"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT - AUR"
An International Newsletter, The Latest, Up-To-Date
In-Depth Ukrainian News, Analysis and Commentary
"Ukrainian History, Culture, Arts, Business, Religion,
Sports, Government, and Politics, in Ukraine and Around the World"
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXPECTED TO PASS
LEGISLATION WEDNESDAY TO GRADUATE UKRAINE FROM
THE JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT ENACTED IN 1974
Many have been working and waiting for years for this day to finally arrive
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT - AUR" - Number 670
Mr. E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
Washington, D.C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006
--------INDEX OF ARTICLES--------
"Major International News Headlines and Articles"
1. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXPECTED TO PASS
LEGISLATION WEDNESDAY TO GRADUATE UKRAINE FROM
THE JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT ENACTED IN 1974
Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #670, Article One
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
2. COALITION OF 250+ ORGANIZATIONS CALL UPON US HOUSE
GRADUATE UKRAINE NOW FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Press conference today, Wednesday, March 8th at 2:30 p.m.
Amb Steven Pifer and Amb William Miller, Co-Chair
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
3. FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES MATTER OF UKRAINE'S GRADUATION
FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT TO BE RESOLVED SHORTLY
Ukraine working actively toward the issue's final resolution
Ukrinform, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 7, 2006
4. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BORYS TARASYUK TO MAKE
OFFICIAL VISIT TO USA, THURSDAY-FRIDAY, MARCH 9-10
Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #670, Article Four
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
5. GRADUATION OF UKRAINE FROM THE JACKSON-VANIK
AMENDMENT MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR THE U.S.
Natalia Bukvych, Ukrinform, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 7, 2006
6. UCCA URGES US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO GRADUATE
UKRAINE FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Michael Sawkiw, President
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
Washington, D.C., Friday, February 24, 2006
7. U.S.-UKRAINE ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR FINALIZING
WTO-RELATED AGREEMENT ON MARKET ACCESS ISSUES
Been working on the WTO bilateral agreement for twelve years
Two major milestones reached, Jackson-Vanik graduation still to go.
Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #670, Article 7
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
8. SEC OF STATE RICE WRITES CONG CHARLES RANGEL THAT
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS UKRAINE'S GRADUATION
FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Office of the Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C., November 8, 2005
9. UKRAINE-UNITED STATES BUSINESS COUNCIL URGES WAYS
AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN THOMAS TO LEAD HOUSE
IN GRADUATING UKRAINE FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
NEWS RELEASE: Ukraine-United States Business Council
Washington, D.C., Thursday, December 8, 2005
10. JACKSON-VANIK GRADUATION COALITION CO-CHAIRMEN'S
LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN BILL THOMAS
Chairman, U.S. House Ways and Means Committee
Letter to Chairman Bill Thomas, R-CA
U.S. House Ways and Means Committee
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
Washington, D.C. Wednesday, November 30, 2005
11. CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COALITION ENDORSES HOUSE
MEASURE TO REVOKE JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT FOR UKRAINE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
New York, New York, Friday, December 9, 2005
12. URGENT APPEAL: SUPPORT NEEDED NOW FOR HR1053 BY
REP. JIM GERLACH FOR SUCCESSFUL REPEAL OF THE
JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT FOR UKRAINE BY U.S. HOUSE
UPDATE: Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS)
Washington, D.C., Friday, December 9, 2005
13. "A STEP TOWARD NORMALCY"
COMMENTARY: By Peter Savodnik
Political editor of the Hill newspaper
The Wall Street Journal Online (Europe)
New York, NY, Thursday, September 29, 2005
14. U.S. SENATOR LUGAR PRAISES PASSAGE OF BILL THAT
REPEALS APPLICATION OF JACKSON-VANIK TO UKRAINE
Authorizes extension of permanent normal trade relations
Similar bill now has to pass the U.S. House of Representatives
Office of U.S. Senator Richard Lugar
United States Senate, Washington, D.C.
Friday, November 18, 2005
========================================================
1. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXPECTED TO PASS
LEGISLATION WEDNESDAY TO GRADUATE UKRAINE FROM
THE JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT ENACTED IN 1974
Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #670, Article One
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
WASHINGTON - According to reports late Tuesday the United States
House of Representatives is expected on Wednesday to pass the
legislation necessary to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment enacted during the Cold War in 1974.
Many Ukrainian-Americans, businesses and friends of Ukraine have
worked hard in support of this legislation and have waited years for
this day finally to arrive.
Representative Jim Gerlach's bill (R-PA), H.R. 1053, which allows the
President to graduate Ukraine from the restrictions of the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment, and grant normal trade relations treatment to the products
of Ukraine is the bill expected to pass the House. Currently, the Gerlach
bill has 60 co-sponsors.
Representative Gerlach has worked closely for several months with the
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition and other groups who have been
strongly urging the Senate and House to pass the graduation legislation
and send it to the President for enactment.
The President called for Congress to act last April and the Administration
has been supporting the legislative effort aggressively in recent weeks.
The U.S. Senate passed a bill, introduced by Senator Dick Lugar of
Indiana, in the fall of 2005, which is very similar to the Gerlach bill.
Senator Lugar, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, has been
very active on matters related to Ukraine and was supported in the Senate
by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee
on Finance, the committee that has jurisdiction over trade matters, and the
Jackson-Vanik law.
In addition to Representative Gerlach, Representatives Marcy Kaptur
(D-OH), Curt Weldon (R-PA), and Sander Levin (D-MI) have been
especially involved in working to get the House to move on the Jackson-
Vanik graduation legislation for several years.
Levin and Henry Hyde (R-IL), Chairman of the House Committee on
International Relations, also introduced bills to graduate Ukraine from
the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. Both put passage of the needed
legislation as their priority and not pride of authorship and have been
pushing the Gerlach bill actively.
Reports indicate there is a possibility the Gerlach bill, H.R. 1053, once
it has passed the House, may be accepted quickly by the Senate avoiding
a conference between the two chambers and expediting its track to the
White House for the President's signature.
There have been efforts by various Ukrainian organizations now for
almost 15 years to get the U.S. Congress to enact the legislation necessary
for Ukraine's graduation. The efforts started after Ukrainian independence
in August of 1991.
The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition, co-chaired by Ambassador
William Miller and Ambassador Steven Pifer, both former U.S.
Ambassador's to Ukraine, has called a press conference on Capitol Hill
for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Congressmen Jim Gerlach and Curt Weldon
are expected to attend.
The Coalition is a broadly based, grass-roots organization that represents
over 250 organizations across the country who joined together in the fall
of last year. The Coalition believes it is critical for Ukraine to graduate
from Jackson-Vanik before Ukraine's upcoming parliamentary election on
Sunday, March 26.
Michael Bleyzer, a member of the Coalition who is President and CEO
of SigmaBleyzer, the largest private equity investor in Ukraine, said in
a statement, "As a former direct beneficiary of the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment, I strongly believe that the time has long come to graduate
Ukraine from its provisions. Ukraine's graduation is long overdue. The
new democratic post-Orange Revolution Ukraine needs the support of
the United States. Removing Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik provisions
is a critical priority now."
Some of the individuals in the core leadership of the Jackson-Vanik
Graduation Coalition who have been very active, in addition to
Ambassador Miller and Ambassador Pifer include: Nadia McConnell,
whose idea it was to create the Coalition; Vera Andrushkiw, Vera
Andryczyk, Markian Bilynskyj; Ken Bossong, Zenia Chernyk,
Charles Dougherty, Cliff Downen, Natalia Gawdiak, Ihor Gawdiak,
Bryan Kendro, John Kun, Mark Levin, Susanne Lotarski, Alana Malick,
Marta Matselioukh, Robert McConnell, Ulyana Panchishin, Matthew
Popadiuk and Morgan Williams. -30-
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WEDNESDAY`S FORECAST
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.
