Hyde and McCain introduce bill to extend normal trade relations to Ukraine (03/06/05)

Hyde and McCain introduce bill to extend normal trade relations to Ukraine

WASHINGTON - Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) on February 17 introduced a bill supporting the graduation of Ukraine from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. Bill H.R. 885, titled "To authorize the extension of non-discriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine," was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The measure is co-sponsored by Reps. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif) and Christopher Smith (R-N.J.).

Rep. Smith's statement in the Congressional Record noted: "With the historic triumph of Ukraine's peaceful Orange Revolution President Viktor Yushchenko's determination to consolidate democracy in Ukraine, the time has come to graduate Ukraine from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. Since 1992 Ukraine has been certified annually as meeting Jackson-Vanik requirements on freedom of emigration."

He added that, as co-chairman of the Helsinki Commission, "I have closely monitored developments and actively encouraged progress in Ukraine with respect to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Since independence, Ukraine has made considerable progress as a participating state of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in ensuring religious liberties and respect for national minorities. Normal trade relations status is especially warranted given Ukraine's embrace of freedom and the new government's active steps to promote reform and build a genuinely democratic future for this important partner."

"The granting of NTR [normal trade relations] to Ukraine would represent a tangible expression of support for the new government in Ukraine as they move ahead on their important historic agenda for change. President Yushchenko and the people of Ukraine deserve our support," Rep. Smith concluded.

The four sponsors of H.R. 885 on March 2 sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to all members of the House of Representatives seeking their support of "this timely legislation" and arguing that "Its swift passage will demonstrate strong and enduring U.S. support for the new government in Ukraine and for that country's assumption of its rightful place in the Western community of democracies."

They noted that "Viktor Yushchenko's government now faces the enormous challenge of reforming Ukraine's political system, economy and society. Ukraine's new leaders have already reached out to the U.S. and other governments with requests for assistance."

The House bill is identical to Senate bill 410, introduced on February 16 by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). That bill has been referred to the Committee on Finance.

In introducing S.410, Sen. McCain said: "The recent Orange Revolution in Ukraine marked a huge victory for the advancement of democracy in the world. The Ukrainian people made clear that they would not stand idle as a corrupt regime sought to deny them their democratic rights. Now that the people of Ukraine have seized control of their destiny, the United States must stand ready to assist them as they do the hard work of consolidating democracy. The Jackson-Vanik amendment is, with respect to Ukraine, now anachronistic and inappropriate. Therefore, I am pleased to introduce legislation that would terminate it."

He added that, "Beyond any benefits to our bilateral trading relationship, lifting Jackson-Vanik for Ukraine constitutes an important symbol of Ukraine's new democracy and its relationship with the United States."

Sen. McCain went on to note: "I led a delegation of four senators and six representatives to Kyiv last week, where we met with President Yushchenko, Prime Minister [Yulia] Tymoshenko, and students who led protests in Independence Square. I was struck by the great enthusiasm for democracy and freedom that has taken hold in Ukraine, and I wish the new leaders all the best as they begin the challenge of governing. I pledged to them that I would work toward the lifting of Jackson-Vanik on Ukraine, and today I am happy to take the first step toward that end."

Earlier this year, a similar bill to extend permanent normal trade relations to Ukraine was introduced by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.).

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