FOR THE RECORD: Yushchenko's address to joint meeting of Congress (04/10/05)

FOR THE RECORD: Yushchenko's address to joint meeting of Congress

Below is the text of the address to the joint meeting of Congess on April 6 by President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine. (The address was delivered in Ukrainian, with a simultaneous translation in English.)

Mr. Speaker and Mr. President, Honorable Senators and House Members, Ladies and Gentlemen: On the wall of this great building, there is the Latin phrase "E Pluribus Unum," which means "Out of many, one." This motto reminds the world about the American Revolution, the starting point of the modern world's history of liberty.

My road here went through the orange-colored Independence Square that became known as maidan. Millions of people standing there continuously repeated it: "Together we are many, we cannot be defeated." This motto of the Ukrainian Revolution is a reminder of the fact that freedom continues to win. Ukraine is opening a new page in the world's chronicle of liberty in the 21st century.

These two mottos have a lot in common. They speak to the strength of our peoples that comes from unity. They speak of the victories of our peoples in their struggles for freedom.

For me the invitation to speak before the joint session of Congress is an expression of respect for my Ukrainian nation. I am deeply honored to speak from the rostrum where before me stood so many great leaders: Winston Churchill, Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela.

I am grateful for the unique opportunity to address this great forum of the American people. I perceive your eagerness to hear the new Ukraine as a token of partnership of the two nations united by shared democratic values.

On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I would like to thank the United States Congress; U.S. Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush; and the entire American nation for their invariable respect for Ukraine and their support for Ukraine's democracy. I would like to pay special tribute to President Ronald Reagan. He is well remembered in Ukraine for his deep commitment to freedom of Ukraine.

It is of special significance for me to express our gratitude right in this room. It is here that the Ukrainian nation enjoyed support in the hardest times of its history. It is here where the rights of enslaved nations were advocated. It is from this hall where the world came to know the truth about the Holodomor, the Genocide Famine masterminded to annihilate millions of Ukrainians. It is in this hall that freedom for Ukraine was voiced at a time when the nation was deprived of its own voice. Your words reached us and gave us hope. We heard them because at all times Ukrainians felt related to Americans in the space of freedom. In this space of freedom, no Iron Curtain could divide us.

In your city there is a monument to the father of the Ukrainian nation, the great poet Taras Shevchenko, whose prophecy of the emergence in Ukraine of its own "Washington with a new and righteous law'' is enshrined on its pedestal. These verses have a profound and special meaning for all Ukrainians. Shevchenko was inspired by the invincible power of the words: "That God has bestowed each man on Earth with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This shared conviction determines the unity of Americans and Ukrainians, and no distances can obstruct it.

The American example of freedom has always been alluring. All the regimes that have sought to suppress democracy in Ukraine would often endeavor to nurture anti-American phobias, but they would invariably fail. Efforts of our American friends, who in the past so generously shared their democratic experience with us, enhanced the partnership between our two nations. For me, gratitude for these efforts has a personal dimension. It was through one of these programs that I met my wife, Kateryna Chumachenko Yushchenko , whose love and commitment gave me the strength to withstand the trials of the last months and years. I want to use this special opportunity to thank her for being beside me even at the most dangerous lethal threat I withstood.

Also I want to thank the United States for helping my wife, like millions of Ukrainians brought here by waves of emigration, to learn the values of freedom, and even still with Ukraine in her heart.

Many noble men and women on both sides of the Atlantic have always believed in Ukraine's democratic future. Our common belief came true in the days of the Orange Revolution. We highly appreciated the message sent by your country's leadership before the elections and during the Orange Revolution. It was clear and unambiguous. The U.S. condemned fraud and upheld Ukraine's right to freely elect their government.

This message enhanced our partnership and made it even stronger in the name of democracy. The Orange Revolution gave evidence that Ukraine is an advanced European nation, sharing the great values of the Euro-Atlantic civilization. A civil society has matured in Ukraine; its citizens stand ready to guard their rights and freedoms.

We Ukrainians are a diverse nation. We speak different languages, we practice different religions, and we have different political views. But we all recognize the right of each and every individual to determine his or her faith. This recognition underlines our unity and our strength.

