Former Peace Corps volunteers urge more U.S. support for Ukraine (01/23/05)

Former Peace Corps volunteers urge more U.S. support for Ukraine

by Ken Bossong

WASHINGTON - In a letter delivered on January 18, 78 former U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, who earlier served in Ukraine, urged President Geroge W. Bush and members of Congress to increase federal support for a cross-section of programs designed to reinforce that country's emerging democracy.

The signers wrote that "12 years of American investment, both public and private, in a wide variety of programs to train and support Ukrainian students, teachers, government officials, business leaders, journalists, NGOs, and others ... contributed to the evolution of a strong and vibrant civil society in Ukraine that manifested itself recently in the successful demands by its citizens for free, fair, and transparent elections. ... [T]hese investments in democracy were not only wise but also effective; consequently, all Americans can take pride in Ukraine's success."

However, they also noted that the administration's aid request for Ukraine for fiscal 2005 is less than $80 million, compared with $225 million per year in the late 1990s. Accordingly, they note, "it is essential that the United States back up its congratulatory statements [regarding Ukraine's] relatively free and peaceful presidential election with solid financial, programmatic and policy support."

The letter argues that "increased funding for targeted programs that have been demonstrated to be particularly effective in helping Ukraine to make the transition from a former Soviet republic to a Western democracy [is] not only appropriate but absolutely essential."

The letter outlines a wide range of programs that the signers believe should be supported and expanded. These include educational scholarship and exchange programs, professional and teacher training programs, media development programs and Voice of America broadcasts, trade and business development programs, environmental remediation programs, public health and social service programs, and the Peace Corps program.

The letter further recommends that "the United States should be prepared to strongly support Ukraine's aspirations to secure market-economy status from the U.S. Department of Commerce, to end the Jackson-Vanik Amendment restrictions and confer permanent most-favored-nation trading status, and to join the World Trade Organization. Assuming it is the wish of Ukraine's elected leadership, the United States should also assist Ukraine to further integrate into other major Western institutions such as NATO and the European Union."

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