UNIS organizes "Ukrainian Days" in D.C. (03/21/04)

UNIS organizes "Ukrainian Days" in D.C.

Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Within a framework of programs in preparation for the U.S. presidential and congressional elections, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) is organizing "Ukrainian Days" in Washington from March 24-25. The intent of Ukrainian Days is to promote the concerns of the Ukrainian American community, as well as to establish better contacts between Ukrainian Americans and their elected representatives in Washington.

The Ukrainian Days agenda will consist of several aspects. On Wednesday morning, March 24, UNIS will organize presentations by American government officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC). A morning briefing session will be held at the AFPC. Of particular interest will be a discussion on topics of concern to the community: U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine; the status of the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) between Ukraine and the United States; as well as the overall context of U.S.-Ukrainian relations.

In the evening of March 24 a reception will be held at the Embassy of Ukraine, where Ukrainian Days participants will have a chance to become acquainted with Ukrainian diplomats and discuss their ideas regarding U.S.-Ukraine relations and other issues.

The following day, March 25, in Room B-354 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Ukrainian Days participants will have a breakfast meeting with members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (CUC), an officially registered group of the U.S. House of Representatives that is interested in enhancing relations between Ukraine and the United States. CUC representatives will discuss such issues as the commemoration the 1932-1933 Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, as well as constructing a memorial to the victims of this dark page in Ukraine's history in Washington, awarding a federal charter to the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) organization; U.S. foreign assistance programs to Ukraine; Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status for Ukraine; and overall relations with Ukraine, especially in light of the upcoming presidential elections on October 31. Briefing papers on various topics will be supplied to the participants by the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS).

During the two-day event, participants of Ukrainian Days will meet with their respective members of the House of Representatives and Senate in order to communicate to them the issues that concern the Ukrainian American community and establish closer communications with their offices.

For further information, as well as hotel accommodations, please contact the Ukrainian National information Service at (202) 547-0018, or via e-mail at unis@ucca.org.

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