[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          THOUGHTS ON A MEETING WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT KUCHMA

                                 ______


                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure and privilege to meet 
twice last week with President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine.
  All of us from the Congress who met with President Kuchma were 
encouraged by his leadership and his expressions of commitment to 
democracy and economic reform. The people of the United States have a 
major stake in Ukraine's success. This large nation occupies a critical 
place in Europe. It asks not mainly for money but for American 
technical assistance and friendship. It is important that we respond 
appropriately and effectively.
  During our discussions a number of issues were reviewed, including 
the acceleration of technical ties between our two nations and greater 
utilization of the talents of the Ukrainian-American communities, 
including that in Michigan's 12th district. Vice President Al Gore and 
I pledged to work with representatives of Ukraine on this important 
matter.
  During our meetings there was also discussion of the ``60 Minutes'' 
program. The deep distortions in that program were of concern to all of 
us, and everyone present was encouraged by the determination shown by 
President Kuchma to demonstrate that Ukraine of today and tomorrow is 
far removed from the misshaped picture put together by ``60 Minutes.''
  In this regard I insert a statement I presented on October 27, 1994 
in Warren, MI:

       I regret that I cannot be with you tonight because of two 
     prior engagements. I know all of you, my friends in the 
     Ukrainian-American Community, will understand.
       I did not see the ``60 Minutes'' program and, of course, 
     had no knowledge of its contents. These days, I don't get to 
     watch much television.
       But as soon as I had learned of the program, I acted to get 
     whatever information might be available.
       Today, I received the transcript and have read it 
     carefully. I also have been in touch with people at the 
     American Jewish Committee who immediately shared with me 
     their deep concern.
       I have had several lengthy conversations with Martin Plax, 
     Area Director of the American Jewish Committee in Cleveland. 
     He has served as liaison between the Ukrainian and Jewish 
     Communities in Cleveland.
       He told me a few hours ago that he had just finished an 
     article for publication on the ``60 minutes'' program.
       Because of his expertise and the clarity of his message, I 
     would like, with his permission, to quote from his article. 
     Mr. Plax writes,
       ``. . . I was amazed by the selective and highly 
     inflammatory way in which the entire report was crafted. So 
     was Rabbi Yakov Bleich, who was sent a videotape of the show 
     by the American Jewish Committee. In a telephone conversation 
     yesterday, Bleich said he was furious with the way his 
     interview was edited. He said that he had told ``60 Minutes'' 
     about the many positive things taking place in Ukraine and 
     that when he said `they want the Jews out' he was referring 
     to small, but vocal groups of ultranationalists who are anti-
     semitic, but not a significant force in the country.
       ``. . . If the producers of this segment of ``60 minutes'' 
     had any integrity they would have at least given Ukrainian 
     government officials an opportunity to indicate directly how 
     they were responding to the ultranationalists and to the two 
     instances when Jews were attacked.
       ``. . . Efforts are now underway by Jews in Ukraine and by 
     Ukrainian leaders there and in Europe to respond to all of 
     the inaccuracies of that story. It certainly won't make a 
     difference to ``60 Minutes.'' They're in the business of 
     attracting viewers, so the more sensational and the more 
     lurid, the better.
       ``The Jews who have chosen to remain in Ukraine and to live 
     Jewishly cannot be aided by an eruption of indignation and 
     panic. We can give aid to them, however, by supporting the 
     forces that exist within Ukraine which are striving to 
     contain any hatred and promote stability and moderation. If 
     we do anything other, we may learn another lesson: that those 
     who distort the present, by assuming that nothing has changed 
     from the past, will increase the probability that they might 
     relive the past from which they had hoped to escape.''
       In addition to conveying these remarks, I want to 
     reiterate: I find the reference, by Morley Safer, to 
     ``genetically anti-semitic'' totally reprehensible. No 
     explanation can excuse it, in my judgment.
       I have welcomed the many opportunities I've had to work 
     with the Ukrainian-American Community. I have enjoyed the 
     good times together at the Sunflower Festival and other 
     occasions; I have been privileged to work with you on a 
     number of serious projects, including most recently helping 
     to obtain some added resources for the Center's work in 
     support of democratic forces in Ukraine. I also have 
     benefitted from some frank discussions about times past, and 
     future opportunities.
       The goal of good will among all people must remain a vital 
     one. I understand that a high level meeting is being 
     scheduled in New York on this matter within the next week or 
     two and that Rabbi Bleich will be in the U.S. within several 
     weeks. I assure you I will follow-up on this matter.

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