[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF UKRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today, we here in the Congress are making 
the sixth anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. The formal and 
official anniversary falls upon August 24, but because the Congress was 
in recess at that time, we are celebrating this historic occasion 
today.
  Six years ago, on August 24, 1991, the parliament of Ukraine approved 
a declaration of independence and affirmed the sovereignty of Ukraine. 
That took place, as some of my colleagues will recall, in the midst of 
the abortive coup against Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev by 
military leaders and Communist hard liners in Moscow. The decisive 
action of Ukraine at that time sounded the death knell for the old 
Soviet Union. Independence was declared earlier by the Baltic 
Republics, but the key factor was Ukraine's courageous declaration of 
independence. It was followed by declarations of independence by 
Byelorussia, Moldova, and the Central Asian Republics. The decision of 
the Ukrainian parliament--the Supreme Rada--was followed by a popular 
referendum held on December 1, in which the people of Ukraine 
overwhelmingly voted to separate from the Soviet Union and establish a 
sovereign and independent state.
  It is hard to believe that these tumultuous events took place only 6 
years ago, Mr. Speaker. In these past 6 years, the Ukraine has had to 
deal with a multitude of extremely difficult problems. First, the 
country has had to deal with the transition to democracy and the 
creation of a free-market economy, and this has required dealing with 
serious political and economic issues. Second, at the same time, the 
people of Ukraine and their government institutions have had to deal 
with creating separate State institutions and establishing a separate 
national identity because Ukraine has not existed as a separate and 
independent country for centuries. Third, the country has been saddled 
with the legacy of the failed Soviet economic and political system. The 
tragedy of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in northern Ukraine is only 
the best known and most visible consequence of eight decades of 
Communist Party incompetence and misrule.
  As the second largest country in area in Europe, and as one of the 
largest countries in Europe in population, Ukraine is a vital and an 
important friend of the United States. Strong relations between our two 
countries are important to secure stability and prosperity in Central 
and Eastern Europe.
  In the 6 years of independence, the Government of Ukraine has made a 
number of difficult choices--nuclear weapons have been removed from the 
territory. In July of this year, Ukraine and NATO have signed a charter 
affirming the commitment of NATO and Ukraine to the ``development of a 
strong, enduring relationship between NATO and Ukraine.'' The 
importance of Ukraine and our commitment to its success is clearly 
indicated by the level of United States foreign assistance to Ukraine--
it receives the third largest amount of assistance of all country in 
the world.
  While we celebrate Ukraine's independence, Mr. Speaker, this does not 
mean that all of the problems of Ukrainian independence have been 
resolved. Ukraine must accelerate its economic reforms, in order to 
assure a stable and prosperous economy. Democratic institutions and 
practices must be accelerated. There is still a long way to go in 
achieving full respect for human rights in Ukraine, including firmly 
establishing such fundamental rights as freedom of religion, freedom of 
speech, and freedom of the press. The problem of corruption and crime 
must be dealt with in order to assure a successful democratic 
government and functioning economy. While we note these serious 
problems, we also reaffirm our commitment to work with the Government 
of Ukraine in dealing with them.
  This festive occasion is an opportunity for us to look back over the 
past 6 years and marvel and rejoice in the great progress that has been 
made, but it is also an occasion when we can look to the future and 
recommit ourselves to the still-daunting tasks that the people of 
Ukraine face. The American people support Ukraine. We welcome your 
triumphs and we are willing to work with you in achieving the goals 
that both our countries seek in assuring the continuing independence 
and prosperity of Ukraine.
  Mr. Speaker, on this sixth anniversary of Ukrainian independence, I 
congratulate the people of Ukraine on this joyous national occasion. 
The relationship between the United States and Ukraine is an important 
one for both of our countries, and this occasion is a happy one for us 
to reaffirm our commitment to good relations and cooperation.

                          ____________________