Turning the pages back... February 6, 2005 (02/05/06)

Turning the pages back...

February 6, 2005

"Encouraged and hopeful about the prospect of enhancing U.S.-Ukraine relations in the wake of the recent presidential election, Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) on January 31 led a bipartisan group of House members calling on President George W. Bush to invite newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to come to the United States for an official state visit."

That was the lead paragraph to a story published in The Ukrainian Weekly's February 6, 2005, issue, which reported that a campaign had begun to invite the new Ukrainian president to the United States on an official state visit.

Rep. Rothman and 19 of his colleagues from the House of Representatives wrote to President Bush: "We are writing to urge you to establish a relationship with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and encourage him to schedule a state visit to the White House promptly."

"As you well know, the outcome of the recent Ukrainian elections provides the opportunity for Ukraine to become more closely integrated in Euro-Atlantic institutions, demonstrate true democratic governance under the rule of law, and operate a genuine free market economy. It is critical that at this time we recognize the importance of the relationship between the United States and Ukraine and reach out to President Yushchenko in an effort to enhance these relations," they added.

"As a demonstration of American solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its newly elected leader, and in an effort to further strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations, we believe it is important for you to urge President Yushchenko to come to the White House for a state visit in the near future," the letter noted.

Rep. Rothman, a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, and his colleagues also congratulated Ukraine on following the democratic processes that ultimately led to the conduct of a free and fair election for the Ukrainian presidency and the peaceful swearing-in of President Yushchenko.

Source: "Rep. Rothman, joined by 19 colleagues, calls for state visit by Yushchenko to U.S.," The Ukrainian Weekly, February 6, 2005, Vol. LXXIII, No. 6.

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