Suspensions (7 bills):
1) H.R. 2383 - To redesignate the facility of the Bureau of Reclamation
located at 19550 Kelso Road in Byron, California, as the "C.W. `Bill` Jones
Pumping Plant" (Sponsored by Rep. Nunes / Resources Committee)
2) H.R. 1190 - San Diego Water Storage and Efficiency Act of 2005
(Sponsored by Rep. Hunter / Resources Committee)
3) H.R. 4192 - To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to designate the
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Arkansas, as
a National Historic Site and unit of the National Park System, and for other
purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Ross / Resources Committee)
4) H.R. 4472 - Children`s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2005
(Sponsored by Rep. Sensenbrenner / Judiciary Committee)
5) H.R. 3505 - Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2005 (Sponsored
by Rep. Hensarling / Financial Services Committee)
6) H.R. 1053 - To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
(normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine (Sponsored
by Rep. Gerlach / Ways and Means Committee)
7) H.Res. 673 - Expressing support for the efforts of the people of the
Republic of Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and
respect for human rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct
a free and fair presidential election on March 19, 2006 (Sponsored by Rep.
Shimkus / International Relations Committee)
H.R. 4167 - National Uniformity for Food Act of 2005 (Subject to a Rule,
Complete Consideration) (Sponsored by Rep. Rogers (MI) / Energy and
Commerce Committee)
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2. COALITION OF 250+ ORGANIZATIONS CALL UPON US HOUSE
GRADUATE UKRAINE NOW FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Press conference today, Wednesday, March 8th at 2:30 p.m.
Amb Steven Pifer and Amb William Miller, Co-Chair
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
WASHINGTON - The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition will hold a press
conference today, Wednesday, March 8th at 2:30 p.m. in room 1539 (fifth
floor) of the Longworth House Office Building to discuss the importance of
the House of Representatives passing legislation to graduate Ukraine from the
Jackson-Vanik Amendment prior to Ukraine's March 26 parliamentary elections.
With the U.S. Senate having passed legislation by unanimous consent in
November 2005 to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, the
United States granting Ukraine market economy status in February, and the
United States and Ukraine concluding WTO bilateral negotiations this week,
now is the appropriate time for the House of Representatives to graduate
Ukraine from Jackson- Vanik.
In a short time, Ukrainians will return to the polls to express their
commitment to democracy and reform. The United States has been a faithful
ally throughout Ukraine's work towards a more democratic and prosperous
nation. The Jackson-Vanik Amendment was enacted in 1974 in reaction to the
severe restrictions the Soviet Union had placed on emigration of its
citizens, most notably those of Jewish descent.
Since regaining its independence in 1991, Ukraine has built a strong record
of open emigration and has fully met Jackson-Vanik's freedom of emigration
requirements, a fact recognized by both Presidents Clinton and Bush. Ukraine
thus merits graduation. The time to do so is now.
The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition represents more than 250 businesses
and Ukrainian-American, Jewish-American and other non-governmental
organizations.
WHO: Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
WHAT: Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition Press Conference
WHERE: 1539 Longworth House Office Building, Fifth Floor, Independence
and New Jersey Avenues, S.E., Washington, D.C. (across from the U.S.
Capitol)
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2006
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CONTACT: Marta Matselioukh at (202) 223-2228 or at martam@usukraine.org
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JACKSON-VANIK GRADUATION COALITION INTO HIGH GEAR
It is crucial and important to pass the needed legislation in the U.S.
House prior to the upcoming March 26 Parliament elections in Ukraine
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition representatives
met yesterday on Capitol Hill with members of the Congressional Ukrainian
Caucus to work out a definitive strategy to achieve the goal of their lengthy
and arduous campaign to graduate Ukraine from the restrictions of the
Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
The three co-chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, Congressman
Curt Weldon (R-PA), Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (R-OH), and
Congressman Sander Levin (D-MI) were joined by Congressman Lincoln
Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA) to work out how
the graduation issue should be approached.
Representative Gerlach's bill, H.R. 1053, urges the U.S. House to remove
Ukraine from the restrictions of the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment, and
grant normal trade relations treatment to the products of Ukraine. Currently,
the bill is in the House Ways and Means Committee, and has 44 co-sponsors.
All of the Congressmen concurred with Representative Weldon's statement
that "the graduation of Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment has
gone beyond rhetoric. It is crucial to pass legislation in the House prior to
the upcoming March 26 Rada elections."
Also present at the February 28 meeting were former Congressman Charles
Dougherty and a number of Congressional staffers, representing the offices
of Representatives Robert Wexler (D-FL), and Representative Tim Holden
(D-PA).
Among those representing the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition were
Ambassador William Green Miller, co-chair of the Coalition; Nadia
McConnell, President of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation; Mark Levin,
Executive Director of NCSJ; Ihor Gawdiak, President of the Ukrainian
American Coordinating Council; Michael Bleyzer and Morgan Williams
of SigmaBleyzer; Dr. Zenia Chernyk and Vera Andryczyk of the Ukrainian
Federation of America; Robert McConnell, attorney, and John Kun,
Executive Vice President of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.
The members of Congress and representatives of the Jackson-Vanik
Graduation Coalition expressed their great frustration at the failure of the
U.S. House of Representatives to take action on the bill, in particular
since the U.S. Senate passed such a bill in November 2005.
Although there were varied opinions on the tone that should be adopted in
removing the anachronistic Cold War restrictions, the members of Congress
and JVGC representatives agreed that the amendment is irrelevant today, and
that Ukraine has met all requirements for its graduation for many years.
Michael Bleyzer, President and CEO of SigmaBleyzer, and a Jewish
emigrant from Soviet-era Kharkiv, noted that he had benefited from the
original Jackson-Vanik Amendment, but emphatically stated that it is wholly
inappropriate today and should be lifted.
All present agreed on the urgency for passage of the bill before the March
26 parliamentary election in Ukraine, and rejected the idea that Ukraine's
graduation should be tied to Russia's. If graduation is not achieved before
the upcoming Rada election, Ukrainian voters may take this as a sign of
failure on the part of the democratic forces in Ukraine.
The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition, co-chaired by Ambassador
Steven Pifer, and Ambassador William Miller [former U.S. Ambassador's
to Ukraine] is comprised of more than 250 businesses, and Ukrainian-
American, Jewish American, and other non-governmental organizations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: For more information about the Jackson-Vanik Graduation
Coalition, please visit http://www.usukraine.org/jvgc.shtml or e-mail
Marta Matselioukh at martam@usukraine.org.
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JACKSON-VANIK GRADUATION COALITION MEMBERSHIP LIST
Coalition membership now over 250
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
Ambassador Steven Pifer and Ambassador William Miller, Co-Chair
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2005
WASHINGTON - The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition has now
grown to over 250 U.S. and international organizations, businesses and
interest groups!
The membership list now has on it several large corporations who are
large investors in Ukraine such as AES Corporation, Boeing Company,
Cardinal Resources, Cargill Inc., Case New Holland, Coca-Cola
Company, John Deere, Kraft Foods Inc., Westinghouse Electric
Corporation and also the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the
American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AMCHAM) who
represent hundreds of businesses who are working in Ukraine.
The Coalition, which was launched in October, supports Ukraine’s
graduation from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. The
Amendment, passed in 1974, imposed trade restrictions on the Soviet
Union (and its successors) in response to poor human rights practices,
particularly restrictions on the emigration of religious minorities.
Ukraine is a success story for Jackson-Vanik; the country has built a
strong record of open emigration and created conditions for religious
minorities to practice their beliefs freely. Ukraine’s record has been
recognized by both Presidents Clinton and Bush.
The U.S. Senate passed Senate bill S. 632 on November 18 to graduate
Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik. The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
now urges that the House of Representatives take similar action.
Ukraine’s record merits graduation, which would be an important signal
of U.S. support for a democratic Ukraine.
JACKSON-VANIK GRADUATION COALITION MEMBERSHIP LIST
March 2006
ABEA Ltd.
ACDI/VOCA
Adams and Reese, LLP
AES Corporation
Affiliated Appraisers
American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
American International Group (AIG)
American Ukrainian Medical Foundation
Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine
Andrew J. Futey & Associates
Arbor View Dental Clinic, Mt. Prospect , IL
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Aspect Energy, LLC
Association for the Democratization of Ukraine
Association of American Youth of Ukrainian Descent- ODUM
Atlantic Group, Ltd.
