=========================================================
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
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BORYS TARASYUK MEETS
WITH U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH AT THE WHITE HOUSE
CONVEYED AN INVITATION BY PRESIDENT VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO
TO PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TO VISIT UKRAINE.
Bush accepts invitation to make official visit, date not set yet says Tarasyuk
THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT - AUR - Number 672
Mr. E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
Washington, D.C., Kyiv, Ukraine, SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2006
--------INDEX OF ARTICLES--------
Clicking on the title of any article takes you directly to the article.
Return to the Index by clicking on Return to Index at the end of each article
1. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BORYS TARASYUK MEETS
WITH U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH IN WASHINGTON
Conveyed an invitation by President Viktor Yushchenko to President
George Bush to visit Ukraine. Bush accepts invitation says Tarasyuk.
By E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR), #672, Article 1
Washington, D.C., Sunday, March 12, 2006
U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH ACCEPTS INVITATION TO VISIT UKRAINE
NTN, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian 1700 gmt 11 Mar 06
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Saturday, Mar 11, 2006
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TARASYUK SEES BUSH AT
WHITE HOUSE, DISCUSSES ELECTIONS AND GAS SHIPMENTS
AP Worldstream, Washington, D.C., Friday, March 10, 2006
2. FM TARASIUK AND SEC OF STATE RICE DISCUSS IN WASH
PROSPECTS FOR UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO WTO AND NATO
Ukrainian News Agency, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 9, 2006
3. UKRAINE'S UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION NO
THREAT TO U.S. RELATIONS SAYS FOREIGN MINISTER TARASYUK
By David R. Sands, The Washington Times
Washington, D.C., Friday, March 10, 2006
4. UKRAINE'S FOREIGN POLICY: FROM THE ORANGE REVOLUTION
THROUGH THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND BEYOND"
REMARKS: by Borys Tarasyuk, Foreign Minister of Ukraine
At The Brookings Institution
The Embassy of Ukraine, Washington D.C., Thu, 9 Mar 2006
Published by The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #672, Article 4
Washington, D.C., Sunday, March 12, 2006
5. UNITED STATES CONGRESS ENDS COLD WAR TRADE
RESTRICTIONS ON UKRAINE
Associated Press (AP), Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 9, 2006
6. EXTENSION OF NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH UKRAINE
U.S. Senate - Thursday, March 09, 2006
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Page: S1953
Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 9th, 2006
7. UKRAINE: PRES WELCOMES US REPEALING COLD WAR-ERA LAW
Associated Press, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thu, March 9, 2006
8. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: RELATIONS WITH U.S.
ARE EXTRAORDINARILY POSITIVE
By VOA News, Washington, DC., Friday, 10 March 2006
9. USA TO CONSIDER UKRAINE'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AFTER
ELECTIONS TO VERKHOVNA RADA GONE & NEW GOVT FORMED
Yaroslav Dovhopol, Ukrinform, Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 11, 2006
10. TO AUTHORIZE THE EXTENSION OF NONDISCRIMINATORY
TREATMENT (NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TREATMENT)
TO THE PRODUCTS OF UKRAINE, H.R. 1053
Jackson-Vanik Amendment Graduation Legislation for Ukraine
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8 - Pages: H692-699
Published by The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #672, Article 10
Washington, D.C., Sunday, March 12, 2006
11. CANCELLATION OF JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT FOR
UKRAINE TO 'DOUBLE UKRAINE-U.S. TRADE'
Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 9, 2006
12. U.S. AMBASSADOR JOHN HERBST CELEBRATES PROGRESS
ON US-UKRAINE TRADE AGENDA
Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 9, 2006
========================================================
1. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BORYS TARASYUK MEETS
WITH U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH IN WASHINGTON
Conveyed an invitation by President Viktor Yushchenko to President
George Bush to visit Ukraine. Bush accepts invitation says Tarasyuk.
By E. Morgan Williams, Publisher and Editor
The Action Ukraine Report (AUR), #672, Article 1
Washington, D.C., Sunday, March 12, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk held
a historic meeting with U.S. President George Bush near the end of his
highly successful two-day official trip to Washington. The two meet early
in the afternoon on Friday at the White House.
Foreign Minister Tarasyuk conveyed an invitation by Ukrainian President
Viktor Yushchenko to U.S. President George Bush to make an official
visit to Ukraine. President Bush has accepted the invitation Tarasyuk told
journalists upon his arrival back in Kyiv on Saturday.
Minister Tarasyuk had originally been planning to go to New York on
Friday and a series of meetings had been scheduled. But when the
opportunity came up on Thursday to meet with President Bush on Friday
the trip to New York was cancelled.
The possible meeting between Tarasyuk and Bush was rumored around
Washington on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning but was never
officially confirmed by either the U.S. or Ukrainian governments.
Minister Tarasyuk had on his new Friday schedule a meeting with Stephen
Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, to be held
in Hadley's office in the West Wing of the White House. It was widely
speculated that this would be the meeting attended by President Bush.
"For the USA Ukraine is a positive example of strengthening democratic
values in the world," noted President of the USA George W. Bush in the
course of the meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Borys
Tarasyuk on March 10, 2006. "To present day we remember the striking
days of the Orange revolution in Kyiv when citizens of Ukraine asserted
freedom and democracy," stressed George W. Bush.
During the conversation Mr Bush and Mr Tarasyuk discussed a wide range
of issues of bilateral relations in particular the ways of strengthening
strategic partnership between Ukraine and the USA under the new conditions,
assistance of the USA in integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic
institutions, economical cooperation of the two countries, energy security
etc. The two leaders noted the positive dynamics of the Ukrainian - American
relations with satisfaction and outlined basic directions of its further
development according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service.
In the course of the meeting Borys Tarasyuk delivered a letter from the
President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko to the President of the USA George
Bush where Mr Yushchenko thanked the President of the United States for
consistent support of reformatory steps of the leadership of the Ukrainian
state.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasized the important role
of support of internal reforms in our country and achievement its foreign
policy goals by the United States.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted: "The determination of the
United State to abolish the Jackson-Vanik amendment relating to Ukraine as
well as conclusion of the bilateral Protocol on access to markets of goods
and services and granting our state market economy status are a positive
message for the entire Ukrainian society, the message of readiness of the
both countries to qualitative intensification of political, commercial and
economical cooperation".
The President of the USA and the Head of the foreign policy office of
Ukraine also exchanged views on urgent issues of international development
and regional cooperation. [See link to Bush-Tarasyuk White House
photograph at the end of this article.]
The implementation of the three major milestones that have been reached
between the U.S. and Ukraine in the past three weeks, two of them being
concluded this week, which has ushered in a new, expanded and deepened
economic relationship between the two countries were the focus of many
of the Foreign Minister's meetings.
First, the United States Department of Commerce graduated Ukraine to
the status of legally being a Market Economy as described under U.S.
law. Second Ukraine and the United States finished and then signed
on Monday, March 6 in Washington their WTO bilateral agreement
which is needed by Ukraine for its drive to become a member of the WTO.
GRADUATION FROM JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT
Third the U.S. House of Representatives passed on Wednesday the
legislation needed to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
The U.S. Senate had passed such legislation in the fall of 2005 but the
bill was not worded exactly like the one passed by the House. The
House bill was then put on a very fast track in the U.S. Senate, with the
strong support of the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition.
The legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent late on Thursday
in the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Borys Tarasyuk.
Senator Richard G. Lugar, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee,
pointed to Ukraine's remarkable development after the Orange Revolution.
Recalling his meetings with the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko
the Senator expressed his confidence as to the readiness of the Ukrainian
authorities to proceed with ensuring in the country interethnic peace
and the freedom of movement for all citizens. Among the achievements of
Ukraine in 2005 the Senator especially emphasized freedom of speech
granted by the new leadership of the country.
Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk and U.S. Senator Dick Lugar, Chairman
of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a press conference late on
Thursday to announce the passage by the Senate of the exact same bill that
has passed the House on Wednesday, H.R.
Borys Tarasyuk stressed that this decision represented a positive signal
for the all Ukrainian society, the signal of readiness of both countries to
deepen significantly the political, trade and economic cooperation.
consensus voting. The only step left in this process is for the bill to be
signed by President Bush.
[All three of these major developments in Ukraine-U.S. relations have been
reported on extensively in recent editions of The Action Ukraine Report
(AUR).]
At 11:00 a.m. on Friday Minister Tarasyuk met at the Ukrainian Embassy
with leaders of the Ukrainian-American Community. Tarasyuk said Ukraine
is now in a better position to work closely with the Ukrainian-American
Community and to provide some funds for a Cultural Center at the Embassy
that would assist in providing more information in the U.S. about Ukrainian
culture.
While greeting representatives of the Ukrainian community of America Mr
Tarasyuk noted that activity of community organizations of the U.S. is
considered as an important factor of promoting national interests of our
state and improving of its international authority.
He also welcomed attention of Ukrainian community in the U.S. towards
preserving national traditions, intention to impart to their kids and grand-
children love and respect for Ukrainian country, active augmenting of
cultural treasury of the Ukrainian people according to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs press office.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine thanked Ukrainian organizations
in the U.S. for their assistance in settling one of the most important
problems within Ukrainian-American agenda - the repeal of the Jackson-
Vanik amendment for Ukraine.
In the course of the meeting there was discussed the current stage of
Ukrainian-American relations, the ways to strengthen the real strategic
partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. under the new political conditions.
Mr Tarasyuk also stated that Ukraine attaches special attention to the
intensification of cooperation between state bodies and communities of our
compatriots abroad.
The Foreign Minister said The Fourth World Congress of Ukrainians will
take place on Aug. 18-20 in Kyiv right before Independence Day celebrations.
The Congress will receive some financial support from the government.
Organizations represented at the meeting included: The Washington Group,
Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus,
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ukrainian Federation of
America, Ukrainian National Organization, Ukrainian National Women's
League of America; and the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.
HELD MEETINGS WITH VP CHENEY AND SEC RICE
The Foreign Minister had separate meetings on Thursday with Vice
President Dick Cheney and with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Vice President Cheney is said to have assisted in arranging the meeting
between Tarasyuk and Bush on Friday.
The word in Washington Thursday afternoon indicated the Foreign
Minister's meetings with V.P. Cheney and Secretary Rice both went very
well. One person close to Ukrainian activities in Washington reported,
"I just received a call that Foreign Minister Tarasyuk just completed a
"very good" meeting with the Vice President, "one of the best" the
observing staff have seen with a Foreign Minister.
COMMENTS BY DAN FRIED, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
At a briefing on Belarus and Ukraine by Ambassador Dan Fried, Assistant
Secretary of State (European Affairs), held at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on Wednesday morning, Fried
said, "Two hours ago I had the pleasure of attending the meeting between
Secretary Rice and Foreign Minister Tarasyuk. I must say it is a pleasure
to be working with a government which is conducting an election, which is
by all accounts going to be the freest and fairest of any election in that
country.
Ukraine is in the midst of a post-democratic political turmoil. The Orange
Coalition has found that governing is the hard part and that the Orange
Revolution turned out to be, in retrospect, easy though no one thought so
at the time.
This is not unique to Ukraine. Almost every democratic coalition that has
come to power since 1989 has faced a period usually of some years of
post-democratic political turbulence. Most of those countries, in fact
almost all of those countries, have managed to get past this initial period
and move forward, and we hope the same will be true of Ukraine.
It was a pleasure that in this meeting between the Foreign Minister and the
Secretary, the two Ministers were able to note the real progress in U.S.-
Ukrainian bilateral relations recently. To note some of the achievements
in the last two months:
The United States has restored the generalized system of preferences, GSP
trade benefits to Ukraine. The United States has accorded Ukraine market
economy status. We recently signed a bilateral WTO market access
agreement. Just yesterday the House of Representatives voted over-
whelmingly to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment,
which follows on similar Senate action earlier this year.
Each of these steps required prior actions by Ukraine. They were not
unilateral American gifts to that country. They were the result of our
response to Ukraine's reforms.
So when I speak of a post Orange Revolution period of political turbulence,
it's also important to keep in mind that the Ukrainian government did, when
given the opportunity, manage to push through reforms, which made
possible our positive response."
FLOWERS AT MONUMENT TO SHEVCHENKO
On Thursday, in addition to the meetings with U.S. government officials
Tarasyuk visited the Monument to Taras Shevchenko in Washington.
