UCCA testimony supports continuing U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine in 2002 (04/20/03)

UCCA testimony supports continuing U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine in 2002

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Michael Sawkiw, Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), testified on April 2 before the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee regarding U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine for Fiscal Year 2004.

In his opening statement at the subcommittee hearing, Mr. Sawkiw expressed the Ukrainian American community's support of the U.S. troops in the fight against international terrorism and for their safe and speedy return. The UCCA president spoke of U.S. foreign assistance programs as leading the way for "an increased American leadership role in sustaining free market development and strengthening democratic principles throughout the world."

Mr. Sawkiw proceeded to point out the economic, legislative and international successes achieved by Ukraine within the past decade of its renewed independence, and the key for its future progress within those realms.

With regard to the economic successes in Ukraine over the past several years, Mr. Sawkiw provided statistics pertaining to Ukraine's GDP growth (4 percent in 1999; 13.2 percent in 2000; 14.2 percent in 2001; and 7 percent in 2002) with prospects for continued growth in the year 2003. Recent introduction of legislation in Ukraine aimed at restructuring the Tax Code, while newly passed laws such as the Land Code and continued privatization legislation are indicative of Ukraine's move toward a free market economy, Mr. Sawkiw explained to the subcommittee.

In fact, having implemented those measures and others, Ukraine expects to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and be granted full membership by 2004. Mr. Sawkiw quoted European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, who made reference to Ukraine's accession talks to the WTO as a "clear sign that another country [Ukraine] has chosen the path of trade and development to satisfy the demands of its citizens."

Furthermore, Mr. Sawkiw drew the subcommittee's attention to Ukraine's accomplishments in the international arena. "The United States has always had a vested interest in the well-being of Ukraine as a sovereign nation and ally in Central Europe," stated Mr. Sawkiw. "Ukraine remains an exemplary state in terms of maintaining friendly relations with its neighboring states ... [and] continues to act as a guarantor of peace in the region and a conduit between various republics of the former Soviet Union and the West."

In fact, Ukraine's relationship with NATO, its actions as a peacekeeping force, as well as its active participation in the GUUAM alliance (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova) indicate that Ukraine is devoted to increasing peace and security within the region, the UCCA president noted.

Mr. Sawkiw cited a recent op-ed article in The New York Times written by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, in which she stated that "the world knows from examples set by South Africa, Ukraine and Kazakstan what it looks like when a government decides that it will cooperatively give up its weapons of mass destruction. The critical common elements of these efforts include a high-level political commitment to disarm, national initiatives to dismantle nuclear weapons programs, and full cooperation and transparency."

This desire is key to Ukraine's decision to join the U.S.-led coalition against international terrorism, Mr. Sawkiw said, by offering overflight rights to U.S. air forces in the war in Afghanistan, as well as its participation in Operation "Iraqi Freedom" by sending a 532-person strong battalion of anti-biological- chemical and-nuclear defense troops to Kuwait.

While discussing the progress of democratic reforms in Ukraine, Mr. Sawkiw noted, "it has become clear that the violations of human rights and other incidents have compromised Ukraines image in the world arena and should not be viewed as characteristic of the state." The UCCA president testified to the fact that Ukraine has held six elections since its renewed independence, all of which were deemed as free and fair by an overwhelming majority of international organizations and observers. The results of the latest parliamentary elections in March of 2002 demonstrated that Ukraine's civic society, although not yet fully developed, is active and that democracy has taken firm root on the grassroots level.

Mr. Sawkiw acknowledged that the presidential elections in 2004 will be a momentous event that will determine the further course of Ukraine and its progress on the way to democracy. These elections are of great importance and consequence for Ukraine and it is in the interests of the United States to ensure that they happen in a free, fair and democratic manner. "The Ukrainian American community believes that demonstration of goodwill toward the people of Ukraine would deliver a message of genuine concern that the United States has for Ukraine and the well-being of our strategic partner in Central Europe," said Mr. Sawkiw.

Based on the analysis of the current situation in Ukraine, the UCCA president recommended that the subcommittee direct U.S. foreign assistance programs to Ukraine in several key areas: development of democratic reform and democracy-building institutions, including the formation of a community of non-governmental organizations; support for comprehensive law reform; support for law-enforcement in its struggle against corruption; a business internship program; support for the agricultural sector; and support for the energy sector, including nuclear safety.

In compliance with the aforementioned recommendations, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America also strongly suggested that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other government-funded entities utilize the capabilities of ethnic American organizations to deliver the much-needed assistance programs to Ukraine. Regional Specific Organizations, such as the UCCA, have a long-standing commitment to the development of democracy and free-market economic principles, as well as possess specific knowledge of given conditions within Ukraine, he argued.

To conclude, Mr. Sawkiw thanked subcommittee members for their astute attention to the current situation in Ukraine and added: "It is impossible to deny the problems continue to exist in Ukraine. Yet, Western engagement, in particular from the United States, is essential in maintaining stability and continuing reforms in Ukraine and the region. The strategic partnership that exists between the United States and Ukraine allows Ukraine to continue to expedite its reforms."

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