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    BRAMA News and Community Press

    BRAMA, May 20, 2004, 1:00 pm ET

    RELATED
    Note: Steven Pifer, Anders Åslund and Nadia Diuk testified on May 12, 2004 before the Committee on International Relations (Subcommittee on Europe) for the hearing titled "Ukraine's Future and United States Interests." Written statements (not read publicly) by Michael Sawkiw, Jr. (UCCA) and Ihor Gawdiak (UACC) were submitted for the record only. Presiding over the session was the Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, Doug Bereuter, who will visit Ukraine at the end of May. Mr. Bereuter ended the session by thanking the panel participants for their testimony, and then requested that the unread UACC and UCCA statements be "inserted into the record." See links below.

     ·  View Webcast Video (15,994 kb, ~62 min.) - Hearing: Ukraine's Future and United States Interests
     ·  Hearing Notice
     ·  Statement of Honorable Doug Bereuter, Chairman Europe Subcommittee
     ·  Testimony by Steven Pifer Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs
     ·  Testimony by Anders Åslund, Director, Russian And Eurasian Program Carnegie Endowment For International Peace
     ·  Testimony by Nadia M. Diuk, Ph. D. Director, Central Europe and Eurasia National Endowment for Democracy
     ·  Statement For The Hearing Record by Ihor Gawdiak, President, Ukrainian American Coordinating Council
     ·  Statement For The Hearing Record by Michael Sawkiw, Jr., President, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
     ·  Слухання в Конгресі США: вибори президента України – найголовніша подія у Європі в 2004 році [Люба Шара, УП]
     

    UNIS/UCCA Press Release

    U.S. Congressional hearing on U.S.-Ukraine Relations

    Washington, DC (UNIS) - On May 12, 2004, the House of Representatives International Relations Committee (HIRC), European Subcommittee offered a special hearing entitled "The Future of Ukraine and U.S. Interests." Called to order by the European Subcommittee Chairman Doug Bereuter (R-NE), the chairman, in a prepared statement, mentioned the strategic positioning of Ukraine, especially in light of the recent enlargements of NATO and the European Union (EU) on Ukraine's western-most border. In acknowledging Ukraine's great importance to U.S. foreign policy, Rep. Bereuter clearly stated that "U.S. policy must remain focused on promoting and strengthening a stable, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine, more closely integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic structures."

    Many aspects of the congressional hearing centered around the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections on October 31, 2004. Chairman Bereuter raised this concern in his opening statement alluding to the fact that "the Congress, like the Bush Administration, has made the presidential election a litmus test of Ukraine's commitment to democracy. Several high level officials of the Administration, such as Assistant Secretary Armitage, have recently visited Kiev [Kyiv, op. ed.] and have tried to stress the importance of free and fair elections." Adding to open comments was Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), ranking democrat on the House International Relations European Subcommittee, who characterized Ukraine in a balanced manner stating that Ukraine's economy has made a remarkable turn-around since independence, yet issues of concern such as democratic initiatives need to be bolstered.

    The first witness to appear before the panel was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Steven Pifer (also former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 1998-2000). Having submitted his official testimony into the record, Deputy Assistant Secretary Pifer provided brief opening statements before accepting questions from the congressional panel. "Ukraine is a stable independent democratic state," remarked Mr. Pifer, "which has achieved impressive accomplishments such as denuclearization and impressive economic growth." The State Department representative spoke of Ukraine's problems on the democratic front, but did acknowledge the need to improve relations between Ukraine and the United States.

    During the question-and-answer period, Chairman Bereuter asked several inquires of the witness regarding press freedom in Ukraine (and attempts at intimidation), as well as Ukraine's record on non-proliferation of weapons. "If Ukraine wishes to be seen as a normal European state, " responded Amb. Pifer, " then a free democratic press is key." Continuing with his answer, Amb. Pifer stated that there is a distinction in Ukraine between the print and TV media, as major TV networks are controlled by a small group of individuals, while new print represents the entire spectrum. As for non-proliferation, Amb. Pifer acknowledged Ukraine's good success rate in denuclearization, but commented that the United States is presently assisting Ukraine in improving its export control system. In a question related to U.S.-Ukrainian relations, Rep. Wexler inquired, "How the U.S. may maximize its ability to assist Ukraine?" to which Amb. Pifer responded that through diplomatic engagement the United States can see success in Ukraine such as with the growth in Ukraine's civil society.

    The next set of witness included Anders Aslund, Ph.D.; Director - Russian and Eurasian Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Nadia Diuk, Ph.D.; Director - Central Europe and Eurasia at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Dr. Aslund, known for his economic analysis of many Central and East European countries, emphasized that "Ukraine needs to join the WTO (World Trade Organization), and this needs to be the focus [of the government's activities]." Referring to the recent vote in Ukraine's parliament ratifying the Single Economic Space treaty, Dr. Aslund downplayed its significance as "minimal." The Carnegie Endowment representative pointed out that the stakes for Ukraine's upcoming presidential elections are high, while the resources to be used are enormous - ranging between $200-$300 million. Continuing on the theme of the elections, Dr. Aslund emphatically stated, "Russia will be a key player in Ukraine [for the elections]." His main point in concluding his remarks was to emphasize that integration in the West should be a priority for the Ukrainian government.

    The last witness to testify before the European Subcommittee was Nadia Diuk, Ph.D., who focused "on the main event that looms in Ukraine's immediate future, and which the international community will be watching - the election for the post of President of Ukraine scheduled for October 2004." Speaking before the Subcommittee, Dr. Diuk outlined the trends in Ukraine's political reform; media freedoms; the major candidates for president; and, an overview of its civil society. "The elections are the tip of the iceberg," continued Dr. Diuk, "which represents a huge systemic problem: Ukraine's ruling elite is still largely made up of the same people who ran Ukraine under the Communist system." It is this group that Dr. Diuk claims does not want to have a free and open electoral process for Ukraine's citizens to cast their ballot.

    Briefs questions by the two Members of Congress were addressed to the panelists regarding assistance to opposition parties and the rule of law/direct foreign investment in Ukraine. Both witnesses responded very succinctly to the questions posed as the hearing was ending for Members of Congress to vote on legislation.

    In conclusion, Chairman Bereuter also thanked Michael Sawkiw, Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and Ihor Gawdiak of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council for their written testimony regarding "Ukraine's Future and U.S. Interests." Mr. Sawkiw commented on the hearing by stating: "Ukraine is a complex place with many accomplishments, yet also many areas which are in need of improvement. I believe UPI correspondent Robin Shepherd eloquently suggested in his analysis of Ukraine on May 11, 2004 when he wrote: 'What Ukraine needs from the wider world is a healthy dose of the carrot and stick formula which worked so well for the eight former communist countries which joined the European Union on May 1. A clear signal from Brussels [one may also add here Washington, op. cit.] that Ukraine would be welcomed in as soon as it meets the standards expected of a member of the European Union could work wonders in mobilizing and enthusing the democratic opposition.' Such an approach from the U.S. government could produce better results for Ukraine in the future."



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