FOR THE RECORD: Ambassador-designate to Ukraine speaks at confirmation hearing (06/29/03)

FOR THE RECORD: Ambassador-designate to Ukraine speaks at confirmation hearing

Following is the statement of John Herbst, ambassador-designate to Ukraine, delivered at his confirmation hearing, before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 18.

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today to discuss my nomination as ambassador of the United States to Ukraine. I deeply appreciate the confidence that President [George W. Bush] and Secretary [of State Colin] Powell have placed in me. If confirmed by the Senate, I pledge to work closely with this Committee, along with your colleagues elsewhere in Congress, to advance U.S. interests in Ukraine and in the region as a whole.

In some ways, I have spent much of my career preparing for this assignment. Approximately half of my 24 years in the Foreign Service have been devoted to working on first the Soviet Union and then the Newly Independent States (NIS). As deputy to the ambassador for the NIS from 1994 to 1997, I worked with the government of Ukraine on a host of issues, such as the NATO-Ukraine relationship. I have also accumulated substantial management experience from service as chief of mission at our Consulate in Jerusalem and our Embassy in Tashkent.

I am very excited about the prospect, with Senate approval, of serving as ambassador in Ukraine. Ensuring the integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community is a critical foreign policy goal, one with many dimensions. It means building further our partnership with Ukraine in promoting regional security and combating global terrorism. In this connection, we deeply appreciate Ukraine's decision to join the coalition to free Iraq and its contribution of a nuclear, biological chemical protection battalion to Kuwait. Ukraine's Parliament recently approved the deployment of a brigade to Iraq as part of the coalition stabilization force. Ukraine has also cooperated in intelligence-sharing and provided material and logistical support to Operation Enduring Freedom.

Achieving Ukraine's integration into the Euro-Atlantic community also means close cooperation to assist Ukraine in its transition from communism to democracy and a free market. Of course, Ukraine has come a long way since independence, but much work remains to help this extraordinary land reach its full potential. We will work closely with both the government and the Ukrainian people to expedite progress.

While we experienced some difficult moments in our bilateral relations in 2002, the relationship is now moving in a more positive direction. A critical concern remains the maturing of Ukrainian democracy. The presidential election scheduled for late next year presents a critical test of the government's commitment to democracy. If confirmed, I will make it a priority to do what I can to ensure that the Ukrainian authorities allow for a level playing field for presidential candidates and that election preparations and the election itself are carried out in a free and fair manner. Having an electoral process that meets OSCE standards and a result that reflects the will of the people is vital to the success of Ukraine's ambition to join NATO and to move closer to the European Union. The U.S. also strongly supports greater media freedom in Ukraine, and I will work to make that a reality.

We and our NATO allies stand ready to help Ukraine implement the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan, which was approved at the November 2002 Prague NATO-Ukraine Commission Ministerial. The plan includes important political, economic and defense reforms, reflecting the fact that NATO is a community of shared values. The Action Plan is Ukraine's roadmap to advance its goal of drawing closer to and ultimately joining the Alliance.

Non-proliferation is another strategic concern in our bilateral relationship. We are working with the Ukrainian government and with other governments in a cooperative effort to strengthen Ukraine's export control enforcement and oversight of defense industries and transshippers. I am pleased to note that the Ukrainian Parliament recently passed a new export control law that, if implemented fully, would contribute to stronger safeguards. We will work with the government on effective implementation as we press for continued improvements to the export control system.

On the economic side, we are pleased that the government of Ukraine has stepped up its efforts to accede to the World Trade Organization. The accession process will require Ukraine to change its trade regime in ways that make its economy more open and transparent. We will continue to support Ukraine's WTO efforts. It is also important for us to help Ukraine to combat trafficking in persons as well as HIV/AIDS, which, if left unchecked, poses a serious threat to Ukraine and the region.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts about Ukraine and its relations with the United States. If confirmed, I will look forward to working with you closely, and would welcome the opportunity to host you and other interested members of Congress in Kyiv.

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