Tarasyuk placed flowers at the Monument in commemoration of the 192nd
birthday of Shevchenko, Ukraine's most famous poet and national hero.
"Today, on the birthday of Taras Shevchenko, all Ukrainians wherever they
are, either in Ukraine or beyond its bounds, recall the Great Kobzar who
dreamed of a free and prosperous Ukraine. Only now his dream has come
true". The Ukrainian nation has demonstrated its ability for successes and
achievements which the world admires." Touching upon the Ukrainian-
American cooperation Mr Tarasyuk underlined that today the highest level
of bilateral relations has been achieved since the declaration of independence
of Ukraine.
The ceremony at the Shevchenko Monument and the meeting with Ukrainian-
American leaders were arrange by the Cultural, Information & Press Office
of the Ukrainian Embassy, Volodymyr Samofalov, First Secretary, Iryna
Bezerkha, (Press Secretary) and Nataliia Holub, Second Secretary.
MEETING WITH BUSINESS LEADERS
The foreign minister had lunch on Thursday at the Hay Adams Hotel with
a group of business leaders interested in Ukraine brought together by the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"Ukraine proposes new prospects for American business and investments," -
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Borys Tarasyuk stated. "The political
and economic situation in Ukraine is very pro-business and there are now
new possibilities provided by the Ukrainian market for American businessmen
and investors."
Representatives of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce welcomed the repeal of
the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Ukraine, conclusion of the WTO Bilateral
Market Access Agreement as well as granting to Ukraine the market economy
status. They believe the very strong positive steps taken by the U.S. govern-
ment are in recognition of the achievements by the Ukrainian government.
Some of the U.S. companies represented at the business luncheon were
The Boeing Company; Lockheed Martin; Greenberg Tausig, LIP; ASE
Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Booz Allen; SigmaBleyzer Emerging
Markets Private Equity Investment Group; Wilmer Hale law firm and the
Center for Private Enterprise (CIPE).
Lt. General Daniel W. Christman, Senior Vice President for International
Affairs, and Gary Litman, Vice President, Europe and Eurasia Affairs
Division represented the U.S. Chamber. Litman said in the invitation to the
luncheon, "The recent spate of good news on U.S. economic relations with
Ukraine indicates the seriousness of the commitment of both governments
to solidifying the foundations of our relationship."
Dr. Oleh Shamshur, Ambassador of Ukraine; Yevgen Burkat, Trade
Representative, Trade and Economic Mission; and Yuriy I. Karpenko,
Deputy Chief, Trade and Economic Mission, Embassy of Ukraine also
attended the Chamber meeting with business leaders.
In the late afternoon on Thursday Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk gave
a major foreign policy lecture to a large audience at The Bookings Institute.
He was introduced by Carlos Pascual, the new Vice President and Director
of Foreign Policy Studies at Brookings, who is a former U.S. Ambassador
to Ukraine. (A complete copy of the Tarasyuk speech is found in article
four below.)
A meeting at the US Department of Defense also took place and the Foreign
Minister of Ukraine thanked department for helping Ukraine to destroy surplus
military stockpiles and useless munitions and weapons. During the meeting
the issues of the practical implementation of the course of moving Ukraine
towards the Euro-Atlantic integration, the collaboration in restoring Iraq,
and some aspects of the bilateral collaboration in the military sphere were
discussed according to the press service of the Foreign Ministry.
MEETING WITH US SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN
"Ukraine will ensure that democratic standards will be met during the
parliamentary elections on March 26, 2006", Borys Tarasyuk said in a
meeting with United States Senator John McCain, according to Ukrainian
Foreign Ministry's official spokesman Vasyl Filipchuk.
The meeting dealt with a series of matters regarding the Ukrainian-US
agenda, in particular, Ukraine's accession to the WTO, cooperation with
NATO and energy security in Europe.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister discussed a bill, introduced in the U.S.
Senate that has not been passed, which would make available to the
Government of Ukraine a small plot of federal land in Washington on which
would be built a monument to the millions of victims of the 1932 -1933
genocidal-famine in Ukraine (the Holodomor -death by famine-terror). The
PM asked for Senator McCain's assistance regarding the passage of the
bill by the Senate. The bill has already passed the U.S. House of
Representatives.
While in Washington the Foreign Minister also worked in an interview with
David Sands of The Washington Times (see article three below) and with
Voice of America (VOA) (see article eight below.)
Several Washington observers of Ukrainian matters told me they thought
the Foreign Ministers trip was very successful, presented a very positive
image about Ukraine, and acknowledged there is certainly a new dynamic
and spirit in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
The achievement by Ukraine and the United States of the three key mile-
stones completed in a few weeks time is really an unusual accomplishment
and shows real dedication by both nations to broaden and deepen their
economic and political relationship.
Members of the Prime Minister's MFA delegation from Kyiv included:
Dr. Anatoliy Ponomarenko, Ambassador, Director General, Second
Territorial Directorate; Yurii Nykytiuk, Acting Chief, Second Territorial
Department, U.S. and Canada desk; Volodymyr Y. Belashov, Director,
Directorate-General of Arms Control and Military & Technical
Cooperation and the Ministry's official spokesman Vasyl Filipchuk.
Ukraine's new Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Oleh Shamshur,
accompanied the Foreign Minister to the meetings in Washington.
TARASYUK'S RETURN TO UKRAINE
On March 11, 2006 immediately after return from Washington Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Borys Tarasyuk held a press conference by the
results of his work visit to the United States of America according to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Summarizing the result of the visit the Head of the foreign policy office of
Ukraine noted the important role of support of internal reforms in our
country and achievement of its foreign policy goals by the United States
of America.
The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also characterized as positive
message and evidence of "readiness of the both countries to qualitative
intensification of political, commercial and economical dialogue" the
determination of the United States to abolish the Jackson-Vanik amendment
relating to Ukraine, conclusion of the bilateral Protocol on access to
markets of goods and services and granting our state market economy
status. -30-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH ACCEPTS INVITATION TO VISIT UKRAINE
NTN, Kiev, Ukraine, in Ukrainian 1700 gmt 11 Mar 06
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Saturday, Mar 11, 2006
KIEV - [Presenter] US President George Bush has accepted an invitation
from [Ukrainian President] Viktor Yushchenko to make an official visit to
this country. A date is yet to be set, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys
Tarasyuk has told journalists.
He returned from the United States today. He said the USA supports
Ukraine's reforms and expects the parliamentary election [on 26 March]
to be held in a fair and transparent way.
He also talked about the Jackson-Vanik amendment [Soviet-era trade
restrictions], which Washington has lifted with regard to Ukraine, and also
about market-economy status [granted to Ukraine recently]. Tarasyuk says
this will make the Ukrainian economy more attractive to foreigners and
particularly to US businessmen.
[Tarasyuk] The cancellation of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, market
status and the inclusion of Ukraine into the [US] generalized preferences
system - all this taken together creates a favourable climate for doing
business in Ukraine. All this will certainly contribute to making Ukraine
more attractive to investors. -30-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TARASYUK SEES BUSH AT
WHITE HOUSE, DISCUSSES ELECTIONS AND GAS SHIPMENTS
AP Worldstream, Washington, D.C., Friday, March 10, 2006
WASHINGTON - Ukraine Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk said Friday
it was important to have positive messages from the United States as
Ukraine prepares for parliamentary elections March 26.
He spoke after meeting with national secretary adviser Stephen Hadley
at the White House. President George W. Bush dropped in on the meeting.
Tarasyuk said Bush asked about the elections in which President Victor
Yukschenko and populist former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko - the
leading figures in the Orange Revolution - are heading rival parties. He said
they also discussed Russia's cut-off of gas shipments to Ukraine at the
beginning of 2006.
"This was a very positive meeting and the atmosphere was positive as well,"
Tarasyuk said to reporters. On Thursday he met with Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Dick Cheney.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush dropped into the
meeting "to continue to show our support for the people of Ukraine as
they move forward on elections and democratic reforms."
Tarasyuk told the Washington Times Ukraine will remain firmly on a course
of closer relations with the United States and Europe whoever wins the
elections.
Despite the split between the two leaders of the Orange Revolution in 2004,
Tarasyuk told the paper's reporters and editors, the country's pro-Western
reform path and its ambition to join the European Union and NATO remain
on track.
Congress voted Thursday to end Cold War trade restrictions on Ukraine,
which opens the way for the former Soviet republic to join the World Trade
Organization.
The congressional action, and Bush's expected signature, would free Ukraine
from a 1974 measure, called the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, that links trade
benefits to the emigration and human rights policies of former or current
communist states. Ukraine hopes to join the WTO this year, and removal of
U.S. trade restrictions is necessary for that to happen. -30-
=======================================================
NOTE: A photograph of President Bush and Foreign Minister Tarasyuk
can be seen on the website of the Embassy of Ukraine at:
http://www.ukraineinfo.us/embassy/press-releases/press-releases-06/060310.html.
LINK: http://www.mfa.gov.ua/mfa/en/news/detail/1741.htm;
LINK: http://www.mfa.gov.ua/mfa/en/news/top.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
2. FM TARASIUK AND SEC OF STATE RICE DISCUSS IN WASH
PROSPECTS FOR UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO WTO AND NATO
Ukrainian News Agency, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 9, 2006
KYIV - Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Borys Tarasiuk and United States
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have discussed prospects for Ukraine's
accession to the World Trade Organization and NATO. Vasyl Filipchuk, the
head of the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry's press service, disclosed
this to Ukrainian News.
"The repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment in relation to Ukraine by the
House of Representatives of the United States Congress is a positive signal
to the Ukrainian society," Filipchuk quoted Tarasiuk as saying.
Tarasiuk said that the repeal of the amendment, together with the signing of
a bilateral protocol on access to markets of goods and services as part of
Ukraine's bid for admission into the WTO, the granting of the market economy
status to Ukraine, and the lifting of the trade sanctions on Ukrainian
goods, creates qualitatively new conditions for acceleration of bilateral
cooperation in the trade and economic area as well as in the political area.
Rice stressed that these decisions by the United States were primarily in
recognition of the successes of the new Ukrainian leadership in the area of
implementation of internal reforms.
Tarasiuk and Rice also discussed Ukrainian-American bilateral relations,
particularly the strengthening of the strategic partnership between them
under the new conditions, facilitation of Ukraine's integration into the
Euro-Atlantic community, economic cooperation, and energy security.
Tarasiuk stressed the important role of the United States in achievement of
the basis goals of Ukraine's foreign policy such as accession to the WTO
and NATO.
Tarasiuk and Rice also discussed international development and regional
cooperation. As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Tarasiuk is in the United
States for an official visit. -30-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photos of Sec Rice and Foreign Minister Tarasyuk at the following link:
http://www.ukraineinfo.us/embassy/press-releases/press-releases-06/060309-01.html]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
3. UKRAINE'S UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION NO
THREAT TO U.S. RELATIONS SAYS FOREIGN MINISTER TARASYUK
By David R. Sands, The Washington Times
Washington, D.C., Friday, March 10, 2006
Ukraine will remain firmly on a course of closer relations with the United
States and Europe no matter how a critical parliamentary election goes later
this month, Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk said yesterday.
Despite a bitter split between the two main leaders of the 2004 Orange
Revolution, Mr. Tarasyuk said, the country's pro-Western reform path and its
ambitions to join the European Union and NATO will remain on track.
"I predict the core coalition of the new government will be as pro-European
and pro-Atlantic as the government today," he told The Washington Times
during a day of meetings with Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice and other top U.S. officials.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and populist former Prime Minister
Yulia Tymoshenko -- the two leading figures of the Orange Revolution -- are
heading rival parties in the March 26 vote.
Polls now say a more pro-Russia party headed by Viktor Yanukovich, Mr.
Yushchenko's rival in the 2004-05 election dispute, will take the largest
single share of the vote.
But Mr. Tarasyuk said Mr. Yanukovich and his allies will control at most a
third of the seats in parliament, while pro-Western factions will control
much of the rest. In addition, constitutional changes approved at the
beginning of the year give Mr. Yushchenko the right to appoint the foreign
and defense ministers.
The Ukrainian diplomat's Washington visit coincides with a high point in
bilateral ties, emerging after a long frosty spell under President Leonid
Kuchma.
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to lift Cold
War sanctions on Ukraine and give it normal trade ties with the United States,
two days after the two countries signed a bilateral deal clearing one of the
last hurdles to Ukraine's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Bush administration also sided with Kiev in the New Year's Day dispute
with Russia over natural gas pricing and supplies. The brief dispute
threatened to cut off fuel supplies to much of Europe.