"Awakening" Independent Film Studio
A W and Sons Inc
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Berdyansk Reapers
B'nai B'rith International
Boeing
Bolshoi Agrotechnica Machina (BAM) America
Borough of Roselle Park, New Jersey
BRAMA, Inc.
Breakthrough to People Network, Inc.
Breeze Ventures Management
BSI Group
Buckner Orphan Care International
Canada-Ukraine Foundation
Cape Point Capital Inc.
Case New Holland, Inc.
Cardinal Resources PLC
Cargill Inc.
Center for US-Ukrainian Relations, NYC
Chadbourne & Parke, LLC
Chicago Kyiv Sister Cities Committee
Chopivsky Family Foundation
Coca-Cola Company
Conlan & Associates
Council of Ukrainian-American Organizations of Greater Hartford
Crestway Manor Apts. LTD
Customs, Trade & Risk Management Services, Ltd.
David D. Sweere & Sons International, Ltd.
Democrats Abroad- Ukraine Chapter
Diaspora Enterprise
Dr. James Mace, Holodomor-Genocide Memorial Fund
Drake Group Holding Corporation
Draper Fisher Jurvetson NEXUS
Dutko Worldwide
ECdata, Inc.
Energy Alliance
Excelsio Communications
Exquisite Elixirs, Inc
Eye Center of Delaware
Floral Designs by Katya, Chicago
"Freedom" Ukrainian-American Publishing House
Friends of the Ukrainian Banudurist Chorus
GN Associates
Gold Coast Construction
Gold Coast Properties, Inc.
Gongadze Foundation
Gordon C. James Public Relations
Gnxpert Color Inc.
Gnxpert Netral Technologies, Inc.
GnxTach, Inc.
Hamalia South Travel
Heller & Rosenblatt Law Firm
Heritage Foundation of 1st Security Federal Savings Bank, Chicago
Hollywood Trident Foundation
Holodomor Survivors, Inc.
Inco Americas
Independent Voters for Equal Education & Opportunity
International Republican Institute
International Ukrainian Genocide-Holodomor Committee
Irondequoit-Poltava Sister Cities Committee
ISTIL (Ukraine)
ISTIL Group Inc.
Ivan Bahrianyj Foundation, Arlington Heights, IL
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
John A. Wood, Associates Inc.
John Deere
John Wood Ministries, Inc.
Kalik Lewin Law Firm
Kyiv-Atlantic Ukraine
Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America
Kobzar Society, Ltd.
Kraft Foods, Inc.
Krislaty Realty Investments
Kvazar-Micro Corp.
Largo Asset Management, LLC
Larry M. Walker Ministries, Inc.
L. B. Lyons & Company
Lemberg Unternehmensberatung, GmbH
Light of Crimea Foundation
Lithuanian-American Community, Inc.
LPL Financial Services, Inc.
MACOIL & Gas International
Maple Investments
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
Media Finance Management, LLC
Medical Relief Charity Fund
Melitopol Tractor Hydro Units Plant
Meta
Ministering to Ministers Foundation, Inc.
MJA Asset Management, LLC
Moye Handling Systems, Inc.
NAS Global Trade Ltd.
National Conference on Soviet Jewry
National Tribune
Nealon and Associates, P.C.
New Millennium Strategies
New Roots Restoration
North Winnipeg Credit Union Limited, Winnipeg, MB
Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Odza, Gindhart, Steckiw & Farion
Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine, Inc.
Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine
Paco Links International
Parents Targeting Achievement
Parents Targeting Opportunity
Perekhid Media Limited
Prerkhid Outdoor
Prerkhid Business Publishing
Piedmont Trading, Inc.
Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization
Poltava Confectionery
Pro Trade Group
Pro-W International Corporation
Raymond Linsenmayer & Associates
Rescare, Inc.
Reut Consulting
Richard W. Murphy Consulting Group
Ring Publishing
RUKH- Ukrainian Movement to aid Democracy in Ukraine, Chicago
Russian-Ukrainian Legal Group, P.A.
Russin & Vecchi LLC, Moscow
Salans Law Firm
Sevastopol Shipyard
Shevchenko Scientific Society
Sibik and Cataldo
Sigma Venture, Inc.
SigmaBleyzer Emerging Markets Private Equity Investment Group
Siguler Guff & Company, LLC
Skarabey Group LLC
Society for Fostering Jewish Ukrainian Relations
Softline
Solid Team, LLC
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP
St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Bloomingdale, IL
St. Nicholas' Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral - B.M.V. Sodality, Chicago
"St. Sophia" Religious Association of Ukrainian Catholics, Inc. USA
SUM Ukrainian Youth Organization
Svitanok
Sweet Analysis Services, Inc.
Techinvest
TEREX Corporation
Town of Irondequoit, New York
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR)
The Bleyzer Foundation
The International Medical Education Foundation, Inc.
The PBN Company
The School of the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
The Ukrainian Museum
The Washington Group
TransNational Resource, LLC
UBCTV
UkrAgroAssets, LLC
UkrAgroSystems, LLC
Ukraine-United States Business Council
Ukrainian Academic and Professional Association
Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the USA
Ukrainian American Bar Association
Ukrainian American Chamber of Commerce
Ukrainian American Civil Liberties Association
Ukrainian American Club of Southwest, Fl
Ukrainian American Coordinating Council
Ukrainian-American Environmental Association
Ukrainian-American Freedom Foundation
Ukrainian American Senior Citizens Association
Ukrainian American Soccer Association, Inc.
Ukrainian American Sports Center "Tryzub"
Ukrainian Association in Austria
Ukrainian Citizens International Association
Ukrainian Community Action Network, Chicago
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Branch
Ukrainian Cossack Brotherhood, Chicago
Ukrainian Credit Union Development Committee
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Fairfax, VA
Ukrainian Cultural & Humanitarian Institute
Ukrainian Development Company, LLC
Ukrainian Education & Cultural Center
Ukrainian Engineer's Society of America, Inc. Philadelphia Chapter
Ukrainian Federal Credit Union
Ukrainian Federation of America
Ukrainian Fraternal Organization
Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation, Chicago
Ukrainian Gold Cross, Inc.
Ukrainian Holodomor Exhibition Committee
Ukrainian Human Rights Committee
Ukrainian Institute of America
Ukrainian Museum-Archives, Cleveland, Ohio
Ukrainian National Credit Union Association
Ukrainian National Association
Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago
Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Inc.
Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Regional Councils:
Detroit, New York, Central New York, Northern New York, Ohio,
New Jersey, Chicago, New England, Philadelphia;
Branches at Large: Phoenix, Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh, Denver, North Port,
Washington D.C., San Jose, Los Angeles, Houston, Tucson, St. Petersburg
Ukrainian Selfreliance New England Federal Credit Union
Ukrainian Wave Radio Program, Chicago
UKRUSA International Ltd.
United Software Corporation
United Ukrainian American Organizations of Greater New York
United Ukrainian Organizations of Greater Cleveland (UZO)
Usability Matrix Corporation
U.S.-Baltic Foundation
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation (CRDF)
U.S.- Ukraine Foundation
Vantage Enterprises, L.L.C.
Venable LLP
VIKO Corporation
Volia Cable
Volia Software, Inc.
Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Westinghouse
Wilton S. Tifft Photography
WJ Group of Agricultural Companies
WJ Hopper & Co., Limited
World Federation of Ukrainian Medical Associations
World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations, Financial Committee
World League of Ukrainian Political Prisoners
www.ArtUkraine.com Information Service (ARTUIS)
Zaporizhya Meat Processing
Zen Architects
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3. FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES MATTER OF UKRAINE'S GRADUATION
FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT TO BE RESOLVED SHORTLY
Ukraine is actively working toward the issue's final resolution
Ukrinform, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 7, 2006
KYIV - Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Borys Tarasyuk hopes that
the matter of Ukraine's graduation from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment will
shortly be positively resolved.
As the Minister reminded, on November 18, 2005 the US Senate voted for
abrogation of the Amendment for Ukraine. "To finally settle the issue a
relevant decision by the US House of Representatives is needed, to be
followed by President Bush signing", he noted.
