Ukraine's ambassador to United States meets with Pennsylvania congressman

by Natalka Gawdiak

WASHINGTON - The Action Ukraine Coalition organized a meeting between Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko and Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), chairman of the Research and Development Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee during which Rep. Weldon the ambassador informed of his plans to visit to Ukraine this summer.

Rep. Weldon emphasized the strategic relationship between the United States and Ukraine and his willingness to work with the Embassy on issues of concern to Ukraine. He emphasized the fact that Ukraine has a tremendous asset in the United States in the active involvement of the Ukrainian American community in general and of the Action Ukraine Coalition in particular, in influencing Congress on behalf of Ukraine.

Ambassador Gryshchenko took the opportunity to review a number of items that Ukraine feels need immediate action and asked for the assistance of Rep. Weldon in addressing these concerns. The congressman directed Michael Barbera, his senior legislative assistant to review the issues and advise him of the necessary action he could take.

Rep. Weldon advised the ambassador that he would establish a working group to develop a "mini-Marshall Plan" for Ukraine and invited the Embassy of Ukraine to participate in the working group. He also asked Action Ukraine Coalition representatives to participate.

Both Ambassador Gryshchenko and Action Ukraine Coalition representatives expressed their thanks for the commitment Rep. Weldon has made and for his willingness to continue as an outspoken leader on behalf of Ukraine in the Congress and for his role with the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus.

Action Ukraine Coalition is a coalition of Ukrainian American organizations formed in 1998 to further knowledge about Ukraine in the U.S. Congress and to garner support among members of Congress for assistance on Ukrainian issues; its members include the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, the Ukrainian American Federation (Philadelphia), and the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.

Also attending the meeting between Rep. Weldon and Ambassador Gryshchenko were: former member of Congress Charles Doughtery; Embassy of Ukraine First Secretary Tetiana Zhmachenko; John Kun, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation; Ukrainian American Federation executives Vera N. Andryczyk and Zenia Chernyk; and Ukrainian American Coordinating Council Washington Chapter Chairman Stephan Maksymiuk.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 4, 2000, No. 23, Vol. LXVIII

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