[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1919-E1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    UKRAINE ON THE EVE OF ELECTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, Ukraine's presidential 
elections will be held in a little over a month, on October 31. These 
elections will be an important indicator in charting Ukraine's course 
over the next 4 years. The stakes are high. Will Ukraine continue to 
move--even if at a slow and inconsistent pace--in the direction of the 
supremacy of law over politics, a market economy, and integration with 
the Euro-Atlantic community? Or will Ukraine regress in the direction 
of the closed economic and political system that existed during Soviet 
times? Clearly, the outcome of the elections will have significant 
implications for United States policy toward Ukraine.
  Despite the many internal and external positive changes that have 
occurred in Ukraine since its independence in 1991, including progress 
in creating a democratic, tolerant society and the significant role 
played in the stability and security of Europe, Ukraine still has a 
long way to go in building a sustainable democracy underpinned by the 
rule of law. Specifically, Ukraine needs to improve its judiciary and 
criminal justice system, reduce bureaucratic arbitrariness and rid 
itself of the stifling

[[Page E1920]]

menace of corruption. Indeed, corruption is exacting a huge toll on 
Ukrainian institutions, eroding confidence in government and support 
for economic reforms, and discouraging domestic and foreign investment.
  Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about reports of violations in the 
conduct of the election campaign, including in the signature-gathering 
process and inappropriate meddling by officials, especially on the 
local level. I am also troubled by governmental actions against the 
free media, including the recent seizure of bank accounts of STB 
independent television and the suspension of four independent 
television stations in Crimea. The harassment of the print and 
electronic media is inconsistent with OSCE commitments. It undermines 
Ukraine's overall positive reputation with respect to human rights and 
democracy, including its generally positive record in previous 
elections.
  The Helsinki Commission, which I chair, was in the forefront of 
supporting respect for human rights and self-determination in Ukraine 
during the dark days of Soviet rule. We have viewed--and still view--
Ukraine's independence as a milestone in Europe's history. However, in 
order to consolidate its independence and reinforce internal cohesion, 
Ukraine needs to speed its transition to democracy and market economy. 
It needs to work toward greater compliance with OSCE standards and 
norms. The OSCE Office for Project Coordination in Ukraine can be a 
useful tool to assist Ukraine in this regard and I hope that the 
Ukrainian government will take advantage of and benefit from the OSCE 
presence.
  Despite frustrations with certain aspects of Ukraine's reality, it is 
important for both the Congress and the Executive Branch to continue to 
support an independent, democratic Ukraine, both in terms of policies 
designed to strengthen United States-Ukraine relations, as well as with 
assistance designed to genuinely strengthen democratic and free-market 
development. The key is to be patient, but persistent, in encouraging 
progress.

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