In the days of revolution, millions of people went out to the maidan, and not a single act of violence, and I repeat, not a single act of violence was recorded there. Under orange banners, the people shared bread and warmth, not only with friends, but with their opponents as well. Armed with belief and convictions, the people overthrew a corrupt regime. The dirtiest election campaign in history ended with gracious victory and justice. Citizens of Ukraine bowed down to the authority of justice and have jointly assumed the responsibility for their own faith.

Ladies and Gentlemen: today Ukraine is looking into the future with great hope and expectation. Free and fair elections have brought to state offices a new generation of politicians not encumbered with the mentality of the Soviet past. These are honest and professional patriots.

We are working as one team in pursuit of one goal, to lead our nation to success in the shortest time possible. We are shaping a new model of behavior of our government. It must safeguard the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens. We want a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

The new power will not permit any administrative pressure upon the next year's parliamentary elections. Their fairness and transparency will be secured. The people themselves will not allow it any other way.

The first indicator of change is the ever-growing independence of mass media. We have freed the press from pressures. There are no more secret instructions on what may and what may not be covered. The monopoly of media by two or three oligarchic clans will be halted. We are building a free society, committed to freedom of speech; and we stand ready to defend it.

For me, each case of a journalist's death is a challenge to democracy. We wish to discover the truth about all tragedies that have occurred in the past years. Important evidence in the investigation of Heorhii Gongadze's assassination case has already been obtained. Not only the perpetrators, but those who contracted this crime will be held responsible.

Everybody who was killing politicians and journalists will stand trial, everybody who led the country to the split-up. We have the political will to return Ukrainians' faith and belief in justice.

Our top priority task is to secure independence of our judiciary. Our goal is to instill in Ukraine the rule of law. We are building a society where there will be no room for intolerance.

My father, Andrei Yushchenko, was a prisoner of Auschwitz, Buchenwald and Dachau. As a child, I heard my father's stories about the hell of concentration camps.

I am a son of a nation that survived the most terrible tragedies of the 20th century, the Holodomor Famine that took away 20 million lives of Ukrainians and the Holocaust. The 60th anniversary of the allied victory over Nazism once again calls upon us to fulfill our obligation to root out any expression of anti-Semitism and xenophobia, to secure minority rights and liberties.

I stand ready to fulfill this duty. All citizens of Ukraine, whether they be Ukrainians, Russians, Jewish or anybody else, will live in a society with open opportunities for everyone.

My oath is built on the reminiscences of the common prayer of hundreds of thousands of people in the maidan. Christians, Jews, Muslims were praying one prayer, everybody according to their rites, with everybody asking the Creator for one thing: freedom, fairness and blessings for Ukraine and for each of its citizens.

We are building an open economy that encourages innovation, rewards initiative, and assures high social standards. We are beginning an implacable war on corruption, promoting fair competition and forming transparent government-to-business relations. My goal is to place Ukraine in the forefront of prosperous democracies. My vision of the future is Ukraine in a United Europe.

We view accession to the European Union as an opportunity to realize the potential of our country. For us, a European future is a powerful incentive to attain high political, social and economic standards. We have observed the openness of European doors adding to our neighbors' confidence. It would be unfair to deprive Ukrainians of these opportunities - Ukrainians who so graciously proved their European identity - of this chance.

Ukraine wishes to guarantee security to its citizens, to live in peace and accord with all of its neighbors, whether in the East or in the West. It is only logical that we target our efforts towards integration with NATO, the alliance that plays an essential role in securing peace and stability across the European continent.

I am convinced that the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine will not be viewed as an additional hindrance. Ukraine's integration is not a problem, but rather a great new opportunity opening before our civilization.

Ukraine's accession to the European Union will put an end to the division of Europe and provide a new impetus to our civilization. Ukraine's accession to the alliance means a new level of stability across a strategically vital region, stretching from Warsaw to Tbilisi and to Baku.

It is quite natural for me to dwell upon new opportunities while standing at this podium. The United States, like no other country, has always built its policies on the premises of freedom, instead of merely seeking to retain a balance of power and interests. Since the times of President [Woodrow] Wilson, this great idealism inspired Europeans, lending them strength and courage for historic changes.

President Reagan advocated these ideals of freedom when, in front of the Berlin Wall, he challenged President Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall, Mr. President."

President Bush realized these ideals when he upheld the unification of Germany. President Clinton reminded us of these ideals when he supported the accession to NATO of East European and Baltic countries.

I deeply believe that America is again ready for such historic decisions. I have no doubt that we will receive support for our efforts and our aspirations. We do not want any more walls dividing Europe, and I am certain that neither do you.