"In our bilateral discussions, there is very little for us to be unhappy
about," Mr. Tarasyuk said. The WTO deal was signed even as Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on a separate trip to Washington this week,
complained repeatedly that the U.S. government was the last hurdle blocking
Moscow's bid to join the WTO.
Mr. Tarasyuk said the trade deals symbolized the strength of U.S.-Ukrainian
ties, and would "be a strong signal to our businesses and to our voters
about the good results of our government."
Despite the energy dispute, Mr. Tarasyuk said, the press had "exaggerated"
tensions between Ukraine and Russia, saying the relationship has long been
characterized by ups and downs. -30-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK: http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20060309-104107-6661r.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
4. UKRAINE'S FOREIGN POLICY: FROM THE ORANGE REVOLUTION
THROUGH THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND BEYOND"
REMARKS: by Borys Tarasyuk, Foreign Minister of Ukraine
At The Brookings Institution
The Embassy of Ukraine, Washington D.C., Thu, 9 Mar 2006
Published by The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #672, Article 4
Washington, D.C., Sunday, March 12, 2006
Ladies and gentlemen,
I'm honored to be invited to address such a distinguish audience where so
many familiar faces can be seen.
During my visits to Washington both as Foreign Minister and an opposition
deputy who chaired the parliament's European Integration Committee the
subject of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine was a
topical issue in my discussions.
Noticeably, even in most challenging moments of Ukraine's modern history,
my country's European and Euro-Atlantic prospect has never been questioned
but incited a sincere interest and backing among the US political elite and
American political analysts alike.
Since the dramatic events branded as the Orange Revolution Viktor
Yushchenko, then the presidential candidate and now the President of
Ukraine, has repeatedly stressed that the Ukrainian people, by standing up
for their civil rights and freedoms in November 2004, proved to be
Europeans and as Europeans deserve their place in the united Europe.
It's commonly known that the notion of European and Euro-Atlantic
integration has been a landmark of the Ukrainian foreign policy and politics
for a decade. But the frank assessment of the real progress on Ukraine's
move towards NATO and EU membership made by the end of Kuchma's
tenure unmistakably leads to a blue conclusion that any mentioning of
Ukraine's European integration sparkled nothing but irritation and "fatigue
syndrome" among the European politicians.
Let me briefly remind you that at the edge of the democratic breakthrough
of 2004 Ukraine's image abroad was tainted by a discredited and corrupt
political leadership incapable of getting rid of foreign policy ambiguity
and securing any consistency in the implementation of the strategic tasks.
Moreover the undemocratic nature of the regime and de-facto international
isolation of Ukraine kept at bay any prospect of joining Western
institutions.
With the Orange revolution unleashed by the widespread electoral fraud, the
pro-democracy forces were able to seize the popular mood and formulate the
mainstream civilization choice of the Ukrainian people to live in a
democratic, law-abiding and fair society homogenous with other European
countries.
Instead of incessantly speaking about the European and Euro-Atlantic
prospective that found little response from the European and NATO
counterparts in the previous decade primarily due to the democratic
incompatibility, the new democratic authorities articulated ambitious still
clear-cut foreign policy priorities and backed them up with a trustworthy
agenda and actions.
Although one year is a small period of time to draw a profound conclusions
by all accounts Ukraine has made a great progress towards Euro-Atlantic and
European integration.
First of all, by actively engaging into the implementation the Ukraine-EU
Action Plan we were able to melt down major fences between Ukraine and the
rest of Europe. This Action Plan was instrumental in helping Ukraine to push
economic and democratic reforms forward. As a result Ukraine was graduated
to a market economy status and is fully committed to building on this
success.
Our expectations are to kick start in the nearest future the negotiations
with the EU on association agreement as well as on Free Trade Area. Pending
the assessment of the implementation of the Ukraine-EU Action Plan, the
Government of Ukraine is making its mind as to submission of the EU
membership application.
As far as joining the NATO is concerned, launching and successfully
implementing the Intensified Dialogue on Membership is not a lesser
achievement. The Intensified Dialogue on membership and reforms issues
brought us into the formal stream of preparation to NATO membership.
We are pleased to note that each of the Alliance members recognizes the
legitimacy of Ukraine's NATO aspirations. We believe that the goal of
getting the invitation to NATO at the 2008 Summit is within the reach.
At this point I am aware of the need to address the widespread concerns
in the West over implications that the electoral outcomes of Ukraine's
parliamentary campaign could have on the coherent foreign policy against
the backdrop of the Constitutional reform.
Although the ongoing parliamentary campaign is heavily charged with the
foreign policy component, primarily with NATO accession, as was the last
presidential campaign, it is clearly a point of no return in the heated
debate over national strategic priorities.
One should not be tricked by the fact that some political forces and
especially the out-of-mainstream parties, which enjoy a tiny public backing,
gamble on NATO and Russia-related issues as they lack any trustworthy
vision of the foreign policy priorities.
By abusing the remnants of the existing phobias and ignorance that root back
into the Soviet-era indoctrination and brain-washing practice, these
political players aim at winning the constituency support while not giving
up the efforts to torpedo the democratic choice of the Ukrainian people.
By the way, to address this challenge the Government of Ukraine appropriated
in 2006, for the first time ever since the NATO membership clause was
inserted into the national military doctrine, funds to run a NATO awareness
targeted campaign.
On the other hand there is no ground to deny that the freedom of speech is
flourishing in Ukraine. The opposition leaders and the harshest critics of
the democratic government are the first to grasp these new opportunities to
assail the media space and the constituency with the ideas which sometimes
are lethal for democracy.
The media themselves are no longer the target of influence by the government
or political forces supportive of it. This level of freedom of speech wasn't
dreamed of just a year ago.
We have a transparent and fair political competition as no political force
or opposition leader is harassed or persecuted by either law-enforcement or
any other governmental agency on the basis of their political affiliations
or ideologies.
No wonder Ukraine was upgraded by renowned Freedom House in its annually
Freedom in the World 2006 report from "partly free" to "free" country since
both political right and civil liberties ratings improved significantly.
The President and the Government of Ukraine are aware that the upcoming
parliamentary elections will be a test for Ukraine's democratic
compatibility with the united Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community, and
its integration ambitions will be assessed by the democratic world through
the ability to secure transparent, free and fair campaign.
We are confident that the pro-democracy forces will gain a clear majority in
the future parliament.
Despite the fragmentation between the pro-democracy political parties their
combined approval rating has even slightly grown. There should be no doubts
that the pro-democracy parties are capable of bridging their differences and
restoring the Orange coalition.
With the elections to be held in two-week time the consensus on the key
principles and priorities of the future government have already been worked
out and agreed upon by the pro-democracy parties that will have a
legislative representation.
Besides let it be no place for argument that with the Constitutional changes
taking effect upon new Cabinet formation the President still keeps exclusive
powers to articulate the foreign policy and secure the consistency of its
implementation.
The President will remain an active player in the Cabinet-forming process as
the nominees for the posts of Foreign and Defense Ministers are submitted at
his discretion.
In my already not-so-brief speech there is an obvious necessity that an
assessment of the current Ukrainian-Russian relations be given as they will
have repercussions on Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic strategy and
integration pace.
Still the bilateral relations are not problem free shifting the dialogue
into the dimension of equal relations should be considered a milestone
achievement. On the other hand two countries managed to return to the
process of seeking genuine solutions to long-awaiting problems of the Black
Sea Fleet stationing in the territory of Ukraine, delimitation of the Azov
and Black seas etc. A significant progress has been made on loosening the
procedures of crossing the border by the Ukrainian and Russian nationals.
When speaking on the Ukrainian-Russian relations one cannot avoid touching
upon acute questions. The energy dispute with Russia has made international
and domestic headlines for a couple of months. Although the agreement
hammered on January 4 might not be the better option for Ukraine and is not
of our choice it still reflects to some extend the balance of interests.
Ukraine's economy got an acceptable gas prices that allow to mitigate the
negative impact on its performance. With Ukraine securing tariffs on transit
and its reliability we expect that Russia provide in exchange guarantees
that the gas price and the volumes of gas that is pumped through the
Ukrainian transit system will remain unchangeable for the agreed period of
time.
The scheme of energy supply is far from transparent by the Western
standards. Still with all economic and political factors taken into account
there was no other option or choice but to abolish previous barter schemes
that fed the corruption both in Ukraine and Russia and set up new mechanisms
which better suit market economy transformations.
Although Ukraine's approach was legally strong and we have no little doubt
our country would have won the lawsuit in Stockholm court in practical terms
the Ukrainian economy would be hit severely as would be to some extent the
European economies. As a reliable partner Ukraine decided that it would be
wise to hammer a compromise that benefits both our country and Europe.
We are very optimistic about the prospect of further enhancing our relations
with the United States, that have never been better than as of today.
Eager to rediscover the meaning of the genuine strategic partnership, the
new Ukrainian authorities and the United States have been able just in one
year to get rid of the bulk of problems that have been blemishing our
relationship for ages. The frank discussion and true political will to find
solutions to long-awaiting domestic, bilateral and international issues are
back to the Ukrainian-American dialogue.
The democratic Government of Ukraine has proved to do what it says and
says exactly what it means not leaving any room for ambiguity or
misinterpretation.
I'm happy to say that Ukraine has strictly lived up to its commitments under
Yuschenko-Bush Joint Statement of April 2005 as has the United States.
Ukraine's steadily improving economic performance and the robust market
transformations were recognized by the United States by upgrading Ukraine to
the market economy status.
My country is one step closer to achieving the WTO membership after Ukraine
and the United States successfully completed negotiations on market access
on March 6, 2006. As recently as yesterday the Congress abolished the Cold
War relic of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a measure that grants normal trade
relations treatment to Ukraine.
As Ukraine is seen as an outpost of democracy in the post-Soviet space and
beyond it we stand firmly for freedom, human rights and liberties. With that
said let it be no doubt that Ukraine will remain a committed partner to the
United States in promoting these shared values.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the Orange revolution created pre-requisites to develop the nation and
society, Ukraine is going through the historic moment in its development.
We have the unique chance to make true this historic dream of generations
of Ukrainians to re-integrate our country into the Euro-Atlantic family of
democratic nations.
I thank you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[REMARKS: by Borys Tarasyuk, Foreign Minister of Ukraine at
The Brookings Institution, Washington D.C., Thursday, 9 Mar 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
Send in names and e-mail addresses for the AUR distribution list.
========================================================
5. UNITED STATES CONGRESS ENDS COLD WAR TRADE
RESTRICTIONS ON UKRAINE
Associated Press (AP), Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 9, 2006
WASHINGTON - Congress voted Thursday to end Cold War trade
restrictions on Ukraine, opening the way for the former Soviet republic to
join the World Trade Organization.
The congressional action, and President Bush's expected signature, would
free Ukraine from a 1974 measure - called the Jackson-Vanik Amendment -
that links trade benefits to the emigration and human rights policies of former
or current communist states.
"Although challenges lie ahead, this legislation points out the importance
of Ukraine's commitment to economic reforms and the evolution of
democracy," Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., said Wednesday when the House
voted 417-2 to give Ukraine permanent normal trade relations.
The Senate passed the measure by voice vote without debate.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said
that since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has "demonstrated a commitment
to greater freedom and to free market principles." He urged Ukraine's President
Viktor Yushchenko to continue his no-tolerance policy for anti-Semitism in
the country.
Yushchenko, whose pro-Western government was elected in January 2005,
welcomed the House vote, saying, "Consistent U.S. steps in support of
Ukraine on the way of reform are evidence of strategic partnership between
the countries."
Ukraine hopes to join the WTO this year, and removal of U.S. trade
restrictions is necessary for that to happen. Since 1993, the U.S. has
granted Ukraine normal trade relations on a temporary, annual basis.
U.S. exports to Ukraine, including poultry and agriculture machinery,
totaled $531.7 million last year. Imports from the former Soviet republic,
including steel and coke used in making steel, totaled $1.1 billion.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
6. EXTENSION OF NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH UKRAINE
U.S. Senate - Thursday, March 09, 2006
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Page: S1953
Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 9th, 2006
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar No. 370, H.R. 1053.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will state the bill by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 1053) to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
read the third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the
table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the
RECORD.
I further ask consent that S. 632, the Senate companion measure, be
indefinitely postponed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 1053) was read the third time and passed.
