[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    UKRAINE'S CONTINUED INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I voice support for Ukraine's 
continued independence

[[Page E160]]

and its efforts at cultivating a strong relationship with the West.
  Mr. Speaker, Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union 
in 1991, and since then has embarked on a long march towards democracy. 
Along the way, it has gradually oriented itself towards the West and 
embraced Western institutions. Ukraine was the first post-Soviet state 
to join NATO's Partnership for Peace program. It has since become party 
to a NATO-Ukraine Commission, which meets at various times throughout 
the year, and is a member of the Council of Europe. Ukraine has stated 
that its strategic goal is integration into Western political and 
security structures, including, potentially, NATO itself.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to express support for Ukraine's Prime 
Minister, Viktor Yuschenko, and his wife Katherine, who is American. 
Prime Minister Yuschenko has worked tirelessly to end corruption and 
carry out democratic reforms in Ukraine, recently under turmoil because 
of the undemocratic actions of others in power. His continued 
leadership will be critical to the success of this progressing nation.

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