THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: Responses from Sen. John F. Kerry (10/24/04)

THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

The Weekly's questions to the candidates

EDITOR'S NOTE: In late September, The Ukrainian Weekly's editorial staff prepared a list of questions on a variety of issues of particular concern to Ukrainian Americans. Preliminary phone calls were made to the presidential campaign staffs of George W. Bush, John F. Kerry and Ralph Nader in order to determine to whom the final list of questions could be e-mailed for the candidates' responses.

On October 3 the questions were e-mailed to all three campaigns. In hopes of publishing these responses in our October 24 issue - one that would reach all of our readers before Election Day (November 2), the campaigns were given a deadline of October 18 by which they had to submit their responses.

The Kerry campaign submitted its responses to most of the questions posed by The Weekly. The Bush campaign chose to issue a statement, while reserving the right to respond to The Weekly's specific questions in our next issue, dated October 31, even though - due to poor postal delivery of second-class mail - that issue may not reach all of our readers before they cast their votes. The Nader campaign did not respond.

Below are the unedited submissions of the Kerry and Bush campaigns.

Responses from Sen. John F. Kerry

EDITOR'S NOTE; Sen. Kerry's responses were sent to The Weekly along with the following preface.

I want to thank you for the opportunity to answer questions about my positions and views regarding Ukraine, but also to congratulate The Ukrainian Weekly for 71 years of journalistic excellence and service to the Ukrainian-American community. Mnohaya Lita!

Sincerely,

John F. Kerry

Q: On July 28, 2003, Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) introduced a resolution in the Senate that unequivocally calls the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933 genocide. S. Res. 202, whose official title is "A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the genocidal Ukraine Famine of 1932-1933," was referred to the Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations the same day it was introduced. The resolution, which has the bipartisan support of 33 senators, has not moved since then. Where would your administration stand on this resolution? And, what can be done to pass this resolution?

A: I was an early co-sponsor and remain a strong supporter of Senate Resolution 202. It commemorates the 70th anniversary of the famine-genocide in Ukraine and emphasizes that an independent and democratic Ukraine is the best guarantee to prevent such a tragedy from taking place again. It is regrettable that the Bush administration has put up obstacles to Senate action on this resolution and, as president, my administration would be supportive of such a resolution.

Q: There have been on-and-off discussions in the U.S. about various topics related to immigration to this country, both legal and illegal. Please explain how your administration views the current Diversity Visa program (Green Card Lottery): should it be continued, be expanded, or be reduced? What are your feelings about an amnesty for illegal immigrants who find themselves in this country? To whom should such an amnesty be offered? Do you support the idea of a guest worker program that would bring workers from abroad to fill jobs for which there are no American takers, for example, home care aides and nannies from Ukraine?

A: I strongly support responsible reform of our immigration laws that honors our tradition as a nation of immigrants and makes America safer and stronger. I do not agree with critics who say that the current Diversity Visa program should be reduced. I will continue the current program. In my first 100 days as president, I will offer a reform bill that allows immigrants to earn legalization, encourages family reunification, and strengthens our border protections so we are safer from those who would harm us. Under my immigration plan, undocumented workers who have lived and worked here for five years, who pay taxes, and who are successfully screened for security purposes will have a path to citizenship. I will also expand opportunities to learn English and obtain civic education classes to help immigrants assume all of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. With respect to guest worker programs, I am open to considering programs that help fill jobs not otherwise filled by American workers.

Q: On April 3, 2003, Rep. Sander M. Levin of Michigan introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives bill H.R. 1615, titled "To amend Title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal Charter to the Ukrainian American Veterans Inc." The bill would grant the Ukrainian American Veterans organization a federal charter. Would this resolution find support from your administration? And, what can be done to pass this resolution?

A: The contribution of Ukrainian American veterans to the defense of this country and their love of freedom is worthy of the status this Charter confers. I support granting a Federal Charter to the Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc., and my administration will work with Rep. Levin and the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus to see that this piece of legislation is passed and ready for my signature.

Q: Worldwide, at least 600,000 to 800,000 human beings are trafficked across international boarders each year. According to the United States government, "it is estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 victims of trafficking cross [U.S.] borders every year." According to the Department of Justice, U.S. law enforcement has documented cases of Ukrainian girls trafficked in Los Angeles and Maryland. What should be done to stop the problem, specifically with regard to the issue of human trafficking from Ukraine?

A: We have seen an alarming increase over the past decade in human trafficking and, sadly, Ukraine has been a country of origin as well as a transit point for thousands of victims who are forced into prostitution and domestic slavery worldwide.

A Kerry administration will strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking around the world, and we will work at both the government-to-government level and through broader cooperation with international organizations such as the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). We will put trafficking on our bilateral agenda with Ukraine and look for opportunities to assist the Ukrainian government to identify and go after those individuals and criminal groups involved in this despicable trade. Finally, a Kerry administration will work with the Ukrainian government to develop programs in Ukraine that raise public awareness and understanding of the dangers posed by traffickers, as well as those that help the victims of human trafficking return to the native countries and receive the counseling and assistance they need to move ahead with their lives.

