NEWS AND VIEWS: Jersey officials support earmarked aid to Ukraine (11/02/97)

NEWS AND VIEWS: Jersey officials support earmarked aid to Ukraine

by Walter Bodnar

NEWARK, N.J. - A debate in the U.S. Congress, which has been taking place during the past several months on the $12.3 billion foreign aid bill for Fiscal Year 1998 - including $225 million allocated for Ukraine, is nearing its final phase. New Jersey Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) both affirmed their support in the U.S. Senate.

State Sen. Jim McGreevey wrote letters to the leadership in both houses of Congress and the Foreign Operations Subcommittee affirming his support for aid to Ukraine in its full amount. A similar message was expressed in a resolution sponsored by Councilman Ronald L. Rice in the Newark City Council.

Having passed both houses of Congress, the differences are to be ironed out by a conference committee comprising members of the House and Senate. The $225 million for Ukraine first proposed by President Bill Clinton and guided through the Senate by Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) passed the Senate with special earmarks for Ukraine. However, a stumbling block appeared in the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Ala.), and reduced funding was proposed until Ukraine gets a handle on corruption and privatization.

Sen. Lautenberg stated in his letter: "America has a strong interest in helping Ukraine build a market economy and democratic institutions ... As a member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I worked hard to ensure that Ukraine receives the foreign assistance that will encourage political and economic reforms."

Sen. Torricelli (D-N.J.) stated: "I am concerned that the transition to a free, open society in Ukraine will not be successful unless the United States takes an active role .... The State Department's annual report on aid to Ukraine indicates that Ukraine still lags behind the rest of the former republics in per capita aid and actual expenditures. Ukraine has received $1.3 billion in aid from the U.S. since 1992, second only to Russia in the amount of aid received. In per capita terms, however, Ukraine ranks ninth out of the 13 independent states ... I supported a $225 million earmark for Ukraine as part of the foreign assistance act of 1998, and I have written Ambassador [Richard] Morningstar to encourage greater budgetary assistance for Ukraine in the future."

Mr. McGreevey, N.J. state senator, mayor of Woodbridge, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the November election, in his September 4 letter to Rep. Callahan, stated:

"I respectfully urge you to support the Senate-approved $225 million earmarked for Ukraine in the Foreign Aid Bill for 1998. It is in our national interest to do so.

"Ukraine, a newly independent country for the past six years, has shown willingness and capability to adapt to new conditions when given the opportunity. Ukraine has complied with the liquidation and transfer of nuclear armaments on her territory deemed to be dangerous to the security of the United States. In addition Ukraine has adopted a Constitution that features the rule of law and the right to private property. Ukraine introduced its own currency, [the] hryvnia, which has shown convertibility and stability.

"A continuation of financial backing by the United States at this time is essential in order to promote privatization, stabilize Ukraine's economy and facilitate foreign investments, especially from the United States ... This is a relatively small investment to make in order to help achieve stability in the East European region and promote U.S. business investments there."

Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine (AHRU) is one of the organizations in the Ukrainian community that has been lobbying for the $225 million, including specific earmarks for pertinent projects in Ukraine. Letters, faxes, personal visits and phone calls were made by AHRU to all members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, plus the International Affairs Committee and the leadership of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

According to Bozhena Olshaniwsky, president of AHRU, "This is a propitious time to get our friends and governmental officials to support the $225 million aid package to Ukraine. With a little effort via a letter or phone call we can influence members of our government to help Ukraine at this critical juncture. Most legislators are sympathetic to the concerns of their constituents and will respond positively. Let us all emulate Sen. McGreevey and the other concerned officials and help to convince our legislators."

For further information please write or call: AHRU, 43 Midland Place, Newark, NJ 07106; telephone, (201) 373-9729; fax, (201) 373-4755.

| Home Page |