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, last November, the Senate passed a bill I
introduced, S. 632, authorizing the extension of permanent normal trade
relations with Ukraine. During the post-Cold War era, Ukraine has
continued to be 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. My bill repeals permanently the
application of Jackson-Vanik to Ukraine.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1053, the House
companion to my bill. I am extremely pleased that the Senate has passed
this legislation today.
Since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment
to meet freedom of emigration requirements, and to abide by free market
principles and good governance. Improving trade will strengthen the
growing relationship between our two nations. The United States will
continue its strong support of Ukraine and its commitment to democracy
and free markets.
I encourage President Yushchenko to continue his no-tolerance policy
for antisemitism in Ukraine. I look forward to President Bush signing
this bill into law as a further signal of United States support for
democracy and free enterprise in Ukraine. This is especially important
before the parliamentary elections in Ukraine on March 26.
Extraordinary events have occurred in Ukraine. A free press has
revolted against 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 the previous government. It is in our interest to
recognize and to protect these advances in Ukraine.
The United States has a long record of cooperation with Ukraine
through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Act. 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 nonnuclear state. The United States can and
should do more to eliminate conventional weapons stockpiles and assist
other nations in detecting and interdicting weapons of mass destruction.
These functions are underfunded, fragmented, and in need of high-level
support.
This was pointed out to me during a visit Senator Barack Obama and
enjoyed in Ukraine in early September of last year.
The Government's current response to threats from vulnerable
conventional weapons stockpiles is dispersed between several programs
at the Department of State. We believe the planning, coordination, and
implementation of this function should be consolidated into one office
at the State Department with a budget that is commensurate with the
threat posed by these weapons.
We look forward to continuing to address these issues and making
progress on all fronts in Ukraine. The permanent waiver of Jackson-Vanik
and the establishment of permanent normal relations will be the
foundation on which a burgeoning partnership between our nations can
further grow and prosper.
Mr. President, I am pleased to mention that on this auspicious day of
our relations with Ukraine, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine is in
Washington. We have had opportunities to visit, to share views, and to
assert, once again, the solidarity of our friendship.
Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, I rise today to support H.R. 1053,
legislation to extend permanent normal trade relations with Ukraine.
This is the House companion to the bill, S. 632, that Senator LUGAR
and I introduced and shepherded through the Senate last year.
Senator LUGAR just forcefully outlined the issues in only the way
that the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee can. I agree with
what he said and cannot say it any better. So, I will be brief.
As the chairman mentioned, this bill comes at a critical time for
Ukraine--on the heels of dramatic presidential elections and shortly
before important elections in the Rada. This legislation grew out of our
trip to Ukraine last August, as we saw firsthand the key role that the
United States must play in consolidating prodemocracy, pro-free market
reforms. I believe it is critical that we continue to send a clear
message to the Ukrainian people that there are tangible benefits to
continuing down this path. This bipartisan legislation does just that.
It is my honor to be the lead cosponsor of the Senate companion bill
and I look forward to this legislation enhancing the U.S.-Ukraine
relationship. I look forward to the President signing this bill into
law.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
7. UKRAINE: PRES WELCOMES US REPEALING COLD WAR-ERA LAW
Associated Press, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thu, March 9, 2006
KIEV - Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko Thursday welcomed the U.S.
Congress vote to repeal Cold War-era human rights legislation, which had
stood in the way of Ukraine joining the World Trade Organization.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to lift the so-called Jackson-Vanik
amendment on Wednesday, following a similar vote in the Senate, and U.S.
President George W. Bush is expected to sign it soon.
Ukraine had long pushed Washington to lift the 1974 amendment that tied
trade to Soviet policies on Jewish emigration and other human rights
concerns.
Congress' vote is the latest move by the U.S. in support of Ukraine,
including last month's decision to grant the former Soviet republic market
economy status, and this month's agreement on opening new access to each
other's markets.
The moves come ahead of critical March 26 parliamentary elections, in which
voters are being given a stark choice of continuing Ukraine's pro-Western
path or turning back toward Moscow.
"Consistent U.S. steps in support of Ukraine on the way of reforms are
evidence of strategic partnership between the countries," Yushchenko said.
Economics Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk predicted the repeal will help to
double the $1.5 billion in annual trade between the countries and to
increase the export of Ukrainian metal to the U.S.
Ukraine hopes to join the WTO this year and win entry before its neighbor,
Russia, to avoid any possible conditions that could delay its membership.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
Send in a letter-to-the-editor today. Let us hear from you.
========================================================
8. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: RELATIONS WITH US
ARE EXTRAORDINARILY POSITIVE
By VOA News, Washington, DC., Friday, 10 March 2006
WASHINGTON - Ukraine's foreign minister is calling recent developments
in U.S. - Ukrainian relations "extraordinarily positive."
In an interview with VOA Thursday, Borys Tarasyuk noted how the United
Stases provided political support for the transformation to democracy in
Ukraine. He also said Washington supported Ukraine in January's natural gas
price dispute with Russia.
Tarasyuk was in Washington Thursday for meetings with Vice President Dick
Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
State Department officials say the talks focused on closer Ukrainian ties
with Europe and last month's U.S. decision to recognize Ukraine as a market
economy.
Secretary Rice stressed the importance of guaranteeing that this month's
parliamentary and local elections in Ukraine meet international standards.
Wednesday the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure calling
for the lifting of trade restrictions on Ukraine and the establishment of
permanent, normal trade relations between the two countries.
The restrictions imposed in 1974 under the so-called Jackson-Vanik amend-
ment linked trade relations with the former Soviet Union to that country's
easing of restrictions on human rights, especially those involving
emigration. The legislation remained in effect for the Soviet successor states.
The house bill must now be reconciled with the measure adopted by the
Senate and then signed by President Bush before it becomes law.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
9. USA TO CONSIDER UKRAINE'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AFTER
ELECTIONS TO VERKHOVNA RADA GONE & NEW GOVT FORMED
Yaroslav Dovhopol, Ukrinform, Saturday, March 11, 2006
BORYSPIL, KYIV REGION - The United States Administration will
consider prospects of Ukraine's membership in NATO after the elections
to the Verkhovna Rada are gone and a new Govt is formed, Ukrainian
Minister for Foreign Affairs told a press conference on his arrival to
Ukraine on Saturday.
According to Tarasyuk, the American administration is positive towards
proceeding to the action plan format in Ukraine's attaining membership in
NATO. At the same time, Borys Tarasyuk said, the American side and
other members of the Alliance made it clear that "principled decisions will
be passed not earlier than the elections are gone and a new Govt is formed".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
10. TO AUTHORIZE THE EXTENSION OF NONDISCRIMINATORY
TREATMENT (NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TREATMENT)
TO THE PRODUCTS OF UKRAINE, H.R. 1053
Jackson-Vanik Amendment Graduation Legislation for Ukraine
TEXT FROM CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, March 8 - Pages: H692-699
Published by The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) #672, Article 10
Washington, D.C., Sunday, March 12, 2006
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1053) to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
(normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1053
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) Ukraine allows its citizens the right and opportunity to emigrate,
free of any heavy tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents
required for emigration and free of any tax, levy, fine, fee, or other
charge on any citizens as a consequence of the desire of such citizens to
emigrate to the country of their choice.
(2) Ukraine has received normal trade relations treatment since 1992 and
has been found to be in full compliance with the freedom of emigration
requirements under title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 since 1997.
(3) Since the establishment of an independent Ukraine in 1991, Ukraine
has made substantial progress toward the creation of democratic institutions
and a free-market economy.
(4) Ukraine has committed itself to ensuring freedom of religion,
respect for rights of minorities, and eliminating intolerance and has been a
paragon of inter-ethnic cooperation and harmony, as evidenced by the annual
human rights reports of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) and the United States Department of State.
(5) Ukraine has taken major steps toward global security by ratifying
the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Weapons
(START I) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
subsequently turning over the last of its Soviet-era nuclear warheads on
June 1, 1996, and agreeing, in 1998, not to assist Iran with the completion
of a program to develop and build nuclear breeding reactors, and has fully
supported the United States in nullifying the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM)
Treaty.
(6) At the Madrid Summit in 1997, Ukraine became a member of the North
Atlantic Cooperation Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), and has been a participant in the Partnership for Peace (PfP)
program since 1994.
(7) Ukraine is a peaceful state which established exemplary relations
with all neighboring countries, and consistently pursues a course of
European integration with a commitment to ensuring democracy and
prosperity for its citizens.
(8) Ukraine has built a broad and durable relationship with the United
States and has been an unwavering ally in the struggle against international
terrorism that has taken place since the attacks against the United States
that occurred on September 11, 2001.
(9) Ukraine has concluded a bilateral trade agreement with the United
States that entered into force on June 23, 1992, and is in the process of
acceding to the World Trade Organization (WTO). On March 6, 2006, the
United States and Ukraine signed a bilateral market access agreement as a
part of the WTO accession process.
SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF THE
TRADE ACT OF 1974 TO THE PRODUCTS OF UKRAINE.
(a) Presidential Determinations and Extension of Nondiscriminatory
Treatment.--Notwithstanding any provision of title IV of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.), the President may--
(1) determine that such title should no longer apply to Ukraine; and
(2) after making a determination under paragraph (1) with respect to
Ukraine, proclaim the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade
relations treatment) to the products of that country.
(b) Termination of Applicability of Title IV.--On and after the
effective date under subsection (a) of the extension of nondiscriminatory
treatment to the products of Ukraine, title IV of the Trade Act of 1974
shall cease to apply to that country.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
[GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA MR. THOMAS]
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, this is really an exciting time in which we
recognize the continuing maturation and involvement of a new nation, yet a
nation of people who have deserved better over many decades and are now
beginning to see the fruit of their struggle manifest itself.
We are asking today in this legislation to recognize that the country of
Ukraine that has entered into a series of agreements with the United States
and other countries, and I include an exchange of letters between the United
States Trade Representative Rob Portman and myself as chairman of the Ways
and [Page: H693] Means Committee, indicating some certainties as to that
agreement, and to anxiously await the comments by my colleagues as we
recognize that the Ukraine, through very difficult economic and political
transformations, has reached the point of integrating itself into the world
economy.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS,
Washington, DC, March 6, 2006.
Hon. Rob Portman, U.S. Trade Representative,
Washington, DC.
DEAR AMBASSADOR PORTMAN: I understand the United States and
Ukraine have concluded the bilateral negotiations on market access issues
related to Ukraine's World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. The
Committee has received the confidential documents related to the accord,
and I congratulate you and your negotiators on a very strong agreement.
The commitments that Ukraine has made related to market access for goods
and services, as well as on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) obligations and
intellectual property rights, are very important for U.S. exporters and to
Members of Congress. It is essential that Ukraine comply fully with all of
its WTO commitments. To that end, I write to seek your assurances that you
will be steadfast in confirming that Ukraine fully implements all of its
commitments as scheduled, and that you will not support its accession unless
that is the case.
I look forward to moving legislation through Congress to grant permanent
normal trade relations (PNTR) to Ukraine quickly after the bilateral
agreement is signed. Unconditional normal trade relations is a basic tenet
of WTO membership, and granting PNTR to Ukraine will allow the United States
to benefit from the WTO commitments made by Ukraine. I look forward to your
response.
Sincerely, Bill Thomas, Chairman.
---------------------------------------------
Executive Office of the President, the United States Trade Representative,
Washington, DC, March 6, 2006.
Hon. Bill Thomas, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
DEAR CHAIRMAN THOMAS: Today, the United States and Ukraine signed a
bilateral market access agreement as part of the negotiations for Ukraine's
accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). As we have discussed, this
agreement is a significant step forward in our commercial relations with
Ukraine.
In addition to market access commitments that create new opportunities for
U.S. exports, Ukraine's recent efforts to address intellectual property
(IPR) and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues are particularly
noteworthy evidence of Ukraine's desire to become part of the global trade
community.
The WTO accession negotiations with Ukraine are proceeding on two tracks:
(1) bilaterally to open up Ukraine's markets to U.S. exports and investment;
and (2) multilaterally to focus on WTO rules issues that relate to matters
such as transparency, agriculture, customs, IPRs, state-owned enterprises,
and services.
The complete WTO accession package will include: (1) the best of Ukraine's
commitments made in bilateral negotiations on market access for goods,
agriculture, and services; and (2) Ukraine's commitments to revising its
trade regime to adhere to WTO rules. These commitments will be included in a
multilaterally agreed Protocol of Accession and Report of the Working Party
which are analogous to legislation and the committee report on that
legislation.
