FOR THE RECORD: American Chamber of Commerce reacts to events in Ukraine (12/05/04)

FOR THE RECORD: American Chamber of Commerce reacts to events in Ukraine

Following is a statement released on November 24 by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, which is based in Kyiv.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine ("AmCham") expresses its concerns to the Ukrainian authorities about the reported results of this past Sunday's presidential election. A functional democracy requires transparency and stability, and these are the keys to the success of an internationally oriented economy. AmCham is a business association representing the largest foreign investors in Ukraine, as well as many Ukrainian businesses, and, according to our practice and by-laws, we do not support any political party or candidate. Our members simply require all concerned to respect democratic principles and civil rights in Ukraine, as set forth in the Ukrainian Constitution.

AmCham respectfully requests the Ukrainian president, Verkhovna Rada and Supreme Court, as well as the Central Election Commission, to review the electoral process and the reported preliminary results of the second-round presidential election, taking into account the reports and comments issued by the OSCE/ODIHR monitors, the European Union statement on the election, and the statements of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and other authorized representatives of international organizations and foreign democratic nations, who have commented on the presidential election process and the reporting of its results.

We strongly encourage all involved parties to use reasonable and non-violent methods to allow the Ukrainian people to express their opinions in a manner guaranteed by the Ukrainian Constitution, so that the world will recognize this to be a free and fair election. This is extremely important for Ukraine and its people, in its quest to grow and prosper, and to establish itself as a democratic European country with close economic ties to the larger international community. It is good for business, it is good for foreign and domestic investment, and, most importantly, it is good for the people of Ukraine.

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