[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 32 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          ELECTION IN UKRAINE

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the future of Ukraine is vital to the 
national security interests of the United States. The relationship 
between Ukraine and Russia, and the relationship between Ukraine and 
the United States will have a profound impact on the events of the 21st 
century.
  That is why the upcoming election in Ukraine this Sunday, March 27, 
1994, is so important not only to the people of Ukraine but to freedom-
loving people everywhere. The stability of Ukraine and its ultimate, 
long-term independence may be profoundly influenced by not only the 
outcome of this Sunday's votes, but by the process, openness, and 
honesty of this election.
  Ukraine has encountered many difficulties since the collapse of the 
Soviet Union. Inflation has surged, unemployment is at crisis levels, 
an energy crisis has curtailed industrial output, and internal and 
ethnic conflicts threaten. Ukraine is at a cross-roads as it goes to 
the polls this Sunday to elect a new parliament.
  The elections are to replace the current, preindependence parliament 
that has been stymied in its attempts to deal with the vast and 
mounting problems facing the country as it tries to convert from a 
command to a free-market economy, and from a closed government to an 
open political democracy.
  The popular support for reform and the Ukrainian people's trust in 
government will be tested this Sunday by the openness and honesty of 
the political process.
  Mr. President, Ukraine faces many daunting challenges. Two 
fundamental measures of whether Ukraine will belong in the family of 
free and respectable nations and whether it adheres to its obligations 
under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and whether this Sunday's 
elections are truly free and fair. This world is watching, and the 
outcome will afffect more than the people of Ukraine.

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