EDITORIAL: Kuchma in D.C. (11/27/94)

EDITORIAL

Kuchma in D.C.

Even before the arrival in this country of the second president of Ukraine, the Clinton administration began laying the groundwork to ensure that the leader's state visit would be seen in the proper perspective, to put the appropriate spin on the story. There were calls to the Ukrainian American press (at least to this newspaper), there was a special briefing for the leaders of the Ukrainian American community and, of course, there were background briefing for the news media that normally cover the doings, and comings and goings in Washington.

The key message was that Ukraine is indeed important to the United States. It was repeatedly noted, for example that the state visit of President Leonid Kuchma was only the fourth of the Clinton administration.

Ukrainian American leaders were told that the Ukrainian president's schedule would include two substantive meetings rather than the one usually allotted for a state visit and that the visit had been planned to "showcase Ukrainian American relations."

The press was told of the United States' behind-the-scenes efforts to secure more assistance for Ukraine from the G-7 states, and the administration expressed disappointment that the European Union and Japan had thus far failed to commit themselves to support Ukraine as it begins its difficult economic reform. "It is in the interest of all Western countries, all countries that have an interest in stability in Ukraine, to support that process," said one "senior U.S. official" speaking on background only.

They noted that President Bill Clinton "is trying to send a very clear and strong signal that Ukraine is an important country to the United States and that President Kuchma has had a remarkable first five months in office as he has moved forward so clearly and so decisively" on nuclear disarmament and economic reforms.

Then on Tuesday, November 22, President Kuchma was welcomed at an official arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House by President Clinton as "the leader of one of the world's youngest democracies and oldest nations," as "the leader of a Ukraine that is conquering the challenges of independence, poised to fulfill its hopes, a nation that will grow into one of the great nations of Europe."

The president pointed out that it was President Kuchma who had "blazed a path ahead on the two most critical issues for the future: economic reform and nuclear weapons" and said it was due to his leadership that "Ukraine is making the hard choices that will ensure the prosperity Ukrainians deserve."

President Clinton paid tribute to the recently elected Ukrainian president by noting that he is "the man who is leading a Ukrainian renaissance," praising his "boldness in the face of dawning problems," as well as his "patience, bravery and ability to overcome all obstacles."

To support these initiatives and demonstrate its commitment to Ukraine, the U.S. pledged to increase its foreign assistance to Ukraine to the tune of $200 million - $100 million in an emergency grant to help Ukraine purchase food and fuel (no other country, The New York Times noted, receives such assistance from the U.S.), and a like amount for technical assistance, exchanges and privatization. That brings the total of U.S. foreign aid pledged to Ukraine to $900 million and puts Ukraine in fourth place in terms of U.S. aid - with administration officials underlining that this "shows you the order of importance of Ukraine in our eyes." (Israel, Egypt and Russia are the first, second and third, respectively.)

On the eve of the visit, administration officials had spoken reassuringly of Ukraine's independence and security as "a very important factor in European stability" and stressed that the U.S. "firmly supports the borders and territorial integrity of Ukraine." At the conclusion of his remarks during the press conference following the White House signing ceremony, President Clinton rightly emphasized: "Our friendship will grow because our futures are intertwined." And so, it seems, the Clinton administration has finally come to understand Ukraine's crucial place in the new world order and, as a result, is adapting its policies to reflect that understanding. A welcome development indeed.

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