According to the Ukrainian Minister, Ukraine is actively working toward
the issue's final resolution. In particular, on the eve of his visit to
Washington (March 9 and 10) he sent an address to the House of
Representatives. "American Congressmen state their readiness to support
the resolution on graduation of Ukraine from the Jackson - Vanik
Amendment", Tarasyuk said.
As Ukrinform reported, in November 2005 the US Senate unanimously
adopted the bill abrogating the Jackson - Vanik Amendment for Ukraine.
The Amendment withdraws a nation from the most favored treatment regime,
which violates or seriously restricts its citizens' rights to migration. The
Amendment was imposed in 1974 toward the USSR, where Jews were
prevented from migration. -30-
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4. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BORYS TARASYUK TO MAKE
OFFICIAL VISIT TO USA, THURSDAY-FRIDAY, MARCH 9-10
Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #670, Article Four
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
WASHINGTON - Borys Tarasyuk, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, will
make an official visit to the USA on Thursday and Friday, March
9 & 10th. He will have a series of meetings with high level government
officials and meet with some private organizations in Washington
and New York.
Many observers of Ukrainian matters in Washington hope the U.S.
House of Representatives will pass the legislation needed to graduate
Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment today, now that the
bilateral WTO Accession Agreement on Market Access between the
US and Ukraine was signed on Monday.
Minister Tarasyuk will be received by Vice-President Richard Cheney,
State Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the President for National
Security Affairs Stephen Hadley. He will also hold talks with members of
Congress and meet with officials of the Department of Defense and
Department of State.
While in New York Minister Tarasyuk will meet with the UN Secretary-
General Kofi Annan, President of the 60th Session of the United Nations
General Assembly Jan Eliasson. He will also meet the leaders of the
Ukrainian and Jewish communities.
While the foreign minister is in Washington he will also attend a private
meeting sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and give a
major foreign policy speech at The Brookings Institution at 5 p.m. on
Thursday, March 9th. Information about the Brookings speech and
how to register to attend, from the Brookings website, can be found
below.
TARAS SHEVCHENKO COMMEMORATION
Minister Tarasyuk will also participate in the commemoration of the
192nd anniversary of the birthday of Taras Shevchenko organized
by The Embassy of Ukraine. The laying of flowers at the Shevchenko
monument in Washington will be at 10:00 a.m. in the square near the
monument on the corner of 22nd and P streets, NW. Taras Shevchenko
was born on March 9, 1814. He became Ukraine's most famous poet,
strong defender of Ukrainian interests and hero of Ukraine. -30-
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A Brookings Institution Foreign Policy Studies Briefing
Ukrainian Foreign Policy:
A Discussion with Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk
Featured Speaker: Borys Tarasyuk, Foreign Minister, Ukraine
Introduction: Carlos Pascual, Vice President
Foreign Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution
Thursday, March 09, 2006; 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Falk Auditorium, The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
On March 9, Borys Tarasyuk, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, will deliver a
speech at the Brookings Institution addressing several notable Ukrainian
foreign policy issues including: European-Atlantic strategy; relations with
Russia; and the upcoming parliamentary elections in late March and their
potential impact on foreign policy.
Carlos Pascual, vice president and director of the Brookings Foreign Policy
Studies program [and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine], will introduce
Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk and moderate an audience question and
answer session which will follow the presentation.
Contact: Brookings Office of Communications.Phone: 202/797-6105
Link: http://www.brookings.edu/comm/events/20060309ukraine.htm
Link: http://www.brookings.edu/comm/event_reg/event_regform.htm
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5. GRADUATION OF UKRAINE FROM THE JACKSON-VANIK
AMENDMENT MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR THE U.S.
Natalia Bukvych, Ukrinform, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 7, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Jackson-Vanik Amendment is used for
bringing pressure upon Ukraine in those sectors, which go beyond its
intent, investment foundation SigmaBleyzer CEO Michael Bleyzer said
in his statement.
As Mr Bleyzer stressed, "having been actively working in Ukraine for 12
years, I see no differences in ensuring human rights or immigration matters
in Ukraine and in the majority of other states, including in the USA".
"The new democratic post-revolutionary Ukraine needs support from the
United States. The graduation of Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment must be a priority", he added.
SigmaBleyzer is working in Ukraine more than ten years and is one of the
largest private investors. The general level of investment projects of the
company in Ukraine amounts to some 150 M. USD. Michael Bleyzer is
an active participant in the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition.
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========================================================
Send in a letter-to-the-editor today. Let us hear from you.
========================================================
6. UCCA URGES US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO GRADUATE
UKRAINE FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Michael Sawkiw, President
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
Washington, D.C., Friday, February 24, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - With nearly four weeks left before the Ukrainian
parliamentary elections, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
(UCCA) has appealed to Rep. William Thomas, Chairman of the House
of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, to expedite passage of
HR1053, a bill introduced by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) to "graduate"
Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
In a letter dated February 22, 2006 to Chairman Thomas, the UCCA
mentions the numerous reforms which Ukraine has accomplished since
the "Orange Revolution," most notably battling corruption, money
laundering, and focusing on accession to the World Trade Organization
(WTO).
The UCCA letter reaffirmed the increased bilateral cooperation between
Ukraine and the United States as evidenced by "the United States
[government], as recently as last week, recognizing Ukraine as a market
economy and is supporting Ukraine as it aspires for WTO membership."
What remains troublesome, however, is the lingering issue of the
Jackson-Vanik amendment for Ukraine and its ultimate "graduation" in the
United States Congress. The UCCA's letter also acknowledges that there is
"wide bi-partisan support [in the House of Representatives], as well as the
support of the Administration" for its successful passage.
An endorsement from the U.S. House of Representatives to "graduate"
Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment "would give a significant boost
to the pro-democracy forces vying for parliamentary seats in Ukraine's
elections on March 26, 2006," stated the UCCA letter to Chairman Thomas.
Time remains a critical aspect of the U.S. Congress' resolution of this
issue. In concluding its letter to the Chairman, the UCCA emphasized:
"Let us extend our support to Ukraine at this critical juncture and assist
in securing its democratic future."
With Congress returning to session on Tuesday, February 28th after the
Presidents' Day recess, the UCCA also sent a letter to all members of the
House of Representatives who haven't yet supported HR1053.
In an urgent appeal to Members of Congress, the UCCA highlighted
President Yushchenko's address to the Joint Session of the United States
Congress where he reiterated the need to repeal the Jackson-Vanik
amendment.
"Repealing the [Jackson-Vanik] amendment is a critical step that will
demonstrate to the Ukrainian government that the United States welcomes
the changes Ukraine has implemented and trusts in the future of that
country," stated the UCCA letter.
The UCCA's Washington bureau, the Ukrainian National Information
Service (UNIS), also issued an urgent Action Item to the Ukrainian
community and all friends of Ukraine to write to their respective Members
of Congress to support HR1053.
The Action Item is critical at this juncture as Congress returns from the
Presidents' Day recess and will be in session only through March 17th - a
few days prior to Ukraine's March 26th parliamentary elections. -30-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact: Serhiy Zhykharev, Ukrainian National Information Service
(UNIS), 311 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002
tel: (202) 547-0018, fax: (202) 543-5502, e-mail: unis@ucca.org,
Web at: http://www.ucca.org
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7. U.S.-UKRAINE ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR FINALIZING
WTO-RELATED AGREEMENT ON MARKET ACCESS ISSUES
Been working on the WTO bilateral agreement for twelve years
Two major milestones reached, Jackson-Vanik graduation still to go.
Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #670, Article 7
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2006
WASHINGTON - The United States and Ukraine are to be congratulated
for finally completing and signing their WTO Bilateral Agreement on
Market Access. The agreement represents a major step forward in
the business relationship between the two countries and also moves
Ukraine forward on its path to joining the WTO before the end of 2006.
Ukraine and the United States can now move to a new dimension in
its economic and trading relationship. With Ukraine's graduation to
market economy status recently by the U.S. Department of Commerce
a new, expanded trading potential is now possible between the two
friendly nations.
