[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 36 (Friday, March 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            A FUTURE UKRAINE

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, recently, Ukrainian President 
Leonid Kravchuk visited our country. This was an important visit, 
because the United States relationship with Ukraine is of enormous 
strategic importance to our country.
  In a recent article in Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Brzezinski argues 
that the future stability and independence of Ukraine is of paramount 
importance to America's foreign policy interests. Many other analysts, 
both within and outside the Clinton administration agree with this 
assessment. The key question is, what will best insure Ukraine's 
stability and independence?
  Many are concerned about the economic conditions in Ukraine. 
Inflation stands at an annual rate of 6,500 percent, and an energy 
crisis has led to sharp reductions in industrial output, temporary 
layoffs of hundreds of thousands of workers, and the closing of the 
universities for most of the winter.
  In spite of these problems, the United States Government should 
uphold the independence of Ukraine and demonstrate its support of the 
inviolability of its borders.
  Mr. President, in the midst of these tensions, Ukraine will hold an 
election on Sunday, March 27. Ukrainian citizens will go to the polls 
to elect a new parliament. The current parliament was elected back in 
1990, before Ukraine was an independent state and before it had 
substantial experience in running a free and fair election.
  This upcoming election will go a long way toward determining what 
kind of a future Ukraine will have. For one thing, it may start the 
process of breaking the political log-jam that has made it difficult 
for the Ukrainian Government to more effectively address the country's 
desperate economic situation. In addition, if the elections are 
perceived by the people of Ukraine as being free and fair, they will 
hopefully begin a process of strengthening the Ukrainian people's 
thrust in their government and belief in the reform process, which has 
been badly shattered by the events of the past several years. Clearly, 
a strong relationship between the people of Ukraine and the government 
they elect to represent them will bode well for the future of democracy 
in Ukraine.
  Mr. President, on Sunday the 27th, the people of Ukraine will have an 
opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to democratic principles. I 
look forward to free and fair elections and a long United States 
relationship with a democratic Ukraine.

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