Sen. Roth comments on trip to Ukraine (03/23/97)

WASHINGTON NOOTEBOOK
by Volodymyr Chornodolsky
Ukrainian National Information Service

Sen. Roth comments on trip to Ukraine

A delegation of U.S. officials visited Sevastopol, the Ukrainian port and Crimean military base for the Black Sea Fleet, on February 20. The delegation included Sen. William V. Roth Jr. (R-Del.), chairman of the Atlantic Assembly, the parliamentary arm of NATO; Rep. Jerry Solomon (R-N.Y.), vice-chairman of the assembly; and Rep. Porter Gloss (R-Fla.). This was the highest ranking delegation to ever visit Sevastopol, which has been a point of contention between Ukraine and Russia ever since Ukraine declared independence in 1991.

The delegation visited Ukraine for three days to further understand Ukrainian security issues in the context of NATO. While in Ukraine, the delegation met with high ranking Ukrainian officials including President Leonid Kuchma, Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Olekander Moroz, Foreign Affairs Minister Hennadii Udovenko and Defense Minister Oleksander Kuzmuk.

After his return from Ukraine, Sen. Roth met with UNIS to discuss some of his key findings from the trip. He emphasized that "Ukrainian security is of vital importance to the alliance" and that "a stable and independent Ukraine is in NATO's interest." He followed up on this point by stating, "It is important to recognize that Ukraine is a European nation, and not part of Eurasia, and that the door to NATO should be left open."

The senator reaffirmed that the countries that are not accepted in the first wave of NATO expansion should realize that this is an open process and that they will continue to have the opportunity to join NATO.

Commenting on Ukraine's potential membership in NATO, Sen. Roth said he believes that Ukraine's inclusion in the alliance depends on "the desire of the people, adherence to regulations and compliance with criteria for membership." Before this becomes a reality, he noted, Ukraine should establish a special charter that defines its relationship with NATO. "The security of Central and Eastern Europe is vital and should be addressed at the upcoming meeting in Madrid," he stated.

On concerns about Russia, Sen. Roth assured UNIS that Russia would not have a "veto" as to which countries NATO admits. He also stated, "We are trying to eliminate spheres of influence and create peace and stability in the Central and Eastern European countries. Finally, in no way should the charter between NATO and Russia impede developing a close working relationship with Ukraine."

When asked about U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine and if he saw its benefits while in Ukraine, the senator provided a two-part answer: "Yes and no. In talking to some businesspeople, they are finding business opportunities, while others have expressed concern about the lack of rule of law, which is hampering contract enforcement and leaving investments vulnerable." Much remains to be done if Ukraine wants to attract foreign investment, he said. "Ukraine has a very well trained and well educated people, it is rich in resources, but it really needs to establish the rule of law to assure investors that their money can be withdrawn at a future date."

Sen. Roth recently introduced a concurrent resolution that expresses, "the sense of the Congress" that the "extension of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 to certain democracies of Central and Eastern Europe is essential to the consolidation of enduring peace and stability in Europe." The resolution also endorses the commitment to develop and reinforce a distinctive and effective relationship between the alliance and Ukraine. Since Ukraine will not be included in the first group of new NATO countries, it is important to support such legislation in Congress.

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