Congress passes historic resolution supporting Ukraine (10/06/96)

Congress passes historic resolution supporting Ukraine

by Myron Jarosewich
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - On the same day that 25 members of Congress attended a reception commemorating the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the Senate passed a historic resolution supporting the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine.

The resolution, supported in the Senate by Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.), was brought to a vote by Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and was agreed to by unanimous consent on September 18.

Earlier, on September 4, the same resolution had passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 382 for, one against, and 49 abstaining.

The resolution reiterated Ukraine's importance in the geopolitical and economic role it plays within European affairs, and the important interests of peace and security of Europe as well as the United States. Additionally, the resolution discusses Ukraine's achievements since independence on August 24, 1991, and urges members of Congress to recognize and respect Ukraine's newfound freedom.

The resolution urges the government of Ukraine to continue efforts to ensure the rights of all citizens; accelerate efforts to transform its economy; proceed expeditiously with the privatization of state-owned enterprises; place high priority on adopting laws to encourage economic growth based on market mechanisms, private enterprise, as well as the right to own property; and continue efforts to reach agreement with the G-7 states to shut down the nuclear plant at Chornobyl.

Furthermore, the resolution calls upon the president of the United States to support continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine for specified purposes, including political and economic reforms; insist that the government of the Russian Federation recognize Ukraine's sovereignty; express support for Ukraine's insistence that it be provided with appropriate compensation for use of facilities on its territory; ensure that Ukraine's national security interests are fully considered in any revision of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe and that its interests as an integral part of Central and Eastern Europe are fully considered in any review of European security arrangements; and support continued U.S. security assistance for Ukraine.

The resolution also calls for the United States to continue to support the Ukrainian people in their struggle to bring peace, prosperity and democracy to Ukraine and to the other independent states of the former Soviet Union.

The original resolution, which passed the House of Representatives, was introduced by Reps. Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.), Bill Goodling (R-Pa.), Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.) and Martin Hoke (R-Ohio). In addition to the sponsors, favorable comments were expressed in the Congressional Record by Reps. Lee Hamilton (D-Ind.), Sander Levin (D-Mich.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), Thomas Manton (D-N.Y.), Christopher Smith (D-N.J.), David Bonior (D-Mich.), Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), Constance Morella (R-Md.), Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).