Helsinki Commission letter addresses Clinton's upcoming trip to Russia,Ukraine

Following is the text of a letter to President Bill Clinton from the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, written on the occasion of the president's upcoming trip to Russia and Ukraine. The letter was released to the press on May 9. President Clinton is scheduled to be in Kyiv on June 6.

Dear Mr. President:

We wish you every success during your upcoming visit to the Russian Federation and Ukraine. As participating states in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), our countries share a common framework for pursuing issues in the security, economic and human dimensions.

In this connection, we urge you to consider devoting a portion of your time in Moscow and Kyiv to commemorating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act. In both cities, human rights activists established independent Helsinki monitoring groups to observe Soviet compliance with the Final Act, and were subsequently persecuted by Soviet authorities. Their efforts and their personal sacrifices were an inspiration to those committed to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

With this in mind, we would suggest meeting with the surviving human rights activists of that era and with their contemporary colleagues, perhaps at the Sakharov Museum in Moscow, and an appropriate venue in Kyiv. We further encourage you to speak with the spectrum of leaders who are building new democratic institutions, civil society and a market economy in their respective countries. Your support would give new sustenance to the struggle for human rights in two pivotal nations of the international community, in addition to honoring individuals who contributed to the historic changes that have taken place in the last decade.

Again wishing you every success in your travels to Moscow and Kyiv, we remain

Sincerely,

Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Co-Chairman
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, Ranking Member

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 14, 2000, No. 20, Vol. LXVIII

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