BRAMA, Nov 25, 2003, 9:00 am ET
Congressional resolution on Ukraine's territorial integrity
Notice provided by Orest Deychakiwsky, Helsinki Commission Staff Advisor
On October 29, 2003, Mr. Curt Weldon (R-PA-7) of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent resolution,
which has been referred to the Committee on International Relations.
H.CON.RES.315
Title: Expressing the sense of Congress that construction by the Russian Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait region raises major concerns for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for other purposes.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that construction by the Russian Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait region raises major
concerns for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for other purposes.
Whereas the United States Government has and continues to recognize its commitment to the independence and territorial integrity of
the sovereign nation of Ukraine;
Whereas the United States is a guarantor of Ukraine's security under Memorandum on Security Assurances for Ukraine in connection
with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of December 5, 1994;
Whereas Ukraine became one of the original members of the United States-led coalition to fight international terrorism, and has the
fourth largest military contingent participating in joint stabilization forces in Iraq;
Whereas Ukraine has taken major steps to stem nuclear proliferation by ratifying the START I Treaty on nuclear disarmament and the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, subsequently, on June 1, 1996, turning over the last of its Soviet-era nuclear
warheads, and agreeing, in 1998, not to assist Iran with the completion of a nuclear power plant in Bushehr, which was thought to
possibly produce weapons of mass destruction;
Whereas in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian
Federation of May 31, 1997, parties agreed to respect each country's territorial integrity and confirmed borders;
Whereas Article 3 of this Treaty provides that the parties shall build their relations on the principles of mutual respect and sovereign
equality, territorial integrity, respect of borders, non-interference in internal affairs, cooperation among states, fulfillment of
international obligations and other universally recognized norms of international law;
Whereas in accordance with Article 5 of the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on Ukrainian-Russian State Border of
January 28, 2003, issues relating to adjacent sea islands are to be settled by agreement of the two parties pursuant to international law;
and
Whereas construction by the Russian Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait region raises major concerns for the territorial integrity of
Ukraine: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that —
- preserving independent, sovereign, and democratic Ukraine within its existing internationally recognized borders fully
corresponds to the national interests of the United States as it has been reiterated since the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the United States and Ukraine and such independence and sovereignty should not be challenged in any
form;
- the Government of the Russian Federation should adhere to the provisions of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation
and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation of May 31, 1997, and other major agreements pertaining to
resolution of this matter;
- the Russian Federation should desist from any actions that may infringe upon the territorial integrity and borders of
Ukraine;
- all differences arising between Ukraine and its neighbors, including the Russian Federation, should be resolved on the
principle of sovereign equality and mutual respect without resorting to threat or use of force; and
- a stable and democratic Ukraine that integrates into the Euro-Atlantic structure is an essential element of European
security and the United States should support the accession of Ukraine to NATO membership.
* * * * *
Cosponsoring H.CON.RES.315 are Rep Eliot L. Engel (11/5/2003 [D-NY-17]),
Rep Marcy Kaptur (11/5/2003 [D-OH-9]), and Rep Christopher H. Smith (11/19/2003 [R-NJ-4], Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and
Cooperation in Europe (also known as the United States Helsinki Commission).
More information:
Bill Summary & Status Info
H.CON.RES.315 Text
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