Q: On March 13, 2003, Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.), who was a co-chairman of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to permanently lift U.S. government trade restrictions against Ukraine based on provisions in the old Jackson-Vanik Amendment that restricted trade with countries that did not allow free emigration. The law, a vestige of the Cold War, has yet to be retracted in the case of Ukraine, even though it is commonly agreed that no such restrictions exist in the country today. Where would your administration stand on this issue? And, should Jackson-Vanik restrictions still apply to Ukraine? Where do you stand on granting Ukraine Permanent Normal Trade Relations status?

A: I will conduct a comprehensive review of all of our trade agreements and policies in my first 120 days in office. I will very seriously review our current trade stance towards Ukraine to determine whether or not it is still appropriate.

Q: Ukraine has been stymied, for various reasons, in its efforts toward integration with the West. Would your administration be inclined to help Ukraine join the World Trade Organization, the European Union and NATO? Would your administration be willing to take on the role of an advocate for Ukraine's membership, as Poland has done?

A: Ukraine's liberation 13 years ago was a victory for democratic forces after three quarters of a century of communist rule. Today, Ukraine is a strategically important country in the heart of Europe and is an important ally for the United States.

Unfortunately, for far too long now, the Bush administration, with its short-sighted and Putin-centric policies, has effectively turned its back on Ukraine. I reject such one-sided policies and vow to reverse course to build a strong and vibrant partnership with Ukraine, one that will actively support Ukrainian democracy, as well as Ukraine's full participation in the trans-Atlantic community.

For over a decade, I have been an advocate of NATO expansion. I supported the first two rounds of NATO expansion and I am committed to maintaining the strength of the NATO alliance. In a Kerry administration, America will give careful consideration to each and every proposed new member.

I applaud the expansion of the European Union in recent years which has served to unite former foes under a common calling. As president, I would fully respect the processes that the European Union employs to evaluate potential new members.

Q: In FY 2004, Ukraine received $143.47 million in foreign aid. Under your administration, how much foreign aid could Ukraine expect to receive from the U.S.? What types of programs would your administration support for Ukraine and its people?

A: I believe deeply in the critical role that U.S. foreign assistance plays around the world. As president, I will carefully review all of America's foreign aid commitments in light of the needs of the recipient country as well as America's own security, economic, political and humanitarian priorities. The readers of The Ukrainian Weekly and all friends of Ukraine can be assured that U.S. assistance to Ukraine will receive thorough consideration under a Kerry administration.

There are a number of ways in which U.S. assistance can benefit Ukraine. Today, for example, Ukraine has an increasingly acute AIDS crisis with an estimated 250,000 of its citizens now HIV-positive. As the author of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS bill ever to pass the Senate and a proven fighter to expand funding for American bilateral and global AIDS programs, I understand that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has implications for the life and death of millions of men, women and children across the globe, as well as for global security. I have proposed a comprehensive plan to combat the global spread of HIV/AIDS, which includes doubling U.S. funding to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to $30 billion by 2008.

Q: Millions of people in Ukraine continue to suffer the ill effects of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Vast areas have been contaminated, hundreds of thousands of people are ailing, including children suffering from birth defects. How would your administration help Ukraine and its people deal with the aftereffects of Chornobyl, whose 20th anniversary will be marked in 2006?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sen. Kerry did not answer this question.

Q: In general, what would your administration's policies be toward Ukraine? What would define U.S.-Ukraine relations under an administration headed by you? What do you believe should be the role of the U.S. in helping Ukraine proceed on the path toward full democracy?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sen. Kerry did not answer this question.

* * *

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sen. Kerry appended the following comments on Ukraine's presidential election, though a question on that topic was not posed by The Weekly.

As Ukraine prepares for its upcoming presidential elections, Ukrainians have the opportunity to demonstrate the power of democracy in Eastern Europe by selecting their future leader through free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people. I am concerned about developments in Ukraine in the lead-up to election day. There is a consistent pattern of government abuse and intimidation against opposition political candidates and their supporters.

While Ukraine is at a critical turning point, the Bush administration has done too little too late to challenge the Ukrainian government on these democratic reversals and to work with the European community to formulate a common approach to support democracy in Ukraine. In these remaining days before the Ukrainian election, President Bush should challenge the Ukrainian leadership to ensure that all candidates are granted equal access to state media.

In addition, the Bush administration should work with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to significantly increase the number of international observers sent to Ukraine for the elections, and to ensure that they remain available in the likely event that a run-off election is necessary at the end of November.

Ukraine's gifted, diverse society is capable of continuing on the path its citizens chose in 1991, if given a fair choice in free elections. A Kerry administration will never compromise the commitment of the United States to an independent and democratic Ukraine.

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