U.S. national security adviser presses reform in Ukraine (07/29/01)

U.S. national security adviser presses reform in Ukraine

by Maryna Makhnonos
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

KYIV - Ukraine's integration into European society depends upon political and economic reforms, as well as transparent investigations of journalists' killings, U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said on July 25 during her visit to Ukraine's capital.

"A very strong message is sent about political reform, about free press, judiciary reform and transparency in the [murder] cases that are of worldwide attention here," Dr. Rice said during a meeting with representatives of leading Ukrainian media outlets and non-governmental organizations.

"We hope to have good relations with Ukraine ... but it can only be on the basis of forward movement on these very important issues," she added.

Dr. Rice arrived in Kyiv late on July 24, but began her official agenda on July 25, meeting with President Leonid Kuchma, Prime Minister Anatolii Kinakh and other officials.

Her trip came a day after a visit by the Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who enlisted Ukraine's support for China's stance regarding the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and opposition to U.S. defense plans.

Some political analysts and media have speculated that President Jiang's visit and the recent improvement of Ukraine's relations with Russia, its neighbor and biggest trade partner, had prompted the U.S. national security adviser to visit Kyiv after she accompanied President George W. Bush to Kosovo.

During talks with Ukrainian authorities, Dr. Rice praised Ukraine's recent economic achievements and said a partnership with Ukraine is "highly desirable for [American] strategic interests."

"I know that you had a very difficult task of shepherding through the economic reforms that you are undertaking here in Ukraine," Dr. Rice said during meeting with Prime Minister Kinakh.

"I'm here to encourage you on behalf of President Bush to continue to push forward all these reforms," she said, at the same time urging improvement of the investment climate.

Mr. Kinakh stated that Ukraine's strategic goals are development of a modern market economy and integration into European society.

Dr. Rice responded that the U.S. sees partnership with those countries that seek integration into Europe as a "partnership, based on the common values, the values of political openness, of political freedom for people, transparency and the rule of law, ... economic liberalization and free trade."

During her meeting with President Kuchma, Dr. Rice also discussed the necessity of bringing investigations into the killings of two journalists to a close.

The killing of Internet journalist Heorhii Gongadze last fall sparked opposition protests with demands for the president's ouster emanating from allegations that he was involved. Mr. Kuchma has denied the accusations, but the case has alarmed international human rights groups.

The murder of a regional TV station director, Ihor Alexandrov, in early July fueled the international concern about media freedom in Ukraine.

A transparent investigation and free and just parliamentary elections next year, Dr. Rice underscored, "will make a tremendous difference to Ukraine's standing in the world and ... to the investment climate here and toward building that European vision that we all have for Ukraine."

In reference to the current debate in Congress on cutting U.S. aid to Ukraine, Dr. Rice said, "Our Congress does have an important role to play in American foreign policy, but I think that you can be certain that the U.S. administration understands the importance of funding to civil society in Ukraine."

Speaking about international safety, Dr. Rice urged the Ukrainian government to halt weapons supplies to Macedonia, a Balkan country troubled by unrest following insurgency by ethnic Albanian rebels.

Earlier this month Macedonian Defense Minister Vlado Buckovski spoke with Ukrainian officials to discuss cooperation in construction of a technical support base for Macedonian air force and pilots' training in Ukraine.

Macedonia's small air force has nearly doubled in size after purchases of Ukrainian aircraft in recent months. In March the country bought four Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters and in June it received four Mi-24 helicopter gunships and four ground support Su-25 aircraft from Ukraine.

Dr. Rice said Macedonia should have "adequate" means for its defense, but noted that rushing weapons into the country, which is in a stage of political discussions, "was not helpful." She urged a focus on a political solution to the conflict.

The U.S. national security adviser left Kyiv on July 25 for Moscow, where she was to confer with Russian officials on Washington's plans to build a national missile defense system. Russia, like China, has opposed U.S. missile defense plans, warning that they could cause a new arms race.

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