Ukraine must still complete its bilateral negotiations with other Members as
well as the multilateral part of the negotiations. We will continue to work
with the Ways and Means Committee and others in Congress as we continue
these negotiations. Under WTO rules, the Working Party must approve, by
consensus, the final accession package before the General Council can
approve the terms for Ukraine's membership in the WTO.
We will carefully review Ukraine's implementation of all WTO requirements,
including market access commitments and SPS and IPR obligations, prior to
accession. This will enable us to have confidence that Ukraine is complying
with its SPS commitments to us and will comply fully with all of the
commitments that it will assume as a WTO member, thus providing the basis
for joining the consensus on Ukraine's terms of accession.
After the Congress enacts legislation terminating application of the
"Jackson-Vanik'' amendment, the United States will be able to provide
permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) treatment to Ukraine. WTO membership
for Ukraine means that in addition to our bilateral mechanisms, we will be
able to use the WTO to monitor implementation of commitments, and as needed,
avail ourselves of the various consultation mechanisms in the Agreement.
Finally, should we be unable to resolve our differences, we will have
recourse to the Dispute Settlement Understanding.
I look forward to working with you and other Members of Congress on
Ukraine's WTO accession and PNTR legislation.
Sincerely, ROB PORTMAN.
--------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
[GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND, MR. CARDIN]
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Mr. Thomas for the manner in
which this legislation has been brought forward, in allowing us to vote on
the permanent normal trade relations with the Ukraine.
Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, in my capacity as ranking member at the
U.S.-Helsinki Commission, I traveled to the Ukraine with my colleague and
chairman, Congressman CHRIS SMITH. We made our trip shortly after the
historic Orange Revolution, and I was impressed by the commitment of the
Ukraine's new leaders to consolidate democracy, promote respect for human
rights, and modernize the country's economy. [Time: 12:00]
I also was impressed by the leader's commitment to further integrate Ukraine
into the European and Euro-Atlantic community.
I am not the only one to have been impressed by Ukraine's efforts.
International organizations such as Freedom House have acknowledged
Ukraine's progress of recent years in protecting the political rights and
civil liberties of its citizens.
Mr. Speaker, I believe Congress should demonstrate its support for
Ukraine's reforms by approving legislation today that would grant Ukraine's
permanent normal trade relation status, and, therefore, take it one step
closer to becoming a member of the WTO.
The passage of PNTR for Ukraine will also show Congress's support for the
efforts of the Yushchenko government to ensure that the upcoming March 26
parliamentary elections will be free and fair. I am pleased that my Helsinki
Commission colleague from Florida, Congressman ALCEE HASTINGS, has been
appointed as the OSCE PA Special Coordinator for our election observation
mission there, and I look forward to reviewing the mission's findings and
reports.
So far, the pre-election process, while not completely problem free, has
been dramatically different from the period leading up to the fraudulent
elections of November 2004, which ignited the Orange Revolution. In the 2004
elections, the Ukraine and government instructed the media about how to
cover the elections and systematically abused government resources. In
contrast, the upcoming elections are expected to be free and fair.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a few moments to comment on the issues of
the underlying legislation we are considering today. The issue Congress is
formally considering today is whether to withdraw the application of the
Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine and thereby grant Ukraine permanent
normal trade relations status. The Jackson-Vanik amendment, which was
adopted in 1975, was intended to provide a way for the United States to deny
trade benefits to countries that are denying the rights of its citizens,
particularly religious minorities.
Mr. Speaker, in light of the commitment that Ukraine has demonstrated in
protecting the rights of religious minorities, I think it is appropriate
that we withdraw the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine.
Since independence, each successive Government of Ukraine has demonstrated
a consistent commitment to defending the religious and ethnic rights of all of
the people of the Ukraine. Current President Victor Yushchenko has continued
this unambiguous commitment by pledging to bring minority groups together
and reconciling historic conflicts.
The International Religious Freedom Report of 2005 published by the United
States State Department recognizes, ``President Yushchenko has, since taking
office, spoken publicly about his vision of a Ukraine in which religious
freedom flourishes and people are genuinely free to worship as they
please.''
It must be understood, however, that there remain issues of concern, most
notably the return of communal religious property that was confiscated
during the Soviet era, and the anti-Semitic activities of Ukraine's largest
private university, the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management.
Mr. Speaker, I have raised both of these issues in recent days with the
Ambassador from the Ukraine and from other Ukrainian officials, and I have
been impressed by their commitment to address these issues. Ukrainian
officials have assured me that the [Page: H694] government is committed to
continuing its effort to return communal property and that the Government of
Ukraine will continue to condemn at the highest levels the anti-Semitic activities
of the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management and any other anti-
Semitic activities.
Mr. Speaker, given these concerns, I am pleased that the legislation we are
considering today highlights the importance of Ukraine's continuing
commitment to ensure freedom of religion, respect for minorities, and
eliminating intolerance.
Shortly I will yield time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the
ranking member of the International Relations Committee and our leader in
Congress on the issue of human rights, democracy and religious freedom. Mr.
Lantos is the leader in Congress of our Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism,
and I want to thank him for working with me, the Helsinki Commission, and
the OSCE as we have battled against the rise of anti-Semitism globally, and
particularly within the OSCE states.
Ukraine has agreed to certain commitments to fight anti-Semitism, as have
all of the 55 participating states of the OSCE. And let me make this crystal
clear: today we intend to hold Ukraine to these commitments, including the
responsibility to denounce anti-Semitism statements and vigorously enforce
hate crime laws and promote diversity and tolerance in school curriculum. I
am pleased that section 1, paragraph 4 of the resolution before us
references these OSCE commitments.
Let me make a personal reflection here. During my visit to Ukraine last
year, I visited two monuments, the Ukraine Famine Memorial, honoring the
millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal 1932 and 1933 famine, and Babi
Yar, where hundreds of thousands of Jews and others were massacred by the
Nazis during World War II.
Mr. Speaker, it was a moving experience for me to lay a wreath at these
sites in the Ukraine. These horrific events were a testimony to the cruelty
and intolerance of dictatorships, and I do believe that today's independent
Ukraine now understands that respect for human rights and a commitment to
democracy and tolerance are the best inoculation against the horrors like
the famine and Babi Yar.
The United States Government, the Helsinki Commission, and the OSCE look
forward to working with a democratic Ukraine as they continue to build their
institutions of democracy, establish the rule of law, protect human rights
and religious freedom and combat corruption.
I commend Ukraine for its progress in promoting political and economic
freedom for its citizens and its integration into the global rules-based
economy. I urge my colleagues to join me in demonstrating support for the
Ukraine's efforts by voting today to grant the country permanent normal
trade status.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased by the statement of my friend from Maryland, and
am also pleased to underscore the fact that my colleague and friend from
California and I will stand together all the time in making sure that the
conditions under which we examine and approve normal trade relations follow
what should be a model. But, indeed, if you have to make sure it is
followed, it will be followed.
Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the chief sponsor
of H.R. 1053, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach).
Mr. Speaker, prior to recognizing him, I yield the balance of my time to
the chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Shaw), and ask unanimous consent that he control the remainder of the time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Feeney). Without objection, the gentleman
from Florida will control the time.
There was no objection.
[GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MR. GERLACH]
Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from
California, Chairman Thomas, and his staff for their cooperation in bringing
H.R. 1053 to the floor today. Also I would like to thank my colleague from
Pennsylvania, Mr. Weldon, and the other cochairs of the Ukrainian Caucus,
Mr. Bartlett, Ms. Kaptur and Mr. Levin, for all of their hard work in
helping to generate such a broad, bipartisan coalition of support for H.R.
1053.
Most importantly I would like to thank the Jackson-Vanik Graduation
Coalition and all the leaders of the Ukrainian-American community in
southeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the country for their tireless
efforts in support of this legislation, and commend them on the tremendous
job they have done promoting the progress the Ukraine has made over the
past few years.
During the Orange Revolution of 2004, the whole world watched as the people
of Ukraine protested allegations of massive corruption, voter intimidation
and direct electoral fraud. They sent a clear message that regardless of
these obstacles, they wanted and supported with their votes a pro-democracy,
pro-reform candidate for President, Victor Yushchenko. This election
highlighted the commitment of the Ukraine people to a free and prosperous
democracy, and the country overnight became a role model for the entire
region.
Since the election, the government has remained committed to broad-based
reform and economic liberalization. This commitment was evident most
recently on Monday, March 6, when the United States and Ukraine signed a
bilateral WTO Agreement on Market Access, a major step towards Ukraine
ultimately joining the WTO.
H.R. 1053 is another important step for Ukraine as it becomes a partner in
the global economy. The bill lifts the Jackson-Vanik restrictions and
authorizes President Bush to permanently extend normal trade relations
treatment to Ukraine.
The United States Congress adopted the Jackson-Vanik legislation in 1974 to
halt normal trade relations between the United States and those countries
that restricted free immigration, especially for persons of the Jewish
faith. Over 30 years later, virtually everyone agrees that Ukraine's record
on freedom of immigration and religious freedom and tolerance is good.
These restrictions have long been outdated, a fact recognized by the
administration in its granting of normal trade relations status to the
Ukraine on a yearly waiver basis by the President. Because of this, my
legislation will not affect current trade relationships with the Ukraine on
a dollar-and-cents term.
However, the message we are sending by making this relationship permanent is
priceless to the people of the Ukraine. It strongly reaffirms our long-term
partnership and support as Ukraine continues down the path of reform and
democracy.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, the cosponsors of
the bill, and the chairman and members of the Committee on Ways and Means
for their work in bringing this bill to the floor today.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), our champion on human
rights here in the Congress and our leader in the fight against
anti-Semitism.
[GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. LANTOS]
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Maryland
for yielding, for his eloquent statement and for his leadership on all human
rights issues that come before this House.
Mr. Speaker, like all of our colleagues, I welcome the democratic strides
that Ukraine has taken since the Orange Revolution, and I want to note that
the country has met the basic narrow condition for lifting Jackson-Vanik
restrictions. Jews are allowed to emigrate from Ukraine. But I am very
deeply concerned about the larger human rights questions, and particularly
the failure to deal with rampant anti-Semitism in Ukraine.
Mr. Speaker, the Anti-Defamation League, which monitors anti-Semitic
incidents around the world, reports a disturbing trend in Ukraine. In 2005,
164 incidents of anti-Semitism, ranging from vandalism to brutal violence,
were reported there, three times the incidents reported in 2004.
The principal source of anti-Semitic agitation in Ukraine is the so-called
private university MAUP, which is officially recognized as an institute of
higher education. It is accredited by Ukraine's Ministry of Education, it
has tens of thousands of students enrolled [Page: H695] at various
campuses around the country, and it offers courses in many fields.
But despite the apparent claim of legitimacy, this is the worst kind of
disgrace to academia worldwide. This so-called university organizes
sickening anti-Semitic meetings and conferences and regularly publishes
anti-Semitic articles and statements in two widely distributed periodicals.
Its so-called president and other faculty members have made it their life's
goal to resuscitate and spread anti-Semitism in Ukraine, a country with a
disgraceful history and mass murder in that subject. The president of this
university, Shchokin, is the head of another organization which also uses
its license for purely anti-Semitic activities.
One of these institution's most appalling actions has been to court the
disgraced and odious American white supremacist David Duke. This
"university'' awarded him a doctorate for a thesis entitled, "Zionism as a
Form of Ethnic Supremism.'' David Duke holds forth in the classrooms in
Ukraine on history and international relations. He was also a key
participant in a June 2005 conference sponsored by this so-called university
entitled, "Zionism: A Threat to World Peace.''
Other leading anti-Semites in Ukraine were given star billing at that
conference, including Holocaust deniers. [Time: 12:15]
Recently the president of the so-called university expressed public support
for Iranian President Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust, and approved of
his threat to wipe Israel off the map.
Mr. Speaker, in meetings with officials of Ukraine and top officials of our
own government, I have repeatedly emphasized that I cannot support lifting
Jackson-Vanik provisions for Ukraine when the government fails to deal with
the issue of anti-Semitism. I have called upon Ukrainian officials to speak
out and publicly denounce this vile venom from the so-called university and
its president.
I am pleased to report to my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, that while this ugly
problem has not yet been fully resolved, over the last few months a number
of positive steps have been taken by the Government of Ukraine, and that is
the reason I am willing to support the lifting of Jackson-Vanik for Ukraine.
