[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1443]]
                        U.S. FUNDING FOR UKRAINE

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I oppose the provision in the Foreign 
Operations Appropriations Act for 2002 that reduces U.S. foreign 
assistance to the country of Ukraine to $125 million, which is $45 
million below both last year's funding level and what the President 
requested.
  With its geo-strategic location between Russia and our NATO allies, 
Ukraine has an inherent importance to our national security. It houses 
a major naval fleet with access to the Mediterranean and can be a major 
communication and oil conduit between Europe and Asia. As the 6th most 
populous nation in Europe, Ukraine is filled with resources and 
promise, and we can't afford to turn our backs on it.
  Over the past 16 months, the Ukrainian economy has grown immensely. 
In fact since January of this year, Ukraine's GDP has risen by over 9%. 
The privatization of land and businesses has proceeded at an 
unprecedented rate and the National Bank of Ukraine has undergone a 
series of reforms to promote transparency and stability. These are 
tremendous accomplishments for a country that was part of the Soviet 
Union until 1991.
  This year also marks the 15th Anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear 
disaster and the impact of this tragedy continues to haunt the 
Ukrainian people. Children still suffer from illness caused by exposure 
to radiation. Much of the farmland, which is vital to the survival of 
the people, remains contaminated. The recent closing of the remaining 
Chernobyl reactors has added to the already severe power shortage in 
Ukraine. The disastrous effects of this tragedy demand that this body 
reach out the hand of humanitarian aid.
  Despite its numerous accomplishments, Ukraine still requires U.S. 
assistance. The $125 million provided in this bill will not effectively 
fund the programs needed to assist Ukraine down the road toward 
democracy and prosperity. It is a shame that this bill severely cuts 
aid to this country, at a time when it is needed most. I believe that 
we should at least provide last year's level of funding, which was $170 
million. Ukraine has made great strides since its independence and it 
deserves our continued support.

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