[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 11, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6214-H6215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 GOODWILL OF UKRAINE HELPS AMERICA HEAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, this hallowed day, the anniversary of the 
terrible terrorist attacks upon the United States, is one that is 
observed throughout America. The eloquence of our colleagues in this 
House has stirred our hearts, described our attitudes, and revealed the 
Nation's character. America's tragedy is mourned this day throughout 
the world, too.
  It is important for Americans to understand and appreciate the 
outpouring of support, the gestures of solidarity, and the prayers of 
the faithful bestowed upon us by the people of the world. As cochairman 
of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, I rise today to speak about one 
country's goodwill toward the American people in commemoration of the 
September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have always been an ardent 
supporter of democratic development in Ukraine. The full commercial and 
strategic potential of a democratic Ukraine is staggering and the 
desire for freedom is deeply routed in the American psyche.
  Mr. Speaker, in the House the days and the weeks following the 
attacks, the Ukrainian people grieved with America and the rest of the 
world. The sentiments of the Ukrainian people were echoed in a letter 
from Bishop Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk of the Roman Catholic Diocese of 
Kyiv-Zhytomyr. Here is what the bishop said, what he wrote:
  ``I would like to present to you and in you, to all American people, 
our condolences because of the terrible tragedy that has stricken the 
whole world.
  ``We have been deeply shaken to know about the series of acts of 
terrorism that happened in the United States of America yesterday.
  ``It has been an awful blow by its cruelty and scale that struck not 
only the U.S.A., but all humanity. I received this notice during 
spiritual retreats in our Higher Spiritual Seminary in Vorzel, where 
all priests of our Diocese came. As a sign of our unity and sympathy in 
your grief, we celebrated Holy Mass for the souls of the departed and 
prayed for all victims. May the Lord strengthen them by His grace that 
they may outlive this horrible disaster.
  ``There are Divine Services and prayers said for the souls of the 
departed victims, and for all of those who have suffered, in all of our 
churches.
  ``These day our hearts and prayers are with you and your people.
  ``Sincerely Yours, Bishop Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk, the Vicar general 
of Kyiv Zhytomyr Diocese.'' Bishop Shyrokoradiuk in Ukraine sent that 
the day after.
  As a country, Ukraine immediately declared its solidarity with the 
United States, offering its support morally, technically, militarily 
and with the capabilities of its infrastructure. Ukraine's stance 
clearly demonstrated its friendship with the United States and the 
forces of freedom.
  Most helpful has been Ukraine's clearance of airspace for nearly 
5,000 aircraft flying in from Afghanistan and aid in transporting 
allied troops and materiel by air and train. Ukraine also provided 
planes and crews in order to provide transportation for coalition 
forces and humanitarian missions over Iran.
  Ukrainian security forces have been cooperating with Americans 
offering intelligence regarding the fighting in Afghanistan and other 
security concerns. Ukraine's international efforts in leading the 
Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia Group, called 
GUUAM, to secure strategic transport corridors from terrorist activity 
have helped secure the entire regional community. Ukraine has 
cooperated with us in blocking and investigating the financial 
transactions and accounts of suspected terrorists.

  Just today, Mr. Speaker, Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna 
(Supreme) Rada, unanimously passed three resolutions in support of 
America. One extends Ukraine's profound sympathy to the families and 
friends of victims. The other directs the Cabinet of Ministers of 
Ukraine to establish a memorial at the World Trade Center in New York 
to the Ukrainians who perished there. The third resolution outlines 
Ukraine's commitment to the future of freedom and reaffirms Ukraine's 
solidarity in the war on terrorism and its commitment to strengthening 
international peace and security.
  This latter resolution lucidly addresses issues of global concern, 
including environmental problems and global health issues. Currently, 
Ukraine is preparing to send two IL-76 cargo planes loaded with small 
arms, ammunitions, and other military equipment to outfit the Afghan 
National Army.
  This morning, the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, met with our 
ambassador, Carlos Pascual. The President pledged his country's 
continued support for Operation Enduring Freedom and expressed his 
regret for the loss of lives in America 1 year ago.
  This afternoon, Ukraine's Ambassador Kostyantyn Gryshchenko visited 
me in my office here in Washington, D.C. and extended his country's 
condolences, support, and solidarity. He asked me to express to the 
House Ukraine's commitment to America's war on terrorism. He assured me 
that the prayers of countless Ukrainians are for the repose of the 
souls of the victims.
  At this moment in Kyiv, Mr. Speaker, Ukrainians are paying their 
respects as they observe a large photo collage of Ground Zero. The 
display honors the emergency workers and heroes of 9-11. There is a 
similar exhibit at the Ukrainian National Gallery; and on Friday, they 
will hold a commemorative concert at the National Opera.
  Ukraine's condemnation of international terrorism, its much-
appreciated support on the war on terrorism, its tough, newly enacted 
laws to combat terrorism and its commitment to fight at the side of the 
United States