I would like to mention the most positive actions that have been taken to
deal with anti-Semitism in response to the serious concerns that I have
raised with both Ukrainian and American officials. The President of Ukraine,
Victor Yushchenko, on December 5, 2005, publicly condemned anti-Semitism,
and he specifically criticized the so-called university, MAUP, for its
systematic publication of viciously and violently anti-Semitic articles.
President Yushchenko urged all Ukrainians to join him in condemning all
manifestations of anti-Semitism and xenophobia, which he said the new
democratic Ukrainian state will not tolerate. President Yushchenko called
upon the faculty of this so-called university to respect citizens of all
nationalities and religious faiths and to stop rousing national hatred.
On January 23 of this year, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Borys
Tarasiuk, strongly condemned the anti-Semitic actions of this university. He
announced, "Having exhausted all efforts to convince the university's
leaders to drop their unlawful and wrongful actions'', the Foreign Minister
broke off all contacts with the university a year ago. The Foreign Minister
stressed, "There is no place for any form of anti-Semitism or xenophobia in
Ukraine.''
The Ministry of Education and Science also issued a statement on January
23 accusing this so-called university of violating Ukrainian law. It said
that there was persistent noncompliance with requirements of state licensing
rules for universities. The ministry's statements said this institution
pursued "activities inconsistent with the status of higher educational
institutions in the Ukraine.''
I am calling on the Government of Ukraine to lift the license of the
so-called university to function. It is a disgrace to the new Ukraine, and
it is a disgrace to the civilized world, and I am looking forward to early
action by the Government of Ukraine.
On February 16, Mr. Speaker, the Presidential party made a statement
condemning the anti-Semitic activities of this institution, noting,
"Inflaming hostility, anti-Semitism and xenophobia by leaders of MAUP is
a blatant violation of the rights and freedoms of the people. It casts a
shadow on Ukraine, a country pursuing the way of democracy''.
Just this past Friday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Borys Tarasiuk, in a
letter to me, said that his government takes anti-Semitism seriously and
will deal with it in a bold manner. He said that all governmental
departments have ceased cooperation with this institution, that it is
becoming isolated and marginalized. Its future is more than vague, in view
of the ongoing investigations, said Minister Tarasiuk in his letter. He also
stated that formal charges are to be filed in the coming weeks.
I look forward to the filing of these formal charges and the lifting of the
license of the institution.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of my statement, I will insert into the RECORD the
full text of all of these documents.
Mr. Speaker, I believe Ukrainian officials are acting in good faith to stop
the nauseating and repulsive anti-Semitic actions of this so-called
university and its vile and despicable leadership. I will continue to
monitor anti-Semitism in Ukraine, and I will continue to work with the
officials of the Ukrainian Government to bring this ugly process to an end.
I support, Mr. Speaker, reluctantly and with reservations, the legislation
before us today to grant PNT status and to remove the Jackson-Vanik
provisions from Ukraine. Ukraine has taken important steps forward, and I
look forward to working with the Government of Ukraine under the
leadership of President Yushchenko in dealing with the problem I discussed.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the RECORD here the materials I discussed
previously:
-------------------------------------------------------
Ukraine President Condemns Anti-Semitism
Victor Yushchenko urged society to jointly condemn all manifestations of
anti-Semitism and xenophobia, and claimed that the state would not tolerate
them.
The President stressed that government should protect citizens of all
nationalities and religious beliefs. He pledged that it would consistently
fight against national, racial or religious discrimination in our country.
"There can be no national issue in a civilized country,'' he said. The Head
of State is worried that anti-Semitism spreads throughout Ukraine.
He condemned the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management (IAPM)
as an institution that systematically publishes anti-Semitic articles in its
publication `Personnel.'
Yushchenko said he had left the supervisory council of the journal to
protest against this inhumane policy. He called on professors of the IAPM to
respect citizens of all nationalities and confessions and to ``stop rousing
national hatred.''
Foreign Minister Tarasiuk: MAUP Activities Unlawful
On January 23d speaking on national television Foreign Minister of Ukraine
Borys Tarasiuk strongly condemned the anti-Semitic actions of MAUP
University in Ukraine. He confirmed that ``having exhausted all efforts to
convince MAUP leaders to drop their unlawful and wrongful actions'' he broke
off contacts with the University a year ago. According to Tarasiuk, ``there
is no place for any form of anti-Semitism or xenophobia in Ukraine''.
At the same time the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine issued a
press-release accusing MAUP of breaking Ukrainian law. In particular it
pointed out persistent incompliance with requirements of state licensing
rules for universities, failure to abide with legally binding procedures of
the State Accreditation Commission etc.
The press release qualifies it as "a general negligence of law and a desire
to pursue activities inconsistent with the status of Higher Education
Institute in Ukraine''. The Ministry addresses the issue to the Ukrainian
law enforcement bodies with request to analyze to what extent the actions of
MAUP comply with Ukrainian law.
Statement by "Our Ukraine'' of the Our Ukraine Bloc on Manifestation of
Anti-Semitism at MAUP
Inflaming hostility, anti-Semitism and xenophobia by certain leaders of the
Inter Regional Academy of Personnel Management (MAUP) in MAUP-owned
or affiliated mass media is a blatant violation of rights and freedoms of
people. It casts a shadow on Ukraine, a country pursuing the way of
democracy. A new anti-Semitic article "Minister of American synagogue'' was
published [Page: H696] in the last edition of "Ukrainian newspaper plus''. It
represents a deliberate xenophobic act towards Ukrainian citizens.
The Our Ukraine Bloc considers such activity outrageous and damaging,
especially at the time of formation of a free civil society. The Orange
revolution displayed Ukraine as a new democracy. Anti-Semitic attacks on the
side of MAUP damage Ukraine's image and hamper equal and close relations
with its biggest world partners. Atavistic thinking of MAUP leadership might
create a bizarre picture of Ukraine as a primitive and nationalistic state.
We consider this humiliation of Ukraine in the eyes of the world community
inappropriate and strongly urge the MAUP leadership to review their views as
harmful and shameful for Ukrainian people. In the beginning of the III
millennium there cannot be any place for paranoid ideology in public and
political sphere!
Representatives of any nation in Ukraine have a right for self-realization
and development of their national and socio-cultural identity. There is only
one Ukraine for all of us!
--------------------------------------------------
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF UKRAINE,
March 3, 2006. Hon. TOM LANTOS,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
DEAR MR. LANTOS: Let me first of all express my deep respect to you as a
long-time supporter of my country. Being a part of opposition in Ukraine
during dramatic elections of 2004 I was encouraged and impressed by the
letters you co-signed in defense of Ukrainian democracy. I also appreciate
the unequivocal support of my country's graduation from the Jackson-Vanik
amendment you rendered right after the victory of democratic forces in
December 2004.
It is my strong conviction that the present moment gives a precious
opportunity to lay a solid fundament for a reliable Ukrainian-American
partnership for decades to come. Let me assure you that Ukrainian Government
won't let marginal forces like infamous MAUP University thwart that chance.
In December-February President Yushchenko, myself and pro-presidential party
bloc ``Our Ukraine'' have strongly condemned the anti-Semitic escapades of
MAUP leaders. All governmental bodies have seized their co-operation with
MAUP. All political forces denied them collaboration during the forthcoming
elections.
Politically, MAUP University is isolated and marginalized. Legally, its
future is more than vague in view of ongoing investigations (the formal
charges are to be filed in the coming weeks). I sincerely hope that you
won't see the very existence of this small group of obscurants in my country
as an impediment on the way of enhancing Ukrainian-American partnership.
Dear Congressman, anti-Semitism is an issue Ukrainian Government takes
seriously and deals with in an expedient and bold manner. This is yet
another issue on which we are ready to actively co-operate with the United
States. In this regard, I would appreciate if we could meet and discuss all
range of Ukraine-U.S. issues during my visit to Washington, D.C. on March
9-10, 2006.
Sincerely,
BORYS TARASYUK.
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. English), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
[GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA MR. ENGLISH]
Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill
and particularly to congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Gerlach), who is its primary sponsor and who has carefully shepherded it
forward at a very sensitive time in U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill especially when taken in tandem
with economic and political reforms made by the Ukraine, as well as the
efforts of our negotiators to put together a solid WTO market access
agreement.
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of passage of this bill on the heels
of the other body passing a similar measure under unanimous consent. Just 2
days ago an agreement on market access was signed between the U.S. and the
Ukraine. This agreement is an excellent start to fostering a continued
growth between our two countries.
We recognize that some frictions remain, but this agreement, along with the
Ukraine's accession to the WTO, will better enable us to resolve these
frictions expeditiously, and in a mutually beneficial manner. Granting
permanent normal trade relations, along with steps already taken to make
government loan guarantees from the Export-Import Bank available to U.S.
exporters to the Ukraine, will significantly increase U.S. investment in the
Ukraine.
Granting the Ukraine permanent normal trade relations status will not only
complement the difficult economic reforms that have been made. It will also
support and reinforce the democratic reforms being made by President
Yushchenko.
It is vital that Congress move forward and reaffirm our commitment to the
Ukraine, to its reforms, both democratic and economic. Mr. Speaker, I urge
passage of this bill.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that each side be given
an additional 2 minutes.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Feeney). Is there objection to the request
of the gentleman from Maryland?
There was no objection.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 1/2 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Levin).
(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
[GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN MR. LEVIN]
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in support of this for the
reasons that they have all given. What happens in Ukraine is important for
its people, obviously. It is important for its neighbors. It is important
for us in the United States, and I think really in the world. Let me just
state why I think it is important in terms of its economic and democratic
development.
Clearly it has met the requirement in Jackson-Vanik as to immigration.
Jackson-Vanik was an amendment to a trade bill, and so it is relevant for us
to look at the economic and democratic developments within Ukraine. The
Jackson-Vanik instrument is our opportunity in the Congress to deal with the
accession of countries to the World Trade Organization, and that is why we
have withheld PNTR in several cases until we were satisfied in terms of the
WTO accession agreements and could participate in the development of those
agreements.
The U.S. has now negotiated with Ukraine a WTO accession agreement, and
it is satisfactory. I think it will be mutually beneficial. I think also it
will spark further reforms within Ukraine, both economic and also, I think,
help the evolution of democracy within that country. So this is an important
moment in terms of the economic role of Ukraine and the evolution of its
democratic processes.
Let me say another word, if I might quickly, about the importance. We have
been working on this legislation for a number of years. In proposals that we
have placed on the record, that we have introduced, we have talked about
various aspects of our relationship with Ukraine, and various doings within
Ukraine, both human rights, how it treats its workers and many other
aspects.
All of these aspects are not covered in this legislation, but I do think
this legislation points out the importance of Ukraine to continue its
democratic evolution. There are challenges ahead. I have had the chance to
talk with constituents, with the large Ukrainian-American community in the
12th District.
And I want to close with this. To echo what Mr. Lantos has said, and
others, what happens in Ukraine is important, as I said, not only for its
people, but really for the whole world. The Orange Revolution really
resounded throughout the globe. It was an important moment for all of us,
and so is its progress in terms of human rights and in terms of the
elimination of anti-Semitism within Ukraine.
Mr. Speaker, so I join in this effort, and I urge that we all support it.
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
[GENTLEWOMAN FROM MICHIGAN MRS. MILLER]
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding
me time.
Mr. Speaker, as has been discussed here today certainly, the Jackson-Vanik
restrictions were made as an amendment to a 1974 trade bill actually to
punish the Soviet bloc nations for their despicable human rights record.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Jackson-Vanik restrictions were
placed on all of the former Soviet Republics, including the Ukraine. In
recent years, the world has watched as the Ukraine has embraced democracy
and freedom through their Orange Revolution.
The Ukraine has been a great ally in the war on terror. The Ukraine has
clearly taken appropriate steps to open their society and economy and
becoming an important member of the community of free nations. The Ukraine
should be free of the onerous restrictions, because they have met each of
the tests laid out by the law. In fact, [Page: H697] the Ukraine has been granted
an annual waiver from these restrictions each year for nearly a decade.
Mr. Speaker, my district is home to many people of Ukrainian descent. In
fact, southeast Michigan, I believe, has, if not the largest, certainly one
of the largest Ukrainian populations in our entire Nation.
