Central and East European Coalition focuses on security and stability issues (05/18/97)

Central and East European Coalition focuses on security and stability issues

by Christine Manula
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC), which comprises 19 ethnic grassroots organizations representing more than 22 million Americans who trace their heritage to Central and East Europe, on April 30 held a conference in Washington titled "Security and Stability in Central and Eastern Europe: A Vital U.S. Interest."

The program included remarks by three Members of Congress and two panel discussions focusing on the importance of increased U.S. engagement in the region. The conference was well attended by diplomats of various European embassies, as well as ethnic community representatives. Among the CEEC's members are the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian National Association.

In the opening remarks, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) addressed the conference in support of the administration's request for $900 million in foreign assistance to the NIS. He also underlined his support for earmarks for Armenia and Ukraine "in recognition of the unique challenges these two nations face at this juncture."

Commenting about the organizations involved with the CEEC, Rep. Pallone stated: "You can be the bridge between the U.S. and the emerging countries of the East. The potential for trade and investment between the U.S. and Eastern and Central Europe is enormous."

The morning panel, titled "NATO Expansion and Security Concerns," included the following panelists: Daniel Fried, special assistant to the president and senior director, National Security Council; Jeremy Rosner, special advisor to the president and secretary of state for NATO enlargement ratification; Peter Rodman, director of national security, Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom; Steve Biegun, senior professional staff member for European Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Paul Goble, deputy director of broadcasting, Radio Free Europe.

A clarification on charter with Russia

Having outlined the administration's position and current activities surrounding NATO expansion, Mr. Fried tried to dispel rumors that the U.S. had already made concessions to Russia regarding the Baltic states and the Caucasus. While the administration is actively pursuing a NATO-Russia charter, Mr. Fried underlined: "NATO enlargement does not depend on prior conclusion of a NATO-Russia charter."

In preparation for the Paris conference of NATO foreign ministers on May 27, he said negotiators are operating under the "Five No's Rule": 1) no delay in enlargement, 2) no Russian veto to any partner, 3) no second-class membership, 4) no subordination of NATO on any other organization, and 5) no exclusion of any country to future partnership.

Ukraine is not seeking inclusion in the first round of NATO expansion to be announced in Madrid this July. President Kuchma, however, is carefully cultivating relationships with the United States and other Western European countries. With the Partnership for Peace (PFP) and the Kuchma-Gore Commission among his successes, President Kuchma now is negotiating a NATO-Ukraine charter. Mr. Rodman noted that Ukraine serves as a model for the region, having "a clear concept of its own security" and "how the balance of powers benefits them."

McConnell notes power of assistance

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a long-time supporter of Ukraine, spoke of the substantive and symbolic power of U.S. assistance in the region. He expressed support for funding the NIS budget in full, while conceding that Congress had focused its attention on Russia at the expense of countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

While Russia continues to encourage instability in the region, Sen. McConnell said the U.S. should use its foreign assistance to encourage democracies, including Ukraine, to weather the storms ahead. He congratulated members of the audience on their efforts in Congress and with the administration to promote NATO expansion and noted that the administration must do its best to convince Russia it has "nothing to feel threatened about ... Ukraine is not going to invade Russia."

"U.S. Foreign Assistance to Central and Eastern Europe," was the title of the afternoon session, which included the following panelists: Eugene Iwanciw, advisor, Ukrainian National Association; Thomas Carothers, senior associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Robin Cleveland, staff member, Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee.

Questions on USAID's effectiveness

Much of the session focused on the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) history in the region and the effectiveness of its programs. It was the consensus of the participants that USAID's initial involvement in the region was not well planned and that many of its current projects and reporting methods need to be revised. Unfortunately, according to Mr. Iwanciw, as USAID's "learning curve goes up, funding is going down."

When asked to give Sen. McConnell's position on assistance to Ukraine in light of recent reports of increased corruption and failed business ventures, Ms. Cleveland said that although the senator takes corruption seriously, his commitment to Ukraine is "unwavering." She continued by saying that House Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Sonny Callahan's (R-Ala.) push to put conditions on funding to Ukraine was tied to his own agenda to lift earmarks from the budget and added that there isn't sufficient support in the Senate for such action.

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) closed the session with remarks regarding the importance of NATO expansion for emerging democracies. He urged the administration to keep an open-door policy during upcoming negotiations, and he stated that ethnic groups in America have an important role to play in process. Acting as "teachers," organizations must "explain the significance of the past and the challenges of the future," he noted.

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