[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 189 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 189

Urging all sides to the political crisis in Ukraine to abide by the May 
   27, 2007, agreement which calls for a new round of parliamentary 
    elections on September 30, 2007, and to ensure a free and fair, 
   transparent democratic system in Ukraine based on the rule of law.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 23, 2007

 Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Matsui, Mr. 
McNulty, Mr. Gerlach, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Urging all sides to the political crisis in Ukraine to abide by the May 
   27, 2007, agreement which calls for a new round of parliamentary 
    elections on September 30, 2007, and to ensure a free and fair, 
   transparent democratic system in Ukraine based on the rule of law.

Whereas the Ukrainian people, most spectacularly during the Orange Revolution of 
        2004, demonstrated their ability to resolve political differences 
        through nonviolent protest and in a manner consistent with democratic 
        principles;
Whereas Ukraine has accepted numerous specific commitments governing the conduct 
        of elections as a participating State of the Organization for Security 
        and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE);
Whereas the March 26, 2006, Ukrainian parliamentary elections were pronounced to 
        be free and fair by the OSCE-led International Election Observation 
        Mission;
Whereas free, fair, and transparent elections are of vital importance to 
        Ukraine's continued democratic development;
Whereas the people of Ukraine deserve to participate in free and fair elections 
        and must be assured that the integrity of their democratic process 
        continues to be consolidated and strengthened;
Whereas Ukraine is currently grappling with political uncertainty, rooted in 
        hastily conceived constitutional reforms, that could jeopardize that 
        country's hard-fought and substantial democratic gains;
Whereas on April 2, 2007, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko issued a decree 
        dissolving the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and calling for 
        early parliamentary elections, asserting that Prime Minister Viktor 
        Yanukovich and his coalition government were overstepping their 
        constitutionally-limited bounds and ``attempting to monopolize political 
        power'';
Whereas weeks of tension nonetheless gave way to negotiations between President 
        Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yanukovich, and Parliamentary Speaker 
        Oleksander Moroz in an attempt to end the constitutional dispute;
Whereas the May 27, 2007, agreement accepted and signed by the Ukrainian 
        President, Prime Minister, and Parliamentary Speaker stipulated new 
        parliamentary elections for September 30, 2007;
Whereas the United States supports the principles of the May 27, 2007, 
        agreement, as a forward-looking path to making Ukraine a more democratic 
        and more united country;
Whereas the United States Congressional delegation to the 16th annual session of 
        the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary 
        Assembly (OSCE PA) in Kyiv held a discussion with Ukrainian President 
        Viktor Yushchenko, who reiterated his commitment to democratic 
        principles and to holding elections on September 30, 2007, consistent 
        with the May 27, 2007, agreement; and
Whereas the United States Congress has consistently demonstrated strong 
        bipartisan support for an independent, democratic Ukraine: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That Congress--
            (1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong relationship 
        formed between the United States and Ukraine since the 
        restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991 and especially 
        following the Orange Revolution of 2004;
            (2) applauds Ukraine for holding free, fair, and 
        transparent presidential elections consistent with Organization 
        for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards on 
        December 26, 2004, and parliamentary elections on March 26, 
        2006;
            (3) urges the leadership and political parties of Ukraine 
        to abide by the May 27, 2007, agreement and conduct elections 
        as scheduled on September 30, 2007;
            (4) supports the holding of free, fair, and transparent 
        elections on September 30, 2007, in a peaceful manner 
        consistent with Ukraine's democratic values and national 
        interest, in keeping with its commitments as a member of the 
        OSCE;
            (5) expresses strong and continuing support for the efforts 
        of the Ukrainian people to consolidate the democratic gains of 
        the Orange Revolution of 2004 by strengthening respect for 
        human rights and the rule of law, including an independent 
        judiciary; and
            (6) pledges its continued assistance to the further 
        development of a free and transparent democratic system in 
        Ukraine based on the rule of law, a free market economy, and 
        consolidation of Ukraine's security and sovereignty.
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