These people are great Americans. They are great patriots. For years they
have fought against Soviet oppression of the Ukrainian people and on behalf
of freedom. They now embrace democracy and freedom that has come to their
homeland, and they know it is both appropriate and very necessary for this
Congress to act on this issue.
It is time for us to recognize the friendship of the Ukraine as well as
permanently remove them from the restrictions of Jackson-Vanik.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this very, very important
legislation today on the floor. [Time: 12:30]
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Weldon) who is a very active Member of the Congress with regard to our
relationship with the Ukraine.
(Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
[GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA MR. WELDON]
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solid support of
this legislation and with deep thanks to the leadership on both sides of the
aisle for their work on this issue.
This is a critically important piece of legislation, not just for the
people of Ukraine but for the people of the world. As a founder and cochair
of the Ukrainian Rada-U.S. Congress relationship, this has been our number
one priority for a number of years.
But going back in my own career as a mayor and former county commissioner,
I can recall each January that, with hundreds of my Ukrainian-American
constituents, we would assemble and light candles. We would light candles
for those people who are being oppressed by the Soviet regime.
In working with groups like the National Council of Soviet Jewry, we would
make visits into the Soviet Union and go to those homes where people were
being oppressed. We understood in a real way the oppression that was being
brought by the Soviet leadership. And those candles that we lit each January
were to show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, that one day they
would achieve independence and one day they would achieve the full equal
respect of our country.
In the early nineties they achieved their independence. Today they receive
the full respect of America and its people, because today we grant them
equal status as a trading partner.
Ukraine has been working hard to achieve the basic foundation of democracy.
They worked hard as a million people stood in the streets in the area of the
Maidan and stood up to the leadership in attempting to take away the election
of the people. They stood tall for the leadership of President Yushchenko.
President Yushchenko has continuously called for this action that we take
today. And certainly the timing is appropriate because in several weeks
Ukraine will elect a new Rada. This sends a signal that Ukraine now has the
full and equal respect of the government and of the people of the United
States. And it sends a signal to all those other emerging democracies that
you can follow the Orange Revolution.
Ukraine has been very helpful to us, Mr. Speaker, in ways that we do not
often talk about publicly. It was President Kuchma, before Yushchenko, who
laid the groundwork with contacts in Libya through his Foreign Minister,
Konstantin Gryshchenko, to assist us in getting Gadhafi to give up his weapons
of mass destruction. Quiet discussions among Ukraine leaders were assisting
us to achieve what many thought was impossible in Libya.
It has been Ukraine and the diaspora in this country that has constantly
reminded us of the economic bonds between our two nations. Today we stand
tall with the people of Ukraine, and we tell them that we are with them, as
we told Prime Minister Yekhanurov when he was here only a few weeks ago.
Today Ukraine becomes a symbol for all of the world. Hopefully, we will
continue to work with Russia to achieve a similar status before the end of
this year. I was encouraged by the comments of our Trade Representative in
calling for that ultimate conclusion, once Russia has continued to show
success and improvement in their economic relations.
To all of our colleagues, I say vote for this issue.
Slava Ukraine.
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), a member of the Rules Committee, a
Member who knows what it is to lose freedom and then regain it.
[GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA MR. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART]
Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Shaw
for his kind remarks. I want to thank all the distinguished Members who have
made possible this legislation today. I think it is very timely.
I had the privilege of visiting Ukraine last December along with Under
Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky and a humanitarian delegation from my
community. My community has begun a process of helping the people of
Ukraine, especially the sick children who, because of the decades-long
environmental degradation, really attack upon the environment of the
totalitarian regime, are still suffering and for generations, unfortunately,
will have to suffer the consequences of the horrors of totalitarianism in a
most unfair way. So humanitarian efforts are ongoing, and I am very proud of
that, from my community, to help the people of Ukraine.
I was again very impressed and thank Mr. Lantos for standing up today and
mentioning an extremely important subject area. I want to point out that in
the discussions that we had with President Yushchenko, Under Secretary
Dobriansky, I was impressed by how much emphasis she made and the
seriousness with which she made arguments that were brought out today by Mr.
Lantos. And so I am pleased to see that he will continue his very important
monitoring of really the despicable matters that he made reference to, and I
certainly look forward to joining him in that monitoring.
That said, I think it is important that a friend that has gone through,
because of really the heroism of its people, has gone through a democratic
transition, and, even after independence from the Soviet Union, was really
still living under the undue influence of Russia.
I think that those hundreds of thousands of people that took to the streets
just over a year ago, they deserve our respect. And the people of Ukraine
deserve our respect. And in the same manner in which Jackson-Vanik, I am
very proud of, was another way in which the United States stood on behalf of
freedom, I think today it is time to remove Jackson-Vanik from democratic
Ukraine, to say congratulations for what you have achieved, and to say we
will be with you as you further achieve progress in perfecting your
democracy and the rule of law.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank my friends for bringing this
legislation forward. I want to acknowledge again Mr. Lantos and his strong
work on behalf of human rights and fighting anti-Semitism, and Mr. Levin who
authored a bill on our side for PNTR for Ukraine.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the RECORD a letter from the Anti-Defamation
League acknowledging the changes that have been made by the leadership of
the Ukraine, dated January 25, 2006. The Anti-Defamation League is the
premier organization fighting anti-Semitism globally.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Anti-Defamation League
ADL WELCOMES UKRAINE'S STRONG CONDEMNATION OF
UNIVERSITY FOMENTING ANTI-SEMITISM
New York, NY, January 25, 2006 ..... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
welcomed the statements and actions of the Ukrainian government to condemn
anti-Semitism, and specifically one of the country's leading institutions of
higher education, which ADL has called a hotbed for anti-Semitic incitement.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister and the Ministry of Education and Science
publicly condemned MAUP University's anti-Semitic activities and called for
"anti-incitement laws to be effectively enforced.''
In a letter to Borys Tarasyuk, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Barbara B.
Balser, ADL [Page: H698] National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL
National Director welcomed his "strong statement condemning the anti-Semitic
actions of MAUP University as unlawful and wrongful and proclaiming that
'there is no place for any form of anti-Semitism and xenophobia in the Ukraine.'''
The League leaders also welcomed the statement of the Ministry of Education
and Science accusing MAUP of breaking Ukrainian law by persistent
incompliance with requirements of state licensing rules for universities and
failure to abide with legally binding procedures of the State Accreditation
Commission.
"We hope the Ukrainian government will continue to condemn such anti-Semitic
activities and ensure anti-incitement laws will be effectively enforced,''
Ms. Balser and Mr. Foxman said.
A university with 50,000 students, MAUP has made statements supporting the
President of Iran's denial of the Holocaust and appeal for Israel's
destruction and is a bastion of anti-Jewish propaganda and incitement in the
Ukraine.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Feeney). The gentleman from Florida
(Mr. Shaw) has 7 1/2 minutes remaining.
[GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA MR. SHAW]
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to first of all associate myself with the remarks
from the gentleman from Maryland as well as the gentleman from California. I
think they expressed very well, as did the other speakers from the majority
side, the feeling of the Congress with regard to this resolution. I rise in
very strong support of H.R. 1053 which would grant permanent normal trade
relations to the products of the Ukraine.
Members of the House have the opportunity to show their support for the
important economic and democratic reforms underway by Ukraine by affirming
their support to the PNTR status.
As chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, I routinely observe
the tremendous benefits that free and fair trade can have on both countries
involved. In fact, many times the economic benefit of trade is a carrot that
is held out to encourage movements by countries towards a free and open
society. To most effectively continue advocating that countries make these
reforms, we must take steps to recognize and reward those efforts to
demonstrate the benefits of those actions.
In addition to rising in support of this legislation, I applaud the
negotiations on both sides for their work on the bilateral market access
agreement reached between the United States and Ukraine on March 6, 2006,
just 2 days ago. In particular, I commend the strong protections for
intellectual property rights contained in the agreement. For example, the
Ukraine has agreed to provide 5 years of data protection for pharmaceuticals
and 10 years of data protection for agriculture chemicals.
I applaud both the Ukraine and the United States Trade Representative, Mr.
Portman, for this and I continue to urge the United States Trade
Representative to press for intellectual property rights in future
agreements, particularly in the discussions with Russia.
Mr. Speaker, Ukraine has made strong commitments in this and many other
areas. In addition, the country has made tremendous economic and democratic
strides. All of us were thrilled to watch actually on television the Orange
Revolution and watch it go forward and watch the freedom, the human spirit,
rise up in the Ukraine and come to bring them where they are today.
Because of this and other matters, I urge my colleagues to support permanent
and normal trade relations for the Ukraine and vote in favor of this
important bill, H.R. 1053. [Begin Insert]
"-------------------------------Non-Relevant Text-----------------------------"
[GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR. CROWLEY]
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Resolution
offered by Representative GERLACH, H.R. 1053--lifting the provisions of
Jackson-Vanik from the country of Ukraine.
In December 2004, the world watched as a democratic candidate was poisoned,
a stolen victory, and marches in the street by people hungry for freedom and
for a better future for their children.
The world witnessed true passion. We witnessed people expressing themselves
and their will to live freely and democratically. We witnessed people
determined to take charge of their nation's destiny and risk all to do so.
We witnessed young and old, families and students--all camping outdoors in
the blistering Ukrainian cold to protest against a sham victory and demand
true elections. What we witnessed was true everyday heroism.
While we, the people of the world, witnessed victory--the people of Ukraine
lived it by forcing it. By rejecting tyranny and corruption and demanding
equality and freedom, they brought about peaceful democratic regime change.
As a result, President Viktor Yushchenko has been able to democratically
reform laws in Ukraine to bring this country to Market Economy Status.
Additionally, Ukraine has continued to bring religious minorities together,
restore privately owned property, and condemn anti-Semitic remarks from
national organization. As a result of Ukraine's tireless effort to reform,
on March 6, 2006 the United States and Ukraine signed a very important trade
agreement that would eventually help grant Ukraine access to the World Trade
Organization.
Now the only piece of the puzzle still left for this fledgling democracy is
lifting of the Jackson-Vanik restriction--and permanently granting normal
trade relations status with the United States.
I am pleased to join with my colleagues and my constituents in support of
H.R. 1053 and grant Ukraine PNTR for the hard work and democratic reforms
that have been instituted after the "Orange Revolution'' Let's support this
democratically elected government and grant them Permanent Normal Trade
Relations status.
[GENTLEMEN FROM OHIO MR KUCINICH]
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman NANCY KAPTUR, co-chair
of the Ukrainian Caucus, and I have been strong supporters of political freedom
in Ukraine and have advanced the cause of Ukrainian culture internationally and
in the United States.
Today we will vote "present'' on H.R. 1053, a bill to authorize the
extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment)
to the products of Ukraine. We wish to make clear that this was not a "no''
vote, but a "we know'' vote.
We know that democracy is on the march in Ukraine. We also know that the
conditions for a fully functioning democracy are not in place.
We adhere to the principles of a similar bill to life Ukraine from
Jackson-Vanik in the 107th Congress, H.R. 3939. However, that bill specified
certain conditions be met prior to lifting that reflect the spirit of the
law as much as the letter of the law, including that the government of
Ukraine--
(1) Adopt and institute policies that remove undue restrictions and
harassment on labor organizations to freely associate according to
internationally recognized labor rights;
(2) Take additional positive steps to transfer places of worship and related
religious property for all confessions to their original owners;
(3) Establish an independent legal and judicial system with rule of law that
is free of political interference and corruption;
(4) Commit to providing funding and administrative support for reforms of
the legislature;
(5) Demonstrate a firm commitment to freedom of the press by prohibiting
physical harm and intimidation of journalists through such means as
prevention of abuse of tax and libel laws;
(6) Adopt and [Page: H699] vigorously enforce laws to prohibit the
trafficking of women and of illicit narcotics;
(7) Accelerate governmental structural reform and land privatization
policies which benefit ordinary citizens;
(8) Adopt a more comprehensive program to protect the environment;
(9) Support internationally recognized standards of transparency in
monitoring of elections; and
(10) Remedy trade disputes involving violation of international property
rights, transshipment of counterfeit goods, and dumping of such products as
steel into the United States market in such increased quantities as to cause
harm to the domestic industry.
Despite our high aspirations for the Ukraine, we do not believe that these
conditions have been met, although we are mindful that there are people in
civil society working to bring these principles to fruition.
