New U.S. ambassador presents credentials to Ukraine's president

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - Carlos Pascual, the fourth United States ambassador to Ukraine, presented his credentials to President Leonid Kuchma during a short ceremony on October 20.

In brief remarks afterwards, the newly appointed U.S. envoy said that today Ukraine has its best chance to define its place in Europe, as a country with a prosperous free market economy, founded on the principles of democracy and openness, and secure in its future.

However, he added that fulfilling that vision of Ukraine, which U.S. President Bill Clinton offered during his June visit to Kyiv, is entirely up to the nation.

"Only Ukrainians can define the new Ukrainian state," said Mr. Pascual. "At the national level with the policies, laws and regulations that create new structures. At the local level, by creating the conditions that allow initiatives and creativity. At the individual level, by seizing this historic moment and opportunity."

He told journalists that he comes to Ukraine with three mandates: first, to support Ukraine's efforts to define itself as a European state; second, to support concrete actions to make the effort a reality; and, third, to support efforts to create a stronger civil society so that people can take greater control of their lives.

He also called the current period in Ukrainian development "a difficult time in Ukraine's transition," while urging the country to keep pushing forward.

Mr. Pascual, a career senior foreign service officer, has been closely involved in U.S.-Ukraine relations since 1992, when he was appointed director of the Office of Program Analysis and Coordination for the New Independent States Task Force, during which he helped to develop the first U.S. assistance programs for the NIS.

From 1994 to 1995 Mr. Pascual served as deputy assistant administrator for Europe and the NIS at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is the single largest aid-giver in Ukraine. There he oversaw budget, policy and strategy formulation.

In 1995 he joined the National Security Council as director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs. He coordinated economic policy affecting the countries of the former Soviet Union and managed the country portfolios of Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.

In his most recent position the new ambassador to Ukraine served as special assistant to the president and senior director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia at the NSC from July 1998 to January 2000. During that time Mr. Pascual guided U.S. policy to encourage Ukraine's commitment to democratic and economic reforms, and its integration into Europe.

Ambassador Pascual was sworn in on October 6 in Washington. He is expected to remain in Kyiv for two years.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 29, 2000, No. 44, Vol. LXVIII

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