Congressional hearing focuses on Ukraine and U.S. interests (05/30/04)

Congressional hearing focuses on Ukraine and U.S. interests

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives International Relations Committee (HIRC), European Subcommittee, on May 12 held a special hearing titled "The Future of Ukraine and U.S. Interests."

In opening the proceedings European Subcommittee Chairman Doug Bereuter (R-Neb.), mentioned the strategic positioning of Ukraine, especially in light of the recent enlargements of NATO and the European Union (EU) on Ukraine's westernmost border. Acknowledging Ukraine's great importance to U.S. foreign policy, Rep. Bereuter clearly stated that "U.S. policy must remain focused on promoting and strengthening a stable, democratic and prosperous Ukraine, more closely integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic structures."

Many aspects of the congressional hearing centered on Ukraine's upcoming presidential election on October 31. Chairman Bereuter raised this concern in his opening statement noting that "the Congress, like the Bush administration, has made the presidential election a litmus test of Ukraine's commitment to democracy. Several high-level officials of the administration, such as Assistant Secretary [Richard] Armitage, have recently visited Kyiv and have tried to stress the importance of free and fair elections."

Adding to open comments was Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), ranking democrat on the House International Relations European Subcommittee, who pointed out that Ukraine's economy has made a remarkable turnaround since independence, yet issues of concern such as democratic initiatives need to be bolstered.

The first witness to appear before the panel was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Steven Pifer, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine in 1998-2000. Having submitted his official testimony into the record, Mr. Pifer provided brief opening statements before accepting questions from the congressional panel.

"Ukraine is a stable independent democratic state, which has achieved impressive accomplishments such as denuclearization and impressive economic growth," he said. He added that Ukraine had problems on the democraticization front, but acknowledged the need to improve relations between Ukraine and the United States.

During the question and answer period, Chairman Bereuter questioned witnesses about press freedom in Ukraine (and attempts at intimidation), as well as Ukraine's record on non-proliferation of weapons. "If Ukraine wishes to be seen as a normal European state," Mr. Bereuter responded, "then a free democratic press is key." He stated that there is a distinction in Ukraine between the print and TV media, as major TV networks are controlled by a small group of individuals, while new print represents the entire spectrum.

As for non-proliferation, Mr. Pifer acknowledged Ukraine's good success rate in denuclearization, but commented that the United States is presently assisting Ukraine in improving its export control system.

In a question related to U.S.-Ukrainian relations, Rep. Wexler inquired, "How the U.S. may maximize its ability to assist Ukraine?" Mr. Pifer responded that, through diplomatic engagement, the United States can see success in Ukraine as in the growth of Ukraine's civil society.

The next set of witnesses included Dr. Anders Aslund, director, Russian and Eurasian Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Dr. Nadia Diuk, Director, Central Europe and Eurasia, at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Known for his economic analysis of many Central and East European countries, Dr. Aslund emphasized that "Ukraine needs to join the WTO (World Trade Organization), and this needs to be the focus [of the government's activities]." Referring to the recent vote in Ukraine's Parliament ratifying the Single Economic Space treaty, Dr. Aslund downplayed its significance as "minimal."

He pointed out that the stakes for Ukraine's upcoming presidential election are high, while the resources to be used are enormous - ranging between $200 million and $300 million. Continuing on the theme of the elections, Dr. Aslund emphasized that "Russia will be a key player in Ukraine [for the elections]." He concluded his remarks by underscoring that integration with the West should be a priority for the Ukrainian government.

The last witness to testify before the European Subcommittee was Dr. Diuk, who focused "on the main event that looms in Ukraine's immediate future, and which the international community will be watching - the election for the post of President of Ukraine scheduled for October 2004."

Dr. Diuk outlined the trends in Ukraine's political reform, media freedoms and the major candidates for president, and provided an overview of its civil society. "The elections are the tip of the iceberg, which represents a huge systemic problem: Ukraine's ruling elite is still largely made up of the same people who ran Ukraine under the Communist system," Dr. Diuk explained. It is this group she said that claims does not want to have a free and open electoral process for Ukraine's citizens to cast their ballot.

Brief questions by the two members of Congress were addressed to the panelists regarding assistance to opposition parties and the rule of law and direct foreign investment in Ukraine.

In conclusion, Chairman Bereuter also thanked Michael Sawkiw Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), and Ihor Gawdiak, president of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, for their written testimony regarding "Ukraine's Future and U.S. Interests."

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