[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, yesterday the Senate, with bipartisan 
support, agreed to S. Res. 205, a resolution urging the Government of 
Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent, and fair election process 
leading up to the March 31 parliamentary elections. I appreciate 
Chairman Biden and Senator Helms' support in committee and the 
leadership for ensuring timely consideration of this important 
resolution.
  In adopting S. Res. 205, the United States Senate expresses interest 
in, and concerns for, a genuinely free and fair parliamentary election 
process which enables all of the various election blocs and political 
parties to compete on a level playing field. While expressing support 
for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to promote democracy, rule of 
law, and human rights, the resolution urges the Ukrainian government to 
enforce impartially the new election law and to meet its OSCE 
commitments on democratic elections. I want to underscore commitments 
undertaken by the 55 OSCE participating States, including Ukraine, to 
build, consolidate, and strengthen democracy as the only form of 
government for each of our nations.
  The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Helsinki 
Commission, which I chair has monitored closely the situation in 
Ukraine and has a long record of support for the aspirations of the 
Ukrainian people for human rights and democratic freedoms. A recent 
Commission briefing on the parliamentary elections brought together 
experts to assess the conduct of the campaign. High level visits to 
Ukraine have underscored the importance the United States attaches to 
these elections in the run up to presidential elections scheduled for 
2004.
  As of today, with less than two weeks left before the elections, it 
remains an open question as to whether the elections will be a step 
forward for Ukraine. Despite considerable international attention, 
there are credible reports of various abuses and violations of the 
election law, including candidates refused access to media, the 
unlawful use of public funds and facilities, and government pressure on 
certain political parties, candidates and media outlets, and a pro-
government bias in the public media.
  Ukraine's success as an independent, democratic, economically 
successful state is vital to stability and security and Europe, and 
Ukraine has, over the last decade, enjoyed a strong relationship with 
the United States. This positive relationship, however, has been 
increasingly tested in the last few years because of pervasive levels 
of corruption in Ukraine and the still-unresolved case of murdered 
investigative journalist Georgiy Gongadze and other issues which call 
into question the Ukrainian authorities' commitment to the rule of law 
and respect of human rights.
  Ukraine enjoys goodwill in the United States Senate and remains one 
of our largest recipients of U.S. assistance in the world. These 
elections are an important indication of the Ukrainian authorities' 
commitment to consolidate democracy and to demonstrate a serious intent 
regarding integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.

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