Dear friends, the goal of my visit to the U.S. is to establish a new era in Ukraine-U.S. relations. We do not seek only thaws that alter chillings in our relations. We seek a new atmosphere of trust, frankness and partnership. A new Ukraine offers the U.S. a genuinely strategic partnership.

My discussions with President Bush have made it clear that Ukraine is being understood and supported. The time has come to make real steps towards each other.

Step 1, dear friends, we want to bury the Cold War relics of the senators and House members. I am calling upon you to waive the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. Please make this step towards Ukraine. Please tear down this wall.

Step 2, the new Ukrainian government has on an unprecedented scale opened the Ukrainian market, dramatically reducing customs restrictions. In return, we expect the United States to cancel their restrictions that apply to Ukrainian goods within the U.S. market. I am calling upon you, ladies and gentlemen, please make this step.

Step 3, the non-recognition of market-based economy status for Ukraine is an anachronism. Ukrainian producers are deprived of the rights enjoyed by their competitors. The time has come to restore fairness. Three days ago, Ukraine officially requested the U.S. government to grant market-based economy [status] to Ukraine, and we are requesting that you make it happen by the fall.

Step 4, by November of this year, Ukraine must become a WTO member. I would encourage you, in the nearest months, please support our WTO accession.

Step 5, we invite the United States to during this year involve all political, financial and technological resources to erect a new shelter over the destroyed reactor of Chornobyl power plant. I would ask the Congress to support virulent [sic] programs.

Step 6, we want to see more Ukrainian students learning in U.S. universities over the next five years. I would encourage the Congress to finance such educational programs for Ukrainian students.

Step 7, Ukraine has agreed to waive the visa regime for United States citizens. I would request the U.S. government to, in the speediest possible manner, make a reciprocal step in relation to Ukrainian students, politicians and businesspeople.

Step 8, on behalf of Ukraine, I would ask you to include it in the list of participants of the Millennium Challenge program.

Following these priorities, we can make many others happen. For this, we have necessary possibilities in different areas. We welcome investments in the Ukraine's economy and are committed to creating a most favorable climate for the U.S. and all other international investors. It is in our own mutual interests to achieve as many success stories as possible of American enterprise in Ukraine.

The U.S. and Ukraine have common strategic interests, and we have unity in one thing. Everywhere possible we want to uphold freedom and democracy. We are committed to such a responsibility because we know if somebody is deprived of freedom, this freedom has been taken away from us.

Eleven years ago, my country voluntarily gave up the world's third largest nuclear arsenal. Ukraine made the world a safer place to live. Time has shown that this decision has not always met the kind of appreciation it deserved. Nevertheless, we remain committed to jointly counter the threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, missile and nuclear technologies.

Ukraine will be a reliable partner to the U.S. in fighting terrorism. I am sure we will be able to overcome it and not only by power of force. It is our obligation to eradicate the sources of terrorism. We can defeat the ideology of hatred that nourishes it. I am fully convinced that the time will come when in the dictionary of world languages, the term "terrorism'' will be followed by the footnote, "archaic term.'' The same footnote, I am sure, will also accompany other shameful phenomena like racism, discrimination and slavery.

We are witnessing the first successes of freedom in Iraq, where Ukrainian soldiers are risking their lives shoulder to shoulder with their American counterparts.

Ukraine is eager to continue its support to a democratically elected Iraqi government in addressing its economic and security challenges.

The array of subjects for our dialogue is endless, but I would prefer to see the leading role played not by governmental, but by public diplomacy. Before my departure for the U.S., I received a letter from a group of respectable Ukrainian and American organizations proposing concrete and relevant subjects for expanding our dialogue. These initiatives I am sure are worthy of being supported.

Ladies and Gentlemen: John Fitzgerald Kennedy took an oath before the whole world by saying, "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.'' I am subscribing to these words on behalf of Ukraine. This authority was given to me by my fellow countrymen who endured days and nights in bitter cold and snow on the maidan. Ukraine is free and will always remain free. Citizens of Ukraine gained their freedom due to their courage and support of friends and proponents of democracy across the world.

In these days I want to recall one of them, Pope John Paul II, who said, "Following the path of truth is sometimes difficult, but never impossible."

We have embarked upon this road and will never step away from it. Together we are many, and together we are not defeated. God bless America. God protect Ukraine.

Thank you.

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