WORKING ON AGREEMENT SINCE 1994
The two countries have been working on such an agreement since 1994
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said at the signing ceremony
in Washington on Monday. Portman said it has taken a long time but
completing the agreement in a timely manner has been one of the
priorities of the Bush Administration ever since Ukrainian President
Viktor Yushchenko made his official visit to Washington in the spring
of 2005.
"The two nations have stood together, we have reached common
ground, we are good friends and trading partners," the U.S. Trade
Representative stated. "I am proud of the negotiating teams on both
sides and congratulate them for their outstanding work. The U.S.
will be working with Ukraine to insure their bi-lateral and multi-
lateral success. The U.S. supports Ukraine's accession to the WTO
just as soon as possible, Portman stated in his remarks.
LONG, TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS
Ukraine's Minister of Economy Arseniy Yatsenyuk said it has been
tough work, there have been serious negotiations, and it has taken a
long time. "Ukraine needs this agreement with the U.S. as it will
permit us to deepen our trade relationship with the U.S. We needs
to be a member of the WTO for our own economic growth, for
the prosperity of our country."
"We need to be a member of a rules based trade organization. Our
economic growth needs to be based on the international rules
imposed on trade by the WTO," Yatsenyuk stated.
U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
United States Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, made a
surprise visit to the signing ceremony. Johanns, former governor
of Nebraska, said he was proud of the good work by the two
nations in completing the WTO accession agreement at this time.
USDA Secretary Johanns recalled listening to President Viktor
Yushchenko make his speech before a joint session of the Congress
and thinking there was so much work to do before the WTO
agreement could actually be signed. "This is a big step forward.
The USDA will be a partner with Ukraine, we will work with you to
increase trade between our two countries," Johanns said.
TWO DOWN, ONE TO GO
It is really exciting and gratifying to see two major milestones in U.S.-
Ukraine economic, business and political relations completed and signed
in the last two and one-half weeks. The United States granted market-
economy status to Ukraine on Friday, February 17. This was announced
by U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary David Sampson while he was in
Kiev to discuss bilateral trade and investment relations and came after
several years of frustrating starts and stops.
There is one more major milestone that finally needs to be finished soon.
The U.S. Congress needs to complete the legislation necessary to graduate
Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a relic left over from the
Cold War. The U.S. government, under President Bill Clinton, declared
that Ukraine met all the requirements for graduation but the U.S. Congress
has never passed the all the necessary enabling legislation.
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said in his opening statement,
"In November, the U.S. Senate approved a bill terminating application
of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine. I look forward to working
with the U.S. Congress on such legislation that can be sent to President
George Bush for signature."
The Ukrainian-American community and friends of Ukraine started a
big push last fall to get the U.S. House to move on the legislation. The
drive has been led by the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition co-chaired
by two former U.S. Ambassadors to Ukraine, William Miller and Steven
Pifer and by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Michael
Sawkiw, President.
U.S. HOUSE MAY MOVE ON JACKSON-VANIK THIS WEEK
There are many positive indications the U.S. House may move today
to pass the necessary legislation since the WTO bilateral agreement has
been completed and signed. Thousands of persons have been working on
the Jackson-Vanik issue since Ukraine became an independent nation,
breaking away from the Soviet Union in August of 1991.
Eleven more members of the U.S. House have signed on this week as
co-sponsors of H.R. 1053 introduced by Representative Gerlach of
Pennsylvania. They were: 1) Rep. Adam Smith 2) Rep. Henry Hyde
3) Rep. Dana Rohrabacher 4) Rep. Chaka Fattah 5) Rep. Louise M.
Slaughter 6) Rep. Ellen Tauscher 7) Rep. Mellissa Hart 8) Rep. Joe
Wilson 9) Rep. Ron Kind 10) Rep. Robert Brady 11) Rep. Diane
Watson. There are now 60 co-sponsors of the bill expected to pass
the House.
It will be time for a major celebration in Ukraine and in the United States
once the three major milestones have been completed and signed. If
the Jackson-Vanik legislation is passed this week then three major
milestones, representing the culmination of many years of work, will
be a part of modern history, a chapter in history both countries can
be proud of.
To have the three significant agreements, Market-Economy Status for
Ukraine, U.S.-Ukraine WTO Bilateral Agreement on Market Access
and Ukraine's graduation from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment all to
happen within a three-week time period would be just unheard of
in the development of modern economic-business-political
relationships between two independent, democratic, private-
market countries.
OFFICIALS AT THE WTO SIGNING CEREMONY
There were a large number of U.S. and Ukraine government officials
at the WTO bilateral agreement ceremony and representatives from the
private sector.
Representatives of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in
addition to Rob Portman included: Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Ambassador Susan C. Schwab; Shaun Donnelly, Assistant U. S.
Trade Representative for Europe & the Mediterranean; Dorothy
Dwoskin, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and
Multilateral Affairs who served as the lead negotiator regarding the
agreement with Ukraine; Cecilia Klein, USTR Director for WTO
Accessions and Import Licensing Issues; and Laurie Molnar, Director
for European and Mediterranean Trade Issues.
Representation from the U.S. Department of Commerce included:
U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary David Sampson; Assistant Secretary
for Import Administration, David Spooner; and Christine Lucyk,
Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia for the
International Trade Administration (ITA).
The U.S. Department of State was represented by Josette Shiner,
Under-Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural
Affairs; Robin Matthewman, Director, Office of Bilateral Trade Affairs,
Europe and Western Hemisphere Division; Eric Luftman, Economic/
Commercial Officer in the Office of Bilateral Trade Affairs, Europe and
Western Hemisphere Division at State and J. Benedict Wolf, Ukraine
Desk Economic Officer.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture was represented by the Secretary
of Agriculture Mike Johanns.
Those representing Ukraine included the Ambassador to the U.S.,
Dr. Oleh Shamshur; Deputy Minister of Economy Valery Pyatnytskyi;
Ministry of Economy Administrator for WTO Vyatcheslav Tsymbal;
Chief Trade and Economic Mission, Embassy of Ukraine, Yevgen
Burket; the Deputy Chief Trade and Economic Mission, Embassy
of Ukraine, Yuriy Karpenko and Mykhailo Ratushniy, Member of
Parliament, Co-chief of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation
Committee.
Those representing the private sector included: William Miller,
former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine; Michael Sawkiw, President,
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America; Yaro Bihun, journalist,
The Ukrainian Weekly, Myroslava Gongadze, journalist, Voice of
America; Susanne Lotarski, President, Ukraine-U.S. Business
Council; Gary Litman, Vice President, Europe and Eurasia Affairs
Division, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and myself representing the
SigmaBleyzer Emerging Markets Private Equity Investment Group.
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========================================================
8. SEC OF STATE RICE WRITES CONG CHARLES RANGEL THAT
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS UKRAINE'S GRADUATION
FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Office of the Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C., November 8, 2005
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
November 8, 2005
Dear Mr. Rangel:
The Administration strongly supports appropriate legislation that would
authorize the President to terminate the application of Title IV of the
Trade Act of 1974 (the Jackson-Vanik Amendment), with respect to Ukraine,
and to extend permanent normal trade relations treatment to products of that
country.
Since 1993, every administration has found Ukraine in compliance with the
freedom of emigration criteria on which the Jackson-Vanik Amendment is
based. The Bush Administration has consistently supported the termination
of Jackson-Vanik with respect to Ukraine.
In view of the dramatic democratic transformation that Ukraine has
undergone in the past year and the efforts of the Yushchenko government to
complete Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization and to
integrate more closely with trans-Atlantic institutions, it is important
that Congress act to lift Jackson-Vanik.
The success of Ukrainian democracy is vital not only for the people of
Ukraine, but also for the region as a whole. Congressional action to lift
Jackson-Vanik and extend permanent normal trade relations would send a
strong signal of support to Ukraine at a critical juncture.
This support is not intended to minimize the importance of outstanding trade
issues between our two countries. The State Department will continue to
support the work of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure
that Ukraine's eventual entry into the WTO is consistent with WTO
requirements and benefits American businesses, farmers, and ranchers, and
promotes economic prosperity and rule of law in Ukraine.
