Ukrainian Days in Washington feature briefings, visits to congressional offices (03/27/05)

Ukrainian Days in Washington feature briefings, visits to congressional offices

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Within its framework of programs to promote closer relations between the Ukrainian community and their members of Congress, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), and its Washington bureau, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), organized Ukrainian Days in Washington, on March 2-3. The goal of Ukrainian Days is to promote the concerns of the Ukrainian American community, as well as to establish better contacts with its members' elected representatives in Washington.

Over 30 community members participated in the two-day advocacy event, which began with a briefing session at the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC), with the participation of the following individuals: Kyle Parker, vice president, American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC); Karen Stewart, senior desk officer, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova at the U.S. Department of State; Dr. Ariel Cohen, senior research fellow, Heritage Foundation; Jim Zogby, Ethnic Council director, Democratic National Committee; and, Michael Sawkiw Jr., president, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

In his greeting to the participants of the Ukrainian Days, Mr. Sawkiw underscored that such events are essential for expanding the community's influence on U.S. policy toward Ukraine. "Now our community has a chance to develop closer relations between the new Ukrainian government and the Bush administration. One of our immediate tasks is to have a successful visit of President Viktor Yushchenko in Washington, D.C. It is incumbent upon the United States to demonstrate support for the Ukrainian people and their unequivocal choice in favor of democracy by receiving the president of Ukraine at the highest level, stated Mr. Sawkiw.

Representatives of the State Department and non-governmental organizations spoke about the Orange Revolution and its consequences, as well as about the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. Dr. Cohen offered his perspectives on the development of bilateral relations between the two states. "The Bush administration should facilitate Ukraine's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and European Union (EU), lift Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions, expand NATO's cooperation with Kyiv, offer a bridging loan for economic restructuring and state unequivocally that it will not tolerate threats to Ukraine's territorial integrity," he stated.

The afternoon of March 2 was dedicated to meetings at various congressional offices, among them: Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.); Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.); Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.); Rep Betty McCollum (D-Minn.); Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio); Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.); and Rep. Steven Rothman (D-N.J.).

Reps. Levin, Kucinich, Slaughter and Nadler joined their respective staffers to acquaint themselves with the community representative's concerns regarding U.S.-Ukraine relations.

During her conversation with Ukrainian Days participants, Rep. Slaughter stated: As a founding member and former co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, I offer my congratulations on the election of Mr. Yushchenko, and recognize that Ukraine now stands at an important crossroads in its development to a fully democratic society."

"It is an honor to participate in Ukrainian Days here in our nation's capital," she continued. "I have offered my support for legislation that would remove Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment, as well as legislation that would create a memorial for victims of the Ukrainian Famine. I look forward to working with President Yushchenko as he undertakes the political and economic reforms necessary to ensure a bright future for Ukraine."

In the evening of March 2, Ukrainian Days participants were warmly welcomed at the Embassy of Ukraine, where they had an opportunity to meet Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Mykhailo Reznik, and several Ukrainian diplomats to discuss their ideas regarding U.S.-Ukraine relations and other issues of concern to the community.

Ambassador Reznik welcomed the Ukrainian American community representatives and urged them to continue their involvement in Ukraine's political process. "We have a common goal before us; we are striving to integrate Ukraine in Euro-Atlantic structures and return its former status of a prominent European state. I am very glad to see my old friends, with whom I have been working for a long time and some new, young faces. Together, I am confident we will successfully resolve all issues. Together we are many! We shall not be overcome!" the ambassador said.

On March 3, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) joined participants of Ukrainian Days for an early morning breakfast to discuss the day's meetings. Rep. Engel said: "I am glad to see that Ukrainian Days in Washington are becoming a tradition and the number of participants has grown. At the moment, Ukrainian issues are extremely important and timely and I will gladly assist the Ukrainian American community in ensuring U.S. maximum assistance and participation in establishing and solidifying Ukrainian democracy."

Following the breakfast, the participants divided into groups to once again engage in meetings with the following congressional offices: Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.); Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio); Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio); Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.); Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.); Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.); Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.); Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.): Sen. John Warner (R-Va.); Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.); Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.); Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.); Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.); Rep. Brian Higgins (R-N.Y.): Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.); and Rep. Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.).

Rep. Schwartz and Sen. Corzine met with Ukrainian Days participants and discussed ways to enhance U.S.-Ukraine relations, especially following the democratic and peaceful Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

In all of their meetings on Capitol Hill, the participants of Ukrainian Days presented members of Congress with various policy papers on issues of importance to the Ukrainian American community. Topics covered included: U.S.-Ukraine Relations, foreign assistance to Ukraine, the proposed Genocide memorial in Washington, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Ukraine.

Tamara Gallo-Olexy, executive director of UCCA's National Office, pointed out that USAID bypasses ethnic organizations when considering grant applications. "Our organizations have been involved in Ukraine since the late 1980s and have a wide network of contacts, as well as deep understanding of cooperating with Ukrainian partners. Our community is very upset that the money intended to help Ukraine is not used effectively when the opportunity to achieve better results at cheaper costs is readily available," she stated.

Several members of Congress resolved to examine this issue and assist Ukrainian American civic organizations, as well as other ethnic organizations. to receive access to federal funding.

Copies of the policy papers presented at Ukrainian Days may be obtained at the UCCA National Office, at the Ukrainian National Information Service, or on the UCCA website at www.ucca.org.

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