BRAMA, Jul 24, 2001, 11:00pm ET

U.S. Aid to Emerging Democracy At Risk
Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio
July 23, 2001

The U.S. House of Representatives would make a huge foreign policy blunder if it carries through on a threat by Republican appropriators to slash $45 million in foreign aid to Ukraine. This is even $40 million less than what the Bush Administration requested. Meanwhile, Russia is making every effort to cozy up to its breadbasket neighbor. Vladimir Putin has reserved airspace to attend the August festivities in Kiev at Ukraine's 10th anniversary of independence. Russia has appointed Viktor Chernomyrdin, its former Prime Minister, as its new Ambassador to Ukraine. Congratulations to Russia.

Republicans on our Foreign Operations subcommittee say this unprecedented singling out of Ukraine will send a message to Ukraine's political leaders about human rights violations. Fair enough. But whom will their action punish? Can they really be sure about who are the guilty parties for the specific human rights violations they abhor?

Yes, Ukraine is a struggling new republic, riddled with corruption, lacking a robust justice system, and crawling its way to an open, civil society. There are horrendous abuses there. But to isolate Ukraine at this turning point in history mitigates against US interests in a strategic region of the world. Give Ukraine the credit she is due. Ukraine has dismantled all its nuclear weapons. She seeks to become part of the full union of European states. She refused to sell turbines to Iran. It was President Leonid Kuchma who extended the invitation to Pope John Paul II for his recent historic visit to this Orthodox nation. Ukraine has spawned an emerging middle class with her economy growing more than six percent in the last year. Important reforms have begun in the civil code and land titling, the latter enacted through executive decree over a divided legislative branch. Ukraine still faces enormous clean-up challenges - from Chernobyl and other rickety in-country nuclear plants to its politics and human rights. Instead of singling out the government of Ukraine for punishment, Congress should recognize the remarkable strides the people of Ukraine have taken towards democracy and a market-oriented economy, and encourage more of these.

Ukraine is one of the largest and most important of the former Soviet republics that wish to draw west. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, "After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of the Soviet agricultural output..."

Why should Republican appropriators cut the very funds that benefit U.S. organizations and interests undertaking the Herculean task of transition and reform. Approximately 90 percent of U.S. assistance to Ukraine involves grants to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), small business development, exchange programs, support for independent media, municipal development and the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear plant facilities. Cutting aid to Ukraine merely thwarts our painstaking efforts to help build a civil society. The effect would be to damage the U.S. position with Ukraine and hurt the people, not the government, of Ukraine.

The crossroads nation of Ukraine, surely, can transform the face of Europe for decades to come. But this potential should not be taken for granted. The recent signing of the Sino-Russian Pact means that the West must strengthen its strategic ties with Ukraine, encouraging that country to continue looking westward, both in policy and in action. Irresponsible cuts in aid send Ukraine exactly the wrong message.

President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have both expressed the importance of our partnership with Ukraine and the nation's pivotal role in the region. This fall, our Congress-Rada Parliamentary Exchange Group will convene for the first time. Members of the U.S. Congress will meet with their Ukrainian counterparts to build lasting professional relationships and share information on how both countries can work for Ukraine's full integration into the world community.

The actions of Congress will be instrumental in continued developments to promote governmental integrity, democratic ideals, and reduce corruption. We call on Congress to match last year's assistance level. Let the people of Ukraine know that we support their progress, and look forward to an enduring relationship and, indeed, friendship.

MARCY KAPTUR
Member of Congress
Ohio - 9
 
 

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