Sincerely,
Condoleezza Rice
The Honorable Charles B. Rangel,
House of Representatives.
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9. UKRAINE-UNITED STATES BUSINESS COUNCIL URGES WAYS
AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN THOMAS TO LEAD HOUSE
IN GRADUATING UKRAINE FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
NEWS RELEASE: Ukraine-United States Business Council
Washington, D.C., Thursday, December 8, 2005
WASHINGTON - The Ukraine-United States Business Council today
released the text of its letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman
Bill Thomas urging his leadership to pass in the House of Representatives
legislation ending application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to Ukraine
and extending permanent normal trade relations treatment to products of
Ukraine.
Council President, Dr. Susanne S. Lotarski, emphasized in her letter that
Ukraine fully meets the criteria established by the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment for extension of permanent normal trade relations.
She noted that, as active traders and investors in the Ukrainian market, the
members of the Ukraine-United States Business Council see this as a no
cost way to remove an irritant in bilateral commercial relations and send a
message of hope and support for Ukraine's efforts to secure democracy,
build a vibrant market economy, and integrate into the Euro-Atlantic
community of nations.
TEXT OF LETTER:
December 7, 2005
Honorable Bill Thomas, Chairman
Ways and Means Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC
Dear Chairman Thomas,
The Ukraine-United States Business Council, founded in 1995, requests
your leadership in passing legislation in the House of Representatives
now to terminate application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (the
Jackson-Vanik Amendment) with respect to Ukraine, and to extend
permanent normal trade relations treatment to products of Ukraine.
Ukraine fully meets the criteria established by the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment for extension of permanent normal trading relations.
Ukraine has a well-established record of open emigration, recognized
by U.S. Presidents of both parties, and has created conditions in
which religious minorities can freely practice their faith.
A year ago, the people of Ukraine showed great courage and withstood
many hardships to advance democracy in their country. They still face
many difficulties to secure their democracy, build a vibrant market
economy, and integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community of nations. On
this first anniversary of the Orange Revolution, we can send them an
important message of hope and support by graduating Ukraine from
Jackson-Vanik and extending PNTR.
With the Senate having passed S. 632, House passage of similar legislation
would enable President Bush to graduate Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik and
fulfill one of the key U.S. commitments from his April 4 Joint Statement
with President Yushchenko.
As active traders and investors in the Ukrainian market, the members of the
Ukraine-United States Business Council fully support graduating Ukraine
from Jackson-Vanik and extending permanent normal trading relations to
Ukraine. Doing so will remove a symbolic irritant in the bilateral
commercial relationship, with no economic or other costs to the United
States.
We urge your support for early enactment of such legislation.
Sincerely,
Susanne S. Lotarski
President
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ukraine - United States Business Council, Washington, D.C.
President: Susanne S. Lotarski, Ph.D.
Chairman, Executive Committee: Morgan Williams, SigmaBleyzer;
Andrew E. Bej, ALICO; Shannon S. S. Herzfeld, Archer Daniels
Midland (ADM); Michael Kirst, Westinghouse Electric Company;
John W. Rauber, Jr., Deere & Company; Van Yeutter, Cargill.
Secretary/Treasurer: John C. Stephens, Cape Point Capital.
General Counsel: Jack I. Heller, Esq., Heller & Rosenblatt.
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10. JACKSON-VANIK GRADUATION COALITION CO-CHAIRMEN'S
LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN BILL THOMAS
Chairman, U.S. House Ways and Means Committee
Letter to Chairman Bill Thomas, R-CA
U.S. House Ways and Means Committee
Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition
Washington, D.C. Wednesday, November 30, 2005
November 30, 2005, Washington, D.C.
Dear Chairman Thomas,
On the first anniversary of Ukraine's Orange Revolution, and with the Senate
having passed S. 632, we are writing to request your action to pass
legislation in the House of Representatives to graduate Ukraine from the
Jackson-Vanik Amendment. The Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition has
united organizations from across the country in support of the immediate
graduation of Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
Ukraine has fully met the requirements of Jackson-Vanik, in particular by
its exemplary record of open emigration. This has been recognized by
President Clinton, who found Ukraine to be in full compliance with
Jackson-Vanik in 1997, and President Bush, who called for Ukraine's
graduation in his April 4, 2005 joint statement with President Yushchenko.
President Yushchenko received a unanimous ovation during a Joint Session
of the U.S. Congress on April 6, 2005, when he remarked "we seek a new
atmosphere of trust, frankness and partnership. I am calling upon you to
[end] the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. Please tear down this wall."
We have just returned from Ukraine, where we heard concerns from a
number of Ukrainian political leaders that lack of action by the United
States with regard to Jackson-Vanik could be seen as a failure of
Yushchenko's pro-Western policy.
With the upcoming March 2006 parliamentary elections in Ukraine,
graduation from Jackson-Vanik would be understood by the people of
Ukraine as a compelling sign of U.S. support for the continued development
of a democratic market economy and further integration of Ukraine into
Europe.
Our broad coalition, which currently includes over 65 Ukrainian-American
and Jewish-American groups, business organizations and NGOs, urges
immediate Congressional action to accomplish Ukraine's graduation. We
very much hope for your support.
Sincerely,
Steven Pifer, William Green Miller, Co-Chairman
[Former U.S. Ambassador's to Ukraine]
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11. CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COALITION ENDORSES HOUSE
MEASURE TO REVOKE JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT FOR UKRAINE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)
New York, New York, Friday, December 9, 2005
NEW YORK - In a December 9 letter to the House of Representatives Ways
and Means Committee Chairman William Thomas (22-CA), the Central and
East European Coalition (CEEC) urges support of HR1053, which would
repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Ukraine and grant it permanent
normal trade relations with the United States.
By encouraging the favorable consideration of H.R. 1053, the Central and
East European Coalition is putting the weight of 18 national, grassroots
organizations and more than 22 million Americans of Central and East
European heritage behind the House bill.
The member organizations of the Central and East European Coalition
constitute Americans of Armenian, Belarusan, Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian,
Georgian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, and
Ukrainian heritage, and thus represent a broad base of support for the
measure.
The Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the 1974 Trade Act prevented the
normalization of trade relations with "non-market economies," but the
sweeping economic reforms undertaken in Ukraine since it regained
independence in 1991, and especially after the Orange Revolution of 2004,
have rendered the restrictions antiquated.
Following the U.S. Senate's repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment on
November 18th, Representative Jim Gerlach (R-PA) has introduced H.R.
1053, a bipartisan measure in the House of Representatives aimed at
graduating Ukraine from and granting it permanent normal trade relations
status.
"The elimination of this relic of Soviet-era politics," the Central and East
European Coalition's letter reads, "will benefit American business in
Ukraine, as well as increase trade with that country." As Ukraine pursues
World Trade Organization accession and European integration, and the
United States seeks to foster new democracies, the repeal of the Jackson-
Vanik Amendment takes on considerable global significance.
Given the recent statements of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the
growing strategic partnership with Ukraine, the actions of the U.S. Senate
in passing the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, and the support of the
Central and East European Coalition, H.R. 1053 has gained more prominence.
Repealing the Jackson-Vanik Amendment would be of clear benefit to Ukraine,
as the CEEC's letter to Chairman Thomas states, "Ukraine is moving in the
right direction, though sustained support from the United States Congress
will assist Ukraine down its arduous path."
The letter was signed on behalf of the CEEC member organizations by Nino
Japaridze, President - Georgian Association in the US; Lya M. Karm, M.D.,
Chair - Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc; and, Alice Kipel,
from the Belarusan-American Association.
Michael Sawkiw, Jr., expressed the Ukrainian Congress Committee of
America's (UCCA) appreciation to the CEEC for their support of HR1053:
"This is a very sensitive issue for Ukraine and one that needs to be
resolved quickly for the betterment of US-Ukrainian bilateral relations. The letter
from the CEEC, as well as individual letters from respective CEEC member
organizations, is both helpful and truly appreciated. We thank our Central
and East European colleagues for their support."
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian National
Association were founding members of the Central and East European
Coalition.
