Statement by Kaptur, Kucinich (03/26/06)

Statement by Kaptur, Kucinich

Following is the text of a statement released by Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) regarding their decision not to support HR 1053 to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. Ms. Kaptur is a co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, while Mr. Kucinich is a member.

Mr. Speaker: We have been strong supporters of political freedom in Ukraine and have advanced the cause of Ukrainian culture internationally and in the United States.

Today we voted "present" on HR 1053, a bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Ukraine. We wish to make clear that this was not a "no" vote, but a "we know" vote.

We know that democracy is on the march in Ukraine. We also know that the conditions for a fully functioning democracy are not in place.

We adhere to the principles of a similar bill to lift Ukraine from Jackson-Vanik in the 107th Congress, HR 3939. However, that bill specified certain conditions be met prior to lifting that reflect the spirit of the law as much as the letter of the law, including that the govemment of Ukraine:

(1) adopt and institute policies that remove undue restrictions and harassment on labor organizations to freely associate according to internationally recognized labor rights;

(2) take additional positive steps to transfer places of worship and related religious property for all confessions to their original owners;

(3) establish an independent legal and judicial system with rule of law that is free of political interference and corruption;

(4) commit to providing funding and administrative support for reforms of the legislature;

(5) demonstrate a firm commitment to freedom of the press by prohibiting physical harm and intimidation of journalists through such means as prevention of abuse of tax and libel laws;

(6) adopt and vigorously enforce laws to prohibit the trafficking of women and of illicit narcotics;

(7) accelerate governmental structural reform and land privatization policies which benefit ordinary citizens;

(8) adopt a more comprehensive program to protect the environment;

(9) support internationally recognized standards of transparency in monitoring of elections; and

(10) remedy trade disputes involving violation of international property rights, trans-shipment of counterfeit goods and dumping of such products as steel into the United States market in such increased quantities as to cause harm to the domestic industry.

Despite our high aspirations for Ukraine, we do not believe that these conditions have been met, although we are mindful that there are people in civil society working to bring these principles to fruition.

The Jackson-Vanik requirement for annual review of the trading relationship was originally intended as a way to sanction anti-Semitic regimes. According to the Anti-Defamation League, in a document attached to this statement, that we attach for the record, at least one university in Ukraine, sadly, is still teaching anti-Semitism in Ukraine.

We have both worked to ensure human rights, labor rights and environmental quality standards are included in trade agreements. However, the WTO does not permit trade on this basis. This makes new entrants into the WTO highly vulnerable to the export of their jobs to nations which offer cheap labor and no standards. A transfer of wealth from the great mass of the people of Ukraine to multi-national corporate interests will result unless there are safeguards. Any nation, and Ukraine is no exception, which is heavily influenced by oligarchical interests, could easily be sacrificed. We remain committed to continuing to work with the valiant people of Ukraine and the wonderful groups of the diaspora to lift up the economic, political and social progress of the Ukrainian people. We are optimistic about the blossoming of freedom, economic democracy and human rights in Ukraine.

| Home Page |