FOR THE RECORD: Sustaining democracy in the 21st century (01/30/00)

FOR THE RECORD

Sustaining democracy in the 21st century

Following are excerpts of Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright's address delivered as part of the Rostov Lecture Series at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, in Washington on January 18 (as released by the Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State).

In the year ahead, the United States will be focusing particular attention and resources on the challenges faced by four key democracies: Colombia, Nigeria, Indonesia and Ukraine. These nations differ markedly, but each can be a major force for stability and progress in its region. And each is at a critical point along the democratic path. ...

... Ukraine [is] a country that is key to building a secure and undivided Europe, and a partner and friend to the United States.

Since gaining independence, Ukraine has made much progress towards a democratic society and market economy. Although a candidate for ethnic discord, it has maintained internal peace. It has held three competitive, albeit imperfect, presidential elections.

Most recently, President [Leonid] Kuchma won a clear mandate for far-reaching economic reform, and further integration into European and global institutions. He responded by appointing a strong reformer as prime minister.

Like many other countries in transition, Ukraine is threatened by economic decline, corruption and crime. Lower living standards have undermined respect for government and dampened public morale. Relations between the executive and legislative branches have been strained. Wealthy oligarchs have used their political contacts to expand their empires, and the independent press has been intimidated and harassed.

The United States has provided Ukraine almost $2 billion in assistance this decade. Our focus has been on nuclear threat reduction and democratic institution-building. And this year we plan to double our most important exchange programs in order to help educate and train the next generation of Ukraine's leaders.

1999 was notable for what didn't happen in Ukraine. The economy did not melt down, and the Communists did not come back to power. Our hope is that this year will be memorable for positive reasons, the most important of which would be to carry out long-delayed and much-needed structural reforms to protect Ukraine's solvency, attract foreign investment and fuel its economy.

Ukraine's transformation into a fully stable and democratic European state would assist similar transitions throughout the former Soviet Union. It is in America's national interest that Ukraine succeed. To this end, we will continue to help our partner move down the path to deeper reform, fuller freedom and sustained growth.

Of course, as you can tell from listening to me, it takes resources to put meat on the bones of our backing for democracy for these four key countries and worldwide, and this will require congressional and public support.

Funding for international affairs declined substantially in the 1990s, in real terms, compared to the decade before. We are fighting to reverse this trend.

International programs are frequently dismissed as "foreign aid," but the truth is that they aid America. By helping to build a more stable, prosperous and democratic world, they make our citizens more secure, create new economic opportunities and reduce the likelihood that our armed forces will be called into combat.

Many Americans are surprised when I tell them that the amount we allocate to the entire spectrum of foreign affairs is only about one penny of every dollar the federal government spends. So, when I say we've quadrupled something or doubled something, keep in mind, within what? But that penny, that penny out of every dollar, may be responsible for 50 percent of the history that is written about our era, and makes a difference in the lives of 100 percent of the American people.

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