The other Coalition members include: the American Latvian Association, the
Armenian Assembly of America, the Belarusan-American Association, the
Bulgarian Institute for Research and Analysis, the Congress of Romanian
Americans, the Czechoslovak National Council of America, the Estonian
American National Council, the Georgian Association in the USA, the
Hungarian American Coalition, the Joint Baltic American National Committee,
the Lithuanian-American Community, the Lithuanian American Council, the
National Federation of American Hungarians, the Polish American Congress,
the Slovak League of America, and the US-Baltic Foundation. -30-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact: Matthew Omolesky, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
203 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003; tel: (212) 228-6840;
fax: (212) 254-4721; e-mail: ucca@ucca.org; Web: http://www.ucca.org
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12. URGENT APPEAL: SUPPORT NEEDED NOW FOR HR1053 BY
REP. JIM GERLACH FOR SUCCESSFUL REPEAL OF THE
JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT FOR UKRAINE BY U.S. HOUSE
UPDATE: Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS)
Washington, D.C., Friday, December 9, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS)
has been diligently working on the Jackson-Vanik issue for over four years.
Our efforts have finally borne fruit...in wake of the recent successful repeal
of the Jackson-Vanik amendment in the Senate, the House of Representatives
is seeking passage of their bill.
UNIS is actively coordinating its efforts with the Congressional Ukrainian
Caucus to support HR1053, introduced by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA).
Thanks to our efforts, as of December 7, 2005, twenty-three (23)
congressional co-sponsors have signed onto the bill (sponsors listed
below).
HR1053 CO-SPONSORS:
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1]; Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6]; Rep Boehlert,
Sherwood [NY-24]; Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5]; Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7]; Rep
Dent, Charles W. [PA-15]; Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21]; Rep English,
Phil [PA-3]; Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [PA-8]; Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36];
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9]; Rep Kennedy, Mark R. [MN-6]; Rep Langevin, James
R. [RI-2]; Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21]; Rep Peterson, John E. [PA-5];
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16]; Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19]; Rep Schwarz,
John J.H. "Joe" [MI-7]; Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9]; Rep Smith, Christopher H.
[NJ-4]; Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2]; Rep Weldon, Curt [PA-7]; Rep Wexler, Robert
[FL-19]
We are in the homestretch, therefore, UNIS urges you to send letters to your
respective Members of Congress requesting their support for HR1053 !!!
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GRADUATE UKRAINE FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD!!!
ACTION ITEM: Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS)
Washington, D.C., Thursday, December 1, 2005
WASHINGTON - The recent "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine has
transformed the political landscape in that country. Calls for a re-
examination of U.S.-Ukrainian bilateral relations is necessary, and
warranted.
One of the more immediate issues is the revocation of the Jackson-Vanik
amendment to the 1974 Trade Act, which limits trade with countries that
do not allow free emigration of its citizens. Ukraine "inherited" the
amendment when it re-established its independence in 1991.
In early April 2005 in an address to a Joint Session of the United States
Congress, President Yushchenko reiterated the need to repeal the
Jackson-Vanik amendment and bring that chapter of Ukraine's history to
a close.
Recent passage of a bill in the United States Senate (S632) has prompted
efforts in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) to
"graduate" Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) requests all Ukrainian
Americans and friends of Ukraine to contact their U.S. representatives and
urge them to support Rep. Gerlach's bill HR1053.
Attached, please find a sample letter to send to your U.S. representative.
Sample letters may be e-mailed directly to your representative at
http://www.house.gov/writerep/. Should you have any questions, please feel
free to contact the UNIS office by phone at (202) 547-0018 or via email at
unis@ucca.org.
SAMPLE LETTER
The Honorable (Name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative (Name):
As a Ukrainian American residing in your district, I urge you to support
HR1053, a bill introduced by Rep. Jim Gerlach to "graduate" Ukraine from
the Jackson-Vanik amendment of the 1974 Trade Act. This amendment is
a relic of Cold War-era politics.
Each Administration since 1992 has certified that Ukraine has met all
requirements stipulated in the law. Furthermore, as recent as November 18,
2005, the United States Senate passed by unanimous consent S632 to repeal
the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Ukraine.
In the last few months, the world has witnessed Ukraine make a firm
commitment to a democratic future and integration into the Euro-Atlantic
community. It is essential that the U.S. Congress support the goodwill of
the Ukrainian people and attest in providing greater bilateral relations.
Repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment, as was accomplished in the United
States Senate, is a critical step that will demonstrate to the Ukrainian
government that the United States welcomes the changes they implemented
and trusts in the future of Ukraine. I urge you to support HR1053 and thus
to facilitate the democratic and economic development of Ukraine.
Sincerely,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Sawkiw, Jr., President, Ukrainian Congress Committee
of America (UCCA), Washington Office: Ukrainian National
Information Service, 311 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002, tel: (202) 547-0018, fax: (202) 543-5502
e-mail: unis@ucca.org, Web at: http://www.ucca.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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13. "A STEP TOWARD NORMALCY"
COMMENTARY: By Peter Savodnik
Political editor of the Hill newspaper
The Wall Street Journal Online (Europe)
New York, NY, Thursday, September 29, 2005
WASHINGTON -- In its quest to democratize the planet, Washington has
invaded countries, funded fighters, convened high-level summits and pushed
transcontinental trade pacts. Oddly, it has yet to "graduate" Ukraine from
an antiquated human-rights measure that, if left in place, could slow the
spread of freedom in the former Soviet Union.
The 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment, designed primarily to restrict Soviet
exports to the U.S., remains a canker sore in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. Most
every senior Ukrainian official, from President Viktor Yushchenko to Foreign
Minister Boris Tarasyuk, both of whom traveled to the United States this
month, has called for lifting it.
This emphasis on Jackson-Vanik might seem to be misplaced; Ukraine gets
annual waivers from the provision, so Ukrainians' access to U.S. markets is
not curtailed. But it has political and symbolic meaning for a nation still
struggling to overcome its Soviet past.
There is a widespread feeling among Ukrainians that their country cannot be
considered "normal" as long as this remnant of the old days lingers.
Lifting Jackson-Vanik would cost the U.S. nothing. President George W. Bush
has signaled support for taking action. So, too, have foreign-policy mavens,
Republicans and Democrats alike, on Capitol Hill, as well as Sovietologists
and Russia scholars at the State Department and the National Security
Council.
So what's the holdup? Simply put, American democracy is getting in the way
of democracy overseas. Parochial congressional interests -- involving
everyone from chicken farmers to movie stars -- are stalling efforts,
spearheaded by Republican Sen. John McCain and Rep. Henry Hyde and
Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos, to lift Jackson-Vanik from Ukraine.
While most everyone who cares about geopolitics and democracy in the
former Soviet Union backs graduating Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik, some
members of Congress have found the provision useful when bargaining
with Kiev and other former Soviet capitals such as Moscow.
Case in point: In 2002, after Russia and Ukraine imposed quotas on U.S.
poultry imports, Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden rescinded his support for
lifting Jackson-Vanik.
Similarly, the Motion Picture Association wants authorities in Ukraine to
protect intellectual property rights. American oil and gas executives want
access to Ukraine's energy markets. And bankers, lawyers, hotel owners,
car manufacturers, venture capitalists and other potential investors want
Ukraine's banking, torts and law-enforcement systems cleaned up so they
meet Western standards of transparency and accountability.
All of these groups have, directly and indirectly, led lawmakers to take a
cautious stance on lifting Jackson-Vanik. Their demands are reasonable,
and Ukraine would be wise to listen to Western officials seeking to bring
the ex-Soviet republic into the liberal fold. Nor can Sen. Biden and other
lawmakers be blamed for representing the interests of their constituents.
But delaying an end to Jackson-Vanik -- for whatever reason -- would hinder
the democratic transition by depriving Mr. Yushchenko of a much-needed
political win and, possibly, complicating Ukraine's efforts to be admitted
to the World Trade Organization.
This would be an ironic twist. Jackson-Vanik was never intended to be a
bargaining chip for opening markets to U.S. business. It was meant to punish
the Soviets for restricting Jewish emigration, and it did so by barring
Moscow from gaining "most favored nation" status. In other words,
Jackson-Vanik sought a human-rights end via trade-related means.
