Gryschchenko and Ohio congresswoman discuss United States relations with Ukraine

WASHlNGTON - The new government of Ukraine is undertaking serious economic and administrative reforms that merit United States support, Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko of Ukraine told Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) at their recent meeting.

The congresswoman, who is the ranking member of the agricultural subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives, told the ambassador about American agricultural programs that would benefit Ukraine - once some old issues involving American agribusinesses are resolved.

The two exchanged ideas at a meeting arranged by Action Ukraine Coalition, created a year ago by the Ukrainian Federation of America, Ukrainian American Coordinating Council and the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation. This was the new ambassadon's first meeting with one of the leaders of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus.

Ambassador Gryshchenko focused on the need for American support for the restucturing of Ukrainian loans whose major repayments are coming due just at the time that Ukraine needs resources for the agricultural spring planting.

Rep. Kaptur urged the ambassador to have the Ukrainian government quickly resolve the outstanding agribusiness issues that are blocking the United States from offering Ukraine surplus grain and other agricultural products, which can be sold in Ukraine, with the proceeds covering the Ukrainian government's budgetary needs. Russia and Lebanon, she noted, took advantage of this program last year; Russia used the proceeds for its pension fund, and Lebanon for the improvement of its poor agricultural areas.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 11, 2000, No. 24, Vol. LXVIII

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