Ukrainian Days in Washington focus on community's concerns (04/11/04)

Ukrainian Days in Washington focus on community's concerns

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Within a framework of programs in preparation for the U.S. presidential and congressional elections, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), the Washington public affairs bureau of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), organized "Ukrainian Days" in Washington on March 24-25.

The intent of Ukrainian Days was to promote the concerns of the Ukrainian American community, as well as to establish better contacts with its elected representatives in Washington. The first annual advocacy program allowed Ukrainian community members from around the country to visit Washington and meet with principal policy-makers in the field of U.S.-Ukraine relations.

During two days of meetings and briefings, the delegates had an opportunity to acquaint themselves with various perspectives on the current U.S.-Ukraine relationship, as well as meet with members of Congress from the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Ukrainian Days event hosted Ukrainian community members from New York, California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Virginia. Representatives from the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukraine-U.S. Business Council, as well as students from several area universities in the greater Washington area also participated in the proceedings.

Ukrainian Days opened on Wednesday March 24 at 10 a.m. with a briefing at the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC), during which Herman Pirchner, AFPC president; Mark Taplin, senior officer of the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova Desk at the U.S. Department of State; Stephen Nix, director of Eurasian programs at the International Republican Institute (IRI); John Eddy, regional field coordinator for the Republican National Committee (RNC); and, Joshua Rosenblum, assistant regional coordinator for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), made short presentations.

The speakers provided their perspectives on U.S. policy toward Ukraine, in particular regarding the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections scheduled for October 31. The RNC and DNC representatives informed the delegates about the pre-election campaign for the U.S. presidential elections and their efforts to involve the various organized ethnic communities. A question and answer session followed each presentation, during which delegates had an opportunity to pose specific inquiries.

The informational session continued with a working lunch to discuss issues of concern that the community representatives would be advocating in their meetings with members of Congress. UCCA President Michael Sawkiw Jr. briefed the Ukrainian Days participants as to the core topics of interest: Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status for Ukraine; U.S. foreign assistance to Ukraine; the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); information regarding the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections in Ukraine and U.S. engagement in the democratic processes in Ukraine; recognition of the 1932-1933 Ukrainian Famine-Genocide as an act of genocide and the construction of a memorial in Washington to the Famine-Genocide's victims; and the granting of a federal charter for the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV).

Armed with briefing papers in their informational folders to be distributed during their congressional meetings, the participants of Ukrainian Days headed for the U.S. Capitol to walk the halls of Congress, knock on the doors of their respective members of Congress and acquaint them with issues that concern the Ukrainian American community. On Wednesday afternoon, meetings were held in the following Congressional offices: Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.); Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.); Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.); Rep. Joseph Hoeffel (D-Pa.); Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.); Sen. George Allen (R-Va.); and Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.)

That evening the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington hosted a special reception for the Ukrainian Days participants, where they were able to meet the Ukrainian diplomatic corps in Washington and discuss their viewpoints on the current situation and development of U.S.-Ukraine relations.

The following day began with an early morning breakfast meeting with representatives of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (CUC) held in the Rayburn House Office Building. CUC Co-Chairs Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) and Rep. Weldon greeted the delegates and thanked the UCCA for organizing this timely event. In introducing the two congressional leaders of the CUC, Mr. Sawkiw acknowledged their commitment and support for increased U.S.-Ukraine relations.

"Their constant communication with the Ukrainian American community," stated Mr. Sawkiw, "indicates their deep commitment and strategic outlook in enhancing the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States."

Rep. Weldon welcomed the assembled participants, stating that it is in indeed worthwhile to hold such events, which "emphasize how the community can be effective in promoting your concerns." The congressman remarked that, although there are several issues that encumber Ukraine's democratic development, there are also many numerous positive aspects that should be considered" when the U.S. formulates its foreign policy toward Ukraine. He elaborated on the role Ukraine played in getting Libya to denounce its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program.

Rep. Levin acknowledged the importance of holding advocacy days in Washington to ensure that the Ukrainian community's agenda is always on the radar screen. "Let me add," continued Rep. Levin, "that we [Members of Congress] are diligently working to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment, as well as to erect a monument to the victims of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in Washington." Rep. Levin encouraged the community to continue its longstanding work.

The morning breakfast session was followed by additional meetings with various House and Senate offices: Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.); Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.); Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D- N.J.); Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.); Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.); Rep. John Castle (R-Del.); and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).

When meeting the Ukrainian Days delegates, Sen. Lautenberg greeted them by saying "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine.) He also noted how important it is for the Ukrainian American community to hold such functions and maintain uninterrupted contact with members of Congress.

Of particular note was a very productive meeting with members of the Michigan delegation with Sen. Levin, who keenly emphasized the importance of free and transparent presidential elections in Ukraine. UCCA President Sawkiw mentioned the need for increased engagement of Ukraine at the highest U.S. governmental levels to bring attention to the democratic reforms process transpiring in Ukraine. The senator thanked the participants for their activism and mentioned that he is "supporting efforts in the Senate to grant Ukraine permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) [the Jackson-Vanik amendment]," adding, "We ought to engage Ukraine in all realms." With that, the representatives from the community thanked Sen. Levin for his support of Ukrainian American issues and wished him good fortune in his many endeavors as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Ukrainian Days was a great success judging by the praise of participants, members of Congress, as well as representatives of the participating think-tanks. Further aspects of Ukrainian Days will be accomplished throughout the year as UNIS develops a framework for contacting various members of Congress at the local levels to continue advocating the concerns of the community.

UNIS plans to hold Ukrainian Days as an annual advocacy event with an even greater number of community participants in the future. For more information readers may contact the Ukrainian National Information Service at (202) 547-0018, or visit its website at http://www.ucca.org/unis.

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