Never mind that the country Jackson-Vanik was intended for no longer exists.
(A similar argument convinced many Republicans a few years back that the
U.S. should pull out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.) What matters is
that Jackson-Vanik, once meant to foster progress, now runs the distinct
risk of impeding it.
Even Jewish groups concerned that Ukraine has yet to confront its past --
including support of many Ukrainians during World War II for Hitler's
holocaust and the pogroms of the czarist and Soviet eras -- want
Jackson-Vanik lifted now. Despite legitimate reservations, these groups
recognize that it's time to take this step.
Consider the American Jewish Committee. An Aug. 2 letter from David Harris,
the AJC's executive director, to all 535 members of Congress states: "The
Jewish community has come a long way since the end of communism in 1991
and the re-establishment of Ukrainian independence....To be sure, some
difficult issues remain.
First, there is still work to be done by the government in the matter of
restitution of Jewish communal property. And second, manifestations of
anti-Semitism, though condemned by the government and by no means
unique to Ukraine in today's world, remain a matter of concern. Even so,
the current vitality of the Jewish community is a remarkable sight to
behold."
Referring to a recent trip taken by AJC representatives to Ukraine, Mr.
Harris concludes: "One issue in particular on the minds of those officials
with whom we met is the hope for graduation from the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment, a goal we fully share."
Graduating Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik does not mean anti-Semitism is no
longer a problem in Ukraine. It means helping an embattled leader continue
doing what must be done -- razing the old regime and constructing a new
economic order.
In a little more than five months, voters will decide whether they want this
new order in important parliamentary elections. At stake is Ukraine's
nascent democracy and, less obviously, reform movements in Russia,
Belarus, Moldova and Central Asia; efforts to curb arms and drug
trafficking; and the international struggle pitting the civilized world
against terrorists and the criminal states propping them up.
"Lifting this amendment would send a positive signal to the Ukrainian
people," said Sergiy Korsunsky, charge d'affaires at Ukraine's embassy
in Washington. It would show, Mr. Korsunsky explained, that President
Yushchenko is accomplishing something.
Mr. Yushchenko might be a flawed leader, but his aspirations overlap with
the West's aspirations for Ukraine. That is what matters. By lifting
Jackson-Vanik this year, before the parliamentary campaign begins in
earnest, Washington would let everyone know that the Ukrainian president
is not alone. -30- [The Action Ukraine Report Monitoring Service]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Savodnik is political editor of the Hill newspaper, Washington.
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14. U.S. SENATOR LUGAR PRAISES PASSAGE OF BILL THAT
REPEALS APPLICATION OF JACKSON-VANIK TO UKRAINE
Authorizes extension of permanent normal trade relations
Similar bill now has to pass the U.S. House of Representatives
Office of U.S. Senator Richard Lugar
United States Senate, Washington, D.C.
Friday, November 18, 2005
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman Dick Lugar [R-IL] announced that his bill authorizing the
extension of permanent normal trade relations treatment to Ukraine
passed the Senate today.
Ukraine has been subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik
amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for
failure to comply with freedom of emigration requirements.
This bill permanently repeals the application of Jackson-Vanik
to Ukraine. Lugar and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) had written their
Senate colleagues on October 24, 2005, pressing for action before
the Senate adjourned for the session.
"Extraordinary events have occurred in Ukraine in the last year. A free
press has revolted against government intimidation and reasserted itself.
An emerging middle class has found its political footing. A new
generation has embraced democracy and openness.
A society has rebelled against the illegal activities of its government. It
is in our interest to recognize and protect these advances in Ukraine," said
Lugar, who served as President Bush's personal representative during the
Ukrainian run-off election in November 2004.
Since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment
to meet the requirements necessary for normal trade relations and has
expressed a strong desire to abide by free market principles and good
governance.
"The United States has a long record of cooperation with Ukraine
through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program.
Ukraine inherited the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world with the
fall of the Soviet Union and, through the Nunn-Lugar program, the United
States has assisted Ukraine in eliminating this deadly arsenal and joining
the Nonproliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear state," said Lugar.
"The passage of this bill signals the commitment of the U.S. to support
freedom and prosperity in Ukraine. The U.S. should continue to work
with Ukraine to address trade issues between the two nations and ensure
trade benefits to American businesses, farmers and ranchers."
The Jackson-Vanik amendment was included in the 1974 Trade Act to
pressure then-communist nations to permit free emigration. Since 1992,
Ukraine has been found in compliance with freedom of emigration
requirements and has been certified annually as qualifying for a waiver
of Jackson-Vanik sanctions.
In addition, the United States and Ukraine have a bilateral trade agreement
in place. This legislation will stimulate further market reforms and
encourage Ukraine to continue its commitment to safeguarding individual
liberties.
Action by the House of Representatives is required in order for the bill
to proceed toward becoming law. -30-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK: http://lugar.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=249164
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT BY SENATOR LUGAR, S. 632
By Mr. LUGAR:
S. 632. A bill to authorize the extension of unconditional and permanent
nondiscriminatory treatment (permanent normal trade relations treatment) to
the products of Ukraine, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Finance.
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a bill that I have
introduced authorizing the extension of permanent normal trade relations
treatment. Ukraine is still subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik
amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for failure to
comply with freedom of emigration requirements. Our bill would repeal
permanently the application of Jackson-Vanik to Ukraine.
In the post Cold War era, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to meet
these requirements, and in addition, has expressed a strong desire to abide
by free market principles and good governance. Last November, I served as
President Bush's personal representative to the runoff election between
Prime Minister Yanukovich and Victor Yushchenko. During that visit, I
promoted free and fair election procedures that would strengthen worldwide
respect for the legitimacy of the winning candidate. Unfortunately, that was
not possible. The Government of Ukraine allowed, or aided and abetted,
wholesale fraud and abuse that changed the results of the election. It is
clear that Prime Minister Yanukovich did not win the election.
In response, the people of Ukraine rallied in the streets and demanded
justice. After tremendous international pressure and mediation, Ukraine
repeated the runoff election on December 26. A newly named Central Election
Commission and a new set of election laws led to a much improved process.
International monitors concluded that the process was generally free and
fair. This past weekend Victor Yushchenko was inaugurated as President of
Ukraine.
Extraordinary events have occurred in Ukraine over the last three months.
[Page: S2848] GPO's PDFA free press has revolted against government
intimidation and reasserted itself. An emerging middle class has found its
political footing. A new generation has embraced democracy and openness.
A society has rebelled against the illegal activities of its government. It is
in our interest to recognize and protect these advances in Ukraine.
The United States has a long record of cooperation with Ukraine through
the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction. Ukraine inherited the third
largest nuclear arsenal in the world with the fall of the Soviet Union.
Through the Nunn-Lugar Program the United States has assisted Ukraine in
eliminating this deadly arsenal and joining the Nonproliferation Treaty as a
non-nuclear state.
One of the areas where we can deepen U.S.-Ukrainian relations is
bilateral trade. Our trade relations between the U.S. and Ukraine are
currently governed by a bilateral trade agreement signed in 1992. There are
other economic agreements in place seeking to further facilitate economic
cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine, including a bilateral investment
treaty which was signed in 1996, and a taxation treaty signed in 2000. In
addition, Ukraine commenced negotiations to become a member of the World
Trade Organization in 1993, further demonstrating its commitment to adhere
to free market principles and fair trade. In light of its adherence to
freedom of emigration requirements, democratic principles, compliance with
threat reduction and several agreements on economic cooperation, the
products of Ukraine should not be subject to the sanctions of Jackson-Vanik.
There are areas in which Ukraine needs to continue to improve. These
include market access, protection of intellectual property and reduction of
tariffs. The U.S. must remain committed to assisting Ukraine in pursuing
market economic reforms. The permanent waiver of Jackson Yanik and
establishment of permanent normal trade relations will be the foundation on
which further progress in a burgeoning economic partnership can be made.
I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in supporting this important
legislation. It is essential that we act promptly to bolster this burgeoning
democracy and promote stability and in this region.I ask unanimous consent
that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD. -30-
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