[[Page H6215]]

and its allies for civil society and democracy clearly demonstrates the 
role Ukraine and her people intend to play. Ukraine's support for 
America is deeply appreciated.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the people of Ukraine for their condolences and 
camaraderie and commend Ukraine's leaders for standing shoulder to 
shoulder with the United States. I will submit for the Record at this 
time the resolution that was adopted this morning by Ukraine's 
parliament.

           The Lessons of the Tragedy Are Not To Be Forgotten


   Statement by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the occasion of the 
  anniversary of the events in the United States on September 11, 2001

       The year that passed after the tragedy in the United States 
     of America did not assuage anger and indignation at 
     malevolent actions of terrorists, pain and bitterness over 
     the loss of thousands of innocent people who died in the 
     airplanes, skyscrapers of the World Trade Center in New York, 
     and offices of the Pentagon. Paying homage to their memory we 
     express once again our sympathy with families and loved ones 
     of the victims.
       The last year tragedy has taught the mankind many lessons. 
     First of all it demonstrated that neither financial and 
     economic power, nor possession of unprecedented arsenals of 
     modern arms can guarantee security even for the most powerful 
     state of the world. It has become even more obvious that only 
     with united and coordinated actions can the mankind overcome 
     the international terrorism and religious fundamentalism.
       Realization of that led to creation of the anti-terrorist 
     coalition that included dozens of countries. An important 
     role within the coalition belongs to Ukraine, whose foreign 
     policy major goals are strengthening of the international 
     peace and security, maintaining peaceful, equitable, and 
     mutually beneficial cooperation with members of the 
     international community consonant with the generally accepted 
     principles and norms of the international law.
       The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine considers it exceptionally 
     important to apply the experience of the anti-terrorist 
     coalition to strengthening cooperation of members of the 
     international community in overcoming such global challenges 
     as deepening gap between a handful of the richest countries 
     and numerous less developed nations and countries in 
     transition; catastrophic impoverishment of hundreds of 
     millions of people; spread of drug abuse, infectious disease, 
     corruption and organized crime; depletion of water and other 
     natural resources; pollution; dangerous accumulation of 
     nuclear, chemical, and other weapons of mass destruction; 
     strive for hegemony and dictates in international relations; 
     attempts to use objective processes of globalization and 
     internationalization in the selfish interests of one state or 
     a group of states.
       United, the mankind is capable to ensure protection of the 
     environment and biodiversity, acceleration of economic and 
     social growth of every member of the international community. 
     We consistently support the increasing role of the United 
     Nations in resolving international problems, strict 
     compliance with requirements of the UN Charter on conflict 
     resolution and prevention of threats to peace and security of 
     the nations.
       The documents of the World Summit on Sustainable 
     Development held recently in Johannesburg attracted attention 
     in the Ukrainian society. By taking unprecedented decisions 
     to voluntary renounce the third largest nuclear arsenal and 
     close up the Chornobyl nuclear power station, Ukraine, having 
     been left alone with these very complicated problems, 
     demonstrated to the world its devotion to the cause of peace 
     and international security and adherence to its international 
     commitments.
       Reflecting on the lessons of the last year September 
     tragedy, we consider it our duty to draw once again the 
     attention of the international community to the above issues 
     and call on all the nations to consolidate and multiply their 
     efforts to overcome global challenges facing the mankind in 
     the 21st century.

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