[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN COMMEMORATION OF UKRAINE'S 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 1997

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of the 6th 
anniversary of Ukrainian independence.
  On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet declared Ukraine's 
independence from the then Soviet Union. The declaration was confirmed 
several months later through a public referendum in which 90 percent of 
Ukraine's citizens voted in favor of independence. At the same time, 
Ukraine elected its first president.
  Since then, Ukraine has labored hard to transform itself from a 
Communist controlled republic to a democratic and free market country. 
This has not been an easy task. Unemployment and inflation have run 
rampant throughout Ukraine. Shortages of food and other essentials are 
common. And in many cases wages often go unpaid for months.
  However, throughout this long ordeal Ukrainians have remained 
committed to reforming their country. Ukraine is one of only a few of 
the former Communist dominated countries to have a peaceful transition 
of power. In 1991 and 1994, Ukraine held successful elections for both 
president and parliament without violence or bloodshed. Furthermore, 
Ukraine's Parliament, the Rada, adopted its first post-Communist 
constitution last year guaranteeing future free and fair democratic 
elections.
  Ukraine has also shown a strong commitment to peace and regional 
stability. For instance, Ukraine is in full compliance of all 
reductions in force under the Conventional Forces in Europe Agreement. 
Early this year, NATO and Ukraine entered into a charter that will 
ensure cooperation between the alliance and Ukraine on all regional 
security issues including peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. 
However, most importantly, Ukraine agreed unilaterally to dismantle its 
entire nuclear arsenal, the third largest in the world at the time, and 
sign as a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
  Under the leadership of President Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine has 
instituted a rigorous economic reform plan. Already this plan has 
helped to lower the inflation from an overwhelming rate of 10,000 
percent in 1993 to an anticipated level of 25 percent this year. It has 
also led to the privatization of nearly 50,000 state-run small and 
medium sized industries.
  This progress has not come without controversy. Like many former 
Communist countries Ukraine has had a difficult time dealing with graft 
and corruption among government officials. This has caused a great deal 
of concern among United States and other foreign investors who have had 
great difficulties doing business in Ukraine because of the lack of 
firm laws and regulations guarding against abuse of power. The 
government of Ukraine realizes the seriousness of this problem and has 
taken steps to correct the problems expressed by foreign investors and 
clean up corruption within the government. For example, President 
Kuchma announced a clean hands anti-corruption campaign which has 
resulted in a large shakeup at the highest levels of government within 
Ukraine. In addition, Ukraine's president has also established an 
advisory committee made up of Ukrainians, foreign investors, and 
President Kuchma to deal with investor complaints in an efficient and 
timely manner.
  I view these as steps in the right direction, but clearly more needs 
to be done. Specifically, I encourage the Ukrainian Rada to adopt 
comprehensive legal reforms that will protect investors from 
unscrupulous officials seeking individual profit.
  The United States has been a major partner in Ukraine's success and 
should continue to play a major role.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue to support aid to 
Ukraine so that we may continue to celebrate the occasion of a free and 
democratic Ukraine for years to come.

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