INTERVIEW: A reaction to secretary of state's remarks on Ukraine (02/13/00)

INTERVIEW: A reaction to secretary of state's remarks on Ukraine

In a speech delivered on January 18 at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Secretary of State Madeline K. Albright referred to Ukraine, Colombia, Indonesia and Nigeria as four nations that "can be a major force for stability and progress in its region." (Excerpts from that address appeared in The Weekly's January 30 issue.)

Ross Wilson, principal deputy to the ambassador-at-large for the new independent states at the State Department, commented on Secretary Albright's statements in questions posed to him by the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS). The full text of the interview, conducted by UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw Jr., follows.

Q: Secretary Albright identified four countries that are "each at a critical point along the democratic path." These countries will be the focus of a new approach emphasizing the importance of U.S. foreign policy as the president prepares to release his budget proposal for next year. Included on this selective list was Ukraine. Could you explain the significance of Secretary Albright highlighting Ukraine at this critical juncture in U.S.-Ukraine relations? Is this a new and "improved" policy toward Ukraine, or a continuation of the relations that have existed so far?

A: We believe that Ukraine's success is key to the future of the independent democracies that emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union, and for that reason have made it a priority in our foreign policy since 1991. Last year, Ukraine weathered serious economic problems and held an election which, despite flaws, did result in a renewed popular mandate for reform and integration with the West.

As Ukraine tackles its economic problems in 2000, U.S. support for effective reform will be key to its success. By designating it a priority country, the secretary intends to be sure that Ukraine continues to get all the attention and support it deserves.

Q: As Ukraine faces myriad important economic reform initiatives and solidification of strong democratic principles, what will be the focus of the programs for Ukraine, as indicated in Secretary Albright's speech?

A: Support for economic and democratic reforms are at the heart of both bilateral assistance to Ukraine and the work of the international financial institutions that we support. We and the IFIs [interantional financial institutions] are now discussing with the government of Ukraine the implementation of public administration reforms, privatization, adoption of a sound budget and an effective debt management strategy, as well as urgently needed reforms in the energy and agriculture sectors.

At the core of our democracy programs in 2000 will be the Next Generation Initiative announced during President [Leonid] Kuchma's visit to Washington in December 1999. This initiative will double the number of Ukrainian youth, professionals and others able to come to the United States for long-term training and familiarization. Despite a shortfall in funding for programs under the FREEDOM Support Act, we intend to fully fund this important new initiative.

Q: How would you characterize those critics who might say that this focus and new initiative toward Ukraine is considered "too little, too late"?

A: The fact is that Ukraine has been a top priority for the United States since independence in 1991 and is one of the largest recipients of U.S. assistance worldwide. In the nine years since we have provided some $2 billion in bilateral assistance, encouraged effective engagement by the IFIs with the government of Ukraine on economic and structural reforms, and worked to integrate Ukraine into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, as demonstrated by Ukraine's distinctive partnership with NATO, its partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU [European Union], and its participation in SFOR and KFOR [peacekeeping missions].

Secretary Albright's designation of Ukraine as a priority country reflects our past policies and Ukraine's ongoing importance to the United States. It also provides a mandate for us to continue to focus on ways to solidify Ukraine's independence, its commitment to democracy and its development into a strong market reform economy.

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