The Jackson-Vanik requirement for annual review of the trading relationship
was originally intended as a way to sanction anti-Semitic regimes. According
to the Anti-Defamation League, in a document attached to this statement,
that we attach for the RECORD, at least one university in Ukraine, sadly, is
still teaching anti-Semitism in Ukraine.
We have both worked to ensure human rights, labor rights and environmental
quality standards are including in trade agreements. However, the WTO does
not permit trade on this basis. This makes new entrants into the WTO highly
vulnerable to the export of their jobs to nations which offer cheap labor
and no standards. A transfer of wealth from the great mass of the people of
Ukraine to multi-national corporate interests will result unless there are
safeguards.
Any nation, and Ukraine is no exception, which is heavily influenced by
oligarchical interests, could easily be sacrificed. We remain committed to
continuing to work with the valiant people of Ukraine and the wonderful
groups of the diaspora to lift up the economic, political and social
progress of the Ukrainian people. We are optimistic about the blossoming of
freedom, economic democracy and human rights in Ukraine. [End Insert]
Ukraine University Schooling in Anti-Semitism
MAUP: SCHOOLING IN ANTI-SEMITISM
MAUP is the main source of anti-Semitic agitation and propaganda in Ukraine.
It organizes anti-Semitic meetings and conferences, regularly issues
anti-Semitic statements and publishes two widely distributed periodicals,
Personnel and Personnel Plus, which frequently contain anti-Semitic
articles.
At the same time, MAUP is a bona fide university--its English name is the
Interregional Academy for Personnel Management--accredited by Ukraine's
Ministry of Education, with more than 50,000 students enrolled at campuses
in various locations. Business, political science and agriculture are among
the subjects taught.
The anti-Semitic activities are directed by MAUP's President, Georgy
Tschokin, and a number of his colleagues. In addition, Tschokin is the head
of another body called the "International Personnel Academy'' (IPA), which
he also uses to issue anti-Semitic statements.
White supremacist David Duke has close links with MAUP: he "teaches'' a
course on history and international relations, has been awarded a doctorate
for a thesis on Zionism and was a key participant in MAUP's June 2005
conference on "Zionism: Threat to World Peace''.
On November 22, Tschokin issued a statement of solidarity with Iranian
President Ahmadinejad's threat to wipe out Israel. The statement blended
traditional Christian anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism: "We'd like to remind
that the Living God Jesus Christ said to Jews two thousand years ago: "Your
father is a devil!' ..... Israel, as known, means `Theologian', and Zionism
in 1975 was acknowledged by General Assembly of UNO as the form of
racism and race discrimination, that, in the opinion of the absolute majority
of modern Europeans, makes the most threat to modern civilization.
Israel is the artificially created state (classic totalitarian type) which
appeared on the political Earth map only in 1948, thanks to good will of
UNO ..... Their end is known, and only the God's true will rescue all of us.
We are not afraid, as God always together with his children!'' .
MAUP's June 2005 anti-Zionist conference was attended by anti-Semites from
all over the region, as well as Duke, French Holocaust denier Serge Thion
and Israel Shamir, a Russian Jew who converted to Christianity and is
notorious for publishing anti-Semitic essays on the internet. The
Palestinian Authority representative in Ukraine, Walid Zakut, was also
reported to have attended.
MAUP's anti-Semitic activities can be traced back to at least 2002. MAUP's
leading figures have been at the root of attempts to bar Jewish
organizations in Ukraine and, more recently, a call to ban ``The Tanya'', a
classic work of Hassidic Jewish literature, on the grounds that it promotes
racism against non-Jews.
MAUP: CONTEXT AND RESPONSES
At the Auschwitz liberation ceremonies in January 2005, Ukrainian President
Viktor Yushchenko declared that his country had adopted a policy of "zero
tolerance'' towards anti-Semitism. Yet over this year, there has been a
sharp spike in anti-Semitic incidents, including the brutal beating in
August of a Yeshiva student in Kiev, who remains hospitalized in Israel in a
coma.
Following this attack, 30 Ukrainian rabbis declared: "Calls to violence
against Judaism and Jews are published in the press, freely distributed and
sold. On the walls of synagogues, buildings, bus stops and along the road,
anti-Semitic symbols appear more and more often.''
Critically, Mr. Yushchenko has done nothing against MAUP, aside from
resigning from its Board.
Ukraine needs to take decisive action now. Measures could include the
following: Invoking anti-incitement laws against Tschokin and his
colleagues; the Education Ministry revoking recognition of MAUP diplomas; a
statement of condemnation by Mr. Yushchenko and a ban on David Duke
entering Ukraine.
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1053, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those
present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's
prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
[Congressional Record Page: H737]
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gutknecht). The pending business is the
question of suspending the rules and passing the bill, H.R. 1053, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1053, as amended, on which the yeas and nays are
ordered.
This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 417, nays 2,
answered "present'' 3, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 24] Time: 16:05]
[A complete record of the voting may be found at:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll024.xml, AUR EDITOR]
So (two-thirds of those voting having responded in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. -30-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Some sub-headings [in brackets] were inserted editorially
by The Action Ukraine Report (AUR).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
11. CANCELLATION OF JACKSON-VANIK AMENDMENT FOR
UKRAINE TO 'DOUBLE UKRAINE-U.S. TRADE'
Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 9, 2006
KYIV - The cancellation of the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Ukraine will
double Ukraine-U.S. trade, Ukrainian Economy Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk
has said.
"Today, trade between Ukraine and the United States is $1.5 billion," the
ministry quoted Yatseniuk as saying on its Web site.
In his opinion, the cancellation of the amendment will be most profitable
for the Ukrainian steel industry.
"The cancellation of the amendment and establishment of normal trade
relations will allow, fist and foremost the steel industry, which is
concentrated in the east of Ukraine, to normally develop relations and to
supply significant volumes of goods to the United States," Yatseniuk said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
If you are receiving more than one copy of the AUR please contact us.
========================================================
12. U.S. AMBASSADOR JOHN HERBST CELEBRATES PROGRESS
ON US-UKRAINE TRADE AGENDA
Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 9, 2006
KYIV - U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John E. Herbst has hailed the progress
on the U.S.-Ukraine trade agenda, and Ukraine's progress in preparing to join
the World Trade Organization.
"This agreement [on mutual access to markets] marks significant progress on
a number of the top issues on our bilateral trade agenda, as targeted by
President Bush and President Yuschenko in the New Century Agenda for the
Ukrainian-American Strategic Partnership 2005," Ambassador Herbst said.
He said, "Ukraine's trade benefits under the Generalized System of
Preferences (GSP) were restored on January 23." The March 6 bilateral
agreement paves the way for Ukraine to complete its WTO accession
negotiations, which will would open up potentially vast opportunities for
local businesses and attract major companies to Ukraine," Herbst said.
As reported, Economy Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk and the U.S. Trade
Representative Rob Portman officially signed the agreement on the conditions
of access to goods and service markets in the frames of Ukraine's joining
the WTO. -30-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================
If you are receiving more than one copy of the AUR please contact us.
Please contact us if you no longer wish to receive the AUR.
You are welcome to send us names for the AUR distribution list.
========================================================
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT - AUR"
A Free, Not-For-Profit, Independent, Public Service Newsletter
With major support from The Bleyzer Foundation
Articles are Distributed For Information, Research, Education
Academic, Discussion and Personal Purposes Only
Additional readers are welcome.
========================================================
SigmaBleyzer/The Bleyzer Foundation Economic Reports
"SigmaBleyzer - Where Opportunities Emerge"
The SigmaBleyzer Emerging Markets Private Equity Investment Group
and The Bleyzer Foundation offers a comprehensive collection of documents,
reports and presentations published by its business units and organizations.
All publications are grouped by categories: Marketing; Economic Country
Reports; Presentations; Ukrainian Equity Guide; Monthly Macroeconomic
Situation Reports (Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine).
LINK: http://www.sigmableyzer.com/index.php?action=publications
You can be on an e-mail distribution list to receive automatically, on a
monthly basis, any or all of the Macroeconomic Situation Reports (Romania,
Bulgaria, Ukraine) by sending an e-mail to mwilliams@SigmaBleyzer.com.
"UKRAINE - A COUNTRY OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES"
========================================================
UKRAINE INFORMATION WEBSITE: http://www.ArtUkraine.com
========================================================
"WELCOME TO UKRAINE"- "NARODNE MYSTETSTVO"
(Folk Art) and ContempoARTukraine MAGAZINES
For information on how to subscribe to the "Welcome to Ukraine" magazine
in English, Ukrainian Folk Art magazine "Narodne Mystetstvo" in Ukrainian,
or ContempoARTukraine in English please send an e-mail to
ArtUkraine.com@starpower.net. Complete information can be found at
the following website: http://www.artukraine.com/availbooks/index.htm.
========================================================
"THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT- AUR" - SPONSORS
"Working to Secure & Enhance Ukraine's Democratic Future"
1. THE BLEYZER FOUNDATION, Dr. Edilberto Segura, Chairman;
Victor Gekker, Executive Director, Kyiv, Ukraine; Washington, D.C.,
http://www.bleyzerfoundation.com.
Additional supporting sponsors for the Action Ukraine Report (AUR) are:
2. UKRAINIAN FEDERATION OF AMERICA (UFA) , Zenia Chernyk,
Chairperson; Vera M. Andryczyk, President; Huntingdon Valley,
Pennsylvania
3. KIEV-ATLANTIC GROUP, David and Tamara Sweere, Daniel
Sweere, Kyiv and Myronivka, Ukraine, 380 44 298 7275 in Kyiv,
kau@ukrnet.net
4. ESTRON CORPORATION, Grain Export Terminal Facility &
Oilseed Crushing Plant, Ilvichevsk, Ukraine
5. Law firm UKRAINIAN LEGAL GROUP, Irina Paliashvili, President;
Kiev and Washington, general@rulg.com, www.rulg.com.
6. BAHRIANY FOUNDATION, INC., Dr. Anatol Lysyj, Chairman,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
7. VOLIA SOFTWARE, Software to Fit Your Business, Source your
IT work in Ukraine. Contact: Yuriy Sivitsky, Vice President, Marketing,
Kyiv, Ukraine, yuriy.sivitsky@softline.kiev.ua; Volia Software website:
http://www.volia-software.com/ or Bill Hunter, CEO Volia Software,
Houston, TX 77024; bill.hunter@volia-software.com.
8. UKRAINE-U.S. BUSINESS COUNCIL, Washington, D.C.,
Dr. Susanne Lotarski, President/CEO; E. Morgan Williams,
SigmaBleyzer, Chairman, Executive Committee, Board of Directors;
John Stephens, Cape Point Capital, Secretary/Treasurer
9. UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COORDINATING COUNCIL (UACC),
Ihor Gawdiak, President, Washington, D.C., New York, New York
10. U.S.-UKRAINE FOUNDATION (USUF), Nadia Komarnyckyj
McConnell, President; John Kun, Vice President/COO; Vera
Andruskiw, CPP Wash Project Director, Washington, D.C.; Markian
Bilynskyj, VP/Director of Field Operations; Marta Kolomayets, CPP
Kyiv Project Director, Kyiv, Ukraine. Web: http://www.USUkraine.org
11. WJ EXPORT-IMPORT, Agricultural Companies, Kyiv, Ukraine,
David Holpert, Chief Financial Officer, Chicago, Illinois.
12. EUGENIA SAKEVYCH DALLAS, Author, "One Woman, Five
Lives, Five Countries," 'Her life's journey begins with the 1932-1933
genocidal famine in Ukraine.' Hollywood, CA, www.eugeniadallas.com.
========================================================
TO BE ON OR OFF THE FREE AUR DISTRIBUTION LIST
If you would like to read THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT- AUR,
around five times a week, please send your name, country of residence,
and e-mail contact information to morganw@patriot.net. Information about
your occupation and your interest in Ukraine is also appreciated. If you do
not wish to read THE ACTION UKRAINE REPORT please contact us
immediately by e-mail to morganw@patriot.net. If you are receiving more
than one copy please let us know so this can be corrected.
========================================================
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR - AUR
Mr. E. Morgan Williams, Director, Government Affairs
Washington Office, SigmaBleyzer
Emerging Markets Private Equity Investment Group
P.O. Box 2607, Washington, D.C. 20013, Tel: 202 437 4707
Mobile in Kyiv: 8 050 689 2874
mwilliams@SigmaBleyzer.com; www.SigmaBleyzer.com
========================================================
Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
========================================================
return to index [The Action Ukraine Report (AUR) Monitoring Service]
========================================================