalf of Yanukovych. She maintained that the free
bus service was initiated long before Yanukovych was even a candidate for
president. She saw nothing improper in providing free bus service to people
who can barely afford food.
SIGNATURES
According to Ukrainian election law, each candidate for president must
collect the signatures of 500,000 citizens to get on the ballot; many
complaints centered on the collection of those signatures. It was alleged by
many people that hospital employees, teachers and other public employees
were threatened with the loss of their jobs if they did not sign a petition
for Yanukovych. They also reported that trickery was used to obtain
signatures. It was also reported that after some people signed the petitions
they were told that they had to vote for Yanukovych since they signed his
petition. Perhaps, most disturbing, were reports that people going to health
clinics were told they had to sign a petition for Yanukovych before
receiving medical attention. However, the delegation did not hear from
anyone who experienced this firsthand.
CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING
There were reports of city and district officials taking down opposition
candidates' signs, citing safety concerns as the reason. The delegation
noted that billboards for Yanukovych were ubiquitous throughout the areas
traveled. Similar signs for other candidates were non-existent. A local
consultant traveling with the delegation commented that the Yanukovych
campaign purchased all billboard space months in advance. Those posting
billboards for Viktor Yushchenko were threatened or their billboards were
destroyed.

One particular billboard for Viktor Yanukovych featured a large Ukrainian
flag with the trident on it. The delegation was told that the use of the
state symbol, the trident, for advertising or political purposes is contrary
to Ukrainian law. If true, it of course should be removed. However, we do
not regard violations of that nature to be significant in determining
whether the election is free and fair.
POLITICAL MEETINGS
There was some testimony that political meetings were being held in plants
and factories to build support for Yanukovych. While the delegation heard
from at least one person who helped organize a meeting in a local plant, he
maintained that it was perfectly legal because it was held after work hours
and was not compulsory. He reported that only 145 workers attended out
of 2,000 employed.
ADJUDICATION OF VIOLATIONS
It was reported to the delegates that attempts to bring violations to court
have had no success in the communities visited. People do not trust the
actual judicial system and claim rampant corruption. The law provides
proper regulations, nevertheless, they are directed to benefit those that
have the power or who can pay for it.
MEDIA
The delegation notes that the lack of a free and independent press in
Ukraine is a reason for serious concern. Many of the local media outlets are
funded by the city or district budget. Many others are funded by wealthy
businessmen who are susceptible to pressure from local authorities,
especially tax police. The delegation also notes with alarm the high
percentage of national media owned or controlled by leading figures in the
presidential administration. That fact alone casts doubts upon the fairness
of Ukraine's presidential election.

As in most societies, Ukraine's citizens receive more and more of their news
from the electronic media. Unfortunately, the delegation believes that the
major television stations are not providing independent news coverage of the
presidential election. Witness after witness in our public meetings
commented on this. The one exception is Channel 5, which reaches only 5%
of the Ukrainian audience and has faced many legal challenges by the local
and national government in its programming. The delegation doubts that these
legal challenges are coincidental. Delegates also heard that media outlets
and journalists receive an average of 200 instructions per day to on how to
report. It was also reported that journalists who report on opposition
candidates' campaign activities and meetings are receiving threats.

Thomas Jefferson repeatedly wrote and spoke of the importance of an
"enlightened citizenry." Ukrainian citizens are educated, bright people.
They have the right, as citizens, to be exposed to objective reporting and
coverage of the campaign. The delegation does not believe they are
receiving fair coverage of the candidates or the issues to date.

President Kuchma should understand that his own credibility and the
credibility of the election results are endangered by the fact that media
outlets under his control and under the control of officials in his
administration are showing their personal bias in the election and are
failing to provide any independent and professional news coverage.
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
The delegation believes the international media, particularly the European
and American, have a responsibility and duty to provide much more extensive
coverage of the presidential campaign in Ukraine. The professional media
acknowledge that they play an important role in a democracy. Politicians,
ordinary citizens and political scientists agree. Outside professional news
organizations bring light to the election process.

They also serve as an example to indigenous media as to professional and
objective means of covering campaigns. Unfortunately, the international
media hardly includes Ukraine in its coverage, thereby denying Ukraine
additional access to reliable information. The delegation encourages the
outside media to begin covering the campaign immediately and on a regular
basis.

