Rep. Schaffer introduces bill to lift Jackson-Vanik restrictions on Ukraine

WASHINGTON - Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.) on March 13 introduced legislation (H.R. 3953) in the House of Representatives to permanently lift U.S. government trade restrictions against Ukraine. Supported by several business and trade organizations engaged in commerce with Ukraine, the legislation is associated with a similar bill involving trade with Russia.

"It is well-documented that Ukraine has made as much progress as Russia in the area of open emigration policies," noted Michael Bleyzer, president of SigmaBleyzer, the largest equity investor in Ukraine. "Ukraine is on an irreversible and accelerating course towards market economy and democracy," he added.

H.R. 3953 graduates Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik restrictions, which prohibit the United States from establishing trade relations with countries that do not allow their citizens to freely emigrate. Specifically, the bill recognizes Ukraine's "substantial progress" in the area of human rights, as well as Ukraine's cooperation in the "global struggle against international terrorism."

"The graduation of Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik at this crucial stage of its post-Soviet development will be a powerful sign "that the U.S. government and the U.S. business community fully recognize, appreciate and support Ukraine's commitment towards guaranteeing fundamental human rights and preventing racial, ethnic and religious intolerance," said Jorge Zukoski, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

The bill gives the president the power to extend "non-discriminatory treatment (normal trade relations) to the products of Ukraine," effectively terminating the application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 against the former Soviet republic. The bill is part of a larger move toward normalizing trade relations with the Commonwealth of the Independent States.

"Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has made the kind of progress required for a stable democracy with a free-market economy," Rep. Schaffer said. "Though Ukraine faces several unanswered economic challenges, it's time to lift the trade restrictions against this friend of the United States."

Rep. Schaffer is a co-chairman of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus.

For a related news story on Ukrainian American and Jewish American groups' discussions on the removal of the Jackson-Vanik restrictions, see page 6.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 17, 2002, No. 11, Vol. LXX

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