EDITORIAL: Tear down the Jackson-Vanik wall (11/06/05)

EDITORIAL

Tear down the Jackson-Vanik wall

We've written before about a remnant of the Cold War that continues to hamper U.S.-Ukraine relations: the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the U.S. Trade Act of 1974.

Once a very useful tool in punishing states, most notably the Soviet Union, for restricting emigration, the provisions of this amendment were applied to the newly independent states that arose on the territory that once was the USSR. Thus, independent Ukraine, which never restricted emigration, was, in effect, being punished for Soviet policies of the past.

To be sure, Ukraine has been granted annual waivers from the amendment's provisions, but the annual certification of Ukraine's compliance with freedom of emigration requirements not only creates a burden but leaves a bad impression - an erroneous impression that Ukraine is not entitled to permanent normal trade relations with the United States because of some sort of substandard behavior.

When President Viktor Yushchenko assumed office in January of this year, most observers thought it was a sure thing that Jackson-Vanik's restrictions would no longer be applied to Ukraine. In fact, the newly elected president made Ukraine's graduation from Jackson-Vanik one of his priority goals. On his first visit to the United States in April, Mr. Yushchenko sought support for immediately ending the applicability of Jackson-Vanik to Ukraine. He said in his address to the joint meeting of Congress: "Please make this step towards Ukraine. Please tear down this wall."

Many in the United States, both in the executive and legislative branches of government, agree that Ukraine deserves to be graduated. Members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus have been particularly supportive, and several bills have been introduced in both houses of Congress calling for ending the Jackson-Vanik sanctions and extending permanent normal trade relations to Ukraine.

Now, two former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine William G. Miller and Steven Pifer, have joined forces to head the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition (see background report on the right). Ukrainian American organizations also are involved in the coalition, which has declared October and November as "Jackson-Vanik Graduation Months" for Ukraine. To that end, the coalition is spearheading actions aimed at lifting the provision's restrictions, and it is seeking the public's support of its campaign.

Graduating Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik restrictions will rightfully recognize the significant progress Ukraine has made in becoming a democratic state and a free-market economy. It will spur Ukraine's further progress on the economic front, and it will help Ukraine gain membership in the World Trade Organization - something that President Yushchenko seeks to complete by the end of this year. In addition, it will promote Ukraine's general acceptance in the world community as a reliable and stable partner in all spheres of activity.

If the United States truly is interested in promoting Ukraine's democratization and its integration into Euro-Atlantic structures - as it has underscored on numerous occasions - then now is the time to graduate Ukraine from the outdated and injurious sanctions of Jackson-Vanik.

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