The delegation notes that most citizens and representatives of the media,
NGOs and political parties were not sufficiently familiar with Ukraine's
election law. Most were not aware of how or where to file a complaint. In
talking to members of the local election commissions, it appears that many
of them do not yet know their responsibilities according to Ukrainian law.
Time is short and much should be done to inform citizens about the election
law and how to go about asserting their rights as citizens of Ukraine.

The delegation recommends that as many observers as possible, both
domestic and international, be recruited to cover as many polling places as
possible throughout Ukraine. The OSCE is planning to bring approximately
650 observers to Ukraine. That is a very good start, but many more should
be brought in by other organizations. Not only is it important to protect
the integrity of the ballot box, but it is also important that the process
be transparent. People must have free and fair elections, and perceive them
as such, in order to give the next leader of Ukraine the legitimacy expected
from a democratic society.

The delegation notes the reports that some organizations expect to have
exit polling and "parallel" vote counts. It encourages such activities. Both
approaches will provide a necessary check on the accuracy of the
tabulations, thus providing the people of Ukraine and the international
community with assurances of the integrity of the results.

To the West, the delegation reminds the strategic position of Ukraine and
its importance to Europe, Russia, the region, United States, and the world.
At the reception with Mrs. Van Es, Charge d´Affaires a.i. of the Dutch
Embassy, one of the EU Ambassadors spoke to the delegation about the
dilemma of the international community's criticism of Ukraine and its
election campaign coupled with silence about the same fraud and corruption
in Russia. Such action by the international community can be a force to
drive Ukraine towards Russia and further separate it from Western Europe.
The international community should be aware of the problems ahead and
collaborate with the Ukrainian society to develop systems that may improve
democracy in Ukraine.
V. SUMMARY
The delegation cannot pass judgment on the allegations made by opposition
campaigns. It can, however, note with alarm the large number of allegations
of wrongdoing, especially as it relates to the use of administrative
resources and stifling of the media. Free and independent media, providing
fair and balanced reporting, are essential to conducting free and fair
elections. Despite probable deviations and violations, it is still possible
that the results of the election will be an accurate expression of the will
of the citizens of Ukraine.

To that end, the delegation encourages international organizations, NGOs
and others to provide as many trained observers as possible and to follow
through on plans for exit polling by reputable polling organizations and to
organize parallel vote counts. The European members of this delegation
would like to underline that the U.S. is preparing to send over 3000
observers to Ukraine, while the figures from Europe so far are not more
than 600. The delegation recommends that Europe form more observation
missions and that more attention to the press is a necessity in the West.
The Europeans in this delegation say the following: "Europe - wake up."

The delegation also encourages President Kuchma, the Central Election
Committee and other government entities to follow through in a tangible way
with their pledge to ensure a free and fair presidential election. President
Kuchma's credibility is at risk, as well as that of the new president,
whoever he might be. Indeed, Ukraine's international credibility is at risk.
=======================================================
ACTION UKRAINE REPORT-04, No.176: ARTICLE NUMBER NINE
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9. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OPENS NEW OFFICE TO DEAL WITH
EFFORTS TO RECONSTRUCT AND STABILIZE FAILED STATES
Headed by Carlos Pasqual recently US Ambassador to Ukraine

Agence France Presse, Washington, D.C., Tue, Sep 28, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The State Department formally opened a new
office to coordinate US government efforts to reconstruct and stabilize
failed states, countries in conflict and nations recovering from war.

The Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization will lead
Washington's "planning to help societies transition from conflict or civil
strife to sustainable peace, democracy and market economies," State
Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell initially signed off on the creation of
the office in August after determining that "ad hoc responses to complex
emergencies are not enough," Boucher told reporters, citing crises in East
Timor, Haiti and Liberia as recent examples.

"The United States must be prepared to rapidly identify and marshal its
civilian resources for stabilization and reconstruction," he said, adding
that the office would monitor troubled countries, coordinate contingency
planning and mobilize the US response when required.

It will help "where a country is trying to get reorganized after a
significant conflict or civil strife or internal event that basically
disrupted institutions, the lives of people and population," Boucher said.

The office -- led by veteran diplomat Carlos Pasqual, most recently the
US ambassador to Ukraine -- began work on Tuesday with a staff of
25 people that is expected to grow to 45 by March. -30-
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FOOTNOTE: We offer our personal congratulations to Ambassador
Carlos Pasqual regarding this new and important assignment. He did an
outstanding job as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and we wish him well
in his new position. (EDITOR)
=======================================================
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