FOR THE RECORD: Statement by Carlos Pascual, ambassador designate to Ukraine (07/16/00)

FOR THE RECORD

Statement by Carlos Pascual, ambassador designate to Ukraine

Following is the text of the prepared statement of Carlos Pascual, ambassador designate to Ukraine, delivered on June 21 before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (as released by the U.S. Department of State).

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today and privileged by the trust placed in me by President [Bill] Clinton and Secretary [Madeleine] Albright in nominating me to serve as United States ambassador to Ukraine. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working closely with this Committee and others in Congress to advance American interests.

Ukraine faces a historic opportunity to secure its place as an independent, democratic and market-oriented European state. Ukraine's resources are vast. Its position in Europe and on the Black Sea is strategic. Its people are well educated and aspire to a better future. I believe it is in America's interest to help Ukraine and its 50 million people overcome their Soviet legacy and consolidate their place in Europe.

I also believe, Mr. Chairman, that Ukraine must change from within in order to succeed. Much has been done to begin dismantling the Soviet past and create the organs of an independent state. But the transition to democracy and market economics is far from complete. If Ukraine wants to be of Europe, it must look like Europe. The rule of law must prevail. Courts must be independent and fair. Property must be secure. Government must be accountable and transparent - and that means a full assault on corruption.

In effect, Ukraine and its leaders must continue to define a "new Ukraine" with new political and economic foundations. These are fundamentally Ukrainian choices, to be decided and implemented by Ukrainians. But I also believe it is in America's interest to influence their decisions.

In that spirit, I would reach out to Ukrainians at the grassroots, and to our own Ukrainian American community, to support their efforts to promote openness, democracy, competition and freedom from the bottom up. I would work with emerging entrepreneurs and American investors, for they are the core of a competitive economy that can create jobs and prosperity. I would engage the Ukrainian government to advance democratic values and the rule of law. I would build on Ukraine's successful partnership with NATO, which has shown that Ukraine and NATO can work side by side in the Balkans. I would encourage Ukraine to reach out to its European neighbors, who can play a crucial role as Ukraine charts its path to Europe.

Mr. Chairman, I am a career foreign service officer who has had the opportunity of seeing American engagement advance American interests. When I was in South Africa, our support for peaceful change in the 1980s helped bring an end to apartheid. While in Mozambique, our support for market reforms in the early 1990s helped start the transformation of one of Africa's most promising nations. Working as USAID's deputy assistant administrator for Europe, I saw our support for Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic help them emerge as partners in NATO.

Just in the past year, the Religious Freedom Roundtable I had the opportunity to co-chair with Sen. Smith and Ambassador Sestanovich demonstrated the potential for partnerships between branches of government and with American NGOs. I have worked intensely on Ukraine at USAID and the NSC. And just as I have seen the potential of our engagement, I am deeply aware of its limits when the countries we work with have not consolidated a vision for the future and the political will to pursue it.

If I am confirmed, I would be honored to bring these experiences to bear as America's Ambassador to Ukraine. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity to address you and to respond to any questions that you may have.

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