New ambassador to Ukraine addresses Ukrainian Americans (01/11/98)

New ambassador to Ukraine addresses Ukrainian Americans

by Michael Sawkiw Jr.
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Stephen Pifer was the guest speaker on December 13, 1997, at the quarterly meeting of the National Council of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Inc. (UCCA).

In his comments to the assembled gathering of nearly 100 Ukrainian American community leaders and activists, Ambassador Pifer addressed many issues he would like to see tackled during his tenure at the American Embassy in Kyiv.

UCCA President Askold S. Lozynskyj introduced Ambassador Pifer and highlighted his background and knowledge of Ukraine through his work at the National Security Council (NSC) at the Russia, Ukraine and Moldova desk.

The new ambassador noted that foreign investment in Ukraine and trade are crucial for its continued progress toward economic reform. Acknowledging that security for Ukraine and trade are a sensitive topic, the new ambassador lauded Ukraine once again for its attempts to promote reform of the United Nations, seek a peaceful resolution to the Bosnian conflict, and enhance other aspects of European security.

Once in Kyiv, Ambassador Pifer will focus on expanding relations between the U.S. and Ukraine. After he arrives in Kyiv on January 8, the ambassador will witness the second free and democratic elections to the Ukrainian Parliament. Acting in the capacity of a political observer to the elections, Ambassador Pifer stated that his prime mission will be to "figure out what the elections will mean for Ukraine, and what the elections will mean for the U.S."

The new ambassador sees market reform in Ukraine as a high priority. "We have seen some frustration that it [economic reform] hasn't gone further, or hasn't gone quickly enough," he noted. The ambassador's job will be to target the assistance programs that the United States provides to Ukraine to focus on the needs of market-oriented reform. In addition, the ambassador said, "the foreign business climate should be considerably more than what it is today." The fight against organized crime and corruption will be examined and explored by both the U.S. and the Ukrainian governments, he added.

Enhanced political relations between the U.S. and Ukraine will always remain at the top of the U.S. Embassy's agenda in Kyiv, the ambassador explained, adding that the U.S. government recognizes Ukraine's importance in European security structures.

Ambassador Pifer said he sees the downsizing of Ukraine's military as a key to stabilizing and upgrading its army to Western standards. Experience can be gained from many of the NATO countries that have downsized their militaries since the end of the Cold War.

The topic of Chornobyl also was raised as an area of focus for the newly confirmed ambassador. Since 1995 when the G-7 and Ukraine signed the Memorandum of Understanding, Ambassador Pifer said the closure of Chornobyl has been a topic of global concern, but one in which the United States, via the G-7, can take the lead. He pointed to the success of the recent Chornobyl Pledging Conference in New York, which raised funds for the sarcophagus surrounding Chornobyl's No. 4 reactor.

Following a complete overview of the situation in Ukraine and an analysis of the U.S.-Ukrainian strategic partnership, Ambassador Pifer took questions from the audience. Topics of discussion included the parliamentary elections in Ukraine, security issues for Ukraine, the brain drain from Ukraine, and overall economic issues.

In particular, a question about the nomination and confirmation of Ambassador Stephen Sestanovich as ambassador-at-large to the new independent states (NIS) focused on his views on NATO expansion and his ideas about a Russian sphere of influence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Ambassador Pifer defended the president's nomination of Mr. Sestanovich and explained that at the time of the ambassador's writings, many people had concerns about the costs associated with the expansion of NATO. Now, Ambassador Pifer underlined, Ambassador Sestanovich is fully on board with the president's program on NATO expansion and views Ukraine as the keystone of stability in the European security structure.

At the conclusion of the session, UCCA President Lozynskyj presented the ambassador with several issues of The Ukrainian Quarterly; a copy of the film "Assassination: An Autumn Murder in Munich," co-produced by the UCCA and Oles Film Studios in Ukraine; and a copy of "The Ukrainian Heritage in America." The Ukrainian National Women's League of America also invited Ambassador Pifer to visit The Ukrainian Museum.