House unanimously passes resolution urging democratic, fair election in Ukraine (10/10/04)

House unanimously passes resolution urging democratic, fair election in Ukraine

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives on October 4 unanimously passed a resolution "Urging the government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent and fair election process for the presidential election on October 31, 2004."

House Concurrent Resolution 415 was introduced by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), chairman of the International Relations Committee, together with Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), chairman of the Helsinki Commission and Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), ranking member of the International Relations Committee.

The Senate had passed its version of the resolution, Senate Concurrent Resolution 106, back on July 22, also by a unanimous vote. In the Senate the measure was sponsored by U.S. Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.).

H. Con Res. 415 notes that "the establishment of a democratic, transparent and fair election process for the 2004 presidential election in Ukraine and of a genuinely democratic political system are prerequisites for that country's full integration into the Western community of nations as an equal member, including into organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)."

It also notes that the 2004 presidential election "takes place against the backdrop of previous elections that did not fully meet international standards and of disturbing trends in the current pre-election environment" and that "increasing control and manipulation of the media by national and local officials and others acting at their behest raise grave concerns regarding the commitment of the Ukrainian authorities to free and fair elections."

In the resolution, the House of Representatives, with the Senate concurring, resolved that the Congress:

"expresses its strong and continuing support for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to establish a full democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Ukraine";
"urges the government of Ukraine to guarantee freedom of association and assembly, including the right of candidates, members of political parties and others to freely assemble, to organize and conduct public events, and to exercise these and other rights free from intimidation or harassment by local or national officials or others acting at their behest";
"urges the government of Ukraine to meet its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) commitments on democratic elections and to address issues previously identified by the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE in its final reports on the 2002 parliamentary elections and the 1999 presidential elections, such as illegal interference by public authorities in the campaign and a high degree of bias in the media";
"strongly encourages the president to fully employ the diplomatic and other resources of the government of the United States to ensure that the election laws and procedures of Ukraine are faithfully adhered to by all local and national officials, by others acting at their behest, and by all candidates and parties, during and subsequent to the presidential campaign and election-day voting";
"strongly encourages the president to clearly communicate to the government of Ukraine, to all parties and candidates, and to the people of Ukraine the high importance attached by the government of the United States to this presidential campaign as a central factor in determining the future relationship between the two countries."

Finally, the resolution notes that the Congress "pledges its enduring support and assistance to the Ukrainian people's establishment of a fully free and open democratic system, their creation of a prosperous free market economy, their establishment of a secure independence and freedom from coercion, and their country's assumption of its rightful place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies."

Speaking during the floor debate on the resolution, Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.) noted: "On October 31, the people of Ukraine will go to the polls to participate in an election for their next president. The development of a strong democracy in Ukraine has been slow and difficult over the past 13 years by any measure. However, no issue will be more important to Ukraine's future standing with the West than the strength of its democracy. Therefore, this election, in many ways represents a historic opportunity for the people of Ukraine to decide whether or not democracy can flourish in this important nation."

She further noted that, "Based on problems witnessed in the past elections in Ukraine, I believe it is important that Ukraine's leaders understand that this election will be regarded as a litmus test of Ukraine's commitment to democracy and to its future in Europe. It seems incomprehensible to me that with the rocky relationship the West has had at times with the outgoing leadership in Kyiv, that either of the major candidates running for election would want his victory tainted by an unfair electoral process, biased media coverage, and even thuggery."

"Many visitors to Ukraine, including several from this House over the past few months, have raised the issue of free and fair elections. All have been reassured by President [Leonid] Kuchma, Prime Minister [Viktor] Yanukovych, Foreign Minister [Kostyantyn] Gryshchenko, and Speaker of Parliament [Vitalii] Lytvyn, that every effort will be made to meet the government's commitment for a free and fair election. I am afraid, however, that in many instances thus far, the rhetoric has not been matched by the actions."

Addressing his colleagues in the House, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) commented that "this resolution reaffirms U.S. Congressional support for the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people and the establishment of a genuine democracy in Ukraine. Given the importance of Ukraine to the stability of southeastern Europe and the strong ties between the Ukrainian and American people, we must make every effort to put the relationship between our two nations on a strong and democratic footing."

He continued: "Unfortunately, the conduct of the previous parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine was judged to be flawed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We in Congress had hoped that the government of Ukraine had learned from its past mistakes, but all the evidence collected so far about the conduct of this year's presidential campaign points otherwise."

"As the Ukrainian presidential election approaches in just three weeks, the prospect for the election to be free and fair seems bleak," he said, adding that this resolution "sends an important message to the Ukrainian electorate and the Ukrainian political elite that the U.S. Congress cares deeply about the political future of Ukraine."

Rep. Smith also spoke about the resolution, urging all members of the House to support its passage. "Without exaggeration, Ukraine is facing a critical election, a choice not only between Euro-Atlantic integration versus reintegration into the former Soviet Eurasian space, but a choice between further development toward a European-style democracy, such as in Poland or Hungary, versus the increasingly authoritarian system that prevails in Russia today," he underscored.

"The elections will be a watershed for the future direction of that country," said the New Jersey congressman. "Ukraine has tremendous potential. An independent, democratic Ukraine where the rule of law prevails is vital to the security and stability of Europe. Ukrainian authorities need to radically improve the election environment, however, if there is to be hope for these elections to meet those standards."

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