ACTION ITEM (02/07/99)

ACTION ITEM

Last year's foreign aid bill (for Fiscal Year 1999) stated that one-half of the U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine would be withheld "until the secretary of state reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Ukraine has undertaken significant economic reforms additional to those achieved in Fiscal Year 1998 and include: 1) reform and effective enforcement of the commercial and tax code; and 2) continued progress on resolution of complaints by United States investors."

The Ukrainian American Coordinating Committee, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the Ukrainian National Association, and The Washington Group strongly urge Ukrainian Americans and their supporters to write, fax or call their senators and representatives to express the importance of continued U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine for FY 1999. Failure to certify for Ukraine will be a severe blow to Ukraine's economic and political progress.

Telephone numbers for your congressional representatives can be obtained from their state offices (refer to the government blue pages in your phone directory) or call Capitol Information in Washington at (202) 225-3121. When you call your senator or representative, ask to speak to the staff member who handles Ukrainian affairs or foreign aid, and give him/her the message. To write, see the sample letter below.

Deadline: must be mailed during the first week of February; letters and calls must be received in congressional offices by February 16.

- submitted by the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council

* * *

The Honorable [name]
United States [Senate or House of Representatives]
Washington, D.C. [Senate zip code - 20510; House - 20515]

Dear [title and name]

I am deeply concerned that the certification for Ukraine, required by the FY 1999 Foreign Aid Act, may not be granted and that the much-needed aid to Ukraine will be withheld. It is very important that the United States, having established a strategic partnership with Ukraine, demonstrate through its aid program that we still support Ukraine's reform efforts and want stability and peace in the region. Certification is necessary to encourage Ukraine's efforts for continued reforms, democracy, the rule of law and forging of closer relations with the West.

If the United States fails to grant certification for Ukraine, it will be a signal that we are no longer interested in a partnership with Ukraine and that we are abandoning a nation that Poland, Hungary and other Central European countries want very much to see succeed and to remain a Western ally - especially now, in the face of increasing attempts in Russia to reconstitute a Soviet-type union. To deny certification is the first step towards re-establishing Russian hegemony in the region.

We in the Ukrainian diaspora care very much about a free and democratic Ukraine, and we know that you want to see democracy thrive in Ukraine as well. Thank you for your attention and support in this matter - it is truly critical now.

Sincerely,
[your name]

| Home Page |