Senate committee questions nominee for ambassador to NIS (07/27/97)

Senate committee questions nominee for ambassador to NIS

by Michael Sawkiw Jr.
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - President Bill Clinton's nominee for ambassador-at-large to the new independent states (NIS) - a position created at the U.S. Department of State following the break-up of the former Soviet Union - has come under fire for his academic writings about U.S. foreign policy decisions vis-à-vis the former Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation.

Stephen Sestanovich, vice-chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was questioned about his views during a July 15 hearing before the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.

His nomination has raised concerns not just within the Ukrainian American community, but within all the Central and East European communities in America.

Dr. Sestanovich, who has worked for the State Department and the National Security Council (NSC) under the Reagan administration, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as part of the confirmation process.

The chairman of the Senate hearing, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), began the proceedings with a brief opening statement addressing many of the concerns expressed about Dr. Sestanovich's writings. "The newly independent people [of the NIS] are yearning for political prosperity," said Sen. Smith.

In Sen. Smith's view, many U.S. lawmakers and policy advisors were taken aback by the independence of the former Soviet republics and therefore, "have not been properly supporting the independence of the NIS." He added, "much is still viewed through the spectrum of Moscow." Sen. Smith continued by mentioning his dislike for the term FSU (former Soviet Union) or NIS (new independent states), but noting his regrets that a proper and convenient term denoting the independent states does not to exist. Sen. Smith warned against an"extension of a [Russian] sphere of influence" in the areas once comprising the Soviet Union.

After being introduced by Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), Dr. Sestanovich delivered a brief opening statement. Speaking of Ukraine, he mentioned the deep destabilization that occurred three to four years ago, but acknowledged that the outlook is "vastly better." Ukraine's role in international institutions has increased; thus, the U.S. government must now "work with the Ukrainian government to keep up the pace [of political and economic reform]," he said.

Regarding his previous writings, Dr. Sestanovich averred that many have "misunderstood what I believe."

The round of questions began with Sen. Smith asking Dr. Sestanovich about his position on NATO expansion. The nominee said he was deeply committed to fully integrating the Central and East European states into the realm of the West. He also admitted that the "administration's policy [toward NATO expansion] was a true response to maintain the interests [of those countries]." When asked by Sen. Smith about the Russia-NATO Founding Act and whether this doesn't give Russia a "de facto" veto, Dr. Sestanovich stated that these issues are "misplaced concerns. It doesn't keep the alliance from acting independently."

Sen. Smith continued his questioning by focusing on Dr. Sestanovich's writings about a Russian "sphere of influence." Dr. Sestanovich stated that "Russia does not have a paramount interest [in the area]." Yet, due to the sheer proximity of the new independent states to Russia, Dr. Sestanovich said he feels that Russia will have some type of influence in the region "one way or the other," though Russia "is obliged to respect the rights of its neighbors."

Similar questions were also addressed to Dr. Sestanovich by Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.). Referring to the discussion about NATO expansion, Sen. Sarbanes pointed out the inconsistency betweem the nominee's writings and the Clinton administration's view of the expanding alliance. Dr. Sestanovich clarified that his writings on NATO expansion had reflected the earlier policies of the administration which seemed to create tensions with Russia and the other independent states.

Sen. Sarbanes then mentioned that the mere use of the term "sphere of influence" gives it a certain understanding that must be explained by the author. Again, Dr. Sestanovich said that "the kind of influence that Russia exerts on its neighbors is crucial on how U.S. policy will establish its decisions." Furthermore, he stated that Russia's treatment of its neighbors has always been based on the principles of international law.

Other comments and questions also were posed to Dr. Sestanovich by Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) who noted, "the phrase 'sphere of influence' is a hot button that has gotten people concerned." Sen. Wellstone mentioned that his father was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and he advised Dr. Sestanovich to clarify his answers to any questions regarding his use of the term "sphere of influence." Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) also commented on the writings of Dr. Sestanovich, though he did not ask specific questions pertaining to his policy beliefs.

The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC), a coalition comprising 19 ethnic American organizations, sent a letter on July 10 to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright highlighting its concerns about Mr. Sestanovich's writings. In the letter (published in The Weekly, July 20), the CEEC states: "We have been and continue to be concerned about his views that the United States should not oppose Russian efforts to turn the area of the former Soviet Union into its own exclusive sphere of influence by 'non-violent' means."

Responding to the CEEC's letter, Secretary Albright wrote to Askold S. Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Inc. (UCCA), a founding member-organization of the CEEC.

"As vice president of the Carnegie Endowment for Russian and Eurasian Affairs, he [Dr. Sestanovich] has built one of our nation's finest non-governmental programs of contact with and analysis of all 12 Newly Independent States," she wrote. "Under Steve's leadership, Carnegie has supported an intensive program of technical assistance for Ukrainian economic reform and issued a major study on that country's role in European security."

Concluding the letter, Secretary Albright expressed her confidence that Dr. Sestanovich will perform his duties appropriately and looks forward to the insight of the Ukrainian community.

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