Community leaders discuss U.S. policy with White House advisor (01/30/00)

Community leaders discuss U.S. policy with White House advisor

by Michael Sawkiw Jr.
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Several prominent leaders of the Ukrainian American community held a telephone conference call with Leon Fuerth, Vice-President Al Gore's national security advisor. The purpose of the conference call was to brief members of the community about the outcome of the December 1999 Gore-Kuchma Binational Committee meeting in Washington.

A similar conference call was held in early December prior to the Gore-Kuchma meeting; members of the community were afforded an opportunity to relate their concerns about the current state of U.S.-Ukrainian relations to U.S. government officials.

The participants in the telephone conference included Askold S. Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA); Ihor Gawdiak, president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (UACC); Julian Kulas, president of 1st Security Federal Savings Bank; Orest Deychakiwsky, president of The Washington Group (TWG); Iryna Kurowyckyj, president of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA); and Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS).

During the conference call, Mr. Fuerth described the issues discussed in December between Vice-President Gore and President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine. He reported that president Kuchma clearly stated that Ukraine's course of action in his next tenure as president would be to further integrate Ukraine into Euro-Atlantic structures. The president said his foreign policy will maintain ties with Europe and the United States, as well as with Russia. According to President Kuchma, Ukraine is ready to work with NATO in establishing closer contacts through the NATO-Ukraine Charter.

President Kuchma accentuated the need for more rapid privatization, especially the privatization of land, and the elimination of governmental and non-governmental corruption. Mr. Fuerth highlighted the domestic reforms that President Kuchma described and is now prepared to pursue, which includes a balanced budget for the year 2000; public administration reform, including a reduction of several ministries; a debt relief strategy; privatization initiatives; and programs to combat corruption.

Since the Gore-Kuchma meeting in December, Mr. Fuerth noted that the U.S. government is pleased with the progress on a number of issues, including the formation of a reformist government with Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko at the helm.

In the community leaders' discussion with Mr. Fuerth, several important issues were raised regarding relations between Ukraine and the United States.

Mr. Lozynskyj asked Mr. Fuerth about the U.S. government's commitment to accord Ukraine permanent most-favored-nation status (MFN). Mr. Deychakiwsky accentuated that point by stating that in terms of timing it might be appropriate to grant Ukraine permanent MFN status as a gesture of the U.S. government's commitment in sustaining the economic reform path indicated by the new government in Kyiv. It should be noted that Ukraine receives MFN status every year, but this status is neither permanent nor unconditional.

Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was also discussed in this context. Mr. Fuerth responded by admitting that Ukraine need not have permanent MFN status to attain membership in the WTO and promising that he would submit further information to the community regarding the government's position on a permanent MFN status for Ukraine.

Mr. Kulas questioned Mr. Fuerth about discussions between Vice-President Gore and President Kuchma regarding the U.S. plan, along with the G-7, to provide appropriate funding to close the Chornobyl nuclear power station. Mr. Fuerth responded by mentioning plans to hold a second pledging conference in late spring to raise the necessary funds from various countries for the Chornobyl sarcophagus fund.

Mr. Gawdiak inquired whether President Kuchma made any specific requests from the U.S. government and if the United States coupled its demands on Ukraine with any specific commitments or offers to Ukraine. He also inquired whether there is a timetable for meaningful reforms to take place. Mr. Fuerth replied that there was only general discussion of U.S.-Ukraine relations, but no specific commitments were asked for or made on the part of the U.S. government - though the next three months will be critical for reform in Ukraine.

Mrs. Kurowyckyj expressed concern about women's issues in Ukraine and women's need to take flight from Ukraine for economic purposes. The opportunity did not present itself for this issue to be covered in detail at the meeting.

UNIS Director Sawkiw questioned Mr. Fuerth about the new U.S. program "Next Generation Initiative," which is designed to increase the number of exchanges from Ukraine to the United States of high school students, college and graduate students, and young civic reform-minded leaders. Mr. Fuerth and his assistant, Richard Brody, said the program is being implemented this year, but did not provide specifics as to the number of exchanges or funding.

In conclusion Mr. Lozynskyj focused on the need for the United States to remain committed to Ukraine as a strategic ally, noting, "You will find no better strategic partner in that region, and for that reason the United States should remain actively engaged in Ukraine as much as possible." Mr. Fuerth acknowledged that strategic partnership and said the United States will continue working with Ukraine as long as it stays the course of democracy and economic reform.

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