[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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