LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (07/29/01)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Proposed aid cuts a huge policy blunder

Dear Editor:

The U.S. House of Representatives would make a huge foreign policy blunder if it carries through on a threat by Republican appropriators to slash $45 million in foreign aid to Ukraine. This is even $40 million less than what the Bush administration requested.

Meanwhile, Russia is making every effort to cozy up to its breadbasket neighbor. Vladimir Putin has reserved airspace to attend the August festivities in Kyiv at Ukraine's 10th anniversary of independence. Russia has appointed Viktor Chernomyrdin, its former prime minister, as its new ambassador to Ukraine. Congratulations to Russia.

Republicans on our Foreign Operations Subcommittee say this unprecedented singling out of Ukraine will send a message to Ukraine's political leaders about human rights violations. Fair enough. But whom will their action punish? Can they really be sure who is guilty for the specific human rights violations they abhor?

Yes, Ukraine is a struggling new republic, riddled with corruption, lacking a robust justice system and crawling its way to an open, civil society. There are horrendous abuses there. But to isolate Ukraine at this turning point in history mitigates against U.S. interests in a strategic region of the world. Give Ukraine the credit it is due. Ukraine has dismantled all its nuclear weapons. It seeks to become part of the full union of European states. It refused to sell turbines to Iran. It was President Leonid Kuchma who extended the invitation to Pope John Paul II for his recent historic visit. Ukraine has spawned an emerging middle class with its economy growing more than 6 percent in the last year. Important reforms have begun in the civil code and land titling, the latter enacted through executive decree over a divided legislative branch.

Ukraine still faces enormous clean-up challenges - from Chornobyl and other rickety in-country nuclear plants, to its politics and human rights. Instead of singling out the government of Ukraine for punishment, Congress should recognize the remarkable strides the people of Ukraine have taken towards democracy and a market-oriented economy, and encourage more of these.

Ukraine is one of the largest and most important of the former Soviet republics that wish to draw westward. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, "After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of the Soviet agricultural output ..."

Why should Republican appropriators cut the very funds that benefit U.S. organizations and interests undertaking the Herculean task of transition and reform? Approximately 90 percent of U.S. assistance to Ukraine involves grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), small business development, exchange programs, support for independent media, municipal development and the closure of the Chornobyl nuclear plant facilities.

Cutting aid to Ukraine merely thwarts our painstaking efforts to help build a civil society. The effect would be to damage the U.S. position with Ukraine and hurt the people, not the government, of Ukraine.

The crossroads nation of Ukraine surely can transform the face of Europe for decades to come. But this potential should not be taken for granted. The recent signing of the Sino-Russian pact means that the West must strengthen its strategic ties with Ukraine, encouraging that country to continue looking westward, both in policy and in action. Irresponsible cuts in aid send Ukraine exactly the wrong message.

President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have both expressed the importance of our partnership with Ukraine and the nation's pivotal role in the region. This fall, our Congress-Rada Parliamentary Exchange Group will convene for the first time. Members of the U.S. Congress will meet with their Ukrainian counterparts to build lasting professional relationships and share information on how both countries can work for Ukraine's full integration into the world community.

The actions of Congress will be instrumental in continued developments to promote governmental integrity and democratic ideals, and reduce corruption. We call on Congress to match last year's assistance level. Let the people of Ukraine know that we support their progress and look forward to an enduring relationship and, indeed, friendship.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur
Washington

Papal visit to Ukraine was a true blessing

Dear Editor:

After so many years of disappointment, it was most gratifying to not only see the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ukraine, but to see the coverage it received. For once, it appears that our community was better prepared for media coverage than we ever seemed to have been in past. In watching the coverage on EWTN, one could not help but marvel at the fine representation provided by the Rev. Peter Galadza in not only translating the events but in his thorough comprehension and knowledge of Ukrainian history and his narrative on Church issues. I dare say that many of us learned much about our heritage during the broadcasts thanks to Father Galadza's excellent commentaries.

How proud we were of Cardinal Lubomyr Husar! We are most blessed to have such a superior representative of our Church. His diplomatic manner and speeches were inspirational to all. To those of us who still have dear memories of the primate's early pastorship at Soyuzivka and the homilies he delivered then, his addresses in Ukraine continued to not only instruct but to capture our attention.

And, of course, the holy father's ability to overcome his physical limitations, to find the strength not only to travel such a distance, but to speak with such clarity, so ably, in Ukrainian is a true miracle. How moving it was to see so many faithful at our own Greek-Catholic mass!

Camilla Huk
Rutherford, N.J.

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