UCCA president submits testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee (06/09/02)

UCCA president submits testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Ukrainian Congress Committee of America President Michael Sawkiw Jr. on May 9 submitted testimony to the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee regarding foreign assistance to Ukraine for Fiscal Year 2003.

Mr. Sawkiw remarked that although it comprises only 1 percent of the total federal budget, "U.S. foreign assistance is critical to promoting expansion of democracy and building lasting peace throughout the world." He added: "U.S. global leadership has become even more critical in the context of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. ... Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the UCCA continues to work in order to ensure that the United States remains involved in the political and economic development of the independent states of Central and East Europe and assists them in their difficult transformation into democratic states with vibrant market economies."

Mr. Sawkiw also outlined the significant progress that Ukraine has made in a little over a decade since regaining its independence, including economic stabilization, achievements in the international arena, democracy-building, and changes in the legal climate. Mr. Sawkiw continued by providing recommendations regarding U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine for FY 2003.

He addressed the most important problems facing Ukraine today, underscoring the need for a sustained civic society in Ukraine aimed at the successful development of a mature democracy; the importance of continued legal reform, which would improve the investment climate in Ukraine and render the fight against corruption more effective; the necessity of supporting enhanced law enforcement procedures in the struggle against corruption and establishing mechanisms for more expedient enforcement of Ukrainian laws; as well as the critical need for support of the agricultural and energy sectors of Ukraine's economy. Among other issues he addressed in the testimony was support for a business exchange program between U.S. and Ukrainian entrepreneurs, aimed at familiarizing Ukrainians with international business practices and improving their business culture.

In conclusion Mr. Sawkiw stated:

"Measuring dividends, both political and economic, from continued U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine is an almost impossible task. Improving foreign investment climate and establishing a vibrant and robust democratic rule in Ukraine would open a large and growing market for the United States and open limitless possibilities for cooperation and mutual gain. ... The Ukrainian community in the U.S. lauds the effort that the United States Congress has invested in Ukraine in the past years. We admire the foresight in recognizing Ukraine as a fertile environment for democratic development and economic growth and appreciate the sustained effort to ensure that Ukraine continues to move in the right direction."

The Ukrainian National Information Service, the UCCA's Washington office, has been meeting with members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittees of the Appropriations Committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to support President George W. Bush's request to allocate $159 million to Ukraine for FY 2003.

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