Two Democrats urge Ukrainian Americans to exercise their power in shaping the future (10/27/96)

Two Democrats urge Ukrainian Americans to exercise their power in shaping the future

by Irene Jarosewich

EAST HANOVER, N.J. - They represent different countries, yet their message was remarkably similar: during the next few years, the United States cannot abdicate its role as foreign policy leader in the world by turning inward, and the Ukrainian American community has the power to shape not only the outcome of the upcoming election but also influence U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine.

Two Democrats met with the Ukrainian American community of New Jersey on October 14 at the Ramada Hotel in East Hanover to convince the assembled crowd that not only does their vote matter, it was essential.

One Democrat, Rep. Bob Torricelli, is campaigning to fill the Senate seat being vacated by another New Jersey Democrat, Sen. Bill Bradley, a longtime supporter of the Ukrainian American community.

The other Democrat was Volodymyr Yavorivsky, chairman of the Democratic Party of Ukraine and a member of Ukraine's Parliament.

Mr. Yavorivsky focused on two points: the situation in Ukraine and the role Ukrainian Americans can play in assisting Ukraine in the near future.

According to Mr. Yavorivsky, Ukraine, "one of the youngest students of America's democracy, is unique because it attained its independence without bloodshed." In just a few short years it has been able to guarantee its citizens all of the rights and freedoms that other democracies provide their citizens, except for one: the one freedom that is hardest to obtain, economic freedom.

It is essential, said Mr. Yavorivsky, for Ukraine to revitalize its economy in the next two to three years in order for it to sustain a prosperous and independent democracy.

Ukrainian Americans can help impact future economic success by using their votes to elect candidates supportive of Ukraine, those who understand its history and current situation.

"I can't tell you whom to vote for," said Mr. Yavorivsky, "that is your own choice, but you must look at the record. And I tell you that it is my right, and my obligation, to care what elected officials in the most powerful democracy in the world, America, are thinking and saying about my country ... how their actions will affect children, grandchildren, my homeland."

He alluded to a recent speech in Washington at the The Washington Group's Leadership Conference by Jeane Kirkpatrick, foreign policy advisor to Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole.

Five years into Ukraine's independence, said Mr. Yavorivsky, Ms. Kirkpatrick presented a muddled position on the relationship between Ukraine and Russia.

Mr. Yavorivsky also recalled, with still obvious disbelief, another example of Republican foreign policy directed against Ukraine's independence, former President George Bush's infamous "Chicken Kiev" speech.

"My goal," said Mr. Yavorivsky, "is to see my homeland, the homeland of many of the people in this room, be such a strong and vibrant country that no politician, in any country anywhere in the world, will be able to even think of saying that Ukraine does not need to be independent."

Rep. Torricelli, who has served on the House committees on International Relations and Select Intelligence during his 14-year tenure in Congress, responded to Mr. Yavorivsky's vision.

"You have not asked America to shed blood, spend a fortune, but to help consolidate freedom in Ukraine, with assistance in building an economy and building an infrastructure. We will secure, as best as any foreign power can from a distant shore ... freedom and a prosperous Ukraine. We will be there as brothers by your side."

Mr. Torricelli stated, "Ukraine has been blessed by many things: a wonderful culture, a decent, good, strong people, but a difficult geography. She borders nations of great ambition that do not respect those that wish to live in peace and freedom by their sides. ... History has not yet determined whether Russia has learned to live within her borders in peace, or whether we are simply living through an intermission in a larger struggle that could consume future generations."

According to Rep. Torricelli, America has both the possibility and responsibility to disarm Russia, invest in the conversion of defense industries in the former Soviet Union, and assist in developing new infrastructures. He suggested that the Republican-controlled Congress, as well as his campaign opponent in New Jersey, were being penny-wise but pound-foolish by voting to curtail foreign aid.

"This is our mission: to win a political campaign, obviously. But much more ... to teach other Americans what every American must know - that our freedom, our peace and liberty in this nation depend on our ability to seize the moment."

He continued, "Do I believe in balancing the federal books and reducing taxes and spending? Yes, of course, I do. However, I, as we all do, have a deep and abiding love for this country ... This is about governing the greatest nation on Earth. I need you to lead, to help America remember its responsibilities abroad. This is an issue in this campaign."

Rep. Torricelli concluded his meeting with the community with a promise: "I pledge to you that with me you will not only have a vote, you will have a voice. You will not have a follower, you will have a leader."

"It can be remembered that this was the moment of Ukraine's freedom, and that this was the generation that secured it, or it can be remembered that Ukraine's freedom was but a brief moment, available, but lost because we were weak, or not wise. We are the generation that will make the difference."